Chapter 291: Chapter 286: A Bit of Trouble
Sikong’s words left Wan Xianzhong stunned. A Five-Ring Martial Spirit had sent a Peak Ninth-Ring Martial Sect flying with a single blow, all while not even using half his strength. If Sikong hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, and if Sikong weren’t his most capable subordinate, Wan Xianzhong would never have believed it! This was simply a violation of the Natural Law of the Extreme Martial Continent!
"Go on!" Wan Xianzhong finally realized the gravity of the situation, his demeanor shifting accordingly.
Sikong nodded and continued, "As I said, the boy’s ability to fight across tiers already transcends the Natural Law. But that alone wouldn’t be enough for such a high evaluation. What truly earned it was a battle three months ago, where I personally witnessed his astonishing combat talent and experience. He took on the leader of a Mercenary Corps, an experienced Eighth-Ring Martial Sect, in a one-on-one fight. From what I’ve gathered, this leader is named War Wolf, the head of the War Wolf Mercenary Corps, one of the three major mercenary corps in the Fenglan Empire. The final result of the battle? War Wolf was soundly defeated and lost his right arm."
Wan Xianzhong was stunned. He murmured, "How is that even possible?! How did he do it?"
Sikong pondered for a moment. "If my senses didn’t deceive me, that boy possesses Dual Attribute Primordial Power—the most starkly opposed ones at that: Ice and Fire! What’s more, he has completely mastered the use of both Attribute Powers! The Combat Skill that ultimately crippled War Wolf was Ice and Fire Burst! A one-man Ice and Fire Burst!"
"Complete control over the Ice and Fire Dual Attribute?! A one-man Ice and Fire Burst?!"
Wan Xianzhong couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn such an expression. This had to be the most absurd thing in the world. ’Dual Attributes... can a person like that even survive? And even if they did, could they be this powerful? On top of that, he’s a disabled Five-Ring Martial Spirit... It’s simply inconceivable.’
"The Young Miss is still with that boy. And from my covert observations, she seems to rely on him a great deal. In the fifteen years she was in the palace, I saw her smile less than I have in these past three months. Palace Master, isn’t this a dangerous sign? I’m worried..." Sikong said with concern.
Wan Xianzhong waved his hand. "I understand what you mean. The Ding Palace has never had a practice of political marriage with other powers. Besides, she’s my only daughter; I don’t particularly care what kind of boy she likes. But the old man doesn’t see it that way. Six months ago, ever since he learned that both the White Dragon Cauldron and the Golden Dragon Scripture had been inherited by an outsider, he sent Xian’Er out to gain experience. Surely someone as smart as you can see the reason behind that, can’t you?"
Sikong fell silent at his words. ’How could I not know the Grand Elder’s intentions? Doesn’t the Saint Heir correspond to the Saintess? And who else could be the Saintess of the Ding Palace but Wan Xian’Er?’
After a moment of thought, Wan Xianzhong sighed. "To prevent this from upsetting the old man, bring Xian’Er back in a month. For now, just let her have her fun outside. Even if they have feelings for each other, things can’t possibly develop that quickly. Give me time to speak with the old man and see if I can resolve this matter with the Saint Heir. After all, having someone of unknown origin and character suddenly become the Saint Heir of the Ding Palace is a difficult pill for anyone to swallow."
Sikong nodded respectfully. "I will keep a close watch over the next month. If anything happens, I will bring the Young Miss back immediately."
Wan Xianzhong said, "Good. Also, find out more about that boy for me. A talent that defies the heavens like him will eventually make his way to the Central State. If we can recruit him then, he will be an immense asset to our Ding Palace."
"Yes!"
With a sound of acknowledgment, Sikong vanished into thin air, leaving Wan Xianzhong alone with his hands clasped behind his back. ’Another monster has appeared on the Extreme Martial Continent... Thirty thousand years ago, a monster emerged as fate dictated, causing all the Martial Emperor experts on the continent to vanish overnight. Now, thirty thousand years later, someone even more monstrous has appeared. What on earth could this portend?’
「Blood Soul Empire — Hurricane Town」
The soundly sleeping Mu Chen had no idea that his name and deeds were already known to two of the nine great hidden powers of the Central State, both of whom were now keen on recruiting him. If he knew, he would surely have no choice but to smile wryly.
The next day, as the sky began to brighten, Mu Chen freshened up and stretched his limbs. His realm as a Seven-Ring Martial Spirit had been thoroughly consolidated. Without a supply of Attribute Spirit Crystals for the coming month, he could only rely on the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique for his slow Cultivation. Only now did Mu Chen regret how little he’d gained by extorting a mere one thousand Fire Attribute Spirit Crystals from Ma Bi.
"Mu Chen! Mu Chen, get up! Time to eat!"
Wan Xian’Er’s knocking came from outside. Mu Chen smiled faintly. Over the past three months, her tone and voice had become noticeably gentler, which gave him a great sense of accomplishment. However, whenever he thought about how he treated Wan Xian’Er, he couldn’t help but be reminded of Bing’Er, and a gentle look flickered in his eyes. ’It’s been almost four months of traveling since I left the family. The Xuanling Empire is up north, so it must be winter again. Bing’Er, Mo Qing, are you two doing alright?’
’Winter... The new year is in just over a month, isn’t it? It looks like I won’t be able to spend it at home with my family again. Father, Mother... isn’t your Chen’Er being unfilial?’ At this thought, Mu Chen’s tightly shut eyes grew moist. He was a very family-oriented person; precisely because he had suffered so much indifference in his youth, he cherished these rare bonds of family and love all the more.
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!"
"Mu Chen? Did you die in there?"
Wan Xian’Er’s shout came from outside, causing Mu Chen’s brow to darken with exasperation. ’This Wan Xian’Er... isn’t she a little too hyper?’
"Hey! I’m coming!"
To prevent Wan Xian’Er from shouting something even more outrageous, Mu Chen wiped the corners of his eyes with his left hand, straightened his clothes, and quickly opened the door. But the moment he stepped out, he saw Wan Xian’Er just as she was about to knock again. Since he hadn’t answered her previous attempts, she was clearly putting more force into this one.
But just as her fist was about to land, the door suddenly swung open with a CLICK. Her punch met nothing but air, and her unprepared body lost its balance, pitching her forward.
In a panic, Mu Chen shot out his arm and caught her by the waist. Wan Xian’Er, in turn, fell right into his embrace. The sight made Xu Fei, who had just emerged from his own room, freeze. He subconsciously rubbed his eyes, his jaw dropping. "So... there *is* something going on between them!"
Mu Chen, a little embarrassed, helped Wan Xian’Er stand upright. "How can you be so clumsy? Did you twist your ankle?"
Wan Xian’Er, who had been dazed, was broken out of her stupor by his words and started laughing. "Twist my ankle? Haha, how could a Martial Artist twist their ankle? You’re so silly~"
Cold sweat beaded on Mu Chen’s forehead as he thought, ’This girl is on a completely different level now. I’d better take her more seriously from now on, or I’ll be the one getting the short end of the stick.’
"Hey, did you hear about what’s happening with the Senluo Ruins...?"
Mu Chen was about to say something to Wan Xian’Er, but his attention was caught by the conversation of two men nearby. Since his next destination was the Senluo Ruins, he was extremely interested in anything related to it. It would be even better if he could pick up practical information, like who was going, what they were like, and their Martial Artist Realms.
But the two men were already heading downstairs as they spoke, apparently on their way to breakfast. Seeing Mu Chen and Wan Xian’Er standing there silently, Xu Fei said, "Why don’t we go get some breakfast, too? We won’t have much time to stop and eat once we get back on the road."
Wan Xian’Er and Mu Chen both nodded and headed to the ground floor. Mu Chen casually found a table and sat down. As luck would have it, the two men at the adjacent table were the very same ones who had been discussing the Senluo Ruins just moments before.
"You mean Xue Shitian from the Blood Python Family?" one of the men asked abruptly.
The sentence immediately grabbed Mu Chen’s attention. It seemed the pair hadn’t said much while walking downstairs, so he hadn’t missed anything important.
"That’s right, Xue Shitian from the Blood Python Family. I hear he’s only twenty this year, but his Martial Artist Realm has already reached the Third-Ring Martial Sect. Of course, that alone isn’t enough to make a name for himself. What’s truly shocking is that, at just twenty years old, he managed to tame a Level 5 Blood Python in his family’s Python Pool! A Level 5 Blood Python! And he tamed it just like that," the other man said, his voice filled with amazement.
"A Level 5 Blood Python! That’s definitely something to brag about. So what?"
"So, the Blood Python Family gave him an extra entry slot for the Senluo Ruins. This means the number of people from their family entering is now four. If they stick together to search for treasures inside the ruins, they’ll be unstoppable! It’s like the whole Senluo Ruins event is just a free-for-all for the Blood Python Family."
"Oh, I thought you were going to say something important. So it’s just that. The Blood Python Family’s people are creepy and fearsome, sure, but it’s not like there’s no one who can match them. Someone like Huo Lie, for example, isn’t afraid of them. Fire Attribute Martial Artists have a powerful natural advantage against Blood Pythons. Still, with four of them going this time, it’s going to be trouble. Do you know which four it is?"
"Which four? Who else could it be? It’s the three young masters of the Blood Family, plus Xue Shitian, of course."
"Holy crap. They’re sending out all the top talents of their younger generation. The thirty people invited this time probably won’t be able to compete with those four from the Blood Family. Not unless everyone else bands together, but that’s impossible. We should just sit back and enjoy the show. I wonder if the number of people who make it out this year will be the same as always... more than five. I can’t wait."
After listening to their conversation, Mu Chen, who was sitting nearby, frowned. ’Four of the Blood Python Family’s top talents, and not one of them is below the Martial Sect Realm. It seems I’ve seriously underestimated these Senluo Ruins...’
