Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

Sikong Nan was startled by his own guess.

But upon further thought...

He grew more convinced that he was right, "That Zhang Ze's talent can only be considered ordinary, and Xiao Yi's ability to defeat Zhang Ze, who was at the Fifth Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm, while being only at the Qi Gathering Realm First Layer, and to bond with the Yuan weapon by initiating such a celestial phenomenon, makes it ninety percent likely that he's the true master!"

With this thought in mind.

Sikong Nan suddenly felt some sympathy for the Zhang family father and son.

Not only had they lost face by hosting a banquet, but they had also lost a Yuan weapon.

"No wonder Yan Mingli holds Xiao Yi in such high regard. If someone can cause a celestial phenomenon while just in the Qi Gathering Realm, such talent is definitely top-notch. This person must not be made an enemy; we have to befriend him!" Sikong Nan made up his mind.

He had been stationed in Nanhuang City for over thirty years, but there had seldom been any battle achievements to speak of, which hindered his chances for promotion.

If he could personally recommend a genius to the Royal Martial Arts Academy, that would be a great merit. Sikong Nan narrowed his eyes, "Fang Jin of the Fang Family wasn't recommended by me; even if he joined the Royal Martial Arts Academy, I wouldn't get any credit. I must find a way to recommend Xiao Yi to the academy. However, before that, I need to first strengthen the bond between us!"

Meanwhile.

The Zhang family estate was deserted.

The father and son of the Zhang family gathered together, surrounded by chaos with dishes scattered, porcelain vases shattered, and decorative furniture smashed.

"Father, I swear I won't rest until I've exacted revenge!" Zhang Ze's eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth with hatred.

Zhang Yong's face was ferocious, but he still kept a trace of reason, "Revenge? Xiao Yi has a close relationship with Elder Yan, and if he finds out we're targeting Xiao Yi, how will you withstand Elder Yan's wrath? Can our Zhang family withstand the retaliation from Treasure Pavilion?"

Zhang Ze said coldly, "As long as we leave no evidence behind!"

"What's your plan?" Zhang Yong furrowed his brow.

His hatred for Xiao Yi was just as intense as Zhang Ze's!

Not to mention that day at the Fang Family, Xiao Yi had embarrassed him, a renowned collector, with a set of the Subduing Tiger Sword Scroll, and just today at the Zhang Family, Xiao Yi had given Zhang Ze a heavy slap and walked away with the Blazing Wind Pursuit Sword he had painstakingly acquired.

This was bound to set the stage for a life-and-death feud between the Zhang Family and Xiao Yi.

Zhang Ze's eyes narrowed into a slit, a cold light flashing, "The enemy of my enemy is a friend... I've already sent someone to contact Fang Ao of the Fang Family and Lei Bao of the Black Tiger Gang. United, we can certainly dispose of Xiao Yi without anyone noticing!"

"Make sure to leave no evidence!" Zhang Yong cautioned.

Zhang Ze nodded decisively, his eyes filled with viciousness, "Xiao Yi, you care about Fang Qingzhu so much, don't you? I won't kill you right away; I'll force myself on Fang Qingzhu right in front of you, then grind you both to dust. One's ashes scattered into an abyss, the other thrown into raging rivers – ensuring even in death you cannot be together, keke..."

......

Inside the separate courtyard.

Xiao Yi was practicing his cultivation. Two days had passed since the banquet at the Zhang family's house.

His cultivation had improved significantly, bringing him even closer to the Second Layer of the Gathering Qi Realm.

"Brother Xiao Yi, Bing Xin is looking for you!" A gentle voice came from outside, belonging to Fang Qingzhu. Since that day at the Zhang family, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds.

Although they hadn't yet broached a certain topic, there had been a dramatic change in the way they addressed each other.

"Bing Xin is looking for me?"

Xiao Yi was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy, "Could it be that there's news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"

The core of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python was the most suitable material to replace Fang Qingzhu's dantian at the moment, and with Fang Jin's return date approaching, Xiao Yi had no time to lose.

"I'll be right out!"

Xiao Yi donned his clothes and, upon arriving in the hall and seeing Lin Bingxin, asked, "Has there been any news about the Purple-Patterned Blood Python?"

Lin Bingxin nodded her head, "The teacher has issued a bounty. Someone just came to the Treasure Pavilion with a clue, claiming to have spotted traces of the Purple-Patterned Blood Python in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range. The teacher asked me to notify you immediately. He also told me to relay to you that he can deploy the Treasure Pavilion's beast-hunting team to assist you!"

"No need, I can handle this matter on my own."

Xiao Yi shook his head in refusal. He didn't like to be indebted to anyone. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "During my absence, I'll need you to help me take care of Qingzhu!"

"Don't worry about that, I can move in and stay with Qingzhu right away!" Lin Bingxin said.

She and Fang Qingzhu had long since been calling each other sisters and had become best friends.

Fang Qingzhu, standing to the side, looked worried, "Brother Xiao Yi, what do you want with the Purple-Patterned Blood Python? That is a second-tier high-level mystical beast, with combat power comparable to the Peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. You..."

Xiao Yi smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I have my ways of dealing with that beast. Just wait obediently at home for me. When I return, I will give you a tremendous surprise!"

Fang Qingzhu's dantian had been destroyed, and only by using the technique of transplanting a beast core in place of her dantian could she resume her cultivation.

Given Fang Qingzhu's talent, once she could cultivate again, her strength would increase exponentially.

This venture to the Southern Desolate was a must!

That very night.

Xiao Yi left Nanhuang City on his own.

He didn't realize that after his departure, a shadowy figure vanished from a dark corner in front of his residence.

Black Tiger Gang.

"Xiao Yi has gone to the Southern Desolate Mountain Range? Hahaha, truly, heaven is helping me. Send for Fang Ao, Fang Hao, and Zhang Ze right away... No, to avoid being discovered, have them meet at the Qingyan Tower!"

Lei Bao, listening to the reports from his subordinates, showed an excited expression on his face as he looked at the person before him, "Inform Zhao Shi and the others to keep a close eye on Xiao Yi and report his movements at all times!"

"Yes, Deputy Leader!"

The shadowy figure disappeared from sight.

Lei Bao's face twisted with a grim expression, his fists tightened, and his eyes cold, "Xiao Yi, the Southern Desolate Mountain Range will be your burial ground!"

...

The Southern Desolate Mountain Range is part of the vast primordial wilderness.

It is named the Southern Desolate Mountain Range, also known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains, for it lies near the southern part of the boundless wilderness.

In this place, mystical beasts are rampant, and the danger is unparalleled. It is known as a forbidden area for mankind. Yet, where there is misfortune, there may be blessings hiding, and amidst the perilous Southern Desolate Mountains, countless opportunities and treasures are concealed.

Take, for example, Sikong Nan, the lord of Nanhuang City. He was once just an ordinary soldier in the city's defense force.

It was precisely in the Southern Desolate Mountain Range that he stumbled upon a Spirit Fruit. After consuming it, his cultivation advanced greatly, and now he has become the top master of Nanhuang City.

For precisely this reason...

Apart from the warriors of the five cities of Nanhuang, many strong individuals from various places in the Tianqing Kingdom also enter the Southern Desolate Mountain Range for trials and training.

In a forest clearing, an orange-red bonfire blazed fiercely. A thigh of a mystical beast was placed over the fire, roasting to a golden brown with sizzling droplets of fat, tempting one's appetite. Sitting in front of the bonfire, Xiao Yi was cross-legged, attuning himself to nature.

Suddenly.

An arrow shot silently from the underbrush towards him...