Chapter 231 – Is This an Electric Baton?
Xiao Jietian observed the blood steadily seeping from Ling Quan's chest wound—shallow, not life-threatening.
Hm. Are his clothes specially reinforced?
He did not allow Ling Quan a moment to recover.
The long halberd swung again.
Strike after strike. Relentless.
Ling Quan barely managed to draw his long sword in defence. Each clash sent jolts of lightning arcing through the point of impact—travelling down the blade, through his grip, into his body.
His injuries worsened with every passing second.
CRASH—
A final halberd strike sent Ling Quan crashing to the ground.
Fresh blood sprayed from his lips. He struggled to rise, limbs trembling.
Xiao Jietian had found this man disagreeable from the very start.
If I don't beat him into submission now, he'll only cause trouble later when I go to the Gu clan.
The long halberd in his hand shifted—transformed.
A short staff now rested in his grip.
He walked toward the fallen Ling Quan, step by deliberate step. Each footfall seemed to carry the weight of endless pressure.
He glanced at the staff. At the lightning crackling along its surface.
An idea struck him.
He concentrated the electricity—condensed it to the very tip—and touched it to Ling Quan's body.
Zzzt—zzzt—zzzt—
Ling Quan's body convulsed violently. Where the staff touched, his flesh sizzled.
Xiao Jietian looked at the scene before him. At the twitching man on the ground. At the staff in his hand.
Several names surfaced in his mind.
Electric baton. Lightning Enforcer. KK.
A soft laugh escaped him.
To Ling Quan, that laugh sounded like a devil's whisper.
The staff touched him again.
Zzzt—zzzt—zzzt—
Another convulsion. Another desperate, futile attempt to escape.
"Stop—stop shocking me!"
Ling Quan's voice cracked, raw with terror and agony. His previously immaculate appearance was utterly destroyed—robes dishevelled, hair smoking faintly from repeated electrocution.
Cultivators really do have good hair, Xiao Jietian noted idly. An ordinary person's would have exploded by now. His is just… smoking.
The wound on Ling Quan's chest was now charred black, the exposed flesh carrying the faint aroma of roasted meat.
Xiao Jietian placed his foot on Ling Quan's head.
His tone was light, almost playful.
"What was that you said earlier? About teaching me to behave?"
A pause.
"How come you're the one on the ground?"
He looked down at the crumpled figure beneath him.
"Don't be so arrogant just because you have a bit of status. Today was only a small lesson."
The "electric baton" reappeared in his hand, humming with contained energy.
"If I see you again… I'll let you taste its flavour once more."
The faint zzzt of electricity made Ling Quan's entire body flinch.
Xiao Jietian kicked him—not gently—onto the back of a remaining flying beast.
The beast glanced at him, then at its burden. Silently, it turned and flew back the way it had come.
It rejoined the main group swiftly.
The other Black Annihilation Army members stared at the dishevelled, severely injured figure on the beast's back.
"Deputy Commander! Were you attacked?!"
Before they could swarm him, Xun'er's cold voice cut through the air.
"Everyone, return to your positions. We head back to the clan."
A pause. Her gaze swept over Ling Quan's injuries, the lingering traces of lightning—and she understood.
"…Yes, Miss."
The Black Annihilation Army could only administer a pill and resume formation.
Ling Quan said nothing.
He only wished to leave this nightmare as quickly as possible.
On the mountain peak, Xiao Jietian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the distant sky where Xun'er had vanished.
A figure appeared behind him.
An aged hand patted his shoulder.
"Not bad." Su Qian's voice carried a hint of approval. "Full of spirit. But a little impulsive."
"I'm not worried." Xiao Jietian didn't turn. "If they seek revenge—I'm no match for them now, that's true. But I could hide somewhere they'd never find me, cultivate for ten years or so."
A pause.
"What could they do to me then?"
Su Qian chuckled.
He had no doubt this young man meant every word.
And with his talent… ten years might very well be enough.
"As long as you know your limits." Su Qian's tone was warm. "Youth is indeed a wonderful thing. I look forward to the day you stand at the peak of this continent. Heh heh."
His expression grew more serious.
"Tomorrow is the Heart Flame Body Tempering. After that… the unsealing. Preliminary preparations are nearly complete. We are only awaiting the arrival of your Boundless Heavenly Hall."
Xiao Jietian turned slightly.
"How long does the Heart Flame Body Tempering take?"
"Based on past experience… three days."
"Three days, then." Xiao Jietian nodded. "They will arrive then. We can proceed with the unsealing."
Su Qian studied him for a moment, then smiled.
He patted Xiao Jietian's shoulder once more—lightly, approvingly—and walked into the forest.
Xiao Jietian turned his gaze toward the Black-Corner Region.
The Jia Nan Academy matters are essentially settled. Boundless Heavenly Hall will have a steady stream of fresh blood in the future.
Now… the Black-Corner Region remains.
He stood there for a long moment.
Then his Dou Qi wings unfurled, and he returned to his pavilion.
He entered the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Only himself.
Xun'er has already left.
The others immediately gathered around him.
They already knew. Xun'er had told them she would be returning to her clan.
Medusa did not approach. But her gaze, from a distance, held a flicker of worry.
When their eyes met, she quickly looked away.
The girls surrounded him. Pulling at his sleeves. Embracing his arms. Whispering soft comforts.
"Don't worry." Xiao Jietian's voice was steady. "I will bring Xun'er back. Very soon. We will be reunited."
"Mhm!" Ya Fei hugged his arm tightly, her smile gentle. "We believe you. Sister Xun'er said she would wait for you to come for her."
Xiao Jietian looked at these understanding women around him. A relieved smile touched his lips.
They sat together in the pavilion, chatting and laughing. The sorrow of Xun'er's departure began to fade.
Even Medusa, usually so cold and proud, found herself drawn into the atmosphere. The corner of her mouth curved, almost imperceptibly.
Then her gaze fell on Xiao Jietian.
On his hands.
Which were, even as he chatted and laughed with the girls about the affairs of the world… not exactly idle.
A flicker of displeasure stirred in her chest.
Why does this bother me?
It shouldn't bother me.
But it does.
She spoke.
"Xiao Jietian."
Her tone was light. Teasing.
"Xun'er mentioned you're keeping another beauty hidden in the academy. When are you going to bring her in for us to meet?"
Silence.
Every pair of eyes turned toward Xiao Jietian.
Four small hands had already found their way to his soft flesh.
They were poised. Ready.
Eager.