by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
Despite his sadness, he still forced himself to speak, seeing as there was a guest at his home, "Thank you, young man. Without your help, things would have been bad for us."
"You are too polite, uncle. Even without me, Liuhui would have been able to deal with all those bandits himself," said Xiang Shaoyun humbly.
"Hehe, yes, he is quite capable now, but still not enough to deal with all the bandits," said Xia Datang as he looked at his son with a satisfied smile.
"Father, you underestimate me. Even without your injuries, you might not be my match anymore," said Xia Liuhui.
"I see you think you are all grown up and have forgotten how I used to beat your ass when you were a kid," said Xia Datang with a glare, instantly shutting up Xia Liuhui.
Evidently, Xia Liuhui still remembered some unpleasant memories from his childhood. Xia Datang's recovery placed Xia Liuhui and Xia Yingying in a much better mood.
They gathered the villagers and started distributing the gifts they had received from Xiang Shaoyun. After selling the items at the nearby cities, the villagers would be able to live a good life for a while. The gifts did somewhat alleviate their grief, and their gratefulness toward Xia Datang's family grew even more.
Xia Datang already enjoyed great prestige in the hamlet. With Xia Liuhui returning in glory coupled with the gifts he gave them, they now regarded Xia Datang's family as a family of living Buddhas.
In a flash, three days passed. Xia Datang could now walk around again, and he had also recovered some of his combat prowess. With his daughter taking care of him full time, the smile on his face grew wider day by day.
Today, Xia Liuhui and Xia Datang were having a serious discussion in a private room. This was the first serious meeting they had since their reunion.
"Tell me, what do you want to talk about?" asked Xia Datang.
"Father, I am planning to go with my boss. I will rarely have the chance to come back in the future," said Xia Liuhui forthrightly.
"You've decided?" Xia Datang asked with a complicated expression.
"Well, I'm trying to talk to you about it," said Xia Liuhui.
"Let me ask you, what do you think about your boss?" asked Xia Datang.
Xia Liuhui sank into a short silence before answering, "Boss has an extraordinary background, outstanding talent, is massively generous, and is a giant among men."
"Since someone like that is willing to accept you, this is your luck. Go with him, then. The world is incomparably vast, and young people like you should really take a look at the world. An old man like me will not be a burden for you. I believe you will make me proud in the future," said Xia Datang.
"So you agree, Father?" Xia Liuhui asked.
"Of course. I was strict with you since your childhood because I had wanted you to be successful in life. Now, you are already at the Transformation Realm and will overtake me soon. In the future, you might even be a King. If that is so, you will bring honor to our ancestors," said Xia Datang expectantly.
Xia Liuhui shook his head. "My goal is not to be a King."
"True, it is not easy to be a King. It is good enough to reach peak Transformation Realm," said Xia Datang.
"No, I mean I am going to become an Emperor!" Xia Liuhui declared resolutely.
"W-what? Y-you want to be an Emperor?" Xia Datang cried out in alarm.
He had never expected his son to be so ambitious.
"Yes. Boss is already almost a King, and in the future he will be a Sovereign. If I can only become a King, I will embarrass him. Furthermore, Chaomu is already a Queen. I will not allow myself to be looked down upon by her," said Xia Liuhui, his eyes brimming with confidence.
"What? You are saying that girl Ye Chaomu is at the Skysoar Realm?" asked Xia Datang in shock.
"Yes. Late-stage Skysoar Realm, to be precise. She is boss's little sister, but boss has only recently started cultivating. I believe he will catch up to her soon," Xia Liuhui said.
Xia Datang was completely speechless by now. In his eyes, Skysoar Realm was already an insanely high realm of existence. But that little girl who looked to be about 16 or 17 years old was already a late-stage Skysoar Realm cultivator. What kind of a freak was she?
"Oh, right, Yingying and Chaomu seem to get along well. I am thinking of sending Yingying off with Chaomu. What do you think?" asked Xia Liuhui.
"Yes, it is time she goes out and takes a look at the world. If they are willing to accept her, that will be great. I can see they are decent people and are not really people to put up airs. I believe they will treat her well," agreed Xia Datang without hesitation.
Chapter 356: Take Care
In a different room in the Xia family's house, Xiang Shaoyun asked Ye Chaomu, "Are you really going to bring Yingying along?"
Ye Chaomu brushed back her bangs and said, "Yes, it's really boring at the Wuxie Valley. With Yingying by my side, I won't feel as bored anymore."
"Ok, but you still have to respect Uncle Xia and Yingying's decision. If they are not willing to agree, forget it," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Of course, but I have no doubt they will agree," said Ye Chaomu confidently.
"Ok. I won't interfere. Just treat her fairly," said Xiang Shaoyun before taking out an old-looking stone. "This is for you. Consider it a parting gift from your big brother."
"Am I really your little sister? You're giving me a shitty piece of rock as a gift?" grumbled Ye Chaomu.
"Look again. Is this really a shitty rock?" Xiang Shaoyun said.
Ye Chaomu studied the rock. Suddenly, her pupils shrank. She gently stroked the rock, her eyes lighting up as she said, "This...is this the legendary Heavenly Eye Stone?"
"Looks like you haven't turned stupid from staying at Wuxie Valley for too long. Yes, this is the Heavenly Eye Stone," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"That’s a good big brother!" said Ye Chaomu with a wide smile. "I heard with the Heavenly Eye Stone, one can cultivate the Heavenly Eye. This is a treasure for anyone. Not even tier-7 and tier-8 cultivation methods and battle techniques can be traded for one!"
"That's right. Put it away already. With this, you can become the strongest goddess in the future," said Xiang Shaoyun as he rubbed Ye Chaomu's head dotingly.
"Haha, yes. And you can become the strongest attendant of the strongest goddess in the future," said Ye Chaomu with a confident smile. After a slight pause, her smile vanished, and she said, "Keep this Heavenly Eye Stone for yourself. You need it more than me. Even without it, I can still become the strongest goddess."
"This is my gift for you. How can I take back a gift? In any case, I don't need it," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"You really don't need it?" Ye Chaomu asked.
"Of course. Otherwise, I would have used it already," said Xiang Shaoyun seriously. He pointed at his head. "I am blessed here, and my senses are no weaker than the Heavenly Eye. Just trust me."
Ye Chaomu studied Xiang Shaoyun with her pearl-like eyes before finally nodding. "Ok, I'll take it."
"Good girl," said Xiang Shaoyun with a satisfied smile.
...
Xia Datang, Xia Liuhui, and Xia Yingying had reached an agreement. Both Xia Liuhui and Xia Yingying would leave Xia Hamlet. Xia Liuhui would go with Xiang Shaoyun while Xia Yingying would follow Ye Chaomu.
Xia Datang felt some reluctance to part with his children, but for the sake of their future, he suppressed his emotions. Before leaving, both Xiang Shaoyun and Ye Chaomu left Xia Datang some treasures.
Xia Datang was greatly pleased to suddenly receive such treasures, and they were also the same treasures that eventually helped him reach the Skysoar Realm in the future.
Separation was always sad, and this was even more so for Xia Yingying, who was leaving home for the first time ever. She wept bitterly. Fortunately, Ye Chaomu was there to console her. She even promised they would come back to visit Xia Datang whenever they had time in the future. Only then did Xia Yingying feel better.
Outside Xia Hamlet, they met up with Devour
ing Ghost, Duo Ji, Du Xuanhao, and the Thirteen Eagles.
"Little Mu Mu, go back to the Wuxie Valley with Yingying. Old drunkard, I will rely on you to nurture Liuhui. I hope he can grow as soon as possible, becoming an expert capable of holding his own," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Huh? Boss, I thought I'll be going with you?" asked Xia Liuhui in astonishment.
"What's the point? It's better if you follow old drunkard. He can help you reach the Emperor Realm at the very least. As for the Sovereign Realm, you will need to rely on yourself," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"How about you, young master?" Duo Ji asked.
"I'll go with Devouring Ghost. I don’t need anyone else with me," Xiang Shaoyun said. He added, "We’ll gather here again in seven years."
"Fine. Don't worry. I'll definitely train him as best I can," said Duo Ji.
For some reason, Xia Liuhui felt a chill creep up his spine when he heard those words.
"Little Mu Mu, take good care of Yingying. Treat her well," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Don't worry, big brother. I will treat her like my little sister," said Ye Chaomu with a nod. "Remember to be careful, and don't let those traitors catch you."
"Don't worry. After their heavy losses this time, it won't be so easy for them to find me again. In any case, I am no longer the same person," said Xiang Shaoyun confidently. "Alright, this is where we part. I hope when we meet again in the future, everyone will no longer be the same and will have become dragons and phoenixes among men."
"We'll be leaving now. Take care, young master," said Duo Ji before he flew away with Xia Liuhui in tow.
He was no longer worried about Xiang Shaoyun. With an old monster like Devouring Ghost by Xiang Shaoyun’s side, he would be able to remain safe for the foreseeable future. His only task right now was to train Xia Liuhui.
"Big brother, I’ll be leaving as well, then. If you are still weaker than me when we meet again, I won't mind becoming your bodyguard," said Ye Chaomu; an intense reluctance to part could be seen on her face.
"Ok. Take care!" said Xiang Shaoyun.
Thus, Ye Chaomu left with Xia Yingying and the Thirteen Eagles.
Xiang Shaoyun watched on as they left, and his eyes filled with longing as he sighed, "You must all grow stronger. I will be needing your help in the future."
He then turned and looked at Devouring Ghost, who had been remaining silent. "Devouring Ghost, what should I do next?"
After taking over Linggu Haonan's body, the body's cultivation level had not dropped. Rather, it had grown and was now at the peak of seventh-stage Dragon Ascension Realm. As for his combat prowess, it was completely beyond those at the same cultivation level.
A creepy look appeared in Devouring Ghost's eyes as he said, "Since you trust me, I will arrange a hellish training regimen that can help you grow as fast as possible."
"For the sake of strength, even if I have to enter hell, I am willing to do it," said Xiang Shaoyun resolutely.
"Hehe, where you are about to go is even scarier than hell," said Devouring Ghost with a creepy laugh. "The time has come for you to enter the Skysoar Realm. Your immediate goal should be to break through as quickly as possible. Since you have the Xiang Clan's lightning bone, breaking through into the Skysoar Realm should be extremely easy for you. You just need to accept the baptism of the natural lightning and force your cultivation level to the next realm through the power of lightning. The only thing you need is the courage to be struck by lightning."
"So simple?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Simple? When you experience your skin tearing apart as your flesh pops out while you are being cooked alive, you will understand that it is not so simple after all," said Devouring Ghost.
"Sure, let us find a suitable location to break through into the Skysoar Realm first," said Xiang Shaoyun. He hopped onto Jin Wo's back and said, "Go to the Hundred Beast Mountain Range again. The lightning condors's territory is a good location where lightning congregates."
Chapter 357: Silver-winged Lightning Wolf King
Xiang Shaoyun, Du Xuanhao, and Jin Wo arrived at the location where lightning congregated, the territory of the lightning condors located between the outer and inner fringes of the Hundred Beast Mountain Range.
When they arrived, they were welcomed by the sight of over 100 lightning condors gliding about in the sky, their cries reverberating throughout the air. The moment they saw Xiang Shaoyun's group, they attacked.
But when Jin Wo released his boundless demonic aura, the lightning condors were all suppressed and started falling from the air. Below them, a loud cry rang out from an ancient tree, and a lightning condor that was far larger than the other condors flew up.
It was none other than the lightning condor king. Unfortunately, this lightning condor king was still too weak before Jin Wo. Before he even got far, he started dropping from the sky due to Jin Wo's suppression as well.
"L-lord Demon Emperor!" the lightning condor king cried out in alarm when he saw Jin Wo's true form and sensed the terrifying pressure.
"Alright Jin Wo, you can withdraw your demonic aura now. I'm old friends with the lightning condor king," said Xiang Shaoyun. At his command, Jin Wo obediently withdrew his demonic aura, returning the lightning condors their freedom.
Xiang Shaoyun hopped off Jin Wo's body and asked, "Do you still remember me, lightning condor king?"
He still remembered that this was the place where he first awakened his lightning bone. At that time, the lightning condor king was a brand new Demon King who had almost been captured by Young Lightning King.
"You...you're the human from two years ago?" said the lightning condor king in astonishment. He had evidently not expected to see Xiang Shaoyun here again with a Demon Emperor by his side.
"I'm glad to hear you still remember me. I need to borrow this place as I am in need of the power of natural lightning," said Xiang Shaoyun.
He still remembered back then when the lightning condor king wanted to become his follower but was rejected. After all, this lightning condor king did not really have a lot of potential and would not be of much help to him. The lightning condor king did not have any reason to refuse. He brought Xiang Shaoyun's group straight to the main peak where he resided.
It was a place frequently struck by lightning. Because of that, there was a thick concentration of lightning energy in the air. There were also some lightning-elemental plants growing in the area, but they weren't high-grade plants, so they were pretty much useless for Xiang Shaoyun.
"We had a storm just two days ago, so I guess the next storm will only come in about half a month from now," said lightning condor king, behaving very carefully around them.
"Don't worry. I can just lure the lightning bolts down if they are not coming," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Luring them?" The lightning condor king was astonished.
By the side, Devouring Ghost asked in surprise, "Young master, you have already reached the level where you can draw lightning into your body?"
"Yes, I think so," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Haha, if you have reached this level, then my worries have been for nothing. You should have tasted lightning long ago. Breaking through into the Skysoar Realm won't be a problem for you then," said Devouring Ghost. "If you are able to lure some mutated lightning bolts down, it will be even better for your lightning bone."
"Mutated lightning bolt?" Xiang Shaoyun frowned.
Devouring Ghost was right. Luring some mutated lightning bolts would be even better. However, mutated lightning bolts were extremely rare and hard to come by. Furthermore, they were extremely powerful, and it would be extremely hard to survive one.
"You're looking for mutated lightning bolts?" asked the lightning condor king.
"You know where I can find them?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Yes, but they might be somewhat troublesome to get," said lightning condor king.
"Troubles are meant to be solved. Just tell us," said Jin Wo impatiently.
"Yes, yes,
it's at a place not far away, in the territory of a silver-winged lightning wolf king. Silver lightning bolts can be frequently seen there. I believe those are considered mutated lightning bolts as well," said lightning condor king.
"Silver lightning bolts? That is probably a type of silver lightning that is nothing special compared to the other mutated lightning bolts. But it is still much more powerful than regular lightning bolts. It suits you perfectly, young master. You can use it to upgrade your lightning bone," said Devouring Ghost joyfully.
"Good, I'll use this silver lightning for my breakthrough then," said Xiang Shaoyun with no hesitation. "Lightning condor king, please lead the way."
The lightning condor king hesitated for a bit and, after stealing a glance at Jin Wo, agreed. "I...ok..." With a Demon Emperor present, even the silver-winged lightning wolf king would have to step aside. And thus, under the lightning condor king's lead, they flew toward a certain location. Along the way, numerous other demonic beasts appeared. But in fear they all went back to their lairs the moment they sensed Jin Wo's terrifying demonic aura.
When a Demon Emperor traversed the lands, all Demon Kings had to step aside.
Soon, they arrived at a certain mountain ridge. Numerous silvergarb trees were growing, and from a distance, a vast expanse of silvery white could be seen. But if one studied these trees in detail, one would find that on top of each tree were numerous strands of silver energy. It was a rather mystical sight. The moment they approached, wolf howls rang in the air.
"Howl! Howl!"
These were the howls of the silver-winged lightning wolves residing here. The silver-winged lightning wolf was a species of demonic beast with extreme offensive power and had incredible unity as well. Regular demonic beasts would never dare to easily enter their territory, as the silver-winged lightning wolves would almost always fight in a group whenever an outsider attacked them.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun's group arrived, more than 10 silver-winged lightning wolves charged them. Each of them had sharp fangs, a sturdy body, a snowy and glossy coat of fur, and a pair of wings on their back. They quickly surrounded Xiang Shaoyun's group. Jin Wo spat his serpentine tongue out and released his majestic demonic aura, suppressing the wolves and forcing them to step down.