I Am Overlord c1-962
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"Did you see anyone leaving earlier?" Zi Changhe shouted at the guards.
"Nineteenth elder, too many people are coming and leaving today. May I know who you are looking for?" one guard replied nervously.
"I asked about earlier. Just a short while ago. Did you see any suspicious people leaving? My junior brother Xiang Shaoyun just got kidnapped. Have none of you noticed anything?" Zi Changhe roared.
Chapter 67: Search
Xiang Shaoyun had been kidnapped! This incident created waves within the Martial Hall Palace. Elder Zhen Peng was enraged when he heard that. He had just become Xiang Shaoyun's follower not long ago, yet someone dared to kidnap Xiang Shaoyun? The nerve of the kidnapper!
"Investigate! Find out who did it! If I find out who's the culprit, I'll exterminate his entire clan!" Elder Zhen Peng howled with fury.
Yang Gaochuan was similarly furious. "Where are the enforcers? How have you been guarding our Martial Hall Palace? Something like this happened under broad daylight? Do you not want your position anymore?"
The enforcer elder wiped his sweat and said, "Palace master, it was my mistake. There were too many visitors, and we were all focused on the security here. Because of that, the security of other areas have slackened. I'll immediately start searching for him!"
"The kidnapper is definitely Xiang Shaoyun's enemy. Who has he offended?" Elder Zhen Peng frowned.
"I am sure it's the Wu Clan!" Zi Changhe said.
"Why so?" Elder Zhen Peng asked.
"Xiang Shaoyun had defeated a member of Wu Clan, and they have been holding a grudge against him for that. Prior to this, they had tried kidnapping him but had failed. A few days ago when Xiang Shaoyun had returned from the Hundred Beast Mountain Range, they had tried kidnapping him again. I had arrived in time and killed them off. Apart from them, I can't think of anyone who’s gutsy enough to do something like this," Zi Changhe explained.
"Wu Clan? Town Head Wu Fuxiang was here visiting me earlier. Is it really them?" Elder Zhen Peng muttered angrily. He paused before adding, "Come, let's pay Wu Clan a visit. If it's really them, there is no need for the Wu Clan to continue existing anymore."
After saying that, Elder Zhen Peng grabbed Zi Changhe and flew straight toward the Wu Estate. Wu Town wasn't very big. A King Realm expert only needed the span of a few breaths to arrive at the Wu Estate.
"Wu Fuxiang, come out!" Elder Zhen Peng yelled when he arrived.
When the Wu Clan members saw the people in the sky, they were all alarmed. Fear covered their faces as they understood that those capable of flight were all extremely powerful.
The higher ups of the Wu Clan were all alarmed as well. Shortly after, Wu Fuxiang led the higher ups and came out. "So it's Elder Zhen Peng. I have just returned from your place, yet you're already here. I am overwhelmed by the favor you are showing me. Why don't you come in and take a seat? The Wu Clan will be honored to have you as our guest."
Elder Zhen Peng did not bother saying anything else and landed with Zi Changhe.
"Are you the ones who had kidnapped my young master, Xiang Shaoyun?" Elder Zhen Peng asked frankly.
"May I ask who this Xiang Shaoyun is? I have never heard of him," Wu Fuxiang asked, his face looking confused.
"Old town head, Xiang Shaoyun is my junior brother. Before this, your Wu Clan had tried multiple times to harm him. Now that he has gone missing, I suspect your Wu Clan is the culprit. Old town head, if you're unsure, you can ask the present town head if he knows anything!" Zi Changhe said.
"Elder Zi, you can't accuse others without proof. Why would the Wu Clan harm your junior brother?" Wu Hongxi stepped forward and spoke.
"You dare say the previous two waves of kidnappers were not from your Wu Clan?" Zi Changhe questioned.
"I'm curious, why are you so sure those people were from the Wu Clan?" Wu Hongxi countered with a question.
That instantly rendered Zi Changhe speechless. Of the two waves of kidnappers, one had gone completely missing while the second had been quickly killed by him. The dead couldn't testify.
"No answer?" Wu Clan sneered before saying, "I'm only showing restraint out of respect for your position as an elder of the Martial Hall Palace. Nobody is allowed to blindly accuse the Wu Clan like this."
"Hold your tongue, Hongxi," Wu Fuxiang berated. Then, he spoke politely to Elder Zhen Peng, "Elder Zhen Peng, you heard them. I don't think this has anything to do with the Wu Clan. How about this, we will send some people to help with the search and will find out the truth and prove our innocence. After all, the Wu Town is the turf of the Wu Clan."
Zi Changhe still wanted to say something, but Elder Zhen Peng spoke before him, "Thank you for your help. Xiang Shaoyun is my young master. I will exterminate the entire family of anyone daring to harm him."
Then, Elder Zhen Peng left with Zi Changhe. After they left, Wu Hongxi said with a sinister expression, "Father, what should we do now?"
"Stand down, everyone. This is nothing." Wu Fuxiang waved his hand. He added, "Send some people to search for him."
Wu Hongxi left and arranged a search party.
A nervous atmosphere enveloped the Wu Town as numerous people were stopped during their travels and questioned. Most of the people in town had no idea what was going on. Because of that, they were all confused and anxious. At a certain location, Zi Changhe said to Elder Zhen Peng, "Elder Zhen Peng, are we going to let them off just like this?"
"Think about it. Apart from Wu Clan, are there any other suspects?" Elder Zhen Peng asked. He added, "I believe the Wu Clan wouldn’t be so audacious as to come kidnap someone from our Martial Hall Palace. I think this is probably an inside job."
"Inside job?" Zi Changhe was stupefied. He had not considered that possibility as his attention had been focused solely on the Wu Clan.
"How would an outsider be able to so easily leave the Martial Hall Palace? Even if they wanted to sneak over the wall, it wouldn’t be an easy feat," Elder Zhen Peng reasoned.
"Perhaps its thirteenth elder Li Xuemeng?" Zi Changhe pointed almost immediately.
"How are you sure it's him?" Elder Zhen Peng asked. Zi Changhe then gave him a simple explanation of everything he knew.
"I see. Let's go," Elder Zhen Peng brought Zi Changhe back to the Martial Hall Palace after listening to the explanation. They headed straight to Li Xuemeng's residence. Unfortunately, Li Xuemeng was nowhere to be found. However, his children were there.
"Greetings, Elder Zhen Peng," Li Tianba and Li Hong'er greeted Elder Zhen Peng deferentially.
"Where is your father?" Elder Zhen Peng asked.
"I think he's outside the palace. We're not too sure," Li Tianba answered.
"Is that so? What a coincidence." Elder Zhen Peng frowned.
"Elder Zhen Peng, we have to locate him immediately! He is definitely the culprit!" Zi Changhe said.
Right this moment, a carriage could be seen heading toward them. When the carriage stopped, Li Xuemeng got off. Seeing Elder Zhen Peng, he immediately offered his greetings, "Elder Zhen Peng, is there anything I can help you with?"
Right as Elder Zhen Peng was about to speak, a white figure darted out from underneath the carriage.
"Meow!"
Little White landed beside Zi Changhe, bit the leg of his trousers, and pulled, seemingly trying to say something.
"This is Shaoyun's striped tiger cub! Sure enough, Li Xuemeng is the kidnapper!" Zi Changhe immediately howled when he recognized Little White.
Chapter 68: Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill
"Zi Changhe, what bullshit are you spouting? I've just returned from outside. When did I kidnap Xiang Shaoyun?" Li Xuemeng replied with no sign of nervousness. Even if he was the culprit, he would definitely not admit it.
"Stop trying to deny it. Shaoyun has gone missing while his pet is with you. You are surely the culprit. Say it! What did you do to Shaoyun? If anything happens to him, I won't spare you!" Zi Changhe bellowed at Li Xuemeng.
"This beast must have fo
llowed me while I was on my way back. I have no idea what you're talking about. Elder Zhen Peng, please show me justice!" Li Xuemeng replied.
But before Elder Zhen Peng could say anything, Little White meowed again and ran off, waving his paw repeatedly as if trying to get Zi Changhe to go with him.
"This beast is an intelligent one. He definitely knows where Shaoyun is at," Zi Changhe said before chasing after Little White.
As for Elder Zhen Peng, he snorted coldly at Li Xuemeng and said, "Before we figure out the truth, you are not allowed to leave the Martial Hall Palace. Otherwise, I will hunt you down no matter where you go."
After that, Elder Zhen Peng also ran after Little White. Once the two left, Li Xuemeng's face paled. He had taken everything into consideration before carrying out his plan, but he had missed the cub. He despaired at the thought of what was waiting for him.
"Father, this...this has nothing to do with you, right?" Li Tianba asked cautiously.
Li Xuemeng did not give him an answer. He shut his eyes and thought to himself, Wu Fuxiang, you better move fast. If they find him, I'm dead!
Behind the Wu Estate was an abandoned residence. This area was still the turf of Wu Clan, but it was an abandoned area. Currently, Xiang Shaoyun was there, still unconscious within the sack. Suddenly, a certain hidden wall moved before opening to reveal a tunnel. A person appeared from the tunnel.
The newcomer quickly lifted Xiang Shaoyun and entered the tunnel. After they entered, the opening closed again, and the wall returned to normal. This was a man-made tunnel that connected directly to a hidden room below the Wu Estate. The hidden room was spacious, and Wu Fuxiang was currently standing there waiting anxiously.
Before him was a massive cauldron. This was a rectangular cauldron with a simple and crude design. On the cauldron were numerous complicated markings, making the cauldron seem out of the ordinary.
A raging flame was burning under the cauldron, while atop the cauldron, steam could be seen billowing out. Numerous valuable medicinal herbs were around the cauldron, a large amount of spirit medicines among them. The medicinal herbs filled the room with a medicinal smell. The person carrying Xiang Shaoyun appeared, and he dumped Xiang Shaoyun on the ground.
"Alright. All of you stand guard outside. Don't come in without my command," Wu Fuxiang ordered. With his command, the people hidden throughout the room scattered and left.
"Haha, I have finally gotten my hands on this five-star physique! Now, I can start refining my Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill!" Wu Fuxiang howled with laughter. The Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill was a pill capable of increasing one's life span and improving one's physique.
Wu Fuxiang did not have much of his life span left and would probably be dead in a few years. He could not accept that. But if he wanted to keep on living, he had to reach the King Realm. Unfortunately, he no longer had sufficient vitality to reach the King Realm. Thus, he had to seek an alternative.
The Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill was the best alternative. However, the Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill required someone with a five-star physique to be the main ingredient. That was why he had tried everything he could to kidnap Xiang Shaoyun.
Wu Fuxiang did not wish to keep dragging this on. Thus, he removed the sack around Xiang Shaoyun. He then removed Xiang Shaoyun’s clothing, leaving him naked. If someone else saw this scene, they might have thought that this old man was an old pervert. Wu Fuxiang proceeded to toss Xiang Shaoyun into the boiling water within the cauldron.
"AHHH!"
The unconscious Xiang Shaoyun was immediately awakened by the scalding pain. Unfortunately, his screams did not matter as the lid of the cauldron was lowered immediately after he was tossed inside.
"I'll first boil you until you're cooked before slowly adding the other herbs. I reckon the pill will be done in three days and three nights," Wu Fuxiang muttered.
Within the cauldron, Xiang Shaoyun was no longer unconscious. However, after the initial scream, he sank into silence. He was not dead. Rather, he was accustomed to such temperatures.
"Damn it. Who's trying to cook me? Good thing I basically grew up in a cauldron. Otherwise, I would've been cooked by now," Xiang Shaoyun cursed. The slap he received earlier had given him quite a serious injury. Even the scalding hot water almost couldn’t wake him up. He had been soaked in boiling medicine since young. Thus, his physique was something nobody could compare with.
Even so, if this continued, he would suffocate to death before he was cooked. He started circulating the Heaven Conquering Overlord Manual and started to slowly heal his injury. At the same time, he borrowed the heat in the cauldron to further squeeze out the potential hidden within his body.
The temperature in the cauldron was excessively high—to the point Xiang Shaoyun's skin turned completely red. But because of the excessive temperature, the potential hidden within him was unearthed at an astonishing speed.
This speed even surpassed the speed Xiang Shaoyun had awakened his potential when he was in the limit rooms. As he awakened the hidden power within him, his injury healed at a terrifyingly quick pace. Apart from that, his strength also grew. But instead of advancing his cultivation, Xiang Shaoyun pushed the newly gained energy to his astral cosmos sea.
"This time, I have to increase the size by at least one fold," Xiang Shaoyun vowed.
Compared to strength, he longed to increase the space within his astral cosmos sea. After all, for him, increasing strength wasn't hard, but expanding his astral cosmos sea was. If he expanded his astral cosmos sea, he would be able to store even more stuff within. That was the function he needed most for now.
Meanwhile, Little White had arrived at the abandoned building behind Wu Estate with Zi Changhe and Elder Zhen Peng. Unfortunately, they couldn't find Xiang Shaoyun here at all. Because of that, both Elder Zhen Peng and Zi Changhe started wondering if Little White had brought them to the wrong place.
"Nobody? How can there be nobody here? Have they destroyed even his corpse to remove all evidence?" Zi Changhe said with indignation.
Elder Zhen Peng scanned his surroundings and said, "They might have moved him somewhere else instead. I think someone was here just earlier."
"Meow!"
Little White meowed before he started searching for Xiang Shaoyun's smell. Unfortunately, a different strange odor lingered in the air, masking all other smells. Because of that, Little White’s search was fruitless.
Chapter 69: Purple Bone
Wu Fuxiang had taken into consideration everything he could in his plan. He first got Li Xuemeng to kidnap and deliver Xiang Shaoyun to the abandoned building. Then, he had someone deliver Xiang Shaoyun to him through the hidden tunnel. And to avoid having any beasts detecting the hidden tunnel, he scattered some items capable of messing with a beast’s sense of smell to cover everything up.
Because of that, even after Little White brought Elder Zhen Peng and Zi Changhe to the abandoned building, they couldn't find Xiang Shaoyun.
Soon, half a day passed.
Wu Fuxiang felt that Xiang Shaoyun was definitely dead by now. Thus, he lifted the lid slightly to reveal a tiny opening before tossing a bunch of old medicines and three stalks of spirit medicine into the cauldron.
"I'll first turn everything into a medicinal liquid before gradually adding all the other ingredients. With that, the Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill will be completed." Wu Fuxiang became more excited the more he thought about it.
Inside the cauldron, when Xiang Shaoyun heard Wu Fuxiang, he held his breath and made no sound. He was sure that the moment he made any sound, he would be killed.
Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill? So that's what this old bastard is up to! Xiang Shaoyun cursed inwardly. Although he had no idea who this old man was, it was clear this old man was treating him as a medicinal ingredient. That was truly hateful.
After the medicines were added into the cauldron, they were dissolved by the heat within the cauldron. Xiang Shaoyun moved qui
ckly and grabbed at a spirit medicine that had yet to be completely dissolved. A gleeful look surfaced on his face when he caught it. A low-grade spirit medicine, nervebone vine!
The nervebone vine was a spirit medicine capable of strengthening one's nerves and bones. It was an excellent medicine to strengthen one's body. With no hesitation, Xiang Shaoyun swallowed the nervebone vine.
Want to refine a Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill? Dream on! This young master will eat all your medicine! Xiang Shaoyun cursed inwardly.
After swallowing the nervebone vine, Xiang Shaoyun refined it as quickly as he could. The nervebone vine had a powerful medicinal efficacy and had a great effect on Astral Realm cultivators. Strains of energy streamed through his body and started strengthening his nerves and bones.
Suddenly, his lower backbone started glowing with an odd purple radiance, and as the purple radiance rippled through his body, his backbone absorbed all the medicinal energy of the nervebone vine. It absorbed everything, leaving nothing behind.
After the backbone absorbed the medicinal energy of the nervebone vine, its purple radiance brightened, filling Xiang Shaoyun's body with a purple aura. The purple aura also slowly spread to the surroundings of Xiang Shaoyun's body.
Swish! Swish!
Strains of purple qi leaked from the lid of the cauldron, and accompanying the purple qi was the fragrance of the dissolved medicines, filling the hidden room with an alluring fragrance.
Wu Fuxiang was in the midst of meditation when he took in a deep breath. He opened his eyes joyfully and said, "Nice. A five-star physique is indeed a terrific medicinal ingredient. I've just started the refining process, and purple qi is already leaking. Looks like when the Yang Restoration Body Sculpting Pill is finally done, I will be able to directly enter the King Realm."
With no hesitation, Wu Fuxiang started adding even more medicinal herbs into the cauldron. This time, before the medicinal herbs could even land in the boiling water, Xiang Shaoyun caught three of them. The three were spirit medicines with the strongest medicinal efficacy among this batch of herbs. He stuffed them all into his astral cosmos sea.