Marshal Haotian was a Xiantian Second Order expert, and not an average second order expert at that, yet he was still unable to execute a swift win over Huang Xiaolong.
This was the scariest point of all!
Furthermore, what was Huang Xiaolong's age? He would soon be seventeen after the New Year in ten days, right?!
Marshal Haotian was someone that had over a hundred years of cultivation experience!
Though Huang Xiaolong's battle qi was still in the peak late-Tenth Order stage, if his battle qi also advanced into the Xiantian realm, it was possible that Marshal Haotian might not even be Huang Xiaolong's opponent at that time!
On this day, Huang Xiaolong was training in the yard with Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian when his younger sister suddenly burst into the yard, calling Huang Xiaolong out.
"Big brother, Mom and Dad called for you at the main hall." Huang Min said, and a peculiar blush tinged her cheeks after saying so.
"Calling me to the main hall? What's the matter?" Huang Xiaolong felt it was odd watching his sister's reaction, thus he asked.
Huang Min's head bowed so low that the tip of her nose nearly touched her chest, "Guo Tai is here."
"Guo Tai?" Huang Xiaolong was surprised, and then he chuckled; no wonder his little sister would come to call for him in person. Normally, his mother and father would send a servant to inform him if they were looking for him.
"Big brother, let's go quickly, people have been waiting for half an hour in the main hall." Huang Min stressed, and she swiftly dragged Huang Xiaolong by the hand towards the main hall.
Huang Xiaolong had a powerless expression on his face as he looked over at Fei Hou and Marshal Haotian, "Let's end today's sparring here, we'll continue again tomorrow."
"Yes, Young Lord!" Both of them acknowledged respectfully.
Huang Xiaolong walked to the main hall 'led' by Huang Min pulling him by the hand.
Even before he entered the main hall, the amiable laughter and the sounds of talking could be heard. Other than his parents and younger brother, Huang Xiaohai, there was a voice of a young man he had never heard before.
When Huang Xiaolong and Huang Min walked into the hall, everyone inside looked over in their direction. When the unfamiliar young man saw Huang Xiaolong, he practically jumped up from his seat. It was clear from his mannerisms that he was extremely nervous.
The young man had clean cut features, arched brows, and a rounded button nose; all in all, a dashing young man. When compared with Huang Xiaolong, that young man exuded a less dominant aura, more of one with gentlemanly elegance and refinement.
This young man was Guo Tai.
Guo Tai knew of Huang Xiaolong's fame. When he first met Huang Min, he had no idea that Huang Min was Huang Xiaolong's younger sister, and he did not deliberately have Huang Min's identity and background investigated. Two months ago, Guo Tai was greatly shocked when Huang Min told him that her Big Bro was Tianxuan Mansion's Huang Xiaolong.
Huang Xiaolong was Luo Tong Kingdom's renowned number one monstrous genius that his father spoke of often, telling him to make Huang Xiaolong his goal.
Watching as Huang Xiaolong and Huang Min walked in, a clumsy and nervous Guo Tai quickly took a few steps forward, calling out: "Big brother!"
Guo Tai was actually the same age as Huang Xiaolong but he was younger by two months, so he followed Huang Min's example and called Huang Xiaolong big brother.
Under normal circumstances, Guo Tai, as a member of one of Duanren Empire's big families and grandson to the current Guo Family's Patriarch, would not feel so nervous even when meeting a Duanren Empire's Duke, but Huang Xiaolong was an exception.
This was because Huang Xiaolong was someone he worshipped.
Huang Xiaolong looked at Guo Tai, nodded slightly and said with a faint smile, "Take a seat."
"Thanks Big brother." Guo Tai returned to his seat.
Huang Xiaolong and Huang Min also sat down.
Huang Xiaolong's seat was lateral to his parents' seat whereas Huang Min sat in the seat next to Guo Tai.
Studying Guo Tai opposite of him, Huang Xiaolong nodded inwardly in satisfaction. From his first impression, the impression this Guo Tai gave him was not bad… at least he showed none of the noble children's unwarranted proud arrogance and impudence.
The few of them continued to talk happily in the main hall with bouts of cheery laughter ringing out from time to time.
At first, Guo Tai acted a little reserved. However, as time wore on with the jokes and laughter, he gradually relaxed, but his respect and idolization towards Huang Xiaolong was evident in his words and actions.
"Big brother's Academy competition some months ago, I was there with my father." Guo Tai recalled enthusiastically, "After we came back, my father praised Big brother endlessly saying Big brother is truly a talented genius, and not even the Academy's three inner courtyard Elders were his opponent!"
This brought laughter out from everyone.
Soon, it was time for lunch, and Guo Tai stayed to have a meal with the Huang Family. After lunch, Huang Min and Guo Tai went out together.
In the main hall, after the two of them had left, Huang Peng asked Huang Xiaolong, "Xiaolong, what do you think about Guo Tai?"
Although in Martial Spirit World, children's marriages were decided by parents', major decisions related to Tianxuan Mansion were mostly decided by Huang Xiaolong.
Huang Xiaolong laughed, "As long as the little girl is pleased."
Since his little sister and Guo Tai mutually liked each other and Guo Tai himself was not a bad character, Huang Xiaolong would naturally not do something like splitting a pair of mandarin ducks [1].
Huang Peng and Su Yan exchanged a glance, and Su Yan said, "Then, in another few days, your father and I will accompany your sister to make a trip to the Guo Mansion to meet Guo Shiyuan. If Guo Shiyuan agrees, then we will set down this marriage!"
At the end of the year, Huang Min would turn sixteen. Being engaged at sixteen and married at eighteen was a usual practice in Martial Spirit World.
Huang Xiaolong nodded, "Mom and Dad can decide."
After accompanying his parents for a while, Huang Xiaolong returned to his yard and continued to practice.
His internal force had advanced into the Xiantian level so he now needed to strive for his battle qi to break through to the Xiantian realm as soon as possible.
If his battle qi also broke through to the Xiantian realm, then Huang Xiaolong was confident he could take first place in Duanren Empire's Imperial City Battle!
Duanren Institute's new term started in the ninth month, and there were eight months until next year's Imperial City Battle. Thus, Huang Xiaolong had eight months to further enhance himself before the Imperial City Battle.
Nine days came and went.
Once again, Tianxuan Mansion was basked in a festive mood with a flurry of activities. This year, there were many more joyful occasions that it had when compared to previous years.
Not only was it due to Huang Xiaolong being the overall Academy Champion, and the fact that he would be representing the Cosmic Star Academy in the Duanren Empire's Imperial City Battle, but it was because Huang Min and Guo Tai's marriage was set!
A few days ago, Huang Peng, Su Yan, and Huang Min paid a visit to Guo Shiyuan at the Guo Mansion. Guo Shiyuan was delighted, thus Huang Peng and Guo Shiyuan had their children's wedding set down.
Listening to the cheerful hustle and bustle up and down Tianxuan Mansion, Huang Xiaolong did not practice like he usually did.
In roughly ten days, Yu Ming and Zhao Shu would arrive in Luo Tong Royal City. At that time, he would be journeying to Duanren Empire, and when passing by Baolong Kingdom, Huang Xiaolong decided to first annihilate the Big Sword Sect, Martial Ning Family, and Clear Cloud Pavilion!
On the other hand, after Huang Xiaolong injured Xie Wei and the other two people, the Elders had a meeting and all three people's Elder position were removed. Even though this happened, there was no reaction from Prime Minister Wu Feng's side.
"I hope Wu Feng, that old fogey, has tact." Huang Xiaolong hoped. If that old fogey deliberately provoked him again, he didn't mind first squashing Wu Feng before destroying Big Sword Sect.
The New Year had finally arrived.
Auspicious snow[2] fell.
Sounds of laughter could be heard coming from every corner of the Tianxuan Mansion.
On the First Day of New Year, the Huang Family visited the Guo Mansion. Originally, Huang Xiaolong did not plan to go, but Huang Min pestered him so he had no choice but to comply.
The Huang Family's arrival was warmly received by the pair of father and son, Guo Shiyuan and Guo Tai, especially towards Huang Xiaolong, causing Huang Xiaolong to feel somewhat awkward and uncomfortable.
There was a reason why Guo Shiyuan agreed to the marriage between his son and Huang Min. At the moment, the Huang Family's status may not be on par with their Guo Family, but he valued Huang Xiaolong. With Huang Xiaolong's talent, he would absolutely be a great character of Duanren Empire in the future.
Note:
[1] Pair of mandarin ducks – lovebirds.
[2] Auspicious Snow- also first snow/timely snow.
Almost immediately after returning to Tianxuan Mansion from the Guo Mansion, Huang Xiaolong activated the God Binding Ring and entered the ancient battlefield to cultivate.
For the time being, Huang Xiaolong concentrated on practicing his Asura Tactics instead of his battle skills, such as the Asura Sword Skills, Asura Demon Claw, Golden Linglong Body, and God Binding Palm, among others.
For Huang Xiaolong, strengthening his battle qi and breaking into the Xiantian realm was the only goal at the moment.
These battle skills were supplementary!
Moreover, his battle skills' power would not enhance much in one year's time.
As long as he was successful in breaking through to the Xiantian realm with his battle qi, his strength would increase by leaps and bounds.
Other than Asura Tactics, Huang Xiaolong allocated two hours every day to spar with Fei Hou, and if not with Fei Hou then alternatively with Marshal Haotian.
While sparring with these two mighty Xiantian experts, Huang Xiaolong's control and understanding in battle qi deepened.
Another nine days passed.
On this particular morning, Fei Hou and Haotian were beaming as they walked into Huang Xiaolong's yard, reporting: "Sovereign, Master gave word that he and Zhao Shu will arrive in one hour's time!"
"Oh, one more hour!" Huang Xiaolong was happy hearing this and drew in a deep breath, "Let's go to the Royal City gates!"
Huang Xiaolong might be the Asura's Gate Sovereign, but Zhao Shu was a Saint realm expert. With Zhao Shu arriving, it was common sense to Huang Xiaolong that he should go receive him at the city gates.
"Yes, Sovereign!" Fei Hou and Haotian answered. Neither one felt it was weird that Huang Xiaolong wanted to go and receive Zhao Shu at the city gates.
Even someone as exalted as the Duanren Emperor must show courtesy when meeting a Saint realm expert, moreover, Zhao Shu wasn't some ordinary early Saint realm expert.
Therefore, Huang Xiaolong stepped out of Tianxuan Mansion together with Fei Hou and Haotian and headed towards the city gates, waiting for Yu Ming and Zhao Shu's arrival.
Thinking they would soon be able to meet a Saint realm expert, both Fei Hou and Haotian were excited and their palms began to sweat from nervousness. As a Xiantian realm expert, both enjoyed immense respect and high-class treatment in the kingdom, especially Haotian, but before a Saint realm expert, crudely speaking, they were nothing. If this was the past, they wouldn't even have the qualifications to meet a Saint realm expert.
Not long after the three of them arrived at the city gates, two silhouettes appeared from the mountainous path in the distance.
Watching as these two silhouettes grew closer, three pairs of eyes lit up when they noticed Yu Ming!
Yu Ming was seen riding slightly behind a burly, robust man that appeared to be somewhere around his fifties. Both of them were riding on beast mounts that looked similar to a rhinoceros, but the difference was that these beast mounts had no tails. Instead, there was a sphere with a lustrous glow that resembled flames.
The distance between them and the city gates was still quite far, yet Huang Xiaolong, Fei Hou, and Haotian already felt the terrifying pressure emanating from that middle-aged man.
Huang Xiaolong knew this middle-aged man had to be the Asura's Gate Left Custodian, Zhao Shu!
The beast mounts Yu Ming and Zhao Shu were riding moved seemingly slow, but in fact were extremely fast. In just a few breaths, Yu Ming and Zhao Shu were within a several hundred meter range of Huang Xiaolong's position.
Upon closer inspection, Huang Xiaolong noticed that Zhao Shu's eyes were round and large, akin to an Iron Eagle's: sharp, cold, and unfathomable.
While Huang Xiaolong was observing Zhao Shu, Zhao Shu was doing the same to Huang Xiaolong. From the details of Yu Ming's report to him, he already guessed this tall youth of no more than twenty should be Old Sovereign's personal disciple, the one with the Asura Ring−Huang Xiaolong.
The three people waiting walked up to the approaching two.
Yu Ming and Zhao Shu dismounted from their beasts.
"Asura's Gate Elder, Yu Ming greets Sovereign!" Yu Ming said respectfully as he dropped before Huang Xiaolong, saluting on bended knee and in proper form.
On the other hand, Zhao Shu approached and bowed respectfully, and said to Huang Xiaolong "Asura's Gate Left Custodian Zhao Shu, greets Sovereign!"
In Asura's Gate, Saint realm experts only needed to bow in greeting to the Sovereign.
"Left Custodian Zhao Shu, Elder Yu Ming, please rise!" Huang Xiaolong swiftly moved forward to excuse them from such salutes.
At this time, Fei Hou and Haotian also came forward speedily, saying their greetings with great respect to Zhao Shu, "Asura's Gate disciple Fei Hou (Haotian) greets Left Custodian Zhao Shu!"
Zhao Shu nodded and let them rise.
Then, Fei Hou and Haotian turned towards their Master, bowing respectfully: "Master!"
Yu Ming nodded.
Without much of an exchange of words, everyone turned and headed in Tianxuan Mansion's direction.
On the way, Zhao Shu said to Yu Ming, "These two disciples of yours are not bad." Zhao Shu could easily see that both Fei Hou and Haotian's physiques and other aspects were much stronger than other warriors at the same level.
Yu Ming quickly replied respectfully, "Left Custodian Zhao Shu praises them too highly!"
The truth was, even Yu Ming himself was startled at the changes he saw in Fei Hou and Haotian.
However, after hearing Zhao Shu's words of praise, Fei Hou and Haotian were actually apprehensive rather than overjoyed.
At this point, Haotian admitted honestly, "Left Custodian, the truth is, we could achieve this level of cultivation all thanks to Sovereign's generosity."
"Oh?" This revelation was unexpected for Zhao Shu and Yu Ming.
Huang Xiaolong smiled, "I didn't do much except pass the both of them a set of cultivation techniques. Their achievements are the results of their own hard work."
Huang Xiaolong's words may have seemed modest, but at the same time, it indirectly confirmed what Haotian had just said.
This raised a strong curiosity in Zhao Shu and Yu Ming towards the cultivation techniques Huang Xiaolong passed to Fei Hou and Haotian.
A short while later, the group of people reached Tianxuan Mansion.
Back in Tianxuan Mansion, on the way to the main hall, the group of five ran into Huang Peng and Su Yan, and Huang Xiaolong solemnly introduced Zhao Shu and Yu Ming's identities to his parents.
Especially so when he was introducing Zhao Shu to them.
Though it was not the first time Yu Ming came to Tianxuan Mansion, Huang Peng and Su Yan had never met him prior to this. Hearing Huang Xiaolong state Yu Ming was Fei Hou and Haotian's Master, both were astonished.
Even though Huang Xiaolong did not clearly say Zhao Shu's identity when he introduced them to his parents, Huang Peng and Su Yan were awed when detecting the seriousness from their son's voice.
Their first reaction was to greet, "Senior Zhao Shu, Senior Yu Ming!"
Huang Peng and Su Yan were Huang Xiaolong's parents, Zhao Shu and Yu Ming dared not display any superior attitude and greeted Huang Peng and Su Yan in return.
Knowing their son had matters to discuss, they left the main hall to avoid disturbing them.
After Huang Peng and Su Yan left the hall, Huang Xiaolong inquired about what happened to Yu Ming in the last few years. If Yu Ming was not delayed, he would've returned to Luo Tong Kingdom six years ago.
Yu Ming quickly reported the events that happened to him these past years.
When Yu Ming left Snow Wind Continent, he needed to cross a place called Death Sea Gorge to return to Star Cloud Continent. While passing through Death Sea Gorge, he encountered a terrifying whirlpool, sucking him into another unknown space within Death Sea Gorge and became trapped inside of it for six years!
Six years later, a spatial crack formed which provided an opportunity for Yu Ming to escape.
Huang Xiaolong was flabbergasted hearing this.
Yu Ming was delayed for six years because of this?
A wry smile escaped Huang Xiaolong's face; he wasn't sure if he should say Yu Ming was lucky or unlucky. At that time, he thought Chen Tianqi found out about him and that Yu Ming was then locked up by him.
Fei Hou and Haotian were also dumbfounded hearing their Master's experience.
Understanding Yu Ming's reason for the delay, Huang Xiaolong changed the topic, "Left Custodian Zha Shu, Elder Yu Ming, have you ever heard of a Heavenly Treasure called God Binding Ring?"
"God Binding Ring!" Zhao Shu and Yu Ming were shocked at the sudden mention.
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