by Shian Jeen
A Ninth Order God Realm was just cannon fodder! Huwang Xiao had a bitter expression on his face.
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi wasn’t done. “In the four galaxies, regardless of their status and identity, one would have two chances to participate in the Highgod Advancement Tournament. During my first participation at peak late-Ninth Order God Realm, I didn’t even reach the top one hundred. My second participation was at mid-Tenth Order God Realm, and I barely managed to squeeze into the last hundredth spot.”
Huwang Xiao’s bitter smile seemed plastered to his face.
Even with Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s freak of a five-clawed golden dragon true body, at mid-Tenth Order God Realm he only just managed to squeeze into the last spot of the top one hundred?
“The monstrous geniuses within the four galaxies, their strength is not as simple as you think. Some have been enduring for a long time, until the time for the Highgod Advancement Tournament arrives, before revealing their shocking strength in front of everyone. You have great talent and a powerful True Dragon Physique, but there are geniuses that do not lose to you in terms of talent. If you really want to win the first place, at the very least, you must be a late Tenth Order God Realm.”
“If I was a late-Tenth Order God Realm, what would be the chances of me winning?” Huwang Xiao was curious to know.
“About half.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi added, “If you can breakthrough to peak late-Tenth Order God Realm, the chances would increase to eighty percent.”
Late-Tenth Order God Realm only had half a chance?
Huwang Xiao was dumbfounded, asking, “When will the next Highgod Advancement Tournament be held?”
“It is held once every one thousand years, estimating the time according to the second time I participated, the next tournament is approximately two hundred and thirty years later.” He shook his head saying this, “Two hundred and thirty years, no matter how you cultivate, there is no way you can reach Tenth Order God Realm by then. I advise you to give up on this thought, it would be better if you wait another thousand years for the next tournament.” Huwang Xiao frowned.
Merely two hundred and thirty years?! The time was truly a little tight.
Even if he could summon the Gates of Hell to cultivate in a superior environment, it was still impossible for him to breakthrough to Tenth Order God Realm in a little more than two hundred years.
Was there really no other way other than the one Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi spoke of, to wait for another thousand years before participating? But Huwang Xiao was unwilling to wait an additional thousand years.
“Let’s not think about the tournament for now,” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s voice cut through Huwang Xiao’s thoughts, “first find that treasure. For you, the Highgod Advancement Tournament is still far away. Set your sights on how to deal with the inner disciple assessment five years later. I feel that the purpose behind the three Black Warrior Institute Grand Elders working together with the Azure Dragon Institute isn't so simple. Who knows, they might be targeting the same treasure we are.”
Ch.586
“They’re here for the treasure as well?!” Huwang Xiao was doubtful.
“If they aren’t here for the treasure, who would be so idle till their balls hurt to come to a place where even birds refuse to lay eggs in.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi retorted, “Don’t tell me they’re here to for a secret rendezvous?”
Huwang Xiao sweated profusely at Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s delectable choice of words. If there were people who came to this Hailstone Forest for a secret rendezvous, they were definitely a man amongst men in Huwang Xiao's opinion.
Inevitably, an image of the six robust men of the Black Warrior Institute and Azure Dragon Institute having a secret rendezvous appeared in Huwang Xiao’s mind, making him shudder.
‘Secret rendezvous’ was a term Huwang Xiao mentioned in passing to Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi, he didn’t expect this old dragon actually made a point to remember it.
“In fact, a lot of people heard that a treasure is hidden deep within the Hailstone Forest.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi explained, “It’s not a big secret at all. It’s just that, in the tens of thousands of years, no one has ever found it, thus as time went by, people stopped searching for the Hailstone Forest treasure. In the deeper parts of this Hailstone Forest, other than Tenth Order God Realm demonic beasts, there’s a high possibility of Highgod Realm demonic beasts appearing, those who come seeking fortune, nine out of ten barely make it out alive by the skin of their teeth.”
Huwang Xiao nodded with a solemn expression.
“Although I got my hands the treasure map during my time and came searching for it several times, at that time, I had just found the treasure, there wasn’t time enough time to even go through the dwelling’s door when my archenemy and a group of peak late-Tenth Order God Realm lackeys besieged me. Despite having escaped death at that time, alas...!” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi stopped here, but the implied meaning was evident.
Only at this moment did Huwang Xiao found out the cause of Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s physical body destruction and the heavy injury to his soul.
Besieged by a group of peak late-Tenth Order God Realms!
Goddamn!
However, this Old Dragon was a tough one for being able to escape an encirclement by a group of peak late-Tenth Order God Realm masters.
“Who’s that archenemy of yours?” The cause and reason roused Huwang Xiao’s curiosity.
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi said, “Not knowing about this now is better for you. If you can win the Highgod Advancement Tournament's first place, receive Godforce infusion, and break through to Highgod Realm, I’ll tell you at that time!”
If Huwang Xiao was able to do all that he said, he’d be able to break the restrictions on the Dragon Pearl, allowing Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi to be freed from the Dragon Pearl’s shackles and leave the Dragon Pearl itself. The first thing Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi wanted to do was to exact revenge on that year’s hatred, kill his archenemy of that year!
That archenemy’s strength was undeniably high. Even if he was able to regain his freedom from the Dragon Pearl, relying on his lone strength, there was no guarantee he’d be able to kill the enemy, therefore Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi required Huwang Xiao’s help to succeed.
To him, the current Huwang Xiao was as weak as a chick, even if they found his enemy of that year, nothing could be done at the moment.
Seeing that Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi wasn’t willing to mention his archenemy’s identity, Huwang Xiao also did not dog the question. He then continued flying on the Mulberry Sword.
On the other hand, if that those Black Warrior Institute Grand Elders and the Azure Dragon Institute people really came for the same treasure, this indeed posed a huge problem for Huwang Xiao.
‘Forget it, since I’m already here, let’s take things step by step.’ Huwang Xiao consoled himself. Converging his aura, he raised his vigilance higher as he flew.
At this point, his current strength allowed him to execute sword flight without generating any outward energy fluctuations. As long as he was cautious, he could still avoid most of the God Realm demonic beasts.
Just like this, Huwang Xiao survived the day without much suspense.
The forest gradually darkened.
“Tomorrow, you should be able to reach the location of the treasure.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s voice continued, “The center area of the Hailstone Forest is extremely dangerous at night, it would better if you rest for the night and continue moving during daytime.”
Huwang Xiao pondered for a moment then nodded in agreement. This was also a good option, after all, they were in no hurry. Furthermore, if that six people really came for the same treasure, it was useless even if he hurried.
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s voice sounded again, “I know of an extremely well hidden natural cave around here, you can spend the night there.”
Following Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s directions, Huwang Xiao found the natural cave
shortly. The cave was located midway on a tall precipice, obscured by layers of snow, and had the protective formation placed by Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi many years ago. This natural cave was a good hiding place indeed.
Huwang Xiao entered. The cave was bigger than it looked from the outside, there was even an ice bed inside, forged by Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi himself long ago. More than sixty thousand years had passed, but the ice bed still existed.
“That year, I forged this bed using Purple Crystal Cold Jade, cultivating on it will be greatly beneficial for you.” He added, “In fact, if those six people are here to search for the treasure, it might be a good thing for you”
Huwang Xiao leaped onto the Purple Crystal Cold Jade bed, sitting in a meditative position with a baffled look on his face, “Why do you say that?”
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi explained, “Even if they managed to find out how to break the protective formation leading to the Hailstone treasure, it isn’t that easy to break it. If the six of them cooperated, it would still take them two to three days’ time.”
Huwang Xiao breathed in relief hearing this, fortunately, there was still hope.
“When it comes to the time they break the formation, it will surely generate strong energy fluctuations, which will attract God Realm demonic beasts.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi continued to explain, “Let them break the formation, let them fight these demonic beasts, you can look for an opportunity to reap a fisherman’s benefits without exerting much effort.”
Huwang Xiao was stunned, then again, Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi’s analysis wasn't illogical.
Hence, Huwang Xiao began cultivating as he sat on the ice bed. Although he has been traveling toward the center area of the Hailstone Forest, on the way, he killed quite a few mid and high-levels God Realm demonic beasts and refined their beast cores.
His strength that was already at peak mid-Second Order God Realm grew significantly. Huwang Xiao had a feeling that in a day or two he would be able to break through to late-Second Order God Realm.
Of course, demonic beasts of Fifth Order God Realm and higher were out of Huwang Xiao’s current ability, during these times, it was Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi who came to the rescue.
Occasionally, the roars of demonic beasts could be heard close to the cave. Other than this, it was dead silence most of the time.
As Huwang Xiao cultivated on the Purple Crystal Cold Jade, he could feel the movement of a colossal Tenth Order God Realm demonic beast. Because there was Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi helping him conceal his presence, he wasn’t worried that these demonic beasts would be able to detect him.
It was a quiet night. As time passed, the morning rays appeared, chasing away the darkness.
Huwang Xiao walked out from the cave. Taking a second to determine the direction, he continued to travel deeper into the forest on his sword.
Because the White Flame Divine Armor he had on was the color of white snow, blending in with the surroundings, it was difficult to discern Huwang Xiao’s movements from afar. On top of that, the lack of energy fluctuations once again paved a rather smooth passage through the Hailstone Forest for Huwang Xiao.
As Huwang Xiao continued flying toward a certain direction, he suddenly sensed powerful energy fluctuations up ahead.
“It came from the treasure’s location. It seems like those six people came for the same treasure and attracted the nearby demonic beasts.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi urged with glee, “Go, let’s take a look.”
Huwang Xiao flew forward for a short distance before changing to the Godly Mt. Xumi as a precaution, continuing forward slowly, getting closer to the treasure’s location.
The closer he was, the more horrifying the energy shockwaves grew, each wave seemed to surpass the one before. Snow-covered mountain cracked and crumbled one after another.
Ch.587
A short while later, Huwang Xiao finally reached the source of the powerful energy fluctuations he sensed earlier. The two battling parties were just like Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi predicted, the group of six people and the demonic beasts of Hailstone Forest.
Amongst the six people, the tall thin young man from the Azure Dragon Institute, which Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi pointed out as the strongest, was persistently flicking strange shining symbols toward the void in front of him. Colorful lights rippled ceaselessly in the void, he was seemingly in the midst of breaking the protective formation, while the other five people were dealing with eight demonic beasts.
These eight demonic beasts were no doubt a headache to deal with, as the weakest of them was a mid-Tenth Order God Realm.
Even so, both sides were equally matched.
“The formation protecting the treasure is about to break. Once it breaks, sneak in quickly!” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi was unable to hide the delight in his voice.
Huwang Xiao nodded, concealing himself as he waited for the right time.
The battle before him continued.
Roughly an hour later, a thunderous roar resounded from the horizon. Clearly, the vigorous battle had alerted other powerful demonic beasts.
“Senior Brother Lu Cong!” One of the Azure Dragon Institute men couldn’t resist urging toward the tall thin man who was breaking the formation. “We won’t be able to hold them back much longer!”
They could barely manage to fight eight demonic beasts, however, if another one came to join the fray, they had no choice but to retreat.
Although a treasure was extremely tempting, it was on the prerequisite that they were alive to enjoy it.
Lu Cong’s face turned gloomy. The formation breaking had been progressing smoothly, but he didn’t expect the burst of energy fluctuations close to the end to attract even more of the surrounding demonic beasts.
However, he only needed another half an hour to break the formation. Half an hour’s time, he wasn’t about to give up when success was so close that he could almost taste it at the tip of his tongue.
Determination glimmered in his eyes. In the next second, his entire body shone with a blinding light as he opened his mouth and read out a string of unintelligible gray symbols.
Those gray symbols turned into streaks of golden light, which flew at rapid speed, crashing into the surface of the protective formation.
While this took place, the roar coming from the distant horizon grew increasingly near. Moments later, two gargantuan sized demonic beasts appeared in everyone’s line of sight.
These two gargantuan newcomers were two great apes, apparently a pair of male and female, both exuding overwhelming momentum from their bodies.
Even Huwang Xiao, who was hiding in the deep void inside the Godly Mt. Xumi, felt the tremendous pressure surging from the two great apes.
“Oh boy, it’s actually two peak late-Tenth Order God Realm Immemorial Raging Heart Great Apes.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi smacked his lips in schadenfreude.
The six people’s expressions turned grim in an instant. All six of them saw through these two great apes’ origin and frightening power.
Lu Cong shot a quick glance in the direction of the treasure’s protective formation, and a ruthless glint flickered in his eyes. His face flushed a bright red as he released a booming roar. An acoustic shockwave pierced through heaven and earth as if there was nothing left but this roar.
Before Huwang Xiao’s flabbergasted eyes, countless symbols crashed into the defense formation like angered tidal waves.
Rumble~~!
Finally, a blinding light exploded in the perimeter of the treasure’s protective formation and a black spacial hole appeared in their line of sight.
The treasure location’s protective formation was finally broken!
Decisiveness flashed in Huwang Xiao’s eyes. Seizing this moment, he quickly had the Godly Mt. Xumi turn into a dust-sized particle that floated into the black hole in an instant.
“Enter!” Almost at the same time, Lu Cong hollered and was the first one to disappear into the black spacial hole. Joy flashed across the other five peoples’ fac
es. Forcing back the surrounding demonic beasts, each of them swiftly flickered into the spacial hole.
When all five passed through, Lu Cong was waiting on the other side. His fingers forming signs and flicking out symbols into the black space hole, making it disappear.
On the other side of the Hailstone Forest, demonic beasts roared with endless fury.
The six wiped away the cold sweat on their foreheads, breathing out in huge relief.
“Any slower and we’d all be dead meat after those two Immemorial Raging Heart Great Apes arrived!” The Azure Dragon Institute’s Ling Qingming forced a chuckle.
The Black Warrior Institute’s Nie Yu scanned the Hailstone Treasure space. Spotting the grand palace structures atop of a peak, he broke into jubilant laughter, “This is the fabled Hailstone Treasure? Now, all of it belongs to us!”
The rest joined in the laughter, filled with a exuberant joy.
“Once we find the Highgod divine dragons’ beast cores and refine them into Extreme Dragon Golden Pellets, our strengths will definitely soar. In the Highgod Advancement Tournament two hundred years later, the top ten will be monopolized by us!”
“Go!”
The six people flew at rapid speed toward the grand palace structures on the peak, leaving their jubilant laughter echoing in the air.
While the six of them were flying toward building on the mountain peak, Huwang Xiao descended on another side of the mountain.
“Still thinking about the technique that the Azure Dragon Institute’s thin young man used earlier?” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi asked.
Huwang Xiao nodded. Earlier, the soundwave attack move that young man used at the end to break the protective formation was extremely powerful. He was pondering about this.
“It is the Ten Thousand Words Dharani[1], the ultimate technique of an ancient sect called Ten Thousand Words Scholarly Gate. According to rumors, if one learned all ten thousand characters, its power could shake heaven and earth. There probably wouldn’t be any rival in the four galaxies, however, if I’m not mistaken, that Azure Dragon young man has only mastered three thousand characters at most.”