Nine Nether Heavenly Emperor
Chapter 53: Mo Xiaoyao

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Mo Xiaoyao

After absorbing the Soul Power of two Martial Spirit Peak Practitioners, Shi Feng could vaguely sense the signs of his Soul Power entering the First-stage.

Although the Martial Spirit Peak Practitioners cultivated Martial Arts, just as the Yin Yang Old Monster did, their Soul Power was stronger than that of other lower-rank Martial Artists, and absorbing it was quite beneficial.

The battle of Moon City this time had brought substantial gains to Shi Feng.

With a flip of his right hand, two Storage Rings, one red and one white, appeared in his palm.

Shi Feng casually looked through them, finding that there were quite a few Primordial Stones inside. The Lower Grade Primordial Stones added up to about thirty thousand, and there were approximately five hundred Mid-Grade Primordial Stones—enough to supply his Cultivation needs.

There were also two bottles of Healing Pills, but upon closer inspection, Shi Feng realized they were merely empty bottles. It seemed that those two old fellows had consumed all the pills during their competition, and not a single one was left for him.

The ultimate technique of the Yin Yang Envoys was greatly damaging to themselves, essentially reliant on consuming pills for support.

Not far away, Shi Feng saw Long Chen leisurely walking towards him with a paper fan in hand, followed by the robust Zhao Long.

Putting the two rings back into his Storage Ring, Shi Feng also walked towards the two men. Before he got close, he heard Long Chen say, "I’ve just received some news from my subordinates that I think you’ll find of interest."

"What news?" Shi Feng frowned and asked.

"The current Prince Consort, General of the South Shi Jintian, suddenly went missing from his station yesterday afternoon and has yet to return. This matter has already caused a sensation throughout the court and bureaucracy," Long Chen said, paying close attention to any changes in Shi Feng’s expression.

Shi Feng’s expression remained unchanged as he commanded firmly, "Continue the investigation for me. I want to see him alive, or I want to see his corpse." Although he used the word "help," his tone was commanding toward Long Chen.

Long Chen inwardly sighed with a bitter smile. He was used to Shi Feng’s attitude and said, "I’ve already sent Shadow No. 1 to No. 8 to look into this. I’ll notify you the moment I have any news."

Shi Feng nodded, then asked further, "Have you made proper arrangements for my sister and my mother?"

"You have nothing to worry about. That night, I had already sent someone to ride a Two-headed Green-winged Eagle to Imperial City. They safely reached my residence that same night. My people will take good care of and protect them there. However, your mother still hasn’t woken up," Long Chen explained.

Hearing Long Chen’s words, Shi Feng sighed. It seemed his mother’s inner turmoil wouldn’t be so easily resolved, and waking her might not be that simple. He could only wait until his Soul Power was stronger, so he could enter her soul and see if he could unravel her troubles.

"Any news on Mo Xiaoyao?" Shi Feng continued to inquire.

Long Chen shook his head, "Emperor Xiaoyao’s whereabouts are elusive. It was said that he appeared in our neighboring country’s Flame City five months ago, though it’s uncertain if it was true. Later, it was rumored that he showed up in Heavenly Dragon City of the Western Region four months ago, and three months ago, he was seen in Weimin City of the Eastern Domain. I have already dispatched more people to inquire everywhere; there’s still no result."

"Xiaoyao that kid, still wandering around aimlessly as always, flirting everywhere. Why can’t he just settle down somewhere and properly cultivate, striving for the pinnacle of Martial Arts," Shi Feng couldn’t help but comment hearing the news about Mo Xiaoyao from Long Chen.

Shi Feng’s statement made both Long Chen and Zhao Long inwardly startle. This kid, indeed, dared to say anything.

In a serene valley abundant with flowers, the sounds of a guqin reverberated through the air.

A man in white, with long hair cascading freely, poised and graceful as if untainted by the dust of the world, sat amidst the blooms, his hands lightly strumming the ancient instrument.

Before him, two beautiful and vivacious women, also clad in white, playfully chased each other among the flower beds.

"Ah! Achoo!" Suddenly, the elegant man playing the guqin sneezed violently, and the music came to an abrupt halt. The two frolicking women also came to a stop, looking at the man in bewilderment.

One of the women asked, "Great Emperor, what’s wrong?"

The man, as if he hadn’t heard, lightly touched the tip of his nose with the index finger of his right hand and mumbled to himself, "How odd, truly bizarre."

The two beautiful women approached, their faces filled with curiosity, wondering what had come over him.

After murmuring to himself for a while, the man finally looked up to see the two women gazing at him curiously. He sighed, "How many years has it been? I haven’t sneezed in such a long time."

"Hehe," one of the women giggled, "With Your Majesty’s Martial Arts Cultivation, of course, you wouldn’t be like the common folk. But just now, how come..."

"Ah!" The man let out a deep sigh and didn’t answer the woman’s question. He looked up toward the setting sun. It had been so many years since he had last sneezed. In the past, a sneeze always meant that his master was talking about him behind his back. But his master had perished fifteen years ago, and it seemed he hadn’t sneezed in fifteen years either.

"Oh, Master, just who was it that killed you back then!"

Dusk fell.

In Moon City, Long Chen said, "Nowadays, my Father Emperor’s health is deteriorating day by day, and my restless brothers have already started to stir. I plan to rush back to the Imperial City tonight. What are your plans going forward?"

Shi Feng didn’t directly answer Long Chen, saying instead, "Our alliance remains. Take good care of my sister and mother for me. In one month, I will go to the Imperial City to help you."

Having said this, Shi Feng turned and left without paying further attention to Long Chen. One month was exactly what was left of Dark Evil’s life span. Shi Feng had just discovered an old map in Old Man Yin’s storage ring. It was a map of a Demon Beast Mountain Range within the borders of the Yunlai Empire, and at its center was marked a Snow Yin Flower.

The Snow Yin Flower, a Sixth Grade Yin Medicinal Material, likely because Old Man Yin cultivated a Yin Attribute Cultivation Technique, had kept the map after finding it.

For Shi Feng, a Sixth Grade Yin Medicinal Material was of great use as well. If he absorbed the Yin Cold Power of the Snow Yin Flower, his Martial Arts Cultivation could potentially increase by three stars. However, Dark Evil needed it even more urgently for the time being, as the Snow Yin Flower possessed miraculous healing properties, especially for Yin Attribute beings. Once Dark Evil absorbed the Snow Yin Flower of the Sixth Grade Yin Medicinal Material, his injuries would surely stop worsening and gradually heal.

Overlooking the Demon Beast Mountain Range on the map, Shi Feng estimated that from here, it should take two days to reach. However, if he rode a horse, he could significantly shorten the journey; thus, Shi Feng headed toward the Southern City of Moon City, toward the Wang Family residence.

The Royal Residence, a separate estate belonging to the Wang Family.

What was once a bustling household had suddenly turned eerily silent. The plump Wang Yao was alone in the separate estate; just moments ago, he had ordered the relocation of all his family members.

Now, within the entire estate, only he remained.