Chapter 17: Starting a Trip
When I opened my eyes, I immediately heard the voice of my wife.
My eyes moved to the side. I saw her sitting over there cross-legged. She was cultivating and watching me over.
"I am fine…that new pill tired me out."
"...I see… what did it do?" She asked with an extremely weird tone. As she was looking at me strangely.
"A thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng improves my blood. So I used a Tyrant Core and made it into a pill."
"...I see…"
"...Is something wrong?" I asked her as the atmosphere was ambiguous for some reason.
"N-No, it's just this pill…made you more… h-handsome?" The Black haired wife of mine said with a shuttering voice.
"Hmm? Is my wife falling in love with me for a second time?"
"..."
Her head moved forward, she wanted to say something, but she didn't say anything. For a second her mouth opened, and eventually…
Nothing came out. She then just sighed and nodded her head.
"...yes…Qingyue is… you should not bully your wife." She said with puffed cheeks.
"How is that bullying? It's written on your face." I said with an eye roll.
"..."
"Regardless. Let's see how do I look like."
As I said that, I walked to the bathroom and checked myself in the mirror.
The changes were not that obvious but looking at myself from different angles, I do look…sharper? My height went up by a few inches…I think.
Shoulders widened from the looks of it.
In other words, I looked buffer.
But this was not just what I got. As I could feel stronger in general…it was not the empowerment I was feeling from Profound Energy, as I am not channelling it now. But, it was my body in general.
Wanting to test this out more I pulled out a knife from my storage ring and tried to cut my finger.
But it was pointless… the sharp knife simply bounces off my skin.
So my skin got much harder but this was not just the end… I can sense that much.
To test this further, channelled some Wind Profound Energy into the knife and made it cut my hand.
"?"
Even with Wind Profound Energy, the cut was barely visible, and EVEN with this, I didn't feel anything.
I know that this isn't all, as I used the Regen pill on myself before, this means the ability to regen has significantly increased as well.
Though…I don't want to mutilate myself to figure this out.
This means that I should leave the Xiao Clan clan for a bit to get some training and practice and maybe find some more grasses and herbs.
As I turned around I saw my wife just looking at me with a mesmerised look.
"You know that you can just walk in and help me."
"...Help?"
"Well, yes? You have a pair of beautiful eyes so you can give me your opinion as well." I said with an eye roll. The beauty stiffly nodded and walked in.
Obviously…her insights were useless as she would just gaze at me with mystified eyes, and stroked my back. She was more mesmerised than useful…
*Sigh*
~~~~~~Later~~~~~~
After the inspection, I went to see my grandfather and told him about my intentions to travel and explore. He was all up for that.
But to make sure my leave is not felt I did stock up the warehouse of the pills. Same with stuff for sale.
I did spend a few days doing that.
When it was all set and done it was time to explore.
My exploration is in style as none of the elders want anything to happen to me so I am travelling with my bodyguards.
While I am away some of the Overlords will be watching the clan as they need to make sure some 'genius' doesn't decide to inspect the array which is set in place.
It was nothing special but still, it took a while to set it.
"Where are we going, husband?" Xia Qingyue asked me as she was dressed up for travelling.
"North. I want to see if I can find any sort of grass immune to cold."
My wife and my maids nodded before we proceeded to walk toward the north. The Monarchs are somewhere guarding us.
Though after walking out of the city we proceeded to use Lightfoot, a running technique, I still need to cap this art.
~~~
*Roar*
Xiao Lingxi dodged to the side as she proceeded to sword thrust into a [True Profound] beast.
High winds followed her sword as she stabbed the sword into the beast's leg. The powerful thrust damaged the beast as she proceeded to make some distance after delivering her damage.
The beast tried to get back at her but the damage to its leg made it hard to do.
The maid utilised the wobbly behaviour of the beast as she proceeded to deliver more damage.
A few more rapid sword thrusts made the beast collapse on the snow as it finally gave up and died from excess bleeding.
"Impressive, your Xiao Clan Wind techniques are getting better." Xiao Long said to her as he approached his maid.
"I could only do this thanks to your training, Young Master."
"I may have taught you, but it's your hard work, Anyway. Let's see if it has a core."
"Un!"
The maid proceeded to open the beast's guts with her sword, a few cuts later she showed him a small marble thing.
'So small… Well, the smallest one I saw before is a [Earth Profound].' Xiao Long was baffled at how small this was…
"Not bad. I will make a pill for Dongling, while you can consume the Earth Profound pill I have."
The maid slowly nodded, for her [True Profound] pills won't be as effective as she was close to midway towards [Spirit Profound].
After pulling the core out, Xiao Long proceeded to get some more materials from the beast. Like some of the meat from the neck area. It's good for barbeque and the most important part is the liver.
For a moment he thought about the fur but he could get better fur in the deeper areas of this arctic area.
Once the pair were in the camp, The Young Master prepared to use Purifying fire to remove impurities from the meat and the [True Profound] core.
As he was cooking the meat he checked out his flames.
[Purifying Flames] (9/10) {43.76%}
[Orange Flames] (9/10) {81.98%}
'Heh…so close…let's cap it out!'
As he thought about it he proceeded to use the flames a little bit more.
…
…
…
*Ding*
{[Orange Flames] Art Mastered}
While the mastering of Orange Flames was far quicker it took a while to cap Purifying Flames.
He even started to purify rocks until it was finally done.
{[Purifying Flames] Art Mastered}
With these two done he returned to his cooking.
"...Husband… why does it smell this good? What did you put it in?"
The black-haired wife of his didn't move her eyes away from the slices of meat cooking. She even ignored his random rock purification as she was observing the food.
"Mix of herbs, I picked up along the way as we were running here."
"...you had time for that!?"
"Yes? I mean I was looking for new things even as we ran. Though the Profound Energy composition in this place is different. So we might find different variants of the same grass."
"Oh…"
Xia Qingyue was shocked and didn't think of it… it sounds like another version of training!
As she was thinking about this it was time to eat.
Slabs of tender-looking meat were in front of the girls. The trio of girls realised that this was the first time they were eating something prepared by Xiao Long!
Both of them felt slightly self-conscious and at the same time excited to taste it.
A few moments later all three released sounds similar to moans as they taste it.
"...Heavens~~~"
"...Mnhhh~~~"
"...Ohh~~~ it melts in my mouth…"
All three said that while their bodies shivered and the refined and purified profound energy warmly moulded into their Profound Veins.
The girls nearly dropped their plates as they tried to relax in their makeshift seats. Since they are wilds they don't have chairs or tables… Xiao Long didn't add any of that.
Since he doesn't mind wilds like this.
"...Husband…you need to teach me how to cook like this!" Xia Qingyue said this as she snapped out of her food-induced euphoria.
"Hmm? Sure. Though you would need to learn Purifying Profound Energy and how to make Profound Fire as well."
"It's not a problem! As your wife, I need to learn how to cook such things!"
The maids swiftly nodded at the girl's words
"Lady Xiao is right! As your maid, I should learn how to do this as well! I already know how to make flames, so I am halfway there." Xiao Lingxi said with a firm voice. There is no way in hell she will be bested by this woman!
Though Xia Dongling didn't say anything there was a certain look on her face telling him that she wants to learn how to make this fire as well.
~~~
Consuming the [True Profound] meat does increase cultivation and it did help Xia Dongling reach peak [Nascent Profound] from just eating the food.
While the maid was stabilising her increased cultivation the other two already started to practise fire.
The practice didn't last long as they needed to continue with their journey.
A few days later they finally arrived at the Snow Region of Extreme Ice.
Their journey was quite simple; they would run, rest, practise a little bit, hunt a profound beast, and cook it.
So far Xiao Long got 3 [True Profound] cores, and a single [Spirit Profound].
"...Hmm?" Xiao Long heard the sound of metal hitting a hard surface.
"Young Master, there is a group of women fighting a [Earth Profound] beast." The third elder appeared next to his Young Master and said with a tranquil tone.
'Females? I guess we are in Frozen Cloud turf.'
"...They are having issues. Two of them are wounded and only one can fight them."
"...I see… then we will interfere."
'I want that ice those girls have.' He thought to himself as they proceeded to move towards the location of this fight.
When he arrived he saw a single girl with a crystal-like sword fighting a beast that looked like a manticore of some sort… It has a scorpion-like tail, but instead of fur it had icy-like scales.
It was a hybrid-like monster, from the looks of it this thing has some sort of dragon blood as its four legs have draconic or raptor-like legs.
Well, while the creature was interesting to look at, Xiao Long's eyes were on the beauty which was fighting this thing. She was dressed in blue and white clothes, the aura she has was that of heroic and cold beauty, and her hair was black and combed into a high ponytail. Snow and icy spirits were dancing around her she looked slightly older than him and her cultivation was just slightly higher than his at [Fourth of Earth Profound].
"Young Master, what are your orders?"
The fifth elder snapped him from looking at her.
"Make sure no Profound beasts jump out. Seal the area."
"Understood." The Third Elder disappeared while the Fifth one was still with Xiao Long.
The group observed the fight for a bit. The Young Master didn't want to interfere as the fight was not certain, the girl might win on her own.
But, then the girl ended up slow on her dodge and the beast ended up smashing her with its tail.
This made Xiao Long pull out his sword and flames erupted around him.
He charged forward, with a swing of his sword a flaming arc empowered by sharp winds slammed like a missile into the beat's side.
Sending it flying.
The girls who were behind the sword fairy were shocked to see such a sudden appearance.
"Fifth Elder, make sure that two don't get hurt while I deal with this thing."
Xiao Long said that while swirling his sword, flames erupted on the blade.
"As you wish, Young Master."
The old man said with both of his hands behind his back he floated down in front of two girls who looked poisoned but still capable of moving around.
They were both baffled by this old man's power. They can't fathom how strong he is!
~~~
Mu Lingxue groaned from pain as she slowly stood up on her feet. Her legs were shaking from pain as she snapped out of that damage.
She underestimated this [Earth Profound] beast! It was close to breaking through to [Sky Profound] as its swings are deadly. If she was a second late she would have ended up with serious injuries.
As the Fairy thought about proceeding with her fight which might as well be her last one, she felt an enormous amount of heat and sharp winds.
Her gaze swiftly snapped towards the source.
What she saw was a teenager fighting against the same monster while an old monster of some sort is protecting her junior sisters!
The girl felt a chill going down her spine as she realised that she can't sense the limit of this old man's cultivation! He is above [Emperor Profound] that's for sure!
'Is this man the Young Master of whatever clan this old man is from!?'
This was the only thing she could think of… such old monsters only protect extremely powerful and influential people.
Mu Lingxue didn't even notice the other three girls who were not far from this old monster…their cultivation is too small for her senses to pick up when such an elder is standing next to them!
Eventually, a powerful bird-like screech erupted from the fight. A bird made from wind rushed into the sky and proceeded to dive right back into the ice manticore.
Exploding in flaming fashion then turning into a flaming tornado followed by countless sharp cuts attacking from a multitude of angles.
Lastly, this wind imploded with the manticore inside of it.
Dropping on snow with a thud.
It was dead.
'This…Man…he has lower cultivation than me but…he beat it so easily… how can he control Fire and Wind so effortlessly!?'
This made her subconsciously compare him with that Villa's Young Master who beat her with lower cultivation and in just six strikes!
It makes her cold blood get even colder!
As she slowly approached, the pair of her junior sisters rushed to her side.
The man who killed the Profound Beast turned around and sheathed his sword and looked at her.
"I assume you are alright? I would have jumped sooner if I knew it could overwhelm you like this." He said that with quite a casual tone. She was impressed by how nonchalant he is about all of this.
Then, she saw another elder float down. This had a similar overwhelming aura. Through her eyes stayed on his robes. Black moons…
'Black Moon Merchant Guild… this man… is THE ALCHEMIST…heavens…'
"Mu Lingxue of Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace. You must be the Alchemist, and Young Master or Supreme Ocean Palace…"
'His cultivation has already entered [Earth Profound] his speed cultivation speed is something I haven't seen before…'
"It appears people know me just by glance…and this is my first time leaving Xiao Clan." He said that with a baffled tone.
"...Your… bodyguards…reveal a lot…there is no other existence like you in the Blue Wind Empire." The fairy said with a respectful tone. There was some awe in her eyes when she looked at such powerhouses.
"Hmm… makes sense. Regardless, your companions look poisoned. I do have a proposition for you."
The Fairy slowly nodded. She did hear about this from Fairy Chu Yueli.
"Tell us."
"I will deal with the poison, in turn, I will collect the ice you have in your Profound Veins."
Mu Lingxue nodded without thinking.
"Of course. We accept. It's an honour."
Only now did the Fairy only notice the other three girls.
'He is travelling with his wife and two servants… truly a Young Master of Sacred Ground!' The Fairy was impressed.
"Good. Let's set up a camp. Third Elder, is the area clear?"
"Yes, Young Master. There are a few more [Spirit Profound] beasts not far from here."
The elder who identified himself as the Third Elder of Black Moon Merchant Guild respectfully said that to the Alchemist.
"Good, we can deal with them after I fix these fairies."
"Understood."
"Lingxi remove the Profound Core and give it to the Fairy Mu, I will take the poison sack of the beast instead."
"Y-Young Master Xiao… but you were the one who killed it!" Mu Lingxue said with some panic. She doesn't want to cross the Young Master of Supreme Ocean Palace OR be in debt of some sort!
"But it was your fight and your Profound Beast. I am sure you would have dealt with it eventually."
Hearing that made her uncomfortable she wanted to bury her head in the sand…
"I don't have such strength, the beast was close to [Sky Profound] it would have overwhelmed me eventually." The girl said with a resigned sigh.
"Even if you say so, you would still hold long enough until one of your Frozen Fairies will come to assist you. You would have ended with that core."
He pointed out something which made her slightly bite her lower lip. The Alchemist was right.
And sure enough…
"...Young Master… a Half Step Throne is closing in."
As Fifth Elder said, a few moments later a fairy appeared. She had a veil hiding her lower face. The fairy was extraordinary looking.
Though one could see chilliness radiating from her.
'So this is the Frozen Beauty of Frozen Cloud. She is something else.'
Xiao Long thought to himself as he was wondering what this Fairy will do now
~~~
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