by Shian Jeen
The scream jolted everyone from their daze. Looking at the other side of the floor, they noticed in that split moment just now that Huo Ping’s ten fingers were twisted broken by Huwang Xiao!
The fingers linked directly to one’s heart, having all ten fingers broken, one could hardly imagine the agonizing pain. Thinking of it, everyone shivered, feeling a chill down their spine.
After breaking Huo Ping’s ten fingers, with a fluid flick, his left hand formed a straight palm, the force of the impact bore through the Qi Sea in Huo Ping’s chest.
A second scream rendered the air, that heart-wrenching scream sent another chill down the spine. However, in the next second, Huwang Xiao’s palm moved again, like a sharp blade, slashing horizontally across Huo Ping’s thighs.
The miserable screams rose again, Huo Ping was sent flying to the back, clutching his legs.
The audience all drew a sharp intake of cold breath, watching in trepidation. A talented late-Xiantian Second Order warrior was crippled just like that?!
Qi Sea destroyed!
Both legs crippled!
Even all ten fingers were broken!
“Young Lord! Young Lord!” All of Huo Ping’s guards cried out with ashen faces as they hastened to Huo Ping’s side.
“My Qi Sea, my hands, my legs!!!” Huo Ping snarled in anger and pain.
Witnessing Huo Ping’s appalling end, the way the others looked at Huwang Xiao underwent change, especially the initial shaggy beard man, all color drained from his face with bead-sized drops of sweat forming endlessly on his forehead.
Coincidentally, at this precise moment, Huwang Xiao’s eyes looked in his direction. That simple gaze scared the shaggy bead man’s legs go soft, causing him to fall limply to the floor.
“Kill, kill that f*cking piece of shit!!” Huo Ping pointed at Huwang Xiao, a mad feral expression distorted his face, roaring at his guards. The pain from having his Qi Sea destroyed, all ten fingers were broken and both legs crippled pushed him to the verge of losing consciousness due to the pain.
At Huo Ping’s order, the guards turned to look at Huwang Xiao, still sitting there with a calm face, unaffected, but Huo Ping’s guards were spooked to the core, not one of them dared to make a move.
“Kill, I ordered you to kill him!” Huo Ping roared again.
“If not, I will kill all of you!”
Huo Ping’s subordinate guards trembled, only then did they stand up one by one, attacking Huwang Xiao.
However, before they even got close to Huwang Xiao, countless palm imprints emerged in midair, and in the next moment, all the guards were seen thrown out of the first floor, rolling down to the ground floor. Some landed across the street, some crashed into the shops opposite the restaurant.
The shaggy beard man caught a glimpse of a guard flying past in front of him, the guards’ legs were crippled like Huo Ping, and Qi Sea destroyed.
He eyes searched another guard, the result was the same.
A hair-raising chill crept up in everyone’s hearts.
One move solved more than twenty Houtian Ninth and Tenth Order guards, even Xiantian First and Second Order warriors! All with the same injuries, both legs, and Qi Sea broken!
This had gone far beyond the comprehension ability of the people present.
“Boss,” Huwang Xiao suddenly spoke.
The restaurant owner nearly jumped out of his skin being called. Huwang Xiao’s voice maintained the same tone as ever, however, in the restaurant owner’s ears, it sounded like it originated from hell. Still, he couldn’t not go when Huwang Xiao called him.
He slowly, cautiously, and fearfully inched his way towards Huwang Xiao’s table. Never in his life did he feel that a mere ten meters distance was so far away. With much difficulty, he reached in front of Huwang Xiao, a cordial smile plastered on his face, speaking in minuet tone, “ I doㅡ don’t know what instructions Lord has for me?”
Watching the restaurant owner’s demeanor, Huwang Xiao felt funny inside, with a casual wave, gold coins scattered to the floor.
“Are these enough?” Huwang Xiao asked.
The restaurant boss went into shock for a second looking at the floor full of gold coins, unable to react to what Huwang Xiao said.
“My Big brother is asking, are these enough to compensate your restaurant’s damages?” Huwang Xiaohai elaborated.
The restaurant boss was still a little dazed at first, but after coming to, he nodded profusely, “Enough, enough, no, no, it’s too much, no, I mean, it’s just some tables and chairs, no need for so many gold coins, there’s no need for Lord to compensate anything!”
“Let’s go.” Huwang Xiao said to his younger brother as he stood up. Whatever mood he had for drinking had evaporated.
Seeing the two young men stand up, everyone else backed away, opening a path for Huwang Xiao and Huwang Xiaohai to pass.
When Huwang Xiao passed by Huo Ping, Huo Ping tried to crawl away in fear, shrinking into a ball.
“If you want to seek me for revenge, I’ll be waiting for you at the Southern Hill Estate. Come at me, anytime.” Throwing the sentence at Huo Ping, Huwang Xiao turned and walked down the stairs with Huwang Xiaohai.
Southern Hill Estate?
Wasn’t that…? Could it be…?!!
Everyone’s eyes followed the two silhouettes walking out of the restaurant with godawful shock and one possibility screaming in their minds. And when that shaggy beard man thought of this possibility, the whites of his eyes rolled back, nearly fainting. Earlier, he sat at the table next to Huwang Xiao, claiming loudly that Huo Ping’s talent was higher and better than Huwang Xiao? Even boldly stating that perhaps Huwang Xiao hadn’t even reached late-Xiantian Third Order? Just now, he even nearly attacked Huwang Xiao’s younger brother!
Thinking of the various possibilities his ending might have been, his face became deathly pale.
At the same time Huwang Xiao and Huwang Xiaohai returned to Southern Hill Estate, the news about Huo Ping’s Qi Sea, ten fingers, and both legs being broken by Huwang Xiao exploded like a giant bomb in the Duanren Imperial City. The news traveled to every corner of the city like a shockwave, even reaching the nearby cities and kingdoms.
In the main streets and small alleys of Duanren Imperial City, every table in every household, restaurant, and teahouse were discussing the same topic. It was inevitable that the matter raised many curiosities about Huwang Xiao’s real strength.
“That Huwang Xiao, perhaps he's already a Xiantian Sixth Order expert.” In a certain corner of Duanren Imperial City, a certain family’s disciple sighed.
“Xiantian Sixth Order? Impossible, right? At most, maybe a Xiantian Fifth Order.” Another person couldn’t help retorting.
While some merely shook their heads listening to similar guesses of Huwang Xiao has advanced to Xiantian Sixth Order, no one thought it was possible.
Ch.344
Back in the Southern Hill Estate, Huwang Xiao merely smiled hearing the rumors floating around and no longer bothered with it. He entered the Xumi Temple, took out a Ghost King Dan, swallowed it and started to refined it.
Two days later, he managed to fully absorb the Ghost King Dan. Subsequently, Huwang Xiao continued, absorbing a total of two Ghost King Dans, trying to comprehend the Ghost King’s space law enlightenment, helping him to touch the very edge of the space law.
Between Heaven and Earth, space existed in everything, it was all present.
Space was one of the fundamentals of all existences, a force that fosters life.
Of course, other than gaining an understanding of the space law, Huwang Xiao’s battle qi cultivation also advanced by leaps and bounds.
In the past, while Huwang Xiao was still a peak late-Xiantian Tenth Order, he believed that he was invincible below the Saint realm. Now, however, his strength had multiplied by at least ten times.
After he was done absorbing the second Ghost King Dan, Huwang Xiao did not continue further and exited the Xumi Temple. Just as he appe
ared in the courtyard, Zhao Shu came to inform him that Xie Puti came to visit. If it was anyone else, Zhao Shu wouldn’t have taken the trouble to report to Huwang Xiao, but he knew that Huwang Xiao and Xie Puti were considered good friends.
When Huwang Xiao walked into the grand hall, Xie Puti stood up from his chair, walked up to Huwang Xiao, and gave him a bear hug while grinning silly, “You kid, being so high profile the moment you come back, you have always been conspicuous.”
Huwang Xiao knew Xie Puti was referring to the incident in the restaurant, where he crippled that Huo Ping.
“I have always maintained a very low-profile.” Huwang Xiao rebuked with a grin, causing Xie Puti to laugh.
“If you're low-profile, then I have no profile at all.”
Both sat down as they talked, and Zhao Shu left the hall quietly.
After taking a seat, Xie Puti said, “In fact, that Huo Ping was displeasing to my eyes from the start. This is great, turning him into a waste the moment you return.”
Huwang Xiao chuckled, “In that case, you should thank me instead.”
Xie Puti grinned, “Aren’t I here with Sapidity Wine, see?” As Xie Puti said that, he brought out the Sapidity Wine he had prepared early on from his spatial ring.
More than a hundred jugs.
Huwang Xiao laughed happily, “I also have something good for you.” Huwang Xiao said, taking out a Golden Jujube from Asura Ring, a rare elixir he found in the Broken Tiger Rift.
The grand hall was instantly filled with a refreshing fragrance.
Seeing the Golden Jujube in Huwang Xiao’s hand, Xie Puti’s eyes lit up brightly, evidently astonished: “This… is Golden Jujube?”
Huwang Xiao nodded in affirmation, “More accurately, it is a thirty to forty-thousand-year-old Golden Jujube.” He clarified, making it hover in front of Xie Puti.
Xie Puti cupped with both his hands, staring at the Golden Jujube that shone softly a golden light, swallowing nervously, “Thirty to forty-thousand-year-old Golden Jujube!” even his voice trembled slightly. Although he was Xie Family’s most talented disciple in a thousand years, most favored by the Old Ancestor and the spirit pellets and rare elixirs he had eaten were countless, he had yet to touch a Golden Jujube of such grade.
He was very much aware how precious a thirty to forty thousand year old Golden Jujube was, it was definitely not something that gold coins or spirit stones could buy.
“Bro, this…!” Xie Puti looked at Huwang Xiao, wanting to decline the heavy gift, it was too precious after all.
Huwang Xiao smiled shaking his head, “This Golden Jujube, take it. There’s a lot more still in my spatial ring.”
“A lot more?!” Xie Puti was flabbergasted and speechless, laughing, he said, “Since it’s like that, then this bro will not be polite with you, I’m taking this with thanks.” Thus, Xie Puti took it without guilt, keeping it in his spatial ring. It had been some time since his strength reached a bottleneck at peak late-Xiantian Third Order, he did indeed need this Golden Jujube.
Xie Puti looked at Huwang Xiao, “It’s really frustrating comparing people, why does it seem like every good thing under the sun falls into your hand? This Golden Jujube, it’s so rare and priceless, but you actually have a lot!”
Huwang Xiao grinned, “It’s just that my luck was not bad and I managed to find a secret dwelling left behind by an Ancient God Tribe master in the Bedlam Lands.”
“Secret dwelling left behind by an ancient God Tribe master!” Xie Puti was even more speechless, nearly hitting his chest with frustration as he lamented woefully skyward, “Heavens, how come I don’t have that kind of luck!”
Huwang Xiao laughed at Xie Puti’s antics, “Enough, let’s drink.”
“Good, let’s drink!” Xie Puti echoed.
With that, the two talked as they drank. Wine cups clinked, savoring the sip of wine running down their throat. Xie Puti continued, “It’s been some time since I’ve enjoyed myself drinking, when you weren't around, I could only drink alone, it was tasteless and dull.”
Huwang Xiao laughed, “You should find yourself a woman.” Xie Puti was several years older than Huwang Xiao.
Xie Puti shook his head, “Woman? Women are so long-winded. This way is better, free. Do you know what my biggest wish is at the moment?”
“What is it?” Huwang Xiao asked.
“To defeat you, one of these days.” Xie Puti answered.
Huwang Xiao smiled, “Then your little wish has no hope of coming true.” The gap between them was obvious, and as time went on, it would only grow bigger.
Xie Puti smiled, albeit somewhat bitterly, he understood that Huwang Xiao was merely speaking the truth, “Everybody outside is trying to guess your real strength, tell me frankly, have you really broken through Xiantian Seventh Order?” He stared fixedly at Huwang Xiao, unblinkingly waiting for an answer. At the same time, his heart tightened nervously.
Watching Xie Puti’s expression, Huwang Xiao teased, “What do you think?”
Xie Puti was stumped, then he admitted cheerfully, “It’s hard to say, you’re a little monster.” His tone and manner resembled Lu Kai down to the facial expression. He looked at Huwang Xiao, considering the question, he said, “According to my understanding of you, by the way you retorted, it seems you have advanced to Xiantian Seventh Order.”
Huwang Xiao nodded simply, “You will know when the times comes.”
The news about him killing Deities Templar’s Ao Baixue in Luo Tong Kingdom should have reached this part of Duanren Empire some time ago, but seeing Xie Puti still didn't know, probably Deities Templar blocked the news?
Huwang Xiao’s admission raised an exaggerated reaction from Xie Puti, “Wow, I didn’t expect you really broke through to Xiantian Seventh Order! Looks like even if you give me a handicap of both hands and feet, you can still abuse me as you like! God, how old are you now?!”
The conversation continued, accompanied by wine. They talked about Huwang Xiao’s experiences in the Bedlam Lands, talking about the recent changes in the Duanren Empire, talked about future, and their cultivation...
From talking with Xie Puti, Huwang Xiao found out that quite a number of Deities Templar’s forces had infiltrated into Duanren Empire’s subordinate kingdoms, taking control over a hundred kingdoms.
Although these hundred over kingdoms weren’t powerful, if the trend continued in this manner, the Duanren Empire would sooner or later be eroded to the core and destroyed by Deities Templar!
Xie Puti looked somewhat worried at the situation. His Xie Family’s roots were founded in Duanren Empire, if Duanren Empire fell, it would greatly impact the Xie Family.
Near the end, Xie Puti broached the subject of Huwang Xiao crippling Huo Ping, “That Huo Ping, you need to careful of him, he is the Fabled Scimitar Sect Patriarch’s disciple.”
The Fabled Scimitar Sect was the strongest from Duanren Empire’s neighboring empire, Spring Faun, to the extent that every Spring Faun Emperor was personally selected by the Fabled Scimitar Sect Patriarch. One could imagine the amount of authority and power they held.
Ch.345
“Fabled Scimitar Sect?” Huwang Xiao was surprised, he had heard the name before.
Xie Puti continued, “Moreover, the current Emperor of Spring Faun Empire is that Huo Ping’s paternal-uncle.”
“The Spring Faun Empire’s Emperor is Huo Ping’s paternal-uncle? No wonder he is so arrogant.” Huwang Xiao snickered, not putting Huo Ping in his eyes, even knowing that he was Fabled Scimitar Sect Patriarch’s disciple and Spring Faun Emperor’s nephew.
But, weren’t the participants of Duanren Imperial City Battle limited to the territorial kingdoms under the Duanren Empire? How did this Huo Ping get in?
Seeing that Huwang Xiao was puzzled, Xie Puti explained, “This Huo Ping enrolled into Mo’er Academy two years ago, hence he participated in the Imperial City Battle as a student of Mo’er Academy.”
Huwang Xiao nodded. Mo’er Academy was one of the
more prestigious academies in Duaren Empire.
Both talked and drank for more than a dozen hours, Xie Puti left when the sun was setting on the horizon.
Xie Puti left, and the next morning, Emperor Duanren paid a visit to Southern Hill Estate along with his son, Duan Wuhen. In front of Huwang Xiao, Emperor Duarenn’s mannerism was one of respect. This time, Emperor Duanren’s visit was to bring news of Deities Templar’s infiltration into the kingdoms under the Duanren Empire’s rule.
Two hours later, Emperor Duanren and Duan Wuhen left the Southern Hill Estate.
Whereas his younger sister Huwang Min wasn’t within the Imperial City, and thus she was unable to make a trip to Southern Hill Estate temporarily. However, receiving the news of Huwang Xiao’s return, both she and Guo Tai rushed back almost immediately.
At first, Huwang Xiao wanted to migrate the Huwang Family to the Bedlam Lands, but thought better of it at the moment. After all, the Bedlam Lands was more chaotic than Duaren Empire, the forces at work more complicated and more dangerous. Furthermore, Huwang Xiao and Emperor Duanren were allies, and of course, there were the Xie and Guo Families as well.
Therefore, Huwang Xiao had to curb Deities Templar from rooting deeper into the Duaren Empire’s forces.
After arranging tasks to Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu, Huwang Xiao brought up Chen Tianqi.
It was Zhao Shu who answered, “According to the news this subordinate received, Domain Chief Chen Tianqi has arrived in Snow Wind Continent.”
“Oh, he’s here in Snow Wind Continent.” Huwang Xiao’s eyes narrowed into slits.
“Yes, Sovereign.” Zhang Fu stepped forward, affirming the news. “Domain Chief Chen Tianqi did not come alone, there are a dozen or more guards with him, this subordinate estimates that he would probably arrive at Duanren Imperial City in half a month’s time.”
Huwang Xiao nodded; half a month? This was good, he had wanted to meet this Chen Tianqi at least once.