by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
For any cultivator, a flying battle technique was extremely beneficial to have. Therefore, some people started planning to capture Xiang Shaoyun before he recovered and snatch the flying battle technique from him.
Unfortunately for those people, Xiang Shaoyun was guarded by Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou. They took care of anyone who tried anything against him. They were both among the strongest cultivators in the Land of Soul Springs, and it was almost impossible for these regular cultivators to prevail over them.
Furthermore, even Lin Zihan had volunteered to stay behind and stand guard while Xiang Shaoyun healed up. Because of that, they did not even have to worry about being overwhelmed by the sheer number of their enemies.
After beating away two attempts, no one else dared to try anything anymore.
After two days, Xiang Shaoyun recovered considerably. But he still needed some time to fully heal up as he had sustained too many injuries, even if he had healing pills and spirit spring water.
Nevertheless, he had recovered enough to protect himself. He had benefited greatly from the battle. He constantly visualized the battle between him and Wu Longfei and Devil Fairy, trying to see what he had done wrong and what his opponents had done right, slowly growing his combat sense and experience.
There are too few variations in my attacks. Looks like I need to increase my arsenal of battle techniques, Xiang Shaoyun thought to himself.
He possessed Yun Flame within him, yet he hadn't been able to use much of Yun Flame's power during his battle with Wu Longfei and Devil Fairy. It had been quite a waste to have such a treasure within him. Because of that, he found the need to increase the number of battle techniques he knew, and he also needed to improve the battle techniques he did know.
But that was something he could only deal with after leaving the Land of Soul Springs. He stood up and walked toward Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou.
"Brother Yun, how are you feeling?" Liang Zhuangmin asked.
Xiang Shaoyun smiled. "Yes, much better."
"That's good to hear. Let's leave. This is the final day before the exit shuts. If we don't leave, we will be stuck in here for 10 years," Liang Zhuangmin said.
"Too much time will be wasted if we stay here for 10 years. Let's go," Hua Honglou said.
"Um, we need to leave. But there's no rush," said Xiang Shaoyun. He looked at Lin Zihan and said, "Are you looking for a soul spring?"
Lin Zihan answered earnestly, "If Brother Xiang only has one, then forget it. But if you have more, I do wish to trade for one of them."
Hua Honglou interrupted before Xiang Shaoyun could reply. "Lin Zihan, does no one in your Thousand Forest Academy have one? Shouldn't you be trading with your own people instead?"
Lin Zihan had a helpless smile as he said, "If that were the case, things would have been much simpler. Our entire academy did very badly this time."
"Well, the soul spring is too precious, and we don't have enough for ourselves. I think you should just forget it," answered Hua Honglou on Xiang Shaoyun's behalf.
Lin Zihan sighed. "True. I'll be taking my leave, then. I believe I can still enter the Skysoar Realm relying on myself."
With a disappointed look on his face, he turned to leave.
It was then that Xiang Shaoyun called out to him and said, "Brother Lin, wait a minute. Here, I have a few strands of soul spring here. Take them."
He handed Lin Zihan a jade bottle containing a few strands of soul spring.
"Shaoyun, where did you get so many of them? Why are you giving them to him?" Hua Honglou asked.
"From the moment Brother Lin decided to help me, he has been my friend. What are a few strands of soul spring compared to a friend?"
Lin Zihan finally recovered from his shock and said, "T-these are for me?"
Chapter 320: Where Did This Barking Dog Come From?
Lin Zihan did not need anyone to tell him how valuable a single strand of soul spring was. He found it hard to believe that Xiang Shaoyun was so generously giving him a few strands for free.
"Take it." Xiang Shaoyun pushed the bottle into Lin Zihan's hand before telling Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou, "Let's go. Time to leave this place."
"Haha. Yes, let's go," Liang Zhuangmin laughed. He did not feel dissatisfied just because Xiang Shaoyun had given Lin Zihan a few strands of soul spring. Instead, he felt that Xiang Shaoyun was a forthright and generous person—traits he liked in a person.
Liang Zhuangmin wanted some soul springs for himself as well, but he already had the earthstone heart. That would be enough for him to break through into the next realm. In any case, he was sure Xiang Shaoyun had more, and he would get a cut no matter what.
Lin Zihan only recovered from his shock after Xiang Shaoyun's group was far away from him. He quickly chased after them and said, "Xiang Shaoyun, I will accept this big present of yours. I don't have anything decent to give you as repayment, but I will remember this and return the favor in the future!"
"If you consider me a friend, don't mention repayment again," said Xiang Shaoyun with a wave of his hand.
He had a lot of soul spring water on him, and the few strands he gave was nothing for him. Lin Zihan was moved by that and nearly hugged Xiang Shaoyun and cried on his shoulders then and there.
Although he was confident he could enter the Skysoar Realm, it might take him a year or two, or even longer. His breakthrough would be much later than the others, and once that happened, it would be hard for him to keep up with the other geniuses.
The soul spring Xiang Shaoyun had given him solved this issue. Thus, he now considered Xiang Shaoyun his benefactor. On their way out, Hua Honglou couldn't resist looking at Xiang Shaoyun with resentment as she asked, "Why are you giving them out so generously? At the very least, you should have traded for something of equal value."
Xiang Shaoyun gave a solemn reply, "He helped me. Thus, he is worthy of receiving my help. Turning it into a transaction will change the entire flavor of the gesture."
Hua Honglou wanted to retort, but when she saw Xiang Shaoyun's serious eyes, she swallowed her words. Instead, she grumbled, "You and your ideals. I better get my share of soul springs later as well."
"Haha, both you and big brother will get your cut," said Xiang Shaoyun with a laugh.
"I knew Brother Yun wouldn't forget us," said Liang Zhuangmin gleefully.
Soon, they arrived before a shining door. They stepped through it to reach the outside world. The moment Xiang Shaoyun arrived outside, Devouring Ghost roared with laughter in his head, "Hahahahaha...I am finally out of that shitty place...hahahahaha."
Xiang Shaoyun could feel his excitement, and it filled him with grief for some reason, as if he was feeling sad on behalf of Devouring Ghost for his fate of having been trapped in there for so long.
He barely knew Devouring Ghost, so it was weird that he would feel that way. He shook his head and calmed his emotions. He then set off toward the Cloud Margin Pavilion's group with Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou.
The participants could do what they wanted in the Land of Soul Springs, but out here, they must not create trouble. That was a rule set by the numerous organizations. Of course, the rule was not absolute as rule breakers would always exist.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun arrived at the outside world, he sensed numerous gazes focus on him. His feats had evidently spread out here as well. The elders had learned of what happened from their disciples.
They had never expected that an unknown kid like this would defeat the Lightning Kid, Four Divinity Swords, Wu Longfei, and Devil Fairy. That was too shocking. He was simply trampling all over his peers.
Someone with such talent was almost guaranteed to be a King in the future, and it was only a matter of time before he became an Emperor as well. A few people were rushing toward Xiang Shaoyun.
"Little bastard, are you Xiang Shaoyun?" a shout echoed in Xiang Shaoyun's ears.
Xiang Shaoyun looked at the newcomers and saw that they were riding devil blood bats.
It was clear they were from the Devil Blood Society.
He frowned and said, "Where did this barking dog come from?"
He would show respect when given the same. Likewise, those showing him disrespect would receive the same from him.
"Bastard, you dare scold this King? I shall kill you!" shouted the furious Devil Blood Society elder.
At this moment, the Cloud Margin Pavilion elder arrived and said, "Devil Blood Society, are you trying to start a war here?"
No matter what, Xiang Shaoyun represented the Cloud Margin Pavilion in the Land of Soul Springs. If the elder let others kill him, it would be an embarrassment to the Cloud Margin Pavilion.
"This has nothing to do with you. Scram, or we fight!" berated the Devil Blood Society elder.
"Hmph. You are provoking someone from the Cloud Margin Pavilion, and you dare claim this has nothing to do with us? Do you think we are afraid of you?" said the elder.
"Very well. We fight," said the Devil Blood Society with a ruthless glint in his eyes.
"Hold on, what is your quarrel with Xiang Shaoyun?" asked He Luo, the other Cloud Margin Pavilion elder.
"Hmph. Are you not aware of what he had done in the Land of Soul Springs?" said the Devil Blood Society elder coldly.
"It is normal for there to be casualties when fighting for soul springs," said He Luo.
"If that is all, we will simply accept the loss. But he had actually killed our genius disciple Devil Face. This is a grudge that must be settled. Move out of the way, or we can start a war right now," said the Devil Blood Society elder.
"Haha, what a joke. So only your people can kill, but we can't fight back? Are you dumb?" sneered Hua Honglou.
Xiang Shaoyun had killed Devil Face while saving her. She naturally had to speak for him.
"That's right. If the Devil Blood Society can't accept any losses, you shouldn't have entered the Land of Soul Springs. Ohh, you want revenge for your dead? Fine, come at us," said the first Cloud Margin Pavilion elder.
"I was only planning to kill this kid, but since you insist to butt in, war it is then!" said the Devil Blood Society elder with an intense murderous intent.
Just as a fight was about to break out, He Luo berated Xiang Shaoyun, "Xiang Shaoyun, what are you waiting for? Kneel down and await your punishment! Do you want to see a war starting over you?"
"Elder He, what is this?" asked the other elder in confusion.
"I don't feel the need to make such a big ruckus over this. Just let Xiang Shaoyun kowtow to the Devil Blood Society and beg them to spare him. I believe that will be enough for the Devil Blood Society," declared He Luo bluntly.
Even the Devil Blood Society people were stunned. But they soon understood that He Luo most likely disliked Xiang Shaoyun as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't say something like that.
If Xiang Shaoyun was to kowtow to them in public, how could he face others in the future? It would likely be the end of his cultivation heart. Future advancement would be near impossible for him.
"Yes. If he kowtows and begs for forgiveness, we might spare him," the Devil Blood Society elder agreed.
Chapter 321: I'll Send You All to the Afterlife
The Devil Blood Society elder's name was Mo Deng, a peak eighth-stage Skysoar Realm expert. The reason why he was so hostile to Xiang Shaoyun was because Devil Face was a genius from his faction. Thus, he resented Xiang Shaoyun for having killed Devil Face.
"Elder He Luo, are you helping Xiang Shaoyun or are you helping the Devil Blood Society? How can you suggest something like that?" yelled the unhappy Liang Zhuangmin.
"You dare question me? My suggestion is beneficial for everyone in the Cloud Margin Pavilion. This has nothing to do with you disciples. Stand aside," berated He Luo.
He Luo had been appointed the leader of their group and held absolute authority over them. Thus, although many were unhappy with his unfair treatment of Xiang Shaoyun, everyone kept silent.
Xiang Shaoyun glanced at He Luo and Mo Deng before he sneered and said, "Are you two old dogs done? If you are done, scram!"
Those words caused the faces of Mo Deng and He Luo to turn unsightly.
"I'll slaughter you!" Mo Deng howled and attacked immediately.
He slammed his black palm at Xiang Shaoyun, unleashing an attack that was most certainly beyond Xiang Shaoyun's ability to defend against. Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou grew anxious as neither of them wanted to see anything bad happen to Xiang Shaoyun. Unfortunately, both of them were too weak to be of any help to him right now.
Just as the palm was about to hit Xiang Shaoyun, Mo Deng sensed a certain force blasting into his mind. A sharp pain suddenly assailed his head, causing him to stop attacking and to grip his head and wail in pain.
"You want to kill me, old dog? Let me kill you first!" Xiang Shaoyun roared.
He attacked with the Seven Scorching Sun Claws, clawing Mo Deng's chest with an intense flame energy suffused in his claws. The claws tore through Mo Deng's clothes before leaving several bloody gashes on his chest. Strands of Yun Flame's power started swirling about Mo Deng's body.
"Ahhhh!"
Suffering pain both in his soul and on his physical body, Mo Deng wailed miserably as he tumbled about on the ground. In the blink of an eye, his entire body lit up, turning him into a man of fire. Those from the Devil Blood Society were greatly alarmed. They all rushed at Xiang Shaoyun, trying to kill him and save Mo Deng.
"You all want to die? Fine. I'll send all of you to the afterlife," said Xiang Shaoyun with a ruthless smile on his face.
An incorporeal soul power separated into five and shot toward the Devil Blood Society's five elders.. The attacks hit their souls at the same time, putting them in so much pain the only thing they could do was howl in agony.
Xiang Shaoyun seized the opening and drew his Purple Lightning Saber before swinging it at all five of them. A bright flash glided through the air, and five heads separated from their bodies. The five headless corpses collapsed onto the ground, forming a puddle of blood beneath them.
The entire area sank into silence as everyone else watched on in stupefaction and disbelief with their eyes opened wide. A young Transformation Realm cultivator had severed five Skysoar Realm heads with one slash? Was that real? Everyone rubbed their eyes repeatedly, finding it hard to believe what they were seeing.
But no matter how they rubbed their eyes, the five corpses remained. The truth was presented right before them. As for Mo Deng, he had been burnt alive into ash. With that, all the elders sent here from the Devil Blood Society were dead.
When everyone looked at Xiang Shaoyun again, their eyes were filled with reverence while their breaths became hurried. Some became anxious, especially He Luo who had stepped on Xiang Shaoyun while he was down earlier. His entire body went cold, as if he had entered an ice cave. He felt terrible.
T-this is not true! How can he be so strong? He Luo shouted inwardly.
After dealing with the Devil Blood Society elders, Xiang Shaoyun's gaze landed on He Luo. An intense murderous intent surged out of him as he said, "Old dog, come and accept your death!"
"No, you can't kill me! I am a high-level elder of the inner pavilion! Furthermore, we have no quarrel!" said He Luo while stepping back repeatedly. He had completely lost his courage.
"Sure, I can spare you. But you need to kowtow to me and apologize," said Xiang Shaoyun.
That was what He Luo had wanted Xiang Shaoyun to do earlier. But now, Xiang Shaoyun was making him do the same. In a way, that was his retribution.
"I...I..." He Luo had an unsightly expression.
After some hesitation, he flew toward the sky and roared with laughter before saying, "Xiang Shaoyun, you bastard! First, you disrespect your elders. And now, you even want to kill me? After returning to the Cloud Margin Pavilion, I will get the pavilion master to expel you from the pavilion!"
After saying that, he turned to flee. He believed that even if Xiang Shaoyun possessed some secret killing techniques, he wou
ldn't be able to catch up with him in terms of speed. After all, Xiang Shaoyun was only a Transformation Realm cultivator.
"You think you can escape me? How naive," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sneer.
A gust of soul power rushed out of his head and immediately drilled into He Luo's head.
Accompanied by a wail, He Luo dropped to the ground. Xiang Shaoyun advanced and leaped toward him before swinging the Purple Lightning Saber at his waist.
Sphhlt!
He Luo's body was split into two, his blood spilling everywhere. Xiang Shaoyun's face was dyed red with blood, looking like a dreadful god of death.
"Anyone else want to take their revenge on me? Come!" said Xiang Shaoyun after wiping the bloodstain on his face.
As of this moment, he was akin to a young king, his dominance spreading throughout the area. Not one person dared to stand against him. Amid the Cloud Margin Pavilion group, Lightning Kid was greatly shocked as he thought to himself, How is he so strong? Had he reached the Skysoar Realm long ago? Or is he some old freak that has regained his youth and has only revealed his true strength now?
The same thought crossed the minds of many people, including Wu Longfei and Devil Fairy. who had once fought Xiang Shaoyun. Otherwise, they couldn't understand why Xiang Shaoyun was capable of fighting the two of them all by himself in the Land of Soul Springs.
Alas, all of them were wrong. None of them knew that an old freak like Devouring Ghost existed within Xiang Shaoyun's head.
"Is this really Brother Yun? He is so strong!" Liang Zhuangmin cried out in astonishment.
"Yeah, he suddenly feels so far away," Hua Honglou said, suddenly feeling inferior facing him.
"A lot of Dragon Ascension Realm cultivators are heading this way," Devouring Ghost suddenly told Xiang Shaoyun.
"Emperors? Have they finally arrived?" Xiang Shaoyun suddenly had a bad premonition.
"Leave!" He decided to flee.
Unfortunately, before he could do that, those people arrived, stopping in the sky above them.