However, with the current anarchic situation, Huang Xiaolong was in no rush to get to the Enlightenment Lake; he continued to practice in the yard every day, biding his time to see what happens.
The truth was, it would have been useless even if Huang Xiaolong rushed to the Enlightenment Lake as there was quite some time until the Heavenly Treasure is born. Moreover, the Yuwai Kingdom's army was still standing guard in the area and they hadn't withdrawn yet.
The most important point was that a Heavenly Treasure is not something that could be subdued by anybody; just like the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, any one of the top ten Heavenly Treasures required people with grade thirteen martial spirits' talents and above to rein them in.
Therefore, five days just came and went.
On the fifth day, while Huang Xiaolong was practicing in the yard, Fei Hou came in and reported to him: "Sovereign, this Subordinate has found out that the Baolong Kingdom's Big Sword Sect is here!"
Big Sword Sect!
An edge glinted in Huang Xiaolong's eyes: "Who?"
Fei Hou answered respectfully: "Both Yu Chen and Lin Zhiren are here. They brought quite a number of Big Sword Sect's Elders and disciples with them!"
The previous Big Sword Sect − Sect Leader Liu Wei's Master, Yu Chen!
After Liu Wei was killed in Huang Clan Manor by Marshal Haotian, his Junior Brother, Lin Zhiren, took over the Sect Leader's position. Unexpectedly, both of them came here!
"Other than the Big Sword Sect, the Baolong Kingdom's Martial Ning Family's Patriarch, Ning Wang, is also here in person!" Fei Hou then added.
"Oh, the Martial Ning Family's Patriarch Ning Wang also came." Huang Xiaolong looked at Fei Hou.
"Yes, also the Cloud Sea Kingdom's Purple-Robed Sword Sect and their Sect Leader brought many people here!" Fei Hou nodded: "Including Cloud Sea Kingdom's Clear Cloud Pavilion."
Fei Hou reported one by one the forces and their strengths that had rushed over to the Yuwai Kingdom during the past few days to Huang Xiaolong.
Purple-Robed Sword Sect, the Cloud Sea Kingdom's number one sect!
Clear Cloud Pavilion was the Cloud Sea Kingdom's biggest merchant power and its influence covered the entire Cloud Sea Kingdom; they even opened many Clear Cloud Pavilion branches in the neighboring kingdoms.
"Looks like quite a lot of people came ah." When Fei Hou finished reporting, a faint smile flashed passed Huang Xiaolong's face, "The ambiance around the Enlightenment Lake will be livelier in the few days coming." Although there were many powerful forces that had arrived, Huang Xiaolong was delighted instead of worried; just like he said prior to this, the more forces the better, the more chaotic the better.
While Fei Hou was updating Huang Xiaolong on the recent movements in the Enlightenment Lake, the Yuwai Kingdom's King, Fan Zhe, was also listening to the report from the Army Chief Marshal responsible for guarding the Enlightenment Lake, and the furrows on his brow grew deeper and deeper.
"Your Majesty, there are more and more forces arriving at the Enlightenment Lake; the Baolong Kingdom's Big Sword Sect, the Martial Ning Family, the Nine Phoenix Valley, and the Cloud Sea Kingdom's Purple-Robed Sword Sect. Even Clear Cloud Pavilion has sent someone here. Furthermore, just now…!" This Chief Marshal of the army guarding the Enlightenment Lake named Chen Tong started to hesitate finishing his report.
"Speak! Just now what?" Fan Zhe questioned in a solemn voice.
"Just now, the Baolong Kingdom, Cloud Sea Kingdom, Four Seasons Kingdom, Big Tusker Kingdom, a number of these kingdoms' envoys allied together and came to us saying that if we do not withdraw the army stationed around the Enlightenment Lake, then the seven kingdoms will join hands and attack our Yuwai Kingdom!" Chief Marshal Chen Tong reported honestly.
"What?! They dare! These small kingdoms, if I don't show them some colors and they will dare to reverse the sky!" The Prince, Fan Yizhe, who was sitting on the prince's throne was furious when he heard this.
Normally, these small kingdoms always displayed a respectful front in front of the Yuwai Kingdom, not to mention letting out a fart, they dare not even breathe a little louder. Now, they actually have the audacity to band together against the Yuwai Kingdom!
Hearing this, a sharp light gleamed in the Yuwai Kingdom King Fan Zhe's eyes, exuding the invisible majestic bearing of a king, causing Chief Marshal Chen Tong to bow down his head as beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Continue to have the Army guard the Enlightenment Lake; however, retreat and guard one direction and rescind the military ban."
Guard one side, and rescind the military ban!
Chief Marshal Chen Tong was flabbergasted.
Although the army was not withdrawn, removing the military ban was equivalent to allowing the many different forces to come and go in the Enlightenment Lake as they please. This was a compromise to the seven small kingdoms in disguise.
"Royal Father, we cannot rescind the military ban!" Prince Fan Yizhe objected anxiously, "The treasure being born in the Enlightenment Lake this time very likely is….!"
"Enough, say no more!" The Yuwai King raised a hand to cut off his son's words, and said to Chen Tong: "I will send three Xiantian experts from the palace to aid you; no matter what, the great treasure in the Enlightenment Lake cannot fall into another's hand!"
Three Xiantian experts!
Chen Tong's eyes lit up, and acknowledged the King respectfully: "Yes; please rest assured Your Majesty, I will do the utmost best to win the great treasure!"
"En, go now!"
Not long after that, the army soldiers in the vicinity of the Enlightenment Lake retreated in one direction and news about the military ban being rescinded spread quickly. Fei Hou immediately brought this news to Huang Xiaolong the moment he got it.
"Oh, the military ban is invoked." Huang Xiaolong was delighted with this message.
"That's right, Sovereign; do we head over to the Enlightenment Lake now?" Fei Hou asked.
Huang Xiaolong looked grave as he asked, "According to your estimation, when will this great treasure in the Enlightenment Lake be born?"
Fei Hou was stunned Huang Xiaolong would ask him this question, and he pondered for a moment and replied: "Probably in another ten days."
Huang Xiaolong nodded: "Then we wait a while longer."
Since the military ban was rescinded, the surging forces would rush in competing against each other to enter the lake first, creating some of the most turbulent times. It was not suitable to enter at this peak hour.
Three days passed.
These past three days, the frequency of Fei Hou coming and reporting the latest situation to Huang Xiaolong went up, as much as several times a day.
With the high influx of warriors into the Enlightenment Lake, conflict of interest clashes was becoming more common, and the fighting grew more brutal and intense compared to the period when the military ban was in place ㅡ the current situation could be described as a river of blood.
On the tenth day, when Huang Xiaolong was practicing the Asura Sword Skill in the yard as he has been doing everyday, Fei Hou walked in with a solemn expression. Noticing Fei Hou's face, Huang Xiaolong temporarily stopped his actions.
"Sovereign, I have just got the news that the Duanren Empire sent someone over!" Stopping in front of Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou reported this new tidbit of information.
"Duanren Empire!" Huang Xiaolong's heart fell with a 'ka deng' — he was greatly shocked by the news.
But, the Duanren Empire is situated more than a million li away from here; even considering the speed of a Saint realm expert, it was hardly possible for them to reach the Yuwai Kingdom from the Duanren Empire in one month's time.
Despite that, the people from Duanren Empire had already arrived!
What happened?!
"The Duanren Empire Imperial Clan used a Saint level space-time artifact." Knowing the doubt in Huang Xiaolong's heart, Fei Hou explained further.
"Saint level space-time artifact?" This was the first time Huang Xiaolong heard of such a thing.
Fei Hou nodded in affirmation: "Yes, this space-time artifact is a flying tool built by Saint realm experts, it could shuttle through space and at high speed too. However, in the entire Duanren Empire, only the Imperial Clan has one."
Huang Xiaolong frowned tightly.
He didn't expect the Duanren Empire Imperial Clan would have a space-time artifact like this; with Duanren Empire's intervention in this matter, things have become trickier.
"Is there any Saint realm expert within them?" Huang Xiaolong asked.
Fei Hou shook his head, "I still can't be sure if there are any Saint realm experts at this point, but it has already been confirmed that the Duanren Empire's Second Prince is here, Duan Wuhen!"
"Duan Wuhen?" Huang Xiaolong looked Fei Hou.
"Yes, this Duan Wuhen possesses the highest talent amongst the many Princes and Princesses of the Duanren Empire, the one most favored by the Duanren Emperor." Fei Hou reported: "Cultivating only for two hundred years, he already is a Xiantian Ninth Order expert!"
A Xiantian Ninth Order!
Although a Xiantian Ninth Order is no Saint realm, it is very close to the terrifying existence of a Saint realm.
"Then, do you know what this Duan Wuhen's martial spirit is?" Huang Xiaolong asked another question.
Shaking his head, Fei Hou said: "No one knows what Duan Wuhen's martial spirit is; it was said that he never shows his martial spirit in public."
Huang Xiaolong contemplated the matter; no one knows about Duan Wuhen's martial spirit, or he should say the people who knew are already dead, silenced by Duan Wuhen. Thus, no one in the outside world has any clue about his martial spirit.
However, this Duan Wuhen could cultivate till Xiantian Ninth Order in a short span of two hundred years, so no doubt his martial spirit grade is not low.
Grade twelve, or?!
Seeing Huang Xiaolong in deep thoughts, Fei Hou dared not make a sound to interrupt.
"Sovereign, how should we proceed now?" Sometime later, Fei Hou cautiously asked in a low voice.
Huang Xiaolong was pulled out of his pensiveness: "Prepare, we'll head out to the Enlightenment Lake tomorrow!"
Although Duanren Empire's intervention added an undesirable variable to the situation, Huang Xiaolong was determined to get his hands on the Heavenly Treasure that appeared in the Enlightenment Lake!
This was an opportunity for him!
Only with the addition of this Heavenly Treasure could he break through into the Xiantian realm at the fastest speed, and it was another trump card against his Senior Brother Chen Tianqi!
Fei Hou acknowledged Huang Xiaolong's order respectfully and retreated from the yard.
After Fei Hou left, Huang Xiaolong entered the Linglong Treasure Pagoda's space, swallowed a Fire Dragon Pearl, and continued practicing.
Arxan Mountain, near the Enlightenment Lake.
The mountains embraced the Enlightenment Lake in their bosom, and the Arxan Mountain was the tallest and biggest mountain in the vicinity. On the peak of Arxan Mountain stood someone– someone who wore a deep golden yellow robe and looked like a middle-aged man in his thirties. There were eight lifelike potent dragons embroidered on his dark yellow robes. The middle-aged man stood there quietly with his hands behind his back, looking in the direction of the Enlightenment Lake before him.
Standing at the top of Arxan Mountain, one could take in the entire lake in a glance.
Even though the middle-aged man just stood there quietly, an amazing momentum came from his body, exuding an invisible noble aura of someone above others as if he was the sky above and everything else was at his feet.
At this time, a group of people reached the Peak of Arxan Mountain from the foot of the mountain, and they stopped their steps ten meters away from the yellow-robed middle-aged man. Each had a respectful expression on their faces as they saluted, "We humble Ministers pay respect to His Imperial Highness Second Prince!"
In the midst of this group of people, the Yuwai Kingdom's King, Fan Zhe, was one of them!
These people were from the Yuwai Kingdom as well as envoys from the neighboring kingdoms.
The Yuwai Kingdom, Baolong Kingdom, and the rest that had sworn fealty to the Duanren Empire. That was why even though Fan Zhe is the King of a kingdom, they were also subjects of Duanren Empire.
When this group of people got wind of Duan Wuhen's arrival in the Enlightenment Lake, everyone dashed there to pay their respects.
Duan Wuhen simply stood with his hands clasped behind him; an apathetic voice floated with the soft breeze: "Rise."
"Much obliged, His Imperial Highness Second Prince!" Fan Zhe and everyone thanked respectfully and slowly got up.
"Although I'm here at the Enlightenment Lake, all of you have no reason to worry; when the great treasure appears in the coming few days, I will allow all of you to join in the fray!" Duan Wuhen announced.
Hearing these words, everyone in the group was secretly happy in their hearts; this was the question they were most worried about.
"Much obliged His Imperial Highness Second Prince!"
Duan Wuhen waved his hand: "All of you can go now."
Acknowledging the command to leave, the group of people retreated out of sight and left the mountain.
When all were gone, the expert that followed Duan Wuhen from the Empire, Sun Liang, walked up to him saying "Imperial Highness, you allowed them to fight for the treasure– at that time, won't it be…?"
Duan Wuhen stoic face was calm, "So what if I allow them to try their luck at it? Do you think a Heavenly Treasure is something these clowns can subdue? Letting them have a sliver of hope is nothing bad; there is still ten years' time until the Deities Templar's disciple selection. This Enlightenment Lake's Heavenly Treasure can only be mine!"
Sun Liang said, "When the Heavenly Treasure is born, only Imperial Highness has the ability to subdue it, and ten years later, Imperial Highness absolutely will be selected as a Deities Templar disciple!"
Duan Wuhen nodded, eyes staring at the faraway horizon.
The sky gradually darkened as night descended and receded again when morning came.
When the first light dawned, Huang Xiaolong ended his practice and exited the Linglong Treasure Pagoda's space.
One month of focused training had increased Huang Xiaolong strength exponentially once again, whereas the State of Abundant Lightning move was now much more lethal compared to the time it was used to defeat Yang An.
Exiting the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, Huang Xiaolong saw that Fei Hou was already waiting for him.
Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou left Fei Mansion and headed straight in the direction of the Enlightenment Lake.
Other than Fei Hou, Huang Xiaolong did not bring a single extra person; the more people they have on this trip, the more unnecessary attention they would attract. The military ban on the Enlightenment Lake was rescinded and the martial law in the Yuwai Royal City was also lifted. The two left the city smoothly.
Two hours later, they arrived at the Enlightenment Lake.
Standing before the crystal clear aquamarine lake, Huang Xiaolong felt somewhat rueful. Once the Heavenly Treasure is born, how many people's blood would color this pure and clear lake a dark crimson red?
"Sovereign, let's look for a place to rest for the time being?" Fei Hou asked moments later.
Huang Xiaolong nodded.
Just when they turned around wanting to leave, weird, sorrowful cries came from inside the lake – sometimes sharp and other times it sounded like someone sighing with lament, laced with a sorrow filled anger that was waiting to break out, making people uncomfortable hearing it.
"Ever since the vision manifestation happened one month ago, this kind of weird noise started to echo from the Enlightenment Lake, and the frequency grew increasingly more frequent, almost once every hour." Fei Hou explained.
Huang Xiaolong turned back, looking at the center of the Enlightenment Lake where the weird cries originated; the initially calm lake surface started to ripple and surge in chaos, akin to a monumental, menacing beast that was about to free itself from the bottom of the lake.
And at this point, the Linglong Treasure Pagoda inside Huang Xiaolong's body shook and showed signs of flying out.
Huang Xiaolong was stunned; he swiftly utilized the Golden Linglong Body, only then did the Linglong Treasure Pagoda grow silent.
The surface of the lake also returned to its previous calm after the weird cries stopped.
"Let's go." Huang Xiaolong said to Fei Hou.
He had a feeling that the Heavenly Treasure would appear in the next two days. The high frequency of the weird cries coming from the lake was one indication of his hunch.
Leaving, they found a peak in close proximity to the lake. Finding a spot, both sat down cross-legged as they waited patiently for the Heavenly Treasure's birth.
Scouting down from the mountain peak they were on, they could see most of the Enlightenment Lake's area clearly. It was a good spot.
However, almost immediately after Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou sat down, a group made up of young men and women, roughly twenty people in total that were dressed in soft black robes with a mystical bird totem embroidered on their chests, came up to them.
When this group of young men and women stopped in front of Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou, one of the young men walked out from the group and said to Huang Xiaolong, "This little brother, we took a fancy to this location first before you, we'd trouble you to leave this place now."
"Fancy first?" Huang Xiaolong's expression remained aloof: "What if we refuse to leave?"
"Little rascal, don't push your luck!" Another young man walked out from the group, "Our Senior Brother Wu tells you to leave, so you should have gratefully kowtowed and left obediently. If you don't scram this very moment, don't blame us for being blunt!"
"What is the use of talking so much with them, go up and just kill them; wouldn't the matter settle faster and easier that way?" At this point, another young woman from the group interjected.
The first young man who spoke stared at Huang Xiaolong and said, "Little brother, you also heard what they said; my Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters' temper are not as good as mine. In my opinion, you better leave quickly. It's not worth it to lose your life just for a spot."
Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou exchanged a glance and stood up.
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT