Chapter 1066: Chapter 1065: Take the Sword, Then Beat it!_1
The Nine Profound Mountain spans vast distances, with countless peaks standing tall. Upon one of the lower mountain peaks, a hundred meters in height and covered with maple trees, Shi Xiaole was practicing his swordsmanship in the wind.
Petals, maple leaves, and dead branches were swirling around him, blown by the wind from behind and then drifting into the distance. At one moment, Shi Xiaole suddenly thrust out with the ordinary long sword in his hand.
The petals, maple leaves, and dead branches abruptly paused, but only for an instant, so fast that it seemed like an illusion. Shi Xiaole’s movements froze in place, and after a long, long time, he finally opened his eyes.
"Lightning Startling Swan truly lives up to its name. This move seeks the ultimate in speed, to be so fast that it surpasses my reaction ability."
Shi Xiaole felt somewhat helpless.
After reaching a bottleneck with both "Congenital Rupture Invisible Sword Qi" and "Saintly Spirit Sword Technique," he didn’t foolishly force his way through, nor did he idle around, but started to cultivate other top-level sword techniques instead.
As the saying goes, learning by analogy can lead to mastery in other areas. Ignoring other top-level sword techniques to stubbornly focus on just one would undoubtedly be a wasteful and foolish action. Sometimes, cultivating other sword techniques can even bring inspiration, accelerating the breakthrough of the original sword technique.
"Lightning Startling Swan," one of the Four Great Sword Techniques created by the swordsman Xiao QiuShui, is based on the principles of "fast," "slow," "offense," and "defense." Among them, the fastest sword technique in the world, embodying the principle of "fast," is "Lightning Startling Swan."
Thanks to the Great Achieved Heart Sword and Wind Sword Way, Shi Xiaole’s progress had been rapid over the month. He had already surpassed the initial stage and was only a step away from reaching the highest level of proficiency.
Shi Xiaole estimated that if he were to use "Lightning Startling Swan," his strength would likely approach that of the top Heaven Realm Martial Emperors, but how big the gap was, he wouldn’t know until he fought them.
"How can I surpass my own reaction ability?"
Only a step away from great achievement, but that step was difficult to take. Shi Xiaole stood still, deep in thought until the setting sun bathed the mountain peak in red, he remained standing statue-like until the sound of light footsteps on leaves startled him out of his reverie.
From the maple forest behind, a tall woman in white clothes emerged, with a plain face turned towards the sky. However, her picturesque eyebrows and contour didn’t need any embellishment to make her stunningly beautiful.
What made her even more captivating was the innate charm under her deliberately cold and noble demeanor, adding an indescribable allure.
"Miss Xi, what a coincidence."
Shi Xiaole looked at the newcomer, somewhat surprised.
Xi Xianglei said, "It’s no coincidence. I came here specifically to find you."
Among the women he knew, she was probably the most direct. Xi Xianglei had arrived half a month ago with Han Yanfa, who, seeing that Shi Xiaole didn’t pay him any attention, felt too embarrassed to stay and left the same day. On the other hand, Xi Xianglei stayed.
Her supreme beauty and grace immediately eclipsed all the women of Nine Profound Mountain, not to mention Su Yanru, Xia Yunxi, and even Gui Fuling, who begrudgingly gossiped among themselves, wondering how Shi Xiaole got to know such a woman, and why she would come all this way just for him.
Shi Xiaole was also puzzled.
Not puzzled by Xi Xianglei seeking him out, but puzzled by what she told him, that she dreamt of him every night and demanded to know if he had done something to her.
Shi Xiaole then recounted the incident at the Heavenly Desire Origin stone wall, but Xi Xianglei shook her head, indicating she hadn’t encountered a high-skilled individual, nor did she know why her portrait was carved onto the stone wall.
Both were confused, but became more cautious at heart, suspecting some fearsome person hidden in the shadows was causing trouble.
"I’ve come to say goodbye. I’ll leave tomorrow."
Xi Xianglei looked at Shi Xiaole and, with great character, turned around to leave, as if she had made the long journey just to say this one sentence.
"It would be better for Miss Xi not to leave."
Xi Xianglei’s footsteps halted.
Shi Xiaole said, "Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Xi. I only feel that since someone is causing trouble, and even Master Mu can’t find them, it would be very dangerous for them to act against you. It might be safer to stay in Nine Profound Mountain."
Xi Xianglei, with her back to Shi Xiaole, let out an almost imperceptible sigh and was about to say something when she suddenly looked up at the sky, from where a thunderous noise was heard.
"Someone else has come to disturb us; what a nuisance. Please wait a moment, Miss Xi."
In a flash, Shi Xiaole stepped outside the bound of Nine Profound Array System.
These days, swordsmen occasionally sought him out, including several from the Emperor List. They weren’t there to challenge Shi Xiaole, but for the Cleansing Evil Sword he possessed.
What happened in Heavenly Desire Origin spread through the mouths of the fleeing Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors and eventually became known throughout half of the Martial World. Everyone knew that Shi Xiaole had acquired a famous sword.
"Are you the Kirin Sword Emperor?"
The newcomer, clad in a cloak, showed only a pair of eyes, and wore a short sword about two feet in length at the waist, giving an impression akin to an ethereal shadow.
"May I know what brings you here, sir?"
Shi Xiaole glanced at the void ravine outside Nine Profound Mountain, carved out by the visitor’s sword, from which wisps of Sword Qi emerged, turning the area for hundreds of miles into an Array System, and he knew the person’s skill was extremely terrifying.
It was the sensing of this person’s aura that led Shi Xiaole to decide to confront them himself.
"I am the Yinhua Sword Emperor. Having heard that the Kirin Sword Emperor has obtained a renowned sword, I have come to visit, hoping to have the honor of observing it."
The person in the cloak spoke indifferently, eyes fixated on the bright yellow long sword at Shi Xiaole’s waist as if hooked onto it.
"The Yinhua Sword Emperor, ranked ninety-third on the Emperor List?"
Inside Nine Profound Mountain, the people could hardly stay calm.
It should be noted that the top one hundred and two experts on the Emperor List are all top Heaven Realm Martial Emperors. It’s no wonder that Yinhua Sword Emperor earlier merely pointed out with one finger and created a rift in the void; his means are indeed terrifying.
However, considering the existence of the Nine Profound Array System, no matter how powerful the opponent, they wouldn’t dare to launch an attack, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief for Shi Xiaole.
"Sorry, I’m not in the habit of casually showing my beloved sword to others."
Shi Xiaole did not hesitate and directly refused.
When previous swordsmen and renowned veterans came, Shi Xiaole maintained the same attitude. Of course, they were more courteous than Yinhua Sword Emperor, suggesting an exchange of treasures for a chance to admire the famous sword, but they were all tactfully refused by Shi Xiaole.
Not to mention them or Yinhua Sword Emperor, even if a swordsman ranked in the top twenty of the Emperor List made such a request, Shi Xiaole would not agree.
Anyone who is obsessed with swords, sincere towards the way of the sword should understand what a famous sword means to a swordsman—it’s akin to a wife to her husband and not something outsiders can casually demand to see.
Anyone who respects Shi Xiaole wouldn’t make such a presumptuous request. In some historical records, legendary swordsmen even slept holding their famous swords. Shi Xiaole hadn’t reached that stage, but he didn’t want to let others touch it either.
Moreover, he could hear that although Yinhua Sword Emperor seemed to be pleading, his tone was anything but humble.
"Why must the Kirin Sword Emperor be so stingy? We are all members of the Qingmo Organization; can’t you give that bit of face?"
As far as Yinhua Sword Emperor was concerned, since he wasn’t asking for the Cleansing Evil Sword but only to look and handle it briefly, and Shi Xiaole still refused, it was clear that he didn’t take him seriously.
What’s more, he came all the way from Bei Liang Kingdom, and to leave in such a dejected manner—what would he do with his pride?
"Yinhua Sword Emperor, if you were to possess a famous sword, would you casually let others handle and admire it?"
Shi Xiaole retorted.
Yinhua Sword Emperor’s expression stiffened, and when he finally reacted, he clenched his teeth and said, "Of course I would! What’s so difficult about that? Perhaps the Kirin Sword Emperor is afraid that I’ll take the sword and run, and that you wouldn’t have the ability to take it back? Heh, if that’s the case, you won’t be able to keep your famous sword for long."
To such a lowly provocation, Shi Xiaole couldn’t be bothered to say more. Out of courtesy, he apologized once again before returning. Shi Xiaole considered himself quite polite, but it turned out that Yinhua Sword Emperor was not buying it.
"Stop right there!"
The world suddenly darkened, as a huge shadow turned into a sword glow, slashing down rapidly from above; before anyone could react, the sword glow had already engulfed Shi Xiaole.
"No..."
Screams echoed throughout Nine Heavens Mountain.
Boom.
As the sword glow hit the ground, it dispersed on its own, without any Sword Qi leaking out. However, a long and wide black curtain remained suspended in the void, through which sunlight couldn’t penetrate, casting the entire world into darkness. The hissing of Sword Qi sounded in everyone’s ears, like countless venomous snakes spitting out poison fangs.
"Have you gone too far, Yinhua Sword Emperor?"
Shi Xiaole emerged from another side, and the black curtain also dispersed at that moment.
"Too far? You’re the one who’s gone too far. I came sincerely, hoping to behold the famous sword, yet you pushed and resisted, not taking me seriously. Are you trying to embarrass me to enhance your own Kirin prestige? Quite the scheme."
Yinhua Sword Emperor sneered endlessly.
Shi Xiaole’s countenance also cooled. Dealing with matters should be based on mutual consent, but clearly, the other party didn’t see it that way. If Shi Xiaole had been even slightly slower just now, he’d have been wounded by that sword, and the power in that strike was not minor.
"Hehe, since you are unwilling, I won’t force it. I hope you take care of yourself. Goodbye."
Yinhua Sword Emperor suddenly turned and left.
The fact was, he regretted making a move the moment he did it. Although Shi Xiaole’s power was not as great as his, protected by the Nine Profound Array System, he was destined to be unable to do anything to Shi Xiaole, and making a move was a waste of energy.
But this affair was not over. You dared to embarrass me today; just don’t let me catch an opportunity in the future, or I will return it tenfold! Yinhua Sword Emperor silently vowed.
"Wait a moment, you think you can attack me and just walk away, as if nothing happened?"
Shi Xiaole’s voice came from behind.
Thinking he’d heard a joke, Yinhua Sword Emperor turned and laughed heartily, "What, you want to seek justice? With you? If it weren’t for the Nine Profound Array System, who do you think you are? You’d have been finished off by someone long ago."
The people of Nine Heavens Mountain were furious, unable to help but curse aloud, yet feeling stifled inside. Zhu Ling’s pretty face turned red with anger; if the Sky Origin Realm Array System could actively kill people, she would definitely manipulate the Nine Profound Array System to shatter this Yinhua Sword Emperor on the spot.
Xi Xianglei steadfastly watched the scene from a distant low-lying mountain peak.
"Indeed, I do want justice, and just with me."
With the crowd in uproar, Shi Xiaole was very calm, unnervingly so, ignoring the surrounding noise. He reached out his hand, took hold of the sword hilt and slowly drew the Cleansing Evil Sword out bit by bit.
This was the first time he’d unsheathed this sword since leaving Heavenly Desire Origin.
"You also take my sword, then leave."
It was only fair to respond in kind. Shi Xiaole’s spirit suddenly merged with the Cleansing Evil Sword. Flexing his arm, the sword turned into a streak of dark gold brilliance, thrusting fiercely toward Yinhua Sword Emperor.
