Chapter 428: Xiao Hei Returns
Within the Holy Academy, a deep and secluded cave dwelling.
Three-Blade Half-Saint was furious, his face twisted with rage as he roared, "Useless, all of you are useless! A top expert on the Heavenly Ranking, and he couldn't even kill a mere Zhang Ruochen? I'll annihilate Nie Wenlong's entire clan!"
Three-Blade Half-Saint had expended great effort to send Nie Wenlong to the Five Elements Ruins Realm ahead of time, specifically to eliminate Zhang Ruochen.
He never expected that Zhang Ruochen would return to the Holy Academy, while Nie Wenlong failed to come back. Even Xu Holy Clan's unparalleled genius, Xu Qing, hadn't returned either.
Both of them had likely died in the Five Elements Ruins Realm.
Truly, it was a case of losing both the bait and the catch.
Accompanying Three-Blade Half-Saint's rage, a powerful wave of energy churned within the cave dwelling, producing a howling sound.
Xu Hai knelt on the ground, his hands supporting him, and said coldly, "Ancestor, Nie Wenlong and Xu Qing were definitely killed by Zhang Ruochen."
Xu Hai continued, "Ancestor, have you forgotten? Zhang Ruochen is the heir of the Buddha Emperor. He must possess extraordinary treasures on him. Earlier, when he returned to the Holy Academy, I saw a savage beast by his side, its cultivation reaching the second transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm. If Zhang Ruochen didn't have top-tier treasures, how could he have tamed such a beast?"
"Moreover, it's said that Zhang Ruochen has already accumulated ten thousand military merit points and ascended the Heavenly Ranking."
"Is that so?"
Three-Blade Half-Saint gradually calmed the fury in his heart, his expression shifting constantly. "How old is Zhang Ruochen? To have grown so powerful. If he's allowed to develop, it will surely be a disaster for our Xu Holy Clan."
Xu Hai said, "I can personally take action and deal with him."
Three-Blade Half-Saint shook his head. "Don't touch him for now. I've heard that the Second Academy Master greatly admires him and wants to take him as a disciple. If we act against him in the Seventh City District, it's impossible to hide it from the Second Academy Master."
"Are we just going to let him off?" Xu Hai asked, unwilling to give up.
Three-Blade Half-Saint smiled. "Opportunities will come. Since Zhang Ruochen has entered the Heavenly Ranking, with his talent, he'll surely try to break through to the Supreme Extreme Realm of the Heavenly Extreme Realm. When that happens, he'll have to go to the Ruins Realm battlefield again. Then, won't we have our chance to deal with him?"
Xu Hai nodded, then suddenly seemed to think of something and immediately said, "There's another major matter I need to report to you, Ancestor."
"What is it?"
Xu Hai said, "According to the genius students of the Xu Holy Clan, the Five Elements Ruins Realm is a treasure realm containing five types of spiritual treasures: Golden Divine Mushroom, Purple Cloud Agarwood, Black Water Liuli Crystal, Source of Spirit Fire, and Saint-Nurturing Blood Soil. Obtaining any one of these treasures can create several precious bodies."
Hearing this news, Three-Blade Half-Saint was greatly shaken, overjoyed. "A lower-level Ruins Realm actually possesses such precious five spiritual treasures. If our Xu Holy Clan can gain control over the Five Elements Ruins Realm, we'll surely produce a large number of heaven-defying experts and revive our clan's prosperity."
Xu Hai said, "I think so too. The management rights of the Five Elements Ruins Realm must be secured in the hands of our Xu Holy Clan, no matter what."
It wasn't just Xu Hai who wanted the five spiritual treasures to enhance his physique; even Three-Blade Half-Saint wanted to refine them to cultivate a precious body.
If that happened, his strength would take another major leap forward.
Three-Blade Half-Saint's expression shifted repeatedly, then he took a jade box from his sleeve, waved his arm, and sent it flying toward Xu Hai.
Xu Hai extended his hand, and the jade box landed lightly in his palm.
"Inside the box is a Sword Heart Pill. After taking it, it should greatly elevate your sword path cultivation, possibly even reaching the realm of Sword Heart Illumination," Three-Blade Half-Saint said.
Xu Hai stared excitedly at the box in his hand, kneeling again, and said with emotion, "Thank you for the reward, Ancestor. If I can break through to Sword Heart Illumination, I'll be the first to slay Zhang Ruochen, eliminating a potential great enemy for the Xu Holy Clan."
Three-Blade Half-Saint said, "Withdraw."
Xu Hai left the cave dwelling.
Three-Blade Half-Saint frowned deeply, muttering to himself, "The Five Elements Ruins Realm actually possesses the Five Elements Origin treasures. The various Saintly clans should have already learned of this news. I must prepare in advance and not let the Five Elements Ruins Realm fall into someone else's hands."
...
...
Zhang Ruochen had been studying within the inner space of the Time-Space Crystal for three days.
He had tried countless times, but the Cosmic Divine Wood Map showed no unusual activity, and that mysterious, profound feeling never reappeared.
"Why is this? Does it need to absorb more Wood Spirit Origin Qi to revive the Cosmic Divine Wood Map?"
Zhang Ruochen let out a long breath, glanced at the Cosmic Divine Wood Map, and smiled bitterly in helplessness.
Just as he was about to retract the Cosmic Divine Wood Map back into his Qi Sea...
The imprint of a black cat on the scroll suddenly flickered.
"Oh? How did Xiao Hei come to the Eastern Domain Sacred City?"
Only when Xiao Hei was very close to the Cosmic Divine Wood Map could the scroll sense its presence.
Clearly, Xiao Hei had already arrived in the Seventh City District.
That fat cat had taken Hanxue away and had been missing ever since. Who would have thought it could find its way to the Eastern Domain Sacred City on its own?
"Since Xiao Hei is back, maybe he can help answer my questions." Zhang Ruochen smiled.
At that moment, in the Seventh City District, on a bustling main street, a three-meter-tall enormous black cat was lazily striding forward on thick, fat legs.
The soles of its feet had a thick layer of fleshy pads, making its steps steady and silent.
A four- or five-year-old little girl sat on its back, wearing a spotless white robe, with long, bluish-green hair. Her skin was fair, translucent, and emitted a faint jade-like luster.
Her eyes were exceptionally clear, with distinct black and white, and her long, curled eyelashes were full of spiritual energy.
Such an odd pair, walking right down the middle of the street, naturally attracted countless stares.
"What are you looking at? Believe it or not, this king will devour you alive?"
Xiao Hei bared its teeth, widened its round eyes, and tried to look fierce, roaring at the surrounding crowd.
But because Xiao Hei was so fat, even its fierce expression lacked any menace and didn't scare anyone.
"It's a talking savage beast, a black cat." Someone laughed.
A white-bearded old Daoist stood by the street, a strange light shining in his divine eyes. "That little girl sitting on the savage black cat's back is no ordinary child. At such a young age, her martial arts cultivation has already reached the Great Perfection of the Mysterious Extreme Realm. She's probably the heir of some Saintly clan."
"How is that possible? How old is she? Even if she started cultivating in the womb, she couldn't have reached such a high level of martial arts."
"Even the six kings of the new generation couldn't have reached the Great Perfection of the Mysterious Extreme Realm at four or five years old."
The old Daoist smiled. "That black cat is also extraordinary, not an ordinary savage beast. With my cultivation, I can't even see through its rank."
Everyone laughed, not believing the old Daoist's words, thinking he was just a crazy old man.
At four or five years old, reaching the Great Perfection of the Yellow Extreme Realm was already remarkable, let alone the Mysterious Extreme Realm.
"You doubt his words? He is the Purple Cloud Saint of the Liangyi Sect." An old man at the Fish-Dragon Realm immediately knelt and respectfully bowed to the old Daoist.
"What? It's the famous Purple Cloud Saint?"
On the street, everyone knelt and prostrated themselves before the Purple Cloud Saint.
A Saint was an emperor in martial arts.
Ordinary people must kneel before an emperor.
Martial artists must also kneel before a Saint, as a sign of utmost respect.
The Purple Cloud Saint smiled, walked toward Xiao Hei and Hanxue, and said gently, "Little girl, would you be willing to become my disciple and come to the Liangyi Sect to cultivate?"
A Saint wanted to take a disciple?
Hearing this, the surrounding martial artists were filled with envy. If they could become the heir of a Saint, they could walk sideways in the Eastern Domain from now on.
Hanxue shook her head, her voice crisp. "Old grandfather, I already have a master."
The Purple Cloud Saint still smiled. "That's fine. Even if you already have a master, you can still become my disciple. I can pass on all my lifelong skills to you."
Hanxue shook her head again.
The Purple Cloud Saint was still unwilling to give up and continued, "May I ask your name? And who is your master? I can personally visit and discuss the matter of taking you as a disciple with him. You should know, the Liangyi Sect is a first-class sect, renowned throughout the entire Kunlun Realm..."
Xiao Hei charged headlong at the Purple Cloud Saint and roared, "Old fellow, if you don't get lost, do you believe this king will devour you alive?"
After saying this, Xiao Hei shot a fierce glare, seemingly warning the Purple Cloud Saint. Then, it carried Hanxue away and strode off.
The Purple Cloud Saint smiled bitterly and gently shook his head, sighing inwardly, "I wonder what kind of divine being her master is? Such a piece of uncut jade, born with a thousand bones, extraordinary talent. If carefully nurtured, she might become another Qiangu Nüdi in the future. Unfortunately, she has no affinity with me."
In the Purple Cloud Saint's view, the master behind Hanxue must be a great figure of immense importance; otherwise, she couldn't have reached the Great Perfection of the Mysterious Extreme Realm at four or five years old.
The Purple Cloud Saint had a good mindset and didn't force the issue. He turned and left.
The crowd was stunned. A Saint wanted to take a disciple, but was rejected, and even had his mount ram, insult, and threaten him.
What kind of background did she have?
Xiao Hei brought Hanxue to the entrance of the Southern Pavilion Inn, glanced inside, and said, "I can sense the presence of the Cosmic Divine Wood Map. Zhang Ruochen should be living in here."
Hanxue's eyes lit up slightly as she carefully looked into the inn. Her small, fair hands tightly gripped her sleeves, and her young heart stirred with excitement.
"Whoosh!"
A figure flashed.
Zhang Ruochen, wearing a golden Saint-disciple robe, appeared on the stone steps outside the inn's gate. He smiled, "Xiao Hei, Hanxue, you've finally returned! Huh?"
Zhang Ruochen's gaze fixed on Hanxue, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
This little girl's martial arts cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection of the Mysterious Extreme Realm, far faster than Zhang Ruochen's cultivation speed in his previous life.
Where had she and Xiao Hei gone during this time they were away?