by Shian Jeen
“It’s actually the Tyrant God Finger that was lost five to six hundred years ago?!” A top-ranked general beside Duan Wuhen blurted in surprise.
“Tyrant God Finger is a high Earth rank battle skill!” Cheng Jian was also agape in shock.
Xie Puti’s finger attack sped closer to Huwang Xiao’s chest, but in that same moment Huwang Xiao also raised his own fist to strike head-on against the attack.
Ch.183
“Boom!” Exploding shockwaves reverberated on the stage. Xie Puti’s Tyrant God Finger scattered with one punch from Huwang Xiao.
To be precise, the grade of a battle skill only increased the power of battle qi during an attack.
Before a stronger and more powerful battle qi, everything was futile.
Huwang Xiao’s fist shot forward, striking Xie Puti’s body after scattering his finger attack battle skill.
Taken by surprise, Xie Puti quickly countered with his fist, and in the next instant the two fists collided.
Xie Puti’s body shook from the impact. The entire length of his arm went numb and he was forced to stumbled back repeatedly, whereas the black flame from the Black Flame Phoenix armor crossed over to Huwang Xiao’s fist from the contact. However in the next instant, everyone saw when the phoenix’s black flame met with Huwang Xiao’s dragon scales, it was scattered away. With the protection of dragon scales on his body, there was no way the Black Flame Phoenix’s black flame could hurt Huwang Xiao.
Huwang Xiao’s silhouette blurred into motion as he swung the Blades of Asura in his hands.
Flower of the Other Shore materialized again, blooming midair in an eerie shimmering glow of inky purple. In the next moment, it disappeared in a ghostly manner just like the previous time.
Yet the moment Flowers of Other Shore disappeared, Xie Puti let out a muffled grunt. His chest was struck again by the same attack.
Xie Puti might’ve soul transformed and been protected by a layer of black phoenix flame armor, but despite that, being struck with the attack left him feeling miserable.
The spot where the flowers hit caused intense pain. Not only that, Xie Puti vaguely felt as if there was an indescribable frigid qi that seemed to originate from hell slowly invading his body. He felt like he could not do anything other than try to use the black flame phoenix battle qi to suppress it.
After having his first attack land, Huwang Xiao subsequently launched another attack.
The Flower of the Other Shore bloomed again and spread a radiant glow. Xie Puti was left with the inability to dodge yet again.
Flower of the Other Shore was too unpredictable, and when it moved through space there was no ripple or fluctuation whatsoever. How could anyone avoid it? Unless they could be like Huwang Xiao, having the ability to hide inside a space pocket, it was virtually impossible!
Below the stage, heads shook at Xie Puti’s chances of winning.
Before, Huwang Xiao could not come closer than within ten meters of Xie Puti because of his black flame’s protection. But now, the black flame armor had lost its effect in front of Huwang Xiao. On top of that, Xie Puti could neither predict nor dodge Huwang Xiao’s attack. Hence, there was only an inevitable defeat remaining.
Ten minutes later, Huwang Xiao’s Wrath of the Nether King crashed straight into Xie Puti’s chest, sending him flying and falling to the edge of the battle stage area. Only then did Huwang Xiao stop his attacks.
The four corners of the square were filled with silence.
Everyone watched as Xie Puti struggled to his feet, albeit in a wobbly and unstable manner.
Suddenly, Xie Puti let out a furious roar! A burst of battle qi exploded from his body and he attacked Huwang Xiao.
However, just as he arrived at Huwang Xiao’s side, he was struck away with one palm, this time falling outside the battle stage area.
Xie Puti—defeated!
When Xie Puti no longer got up after thirty breaths of time had passed since falling outside the battle stage, the entire Duanren Square erupted in cheers. The thunderous voices were like never ending tidal waves and it took a long time before it subsided.
This final battle ended at last!
The first place winner in this year’s Imperial City Battle was actually Huwang Xiao! It never crossed anyone’s mind that it would turn out this way. Even more mind blowing was the fact that Huwang Xiao possessed superb twin martial spirits!
And his strongest Primordial Divine Blue Dragon was a martial spirit that had never appeared in Martial Spirit World before.
The battle might have ended, but everyone’s emotions were still running high.
The battle they witnessed today was way more thrilling that they had anticipated.
This was all because of Huwang Xiao!
Even Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian were feeling dumbstruck.
Perhaps even Imperial Father will feel shocked when we report the results to him later! Duan Wuhen thought.
Moments later, Cheng Jian announced Huwang Xiao’s win in the final battle.
When Cheng Jian’s voice ended, another wave of deafening cheers and applause resounded through the crowd.
Even though the competition ended, the rewards would not be given out until the next day.
Huwang Xiao stepped off the battle stage, and on the way back to his seat, he passed by Pang Yu. Pang Yu forced out an awkward smile while his feet were retreating in a flustered manner, opening up a wide path for Huwang Xiao.
It was not until Huwang Xiao moved further away that Pang Yu dared to breathe out in relief. His back was already wet with cold sweat. He was fortunate to not have wet his pants.
When Huwang Xiao exited the battle arena, the young misses, young masters, and commoners were lauding his name loudly: “Huwang Xiao!”
“Huwang Xiao!!”
“Huwang Xiao!” This three-word chant reverberated in Duanren Square for a very long time as wave after wave grew increasingly louder.
At this point, Huwang Xiao was already elevated to idol status by some budding youths of these families.
Superb twin martial spirits of the same kind! Such a monstrous talent, he was the very first one in the long history of Duanren Empire’s foundation!
From all directions, the crowd mobbed Huwang Xiao.
He fortunately had Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou to fend them off. It would otherwise have been a strenuous task for Huwang Xiao to leave the square with his clothes intact after being swiped at by the claws of the young misses of noble families clamoring after him.
Most likely, a layer of his skin would be scraped off from all the hands rubbing his body.
Only after Huwang Xiao had left Duanren Square did it return to the usual empty calmness.
...
In the second private room of Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant, Yao Fei glowered at Yanggang and Pang Yu with a dark expression.
“Garbage!” Yao Fei coldly snapped.
Both Yanggang and Pang Yu quivered under the stare.
“But I did not expect Huwang Xiao to have superb twin martial spirits, causing even Xie Puti to not be his opponent!” Yao Fei’s voice was frigidly cold, red bloodlust shone in his eyes.
Twin superb talent martial spirits!
And there was a possibility that the Blue Dragon was grade fourteen!
Grade fourteen!! This kind of legendary existence that was only recorded in ancient manuscripts actually appeared in the body of an ordinary, small family background Huwang Xiao!
If Yao Fei had such talent, and with the resources of his Yao Family, he would definitely break into the Saint realm!
“Hateful!” Yao Fei suddenly shouted. A strong pressure burst out from him, instantly turning the chair beside him into powered dust.
Yanggang and Pang Yu were frightened into quickly retreating, both of their faces ashen.
But in the next instant, Yao Fei converged his emotions. His cold eyes swept over Yanggang and Pang Yu’s face, “It’s fine, both of you can go.”
Yangg
ang and Pang Yu were stunned at first and then nodded their heads vigorously before fleeing as if their lives were in danger.
...
At the same time, deep in the underground palace within the Duanren Imperial Palace, Duanren Emperor was listening to his son and Minister Cheng Jian report the results of the Imperial City Battle. He too was astounded.
“Superb twin martial spirits... It is actually superb twin martial spirits!”
Duanren Emperor mumbled softly to himself somewhat ecstatically, causing his usual dignified decorum to slip.
Duan Wuhen was surprised as he watched his Imperial Father’s reaction. He had never seen his Imperial Father drop all pretense of decorum in any way. It seemed that shining between his eyes was a trace of hope and elation?
Cheng Jian was also taken aback while observing Duanren Emperor’s dramatic reaction.
Moments later, Duanren Emperor realized his gaffe. Recovering, he emphasized, “Tomorrow, after the prize giving ceremony is done, bring Huwang Xiao to see me.”
“Imperial Father wants to meet Huwang Xiao?” Duan Wuhen was baffled and surprised at the request. It had been many years since Duanren Emperor wanted to meet with the geniuses from any Imperial City Battle, even first place winners of previous years did not have this privilege.
“Correct.” Duanren Emperor affirmed.
“Yes Imperial Father!” Duan Wuhen answered respectfully, not daring to inquire too much.
“Alright, you can leave now.”
Duan Wuhen and Cheng Jian saluted and retreated from the room quietly.
Ch.184
On Huwang Xiao’s side, after leaving Duanren Square the four of them—Huwang Xiao, Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou—headed towards the property trading market. If they did not resolve the accommodation matters as soon as possible, then all four of them would be sleeping out on the streets again.
The Imperial City Battle champion sleeping out on the streets... if anyone found out, he would turn into the laughing stock of the empire.
Soon, Huwang Xiao and the three reached the property market, passing by a business called Trusty Heaven Firm. Stopping here, all four went inside.
There were three giant firms in Duanren Empire; one was named Million Treasure House and had a connection with the Huwang Family because it belonged to the Guo Family. One belonged to the Xie Family where Xie Puti was, called the Eternal Prosper Firm. The last one was where they were now, Trusty Heaven Firm.
The instant Huwang Xiao walked into the great hall, a loud cry sounded in the hall: “Huwang Xiao!”
Huwang Xiao looked over and saw a middle-aged man who was wearing the firm’s uniform staring at him with a flabbergasted expression on his face.
The middle-aged man hastened his steps until he came to a stop in front of Huwang Xiao, laughing in nervous excitement, “It truly is Young Noble Huwang, a rare guest, truly a rare guest! Please! I myself had just returned from Duanren Square, I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me!”
After the Imperial City Battle, there were many that could easily recognize Huwang Xiao’s face.
Just like that, under the shock-widened eyes of other guests in the outer great hall, the middle-aged man led Huwang Xiao and his group to the more private inner hall.
After a brief introduction, the middle-aged man’s name was known to be Zhou Hua, Trusty Heaven headquarters supervisor.
Knowing Huwang Xiao’s purpose, Zhou Hua grinned and asked, “Does Young Noble Huwang have a preferred location?”
Huwang Xiao thought for a moment, “The location is not important, the vital point is it must be big, the bigger the better.”
Zhou Hua quickly recommended a few places to Huwang Xiao and in the end, Huwang Xiao chose a place called Southern Hill Estate.
Amongst the several places Zhuo Hua suggested, the Southern Hill Estate was the biggest and most secluded, in line with Huwang Xiao’s requirement.
But when Huwang Xiao was about to pay, Zhou Hua refused, laughing and saying, “No need, no need! Since Young Noble Huwang liked that Southern Hill Estate, then it belongs to Young Noble Huwang!”
“No need?” It was Huwang Xiao’s turn to gaffe. The Southern Hill Estate covered a demesne of over ten thousand square meters. It may be a little secluded but every inch of land in Duanren Imperial City was calculated by buckets of gold. A place like Southern Hill Estate would cost at least twenty to thirty million gold coins! This Trusty Heaven Firm actually wanted to give it to him for free?
“That’s right. Just take this Southern Hill Estate as a congratulatory gift to Young Noble Huwang from our Trusty Heaven Firm for winning first place in the Imperial City Battle this year!” Zhou Hua smiled, “As for this level of authority, I can still make the decision.”
Huwang Xiao pondered silently.
“Young Noble Huwang need not refuse, this is just a small token from our Trusty Heaven Firm.” Zhou Hua persuaded again.
“Alright then.” Huwang Xiao nodded. Since the other side insisted, he shall be obliged.
Seeing Huwang Xiao finally agree, Zhuo Hua’s face lit up with a wide smile, “Young Noble Huwang, do you also need some slave servants? Come, let me show you our firm’s shop in the slave market.”
Watching Zhou Hua invite him with such enthusiasm, Huwang Xiao’s group of four went obligingly with Zhou Hua to Trusty Heaven Firm’s slave market shop.
At the end, Huwang Xiao picked thirty-two slaves. When Huwang Xiao had finished that, Zhuo Hua personally led the way for Huwang Xiao as they traveled to the Southern Hill Estate.
The Southern Hill Estate had its back to a small hill and the inside of the manor was elegantly decorated, but because it was unhibited for a period of time, tall weeds grew in most of the courtyards and gardens. Rooms were covered in dust that was an inch thick.
Fei Hou went to arrange the slaves, supervising the cleaning work.
Huwang Xiao was quite satisfied when seeing Southern Hill Estate’s lush greenery of rock mountains and green lake after the new slaves had cleaned the place up. In the coming days, this Southern Hill Estate would be his new home. When it was time for the Huwang Family to move over, they would likely settle here permanently. Even if they didn’t, they would still be living here for a long time.
After giving Huwang Xiao a tour of the Southern Hill Manor, Zhuo Hua left, reminding Huwang Xiao to come look for him if he needed something. He said that as long as it is within his power and capability he would definitely help, then turned around and left.
Huwang Xiao watched Zhuo Hua’s leaving figure for a while before going back into the manor.
By this time, the sky had darkened.
Huwang Xiao ordered the slaves to build a bonfire which he placed some beast meat over to roast, sprinkling some spices over them. Then, he took out jugs of Beauty Allure Wine, Fiery Wine, and Snow Moon Wine from the Asura Ring and started drinking with Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou.
It had been quite a while since Huwang Xiao felt this relaxed.
Winning first place in the Imperial City Battle was, in a way, a feat more glorious than becoming the martial arts champion on ancient Earth. At this moment, Huwang Xiao was content with his achievement.
Although he exposed his twin superb talent martial spirits in the Imperial City Battle, he wasn’t overly concerned about it. Before he fought Xie Puti, he had thought of the possibility of summoning his twin martial spirits to defeat him.
His twin martial spirits were exposed but he had other cards up his sleeves. Cultivating the Body Metamorphose Scripture, he also had his internal force that remained a hidden factor. Moreover, he did not reveal the Linglong Treasure Pagoda nor the God Binding Ring.
Other than the heritage skills inside a Heavenly Treasure, a Heavenly Treasure itself could be used as a weapon.
For example; after opening the second layer of the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, it could be called out. Once he activated the two arrays, the Thousand Demon Engulfing Destruction Array and the Heaven and Earth O
rigin Reverting Array, he could suck the opponent into the Thousand Beast Cauldron and refine them directly.
Whereas God Binding Ring as a weapon could freeze the opponent and their surrounding space. Moreover, as Huwang Xiao grows stronger, it would even be possible for him stop a person’s breathing and thoughts.
Stopping a person’s breathing and thoughts, how terrifying were these power!
“Fei Hou, what did you find out?” Taking a sip of wine, Huwang Xiao inquired.
Fei Hou replied respectfully, “Replying to Sovereign. From my investigation, although this Yao Fei stands at second place amongst the five Young Nobles of Imperial City, it is believed his strength is no weaker than Duan Wuhen!”
No weaker than Duan Wuhen!
Huwang Xiao was surprised, he never thought Yao Fei was that strong!
“Yao Fei’s status in the Yao Family is very high. He is greatly favored and has received much attention from the Patriarch. Other than the Yao Family’s power and influence, this Yao Fei nurtured his own large force. If Yao Fei were to use them, annihilating a small kingdom like the Luo Tong Kingdom is not difficult!”
Huwang Xiao’s eyes narrowed. Annihilating a kingdom was not difficult!
This Yao Fei’s forces indeed exceeded Huwang Xiao’s assumption. Furthermore, there was the Yao Family that had more than two thousand years of heritage behind him. These forces were even more deep-rooted and unpredictable.
At this time, Zhao Shu suddenly raised his head and sneered as he gazed towards a certain direction in the empty void, “Since you’ve come, then roll out here!” Zhao Shu pointed a finger at the void, and a black-clad old man plummeted from above. Even as he fell, there was a terrified expression on his face while staring at Zhao Shu. Evidently, he did not expect he would be found while hiding himself, blending with darkness.
Moreover, he noticed after falling down, his entire body and limbs were immobile.