by Shian Jeen
Even with the endless blast of carriages moving up and down the Imperial City, the streets didn't feel crowded at all.
After approximately two hours of sightseeing, it was already noon.
Passing through a location called ‘Unforgettable Intoxication’ Restaurant, Huwang Xiao’s footsteps halted as he viewed the crowded entry of the restaurant and the endless bustle of customers. He looked over at Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou and said, “Through the looks of it, this restaurant doesn’t appear bad. Should we go inside and try something?”
“Yes, Young Lord!” The trio solved in unison.
In public, Zhao Shu too described Huwang Xiao as Young Lord, like Yu Ming and Fei Hou.
Hence, the four of them walked into Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant.
There have been three floors to the restaurant, so when Huwang Xiao went inside with Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou, no empty table was available. They proceeded up to the first floor. Although there have been a few places available, most of them were meant for two people, and Huwang Xiao’s group was four.
“Let’s go up to the next floor.” Huwang Xiao said.
However, when the four of them were going to climb the stairs up, two restaurant workers blocked their path, courteously explaining, “Several Guests, pardon our interruption, but our restaurant’s second floor is reserved. Only Guests who hold Duanren Empire’s Baron and above noble title can rise to the second floor.”
Though the words spoken sounded courteous, it did not hide the condescending disdain in their eyes. Zhao Shu and Yu Ming’s eye sharpened as they viewed the two employees.
Yu Ming then exerted invisible pressure onto them.
In the space above Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant, a violent tempest collected, spiraling such as a tornado, whistling about angrily.
Abruptly, it felt as if the whole space of Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant solidified, and the noisy restaurant quieted down in the blink of an eye. From the bottom floor, to the first floor, and even to the next floor, every couple of eye were taking a look at Yu Ming with fear swimming behind the irises.
Under the pressure exerted by Yu Ming, both ‘small’ restaurant workers nearly had their breaths cut off at that moment. Horrified, their hip and legs offered out plus they fell with their knees just as their words ended.
“This is… so strong! That middle-aged man is definitely at Xiantian Ninth Order, or maybe even at Xiantian Tenth Order. He must be someone who is infinitely close to a terrifying Saint realm existence!”
“Who are those four people? It seems like that middle-aged man is that young man’s safeguard?!”
The experts of Duanren Imperial City and other kingdoms on the second floor whispered amongst themselves, feeling the overwhelming pressure coming from Yu Ming.
In Duanren Imperial City, Xiantian experts were not uncommon, but that didn't include Xiantian Seventh Order warriors and above. Xiantian First to Third Order warriors were classified as early-order Xiantian; Fourth to Sixth Order warriors were mid-order; and the Seventh to Ninth Order experts were referred to as high-order.
An early order Xiantian realm expert’s status and identity was undoubtedly not the same as a high-order Xiantian world expert.
Amongst the most talented imperial princes of Duanren Empire, even Duan Wuhen was still only a Xiantian Tenth Order expert.
While individuals were still alarmed by the scene, a middle-aged man that appeared to be the restaurant owner was seen working in the stairs anxiously with two bodyguards tagging along behind him. The two bodyguards were also Xiantian experts, but they were simply at the Xiantian Second Order.
Arriving on the first floor, the restaurant owner almost prostrated before Yu Ming, inquiring with utmost politeness what appeared to be the problem.
After finding out the reason, the restaurant owner apologized to Huwang Xiao, Yu Ming, and the other two different people profusely. His complexion paled tremendously, and he wished he could stab the two workers to death.
“This Young Grasp, we will immediately arrange a private room on the next floor for you. ” The restaurant owner said as he led these to a room on the second floor.
Huwang Xiao initially did not intend to pressure their way up to the next floor, but Yu Ming acted too quickly by releasing his oppressive aura which resulted in the existing situation.
At this brief moment, he could only go along with the restaurant owner’s ‘kind’ purpose and courtesy with Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou by increasing to the second floor private room.
Since those things already happened, then he may as well enter the Imperial City in a high profile manner!
After all, it would be impossible for Huwang Xiao to maintain a low profile even if he wished to with the Imperial City Battle in ten days’ time. Since there was no helping it, bringing in some attention now did not make much of a difference.
Of course, as someone possessing the Primordial Divine Black Dragon martial spirit who was representing Luo Tong Kingdom and the Cosmic Star Academy in this Imperial City Battle, there were bound to be people from the Duanren Imperial Family and other forces paying attention to him even before this.
Leading Huwang Xiao’s group up to the next floor, the restaurant owner ushered them into private room number three. There was a complete of twelve private rooms on the second floor.
The lower number the room was, the more distinguished the guests identity. Above all, room number 1 was reserved specifically for Saint realm experts, but it was usually empty through the yr.
If the restaurant owner knew there is a Saint world expert among the four people, he would have brought them to private room number 1 so quickly that it would have appeared as if his butt was lit on fire.
Memorable Intoxication was one of the biggest restaurants in Duanren Imperial City, but only during the opening day would a Saint realm expert visit. Hence, private room one had been left empty because the last Imperial City Fight.
The private room number 3 that they entered was lavishly decorated, similar to a small scale mansion.
Because they each took a seat, Huwang Xiao instructed the owner to serve their famous dishes and wine and indicated him to leave. Nodding respectfully, the restaurant owner remaining the room.
While Huwang Xiao was being ushered into private room number three, in private room number two sat a man wearing a golden brocade robe who were in his mid-twenties. The son was… beautiful, albeit exhibiting a somewhat devilish charm. Especially so, in his eyes there were reflecting golden lights every time they moved.
The young man raised his right hand and lightly beckoned the guard behind him, “Go and check that person’s identity-I want to know all four people’s background in a single hour.”
“Yes, Young Expert!” That guard replied with the utmost respect and backed out of the room.
Long slender fingers drummed on the table surface softly, forming melodious notes as they shifted.
At this moment, a beautiful young woman in her mid-twenties, same as the son with epidermis so supple and moist as though dew was glistening to them, was sitting beside the young man and laughed, her tinkling peals of laughter were comparable to marbles falling onto a bowl, teasing the ears. Both lumps of flesh at the front quivered endlessly like they could escape anytime off their bonds.
The woman’s lips curved charmingly as she laughed, red lips transferred as she said, “I didn’t expect our Heartless Young Noble [1] would one day show desire for another person.”
The son maintained a placid expression on his face, “You, Zhao Wuji, are more interested in them than I am.”
Zhao Wuji continued to laugh coquettishly as she looked at the young man, her entire body seemed to lean onto him with both lumps of flesh pressed against him, “You’re wrong this time around, I’m more thinking about you than other people.”
The guards inside private room number 2 swallowed nervously.
But the son, Heartless Young Noble, pressed the woma
n away with no sense, “I’m not interested in you.”
The smile on Zhao Wuji’s face became a lot more amazing hearing that, “That’s the reason I’m thinking about you.”
Afterwards, the safeguard that left previously returned, reporting to the young man, “Young Get better at, we’ve discovered. That black-haired young man is called Huwang Xiao, the representative for Luo Tong Kingdom and Cosmic Superstar Academy because of this season’s Duanren Imperial City Battle. His strength is at the top late-Tenth Order!”
Zhao Wuji snickered with contempt, “Just a peak late-Tenth Order little brat, such an unattractive man, this aunt has no interest whatsoever.”
At the moment, the guard continued along with his statement, “However, this Huwang Xiao is only seventeen this year!”
“Seventeen-years-old!” Heartless Young Noble and Zhao Wuji were stunned, and then their faces switched unpleasant.
A seventeen-year-old peak late-Tenth Order warrior?!
“How can this be? Impossible! How could a seventeen calendar year old reach maximum late-Tenth Order?!” Zhao Wuji blurted out in surprise.
Relating to her knowledge, even the first choice of the five big families of Duanren Empire, even Duan Wuhen who was simply an Imperial Prince didn't advance to top late-Tenth Order at seventeen!
“I have not spoken falsely!” The safeguard went on, “Subordinate verified Huwang Xiao’s age group, and his martial spirit is a Primordial Divine Dragon, a top grade twelve martial heart!”
“Top grade twelve martial spirit, Divine Black Dragon!” Once more, Heartless Young Noble and Zhao Wuji were surprised.
But in the next instant, Heartless Young Noble frowned; even if this Huwang Xiao possessed a high quality twelve martial spirit, his cultivation acceleration would not be this fast!
He too possessed a top grade 12 martial soul and a wealth of cultivation resources from his clan and yet, his cultivation speed was not as terrifying as Huwang Xiao’s.
Obviously, Zhao Wuji too thought of this point as a shimmering light flitted in her eyes.
“How about the other three people?” Heartless Young Noble questioned that guard.
Being asked directly, the guard quickly continued, “One of the three is named Fei Hou, the Junior Sibling of Luo Tong Kingdom’s Marshal Haotian, but both Fei Hou and Haotian call Huwang Xiao, Young Lord. The strange thing is, Huwang Xiao comes from a Luo Tong Kingdom small family, and his background is common and regular.”
A knowing light flickered in Heartless Young Noble’s eyes, “This Huwang Xiao has another identification!”
Otherwise, it might be impossible for someone from an ordinary background to have Marshal Haotian referring to them as Young Lord! Zhao Wuji nodded her mind in agreement.
“And the rest of the two people?” Heartless Young Noble pursued.
The safeguard hesitated a second before admitting, “The other two, Subordinate is unable to find anything as of yet.”
“Unable to find it away?!” This stumped Heartless Young Noble.
Note:
[1] Heartless Young Noble is a nickname.
Ch.167
Zhao Wuji was just like stumped as Heartless Young Noble, Yao Fei. She understood the family Yao Fei belonged to very well: the Yao Family’s intelligence network web extended far and wide throughout Duanren Empire and was known as an omniscient entity, yet they could not find any information about the identity of those two people!
“These two people are not from Duanren Empire?!” Zhao Wuji suddenly thought of a probability and the words flew straight out of her mouth.
Only this explanation could justify the reason for failure.
Heartless Young Noble Yao Fei’s eyes flickered through the possibilities.
“Young Get good at…?” The guards inquired.
“I have nothing else for you to do at the moment, retreat.” Yao Fei waved the guard away. “Yes, Young Professional!” replied the safeguard as he bowed, then he still left the area.
At the same time in private room number 3, the restaurant owner was carefully serving the dishes to the table himself. Only after Huwang Xiao and the others opened the jugs of wines, tasted them, and uttered some words of praise did the restaurant owner leave the room.
Huwang Xiao, Zhao Shu, Yu Ming, and Fei Hou toasted as the aroma of fragrant wine filled the area.
In the introduction provided by the dog owner earlier, the wine was called Beauty Allure Wine. As the liquid slid down the neck it reminded one of the taste of a lovely woman, each flavor being different yet also similar.
When tasting the first sip, Huwang Xiao decided that he liked your wine very much.
It was comparably much better than Fiery Wine or Snow Moon Wines; although both wines weren't bad, it felt slightly monotonous to drink them all of the time.
Huwang Xiao’s group left the Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant after two hours. As it was, Huwang Xiao currently didn't have much in his spatial band apart from some wine.
If Ren Wokuang knew Huwang Xiao used the Asura Ring mainly to store wines, you can only imagine how he'd react.
Leaving the restaurant behind, Huwang Xiao’s group came upon an inn called Solitary Longing. Deciding to remain there, they rented four rooms and went to get some rest.
The venue for the Imperial City Battle’s martial competition would be at the square across from the Imperial Palace in ten days’ time, and the Solitary Longing Inn they had chosen was not far away.
While Huwang Xiao and the rest were resting inside the inn, within the maze of Duanren Imperial City’s Imperial Palace, and in a deep underground palace, sat a middle-aged man wearing a Dragon Robe. The middle-aged man was neither tall nor thin, and there was a clear personality imprint in-between his eyebrows. If one were to look carefully, they might find that single character imprint was actually a shrunken broken knife [1. Broken Blade aka Duanren (Empire)]!
“Your Imperial Highness!” At this time, an old man dressed in the Imperial Palace’s official robes moved into the underground palace, respectfully bowing to the person that was sitting.
Your Imperial Highness!
This middle-aged man was Duanren Empire’s Duanren Emperor!
In the complete of Duanren Empire, the only person who could be greeted with the title ‘Your Imperial Highness’ was the Duanren Emperor alone.
“Rise.” Duanren Emperor spoke. His voice was soft and light, yet it included an insurmountable majesty.
“Much obliged, Your Imperial Highness!” The old man in the official robe replied in a humble and respectful firmness; only then do the old man operate. “Your Imperial Highness, Xie Puti, Yanggang, Pang Yu, Cui Li, Dàishānnī, and Huwang Xiao... these six people have all found its way to the Imperial City.”
These six were the talented individuals participating in this year’s Imperial City Fight, geniuses who possessed superb talent martial spirits. Every year, participants with superb skill martial spirits would be given extra attention.
Duanren Emperor nodded, “Cheng Jian, according for you, which one of the six will be the champ of the year?”
The old man in the state robe, Cheng Jian, spoke seriously, “Most likely, Xie Puti!”
Duanren Emperor nodded, “Likewise, I agree.” However, his tone suddenly changed, “But, that Huwang Xiao, inform Wuya to pay more attention to him.”
“Huwang Xiao?!” Cheng Jian was amazed.
As far as he knew, amongst these six people who possessed superb talent martial spirits, only this Huwang Xiao was a Houtian top late-Tenth Order warrior, whereas the other five had all entered Xiantian First Order and above.
This Huwang Xiao might have a high grade twelve martial spirit, but his strength was limited at this time. Whether he could enter the very best ten was questionable, yet the Emperor actually desired these to pay attention to Huwang Xiao?
While these thoughts were swimming in Cheng Jian’s brain, the Duanren Emperor spoke, �
�That Huwang Xiao might not be a Xiantian warrior, but his power is not weak. He once defeated a Cosmic Star Academy’s Elder, a Xiantian First Order expert! Entering the top ten will not be a problem for Huwang Xiao, and don’t forget, he’s only seventeen!”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness, this minister knows what to do.” Cheng Jian respectfully responded.
“En, you can retreat.” Duanren Emperor said, “Regarding matters related to our Imperial City Battle, come are accountable to me at any time.”
Cheng Jiang acknowledged the order respectfully and saluted properly before retreating from the room.
Huwang Xiao on the other hands, did not tour around with Zhao Shu or anyone else after staying at the Solitary Longing Inn. Instead, he triggered the God Binding Band, entering the ancient battlefield to cultivate.
Huwang Xiao resumed his try to practice Asura Methods and your body Metamorphosis Scripture simultaneously. As he persisted in his attempts, the flow of inner push and fight qi became smoother with each round of practice.
While attempting to combine battle qi and internal force practice, Huwang Xiao started practicing the Fifth move of Asura Sword Skill: Flower of the Other Shore.
Huwang Xiao had reached major completion in the Fourth move of Asura Sword Skill: State of Abundant Lightning. The only thing he lacked now was more powerful battle qi. As he grew stronger, the attack power of each move multiplied parallel to his power.
Huwang Xiao studied the explanation and fight qi path required to perform the Fifth move, Flower of the Other Shore, from the fragment of the note and committed it to memory space. Standing on the historic battlefield, the Blades of Asura swung out.
When both cutting blades swung out, multiples rays of bright sword lights spun in the air, gathering into two blossoms of the inky, dark purple flowers-the exact color of Huwang Xiao’s netherworld battle qi.
Two inky dark purple flowers bloomed as they constantly spun in the air, vibrant and vivid.
Spinning in bloom, the two flowers hovered within a thirty-meter radius in front of Huwang Xiao, without further actions. Without warning, both flowers disappeared, followed by a rumbling via one hundred meters to the front where two huge boulders turned into dust.
