After half an hour, Xiao Mao’s voice lazily drifted over, “The Martial Emperor’s bones are really tough. It took me half an hour to finish chewing.”
“…” Lin Xiao was speechless. That was a Martial Emperor’s corpse. For anyone else, let alone chewing, even a sword or knife wouldn’t be able to cut it.
Yet Xiao Mao had devoured the entire Martial Emperor’s corpse in just half an hour.
“Huh, this Martial Emperor corpse is a bit filling. Lin Xiao, I’m going into seclusion. Make sure to keep me safe,” Xiao Mao’s voice came again.
Immediately, countless layers of white whiskers sprouted from Xiao Mao, wrapping himself tightly until no sound or aura leaked out.
“Seclusion again? Could he really break through with the Martial Emperor’s corpse?” Lin Xiao was slightly surprised, then waved his hand, storing Xu Tian Wang Yue in his storage ring.
The Martial Emperor’s corpse was extraordinary. Fully refining it would likely take a long time.
For quite a while, Xiao Mao wouldn’t be able to emerge.
Ling Xiao and Zihuang quietly marvelled.
“Miss Mei’er, here are a few drops of the Jin Emperor’s essence blood,” Zihuang said after Xiao Mao entered seclusion, producing a black jade bottle.
“A few drops!” Lin Xiao’s eyes lit up. As expected of someone who killed a Martial Emperor, to have so much essence blood and give away several drops at once.
“Thank you, Zihuang!” Mei Tianmo stepped forward to accept it, her face beaming with joy.
Zihuang then took out two more black jade bottles. “Lin Xiao, Ling Hu, one drop each for you. Since you’ve just broken through, it’s best not to refine it until your cultivation is fully stabilised.”
“One drop? Not several drops each?” Lin Xiao was momentarily stunned, sounding a bit disappointed.
Zihuang and Ling Xiao were exasperated by Lin Xiao’s words. Several drops each? Did he think Martial Emperor essence blood was ordinary blood, available in whatever quantity he wanted?
“Martial Emperor essence blood is extremely rare. Even after killing a Martial Emperor, we didn’t retain much,” Zihuang scolded. “Moreover, you two are only at the Martial Venerable realm. Enduring the pressure of one drop of Martial Emperor essence blood is already difficult. Refining two drops would likely require reaching the Martial Lord realm, or at least when you’re breaking through to it.”
Lin Xiao said reluctantly, “Zihuang, I’ve tempered my body with heavenly thunder, so my physique is strong. At the peak of the Martial King realm, I refined one drop of Martial Emperor essence blood. Now, I should be able to refine two drops. Could you give me one more?”
“Also, if possible, I’d like that drop to be your essence blood. Two different Martial Emperor essence bloods might trigger another transformation in me.”
Zihuang’s face darkened. Lin Xiao not only wanted another drop but specifically his essence blood.
However, the fact that Lin Xiao had refined Martial Emperor essence blood at the peak of the Martial King realm surprised him.
At the Martial King realm, even in the Zi family, no one would be allowed to refine Martial Emperor essence blood, nor could anyone withstand its pressure and energy. Attempting it would surely cause their body to explode.
Yet Lin Xiao had managed it, a testament to his extraordinary nature.
“I can give you one drop, but only after the Southeast Region Youth Summit quotas are publicly confirmed,” Zihuang finally said.
Since Lin Xiao could refine essence blood at the peak of the Martial King realm, with his current fifth-level Martial Venerable cultivation, two drops should be manageable.
Moreover, given Lin Xiao’s talent, Zihuang had some expectations for him.
The delay until the quotas were confirmed was partly for a public reward and partly to prevent Lin Xiao from impulsively refining two drops of Martial Emperor essence blood immediately.
Hearing Zihuang’s agreement, Lin Xiao was delighted and quickly thanked him. “Thank you, Zihuang!”
Then he turned to Ling Xiao. “Um, Ling Emperor, could you also give me a drop of your essence blood?”
“…” Ling Xiao’s face darkened.
This kid was truly insatiable!
Before Ling Xiao could respond, Zihuang, irritated, rebuked, “Two drops of essence blood are enough for your breakthrough. Three different Martial Emperor essence bloods? You definitely can’t handle that. Greed and recklessness aren’t wise. Drop this matter.”
Lin Xiao had no choice but to relent. In truth, he knew that refining three different Martial Emperor essence bloods simultaneously would likely be beyond his capacity.
At that moment, Ling Hu laughed from the side, encouraging Lin Xiao. “No worries. Whenever you need Martial Emperor essence blood in the future, just let me know, and I’ll get my father to sort it out for you.”
Ling Xiao’s face darkened again. Was there ever a son who sabotaged his father like this? Giving away his essence blood for an outsider so casually?
Lin Xiao nodded at Ling Hu, understanding that with their relationship, getting some Martial Emperor essence blood from Ling Xiao in the future shouldn’t be too difficult.
“Little man, you’re really greedy,” Mei Tianmo teased from the side. “By the way, I have some business to attend to and need to leave for a while. I’ll find you once it’s done.”
“You’re leaving?” Lin Xiao was slightly taken aback, puzzled.
Even if Mei Tianmo needed to enter seclusion, doing so in the Zi family would be safer.
If she needed to enter seclusion as a spiritual beast, she could form a cocoon and enter his storage ring, which would also be safe. Why leave to break through?
Could it be related to the Temple of Fate?
“Yes, it’s partly related to the Temple of Fate. Once I find traces of it, I’ll come for you,” Mei Tianmo nodded.
“Miss Mei’er knows how to locate the Temple of Fate?” Zihuang’s eyes flickered.
At the mention of the Temple of Fate, Ling Xiao’s expression grew serious. In recent conversations with Zihuang, they had discussed the Temple.
“Just some spiritual beast methods. Zihuang, Ling Emperor, I’ll remember your kindness. Farewell!” Mei Tianmo cupped her hands, then turned to Lin Xiao. “Little man, don’t be too weak when we meet again.”
With that, Mei Tianmo left the Zi family hall.
After her departure, Zihuang sighed. “Perhaps she doesn’t fully trust us.”
Ling Xiao nodded in agreement.
Lin Xiao was puzzled by Zihuang’s words but didn’t dwell on it. Mei Tianmo investigating the Temple of Fate now might be beneficial for him.
Outside the Zi family, Mei Tianmo glanced back, thinking to herself, “Lin Xiao, do you really think your charm is irresistible enough to draw me in? Our Heavenly Demon Clan, even in the ancient era, swept across the eight wastelands. To attract me, you’re far from enough.”
“I approached you only because of the Heavenly Eye. Others can’t detect it, but our Heavenly Demon Clan can.”
“When I gain the ability to unseal the Heavenly Eye, that will be your end.”
“Still, your talent is impressive. Whether I kill you in the future depends on your progress. If you show potential to connect me with unrivalled powerhouses, I’ll spare you. But the Heavenly Eye must be mine!” With a quiet sigh, Mei Tianmo stepped forward, leaving the Zi family behind.
