Chapter 1100: Chapter 1099: All the Heroes Arrive_1
On the day of the duel.
Before dawn broke, a surging tide of people set out from Cliff Peak City toward the Endless Risky Peak. In fact, this was the last group to depart, consisting mostly of top-tier powers, and at the very least, first-rate powers.
Others, including the experts outside the city and those who had come from all directions, had already ascended the Endless Risky Peak to wait. Their strength was not enough, nor was their status; arriving late meant even a good spot was out of reach.
From high above, the Endless Risky Peak, shrouded in clouds, seemed boundless, with countless mountain peaks that were beyond tallying. However, all of these peaks were crowded with people.
At the base of the mountain, around ten thousand meters in elevation, stood a dense throng of Spiritual-Passage Realm warriors, their clamorous voices breaking through even the sea of clouds above. How numerous the Spiritual-Passage Realm warriors of the world are, and to be fortunate enough to stand at the base today meant these individuals were certainly the cream of the crop among them.
Further up the mountain, the number of people began to thin, though only relatively.
At five hundred meters, one could only see the lower-order warriors of the Dragon Gate Realm.
At one thousand meters, stood the mid-order warriors of the Dragon Gate Realm.
At fifteen hundred meters, were the high-order warriors of the Dragon Gate Realm.
...
"All are the outstanding figures in their realms, the elite of the world gathered here."
Gliding through the void, Liu Xuantong looked down at the sea of people below and couldn’t help but sigh.
The mountain paths had long been blocked, so one could only fly through the void. There weren’t few people doing just that. Each person emitted only a trace of their aura, but when combined, it almost turned tens of thousands of miles of the void into a vacuum.
Above the sky, thunder roared, accompanied by red lightning, illusory mist, huge hailstones, and more. This was due to warriors’ auras being overly powerful, causing chaos in the celestial phenomena!
Countless people looked up at the sky; even without the duel between the Martial Emperor and the master of the Ghost Carriage, this sight alone would be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime.
Shi Xiaole and his group continued upward, with Qiu Yuchu, possessing the weakest aura among them, being an Invincible Earth Immortal. Thus, it wasn’t until they reached the six thousand meter peak that Qiu Yuchu stopped and glanced at everyone, apologetically saying, "I can’t go any higher."
Ji Morou and Huan Yundu also stopped, their auras only slightly stronger than Qiu Yuchu’s.
"I heard that at ten thousand meters, it isn’t an independent peak but a vast endless plain. I really want to go up there and take a look," Qiu Yuchu said longingly.
No one wanted to miss the pinnacle battle of the day, and while watching from the six-thousand-meter peak wasn’t too far away, it still felt regrettable.
Huan Yundu shook his head with a wry smile, cursing only their insufficient cultivations; what else could they do?
While Ji Morou and the two others were lost in their thoughts, a surge of Vigorous Air split into three and entered each of their bodies. Instantly, they felt a sense of relief as the oppressive force from their surroundings disappeared.
"Brother Shi, you..."
Huan Yundu looked at Shi Xiaole in astonishment.
"My Vigorous Air can help you withstand the pressure at ten thousand meters high, but only for up to three 2-hour periods. I’ll reinforce it after that time," Shi Xiaole said.
Ordinary people of course couldn’t estimate the time, but Shi Xiaole’s spiritual power was so strong, he easily discerned the differences in air pressure.
The group was shocked upon hearing this, not just because of the time but also that Shi Xiaole’s single surge of Vigorous Air could sustain the three of them for so long. How potent and pure must his Vigorous Air be?
From what they knew, there had been Emperor List experts who had brought disciples and descendants to the ten-thousand-meter plain before, but none were as exaggerated as Shi Xiaole.
"Thank you, Brother Shi."
Huan Yundu quickly clasped his fists. Ji Morou and Qiu Yuchu simply smiled.
With Shi Xiaole leading the way, the group soon arrived above ten thousand meters. Coupled with the starting elevation of the mountain’s base at ten thousand meters, it amounted to twenty thousand meters above sea level. This place was filled with the unique, terrifying pressure of the Endless Risky Peaks, where even the pinnacle Earth Immortals would be flattened.
A huge flat expanse of rock, the edges of which couldn’t be seen, appeared before Shi Xiaole and his friends; supporting it from below were numerous mountain peaks, grandiose and majestic.
That was the Endless Plain.
At this moment, many people were already standing in various places atop it, drawn by an unexpected duel that was capturing their attention.
The combatants were an old man whose white beard fell to his chest, radiating an icy coldness throughout his body, his movements as if capable of freezing an opponent’s soul.
The other was none other than Zhang Xiangfeng, whom Shi Xiaole was all too familiar with. Facing the old man’s relentless offensive, Zhang Xiangfeng fought while retreating. Although at a disadvantage, not a trace of a rout could be seen in his moves.
Fortunately, they were on the Endless Risky Peak, and thanks to the many layers of Array Systems suppressing the battlefield, the aftermath of the fierce fight did not cause widespread devastation.
On the periphery, Zhong Lingsui was nervously clenching her fists, watching the battle without blinking an eye.
"Frosty Snow moves heaven and earth!"
After repeated unsuccessful attacks, the old man evidently ran out of patience. With a forceful palm strike, countless snowflakes began to fall from nowhere, each flake emanating a martial aura that clearly reached an astonishing mid-twelfth level. The void itself was torn apart by the freezing cold.
"This person must be the Frosty Snow Ancestor, Grand Elder of Heavenly Snow Mountain," Shi Xiaole immediately deduced the old man’s identity. With such skill and using the signature martial art of Heavenly Snow Mountain, it could only be the Frosty Snow Ancestor, ranked eighty-fifth on the Emperor List.
Shi Xiaole couldn’t help but worry for Zhang Xiangfeng.
Just then, as the snowflakes were about to engulf him, Zhang Xiangfeng’s Flying Dragon Sword suddenly let out a piercing roar. As he swung his arm, the tip of his sword quickly formed a Golden Pellet split from end to end, revealing an awe-inspiring golden dragon that tore open a path through the snow.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Frosty Snow Ancestor pushed with both hands but couldn’t stop the golden dragon’s attack, and was forced back tens of thousands of meters before stopping. His old face turned from pale to flushed.
Zhang Xiangfeng also retreated, coming to a halt staggeringly.
From the looks of the battle, the two were evenly matched, which greatly shocked many onlookers.
One must know that several years ago during the Battle of Nine Profound Mountain, the Young Dragon’s strength was only at the Earthly Realm level. Now, he managed to stand his ground against the Frosty Snow Ancestor, ranked eighty-fifth on the Emperor List. Such progress wasn’t just fast, it was like flying. Indeed, he was the once-greatest talent.
Only Shi Xiaole showed a knowing expression.
He had always believed that Zhang Xiangfeng’s talent was not much inferior to his own. Previously, the lack of a top-tier martial technique had limited his development, but it had also allowed him to lay a solid foundation. After obtaining the "Golden Pellet Great Method," a breakthrough like his was nothing out of the ordinary.
"What martial skill are you practicing, old man has never heard of it."
Frosty Snow Ancestor’s soul was still unsettled as he looked at Zhang Xiangfeng, but his eyes softened a bit. Others didn’t know, but he was well aware that the match just now was far from a draw; it was clear that Zhang Xiangfeng had deliberately reserved some strength to save his face.
Zhang Xiangfeng said, "Not to hide from Elder, the technique I am practicing is indeed the Golden Pellet Great Method."
"Golden Pellet Great Method? Did you obtain it in a secret realm?"
Not only had Frosty Snow Ancestor never heard of it, neither had anyone else.
Zhang Xiangfeng revealed a warm smile, "This was a gift from my dear friend Kirin."
Hiss!
Around them, a chorus of gasps rang out.
As far as they knew, Young Dragon wasn’t part of the Nine Heavens Mountain. Even if the two of them were great friends, that Kirin was being way too generous—giving away top-tier martial techniques just like that.
Frosty Snow Ancestor was stunned for a moment before snorting coldly, "Well, according to the prior agreement, old man will no longer pursue you. From today onwards, Heavenly Snow Mountain will cease its pursuit to kill you. But remember, Zhong Lingsui was ultimately a member of Heavenly Snow Mountain. If word gets out that you wronged her, even at the ends of the earth, old man will personally see to your punishment!"
Zhang Xiangfeng quickly agreed.
Led by Ding Xuefu, the elite disciples of Heavenly Snow Mountain, as well as the present Elders, all showed congratulatory smiles towards Zhong Lingsui.
Zhong Lingsui pursed her lips, her eyes already blurred, looking at everyone before her gaze settled on a stern-faced middle-aged man—the current Sect Master of Heavenly Snow Mountain. He nodded slightly.
Zhong Lingsui’s tears could no longer be contained.
For her, having her romantic relationship with Zhang Xiangfeng acknowledged by her sect was undoubtedly the happiest event of her life, and she had finally awaited this day.
Zhang Xiangfeng, hand in hand with Zhong Lingsui, bowed in unison to the people of Heavenly Snow Mountain and then walked towards Shi Xiaole, smiling, "Xiaole, I’ve waited a long time for you."
The two of them had not entered Cliff Peak City, but Zhang Xiangfeng knew that Shi Xiaole would surely appear; there was no reason, just because he was Shi Xiaole.
"Brother Zhang, congratulations on your growth in strength," said Shi Xiaole, probably the only one who had discerned the true extent of the recent fight, smiling as he came forward.
The meeting of two exceptional talents attracted countless gazes and attention. The experts of the Flying Horse Dynasty revealed smiles, while the masters from the Western Region watched with anticipation, as if watching a show.
The group naturally had plenty to talk about and soon struck up a conversation.
As time ticked away, more Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors arrived. Some came in the form of sects, while others arrived alone, adding to the event’s rising atmosphere.
"Shi Xiaole, hmm!"
When a group of people arrived, Shi Xiaole immediately sensed many hostile gazes. He turned to look and saw the experts of Sky Water Palace from the Daxia Dynasty, led by none other than the Heavenly Water Great Emperor.
Soon after, the Evil Blade Sect also arrived.
"Is this the one, the Kirin who killed our sect’s number one genius, Ling Shangyun?"
The Sect Master of the Evil Blade Sect, ranked seventy-third on the Emperor List, the Evil Sword Emperor, narrowed his eyes. Beside him, the Different-eyed Sword Emperor nodded, his gaze cold and unforgiving.
In the heart of the Different-eyed Sword Emperor, the battle in Mist Rain Town was one of the biggest stains in his life. Not only was the sect’s top genius killed before his eyes, but Kirin had also managed to slip away successfully.
Until the day Kirin falls, that stain will remain forever, and only grow with time.
Following the Evil Blade Sect, major powers like the Yan Family, Holy Wood Tower, and others from Daxia arrived in succession. Then came the Great Heaven Divine Palace, the Su Family, Haomu Mansion, Crimson Flame Subdivision from the Bei Liang Dynasty, and so on.
When the masters of Pudu Peak from the Flying Horse Dynasty arrived, Huan Yundu said goodbye to everyone and walked towards her sect.
"Look, Gao Kun from the Yiling Barrier is here!"
At that moment, someone shouted out loud.
A pair of figures emerged from a cloud of psychic energy, walking forward without any martial aura about them, yet the danger they posed was no less than that of the Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors.
The young man among them, tall and with square features, had a sharpness in his eyes as if he could pierce the void, the universally recognized number one Psychic Path genius, Gao Kun.
The arrival of Gao Kun immediately caused a stir among the crowd, but even more surprising was that after surveying the surroundings, Gao Kun took the initiative to look towards Shi Xiaole.
"Brother Shi, it’s been many years since we last met. I’ve waited too long for this day," Gao Kun said indifferently.
"Brother Gao, good to see you well," replied Shi Xiaole with a smile.
"Do these two know each other?"
"From their conversation, it seems like they had some interactions before?"
The crowd was astonished, finding it hard to believe.
The elder by Gao Kun’s side stared at Shi Xiaole for a while, then transmitted a message to Gao Kun, "Kun, he’s indeed your only worthy rival."
"Ancestor, rest assured, I’ve been defeated once but will not be defeated a second time," Gao Kun said.
After Gao Kun mastered the highest level of the Qiankun Eye, he successfully broke through the Yiling Barrier and met with the Yiling Clan’s second-generation clan leader, who had been in seclusion for many years. Under the latter’s guidance, Gao Kun had advanced even further. His current cultivation in the Psychic Path was unparalleled and far beyond what the Martial World could imagine.
