Chapter 340: A New Volume Begins

「Three days later.」 The Great Shang Dynasty.

To be precise, it should now be called the Great Shang Empire’s Imperial Capital.

“Haha! Our Great Shang Dynasty has finally made it big! We became an empire overnight!”

“Is this news for real?”

“Of course it is! Didn’t you see they’re building the Emperor’s Palace over there?”

“This is all thanks to Yi Xiaoyao’s blessing!”

“Isn’t it the truth! Yi Xiaoyao isn’t just the Great Shang Empire’s strongest expert, he’s a great hero admired by all!”

“And the most crucial part is, this great hero is only nineteen years old! He’s unmatched in all of history!”

Such conversations could be heard everywhere throughout Great Shang, even more fervent than when Yi Xiaoyao had annihilated the Cloud Transformation Sect.

A lonely figure walked forlornly through the clamor of discussion, returning to her sect, the Hundred Flowers Sect.

But even within the sect, talk of Yi Xiaoyao was still endless.

Since the Hundred Flowers Sect was composed almost entirely of female disciples, their discussion took a different turn.

“Yi Xiaoyao is so young, yet he’s already achieved such unattainable heights of power and accomplishment. I heard he’s also incredibly handsome. How can such a perfect man exist in this world?”

“I know, right? If only I could marry him!”

“Keep dreaming. Don’t you know Yi Xiaoyao already has a peerless beauty by his side? Why would he ever marry you?”

“I’d be willing to be his concubine, then!”

“Forget being a concubine. There’s no way Yi Xiaoyao would even give us a second look!”

As the group of female disciples whispered amongst themselves, their gazes suddenly shifted to the lonely, dejected figure.

“Look who’s here.”

“Senior Sister Tang? I heard that she was almost married to Yi Xiaoyao back then, but…”

“Exactly. This is what you get for being shortsighted. The chance to soar to the heavens and become a phoenix, something we all dream of, was practically handed to her. But she gave it up. Now it’s too late for regrets, no matter how much it eats her up inside!”

Tang Ruoxue had just returned to the sect from outside, hoping to escape the talk about Yi Xiaoyao. But now, hearing these words, her delicate body began to tremble.

Gritting her teeth, she stomped her foot heavily and left the sect once more.

With Tang Ruoxue’s beauty, it wouldn’t be difficult to find a decent man. However, she looked down on every man who pursued her.

She had always felt that Yi Xiaoyao should have been hers. She would either be Yi Xiaoyao’s woman or find a man even more outstanding than him.

But now, with the news that Yi Xiaoyao had destroyed the Great Xia, Tang Ruoxue realized that finding a man more outstanding than him was a fantasy. She had fallen into despair over it.

And after hearing the discussion among her fellow disciples, Tang Ruoxue instantly made up her mind. She would go find Yi Xiaoyao. She was willing to be his concubine!

…

Outside Tang Family Castle, Tang Ruoxue stared at the massive residence being constructed like a palace. Her heart was filled with anxiety and regret. This was the family she had abandoned, now so far beyond her reach.

“Who goes there!”

A majestic voice boomed, forcing Tang Ruoxue, who was about to step into the residence, back several steps. Her face turned pale.

‘Just the voice alone made her feel the threat of death. How strong must this person be?’

Tang Ruoxue couldn’t imagine it. She looked up at the two figures inside the gate, their auras terrifying, and her heart trembled again.

‘Such powerful beings… are merely Yi Xiaoyao’s guards?’

Tang Ruoxue composed herself and said, “I am Yi Xiaoyao’s woman. Let me in to see him.”

The two guards burst out laughing. “The Alliance Leader’s woman? Let’s not even mention how stunningly beautiful our Grand Alliance Leader’s Wife is—you’re a world apart from her. Besides, why would the Grand Alliance Leader ever take a fancy to a weak ant like you with such low Cultivation?”

Tang Ruoxue’s face went white. ‘Am I really nothing but an ant in Yi Xiaoyao’s eyes now?’

The next moment, her expression turned angry. “I was Yi Xiaoyao’s childhood sweetheart! We spent ten years together here in Tang Family Castle! How dare you be so rude to me? Aren’t you afraid he’ll kill you?!”

The two guards were taken aback. Wary of Yi Xiaoyao, they didn’t dare push it further.

“Our Alliance Leader is in the middle of an important discussion. No one is allowed to enter, regardless of their identity. If you have a message, we can relay it for you!” one of the guards said.

Tang Ruoxue bit her lip. Now she couldn’t even see Yi Xiaoyao in person.

After a moment’s hesitation, she could only say in a low voice, “Tell Yi Xiaoyao that Ruoxue is willing to give up everything to be his concubine.”

The guard’s expression turned strange. He then hurried inside to pass on the message.

A moment later, the guard returned, the strange look on his face even more pronounced.

“Did he agree?”

Tang Ruoxue asked nervously. Her entire future was on the line. As long as Yi Xiaoyao overlooked their past and agreed, she could instantly soar to the heavens and live a life of luxury.

The guard smiled. “Our Alliance Leader has a message for you: ‘Women are people, too. As a person, why do you always think about relying on a man instead of yourself?'”

Hearing this, Tang Ruoxue froze on the spot.

In her heart, she had always believed that using one’s looks and body to win a man’s affection, thereby gaining higher status and the wealth she desired, was a woman’s prerogative and advantage.

But now, Yi Xiaoyao’s words made Tang Ruoxue feel that her way of thinking was completely and utterly wrong.

Yi Xiaoyao paid Tang Ruoxue’s visit no mind. The resentment he once held for her had long since faded, and he no longer had any feelings for her whatsoever.

At that moment, Yi Xiaoyao was sitting at a table, drinking with several people.

“King of Shang, I hope my unilateral decision to move the Imperial Capital to Great Shang hasn’t caused you any trouble.”

Yi Xiaoyao said, raising his cup to the King of Shang.

The King of Shang was grinning from ear to ear. How could he possibly be troubled? He quickly raised his cup and said, “Not at all, not at all! Xiaoyao, you are truly the great benefactor of Great Shang! On behalf of all the people of Great Shang, I thank you!”

Then, the King of Shang turned to Chi Fen with a humble smile. “I’m not able to manage the Great Shang Empire anymore. National Preceptor Chi Fen, for any future decisions, you don’t need to consult with me. I’ll just enjoy my remaining years under Xiaoyao’s brilliant light.”

Chi Fen smiled faintly. He understood, of course, that Yi Xiaoyao had essentially entrusted the entire empire to him.

Then, Chi Fen asked Yi Xiaoyao, “Commander, what are your plans now?”

“First, I plan to spend some quiet time here in Great Shang with Ling’Er,” Yi Xiaoyao said with a smile, looking at Yun Mengling.

Everyone broke into good-natured laughter. Yun Mengling blushed crimson and shot Yi Xiaoyao a playfully indignant glare.

Yi Xiaoyao continued, “After that, I’m going to Sunken Spirit Island, which Senior Chong Li told me about. I want to see for myself what the younger generation of the Great Yu’s Eight Desolates is like.”

The Great Yu’s Eight Desolates!

Everyone’s expression shifted slightly. They knew that Yi Xiaoyao would go there sooner or later. That was the vast world that could truly contain him.

Just then, Dan Jiu suddenly spoke up. “Xiaoyao, there is something I must tell you.”

Yi Xiaoyao looked at Dan Jiu, puzzled.

Dan Jiu said, “The Pill Immortal’s legacy is like a seal. Only when your Cultivation reaches a certain level can you break the seal and receive the corresponding inheritance. With my current Cultivation, I have already taught you everything I can unseal. For the next part of your journey on the Alchemy Dao, you may have to go to the Great Yu’s Eight Desolates to achieve a new breakthrough.”

Yi Xiaoyao understood Dan Jiu’s meaning and nodded with a smile. “No matter what, Master, you are the one who initiated me into the world of elixirs. This is a kindness I will never forget.”

Afterward, Yi Xiaoyao toasted Elder Yan, the Black Robe Hall Master, Lin Jie, and the others one by one.

The next day, Yi Xiaoyao refined some more elixirs and sent them to Lady Ji and the others.

After settling these matters, Yi Xiaoyao took Yun Mengling and Little Hei and began to travel throughout the Great Shang Empire, thoroughly enjoying this rare and peaceful time.

However, this wonderful time was both precious and brief.

Because the day Chong Li had mentioned—the day Sunken Spirit Island would open—had arrived before he knew it.

Next, Yi Xiaoyao would have his first true contact with the Great Yu’s Eight Desolates.

…

(PS: I’ve finally finished writing about the Great Xia. I was getting tired of this plotline myself.)

The next volume, Volume 5: [The Eight Desolates and the Nine-Headed Infant], will be even more exciting and action-packed!)