A Monarch Realm beast of the Tenth Heavenly Layer could fight even a human cultivator of the Emperor Realm.
In an instant, countless beasts across the entire Ten Thousand Beasts Forest were startled and came charging out.
Xiayu, who had been immersed in enjoyment, naturally heard the roar.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and fled, frantically driving the Dragon Spear technique.
He hadn't expected that the Monarch Realm beast he had just killed would have such a massive backing.
Having activated three micro-worlds, the speed of his Dragon Spear movement technique increased once again.
A single step covered more than ten zhang!
However, Xiayu hadn't gone far before a beast blocked his path.
With a single thrust of his spear, he annihilated it.
Tossing it casually into the Burning Heaven Melting Furnace, he continued his escape out of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest.
Yet the beasts behind him seemed to have locked onto him, and their numbers were growing steadily.
Running wildly all the way, it took him only half an hour to reach the place where he had previously killed Old Man Cold Crow.
Right then, a beast several dozen zhang in size came soaring through the sky.
Xiayu was startled and vanished in a flash.
Dragon Stealth!
In an instant, the massive swarm of beasts behind him and the Beast King in midair lost sight of Xiayu.
Not only that, but even his aura had completely vanished.
"Kill them! Find that human!"
A roar echoed through the air.
The beasts charged outward in all directions, immediately swarming upon any human they laid eyes on.
In an instant, the great war between humans and beasts erupted.
"Lion Beast King, you have broken the rules."
From within the Tree House Tribe, a figure shot up into midair.
Chapter Twelve: Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion
"Emperor Yun, it was you humans who broke the rules first!"
"I don't care who that human is! Hand him over immediately, or we go to war!"
The Lion Beast King glared with bulging eyes, reeking of a bloodthirsty aura.
"War?"
Emperor Yun narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Can you speak for the Beast Emperor?"
"Emperor Yun, save the breath! If Lord Beast Emperor learns that my younger brother has been killed, he will choose to go to war all the same."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Emperor Yun replied, "I don't know that person. Although he fled toward our side, he is not in the Tree House Tribe."
"Hmph, don't tell me you don't know. If you really don't know, then step aside and let me search myself. I've memorized his aura."
The Lion Beast King said coldly, his voice booming like a giant bell so that everyone within a radius of ten miles could hear it clearly.
"Allow you to search my Tree House Tribe? What do you take the dignity of Yunxuan for?"
"Too much nonsense! Kill them!"
The Lion Beast King's massive head suddenly let out a roar.
He stomped down with his foot and charged straight at Emperor Yun.
Down in the forest below, some of the beasts that had temporarily ceased fighting once again pounced upon the crowd.
"Kill!"
Emperor Yun let out a loud shout, and a long sword appeared in his hand.
Instantly, sword Qi surged along the blade, turning into a sword light over a dozen zhang long that slashed directly toward the Lion Beast King.
The Lion Beast King did not dodge or evade. His colossal body emitted a flash of cyan light as he crashed straight into the incoming sword light.
"Boom..."
The sound shook all directions!
The void trembled!
"You've broken through?"
A trace of solemnity flashed in the eyes of the Lion Beast King.
Although the previous Emperor Yun had held the title of emperor, he had actually been only a Half-Step Emperor Realm cultivator.
Right now, however, he was solidly in the First Heavenly Layer of Emperor Realm.
While the Lion Beast King could contend with Emperor Realm cultivators, that was merely contending, not defeating them.
Emperor Yun looked quietly at the Lion Beast King and asked, "What do you think?"
"So what if you have? Die!"
Roaring in fury, the Lion Beast King surged with even denser cyan light as he leaped forward, pouncing right in front of Emperor Yun.
Beneath Emperor Yun's feet, a halo of light eleven zhang in diameter suddenly appeared.
The halo flashed with brilliance, and Emperor Yun's figure was no longer in its original spot.
High above the Lion Beast King's head, a dazzling beam of sword light slashed straight down.
"Clang!"
A harsh sound rang out, resembling the clash of gold and iron.
The lingering shockwaves made the very void shudder.
Fresh blood splattered.
A gash appeared on top of the Lion Beast King's head.
Emperor Yun's expression remained unchanged, the sword Qi at the tip of his long sword flickering.
"If you wish to die, I can grant your wish," Yunxuan said indifferently.
The Lion Beast King glared. This damned Emperor Yun, this damned sword cultivator!
The offensive power of a sword cultivator was notoriously formidable. With Emperor Yun having just broken through, he was simply no match for him.
The Lion Beast King knew very well that if Emperor Yun went all out, he might genuinely perish right here.
"Emperor Yun, I had no intention of offending, but that human killed my younger brother, and I must kill him."
"If you have the ability, go chase and kill him yourself; I won't interfere. That person is not from our Tree House Tribe, but do not forget the pact between the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest and the human race," Yunxuan said coldly.
"When Lord Beast Emperor comes out of seclusion, I will definitely ask him to uphold justice! Hmph..."
Roaring with rage, the Lion Beast King turned and strode away.
Emperor Yun watched quietly as the Lion Beast King receded into the distance, remaining silent.
At that moment, a figure appeared behind him, and Emperor Yun asked, "Where is he?"
"Reporting to Emperor Yun, I lost his trail."
"Lost his trail?" Emperor Yun spun around abruptly, his expression peculiar.
"Yes, Emperor Yun, this subordinate is incompetent."
Emperor Yun fell silent.
This subordinate of his possessed Monarch Realm cultivation and was a master tracker par excellence — yet he had still managed to lose the trail?
This little fellow certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"Understood. Return."
Emperor Yun turned and walked away.
This time, the Tree House Tribe had suffered heavy losses, especially among the Spirit Origin Realm and Imperial Origin Realm cultivators, many of whom had died.
Even those in the Profound Origin Realm had sustained numerous injuries.
"That damned bastard, don't let me catch you, or I'll tear you apart alive! Ow, it hurts... go easier."
Many members of the Tree House Tribe were cursing Xiayu.
At that moment, Xiayu was running wildly along the ground on the outer fringes of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest.
When he had used Dragon Stealth earlier to pass through the Tree House Tribe, he had noticed someone tailing him.
To shake off the pursuer, he had frantically deployed Dragon Stealth; the moment its duration expired, he immediately switched to the Dragon Spear movement technique.
Fortunately, he had just activated his third micro-world, which had also increased the duration of Dragon Stealth by a breath of time; otherwise, Xiayu estimated it would have been very difficult to evade that person's tracking.
Glancing back at the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, Xiayu shifted his body and instantly covered nearly ten zhang.
Soon, the city walls of Hua City came vaguely into view.
"Sister, I'm back!"
"Now that your younger brother's strength has greatly increased, I'll soon be able to take you to be cured."
Leaping over the city wall, Xiayu sped toward the Xia family estate.
Filled with joyful anticipation, Xiayu had just stepped into the small courtyard where they lived when he heard sounds of crying and scolding.
"Xiayu has already fled, and he is no longer the Young Patriarch. The Young Patriarch has taken a fancy to this courtyard, so get out of here right now!"
"L-Little Yu hasn't run away. He went out on business, Fourth Uncle. Little Yu will be back soon, and I want to wait for him here."
"I'll move out as soon as he returns."
"Wait for him to return? Heh heh, who in the Xia family doesn't know now that he was terrified of the Young Patriarch and has long since fled God knows where?"
"You're not leaving, are you? Someone throw this girl out! Throw her out of the Xia family estate!"
Fourth Uncle?
Xiayu knew it must be someone from the Patriarch's faction — the head steward of the Xia family, who was the biological younger brother of Xia Hongji.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out.
Xiayu's eyes instantly turned bloodred, and with a single bound, he lunged forward.
Like lightning, he delivered a fierce slap across the face of the figure standing before him.
He held nothing back with this blow.
"Slap!"
The person who had been tugging at Xia Yao was sent flying directly through the air.
Fresh blood scattered across the sky.
"Sister, are you alright?"
Xiayu caught Xia Yao in his arms.
At that moment, Xia Yao was trembling all over, one half of her body burning with heat while the other half was freezing cold.
"Sister, why didn't you take your medicine?"
"Medicine? Those are spirit pills of our Xia family; what qualifications does she have to consume them?" Fourth Uncle sneered.
"Little Yu, you're back! You're finally back!"
Upon seeing Xiayu, Xia Yao's eyes lit up, and the next moment, she lost consciousness.
Without pills, she had been holding on bitterly, waiting for her younger brother to return.
Seeing that Xia Yao was still frowning even in her unconscious state, clearly in extreme agony,
boundless fury welled up instantly in Xiayu's heart.
"Xiayu, the Young Patriarch has taken a liking to your courtyard. You are no longer fit to live here. Take this sickly wretch and get lost!"
"There's a wooden hut next to the animal sheds at the very south; go live there."
Fourth Uncle crossed his arms, his face full of a disdainful smile.
His answer was a massive fist.
"Boom..."
Fourth Uncle didn't even manage to let out a sound before he was blasted straight through the doorway, crashing through the courtyard wall and collapsing onto the ground motionless.
The remaining Xia family servants were instantly dumbfounded.
Lifting Xia Yao into his arms with a gloomy expression, Xiayu said, "Sister, I'm taking you away!"
"This Xia family is not worth staying in anyway."
With a flicker of his body, Xiayu vanished from the spot.
"Bang!"
An incense stick of time later, the front doors of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Hua City were kicked open.
"Who dares to run amok in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion?"
Several cultivators wielding sabers and swords instantly appeared before Xiayu.
With bloodshot eyes, Xiayu growled, "Xiayu has no intention of offending anyone. Please have your Pavilion Master come out; I have an urgent favor to ask!"
"Xiayu? The deposed Young Patriarch of the Xia family? Heh, do you think you're still the Young Patriarch of the Xia family? Our Pavilion Master is someone you can just see whenever you want? Leave money for the door and get lost!"
The lead guard directly drew the sword at his waist.
Chapter Thirteen: There Must Be a Misunderstanding Inside Here
"I truly have an urgent favor to ask. My sister is gravely ill and urgently needs some spirit pills."
Xiayu was frantic with anxiety. In his arms, the two halves of his sister's body were growing increasingly cold and hot respectively.
"You need pills? Do you have money?" the lead guard asked with a sneer.
Xiayu froze for a moment. Money?
He truly didn't have any on him.
Before he could speak, the lead guard continued, "People from the Xia family already came to notify us that you are no longer the Young Patriarch. If you buy things, the Xia family won't honor the tab."
"I don't have money, but I can use an item as collateral. I can use this spear as collateral."
Xiayu immediately produced the Wicked Dragon Spear.
The Wicked Dragon Spear vibrated slightly, though it remained silent.
"What a joke, collateral? This is the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, you should go to a pawnshop for collateral! However, you must first pay compensation for the door. I see your ring is quite nice; use that as compensation instead."
The lead guard had seen clearly just moments ago that Xiayu had drawn the Wicked Dragon Spear from that very ring.
Never mind what spear or no spear; he understood in his heart that this ring was a treasure.
A treasure that could store items, and a ring at that?
Could it be the legendary Qiankun Ring?
He had never seen one, but on one occasion, he had heard the elders mention them.
In an instant, greed took root in his heart.
Xiayu narrowed his eyes. He knew this matter could not be resolved peacefully.
However, his sister's condition was growing more critical by the moment.
He could wait no longer!
"Scram!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Xiayu shouted in a low voice.
"Heh heh, you've got quite the nerve, don't you? Brothers, capture this former Young Patriarch of the Xia family and let the Xia family come pay a ransom."
The lead guard sneered inwardly; he now had an excuse.
The next moment, he swung his sword directly, aiming for Xiayu's left hand where the Qiankun Ring was worn.
Once he hacked off that left hand, an ultimate treasure like the Qiankun Ring would be entirely his own.
"Boom..."
A sword flash pierced the air, followed by a thunderous crash as the lead guard was sent flying backward, slamming heavily into the interior of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
Seeing this, the remaining guards immediately moved to attack, while one blew a warning whistle.
Bang, bang, bang!
Three muffled thuds rang out as the three guards who had rushed forward were sent flying.
Only the one blowing the whistle remained, frozen in place.
Ignoring him entirely, Xiayu charged straight into the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was a sprawling independent compound divided into front and rear courtyards, with all commercial business conducted in the front yard.
In the front yard stood five quaint, multi-story wooden pavilions.
Xiayu had visited the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion before and charged straight toward the Spirit Pill Pavilion.
The Spirit Pill Pavilion was the building where the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion sold pills.
Before Xiayu could even reach the entrance of the Spirit Pill Pavilion, several figures descended from the air.
Midair, blade lights and sword shadows converged directly upon Xiayu.
"Audacious scoundrel, daring to commit murder in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion! You're tired of living!"
"Scram!"
Xiayu let out a sharp cry, his speed surging abruptly as he employed the Dragon Spear movement technique.
Simultaneously, he threw out a punch.
Ancestral Dragon Fist, Immeasurable!
Triple-stacked Immeasurable!
With time pressing down on him like a matter of life and death, Xiayu held nothing back.
"Boom..."
The four figures were sent flying back up into the sky at an even faster velocity.
"Puff!"
A mouthful of blood sprayed out in midair.
Without even a groan, the four men of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion crashed to the ground and lay motionless.
At this point, Xiayu could no longer afford to care about anything else; his sister's life was paramount.
With a loud crash, he kicked open the doors of the Spirit Pill Pavilion.
With a flash of his body, he bolted straight up to the second floor.
The pills Xia Yao needed were kept on the second floor; he had come here to purchase them on previous occasions.
Stuffing the pills into Xia Yao's mouth, Xiayu finally let out a sigh of relief.
These few pills could not cure the root cause, but they could temporarily suppress the conflicting water and fire forces within his sister's body.
At that moment, a flash of inspiration struck his mind, and a pill formula surfaced in his consciousness.
The heritage memories of alchemy he had inherited from the nameless old man in the cave had now been completely absorbed and digested.
He knew that for his sister's condition, a King-grade spirit pill was required to thoroughly resolve the problem.
However, there were no King-grade spirit pills on the second floor.
In fact, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Hua City possessed no King-grade spirit pills at all.
He would refine a King-grade pill himself!
Xiayu made his decision instantly. Having inherited complete mastery of alchemy, he was fully capable of refining it.
Picking up Xia Yao, Xiayu turned and bolted down from the Spirit Pill Pavilion.
The moment he stepped outside the building, he halted his steps.
Standing outside the entrance was a crowd of people.
At their head was a sword cultivator, flanked by seven or eight individuals with formidable auras, all clutching sabers and swords.
Farther back stood a formation of over a dozen people, each holding heavy crossbows with notched arrows ready to fire.
"Xiayu, you wounded the guards of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and forced your way inside. Surrender immediately, or I will personally execute you under my sword!"
As the sword cultivator finished speaking, his aura surged violently.
Eighth Heavenly Layer of Imperial Origin Realm!
In present-day Hua City, this was undoubtedly a top-tier expert.
One had to know that City Lord Zhu, the number one expert of the City Lord's Mansion, was only at the Seventh Heavenly Layer of Imperial Origin Realm.
Furthermore, the offensive power of a sword cultivator was absolute top-tier among cultivators of the same rank.
This alone demonstrated just how formidable the strength of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion truly was.
Xiayu remained silent. Cradling his sister Xia Yao, he reached out, grabbed a chair, and gently seated her upon it.
"Sister, wait for me for a moment."
Turning around, Xiayu slowly gripped the Wicked Dragon Spear. He understood very well that talking was meaningless now.
In this world where the strong ruled supreme, if you tried to reason with them, they would only answer with strength.
Only by defeating them would they be willing to listen to reason.
The strong were the law!
Hum!
Xiayu vibrated the Wicked Dragon Spear, and an overwhelming battle intent soared into the heavens in an instant.
Pointing the tip of his spear forward, he said coldly, "All of you, come together!"
"Arrogant! First, receive a sword from me!"
Snorting in fury, the sword cultivator drew his sword and slashed downward.
Sword Qi flickered like a ribbon of silk descending from the sky!
The air emitted a shrill whistling sound!
Xiayu remained motionless. Just as the sword light was about to descend, the Wicked Dragon Spear struck out like lightning.
Shattering the Heavens!
A cold flash swept past!
Clang!
A crisp sound rang out.
The sword cultivator froze!
Everyone behind him froze as well!
At that moment, the tip of the Wicked Dragon Spear was pressed against the sword cultivator's throat. Should Xiayu push forward even slightly, the sword cultivator would meet a bloody end.
The sword cultivator's gaze flickered, his face ashen.
He never imagined that, with his Eighth Heavenly Layer of Imperial Origin Realm cultivation, he would be defeated in a single move.
And he was a powerful sword cultivator; given his strength, he could fight even experts at the Peak of Imperial Origin Realm.
Yet, a single spear thrust!
In merely a single strike, he had lost!
This was something he simply could not accept!
"I have lost. Kill me!" the sword cultivator sighed and uttered.
Xiayu stared at the sword cultivator, remaining silent for a moment before saying slowly, "As you wish!"
"Stop!"
The moment Xiayu's arm moved, a shout rang out.
Two figures flashed into the courtyard like lightning.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
The other members of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion immediately bowed in salute.
"Young Patriarch Xia, this old man is Dunmulin, the Pavilion Master of the Hua City branch of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Shouldn't you give my pavilion an explanation for this matter?"
"Otherwise, even if you kill Wu Zichi and slaughter all of us here, the main headquarters of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will not let you off!"
Xiayu narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Are you threatening me?"
Chapter Fourteen: Sage-Grade Pill Furnace
"This old man didn't mean that. I simply want to figure out what actually happened here. I believe there must be a misunderstanding inside here."
Xiayu cast a cold glance at Dunmulin and said indifferently, "I'll give you half a quarter of an hour."
"Many thanks, Young Patriarch Xia. Please wait a moment." Dunmulin gave a slight bow.
Xiayu said nothing more, making no acknowledgment whatsoever of Dunmulin's bow.
For many people, the prerequisite for respect was the strength you possessed.
Before long, Dunmulin had unraveled the full sequence of events, his face turning ashen with anger.
"Expel Guard Liu from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and never employ him again!"
With that, he turned around and bowed deeply toward Xiayu.
"Young Patriarch Xia, this incident was the fault of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Please forgive us."
"As compensation for all losses incurred this time, our pavilion will bear them entirely. To express our apologies, here are one hundred spirit pills for Miss Xia Yao to take."
"This is a VIP card, which grants certain privileges within the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion."
"If Young Patriarch Xia has any other needs, just name them. As long as it is within the power of this Dunmulin, I will certainly not refuse. I hope this misunderstanding can be resolved with a major issue reduced to a minor one, and a minor one reduced to nothing."
Xiayu accepted the spirit pills and the VIP card, and Dunmulin's expression relaxed somewhat.
Naturally, it was best if this matter could pass smoothly.
Although the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion was not afraid of an Imperial Origin Realm cultivator, nor were they afraid of the Xia family,
if Xiayu were to go on a killing spree right now, no one present would be able to stop him.