by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
The other battles Xiang Shaoyun had gone through also proved that he had an unfathomable combat prowess. The strength Xiang Shaoyun had displayed on the ring was only half of his real strength. Shou Xie knew that very well. Thus, he planned to properly latch on to Xiang Shaoyun since it would benefit him.
This time, Xiang Shaoyun had Money remain outside the astral cosmos sea. He did not wish to see Money lose his combat awareness, becoming a snake that only knew how to grow his cultivation level but not fight. Money needed to recover some of his bestial nature, which would be beneficial for his future growth.
Soon, after traveling a distance from the academy, the group started encountering the attacks of demonic beasts. Fortunately, they were able to easily deal with the demonic beasts of this level and did not suffer much damage.
With one of Shou Xie's Demon Emperors leading the way, the group continued deeper into the mountain range. The Demon Emperor was actually a mouse, one with a treasure hunting ability. It possessed a partial bloodline of the bejeweled treasure mouse, known as the treasure seeking mouse.
If it was an actual bejeweled treasure mouse instead, it would be a very big deal. The bejeweled treasure mouse was an extraordinary breed of mice, capable of seeking treasures in addition to some other inconceivable abilities. This treasure seeking mouse had inherited the treasure seeking ability of the bejeweled treasure mice and was also a considerably rare breed of mice.
This mouse was why Shou Xie knew the rough location of the dragon liquid. But since the dangers at the location were too much for him to handle, he had no choice but to share the possible harvest with others.
After a while of traveling, Xiang Shaoyun suddenly had a bad premonition, one that originated from a different source of danger, not from the beasts inhabiting the mountain range. He immediately spread the senses of his Nether Soul Domain to scan his surroundings.
Soon, he found that two groups of people were tailing them from two different directions. Both of them were groups of considerable strength as well. In fact, they possessed a strength beyond what mere disciples of the academy should possess.
Among them were peak Emperors and even a Sovereign. Xiang Shaoyun was astonished to learn that someone of that strength was actually tailing his group. He wasn't stupid enough to believe that they were there to protect them secretly. And he was also sure that they were not there for Shou Xie and the others. Thus, it was more believable that they were there for him.
Apart from Di Lin and Huo Xudong, I can't think of anyone who hates me more than them in the academy. They had definitely sent these people after me. They are probably afraid of making a move here because we are still not too far from the academy and they don't want to attract the attention of the elders. When we travel farther away, they will definitely attack. The nether prison devil puppet won't be able to effectively stop them either. After all, they know me quite well. What should I do? Xiang Shaoyun sank into conflict.
He did not wish to see harm falling onto his companions just because of him. But how was he supposed to tell them about this?
"Young Master Xiang, why have you stopped moving?" Shou Xie asked when he saw Xiang Shaoyun stop.
Xiang Shaoyun hesitated slightly before saying, "Nothing. I have suddenly thought of something urgent I need to deal with, so I might not be able to complete the mission with you guys anymore."
His words astonished Tang Longfei, Shou Xie, and the others. None of them had expected that Xiang Shaoyun would suddenly withdraw from the mission.
"Are you sure, Young master Xiang?" Shou Xie asked.
"My apologies. You guys should move ahead without me," said Xiang Shaoyun apologetically.
"Xiang Shaoyun, are you playing a joke on us?" Li Haonan could no longer hold in his temper.
Chapter 606: Assassination
Li Haonan found Xiang Shaoyun an eyesore, and now that Xiang Shaoyun was withdrawing from the mission, he could no longer hold back.
Xiang Shaoyun ignored him. Instead, he spoke to Shou Xie and Tang Longfei through voice transmission, "We are being followed. They are most likely here for me, and they are too strong. You better leave first."
Shou Xie's expression turned solemn. As for Tang Longfei, a firm look covered his face as he said, "I'll stay and help!"
"No, you need to leave immediately. I have a way of getting away from them. If you stay with me, you will only slow me down," said Xiang Shaoyun as he prepared to leave alone.
But at this time, Li Haonan blocked his path and shouted, "Xiang Shaoyun, if you don't give me a satisfactory answer today, I won't mind teaching you a lesson."
He then locked down at Xiang Shaoyun, as if he was going to attack the moment Xiang Shaoyun attempted to leave.
"Get out of my way!" Xiang Shaoyun roared after sensing the surging auras of those tailing them. Those people must have sensed what was going on. He also quickly withdrew Money into his astral cosmos sea before dashing away.
"You're courting death!" Li Haonan was further infuriated after being shouted at, and he drew his sword in preparation to attack.
He was a second-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator capable of punching above his weight. His attack prowess reached a level comparable to a fifth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. His attack shot straight at Xiang Shaoyun's back.
"No! (Bastard!)" shouted both Shou Xie and Tang Longfei. However, it was too late for them to do anything. They could only stare blankly as Li Haonan's attack reached Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun also sensed the incoming attack and cursed, "Damnable bastard!"
He was forced to dodge to the side and avoid the attack. Not satisfied with a single attack, Li Haonan charged forward and shouted, "You think you can come and go as you wish? In your dream! Take an attack from me!"
As he said that, he attacked again. At this time, Tang Longfei and Lady Shura also attacked, with Li Haonan being their target. This was not a duel where two combatants had to fight without interference. Since Li Haonan was attacking Xiang Shaoyun, how would they watch on without doing anything?
Li Haonan lived up to his status as someone on the Jiao Luan List. He was able to react speedily, and he shot straight into the sky like an arrow to escape Tang Longfei and Lady Shura. He then continued toward Xiang Shaoyun. And due to the repeated interruptions, Xiang Shaoyun's escape was delayed, allowing some of the experts tailing them to arrive.
The newcomers were in no rush to attack. Rather, they first focused on completely isolating this place into an independent space.
"Since you want to die that much, I will grant your wish," said Xiang Shaoyun, thoroughly infuriated. His Overlord Skyslaying Saber appeared in his hand as he swung it without restraint.
Lightning Slash From the Clear Sky!
Instantly, numerous silver lightning bolts rained down. The saber energy seemed unstoppable as it split apart Li Haonan's attack and continued toward him. The attack was unleashed with saber intent, carrying an overbearing might that was even sharper than Li Haonan's attack.
Li Haonan had not imagined that Xiang Shaoyun's attack would be so dreadful. He was forced to focus on defending himself. Xiang Shaoyun did not spend more time tussling with Li Haonan. Instead, he summoned the nether prison devil puppet and pointed at a certain direction before shouting, "Those who are here for me, show yourself. Why do you keep hiding?"
As he said that, the nether prison devil puppet shot toward the direction he was pointing and threw a powerful punch forward. The force of the punch pulverized the numerous trees in its way. A figure appeared and flew out to block the puppet's attack.
The newcomer was actually a Soul Foundation Realm cultivator, but he seemed weaker than the nether prison devil puppet, and the impact of his collision with the puppet sent him flying. Unfortunately, the nether prison devil puppet was incapable of using energy. Otherwise, the Sovereign wouldn't have withstood the punch.
"That puppet is strong. You guys go and kill that kid. I'll keep this puppet busy," said th
e Sovereign as he started bombarding the puppet with attacks.
The Sovereign fought smartly. Instead of meeting the puppet force with force, he focused on keeping the puppet busy, preventing it from leaving his range of control so the others would be able to move on Xiang Shaoyun.
"We're only here for Xiang Shaoyun. Everyone else, piss off," a loud voice rang out.
A boundless aura surrounded Xiang Shaoyun, an aura at the level of a peak Emperor. Apart from that person, a few others appeared as well, all of them late-stage Emperors. Their combined strength was enough to put a check on the courage of Xiang Shaoyun's group.
It was at this moment that Li Haonan finally realized why Xiang Shaoyun had been in a rush to leave. It turned out Xiang Shaoyun had already realized that some enemies were coming after him. He wouldn't have suddenly proposed to leave otherwise.
At that thought, guilt flashed in his eyes, but it was soon replaced by delight. He muttered, "Well, serves you right."
"Let's leave," said Li Haonan toward Shou Xie, Yan Gang, Zhong Xia, and the others. He did not believe that he would be strong enough to deal with their opponents. There was even a Soul Foundation Realm expert involved.
Yan Gang, Zhong Xia, and company left unhesitatingly. After all, they had just met Xiang Shaoyun. There was no need for them to die together with him. As for Tang Longfei and Lady Shura, they wanted to stay. However, Xiang Shaoyun spoke using voice transmission again, "You two leave as well, or you will only distract me, making it harder for me to escape."
The two clenched their teeth before leaving with the others. Shou Xie also received the same voice transmission. Thus, he left without delay. The only reason the attackers had even spared them was because of the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
If they really killed so many disciples at once, the academy would do all they could to vent their anger. Although they weren't Dragon Phoenix Academy members, the people who had sent them on the mission were members of the academy. They couldn't cause their employers trouble.
"Send him on his way," coldly commanded the peak Emperor. At his command, one of them, a seventh-stage Emperor, attacked Xiang Shaoyun. Even though Xiang Shaoyun had freakish talent, it would be hard for him to escape the seventh-stage Emperor.
Chapter 607: You Guys Can Go on to the Afterlife, Then
Xiang Shaoyun had met a considerable number of seventh-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivators. If he had to face someone like this head on, he would be defeated unless he was also in the Dragon Ascension Realm. Fortunately, apart from his combat prowess, he also had the mysterious Nether Soul Domain.
Without hesitation, he released the Nether Soul Domain, enveloping the people around him. They were not Dragon Phoenix Academy members and were definitely sent by his enemies. As for which of his enemies were the actual culprits, he would only find out after capturing the people sent. None of them had seen the Nether Soul Domain coming, and their faces turned ghastly.
"What is this? Break!" roared the peak Emperor as he blasted his surroundings with all his strength, trying to destroy the Nether Soul Domain.
In the past, Xiang Shaoyun's Nether Soul Domain would not last the bombardment of a peak Dragon Ascension Realm. But he was no longer the same. After forming his filthless soul, the Nether Soul Domain had benefited greatly. Not only had it expanded, its durability had also reached a point beyond what a peak Emperor could damage. Furthermore, he was the master of this domain, and the strength of others would be suppressed, making it hard for anyone other than himself to display their full strength.
Xiang Shaoyun did not give them any chance. He directly summoned the ghostrune Emperors to attack them with soul attacks. At the same time, chains shot out from everywhere and wrapped around his opponents.
"Ahhhh!"
The human Emperors were still in confusion even as the chains tied them up and prevented them from moving. One of them was a flame cultivator, and he released his flame energy, trying to burn apart the domain. Unfortunately for him, Xiang Shaoyun had long refined the Nether Soul Domain with his own flame power, removing this weakness.
Now, the Nether Soul Domain was practically immune to flame. It wouldn't be so easy to destroy it. Of course, if the flame cultivator could actually attack with all his strength, he might still stand a small chance. It was a pity that the attacks from the ghostrune Emperors kept him busy, and the chains quickly killed him off.
Apart from the peak Emperor, one Emperor after another was killed without getting a chance to escape. Xiang Shaoyun had spared the peak Emperor because he wanted to uncover the culprit behind the attack.
The other group near them had not moved. They were all shocked to see all the Emperors suddenly vanish in front of their eyes.
Their leader was similarly a peak Emperor, and he led five other people. After finding out that a Soul Foundation Realm expert had attacked, they no longer dared to move recklessly for fear that the attack of the Soul Foundation Realm expert would implicate them as well.
"I have not imagined that Xiang Shaoyun would have such a powerful puppet under his control. Good thing we hadn't attacked first," said the leader softly.
"What should we do now? That puppet seems really strong. I'm afraid even that Sovereign is having a hard time dealing with it," asked someone beside him.
"Let's observe for now. Since all of us are here to take Xiang Shaoyun's life, it will be fine to just watch as they kill him," said the leader.
However, none of them could see where Xiang Shaoyun was at. The group of people attacking him earlier had also vanished. In fact, the leader was starting to have a bad premonition about this.
It was at this moment that Xiang Shaoyun suddenly appeared beside them, but none of them noticed him because he was using the Nether Shadow Evanescence to hide from them. Only those with unique talents or eye cultivators would have a chance at locating him in this form.
Here to kill me? You guys can all go on to the afterlife, then, thought Xiang Shaoyun as he attacked them from behind.
The instant he drew the Overlord Skyslaying Saber, five severed heads flew into the air. The five were all late-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivators, but they had all been killed without even realizing it. The peak Emperor leading the group reacted the fastest. Without delay, he sent an attack flying in Xiang Shaoyun's direction.
However, Xiang Shaoyun was prepared, and the Nether Soul Domain swept out again, trapping the peak Emperor.
"What damnable place is this? Break!" the peak Emperor roared and prepared to blast his surroundings apart.
Unfortunately for him, a ghostrune Emperor was waiting for him. Waves of soul attacks swept out and tormented him, allowing the chains to tie him up tightly. Suddenly, numerous abstruse symbols floated through the air toward him.
Nether Dragon Soul Curse!
This was Xiang Shaoyun's mysterious trick to control others, one that had never failed him. At this time, the Sovereign who was battling the nether prison devil puppet high in the air could no longer persist with the fight.
In life, the nether prison devil had been a peak Devil Sovereign, but its strength had dropped to late-stage Devil Sovereign after being turned into a puppet. As for the Sovereign human, he was a fourth-stage Soul Foundation Realm cultivator, one that was considerably strong.
Assassinating Xiang Shaoyun by sending a cultivator of this level should be an easy feat, but the puppet was never taken seriously. Alas, that was a lapse in their judgment. All initiative seemed to have been snatched from them in this mission, which was supposed to be destined to succeed.
The Sovereign wasn't exactly a fool. As he fought, he slowly retreated, trying to lure the puppet away so the others could finish off Xiang Shaoyun. However, he couldn't sense his subordinates anymore, causing him to become nervous.
Does that kid have some hidden trump cards? But I can't even sense any battles around here! thought the Sovereign.
During his momentary distraction, the puppet struck him with a heavy punch, sending
him flying away and coughing blood. Finally, the Sovereign decided to leave and not extend the fight any longer. Unfortunately for him, the puppet did not fall for his trick, and it returned to Xiang Shaoyun. From how the puppet was behaving, it was obvious Xiang Shaoyun was still alive. If that was the case, something bad must have befallen the others.
Damn it! Who was the one who claimed that this puppet only has the strength of a regular Sovereign? That bastard sent us to our deaths! inwardly cursed the Sovereign as he left without bothering to look back.
He was afraid that the academy would sense what was happening. At that time, he wouldn't be able to escape even if he wanted to. When Xiang Shaoyun sensed the Sovereign's departure, he heaved a breath of relief. He then released the two Emperors who had fallen under his control and started questioning them for the culprits.
He wasn't surprised by their answers as they merely validated his guesses. The group with the Sovereign was sent by Di Lin, while the other group was sent by Feng Huosuo. As an elder of the Dragon Phoenix Academy, Feng Huosuo had actually sent someone to assassinate one of the academy's disciples. Xiang Shaoyun couldn't even begin to understand why he would do something like that. But he soon recalled Feng Xiaosha. Since both of them shared the same surname, could they be related?
Chapter 608: The Dreadful Cosmos Dao Destroying Fist
Xiang Shaoyun had placed Mu Qingyu and Wang Xin under his control prior to this, but he had ordered them to stay with Feng Xiaosha as spies. Since they hadn't sent news regarding the assassination, they probably knew nothing about it. Thus, Xiang Shaoyun shook his head and was not too bothered by their lack of warning. He could further investigate after returning to the academy. It was certain now that he had provoked two powerful enemies, and he had to focus on increasing his strength.
Xiang Shaoyun quickly left, afraid that something else might happen if he remained. Since he had parted with Shou Xie and the others, he could either complete the dragon liquid mission alone or return to the academy first. He selected the former option, deciding to temper himself within the mountain range and advance into the Dragon Ascension Realm before returning.