Martial King Manor

Stone Kingdom Imperial Capital, Martial King Manor.

The vermilion gates looked like flowing blood. Golden studs adorned their panels, and an air of noble grandeur washed over anyone who approached.

Two lifelike stone statues of Primordial Strange Beasts guarded either side of the gates, as though they might awaken at any moment and choose someone to devour.

Li Dao, Xia Youyu, and Liu Yun drifted gracefully down before the gates of Martial King Manor.

When the manor servant guarding the gates saw the three arrive, he immediately approached with a respectful expression.

"You must be the seniors from the Heaven Mending Pavilion."

"The elder has already given instructions. Please follow me."

The three exchanged glances without saying much, then followed the guard into Martial King Manor.

"Hah! Hyah!"

"Take this!"

As they passed the manor's training grounds, they saw its disciples practicing their arts, a picture of flourishing vitality.

"Martial King Manor certainly lives up to its reputation as a force that once swept all before it. Judging by the spirit and vigor of these disciples alone, it's quite impressive."

Hearing Xia Youyu's voice transmission, Li Dao merely smiled and offered no further comment.

Had that incident years ago never happened, Martial King Manor might now have had two supreme talents under one roof, raising its prestige to even greater heights.

The manor disciples practicing their arts on the training grounds turned to look at Li Dao and his companions.

As disciples of a major force in the Stone Kingdom Imperial Capital, they naturally knew that the Heaven Mending Pavilion had opened its gates to recruit disciples.

They were deeply curious about the Heaven Mending Pavilion, which enjoyed a reputation as a pure land in the Great Wilderness.

"What formidable strength! Just looking at them from a distance gives me a terrifying sense of pressure."

"As expected of Heaven Mending Pavilion disciples. The woman in the lead must be their eldest senior sister, Xia Youyu. She really is a beauty."

"The man following behind her has a frightening presence too. I wonder what his name is?"

Under the gazes of the manor's many disciples, the three followed an attendant into a lavish hall.

The moment they entered, they saw an old man with black hair, a white beard, and piercing eyes seated at the head of the hall.

Seeing the three arrive, he unhurriedly set down his teacup and gestured with one hand.

"You honored guests have traveled a long way. Please forgive me for not going out to welcome you."

Li Dao's eyebrow rose. A flicker of arrogance crossed the old man's face, without the slightest trace of apology.

Seeing the old man merely raise his hand while remaining comfortably planted in his seat, Liu Yun's expression darkened as well.

They represented the dignity of the Heaven Mending Pavilion and had come to invite Shi Yi, yet the other party's attitude was truly displeasing.

Xia Youyu understood everything as clearly as a polished mirror. She knew he was trying to put them in their place. Though displeased, her expression remained unchanged as she spoke calmly.

"May I ask if we are in the Martial King's presence?"

"Even before approaching, I felt such an imposing aura. Surely you must be the master of Martial King Manor."

"This humble young woman, Xia Youyu, pays her respects to the Martial King."

Pfft-

Shi Yuan, who had been sitting comfortably at the head of the hall without giving the three much thought, had just been about to take another sip of tea.

But at Xia Youyu's words, his hand trembled, and he sprayed the tea from his mouth.

"Cough, cough, cough-"

Shi Yuan's face flushed red, whether from choking or anger was hard to say.

If those words reached the Martial King's ears, what would become of him?

Li Dao, who had been watching everything coldly from the side, could not help casting a sidelong glance at Xia Youyu when he heard her words.

This eldest senior sister looks so gentle and dignified. Who would have thought she was such a master of barbed courtesy?

After a fit of violent coughing, Shi Yuan quickly recovered and spoke with a smile that never reached his eyes.

"I am Shi Yuan, merely an elder of Martial King Manor. I am unworthy of such a greeting."

"Fellow cultivators from the Heaven Mending Pavilion, please take your seats."

But Liu Yun, their guardian, was not so easily brushed aside.

"If you are merely an elder of Martial King Manor, fellow cultivator, how dare you treat others with such disdain?"

"Could it be that you look down on our Heaven Mending Pavilion?"

Her Inscription Pattern realm aura erupted, and the already strained atmosphere abruptly plunged to freezing point.

The reluctant, forced smile on Shi Yuan's face froze in place.

"Well..."

Beads of cold sweat sprang up on his forehead. If he mishandled this matter, his days as an elder would be over.

He belonged to Shi Yi's branch of the family. Because of his close ties to that faction, he had been assigned to handle this matter and add to his credentials.

He had thought it would be a trivial task, especially after hearing that the Heaven Mending Pavilion delegation was led by a mere girl.

That had made him careless. He had never imagined he would stumble over this very matter.

Just as he stammered, unsure how to answer, a voice came from outside.

"Fellow cultivators of the Heaven Mending Pavilion, please forgive us. Martial King Manor has been remiss in its hospitality."

"Yi was still in secluded cultivation earlier. I went to fetch him and was delayed. I never expected something like this to happen."

"Please forgive us."

They looked toward the voice and saw a hale, spirited old man walking slowly inside, dressed in an ink-black robe with a jade-green pendant at his waist.

In a few strides, he appeared directly before Shi Yuan and gave him a look.

Shi Yuan withdrew, his face ashen.

Li Dao and the others paid little attention to Shi Yuan, who looked like a beaten dog, and turned their gazes to the old man.

"I am Shi Li. These two must be the outstanding disciples of the Heaven Mending Pavilion?"

"Heroes truly emerge from the young. What extraordinary bearing."

"Please sit and rest for a moment, all three of you. Once Yi arrives, he can have a proper exchange with you two."

"Young people ought to spend time talking with other young people."

Seeing his courteous manner, Liu Yun withdrew her aura and took a seat to one side with the two disciples.

The icy expression on her face softened a little as she began conversing with Shi Li.

Listening to their empty pleasantries, Li Dao felt like yawning.

As though sensing his thoughts, Xia Youyu turned her head and met his gaze, a hint of amusement at his expense in her eyes.

What is that look supposed to mean?

Li Dao was inwardly speechless. Before he could question her through a voice transmission, however, he heard clear, steady footsteps at the entrance.

Looking toward the sound, he saw a tall, straight-backed young man enter. Though his face still held a trace of youthful immaturity, his handsome features were already apparent.

Most extraordinary of all were his Double Pupils. Wherever his gaze fell, it seemed no illusion could escape.

As his eyes opened and closed, day and night seemed to lie within a single thought, and a faint chaos like that of creation itself swirled within them.

His every movement carried the imposing air of one who reigned supreme, instantly drawing every gaze toward him.

Merely standing there, he had already become the center of the entire world.

Their curiosity was only natural. Who had not heard of the Double Pupils? Faced with such a legendary figure, anyone would focus their attention on him.

"Greetings, Grandpa Li."

Shi Yi entered the hall, his gaze passing straight over Liu Yun and the others as he merely nodded to Shi Li.

Seeing Shi Yi's manner, Li Dao raised his eyebrows. As he studied those extraordinarily mystical pupils, curiosity stirred within him.

If I obtained that pair of pupils, perhaps I could comprehend the divine abilities of the Double Pupils!