by Shian Jeen
“That’s right, Highgod Realm divine dragons’ beast core!” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi continued, “It’s just that, this treasure… is located deep within the Hailstone Mainland, a very dangerous place, even for a high-level God Realm master, the chance of survival does not exceed one-tenth. Venturing into that place at your current strength, the chance of survival does not even reach a one-hundredth!”
Huwang Xiao smiled wryly.
It didn’t cross his mind that this hidden treasure would be in Hailstone Mainland. He had heard of this Hailstone Mainland before, one of the top perilous lands of the Black Tortoise Galaxy. According to rumors, on this Hailstone Mainland lived Highgod Realm ice element demonic beasts! Although he couldn't be considered weak, he was no different than a little ant before a Highgod Realm demonic beast.
At this time, soft footsteps sounded behind him that prompted him to turn around. It was Shi Xiaofei.
“Big brother Huwang, you’re still awake?” Shi Xiaofei asked.
“Can’t sleep, I was thinking about some matters.” Huwang Xiao replied.
“Thinking about the auction?’ Shi Xiaofei asked. “Say, do you think that Crazy Lady Senior will come?”
Huwang Xiao reached out, holding Shi Xiaofei’s petite hand in his palm, comforting softly, “She’ll come. Master said she has always been looking for a sacred grade immortal spirit stone, and once she heard about the news that the Black Warrior Auction House released, she will definitely come.”
Huwang Xiao knew what Shi Xiaofei was worried about, he too hoped that her Pure Luminance Enlightened Buddha Physique could be awakened even a day faster.
Two days later, Huwang Xiao left the Divine Fort Residence, having decided to go to the Hailstone Mainland to search for the treasure Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi spoke of.
Ch.580
Although it was hailed as one of the Black Tortoise Galaxy’s perilous lands, the Hailstone Mainland was reachable through transmission arrays. Still, one was unable to reach the Hailstone Mainland from the Cloudsea Mainland with a one-time direct transfer. Huwang Xiao had to pass through six transmission arrays before he arrived in the Hailstone Mainland.
Stepping out from the Hailstone Mainland’s transmission array, Huwang Xiao was assaulted by biting cold gales all around, and even he felt the intense chill on his skin.
Looking to the horizon, nothing but a boundless span of ice and snow entered his sight. Huwang Xiao leaped to the air, flying off at high speed.
Half an hour later, Huwang Xiao spotted a big towering city not far ahead, built in the middle of the ice snowfield.
“This is Hailstone City, also the sole human city on the Hailstone Mainland.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi said, “In the deeper parts of the Hailstone Mainland, the yin element within the frigid cold is extreme, you can stop by Hailstone City and equip yourself with a good fire element armor.”’
Huwang Xiao nodded in agreement, flying toward the Hailstone City’s entrance. A short while later, he reached outside the city. Looking closely at the hundred zhang tall city walls, he noted that every inch of the city wall was piled up using a kind of stone called ice stone. This ice stone was extremely hard and transparent like ice, emitting a soft lustre. The drifting snow actually skimmed off its surface.
Entering the city, Huwang Xiao surprisingly discovered that the city wasn’t as deserted as he had imagined. The streets were wide, similar to the streets in the Black Warrior City, pedestrians going one way or the other and carriages filled the streets on both sides. Truly a hive of activity.
Shops were everywhere in sight.
“The Hailstone Mainland is rich in minerals and elixirs. As it is also the kingdom of the ice element demonic beasts, many families, trading firms, and experts would frequently come here to purchase elixirs and demonic beast cores.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi explained. “There are also many family disciples that come to Hailstone Mainland to hunt ice element demonic beasts as training.”
Huwang Xiao nodded as he listened, then a thought crossed his mind, asking, “Do you know which family the Hailstone City’s Castellan belongs to?”
Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi shook his head, “Each generation of Hailstone City’s Castellan is very mysterious, no one knows their origin, yet each generation of Castellans possesses unfathomable strength, even those super forces’ Ancestors dare not underestimate the generations of Castellans.”
Huwang Xiao was genuinely surprised. Even those super forces’ old monsters were apprehensive against the Hailstone City’s Castellan?
“But, you need to be careful, fighting and killing are not prohibited inside Hailstone City.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi reminded Huwang Xiao. “Many God Realm masters came to purchase materials in Hailstone City, but many of them died inside these city walls as well. Although you’re wearing the Black Warrior Institute’s inner disciple robe and those with ill-intent might not have the guts to kill you in broad daylight, there’s always an exception.”
“I know.” Huwang Xiao nodded. He already noticed the faint rusted scent of blood the moment he entered the city, which was why Huwang Xiao had been vigilant ever since he entered.
“Hailstone Inn?” When Huwang Xiao was passing by an inn, his footsteps stopped.
“This Hailstone Inn’s Hailstone Wine is excellent.” Dragon Emperor Ao Taiyi commented, “I’ve tasted it in the past, you should go in and have a taste.”
Huwang Xiao entered without needing much persuasion.
Stepping into the inn, Huwang Xiao took a quick glance at the environment inside. There weren’t many people inside, close to half of the tables were empty, merely seven to eight tables were occupied, consisting of both men and women, young and old, with different styles of clothing.
The inn fell into a momentary silence when Huwang Xiao stepped inside.
That was because Huwang Xiao was more eye-catching than the others, clad in his Black Warrior Institute inner disciple robe, causing many pairs of eyes to take an extra glance at him. A Black Warrior Institute inner disciple would always attract attention regardless where they went.
Greeted by the inn’s worker, Huwang Xiao sat down at an empty table in a corner, ordering two jugs of Hailstone Wine and some accompanying dishes.
The inn worker returned shortly with two jugs of Hailstone Wine and several small dishes, serving them on the table.
Huwang Xiao opened up one of the wine jugs. The fragrance that floated out wasn’t strong, in fact, it was a little weak in Huwang Xiao’s opinion. Pouring out some into the wine bowl, he took a big gulp, instantly feeling an icy sensation flowing through his body. A layer deeper to the iciness was a crisp bite, providing a fiery hotness after the icy coldness, leaving a warm, comfortable feeling throughout his body.
“Good wine!” Huwang Xiao praised out loud.
While Huwang Xiao was praising and drinking by himself, a group of people walked into the inn.
Huwang Xiao noticed the big group of people walking in and was stunned when he glanced in their direction. It was actually Zhao Chen and Xie Hui! Also Sin City’s Castellan, Zhao Yi! Other than these three people, the rest seemed to be masters from both Zhao and Xie Families.
‘Truly, what a coincidence! To run into Zhao Chen and Xie Hui here of all places.’
A cold glint flickered across Huwang Xiao’s eyes.
The last time, if it weren’t for him rushing back in time, his family and Shi Xiaofei would have died in the hands of those two Ying Family masters!
As if sensing Huwang Xiao’s gaze, after entering the inn, Zhao Chen, Xie Hui, and the rest of the group looked over in Huwang Xiao’s direction.
“Huwang Xiao!!” Both Zhao Chen and Xie Hui cried out in unison.
The look in the eyes of Sin City Castellan’s Zhao Yi and the middle-aged man standing beside Xie Hui sharpened. This middle-aged man was none other than the Cosmos God Cult Leader, Xie Chao.
“You actually did not die?” Was the next sentence Zhao Chen blurted out.
Zhao Chen a
nd Xie Hui exchanged a glance, did the Ying Family’s masters not go to Martial Spirit World? Or perhaps Huwang Xiao did not rush back after hearing the news last time?
“Both of you are very disappointed?” The corner of Huwang Xiao’s mouth curved up with heavy ridicule.
“Hehe, indeed a little disappointed.” Xie Hui’s eyes were filled with thick hatred, “But, Huwang Xiao, this let's see who can save you this time!”
“This little punk is that Martial Spirit World’s so-called Beast God, Huwang Xiao?” One of the old men within the Zhao Family suddenly spoke, his voice was shrill and piercing.
“Yes, Elder Zhao Rui.” Zhao Chen answered respectfully.
The Cosmos God Cult Leader Xie Chao was brimming with killing intent, “Huwang Xiao, you destroyed my Cosmos God Cult, even if you’re a Black Warrior Institute inner disciple, today I’ll make you wish you were dead!” The Cosmos God Cult was his blood, sweat, and tears over a thousand years, the blood grudge of a sect’s annihilation was tantamount to killing one’s father. Xie Chao wished he could tear off Huwang Xiao’s flesh and drink his blood even in his sleep.
Of course, neither the Zhao Family nor the Xie Family knew that Huwang Xiao was the Black Warrior Institute Principal’s personal disciple, merely taking him for an ordinary inner disciple.
Huwang Xiao already half-guessed that this middle-aged man was the Cosmos God Cult Leader Xie Chao, though it did not change the indifference on his face, “Is that so? I could annihilate your Cosmos God Cult in the past and I can kill you today just the same!”
“You’re courting death!” Cosmos God Cult Leader Xie Chao roared with fury, leaping forward. His momentum fully released as he aimed both fists at Huwang Xiao.
The ferocious fist force tore space, all the furniture in his path was thrown into the air, bursting into fragments. Customers all around retreated to safety in haste.
Huwang Xiao harrumphed coldly as he sat there, casually pointing a finger. The Absolute Soul Finger shot out, instantly shattering the force of Xie Chao’s fists, and it continued forward, piercing a hole through Xie Chao’s chest.
Xie Chao’s body was thrown back in the air from the opposing force, blood spurting out from his body like arrows.
The sudden turn of events shocked everyone.
Xie Chao was a peak mid-First Order God Realm, he needed just a little bit more to advance to late-First Order God Realm, but he was defeated in one move!
“FATHER!” Xie Hui regained his senses, arriving next to Xie Chao in a flicker, crying out loud.
Ch.581
Xie Hui’s shriek jolted the others to their senses.
“Little punk, no wonder you’re acting so conceited, so you’re a peak mid-Second Order God Realm.” Zhao Family’s Elder, Zhao Rui, fixed an icy glare on Huwang Xiao.
“What?! Peak mid-Second Order God Realm!” Zhao Chen, Xie Hui, and even the Sin City Castellan Zhao Yi’s face turned ash-gray, their widened eyes directed at Huwang Xiao. Others might not be familiar with Huwang Xiao, but they were!
When Huwang Xiao annihilated the Cosmos God Cult and unified the Martial Spirit World, he was but a peak mid-Tenth Order Saint realm! But now, his strength actually reached peak mid-Second Order God Realm!
From then until now, a decade had barely passed!
Ten years!
Thinking of this, Zhao Chen, Xie Hui, Zhao Yi, and the rest felt their hearts shudder. The way they looked at Huwang Xiao drastically changed.
In the beginning, Zhao Chen, and Xie Hui had assumed that even though Huwang Xiao broke through to God Realm, becoming a Black Warrior Institute inner disciple, he could at most only be an early First Order God Realm.
When Zhao Yi and everyone’s shock subsided, an endless wave of terror crashed against their souls. The rate of Huwang Xiao’s growth had truly frightened them. If Huwang Xiao continued to grow at this terrifying rate, in another several hundred years their Zhao Family’s tragic end would surely come!
“Elder Zhao Rui, we cannot let this Huwang Xiao continue to grow!” Zhao Yi came to Zhao Rui’s side. Feeling a need to emphasize, he added: “If he’s allowed to grow further, our Zhao Family will perish in his hands!”
Zhao Rui cast a sidelong glance at Zhao Yi with obvious displease, “Do I need you to teach this Elder how to handle things?” This Zhao Yi was acting more presumptuous in front of him by relying on the Patriarch’s favor.
Zhao Yi’s face twitched slightly, but he did not say a word more in the end.
Zhao Rui turned to look at Huwang Xiao. Despite this being his first meeting with Huwang Xiao, Huwang Xiao was no stranger to him. Perhaps, it was more accurate to say that Huwang Xiao was no stranger to their Zhao Family.
A few years ago, when Zhao Yi and Zhao Chen, this pair of father and son, fled back in an embarrassed state to the Zhao Family, it shocked many Zhao Family members. It was also from that time onward that Huwang Xiao’s name was added to the Zhao Family’s kill list.
However, Zhao Rui didn’t expect this Huwang Xiao to become a Black Warrior Institute’s inner disciple within a short few years. One could hardly avoid the annoying consequences of killing a Black Warrior Institute’s inner disciple. Still, he stepped toward Huwang Xiao.
“Elder Zhao Rui, you need not trouble yourself with killing a mere Second Order God Realm, I alone am sufficient.” At this point, the white-haired old man who had been standing beside Zhao Rui spoke. This white-haired old man was also a member of the Zhao Family, and his strength was definitely stronger than Zhao Yi, a mid-Third Order God Realm.
Pondering the white-haired old man’s words, Zhao Rui stopped advancing and nodded his head, “Fine, you go, but don’t kill the punk. He’s a Black Warrior Institute’s inner disciple, killing him would be troublesome. Mn, shatter his Qi Sea, then break his whole body’s meridians.” With his Qi Sea shattered and his whole body’s meridians broken, such a Huwang Xiao was no different than garbage.
As talented as Huwang Xiao may be, he would no longer pose any threat to the Zhao Family in the future.
“Elder Zhao Rui, I feel that after shattering this Huwang Xiao’s Qi Sea and breaking his meridians, it would be safer to damage his soul as well.” Another Zhao Family Elder spoke, “Even if his Qi Sea and meridians are crippled, a Highgod Realm master can still mend these wounds, however, if his soul is damaged, not even a Highgod Realm master can do anything about it.”
The look in Huwang Xiao’s eyes grew increasingly icy as he watched the group from the Zhao Family. Damaging a person’s soul would turn that person into a fool, this was much crueler than directly killing a person.
‘It seems like the Zhao Family’s nature is quite ‘benevolent.’ Huwang Xiao sneered coldly.
Hearing the Elder’s suggestion, Zhao Rui nodded towards the white-haired old man, agreeing to damage Huwang Xiao’s soul. This method was indeed more secure.
Seeing Zhao Rui giving his permission, that white-haired old man proceeded toward Huwang Xiao with an undisguised sinister cackle, “Little punk, take advantage the little time you have before turning into an idiot, do you have any last words? Maybe, I can lend a hand. Like, do you have a sister or mother that I can help look after? I’ll definitely take real good care of them on your behalf!”
The Zhao Family members burst into waves of obnoxious laughter.
Huwang Xiao’s lips curved slightly in a cold smile, then he suddenly lifted his palm and pressed through space.
The Zhao Family white-haired old man’s cackle stopped all of a sudden, his head lowered in disbelief looking at his own chest where the shape of a huge palm was imprinted onto his chest. In the next second, red blood seeped out from the palm imprint’s borders at a horrifying speed, toward his face, his legs, his hands, spreading out to every inch of his body.
The Zhao Family group’s laughter behind him also abruptly halted. Before their horrified eyes, the white-haired old man suddenly exploded into pieces, akin to a piece of glass subjected to a high impact force, bursting into pi
eces.
Blood and flesh splattered all over, covering the floor. The whole inn fell into an eerie silence.
A few seconds passed before the Zhao and Xie Families regained their senses. They had ugly expressions on their faces, glowering fiercely at Huwang Xiao.
Zhao Rui’s face was gloomy to the extreme, “You punk, you dare to kill my Zhao Family’s members?”
Huwang Xiao looked at Zhao Rui as if he was looking at an idiot, “Dare to kill? I don’t think killing a Zhao Family member is any great feat, moreover, why wouldn't I dare? In a little while, all of you will die as well!”
The other Zhao Family Elder was so enraged that his beard trembled, “Reckless arrogance, a measly Second Order God Realm conceited without limit, punk, I'll kill you!” The Zhao Family Elder’s momentum rose to the peak, and he was actually a peak early-Fourth Order God Realm, just half a step more and he’d be able to step into mid-Fourth Order God Realm.
In the long history of the Black Tortoise Galaxy, he had never heard of a Second Order God Realm warrior’s strength being tyrannical enough to defeat a Fourth Order God Realm master! And he didn't believe that Huwang Xiao could break this myth!
Just as the Elder was about to attack, a sword light flashed in his eyes. Before he could even realize what happened, a piercing pain came from his chest. He looked down by reflex only to see a wooden sword lodged in his heart. The wooden sword entered his chest, piercing through his heart, and came out through his back.
Huwang Xiao’s cold snort sounded crisp in the air. With a wave of his sleeves, the Mulberry Sword flew back to his side.
Although this Zhao Family’s Elder was a peak early-Fourth Order, compared to the Black Warrior Institute inner disciple leader Jiang Bi, he was ten times worse. On top of that, Huwang Xiao made a sudden attack, how could the Zhao Family Elder have time to react?!
While the rest of the Zhao, as well as the Xie Families were still in shock, both of Huwang Xiao’s hands waved. The Mulberry Sword once again turned into a cold sword light, shuttling between the Zhao and Xie Family members. Miserable screams rippled in the air as each scream was accompanied by a bloom of red blood.
