Catching A Big Fish

"This is… a museum?" Xiao Jiantian observed the structure that Xia Qingyue led him to.

"I suppose you could say it is." Xia Qingyue opened the sealed door and stepped forwards, presenting a rather large hall with several branches in the process.

"Oh… everything's covered?"

"For effect, of course." Xia Qingyue flicked her fingers and the veils uncovered themselves.

At the very centre of the main hall, a giant golden statue of Xiao Jiantian stole all the attention as its real counterpart would. In the statue's left hand floated a sphere resembling Blue Pole Star, symbolising his influence and rule over it. Meanwhile, the right hand held a majestic giant sword that rested on the ground. Beneath the statue lay several arrays all of which contained pieces of his legend from the life of Li Chen all the way to Xiao Jiantian.

After reading through a couple of them, Xiao Jiantian was impressed.

"Some of it is exaggerated… but mostly accurate."

"For a figure who lived six thousand years ago, Li Chen did have many stories that survived until this day. Even the school of medicine you built later in your life still exists."

"Might pay it a visit later... Woah, you have a section for each of my disciples?"

"They earned it through their hard work." Xia Qingyue nodded, walking towards Shui Wushuang's part of the museum which had its own statue, albeit not as grand as Xiao Jiantian's. "And it's a great way of advertising the Xiao Clan. We'll also be getting more visitors with such a landmark... leading to further growth, naturally."

"I see, I see... the Heavenly Lady Xia making big moves in my absence." Xiao Jiantian praised, smiling slightly. "I'll make sure to pick up my slack from now on."

"Oh, you will?"

"I can't let you do all the work." Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin in thought. "We can have an actual floating city, a true palace for all of Xiao Clan's members, a giant secret world full of heavenly resources that opens once in a while, a great auction house that only sells invaluable treasures presented personally by this King... hmm... ahh, a tournament of paramount importance too!"

"... That's a bit much, isn't it?" Xia Qingyue questioned, laughing a little. "If you put that much effort, then our Floating Cloud City will surely be having visitors outside of Blue Pole Star."

"Imagine a God Emperor shopping in this King's Floating Cloud City... in truth, I find that thought rather amusing." Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "And, as such, I will make it into a reality."

"Hmph, when the Brahma Heaven God Emperor cares more about some backwater planet than his own realm." Qianye Ying'er shook her head disapprovingly.

"You're more than welcome to return to wherever you came from. No one is keeping you hostage, Qianye Ying'er." Xia Qingyue countered rather harshly. "Besides, you're not even married yet... are you? Not to mention that Jiantian's title is higher than a simple Brahma Heaven God Emperor."

'The pettiness is real...'

"You talk a lot for a woman who built all her strength on Tian'er." Qianye Ying'er looked down on Xia Qingyue in response. "Without him, frankly, you wouldn't be anything but a pretty fac-."

Xiao Jiantian rolled his eyes, although he couldn't help but burst into laughter afterwards. "Hahaha... hahaha!"

'Imagine sharing a bed with these two... that's a whole warzone right there!'

His laughter had effectively silenced both of them.

"Alright, alright... that's enough arguing." Xiao Jiantian managed to compose himself afterwards. "Ying'er, name me another planet that the Heretic God created... I'll give you a hint; this was the only one."

'Actually, that's more like the answer...'

"... This planet was the Heretic God's creation?" All of a sudden Qianye Ying'er's outlook on Blue Pole Star changed completely.

"Mn... and guess who's going to be the Heretic God's inheritor..." Xiao Jiantian glanced at Qianye Ying'er, smirking as he did so. "It's going to be your duty to look after it too, from time to time. With that being said, there are also still some treasures on this planet that will be useful to you."

"Hmm... I see." Qianye Ying'er nodded, having a different opinion of Blue Pole Star. "I suppose this is a place worthy of our attention."

~

"So... uhh, where's my brother?" Xiao Jiantian asked the Golden Crow who was visiting the Floating Cloud City. Currently, she was enjoying a nice meal on the top floor of his restaurant which was reserved for special guests.

"I sent him to that Eternal Night Royal Family place... apparently, there was a virgin princess among its members."

"... You can't be serious." Xiao Jiantian frowned, knowing exactly what the Golden Crow was planning.

"I left him to his own devices for a little while. Although, I strictly ordered him not to make the 'big move' until my return." The Golden Crow stated proudly as if she was speaking of a worthy disciple.

"... I'm afraid he might be dead until then. The Eternal Nighty Royal Family do not take in outsiders unless it's a wife..." Xiao Jiantian sighed, shaking his head. "This is a well-known rule amongst the Sacred Grounds."

"Oh, is that so? Well, he can always say that you're his brother. They wouldn't dare offend such a figure."

Xiao Jiantian raised an eyebrow. "Using my name to get laid..."

"Doesn't seem like a bad idea. You're quite the useful talisman, haha." The Golden Crow smiled mischievously. "Since you've returned, would you mind if I took a peek through the window a couple of nights-"

"Hell no." Xiao Jiantian shook his head.

"I suppose that permission is reserved for Aria, huh... favouritism at its finest. I mean, if you don't see me, then technically I'm not there..."

"Using my poor Che'er as an instrument of your will is more than enough."

"Fine... anyways, I forgot this earlier but perhaps it might come in use for you." The Golden Crow took out the Heretic God's Lightning Seed which had been left in the Golden Crow Lightning Flame Valley.

"Oh, the Lightning Seed?" Xiao Jiantian grabbed it and observed the divine resource keenly.

"Mn, it's best used in your hands."

'Wind, Fire and Lightning... it seems that I'm doing Ying'er's job for her.'

~

A rather large boat floated across the vast ocean's waters. To one side of this boat, there was a golden-haired young man that was distinguished everywhere he went while in the other was a beauty that could not be described with mere words. The two had volunteered for a little competition to see who can catch the most fish within an hour... and, using some small tricks, the girl was winning.

"Hehe, I caught another one! You're down twenty to fourteen now." Feng Xue'er chuckled as she dropped the small fish she had caught back into the ocean.

"Look at all the fish you've caught, they're all far too small for even a breakfast meal." Xiao Jiantian scoffed, shaking his head. "Besides, I'm letting you win because I'm a chivalrous King."

"Right, right... that's a more valid excuse than most, my dear." Feng Xue'er giggled.

"We'll see who will be smiling in just a few minutes." Xiao Jiantian smiled devilishly as he looked down into the ocean's depths.

"What... does that mean?"

"Hm, act like I said nothing."

"That smile means you're planning something..." Feng Xue'er observed, increasing her guard against any surprises.

"Pft, you take everything too seriously, Mei." Xiao Jiantian's smile faded slightly as he acted as if nothing happened.

Several minutes later...

Feng Xue'er had instinctively lowered her guard and, as Xiao Jiantian noticed this, he took action. Suddenly, his fishing rod was being pulled down by a massive profound beast below.

"Oh... this is a big one..." Xiao Jiantian acted surprised.

"Make sure it's not too big-"

"Here we go!"

He pulled the fishing rope upwards with some strength, shoving out a shark that blocked out the sun!

"What... what is that? AHHHHH!"

As darkness loomed, Feng Xue'er had quite a good amount of time to observe the largest underwater profound beast she had ever seen. Its frightening appearance was more than its size, however... the shark had plenty of sharp teeth that could kill even a Monarch instantly. As for the size of its mouth... well, this thing could take a decent chunk from a city.

(Think of an even bigger megalodon-)

She had screamed like never before... and embraced Xiao Jiantian tighter than she ever had.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiantian was all smiles and laughs as the profound beast swallowed them along with the boat whole. A luminous light had surrounded them, creating a protective ball that the profound beast could not pierce through no matter how hard it would try.

"Hahaha... HAHAHA... would you see your face? And that scream...-" Xiao Jiantian laughed. "What's wrong, never been inside of a profound beast before?"

"I... hate you."

Feng Xue'er stated, looking away from him.

"And I love you too." Xiao Jiantian smiled, teleporting them both away from the profound beast's body and instantly killing it. Then he let her down in the sky and stored the profound beast for later.

"Looks like we found dinner, my dear."

"Hmph..."

~

The Divine Phoenix City, Xiao Clan's estate.

Most of the people that Xiao Jiantian valued on Blue Pole Star had been invited to attend a feast in celebration of the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament. Naturally, Xiao Jiantian was last to join the party but he could never be late to his own celebration. Once, he strolled inside of the hall, plates of food incorporating parts of the profound beast he had slain earlier appeared in front of each person.

"Thank you all for waiting." Xiao Jiantian courteously spoke, smiling as he looked at everyone;

His grandfather, aunt, Xiao Che, Cang Yue, all of his disciples, the Xia family and Huan Caiyi namely.

"The man, the myth and the legend himself; Xiao Jiantian." Xiao Che stood up from his seat and embraced him. "It's been a while, brother. I've... uh, missed you most."

"Heh, I'm sure you've been doing well without me. Prince consort of the Blue Wind Empire, I hear?" Xiao Jiantian glanced at Cang Yue and nodded approvingly. "You've grown up, huh..."

"Hehe, I've been working my way up, yes." Xiao Che scratched his hair and glanced at Qianye Ying'er, whose gaze frightened him greatly. "But you... man, I can't help but feel envious."

"How was that Eternal Night Royal Family princess the Golden Crow told me about?"

"Uhh... it didn't go too well." Xiao Che sighed, recalling how he had gotten slapped and dragged all the way outside.

Seeing him feeling disheartened, Xiao Jiantian grabbed his shoulder encouragingly and looked him in the eyes. "I believe in you, brother. Some women just act hard to get... you got to crack through that shell. Just don't force it, you know?"

"Thank you for the advice, brother."

"It's no big deal... just guiding someone on their path."

"Thank you for the food, brother-in-law!" Xia Yuanba smiled gleefully, bowing his head before starting to feast on his food that was extra-sized just for him.

"Haha... look at Yuanba go! You should eat before you find your plate empty, Che'er!"

"Right... I will." Xiao Che smiled and sat down beside Cang Yue.

After everyone was seated, several conversations broke out and everyone was rather cheerful. Except for Xia Qingyue and her 'rival' Qianye Ying'er, of course.

"So... Heavenly Lord Xiao, will you be participating in this year's Seven Nation Ranking Tournament?" Cang Yue asked XIao Jiantian, who was enjoying some spaghetti bolognese.

"Mnn..." He ate the rest of the spaghetti on his fork before answering the question. "Well, in regards to that, I want a winner other than the Blue Wind Empire."

"... Why would that be so?" Xiao Che frowned slightly.

"Well, one person interests me from the Grand Asura Nation... nothing more, really." Xiao Jiantian answered honestly, smiling deviously. "If any of you attend, there will need to be someone to balance the odds..."

"Hmm, and that someone is?" Xiao Che wondered.

"Think of someone who is nineteen and supremely strong." Xia Qingyue gave him a clue in the stead of Xiao Jiantian. "Strong to the point where no one can beat him, more precisely."

"Aww... you're spoiling all the fun and suspense, Qingyue." Xiao Jiantian sighed, shaking his head.

"Then I will attend for the Blue Wind Empire." Qianye Ying'er suddenly thought.

"N-uh, all participants must be twenty-five or younger. And Ying'er... well, you're old-" Xiao Jiantian countered.

"What did you say?!" Qianye Ying'er was clearly flustered as she turned away from him. "I'm old? If I'm old, you're a prehistoric skeleton of a bygone age."

"How rude... I'm only nineteen, right?"

Xiao Jiantian looked at everyone else who knew about his reincarnations and doubted his statement as a result.

"You are the oldest person here, in truth..." Huan Caiyi laughed. "It's like an old man suiting up for a tournament of youthful geniuses that he could not attend before because he lacked talent at that time-"

"... I feel personally attacked." Xiao Jiantian shook his head, although he laughed it off afterwards.

"Sure, think of it in that way. Still can't deny the fact that I'm nineteen physically which is how the Seven Nation Ranking Tournament measures age, muahahaha!"