Chapter 1035: Chapter 1034 Borrowing a Knife to Kill Someone_1
Putting down the letter, Shi Xiaole asked, "Has there been any news from Sword Evaluation Mountain recently?"
Zhu Ling shook her head, "According to the scouts’ report from last month, the entire Sword Evaluation Mountain is shrouded under the protective Array System. Outsiders can’t see anything happening inside. However, the fact that Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain has sent out a request for help indicates that their opponent must be terrifyingly powerful."
Despite the high profile of Nine Heavens Mountain, the wise knew that it couldn’t compare in heritage to the established top powers. Zhu Ling’s comment was an implicit advice; she didn’t want Shi Xiaole to risk himself.
Shi Xiaole looked at Zhu Ling until her pretty face turned red and she lowered her head, feeling awkward. He then smiled and said, "When I first came to Sword King Valley, Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain specially extended my time, and I’m also a guest Elder. It wouldn’t be right not to help."
Zhu Ling said anxiously, "But what if you encounter danger? As the mansion master, you are the soul of Nine Heavens Mountain..."
Shi Xiaole’s smile remained unchanged, "I believe that there are few dangers in this world that can trap me, and isn’t that the charm of the Martial World?"
This is also where your charm lies, Zhu Ling thought to herself.
Many times, it seemed to her that Shi Xiaole was different from everyone else. Any difficulty seemed to vanish when it reached him. You had to remember every moment with him because you never knew when he would create a miracle. It also seemed like he could leave everyone far behind at any moment.
It wouldn’t happen, he was right there, Zhu Ling suppressed the inexplicable sadness rising in her heart, recognizing that she couldn’t dissuade Shi Xiaole. She could only tell him to be careful, and finally, with great reluctance, went to attend to her duties.
That day, after notifying Xia Yunxi, Su Yanru, and the others, Shi Xiaole left via a secret passage. Then he took the Heavenly Divine Eagle and flew straight for Sword Evaluation Mountain.
...
Meanwhile, at that moment, far away from Sword Evaluation Mountain, a fierce battle was taking place. Terrifying fluctuations swept through the heavens and earth, causing the people in the distant towns to watch in alarm, their faces filled with horror.
"Spring Chill!"
Chen Kang, drenched in blood, unleashed a swing. His gentle Sword Qi carried a chilling ice melody, spreading towards the distance. Once a half-step into the Void Origin Realm, he had smoothly become a Void Origin Realm Sword Emperor amidst the grand era.
"Such a trifling skill, how dare you show your incompetence, Devil’s Will to Dominate Heaven!"
Across from him, an ugly old man with long hair down to his feet sneered contemptuously. His palm strike, filled with rolling Devil Qi, easily dissipated the Sword Qi and transformed into a vague black hand that grasped Chen Kang.
With a thud!
Chen Kang was sent flying thousands of meters away, his face turning even paler. As he saw his fellow disciples retreating with injuries, deep sorrow filled his eyes.
All of it was a conspiracy.
Although they had suppressed the rebellion of the Sixth Elder, the price was enormous. The number of masters who died in this internal struggle was more than the total of recent hundreds of years combined, and even the Grand Elder and the Third Elder had been injured successively.
Just as they were greatly weakened, the Devil Path forces, led by Hell Gate, Infinite Demon Sea Sect, Nether Demon Hall, and Destroying Saint Sect, launched a large-scale attack on the mountain. The attack occurred just three days after their own crisis.
Chen Kang would never believe there was no trickery involved.
"We had already removed the Black Hands of the Suxian Alliance, so why did this happen? Could it be that the court is involved with the Devil Path..."
Chen Kang dared not think further, seeing the ugly old man attack again, he swiftly retreated back into Sword Evaluation Mountain.
The fierce battle continued. He saw some comrades with severe injuries making the same choice to retreat, while a few others, unable to dodge in time, were killed on the spot by the combined Devil Path assailants, their blood splattering across the sky.
"How infuriating..."
Chen Kang’s vision blurred.
Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain pursued a strategy of elitism, which meant their numbers were mere fractions compared to other top forces. Consequently, members knew each other well, some even sharing life-and-death bonds.
However, the continuous internal strife and external battles led to the continuous death of friends and brothers, filling everyone involved with insurmountable grief, and the atmosphere at Sword Evaluation Mountain grew increasingly somber and oppressive.
"Another six have died in battle."
Inside a sword-shaped hall, the Grand Elder looked at the four dead bodies lying on the ground with a grieving expression. There were only four because two had been reduced to ashes.
The numerous swordsmen, some with gloomy eyes, some with disheveled clothes, and a few missing arms and legs, were only roughly bandaged. Each face was filled with indignation.
The Grand Elder heaved a sigh, "Has the call for help been sent out?"
Chen Kang stepped forward and whispered, "It was sent days ago." He seemed hesitant to continue.
How could the Grand Elder not understand what he meant?
While the Sword Evaluation Mountain’s protective Array System could fend off enemies temporarily, it couldn’t last forever. With the current rate of depletion, it could hold out for at most another half a month. They were frequently engaging in battle despite their injuries, precisely to prevent the Devil Path from breaking the Array System, which would speed up its depletion.
But this was no permanent solution. Considering the daily casualties, there wouldn’t be many experts left at Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain if this continued.
The only way forward was to seek reinforcement.
Over the years, Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain had made many good connections, but there was a big problem: the experts were scattered far and wide, some of them even nomadic, which meant that a portion of them might not receive the distress call.
Of those who did receive it, some with deep connections might not be willing to help upon learning of the involvement of the imperial court. This further reduced the number of potential helpers. Those who were willing to help might not be able to reach in time due to distance issues, so the situation was very grim.
"If only the Galan Sword Emperor or the Dustless Sword Emperor would lend a hand," someone murmured.
Galan Sword Emperor was one of the top ten experts of the Flying Horse Dynasty. And although Dustless Sword Emperor was younger, his talents were even more outstanding. His strength wasn’t much inferior to Galan Sword Emperor’s, and should the two of them be willing to assist, Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain’s hope of overcoming this calamity would greatly increase.
Regrettably, no matter whether it was Galan Sword Emperor or Dustless Sword Emperor, they were both reclusive and lived in seclusion all year round, their whereabouts unknown to anyone. Whether the distress signal could be received was entirely a matter of luck.
The atmosphere inside the hall grew even more oppressive.
It was at this moment that someone rushed in, shouting, "Grand Elder, Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor has arrived."
Swish, swish, swish.
Several pairs of eyes focused on a figure with silver-white lips who was slowly stepping into the hall. Although he wore three long swords at his waist and kept his aura well-contained, showing no trace of his formidable nature.
Yet, the Grand Elder stood up excitedly, strode towards the figure, and clasped his hands in a salute, "Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor, your kindness leaves us at a loss for words!"
Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor was one of the eight star-ranked swordsmen in the history of Sword Evaluation Mountain. Though his strength was less than that of Galan Sword Emperor and Dustless Sword Emperor, he was still among the top ten swordsmen of the Flying Horse Dynasty.
"In the past, I owed you all a favor, it’s only right that I’m here,"
Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor said indifferently.
The addition of Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor suddenly attracted the combined attack of three Heaven Realm Martial Emperors from the Devil Path, greatly relieving the pressure on Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain.
In the following days, several other Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors who had heard the news spontaneously came to join the battle. Additionally, some Divine Barrier Realm Sword Kings who had received the distress signal and were not too far away, also arrived one after another, joining the fray at the Divine Border Realm battlefield.
Unfortunately, the reinforcements were still too few.
This time, the Devil Path came on in full force, dispatching a total of eleven Heaven Realm Martial Emperors. Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain’s side, including Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor, only had six people. After each engagement, they were forced to retreat back into their array system.
In the other levels of combat within the Void Origin Realm, they did not have the advantage either. Only at the Divine Border Realm did they have an edge due to the sheer number of joiners, but it did not affect the overall situation.
"Devil Path scum, how dare you bully the Qingmo Organization? Withdraw at once!"
That day, a terrifying aura that caused the void to change color surged from afar. This energy was incredibly mixed, indicating that it was formed by a combination of multiple individuals.
"Xueluo Emperor, Hanguang Emperor, Divine Might Great Emperor, it’s you."
Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes.
Each level had its own circles, and as a Heaven Realm Martial Emperor himself, Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor of course recognized Xueluo Emperor and the others, though he was not closely acquainted with them.
Xueluo Emperor nodded in acknowledgment and then looked towards the Grand Elder, "We have arrived late, we hope the Grand Elder will forgive us."
Before the mountain was sealed, Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain had joined the Qingmo Organization, following the cause of justice, but they had not expected to receive aid today. The Grand Elder didn’t know what to say.
"Qingmo? Heh, the Outer Heaven Demons have yet to show their faces, but you Qingmo practitioners are already using justice to eliminate dissidents everywhere. In my opinion, you are the real devils."
An old man with messy hair and missing ears scoffed sarcastically. He was the Six-Transformed Ghost Emperor from Hell Gate, a genuine Heaven Realm Martial Emperor.
"Spreading devious words, there’s nothing to discuss with you, a group of tumors poisoning the Martial World. Only death awaits you!"
The world suddenly became blindingly bright as Hanguang Emperor made his move. After more than a year, the injuries he sustained on Nine Heavens Mountain had long healed, but the pent-up fury in his chest had yet to dissipate. Now, he was taking it out on the Devil Path experts.
"Just with you?"
One stout-faced middle-aged man from the Devil Path’s side was the first to meet the challenge. Both men were among the weakest of Heaven Realm Martial Emperors, but their confrontation already wielded the power to destroy heaven and earth.
Xueluo Emperor, Divine Might Great Emperor, and the other Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors who had come with them, also charged forth.
Boom, boom, boom...
In an instant, the entire sky trembled, seemingly unable to contain the grand battle of these experts.
"Qingmo, what we cleanse is not only the Outer Heaven Demons but also you devils. Hahaha, you don’t know, do you? A large group of our experts is speeding towards Hell Gate, Infinite Demon Sea Sect, and others. Your sects are on the brink of destruction!"
Divine Might Great Emperor laughed wildly, the same fierce middle-aged man who had once threatened Shi Xiaole.
These words indeed provoked the Devil Path experts, each one of them seething with malice, wishing they could tear every member of the Qingmo Organization to shreds.
With the addition of Xueluo Emperor, Hanguang Emperor, and Divine Might Great Emperor, the Righteous Path now had nine Heaven Realm Martial Emperors. Heavenly Silkworm Sword Emperor alone was able to tie down three opponents, so the situation became evenly matched.
This gave the swordsmen of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain hope, and their spirit erupted with no less intensity than that of the Devil Path experts.
Within the clouds, a golden Divine Eagle soared ten thousand meters in the blink of an eye, gradually sensing the distant fluctuations.
"It took only ten days to reach this place, it seems I’ve arrived just in time,"
With his formidable spiritual force, Shi Xiaole instantly discerned the situation of the battle. To his surprise, Xueluo Emperor and two others on his hit list were also present.
"That kid?"
Xueluo Emperor also detected a familiar aura and his eyes immediately glinted with intense cunning and murderous intent.
As he was fiercely battling with the Jade-faced Devil Emperor, Xueluo Emperor suddenly saw his opening, aggressively pursuing and striking. His palm force turned into a torrential flood, rushing towards a certain direction in the distance and swallowing up a figure there.
