Strange properties?
"Teacher what do you mean?" asked Ling Fang.
Shoomp!
Suddenly, Ling Fan ducked. Just now, the Divine Pig almost smacked her with that gaudy crown of hers. Her hand itched. She sorely missed not having a sword right now.
Ignorant of what just happened, Shensheng said, "Eh! Whose the idiot that made this?"
Curious, Little Lord hopped over. Upon seeing the sword, he snorted, "Not good."
Junjie pattered over emitting a flurry of grunts.
Shensheng nodded with deep satisfaction. "Little Junjie, your words are so sweet. This Queen already knows she's a divine beauty beyond compare."
Ling Fan's eyes popped. A divine beauty??? In those clothes and wearing that crown???
Junjie, he-he really must be blind.
Little Lord took a long hard look at Junjie. Clearly, his thoughts were the same as Ling Fan.
"Master, please explain your words," said Ling Fan.
"It's extremely dormant but there's a grain of Stellar Parasitic Metal melded to the blade," said the Divine Pig, sniffing a bit.
Junjie was about to probe it with his snout when, Shensheng yelled, "Junjie, you're courting death! Don't touch it!"
The ugly little boar froze.
Shensheng sighed in relief and ordered, "Junjie come stand behind your Queen. She will protect you."
Little Lord hopped into Ling Fan's arms. "Mom, Son protect you."
Witnessing the cautionary actions of the two Divine beings, Ling Fan asked, "Just what is this Stellar Parasitic Metal?"
"This-This is bad. If it's here, it means a chunk actually fell down from the heavens."
"Master?"
The Divine Pig looked off in the distance. One could imagine she was an unrivaled expert and noble beyond compare.
"Master will expand your knowledge...Junjie you also listen well. In the depths of the Star Sea, natural innate spiritual materials and beings are born. One such spiritual material is the Stellar Parasitic Metal. The vile stuff floats endlessly in the depths of Star Sea and often is not a problem. Typically it is in a natural dormant state. However, occasionally a few fragments will encounter organic being like humans and other races. Hence the problem, organic beings are its natural food. In particular, it has a strong appetite for blood."
Ling Fan gulped in horror. "Master, did you just say it likes to drink blood."
The pig snorted, "It doesn't drink, more like absorbs like a sponge. The more it absorbs, the more intelligence it gains. This is why, whenever our subordinates discover a large mass of the stuff, they destroy it."
Aghast, Ling Fan pointed to the sword, "And you say there's a grain of Stellar Parasitic Metal metal in this sword?"
"Mhm...Disciple don't make Master repeat her words. You must remember every word when I say it."
Unbeknownst to the pig, Ling Fan rolled her eyes. She sure wished she had a sword. Gritting her teeth, she asked, "Master then this gift for Master Zhao is dangerous correct?"
"Dangerous? Ha---you cannot now how dangerous! Imagine a lump of the stuff the size of your fist. That amount alone will happily absorb every single drop of blood in Savant City. Humph! It's a Calamity like not other...get rid of it!"
Ling Fan trembled. If she were to get rid of the sword, then what about the gift!!?
"Master, you-you said it's dormant....so doesn't that mean it's not a danger?"
"Eh? Are you making Master repeat her words when she just commanded otherwise? Humph, you wanna become a fly?"
Little Lord snorted, his eyes focusing on Junjie.
Shensheng trembled slightly. "Ha-Ha-Ha, This queen was just joking. Her disciple is dear to her like her own child."
Ling Fan's eyes misted over as she took a long deep look at Little Lord. Wasn't he the most filial of sons? After a breath, she cleared her throat and said, "It's not that, it's just the meeting with Big Brother Zhao is in less than an hour...How can disciple meet without a gift?"
Shensheng nodded with understanding. "That-That would be impolite considering its a date. How about this? We give it to him for now. Later, we have a similar sword manufactured for him and replace it when he's not looking."
"Master, how would we replace it without him knowing?"
"Humph! Must Master solve all your problems? Don't you have subordinates close to Master Zhao Ding already? Even if we can't use them, then most certainly Big Brother can replace the weapon without anyone knowing."
Ling Fan smiled brightly. Wasn't that a plan? Big Brother Zhao, when you return, Ling Fan promises she will have an even better sword for you.
At the Fang Clan Manor in Savant City, Fang Lijuan sat across the table from a younger woman and sipped gingerly from a hot cup of tea. Smiling she said, "Sister Jiahui, how was your trip? Father didn't say you were also coming?"
"Sister couldn't bear being away anymore. She'll wallow in regret if she doesn't grasp this opportunity now."
"You still intend to proceed? What if he doesn't succumb to your charm?"
"Ling-Ling Dreamboat surely remembers me. Once long ago, he considered me as Savant City's number one beauty. Now I have grown more mature, but still have my looks. Sis-Sister, did you perhaps see him while you were out?"
Fang Lijuan shook her head, "No...but I saw his daughter."
Fang Jiahui jolted, "Wh-What is she like?"
The older woman winced. "You may not be able to bear it...She looks just like her mother."
Bang!
A delicate white fist had shattered the table.
"Sister Jiahui, you must maintain your composure. Your reaction is unbecoming the regal bearing of the Fang Clan. Even more, it's beneath you as a Martial King..sigh..that woman is definitely your heart demon."
Fang Jiahui huffed a bit before calming down. Servants quickly worked to clean the mess. In fact, they were already hurrying with another table.
"Big Sister, how was the Zhao Clan? Are they monsters and uncouth as they say?"
Fang Lijuan stiffened.
Bang!
The new table was just pulverized into powder.
Fang Jiahui eye twitched. What did she just say about composure?
"Big Sister, were-were you unable to see Martial King Zhao Qiang?"
"It's not that...I did see him..however, he introduced another woman as his fiance."
"Eh! Impossible!"
"Tomorrow, I will go with Father to settle the matter and to set the marriage date."
"If he or the Zhao Clan refuses?"
"Humph! You think Father will allow them to refuse? After Brother Zhao finishes his dueling obligation, we'll bring him here."
"Sister, if I recall, the Zhao Clan are a bunch of crazies, are you sure you don't want to use diplomacy and negotiation? Isn't his sister infamous?"
Suddenly, in the distance, the aura of a Half Grand Empyrean inundated the area. The source was Fang Lijuan's father.
Fang Jiahui paled, while Fang Lijuan's eyes glittered brightly. "Does she dare withstand Father with his might as a Half Grand Empyrean?"
Fang Jiahui nodded with trepidation. If they forcibly took Zhao Qiang, who knew how the Zhao Clan would react??
"Sister agrees, however how about we cut the root of the problem? Wouldn't it be easier to make Zhao Qiang's fiance disappear?"
"Humph! I've already sent people. Sister Jiahui, I learnt from you well on how to handle these matters."
Fang Jiahui's eyes constricted. "Sister, we shouldn't talk about things that shouldn't be discussed."
"Mhm."
4th Chaos Heaven, Sacred Star Empire, Imperial Capital.
Di Mao and Di Chenglei entered the Imperial Capital with only Nine Death Swords left. All were in sorry states. After arriving in 4th Heaven, they immediately accepted multiple missions for the Black Bank. Being from Sixth Heaven, the two anticipated quickly completing the assignments and making it to Third Heaven within seven days.
However, to their dismay, the price of passage had increased again. When they approached the Black Bank headquarters in 4th Heaven, they were forced to undertake a dozen missions to collect debts. Furthermore, these tasks weren't simple. The people that owed money to the Black Bank all refused to pay. As a result, two thirds of Di Clan forces died while forcibly collecting debts.
After finally, completing the last mission, Di Mao and Di Chenglei decided that needed to supplement their forces. In 4th Heaven, the only place they could turn to was the current ruler of Sacred Star Empire.
Before the gates of the Imperial Palace, Di Chenglei presented a token to a guard. "We are visitors from 6th Heaven's Di Clan. We've come to seek audience with his Imperial Majesty."
The guards shook. Being Martial Kings, they could feel the profound aura of the token. Bowing the guard said, "Seniors, this lowly one will go inform the Imperial Steward. Once he receives word, this one is sure he'll invite you into the palace."
Less than half an hour, the guard returned following a prestigious entourage.
A scholarly cupped his hands and said, "This one is Gao Rong. Lord Imperial Steward asks that I escort you into the palace and attend to any needs. Guard, return the token."
Quickly, the guard ran forward and lowered his eyes as he politely offered the token.
Di Mao and Di Chenglei nodded with satisfaction.
Accepting the token, Di Chenglei said, "Prior to having an audience, we of course would like to refresh ourselves."
Gao Rong smiled brightly. "As my lords wish. Let me lead you to your chambers to refresh first."
The Di Clan group sighed in relief. It had been weeks since they were able to clean properly.
Di Chenglei said, "Uncle, indeed stopping her was a wise choice."
"Mhm...Nephew, we'll rest up well here. We'll get the resources we need, then immediately travel to Third Heaven. Only when we take our vengeance will the souls of my sons be able to move on."
The Uncle and nephew continued discussing plans for their vengeance. Unawares, they were led into a empty, high-walled courtyard. Di Mao was the first to detect killing intent. His Empyrean might filled the area as he shouted, "BEWARE!!"
In less than two breaths, Gao Rong had retreated leaving the Di Clan group surrounded.
Face covered in the darkest of scowls, Di Chenglei, "What's the meaning of this...You dare!"
Suddenly, a space on the wall opened up and man in gold dragon robes stood out. His aura blasted out and quickly suppressed Di Mao's.
Di Mao paled, "Not Good! He's a Half Grand Empyrean!"