Huang Xiaolong looked at Xiong Meiqi, and coldly sneered, "The new students' assessment bet, you haven't forgotten, right?"
Xiong Meiqi's body trembled and there was panic in her eyes, not daring to meet Huang Xiaolong's eyes. Her face turned a pale white.
Bet? While Sun Zhang and Xiong Chu's were still confused, the pale Xiong Meiqi suddenly knelt down. She just knelt down in the square like that, opened her small cherry like mouth, "Wang! Wang! Wang!" and she cried out three times in a row.
Sun Zhang and Xiong Chu were stunned agape.
While Sun Zhang and Xiong Chu remained confused and stunned, Xiong Meiqi suddenly stood up, turned around and fled, disappearing without a trace.
All around the square were dazed faces.
Looking at the direction in which Xiong Meiqi disappeared; Huang Xiaolong felt she wasn't as hateful as he had thought. At the very least, she dared to say and dared to do. Initially, he had thought she would surely try to wriggle out of it.
Xiong Chu looked at his daughter's disappearing silhouette, and could only shake his head.
Due to Xiong Meiqi running away, the new students' assessment stopped midway and did not continue.
Xiaolong and the others dispersed from the square.
Sun Zhang's eyes flickered a he looked at Huang Xiaolong's receding silhouette, "It looks like, within the next two days, I should make a trip to the Marshal's Mansion, and have a chat with that old fellow Haotian!"
Having understood the meaning hidden in Sun Zhang's words, Xiong Chu laughed and said, "Based on Principal's good relation with Marshal Haotian, coupled with Principal's strength and identity, I'm sure Marshal Haotian would be happy to agree to let Huang Xiaolong become Principal's disciple."
Sun Zhang nodded; he nodded not because he was worried (about Huang Xiaolong becoming his disciple), but because he was curious about Huang Xiaolong's martial spirit.
That old fellow Haotian should know, right? Sun Zhang thought secretly. He was about to leave but laughed bitterly when he remembered Jiang Teng's unconscious body, and said to Xiong Chu, "Let's go, we should first stabilize Jiang Teng's injury before talking about anything else."Xiong Chu also smiled bitterly and nodded.
Thereafter, both of them carried the unconscious Jiang Teng and disappeared from the square in the blink of an eye.
Xiaolong however, went to the library instead of returning to the classroom.
The first floor of the library was opened to all Academy students, however, battle skills and cultivation techniques were kept on the second floor, third floor, and the fourth floor. Therefore, only those that had accomplished tasks issued by the Academy, and had a certain amount of contribution points were allowed to go to those floors.
Of course, Huang Xiaolong didn't enroll into the Academy to learn their battle skills or cultivation techniques. Although he had lived in this Martial Spirit World for almost ten years, the things he understood were very little. So, he wanted to read more books to learn about this world.
After reading two books on martial spirits, Huang Xiaolong noticed a book titled 'Supernatural Ability' on a bookshelf.
Supernatural ability?
His curiosity was stoked, and he took the book then started to flip through the pages. The more he read, the more captivated he became. The book not only described the many different martial spirits' supernatural abilities, but also the usage, strengths, and weaknesses. Although it wasn't in full detail, it was enough to open a new door for Xiaolong.
A little more than an hour later, Huang Xiaolong returned the book to its rack and picked another book.
While Xiaolong was concentrating on books in the library, the entire Academy was swept by a wave of intense discussion.
"I heard today in the new students' assessment, a new student called Huang Xiaolong nearly destroyed that student Jiang Teng who possesses a grade eleven martial spirit!"
"This is a hundred percent true! I was in the square at the time– that Huang Xiaolong suddenly exposed a peak late-Fourth Order strength!"
"The peak late-Fourth Order! How old is this Huang Xiaolong, not even ten, right? This is too terrifying!"
"I also heard that this Huang Xiaolong came to register with the Principal's recommendation letter; previously, Jiang Teng called him a "waste" every time he opened his mouth!"
There was such discussion in every corner of the Cosmic Star Academy, regardless of whether it was an older student or teacher, they were all shocked when they heard it while at the same time, everybody was trying to guess what Huang Xiaolong's martial spirit was.
It was near noon when Xiaolong left the library. When the older students who were present in the square that morning recognized Huang Xiaolong, they started to point and whisper with a weird expression.Xiaolong could hear the discussions around him, and he shook his head; he hadn't expected that news in this world spread just as fast; after all, three hours had barely passed since the incident in the morning.
"Young Master!" The waiting Fei Hou and the four Marshal Mansion's guards had seen Huang Xiaolong come out and quickly went to him greeting him as they got nearer.
Huang Xiaolong nodded then took the five of them to Tianxuan Mansion.
"Young Master, we heard you nearly wasted that Jiang Teng!" On the way, Fei Hou said.
"You all heard about it?" Huang Xiaolong was surprised and smiled bitterly.
The five of them laughed, and Fei Hou said, "That Jiang Teng was the exalted Academy genius in more than a hundred years, possessing a superb talent martial spirit and he's also Sun Zhang and Xiong Chu's disciple at the same time. The matter about Young Master almost turning him into a waste caused great waves that spread throughout all of Royal City!"
It even spread throughout Royal City?
Huang Xiaolong was a little astonished and frowned, but he gradually relaxed. It was useless to hide anymore– soon enough there would be people who would find out that he had a vague connection with the Marshal's Mansion. Moreover, with Marshal Haotian's presence, there shouldn't be anyone who dared to make a move against him; at least, he was still safe while in the Luo Tong Kingdom's Royal City!
Soon, they arrived at the Tianxuan Mansion.
Allowing the four guards to stand down, Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou sat in the main hall where he asked Fei Hou about his progress in practicing the 'Liquid Thunder Arts'.
Fei Hou answered with a happy face, saying, "Sovereign, your subordinate has been diligently practicing the cultivation technique that you passed down in these past few days, and my battle qi cultivation has increased exponentially!"
Based on the speed of his cultivation these past couple of days, there was no need for five years– perhaps in four years' time he could breakthrough into the Xiantian realm.
Huang Xiaolong nodded and he asked Fei Hou about the matter regarding the purchase of slaves.
And Fei Hou reported everything in detail to Huang Xiaolong.
For the last couple of days, Fei Hou carefully selected twenty-six slaves and started to nurture them by teaching them cultivation techniques.
Listening to Fei Hou's report, Huang Xiaolong nodded with satisfaction.
"I've decided that in two days I will go and train in the Silvermoon Forest." said Huang Xiaolong in a low but serious tone after Fei Hou was done with his report. "I should be back around the end of the year's competition."
"What? Sovereign, you want to go into the Silvermoon Forest to train alone?" Fei Hou's expression changed, worried, he asked, "Sovereign, this, it's better if this Subordinate accompanies you!"
Huang Xiaolong waved his hand saying, "No need. In the upcoming five months, stay in the Tianxuan Mansion and train the slaves. Also, you must diligently practice the Liquid Thunder Arts every day."
Fei Hou wanted to say more, but Huang Xiaolong shook his head, "Don't say any more, I've decided!" With his current strength combined with his supernatural ability to conceal himself within shadows, as long as he didn't venture too deep into the forest, there wouldn't be much danger. Furthermore, Xiaolong didn't want to continue relying on Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian's power.
Seeing that Huang Xiaolong had made up his mind, Fei Hou could only accept the order respectfully.
While Huang Xiaolong decided to enter the Silvermoon Forest in two days' time, on the other side of the Marshal Mansion, there was an uninvited guest – Cosmic Star Academy's Principal, Sun Zhang!
Sun Zhang arrived in the Marshal Mansion and chatted about some miscellaneous stuff with Marshal Haotian before stating the purpose of his visit: his desire to take Huang Xiaolong as his disciple.
"What? You want to take Huang, Huang Xiaolong as your personal disciple?" Marshal Haotian was shocked, so much so that even his voice became awkward. Then, without any doubt or hesitation, shook his head and said: "No!"
What a joke, Huang Xiaolong was their Asura's Gate Sovereign. How can a little Cosmic Star Academy's Principal qualify to receive him as personal disciple?
"No?" Sun Zhang was sent into a daze for a moment by the answer, he seemed like he had taken a great blow from Marshal Haotian.
Originally, he had thought by virtue of his identity and by personally coming here to the Marshal Mansion to receive Huang Xiaolong as his disciple, Marshal Haotian would agree happily, but he was actually refused.
Sun Zhang's face darkened slightly with unhappiness.
Marshal Haotian saw Sun Zhang's expression and he thought for a moment before replying, "Sun Zhang, this matter, I truly can't make the decision!"
"You can't decide?" Sun Zhang was stunned, "That Huang Xiaolong, isn't he your illegitimate child?"
Illegitimate child? Instantly, beads of sweat and black lines appeared on Marshal Haotian's forehead; this old thing actually thought the Sovereign was his…?!
Marshal Haotian's face was solemn and somber as he said, "Sun Zhang, not to mention me, not even my Master can decide!"
"Your... your Master? Senior Yu Ming, can't decide!" Shock was obvious on his face; Yu Ming was a Tenth Order Xiantian expert! But, Yu Ming can't make such a small decision for Huang Xiaolong?!
Then, what was Huang Xiaolong's real identity?
Marshal Haotian nodded seriously at Sun Zhang.
The truth was, there was something that he didn't say to Sun Zhang and that was even his own Shizu was not qualified to take Huang Xiaolong as a disciple.
Marshal Haotian's Shizu!
Saying it out loud would be too shocking; thus, Marshal Haotian kept it to himself and didn't say it to Sun Zhang.
Although they were good friends, Marshal Haotian had never spoken about his connection with Asura's Gate, so Sun Zhang didn't know he was an Asura's Gate disciple.
Not long later, Sun Zhang walked out from the Marshal Mansion disappointed. He looked up to the blue sky with floating groups of white clouds and the blaring sunlight.
"Didn't expect that little guy's identity to be so not simple." Sun Zhang muttered to himself. "Could he be that Duanren Empire's Prince?" Then, he shook his head, dismissing the thought.
Leaving the Marshal Mansion, Sun Zhang headed straight back to the Academy.
Night arrived.
The day's heat slowly dissipated as night fell and a cool breeze blew in the night.
Huang Xiaolong was sitting cross-legged on the cold jade bed in the master bedroom of the Tianxuan Mansion. Battle qi was circulating in his meridians; however, he wasn't practicing. These past couple of days, a thought stuck in his mind; since his twin dragon martial spirits could fuse to become one and they could separate to become two independent entities, then maybe he could summon them out individually.
And now how was experimenting how to accomplish an individual summoning.
If he could control and summon only one of his martial spirits out, then he wouldn't need to worry about his twin martial spirits being discovered by others. Under normal circumstances or during battle, he would release just the black dragon.
But despite two days' worth of effort, every time Huang Xiaolong summoned his martial spirits, both the black and blue dragon would appear. This was akin to the left and right hand writing different characters at the same time, an impossible act.
Because humans can't focus on two things at the same time.
Huang Xiaolong's attempts failed again and again, but Huang Xiaolong didn't feel discouraged and continued to try after each failure.
The night passed as dawn arrived bringing light. Although he didn't succeed, he found that his control over his twin dragon martial spirits had become more refined.
Previously, he needed at least three breaths to summon his martial spirits, but now he could do it within two breaths' of time.
Coming out from his room into the yard, Huang Xiaolong stretched his limbs a little then heard a loud bellowing voice coming from the backyard. Curious, he strolled towards the backyard to have a look. In the backyard Fei Hou and the newly bought slaves were practicing the Luohan Fist: the fist fighting style he taught Fei Hou and asked, Fei Hou to teach it to the slaves.
Observing the slaves, Huang Xiaolong nodded in satisfaction. In just a few days' time, these slaves had already familiarized themselves with the moves, showing their battle skills and battle qi comprehension were quite good. It was the requirement he had given Fei Hou-- the people he wanted must fulfill two things: number one was loyalty, and second, possessing a certain level of comprehension in battle qi and battle skills.
"Young Master!" Seeing Huang Xiaolong strolling over, Fei Hou quickly went up in greeting.
Huang Xiaolong nodded. Then he pointed at Beastman Boli who was practicing Luohan Fist in the square, saying to Fei Hou, "You guide Boli more so he can guide the other leaving you time for your own practice."
"Yes, Young Master!" Fei Hou replied respectfully.
'Let's go. Accompany me for a stroll outside." Huang Xiaolong said to Fei Hou. He had been in the Luo Tong Kingdom's Royal city for some days and had yet to take a good look around. Thus, Huang Xiaolong decided to go out.
Also, he would be going to the Silvermoon Forest two days later and would stay inside for five months. So, he wanted to buy a few things and visit Li Lu as well as the Li Family's silk shop. He had grown taller since he left Huang Clan Manor, reaching one hundred and fifty centimeters tall, so he might as well have a few sets of new clothes made there.
Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou, and the four Marshal Mansion guards stepped out of Tianxuan Mansion and walked along the streets.
The morning was bright, and the air fresh. Huang Xiaolong was in a good mood as he walked along the street as it got busier with the common folks, and the shops were also opening for business for the day.
The truth was, living an ordinary life is also a kind of happiness.
Going through several streets, the six of them finally arrived at the Li Family's silk store shop.
Because it hadn't been a week since the Academy lessons had started, so Li Cheng who accompanied Li Lu over to the Royal City hadn't gone back to Canglan County. When he saw that Huang Xiaolong's group of people came, he quickly came out from the inner hall to meet them.
"Xiaolong, Senior Fei Hou!" Li Cheng greeted full of smiles.
Huang Xiaolong nodded and called Li Cheng 'Uncle' as he entered the shop with Fei Hou and the others.
Li Cheng invited them into the inner big hall, quickly ordering the servants to serve tea. This time in the presence of Huang Xiaolong, Li Cheng's actions were a little stiff, and when he sat down, his hands were trembling not knowing what to do with them.
Seeing this, Huang Xiaolong guessed that Li Cheng already knew about what happened during the new students' assessment-- that he nearly turned Jiang Teng into a waste. Li Cheng probably also heard the rumors that he had some indeterminable connection with Marshal Haotian.
It was already spread to the whole Royal City, he being connected to Marshal Haotian was no longer a secret.
As for what kind of connection it was, the public continued to speculate and many different versions came out.
"Uncle, I came to order a few sets of clothes." After sitting down, Huang Xiaolong explained his purpose.
"Make a few set of clothes?" Li Cheng blanked for a moment then quickly stood up. He personally went to the measurements tool to record down Huang Xiaolong's measurements. Huang Xiaolong laughed, asking him to let the servants do it. However, Li Cheng insisted on doing it himself which left Huang Xiaolong feeling embarrassed and awkward.
As he watched Li Cheng taking his measurements, Huang Xiaolong couldn't help but think of his parents in Huang Clan Manor, Huang Peng and Su Yan. If they knew he was in the Royal City, and Li Cheng was taking his measurements personally, what would they think?
It was done quickly, and they both sat down. After he thought about something for a moment, he said to Li Cheng, "Uncle, my mom and dad don't know that I'm here in the Royal City. For the time being, I would like to keep this from them in case they worry too much. When you return, please don't mention this to my parents."
Understanding the underlying meaning of Huang Xiaolong's words, Li Cheng reassured him with haste, "Xiaolong, don't worry. I won't say any of these things when I return."
Huang Xiaolong nodded his head. Otherwise, when he returned at the end of the year, both of them definitely would pester him with many questions about this.
At this time at the storefront, there was a sudden commotion and angry shouting voices.
Huang Xiaolong frowned at the loud noises-- he could tell that someone was trying to make trouble outside. Also, Li Cheng's expression wasn't nice when he heard the angry, scolding voices from the store front.
These past few days, there was someone who intentionally came to make trouble, even aggressively assaulting and injuring the shop workers. He didn't expect that they would show up again today.
Note:
Shizhu- lit. Master Ancestor; higher than Grandmaster.
Yu Ming is Haotian (a Second Order Xiantian) and Fei Hou's Master.
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