Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 10: Chapter 9: Xiao Yi’s Plan

In the room, Xiao Yi applied some antiseptic medicine to the comatose Yiyi, finally allowing his heart to settle.

The medicine had been obtained from the Third Elder before returning from the Council Hall.

Xiao Yi completely shed his previous rascal demeanor, his face turning cold and ruthless, ”I must quickly improve my cultivation. Otherwise, with the sinister nature of Xiao Ruohan and his son, they’ll certainly send more conspiracies my way.”

In this world, martial arts were revered. As long as one possessed enough strength, all schemes would shatter beneath one’s fist.

He had never told the Third Elder about Xiao Ruohan hiring an assassin to kill him.

After all, no one would believe it if he did tell.

Moreover, what made Xiao Ruohan’s cunning so insidious was the fact that he had chosen tonight for Yangg Fu to strike.

With Xiao Yi’s cleverness and his years of experience among the underworld on Earth, witnessing all manner of despicable deeds, he had nearly guessed the entire plot of Xiao Ruohan and his son.

If he had been successfully assassinated by Yangg Fu at that time, even if the news spread, Xiao Ruohan and his son could immediately clear themselves of suspicion.

After all, during the entire day’s meeting, they were discussing stripping him of his position as Young Master, clearly targeting him.

If he were to be assassinated at such a time, their suspicion would be the greatest.

Then, when the time came, all elders and deacons would think that Xiao Ruohan and his son would never be so foolish as to make such a move.

Knowing they’d fall under greatest suspicion, they would never do such a thing. Obviously not.

Xiao Ruohan had precisely captured normal people’s way of thinking, which is why he particularly chose tonight for Yangg Fu to assassinate Xiao Yi.

That was also why Xiao Yi didn’t mention tonight’s assassination attempt at the Council Hall. After all, speaking out would be futile.

Another point was that Xiao Ruohan and his son were forcing him to choose between ”the position of Young Master” and ”cultivation opportunity” as part of their scheme.

Normally, his position as Young Master was in name only, without any real authority, so it would be better to keep a ”cultivation opportunity” which would allow him to enter Purple Cloud Cave to cultivate and enhance his own power.

But in truth, once he gave up the position of Young Master, without that ”tiger’s skin,” Xiao Ruohan and his son would definitely find a hundred unfounded ways to strip him of his ”cultivation opportunity” as well within half a month.

This conspiracy was interlinked and incredibly hard to guard against.

Of course, Xiao Ruohan and his son had made good calculations.

But Xiao Yi saw through their intentions at a glance, which is why he resolutely refused to back down tonight and even played the rascal, adamantly citing clan rules.

”These two cunning bastards, piling one scheme after another onto my head. Good, very good, just wait for me. Once I’ve enhanced my cultivation, I’ll settle all these scores with you one by one,” cold murderous intent showed in Xiao Yi’s eyes.

Whenever Xiao Yi showed this look, it meant he had already branded a death mark on his ’target’.

At this moment, Xiao Yi took out Yangg Fu’s Qiankun Bag from his bosom.

Inside there was a bunch of miscellaneous items: poison, nightwear, weapons, food, and so on.

Besides these, there was also several hundred taels of silver, twenty Body Tempering Pills, and one Postnatal Pill.

”This fortune is indeed substantial,” Xiao Yi nodded satisfactorily.

The Postnatal Pill was Second-grade Elixir, only those at or above Second-grade Alchemist could refine it, making it extremely precious.

Like the Body Tempering Pill, it was a type of Elixir that could speed up a martial artist’s cultivation rate.

However, the Body Tempering Pill was used by Mortal Realm Warriors; the Postnatal Pill was for Postnatal Realm Martial Artists; the contained medicinal power between the two was vastly different.

Without further thought, Xiao Yi immediately took the time to cultivate, swallowing the Body Tempering Pills.

Under the absorption of the Ice Phoenix Sword Martial Soul, the pure medicinal power of the Body Tempering Pill swiftly coursed through his limbs, transforming into True Qi. A portion tempered his body, while the other was absorbed by his Dantian.

Within the Mortal Realm, in addition to Body Refinement, one had to temper the Dantian.

When a martial artist reached Mortal Realm Ninth Layer, if they wished to break through to the Postnatal Realm, they must condense a Qi Pill.

The so-called Qi Pill is forged by tempering the Dantian with True Qi, making the Dantian more solid and robust, eventually transforming it into a Qi Pill.

Once the Qi Pill is condensed, the Postnatal is achieved.

One minute later, ten Body Tempering Pills had been fully absorbed. His realm broke through from Mortal Realm Second Layer to Mortal Realm Third Layer.

At Mortal Realm First Layer, breaking through to the Second Layer only required three Body Tempering Pills.

Now, breaking through to the Third Layer required ten.

”Indeed, the martial arts cultivation gets tougher as one progresses, and the True Qi needed for breakthroughs becomes increasingly immense,” Xiao Yi murmured to himself.

When the remaining ten Body Tempering Pills were fully absorbed, the True Qi inside his body became much more abundant, yet he still hadn’t achieved a breakthrough.

Other ordinary martial artists would need at least ten days and nights to fully absorb twenty Body Tempering Pills. Factoring in rest periods, it might take twenty days or even longer to fully absorb them all.

And considering Mortal Realm warriors’ limited physical endurance and their Martial Souls’ inability to absorb without interruption for a long time, this period would be stretched to several months.

But with the aid of the Ice Phoenix Sword Martial Soul, Xiao Yi easily bypassed these limitations.

”Next, it’s time to test the effect of the Postnatal Pill,” Xiao Yi brought out the last Elixir.

The Postnatal Pill was for Postnatal Realm Martial Artists to consume.

Five minutes after swallowing the pill, its medicinal power was completely absorbed. The medicinal strength of a single Postnatal Pill was even more potent than the combined power of ten Body Tempering Pills.

His realm broke through to Mortal Realm Fourth Layer.

”With my Xingyi Five Extremes, when I reach Mortal Realm Fifth Layer, I should be able to defeat martial artists at Mortal Realm Sixth Layer,” Xiao Yi thought to himself.

Since he would participate in the clan’s competition in half a month and had also made an agreement with Xiao Ruohan, he naturally had to consider this matter.

”However, the higher the level in martial arts cultivation, the more difficult it is to break through. If I were to simply absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy, I’m afraid it would take at least half a month to break through to Mortal Realm Fifth Layer.”

Breaking through to the Mortal Realm Fifth Layer in half a month was already an impressive feat for Xiao Yi, given that he possessed a Purple Martial Soul. If it had been an Orange-rank or Yellow Rank Martial Soul, a whole year might not have sufficed for such a breakthrough.

If only he had more elixirs.

With the powerful Ice Phoenix Sword Soul by his side, his cultivation would surely skyrocket.

”An elixir, an elixir. If I became an alchemist and refined elixirs myself, then I would have a never-ending supply,” Xiao Yi’s eyes lit up.

To be self-sufficient would surely be the best.

However, becoming an alchemist was extremely demanding. Among a hundred martial artists, there might not even be one who had the aptitude to become an alchemist.

”Regardless, I must at least try,” Xiao Yi thought, and once he had an idea, he would not give up easily but was determined to try.

...

The next day, as dawn barely broke the horizon, Xiao Yi awoke from his sleep and headed straight for the Xiao Family’s Alchemy Hall.

The Alchemy Hall was one of the most important places within the entire Xiao Family.

It housed numerous precious medicinal ingredients and several elixirs.

Each month, the disciples of the family would come here to receive their elixirs.

Upon arriving at the Alchemy Hall, a rich medicinal fragrance greeted him.

Xiao Yi saw that at the edge of the main hall, a middle-aged man was perusing through books.

Around him, dozens of attendants were busily organizing and transporting medicinal materials.

In the central area, two First-grade Alchemists were diligently refining elixirs.

As one of the Three Great Families in Purple Cloud City, the Xiao Family had many members who required numerous Body Tempering Pills. Naturally, the Xiao Family also sold elixirs as one of the family’s sources of income.

Within the entire Xiao Family, there were only five alchemists – one Third-grade and four First-grade.

”Ah?” The middle-aged man on the side of the main hall looked up and saw Xiao Yi, recognized him, and frowned, ”Xiao Yi, today isn’t the day we distribute elixirs. What are you doing here?”

The middle-aged man was one of the Xiao Family’s deacons and also a First-grade Alchemist. He managed the Alchemy Hall and was named Xiao Bailian.

Xiao Bailian was secretly puzzled. Not only was it not the day for elixir distribution, but wasn’t Xiao Yi’s elixirs always collected by the Third Elder on his behalf?

”Steward Bailian, I’ve come to take the Alchemy Record,” Xiao Yi said.

The Alchemy Record was a basic alchemical manual. Although it only discussed foundational alchemical knowledge, it was exceedingly precious. At the very least, only the Three Great Families in Purple Cloud City possessed it.

The Xiao Family encouraged all of its members to try and become alchemists, and all the young disciples could take it to read at will.

”The Alchemy Record?” Xiao Bailian was taken aback and asked, ”What do you want with that thing? Don’t tell me you want to become an alchemist?”

Xiao Bailian found it somewhat amusing as soon as he said it.

”Is there a problem?” Xiao Yi retorted.

”Of course not,” Xiao Bailian nodded, pulled out a book from a drawer that had ’Alchemy Record’ written in big characters on the cover, and handed it over to Xiao Yi.

”I want to take it with me and read it slowly. Is that alright?” Xiao Yi asked tentatively, aware of the book’s value.

”That’s fine,” Xiao Bailian shrugged, ”Anyway, everyone in the Xiao Family has read through it already, but almost none have met the requirements to become an alchemist. It’s just gathering dust here, so you might as well take it.”

”Just remember, the book must not be damaged; it needs to be returned in good condition. Bear in mind, if anything happens to the Alchemy Record, even if the Third Elder protects you, I will still spank you until your bottom blooms.”

”Got it,” Xiao Yi scoffed.

...

Shortly after Xiao Yi left, a white-haired elder slowly strode into the Alchemy Hall.

The moment he appeared, all the attendants and alchemists, including Xiao Bailian, stood up and respectfully bowed, ”Great Elder.”

Indeed, the elder was the only Third-grade Alchemist in the Xiao family, Xiao Lihuo.

He was the most powerful alchemist in Purple Cloud City and the most prestigious person in the Xiao Family.

Xiao Lihuo waved his hand, ”No need for formalities; go about your business.”

After speaking, Xiao Lihuo approached Xiao Bailian.

”Bailian, have the Postnatal Pills been refined?” Xiao Lihuo asked.

Xiao Bailian’s face flushed with embarrassment as he shook his head, ”No.”

If the Postnatal Pills had been successfully refined, it would indicate that the alchemist’s rank had reached Second-grade.

”Ah,” Xiao Lihuo sighed, ”The gap in Second-grade Alchemists in the Xiao Family has been too long, and you had the most promising chance to reach Second-grade. Yet even you haven’t been able to refine the Postnatal Pill.”

”You’re right to reprimand me, Great Elder,” Xiao Bailian said, lowering his head in guilt.

”I am not reprimanding you,” Xiao Lihuo gently shook his head, ”It’s a shame. If only the Family Head hadn’t left all those years ago.”

”At that time, he was already a Second-grade Alchemist. If he were still here with the Xiao Family, he would certainly have become a Third-grade Alchemist by now, and I wouldn’t have to worry about the future of the Xiao Family.” Xiao Lihuo’s face was filled with regret.

Xiao Lihuo was quite old, and the entire family’s supply of Postnatal Pills was refined solely by him. If he passed away in a few years, the Xiao Family would be in trouble.

”Let it be. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate,” Xiao Lihuo said tiredly, ”Bailian, has anything happened in the Alchemy Hall today?”

”Nothing,” Xiao Bailian answered, ”Everything is normal, no incidents of furnace breaking or failed refinements.”

”That’s good,” Xiao Lihuo nodded.

”Oh, right.” Xiao Bailian suddenly said, ”Just now, Xiao Yi came by and took the Alchemy Record.”

”Xiao Yi? He took the Alchemy Record?” Xiao Lihuo seemed surprised.