The Moon Lady knew very well that Ling Xiao’s return to the Imperial Capital this time had offended many enemies. Someone would surely try every possible way to scheme against him in secret. Because of this, the protection around Ling Xiao became even stricter.
However, to avoid making Ling Xiao feel uncomfortable, she had always been very careful to restrain her own aura.
For a Yin-Yang Realm martial artist to hide their presence from others was actually quite easy.
“Since the young lady has come, why not show yourself and talk for a while?”
The person in front turned his head suddenly. A familiar smiling face appeared in front of Ling Xiao.
“Grandfather!”
Ling Xiao trembled with excitement all over his body.
When he came from the Heavenly Dragon Continent to the Divine Phoenix Continent, he had originally wanted to find his grandfather Hong Qi. Unfortunately, apart from getting a little information from Ji Ning, there had been no news of Hong Qi after that.
He never expected to meet him here today.
But who was the “young lady” his grandfather mentioned?
Could it be Sister Moon Lady?
Ling Xiao turned his head and sure enough saw the Moon Lady slowly revealing her pale blue figure.
At this moment, however, there was a slight blush on the Moon Lady’s cheeks, and she even seemed a little nervous.
Because she had heard Ling Xiao call that person “Grandfather”.
If he was Ling Xiao’s grandfather, didn’t that also make him her grandfather?
When meeting an elder, it was hard for her to avoid feeling tense.
“Hehe, you little rascal have done well. You already have a woman, yet you never brought her to let your grandfather take a look.”
Hong Qi smiled as he stroked his beard, then casually drew a circle with his hand, isolating this space from the outside world.
In that instant, even the Moon Lady felt surprised.
Hong Qi’s strength was simply unfathomable.
When did Ling Xiao ever have such a powerful grandfather?
“Grandfather, forget about me for now. Where have you been all this time? And what happened to your strength? Back in Sky Peak City, you couldn’t even beat an ordinary Martial Vein Realm martial artist.”
Ling Xiao fired off a string of questions.
“Sit down and talk slowly.”
Hong Qi gently touched his storage ring. A table, chairs and stools appeared on the ground.
The three of them sat down. Only then did Hong Qi sigh and say, “It’s a long story. At the peak of my career, your grandfather was secretly plotted against by the person closest to me. Although I didn’t die, I became a cripple. Fortunately, your parents saved me. Later, to repay their kindness, I took you and went to Sky Peak City, the weakest place for martial artists.”
“My parents? Grandfather, do you know who my parents are?”
Ling Xiao asked excitedly.
“Now that you are someone who can stand on your own, it is time for you to know some truths.”
Hong Qi smiled and said, “Your father was Ji Fuling, the officially appointed heir of the Holy Dynasty’s Holy Emperor. Your mother was Yu Xuanyue, the peerless powerhouse of the Soul Clan.”
“It really is them!”
Although Ling Xiao had made guesses before, when he heard this fact come from Hong Qi’s mouth, he was still utterly shocked.
“Yes, it’s them.”
Hong Qi nodded.
“But why did they abandon me?”
Ling Xiao carried some resentment in his voice.
“It wasn’t that they wanted to abandon you. The path they had to take was full of uncertainty. Bringing you along would only harm you.”
Hong Qi said with emotion, “If nothing unexpected happened, your parents should have left through the Heavenly Chosen Giant Gate. As for exactly where they went, even I don’t know. If one day you can also pass through the Heavenly Chosen Giant Gate, go and try to find them.”
“Why must humans go through the Heavenly Chosen Giant Gate?”
Ling Xiao asked in confusion.
“I can answer this one.”
The Moon Lady suddenly spoke. “The Profound Realm we are in is a very unstable world. It could collapse at any moment. Leaving the Profound Realm to search for another place suitable for all races to survive has been happening for more than a hundred thousand years.”
“Not only that,” Hong Qi added. “According to intelligence observed from the Immortal Court Continent, the powerhouses beyond the heavens seem to enjoy using other backward worlds as their practice targets, just like how many martial artists test their strength by smashing stones. In their eyes, the Profound Realm is no different from a stone.”
“That’s too ridiculous, isn’t it?”
Ling Xiao felt his mind could hardly keep up. The things Moon Lady and Hong Qi talked about were completely unheard of to him.
He had never even imagined them.
“Whether it’s ridiculous or not, no one can say for sure right now. After all, these are just the words of the big shots. If you really want to know the truth, you will only find out after your cultivation reaches a certain level and you walk out through the Heavenly Chosen Giant Gate.”
Hong Qi smiled and said, “Let’s not talk about these things anymore. Tell me about what’s happening around you. I heard you established the Heavenly Dynasty Empire and became the Heavenly Emperor?”
“Yes.”
Ling Xiao nodded.
“Good lad, you have ambition. But don’t let it make you proud. From what I know, the Black Crow Empire and the Divine Phoenix Empire recently signed the Northern Desert Alliance Treaty. The exact contents of the treaty are unknown, but one thing is certain: these two countries have always been enemies, yet now they have started trading and even exchanging envoys. You must be on guard against the Divine Phoenix Empire making a move against your Heavenly Dynasty Empire.”
“I know.”
Ling Xiao had actually expected this day would come sooner or later.
How could one tolerate another snoring beside their bed?
The Divine Phoenix Empire would absolutely not allow the Heavenly Dynasty Empire to grow strong.
“It’s good that you understand. Also, I should let you know that the Jiu Mo Zhi Yan you once captured alive did not become depressed after that ordeal. Instead, he became more mature and powerful than before!”
Hong Qi laughed and said, “This person was already much stronger than you in cultivation. If not for his lack of experience, he would not have been captured alive by you. Now he is already a Fourth Heavenly Cave Realm martial artist. Rumour says his master Temur Mutu left him a supreme treasure sufficient to cultivate to the peak of Yin-Yang Realm. Right now, he hates you to the bone.”
“Jiu Mo Zhi Yan?”
Ling Xiao gave a slight smile. “I captured him once, so I can capture him a second time. Last time someone helped him, so he survived. Next time, he might not be so lucky.”
“Confidence is good, but you still need to be careful.”
Hong Qi continued, “Nowadays Northern Desert City has become a ruined city. Ever since you completely relocated the people there to the Heavenly Dragon Continent, it has gradually fallen into desolation.”
“Sigh. If only the Divine Phoenix Empire could have trusted Ji Ning more, things would not have come to this.”
Ling Xiao sighed.
“No need to sigh. Their reckless actions actually ended up helping you instead.”
Hong Qi said, “Since the Dragon-Phoenix Selection is coming soon, and the White Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering will also take place afterwards, the wars between great nations will probably decrease for a while. Your biggest goal right now should be to secure at least a top-three position in the Dragon-Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering. The benefits you gain will not only greatly help your own cultivation, but also make your empire much stronger.”
“There are actually such benefits in the White Tiger Wind and Cloud Gathering?”
Ling Xiao had originally thought that events like this martial dao festival only gave rewards to individual martial artists. He never expected it could also benefit the development of a nation.
