Chapter 1028: Chapter 1027: Guiding the Next Generation (Part 1)_1
Having lived on Nine Heavens Mountain for several years, Gui Fuling was certainly aware of the relationship between Xia Yunxi and Shi Xiaole. Frankly, she was somewhat puzzled.
Even without today’s incident, Kirin was already an idol that swept the world, especially among the younger generation, he was one of the few irreplaceable, sacred superstars.
With his devastatingly handsome looks, his elegant and graceful demeanor, his astonishing and exceptional talent, and his modest and lofty style, not to mention that he had founded Nine Heavens Mountain himself, it could be said that Kirin possessed all the alluring qualities one could desire.
From what Gui Fuling had heard from noble family ladies and sect friends, she was even more aware of what Kirin represented in the hearts of women in the Martial World. If he so willed, a mere beckon of his hand would have a throng of outstanding women willing to follow him.
Xia Yunxi might be beautiful, but not to the extent of causing national or societal unrest; her natural talent and strength were ordinary as well. Yet, this woman, who in Gui Fuling’s eyes was unexceptional, was the only companion Kirin had ever acknowledged, which was truly baffling to her.
It was not until she saw Xia Yunxi quietly standing among the crowd, with tears brimming in her eyes, her usual generous and fervent smile becoming restrained and understated, that Gui Fuling began to sense the flavor of the situation.
Perhaps, given Shi Xiaole’s personality, he would not care too much about how outstanding a woman was, no one could outshine him anyway. What touched him was nothing but sincerity.
But on the other hand, did this also represent a form of indifference?
The more Gui Fuling thought about it, the more confused she became, until she heard a cough. She looked up and met her Brother Gui Nanyan’s peculiar gaze, which made her mind go blank for a moment as she hurriedly composed herself.
On the day the Villa Master returned to the mountain, the whole Nine Heavens Mountain was immersed in boundless joy and exhilaration.
The slaying of a formidable enemy was cause for grand celebration, and the fact that the Villa Master alone had dispatched the foe excited everyone three levels higher.
With such a peerless master presiding over them, what was there to worry about?
"Irreplaceable."
Nine Heavens Mountain was still the same, but the vitality and spirit of its people had completely changed. Qu Wuyan, realizing this scene, could only sigh at Shi Xiaole’s personal charisma.
Sometimes, even she felt that Shi Xiaole was not merely human, but more like a deity undergoing trials on earth, never seen in a panic, always with plans within plans, as if nothing could ever trouble him.
The unimaginable for others somehow seemed a matter of course when it came to him; truly bewitching!
"In this glorious era, the outstanding figures of past and future generations, the extraordinary hermits hidden in mountains and rivers, the Supreme Lords aloof from the world of mortals, any master, any terrifying figure, rumors will come to light one after another, vying for a place in the tide of the world. It’s unknown how far he will go."
If it were before, Qu Wuyan would at most have thought that Shi Xiaole could compete among his generation and shine alongside certain exceptional prodigies in the Martial World’s starry sky. But now she didn’t see it that way; the endpoint for Shi Xiaole was clearly not just that, perhaps no one could predict his ultimate achievement.
On the night the great battle ended, the countless Martial World experts surrounding Nine Heavens Mountain immediately split into groups, rushing toward every corner of the Flying Horse Dynasty.
On the official roads, dust billowed, the sound of horse hooves never ceased. In tea houses and taverns along the way, hurried Martial World travelers could be seen everywhere, dusty and travel-worn, yet making no delay.
The magnitude of the event was too great, and all knew they must inform their respective sects as quickly as possible.
Especially the local experts from Xuanwu State, they were so anxious that sweat beaded their foreheads, traveling through the night regardless of the time, fearing any delay might cause significant repercussions.
In this tense and oppressive atmosphere, some sects even experienced the phenomenon of experts fleeing. Especially in large sects, more experts were escaping.
As the saying goes, ’kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.’ With most of Xuanwu State’s forces having offended Nine Heavens Mountain, while Kirin obviously wouldn’t annihilate Xuanwu State, if he randomly decided to exterminate a handful of forces, it was quite possible. At times like these, the larger the force, the more dangerous it was because of their notoriety.
The leaders of those on the road were speechless; they couldn’t find a way to stop any of this, nor could they prevent it. Sometimes, even they themselves wanted to flee.
Those who ran inevitably leaked information, and with distances varying between regions, the result was that just one day after the Battle of Nine Heavens Mountain, news of the battle began to spread wildly.
The Martial World was astounded!
When anyone heard the news, their first reaction was to laugh. When they saw others being serious, they would ask quizzically and jokingly. But when a second and third person spoke of it, and it became the topic of discussion everywhere, they approached it with disbelief and would inquire about it, and then, they’d start to doubt their lives...
But in any case, until the source of the information was confirmed, no one dared to believe it. Even in some places, rumors of night-time relocations and disbanding of Martial World sects only added more mystery to the matter.
It wasn’t until the newest issue of Martial World Chronicle publicly reported the incident and laid out the cause and effect, including the details of the battle, that all in the Martial World were dumbstruck, begrudgingly accepting this shocking news.
That issue of Martial World Chronicle became, to date, the best-selling issue ever!
But this is a story for another time.
On the night they had dealt with a formidable enemy, Zhu Ling informed Shi Xiaole that the Ai Family had come to visit. Zhu Ling also specifically explained that the Ai Family was one of the few Jianghu forces that had supported the Nine Heavens Mountain before the looming disaster.
Despite the grand closing of the mountain, the news from the Martial World was still received constantly through secret passages.
Shi Xiaole met with them immediately.
This meeting lasted for a 2-hour period, and no one knew what exactly the Kirin and Ai Yinglong had talked about, only that soon after Ai Yinglong returned to the Ai Family, within a short time, the entire family had relocated to a town adjacent to Nine Heavens Mountain, merely tens of miles away.
"How cunning of the Ai Family, taking the opportunity to really cling onto the coattails of Nine Heavens Mountain."
"Heh heh, they stood firm when things were most dangerous, they deserve it. But don’t look now, the Kirin may be imposing, but once the top powers come to their senses, what awaits him is another wave of even more terrifying retaliation. Whether he can withstand that is another matter altogether. The Ai Family is making a bet!"
"All we have to do is sit back and enjoy the show; the Kirin won’t be able to jump around for long!"
Fear breeds resentment; the various Jianghu forces of Xuanwu State wouldn’t blame themselves for having kicked someone when they were down, for attempting to clear out and swallow up the businesses outside of Nine Heavens Mountain. All they knew was that they couldn’t let Nine Heavens Mountain rise successfully; in their hearts, they all harbored the most malicious curses.
While putting defensive measures in place, every power, big and small, was watching and waiting, hoping for the top forces, or even the Qingmo Organization, to send even stronger experts to eliminate the Kirin!
During this period, there was no shortage of people passing on information, fanning the flames, and so on.
However, Nine Heavens Mountain, at the center of the storm, was exceedingly calm at this time.
This was the first morning Shi Xiaole returned to the mountain. The bright sunshine penetrated the window panes and shone on the entangled silhouettes of two people on the bed.
The delicate arching of a dainty foot, like a moon-shaped jade bow, and the plump yet not chubby white legs covered partially by the embroidered blanket, were tinged with a resplendent golden light by the sun.
Shi Xiaole slowly got up, without disturbing the still-sleeping beauty.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and although he had not married Xia Yunxi, their affection was no different from that of newlyweds. After a night of passionate revelry, seeing the satisfied and joyful smile on Xia Yunxi’s lips, Shi Xiaole silently wondered what happy dreams she might be having.
Having wandered the Martial World for a long time and seen plenty of blade and sword shadows, this tranquil scene of a springtime nap in a begonia blossom seemed exceptionally precious to Shi Xiaole. He watched for a good while before he stealthily got up, covered Xia Yunxi with the blanket, and then donned his clothes before leaving the room.
After washing up, Shi Xiaole walked towards Yinfeng Pavilion, step by step.
At this time, Wuling Villa’s massive plaza was already filled with many disciples, the youngest being under ten and the oldest around fourteen or fifteen. Each was accompanied by their master, who was either sternly instructing or gently reminding them.
On the little faces stained with sweat, there was a stirring fighting spirit, mixed with the motivating shouts, filling the morning air of Wuling Villa with vibrant vitality.
These disciples were mostly ordinary disciples from within the villa, practicing together in the morning, and later led by their respective masters, because at this age, it was still time to lay the foundations strictly.
The ordinary disciples over fifteen years old were more free; as long as they met the conditions, they were allowed to read the martial arts secrets of the villa and cultivate on their own.
As for the younger elite disciples, since they were fewer in number and started earlier, they were given more attention, and they generally chose the back mountain or other quieter and more open places for cultivation.
Of course, even ordinary disciples had aptitudes surpassing the core disciples of first-class forces in the Martial World. As for the elite disciples, their target was the elite of the top forces.
From the very beginning, Shi Xiaole had clearly set the development direction for Nine Heavens Mountain: valuing quality over quantity in the early phase, and avoiding mediocrity at all costs.
This group of disciples would one day become the most solid backup force and backbone of Nine Heavens Mountain, bearing the grand plan of its prosperity. Especially after surviving several crises, their loyalty had been tested time and again, undoubtedly.
In the future, when the elite forces of the ten great villas were all established, it would not be too late to expand their numbers and develop external forces. But by that time, what presented before the eyes of the people in the Martial World would be an unprecedentedly massive entity, making everyone tremble!
"Quick, look, it’s the Owner of the Villa!"
"What, where, quick, point him out to me!"
"Ah, the Owner of the Villa, I see him..."
Even though Shi Xiaole tried to pass by discreetly, he was still spotted by a few sharp-eyed disciples, and in no time, the whole plaza was bustling, almost spiraling out of control.
These ordinary disciples were at an age where playfulness and innocence prevailed, and upon seeing the biggest superstar in their eyes pass by, how could they remain calm? Even the stringent scolding of their masters couldn’t stop them.
The masters could only offer wry smiles, for their chiding voices were drowned out in the cacophony of screams.
