The Martial Emperor with Dragon Blood

Originally, Ye Mo was able to attend the Scavenger Hunt that would be in two days using Xiao Clan’s quota. Not that he was interested in obtaining the resources from Mo Clan, but rather, the Bill of Pill Lord. It was a very rare, comprehensive volume detailing the procedures involved in crafting all sorts of pills, and he was determined to obtain it.

As he walked along the streets of Limestone City, he noticed an unusually large crowd gathered at the City Square.

The City Square was large enough to fit ten thousand people. The ground was lined with hard slabstone. In the center of the square was a hastily built stage, and on it stood a middle-aged man making an announcement.

“Ladies and gentlemen, in just two days is the Scavenger Hunt for the Mo Clan’s resources. The Qin Clan, Ye Clan, and Xiao Clan have kindly given us one quota in the competition. To keep things fair, each clan is allowed to have a representative come up and take part in a duel, and the final winner shall represent all of us smaller clans. We may not be the final winner of the hunt, but we shall get as many resources as possible!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

The crowd cheered, drowning the square with applause and shouts for joy. These small clans in Limestone City had some remarkable martial artists in their midsts too, with child prodigies reaching Spirit Cultivating Third Realm and adolescents reaching Spirit Cultivating Fifth or Sixth Realm in the more notable Leng Clan, Luo Clan, and Xiang Clans.

Ye Mo spotted Leng Leng in the crowd, so he made his way towards her. Her eyes twinkled with delight when she saw him, and she quickly pulled him closer and said excitedly, “Big brother Ye Mo, what brings you here?”

“Xiao Clan kicked me out,” he said, shrugging.

Leng Leng appeared to be deep in thought, as if she had a vague idea of why, but she decided not to pursue it and, instead, comforted him. “If you can’t stay at Xiao Clan, come to the Leng Clan. We are no Xiao Clan, but at least we’ll give you a place to stay.”

Although Leng Leng could be mischievous at times, she had a heart of gold. Ye Mo felt really touched by her word.

“So what’s happening here?” asked Ye Mo.

“All the smaller clans in Limestone City are fighting for that one quota. Too bad we won’t even be eligible,” pouted Leng Leng.

“There are no strong adolescent martial artists in Leng Clan?” asked Ye Mo.

For this competition, the age range was broader than usual, where any martial artist under 20 was eligible, so perhaps Spirit Cultivating Seventh Realm martial artists might even show up.

“Those people are no match for me or my brother. I might as well take their place. I’m just here to watch the show,” said Leng Leng.

Ye Mo nodded and turned his gaze back onto the stage.

“As for the rules, there’s only one rule: no deaths! Now, who would like to start this off?” said the host as his eyes traveled across the crowd.

A man dressed in black with long hair and regal features leapt onto the stage, gave the host a small salute, and announced, “Luo Clan, Luo Tong!”

“Luo Tong of Luo Clan! He ranked sixth in last year’s Limestone City Champion List and was almost recruited into the Three Major Alliance. He must be at least Spirit Cultivating Sixth Realm.”

“Looks like Luo Tong will be representing us in the Scavenger Hunt.”

As the crowd whispered among themselves, an adolescent clad in gray leapt onto the stage. He was carrying a long sword and look down on Luo Tong with distaste as he said, “Luo Tong, I lost to you last time. It won’t be that easy this time.”

“Isn’t that Xiang Clan’s Xiang Wentian? Even he has reached Spirit Cultivating Sixth Realm now. Hard to say who’s going to win.”

“Xiang Wentian lost to Luo Tong in last year’s Championships. This is going to be good!”

Luo Tong and Xiang Wentian were both Spirit Cultivating Sixth Realm martial artists. The weapons they wielded were all high grade Mortal Weapons, and even the martial techniques they used were quite similar, meaning that their duelling experience would be the determining factor of who the winner would be.

Without a word, the two rivals began to duel. Both were using a longsword; each blow demonstrated the sharp senses of their wielders. Luo Tong specialized in water-based techniques, and each strike was gentle yet unyielding, whereas Xiang Wentian specialized in celestial-based techniques. Each of his strikes was filled with unrelenting force.

“Big Brother Ye Mo, who do you think will win?” asked Leng Leng, who was fondly clutching Ye Mo’s arm.

“I wager Xiang Wentian. Although there doesn’t seem to be a clear winner right now, Xiang Wentian has a clear advantage over Luo Tong when it comes to experience. I’m sure Luo Tong will begin to slow down at round ten,” said Ye Mo plainly.

Ye Mo’s abilities were on par with the Spirit Cultivating Second Realm where his Mind Gate could withstand eight dragons, enhancing the nervous system. For martial artists on True Energy Realm, this enhancement was called Spirit Energy.

Spirit Energy’s superiority lay in the fact that it could heighten one’s senses to a whole new level, and Spirit Energy itself could even serve as a weapon.

Eight dragons rushed towards Ye Mo’s Mind Gate, causing his Spirit Energy to rise dramatically, and everything around him suddenly gained a new clarity. One thing that Dragon Power could do but others could not were simulations.

When Ye Mo reached Spirit Cultivating Realm, he used his Dragon Power to simulate the Formation-Breaking Spear techniques despite owning the incomplete manual, so naturally he was able to simulate the rest of the duel between Luo Tong and Xiang Wentian.

True to his prediction, after several moments, Luo Tong’s sword slashed at Xiang Wentian’s head, but Xiang Wentian darted to the side, and as he swivelled around, his sword pierced Luo Tong’s shoulder. His celestial-based technique was famed for being strong as steel and each strike fast as lightning.

Splash!

Blood splattered everywhere and Luo Tong yelped in pain, his sword falling onto the ground with a loud clatter. His face was dark with contempt.

“You lost!” said Xiang Wentian.

“Humph, I’ll get you back!” said Luo Tong. One hand clutching his shoulder and the other picking up his sword, with a leap, he disappeared among the crowd.

“Xiang Wentian was brilliant! Master Xiang, you sure have a genius here!” said one of the family heads to the head of Xiang Clan unctuously.

“Genius? No, only those who have entered the Three Major Alliance would be truly considered a genius,” replied the head of Xiang Clan, the proud grin on his face betraying his true thoughts.

“The Three Major Alliance isn’t the only pathway out there! With Xiang Wentian’s abilities, enlisting in the Chen Clan Army would also ensure a bright future!”

A few heads of the families chatted for a while but noticed that Xiang Wentian was alone on the stage with no other challengers appearing.

“Leng Leng, with his current prowess, there’s no hope for him if he enters the Enchanted Cave. Does everyone who participates in the duel have to be a representative of a clan?” asked Ye Mo as he noticed that no one was volunteering. This quota at the Scavenger Hunt was his only chance at the Book of Pill Lord.

“Oh! I have an idea!” said Leng Leng.

“I want to participate. Do you have any idea how?” asked Ye Mo.

Upon hearing his words, Leng Leng blushed and said, “Yes!”