Chapter 1079: Chapter 1078: Soul Mountain Sword Demon_1
"The Sect Leader is defeated?"
"He couldn’t match the Kirin?"
Seeing all of the Tri-Color Great Emperor’s deadly moves unleashed and still being defeated by Shi Xiaole, everyone from the Tri-Color Sect, from top to bottom, fell into great dismay, both shocked and scared.
No one blindly worshiped the Emperor List, but its rankings were ultimately of great reference value; strictly speaking, this was the first time a lower-ranked martial artist had defeated one with a higher ranking.
Thinking that Shi Xiaole was the first to break the record made everyone’s hearts tremble. There was no doubt that Shi Xiaole’s strength had reached the top level of the Heavenly Realm, even without the Cleansing Evil Sword, he would not be weaker than the Tri-Color Great Emperor.
"This kid..."
Watching the two in the sky, the Yinhua Sword Emperor was stupendously shocked; if he were in the Tri-Color Great Emperor’s position, his outcome would only be worse. How on earth had this Shi man cultivated?
"If you don’t want to taste my sword, release him immediately."
Not continuing the attack, Shi Xiaole coldly threatened.
"Don’t you think you’re being a bit too arrogant?"
The Tri-Color Great Emperor was not one to respond to soft approaches, and moreover, bowing his head in such circumstances, how could he face anyone afterwards?
Schwing!
A swift sword in response, as fast as a shooting star.
The Tri-Color Great Emperor barely avoided it, but before he could catch his breath, he rushed forward again, stopping only after reaching a kilometer away. Many Tri-Color Sect experts saw a bloodstain appear on the back of their Sect Leader, from which blood was dripping.
Sword lights crisscrossed the void, and the Tri-Color Great Emperor was like a bird trapped within a net of swords, desperately trying to tear through the web. But he was always a beat too slow, unable to find the flaw, and instead made himself look quite pathetic.
This was no battle between two evenly matched experts; it was more like the strong preying on the weak, not even remotely in the same category. In this world, probably only Shi Xiaole could bring out his innate strength to such an extent.
"Golden Face Great Emperor, Yinhua Sword Emperor, please lend me your support. I will definitely repay this favor in the future!"
Seeing more and more wounds on his body, and realizing that if the fight continued he would either have to retreat or compromise, the Tri-Color Great Emperor finally couldn’t help asking for help from the two honored guests.
No matter what, he absolutely could not release the prisoners under Shi Xiaole’s coercion. Where would his face be if he did?
The Golden Face Great Emperor’s gaze flickered.
Because of their relationship, he couldn’t refuse the Tri-Color Great Emperor’s request, but to offend Shi Xiaole was also absolutely unacceptable.
After thinking it through, the Golden Face Great Emperor finally shouted, "Kirin Sword Emperor, please calm your anger for a moment. We’re all part of the same circle, why not sit down and talk this over? What about giving me, the Golden Face Great Emperor, some face?"
"Release everyone, and I’ll naturally give you face," Shi Xiaole continued his assault.
His words were almost redundant; the Golden Face Great Emperor’s face grew ugly, but in the end, he did not make a move.
The Yinhua Sword Emperor let out a cold laugh, "Now you know just how arrogant this kid is. In the future, he’s probably going to look down on the entire world, heh."
Seeing the Tri-Color Great Emperor being subdued, the Yinhua Sword Emperor actually felt a sense of pleasure. Of course, he didn’t forget to keep fanning the flames of enmity against Shi Xiaole with his words.
Whoosh!
After a prolonged battle, the bloodied Tri-Color Great Emperor retreated back within the protective sect’s Array System. He admitted his defeat, but even in defeat, he would not yield to Shi Xiaole’s demands.
Swords Qi furiously attacked the protective Array System. At first, no one cared, but after half a "2-hour period," many realized with shock that, under Shi Xiaole’s continuous assault, cracks had started to appear in the Array System.
"Dammit!"
The Tri-Color Great Emperor’s face turned an iron blue, clouded with gloom.
This was a peak Void Origin Realm Array System; apart from the Forbidden Martial Emperor, who could break it? Moreover, even if it were the Forbidden Martial Emperor, breaking it would not be an overnight achievement.
What kind of monster was this kid?
Outsiders had no idea that Shi Xiaole’s spiritual power was not inferior to the Forbidden Martial Emperor’s, and in terms of spiritual quality, it was even above. Therefore, even a complex Void Origin Realm Array System was penetrable to him. If he possessed the Forbidden Martial Emperor’s strength, breaking the current Array System would take at most a quarter of an hour.
"Enough! I never cared to trouble those common souls. I had always intended to abandon them once they served their purpose. Since you’re so keen, how could I not give you some face," the Tri-Color Great Emperor roared, his face red as if scalded.
He was not willing to give up the foundation of the Tri-Color Sect, so no matter how angry or aggrieved he was, he had no choice but to compromise. As for having everyone attack Shi Xiaole, not to mention how many would respond, even if they did, it wouldn’t be very effective, more trouble than it was worth.
Sometime later, all the men and women who had been seized were released, each with a pale complexion. At first, they were confused, but after hearing Chen Lihua’s words, joy overcame them, some even breaking down in tears on the spot.
"Thank you, Young Hero Shi!"
"Please accept my bow, Benevolent Mr. Shi!"
The ground was filled with kneeling people, their expressions sincere. Some of the common folk even regarded Shi Xiaole as an exiled immortal from the heavens.
"No need for such formalities, please leave quickly," Shi Xiaole said as he supported the people with his Qi energy and then looked at the resentful Tri-Color Great Emperor, word by word he said, "I hope you will swear that from now on you will never harm these people, or else, I will destroy the Tri-Color Sect."
Crack, crack, crack.
The Tri-Color Great Emperor had never felt so humiliated in his life, but having endured the initial shame, what was there left to bear? Moreover, Shi Xiaole only forbade harming these people; he didn’t say they couldn’t capture another batch. Thus, through gritted teeth, the Tri-Color Great Emperor swore the oath.
Shi Xiaole had his own considerations.
He couldn’t kill the Tri-Color Great Emperor, and pushing too hard could easily make the opponent abandon the Tri-Color Sect, putting even the rescued at risk. If Uncle Wang and Yan Zhenning were to take action, the Tri-Color Great Emperor would still be able to escape comfortably before the Array System broke.
Thus, this was already the best outcome. Shi Xiaole was no saint; he could only do his best to act kindly within his capabilities.
After Shi Xiaole left, the Golden Face Great Emperor felt too ashamed to stay any longer and also bid his farewell; the Yinhua Sword Emperor, too, clasped his fists in a bow, remaining silent the whole time.
"No need for send-off."
The Thri-Color Great Emperor looked indifferent, for the first time not trying to retain him.
"This Shi Xiaole has caused me to lose a friend."
On his way out, the Golden Face Great Emperor was unusually irate. He did not reflect on his own inaction, instead placing all the blame on Shi Xiaole. Without the latter, he would still be drinking and chatting with the Tri-Color Great Emperor.
Yinhua Sword Emperor said gloomily, "Brother Golden Face, don’t you think we’ve lost too much face? Once the news spreads, people in the Martial World will say we were scared of this Shi character, not daring to even break wind."
"What are you suggesting?"
The Golden Face Great Emperor narrowed his eyes, his expression even uglier than before.
The corner of Yinhua Sword Emperor’s mouth curved up as he leisurely said, "It’s certain that we cannot make a move ourselves, but the Soul Mountain Sword Demon can. As far as I know, he’s in seclusion in the Western Region."
"You know the whereabouts of that old monster?"
The Golden Face Great Emperor gasped.
Soul Mountain Sword Demon, ranked sixty-eighth on the Emperor List, became famous thousands of years ago. With a demon sword, he roamed the Martial World unmatched, but had not been heard from for many years. Before the Emperor List was established, many thought he had died.
"I just happen to have heard about his whereabouts. The Soul Mountain Sword Demon is obsessed with swords, having reached the pinnacle in all aspects as a swordsman, except he regrets not having a famous sword by his side. Imagine, if he learns that Shi Xiaole has acquired such a sword, what would he do?"
The Golden Face Great Emperor looked intently at Yinhua Sword Emperor, infinite caution rising in his heart, yet he laughed heartily and said, "Brilliant, truly a brilliant plan!"
The Yinhua Sword Emperor just smiled without saying a word. His primary purpose in coming to the Western Region this time was precisely to reveal the news of the famous sword to the reclusive Soul Mountain Sword Demon.
Shi Xiaole, you think you’re so capable. I want to see how you fare against a madman who values the sword more than life itself, hahaha!
...
"Young Hero Shi, may my daughter and I join the Nine Heavens Mountain?"
Atop the racing Divine Eagle, the Purple Wood Sword Emperor asked with a smile.
"Elder Purple Wood, there’s no need to go to such lengths just to repay a favor. We are friends; this is something I..."
Shi Xiaole hadn’t finished his sentence when Purple Wood Sword Emperor interjected: "No, this isn’t to repay a favor. To be candid with you, Young Hero Shi, I am old and no longer wish to wander the Martial World. Moreover, my daughter Lihua also looks forward to joining Nine Heavens Mountain. If you find us unwelcome, then consider my words unsaid."
"How could that be? I would welcome you with open arms."
Seeing that the other party was serious, Shi Xiaole no longer pretended modesty and immediately nodded in agreement.
Despite Purple Wood Sword Emperor’s lack of strength, he was after all at the level of the Void Origin Realm. Nine Heavens Mountain was indeed in need of such masters, and given his connections and insight, he would definitely benefit the development of Nine Heavens Mountain greatly.
With this, Purple Wood Sword Emperor’s ’anger turned to joy,’ and he laughed heartily.
Chen Lihua was simply observing Shi Xiaole. She had been imprisoned for ten years and was not aware of his deeds, but even just from the previous battle, Shi Xiaole had made an indelible impression on her.
This was a character like a divine dragon, powerful and mysterious.
The days were spent on the road.
After mastering "Lightning Startling Swan," Shi Xiaole smoothly obtained exceptional Heavenly Realm strength, and next, he began to fully study "Body-Breaking Invisible Sword Qi," hoping to reach an even higher level.
Above the boundless white clouds, from time to time, Sword Qi would roar, slicing through the sky, drawing the attention of many a master passing by.
That day.
Suddenly, Shi Xiaole opened his eyes.
Uncle Wang and Yan Zhenning likewise awoke from their meditative states.
"Only those who truly love the sword deserve to possess it, and you are unworthy. To avoid defiling the famous sword, hand it over to me," said a voice filled with an extremely eerie aura, morphing into a figure, appearing ten thousand meters away. The whole sky became gloomy and harsh; white clouds turned to black, surging tumultuously as if entering a devil’s domain.
Shi Xiaole, on high alert, nearly instantaneously concluded that this was a swordsman far more powerful than himself. The opponent’s Sword Qi was hysterical, reckless, evidently already embarking on the Devil Path.
But giving up the Cleansing Evil Sword was obviously out of the question, Shi Xiaole leaped forth: "Why dress up thievery with such righteousness?"
The Soul Mountain Sword Demon’s gaze passed over Shi Xiaole, focusing on Yan Zhenning.
Among those present, only this person gave him a strong sense of threat, likely not weaker than himself in strength. But for the sake of a famous sword, anyone who stood in his way was on a road to death.
"I was drawn here by your Sword Qi; otherwise, I might not have been able to find you. Hand over the famous sword, and I will spare your life."
The Soul Mountain Sword Demon bore down on Shi Xiaole.
"Impossible."
Whoosh.
A dark, oppressive Sword Qi, as if from the realm of devils, heavily slashed at Shi Xiaole, its origin and destination unknown, unavoidable.
With all his might, Shi Xiaole unleashed "Lightning Startling Swan." But no matter how fast the sword, he still could not escape the entanglement of the demonic sword. Shi Xiaole realized, from the very beginning, he had fallen into the opponent’s trap, every move in the palm of his hand.
As the sword circle looped, Shi Xiaole changed from advancing to retreating.
A flicker of surprise crossed the Soul Mountain Sword Demon’s eyes, but his hand movements weren’t slow. With a diagonal lift of his sword, Sword Qi pierced back and forth across the sky, penetrating the firmament for thousands of miles.
This was one of his two ultimate moves, which he once used to kill a top Heavenly Realm Martial Emperor.
"Pff!"
Caught off-guard, Shi Xiaole’s robe was torn, with blood leaking from his mouth and nose, feeling as though his chest and abdomen had been pierced through.
