Lord Trickster

As Xiao Jiantian was busy sleeping like a log for several hours longer than he should've, a cold chill immediately made him open his ethereal azure eyes. Annoyed, he sat up and looked at who dared to disturb his beauty sleep.

"Do you always sleep this long? It's a wonder how you managed to gain your profound strength..."

"Hmph!" He observed Xia Qingyue's figure before looking her in the eyes. "You take the Way of the Profound far too seriously, even willing to lose your emotions for a mediocre Frozen Cloud Art."

"So you have something better?"

"Plenty." He smiled. "Tell me what you need and I'll be willing to teach it."

"And where did you learn these Profound Arts?"

"Stop asking too many questions, my dear wife. Just know that I'm a brilliant teacher!"

"I will take you up on your offer, Jiantian." Xia Qingyue nodded. "Just so you know, the Xiao Clan leader has been awaiting your presence for some time now. That's why I woke you up."

"Sounds quite urgent..." Xiao Jiantian smirked as he noticed Xia Qingyue's new profound strength. "My wife is a little stronger now, huh. It seems to me that my divine seed was quite effective..."

'And now I have the Nine Profound Exquisite Body for myself, too.'

"Divine seed..." Xia Qingyue scoffed, though she was a little embarrassed. "My master already left, cutting all ties with me. Now getting good resources will be far more difficult, especially since you intend to stay in the Floating Cloud City..."

"Can you not mock the city we were both born in?" Xiao Jiantian shook his head and spoke with a disapproving tone. "If Floating Cloud City is a backwater and insignificant place, then I need only make it a Sacred Ground!"

"A Sacred Ground...!?" Xia Qingyue chuckled at that thought. "You can't be serious-."

"I am very serious." Xiao Jiantian refuted fiercely. "You see, Qingyue, you married a man who's a little mischievous. I like to do things that people believe is absurd and impossible to appease my boredom."

"... Right."

"You don't believe me... that only makes me more determined." He shrugged. "Well, I'll be going now."

He stood up from the bed, revealing his rather impressive third leg which made Xia Qingyue look away. Then, he swiftly got into his robes and was on his way out.

"I'll be back soon."

Without further ado, he made his way to the main hall where all five elders of the Xiao Clan had gathered with Xiao Yunhai at the head of the table. Xiao Yunhai looked visibly angry with him as Xiao Jiantian slowly walked up to the table.

"Could you have slept any longer, young Jiantian!?"

"Probably." Xiao Jiantian yawned. "Qingyue might've frozen me by then, though. Anyway... what's so urgent?"

"The Xiao Sect sent a letter detailing that they will be sending an entourage surrounding their current Sect Master Xiao Juetian's fourth and youngest son to the Xiao Clan!" Xiao Li, the first elder announced.

"The Xiao Sect actually acknowledged us, eh?" Xiao Jiantian chuckled. "So what reason do they have to come to our little village."

"Our great ancestor, Xiao Bielie, was abandoned by the Xiao Sect and his father who was the Xiao Sect's Xiao Enforcement Hall's elder long ago. This was due to his lack of talent and the fact that he was born to a servant girl. After a hundred years of no contact, the elder began to think of his only son more towards the latest stages of his life and felt ashamed. As his dying wish, he asked the Xiao Sect to select the most talented of Xiao Bielie's descendants to take back to the Xiao Sect to cultivate." Xiao Lie explained the situation.

"That being said, Jiantian, you are the prime candidate."

Xiao Jiantian stood still as those words sank into the other Xiao Clan elder's minds. Their grandsons had absolutely no chance of even competing with Xiao Jiantian, they knew this, but to hear it out loud was a little painful.

"Xiao Jiantian, even before we had received this news, the Xiao Sect were keeping tabs on you." Xiao Yunhai stated. "However, I had kept that to myself until now."

"The Xiao Sect? They're simply wasting their time." Xiao Jiantian chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "I intend to inherit the Xiao Clan."

"Do you understand how much greater the Xiao Sect is compared to the Xiao Clan!?" Xiao Yunhai roared, slamming the table. Then he composed himself before continuing his speech. "I mean... they would not accept that answer."

"They can't drag me into an affair I have no interest in." Xiao Jiantian refuted. "Besides, shouldn't you be pleased with my answer, Lord Xiao Yunhai? Your son has the best shot at the Xiao Sect!"

"The Xiao Sect does not need to be polite in our Xiao Clan. If need be, they WILL drag you into the Xiao Sect by force."

"Then I'll go on a little hunting trip until they leave."

"Why don't you care about what's best for your future? Honestly, you're so damn troublesome! I simply cannot understand you sometimes." Xiao Yunhai turned to Xiao Lie. "Xiao Lie, did you raise him to be like this?"

"Jiantian." Xiao Lie spoke up. "Because of your talent, I would dare assume that the Xiao Sect could make some exceptions. There is a possibility that you will be able to do both; be a disciple of the Xiao Sect and inherit the Xiao Clan!"

"Fine." Xiao Jiantian smiled, lying slightly. "I would accept such an offer."

"In preparation for this, I want you to focus on sharpening your combat ability. Rarely do I ever see you practising with your fellow clan members... I'd like you to make that effort for once." Xiao Yunhai stated.

"Very well, I'll give them a few pointers." Xiao Jiantian yawned. "Will that be all?"

"Yes, you may leave."

"Then I will be on my way."

...

Afterwards, he went to meet with Xia Qingyue to teach his first lesson.

"Your affinity to all of the elements is quite brilliant... so you can actually choose one for yourself. Also, is there a weapon you prefer?"

"What's the strongest Profound Art you have?"

"The strongest Profound Art... are you sure? It's exceptionally hellish to learn, having been made and improved over countless generations of peerless geniuses. The Frozen Cloud Arts are a piece of cake to learn compared to it."

"I am willing to do whatever it takes." She resolutely nodded. "Though, I wonder how you came across such a Profound Art."

"You'll know soon, I promise." Xiao Jiantian smiled with warmth as he extended his hand and tapped her forehead with his index finger, imprinting the Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art (Water Branch) into her mind. "For now, just focus on comprehending it and nothing else."

Although there were more powerful Branch's in terms of strength, he figured that the Water Branch would suit her best.

...

'This Profound Art's name...' Xia Qingyue was in deep thought as Xiao Jiantian's figure appeared in her mind. Once she delved deeper into comprehending the Profound Art, she was placed into a temporary state of unconsciousness.

She woke to an endless field of ice with a tyrannical figure standing in front of her, though his back was turned. As far as the eye could see, unique swords of all shapes and sizes had covered the field.

"So, you've been entrusted with the Water Branch of my Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art..." The figure acknowledged in an indifferent tone. "The Water Law is inherently focused on control. Control of yourself, the enemy and even the very field you fight on. With this in mind, the Water Branch is most effective for suppressing and immobilising your insignificant opposition, whether it is an entire region or a sole victim."

"Dedicate yourself solely to this principle of control and you might have a chance of harnessing a piece of my divine power." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "Unlike other Profound Arts that have several useless stages, all of the 'Styles' in my Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art have a purpose. As a result, even the very first Style in every single Branch is inherently hellish to learn and master."

"So... you best be an extraordinary talent with equally impressive work ethic or you're simply wasting your time!" He arrogantly proclaimed in a tyrannical tone.

Shortly after.

She opened her eyes, waking up to Xiao Jiantian's tranquil courtyard.

~

Meanwhile, Xiao Jiantian stepped foot into the Floating Cloud City's free-for-all battle arena for the very first time. As he did so, everyone had retreated away. This made him sigh with disappointment and contempt.

"Is there no warrior capable of challenging me!?"

"Young Xiao Jiantian." An older Xiao Clan member approached him, Xiao Qiang, one of the younger sons Xiao Li. At the age of twenty-seven, he was in the late tenth stage of the Nascent Profound Realm and was said to be only half a step away from the True Profound Realm. "Care to exchange some pointers? Ever since I heard you recently achieved the seventh stage of the Nascent Profound Realm, I've been wishing to test your true strength. Hehe, don't worry, I'll hold back."

Xiao Jiantian smiled. "I was almost starting to believe that no one wanted to face me."

Xiao Qiang readied into a stance with his spear, pausing briefly as he realised Xiao Jiantian did not have a weapon on him. "Young Xiao Jiantian, it would be wise for you to choose a weapon first. I am not a pushover you can simply smash into the ground with a single kick."

"I'll be the test of that."

"How confident... very well!" He charged into him, continuously attempting to stab him at a fast pace (well, as fast as he could manage, at least). Xiao Jiantian calmly dodged every spear strike without even breaking a single sweat. Then, when he saw the perfect opportunity, he leapt high into the air and slammed Xiao Qiang's face into the unforgiving ground with a downward kick.

"A lesson in underestimating your opponent; make sure his first name isn't Jiantian." He stated in an indifferent yet master-like tone as if teaching a lecture.

"Xiao Jiantian defeated Xiao Qiang with a single kick!?"

The crowd watching from the stage had grown greatly ever since news of Xiao Jiantian stepping foot into the arena spread. Though, he had left rather quickly as no one else wanted to embarrass themselves.

...

A mysterious and equally menacing man appeared into the Floating Cloud City, wearing a complete plague doctor costume. Everywhere he walked, people would make space for him as his aura was terrifying to behold. Shortly after he met with Xiao Yulong who was having a stroll outside of the Xiao Clan, followed by his lap-dog Xiao Yang.

"Come with me, young one." He addressed Xiao Yulong, who seemed a little defensive in his presence. Then he forcefully grabbed his shoulder and whispered into his ear. "I know the Murdering Heart Powder did not work on the one you desire to kill. If you wish, I can give you a poison that most certainly will work. Then you will finally hold the beauty of your dreams."

The plague doctor backed away, smiling behind his mask. "Leave behind that little lap dog and follow me if we have a deal."

The mysterious figure had not a trace of Profound strength, giving Xiao Yulong great confidence. Even the possibility of having Xia Qingyue made him very 'horny' and curious. "I understand. Yang, leave us for a moment."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... now go!"

Xiao Yulong followed the plague doctor all the way to a deserted alleyway of the Floating Cloud City. When Xiao Yulong questioned how he was so knowledgeable, the plague doctor simply dodged his question. Once they were alone, he went on to explain why he was lending the young master a hand.

"I abhor Xiao Jiantian and want him dead, just as much as you do... if not more. He walks around so arrogantly and it irks me greatly that he is to be the future of the Xiao Clan. You see, once he offended the man behind this mask... and that is not something that I can let go of. So, I offer you this little capsule of lethal poison."

"One drop and even a Spirit Profound Realm expert will die in their sleep. Moreover, it is much like the Murdering Heart Powder and completely without colour."

"Such a poison..." Xiao Yulong's eyes widened in surprise. "Surely, you want something out of this?"

"Revenge and satisfaction! I don't require your feeble currency." The plague doctor turned around. "I look forward to your success, future head of the Xiao Clan or perhaps Xiao Sect disciple? Only time will tell."

Xiao Yulong grinned, observing the capsule in his hand. 'This time... I will kill you, Xiao Jiantian!'

Just as he had appeared, the plague doctor vanished from the Floating Cloud City, walking deep into the forest.

~

Xiao Yang sat in his room, hoping to progress his profound strength further. That was when the very same plague doctor stood right behind him... completely invisible. He grabbed him and teleported into a cave located on the barren outskirts of the Floating Cloud City.

"What... it's you again? Where am I... what are you!?" Xiao Yang started to panic after he opened his eyes to the now visible plague doctor.

"I have descended to deliver retribution upon the sinners of this world." The plague doctor answered simply, creating a pitch-black sword from his sheer profound energy.

"Wha... what do you mean by retribution? What are you going to do...?"

"For attempting to poison another man, it's only natural that you suffer a similar fate..." He spoke calmly, ignoring Xiao Yang. "But first, I shall use you as a test subject."

'Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art (Nothingness Branch, 1st Style): Sword Of Nothingness!'

He pierced Xiao Yang's chest at the very trunk of his profound veins. His sword strike had been so fast that Xiao Yang simply had no chance of evading it. Then, slowly, he drew out the black sword and observed Xiao Yang's state.

Although he had been stabbed, Xiao Yang's body did not bleed. That was because the sword went directly through his body! However, that did not mean that Xiao Yang did not experience change.

"My profound veins... what did you do!? They're... they've vanished!"

"I turned it to nothing." He explained simply as he prepared to stab him again with the same sword. "And now, I will turn that empty space into something just as simply... hopefully. I haven't tried this on a human before."

'Mighty Heavenly Sword God Art (Nothingness Branch, 2nd Style): Sword Of Creation!'

Stabbing Xiao Yang in the exact same spot, where 'nothing' remained. Suddenly, the void-like black sword turned into a celestial white colour. Xiao Yang's eyes widened as he experienced a divine change, gaining a completely new set of profound veins!

"This... who the hell are you?"

"These profound veins will suffice, though I'd probably try giving him something more special..." The plague doctor stated once he withdrew the sword, ignoring Xiao Yang once more. "I sincerely thank you for acting as my test subject, Xiao Yang. You may go now."

This made Xiao Yang panic less as the plague doctor truly seemed to be grateful. He turned around and started to make his way back home. Though, his face dropped when the man spoke again.

"Just kidding!" He spoke in a warm tone, paralysing Xiao Yang with his superior profound energy.

"I'm afraid that your trial of living has expired. Don't take it too personally in the afterlife..."

"N-no!!"

As much as he screamed under the influence of poisonous darkness profound energy, no one had heard him. Then... the plague doctor vanished into thin air.

~

Meanwhile, the true Xiao Jiantian was calmly writing a book at his desk. That was when a certain person knocked on the front door of his residence, making him stand up.

"Who is it?"

"Senior brother Yulong, of course."

'Perfect.'

He opened the door to Xiao Yulong and smiled. "So, what might young master Xiao Yulong want from me at this hour?"

"A drink! Remember when you said Xiao Yang's wine was bitter? To make up for his mistake, I have some fine wine just for you! Of course, you'll have to visit my home."

"It better be good or I'll cripple your profound veins." Xiao Jiantian joked, making Xiao Yulong laugh nervously.

"Then I'd best keep my word... hahaha!"

...

Xiao Jiantian sat with Xiao Yulong with only his maid present. Together, they drank a lot of wine and even got along despite their differences. Xiao Yulong would come to anticipate the following morning, smiling and laughing cheerfully. Xiao Jiantian seemed just as excited, acting like he was completely unaware of the situation. Yet... it was the very fact that he was completely aware of the situation that made him smile!

It was the mighty battle of two two-faced individuals where both had thought they won! But, there could only be one winner...

(Well, Xiao Jiantian would probably have more than two faces considering his unpredictable nature.)

'I hope you enjoyed my wine cup, Xiao Yulong... because it'll be your last.'

Smiling, he made his way back home.