Chapter 291: Something Major Happened

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Just as this old man has expected! Jiang Yi, you cannot accept this Honorary Elder role.”

After Zhuge Qingyun listened to Jiang Yi’s narration, his wrinkled eyelids shook a little while his eyes shot out two rays of radiance as he spoke, “After entering the Martial Arts Hall, it would be deep like the sea; henceforth, the heaven will become h.e.l.l. You probably didn’t hear of this saying before, but people of our cla.s.s all know about it.”

“h.e.l.l?”

Jiang Yi raised his brows and spoke with some suspicion, “It can’t be so serious, right? Didn’t the Martial Arts Hall just say that it is an Honorary Elder? What’s more, I do not have to do anything and do not have to listen to anyone’s order. The Martial Arts Hall doesn’t have many scandals, right? And they are never involved in the continent’s dispute, too.”

“Ke-Ke!”

Zhuge Qingyun stroked his beard helplessly and said, “Jiang Yi, what you see are just how things appear to be. Put it in this way: if you were still in Skyplume City, would you have the opportunity to get in contact with figures like the Prince of the Divine Martial Kingdom? In the past, didn’t you feel that the Divine Martial Kingdom’s royal clan is very n.o.ble, worthy of admiration and selflessness?”

“Uh…”

Jiang Yi was unable to respond. In the past, the royal clan of the Divine Martial Kingdom was indeed a sacred existence in his heart. Now that he experienced so many incidents, he finally understood how ugly and disgusting the royal clan was.

Zhuge Qingyun continued, “I shall not evaluate the matters pertaining to the Martial Arts Hall. I just want to inform you that for the past few decades, the Martial Arts Hall recruited at least a hundred Honorary Elders. All these Honorary Elders are missing, and no one knew whether they were hiding and cultivating in the Chief Hall or dead. There is one thing that is certain. Once you become an Honorary Elder, the Martial Arts Hall will have their ways to make you devote your life to serve them.”

“I understand now! Thank you for the warning, Princ.i.p.al.”

Jiang Yi bowed with respect. He was originally hesitant and was now able to make a thorough decision. He left the courtyard and headed straight to Vice Princ.i.p.al Tie’s courtyard. He spoke bluntly and refused the offer. He didn’t even look for an excuse and said he just didn’t want to join.

When the Martial Arts Hall Master saw how determined Jiang Yi was, he knew that Jiang Yi must have gone to look for Zhuge Qingyun. He muttered for a moment before he spoke sternly, “Jiang Yi. You might have some misunderstanding of the Martial Arts Hall. Only after entering the Martial Arts Hall will you know how good the Martial Arts Hall and how influential the Martial Arts Hall is.

“I can secretly tell you some things. Actually… the Martial Arts Hall influence is larger than you can ever imagine. It’s just that the Martial Arts Hall is never involved in the continent’s dispute. I can guarantee you that once you become the Martial Arts Hall’s Honorary Elder—even if you are to stand in the royal capital of the Divine Martial Kingdom, Xia Tingwei will not dare to touch you!”

“It is so awesome?”

Jiang Yi was surprised. If this person wasn’t a Branch Hall Master of the Martial Arts Hall, Jiang Yi would a.s.sume he was a lunatic. After hearing his statement, Jiang Yi was even more determined on not joining the Martial Arts Hall. If it was such an overwhelmingly influential force, he was afraid he would never be able to leave it after joining.

Manager Yang spoke in a very sincere manner as well, “Lone Wolf, if you believe me, then accept it. To say the truth… only the Martial Arts Hall would be able to nurture you. Furthermore, you are just taking on the role of an Honorary Elder. From what I know, an Honorary Elder has complete freedom, isn’t restrained by anything, doesn’t have any responsibility, and doesn’t have to listen to anyone’s orders, including… the Chief Hall Master.”

Jiang Yi smiled bitterly and looked at Manager Yang. He bowed with cupped hands and said, “My apologies, Manager Yang. I have already decided on this matter. As a friend, if you need Jiang n.o.body’s help in anything, please let me know. I really am sorry for this matter.”

“Sigh…”

There was a smear of disappointment and regret in the eyes of the Martial Arts Branch Hall Master. Back when Jiang Yi was in Skyplume City, Manager Yang and Fei Lao tried asking him to recruit Jiang Yi; but he didn’t see any worth in him. Right now, it was impossible even if he wanted to recruit Jiang Yi.

…

The Martial Arts Branch Hall Master and Manager Yang had left, but Jiang Yi didn’t intend to return immediately. He wanted to let the little fox play in Mt. Spirit Beast College for two days.

The little fox hit it off very well with Xiaonu, and in just a morning, a human and a beast became very close. Jiang Xiaonu brought some grilled meat and delicacies for the little fox to eat. The little fox never had anything else except the spirit fruits since a young age. Once it ate the human delicacies, it liked it very much and was even more intimate with Xiaonu.

Jiang Yi then spoke leisurely with Jiang Yunhai in the living hall. He told everything about the matters at the Demon Empress’ side without concealing anything. Jiang Yunhai was filled with emotions after listening to Jiang Yi as he didn’t expect Jiang Yi to have such a fated encounter. There was probably no one in the world that was qualified to enter the Demon Empress’ Emperor Palace, right? The Demon Empress actually allowed Jiang Yi to cultivate in there and leave whenever he wanted to.

“Oh, right. Young Lord!”

Jiang Yunhai suddenly recalled something but hesitated once he opened his mouth. It took him quite a while before he spoke, “The Soul-Devouring s.h.i.+fting Art is the only magical ability that Madam imparted to me. Madam didn’t say that I should impart it to you… as this ability might be an ability that could help you to escape with your life, but it is also an ability that takes your life.

“Every release will burn up your soul spirit, and you should know the importance of the soul spirit. Once the soul spirit is weaker, a martial artist’s instincts would be weaker as well. On serious cases, one might even turn into a r.e.t.a.r.d… so I do not know if I should impart this magical ability to you?”

“This…”

Jiang Yi hesitated as well. This Soul-Devouring s.h.i.+fting Art was an incredible ability for escaping, but it was also a double-edged sword. There was a risk of addiction as well. He was afraid of losing his courage against danger and would just immediately escape. After escaping for a few times, he might just become a r.e.t.a.r.d.

“I will just learn it!”

Finally, Jiang Yi made his decision. It was the only thing that his mother left behind. Jiang Yi was also confident of his willpower and wouldn’t use this ability unless absolutely necessary.

Jiang Yunhai nodded and wrote down the mnemonic chant of the ‘Soul-Devouring s.h.i.+fting Art’ on a piece of paper. After Jiang Yi memorized it, he immediately destroyed it while Jiang Yunhai explained some of its technique.

Jiang Yi got the main idea of it quickly and felt that it was rather easy to master this magical ability. He didn’t dare to test it out as the soul spirit held significant importance, and even burning a hint of it would be a waste.

On the third day, Jiang Yi decided to return to Fairy Peak. His dantian’s first star sphere was almost filled with essence force. Although he didn’t know what cultivation stage he was at, he still wanted to fill it up first and look at the circ.u.mstances before considering anything else.

The Emperor Palace’s sky platform had heaven and earth energy that was several dozens of folds stronger than the outside world. After getting used to cultivating there, Jiang Yi felt a little strange when he tried to cultivate in Mt. Spirit Beast College.

“Ji-Ji!”

Jiang Yi was surprised that after playing with Xiaonu for two whole days, the little fox actually wanted Jiang Yi to bring Jiang Xiaonu back to Fairy Peak when they were about to leave. Saying that it wanted to invite Jiang Xiaonu over to her home to play.

“This isn’t good, right? Your Empress Mother didn’t give her approval; how can we just bring Xiaonu in?”

“It’s fine, Big Brother. Every time my Empress Mother goes into seclusion, she will take at least a year. Moreover, even if she knew about it, she wouldn’t say anything… since Big Sister Xiaonu is Xiao Fei’s friend.”

When Jiang Yi saw the little fox’s determined expression, he turned around—only to see Jiang Xiaonu’s hopeful expression. He gritted his teeth and said, “Alright then. If it doesn’t work out, Xiao Fei will get the Demon King to bring Xiaonu back.”

“Ji-Ji!”

The little fox was extremely elated. Jiang Yi went in and informed Jiang Yunhai while the latter didn’t raise any objections. He laughed and suddenly whispered mysteriously into Jiang Yi’s ear. “Young Lord, Xiaonu is a servant girl picked by your mother. Actually… she also meant to pick a concubine for you. You can find an appropriate time to take her as your woman.”

“Uh…”

Jiang Yi paused for a moment, and his face was quickly flushed red as he rebuked Jiang Yunhai. “Grandfather, what are you saying? I treat Xiaonu as my little sister… how can you talk like that?”

“Hehe!”

Jiang Yunhai pretended to be naive and stared blankly before he smiled and waved his hand. “Go, go! There is no need to worry about Grandfather. Cultivate diligently.”

Jiang Yi and the others quickly descended the mountain and were quickly carried by the two Demon Kings while traveling rapidly to the depths of the mountain.

Just as he departed, a Vice Princ.i.p.al ran frenziedly towards the college from Spirit Beast City’s direction with a grave expression. This Vice Princ.i.p.al ignored the greetings from the cadets and mentors as he rushed into Zhuge Qingyun’s courtyard like a violent gale. He behaved rudely and didn’t even knock on the door; he directly entered and shouted, “Princ.i.p.al! Something major happened!”

“You are already a grown man; why are you behaving so inappropriately?” Zhuge Qingyun was currently closing his eyes and basking in the sun. He reprimanded resentfully before he asked, “What happened?”

The Vice Princ.i.p.al swallowed his saliva and quickly talked, “Someone reported to the Azure Dragon Empire that they found the mastermind who kidnapped the little fox. They even provided evidence and said that person was actually… Su Diguo!”

“What? Impossible! Absurd!”

Zhuge Qingyun’s spa.r.s.e eyebrows raised up as his eyes flickered a few times. He had this gloomy expression as he sighed and said, “Something did happen, something major…”