The Beginning at the Black Wind Market
After Shen Xiang and Xia Ning Chang left the High Heaven Pavilion, they walked for quite some time before arriving at a newly established market near the three closest sects.
After strolling around briefly, Shen Xiang purchased a large house in the market for 10,000 silver taels. He only intended to stay there temporarily.
The house was strategically located near three major sects: the High Heaven Pavilion, the Blood Battle Group, and the Storm Manor.
"Chang'er, what's wrong?" Upon entering their new home, Shen Xiang noticed that Xia Ning Chang seemed uneasy.
"Brother Shen, will we always be together?" Although Xia Ning Chang's question sounded ordinary, Shen Xiang, who had been with her for several years, immediately understood her meaning.
"Silly girl, I promise I won't leave you. Just wait a few more years, and I'll 'devour' you." Shen Xiang hugged Xia Ning Chang tightly. He never imagined that the little girl who once clung to him like a tail had now grown up.
Xia Ning Chang's face turned red upon hearing Shen Xiang's words. She was thrilled to know that they would marry in the future.
"All right, let's rest for today. I'm a bit tired after the earlier fight." Shen Xiang then released his hug.
"By the way, I'm going to take a bath and soak in the tub. Do you want to join me?" Hearing Shen Xiang's question, Xia Ning Chang immediately blushed and ran to her room.
"Hahaha..." Shen Xiang thought to himself that such a life wasn't too dull.
While Shen Xiang enjoyed his life, he didn't realize that his fight with Wei Xi Tong had spread rapidly. Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
---
Time Skip: Three Years Later.
It had been three years since Shen Xiang started living in the Black Wind Market. He stayed there with Xia Ning Chang, who was now 15 years old. They both settled temporarily before continuing their journey.
Since settling in the Black Wind Market, Shen Xiang opened a pill-refining service. Within three years, he not only became the most renowned pill refiner but also a figure who influenced the power balance in the region.
During these three years, several significant events occurred:
First: Shen Xiang's popularity in pill refining attracted a lot of attention, including envy and resentment.
Some members of the High Heaven Pavilion, the Blood Battle Group, and the Storm Manor planned to kidnap Xia Ning Chang to pressure Shen Xiang.
However, the plan completely failed. Furious upon hearing about this, Shen Xiang attacked everyone involved in the kidnapping attempt.
He killed Long Zhai Tian, Long Jun, and Long Hui from the Blood Battle Group; Cheng Shao Feng, Nu Tao, and Nu Lang from the Storm Manor; as well as Xie Hong Chen, Chao Zheng Wen, and Wei Zhuang from the High Heaven Pavilion, along with their subordinates.
Shen Xiang's power made everyone realize that he wasn't just an alchemist but also a very strong cultivator. He then refused to refine pills for the three sects involved in Xia Ning Chang's kidnapping, even if they were not directly involved.
Second: After the incident, envoys from the three sects came offering compensation in the form of rare herbs and forging materials.
The envoys were Su Yan from the High Heaven Pavilion, Hu Jiao'er and Hu Mei'er from the Blood Battle Group, and Fang Ji Zi from the Storm Hall.
Shen Xiang understood that this compensation was more than just an apology—it was a tactic to ease tensions between him and the three sects. Reluctantly, he accepted the compensation.
Shen Xiang asked the envoys to deliver a message to their sect masters: "I hope the three sects continue causing trouble. That way, I'll keep receiving compensation for a long time." After saying this, he sent the envoys back.
Third: Shen Xiang's strategically located house brought unexpected relationships with three women: Su Yan, Hu Mei'er, and Hu Jiao'er.
All three were drawn to Shen Xiang from the first time they met. Initially, they just exchanged greetings and small talk, which grew into a deep friendship, and eventually, they became couples.
This entire process unfolded over three years. During that time, Shen Xiang won the hearts of all three women.
When news of their relationship spread, it caused a major uproar. Alcohol sales increased significantly after the news broke, as many men chose to drown their sorrows upon learning that their beloved had found a partner.
Fourth: A year after Shen Xiang killed Wei Xi Tong, the High Heaven Pavilion faced turmoil again. This time, Ling Taixu's disciple, Yang Bai, escaped from the Coiled Dragon Stream.
After escaping, Yang Bai returned to the High Heaven Pavilion seeking revenge, with a cultivation base at the First Order Transcendent Realm.
Ling Taixu frequently visited Yang Bai, which limited his cultivation progress. Given more time, Yang Bai could have reached the Third Order Transcendent Realm's peak.
When Yang Bai appeared to destroy the High Heaven Pavilion, Ling Taixu intervened. Their reunion ended in a life-and-death battle.
The fierce fight took place in the skies, preventing significant collateral damage.
After several hours, Ling Taixu pierced Yang Bai's heart and beheaded him to ensure his death.
Though saddened by killing his disciple, Ling Taixu's decision saved countless innocent lives.
Freed from his inner demons, Ling Taixu immediately received the world's baptism, breaking through to the Transcendent Realm after the battle. Many people, including Shen Xiang, witnessed his breakthrough.
Fifth: Days after reaching the Transcendent Realm, Ling Taixu challenged Shen Xiang, both to spar and gauge Shen Xiang's strength.
Shen Xiang gladly accepted, as he was stuck at the fifth stage of the True Element Realm and needed a fight to break his internal barrier.
The battle between Shen Xiang and Ling Taixu took place in a remote location, witnessed by many, including Xia Ning Chang, Su Yan, Hu Mei'er, Hu Jiao'er, Fang Ji Zi, Meng Wu Ya, Hu Man, Xiao Ruo Han, and all elders from the three sects.
The fight was intense. Ling Taixu used many offensive techniques, while Shen Xiang relied solely on his physical strength, wrapping his fists with Yang Qi.
Everyone watching was shocked to see Shen Xiang's overwhelming power. Even Meng Wu Ya remarked that Shen Xiang was holding back.
After a day and a night of fighting, they stopped when Ling Taixu suffered significant injuries, vomiting blood excessively after taking Shen Xiang's blow.
Still in high spirits, Shen Xiang challenged Meng Wu Ya next. Despite being injured, Shen Xiang only had minor bruises and hadn't bled a drop.
The battle between Shen Xiang and Meng Wu Ya was even fiercer. Shen Xiang fought without holding back, and although Meng Wu Ya struggled, his experience allowed him to keep up.
After two days and nights, they stopped. Shen Xiang needed to break through to the sixth stage of the True Element Realm, while Meng Wu Ya wanted to destroy the seal within his body, which Shen Xiang had inadvertently helped loosen during their fight.
After these battles, everyone present respected Shen Xiang even more, not just as an alchemist but also as a formidable cultivator.