Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”Junior Brother Yang, you’re finally out... Huh? You’ve actually reached the Peak of Innate Realm Ninth Layer?”

Qin Rufeng was at first overjoyed to see Yang Xiao emerge. He walked forward, but then he suddenly noticed that Yang Xiao’s aura had reached the Peak of Innate Realm.

This discovery instantly made his expression freeze.

It was simply unbelievable.

He, Qin Rufeng, was also known as a prodigy, a peerless genius from the Celestial Cloud Region, the kind seen only once in a century.

But compared to the guy in front of him, he seemed far inferior.

”Just a stroke of luck. I obtained a Ninth-Grade Spirit Medicine, and after consuming it, I naturally advanced to this stage. It was all just luck.”

Yang Xiao said with a humble expression.

With this explanation, although Qin Rufeng was still shocked, he now had an excuse to grasp.

’So it was because of a Ninth-Grade Spirit Medicine.’

’This guy’s luck is really something else.’

However, he forgot that even if one obtained a Ninth-Grade Spirit Medicine, given the environment where it grew—the intense heat and the potency of the medicine within—could an ordinary Middle Tier Innate Realm cultivator possibly withstand it?

Absolutely not.

Thus, deep down, Qin Rufeng still felt a seed of jealousy sprout toward Yang Xiao.

Of course, he didn’t show it.

He merely said, ”Junior Brother Yang, your luck is truly good. By the way, I’m here because the Great Elder wishes to summon you. We’ve already delayed for quite some time, so you should come with me now.”

Originally, Qin Rufeng had felt a trace of guilt over this matter, which he had a hand in starting.

But now, that guilt was gone.

Instead, there was a faint sense of anticipation.

He looked forward to Great Elder Yanm taking action against Yang Xiao.

’Otherwise, with the potential he’s shown—no, the luck he’s had—it might not be long before he surpasses me.’

’He might even attract the attention of the higher-ups and be truly accepted into the Medicine King Valley.’

’There’s also a high probability that he’ll affect my future contention for the Junior Sect Leader Position.’

’That would be a huge problem.’

Qin Rufeng was not that foolish.

”The Great Elder? Wants to see me?”

Yang Xiao was puzzled.

But Qin Rufeng just smiled and nodded. ”Perhaps he sees your outstanding talent, Junior Brother Yang, and wants to take you as his disciple. Let’s go. You’ve been in the Earth Flame Cave for thirteen days and have already kept the Great Elder waiting for a while. We mustn’t be slow, lest we displease him.”

”Uh... alright.”

In truth, Yang Xiao didn’t want to go.

But being in the Medicine King Valley, it was difficult to refuse.

Besides, hadn’t Qin Rufeng been waiting here for several days?

On top of that, having received so many Spirit Medicines from the Medicine King Valley, he ought to show them some face.

After some thought, Yang Xiao followed Qin Rufeng toward Celestial Extremity Peak, where Great Elder Yanm Kuan resided.

In fact, even if he had wanted to refuse, it probably would have been difficult.

After all, this was the high and mighty Great Elder.

As they walked, Yang Xiao, with nothing better to do, began to inquire about this Great Elder.

Qin Rufeng spoke freely about many things, telling them to Yang Xiao.

For example, this Great Elder cultivated the Crimson Sun Divine Skill, one of the three great Ultimate Skills of Medicine King Valley.

And he had already cultivated it to a state approaching Perfection; his strength was immense.

He was only one step away from comprehending a True Martial Intent, which would allow him to transcend the ordinary, achieve sainthood, and become a Martial Arts Saint.

He was one of the few most powerful experts under heaven beneath the rank of Martial Saint.

A Half-Step Martial Saint.

But when it came to his identity and name, Qin Rufeng refused to say a word.

He merely deflected, saying, ”It is not for us juniors to carelessly discuss an elder’s name. When we arrive at Celestial Extremity Peak, Junior Brother Yang will naturally find out.”

This attitude immediately put Yang Xiao on alert.

There was no reason to mention the Cultivation Technique he practiced and even his level of strength, but not his name.

’Something’s wrong. Definitely wrong. Could it be...’

Who was Yang Xiao?

Having lived two lives, how could he not see through such a petty trick?

He quickly understood that this visit to see some ”Great Elder” was likely more perilous than promising.

However, Yang Xiao was not afraid in the slightest.

’Before I refined the True Greater Yang Fire, I might have been wary of this so-called Half-Step Martial Saint. But now, in terms of destructive power, I’m probably not inferior to one.’

’Add my Spiritual Power and other attributes to the mix, and I shouldn’t be weaker than him in any aspect.’

’Hmph, a Half-Step Martial Saint. If it were a true Martial Saint, I might have to give them a wide berth, but a Half-Step Martial Saint? There’s no need.’

’He had better not provoke me, or else...’

Yang Xiao sneered inwardly.

His impression of Qin Rufeng had also plummeted.

The guy looked gentle and refined, but in reality, he was just a smiling tiger.

If he were an ordinary youth of the Human Race, he would have likely fallen for his trap this time.

Therefore, for the rest of the journey, he said nothing more.

Soon, the two arrived at Celestial Extremity Peak in silence.

”Junior Brother Yang, I’ll see you this far. Someone up ahead will guide you the rest of the way.”

Qin Rufeng gave a slight smile.

Then he casually departed.

Yang Xiao glanced at him but didn’t speak.

Instead, he turned and walked toward Celestial Extremity Peak.

He wanted to see for himself just what this Great Elder of Medicine King Valley had in store for him.

”Are you Yang Xiao?”

He had only taken a few steps when someone came running down swiftly from the peak.

The person looked at Yang Xiao and asked with a stern expression.

”That’s right, I am Yang Xiao.”

Yang Xiao nodded.

The person looked Yang Xiao up and down, as if confirming something, then nodded and said, ”Follow me.”

Following this person, Yang Xiao went straight to the top of the peak.

There, he saw the same scene Qin Yan had witnessed six days ago.

Endless streams of red light filled the air, suffused with a terrifying, scorching aura.

They were being drawn in and expelled by Yanm Kuan, who was dressed in green robes.

But Yang Xiao was not as astonished as Qin Yan had been.

’What a joke. As a former Supreme Divine King, what kind of techniques haven’t I seen?’

’This kind of trick is nothing but a Minor Dao.’

Of course, despite his thoughts, Yang Xiao gained a more direct understanding of this Great Elder.

’For a mere mortal to temper Yang Power to such a degree... those streams of red light already faintly exhibit a trace of Pure Yang Qi’s characteristics. It truly is somewhat extraordinary.’

’To remain a bachelor for life, all to refine a breath of Pure Yang.’

Yanm Kuan was clearly a man of great resolve.

Unfortunately, this Pure Yang of his was not yet worthy of Yang Xiao’s notice.

It hadn’t even reached Entry Grade.

In fact, even if it had, it was still far too inferior compared to the True Greater Yang Fire within Yang Xiao’s body.

The gap was like that between a sheet of paper and a plate of steel.

It was immeasurably vast.

If Yang Xiao’s cultivation was equal to Yanm Kuan’s, he could probably crush him with a single finger.

But right now, Yang Xiao was only at the Peak of Innate Realm.

Whether it was his Heaven and Earth Origin Flame or the True Greater Yang Fire he cultivated, in terms of level, they were far below Yanm Kuan’s Half-Step Martial Saint Realm.

Therefore, despite his disdain, Yang Xiao would not be arrogant.

This person possessed the strength to threaten him, even kill him.

He could not be underestimated.

At the same time, after carefully observing Yanm Kuan, Yang Xiao noticed something else.

It was the answer to the question: what is a Half-Step Martial Saint?

’So, a Half-Step Martial Saint is someone whose Spiritual Power has broken through to the Observing Micro High Level, and who has comprehended an aura that far surpasses that of an ordinary Martial Grandmaster, just like that trace of Pure Yang Qi this guy has.’

’Unfortunately, he hasn’t comprehended his own True Martial Intent, so he has yet to transcend.’

But even so, to Yang Xiao, he was definitely a formidable opponent.

A formidable opponent that would require him to use every trick up his sleeve just to contend with!

The outcome was uncertain.