Chapter 1045: Chapter 1044: Mysterious Secrets_1
As one of the most famous sects of the Martial World within the Flying Horse Dynasty, the impression Shu Tang Sect gave was one of mystery, antiquity, and not to be provoked. And what people feared the most was undoubtedly the Tang Sect’s poison.
The poison masters of Tang Sect could use the simplest, most common herbs to produce the strongest poisons, but this strength was only relative to poisons of the same level.
For Tang Sect, what they truly prided themselves on were the top-grade poisons, the kind that even Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm couldn’t resist!
But to concoct such poisons, ordinary herbs naturally wouldn’t suffice, and since rare herbs were too scarce, Tang Sect would send elites into Heavenly Desire Origin every once in a while to gather these herbs.
Depending on ancient secret techniques passed down, the Tang Sect elites could always leave safely, and they believed this time would be no exception.
However, en route, they unexpectedly encountered the Evil Leech Martial Emperor and the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor, whom they had once hunted. These two had come into some unbelievable fortune, their powers greatly advanced, and even the Multi-armed Martial Emperor, a second-tier Earthly Realm fighter, couldn’t match them.
"Destroy our entire sect? Heh, Withered Annihilation and I are lone wolves. With what will you destroy us? First, survive to report back, then talk. Evil Leech possession!"
The lumps of flesh on the Evil Leech Martial Emperor’s face trembled as a wisp of black smoke burst forth, transforming into a giant leech creature that enveloped the Tang Sect expert.
"Cloud Piercing Star Grabbing Hand!"
Sensing movement behind him, the Multi-armed Martial Emperor didn’t even turn his head. His two arms conjured countless phantom limbs, frantically reaching out to tear the leech into shreds. But the fragments suddenly melted and became part of the palm’s force.
"You cheat!"
Realizing something, the Multi-armed Martial Emperor was both shocked and angry.
Indeed, amidst screams, Tang Sect elites began to be invaded by the leech’s aura, their bodies bizarrely mutating, sprouting lumps of flesh. They then shrank as the lumps greedily absorbed them completely.
These lumps returned to the Evil Leech Martial Emperor’s face, seemingly swelling him slightly.
Tang Zhiyang felt a chill down his spine.
As a proud member of Tang Sect, he thought he’d seen the most disgusting poisonous creatures and his resolve was unbreakable, but the idea of becoming nourishment for those flesh lumps still made him feel the urge to vomit.
Not to mention Tang Mei, whose once glowing beauty was now pallid. She kept her mouth tightly shut, her throat visibly working.
"You all escape in different directions; I’ll cover our retreat."
The Multi-armed Martial Emperor suddenly slowed down, charging towards the pursuing duo. He understood it was unrealistic to expect everyone to escape; it was just a matter of who would live and who would die.
He had lived for more than two thousand years, his potential long exhausted and with no further breakthroughs possible. But Tang Mei and Tang Zhiyang in the party were far superior to him. Particularly this time, Tang Mei had encountered a great opportunity and might transform herself completely upon returning.
He would make this his last contribution to the Tang Sect.
"Ancestor, don’t!"
The surviving Tang Sect elites cried out loud. They were brutal and ruthless towards their enemies, but they showed a completely different attitude toward their own people.
Tang Mei, tears streaming down her face, swore that in her lifetime, she would avenge the Multi-armed Martial Emperor and other fallen uncles of Tang Sect, at any cost.
"You think you can delay us for long? Die for me, Evil Leech Devouring Heaven!"
The Evil Leech Martial Emperor laughed wickedly, and before everyone’s widened eyes, the lump of flesh on his face opened a slit, out of which protruded a large mouth bristling with sharp teeth, as if it could swallow the sky.
"Withering Impermanence!"
By his side, the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor also gave it his all, a decaying palm force covering all directions, brutally striking the Multi-armed Martial Emperor.
"I can’t hold them off..."
The Multi-armed Martial Emperor despaired. The killing move of either person was more than he could handle; joined together, he could only withstand three moves at most. And in such a brief time, Tang Mei and the others could hardly escape far.
He cursed himself for having used up his hidden weapons earlier in a fight against a Burial Martial Artist, otherwise he would never have allowed these two to flaunt their power!
The stairway to heaven suddenly reached its end, behind them a cascading waterfall. From within the waterfall, a young man in a green robe, with temples just graying, walked out slowly.
Upon appearing, his aura enveloped the whole place, and everyone felt as though a sword hung over their heads, ready to cleave them in two at any moment.
"What, this sword energy, could it be that person?"
The Evil Leech Martial Emperor was first startled, then his scalp began to tingle. The Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor beside him didn’t fare much better, his face alternating between green and white.
In the Flying Horse Dynasty, known centenarian Martial Emperors numbered no more than a handful, and only one person, young to such an extent and powerful enough that mere sword energy could instill fear in their hearts, came to mind.
The Tang Sect elites, captivated by the sword energy, also stopped in their tracks, all staring blankly.
"Kirin, Kirin Sword Emperor, may I ask for your help? Your great kindness will not be thanked with mere words; our Tang Sect will remember this favor."
The quickest to react was the Eighth Elder Tang Que, who bowed deeply, his voice full of earnest pleading.
"Please, Kirin Sword Emperor, lend us your aid!"
All the Tang Sect elites lowered their heads.
They had their own pride, but refusing to bow at a moment of life and death would not be pride—it would be foolish arrogance. Besides, in front of this individual, who had the right to be arrogant? Hardly anyone in the entire Flying Horse Dynasty could.
"Kirin Sword Emperor, we have always kept to our own paths. In the past, Tang Sect has wronged me several times, and I’ve only acted according to the rules of the Martial World. It’s said that the Kirin Sword Emperor is profoundly righteous, and I trust you can understand this old man’s position," spoke the Evil Leech Martial Emperor in front of Shi Xiaole, no longer exhibiting the brazen attitude of before, but using a negotiating tone.
Over a year ago, news of Shi Xiaole defeating the Six-Transformed Ghost Emperor caused a great uproar in the Void Origin Realm circle. Now, aside from the Heaven Realm Martial Emperors, who would dare to be arrogant before the Kirin?
Many Heaven Realm Martial Emperors would not dare, for to be at the same realm meant certain domination, and this was not merely talk. Admittedly, some did not believe in this so-called evil and sought to challenge it, but definitely not including any Earthly Realm Martial Emperors.
Shi Xiaole did not respond.
Thanks to the Demon Martial Way, his perception of good and evil was exceedingly clear. A person who committed many evils tended to attract negative energy. On the Evil Leech Martial Emperor, he sensed a thick presence of such energy.
Clearly, this person had committed numerous misdeeds.
Shi Xiaole did not consider himself a swordsman, but within his capabilities, he did not mind carrying out some acts of righteousness. With this thought, he extended two fingers and gently tapped towards the Evil Leech Martial Emperor.
"Evil Leech Devouring Heaven!"
With the sword intent closing in, the Evil Leech Martial Emperor’s face changed dramatically with madness flickering in his eyes. The orifices on his facial tumors expanded tenfold, revealing a grotesque and stinking mouth that lunged to bite Shi Xiaole. The momentum was so tremendous, it nearly approached the first-rate level of the Earthly Realm.
Having done all this, the Evil Leech Martial Emperor took advantage of the situation to fly backward and escape.
Spurt!
A streak of Sword Qi drew a straight silver line through the void, piercing through both the gaping mouth and the Evil Leech Martial Emperor. They exploded simultaneously, reduced to ashes and smoke.
Shi Xiaole withdrew his hand and turned to look at the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor.
"Kirin Sword Emperor, I, I was not close with the Evil Leech Martial Emperor."
The Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor, scared witless with a pallid complexion and numbed body, did not dare to make any rash moves.
A casual flick of the sword had killed the fully-engaged Evil Leech Martial Emperor as easily as crushing a tiny ant. The Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor believed that if he dared to stir, he would be the next to die.
"I can see that."
Compared to the Evil Leech Martial Emperor, the negative energy emanating from the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor was much less, within normal limits. After all, any person stained with blood would inevitably carry some negative energy.
Seeing that Shi Xiaole had no intention of striking, the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor immediately bowed with hands clasped and said, "Kirin Sword Emperor, you are unparalleled under the heavens, I have witnessed it myself. I shall take my leave now." He turned and disappeared without a trace, as if afraid Shi Xiaole might change his mind.
Only when he had run a good distance did the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor stop, panting and still feeling a chill down his spine. He suddenly felt that the lot of a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor in this era was quite pitiable.
The times when they could swagger confidently were now gone, unknown who had established the Pact of Jinyuan, making them restrained and helpless. As soon as the Pact of Jinyuan dissipated, the Martial World changed; Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm died in droves, and even leaving home required consulting an almanac.
"Damn it!"
The Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor cursed bitterly.
...
"Kirin Sword Emperor, we owe you big time this time."
The Multi-armed Martial Emperor, along with the people of Tang Sect, approached Shi Xiaole, all expressing their gratitude.
Although Shi Xiaole spared the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor, without him, they all would have died long ago. Moreover, throughout the entire encounter, the Withered Annihilation Martial Emperor only targeted the Multi-armed Martial Emperor and did not harm the others.
"I was just passing by,"
Shi Xiaole said with a smile.
The matter at hand, whether the Tang Sect was willing to own the debt or not, did not matter to him. At this point, Shi Xiaole acted solely on his own will, hardly influenced by external factors.
With a wave of his hand, he stepped forward and vanished from the sight of those present.
"What a Kirin, no wonder they say he is the strongest contender for the future Sword Emperor," the Multi-armed Martial Emperor said, lost in thought as he watched in the direction where Shi Xiaole had disappeared.
Although it was a fleeting glimpse, he had never felt such outstanding presence in anyone else, not even in Tang Mei and Tang Zhiyang, who paled in comparison.
Tang Mei’s eyes drifted in bewilderment.
How strange the encounters of life can be. More than a decade ago, Shi Xiaole was competing on stage while she, as a spectator, watched disdainfully from below. At that time, in her eyes, Shi Xiaole was at best an outstanding swordsman prodigy, certain that with the Tang Sect’s concealed weapons and poisons, she could utterly defeat him.
Yet now, the expert who had forced them all into a wretched flight was killed by that young man with a mere flick of a finger. The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
Tang Zhiyang’s face was similarly a mix of emotions.
With a resigned smile, the Elder Tang Que said, "We’re old now."
Picking a direction, Shi Xiaole moved forward unceasingly. Along the way, he saw many bizarre and strange sights. But any scene that neared him would transform into verdant mountains and flowing rivers.
"Could it be..."
Shi Xiaole suspected that he had uncovered the mystery of the Heavenly Desire Origin.
Could those scenes be manifestations of the martial artists’ inner desires? Some desired beauties and were always surrounded by them, some longed for wealth and resided in floating pavilions, others craved power and commanded numerous underlings. The earlier Tang Sect experts, fixated on escape, thus fled along the heavenly steps...
When the desires of everyone intertwined, did they form this abstract world?
Will is often what sustains desires, and with his will being incredibly strong, any encounters with others’ desired scenes would immediately assimilate to his own.
