by Shian Jeen
Ch.337
After the battle, Huwang Xiao and Lu Kai were no longer in the mood to talk about old days. Looking at the ruined shops and streets due to his battle with Ao Baixue, especially the destroyed Delicious Restaurant, Huwang Xiao waved his hands and a shower of gold coins rained down, falling right in front of the Delicious Restaurant boss.
Looking at the pile of gold coins the size of a small hill, the restaurant boss was stunned. Then, he trembled with excitement, both hands shaking visibly. From afar, he kowtowed endlessly in gratitude toward Huwang Xiao.
Watching this, Lu Kai laughed at Huwang Xiao, “Damn, you kid shouldn’t be such a spendthrift even if you’re rich.” Even though Huwang Xiao wanted to compensate the restaurant boss, that small hill pile of gold coins was enough for ten Delicious Restaurants.
Huwang Xiao smiled and retorted, “I’ve always been this spendthrift.” To Huwang Xiao, gold coins were just figures.
Merely the number of gold coins he had gotten from the spatial rings of the Xiantian realm warriors he killed throughout this journey was enough to pave all the streets in the Luo Tong Royal City. Especially the two spatial rings belonging to the Blood Dragon City’s Li Li and Du Huagang that Huwang Xiao killed in the Ghost City, the amount of gold coins inside their spatial rings was piled mountain high and several miles long.
In the end, Huwang Xiao stayed one night in the Luo Tong Royal City.
The next day, Huwang Xiao and Feng Yang moved separately to clean out all the Wind God Cult remnants around the Royal City. When that matter was settled, he regrouped with giant ghost Feng Yang and continued on their way back to Duanren Imperial City.
On the way, Huwang Xiao decided to check Ao Baixue’s spatial ring. Inside, other than mountains of gold coins, there were a lot of grade eight, grade nine, and even grade ten spirit pellets. There were even three heaven grade spirit pellets, but none were of divine grade.
What came as a pleasant surprise to Huwang Xiao were the sixty plus grade one spirit stones that he found amongst the items. Although Huwang Xiao’s battle qi had enhanced significantly in the recent months, the consumption still too large to enable the Godly Mt. Xumi to fly, as well as initiate the Thousand Beast Cauldron inside the Linglong Treasure Pagoda. With those grade one spirit stones he would have an easier time. Sixty plus pieces weren’t much, but it was sufficient for a period of time.
After leaving the Luo Tong Kingdom, Huwang Xiao traveled at a moderate pace, while practicing the Godly Xumi Art, Asura Tactics, and other techniques while attempting to use the Thousand Beast Cauldron to refine Ao Baixue’s corpse.
Of course, Huwang Xiao did not relax his practice of the Ancient Puppetry Art and Soul Mandate. After battling with Saint realm experts like Zhao Chen and Ao Baixue, Huwang Xiao realized ever more the crucial importance of a strong soul.
After one broke through to the Saint realm, as long as the soul was not destroyed, one would be immortal, so to speak. Therefore, Huwang Xiao made every effort to continuously enhance his spirit and soul.
Amidst all these, what baffled Huwang Xiao was that the Thousand Beast Cauldron was unable to refine Ao Baixue’s body. There were no changes to Ao Baixue’s corpse in the last few days except for one thing: it became translucent, resembling crystal, and Huwang Xiao actually felt that Ao Baixue’s physical body was stronger than it was before…
“This…?” Huwang Xiao was astonished when he found out. Did this mean that the Thousand Beast Cauldron could also be used to temper one’s physique?
In the past, Huwang Xiao had only used the Thousand Beast Cauldron to refine pellets, it had never crossed his mind that the cauldron could be used to temper his body.
Sensing the change in Ao Baixue’s corpse, Huwang Xiao appeared inside the Linglong Treasure Pagoda in a flicker, dived into the Thousand Beast Cauldron, and used a grade one spirit stone as energy source to activate the Heaven and Earth Origin Reverting Array inside the cauldron.
One day later when Huwang Xiao emerged from the Thousand Beast Cauldron, he confirmed that his flesh was much stronger. From his meridians to his Qi Sea and internal organs, every part of him was strengthened.
This discovery came as a pleasant surprise to Huwang Xiao. Although he didn’t manage to refine Ao Baixue’s corpse, he accidentally discovered a new function of the Thousand Beast Cauldron. If he continued to use the Thousand Beast Cauldron to temper his body, his flesh, defense, and strength could be enhanced continuously, becoming more powerful.
Although a strong soul and spirit were at the top of Huwang Xiao’s list before breaking into the Saint realm, the body was equally important.
Cultivating as he made his way towards the Duanren Imperial City, it merely took Huwang Xiao seven days to reach his destination, otherwise, with his speed, he would barely need three days to travel the distance.
Seven days later, Huwang Xiao stood before the gates of Duanren Imperial City, a wash of nostalgia tugged at his heart looking at the grand city gates. A while later, Huwang Xiao passed through the gates with giant ghost Feng Yang and led him to the Southern Hill Estate.
It had been close to two years since he left home. Time flowed by so quickly, he felt as it was only yesterday when he left Duanren Imperial City.
But, when Huwang Xiao walked along the Imperial City streets, he noticed that it was livelier than usual, people filling every street, carts and carriages looked like a hundred miles long dragon, crowds made their way in groups after groups towards the north side of the Imperial City.
Huwang Xiao became curious.
“This brother, what is happening? Why are there so many people moving towards the north side?” He called out to a passerby young man and inquired.
The young man scrutinized Huwang Xiao up and down with a strange expression on his face, “Don’t you know? Today is the last day of this year’s Imperial City Battle.”
“Imperial City Battle?” Huwang Xiao was slightly stunned, then he shook his head as a faint smile emerged on his face.
‘I wonder how Xie Puti, that guy, is doing...’
The young man that was stopped by Huwang Xiao to ask questions noticed that Huwang Xiao stood there daydreaming, so he went off in a huff, ignoring Huwang Xiao after throwing a word at Huwang Xiao: “Idiot!”
Idiot...? Huwang Xiao smiled bitterly, this was his first time being labeled as an idiot. Alas, Huwang Xiao left the place, heading straight to the Southern Hill Estate.
Very soon, Huwang Xiao and giant ghost Feng Yang stood in front of the doors of the Southern Hill Estate.
The main entrance of the Southern Hill Estate was twice as big compared to the time he left two years ago. Most likely it was renovated after Huwang Xiao left, the two lion statues on each side of the gates looked imposing and domineering.
“It’s Young Master, it’s the Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Master is back~!!” At this point, the guard stationed in front of the Southern Hill Estate recognized Huwang Xiao and started announcing happily at the top of his lungs.
The instant the guard’s voice rang out, the whole Southern Hill Estate boiled up with excitement.
A flurry of footsteps sounded from afar.
Huwang Peng and Su Yan were seen rushing haphazardly towards the main door, right behind them were Huwang Xiaohai, Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, and a group of loyal guards.
Huwang Xiao watched the overjoyed expression on his parents face as they rushed out as fast as they could, and inexplicably, his eyes moistened.
“It’s Long’er, it’s Long’er, really, Long’er is back!!” Su Yan beamed the moment she spotted Huwang Xiao, rushing to be the first one to arrive at the door before anyone else, pulling Huwang Xiao into a hug.
“Long’er you’re finally back!” She sobbed.
Huwang Xiao’s sight was slightly hazy, he nodded. Ardently.
It was a long time before Su Yan was willing to let go of Huwang Xiao.
“Father.” Huwang Xiao turned to his father at the side.
Huw
ang Peng’s eyes were slightly moist and red: “It’s good you’re back.”
“Big brother.” Huwang Xiaohai stepped up, calling out.
Huwang Xiao patted his younger brother’s shoulder. His younger brother had grown much taller.
“Young Lord!” When all the family members finished their greetings, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu stepped forward, saluting Huwang Xiao respectfully.
Watching everyone presentーhis parents, younger brother, Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, and the rest, a warm feeling flowed into his heart.
Ch.338
“Let’s go back to the manor.” Huwang Xiao said to the present people.
Thus, his parents, Huwang Peng and Su Yan, as well as the others, walked back inside. Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu followed behind, whereas Feng Yang trailed close to Huwang Xiao.
It was only at this moment that Huwang Peng, Su Yan, Zhao Shu, and Zhang Fu became aware of Feng Yang’s presence among them.
When everyone was seated in the grand hall, Su Yan was the first to ask, “Long’er, this is?” looking at the giant ‘man’ standing behind Huwang Xiao.
Feng Yang’s four-meter-tall stature roused their curiosity.
Huwang Xiao smiled at them, explaining simply: “This is a ghost I took in from the Bedlam Lands.”
“Ghost!” Everyone was aghast hearing that.
Huwang Xiao nodded, emphasizing: “A Saint realm ghost.”
“Saint realm ghost!!” Another wave of shock.
Huwang Xiao taking in a ghost entity was shocking enough for them, it would never have crossed their mind that this ghost could be a Saint realm cultivator!
What a Saint realm expert represent, everyone present was well aware. In the current Duaren Empire, how many Saint realm experts were there, they could be counted on one hand.
Huwang Xiao went on to add: “He’s called Feng Yang.” Then he turned to Feng Yang, “Feng Yang, greet House Master and Mistress.” Introducing Huwang Peng and Su Yan both to him.
Entirely covered in a large black cloak, Feng Yang nodded in understanding, then he stepped forward to give Huwang Peng and Su Yan a proper salute. Panicking slightly, not knowing what to do, Huwang Peng and Su Yan quickly told him to rise.
Although in recent years both Huwang Peng and Su Yan had seen quite a few large occasions, this was still the first time either of them received a salute from a Saint realm ghost.
Getting up, Feng Yang once again returned, standing in the same spot behind Huwang Xiao in a respectful manner. Everyone was amazed watching this, wondering how Huwang Xiao had managed to take in a Saint realm ghost as a slave.
“Long’er, have you been well these two years in the Bedlam Lands?” A while later, Su Yan asked.
Huwang Xiao did not conceal the events in the Bedlam Lands, roughly describing the situation of the two years he spent there. Hearing how Huwang Xiao managed to take control of the Sky Magi Sect, Blood Swallow School, and finally, Black Demon City, Huwang Peng and Su Yan’s hearts tensed up, yet they were happy for their son at the same time.
Then, it came to the part in the City of Myriad Gods, where he had a conflict with Zhao Chen, where Zhao Chen’s subordinates tried to attack Huwang Xiao. Everyone listening had their hearts hanging in the air. At the mention of how He Yunxiong, one of the top ten Bedlam Lands’ experts helped him solve the immediate crisis, everyone sighed in relief, happy that Huwang Xiao managed to avoid unnecessary problems.
Another burst of joy spread over the small group at Huwang Xiao’s adventures down the Broken Tiger Rift, listening to how he refined the spiritual energy fish, swallowing the nameless fire fruit, and divine grade spirit pellets, greatly enhancing his strength.
However, when it came to the Ghost City and Ghost King Palace, Huwang Xiao glazed over the details, without recounting the matter of his second battle with Zhao Chen. Merely saying that he entered the Ghost King cultivation cave and managed to find the Ghost King’s Ring. Everyone in the hall were people that Huwang Xiao trusted, thus he did not conceal the fact that he got the Ghost King Ring from them, and wasn’t worried that the matter would leak out.
After recounting his experience in the Bedlam Lands, Huwang Xiao asked his parents about their lives, the Southern Hill Estate's current situation, and also about his younger sister, Huwang Min’s well-being.
Huwang Xiao breathed in relief knowing that nothing much happened to the Southern Hill Estate for the past two years. His sister Huwang Min was doing well after marrying over to the Guo Family, and would frequently come back to visit them. His parents also told him that his sister Huwang Min gave birth to a chubby baby boy, which already knew how to walk.
Huwang Xiao was very happy for his sister.
Then Huwang Xiao took out the rare elixirs he found at the bottom of Broken Tiger Rift, dividing them between his parents, younger brother, even Zhao Shu, Zhang Fu, Yu Ming, Haotian, and Fei Hou.
Though his parent’s talent was limited, the chances of them stepping into Xiantian realm being slim, these elixirs could change a person’s flesh and body. At the very least, for the time being, his parents could live up to a hundred, maybe even surpassing a century.
Moreover, Huwang Xiao believed that within a hundred year’s time he could break through to God Realm. As long as his parents were still alive at that time, he would have a way to let his parents breakthrough to Xiantian realm.
Soon, everyone dispersed from the grand hall and Huwang Xiao returned to his own yard. There, he called for Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu to assist him in refining the Ghost King Ring. When both of them arrived, Huwang Xiao brought them into the Godly Mt. Xumi’s space and took out the Ghost King Ring.
Looking at the translucent ring, emitting a soft purplish glow, both Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu had a dignified expression on their faces. With their high-level Saint realm strength, both could tell with a glance that the ban on this Ghost King Ring was not simple.
“Let’s begin.” Huwang Xiao said while running the battle qi in his Qi Sea, at the same time, directing the true essence fire inside his dantian.
Seeing this, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu both pushed their battle qi with every effort, each placed a palm against Huwang Xiao’s back, transferring the battle qi from their bodies into Huwang Xiao. Instantly, Huwang Xiao’s brocade robe fluttered, rising at the hems as he crazily channeled battle qi and true essence fire into the Ghost King Ring.
The Ghost King Ring shook and a purple light beam shot skyward, at the same time, the cries and howls of thousands of evils spirits sounded in the trio’s ears, echoing throughout the entire temple hall.
If they weren’t inside the Godly Mt. Xumi at this time, perhaps they would be alarming all the experts in the vicinity of the Duanren Imperial City.
Following the deafening cries of thousands of evil spirits, a surging powerful energy seemed to be breaking out from within the Ghost King Ring. Sensing this, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu’s expressions became heavy, fully focusing on transferring battle qi into Huwang Xiao’s body, not daring to risk the slightest negligence.
Huwang Xiao too wore a grim face, borrowing Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu’s battle qi to suppress the unknown power from breaking out.
However, as time passed, this scary powerful energy became stronger and more violent, showing signs of overpowering the three people’s combined suppression, so much that Huwang Xiao was forced to summon the twin dragon martial spirits and soul transforming.
Behind him Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu followed, summoning their martial spirits and soul transformed.
Their battle qi was enhanced after the soul transformation, successfully containing the potential outbreak. Seconds later, humming noises came from the Ghost King Ring.
Huwang Xiao was ecstatic hearing it, it meant the first ban placed on the ring was broken!
Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu also had joyous expressions on their faces.
Riding on the first success, the three of them soldiered on, breaking the second, third, and the fourth ban on the ring. But, the further down they went, the h
arder it was to break the next ban. By the time they successfully broke the sixth ban, three long hours had passed. Huwang Xiao noticed that the two evil dragons carving on the Ghost King Ring had turned bright red as if it was dipped in blood. Not only that, their eyes were glowing red, giving an extremely eerie feeling.
Ten hours passed. When Huwang Xiao broke the tenth ban, the two evil dragons on the Ghost King Ring transformed into ethereal entities, flying away from the ring. Before Huwang Xiao, Zhao Shu, and Zhang Fu understood what was happening, the two evil dragons disappeared between Huwang Xiao’s eyebrows, entering his body.
Huwang Xiao stiffened, his eyes turned glowing red like the evil dragons’ in an instant. An overwhelming power took over Huwang Xiao’s consciousness in the blink of an eye while destroying every part of his meridians.
Pain, so painful!
Huwang Xiao couldn’t endure any more, his head threw back roaring in pain.
“Sovereign!!” Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu were aghast at the sudden turn of event. Just as they came close to Huwang Xiao, the terrifying energy possessing Huwang Xiao’s body released a bout of energy, sending them flying back, spurting blood from their mouths.
Ch.339
Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu were dumbfounded.
That shocking power just now… God Realm?!! It was the power of a God Realm master! Both of them were high-level Saint realm warriors, and not the average Tenth Order Saint realm either, yet facing against the surge of power, both Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu could not even summon the courage to resist.
The only explanation for this was a God Realm master’s power!
By this point, every inch of Huwang Xiao’s skin looked like it was doused in red blood. From his eyes to his neck, down to both arms, red fiendish patterns snaked underneath the surface of his skin, looking extremely grim and horrifying. The entire time, the agonizing pain continued to attack Huwang Xiao internally.
Huwang Xiao clutched at his head, his hoarse voice howling in pain.