Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"This is outrageous, Brother Yang! Those guys clearly promised they would submit to you, expand your territory, and help you become the Common Lord of the Profound Sun Continent. But now, they're secretly badmouthing you. It's absolutely detestable."

The moment Lu Fangliang reached Yang Xiao's side, he started complaining loudly.

He looked absolutely furious.

And Liu Shangwu, who had come with him, looked just as displeased.

He spoke up, "Those guys are nothing but short-sighted fools. They aren't even on my level, yet they secretly think they're stronger than the Young Master. Do they really believe Emperor Xuanyuan would even glance their way? It's laughable. They're just a bunch of deluded dreamers. However, Young Master, even though these guys are incredibly shortsighted, if they keep causing trouble like this, I'm afraid it will shatter everyone's morale. That will be a real problem."

"Shatter their morale? Come, let's go take a look."

Hearing this, Yang Xiao, who had been looking grim, actually broke into a smile.

He was cultivating the Emperor Golden Dragon Secret Technique. Although he had yet to manifest the Power of the Emperor and couldn't sense their specific thoughts, the changes in his technique over the past few days told Yang Xiao that their intentions had become more intense.

Moreover, his Fire God Clone had just investigated and found that it wasn't just Lu Dingyuan's former subordinates who were causing a disturbance; even some of the original Mining Slaves, a few senseless fools, were stirring up trouble.

This left Yang Xiao truly speechless.

'Just as Liu Shangwu said, do these people really think they're worthy of Emperor Xuanyuan's notice?'

'They're utterly short-sighted.'

"That's right! These guys need to be taught a stern lesson. I heard some of them are even spreading rumors about the Young Master, saying the Central, Northern, and Western Domains have Ascension Platforms while the Eastern and Southern Domains don't, and that it's all your fault. They claim Emperor Xuanyuan is displeased with you... it's just ridiculous."

Liu Shangwu said, fuming.

But the moment he said this, Yang Xiao stopped in his tracks.

This took Liu Shangwu slightly by surprise.

A thought suddenly struck him, and he quickly said, "Young Master, you don't actually believe them, do you? It's all just rumors spread by those fools. You can't take it seriously."

Seeing this man, who had once been so arrogant toward him, now trying to offer comfort and show concern, Yang Xiao's smile grew even brighter.

Although he had met his fair share of ungrateful people on his journey...

...he had also been accompanied by many wonderful people.

Take Liu Shangwu, for example. He had doubted him before, but now he seemed to be a very straightforward and resolute person who did things his own way. Once he decided on a course of action, he wouldn't turn back, even if a thousand people told him he was wrong.

As a subordinate, he was exceptionally competent.

Therefore, Yang Xiao responded to his concern.

"Don't worry," Yang Xiao said calmly. "Although this matter is indeed related to me, so what? Without me, the people of the Central, Northern, and Western Domains probably wouldn't have had the chance to ascend the so-called Ascension Platform. This... is merely a test for me."

Inwardly, however, he knew this wasn't a test at all. 'It's a deliberate hardship.'

But he wouldn't say that out loud; that would be foolish.

After all, in the hearts of these people, the Sword Emperor, Emperor Xuanyuan, was the Human Emperor. A single word from him could send countless people to their deaths.

Yang Xiao had no desire to spell that out.

Doing so would only make things more difficult for himself.

But framing it as a trial on the Path of the Human Emperor was another story entirely.

That would imply Emperor Xuanyuan placed great importance on him.

And sure enough, the moment Yang Xiao said this, Liu Shangwu's gaze became filled with even greater admiration and reverence.

'A man whom even Emperor Xuanyuan holds in such high regard is the one most worthy of my loyalty.'

"The Young Master is truly one of a kind. Emperor Xuanyuan himself pays special attention to him, even setting up such a trial. I really don't know what those other fools are thinking. They have a Young Master with such a bright future to follow, yet they insist on banging their heads against a wall. They truly don't know their own limits."

Liu Shangwu curled his lip, full of disdain.

And soon.

The group arrived at the site of the disturbance.

"Why won't you let us leave? Do you take us for slaves?"

"That's right! Young Master Yang himself said we were free men. We want to leave right now. Who dares to stop us!"

"Huu the Third, have you forgotten who rescued your child from the mines? It's only been a few days of peace, and you're already stirring up trouble? What is this all about? Have you given any thought to the future?"

"What future? All I know is there's no future for me here! But if I go to the Central Domain, I'll have a chance to become a Human Emperor Disciple! Don't pretend you don't want it too—you're just too scared! But I, Huu the Third, am not. I'll make it happen! The Huu Family has been Mining Slaves for dozens of generations. It was in my generation that I finally became a Martial Artist. This has to be my lucky break! If I don't seize this opportunity now, when will I?"

"He's right! I, Liu Asi, think so too!"

"And me, Zhou Chusheng!"

"I, Xiaoo Wuyi, am going to the Central Domain, too!"

When Yang Xiao and his group arrived at the scene of the disturbance, the first thing they saw was these former Mining Slaves demanding to leave.

Yang Xiao, however, wasn't particularly concerned about this.

If these people left, so be it.

To be honest, their initial purpose was to help Yang Xiao establish his first base of operations. If they stayed, Yang Xiao would remember their contributions, and their lives would have certainly improved.

But if they were going to forget the good he had done for them, then they were free to leave.

It was no real loss to him, after all.

It was the people gathered around these former Mining Slaves, watching the drama unfold, that made Yang Xiao frown.

"They're the ones who instigated this, aren't they?"

Yang Xiao asked Liu Shangwu, gesturing toward the onlookers.

Liu Shangwu gave an embarrassed nod.

He and Lu Fangliang were the ones who had brought these people in. Liu Shangwu in particular had a certain reputation in the harsh, remote territories, and he had never imagined they would stab him in the back like this.

"Then go tell them. If they want to leave, they can go at any time. However, if they leave now, it won't be so easy to come back in the future."

Yang Xiao said calmly.

He was already growing tired of the scene.

Since their hearts weren't in it, forcing them to stay by his side would only make them a burden. They would only cause trouble and stir up unrest. And that wasn't to mention the resources they consumed every day for food, clothing, and shelter.

Now that their hearts were elsewhere, forcing them to stay held no benefit for Yang Xiao and was just a waste of resources.

Hearing this, however, Liu Shangwu hesitated.

He knew that Yang Xiao was short on manpower. If they all left, their numbers would be severely depleted.

'Will it really be alright?'

"Go on. Anyone who wants to leave can go. However, they must first repay what they've eaten and used of mine during this time. I, Yang Xiao, have no desire to force them to stay, but they shouldn't think of taking advantage of me either. I have a large group of people to support and can't afford any waste."

After speaking, Yang Xiao was suddenly overcome with a sense of apathy.

It was all rather tedious.

'If it weren't for the Emperor Golden Dragon Secret Technique, this Path of the Human Emperor would be rather meaningless. But I've already started down this path, so no matter how dull it gets, I must continue—and I must do so with flair. Cousin Xuanyuan, since you've set this challenge for me, you'd better not cry in pain when I finally make my move and put you in your place.'

He smiled faintly to himself.

And with that, Yang Xiao's composure returned.

Meanwhile, Liu Shangwu walked over toward the instigators.