by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
"Well, there is no need to explain yourself. It's not like we know each other that well anyway," Xiang Shaoyun said and proceeded to leave with Xia Liuhui. That left Xia Liuhui completely confused, having no idea what the two were talking about.
Teardrops trailed down Mei Lianhua's cheeks, her face a curtain of regret. Inwardly, she vowed, Since you are treating me this way, don't blame me for what's going to happen!
Xiang Shaoyun was not aware that the love Mei Lianhua had for him had now transformed into hatred. Although he despised what Mei Lianhua and Mo Buhui had done, he still understood why they had done so. Nobody would want to suffer for the sake of others.
However, they were unaware that due to the betrayal Xiang Shaoyun had experienced, he hated such betrayals of trust the most. That was why Xiang Shaoyun had not bothered to give Mei Lianhua a chance to explain herself.
When Xiang Shaoyun and Xia Liuhui arrived at the restaurant, they became the center of attention. After the ruckus earlier, everyone now knew who Xiang Shaoyun was. He was the owner of a five-star physique and had created a big ruckus. It was almost impossible to not know him in the Martial Hall Palace.
Xiang Shaoyun paid no attention to all of them. In fact, he was thinking to himself that he was still far too weak. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed his senior brother to save him today. While Xiang Shaoyun was deep in thought, a certain person took a seat at his table.
"S-senior brother, have you taken the wrong seat?" Xia Liuhui asked.
That roused Xiang Shaoyun from his thoughts. When he raised his head, he laughed and said, "Haha, my martial nephew is here. I was just about to go look for you."
"Is that so? I thought you had completely forgotten about me," said the newcomer nonchalantly. Naturally, the person Xiang Shaoyun would call martial nephew was Wang Zhenchuan, the person wanting to become Zi Changhe's disciple.
"No way! I never forgot about you!" Xiang Shaoyun quickly said. He grew more and more passionate as he said, "Martial nephew, your martial uncle will first treat you to a feast. I'll bring you to see your master later!"
"No thanks, I've eaten. I'll just wait for you here," Wang Zhenchuan replied before shutting his mouth and eyes, sitting there silently.
"Senior brother, don't be shy! Join in!" Xia Liuhui extended Wang Zhenchuan an invitation as well.
Unfortunately, Wang Zhenchuan behaved as if he had heard nothing. He sat there silently, not giving any sort of response whatsoever. The ignored invitation placed Xia Liuhui in an awkward spot.
"Don't mind him. We'll feast!" Xiang Shaoyun did not mind as he understood the kind of person Wang Zhenchuan was, so he started eating. Shortly after, they were done eating. The tactful Xia Liuhui decided to take his leave first. As for Xiang Shaoyun, he proceeded to bring Wang Zhenchuan to Zi Changhe's residence.
On their way there, Xiang Shaoyun spoke to Wang Zhenchuan, "You ought to have known about what happened to me, right? If you come under my senior brother, it means that you will stand against the thirteenth elder as well. You will have a hard time in the future. Think over this properly."
"I know," Wang Zhenchuan said expressionlessly.
By this point, not even Xiang Shaoyun knew what to say anymore. But then again, he had great respect toward this unwavering attitude of Wang Zhenchuan’s. Before long, they arrived at Zi Changhe's residence. Like it was his own home, Xiang Shaoyun pushed the door open and entered.
On the other hand, Wang Zhenchuan stood outside and did not dare enter. Instead, he said, "I will await the elder's summon here."
"Summon my ass. Come with me," Xiang Shaoyun said before dragging Wang Zhenchuan into the courtyard.
"Senior brother, look, I found you a disciple with an outstanding aptitude. Come, take a look!" Xiang Shaoyun started shouting the moment he entered the courtyard.
"What nonsense are you on to this time?" Zi Changhe's voice rang out.
"No, no nonsense. You will know after you take a look!" Xiang Shaoyun replied.
Zi Changhe walked out from the building. He first glanced at Xiang Shaoyun before focusing his gaze on Wang Zhenchuan.
"Inner court disciple Wang Zhenchuan pays his respect to Elder Zi." Wang Zhenchuan saluted Zi Changhe respectfully.
"Forget the pleasantries," Zi Changhe replied. Then, he said coldly, "I have no intention of accepting any disciples for now. You may leave."
If he really wanted to accept a disciple, he would have done so long ago. Why would he have waited until now? At present, his sole focus was on cultivation, hoping that he could one day leave this place and head to an even bigger world outside.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, he was an exception that was too talented for even Zi Changhe to give up on. When Wang Zhenchuan heard how resolute Zi Changhe sounded, his face dimmed.
"Senior brother, I can see that he has a unique frame that grants him an excellent aptitude in terms of martial cultivation. In fact, he is only a little bit worse than me. How can you miss an unpolished gem like this?" Xiang Shaoyun spoke on behalf of Wang Zhenchuan.
Zi Changhe ignored Xiang Shaoyun and asked Wang Zhenchuan, "If memory serves me right, you have a three-star physique, right?"
Wang Zhenchuan nodded, "Yes."
"Three stars is extraordinary. You have the potential to enter the Transformation Realm. But...it will be hard to go beyond that." Zi Changhe sighed.
Wang Zhenchuan withdrew his gaze and bowed as he said, "This disciple understands."
Then, he turned to leave. He understood that Zi Changhe was rejecting him.
"Hold on," Xiang Shaoyun called out loudly.
Then, he looked at Zi Changhe and said, "Senior brother, I have already decided that he will be my martial nephew. What will it take to make you accept him as your disciple?"
Zi Changhe frowned and said, "Stop messing around!"
"Senior brother, you think a third-star physique owner will not reach far in the future? You are wrong. The awakened stars are merely a representative of one's innate potential, but they are not an accurate representation of one's future. In fact, there are a lot of godlike experts who have only awakened a small number of stars yet have still reached a level beyond many others through perseverance and hard work," Xiang Shaoyun said solemnly.
Both Zi Changhe and Wang Zhenchuan were shaken when they heard those words. In their understanding, the number of stars represented everything. But Xiang Shaoyun's words seemed to have opened up a brand new world before their eyes.
"Perhaps you are right. Both perseverance and hard work are important. But nobody can deny that the number of stars represents a person's potential!" Zi Changhe said. He then said to Wang Zhenchuan, "You are currently a primary-phase, third-stage Astral Realm cultivator, a decent level among the inner disciples. I trust you must have worked hard. Fine, I will give you a chance. If you can reach fourth-stage Astral Realm in two months, I will accept you as my disciple."
The higher the level of a cultivator, the more energy the cultivator would require to advance to the next level. Thus, the speed of advancement would only slow down as one grew stronger. It wouldn't be easy for a primary-phase, third-stage Astral Realm cultivator to reach fourth-stage Astral Realm in only two months.
Even so, Wang Zhenchuan did not appear discouraged at all. Instead, he said joyfully, "Many thanks, Elder Zi, for the opportunity. I will not disappoint you!"
Chapter 56: Entering the Third Limit Room
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun and Wang Zhenchuan left Zi Changhe's residence.
"Thank you!" Wang Zhenchuan thanked Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. It's not like I did much anyway. My senior brother is too stubborn."
"I find Elder Zi's request reasonable. It is only natural that one wishes for a remarkable disciple," Wang Zhenchuan said. A surge of battle intent rose within him as he continued, "Rising one stage in two months is indeed rather difficult, but I believe I will be able to do it!"
"Um. It's good that you have confidence. I
'll be waiting for you to become my martial nephew," Xiang Shaoyun said. He admired Wang Zhenchuan's tenacity.
"Before your cultivation level surpasses mine, I will not acknowledge you as my martial uncle!" Wang Zhenchuan responded seriously.
"Haha, that's no problem at all," Xiang Shaoyun laughed heartily before handing Wang Zhenchuan a jade bottle. "Consider this a gift from your martial uncle on the occasion of our first meeting. With this thing, it will be very easy to meet my senior brother's requirement."
Astonished, Wang Zhenchuan took the bottle and opened it. He looked inside and saw a drop of a pulsing, sparkling, and translucent liquid. At the same time, a seemingly irresistible fragrance rushed out of the bottle.
"This...is a spiritual liquid?" Wang Zhenchuan cried out in alarm.
"Yes. Earth Star Spring. Work hard to become my martial nephew," Xiang Shaoyun said as he patted Wang Zhenchuan's shoulder before leaving.
"E-Earth Star Spring!" Wang Zhenchuan was completely stupefied.
A liquid like this would be very rare even within the Martial Hall Palace, yet currently he had a drop of it right in his hands. With this drop, breaking through to the next stage wouldn't even be a problem anymore.
Staring at Xiang Shaoyun's carefree back, Wang Zhenchuan grasped the bottle tightly and yelled, "Martial uncle!"'
Xiang Shaoyun returned to his residence, fed Little White some food he had bought from the restaurant, then headed straight to the Hall of Limits. Although Zi Changhe had given him two days to get his mastery of the Lightning Spear Technique to 70 percent, he was in no rush. His current priority was to first further increase his strength.
And within the entirety of Martial Hall Palace, the Hall of Limits was his most suitable cultivation venue. If others were to find out about this, they would have cursed that he was a freak. Everyone wanted to surpass their limits and become stronger. Alas, limits weren't something that could be easily surpassed.
Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the Hall of Limits once again, and the overseer smiled when he saw him. "Kid, it has only been a short while since we last met, and you've already gone ahead to create such a big ruckus? You're really quite something!'
"The tree may want to be still, but the wind might not allow it. It's not like I have any other choices." Xiang Shaoyun shrugged.
“The taller tree will usually be the one to be blown down by the wind. Keep that in mind," said the overseer.
"Yes, I will remember that," Xiang Shaoyun said. He then asked, "So as a first-stage Astral Realm cultivator, which room should I challenge?"
"The third room will do," the overseer answered. After a short pause, he reminded, "Be careful, and don’t get yourself eaten."
"Third room? Doesn't that mean that there are only two rooms for the Basic Realm?" Xiang Shaoyun muttered curiously as he headed toward the third room. This time, he thoroughly braced himself before entering. He did not want to suffer the moment he stepped into the room like he had in the previous two rooms.
Xiang Shaoyun stepped into the room, and unlike the previous two rooms, he was not immediately assaulted by a sense of pressure. Rather, from the different corners of the room, 10 demonic beasts were eyeing him aggressively.
All 10 of them were peak tier-1 Intermediate Demon scarlet wolves. Each of them was as bulky as a cow, their coat as red as blood. Their eyes were filled with blood-thirst, and one look into their eyes was enough to plant fear into one's heart.
Ten tier-1 Intermediate Demons were about equal in strength to ten first-stage Astral Realm cultivators. Even a second-stage Astral Realm cultivator would have to flee at the mere sight of these beasts.
After all, demonic beasts were much more ferocious than humans. Generally, a defeat under a demonic beast was the same as death.
"No wonder the overseer reminded me to be careful. So this is a room of beasts?" Xiang Shaoyun licked his lips.
"Howl!"
When one of the scarlet wolves howled, the other wolves started moving. They were already seeing Xiang Shaoyun as food and were currently planning to tear Xiang Shaoyun apart. Nine wolves charged at the same time, making for quite a terrifying sight.
Xiang Shaoyun yelled at them, "When I first entered the Hundred Beast Mountain Range, wolves like you guys were the ones who had caused me to piss my pants in fear. Today, I shall relish in my revenge!"
Instead of retreating, Xiang Shaoyun advanced to meet the wolves. He charged barehanded and sent a punch at the fastest wolf.
Rushing Qi Fist, full power!
Not a single bit of astral energy could be seen around the punch, yet for some reason, the punch carried with it a tyrannical momentum.
Bang!
Before the wolf could reach Xiang Shaoyun, the punch struck it. The wolf’s nose exploded into a mist of blood, and the wolf flew through the air, wailing miserably. At this time, two other wolves arrived, attacking Xiang Shaoyun from two different angles. They clawed at Xiang Shaoyun with their claws, and from how sharp their claws looked, it was certain they would draw blood if they struck.
At the same time, the other wolves were also coming from several other directions. One could say that Xiang Shaoyun presently had no way of escaping.
"Since all paths have been blocked, I will open a path through slaughter," Xiang Shaoyun vowed. His body flickered, and his leg whipped forward.
Gale Winds Kick!
The Gale Winds Kick specialized in speed, and each kick was akin to the wind—fast and elusive. This was the perfect technique to deal with these wolves, and Xiang Shaoyun’s kicks instantly sent two approaching wolves flying.
Xiang Shaoyun was no ordinary first-stage Astral Realm cultivator. Rather, he had the combat prowess of a third-stage Astral Realm cultivator. His attacks, once they landed, were enough to cause these wolves to never stand again.
Xiang Shaoyun was already experienced in killing demonic beasts after his trip to the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. Thus, after the initial clash, his battle intent lit up as he started charging the wolves. His legs whipped out every now and then. Each kick was extremely heavy, and before the wolves could approach him, they were sent flying.
"Howl! Howl!"
Before long, the nine wolves could no longer stand. Three of them were already dead, and the rest were greatly weakened. One wolf had opened up a wound on Xiang Shaoyun’s back, but the injury wasn't too serious.
The final wolf howled at Xiang Shaoyun before it finally attacked.
This wolf was a tier-2 Intermediate Demon, and it was clearly smarter than the rest of the wolves. Each of its attacks was sent from a tricky angle with just the right amount of force and the most appropriate timing.
The wolf nearly sent Xiang Shaoyun crashing into the ground, and a new wound appeared on his shoulder. The sharp pain gnawed at his mind.
"You must be the king of these wolves, right? Too bad, you're still too weak," Xiang Shaoyun said and attacked.
The wolf howled and rushed forward to meet Xiang Shaoyun. Its jaws were opened wide and aimed straight at Xiang Shaoyun's head. Just as they were about to clash, Xiang Shaoyun abruptly shifted his body and avoided a frontal clash. As he crossed the wolf, he sent his palm behind him.
Cloud Splitting Palm!
The palm descended with a tyrannical might, a momentum capable of crushing rocks, a power the wolf would be hard-pressed to stop.
Chapter 57: Fourth Limit, Broken!
A group made up of one tier-2 Intermediate Demon and nine peak tier-1 Intermediate Demons was something no ordinary first-stage Astral Realm cultivator could deal with. Even a tier-2 Astral Realm cultivator would be helpless. But this was nothing for Xiang Shaoyun. In less than an hour, he defeated all 10 wolves, and the record of the third limit room was broken.
When Xiang Shaoyun stepped out of the limit room, the overseer came up to him and said, "You failed, huh? But you've still done well to withdraw in one piece. And you are so close to lasting one hour inside too. Just work harder next time. You only need to stay insi
de for an hour, and it will count as completion."
"What? Just staying an hour before withdrawing counts as a completion?" Xiang Shaoyun asked in astonishment.
"Yes, truth be told, many people have died challenging the third room. It is very lucky of you to come out alive. Don't feel discouraged over your failure. Come again when you're stronger. I believe you will succeed!" the overseer consoled Xiang Shaoyun.
"Hold on, even defeating all the wolves does not count as completion?" Xiang Shaoyun asked doubtfully.
"Of course no—” the overseer replied out of habit, but then, halfway though his sentence, he realized what Xiang Shaoyun had actually said. His voice went an octave higher as he exclaimed, “Wait, what? You defeated all the scarlet wolves?"
"You can check inside. If this doesn't count for completion, it sure will be depressing." Xiang Shaoyun shrugged helplessly.
The overseer had already charged into the room before Xiang Shaoyun finished his sentence. When he saw the wolves strewn everywhere on the ground, his heart thumped wildly.
"So does this count? If it does, I wish to challenge the next room," Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"Yes! Of course! Absolutely!" the overseer affirmed three times in a row. He then added, "There will be no justice if even this does not count for completion."
If it wasn't for the fact that he could clearly see that Xiang Shaoyun was only a first-stage Astral Realm cultivator, he would have started suspecting that Xiang Shaoyun was hiding his strength all along.
"Nice! I'll go challenge the next room, then. This room is kind of boring," Xiang Shaoyun said. Then, he went on to the fourth limit room.
Staring at Xiang Shaoyun's back, the overseer couldn't resist cursing inwardly, This kid is a freak! After a slight pause, he decided, No, this is too important. I must notify the palace master. Not only is this kid exceptionally talented, he has astonishing potential as well. In fact, it is likely that he is much scarier than Qinyin!
Thus, he ran outside and called, "Man!"
The moment he called, a figure appeared out of nowhere and answered, "Here!"