“Bad luck!”
Cursing under his breath, he leapt into the air once more and finally reached the bank, though thoroughly soaked.
Even for a martial artist, falling into water unprepared left one utterly bedraggled.
Ming Liu perhaps never realised that the dunking was merely a minor rebuke. The real trouble came the next day with what was born from it.
Ling Xiao did not intervene himself. He simply relayed what he had overheard to Ji Ning.
Then Ji Ning took action personally. In a single night, the so-called Seven Islands Alliance vanished from the world.
The alliance’s strongest martial artist was merely at the First Cave Heaven realm, on par with the Duke of Dong Commandery.
But who was Ji Ning?
He was a Yin-Yang realm powerhouse.
Originally, the Seven Islands Alliance’s greatest strength lay in their elusiveness; no one could pinpoint their locations, leaving even stronger martial artists helpless against them.
Yet with Ling Xiao, all that became an open secret.
After his soul left his body, Ling Xiao fully mapped the alliance’s positions. With Ji Ning’s strike, he eradicated Dong Commandery’s greatest scourge in one night.
To maximise the deterrent, Ji Ning hung the heads of all seven alliance leaders from the city gates.
This not only set Dong Commandery’s people cheering and celebrating, but also terrified would-be rebels into submission, content to serve under Ling Xiao from then on.
As for that useless Ming Liu, Ling Xiao spared his life and confined him instead.
What a fine bait he made.
Whether the Duke of Dong Commandery or anyone else sought to rescue Ming Liu, they would fall straight into his trap.
Who would have thought a single soul excursion would uncover a grand conspiracy and resolve a major headache.
This made Ling Xiao all the more devoted to cultivating the Soul Remnant Scroll.
Half a month later, Ling Xiao emerged from seclusion. He had reached the late Night Wander stage of the Soul Remnant Scroll, able to freely release his soul in any dim environment.
He could even employ some basic soul arts through it.
Though his cultivation had not advanced, nor had he grasped further Light and Shadow Mysteries, Ling Xiao’s overall strength had undoubtedly surged.
“Time to head to Tianlong Continent and settle with the True Demon Empire.”
Ling Xiao chose this moment because he knew the balance had shattered. With Sikong Zun dead, only the Yin-Yang Demon King propped up the True Demon Empire’s facade.
Opportunity had arrived.
This time, even if he could not utterly destroy the empire, he would turn it upside down and seize Tianlong Continent wholly in his grasp.
If the Heavenly Principle Alliance submitted, all well and good. If not, he would forcibly disband it.
A king who cleaved open heaven and earth could harbour no woman’s mercy.
That day, Ling Xiao set out from Dong Commandery for Tianlong Continent, but not by the old route. He headed instead for what had once been the Blue-Eyed Clan’s territory on Tianlong Continent.
Now it served as the True Demon Empire’s stronghold, home to its demon capital.
As a child, Ling Xiao had known the Blue-Eyed Clan’s ways differed vastly from the Holy Dynasty’s, though he had never seen for himself. This time, it proved an eye-opener.
After disembarking, Ling Xiao noted at once that the architecture here differed greatly from Tianfeng City or Yun Kong City.
Most striking, the martial artists all seemed fond of armour.
Plate, chain, leather, cloth, and more varieties besides.
“Qin Huo, have your men find a spot to camp in secret first. Once we scout the demon capital’s lay, then we strike without delay.”
Ling Xiao came to Tianlong Continent not for leisure. In half a month, Dong Commandery’s forces had swelled to one hundred thousand.
Most were former Holy Dynasty troops who flocked on hearing the news, battle-ready at once.
These men held Qin Huo in high regard; his command suited them perfectly.
Ji Ning led ten thousand original North Desert troops to hold Dong Commandery, while all other generals followed Qin Huo out.
Dong Commandery now faced scant peril.
And even if it did, with Ji Ning there, no issue.
Thus their main thrust targeted the True Demon Empire.
The empire’s demon capital hugged the sea; a sea assault was simplest.
Yet lacking intel, Ling Xiao had Qin Huo’s army break into small units, dispersed across Storm Ocean’s barren isles for covert drills.
Barren islands abounded there anyway.
With him came only Ji Ming Kong, Leng Meiwei, and a hundred dark stab operatives.
Dark Stab had expanded too, yet remained all elites.
“Then this general takes his leave. Marshal, take care.”
Ling Xiao now held the title of Grand Marshal against the True Demon Empire; Qin Huo naturally addressed him as such.
“Yes. You lot remember: most of the True Demon Empire are sea clans. Train on those barren isles with utmost caution. Let no sea clan spot you, or the consequences scarce bear thinking.”
Ling Xiao warned.
“Yes!”
After seeing Qin Huo off, Ling Xiao had the dark stabs disguise as commoners and infiltrate the city. So many together drew eyes too easily.
He wanted no discovery before a single deed done.
Now only Moon Woman remained at his side; the rest had their tasks.
“Come, Moon Woman Sister. Let us head to the demon capital first and find this ‘Apothecary Association’. They say it came only after the True Demon Empire rose, so they did Tianlong Continent some good at least.”
The so-called Apothecary Association was a vast organisation spanning the Profound Realm.
All apothecaries, pill ratings, fell under its purview.
Rumour held its headquarters near the Chosen Giant Gate, brimming with experts.
Few dared offend it, unless suicidal or convinced they needed no pills or medicines ever.
Ling Xiao sought the Apothecary Association not for strife this time. His aim: secure their apothecary certificate.
With that credential, even palace nobles granted face. It smoothed all manner of affairs.
Of course, certificates tiered by rank; higher grade, greater effect and esteem.
In Blue-Eyed Clan lands, Holy Dynasty folk faced disdain as a rule.
Yet today Ling Xiao met a different reception.
He need only claim apothecary status, seeking the association, and smiles piled up at once, even fawning ones.
No help for it; apothecaries commanded utmost respect and awe across the Profound Realm.
No martial artist could do without them.
Apothecary encompassed alchemists, herbalists, physicians, all healers, for ease of grading.
After all, titles varied by region. Issuing mismatched certificates would breed chaos.
