Acts Of Benevolence And Malice

"Lord… Phoenix God?"

One clansman uttered in disbelief.

Xiao Jiantian took the sleeping Phoenix off his head and left it on his palm. "I can't lie… kinda cute."

"*Ahem*, so about your bloodlines being suppressed..." Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin as he addressed the Phoenix Clan members. "I'm going to remove your restrictions."

"Only Lord Phoenix God can do such a thin-…"

Swords of golden light appeared all around the stone chamber, stabbing each and every one of the Phoenix Clan members. The result of this 'attack' fully erased the restrictions of the Phoenix divine spirit and even allowed many of the Clan members to experience a blessing, finally breaking through past the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm.

"There we go."

"Uh… uh… you- you did it?"

"It was lightwork." Xiao Jiantian chuckled when he realised that it was, in fact, 'lightwork' in two different ways. "Anyways, you lot shouldn't have to worry about being suppressed again. Of course, that is unless you all turn out to be an evil bunch… but I doubt that will happen."

"I cannot thank you enough on the behalf of my clan, heavenly benefactor. May I know your name?"

"I am Xiao Jiantian and you could thank me by departing for Floating Cloud City." Xiao Jiantian smiled. "There, my Xiao Clan has been making quite the waves. I'd appreciate it if your clan would join under us. After all, since the Phoenix divine spirit is no longer residing in these ruins, what's the point of staying here?"

"There is one issue with us leaving these ruins… the beasts in the Mountain Range would tear us all apart."

"Ah, no need to worry. Two of my thrones are more than willing to escort you, isn't that right?"

Seeing Xiao Jiantian's gaze, Xiao Wuqing and Xiao Wuyi both nodded. "Without a doubt, it would be an honour."

"You may rest assured that I take good care of my subjects." Xiao Jiantian added. "Though, in the end, it is your decision."

Feng Baichuan, the leader of the Phoenix Clan, sincerely nodded. "If it is as you say, then I will do what is best for my Clan and settle in this Floating Cloud City."

"Good." Xiao Jiantian smiled, pleased with the result. With the bloodline of the Phoenix, no matter how thin theirs might be, it was guaranteed that there'd be some geniuses among them.

"Wuqing and Wuyi, regroup in the Blue Wind Imperial City when you're done with settling these kind folk down."

"As you wish."

~

The Blue Wind Imperial City.

Xiao Jiantian and his entourage entered through the main entrance of the capital city, their appearance drawing in the attention of everyone present. Xiao Jiantian did not pay much heed to the commoners, however, as he continued to walk onwards at his own pace. Eventually, they did reach the Imperial Palace… the only place Xiao Jiantian believed was suitable for him to temporarily settle in.

"So- so many fairies…" The guards in front of the Imperial City's entrance lost their marbles, despite the ladies wearing veils.

Xiao Jiantian scratched his hair as the guards didn't seem to be on the same planet. He sighed, deciding to move past them. What's the worst the Blue Wind Imperial Family could throw at him?

"You all hear that? Sounds like a party ahead…" Xiao Nan stated when they reached deeper into the halls of the Imperial Palace. "I wonder if the Blue Moon Princess is there."

"If Fen Juecheng is repeatedly getting softly rejected, I'm afraid to say that you have absolutely no chance, Nan." Xiao Kuanglei spoke with an indifferent tone as if he were speaking a fact.

"Let a young man dream… oh-" Xiao Nan sighed, turning to Shui Wushuang. "Would you happen be interested in this aspiring expert?"

"No way."

Xiao Nan wanted to cry.

"Never give up, Nan!" Xiao Zhen pat him on his back. "If your love is true, then you should fight for it until the very end!"

"Ehh…"

Xiao Jiantian laughed as he recalled a phrase he said long, long ago. "My guy is down astronomical."

"Down astronomical?"

"It means that you are… desperate, so to speak." Xiao Jiantian explained, his stature that of a wise hermit for a few seconds. "This trait makes any man look less desirable. That being said, look for someone that brings you happiness. Someone who can make you smile on the darkest of days… someone who you can spend time with doing the most boring of activities and still come out with joy. Such a person is more valuable than anything under Heaven… but very difficult to find. If you look hard enough, however, you will surely find her."

"... Wow." Xiao Nan nodded, rather motivated by Xiao Jiantian's speech. "So the heart matters more than beauty?"

"Yes… though, it never hurts to have both!" Xiao Jiantian nodded. "Anyway-"

One of the more senior guards approached, bowing respectfully. "You must be the heavenly genius, Xiao Jiantian. Forgive me for being so slow in receiving you!"

"It's not a huge deal, this King did come somewhat uninvited so that was to be expected. Could you find suitable rooms for my subjects? We do not intend to stay for any longer than a week-"

"Follow me, I will get you all situated without further delay!"

"Well- that's good."

~

Despite his growing illness, the Blue Wind Emperor dared not lose the chance to meet the number one genius of his nation… or more accurately, a man who had attracted the attention of four of the Five Great Sacred Grounds!

"Your Majesty, Xiao Jiantian has arrived!"

Xiao Jiantian decided to entertain the Blue Wind Emperor's wish as he had nothing else to do at the moment, leading to him standing before Cang Wanhe. The Emperor's face was almost completely lifeless, his skin was pale all across his body and simple movements seemed to tire him greatly… it was a rather pitiful sight. For one who used to call himself a Medical Saint, Xiao Jiantian felt a strong will to heal the man immediately.

The emperor managed to stand up and face Xiao Jiantian, though his stature was somewhat fickle despite his best efforts to stand tall.

"It is an honour to meet you at last, Xiao Jiantian." Cang Wanhe managed a light chuckle. "I've heard so much of your exploits, each one surprising me more than the last."

"What can I say? I am a man of many talents." Xiao Jiantian replied, coming off more jestful than arrogant.

"That is certainly true, from profound strength to even business… you are simply a genius." Cang Wanhe admitted, showering Xiao Jiantian with praise. "As the undisputed leader of the Xiao Sect, could you perhaps kindly assist the Blue Wind Imperial Family? I am in no position to ask this of someone as mighty as yourself… but I wish for the Xiao Sect to withdraw from the matters of the Blue Wind Imperial Family."

"Oh?" Xiao Jiantian stroked his chin in thought. "Forgive me but I am not exactly up to date with the politics of the Blue Wind Imperial Family."

"To put it simply, Cang Lin, my first son and the Crown Prince, borrowed power from the Xiao Sect to suppress his third brother who also had designs on the throne. My third son countered this by allying himself with the Heaven Burning Sect…" Cang Wanhe sighed regretfully. "One of the Blue Wind Imperial Family's main principles has always been to have independent power and influence over the Blue Wind Empire… but my foolish sons seem to have disregarded this principle completely."

"I see." Xiao Jiantian began to understand the situation more and found a way this conflict could profit him. "Well, I have no interest in interfering with the Blue Wind Imperial Family's matters. I will withdraw whatever support this Cang Lin is receiving… and make sure the Heaven Burning Clan does the same. On one condition, however!"

"Oh?"

"Your daughter's hand in marriage!"

Xiao Jiantian jested, laughing a little when he saw Cang Wanhe's reaction. "I was merely joking… the true thing I want is for more lands in the Blue Wind Empire, especially those surrounding the Floating Cloud City, along with complete autonomy."

"That… is all?" Cang Wanhe paused for a moment. Seeing that Xiao Jiantian did not have anything to add, Cang Wanhe spoke once more. "Consider it done!"

"That would be most appreciated." Xiao Jiantian smiled. "Although I have the power to take everything this Empire has to offer, it wouldn't feel right to me to take it by force… and my master would probably scold me too, hahaha-"

"You are an intriguing young man, I must say."

"One more thing… I do quite dislike seeing ill people." Xiao Jiantian stated as a sword of radiant golden light appeared behind Xiao Jiantian and cut right through Cang Wanhe's chest, obliterating the parasite that had been eating him away from the inside. "Some guy seems to have planted a Soul Devouring Life Binding Parasite inside of you. It relies on the heart's blood to survive… I'm sure that no simple man could simply cut near His Majesty's heart and inject such a thing without you knowing?"

"Medical Saint Gu Quihong!?" Cang Wanhe exclaimed as the colour on his face began to turn red with fury, his vitality slowly but surely recovering. He checked the scar on his chest from three years ago, confirming his suspicions. "Nevermind him… you, Xiao Jiantian, are truly a man of miracles. A sword profound art that heals others? It's unheard of… I dare say it's impossible if I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes-"

"Ahaha, it's just something I picked up a few years ago."

After ending his audience with the Emperor and taking a light nap, Xiao Jiantian's figure vanished into the shadows of the night.

~

The Medical Saint Gu Quihong was resting soundly in his chamber within the Medical Saint Hall. That is until a masked figure smashed his head through his bed and into the ground.

After searching his memories and seeing the truth first hand, Xiao Jiantian kicked him deeper.

"You dare to desecrate the holy title of 'Medical Saint'..." Xiao Jiantian coldly spoke, his azure eyes glowing with terrifyingly monstrous killing intent that could consume the entire world. "You lowly mortal scum… I'll fucking eradicate you."

"..." Gu Quihong could not speak with his head so deep into the floor… and that's forgetting the concussion he had received from the kick itself. Darkness profound energy surged into the so-called Medical Saint's body from Xiao Jiantian's palms and slowly began to eat away at his very existence.

He turned around, leaving Gu Quihong to struggle for quite some time… until he eventually perished.

~

The Medical Saint Hall's residents were shaken awake when one night owl spotted Qu Quihong hanging from the ceiling with his entire body decayed like that of a zombie. Towards his ribs, the so-called Medical Saint's flesh had completely rotted away and the rest was being feasted upon by a swarm of vultures. It was a horrifying sight…

Then, on the ground, right beneath the hanging corpse of Gu Quihong were two statements written in his blood:

"All Sinners, beware the Masked Saint of Death."

"Gu Quihong, a man who wore the deceiving mask of a Medical Saint but was a venomous snake beneath it. For his sin of attempting to prematurely end the life of His Majesty, this vile man has suffered a befitting fate."