Book 2 - Fame SpreadsChapter 41.1 - Cruel Retribution
A gentle night breeze blew across, and countless stars twinkled in a clear night sky with a gentle and warm radiance.
He Yiming chased from afar. While following a trail, a Xiantian realmâs powerful cultivator had no need to follow the prey closely.
Even though that masked man was far from him, He Yiming could easily follow after him from afar.
However, to his surprise, the masked man didnât go along the direction of Zhen Tong county town. After leaving the Yuan manor and walking merely a little more than thousand meters, he stopped in an area of spa.r.s.ely scattered woods.
These woods were the farmlands of Yuan family. Daring to stop here, this person was indeed bold in addition to being skilled. However, it should also be considered that even while taking the whole Yuan family into account, how many people could fight against this individual?
The masked man was not alone. As soon as he entered the woods, two other individuals also emerged out of nowhere like ghosts.
Although He Yiming had yet to see them with his eyes, he could already tell that these two were precisely the Xiao brothers who had accompanied Fan Vastsun yesterday.
âElder Senior brother, did you see that old man He Quanxin?â Xiao Yifan somewhat anxiously asked.
Although Yuan manor was quite far away from these woods, the commotion inside the Yuan manor during the night hadnât gone unnoticed by them. But since they were eager, they seemed somewhat anxious.
The masked man faintly nodded his head and said, âYes, that man is truly troublesome. The power of his Internal Energy is even above mine,â He paused for a bit, âNo wonder why you two were not an opponent for him even after joining hands. With this person here, it will truly be quite troublesome.â
Xiao Yilin suddenly chipped in, âElder senior brother, as long as you join hands with big brother Fan, you can definitely kill He Quanxin.â
The masked man glared at him and rebuked, âDonât speak nonsense. If people find out that I, Zhuang Yuan actually joined hands and fought unfairly, wouldnât I become a laughingstock? Moreover, if master finds out, what would the old man think of me?â
The two Xiao brothers immediately closed their mouths, evidently quite apprehensive of their master.
âElder senior brother, what do say, if big brother Fan personally acted, would he be able to kill He Quanxin?â Xiao Yifan suddenly asked.
The masked man coldly snorted and said, âAlthough Fan Shui has long since attained the tenth layer, the techniques he cultivates are of water-type. Before an earth-type master of same rank as him, you think he has any chance of winning?â
Xiao Yifan immediately turned silent. This answer was too simple. Even a child who had barely started cultivation would know this answer.
Zhuang Yuan muttered to himself for a bit before saying, âYou two are reallyâŠ.. youâve actually managed to tangle yourself in such a matter during this timeâs training. If master finds out, he will certainly reprimand you.â
Xiao Yifan bitterly laughed and said, âElder senior brother, we two have a friends.h.i.+p of several decades with elder brother Fan. Back then, when we didnât have much success in martial arts, weâve received a huge, life-saving kindness from him. Now that heâs invited us to act, we canât do nothing.â
Zhuang Yuan sighed and said, âLet it be. Since itâs about returning a favour, it must be done. Since neither me nor Fan Shui is a match to this person, we can only ask master to act.â
Xiao brothers exchanged a glance with joyous expressions, âElder senior brother, would master be willing to ac
t for such a trifling matter?â
Zhuang Yuan helplessly said, âUsually, it would have been impossible. However, since you two are his beloved disciples, he might make an exception.â
The two brothers immediately replied, âSenior brother, it is you who is masterâs most beloved disciple.â
Zhuang Yuan waved his hand, âMaster has even given you his armguards, and you still say you are not his most beloved disciples? Even I, masterâs brother, could only envy you.â
The two brothers became quite embarra.s.sed. Zhuang Yuan patted their shoulders, âHowever, you two are also quite hard working. Youâve actually managed to learn a Xiantian battle skill in Houtian realm. Just this feat alone is enough to make you above me. In the future, you must cultivate with all your strength and attain Xiantian realm. Donât disappoint master.â
The two brothers could only sound their agreements, though their faces had bitter smiles. Attaining the Xiantian realm is easier said than done. Without a five hundred year beastâs gold core, how would they be able to make the breakthrough?
As if having remembered something, Zhuang Yuan probed inside his robe before taking out a jade bottle and handing it over, âThese are the gold cores from master, take it.â
He Yiming and the two Xiao brothers were simultaneously gobsmacked. Unexpectedly, heâd been carrying such a treasure on his body.
âElder senior brother, which gold cores are these?â Xiao Yifan asked in a pleasantly surprised voice.
âEssence gold cores. After consumption, it will allow you to advance your Internal Energy to the ninth layerâs peak in a very short time period,â Zhuang Yuan voice seemed quite envious as he said, âIt has four gold core pills inside. Remember, within ten days, you can only have one pill. Otherwise, the essence will be too excessive, and youâll lose more than what youâll gain.â
Xiao brothers immediately sounded their agreement and accepted the jade bottle. However, Xiao Yilin somewhat hesitated, âElder senior brother, if you were to take these Essence gold core pills, can you advance your Internal Energy and surpa.s.s He Quanxin?â
Zhuang Yuan faintly shook his head and said, âAlthough Essence gold cores have a G.o.dly effect, that is only for cultivators under the tenth layer. After attaining the tenth layer, Essence gold coreâs efficiency takes a huge hit.â
The Xiao brothers then finally accepted the gold cores. Although it wouldnât help a cultivator in breaking through the bottleneck, Essence gold cores were still equally valuable for a cultivator. Xiao brothersâ faces beamed with smiles, looking quite excited.
âElder senior brother, when should we contact master?â Xiao Yifan asked.
âNo need to contact,â Zhuang Yuan casually said, âThe master will be coming here tomorrow. You can raise your request then. I doubt he will decline.â
Xiao Yifan severely nodded. A sinister expression flickered in his eyes as he said, âIf master doesnât agree, thatâs fine. However, if master agrees, I will certainly ask to exterminate the entire He family.â
Distantly hearing He Yiming suddenly raised his head, feeling incredulous and appalled.
He could never have imagined that Xiao Yifanâs enmity with He family would have reached such a degree that he would actually entertain such a frightening notion.
However, unlike He Yiming, Zhuang Yuan didnât reveal a trace of surprise and instead acted as if it was only to be expected, âIf master really agreed to act, he will obviously exterminate both Yuan and He families.â
An intense chill welled up from deep within He Yiming. Even as a Xiantian cultivator, he could feel the cold of winter at this moment.
âElder senior brother, I heard that He family is far away in Heaven Sieve country. You think their clan will have some treasures?â Xiao Yifan said with a hint of antic.i.p.ation.
Zhuang Yuan faintly shook his head, âThis is hard to tell. However, since they have a tenth layer expert, itâs quite possible.â
Xiao Yifan smilingly said, âElder senior brother, if we truly find some treasure in He family, we brothers will offer it to to you.â
Zhuang Yuan loudly chuckled and said, âYou brothers are quite considerate.â
These three were casually speaking as if the He family in Heaven Sieve country had already turned into a possesion inside their pocket.
He Yimingâs heart gradually chilled. He raised his head and looked at the sky. Indistinctly a bizarre idea came into his mind, âHe manor sustains several hundreds of people. Could it be that in the mind of these three, their lives donât hold any significance at all?â