Chapter 1322: Changes to the Circ.u.mstances
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
The Four Great Soul Familiars deserved to be called the replicas of the Sky Devils; they left the Dragoon’s battlefield like it was no different from their own backyard, barging and leaving whenever they wanted. As for the unfortunate w.a.n.g Dingtian, no traces of the man remained.
“Did you see the speed that Wing moved at just now?” Radix was staring up into the sky, gulping loudly, “He was so quick! He might even be faster than Xia Gucheng with his max level Law of Speed!”
Xia Fei nodded, “He is just a replica of the Broken Wing Sky Devil Paletooth. I simply can’t imagine just what the combat strength Paletooth himself possessed.”
“Fortunately, those four did not see you as an enemy. If you were to fight against them, I’m afraid any one of them could defeat you solo,” Radix said. His words betrayed the lingering fear he felt in his heart.
Xia Fei had to admit that the difference between the Soul Familiars and himself was indeed wide. However, that only made Xia Fei wonder all the more; the Four Great Soul Familiars seemed to be single-mindedly searching for the medicinal Cauldron Prince’s metal book, and were not at all concerned with any other affairs.
!!
Xia Fei had originally thought that because the Soul Familiars were of the Fiend race, there was a possibility that they would seek to avenge the Fiends now that they had resurfaced, drenching Annihilation in a bloodbath.
But now it seemed like that thought was far too simplistic. The Four Great Soul Familiars lacked any intentions of becoming enemies with the Annihilators. They were only concerned with the metal book, otherwise they could surely inflict heavy losses on the so-called New Hero Alliance if they were to throw themselves against the Annihilators, given the strength the four possessed.
Xia Fei made his way to the spot where w.a.n.g Dingtian was torn apart as he mulled over the matter. The sly old fox was also very suspicious, and Xia Fei felt that w.a.n.g Dingtian’s death was far too simple.
This was an elderly Annihilator who knew a matter-type art that could traverse through galaxies. The four Soul Familiars had also treated him as an existence comparable to the Annihilation Universe’s Five Ancient Apexes. To die here? And not even withstand an attack from Wing Gale Sea Calamity?
“Eye Technique!”
Xia Fei used the Origin Of Heaven and observed the area where w.a.n.g Dingtian had perished. He was startled, because he discovered.that the remains of the corpse that had been dispersed all around were giving off a very weak signature.
Energy was everything to a warrior, and the higher level a warrior was meant a higher energy signature. The true experts, even when shredded into pieces, would still be as eye-catching as a field of fireflies under the observation of his Origin of Heaven. Though the energy signature where w.a.n.g Dingtian had died was not too strong, it was not too far off from what one would expect to find on a common warrior.
“There’s no need for you to keep looking. This old man isn’t dying so easily.”
This voice appeared from behind Xia Fei from out of nowhere. Xia Fei turned back in a panic, only to find another w.a.n.g Dingtian behind him!
Aside from his missing left arm, this elderly man was the same as the old man he had seen before!
Left arm?!
Xia Fei was shocked. It was apparent that this crafty old man had paid a heavy price, but in doing so had made the four Soul Familiars believe that they had killed him off!
It was a brilliant move that fooled even the Soul Familiars. Had Xia Fei not possessed the Triclopean Fiend Race’s legacy art, Origin of Heaven, he would not have uncovered this ruse, either!
“You’re a crafty one!” Xia Fei said with a smile.
w.a.n.g Dingtian ignored the comment and reached out his right arm, “Would I still be alive if I didn’t have means of some sort? Enough joking around, young man. Come over and help me up.”
w.a.n.g Dingtian might have pulled one over the Four Great Soul Familiars, but he was currently in a severely weakened state, and was looking for Xia Fei to help him to his feet.
Xia Fei thought about that for a moment, and reached out his right arm. He sent out Peac.o.c.k Blue, using its blue leaf to help w.a.n.g Dingtian up.
w.a.n.g Dingtian was somewhat surprised when he saw Peac.o.c.k Blue appear. He scrutinized Xia Fei and proceeded to chuckle, “And you’re calling me crafty? I think you’re not that far off from me yourself. I recognize this thing; it’s a weapon! You won’t be going against my request doing this, and you’d even be able to kill me if the opportunity arises. You’re really quite something, young one!”
Xia Fei’s thoughts did indeed align exactly as what w.a.n.g Dingtian had stated, attempting to use Peac.o.c.k Blue to test him. If w.a.n.g Dingtian was truly weak, Xia Fei was not going to eliminate the possibility of sending him along on his way. Ignoring all other factors, just letting his Fiendish Blade Nirvana devour such a peerless expert would be very beneficial as it stood!
Xia Fei laughed along as well, “Venerable immortal, I wouldn’t dare get any closer to a person of your stature, so I hope you’ll forgive my disrespect.”
w.a.n.g Dingtian shut his eyes and uttered in his deep voice, “What you did wasn’t wrong. Caution is how one lives longer. Had you really gotten close to me, or directly made your move against me, this would not be the result we have now. I am fond of smart progenitors. Now find me somewhere secluded, I wish to rest for a while.”
Xia Fei nodded, and carried w.a.n.g Dingtian with Peac.o.c.k Blue to the stealth-location in the middle of the three barrows, setting him down there.
w.a.n.g Dingtian looked at Xia Fei curiously and asked, “To think there would be such a cloaked location after all these thousands of years here in the Evaluation Battlefield of the Dragoons? How did you discover it? And why have you brought me here?”
Xia Fei answered simply, “I can’t really say how it was found, but I’m bringing you here out in good faith. Besides, your venerable self must know that I’ve always been here. While you might not know exactly where I was, I’m sure you could more or less make an educated guess.
“If I brought you anywhere else, it would only appear like I was being insincere, and there’s no telling if you might have made a move against me after you’ve rested. I firmly believe that even a skinny camel is larger than a horse, so there’s no reason for me to brew animosity between your venerable self and myself given that we harbor no ill intent toward one another.”
Xia Fei was speaking very courteously, and w.a.n.g Dingtian was laughing heartily after hearing Xia Fei’s explanation. With a meaningful gaze, the elderly man saw Xia Fei in another light.
Xia Fei’s original intention was very simple. From the words that the Four Great Soul Familiars had spoken, Xia Fei already learned that w.a.n.g Dingtian was a powerful being who was independent of the Annihilators.
Any power beyond the Annihilators was powerful, whether they were the Four Great Soul Familiars or the Yggdragons from the Eighth Universe, or Chu Jingfeng of Eden’s Garden. As for someone who came from places unknown like w.a.n.g Dingtian, it was best if Xia Fei did his utmost not to offend them, and maybe even establish a cordial relations.h.i.+p whenever he could.
Killing everyone he met would just be foolhardy, and ultimately, Xia Fei had to think for the sake of his clansmen, as well as his friends and wife. Thus Xia Fei made very clear his intention to befriend w.a.n.g Dingtian.
“You’ve got quite the eye!” w.a.n.g Dingtian shut his eyes. “Don’t worry, I will of course repay your sincerity in kind. Right now, the entire Evaluation Battlefield is a blindspot, and no one will see anything that you do, including the fact that you’ve helped me out.”
Xia Fei chuckled, “Understood. There are currently two barriers over the battlefield right now, and the extra one must have been erected by your venerable one’s hand, not wanting others to learn of your present state of injury.”
“That’s correct,” w.a.n.g Dingtian said gravely. “There are indeed a few people out there who must not learn that I’ve been injured. There are plenty out there who would delight in throwing me even further under the bus.”
With that said, w.a.n.g Dingtian shut his eyes, exuding the calm and determination expected of a super-expert.
“I need about four hours of rest, and there will be a message that will be sent to everyone on this battlefield, including you.”
w.a.n.g Dingtian did not say another word after that. Xia Fei saw that his broken left arm had inexplicably begun to grow back rapidly! His energy was also quickly recovering!
…
Furnace Citadel…
Old Hong Xuan, the one who had taken over as the host of the Dragoon Award Ceremony at the last minute, was in a secret room, awaiting orders from above.
Hong Xuan did not report to the Dragoon Legions’ headquarters, but had gone directly to the Annihilator’s Five Ancient Apexes.
Vandez! Si Zhe! Gregory! Thunder! Autumn Erudite!
These were five very prominent names in the Annihilation Universe, where no one could compare to them. That was because they were the remaining five warriors from the old Hero Alliance who were still alive!
During the battle against the Megadragons, the five of them had their own reasons for not being present at the battlefield, and it had turned out to be their great fortune, but also unlucky.
It was their great fortune because none of them died, but they were unlucky as well. There had been many rumors, claiming that the five already knew that there was no chance of winning the fight, which was why they had fled.
Thunder and Autumn Erudite were fine, as the two were the chief logistic officers back then, so there were good reasons for them not to have partic.i.p.ated in the battle, but the other three became the subjects of plenty of discussion. It was just that no one dared to say things directly to their faces!
In any case, the Five Ancient Apexes took over the Annihilation Universe after the battle, and the five of them took turns at command. Whether they were deserters or not, at least the Annihilation Universe had not descended into utter chaos with them around.
All these years, the Five Ancient Apexes had done everything they could to keep their command of the Annihilation Universe as low profile as they could, all the while letting it recover a portion of its past strength.
It was Autumn Erudite’s turn to be in charge this year; Hong Xuan was his old underling. They were both from logistics, which was why he had the qualifications to report this matter directly.
“Oh, w.a.n.g Dingtian and those four guys came,” Autumn Erudite appeared like an old pedant nodding along, then asked after hearing Hong Xuan’s report, “Any losses with the Neophyte Dragoons?”
Hong Xuan shook his head, “It’s unclear. w.a.n.g Dingtian has erected an exclusion barrier, which essentially sealed off the battlefield. The four guys came later, and left not too long after. As for whether w.a.n.g Dingtian departed or not, because the method he used to set up the barrier used the Amber Door, I suppose he’ll be taking it along with him when he leaves.”
“Amber Door,” Autumn Erudite was shocked, repeating that to himself. “What a familiar name! When w.a.n.g Dingtian got a hold of that all those years back, he bragged about it for a long time to me.”
Hong Xuan added, “w.a.n.g Dingtian had always been sly and crafty. This time, he actually barged into the Evaluation Battlefield of the Dragoons, so I’m afraid he might have done so for some unknown reason. It’s too bad that I’m not strong enough to break through that Amber Door, which is why I would like to request your esteemed self to personally come over.”
“Why would I go?” Autumn Erudite asked back, chuckling.
Hong Xuan was confused, wondering out loud, “You’re in charge of managing the Annihilation Universe this year. You’re supposed to show your face and handle this sort of thing.”
Autumn Erudite shook his head, “Not another word. I won’t be meeting w.a.n.g Dingtian. If I’m not mistaken, there’s no one in the entire Annihilation Universe that would be willing to meet him. It’s a very good thing that you’ve informed me of this beforehand. Now give your report to the Dragoon Legion Headquarters; there’s no need for you to be bothered with anything else.”
Old Hong Xuan had not expected this answer from Autumn Erudite, and could only nod helplessly.
Transferring the communication device, Hong Xuan made his report to the Headquarters, and they went and tried to contact Autumn Erudite afterward. Having already been informed prior, naturally Autumn Erudite was nowhere to be found, so the headquarters tried to contact the other members of the Five Ancient Apexes, but they were nowhere to be found, either.
With this matter regarding w.a.n.g Dingtian, the Five Ancient Apexes chose to atypically avoid it!
There was already a rumor going around that the Five Ancient Apexes disagreed with each other, but what few knew was that the Five Ancient Apexes did not just disagree with each other, their relations.h.i.+ps were practically like fire and water!
…
Furnace Citadel, the Evaluation Battlefield owned by the Dragoon Legions since eons past…
Xia Fei left w.a.n.g Dingtian, and went charging toward the endless desert at his top speed.
“Where are we off to?” Radix asked inquisitively. Xia Fei’s eyes were filled with killing intent, and Radix could feel it.
“This is an opportunity!” Xia Fei growled. “w.a.n.g Dingtian’s sudden appearance has changed the state of this Evaluation Battlefield. Right now, the Furnace Citadel has no knowledge of anything that transpires within the barriers!”
Radix was startled, but soon came to the realization, “w.a.n.g Dingtian said he’s going to regain his strength over the next four hours. So during this time, we can kill You Man and s.n.a.t.c.h the Immemorial Mystical Armament!”
“That’s right!” Xia Fei grit his teeth, excitement welling up inside him.