Chapter 1130: Chapter 1129: A Sigh of Relief_1
"This was close!"
If Yuan Sword Emperor had been alive, he would have been very unwilling, for Shi Xiaole had spent seven days and nights refining his spiritual power, which amounted to just a little, and it was all depleted to kill him, requiring a period of time to recover.
Note, the depletion mentioned here is different from damage. Depletion can be recovered through rest and recuperation, while damage cannot.
"I finally understand, it’s not so much that the rules of heaven and earth suppressed my spiritual power, but rather, my spiritual power did not meet the standards of the rules of heaven and earth."
Danger and opportunity often have a reciprocal relationship. For example, this time, if Shi Xiaole had not held on, he would have been replaced, but he not only endured, but also used the opportunity to learn the method of refining spiritual power.
One can imagine, once he works hard according to this method and completes the refinement of spiritual power, who would compete with him in the entire world when the Sky Origin Realm masters do not take action?
Shi Xiaole did not know that this was an essential phase to become a Sky Origin Realm master, which he could never have reached without guidance from a Sky Origin Realm master, no matter how talented he was.
Yet the Yuan Sword Emperor, who was intent on replacing him, became the guide who led the way.
What’s predestined by heaven can’t be wrong, not even by a little.
"My spirit suffered severe damage; I don’t know if it can be repaired."
Without the time to think too much, Shi Xiaole immediately controlled his spiritual power to mend the scars in the sea of consciousness; if he couldn’t recover, things would become very troublesome.
This process took him half a month.
Surprisingly, Shi Xiaole’s spiritual power was restored to its original state.
"My spiritual power has essentially reached the Sky Origin Realm; it’s just not refined, so its power is not as good as Yuan Sword Emperor’s. But does its recovery ability remain unaffected?"
Shi Xiaole thought of a possibility, and it seemed to be the only explanation.
It is said that masters of the Sky Origin Realm have transcended the shackles of the world; ’Sky’ means ’nothingness.’ Such masters, as long as their life imprint hasn’t been erased, no matter whether it’s physical injury or spiritual injury, can recover as before. As for lifespan, there are no records, because the ancient texts were destroyed long ago.
From this perspective, as long as Shi Xiaole’s spirit isn’t entirely depleted, he can restore it.
Of course, Shi Xiaole isn’t certain yet, but no matter what, a major worry has finally been resolved.
This expedition to the tomb, it was dangerous, but he gained four Tortoise Shell pieces, an overview of the Supreme Sword Way, and the most precious method of refining spiritual power, making it a trip with rich rewards.
"Next time I go on an adventure, I’ll have to be more cautious; not every time can I be this lucky."
With a smile, Shi Xiaole’s spiritual projection dissipated into the sea of consciousness.
Inside the thatched cottage.
Shi Xiaole slowly opened his eyes.
With a swoosh, swoosh.
The Galan Sword Emperor and the Dustless Sword Emperor appeared at the bedside, with the Dustless Sword Emperor nervously asking, "Young Brother Shi, do you... do you remember me?"
While speaking, he watched Shi Xiaole’s expressions and reactions attentively.
"Dustless Senior, how could I forget?"
Shi Xiaole sat up from the bed and said with a smile, "This time, I have troubled both seniors. If you had left me behind, perhaps Shi Xiaole might have already been in a dog’s stomach. I am ashamed."
The Galan Sword Emperor and Dustless Sword Emperor looked at each other, more shocked than if they had seen Shi Xiaole silly and foolish.
The Dustless Sword Emperor tentatively said, "You’re really alright? Quickly check if your mental acuity or spiritual power has been affected."
Shi Xiaole merely smiled in response.
"Goodness, kid, your luck is just too good!"
After a while, the Dustless Sword Emperor thumped Shi Xiaole on the chest, sighing in relief and at the same time, feeling somewhat incredulous. He couldn’t fathom how Shi Xiaole managed to recover.
Could it really be the favor of the heavens?
Galan Sword Emperor took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it to Shi Xiaole, "Inside are five Sacred Blood Pills, three Nine Rebirth Pills, and one Heartless Forgetfulness Powder."
If Shi Xiaole remembered correctly, there were in total only seven Sacred Blood Pills, five Nine Rebirth Pills, and one Heartless Forgetfulness Powder in the underground palace.
Previously, they had also made him take one Nine Rebirth Pill. In other words, the Galan Sword Emperor and Dustless Sword Emperor each only received one Sacred Blood Pill, and it was uncertain who had the remaining Nine Rebirth Pill.
"Seniors, I cannot accept this; you are at too much of a disadvantage. I understand your intentions, but without you, I too would have died in the tomb," said Shi Xiaole, taking out two Sacred Blood Pills and two Nine Rebirth Pills, offering them to the two. They initially refused to accept, but after Shi Xiaole’s persistent insistence and even ’threats,’ they reluctantly took them.
Simultaneously, both seniors’ views on Shi Xiaole changed. If they previously considered him a friend worth making, their feelings now had grown a touch warmer.
Both seniors were pleased, and Shi Xiaole was at ease. He truly wanted to be friends with them, so naturally, he wouldn’t be stingy.
The Dustless Sword Emperor had somehow brought back plenty of wine. The three men drank together in the mountains, discussing curiosities of the Martial World, sharing insights on cultivation, and even dancing with swords for entertainment when their spirits were high. It was indescribably joyous.
Shi Xiaole benefited a great deal.
Although he had been advancing rapidly in his cultivation, he had lacked time for contemplation and reflection. After absorbing a wealth of experience from the two high-level masters, this disadvantage was significantly remedied.
Little did they know, when the two masters heard Shi Xiaole’s understanding of swordsmanship, they too were enlightened and made great progress, growing even more appreciative of Shi Xiaole.
Apart from the daily drinking, Shi Xiaole also started refining his spiritual power, but with previous experience, he knew it was not something that could be accomplished overnight.
Compared to his vast spiritual power, even if he refined it all day long, the quantity produced would be like a drop in the ocean and could not be achieved in one fell swoop.
Moreover, Shi Xiaole discovered that after refining a certain amount, he had to slow down, or else the sea of consciousness would feel swollen. Shi Xiaole treated it as an ongoing project, and at the current stage, he was focusing more on understanding other things.
Such as the Tortoise Shell of the Sword Way.
Sure, here is the translation of the provided text:
As expected, when he embedded the four fragments into the Tortoise Shell, a Humanoid Light Shadow appeared in the eighth square of the Tortoise Shell grid.
Compared to the seventh square, the sword technique of this Humanoid Light Shadow was still an ordinary thrust, but this thrust was closer to the dao, its momentum was like a rainbow, as if it could penetrate heaven and earth, with all paths yielding before it.
Shi Xiaole was deeply immersed in it, oblivious to days and nights, losing himself completely. His Heart Sword’s power was also increasing at an astonishing rate.
Three hundred and ninety strands.
Four hundred strands.
Four hundred and ten strands.
...
When Heart Sword reached its great achievement, advancement became very difficult, no matter how peerless your talent was, it had to be ground out bit by bit over time. It wasn’t just a matter of the limit of heart power, but also a matter of martial accumulation.
However, Shi Xiaole was an exception; his heart power seemed to have no limits, and he was still far from reaching his limit. The sword technique of the Tortoise Shell’s shadow allowed Shi Xiaole to constantly experience the dao, with no worries about the problem of accumulation.
Four hundred and twenty strands.
Four hundred and thirty strands.
Four hundred and thirty-five strands.
When the power of the Heart Sword reached an astonishing four hundred and sixty strands, progress finally came to a halt.
At this moment, Shi Xiaole’s sword momentum had become more restrained yet sharper; even the slight diffusion of it was like countless condensed swords filling the void, enough to scare any common warrior of the Void Origin Realm witless.
"According to the Galan Sword Emperor, when his Heart Sword was complete, he produced five hundred strands of Heart Sword power, but I should far exceed that."
The different limits of heart power resulted in different levels of the Heart Martial Realm for each person. Even if both were complete, Shi Xiaole believed that his Heart Sword power would definitely surpass the majority of swordsmen in the Martial World.
The increase in Heart Sword power significantly boosted Shi Xiaole’s strength, inevitably giving him an urge to take action.
At the top of the mountain.
"Friend Shi, are you sure you want me to use all my strength?"
The Galan Sword Emperor furrowed his brow in concern. He recognized Shi Xiaole’s rapid progress. He estimated that Shi Xiaole’s strength reached the top thirty of the Emperor List when he left the tomb.
But to say that he needed to go all out was probably an overstatement.
"Senior, please don’t be courteous."
Shi Xiaole slowly drew out his Cleansing Evil Sword.
"If that is so, then be careful."
Hearing this, the Galan Sword Emperor said no more. He, too, wanted to see where Shi Xiaole’s confidence stemmed from.
As the Galan Sword left its sheath, the Galan Sword Emperor’s momentum had already peaked. In the sky, a deep blue Sword Qi flashed by in an instant, and the continuous sounds of air exploding were immediately crushed by the sword’s intent.
Heaven and earth fell silent because of that stroke!
This was the Galan Sword Emperor’s only attack move, and the one he took the most pride in. The Dustless Sword Emperor, observing the battle from tens of thousands of miles away, felt a chill all over his body and watched nervously as Shi Xiaole, who was still drawing his sword.
"Indeed strong."
Shi Xiaole was slow, but only in appearance. Under the influence of his sword momentum, the deep blue Sword Qi also slowed, allowing both the Galan Sword Emperor and the Dustless Sword Emperor to clearly see his movements.
Drawing the sword, unsheathing it, thrusting, and re-sheathing—a very ordinary stroke, which was his move "Returning Sword."
Boom!
But this time, the Sword Qi was exceptionally strong and sharp. On contact with the deep blue Sword Qi, it was like two burning sticks colliding and canceling each other out. Particle-like Sword Qi splashed everywhere, drilling countless holes into the nearby mountains and earth.
A figure retreated hundreds of meters, the green robe fluttering, his expression as usual—it was Shi Xiaole.
"What?"
The Dustless Sword Emperor’s mouth hung open as if struck by lightning.
He was sure the Galan Sword Emperor didn’t hold back, and under such conditions, his killing move was actually caught by Shi Xiaole without a scratch.
Although Shi Xiaole was pushed back hundreds of meters, for a top-tier Heaven Realm Martial Emperor, that distance wasn’t considered a gap at all, not even worthy of mention.
In other words, Shi Xiaole’s current strength was probably around the twelfth or thirteenth on the Emperor List. Considering his combat skills akin to gods and demons, the Dustless Sword Emperor couldn’t help feeling that the Galan Sword Emperor might not be a match for Shi Xiaole.
That was just... absurd!
The Galan Sword Emperor also stared blankly at Shi Xiaole.
No amount of rumors could replace witnessing firsthand. He had clearly seen the entire process of Shi Xiaole’s progress, and his shock was beyond words.
"Friend Shi, did you use all your strength just now?"
The Galan Sword Emperor suddenly asked.
"The junior did his best."
Shi Xiaole replied.
Not considering the strength from the Spiritual Path and the Demon Martial Way, he had indeed given it his all.
Of course, the "Sword of the Undead Spirit" stimulated by the Demon Martial Way, while not as powerful as the "Returning Sword," had a stronger lasting effect, making it more effective in actual combat.
The Galan Sword Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, actually afraid that Shi Xiaole would respond with the opposite answer. But why should he feel relieved that he was caught up to by someone fifty years old?
