Lord Xue Ying

Ardent Fire City. The Ardent Fire Marquisdom was crowded today. They had gotten news that Prince Xue Ying would be returning!

“Prince Xue Ying has already left from the teleportation array. He’ll be reaching the Marquisdom soon.”

The news passed really quickly.

By the entrance of the Marquisdom, all the elders had already arrived including Ying Shang Lie Hu and Rong Xing Lan. All of them were looking forward with excitement. Marquis Ardent Fire had even appeared personally by the entrance of the Marquisdom. As for other disciples within the Marquisdom, they were here even earlier–even ‘Ying Shan Zhong Fu’, the son of Chan Yu Yan Zhen, had come.

“Lie Hu, this son of yours is extraordinary. I’ve heard that he has already crossed through the God Yuan Palace sixth level. How long has he entered the Southern Cloud Sacred Religion for?”

“This comprehension ability and talent… he is really amazing. Truly astounding. In the future, he might even become a Conferred King. By then, our Ying Shan Clan would have two Conferred Kings.”

The elders who were usually haughty were currently conversing enthusiastically with Ying Shan Lie Hu.

Ying Shan Lie Hu merely grinned. He bit his lips.

Delightful! Exhilarating!

This feeling of being respected satisfied Ying Shan Lie Hu.

“He is back.”

The surrounding suddenly became quiet. Nobody dared to chat or make a din. They were watching as a handsome white-robed young man flew over with a black-robed male fanning himself. Tian Yi Zhi, the female attendant Yan Yu, two Black Stream Cloud Wolves, and other subordinates were also following closely behind them.

They had already heard of who that black-robed male fanning himself was–the famous ‘Senior Zi Bai’ that came from the ancestral family, also rumored to be a powerful Primal Chaos realm magic servant. His status was higher than the ordinary clan elders.

“He is indeed Prince Xue Ying to make a Primal Chaos Magic Servant be his protector.”

“When will it be that I can have one be my protector too? To be treated so grandly by everyone is something that I don’t mind dying for.”

All of them were watching with sheer envy.

…

When Xue Ying saw the crowd of people welcoming him by the entrance of the Marquisdom, he immediately rushed over and shouted: “Grandpa Marquis, mother, father.”

“Hahaha, Xue Ying, you have greatly boosted the reputation of our Ying Shan Clan. I have already gotten transmissions from quite a few friends of mine, telling me that you have already succeeded in crossing through the sixth level of God Yuan Palace!” Marquis Ardent Fire said with great gusto. He was delighted, “Those old friends of mine have mentioned that it is possible for you to become a Conferred King in the future with your comprehension abilities. But you must remember not to be complacent. After all, you haven’t reached the Primal Chaos realm now.”

“Xue Ying understands.” Xue Ying replied.

“Mn.” Marquis Ardent Fire nodded with a smile, “Let’s go! We have prepared a banquet within the Marquisdom to congratulate you in becoming an inner disciple as well as crossing through the sixth level. Talking about that, I aren’t even a disciple of the Southern Cloud Sacred Religion.”

There were very few official disciples of the Southern Cloud Sacred Religion.

Even fewer disciples came from within the nation.

Usually, they would either be some huge genius, or a Primal Chaos giant with a void lineage. Naturally, those powerful like ‘Old Mother Ying Shan’ had been invited over to become an elder of the Southern Cloud Sacred Religion! As for Marquis Ardent Fire, with his power, he was not qualified to become an elder.

The Southern Cloud Sacred Religion… in reality, was also the nation protecting religion for the Southern Cloud Nation. With the three Cosmos Gods and many Conferred Kings, they were considered part of the Southern Cloud Sacred Religion.

******

While Xue Ying was participating in the Marquisdom’s celebratory banquet, within the Ying Shan ancestral family.

“Hu hu…”

The gale was blowing harshly.

On top of a snowy mountain peak.

Old Mother Ying Shan sat cross-legged on a huge stone. Her consciousness had fused in one entity with the whole Ying Shan Clan–her breaths were one with it. At this moment, the Ying Shan Clan was in her senses.

“Old Mother, Prince has returned to the Marquisdom. Yesterday night, he attended the banquet prepared by the Fan Clan’s ‘Fan Tian Chong’.” Magic Servant Zi Bai reported everything that happened recently.

“Tell me in detail, and I’ll listen to them.”

“Yes. During the banquet, there was a protector who challenged Prince…”

Old Mother Ying Shan was listening to Magic Servant Zi Bai’s report. Hearing how Xue Ying revealed Xue Ying’s great combat skills made her reveal a grin. Good! He did not rely on the Southern Cloud Sacred Body. Instead, his realm had reached a sufficient stage. Furthermore, he had adapted the Southern Cloud 12 Sacred Styles into his own body technique. This comprehension skill was really terrifying. But the more frightening it was, the happier Old Mother Ying Shan would be since he was a disciple from the Ying Shan Clan.

“My Ying Shan Clan has finally seen an absolute genius appearing.” Old Mother Ying Shan was ecstatic.

But what she did not know.

Was that in Xue Ying’s plan, he wanted to sculpt himself as the most exceptional talent across the entire Southern Cloud Nation. He had no choice. Xue Ying did not wish to restrain himself and not reveal his skills. But he had to take it easy as well–to remain weaker than the most heaven-defying talents in the six great ancient nations.

There were absolutely some geniuses who came from the six great ancient nations who seemed more exaggerated than Xue Ying. But Xue Ying suspected that those geniuses might be reincarnated. Hence, it was better for him to control himself slightly–it sufficed to be the top genius within Southern Cloud Nation.

“After the banquet, he asked Fan Tian Chong for help. He sought to see an incomplete secret treasure spearhead within the Fan Clan’s shop.” Magic Servant Zi Bai continued.

“An incomplete secret treasure spearhead?” Old Mother Ying Shan felt puzzled.

“Yes. The Prince likes that secret treasure spearhead a lot. When he first came to the Southern Cloud Nation, he fell in love with it! I’ve heard that the incomplete secret treasure was left behind by a powerful expert from before the first War of the Ancient Nations, ‘Scarlet Cloud Paragon Master’. That time, the Fan Clan’s shop manager did not permit Prince from scrutinizing that spearhead.”

“This time, Prince actually held onto the spearhead for four full hours before letting it go in the end. On the second day, he returned to the Ardent Fire City.”

Old Mother Ying Shan felt really puzzled now: “He likes that incomplete secret treasure that much?”

“Yes. When he was touring the Southern Cloud Nation Treasured Goods Market, Prince remained looking at that spearhead the longest! In my opinion, the reason why Prince participated in the Fan Clan’s banquet and defeated that protector while revealing his skills was all for the sake of gaining the favor of Fan Tian Chong. After that when Fan Tian Chong permitted Prince to look for him if Prince has any trouble, Prince immediately asked him for a favor to see that spearhead.” Magic Servant Zi Bai had always been following Xue Ying. Hence, he was able to observe the other party’s actions and behavior distinctly. He could sense that Xue Ying desired that incomplete secret treasure spearhead from deep his heart.

“Oh?” Old Mother Ying Shan was deep in thoughts.

…

Southern Cloud Capital, Treasured Goods Market, before the Fan Clan shop.

An old granny arrived.

“It is rare for Old Mother to come to our place.” That plump old male came out personally just to welcome her. There were differing levels in power between Conferred Kings, and Old Mother Ying Shan was clearly considered strong at her level.

“Mn.” Old Mother Ying Shan nodded. She directly entered the shop.

Very soon, they arrived at the third floor.

Old Mother Ying Shan arrived before that floating incomplete secret treasure spearhead. The past scenes were faintly flashing within her eyes. She saw how in the night before, that white-robed young man had held onto the spearhead for an extended period, causing the edge of Old Mother Ying Shan’s lip to show signs of a grin.

“This is the incomplete secret treasure left behind by Scarlet Cloud Paragon Master?” Old Mother Ying Shan said.

“Yes, Old Mother, Prince Xue Ying from your Ying Shan Clan has come and seen it before.” The plump old male chuckled.

“Price.” Old Mother Ying Shan said.

“500 million cosmos crystals.” The plump old male raised five fingers and grinned.

“The lowest price.” Old Mother Ying Shan said.

“Old Mother is a VIP of my Fan Clan, and my clan master has given orders before, so naturally I’ll not dare to bully Old Mother. The clan has given orders that the lowest price is 300 million cosmos crystals. It isn’t possible for me to go any longer than that.” The plump old male said.

Old Mother Ying Shan softly nodded.

She was clear.

Most of the secret treasures sold in the Fan Clan shop had a lower limit price that differed from the reported amount. Some were 80-90% of its reported price, and it was rare for a treasure to reach 60% of its stated price. This incomplete secret treasure had thus achieved the 60% limit price.

“Good. I want it.” Old Mother Ying Shan nodded.

“Good good good.” The plump old male said, “I wonder if you are planning to buy using cosmos crystals or treasures?”

“Treasures.” Old Mother Ying Shan said.

Being an expert, after adventuring outside and killing others, most of the treasures and materials had been used on herself. Who would really hold on to several hundred million cosmos crystals with him? Maybe some powerful Cosmos Gods might do so, but Old Mother Ying Shan did not dare to be so luxurious.

“Hu.” Old Mother Ying Shan waved her hand, causing a black shuttle weapon to appear.

The plump old male took it and carefully scrutinized. He then looked up: “It can be sold for 210 million cosmos crystals at most.”

Old Mother Ying Shan frowned before waving her hands, causing many fragments of precious materials to appear–there were a total of ten of them.

The plump old male carefully looked through and calculated before looking up: “You still lack 20 million cosmos crystals.”

“Still lack?”

Old Mother Ying Shan frowned.

“We still have to sell them after buying them over! We do not know how long it’ll remain in our hands, so the purchasing price will naturally be lower than the selling price.” The plump old male chuckled.

Old Mother Ying Shan waved her hand again, causing a total of 20 million cosmos crystals to fly out. She did not have too many useless treasures with her. The most expensive ones had been used on herself. This time, she was still able to fork the amount out after collecting many treasures she had.

“Good good good.” The plump old male received them and smiled, “This secret treasure spearhead will belong to Old Mother from now.”

“Hu.”

The plump old male kept all the treasures. At the same time, he released the forbidding array. That secret treasure spearhead also flew over to Old Mother Ying Shan. Old Mother Ying Shan extended her hand and grab it. Only then did a smile appear on her face. Even though she had paid so much, and Old Mother Ying Shan had gritted her teeth while doing so, selling even her weapon, the ‘Flying Cloud Shuttle’, Old Mother Ying Shan still felt relatively contended.

Because it was rare for the Ying Shan Clan to have such an outstanding disciple appearing. All sorts of resources would have long streamed onto Xue Ying with his talent if he were a disciple of a terrifying clan like the Fan Clan.

‘It is impossible for me, an old granny, to compare with those huge clans. I must also try my best to do something for this little fellow. It is entirely possible for Xue Ying to become a Conferred King in the future.’ Old Mother Ying Shan looked forward to it.

…

Ardent Fire City, Marquisdom.

The banquet that was held currently in the Marquisdom was bustling with activity.

Marquis Ardent Fire sat at the head position, and Xue Ying sat one spot down his left. On his right sat Chun Yu Wei Yi who took the initiative to rush over.

“Hu.”

An old granny figure condensed out from illusion, appearing within the palace hall. All the elders in the palace hall including the disciples stood up. Marquis Ardent Fire who sat at the head position was the first to stand. He came down bowing: “Old Ancestor.”

“Old Mother.” Chun Yu Wei Yi also bowed.

“Old Ancestor.” Xue Ying shouted out. The entire place was filled with respectful greetings of ‘Old Ancestor’. All the elders, disciples, Ying Shan Lie Hu, Rong Xing Lan, and others were really polite.

Old Mother Ying Shan was the root foundation of the Ying Shan Clan.

She chuckled as she walked towards Xue Ying: “Little Fellow Xue Ying, it is quite good for you to cross through the sixth level of God Yuan Palace so fast. But you still have to properly cultivate. After visiting the capital, you should know that your little strength is still far too lacking.”

“Xue Ying understands.” Xue Ying replied.

“Mn.” Old Mother Ying Shan threw out a wristband, “Properly cultivate then. I’ll wait for the day you become a Conferred King.” Saying that Old Mother Ying Shan turned and left.

Xue Ying received the storage treasure.

When he checked through it…

There was the simple spearhead floating within. The spearhead had caused many spatial ripples to form within the storage treasure space.

“This is?” Xue Ying looked up with shock. He only saw the figure of Old Mother Ying Shan gradually disappearing.