Invincible

Chapter 350: I’ll Take Them All

When Duan Ren sat down, he couldn’t resist casting a quick glance at Feng Yang behind Huang Xiaolong, his large body hidden wholly under a large black hooded cloak. The days they had been traveling, Feng Yang did not utter a word, but there was a sui generis atmosphere coming from Feng Yang that made Duan Ren feel slightly uncomfortable. This atmosphere was something innate, which made Dua Ren wonder about the background of Huang Xiaolong’s bodyguard.

However, Huang Xiaolong did not say anything and it wasn’t Duan Ren’s place to ask. Like Duan Ren, the two old guardians of Duanren Institute were also curious about Feng Yang’s identity, but regardless of the many possibilities that crossed the three people’s minds, they never would have imagined that Feng Yang was actually an otherworldly creature—a ghost.

In the Martial Spirit World’s long history, only the Ghost King of that era was able to subjugate ghosts.

The night passed in silence, without any words.

The morning sun rose from the eastern horizon, its bright rays dispersing the morning fog. What shocked Duan Ren was that the true essence fire burned throughout the night without requiring any burning fuel, unchanging. When everyone stood up, preparing to continue their journey for the day, Huang Xiaolong retrieved the true essence fire with a casual hand flick, keeping it back in his dantian.

This bizarre scene once again caused Duan Ren and the two old men’s eyes to go round in wonder.

Duan Ren looked at Huang Xiaolong, the sword-shaped brows and bright clear eyes, the face that was slightly too charming, he increasingly felt that he couldn’t see through the youth in front of him.

“Let’s go.” Huang Xiaolong said after retrieving the true essence fire into his body, he was the first to fly off.

Only then did Duan Ren recover from his gaffe. The rest quickly caught up to Huang Xiaolong.

The group continued to accumulate miles at high speed.

Five days later, the group arrived at the northernmost point of High Sun Empire, the Rising Sun City. It was a day with harsh sun and strong wind.

Huang Xiaolong stood some distance from the Rising Sun City’s gates, observing the endless line of carts and horse carriages, then he said solemnly, “We’ll enter the city for a short break, we should take this chance to understand the Origin Forest’s current situation.”

“Very well.” Duan Ren agreed. He was thinking along the same line. They already reached the Rising Sun City, there was no hurry to rush into the Origin Forest blindly. Hence, the group made their way into the Rising Sun City.

Although the Rising Sun City wasn’t High Sun Empire’s imperial city, it was one of the empire’s bigger cities. With its strategic location being close to the Origin Forest, its prosperity and liveliness didn’t lose out to Duanren Imperial City in any way.

Huang Xiaolong also noticed that Xiantian realm warriors were a common sight here, one could even see high-level Xiantian realm warriors here and there.

For some kingdoms, Xiantian realm warriors were the pillars of strength, but here, Xiantian warriors weren’t worth much, to the point that the majority of the shopkeepers here were Xiantian realm warriors. Zhao Shu, Duan Ren, and the rest were also surprised seeing so many Xiantian realm warriors.

In Duanren Imperial City, there was a probability of one in ten thousand people for a Xiantian to appear, in this Rising Sun City however, the ratio was closer to one Xiantian realm warrior in a hundred people.

The group walked the streets, following the flow. A while later, they stopped in front of a building called Smooth Voyage Inn.

The layout and ornamentation of Smooth Voyage Inn were glorious and impressive to the extent that the Unforgettable Intoxication Restaurant in Duanren Imperial City seemed paltry in comparison. The Smooth Voyage Inn’s business was booming, with an endless stream of patrons walking in and out of the establishment, each clad in various styles of clothing. Judging from the looks, most of the warriors had rushed over for the same reason as them—the Ancient Dragon Clan’s ruin in Origin Forest.

Huang Xiaolong and his group stepped into the inn.

For information gathering, eating places like this that gathered all kinds of people were the best. Huang Xiaolong scanned the ground floor, nearly all of the over a hundred tables arranged were occupied. At this point, a lil server came up to welcome Huang Xiaolong’s group.

His main purpose was to collect information, so instead of going up to the first or second floor, Huang Xiaolong simply picked an empty table on the ground floor.

Taking a seat, Huang Xiaolong asked the lil server, “What’s the best wine you have here?”

No matter where Huang Xiaolong went, he rarely lacked good wine.

The lil server grinned, “Young Noble, our highest quality wine is the Origin Wine, brewed from a hundred kinds of herbs and fruits collected from the Origin Forest, but the price isn’t low, every jug is two hundred thousand gold coins.”

“Oh~, two hundred thousand gold coins?” Huang Xiaolong was astonished. The most expensive wine Huang Xiaolong tasted was the Sapidity Wine in Duanren Institute that only cost him ten thousand gold coins a jug. He didn’t expect this Origin Wine to cost so many times more.

The lil server added, “Young Noble, other than the Origin Wine, we also have Dragon Tiger Wine, the Monkey Wine is also very good, only several hundred gold coins.” The lil server thought that the Origin Wine was too expensive for Huang Xiaolong from his astonishment, thus he recommended other cheaper wines. He had seen too many of the same reactions from guests upon hearing the Origin Wine’s price.

After all, people who were willing to pay two hundred thousand gold coins for a jug of wine were few and far between.

Huang Xiaolong didn’t mind the lil server’s misunderstanding, saying, “Firstly, bring five jugs of Origin Wine and a table of your best dishes.”

Firstly, bring five jugs! The lil server looked dumbfounded, “Young Noble, are you sure you want to order Origin Wine?” Five jugs, that was a million gold coins!

Huang Xiaolong nodded. He took out a spatial ring, opened the restrictions on it and placed it on the table, allowing the lil server to clearly see the piles upon piles of mountain high gold coins in the space inside. This spatial ring once belonged to Blood Dragon City’s Li Li before it became Huang Xiaolong’s property after killing her.

Looking at the numerous mountain high gold coins inside the spatial ring, the lil server trembled, unsure if it was from fright or excitement. In the next second, the lil server’s attitude turned a hundred and eighty degrees, nodding profusely, displaying his utmost respect, telling Huang Xiaolong to wait for a moment while he scurried off in a jiffy to have the orders prepared.

Very soon, the lil server returned with five jugs of Origin Wine and served a table full of fragrant dishes. After serving the wine and dishes, the lil server did not leave, instead, he waited close to Huang Xiaolong in a complaisant manner, in case Huang Xiaolong had more orders.

One of the two Duanren Institute’s Honorable Saint Masters unsealed a random jug, filling out five wine bowls for everyone. Five because giant ghost Feng Yang remained standing loyally behind Huang Xiaolong.

Grabbing one of the wine bowls, Huang Xiaolong raised it, “Brother Duan Ren, please.”

Duan Ren quickly raised his wine bowl, “Young Noble Huang, Mister Zhao, please.” Duan Ren clinked his bowl with Huang Xiaolong, Zhao Shu, and the two companions before gulping a mouthful of wine.

The liquid eased down the throat with fiery smoothness, primal, pristine, mellowing into a warm gentleness akin to being transported from one era to the next, everchanging, leaving one in reverie and longing for another taste.

The lil server watched Huang Xiaolong, his nerves strung high.

Huang Xiaolong nodded happily, “Not bad.”

This Origin Wine was a grade higher than Duanren Institute’s Sapidity Wine. Hearing Huang Xiaolong’s compliment, the lil server breathed in relief inwardly.

“How many jugs of this wine do you have left?” Huang Xiaolong asked the lil server.

The lil server blanked for a moment, “There are still five hundred and thirty-two jugs in the cellar.”

Huang Xiaolong said, “I’ll take them all.”

“All, all of them?” The lil server stammered.

“I cannot?” Huang Xiaolong asked.

“No, no, can, of course you can!” The lil server replied hastily, even though this kind of thing had never happened in the inn, it was just the same. There was no rule saying that guests cannot buy all of them. The lil server excused himself and quickly ran off.

Huang Xiaolong laughed, explaining to Duan Ren and the rest, “Other than practice, I don’t have many hobbies except for good wine.”

Those at the table chuckled cordially.

Moments later, the lil server returned, but this time, he wasn’t alone. The lil server was a step behind a tubby middle-aged man. Apparently, this middle-aged man was the inn owner.

Huang Xiaolong action of wanting to buy all the remaining Origin Wine naturally alerted him.

Chapter 351: Guarantee That You Can’t Stop Heaping Praises

As the inn owner approached Huang Xiaolong’s table, the lil server explained, “Owner, this is the Young Noble who intends to buy all the remaining Origin Wine.”

The inn owner was full of smiles speaking to Huang Xiaolong, “I heard that Young Noble wants to buy all the remaining Origin Wine. Honestly, our inn has no rule saying that guests cannot buy all of them, but considering the guests coming in later, can I offer Young Noble five hundred jugs?” The inn owner was extremely cordial.

Five hundred jugs? Huang Xiaolong nodded, “You can.” It wasn’t like he absolutely had to buy all the wine.

The inn owner’s tension left his body seeing Huang Xiaolong agreeing so readily. Then, Huang Xiaolong paid one hundred million gold coins to the inn owner. The latter left to prepare the Origin Wine for Huang Xiaolong after receiving payment, requesting Huang Xiaolong to wait momentarily.

Huang Xiaolong and the rest continued to talk and drink while paying attention to the discussions happening around them as the inn owner left to make preparation.

“We don’t even know if this rumored Ancient Dragon ruin is real, it has already been half a year yet there hasn’t been anyone who found its location.”

“It’s probably real, but whether real or fake, it has nothing to do with us, we’re just here to add some liveliness.”

“That’s right, even if we’re lucky enough to get a dragon egg, we probably won’t live long enough.”

Several people at a table nearby talked amongst themselves. At the same time, at another table, someone else spoke: “I heard that Deities Templar also sent someone here this time!”

“Who says there’s only Deities Templar, even Starcloud Continent’s Asura’s Gate Sovereign Chen Tianqi is here, as well as Ten Directions Continent’s Beastmen King, Lu Zhenye!”

Asura’s Gate Sovereign Chen Tianqi? Huang Xiaolong’s brows furrowed. This Chen Tianqi actually dared to proclaim himself as Asura’s Gate’s Sovereign, since people were recounting the matter as if it was fact, then it there was no doubt about it.

Whereas Zhao Shu issued a disdainful snort hearing that sentence.

“Mister Zhao, you’re…?” Noticing the change in Zhao Shu’s face, Duan Ren inquired.

“It’s nothing.” Zhao Shu shook his head.

At this time, the inn owner returned. However, there was a bearded thin man following behind him. The inn owner stood in front of Huang Xiaolong with a chagrined face, “Young Noble, my apologies, that, Origin Wine, we can only sell ten jugs to you.”

“Ten jugs?” Huang Xiaolong maintained a calm expression, waiting for the inn owner to continue.

The inn owner went on, “Just now, our Rising Sun City’s Castellan Manor’s Steward Chen bought the rest of the Origin Wine, therefore, therefore…” words spoke until this point, the meaning was clearer than daylight. He pointed to the thin bearded man behind him, introducing, “This is our Castellan Manor’s Steward Chen.”

That Steward Chen nodded with a slight uppity attitude, “Our Castellan’s original intent was to buy all the remaining Origin Wine, however, in order to give face to the inn owner, we acquiesced to give ten jugs to you.”

Listening to what he said, it sounded as if the inn owner did not ‘plead’ for Huang Xiaolong, he wouldn’t be able to buy even one jug. Emperor Duanren, Zhao Shu, and everyone at the table were frowning.

“Is that so?” Huang Xiaolong sounded apathetic.

That Steward Chen chuckled in a menacing manner, “Brat, let me tell you, this time, the reason our Castellan bought all the Origin Wine is to treat several Deities Templar’s Elders at the Castellan Manor.” An undisguised complacent expression plastered on Steward Chen’s face. In his opinion, Huang Xiaolong would be pissing in his pants at the mention of Deities Templar.

Obviously, being chosen to host Deities Templar’s Elders at the Castellan Manor was a glory, something countless sects and renowned families could only dream of.

While Steward Chen reveled in his ‘importance’, Huang Xiaolong instructed Feng Yang, who stood behind him: “Kill!”

“Yes, Owner.” Giant ghost Feng Yang acknowledged with respect.

Before Steward Chen understood what was happening, Feng Yang’s silhouette arrived in front of him in a speedy blur. Then, five fingers shaped into claws that grabbed the crown of Steward Chen’s head.

Steward Chen was merely a Xiantian Tenth Order warrior, sorely lacking against an opponent like Feng Yang. Before Feng Yang, Steward Chen could barely muster the thought to resist, he was locked in place by Feng Yang’s hand in an instant.

Feng Yang’s fingers pierced right into Steward Chen’s skull easily and started sucking. Right in front the inn owner’s terrified eyes, Steward Chen was sucked dry like a deflated ball.

A few seconds later, Feng Yang returned standing on the same spot behind Huang Xiaolong, without any ripples of emotion in his eyes.

Steward Chen’s stiff corpse crashed to the floor without support.

Other guests exclaimed noticing the incident at Huang Xiaolong’s table, causing a small ruckus in the inn. Still, Rising Sun City was located at a close distance to the Origin Forest, killings and fights took place on a daily basis, thus, the incident did not cause more than startled hustle.

Emperor Duanren and the two Duanren Institute’s old man stared in shock at Feng Yang standing still behind Huang Xiaolong. The intense ghost aura that broke out from Feng Yang’s body the instant he moved was clearly felt by the three of them.

A Saint realm ghost?!

The three people exchanged a look amongst them. Until this moment, Duan Ren still found it hard to believe, because he couldn’t comprehend how Huang Xiaolong could subjugate a ghost creature, moreover, one that had advanced into the Saint realm.

Huang Xiaolong looked at the inn owner impassively, “If I remember correctly, I am the one who bought the remaining Origin Wine first.”

The inn owner was jolted back to reality at Huang Xiaolong’s voice, his throat felt itchy and dry as he hastened to answer Huang Xiaolong, “Yes, it was Young Noble who bought them.”

“So, what about now?” The gaze in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes sharpened.

Beads of sweat trickled down from the inn owner’s forehead. He blurted out, “They belong to Young Noble, all of them!”

“Go bring the five hundred jugs that I bought, now.” Huang Xiaolong reproached, no longer in the same amiable manner he showed earlier.

“Yes, yes, Young Noble, please wait a moment.” The inn owner quickly ran off, he had seen it just now, that tall giant man behind the Young Noble was most likely a Saint realm expert.

Merely a slave was a Saint realm expert?! The more he thought about it, the more frightened the inn owner became.

Watching the inn owner run away, Huang Xiaolong sneered.

Deities Templar?

After only a few breaths’ time, the inn owner returned with the five hundred jugs of Origin Wine that Huang Xiaolong had paid for.

…

On another side, on the main seat of the Rising Sun City Castellan Manor’s hall sat an alluring woman clad in a pastel green dress. She was none other than Li Lu’s Master, Li Molin.

In the seat below her sat Yao Family’s Old Ancestor, Yao Shan and next to him was Yao Fei. Other than them, there were three other old men wearing Deities Templar’s Elder robe.  

All six people were seated, but Rising Sun City’s Castellan, Wang Cong, dared not sit. He was bowing and smiling eagerly as he stood in the hall.

Wang Cong faced Li Molin with a flattering smile, ” Elder Li, and all Elders, our Rising Sun City’s Origin Wine is absolutely superior, I guarantee that Elders won’t be able to stop heaping praises after tasting it.”

However, Li Molin did not show much of an interest, “Really?” She pointed at the last chair at the end of the hall, “You sit too.”

“Yes, thank you Elder Li.” Wang Cong was overjoyed, moving swiftly to the chair at the end and sat down.

But, at this time, a Castellan Manor guard ran into the hall looking flustered. Wang Cong’s brows tightened as he snapped at the guard in a low, restrained voice, “What happened? Where’s the Origin Wine I ordered you to get?” This was one of the guards who followed Steward Chen out to the Smooth Voyage Inn.

The guard dropped to his knees in apprehension, wailing bitterly, “Castellan, Steward Chen was killed, and the Origin Wine we ordered was all forcefully bought away by someone else.”

“What?!” Wang Cong jumped up from his chair, nerves stretched taut.