Xiao Chen knew what Su Tianyun truly meant by that question. He nodded and replied, “I have indeed obtained it. However, don’t worry. I will remain on Scorching Flame Island for a period of time. I will leave after the Su Clan has stabilized itself.”
After receiving this promise, Su Tianyun finally revealed a smile on his face.
Over the next three days, the Su Clan took control of the entire Scorching Flame City. Part of their success was due to the Su Clan’s Clan Head being quite capable.
Of course, the main reason was still Xiao Chen’s might, directly sending the spiritual leader of the w.a.n.g Clan, w.a.n.g Yang, fleeing with severe injuries.
This display deprived the w.a.n.g Clan of their fighting spirit. After that, Xiao Chen had killed a Consummation quasi-Emperor within ten moves, which scared the group of w.a.n.g Clan elders.
Xiao Chen also occasionally made a move, crippling the cultivation of some of the stubborn w.a.n.g Clan elders. The entire situation could be considered thoroughly settled.
In just three days, Xiao Chen allowed the Su Clan to return to its old position of Scorching Flame Island’s overlord. With a flip of his hand, he had toppled a large clan.
As for the name White Robed Bladesman, it spread throughout the entire northern Human-Demon Sea after the startling battle that day.
Stories of how a Great Perfection quasi-Emperor drove away a half-step Martial Emperor circulated among the islands in the northern Human-Demon Sea.
Since ancient times, not many could accomplish such earthshaking feats. At the very least, such a thing had not been heard of in the Human-Demon Sea for several thousand years.
Some people even started to compare Xiao Chen to the ten outstanding talents of the Human-Demon Sea. They also tried guessing his true ident.i.ty.
---
“This fellow…no matter where he goes, he really can’t cover up his brilliance!” When Dugu Ao heard the news in the Dugu Clan’s castle, he was stunned for a moment before figuring out that this White Robed Bladesman should be Xiao Chen. With such a conclusion, he did not find the news strange.
While Dugu Ao and Xiao Chen were in the Eight Star dragon grave, he had come to know Xiao Chen’s strength. At that time, Xiao Chen was already capable of fighting on even terms with a regular half-step Martial Emperor.
Given Xiao Chen’s talent, he would definitely improve at a rapid pace. Defeating an unknown half-step Martial Emperor was nothing surprising.
As for comparing Xiao Chen to the ten outstanding talents, Dugu Ao snorted in amus.e.m.e.nt at the thought of it.
Which of the ten outstanding talents of the Human-Demon Sea was not over forty years old already? They were all at least ten years older than Xiao Chen; there was simply no comparison.
Even so, Dugu Ao firmly believed that of the ten outstanding talents, aside from the top five, who might hold their own against Xiao Chen, the lower ranked ones would be no match for him. If they underestimated Xiao Chen, they would suffer a miserable defeat.
“Young Master, Miss Mu Xiyan is here. She is waiting for you in the great hall.”
Just as Dugu Ao was in deep thought, a servant interrupted him. However, when he heard what the servant said, he withdrew his unhappy expression.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Dugu Ao muttered to himself, “How come she is here? Is it because of the Human-Demon Paradise?”
---
Back on Scorching Flame Island, Xiao Chen cultivated alone in the quiet courtyard that Su Tianyun arranged for him.
After the Su Clan stabilized the situation on Scorching Flame Island, Xiao Chen did not hurry to leave. On one hand, he thought of waiting for the injured w.a.n.g Yang to come back so he could finish him off.
On the other hand, Xiao Chen also wanted to stabilize his own strength.
It went without saying that the greatest gain from the Thunder Emperor’s inheritance was the Innate Thunder Crystal, which brought him tremendous aid.
The Innate Thunder Crystal allowed his will of thunder to advance all the way to peak Consummation. Furthermore, it allowed the form of his will of thunder to gain more spirituality.
If Xiao Chen took out the form of his will of thunder now and showed it to a regular cultivator without great vision, they would not be able to tell that it was a will of thunder.
Xiao Chen continued to absorb the energy of the Innate Thunder Crystal. After seven days, he felt his will of thunder reach its limits, attaining a level where it could no longer be improved.
The Thunder Emperor’s Innate Thunder Crystal also became smaller. The thunder soul swimming inside the purple crystal was clearly tangible.
Xiao Chen knew that this was the limit of his will of thunder and that it could not be improved further.
If Xiao Chen was to improve it further, he would need it to break through and become an Innate Thunder Crystal. Given his current cultivation, forcibly absorbing the Thunder Emperor’s Innate Thunder Crystal to induce a breakthrough was too risky.
After all, not many regular Martial Emperors could make their wills advance into an Innate Crystal. This was a qualitative change of turning the incorporeal into substance.
It was said that after one comprehended and formed the Innate Thunder Crystal, one would be able to grasp the true power of lightning as well as its many mysterious variations.
In the instant the incorporeal turned corporeal, the body and soul would have to undergo a baptism of lightning.
Right now, Xiao Chen was only a Great Perfection quasi-Emperor. Even with the Thunder Emperor’s Innate Thunder Crystal, he did not dare to attempt to break through rashly.
At this stage, if Xiao Chen wanted to increase his combat prowess further, he would have to focus on his seventy-percent-comprehended saber soul.
According to the cultivation of a regular quasi-Emperor, Xiao Chen already reached a bottleneck in all senses at his current cultivation grade.
What Xiao Chen needed to do next was quietly cultivate and fuse his soul in the sea of consciousness with the Heavenly Seal, forming the vague form of a Heart of an Emperor.
If there were no opportunities or if the comprehension ability was insufficient, one would be stuck at this stage for a lifetime.
With sufficient comprehension ability, one would remain at this stage for only a length of time—which might be two or three years, or maybe decades. When one fulfilled all the right conditions, one would naturally understand the mysteries of Consummation quasi-Emperor that could not be explained with words.
Xiao Chen definitely possessed sufficient comprehension ability. However, he did not have that much time to wait. Even if the time was just two or three years, he could not afford it.
Of the five years to advance to Martial Emperor, he had already used more than a year. He did not have much time left.
Xiao Chen needed to condense a Heart of an Emperor in advance, taking the fast track and skipping those two or three years of waiting, advancing directly to Consummation quasi-Emperor.
In other words, he needed the Flower of Life. Furthermore, he needed it urgently!
The sound of footsteps came from outside the courtyard, pacing around endlessly.
Xiao Chen put away the Essence Stone in his hand and stopped his Heavenly Seal from pulsating with Spiritual Energy. Then, he opened his eyes and checked with his Spiritual Sense.
He saw Su Tianyun pacing around outside the doors, hesitating over whether to come in or not.
After a quick thought, Xiao Chen roughly guessed why the other party came over. Right now, the city was stabilized. The only worry the other party would have would be the w.a.n.g Clan’s half-step Martial Emperor, w.a.n.g Yang, who remained alive.
Old Sir Su, if you have anything to say, just come in and say it.
Xiao Chen stood up and sent a voice projection. Then, he walked over and met the other party in the yard.
Seeing Xiao Chen, Su Tianyun appeared somewhat hesitant and emotional. He did not know how to start. After mulling over it for a while, he asked, “Young Master Xiao, when do you plan to leave?”
“At the latest, in three days. At the earliest, at daybreak.”
“So fast?!” Su Tianyun exclaimed in shock, clearly surprised.
Xiao Chen said calmly, “I know that you are worried. Is it about w.a.n.g Yang?”
Su Tianyun released his bated breath when he heard this. Since Xiao Chen already guessed his concern, there was nothing to hide. He said, “I don’t really know what to do about this. I know that I cannot possibly beg Young Master Xiao to remain on Scorching Flame Island. However, if Young Master Xiao leaves, w.a.n.g Yang could return at any time and make a comeback.”
Xiao Chen smiled and said, “You are a peak Consummation quasi-Emperor already. If I give you a Divine Weapon or an Emperor Grade Secret Treasure, you would not fear w.a.n.g Yang anymore, right?”
When Su Tianyun heard this, joy flashed on his face. However, after thinking about it, he found this offer incredible. Divine Weapons and Emperor Grade Secret Treasures were very precious. Most Rank 9 sects would have only one of such things.
“Of course, giving you a Divine Weapon or Emperor Grade Secret Treasure naturally comes with many conditions. To tell you the truth, my true ident.i.ty is the Azure Dragon King, the favored of the Thunder Sovereign, the Martial G.o.d Palace’s Prime.”
Xiao Chen slowly spoke the words that he prepared long ago. “As the Azure Emperor’s descendant, I have my own conferred land in the Heavenly Starry Ocean. If you accept a Divine Weapon from me, then this Scorching Flame Island has to become my fiefdom, falling under my management.”
After pausing for a while, Xiao Chen continued, “If you are not willing, then I can only advise you to give up on Scorching Flame Island. I will personally escort your Su Clan from this place and find you a haven in the northern Human-Demon Sea.
“You should know that the rule is the survival of the fittest. Even if I help you by killing w.a.n.g Yang, if you occupy such a large land rich in resources without having any strength, other factions will definitely target you.”
Su Tianyun sank into deep thought. Xiao Chen’s words were a lot of information to take in.
He was somewhat conflicted on whether to agree or not. His agreement would be tantamount to handing the entire Su Clan over to Xiao Chen.
If he did not agree, it would be like Xiao Chen said. In this world of the survival of the fittest, the Su Clan would not be able to occupy Scorching Flame Island, given their strength.
Both choices were difficult; he did not know which to choose.
Xiao Chen did not press the other party. He did not mind either way. There were not that many Divine Weapons and Emperor Grade Secret Treasures in the Thunder Emperor’s inheritance. Giving any single one away would induce a heartache.
His offer was already extremely benevolent, fulfilling his duty. The Su Clan would not lose out. However, the choice was up to them.
If the Su Clan agreed, obtaining a fiefdom for the price of one Divine Weapon was no loss.
In the future, when Jin Dabao’s Azure Dragon Merchant a.s.sociation came to the Human-Demon Sea, they would be able to expand rapidly.
Xiao Chen said calmly, “Old Sir Su, there is no need to rush your reply. Think about it carefully before you come to a decision. I will not leave before daybreak.”
“Wait a moment,” Su Tianyun called out to Xiao Chen, who was turning away. He continued, “Young Master Xiao, I agree.”
Xiao Chen turned around and asked, “You thought it through?”
A look of determination flashed on Su Tianyun’s face. He nodded vigorously and said, “I thought it through. I believe Young Master Xiao. You are someone worth trusting.”
Xiao Chen waved his hand and said, “There is no need to put it like that. I am not exactly a good person. You saw how I do things. However, I definitely do things openly and will not beat around the bush. You can rest a.s.sured on this point.”
After that, Xiao Chen thought for a while. There is only one set of Divine Weapons in the Thunder Emperor’s inheritance, the Seven Deadly Sins. Since they are a set of sabers, a single person would have difficulty bringing out their might to the fullest.
In that case, I can give only an Emperor Grade Secret Treasure. The Thunder Emperor’s inheritance did not contain many Emperor Grade Secret Treasures, only four of them. However, every single one of them is extraordinary.
After thinking it through, Xiao Chen took out a scarlet stone seal. This seal was speckled with scarlet spots and was incredibly heavy. When held in hand, it was like carrying a small mountain.
“This is the Blood Killing Seal. There is a Distant Ancient killing formation in there. Of course, with our strength, it would be hard to control it as we please, and we would not be able to use it smoothly.
“However, as long as you can unleash a little of it, you can injure a half-step Martial Emperor. If you manage to trick the other party into making the first move, it might even be possible to kill them.”