by Shian Jeen
Feng Yang harrumphed, returning his attention back to the Rising Dragon Arena. Deep inside, he knew that Huwang Xiao being able to defeat Jiang Bi had already exceeded most people’s expectations, but how would he fare against Xiang Mingzhi?
After he dealt with Jiang Bi, Huwang Xiao turned around to face the remaining eight, Liu Xiaoshi, He Can, and the rest.
By reflex, Liu Xiaoshi and the rest took a step back.
“Make your move.” Huwang Xiao said calmly.
On the contrary, all eight took another step back, adamant in not being the one to make the first move.
Facing this situation, Huwang Xiao’s silhouette disappeared in a flicker, left with no option but act himself. Subsequently, Liu Xiaoshi, He Can, and the remaining six were tossed off the stage by Huwang Xiao, all using a single move.
After clearing the stage, the Mulberry Sword appeared in Huwang Xiao’ hand, its tip pointed at Xiang Mingzhi at the Azure Dragon Institute’s viewing stand, “Xiang Mingzhi, come down to receive your death!”
Xiang Mingzhi, come down to receive your death!
How domineering!
All eyes instantly zoomed on Xiang Mingzhi on the viewing stand.
Come down to receive death?! Killing intent erupted in his eyes. Xiang Mingzhi leaped into the air, landing gracefully on the Rising Dragon Arena, his cold gaze glaring at Huwang Xiao, “Huwang Xiao, you think defeating trash like Jiang Bi in one move qualifies you to battle me? In my eyes, you’re just the same as Jiang Bi, a piece trash! All your Black Warrior Institute inner disciples are all useless trash!”
The Black Warrior Institute disciples below the stage were enraged.
An icy light gleamed in Feng Yang’s eyes.
Huwang Xiao’s icy smile did not reach his eyes, “In a little while, I will break both of your legs and then toss you off the Rising Dragon Arena so that everyone can understand who the real trash is! So that everybody can understand that the Azure Dragon Institute inner disciples are all trash!”
On the viewing stand, disciples of the Azure Dragon Institute glowered and shouted with fury. Feng Yang’s expression turned better, laughing loudly as he shouted ‘good’.
Xiang Mingzhi’s killing intent turned sharper, revealing a sinister smile, “Huwang Xiao, there’s little meaning in competing like this, let us each take out something as betting stake.”
“What do you want to bet?” Huwang Xiao asked coldly.
“The Hailstone Treasure should be in your hands, right?” Xiang Mingzi laughed, “I want your Hailstone Treasure!”
The Hailstone Treasure!
Dumbstruck faces could be seen in the crowd, all of them turning to Huwang Xiao in disbelief. Feng Yang, Wang Na, Bao Xinrui, Chan Yu, and all the Black Warrior Institute upper echelon were hardly able to stop themselves from jumping to their feet.
Huwang Xiao’s eyes narrowed, but he did not deny, instead, he retorted in a derisive manner, “Then what are you taking out for the bet? The Azure Dragon Institute’s treasure vault? Don’t say you want to bait a white wolf with an empty hand[1] by merely using one piece of saint grade spirit stone?”
1. getting something for nothing
Ch.613
“Audacious! Insolent! Actually dare to covet our Azure Dragon Institute’s treasure vault!”
“Damn him! Big brother Xiang Mingzhi, kill him!”
Hearing that Huwang Xiao wanted Xiang Mingzhi to use their Azure Dragon Institute’s treasure vault as capital, the people of the Azure Dragon Institute jumped in anger. To them, Huwang Xiao deserved to die ten thousand times just by thinking about their Azure Dragon Institute’s treasure vault!
Xiang Mingzhi’s eyes also showed displeasure, ridiculing as he said, “How can you prove that you have the Hailstone Treasure vault with you?! Moreover, do you really think I will lose?”
Huwang Xiao laughed loudly, giving Xiang Mingzhi an expression as if he was looking at an idiot, “Well, it seems like you’re indeed an idiot, just like that subordinate of your at the last auction who wanted to buy my thirty billion True Dragon King beast cores with two billion. What you’re saying is, just because you’re not going to lose it means you don’t need to take out anything as betting stake, whereas I, Huwang Xiao need to take out the Hailstone Treasure?!”
Huwang Xiao’s sarcastic tone and that mocking gaze caused Xiang Mingzhi’s face to flush red.
The masters around the stage also laughed is derisive mirth, obviously agreeing that Xiang Mingzhi was obviously behaving like an idiot, he actually had the face to utter this suggestion?
“You’re right, the Hailstone Treasure is in my hand!” Huwang Xiao admitted as he took out a small golden cube vault, then opening the restrictions on it in front of everyone.
The instant the restrictions were opened, the undulating mountains of Xuanwu coins that seemed to have no end appeared in front of everyone’s eyes, piles after piles of top divine grade spirit pellets about the size of small hills, saint grade spirit stones that could see no end, and ten thousand years and above herbs and elixirs that formed a great hill of their own, there were even hundred thousand years and above spiritual fruits and elixirs. Divine armors piled sky high in a corner, next to the pile of divine grade weapons! Everything was revealed in front of everyone present.
Recovering from a brief lapse, all eyes turned red, hovering on the edge of insanity.
“Those are Hailstone Spirit Pellets!”
“My heavens! Those are sacred grade divine pellets, the legendary Three Revolutions Golden Pills, ahhh!”
“A million-year-old divine grade herb, Nine Purple Leaf Root! Hundred Thistle King! Clearglass Heart Fruit! Dragonblood Ginseng King!”
“Th-that divine armor, probably reached top divine grade!”
“So many Xuanwu coins! A hundred billion? One trillion? Several hundred trillion?!”
Waves after waves of excited, thrilled, mad cries could be heard from every corner of the arena. Even the masters from the many super forces that came to spectate couldn’t stop their breathing from quickening and their gazes from growing feverish as their bodies trembled visibly.
Xiang Mingzhi was no exception. The wealth inside the Hailstone Treasure vault was far from what he had assumed it would be. Although he estimated that there would be numerous valuable treasures inside, seeing it displayed out before him, just like other super forces’ masters around, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
Forget all those sacred grade divine pellets, top-grade divine armors, million-year-old elixirs and such, just the endless mountains of Xuanwu coins were enough to drive the people in the arena to fall into madness.
In comparison, one could hardly find a similar amount of Xuanwu coins in some super forces’ treasure vaults. In fact, even the Azure Dragon Institute’s treasure vault paled greatly in comparison!
‘But, this Hailstone Treasure vault is mine! Mine! As long as I defeat Huwang Xiao, kill Huwang Xiao, it’s all mine!’ Xiang Mingzhi’s heart was roaring in ecstasy.
Huwang Xiao snickered, noting the greed in Xiang Mingzhi’s eyes. He suddenly bellowed: “Xiang Mingzhi, if you cannot take out treasures of similar value, then kowtow and admit defeat! You can get the hell off the Rising Dragon Arena!”
Kowtow and admit defeat!
Get the hell off the Rising Dragon Arena!
Huwang Xiao’s sudden loud bellow jolted Xiang Mingzhi out from his delightful fantasy, his expression becoming extremely ugly.
“Huwang Xiao, you’re courting death!” Wrath exploded in Xiang Mingzhi’s eyes.
“That’s right, if you cannot take out treasures of similar value, kowtow and admit defeat, then get the hell off the Rising Dragon Arena!”
“Kowtow and admit defeat, get the hell off the Rising Arena!”
Gradually, the spectating crowd turned Huwang Xiao’s words into a chant, repeating them louder and louder. Xiang Mingzhi’s face was gloomy to the extreme.
Those from the Azure Dragon Institute were looking just as bad, th
ey knew these people were acting this way because of jealousy and didn’t want Xiang Mingzhi to get the Hailstone Treasure.
Xiang Mingzh’s expression changed several times in hesitation, then a light flickered on his left hand as he took out a five-colored golden banner.
When the five-colored golden banner appeared, the heavens churned. Everyone could clearly sense that the spiritual energy in the air was ten times denser, no, more than a dozen times denser!
Everyone was flabbergasted and the clamoring stopped. Their attention was now focused on the five-colored golden banner in Xiang Mingzhi’s hand. A banner this small could actually increase the density of spiritual energy of a place ten times higher. This kind of item could be considered heaven-defying!
“This is the Five-colored Divine Banner!” Xiang Mingzhi did not pay attention to the bewildered gazes around him, speaking to Huwang Xiao slowly, “It's an ancient divine artifact refined by several Gods, there are more than a hundred spiritual energy gathering formations inscribed on it. Using saint grade spirit stones to activate the formations inside enables the surrounding spiritual energy to increase by a minimum of thirty times, whereas a divine grade spirit stone is enough to increase the spiritual energy within ten thousand li radius by at least fifty times!”
Saint grade spirit stone, thirty times!
Divine grade spirit stone, fifty times!
All around, there were gasps of sucking in cold air. This was absolutely exaggerated!
With this Five-colored Divine Banner, one would be able to increase their cultivation speed by thirty times, even fifty times. If others used five hundred years to break through to Fourth Order God Realm, using this Five-colored Divine Banner, they only needed ten years!
Even if someone swallowed divine grade pellets every night and day to cultivate, the effect still wouldn't be this good.
Looking at the Five-colored Divine Banner, Huwang Xiao was tempted. He himself didn't need it, but the Huwang Family did. With this Five-colored Divine Banner, combined with top divine grade spirit pellets, the Huwang Family’s cultivation speed could be enhanced by many times.
“What if it is activated using sacred grade immortal spirit stones.” Huwang Xiao solemnly asked.
“Using sacred grade immortal spirit stones, the spiritual energy would be an approximately a hundred times denser.” Xiang Mingzhi answered pridefully.
Another wave of gasps sounded.
One hundred times!
Realization hit Huwang Xiao. ‘No wonder this Xiang Mingzhi’s cultivation increases so rapidly, looks like this little banner contributed significantly.’ However, Huwang Xiao’s tone changed, “Although this Five-colored Divine Banner of yours is not bad, do you really think it is equal to the entire Hailstone Treasure? This little banner is indeed heaven-defying, but as great as it is, there’s still a price. If taken out to auction, it will not exceed one hundred billion. Taking out something that does not exceed one hundred billion to stake against my Hailstone Treasure?”
Xiang Mingzhi was indignant, but he knew that what Huwang Xiao said was a fact. A Five-colored Divine Banner was a far cry from the Hailstone Treasure vault. A fierce light shone in Xiang Mingzhi’s eyes as he took out a golden monk kasaya. The surface of the kasaya was inscribed with Buddhism symbols from the Buddha World, aureate light flowed on the surface as a vast Buddhism energy filled the arena.
“This is an ancient Buddhism treasure, refined by an ancient Buddhist master using one thousand ancient Buddhist masters’ dharmakāya[1], the Innumerable Buddha Kasaya. When it is infused with god battle qi, it can become bigger or smaller. When it's big, it can cover up to ten thousand li radius, it can defend and suppress devils below Highgod Realm cultivation. Cultivating with it can purify the soul, and at the same time, it increases the soul force, entering a Buddhism selfless state!” Xiang Mingzhi explained.
Everyone listening was once again astonished.
This Innumerable Buddha Kasay was no worse than the Five-colored Divine Banner. In fact, in certain aspects, it was even stronger, such as its ability to purify the soul, enhancing one’s soul force and entering the Buddhism selfless state!
“What else?” Huwang Xiao looked like his interest wasn’t aroused at all.
How could one or two of this kind of ancient treasures compare to his Hailstone Treasure? He wanted Xiang Mingzhi to take out all the treasures he had, losing until he vomited blood here!
1. Dharmakaya; Sanskrit: the ‘truth body’ one of three bodies of a Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism originating from India
Ch.614
In the end, under Huwang Xiao’s constant goading, Xiang Mingzhi was forced to take out heaven-defying ancient treasure one after another. His heart bled profusely with each treasure he had to take out. These ancient treasures were his entire wealth.
All in all, he took out twenty-five treasures!
“What else?” Xiang Mingzhi was on the verge of losing his temper as he took out the twenty-fifth treasure when Huwang Xiao’s cold voice sounded.
Huwang Xiao’s words were the last straw, Xiang Mingzhi snapped and roared at Huwang Xiao, “No more! There’s no more! Huwang Xiao, your mother! Are you fighting or not? If not, then scram out of my sight right now!”
Xiang Mingzhi’s livid expression wasn’t an act, convincing Huwang Xiao that these twenty-five ancient heaven-defying treasures were truly his entire wealth.
Huwang Xiao made an act of looking at the twenty-five piece treasures, speaking with an expressionless face, “Since it’s like that, for the sake of the Azure Dragon Institute Principal’s face, I accept your challenge. As for these twenty-five treasures, I’ll make a concession and reluctantly consider their value to be on par with my Hailstone Treasure.”
Accepting just to give face to the Azure Dragon Institute Principal?
Reluctantly consider?
Xiang Mingzhi was nearly angered until he vomited blood. Oh, how he wished he could tear Huwang Xiao into shreds right that instant!
“However, mishaps are inevitable when sparring on the stage. I’m afraid that if I accidentally kill you, your Master, the Black Warrior Institute Principal, will make things difficult for me.” Repressing the killing intent from seeping into his voice, Xiang Mingzhi began icily. “Furthermore, I'm also worried that after I win, your Black Warrior Institute’s people will refuse to hand over the Hailstone Treasure, therefore, before we compete, I want to sign a life and death contract as well as a gambling contract with you!”
Xiang Mingzhi did not hide his killing intent toward Huwang Xiao. Signing a life and death contract in front of so many masters, he need not worry about any consequences after killing Huwang Xiao.
Every individual on the Black Warrior Institute host viewing stand directed their gazes at Feng Yang.
Feng Yang’s brows were locked together, and before he had time to think…
“Fine!” Huwang Xiao’s voice came from the stage.
Almost immediately, Feng Yang raised his head to look at Huwang Xiao. Meeting his Master’s gaze, Huwang Xiao nodded slightly to reassure his Master, knowing that Feng Yang was worried about his safety.
Meeting Huwang Xiao’s confident and steadfast gaze, Feng Yang hesitated briefly before nodding his head in agreement.
Hence, with many masters bearing witness, Huwang Xiao and Xiang Mingzhi both signed a life and death contract and a gambling contract on the spot.
The moment the life and death contract was signed, Xiang Mingzhi no longer bothered to repress nor conceal his monstrous killing intent toward Huwang Xiao. Glaring fiercely at Huwang Xiao, he sneered, “Huwang Xiao, I really didn’t expect you to actually dare sign a life and death contract with me. This is you rushing headlong towards death! You asked for it, you can’t blame me later! Haha, in a while, the Hailstone Treasure will be mine!”
The corner of Huwang Xiao’s mouth raised in a faint satirical smile, signing a life and death contract and gambling contract was exactly what he wished for.
‘Can’t blame me? As you’ve said, you cannot blame me either.’
In a split second, Xiang Mingzhi’s figure flickered. Before Huwang Xiao could react, his fist howled through the air, too fast for Huwang Xiao to follow.
Alarmed, Huwang Xiao’s arm punched out by reflex.
Boom!
A mighty booming blast reverberated in the air, powerful shockwaves spread out from the stage. Their fists collision actually caused the sturdy Rising Dragon Arena stage to shake.
Amidst everyone’s startlement, Huwang Xiao’s figure was seen making an arch in the air, then crashing with a devastating thud on another side of the stage.
An abnormal silence ensued, broken by Xiang Mingzhi’s manic and unbridled laughter, causing his whole body to shake. The faces of everyone on the Azure Dragon Institute viewing stand were overcome with joy.
Wang Na was quick to ridicule, “One move? Hehe, I didn’t expect my earlier prediction to come true so fast, Huwang Xiao is but a one-move opponent. Of course, the winner is Xiang Mingzhi.”
Feng Yang, Liu Yun, Bao Xinrui, and some others were looking grim.
On the Rising Dragon Arena stage, Xiang Mingzhi stood tall with his fingers interlocked behind his back like he was peering down on a lower existence as he looked toward the spot where Huwang Xiao crashed, still laughing madly, “Huwang Xiao, is this your true strength? I’ve already said early on, you Black Warrior Institute inner disciples lot are nothing but trash! All of you!”
“Is that so?” Suddenly, an icy voice cut through Xiang Mingzhi’s laughter.
Xiang Mingzhi was disconcerted as he watched Huwang Xiao slowly standing up, swinging his arms a little, even leisurely patting off the dust on his body.
“You’re, alright?!” Xiang Mingzhi laughter’s stifled, but the look in his eyes sharpened.
“I’ve disappointed you.” Huwang Xiao shrugged his shoulders, “If this much strength is all you have, you really won’t be able to inflict any harm to me.” After entering Fifth Order God Realm, there were very few things on the same level that could wound Huwang Xiao’s True Dragon Physique.