“Brother Woo, honestly, I’ve been feeling ill-at-ease lately.” Ou Yangming sighed and looked in the distance. “I can feel that a storm is brewing, so I must instill the same idea in everyone’s mind as soon as possible or I might be caught off guard one day and will regret it for the rest of my life.”
Woo Lejia’s face changed, and he noted sternly, “I understand. Brother Ou, don’t worry, I’ll handle everything for you.”
Ou Yangming nodded and uttered out of the blue, “Brother Woo, you don’t have to go.” “What?” Woo Lejia was baffled. Following that, Ou Yangming entered the carriage and closed the curtains. The carriage started moving and went far away after he gave the order, but it was then that Woo Lejia heard a voice as soft as an insect’s buzz. “Brother Woo, how many powerhouses from your clan are at the peak of Yang Grade?”
Woo Lejia trembled and stared at Ou Yangming’s carriage. His eyes sparkled so brightly that it was shocking.
Once the carriage was completely out of his sight, a figure appeared beside him as Woo Taiping showed up without a sound. The great ancestor asked, “What did Master Ou say?”
“Brother Ou said some words,” Woo Lejia answered after he curbed his thought. He smiled bitterly as he continued, “Based on those words alone, even if the imperial family’s most powerful elder makes an appearance, he won’t be able to stop the clans.”
Woo Taiping had a grave look on his face. “Is Master Ou really going to smith magic tools for the other clans too?”
He figured that this was the only way Ou Yangming could fulfill his wish.
Who knew, Woo Lejia shook his head and said, “Master Ou asked me a question.”
“What?”
“How many powerhouses from the Woo family are at the peak of Yang Grade?” “Hiss…”
Even the mighty Woo Taiping could not help but gasp at the moment. He exclaimed, “Did Master Ou really ask that?” “Yes, and he’s capable of doing that,” Woo Lejia answered firmly.
Woo Taiping’s face twitched, but he finally sighed after some time. “I understand. Master Ou wasn’t asking how many powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade the Woo family has; he asked… How many of such powerhouses there are in the world.”
“That’s right, so no matter what the imperial family chooses this time, as long as they don’t intend to kill him, they can’t confine him anymore.” Woo Lejia forced a smile.
Woo Taiping looked grim, and he turned around abruptly and instructed, “Do your best to help Master Ou, and you mustn’t delay the matter.”
Woo Lejia nodded and questioned, “What about you?”
“I’m going to enter the palace. I don’t know if Master Ou is indirectly asking us to notify the imperial family, but this can’t be put off any longer,” Woo Taiping spoke helplessly. Subsequently, he flashed and disappeared in the dark.
****
Ou Yangming closed his eyes and rested in the carriage, but he was perturbed because countless thoughts crossed his mind.
He received information during these past few days that the imperial family had been covertly exerting pressure on the new Supreme Great Ancestors and their respective forces. As such, those clans dared not get in touch with him yet. In actuality, any of those clans alone could not be on par with the imperial family but together as one, they could overthrow the family.
Nonetheless, firstly, the imperial family had a supreme powerhouse who could repress the fate of the world, hence the other forces dared not act recklessly. Secondly, Ou Yangming’s request was equivalent to asking those forces to act against their will; none of them were willing to take the risk before the ultimate disaster. Now, Ou Yangming gave up wanting to invite Wu Yuanwei to the immense forest. He shifted his focus back on the newly-advanced Supreme Great Ancestors.
Moreover, he had a last resort. Even if the great ancestors from the aristocratic families refused to help as they treasured their lives, he had a plan to counter the issue.
It was true that the disciples from the aristocratic families were given the best resources, which was why those families had higher chances of having powerhouses. Nevertheless, among ordinary cultivators with more potency, there were likely many more powerhouses at the peak of Yang Grade as compared to all the aristocratic families as a whole.
While the qualities of those powerhouses were uneven, Ou Yangming could surely attract a bunch of followers if he gave sufficient benefits and threats.
Of course, without influential clans behind those powerhouses, it would be toilsome for Ou Yangming to join hands with them unlike cooperating with an aristocratic family, where everything was well-arranged.
Ou Yangming left the carriage when it stopped. Just as he was about to enter the courtyard, a figure appeared in the dark.
The young fellow’s eyebrows twitched, and he was ready to attack at any time. This was because he instantly sensed an enormous pressure, which was enough to prove the person’s identity thought the pressure was only released for a split second.
It was a Supreme Great Ancestor, and an experienced one. The great ancestor was superior to Woo Lejia, who had just broken through.
How could Ou Yangming be careless against an individual like that?
However, Ou Yangming could not help but frown when he saw who it was; he was displeased.
“Senior Zhang Tianshi, why are you here so late at night? Are you planning to kill me?” He sneered.
Zhang Tianshi, whom Ou Yangming had met once, walked out from the corner. He and Cheng Bingyu confronted the young fellow outside the immense forest in the past, and he almost lost his life that day.
“Master Ou, you’re joking. That’s not my intention at all.” Zhang Tianshi turned pale then flushed.
Ou Yangming scorned. “Why have you come then?”
Zhang Tianshi was red with anger because he had never been dressed down before. That said, it was different this time because he did not have the guts to vent his anger in front of Ou Yangming.
He forced a smile and cupped his hands. “Master Ou, please forgive me for visiting you without notice, but I’m here to apologize to you.”
“Apologize?” Ou Yangming was surprised. “Yes. The Zhang family had two unworthy disciples—Zhang Yinli and Zhang Yinfan. They lived on us while secretly helping others, and they framed upright people. Although they were punished accordingly and deserved more than death, the Zhang family is a cultured clan,” Zhang Tianshi explained. Afterward, several men came out when he waved his hand, each of them carrying two big gift boxes, which they placed outside the courtyard.
“Master Ou, these are some modest gifts from the Zhang family as a token of apology. Please kindly accept them.”
Zhang Tianshi then bowed to the ground and left with his men before Ou Yangming could say a word.
Ou Yangming was taken aback when he looked at the gifts. He wondered, ‘The Zhang family converted too quickly, didn’t they?’
Chapter 338 - The Zhang Family Apologizes
“Master Ou, you’re amazing!” Du Gaoge gave Ou Yangming a thumbs up after the people from the Zhang family were gone. He was not afraid to express how envious he was. “The Zhang family is a renowned clan in the capital. They’re one of the top ten clans and are considered a tyrant in the capital, but when they met you earlier, they were as timid as a rat facing a cat!”
Ou Yangming lamented when he looked at the gifts by the door.
Back when he first acquired the Military Fire in the military camp, he was fearful of even an insignificant figure like Zhang Yinfan, whom he treated like a towering mountain, and was always afraid of being harmed by him.
When the young fellow recalled the past, he realized that those people were only passersby in his life, or merely stepping stones for his growth. Now, not to mention Zhang Yinfan, even the Zhang family’s great-ancestor-level powerhouse had to bow down and fawn over Ou Yangming.
“Master Ou, what do you want to do with these? How about I get some men to carry them inside first?” Du Gaog
e asked carefully.
Ou Yangming responded to the shopkeeper softly. Although he was not bothered about the gifts, he was not going to return them.
Once Du Gaoge gave the order, some people came to take the gifts into the courtyard.
Following that, everyone else dispersed; none of them stayed to see what exactly the gifts were.
In actuality, they were only protecting themselves as people in the lower class. After all, they were powerless lambs between Ou Yangming and the Zhang family, and they would suffer destructive impacts if they provoked either side.
Therefore, they dared not stay in the courtyard even though they were curious about the gifts.
Ou Yangming hesitated for a while before he opened the gift boxes. When he scanned the items with bright eyes, he was rather surprised.
The Zhang family was not half-hearted in choosing the gifts, and Ou Yangming was certain that they had informants in the imperial family.
This was because most of the gifts were spiritual pills and medicine, a majority of them were the kind he chose in the imperial family. In a way, though the gifts were of a much lower level than the ones he was rewarded by the imperial family, the proportion of the different pills was similar.
The Zhang family was an inherited aristocratic family, but their foundation could not be said to be on equal terms with the imperial family’s.
Furthermore, the imperial family was so generous because Ou Yangming refined interspatial bags for them.
In comparison, the Zhang family’s sincerity was shocking enough. Yes—they must have suffered a loss to present those gifts to Ou Yangming
Ou Yangming shook his head and thought, ‘Perhaps the elders from the Zhang family have now developed extreme hatred for their two disciples, who offended me and died as a result.’
Later, Ou Yangming opened his interspatial bag and stored the gifts inside. Back then, he would be troubled about finding a way to keep the gifts, but he could easily set aside all of them in the interspatial bag. ‘No wonder the people from the Woo family looked so strange when I took out the interspatial bag.
‘It’s indeed more convenient to have this item with me.’
Afterward, Ou Yangming’s face changed when he pushed the door open. Sure enough, he noticed the little witch when he turned to look.
The young fellow felt a tingling sensation on his scalp the moment he saw the graceful figure.
“Master Ou, you’re finally back.” Bai Shixue quietly walked out from a dark corner and looked rather aggrieved. “I waited for a long time!”
“Don’t!” Ou Yangming immediately reached out his hand.
“What?” Bai Shixue was dumbfounded.
Ou Yangming stared at the young lady and released his mental power, stirring up a peculiar energy wave.
The Recording Stone was one of the most marvelous stones in the world, and it had endless wonderful functions, but certain abilities were required for one to use it. It could be mental power or the stimulation of essential Qi, and Ou Yangming could easily probe it using those unique powers.
Ever since yesterday’s incident, Ou Yangming was like a startled swan when he met Bai Shixue again.
Bai Shixue was a smart lady, so she instantly understood what Ou Yangming meant. She furrowed her beautiful eyebrows and asked coquettishly, “Master Ou, do you think a weak lady like me can threaten you?”
Ou Yangming answered without any hesitation, “Yes—you definitely can!”
“You’re so not chivalrous…” Bai Shixue was startled, and she did not know to cry or to laugh.
“Why do I have to be chivalrous? I was almost killed because of you!”
“Hmph! How did I almost get you killed? You benefited from a misfortune!” Bai Shixue seemed displeased. “If the news of you being the consort wasn’t spread yesterday, do you think the stubborn elders from the Zhang family would’ve come to resolve the grudge between you?”
Ou Yangming was startled, and he could not help but shake his head.
At the end of the day, he thought too highly of himself. It turned out that the Zhang family conceded so quickly because of the imperial family.
It was true that Ou Yangming displayed unmatchable abilities, but it was impossible to make the Zhang family give in through his potential. Instead, everything became understandable when the young fellow became known as the imperial family’s consort.
Ou Yangming was somehow shaken up when he glanced at the pitiful Bai Shixue, and he suddenly realized that he did not despise her as much as he thought. Moreover, the young lady somewhat became more charming and beautiful. In particular, when Bai Shixue approached Ou Yangming as she was afraid of infuriating him, the young fellow was very pleased.
Nevertheless, it was then that Ou Yangming became alarmed, as though a bolt of lightning brought him back to his senses
CI
S.
The Charm Art…
It was absolutely outrageous that Ou Yangming had those feelings; when did he let down his guard against Bai Shixue? Without further ado, Ou Yangming flashed to stay away from the young lady, creating a huge distance between them once more.
Ou Yangming broke out in a cold sweat as he thought, ‘The Body of Charm is truly the most fearsome physique.’
“Young Pavilion Master, it’s getting late, so I’d like to rest.” He forced a smile and nodded before he slammed the door shut.
On the other hand, Bai Shixue looked upset, but she became cheerful again in a wink.
If Ou Yangming chased her like a pervert, perhaps she would gladly accept him but would not be interested in him.
However, Bai Shixue felt competitive because Ou Yangming was wary of her. She was aware that he had promised to marry a young lady from Changlong County, and that she was also competing with the princess, but none of those could stop her burning heart. A person who could refine interspatial bags, smith magic tools, and mass-produce Supreme Great Ancestors was worthy.
When Ou Yangming closed the door, he blocked the endless temptations outside.
Despite that, he was no longer calm. It was not because he could not forget about Bai Shixue’s charm, but because he was struck with a weird thought after being seduced by the Body of Charm.
His Spiritual Fist had the power to simulate things, but he had only been able to simulate a big multicolor tiger’s might so far.
The might was unfavorable if used against Yang Grade powerhouses, their potentials could even be incited, allowing them to break through their shackles during a life-or-death moment to become Supreme Great Ancestors. If the fist technique was used against a Supreme Great Ancestor, especially one who had stabilized one’s boundary, it would seem even more insignificant.
A Yang Grade powerhouse had only cultivated one’s body to the peak, but a Supreme Great Ancestor cultivated one’s body, as well as the magical effect from the combination of one’s energy, essence, and spirit. While Supreme Great Ancestors did not have greater mental power than Ou Yangming, each of them tempered their willpower so much so that their souls and bodies became one. If Ou Yangming wanted to fight a Supreme Great Ancestor with his Simulated Spiritual Fist…
No matter the situation, he felt that it was unreliable.
He gained a deep understanding of a certain theory after his fight against He Hanyang that night.
A Supreme Great Ancestor had unshakable willpower and a tough defense, making one worlds apart from a Yang Grade powerhouse.
This was similar to the difference between a field and a fortress. Though Ou Yangming learned the Simulated Fist, he dared not say he could break through a great-ancestor-level powerhouse’s spiritual defense.
That said, Ou Yangming heard the deafening Nine-ringed Sound in the Woo residence, and he experienced the irresistible charm from the Body of Charm.
Before he knew it, his heart was pounding.
He wondered, ‘If I can integrate the Nine-ringed Soundwave’s energy and the Body of Charm’s unique ability with the Simulated Fis
t Technique, what will happen?’
A Supreme Great Ancestor had remarkable willpower, but one was ultimately not a match against Ou Yangming in terms of mental power; there was a huge disparity between them.
Ou Yangming simply lacked the way to surpass a great ancestor’s willpower, and in order to get through it…
He shivered and dared not think further.
If Ou Yangming could one day make Supreme Great Ancestors lose their minds by using his Simulated Spiritual Fist, did it not mean that he would have control over one’s life or death?
Needless to say, most importantly, he could let Supreme Great Ancestors at the peak of Extreme Grade have a taste of being on the verge of death. This way, he could see if they could advance to a greater height.
It seemed like there was a slim chance of success, but Ou Yangming believed that Supreme Great Ancestors at the peak would be willing to humble themselves to beg him for a chance.
“The Nine-ringed Sound, the Body of Charm, and the Simulated Spiritual Art!’ Ou Yangming kept thinking about the three powers from different systems.
His expression was complicated at the moment as he sometimes frowned and sometimes smiled brightly. In any case, his eyes glowed, and the light was becoming more and more intense…
Chapter 339 - Fathoming The Body Of Charm
The next morning, Ou Yangming opened his door and found Du Gaoge.
Du Gaoge had somewhat become Ou Yangming’s private butler, where he followed the young fellow like a lackey. In particular, the shopkeeper would not let anyone else handle communications with the Yi Pavilion, so he immediately hurried to the courtyard when he heard that Ou Yangming had orders.
Ou Yangming did not hold back at all. He made a list for the shopkeeper to collect some items.
There were several items listed, but most of them were rare ores. If Ou Yangming made such a request when he just left the military camp, he could not have gotten any of the items even if he begged.
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