Chapter 1034: Chapter 1333: Seeking Help_1
A resplendent peak pierced the clouds, miniaturized by hundreds of times, the peak resembled a sword, possessing an edge so sharp it throbbed in one’s soul.
It was the famous Sword Evaluation Mountain.
However, at this moment, Sword Evaluation Mountain was shrouded in an infinitely profound sword intent. A hundred miles away, ordinary warriors of the Void Origin Realm would retreat, while those within ten miles, even Martial Emperors of the Heavenly Realm dared not act recklessly.
The summit of Sword Evaluation Mountain.
Two groups stood a thousand yards apart, their sword intents colliding with each other, creating violent rolls of sword clouds that profoundly shook the heart.
"Unexpectedly, the traitors are you."
The Grand Elder of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain lamented deeply.
In front of him, a black-robed elder indifferently said, "Grand Elder, a wise man submits to circumstance. You chose the wrong path. We simply do not wish for Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain to be destroyed in your hands, betraying the expectations of the sect master."
"Nonsense, were the sect master here, he would never join the imperial court!"
The man by the Grand Elder’s side shouted angrily, he was Chen Kang, his trusted aide.
Years ago, when Shi Xiaole and Niu Dali left Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain, they were attacked by several masters and had even observed in secret, guarding against unexpected threats. (Chapter 783)
"Times change. Back then, the court was preoccupied with other important affairs, and most of their forces were dispatched elsewhere. Now that the forces are about to return, no power within the Martial World can withstand them. I believe that even the sect master would agree."
The expression of the black-robed elder was resolute.
Only the core figures of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain knew that their omnipotent sect master had entered a secret place many years ago, and there had been no news of him since, his life or death unknown.
But in the eyes of the black-robed elder, whether the sect master was dead or alive, the course of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain could not be changed. Or rather, the overall situation of the martial arts world was unchangeable. Who knew how powerful the current court’s forces had become?
Take, for instance, several years ago, when the court’s million-strong army attacked Nine Profound Mountain without success, many in the Martial World scoffed in secret. But did they know that it was all just a play performed by the court to lull the Martial World?
"Ridiculous, with the sect master’s temperament and will, he would never submit to any power. If he were here, he would surely split you, the traitor, with one sword first."
Chen Kang pointed at the black-robed elder, and a sharp Sword Qi invaded the area.
Swordsmen naturally have strong wills, and the swordsmen of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain were the elite among swordsmen. Both parties remained silent, the clash of Sword Qi growing more frequent.
The Grand Elder suddenly said, "Sixth Elder, the court you speak of, is it not just a certain prince? If the emperor himself decreed it, how could Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain exist?"
The black-robed elder’s face changed, then he sneered, "What’s the difference? Grand Elder, just submit obediently. In these past few years, your own people have been suspicious of each other and have exhausted much of their strength, you are not our match."
This was his proudest achievement. After years of planning, he made the Grand Elder’s side kill each other. Now was the perfect moment to succeed.
"Is that so?"
The Grand Elder also smiled.
In the sky above, several sword lights suddenly flashed down, turning into several figures as straight as swords.
"What? Third Elder, Seventh Elder, Ninth Elder, aren’t you all supposed to be dead?"
The pupils of the black-robed elder shrank.
"Had we not pretended to do so, how could you have been lured out?"
After a moment of panic, the black-robed elder quickly calmed down, his eyes slowly filling with a look of madness, "Grand Elder, I admit I’ve been deceived by you, but the strength of our sides is not much different, even if you win by luck, Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain will still be greatly damaged, and then you won’t be able to resist the court. Let me make my final contribution. Hahaha, kill!"
A crazed shout began the battle.
"Sixth Elder!"
The face of the Grand Elder clouded over. As the black-robed elder said, he had not intended to fight a direct battle, but it was unexpected that his opponent would be so fierce, willing to risk mutual destruction.
...
Time flies; a full year had passed since the Demon-testing Stone assessment.
In this year, Nine Profound Mountain had seen tremendous change.
Firstly, it had firmly established its dominant position in Xuanwu State and even in the nearby states, unshakeable. Even in the eyes of many, Nine Profound Mountain was no weaker than the top forces of Tian State.
After all, just in terms of defense, Nine Profound Mountain had already surpassed the entire Flying Horse Dynasty and the Martial World. Plus, there were outstanding characters like Shi Xiaole, the three monsters, Hua Yiyun, and others. Their rise was just a matter of time.
Under the influence of this trend, every day people traveled thousands of miles to Nine Profound Mountain, either bringing their children or recommending themselves, hoping to join.
Qu Wuyan had long had a countermeasure in place. She had people build a vast Sword Dissolving Pool fifty miles outside of Nine Profound Mountain and arranged for masters from the mountain to take turns on duty. Anyone who wished to enter Nine Profound Mountain had to lay down their weapons there and undergo inspection.
As for other directions, if you can break through the great formation of Nine Profound Mountain, then you may as well be allowed in.
Moreover, the number of people passing through the Sword Dissolving Pool each day was limited. In other words, you might not even get a chance to be inspected. You must first register your information and wait in line patiently.
Thus, outside Nine Profound Mountain, one could see an endless stream of people every day, and at night, many campfires were lit. Some people disliked camping out and simply stayed in nearby towns, which inadvertently spurred prosperity in those towns.
Even some who had no hope of joining the Nine Profound Mountain were absorbed by the Ai Family, a case of losing on one front only to gain on another.
For those who joined, the standards of Nine Profound Mountain were higher than ever. Only those with one-in-ten-thousand talent could be chosen, and experts must be the best among their respective realms.
Moreover, under the premise of meeting those conditions, Qu Wuyan would send people to investigate the person’s life thoroughly, refusing to accept those with a checkered past or an unclear background.
Consequently, despite the countless numbers who came to pledge allegiance, very few were actually able to join, but without a doubt, each was a talent among talents.
Qu Wuyan probably never imagined that her devilishly high demands would lead to everyone in the Martial World taking great pride in joining Nine Profound Mountain in the future. When a scion of a noble family was selected, or someone familiar was chosen, the ensuing boasts would often draw many envious and admiring gazes.
In addition to absorbing talents, the strength of the experts in the Nine Profound Mountain was also making great leaps and bounds.
After purchasing top-grade martial arts, Shi Xiaole still had plenty of contribution points. Deciding to go all out, he purchased many first-rate and second-rate martial arts, greatly enriching the choices for his disciples and creating many more possibilities.
For instance, Gui Zhihang, aside from the martial arts of the Gui Family, also contemplated the "Effortless Seeking Technique", "Love-Hate Divine Art", "Undying Seven Illusions" and so on.
Duanmu Keren chose the "Heavenly Demon Great Method", and made considerable progress every day, growing more and more proficient.
Mu Ling scrutinized the complete version of the "Eight Desolations and Six Harmonies Unique Supreme Skill", "Pure Yang Ultimate Lord Technique", as well as "Scattered Hands Eight Slaps", "Flame Yang Odd Skill" among others, while Hua Yiyun pondered over many sword techniques...
Notably, Shi Xiaole’s eldest disciple, Chou Hentian, chose the "Heaven-Earth Intersection Yin-Yang Great Sorrow Manual". With just average talent, he relied on sheer willpower and a flood of resources to raise his strength to the Spiritual-Passage Realm level, not inferior to his second disciple, Qi Yuanzheng.
Of course, Shi Xiaole’s own progress was equally swift.
At the base of one of the lower peaks among the numerous mountains of Nine Profound Mountain.
A burst of Sword Qi, like a spark that ignites a wildfire, instantly set a vast expanse of the void ablaze. This Sword Qi was so pure and sharp, it seemed as if it could pierce through anything in the world, with nothing capable of stopping it.
"Go."
Shi Xiaole flicked his finger nonchalantly.
Whoosh!
The Sword Qi shot up into the high sky, painting the vast expanse above like a shimmering lake, its surface rippling with light. Yet, only a handful knew that behind those flickering lights hid a terrifyingly lethal force.
"I’ve finally broken through."
Above the "Congenital Rupture Invisible Sword Qi" was the "Body-Breaking Invisible Sword Qi", no longer segregated as congenital or acquired, and combined with the more than minorly perfected "Purple Blood Great Method", Shi Xiaole’s power was nearing the threshold of Heavenly Realm level.
The gap between a top-tier Earthly Realm Martial Emperor and a Heavenly Realm Martial Emperor was beyond Shi Xiaole’s imagination. To mention just one thing, most Heavenly Realm Martial Emperors had cultivated top-tier martial arts, so, for the time being, Shi Xiaole had no significant advantage.
Of course, that wasn’t his true strength.
Shi Xiaole opened his palm, and hovering above it, a black Sword Thread exuded countless negative emotions, making the Sword Thread look all the more sinister.
This was the "Sword of the Undead Spirit" driven by the Demon Martial Way. After mastering the "Body-Breaking Invisible Sword Qi", Shi Xiaole estimated that if he used it with all his might, its power would reach the weakest level of the Heavenly Realm.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t reveal the Demon Martial Way just yet.
The black Sword Thread dissipated, and Shi Xiaole began to practice the "Sacred Heart Technique".
In one year, his "Ascending Immortal Step", "Heavenly Palace Illusion", and even the "Shocking Eye Tribulation" were all approaching perfection. So even without revealing the Demon Martial Way, he was confident he was no less capable than the weakest Heavenly Realm Martial Emperor.
Yet, that still wasn’t all there was to Shi Xiaole.
After he cultivated the "Purple Blood Great Method", he unexpectedly discovered that it, combined with the second tribulation of the "Sacred Heart Four Tribulations" - the "Malicious Blood Tribulation", could unleash power surpassing the "Sword of the Undead Spirit", catching others completely off guard.
So, Shi Xiaole speculated that if he played all his cards, he might have a chance to defeat the weakest Heavenly Realm Martial Emperor.
As for the first eighteen moves of the "Saintly Spirit Sword Technique", he had also practiced them to near perfection. Unfortunately, he dared not attempt the next few moves that required heartlessness and ruthlessness until the first eighteen were perfected, to avoid conflicts in sword intent.
Overall, Shi Xiaole, having advanced to the Void Origin Realm, had not slowed down like others; he continued to forge ahead with unabated vigor.
"It’s a pity Uncle Wang and Brother Zhang are not here; otherwise, I could have sparred with them."
Uncle Wang occasionally went out, claiming that the clay statues of the Nine Ancestors concealed clues about the whereabouts of beings from beyond this world. He planned to split up with Yan Zhenning to find these individuals.
Zhang Xiangfeng had left half a year ago in search of an alternative medicine for the "Dan Tribulation".
Back at Wuling Villa, just as he entered the sixth floor of Yinfeng Pavilion, Zhu Ling hurriedly approached, "Sect Master, this is a letter for you."
Shi Xiaole took the letter, and the small jade sword embedded on its surface caught his attention, "A Sword Evaluation Talisman, is this from Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain?"
Zhu Ling nodded gravely.
Shi Xiaole opened the envelope, finding only a brief eight words written inside: "Distress is upon us, hope for your aid."
Shi Xiaole would later learn that Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain had activated its mountain-protecting great array before his return to the Flying Horse Dynasty, completely isolating itself from the world, with no one knowing exactly what happened.
Now, the arrival of such a letter inevitably sparked a great deal of speculation.
