by Shian Jeen
He had been in the Xiantian world for the last few years, and all these years, he had been taking the Fire Dragon Pearls and practicing Water Thunder Art with diligence. Comparatively, his battle qi cultivation was even more powerful than some Xiantian Second Order warriors. However, all this was irrelevant for he just lost to Huwang Xiao… the Huwang Xiao who had just broken to the Xiantian realm for less than an hour’s time!
Furthermore, neither of them summoned their martial spirit. If Huwang Xiao summoned only his black dragon martial soul, relying on the suppression of an increased grade martial nature towards his Silver River martial heart, all in all, he was no match against Huwang Xiao.
While Fei Hou was still in a daze as these thoughts went through his brain, Huwang Xiao’s silhouette blurred and continued with his second attack.
Viewing this, Fei Hou was jarred back to his senses, making a move of his own.
The longer they sparred, the more the shock inside Fei Hou increased because he noticed Huwang Xiao seemingly grow more powerful as time wore on; his episodes became stronger, faster, and more precise.
“Can Sovereign’s Instant Recovery innate Martial Ability also be applied to the inner force?” Fei Hou considered to himself. He was aware Huwang Xiao Instant Recovery innate Martial Capability could restore exhausted battle qi.
After exchanging greater than a dozen moves with Huwang Xiao, and just when Fei Hou could no longer go on after being pushed to the limit, Huwang Xiao suddenly stopped. Instantly, the pressure Fei Hou felt diminished greatly, allowing him to catch a breath.
Within the next few days after that, Huwang Xiao sparred everyday, training with Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian. While sparring, all three of these summoned their martial spirit. Fei Hou had not been Huwang Xiao’s opponent, but against Marshal Haotian, Huwang Xiao needed to soul transform along with his dark dragon martial soul. Even when adding the Asura Sword Skill, innate martial spirit’s ability, Golden Linglong Body, and Asura Physique, he could only come to a draw with Martial Haotian.
Even so, it was more than enough to jolt Fei Hou and Martial Haotian’s concept of reality.
Ch.155
Marshal Haotian was a Xiantian Second Order expert, rather than an average second order expert at that, yet he was still unable to execute a swift win over Huwang Xiao.
This is the scariest point of most!
Furthermore, that which was Huwang Xiao’s age? He'd soon be seventeen after the New Year in ten days, right?!
Marshal Haotian was someone that had over a hundred years of cultivation experience!
Though Huwang Xiao’s battle qi was still in the peak late-Tenth Order stage, if his battle qi also advanced in to the Xiantian realm, it was possible that Marshal Haotian might not even be Huwang Xiao’s challenger at that time!
On this day, Huwang Xiao was training in the lawn with Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian when his younger sister suddenly burst into the yard, calling Huwang Xiao out.
“Big brother, Mom and Dad called for you at the primary hall.” Huwang Min said, and a peculiar blush tinged her cheeks after saying so.
“Calling me to the main hall? What’s the matter?” Huwang Xiao experienced it was odd viewing his sister’s response, thus he asked.
Huwang Min’s head bowed so low that the tip of her nose almost touched her upper body, “Guo Tai is here.”
“Guo Tai?” Huwang Xiao was surprised, and then he chuckled; no wonder his little sister would come to demand him in person. Normally, his mother and father would send a servant to inform him if they were looking for him.
“Big brother, let’s go quickly, people have been waiting for half an hour in the primary hall.” Huwang Min stressed, and she swiftly dragged Huwang Xiao by the hand towards the main hall.
Huwang Xiao had a powerless expression on his face as he looked over at Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian, “Let’s end today’s sparring here, we’ll continue again tomorrow.”
“Yes, Young Lord!” Both of them acknowledged respectfully.
Huwang Xiao walked to the primary hall ‘led’ by Huwang Min pulling him by the hand.
Even before he entered the main hall, the amiable laughter and the sounds of talking could be heard. Other than his parents and younger brother, Huwang Xiaohai, there was a voice of a young man he had never noticed before.
When Huwang Xiao and Huwang Min walked in to the hall, everyone inside viewed in their direction. When the unfamiliar young man saw Huwang Xiao, he virtually jumped up from his seat. It had been clear from his mannerisms that he was extremely nervous.
The son had clean cut features, arched brows, and a rounded button nose; overall, a dashing young man. When compared with Huwang Xiao, that son exuded a less dominant aura, more of one with gentlemanly beauty and refinement.
This young man was Guo Tai.
Guo Tai knew of Huwang Xiao’s fame. When he first met Huwang Min, he previously no idea that Huwang Min was Huwang Xiao’s more youthful sister, and he didn't deliberately have Huwang Min’s identification and background investigated. Two months ago, Guo Tai was greatly shocked when Huwang Min told him that her Big Bro was Tianxuan Mansion’s Huwang Xiao.
Huwang Xiao was Luo Tong Kingdom’s renowned number one monstrous genius that his father spoke of often, telling him to make Huwang Xiao his goal.
Viewing as Huwang Xiao and Huwang Min strolled in, a clumsy and nervous Guo Tai quickly took a few steps forward, getting in touch with out: “Big brother!”
Guo Tai was actually the same age as Huwang Xiao but he was younger by two months, so he followed Huwang Min’s example and called Huwang Xiao your government.
Under normal circumstances, Guo Tai, as a member of 1 of Duanren Empire’s big families and grandson to the current Guo Family’s Patriarch, wouldn't normally feel so anxious even when meeting a Duanren Empire’s Duke, but Huwang Xiao was an exception.
This was because Huwang Xiao was someone he worshipped.
Huwang Xiao looked at Guo Tai, nodded slightly and said with a faint smile, “Take a seat.”
“Thanks Your government.” Guo Tai came back to his chair.
Huwang Xiao and Huwang Min also sat down.
Huwang Xiao’s seat was lateral to his parents’ seat whereas Huwang Min sat in the chair next to Guo Tai.
Studying Guo Tai opposite of him, Huwang Xiao nodded inwardly in satisfaction. From his first impression, the impression this Guo Tai gave him was not bad... at least he showed none of the noble children’s unwarranted proud arrogance and impudence.
The few of them continued to talk happily in the primary hall with bouts of cheery laughter ringing out from time to time.
At first, Guo Tai acted a little reserved. However, as time wore on with the jokes and laughter, he steadily relaxed, but his respect and idolization towards Huwang Xiao was evident in his words and actions.
“Big sibling’s Academy competition some months ago, I used to be there with my father.” Guo Tai recalled enthusiastically, “After we came back, my dad praised Big brother endlessly stating Big brother is truly a talented genius, and not even the Academy’s 3 inner courtyard Elders were his opposition!”
This brought laughter out from everyone.
Soon, it was time for lunch, and Guo Tai stayed to have a meal with the Huwang Family. After lunch time, Huwang Min and Guo Tai went out jointly.
In the main hall, following the two of these had still left, Huwang Peng asked Huwang Xiao, “Xiao, what do you think about Guo Tai?”
Although in Martial Spirit World, children’s marriages were decided by parents’, major decisions related to Tianxuan Mansion were mostly made the decision by Huwang Xiao.
Huwang Xiao laughed, “So long as the little girl is pleased.”
Since his little sister and Guo Tai mutually liked each other and Guo Tai himself had not been a bad character, Huwang Xiao would naturally not do something like splitting a pair of mandarin ducks [1].
Huwang Peng and
Su Yan exchanged a glimpse, and Su Yan said, “Then, in another couple of days, your dad and I'll accompany your sister to make a trip to the Guo Mansion to meet Guo Shiyuan. If Guo Shiyuan agrees, then we will set down this marriage!”
At the end of the entire year, Huwang Min would turn sixteen. Being engaged at sixteen and married at eighteen was an usual practice in Martial Soul World.
Huwang Xiao nodded, “Mom and Dad can determine.”
After accompanying his parents for a while, Huwang Xiao returned to his yard and continued to practice.
His internal force had advanced into the Xiantian level so he now had a need to strive for his fight qi to break through to the Xiantian world as soon as possible.
If his battle qi also broke to the Xiantian realm, then Huwang Xiao was confident he could take first place in Duanren Empire’s Imperial City Battle!
Duanren Institute’s new term started in the ninth month, and there have been eight months until next year’s Imperial City Fight. Thus, Huwang Xiao experienced eight weeks to further enhance himself before the Imperial City Battle.
Nine times came and went.
Once again, Tianxuan Mansion was basked in a festive feeling with a flurry of activities. This year, there were many more joyful occasions that it had when compared to previous years.
Not only was it due to Huwang Xiao being the entire Academy Champion, and the fact that he would be representing the Cosmic Star Academy in the Duanren Empire’s Imperial City Fight, but it was because Huwang Min and Guo Tai’s marriage was set!
A few days ago, Huwang Peng, Su Yan, and Huwang Min paid a trip to Guo Shiyuan at the Guo Mansion. Guo Shiyuan was delighted, thus Huwang Peng and Guo Shiyuan got their children’s wedding arranged down.
Listening to the cheerful hustle and bustle up and down Tianxuan Mansion, Huwang Xiao did not practice like he usually do.
In roughly ten days, Yu Ming and Zhao Shu would arrive in Luo Tong Royal City. At that right time, he'd be journeying to Duanren Empire, so when passing by Baolong Kingdom, Huwang Xiao made a decision to first annihilate the Big Sword Sect, Martial Ning Family, and Clear Cloud Pavilion!
On the other hand, after Huwang Xiao injured Xie Wei and the other two different people, the Elders had a meeting and everything three people’s Elder position were removed. Even though this happened, there is no reaction from Perfect Minister Wu Feng’s side.
“I hope Wu Feng, that old fogey, has tact.” Huwang Xiao hoped. If that old fogey intentionally provoked him again, he didn’t mind first squashing Wu Feng before destroying Big Sword Sect.
The New Year had finally arrived.
Auspicious snow[2] fell.
Sounds of laughter could be heard coming from every part of the Tianxuan Mansion.
In the First Day of New Year, the Huwang Family visited the Guo Mansion. Originally, Huwang Xiao didn't plan to go, but Huwang Min pestered him so he had no choice but to comply.
The Huwang Family’s arrival was warmly received by the pair of father and son, Guo Shiyuan and Guo Tai, especially towards Huwang Xiao, causing Huwang Xiao to feel somewhat awkward and uncomfortable.
There was a reason why Guo Shiyuan agreed to the marriage between his son and Huwang Min. At the moment, the Huwang Family’s status might not be on par with their Guo Family, but he valued Huwang Xiao. With Huwang Xiao’s skill, he would absolutely be a great character of Duanren Empire in the future.
Note:
[1] Pair of mandarin ducks - lovebirds/lovers.
[2] Auspicious Snow- also first snow/timely snow.
Ch.156
Almost immediately after returning to Tianxuan Mansion from the Guo Mansion, Huwang Xiao activated the God Binding Band and entered the ancient battlefield to cultivate.
For the time being, Huwang Xiao concentrated on practicing his Asura Tactics instead of his battle skills, like the Asura Sword Skills, Asura Demon Claw, Golden Linglong Body, and God Binding Hand, among others.
For Huwang Xiao, strengthening his battle qi and breaking in to the Xiantian realm was the only goal at the moment.
These battle skills were supplementary!
Moreover, his fight skills’ power would not enhance much in one year’s time.
As long as he was successful in breaking through to the Xiantian realm with his battle qi, his strength would increase by leaps and bounds.
Apart from Asura Tactics, Huwang Xiao allocated two hours every day to spar with Fei Hou, and if not with Fei Hou then alternatively with Marshal Haotian.
While sparring with these two mighty Xiantian experts, Huwang Xiao’s control and understanding in battle qi deepened.
Another nine days passed.
On this particular morning hours, Fei Hou and Haotian were beaming as they walked into Huwang Xiao’s backyard, reporting: “Sovereign, Master gave term that he and Zhao Shu will get to one hour’s time!”
“Oh, one more hour!” Huwang Xiao was happy hearing this and drew in a deep breathing, “Let’s go to the Royal City gates!”
Huwang Xiao might be the Asura’s Gate Sovereign, but Zhao Shu was a Saint realm expert. With Zhao Shu arriving, it was common sense to Huwang Xiao that he should go receive him at the city gates.
“Yes, Sovereign!” Fei Hou and Haotian answered. Neither one sensed it was weird that Huwang Xiao wanted to go and receive Zhao Shu at the town gates.
Even someone as exalted as the Duanren Emperor must show courtesy when meeting a Saint realm expert, moreover, Zhao Shu wasn’t some ordinary early Saint realm expert.
Therefore, Huwang Xiao stepped out of Tianxuan Mansion together with Fei Hou and Haotian and headed towards the city gates, waiting for Yu Ming and Zhao Shu’s arrival.
Considering they would soon be able to meet a Saint world expert, both Fei Hou and Haotian were excited and their palms began to sweat from nervousness. As a Xiantian realm expert, both enjoyed immense respect and high-class treatment in the kingdom, especially Haotian, but before a Saint world expert, crudely speaking, they were nothing at all. If this is days gone by, they wouldn’t even have the qualifications to meet a Saint realm expert.
Not long after the three of them arrived at the town gates, two silhouettes appeared from the mountainous route in the distance.
Watching as both of these silhouettes grew closer, three pairs of eye lit up when they noticed Yu Ming!
Yu Ming was seen riding somewhat behind a burly, robust man that appeared to be somewhere around his fifties. Both of them were riding on beast mounts that looked comparable to a rhinoceros, but the difference was that these beast mounts acquired no tails. Instead, there was a sphere with a lustrous shine that resembled flames.
The distance between them and the city gates was still quite far, yet Huwang Xiao, Fei Hou, and Haotian already felt the terrifying pressure emanating from that middle-aged man.
Huwang Xiao knew this middle-aged man had to be the Asura’s Gate Left Custodian, Zhao Shu!
The beast mounts Yu Ming and Zhao Shu were riding moved seemingly slow, however in fact were extremely fast. In just a few breaths, Yu Ming and Zhao Shu were within a several hundred meter range of Huwang Xiao’s position.
Upon nearer inspection, Huwang Xiao noticed that Zhao Shu’s eyes were round and large, akin to an Iron Eagle’s: clear, chilly, and unfathomable.
While Huwang Xiao was observing Zhao Shu, Zhao Shu was doing the same to Huwang Xiao. From the details of Yu Ming’s report to him, he already guessed this tall youth of no more than twenty should be Old Sovereign’s personal disciple, the one with the Asura Ring−Huwang Xiao.
The three people waiting walked up to the approaching two.
Yu Ming and Zhao Shu dismounted off their beasts.
“Asura’s Gate Elder, Yu Ming greets Sovereign!” Yu Ming said respectfully as he fallen before Huwang Xiao, saluting on bended knee and in proper form.
Alternatively, Zhao Shu approached and bowed respectfully, and said to Huwang Xiao “Asura’s Ga
te Left Custodian Zhao Shu, greets Sovereign!”
In Asura’s Gate, Saint realm experts only needed to bow in greeting to the Sovereign.
“Remaining Custodian Zhao Shu, Elder Yu Ming, please rise!” Huwang Xiao swiftly moved ahead to excuse them from such salutes.
At this time, Fei Hou and Haotian also came forward speedily, saying their greetings with great respect to Zhao Shu, “Asura’s Gate disciple Fei Hou (Haotian) greets Left Custodian Zhao Shu!”
Zhao Shu nodded and let them rise.
Then, Fei Hou and Haotian turned towards their Grasp, bowing respectfully: “Expert!”
Yu Ming nodded.
Without much of an exchange of words, everyone turned and headed in Tianxuan Mansion’s direction.
On the way, Zhao Shu thought to Yu Ming, “These two disciples of yours aren't bad.” Zhao Shu could easily see that both Fei Hou and Haotian’s physiques and other aspects were much more powerful than other warriors at the same level.
Yu Ming quickly replied respectfully, “Still left Custodian Zhao Shu praises them too highly!”
The reality was, even Yu Ming himself was startled at the changes he saw in Fei Hou and Haotian.
However, after hearing Zhao Shu’s words of praise, Fei Hou and Haotian were actually apprehensive rather than overjoyed.
At this point, Haotian admitted honestly, “Still left Custodian, the truth is, we could achieve this degree of cultivation all thanks to Sovereign’s generosity.”
“Oh?” This revelation was unexpected for Zhao Shu and Yu Ming.
Huwang Xiao smiled, “I didn’t do much except pass the both of them a set of cultivation techniques. Their achievements are the results of their own hard work.”
Huwang Xiao’s words may have seemed modest, but at exactly the same time, it indirectly confirmed what Haotian had just said.
This raised a strong curiosity in Zhao Shu and Yu Ming on the cultivation techniques Huwang Xiao exceeded to Fei Hou and Haotian.
A short while later, the group of people reached Tianxuan Mansion.