Invincible

Chapter 348: Beast God Scepter

Huang Xiaolong’s aura spread out like the waves of an endless sea, rolling and splashing, drowning everything.

Everyone in the grand hall choked at the whelming pressure. Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu were both shocked, they swiftly projected their own battle qi out to cast a protective barrier over Huang Peng, Su Yan, and the others to keep them from being affected too much.

“Saint realm!” At the same time, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu blurted out in unison.

Saint realm!

Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu’s exclamation echoed in Huang Peng, Su Yan, Huang Xiaohai, and the others’ ears, sending a shiver down their backs. Eyes widened a second later staring at Huang Xiaolong as their mind registered the meaning of those two words.

Sain-, Saint realm?!!!

The whelming pressure merely lasted a second before it receded faster than the evening tide, converged inside Huang Xiaolong’s body. The atmosphere returned to its previous serenity, causing everyone to feel like that split second pressure they experienced was nothing but an illusion.

The instant Huang Xiaolong converged his aura, in Guo Manor’s secret chamber, Guo Chen suddenly opened his eyes. In a flicker he appeared high above the Guo Manor, his alert eyes scanning all directions.

“Strange, I definitely felt a Saint realm warrior’s aura just now, how did it disappear without a trace?” Guo Chen muttered to himself. “That aura absolutely doesn’t belong to Duanren or that several old fellas. Could it be that some other unknown Saint realm expert has arrived in Duanren Imperial City?”

The same time Guo Chen was exploring the situation above the Guo Manor, above the Duanren Imperial Palace, Emperor Duanren was performing precisely the same actions, scanning the area with his spiritual sense, but just like Guo Chen, it was fruitless. In the end, Emperor Duanren flew back into the palace feeling puzzled.

When Guo Chen landed back in Guo Manor, Guo Shiwen approached carefully and asked due to Ancestor’s strange actions, “Ancestor, just now you…?”

Guo Chen explained, “Just now, I felt a Saint realm expert’s energy fluctuation, close to the Southern Hill Estate’s direction, but just as I came out, it vanished.”

In the Southern Hill Estate’s direction? Guo Shiwen was taken aback, then a thought struck his mind. Without thinking, he blurted out, “Ancestor, could it be that Senior Huang broke through the Saint realm?”

Guo Chen was stumped for the briefest second before shaking his head with a soft chuckle, “Absolutely not possible, it is too difficult to break into the Saint realm, I know from experience. As heaven-defying as Huang Xiaolong’s talent is, there’s no way he could advance into the Saint realm so fast.”

Guo Shiwen pondered his Ancestor’s words; the Ancestor had cultivated for several hundred years, only managing to break through to Saint realm a few years ago after many hardships. Indeed, no matter how gifted Huang Xiaolong was, breaking into the Saint realm at this speed was a fantasy.

“Ancestor, in your opinion, according to Senior Huang’s cultivation speed, how long will it take him to step into the Saint realm?” Guo Shiwen asked.

Guo Chen thought for a moment, answering: “Within five years’ time, he probably could.” In Guo Chen’s mind, Huang Xiaolong needed at least five years’ time to reach that point.

…

At this time, in the Southern Hill Estate’s grand hall, Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu were smiling ear to ear, taking a step forward to kneel down on single knee. Saluting towards Huang Xiaolong, their sonorous voices rang:  “Congratulations Young Lord on advancing to the Saint realm!”

Their Sovereign had broken into the Saint realm! This would greatly increase the Sovereign’s chances in fighting for the Asura’s Gate position later, therefore, both of them were extremely happy.

Huang Xiaolong nodded, smiling, “Rise.” Advancing to the Saint realm also put Huang Xiaolong in a good mood.

Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu stood up.

By this point, Huang Peng, Su Yan, Huang Xiaohai, and the orders finally recovered from their shock, each was happy and excited, with Huang Peng declaring to the Southern Hill Estate to hold a celebration feast for three days and three nights.

Huang Xiaolong smiled, consenting to his father’s enthusiasm. He told Zhao Shu to reward the estate’s servants, slaves, and guards of Houtian strength a thousand gold coins each, and the Xiantian realm warriors fifty thousand gold coins each, on top of a three-day celebration banquet.

Still, Huang Xiaolong cautioned Zhao Shu and Zhang Fu not to disclose the fact that he had broken into the Saint realm. At this point in time, Huang Xiaolong preferred not to expose his strength to preying forces outside.

In the next few days, other than refining Ghost King Dans and Geocentric Buddha Elixir, practicing the Godly Xumi Art, Asura Tactics, and the Body Metamorphose Scripture to stabilize his new realm. He also allocated time to practice the Eminent Holiness Halberd Sutra.

The exalted Eminent Holiness was the strongest Saint King’s Junior Brother back in the day. Not to mention that this Eminent Holiness Halberd Sutra was a powerful skill, this was something Huang Xiaolong experienced when battling Zhao Chen.

The Eminent Holiness Halberd Sutra contained a total of nine moves, and even Huang Xiaolong felt strained to display the last three moves before. Now, trying again after entering the Saint realm was much easier.

On this particular day, Huang Xiaolong stood in the middle of his yard, holding a scepter in his hand, fiddling with it back and forth. This scepter was one of the items he took from the grass huts in the Eminent Holiness’ hidden space dwelling.

In fact, Huang Xiaolong would occasionally take the scepter out to study, hoping to find some clues from it. The feeling that this scepter held secrets persisted inside him. It was just that he had yet to get any results.

He tried many ways so far, including dripping blood on it, trying to refine the scepter, but there wasn’t the slightest change.

Huang Xiaolong’s gaze was fixed on the beast head carving decorating the top of the scepter when Zhang Fu walked in, wanting to report his findings on the Origins Forest when he caught sight of the beast scepter in Huang Xiaolong’s hand. Zhang Fu’s actions halted due to shock, eyes widened, “This? Beast God Scepter?!”

Huang Xiaolong turned around, looking at Zhang Fu: “Beast God Scepter?”

Zhang Fu approached to get a closer look at the scepter in Huang Xiaolong’s hand, requesting permission, “Sovereign, may I have a look?”

Huang Xiaolong passed the beast-ornamented scepter to Zhang Fu.

Zhang Fu’s hand trembled a little when he reached out to receive the scepter. Studying the scepter carefully, the more he looked the more excited he became, his mouth mumbled incessantly, “It’s really the Beast God Scepter! Really, really!”

Huang Xiaolong didn’t expect Zhang Fu to recognize this scepter, but he did not rush him, he believed that Zhang Fu would explain to him in a while.

A short while later, Zhang Fu calmed down, returning the scepter to Huang Xiaolong with both hands respectfully, while inquiring with care, “Sovereign, may I ask where you found this God Beast Scepter?”

Huang Xiaolong took back the scepter, answering Zhang Fu frankly, “I found this scepter at the bottom of Broken Tiger Rift in the dwelling left behind by the Eminent Holiness from the ancient era, but I don’t know the origin of this scepter.”

Eminent Holiness? Evidently, Zhang Fu had not heard of Eminent Holiness’s name. He said, “Sovereign, this scepter is very likely the legendary Beast God Scepter, holding the highest authority in the Beastmen race. It was said that in ancient times, a Beast God emerged from the Beastmen race, subjugating hundreds of the Beastmen tribes. Not only did this Beast God create a Beastmen empire, he led the Beastmen to unify the Ten Directions Continent.”

“Unified the Ten Directions Continent!” Huang Xiaolong was surprised.

In the ancient times, there were strong experts everywhere, to unify the Ten Directions Continent was a hundred times harder than unifying the current Wind Snow Continent, yet this Beast God actually succeeded!

Reverence shone from Zhang Fu’s eyes as he went on, “Yes, at that time, the Beastmen race led by the Beast God was extremely powerful, so much that the six ancient kings of the human race led by the Saint King had to tread carefully when facing the Beast God. But later, the Beast God disappeared without a reason, and this Beast God Scepter was the scepter held by the Beast God during that time. Not only does it represent the highest authority in the Beastmen race, it is also the symbol of supreme power on the Ten Directions Continent.”

Huang Xiaolong looked at the scepter in his hand with astonishment.

Zhang Fu added, “There is another myth linked to this, anyone who can find the Beast God Scepter and grasp it’s secret, they will be able to comprehend the Beast God’s power.”

Huang Xiaolong’s brows scrunched together, to comprehend this Beast God’s Power was easier said than done. These days, he tried many different methods that garnered no reaction at all from the scepter.

Seeing Huang Xiaolong’s expression, Zhang Fu said, “Sovereign, on the Ten Directions Continent, there is a place called Beast God Shrine, a monument left behind by the Beast God and a place that only the Beast God Scepter can open. In the future, Sovereign can make a trip to the Beast God Shrine, perhaps at that time there will be an opportunity, allowing Sovereign to comprehend the Beast God Scepter.”

Chapter 349: Ruins of the Ancient Dragon Clan

Beast God Shrine!

Only the Beast God Scepter could open it!

Huang Xiaolong’s eyes shone with expectation, it seems that he really needed to make a trip to the Ten Directions Continent in the near future…

Zhang Fu continued speaking, “Right, Sovereign, you told me to investigate Domain Chief Chen Tianqi’s motive in heading to the Origin Forest, this subordinate has found out.”

“Oh, you found his intention?” Huang Xiaolong refocused his attention to the present, putting away the Beast God Scepter as he asked Zhang Fu.

“Yes, Domain Chief Chen Tianqi is heading there because a ruin belonging to the ancient Dragon Clan has surfaced in the Origins Forest.” Zhang Fu answered.

“Ancient Dragon Clan’s ruins!” Huang Xiaolong was astounded.

Ancient Dragon Clan! The strongest clan in the Martial Spirit World!

Despite that, several tens of thousands of years ago, they disappeared from the Martial Spirit World. But now, their ruins actually resurfaced to the world.

Zhang Fu nodded his head, “That’s right, an ancient Dragon Clan’s ruin, but no one knows the exact location, information came back confirming for sure that it is somewhere in the Origins Forest. By now, Wind Snow Continent’s experts from different empires have got wind of the information too, and everyone is rushing over to the Origin Forest. Other than the Wind Snow Continent, experts from the other two continents, Starcloud Continent, and Ten Directions are also speeding to enter the Origin Forest.”

Huang Xiaolong couldn’t help recalling the two middle-aged men he ran into when he ventured into the Ghost Domain, the Earth Dragon egg he ‘won’ after defeating the two men. Could it be, that Earth Dragon egg came from the same ancient Dragon Clan ruin in the Origin Forest?!

The more he thought about it, the more certain he was that his conclusion was right.

“Sovereign, then do we…?” Zhang Fu inquired, meaning to ask Huang Xiaolong if they will be heading to Origins Forest too.

“Go, of course we must go.” Huang Xiaolong said.

He possessed the twin black and blue dragon martial spirits, and he had absorbed an Earth Dragon egg. Compared to others, his chances of locating the Ancient Dragon Clan’s ruin were much higher, he absolutely had to go.

He had just advanced to the Saint realm, following the normal route, taking Geocentric Buddha Elixir night and day, practicing the Godly Xumi Art and Asura Tactics daily, it would take him ten years, maybe even twenty years to reach Second Order Saint realm.

However, if he managed to get another dragon egg, then it was a different story altogether. Not to mention, there would definitely be more than one dragon egg in the Ancient Dragon Ruin.

The Earth Dragon egg that Huang Xiaolong absorbed last time, the true dragon essence inside was scant. The Earth Dragons ranked bottom rung on the Dragon Clan’s hierarchy. If he could find a golden dragon’s dragon egg, the amount of true dragon essence would be several times, even several hundred times more abundant compared to the Earth Dragon egg.

At this point, Zhao Shu entered the yard from outside to report, “Sovereign, Duan Ren is here, he would like to see you.”

Duan Ren is here? In the next moment, Huang Xiaolong already guessed Duan Ren’s reason for coming to see him, without a doubt, he also received news about the Origin Forest.

“Let’s go, let us go meet him.” Huang Xiaolong said.

…

The three of them arrived at the grand hall a moment later.

Waiting in the grand hall, other than Duan Ren, were Duan Wuhen and two old men clad in golden battle gear.

Huang Xiaolong had seen these two old men before inside the Duanren Institute, both were part of the five Honorable Saint Masters, guardians of Duanren Institute.

Seeing that Huang Xiaolong, Zhao Shu, and Zhang Fu arrived, the four people in the hall stood up.

“Young Noble Huang, Mister Zhao.” Duan Ren took a few steps forward in greeting. Duan Wuhen and the two old men behind followed Duan Ren, greeting respectfully.

Huang Xiaolong nodded, indicating everyone to take a seat, doing the same himself.

“Young Noble Huang, have you heard about the Ancient Dragon Clan ruins in the Origin Forest?” Once seated, Emperor Duanren broached the subject with a frank and honest stance.

Indeed, Emperor Duanren made this visit for this sole purpose.

Huang Xiaolong smiled, “I have just found out a moment ago, and was just planning to make a trip over to the Origin Forest.”

Emperor Duanren’s face lit up at Huang Xiaolong’s answer, laughing he said, “Before coming here, I was thinking about joining forces with Young Noble Huang and Mister Zhao, we were also planning to head to the Origin Forest.”

“Good.” Huang Xiaolong nodded in agreement.

Earlier, when Huang Xiaolong guessed Emperor Duanren’s purpose for meeting him, he already made a decision. Thus, when Duan Ren spoke of the matter frankly, Huang Xiaolong agreed to an alliance with no deliberation.

After all, this time there would be empire level experts from all three continents, when it came down to a fight, it was kill or be killed. As such, it was always good to have more strength and power.

Subsequently, both mentioned some terms in regards to the alliance.

When facing enemies, both sides would join hands to deal with the enemy, advancing and retreating in the same breath. Treasures belonged to whoever found them.

When all was agreed upon, Huang Xiaolong said, “Since things are settled, everyone should get ready to depart in two hours towards the Origin Forest.”

“Agreed.” Emperor Duanren stood up, bid farewell to Huang Xiaolong, Zhao Shu, and Zhang Fu, leaving the Southern Hill Estate back to Duanren Palace with Duan Wuhen and the two old men behind him to prepare the necessary things and assembled in Southern Hill Estate in two hours’ time.

After Emperor Duanren left, Huang Xiaolong went to see his parents, informing them that he would head to the Origins Forest.

Hearing that their son wanted to leave again, both parents’ faces were filled with sadness.

“Long’er, you must be very careful heading to the Origin Forest.” Su Yan’s eyes were red as she implored Huang Xiaolong.

Huang Xiaolong nodded, “I will. Mother, rest assured, nothing will happen, your son is now a Saint realm expert.”

Listening to her son, Su Yan wiped away her tears with a smile, “It’s just that, my heart feels uneasy.” This unease inevitably made her worried.

She looked over to Zhao Shu, “Mister Zhao, I leave Young Lord’s safety in your hands.”

Zhao Shu took a step forward, respectfully saying, “Please rest assured, Madame.”

Two hours later, Duan Ren’s group of three returned to Southern Hill Estate to convene with Huang Xiaolong. Sent off with Huang Peng and Su Yan’s teary faces, Huang Xiaolong and his group made their way out of Duanren Imperial City.

This time, Duan Ren brought the same two old men, whereas Huang Xiaolong only brought Zhao Shu and giant ghost Feng Yang. Zhang Fu, Yu Ming, and the rest remained in Southern Hill Estate to protect everyone’s safety.

Initially, Duan Ren wanted to bring his son Duan Wuhen along, however, considering Duan Wuhen’s strength, he could only scrape the thought.

All six people in the group were Saint realm experts, rushing all the way at fast speed, in half a month’s time, they cut through Spring Faun Empire, entering High Sun Empire’s demesne. As long as they passed through High Sun Empire, they would arrive at the Origin Forest.

Night, hazy moonlight shone down the foggy darkness. Their vision only went as far as the five fingers with their arms extended out.

The six people stopped in a barren hill slope in High Sun Empire.

“Why don’t we rest here for the night and continue tomorrow?” Huang Xiaolong suggested.

Emperor Duanren has no opinion, hence all six people landed on the small hill peak. Initiating the true essence fire in his dantian, with a wave of his hand, a spark of flame fell on the ground. Huang Xiaolong already built fire for the night, stunning Emperor Duanren and the others as Huang Xiaolong’s true essence fire need not rely on wood to burn. When the fire fell on the ground, it burned with great brightness, lighting the peak like it was daylight.

Zhao Shu had seen too many unbelievable things in the years he stayed with Huang Xiaolong, now, not many things related to Huang Xiaolong could surprise him as they did before. But Duan Ren and the other two old men were shocked.

Exchanging glances amongst themselves, they saw their own shock mirrored in each other’s eyes.

Everyone gathered around the fire to rest for the night.