Chapter 101: Chapter 101: A Treacherous Situation by Thirty Percent
"Young man, thanks to you for appearing."
Li Zhichong laughed in his heart, the long sword changed from a stab to a sweep, only three inches away from Shi Xiaole’s face.
Pupil skill corresponds to mind control.
Therefore, when the Spirit Locking Great Method was activated, Shi Xiaole’s mind was greatly affected.
Anyone in this situation would be unable to react, their only course of action being swept away.
However.
Li Zhichong, including the disciples of the Justice Sect, would never imagine that there was a Stone Touching Qi Cyclone in Shi Xiaole’s mind.
The Stone Touching Qi Cyclone is a collection of thought energy, and thought energy comes from the mind. Therefore, when sensing the Spirit Locking Great Method, the Stone Touching Qi Cyclone started to operate spontaneously.
Boom!
In less than the blink of an eye, Shi Xiaole regained clarity, his long knife drew out of its sheath, and a violent offensive like a storm was immediately launched.
Wild Wind Blade Technique.
Clang Clang Clang...
In just six moves, the caught off guard Li Zhichong’s sword was knocked away from his hand, he stared in stupor at the blade pressed against his throat.
"What?"
"He’s actually not affected by the Spirit Locking Great Method?"
The disciples of the Justice Sect looked at each other in shock.
"Sir, you’re good."
Li Zhichong’s face turned the color of a pig’s liver.
Originally, he intended to step on Shi Xiaole to gain Zhu Xiuling’s favor. Now that he’s in such an embarrassing situation, forget about favor, even the good impression he tried to create would go down the drain.
Thinking about this, Li Zhichong could even feel a killing intent rise in his heart.
"Shi Xiaole, you really live up to your reputation."
The wind carried a hint of fragrance, and Zhu Xiuling, dressed in white, with an exceptionally beautiful appearance, walked up.
"Compared to the heroes of the Martial World, I’m nothing."
Sheathing his knife, Shi Xiaole stated dismissively.
Zhu Xiuling gave him a glance and asked, "May I ask where you are headed, Young Master Shi?"
"Emerald City."
"Whirlpools often appear in Mist Whirl River, ordinary ships are not safe. I happen to need to take a trip back to Emerald City as well. If Young Master Shi doesn’t mind, we could travel together."
Zhu Xiuling’s smile was as beautiful as a flower as she extended the invitation.
The strength displayed by Shi Xiaole today had indeed mildly shocked her, and due to a basic instinct to network, Zhu Xiuling didn’t want to miss the opportunity to form a connection.
Of course, she was only casually suggesting it, if Shi Xiaole saw fit to refuse, she wouldn’t insist.
As the number one beauty of the Martial World within the Cloud Triangle, and a top-notch master, Zhu Xiuling certainly had her pride.
As the two conversed, they saw in the midst of the white mist on the river, a huge, luxuriously decorated ship sailed out, breaking through the waves, and quickly docked at the shore.
"What grandeur."
Shi Xiaole sighed to himself.
From their conversation just now, he already knew that this ship was sent by the Zhu family in Emerald City to pick up Zhu Xiuling.
"Young Mistress."
A group of people swept onto the pier from the deck, shouting respectfully to Zhu Xiuling.
"Uncle Wu, you’ve worked hard this time."
Zhu Xiuling nodded at the white-haired old man who was leading the procession.
Immediately, people got onto the ship one after another.
Shi Xiaole didn’t refuse Zhu Xiuling’s kindness. After all, as she said, the Mist Whirl River isn’t safe. Instead of spending extra money, it’s better to take advantage of the Zhu family’s ship.
After getting on the ship, a servant of the Zhu family led Shi Xiaole to the prepared cabin, then left with their exit excused.
Looking out the window at the river scenery, and realizing that everything around was mist, Shi Xiaole chuckled and began to practice again.
These days, his practice had consolidated to the early stage of the ninth level of Hidden Qi.
In terms of martial arts techniques, apart from the low-grade second stream skills of Dai Sect, he has learned a whole six kinds of high-grade third stream martial arts.
In terms of flying skills, he has the Golden Goose Skill.
In terms of swordsmanship, he knows the Taiyue Three Green Peaks and Cloud Mist Thirteen Styles.
In blade technique, it’s the Wild Wind Blade Technique.
In fists and palm methods, it’s the Void Mistake Hand, and there’s even a technique that uses Qi field, the Heaven and Earth Net Force.
Adding on top two major attacks, the Bloody Chaos Kill and a Sliver of Life. It can be said that just in terms of martial arts, Shi Xiaole virtually has no weaknesses.
Only a few top-notch young heroes from the top forces in the Cloud Triangle could rival him throughout the whole Martial World.
However, this is merely a comparison from the perspective of martial arts.
If it’s about real strength, Shi Xiaole was deeply aware that he still fell far short of the top-notch young heroes of the Cloud Triangle.
The Four Outstanding Youths alone, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
"There’s currently no breakthrough, it can only progress gradually."
Despite having over 5000 reward points, Shi Xiaole isn’t planning on immediately purchasing high-level martial techniques.
The reason is simple: according to the system’s calculation, he could only purchase second-rate lower-grade martial arts at most. These kinds of martial arts, he’s not lacking in, whether it’s in internal energy or moves.
For the following several days, Shi Xiaole spent most of his time practicing in the cabin, occasionally going outside for fresh air. He would bump into disciples of the Justice Sect, which made things awkward for both parties.
After a couple of times, he simply stopped going out.
...
"How are things going?"
"Everything is prepared, only waiting for tonight’s action."
Inside a dimly lit cabin, two people talked in low whispers.
"It is a rare opportunity for Miss Zhu to leave the Justice Sect, we must take her to the young master and make no mistakes."
The first person spoke solemnly.
"Hehe, with the young master’s Three Nothing Deadly Poison and our secretly arranged manpower, none of the people on the ship can resist. You can rest completely assured."
The second person sneered maliciously.
Bang!
At that moment, the cabin where the two were sitting started spinning wildly; tables, chairs, and utensils fell all over the floor.
"Damn it, the large whirlpool of Mist Whirl River has appeared. You take care of preparations for tonight’s plan; I will go out to avoid attracting suspicion."
The first person cursed and hastily left.
At this moment, almost everyone on the ship rushed out of the cabin, their faces filled with intense fear.
Looking ahead, they saw a massive whirlpool forming dozens of meters away, furiously stirring up the waves and vacuuming the surrounding mist.
Many smaller ships in the distance, beyond anyone’s control, were carried by currents, and with increasing screams, crashed and shattered.
"Quick, change direction quickly!"
Uncle Wu shouted with all his might.
Though the boatmen on board had gone through training and this wasn’t their first encounter with a whirlpool, they didn’t panic. They promptly followed instructions and began to act.
However, this whirlpool was unusually fierce, even showing signs of expanding further. There were several moments when the Zhu family’s large ship was nearly sucked into it.
On deck, Shi Xiaole stood in a daze, in deep thought.
Everyone else was scared, worried. Yet in such a crisis, he paradoxically experienced a sense of life and death thrill and danger.
Especially with the ship’s rotation, the swaying of his body, and the pressure from the massive whirlpool that seemed to grow more imminent — as if it would swallow the earth and sky — this feeling was becoming increasingly clear.
"Thrilling, thrilling, in the past, I only knew to climb high mountains to imitate their dangers. I didn’t realize that only by truly experiencing a crisis can one understand its profundity."
Shi Xiaole murmured to himself, eyes sparkling.
The thrill was indeed understood from the Huashan Sword Technique, but that doesn’t mean it can only be deepened from treacherous peaks. It is essentially the refinement and sublimation of a certain charm.
Anything related to thrill and danger, as long as the timing is right, can deepen this feeling.
At this moment, Shi Xiaole had an epiphany.
An indescribable mystical force surged into his mind from all directions, suddenly forming a point of light. With a bang, the point of light burst open, making his whole body tremble like being electrocuted.
At that moment, the level of his understanding of the thrill began to rise.
From the original 20%, it had turned to 21%.
22%.
23%.
24%.
...
All the way up to 30%, this wonderful sense of progression slowly stopped.
Exhale!
Shi Xiaole let out a heavy breath. His skill level had not, on the surface, improved at all, but in reality, he had already surpassed the past moment.
One must know, the more one delves into a certain ideal, the more difficult it is to improve. However, if it improves even slightly, it greatly enhances the power of moves.
How strong is the thrilling understanding reached at 30%? Shi Xiaole could not estimate that; he would need a specific test.
"Look, the whirlpool is slowly disappearing."
"Great, we’re safe."
With the combined efforts of the crew, half an hour later, the large ship finally escaped the control of the whirlpool. Many people couldn’t help cheering.
"Miss, according to the speed of the ship, we will reach Emerald City by tomorrow. However, in my opinion, your fellow sect members might have trouble coping with what just happened. Why don’t we have a gathering tonight to cheer up everyone with some music and dance?"
Zhu Xiuling was letting out a sigh of relief when Uncle Wu approached with a suggestion.
The Zhu family was prosperous and wealthy, so the ship was equipped with a band for entertainment.
"Uncle Wu, you have a point. Go ahead and make the arrangements."
Zhu Xiuling thought about it and fully agreed.
Uncle Wu left, following the order.
"Master Shi, there’s a gathering tonight. Would you like to join?"
Perhaps having survived a calamity improved Zhu Xiuling’s mood, she saw Shi Xiaole approaching and cheerfully asked.
"Thank you for the kindness, Miss Zhu, but I have things to do and won’t attend."
Having just elevated his understanding of the thrilling, Shi Xiaole wanted to consolidate it further.
"Hmph, pretending to be high-minded."
Hearing that Shi Xiaole dared to refuse, many Justice Sect disciples murmured secretly. If they weren’t less powerful than him, they would have taught him a lesson.
The stars are sparkling, the river is silent.
"Impressive! The understanding of the thrilling reaching 30% has actually improved the power of ’thread of life’ by a full 40%."
Inside the cabin, Shi Xiaole put down his sword, overjoyed.
With his ability, the "thread of life" was already enough to kill ordinary Qi Absorption triple-stage experts. As for now, even facing Qi Absorption quadruple-stage experts wouldn’t scare him.
In terms of destructive power, the "thread of life" even surpassed that of the Dai Sect.
All he could say was that understanding profoundly increased the power of the moves. Profound understanding itself improved martial arts ranking.
"My, my power..."
While Shi Xiaole was still immersed in the joy of becoming stronger, in the main hall on the third floor of the ship, many Justice Sect disciples looked pale.
Zhu Xiuling, looking at the old man in front of her, asked coldly, "Uncle Wu, what’s going on?"
"What’s going on? Miss, I’m under orders to take you to meet someone. We were afraid you’d refuse, so we had to resort to this."
Uncle Wu burst into laughter.
Behind him stood three Zhu family experts who wore smug expressions as they watched the crowd sitting on the floor.
