Chapter 1157: Chapter 1155: Is There Anyone to Help? (Extra for poonlo, 4/10)_1
In the deep recesses of the mountain cave.
Cold, white Sword Qi filled the air, riddling the cave walls with countless perforations. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the sword marks varied in length and depth, but from a distance, they eerily formed the shape of two eyes.
Indeed.
This scene was the result of Shi Xiaole’s unfocused gaze. Had an ordinary Heaven Realm Martial Emperor been present, they may have vomited blood from the mere sight of those eye-like sword marks and sustained severe injuries.
"I’ve finally broken through to the realm of Sword Qi."
’Congenital rupture Invisible Sword Qi’ was divided into five major realms. Shi Xiaole had been stuck in the realm of ’Invisible Sword Qi.’ After observing two leaves of the Supreme Sword Way, coupled with his own accumulation of power, he finally broke through to the realm of ’Sword Qi.’
At this level, Shi Xiaole could turn a glance into a sharp sword, a raised eyebrow into a sharp sword—any movement he made was a sword. A casual strike from him now rivaled the might of a top-grade Spiritual Weapon.
If he struck with full force, Shi Xiaole estimated that his lethality had increased by about twenty percent.
For someone of his caliber, a twenty percent increase was no small leap. Many of the top three hundred martial artists in the South Sea would strive their entire lives and still not reach such heights.
"I wonder what rank my strength would be at now."
Shi Xiaole chuckled to himself.
As the saying goes, effort yields results. His seemingly effortless progression was actually bought with his life on the line. Success doesn’t come easy to anyone, especially not to martial practitioners.
Just as he was preparing to continue adapting to his new strength, Shi Xiaole’s brow suddenly furrowed. He sensed three powerful auras rapidly approaching his location.
One of them felt familiar, as if he had encountered it somewhere before.
"It’s her."
Shi Xiaole remembered.
"Scream all you want, no one can save you. Come to me."
In the mountain range.
Thwarted in his initial attempt, the sinister old man was both angry and anxious as he stretched out his palms, emerging as two massive black curtains that enveloped Illusion Orchid Tower’s master from all sides. Within this area, even breathing was a luxury.
With a melancholic smile inside, the Illusion Orchid Tower master could do nothing but watch the giant palms descend. Unwilling to be captured, she was about to trigger the last of her power to end her own life by rupturing her heart vessels.
With a swish!
The two vast black curtains were suddenly torn apart.
"The two of you, get lost."
A voice emerged from the distance, unemotional and exceedingly cold.
The pockmarked old man trembled at first, then squinted his eyes and said with a nasty smile, "I had no intention of disturbing your cultivation, my apologies. However, this woman is someone our hall master must capture. I ask for your understanding, and we’ll leave shortly."
He made the connection between the attacker and the Sword Qi he had felt before, harboring some wariness in his heart. Of course, wariness aside, he wasn’t so frightened as to not offer an explanation.
Both he and his junior brother had enough strength to run away if they encountered someone stronger. This had happened before.
"Did you not understand what I said?"
The person spoke again.
The sinister old man sneered coldly, "Why must you make things difficult for us? It’s not convenient for us to reveal our identities, but you definitely don’t want to offend us. Wouldn’t it be better if..."
Swish! Swish!
Before the sinister old man could finish speaking, two streaks of Sword Qi shot forth from the distance and arrived in a blink of an eye.
"Enclosing the Earth as a Prison!"
"Chaotic Dance of Demons!"
The pockmarked old man and the sinister old man’s faces turned to fury, incredulous at the other’s arrogance. Fortunately, they were always prepared, each unleashing their strongest moves to resist.
Spurt!
The two Sword Qi strikes broke through the old men’s attacks and dissipated into nothing. Struck by the force, the elders staggered backwards. The sinister old man threatened with a deep voice, "I’ve memorized your aura. You’ll regret interfering with our mission!"
Although it was only a brief clash, the two were certain they were no match for their attacker. Even working together was barely enough, so without hesitation, they turned to flee.
In the cave.
The earlier bout was just Shi Xiaole testing his skills. Hearing the sinister old man’s words, he drew his sword in a flash, not even bothering to look as he slashed forward, then sheathed his sword once more.
The sword light, laden with endless sharpness, stretched across the sky like boundless silk ribbons, carrying a supreme killing intent as it pursued the fleeing pair, instantly catching up.
"Block it!"
The pockmarked old man felt a chill down his spine and acted on instinct to activate his move. The sinister old man had already sprung into action one step ahead. Their combined moves—one solidifying the void, the other striking forward—attempted to disperse the Sword Qi.
However.
The two men thought their well-honed cooperation was solid, having proven effective countless times before. But against this sword strike, it was as fragile as tofu dregs, unable to withstand even a single hit. As soon as the collision happened, flaws appeared, cutting them cleanly in two. The unyielding Sword Qi took advantage, lightly grazing their bodies.
"No, such a vicious sword..."
"The hall master... will avenge us... you... will surely join us in death."
The pockmarked old man and the sinister old man continued running until they were tens of thousands of meters away. As their strength depleted, their upper and lower bodies suddenly split apart. There was no blood at the incision, and the next moment, their bodies violently shattered.
It was the intruding Sword Qi that had ground them into ash, carried away by the wind.
Whoosh!
The Illusion Orchid Tower master watched the scene in horror.
Previously, she suspected that the owner of the Sword Qi was a high-ranking expert within the top three hundred of the South Sea, but now it seemed quite possible that he was not just among the top three hundred but even within the top two hundred.
She simply didn’t know how this person would deal with her. Given the terrifying prowess of the other party, if there were any malicious intent, she feared she would stand no chance.
As her thoughts rapidly turned, a gentle breath of air lifted the Illusion Orchid Tower Master off the ground, followed by a voice, "Illusion Orchid Tower Master, long time no see."
A figure flashed before her eyes, and a tall, jade-like youth appeared in front of the Illusion Orchid Tower Master, clad in a dust-free blue robe, looking extraordinarily graceful and carefree as he smiled at her.
"You, you are..."
"Young Master Shi!"
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master remained frozen for a long time, then, losing her composure slightly, she let out a low cry, covering her mouth with her left hand, her anciently charming eyes widening in a shock that wasn’t much less than seeing a ghost during the day.
It truly wasn’t her fault for being so startled, considering the person who had appeared was so unexpectedly out of her predictions. In fact, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master had never thought it would be him.
Shi Xiaole!
The one who, at their first meeting, had been merely an Eighth Tier Earth Immortal, a rising star slightly better than her own disciples. When she herself successively broke through to become one of the top Heaven Realm Martial Emperors, she discovered that he had far outstripped her.
The two vile elders who were an utter frustration for her didn’t stand a chance against his single sword strike.
What an insane turn of events!
An indescribable shock of amazement showed on the Illusion Orchid Tower Master’s dignified and aloof face, followed shortly by a flush of embarrassment. What had she just called him? An elder? Oh heavens, this was as embarrassing as it could be.
Shi Xiaole smiled and said, "You are seriously injured, please heal yourself first." With that, he directed his Qi from a distance, leading the Illusion Orchid Tower Master back to the deep cave previously.
Upon seeing the sword marks all around her, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master became even more horrified but did not speak. She found a place to sit cross-legged and began to close her eyes to heal her injuries. However, after a while, she grew anxious.
Her injuries were too severe, and at the speed she was healing, it would take at least a month to recover thirty percent of her strength, not to mention a full recovery, which was unthinkable without half a year.
But rescuing people was an urgent matter, leaving no time for delay.
Silently, Shi Xiaole sent his spiritual force into her body, contemplative but without a flicker of emotion showing.
"Young Master Shi, do you still remember those girls from Illusion Orchid Tower?"
As if having made a decision, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master spoke in a low voice through gritted teeth.
"Of course, the charms of your disciples are one in a million, hard to forget. It’s a pity that since the separation at Wuyuan Palace, I don’t know when we will meet again."
Shi Xiaole couldn’t help but think of Bai Ruiting, one of the seven Saintesses from the Longevity Sect in Daxia. Where was she now, and was she doing well?
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master said, "Young Master Shi, I know their whereabouts. They have all been captured, and I originally intended to save them but was hunted down by the two old monstrosities..."
With her proud character, she normally would not readily ask for help, especially from a junior, but the Illusion Orchid Tower Master had no other choice.
However, seeing Shi Xiaole appearing indifferent, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master instantly regretted her request, her lovely face turning red and white alternately, feeling both embarrassed and ashamed.
After all, his relationship with her disciples was but a momentary connection. What right did she have to ask for his help?
"Who has captured them, and where are they?"
Shi Xiaole asked.
"The place isn’t easy to explain. I must lead the way. Forget it, Young Master Shi; don’t bring disaster upon yourself."
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master shook her head.
Shi Xiaole chuckled inwardly. He hadn’t expected such a solitary and proud woman to try to provoke him, saying, "I must save them. Miss Bai is my good friend, and I’ve also had life-and-death experiences with the other Senior Sisters. Don’t think I’m heartless; in fact, I’m very anxious."
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master looked at Shi Xiaole for a moment, some things difficult to say. The Heavenly Palace was hidden and could only be accessed if she led the way, but in her current state, she would only be a burden.
Shi Xiaole suddenly handed the Illusion Orchid Tower Master half a pill, which he had split from a Nine Rebirth Pill, "If you want to save them, don’t refuse. You can return the favor later."
Hearing his forceful yet indifferent tone, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master felt an odd sensation in her heart, but it also kindled her pride. Did he think she’d be afraid to take it? She took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.
As soon as the medicine entered her mouth, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master’s injuries began to visibly recover at an incredible speed, and she realized how generous Shi Xiaole was. This was clearly a life-saving holy medicine!
Pushing aside her distracting thoughts, the Illusion Orchid Tower Master vigorously stimulated her Vigorous Air. In just half a 2-hour period, her injuries had recovered by sixty percent.
"Thank you, Young Master Shi."
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master stood up from the ground, looking intently at Shi Xiaole. She was not the type to speak her gratitude lightly; those continuous acts of kindness from him she kept in her heart.
"There’s no time to lose, take me there."
"Young Master Shi, that place is too dangerous. I mean, do you know other experts? Only by gathering more strength can we have a chance of saving them."
Actually, Shi Xiaole had misunderstood the Illusion Orchid Tower Master. She had never used reverse psychology on him. From the beginning, she had been hoping to ask for more help.
It was a desperate situation; the Heavenly Palace’s lord was only half a step away from being a Forbidden Martial Emperor. Shi Xiaole alone was no match for him, and she herself wouldn’t last a single move. Going there was tantamount to suicide.
"Let’s talk while we’re on our way."
Shi Xiaole said.
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master nodded, and as she flew out of the cave, she briefly described the situation surrounding the Heavenly Palace.
"You mean, the lord isn’t yet a Forbidden Martial Emperor, and outside the palace, there are three layers of the Sky Origin formations?"
Shi Xiaole asked.
"Yes, we have no way to force our way in. Moreover, if we attract the Heavenly Palace’s master, we won’t stand a chance. Do you have friends or mentors who could help?"
The Illusion Orchid Tower Master said with hope in her eyes.
"For now, I cannot find any. Let’s go on our own."
Shi Xiaole replied with a single sentence.
