I Am Overlord c1-962
Page 108
He Can left, leaving behind Xia Liuhui, Lu Xiaoqing, and Wang Zhenchuan standing there blankly. Yes, they were outer disciples. But that did not mean that they were not aware of the Lightning Alliance's existence.
After all, the Lightning Alliance had always been recruiting the more remarkable outer disciples. Thus, they were aware of how powerful the Lightning Alliance was. And Xiang Shaoyun was able to fight a quarter of the Lightning Alliance all by himself. He had even defeated one of the four great guardians. Just what sort of accomplishment was that?
After a while, Xia Liuhui cried out in excitement, "My boss is really too amazing! In the future, with his backing, nobody can bully me in the Cloud Margin Pavilion anymore!"
Wang Zhenchuan also spoke in excitement, "My martial uncle is really amazing."
But Lu Xiaoqing did not look too happy. An anxious look was on her face instead. "I heard the Lightning Alliance leader is a very strong senior brother. He is known as the number one person below the Skysoar Realm. Shaoyun wouldn't have gotten himself into deep trouble, right?"
Both Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan were stunned. They were too busy being happy and had neglected the fact that the Lightning Alliance was a scary enemy to have.
"Sister-in-law, I-I think my boss will be fine. Didn't you hear the lord overseer addressing my boss as Lord Xiang? Elder Long Hui will not allow any harm to come my boss's way," said Xia Liuhui.
"Yes, you are right. But I am tired of feeling like this all the time. I need to grow faster. I am going to challenge the limit rooms!" said Lu Xiaoqing with a resolute look on her face. She looked at Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan before saying, "I hope you two can go with me as well. We need to grow as soon as possible. That way, we will be of help to Shaoyun."
Xia Liuhui and Wang Zhenchuan nodded without hesitation. They both agreed with what she said. With their average talent, they had to work even harder in order to grow faster.
...
In He Luo's estate, the person he sent to kill Xiang Shaoyun had returned.
"Lord, the disciple who had accidentally killed Changshui has been crippled. As for that Xiang Shaoyun, I...I'm afraid we won't be able to do anything to him," said the overseer with a complicated expression.
"Why? Not even you people can defeat him? Or is someone protecting him?" asked He Luo with a frown.
The overseer replied, "Xiang Shaoyun is now staying in a first class estate under Granny Mei's arrangement."
He Luo's expression changed visibly when he heard that. "Granny Mei arranged a first-class estate for him? Is he also a disciple of the Zither Empress?"
"I don't know about that, but his estate is only 100 meters away from the estate of Zither Empress's disciple," said the overseer, trying to hint at something.
He was trying to say that in this situation, even if Xiang Shaoyun was not a disciple of Zither Empress, he was most likely a lover of Zither Empress's disciple and had gained the favor of the Zither Empress as well. After all, in the Cloud Margin Pavilion, Granny Mei was a representative of the Zither Empress. Even the current pavilion master had to show her some respect.
He Luo sank into silence. After a long while, he shrugged helplessly. "Fine, we will let this rest for now. Just let the Lightning Kid deal with him."
Since he already knew that Xiang Shaoyun was under Zither Empress's care, he could no longer do anything. Even if he convened an elder meeting to call for Xiang Shaoyun's punishment, nothing would come of it.
After all, the person who had killed his disciple was someone else. Xiang Shaoyun merely had a conflict with his dead disciple.
Currently, Xiang Shaoyun's estate was bustling with noise and excitement. The subordinates of many elders had arrived, all here to look for him.
Xiang Shaoyun had not expected that so many people would come looking for him. When he first saw them, he thought they were looking for trouble. To his surprise, they were all sent by those high-level elders who wanted to see him.
It placed him in a rather difficult position.
Chapter 246: A Dog Bullying Others With the Power of Its Master
"You're Xiang Shaoyun? My lord wants to meet you. Are you willing to come with me?" an overseer with a short height was the first to start.
"I wonder who your lord is?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"My lord is the eighteenth elder, Lord Chen Kuan," stated the overseer proudly.
In the Cloud Margin Pavilion, all the top 20 elders were famed and reputable individuals. All of them had the cultivation level of at least seventh-stage Skysoar Realm. Thus, the pride of this overseer was understandable.
"Ohhh, you’re real tough, Overseer Leng. But our Elder Huang is interested in meeting this young hero as well," said a tall and slim man with a sneer.
"Overseer Huang, I was here first," said Overseer Leng with a frown. He knew who Elder Huang was—an elder with a similar strength as his lord.
"That really doesn't matter at all. What's important is who Xiang Shaoyun wants to see," said a tall and slim man. He then looked at Xiang Shaoyun and added, "My lord is the seventh elder. He is preparing to accept you as his disciple. Just pack up and prepare for the disciple taking ceremony."
"My lord the eighteenth elder has taken an interest in you as well. Xiang Shaoyun, if you come with me, my lord will ensure you can become a King," offered Overseer Leng.
The two overseers started bickering with each other, giving Xiang Shaoyun a headache. At this time, someone else arrived at the estate. The bickering overseers stopped talking.
"By the order of my lord the seventh elder, Xiang Shaoyun has been summoned to have an audience with my lord," said the newcomer, who was even more haughty than the first two overseers. The reason for his arrogance was his identity as an elder instead of an overseer. He naturally felt himself above the two overseers.
Both Overseer Leng and Overseer Huang quickly stepped forward and greeted the newcomer, "Greetings, Elder Ge."
The elder's name was Ge Qiu, a second-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator, and a trusted aide of the seventh elder, Long Xiaolang. The top 10 elders were definitely among the peak existences in the Cloud Margin Pavilion, which was also the reason and source of Ge Qiu's pride. To top it off, he himself was a King as well. His pride was perfectly understandable.
"May I ask this elder why the seventh elder is summoning me?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"You don't need to know why. Just know that it's something good for you," said Ge Qiu while sizing Xiang Shaoyun up. Inwardly, he muttered, This kid sure is lucky to have caught the eyes of the seventh elder.
Xiang Shaoyun hesitated slightly before saying, "The three lords have all invited me, but how can I decide who to visit?"
In truth, Xiang Shaoyun did not want to meet any of them. That was why he gave such an indirect reply. He started considering bringing up the name of his big sister, Hua Cheng, to give these people some pressure.
"Hmph. If the seventh elder summons you, everyone else has to make way," said Ge Qiu coldly after tossing both Overseer Leng and Overseer Huang a glance.
The two elders blushed in embarrassment, but they did not dare to offer a rebut. Inwardly however, they cursed, Just a dog bullying others with the power of its master.
"See that? Alright, come with me. Don't keep the seventh elder waiting," said Ge Qiu haughtily.
Just as Xiang Shaoyun was hesitating, someone suddenly spoke, "Wow, look at the airs around Elder Ge. But I'm afraid the seventh elder has to move aside as well. The vice pavilion master wants to meet Xiang Shaoyun."
Then, two people walked into the estate. These two were none other than Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe.
"Elder Liu, Senior Brother Zi, why are you here?" Xiang Shaoyun asked in astonishment.
"Hehe, you're a genius from the Martial Hall Palace. With what you just pulled off, you are now the glory of the Martial Hall Palace. See, even the vice pavilion master wants to see you," said Liu Xinji in an extremely friendly manner.
"Elder Liu, what's going on
here?" asked Ge Qiu. It was his turn to have a gloomy look on his face.
"Oh, did Elder Ge not hear me earlier? Vice Pavilion Master Tian Xu is summoning Shaoyun. Do you think I'm lying, Elder Ge?" Liu Xinji asked.
"Of course not. Since the vice pavilion master wants to meet Xiang Shaoyun, I will not waste any more of Xiang Shaoyun’s time," said Ge Qiu before leaving gloomily.
Overseer Leng, Overseer Huang, and the other overseers who didn't even get a chance to say anything all took their leave as well. They all knew that with the vice pavilion master getting involved, this no longer had anything to do with them. One ought to admit that all these people were very proficient in politics.
Xiang Shaoyun was about to serve Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe tea when Liu Xinji spoke urgently, "Shaoyun, don't waste any time. Come with me and meet the vice pavilion master first."
Liu Xinji was behaving in an extremely friendly manner. After all, he could see that the vice pavilion master intended to accept this Xiang Shaoyun as a disciple. If that happened, it would be very beneficial for him to maintain a good relationship with Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun hesitated slightly, but when he stole a glance at Zi Changhe, he nodded in agreement. "Ok. I'll come with you."
Even if he did not want to become the disciple of that vice pavilion master, for the future of Zi Changhe and the others in the Cloud Margin Pavilion, he had to meet this vice pavilion master. Otherwise, if the vice pavilion master held a grudge against him and his friends by extension, things would be bad.
And thus, Xiang Shaoyun followed Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe to Tian Xu's estate. On the way, he started observing Zi Changhe and found that this senior brother had reached peak ninth-stage Transformation Realm.
It would seem that after receiving a high-level cultivation method from Xiang Shaoyun coupled with some resources supplied by the Cloud Margin Pavilion, this senior brother had grown rapidly.
"Senior brother, looks like you are going to enter the Skysoar Realm soon," said Xiang Shaoyun.
A confident look surfaced on Zi Changhe's face as he said, "Um. Master told me that after two or three years, I will be able to take that step."
Liu Xinji spoke in agreement, "That's right. Although Changhe is decently talented, adequate preparations are required to attempt the Skysoar Realm breakthrough. Igniting the stars rashly might result in a backlash instead."
Xiang Shaoyun did not retort, but he disagreed. Although the breakthrough would be easier with sufficient preparation, Zi Changhe was still in his prime. He was only about 30 years old. The earlier he entered the Skysoar Realm, the easier it would be for him to have a higher achievement in the future.
Looks like I have to find some time to help senior brother enter the Skysoar Realm, thought Xiang Shaoyun.
Soon, Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the vice pavilion master's estate with Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe. As the vice pavilion master, Tian Xu's estate was naturally much better than the elder estates. Tian Xu was not waiting in the estate. Rather, he sat in front of his estate, as if he was there waiting for Xiang Shaoyun.
"Shaoyun, come greet Vice Pavilion Master Tian Xu," said Liu Xinji.
Xiang Shaoyun did not dare to slight the vice pavilion master and quickly gave his respects, "Greetings, vice pavilion master."
Chapter 247: Conversation With the Vice Pavilion Master
Tian Xu was a scholarly and refined man that looked about 30 years old, which was much younger than his actual age. When Xiang Shaoyun laid his eyes on the vice pavilion master, he muttered to himself, Looks like this vice pavilion master is a person with an outstanding talent in cultivation as well. Only someone with a rapid cultivation speed can maintain a young look. Sigh, what a pity.
The sigh was because he was feeling sorry for someone as talented as Tian Xu to be stuck in a tiny city like this. His environment would limit his future accomplishments despite his talent.
After all, the Cloud Margin Pavilion only had the resources to nurture someone to the Emperor Realm. To grow further, the resources available to the Cloud Margin Pavilion was far from enough. One had to leave this place entirely and head toward some other province—or even some other region—where powerful organizations assemble. Only at those places would one find enough resources to support one's further growth after reaching the Emperor Realm.
Naturally, Xiang Shaoyun would not tell the vice pavilion master all that. He could only keep his thoughts to himself.
"The two of you may leave first," said Tian Xu with a wave of his hand.
Liu Xinji and Zi Changhe both left at his command. Tian Xu then looked at Xiang Shaoyun, noticing the complete confidence emanating from the young man standing with his back perfectly straight. This young man was completely unlike others who would be in shock when meeting a vice pavilion master. Noticing that, a look of approval appeared in Tian Xu's eyes.
"I've heard all about you. You have a praiseworthy courage, but you are still a tad bit too rash. Do you know that the tallest tree in the forest is normally also the first tree to fall?" said Tian Xu with a gentle tone.
Xiang Shaoyun pondered the words for a bit before saying, "Thank you for the advice, vice pavilion master. Shaoyun will keep the advice in mind."
Yes, the tallest tree was usually the first to fall. Xiang Shaoyun had been having an impression that with his impressive combat prowess, he could now protect himself. But there were still a lot of people who were much stronger than him.
Now that he was behaving in such a high-profiled manner, he could still die if someone decided to assassinate him. After all, the Zither Empress wouldn't be able to keep an eye on him at all times. At that realization, Xiang Shaoyun started regretting going overboard in his attempt to establish his dominance.
After revealing so many of his trump cards, if someone wanted to kill him in the future, that person would definitely come fully prepared to deal him a sudden blow powerful enough to kill.
I have been too careless, cursed Xiang Shaoyun inwardly.
"Hehe, don't feel discouraged. Back when I was your age, I was a hot-blooded young man as well. I did things without thinking it through all the time. Only after much suffering did I survive till this day," said Tian Xu with a warm smile. He then entered the main topic, "I heard you are now staying in a first-class estate under Granny Mei's arrangement?"
With the wide network of information Tian Xu had, it was easy for him to know about Xiang Shaoyun's affairs. But he was more interested to hear the true story from Xiang Shaoyun's mouth.
To be precise, he wanted to know if Xiang Shaoyun was related to the Zither Empress. Although he knew that Xiang Shaoyun was from the Martial Hall Palace, he kept having a feeling that Xiang Shaoyun might have a powerful master behind him. It wouldn't be easy to grow this fast just relying on talent and luck alone.
That was why Tian Xu had not openly declared his intention to accept Xiang Shaoyun as his disciple. Xiang Shaoyun scratched his head and spoke with an innocent expression, "Yes, Granny Mei was the one making the arrangements, but it was under the order of Big Sister Hua Cheng."
He spoke like a naive and innocent young man who did not know the ways of the world. But he was actually using Hua Cheng's name to scare the vice pavilion master off his back. Sure enough, Tian Xu shivered when he heard Xiang Shaoyun address the Zither Empress as "Big Sister Hua Cheng". He staggered and nearly collapsed from shock.
"What did you just call the Zither Empress?" Tian Xu stabilized his footing and cried out in alarm.
"Big Sister Hua Cheng. Why?" asked Xiang Shaoyun while feigning a doubtful expression on his face.
Tian Xu stared straight at Xiang Shaoyun with a piercing gaze that seemed capable of reading minds. He found that Xiang Shaoyun still stood tall under his gaze with no fear whatsoever.
At that, Tian Xu took a deep breath and asked, "Tell me. How do you know Junior Sister Hua Cheng? Tell me everything."
It was worth noting that Tian Xu and Hua Cheng were from the same generation, but Hua Ch
eng's talent was above Tian Xu's, and she was able to reach the Emperor Realm, whereas Tian Xu was still stuck at the peak of Skysoar Realm. Also, he had always admired Hua Cheng. But unfortunately, Hua Cheng had someone else in her heart.
As the gap between the two grew, he came to realize that there was not much of a chance that he could actually be together with Hua Cheng.
Xiang Shaoyun did not hide anything and told him everything. Of course, he exaggerated his story a bit, bragging about how he had managed to reach the human zither unity phase. That was how he caught Hua Cheng's attention and caused her to accept him as a little brother.
Tian Xu did not doubt a word of that, as he knew Hua Cheng was a friendly person who appreciated those with artistic talent. It was completely possible that Xiang Shaoyun had gained her favor by his talent in the zither.
And with the relationship between Gong Qinyin and Xiang Shaoyun, Hua Cheng would favor this young man even more. Tian Xu started lamenting the good luck this Xiang Shaoyun had.
"Since you have the backing of Junior Sister Hua Cheng, I doubt anyone will dare to give you any trouble in the pavilion," said Tian Xu with a sigh. But he still couldn't help asking, "Since Junior Sister Hua Cheng has not accepted you as her disciple, do you actually have a master?"
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. "Not for now, but Big Sister Hua Cheng told me she would find me a powerful master."
"I see. Yes, that would be good for you," said Tian Xu in disappointment. They continued chatting for a bit before he let Xiang Shaoyun leave.
"Shaoyun, did the vice pavilion master accept you as a disciple?" asked Liu Xinji when sending Xiang Shaoyun off.
Xiang Shaoyun shook his head. "No."
"What? Did you say something to offend the vice pavilion master?" asked Liu Xinji who instantly turned nervous. He was hoping that Xiang Shaoyun could become the vice pavilion master's disciple. With that, the status of both him and Zi Changhe would grow as well.