Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 46: Chapter 45: The No. 1 Prodigy of Purple Cloud City

”Fourth Elder, why have you come?” Xiao Yi, enduring his injuries, asked in confusion.

The Fourth Elder said, ”Xiao Jing sent a signal back to the mine, knowing that you went to pursue Iron Blade and Murong Qianjun, I feared that something might happen to you, so I hurried over.”

”How are they doing?” Xiao Yi pressed.

”Rest assured,” the Fourth Elder said, ”others from our clan have already taken them back to the mine.”

”That’s good,” Xiao Yi was relieved.

At this moment, a succession of figures swiftly arrived from not far away, turning out to be nearby Demon Hunters and Independent Martial Artists.

This place was not a hidden dense forest but rather tens of miles out, where Demon Hunters and Martial Artists would sometimes pass by.

Just now, Xiao Yi’s battle with Murong Qianjun using Xuan Rank Martial Techniques was so powerful that, combined with the Murong Family Elder’s loud shout, it naturally attracted them.

”Eh, isn’t that the Murong Family’s Elder Murong Xie, and isn’t that Young Master Qianjun, the famous prodigy from Purple Cloud City?”

”On the opposite side seems to be the Fourth Elder from the Xiao family, but who is that blood-covered young man?”

The Martial Artists who hurried over were all abuzz with discussion, but they stayed at a distance and did not get too close.

”It seems I heard the Fourth Elder from the Xiao Family call that young man Xiao Yi, could it possibly be that ’notoriously famous’ waste of the Xiao Family?”

”Ha ha ha ha.” The surrounding Martial Artists could not help but laugh.

”Shut your mouths,” suddenly some Demon Hunters sternly warned, ”In these past weeks, Young Master Xiao Yi’s reputation has soared; he has even defeated Xiao Ruokuang, a genius of such caliber, becoming the foremost talent of the Xiao Family, not someone you can gossip and fabricate stories about, right?”

Many Demon Hunters and Martial Artists who traversed the Meteorite Mountain Range would often stay for several months, not leaving until they had hunted enough demon beasts, naturally being unaware of the recent happenings within Purple Cloud City.

”What? That useless kid—oh, no, Young Master Xiao Yi actually defeated Xiao Ruokuang? I heard that Xiao Ruokuang is the most outstanding disciple of the Mystic Fire Sect.”

The Demon Hunters all showed surprised expressions.

More and more nearby Demon Hunters and Martial Artists had gathered, having spent their days amidst dangers, they rarely came across such excitement and all crowded around.

”Heh,” a middle-aged Martial Artist suddenly chuckled and said, ”I’m afraid, from today onwards, Young Master Xiao Yi will not only be the number one talent of the Xiao Family but also of Purple Cloud City.”

That Martial Artist displayed a smug look, saying, ”I watched from a distance just now, Young Master Xiao Yi killed Iron Blade and his team members in an instant, and even Young Master Qianjun was defeated by him. Look, Young Master Qianjun has been seriously injured right now, if Elder Murong Xie hadn’t arrived, I’m afraid he would have been in grave danger.”

”What? Even Young Master Qianjun was defeated? And what about the people from the Iron Blade Demon Hunting Team, what’s going on, why would Young Master Xiao Yi confront them?”

”What else could it be? Not too long ago, Young Master Qianjun was spreading rumors and tarnishing Young Master Xiao Yi’s reputation. Tsk tsk, such rumors; hardly anyone would believe them anyway. Young Master Qianjun even used this as an excuse to deal with the Xiao Family Disciples, so of course, Young Master Xiao Yi had to seek retaliation.”

.....

The various Demon Hunters were abuzz with discussion, and the scene became increasingly lively.

Murong Qianjun listened to these words, fuming with rage.

Murong Xie shouted directly, ”All of you shut up.”

A furious shout silenced the surrounding Demon Hunters. They were only there to watch the excitement and did not want to offend the Murong Family.

Murong Xie looked at the Fourth Elder and Xiao Yi and angrily said, ”You Xiao Family, you’ve injured my Murong Family’s junior, how will you settle this account?”

The Fourth Elder coldly replied, ”What would you like to settle?”

Murong Xie angrily said, ”Xiao Yi injured Qianjun, offending my Murong Family’s dignity. He should kneel and apologize, and then cripple his own hands.”

”Murong Xie, I think you’ve misunderstood my meaning,” the Fourth Elder’s voice became exceedingly icy.

”Hmm?” Murong Xie raised his eyebrows.

The Fourth Elder coldly said, ”I meant to ask how do we settle the matter of you hitting Xiao Yi from afar with your palm just now.”

”Hmph,” Murong Xie said disdainfully, ”I am an Innate Martial Artist. It was but a lesson for a junior; do you have an objection?”

The Fourth Elder retorted with a cold voice, ”Since when is it your turn to discipline my Xiao Family Disciples?”

”Spare me the nonsense,” Murong Xie said, ”Have Xiao Yi return Qianjun’s Qiankun Bag or this matter won’t end.”

”Qiankun Bag?” the Fourth Elder said coldly, ”Consider the Qiankun Bag compensation for the palm strike you gave Xiao Yi just now.”

”Compensation? You want me, a distinguished Innate Martial Artist, to make reparations to a junior? Xiao Family Elder, do not go too far,” Murong Xie immediately erupted in fury, ready to fight.

”What now?” the Fourth Elder remained unafraid, saying, ”If you want a fight, I am ready to oblige.”

As both were Innate Martial Artists with similar levels of Cultivation, if they really came to blows, neither would benefit.

Murong Xie understood this as well. He originally had no intention to truly fight, since his strength was not much different from the Xiao Family’s Fourth Elder. However, Murong Qianjun was seriously injured, and if Xiao Yi took the chance to kill Murong Qianjun, he wouldn’t be able to explain to his family.

”Hmph, you Xiao Family are overbearing and tyrannical. I can’t be bothered to argue with you. But remember, there will come a day when I will make you pay it all back,” Murong Xie threw down harsh words, lifted up Murong Qianjun, and prepared to leave.

”Murong Xie, is it?”

At that moment, Xiao Yi, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

”Hmm?” Murong Xie turned back in confusion.

Xiao Yi said coldly, ”The people I, Xiao Yi, intend to kill never have a chance to live. Today, you managed to save Murong Qianjun, consider it his good fortune. But remember this, it’s best to keep him hidden; don’t let him appear before me again. Next time, he won’t be so lucky.”

”Boy, you’ve got nerve, daring to threaten our Murong Family’s most outstanding talent?” Murong Xie retorted coldly.

Xiao Yi didn’t say another word, turned around, and said to the Fourth Elder, ”Fourth Elder, let’s go.”

Swoosh, swoosh, the two left, and seeing the show was over, the other Demon Hunters also dispersed. Murong Xie, holding Murong Qianjun, left with a heart full of rage but could only angrily flick his sleeve and depart.

...

The Xiao Family’s Mine, beside the mining veins stood a pavilion, surrounded by lush trees, a favorite resting place among the clan members.

Xiao Yi sat quietly, his expression indifferent, his gaze somewhat vacant, as if pondering something.

It had been five days since the last battle with Murong Qianjun.

Suddenly, several young girls walked over gracefully and called out sweetly, ”Young Master.”

Xiao Yi collected his thoughts, recognizing the few girls before him; all were well-known talents in the family, with parents who were deacons.

”Shuyue, is there something you need?” Xiao Yi asked indifferently.

Among the girls, Xiao Yi was only somewhat familiar with one of them. Xiao Shuyue, sixteen this year, had already reached the Eighth Layer of the Mortal Realm as a Martial Artist and possessed a decent Martial Arts talent.

Of course, Xiao Yi knew her because her father was Xiao Bailian, and Xiao Yi had seen her before in the Alchemy Hall.

Shuyue spoke softly, ”Young Master, we are going to patrol the smaller mines; would you care to join us?”

”No, thanks,” Xiao Yi answered curtly.

”Oh,” disappointment clearly crossed Shuyue’s face before she turned and left with the others.

At that time, the Fourth and Sixth Elders happened to pass by and glanced at Shuyue and the others who were leaving, then approached Xiao Yi.

”You lad, what’s with the sullen face?” The Sixth Elder teased.

”Indeed, Shuyue is one of the most beautiful disciples we have. While others would beg for her company, you dismiss her without a care,” the Fourth Elder added in jest.

The Sixth Elder teased, ”He probably only has Yiyi on his mind.”

”Hey.” The Fourth Elder waved his hand, saying, ”Xiao Yi, you are the Young Master after all; it’s time to settle down soon. A man with three wives and four concubines is nothing out of the ordinary. Want me to call Shuyue back for you?”

Xiao Yi gave them a look and said, ”Isn’t this what is called losing respect for one’s age? Should I go to the Family Head and lodge a complaint against you two?”

”Moreover, as this ’useless’ person whose name is on everyone’s lips and who carries such rumors, how could any girl take a liking to me?” Xiao Yi said with self-deprecating humor.

”Enough with the bitter words,” the Sixth Elder said. ”Now, who doesn’t know the name Xiao Yi? The whole of Purple Cloud City is talking about you—the top talent of Purple Cloud City. Who would dare call you useless now?”

”As for those rumors, the Murong Family is notorious for being despicable; nobody believed them from the start.”

”Now in Purple Cloud City, when people talk about you, it’s all praise. The Third Elder was ecstatic when he sent back a message the other day,” the Sixth Elder babbled on.

The Fourth Elder gestured for the Sixth Elder to stop talking, and then said solemnly, ”Xiao Yi, you are just saying bitter words. You’re still thinking about Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Zimu, aren’t you?”

Xiao Yi nodded.

The Fourth Elder sighed and said, ”In truth, this matter has nothing to do with you...”

Xiao Yi interrupted, ”I don’t want to owe favors to anyone.”

”Alas, it’s been five days now, and they still haven’t woken up?” the Sixth Elder asked.

Xiao Yi replied, ”Their Dantians have been destroyed, and their injuries are more severe than the others, so naturally they’ll wake up later. Fortunately, their lives aren’t in danger, and they should wake up within the next two days.”

”That’s good, but I’m just afraid that when they wake up and realize that their Dantians are destroyed and they can no longer cultivate, they won’t be able to handle the shock...” the Sixth Elder hadn’t finished speaking.

The Fourth Elder immediately glared at him, ”Fool, why bring up something so tactless?”

The Sixth Elder pouted and fell silent.

Then, the Fourth Elder took out a letter from his bosom and said, ”Xiao Yi, regarding Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Zimu, I sent word back to the family and asked the Great Elder. This is the Great Elder’s reply to you; it seems there might be a way to restore their Dantians.”

The Fourth Elder tossed the letter to Xiao Yi, saying, ”I don’t understand any of that alchemy knowledge; you can read it at your leisure.”

Xiao Yi’s eyes brightened immediately, eagerly taking the letter.