Another seven days passed, and earth-shaking changes occurred within Ling Xiao’s body.
The originally frantic medicinal power had almost been completely absorbed.
At the location of his heavenly meridians, a dazzling ball of energy had actually appeared.
This energy ball was the inner core of the cave heaven domain.
Through the energy ball, one could see inside the cave heaven domain, apart from a vast amount of sharp sword qi, there were also nine enormous bronze cauldrons.
“Nine Cauldrons Sword Domain!”
Ling Xiao’s eyes suddenly opened. The energy ball flashed, and a sword domain several metres in radius immediately formed around him.
However, this sword domain was not quite like the one he had used before.
The previous one had only sword qi, only attack.
Now, it had the additional blessing of the nine cauldrons’ destiny, granting powerful defensive capabilities as well as a special suppression effect.
At this moment, he had also successfully broken through the shackles of the Ten Directions Heaven cultivation and smoothly entered the embryonic stage of the half-step Cave Heaven realm.
After breaking through to the embryonic stage of the half-step Cave Heaven realm, Ling Xiao spent nearly another half month consolidating his cultivation.
When he emerged from seclusion, Sin City had almost turned upside down.
Because of the Imperial Jade Seal, this place had become the focal point of contention among various major forces.
Ling Xiao actually felt a bit fortunate that he had found a scapegoat and given the fake Imperial Jade Seal to Tianhai Zhenzhu.
Otherwise, today he would probably have exhausted Yue Nü and the others to death. Even if they could protect him completely, they would likely be covered in wounds.
That choice had truly been very wise.
When Ling Xiao emerged from seclusion, Yue Nü was still in closed-door cultivation.
He summoned Leng Mei and inquired about the recent situation in Sin City.
“Master, Sin City right now is simply a complete mess. Blue Wave Island, the Divine Phoenix Empire, the Black Crow Empire, and numerous small nations have all sent experts.
Most surprising of all, the five immortal islands, Changle Immortal Island, Black Water Immortal Island, Black Crystal Immortal Island, Immaculate Immortal Island, and Blue Jade Immortal Island, have each dispatched experts as well.
Add to that the people who were already here before, and it is utter chaos.”
Leng Mei replied, “Moreover, the biggest problem now is that Sin City allows entry but no exit. It is completely surrounded. A couple of days ago, there were even reports that Tianhai Zhenzhu and experts from the Water Temple had appeared. It seems they are now hiding everywhere and unable to leave either.”
“Tsk tsk, I never expected the Imperial Jade Seal to have such immense influence. Luckily I made my decision early, otherwise it would really have been troublesome. I reckon Tianhai Zhenzhu is regretting it now.”
Ling Xiao revealed a playful smile as he spoke.
“If she regretted it, she would probably hand over the Imperial Jade Seal. The reason she hasn’t done so yet is definitely because she still harbours some hope. After all, that item is far too precious. Whether for its symbolic meaning or the hidden Human King notes inside, both have a fatal attraction.”
At some point, Princess Yun Ya had also appeared and spoke with a smiling expression.
“You didn’t go looking for it?”
Ling Xiao asked with a smile.
“I have no interest in that thing, because it can get people killed.”
Princess Yun Ya shook her head.
To say she had no interest at all was impossible, but this woman was truly very clever and pragmatic.
With Sin City now in such turmoil and so many experts gathered here, not even the alchemy conference had caused this much sensation.
If she jumped into the fray, wouldn’t that be seeking death?
“Heh heh, you’re the sensible one.”
Ling Xiao chuckled, then stood up and said, “Leng Mei, let’s go out for a look around. First, we’ll observe the situation. Now that I’ve emerged from seclusion, I estimate Sister Yue Nü will also come out before long. We can’t stay cooped up here forever.”
“Understood, Master.”
The two bid farewell to Yun Ya and stepped out of the residence.
At the same time, in an abandoned temple on the edge of Sin City, Tianhai Zhenzhu was breathing heavily in large gasps.
Her body bore multiple injuries, and her expression was extremely grim.
Beside her was a powerful expert, the Heavy Water Guardian sent by the Water Temple to protect her.
This person was a Yin-Yang realm martial artist, yet he had been chased to the point of having to hide everywhere. His body was also covered in many wounds.
Even hiding here, the two of them remained anxious and on edge.
“This can’t go on. We must decipher the secret of the Imperial Jade Seal as soon as possible or find a way to leave Sin City. Otherwise, even I will be hunted to death.”
The Heavy Water Guardian frowned as he spoke.
He was in a rather foul mood right now.
Back when Tianhai Zhenzhu had seized the Imperial Jade Seal from Ling Xiao, he had even felt a bit pleased, thinking that although they had failed to kill Ling Xiao this time, obtaining the Imperial Jade Seal was still a great achievement. Upon returning, they would surely receive rewards.
But the events that followed gave both him and Tianhai Zhenzhu endless headaches.
First, they were pursued by that Yue Nü, forcibly delaying their departure from Sin City. Afterwards, they became rats in the street that everyone wanted to beat.
The entire Sin City was completely surrounded by forces coming from all directions.
Especially since the alchemy conference had drawn in far too many experts, they had quickly formed an effective blockade.
Including the Medicine King Sun Ran, Ji Qing, and Elder Changle, none of these people were easy to deal with.
In order to evade their attacks, both he and Tianhai Zhenzhu were battered and bruised.
“Someone’s coming!”
While studying the Imperial Jade Seal, a rustling of footsteps suddenly came from outside. It seemed more than ten people were approaching this way.
At the same time, voices could be heard.
“There’s an abandoned temple here. Such a strong smell of blood. I wonder if Tianhai Zhenzhu is hiding inside. Let’s go in and check!”
The speaker was surprisingly the Corpse Granny from Blue Wave Island.
“But Vice Island Lord, Tianhai Zhenzhu has the Heavy Water Guardian with her. I’m afraid we are no match for them. We should wait for the Island Lord to come too.”
A slightly worried voice said.
“Nonsense. That Heavy Water Guardian is already gravely injured. Even if he is a Yin-Yang realm expert, what is there to fear with this old woman here? Go in!”
The Corpse Granny was extremely domineering, and she was determined to obtain the Imperial Jade Seal. She did not want the Island Lord of Blue Wave Island to get it, so she certainly would not call for help.
Moreover, she had personally witnessed the Heavy Water Guardian being injured.
A Yin-Yang realm martial artist was indeed powerful, but if injured, she could still take advantage of his weakness.
Inside the abandoned temple, the Heavy Water Guardian revealed a ferocious smile and signalled Tianhai Zhenzhu not to move.
Since these people wanted to court death, he might as well vent some anger.
These days of hiding and dodging had truly been unbearable. He needed to find someone to take it out on.
The Corpse Granny, along with more than ten people from Blue Wave Island, entered the abandoned temple.
At this moment, the Heavy Water Guardian actually pretended to be gravely injured. He glared viciously at the Corpse Granny and roared, “Even if this old man falls to you today, I will drag you all down with me!”
He was indeed injured, so a direct attack might not kill this top-tier Cave Heaven realm expert, the Corpse Granny.
Therefore, by feigning severe injury to lure the Corpse Granny closer, then launching a sneak attack, the success rate would definitely be much higher.
