Invincible

Chapter 426: Shi Xiaofei’s Whereabouts

Treasure City, Castellan Manor’s back garden.

Steward Tan An and a Castellan Manor Saint realm expert, Li Feng, were lounging at inside the stone pavilion, enjoying wine in leisure.

“I wonder what important matters Cult Leader has that he needed to make a trip to Peace Emperor World and could not return on a short notice.” Tan An said while his fingers nursed the wine cup in a toast.

Li Feng too raised his wine cup. Two cups clinked and both men threw their heads back, gulping the wine down. Li Feng shook his head, “Cult Leader’s matter is not something slaves like us can assume.” There were worship and reverence in his voice.

“Then let Huang Xiaolong live a few more years of arrogance.” Tan An simply said, then his tone changed, “That woman, is she really Shi Xiaofei? Snow Wind Continent Blessed Buddha Empire’s Princess?”

Li Feng nodded, “It shouldn’t be wrong. That Shi Xiaofei is Snow Wind Continent’s number one beauty, truly a beauty that stirs people’s hearts. The Young Lord can’t be blamed for falling for her.”

Tan An said, “Forget about the Young Lord, even I feel hot just thinking of her face, that slight smile and every little action is so enticing. If I can dual cultivate with such a woman for a night, I’m be willing to do it even if my cultivation regresses.”

Li Feng laughed heartily, “Alright, since the Young Lord has taken an interest in that woman, we shouldn’t delude ourselves.”

Tan An nodded his head, acknowledging a fact.

Right at this time, a cold harrumph sounded from the void. The noise came too suddenly, alarming both Tan An and Li Feng.

“Who is it?!” Both men jumped to their feet.

Tan An and Li Feng barely got to their feet when a black-haired young man appeared, strolling out from the darkness. With every step the black-haired young man took, the dark red energy shrouding his body seemed to grow a shade darker.

A horrifying murderous aura of slaughter wove a net around the entire manor back garden.

The look in Tan An and Li Feng’s eyes grew dignified.

What a strong momentum!

This young man’s strength was definitely above both of them!

Still, both of them composed themselves a moment later remembering where they were—the Castellan Manor. This calmed both men considerably.

“This friend, what matters do you have trespassing into the Castellan Manor at this late hour?” Tan An questioned, his tone bore a hint of hostility.

The black-haired young man was none other than Huang Xiaolong.

“What matters?” Huang Xiaolong sneered, “Where is Shi Xiaofei?” At first, he only had a hunch that the fact Shi Xiaofei went missing was related to Treasure City’s Castellan Manor, but he didn’t expect to run right into Tan An and Li Feng’s conversation. Shi Xiaofei really fell into Cosmos God Cult’s hand.

Tan An and Li Feng were taken aback by Huang Xiaolong’s question.

Li Feng laughed, trying to lighten up the tension, “So this friend is an expert from the Blessed Buddha Empire, in that case, I’ll happily oblige the truth. In fact, our Young Lord and Princess Shi Xiaofei have mutual feelings toward each other and are already betrothed to each other. The wedding is coming soon, at that time, we will send someone to inform the Blessed Buddha Empire.”

Huang Xiaolong looked at both men, a cold laugh came from his throat; in the conversation earlier, it was clearly the Cosmos God Cult’s  Young Lord that was interested in Shi Xiaofei, but now, this man actually dared to claim that both people were in love with each other? Betrothed to each other? That was even more ridiculous to the ears.

The Cosmos God Cult decided on the wedding in a one-sided manner, only informing the Blessed Buddha Empire close to the wedding day? By that time, the rice would already be cooked ^{, the Blessed Buddha Empire wouldn’t be in a position to refuse or retaliate.}

From another aspect, it could be said that the Blessed Buddha Empire carried little importance in the Cosmos God Cult’s eyes. They did this knowing full well who Shi Xiaofei was!

“How do you want to die?” The look in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes sharpened.

One of the points Huang Xiaolong heard from these men’s conversation was that the Cosmos God Cult Leader went to the Peace Emperor World, and since their biggest honcho was not around, Huang Xiaolong needn’t have qualms in dealing with them!

How do you want to die? Anger rose in Tan An and Li Feng’s heart. Both of them were Saint realm experts, not to mention they were at the Treasure City’s Castellan Manor, how dare this young man act so insolent?

Tan An snickered, “What a big tone! Do you think you’re Huang Xiaolong?!”

The moment Tan An finished his question, a swarm of buzzing black beetles flew toward the men, casting over the sky.

The two men were stunned, these were…?!

Poison Corpse Scarabs?! The name flashed in their minds at almost the same time, and their faces lost all colors in an instant.

Even though neither of them had actually seen a real Poison Corpse Scarab, these black beetles that were flying right at them looked exactly like the recently famed Poison Corpse Scarabs!

Huang Xiaolong?!

Two pairs of eyes were fixed on Huang Xiaolong, filled with horror. Just as the name flashed in their minds, both let out a shout and struck their palms out at the black cloud of Poison Corpse Scarabs.

Two Saint realm experts attacking at full force, the impact was enough to split mountains.

Contrary to their expectations, when they struck to repel the Poison Corpse Scarabs, a golden ring appeared above their heads, shining down a bright light that enshrouded them entirely.

Tan An and Li Feng felt as if space solidified, their bodies unable to move a millimeter.

“God Binding Ring!” Glancing at the golden ring above them, Tan An exclaimed aloud. Before another word could come from Tan An’s mouth, a sharp pain in his arm drew his attention. When his gaze shifted toward his arm, Tan An saw a Poison Corpse Scarab crawling around. Just like the rumors described the process, it didn’t take long for Tan An to feel numb all over his body, unable to gather any battle qi in his Qi Sea. Tan An turned deadly pale.

Almost at the same time, Li Feng was also bitten by a Poison Corpse Scarab.

Huang Xiaolong retrieved the God Binding Ring and released from their binding. Tan An and Li Feng plummeted to the ground.

The ground shook from the impact.

“Huang Xiaolong, you, what do you want?” Crashed to the ground, Tan An could no longer conceal the great terror from his face, reiterating, “This is the Treasure City’s Castellan Manor.”

Huang Xiaolong scoffed, “I know that this is Treasure City’s Castellan Manor.” Retrieving the swarm of Poison Corpse Scarabs, he walked toward Tan An and Li Feng.

Watching Huang Xiaolong call away the Poison Corpse Scarabs, both men looked slightly better, thinking that Huang Xiaolong still had qualms with them being inside the Castellan Manor. He wouldn’t really dare to commit murder here.

While both of were thinking of ways to delay for more time until Cosmos God Cult experts realized what was going on and hurry over, they saw Huang Xiaolong’s pupils suddenly turn violet as two ‘soul’ characters flew out from his eyes straight into Tan An and Li Feng’s pupils.

A bright violet light flashed in their eyes and disappeared, leaving two dull, dispirited looking men.

The violet light in Huang Xiaolong’s pupils intensified. It was only half an hour later when they returned to normal Huang Xiaolong was worse for wear, but Tan An and Li Feng appeared normal as they were, not dull and dispirited.

“You, what did you do to us just now?!” Li Feng demanded as he glared at Huang Xiaolong. All he could remember was a flash of violet light in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes, then nothing, as if he lost consciousness.

Huang Xiaolong looked at the two men, chuckling as he brought the Poison Corpse Scarabs out again. Soon, blood-curdling screams echoed in the back garden. This time, Huang Xiaolong absorbed Tan An and Li Feng’s souls into the Supreme Ghost Flag, turning the men’s soul into ghost spirits for the flag instead of food for the Poison Corpse Scarabs.

Earlier, Huang Xiaolong used the Ancient Puppetry Art and Soul Mandate to control the two men’s souls, scouring through their minds for information. However, with Huang Xiaolong’s current level of spiritual force, he could only manage a very small portion of memories, such as everything that happened in the recent two year’s time.

From Tan An and Li Feng’s most recent memories, Huang Xiaolong found out that Shi Xiaofei and two of her maid that followed her to Starcloud Continent were all captured and brought to the Cosmos God Cult headquarters by Cosmos God Cult’s Young Lord, Xie Hui.

“Xie Hui.” Huang Xiaolong’s eyes glinted with a cold light, disappearing into the night’s darkness in a flicker.

Because Huang Xiaolong blocked the space around the back garden using the God Binding Ring, the commotion that happened in the back garden went unnoticed by Peng Zhuang and everyone else in the manor.

Next morning, when Peng Zhuang strode into the hall, he ordered one of the maids, “Go call Steward Tan An here.” Since last night, there was a strong feeling of unease that wouldn’t go away no matter what, thus Peng Zhuang planned to have Tan An make a trip to the Cosmos God Cult headquarters.

1. Signed, sealed, and delivered

Chapter 427: Congratulations, Young Lord

The maid respectfully complied, turning away in search of Steward Tan An.

Peng Zhuang sat and waited calmly in the main hall.

Before long, that maid returned.

“Where’s Tan An?” Seeing the maid returned but no signs of Tan An, Peng Zhuang demanded.

The maid answered respectfully, “Replying to Castellan, Steward Tan An is not in, no one knows where he is.”

Peng Zhuang’s brows wrinkled furrowed; not in? Cannot be, ah, if Tan An had matters that required him to leave the Castellan Manor, he would definitely come tell him in person. The more Peng Zhuang thought about it, the more things didn’t seem right, and took out the transmission jade slip.

However, a while passed but there was no reply from Tan An through the transmission jade slip.

The strong unease in Peng Zhuang grew, he hurried to his feet and moved swiftly to Tan An’s courtyard.

“Did Steward Tan An tell any of you where he was going?” Reaching Tan An’s courtyard, Peng Zhuang interrogated Tan An’s personal maid in the courtyard.

Tan An’s personal maid shook her head, “Replying to Castellan, no, he didn’t. Oh right, last night, Lord Li Feng came looking for Lord Steward.”

“Li Feng.” Peng Zhuang was surprised.

“Yes, then both lords went over to the back garden stone pavilion to have a drink, and haven’t returned since then.” Tan An’s personal maid answered.

Hearing that, Peng Zhuang headed to the Manor’s back garden in quick steps. When he arrived, the collapsed stone pavilion and beams, lopsided and uprooted trees in the surroundings entered his eyes. Scanning the wreckage in the garden, a chill snaked across Peng Zhuang’s heart.

Needless to say, the damage in the garden was caused by a fight.

Yet, last night, no one in the Castellan Manor felt any energy fluctuations that indicated there was a fight. Not one tiny noise was heard?!

Peng Zhuang quickly took out the transmission jade slip again to contact Li Feng, but just like he thought, there was no response from Li Feng either. His face became gloomy; one as stupid as a Tyrant Boar using its arse to think could figure out something happened to Tan An and Li Feng!

“Relay my order, lockdown Treasure City, report any suspicious person immediately!” Peng Zhuang looked over and roared at one of the guards.

That guard had never seen the Castellan so furious, his face was ashen at the receiving end of Peng Zhuang’s roar. The guard immediately saluted and ran off to carry out the order.

At this point, Huang Xiaolong was already several thousand miles away from Treasure City, flying at rapid speed, leaving only a blurry streak of light where he passed. Despite his breakneck speed, Huang Xiaolong movements were soundless.

Anxious for Shi Xiaofei’s safety, Huang Xiaolong couldn’t care less about alarming the surrounding experts as he sped past cities without hiding his presence.

Huang Xiaolong’s action inevitably attracted some Saint realm experts’ attention from these cities, some of them even tried to stop Huang Xiaolong by blocking in front of his way, however, once they noticed Huang Xiaolong’s terrifying speed, these path blockers ran far away to dodge, horrified.

In time, Huang Xiaolong grew ever closer to Cosmos God Cult’s headquarters.

However, Cosmos God Cult’s power was far reaching, just the number of oblasts under their territory exceeded two hundred, ten times the land area compared to Asura’s Gate. On top of that, Cosmos God Cult’s headquarters was located right at the center of its territories. Hence, rushing all the way from Treasure City to Cosmos God Cult headquarters, Huang Xiaolong had to travel across eleven oblasts between the two points.

Huang Xiaolong continued to fly madly at breakneck speed as his heart grew more agitated. He was the reason Shi Xiaofei traveled to Starcloud Continent, if something really happened to her, Huang Xiaolong would regret it for his entire life. How would he face Senior Brother Shi Fantian then?

“Xie Hui!” An icy glint flickered in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes, the murderous aura around him strengthening.

If anything happened to Shi Xiaofei, he would start a massacre! He will turn Cosmos God Cult’s headquarters into a river of blood!

He had no reason to be scrupulous about it since the Cosmos God Cult Leader himself was not here in Martial Spirit World.

“Xie Chao, I hope your son hasn’t committed the biggest mistake of his life, otherwise…!” The enmity deepened in Huang Xiaolong’s eyes, if that Xie Hui really tainted Shi Xiaofei’s chastity, he would gladly turn Xie Hui and all the Cosmos God Cult Elders into nutrition for the Poison Corpse Scarabs!

After all, thirteen years later at the Grand Martial Exchange, Huang Xiaolong would be battling Xie Chao. At that time, Xie Chao definitely wouldn’t spare him, therefore, Huang Xiaolong’s actions weren’t restrained by future consequences.

Ten days later, Huang Xiaolong stopped on a mountain peak in the wilderness and immediately swallowed a Divine Dragon Pellet and initiated his martial spirit ability Instant Recovery to replenish his depleted Saint force. He continued rushing onward right after recovering.

In these ten days, he did not stop at all, even at night, he continued on at whirlwind speed.

Xie Hui had taken Shi Xiaofei away from the Treasure City thirteen days prior to Huang Xiaolong’s pursue to the Cosmos God Cult headquarters. According to Huang Xiaolong’s estimation, going at full speed as he was now, he should be able to reach the Cosmos God Cult headquarters about the same time as Xie Hui’s group.

Another two days passed.

Huang Xiaolong was currently standing in the air, looking down at an island below.

“This is the Eternal Pure Sea.” Huang Xiaolong took out the Starcloud Continent map, checking the area around him and muttering to himself, “A little further up is the Lingwu Oblast .”

And the Cosmos God Cult headquarters was located inside the Lingwu Oblast.

Huang Xiaolong looked at the sky, the moon was already high up. Silvery moonlight sprinkled onto the dark earth below as if all the world’s ugliness were concealed away.

“I should be there by tomorrow morning.” Huang Xiaolong muttered another sentence.

Tomorrow!

With a flicker, Huang Xiaolong’s silhouette disappeared from the spot.

The Lingwu Oblast was the largest oblast on Starcloud Continent and also the most prosperous of all, hence, it was also the most well-known oblast. Especially since it was the place where Cosmos God Cult had their headquarters.  

On the east side of Lingwu Oblast, there was a large span of wide plains named Holy Plains. There was an old legend connected to these Holy Plains, during the ancient times, a God once descended in that place. When the God descended, he witnessed the war between two countries on this plateau, blood soaked the earth red, turning into a river, thus the God acted and ended the war.

Ever since then, no forces dared to commit slaughter on that plain. From that time onward, that place was called Holy Plains, a holy land for the human race, beastmen, demonic beast, and others.

The Cosmos God Cult headquarters was built right on the Holy Plains, a majestic towering city called Cosmos God City.

The Cosmos God City was bustling at all times, with people constantly moving in and out. Bright lights lit the streets as a flurry of transactions conducted all around.

Inside the Cosmos God City’s Castellan Manor, jubilant laughter rang through the halls.

On the main seat sat a young man clad in a robe made of white gold thread. There was a faint mysterious rune on the young man’s forehead, a little similar to Huang Xiaolong’s ‘Dragon’ symbol manifested by the Dragon Pearl. This young man was Cosmos God Cult’s Young Lord, Xie Hui.

Different than most sects, big families, and empires, the Cosmos God Cult Leader, Xie Chao, only had one son, Xie Hui! No one knew what Xie Hui’s martial spirit was nor his real strength, for the people that did know were all dead under his sword!

Xie Hui had never been defeated! Because of that, Xie Hui had a renowned nickname on Starcloud Continent, the Undefeated War God.

On both sides of the hall sat many Cosmos God Cult experts.

“Congratulations, Young Lord, on your big wedding day tomorrow.” A white-haired old man sitting closest to Xie Hui raised his wine cup in a toast, “Only a beauty like Shi Xiaofei deserves to be Young Lord’s companion, ah!”

This white-haired man was one of Cosmos God Cult’s Enforcement Elders, Chen Xiaofeng.

Another Enforcement Elder joined in, “That Shi Xiaofei being able to marry the Young Lord is due to her several lifetimes’ worth of good karma, it’s her great fortune that our Young Lord has chosen her!”

Everyone in the hall let out merry laughter.