Eternal Evil Emperor

When the news that Xie Yun, the second-ranked genius of the Xie family, had been recruited as a True Disciple by Biying Pavilion, one of the three great sects of Song Country, the entire Yangshuo City was shaken.

Yangshuo City lies in the southwest of Song Country, and six hundred li southwest from there is Mulan City, on the frontier of Song Country.

Geographically speaking, Yangshuo City is quite remote. Therefore, historically, hardly any Martial Artists from Yangshuo City had ever joined any of the three great sects, let alone young talents specially recruited to become True Disciples.

Hence, once this news was released, whether it was the Yangshuo City government office—the Defense Mansion—or the other two major families, Chen and Jin, they all became extraordinarily silent. With the premier family producing such a monstrous genius, how were they supposed to go on?

Fortunately, following this, more news came from the Xie residence that the third-ranked talent Xie Tian had become a spent force due to an affair with a maid, and had turned into a cripple. Only then did the other powers breathe a slight sigh of relief, and the family heads of the Chen and Jin clans began to frequently meet in recent days, discussing countermeasures.

The entire Xie family was, however, very excited. Xie Tian had already been forgotten by most, and the reclusive young miss Xie Yun had replaced him, becoming the object of everyone's admiration.

In addition to their admiration, people were also waiting for the arrival of a big shot from Biying Pavilion. It was said that to highlight the importance of Xie Yun, Biying Pavilion had actually dispatched a highly esteemed elder to receive her.

To welcome the elder from Biying Pavilion, the entire Xie residence underwent a thorough cleaning, both inside and out.

Regardless of status, everyone was spruced up, thinking if, by some stroke of luck, they were noticed and taken by the important figure, wouldn't it be a swift rise to heaven?

Thus, even Xie Bao, who harbored a deep resentment for Xie Tian, couldn't bother with him in the past few days.

He spent his time alternating between practicing and daydreaming, hoping the elder from Biying Pavilion could at a glance discern that he was an unrivaled genius, hidden in the dark, waiting for a sage to discover him, and beg him tearfully to become a True Disciple of Biying Pavilion.

There were many who dreamt the same, even Chen Qiang harbored wild ambitions. However, knowing his low status, he was well aware that dreams gained him nothing, and to be valued, one must practice with diligence.

The elder from Biying Pavilion would arrive in Yangshuo City tomorrow.

Tonight, under the dark moon and howling wind, a figure in light gauze appeared outside the broken courtyard gate where Xie Tian resided.

The gauze was pure and white like cold jade. It was none other than the esteemed young miss of the Xie family, Xie Yun, who had completely eradicated the danger of her Han You curse, and whose talents had soared.

In just fourteen days, she had cultivated from the sixth to the eighth level of the Barbaric Strength Realm. This was the great fortune granted after the Han You curse was lifted.

She couldn't forget the flames of jealousy in Xie Shuai's eyes. Now, she was fully qualified to look down upon the Xie family's number one talent, and she had done just that.

Making her who she was now was the Xie family's third-ranked talent. Toward Xie Tian, she felt a trace of guilt and gratitude.

But, as aloof as she was, even when she pushed open the door of the main room and saw the tragic scene of Xie Tian eating manure, she couldn't utter words of apology, nor could she say "thank you".

Xie Tian looked at her numbly, his eyes as calm as an abyss, showing not a trace of emotion.

Xie Yun gazed at Xie Tian. A moment of compassion arose in her cold eyes before dissolving into nothingness.

Such was fate. She was meant to be a phoenix soaring through the heavens, and he was supposed to be a servant, living an ordinary life... In an instant, Xie Yun transformed all the guilt in her heart into loathing for Xie Shuai—if not for you, this servant wouldn't have fallen from grace and ended up in such a plight!

"I've already given the word, no one will dare to bully you again."

This was the second sentence Xie Yun said to Xie Tian. However, she hadn't given the word yet; upon seeing Xie Tian's pitiful state, she decided she would do so.

That was the only thing she could do for Xie Tian. It wasn't that she lacked the ability to do more, but she knew the more she did, the more Xie Tian would suffer and be humiliated after her departure.

After saying this, Xie Yun took a long, deep look at the ever-calm Xie Tian. Lost in thought, she didn't hear the harsh scraping sound as Xie Tian's fingernails harshly dragged across the wooden surface, turning over and bleeding profusely.

"That's all. Come to send me off tomorrow."

Dropping this third phrase, Xie Yun left the broken courtyard. As she walked back to Han You Tower, she only wished that Xie Tian could understand the first half of her last sentence.

That "That's all," wasn't meaningless small talk, but it was telling Xie Tian to dutifully be a servant without thinking or doing too much.

Because, in Xie Yun's view, the more Xie Tian thought, whether it was hatred or something else, it was all a great pain and torture for him—because the top family of Yangshuo City was not something Xie Tian could shake.

"I forgot to tell you, my name is now Xie Tian."

Looking at the empty courtyard gate, Xie Tian whispered, then ignored his injured fingers as he pulled out the fourth pickled vegetable book given to him by the mad old man from underneath him.

Just like the previous three, the cover of this one was missing too, but the legacy of the Evil Emperor had told him that this was the mandatory Cultivation Technique for the fourth level of the Barbaric Strength Realm—Shaking Heaven Bear Earth Palm.

Completing this Cultivation Technique meant that Xie Tian had officially finished the muscle-training stage of his cultivation, reaching the fourth level of the Barbaric Strength Realm.

In other words, he had improved four levels of cultivation in fifteen days.

Of course, had the mad old man not seen Xie Tian practicing too madly and delayed giving him the book for five or six days, Xie Tian would now probably have reached the fifth level of the Barbaric Strength Realm, just like Chen Qiang.

"Too fierce, too fierce..."

Seeing Xie Tian about to start practicing again, the mad old man inside the room shook his head repeatedly, muttering, "This girl's way of doing things isn't appropriate. Speaking to him in such a manner, isn't that just making a tough person be tougher on himself? But luckily..."

Thinking of something, the mad old man chuckled smugly. After laughing, he walked over to the window to look at the noticeably reduced number of Longbao trees in the courtyard with a mix of worry and bitterness. In just half a month, he had picked it clean three times.

Five hours later, as dawn broke.

After fainting due to breaking through to the fourth level of the Barbaric Strength Realm, Xie Tian struggled out of his dog kennel, washed up seriously, bent down to pick up a Longbao stick from the ground, and popped it into his mouth before stepping out the door.

He intended to send off the Xie family's second-ranked genius—the young miss Xie Yun. However, he didn't plan to tell her his new name.

Sooner or later, she would hear this name from the mouths of others.

With the arrival of the elder from Biying Pavilion, not only did everyone in the Xie residence come out to welcome him, but even the important figures from the Defense Mansion and the Chen and Jin families thickened their skins to greet him.

Although the people of the Xie family were fuming with rage, they did not dare to chase the other party away in the presence of the dignitaries.

"Elder Feng Chun, this is my daughter Xie Yun, who is but sixteen years old, with the strength of the eighth level of the Barbaric Strength realm."

Xie family head Xie Changrong, with a beaming smile, pulled Xie Yun who was behind him forward: "Yun'er, why don't you quickly greet Elder Feng Chun with the proper respects!"

Elder Feng Chun's eyes sparkled with sharp light as he scrutinized Xie Yun and nodded slightly: "Indeed, not a bad talent."

To receive a compliment from Elder Feng Chun, even the usually cold-hearted Xie Yun couldn't contain her excitement.

Xie Changrong was even more delighted, his smile as radiant as a blooming flower; the younger generation eagerly pushed forward, hoping to catch Elder Feng Chun's favor and thus soar to great heights.

"However, that's all it is, not bad."

Seeing Xie Yun's somewhat complacent expression, Elder Feng Chun's face changed as he spoke solemnly, "One should know that there's always someone better. Speaking of cultivation, disciples of your age in our sect have even broken through to the Inner Qi realm. In terms of talent, you're merely above average and not a top genius. You must not be arrogant!"

Xie Yun felt a tightness in her heart and quickly restrained her smile, bowing deeply: "Xie Yun will keep the elder's teachings in mind."

"Hmm," Elder Feng Chun nodded slightly and scanned the crowd. When his gaze landed on Xie Bao, he gave the man a meaningful look before engaging in conversation with Xie family head Xie Changrong.

As for Yangshuo City's defense commandant and even the family heads of the Chen and Jin families, he didn't even give them a second glance.

At this moment, Xie Bao was panicking. Initially smug and pretending to be indifferent, he had hoped that Elder Feng Chun's discerning eye would notice him, but unfortunately, the elder's gaze merely swept past him without pausing.

He was anxious. If he missed this opportunity, he would have to stay in Yangshuo City for the rest of his life, which was not the outcome the proud Xie Bao wanted.

But for him to take the initiative to recommend himself, he lacked the courage. Even his own father was trembling before Elder Feng Chun, so how could he dare to step forward?

Just then, Xie Jin, the son of the Xie family's second branch, approached him and whispered, "Second Brother, Second Brother, guess who has come?"

"None of your damn business!"

Xie Bao retorted, but his gaze followed the direction Xie Jin was pointing, and he immediately spotted Xie Tian standing at the mouth of the alley.

His face turned dark instantly, and just as he was about to confront Xie Tian, he suddenly noticed that Xie Jin's expression was off. He asked in confusion, "What's wrong with you?"

Xie Jin's face was deathly pale, and upon hearing the question, he gulped and said in terror, "Second, Second Brother, I just saw that little, little wretch eating... eating shi... munching away..."

Disgusted! Xie Bao quickly covered his mouth, and after a long moment, waved his hand impatiently and cursed, "Break that little mongrel's legs, just the sight of him makes me want to vomit!"

Elder Feng Chun had only been talking with Xie Changrong briefly before he spoke indifferently, "Time is pressing. I am going to be on my way. Head of the Xie family, if you have any instructions, tell your precious daughter quickly."

"Nothing more, nothing more. I wouldn't dare to delay Elder Feng Chun's valuable time."

Xie Changrong bowed and nodded again, and upon seeing this, Elder Feng Chun called Xie Yun over, got into the leading carriage himself, while Xie Yun got into the second one.

It wasn't until the carriage had traveled some distance that Xie Yun suddenly remembered she had seemingly forgotten something.

She hastily lifted the curtain and looked out, her eyes fixed as she saw Xie Tian at the mouth of the alley. But as soon as she found him, she remembered two things she had forgotten!

First, she had forgotten that she told Xie Tian to see her off!

Second, she forgot to instruct her family not to bully Xie Tian!

...

Giving Xie Jin in front of him a fleeting glance, Xie Tian withdrew his gaze and looked towards the second carriage that was going farther away.

He had promised to see Xie Yun off, and he had done so. At the same time, he also understood two things more clearly.

Firstly, Xie Yun had not instructed the juniors of the Xie family, otherwise Xie Jin would not be standing before him.

Secondly, Xie Yun didn't care about his presence to see her off; it had been an off-hand comment.

"You mongrel, what are you looking at!"

Seeing Xie Tian ignoring him and staring stupidly at the departing carriage, Xie Jin's anger flared. He cursed sotto voce, "That is my Xie family's phoenix, not something a lowlife like you, who isn't even at the first level of the Barbaric Strength realm, can look at. I'll gouge out your dog eyes!"

As the glinting fingers almost reached him, Xie Tian's eyes turned icy. In the nick of time, he stretched out his right hand, grabbed Xie Jin's two attacking fingers, and bent them down forcefully!

Crack!

"Half a month ago, you punched me thirty-six times and kicked me twenty-one times. Consider these two fingers the interest."

Xie Tian covered Xie Jin's mouth to stifle his screams, feeling an immense satisfaction in his heavy heart!

He knew all too well this sweet taste of revenge was granted by his strength, and as his power increased, so too would this pleasure deepen!

Snatching the money pouch from Xie Jin's waist, Xie Tian left a parting remark and turned away.

"Not allowed to look? One day, I will strip your family's phoenix bare and gaze inch by inch!"

"How could he possibly..."

Xie Yun, who had witnessed the entire scene, had not realized that half of her body was leaning out the carriage window...

As she watched Xie Tian's figure disappear at the end of the alley, Xie Yun was almost unable to think!