Chapter 1184: Chapter 1182: 101 People_1
Nineteen Peaks, among which eighteen peaks corresponded to the eighteen kinds of traditional weaponry. The last peak, seen from afar, resembled a fist; viewed from the side, it looked like a palm, corresponding to the fists and feet of the human body.
At the moment when the Wall of Fate completely separated, the masters who had been waiting on the periphery leaped out one after another, their movements swift as flashes of lightning crisscrossing the sky.
Some landed on Heavenly Sword Peak, others on Sky Saber Peak, and many on Divine Martial Peak and Divine Spear Peak, and so on. Yet in places like Sky Axe Peak and Divine Halberd Peak, the numbers dropped geometrically.
Compared with swords, knives, and fists, clearly, there were far fewer people skilled with niche and hidden weapons.
Bathing in the aura of their corresponding Supreme Ways, everyone felt a comforting sense akin to soaking in a hot spring; even the once stagnant realms of their martial arts showed signs of subtle improvement.
Moreover, as they climbed higher, the aura of these Supreme Ways strengthened, leading to profound enlightenments. It was imaginable that even a mediocrity staying on the Nineteen Peaks would advance by leaps and bounds, until there was no further advancement possible.
Halfway up Heavenly Sword Peak.
There was a flat cliff, with a circular grey stone pillar only a foot wide extending from the cliff into the clouds, connecting a vast floating stone platform.
It could be seen that, aside from Heavenly Sword Peak, there were eighteen other identical grey stone pillars, each extending from one of the eighteen peaks to this floating stone platform.
In other words, the Nineteen Peaks, though seemingly arranged side by side, actually formed a circular ring.
"Hm?"
Many swordsmen arrived at the cliff, and suddenly, their gazes uniformly followed the direction of the stone pillars, only to spot a black dot. Looking closely, it was not a mere dot, but clearly the silhouette of a person seated on the floating stone platform.
The figure’s aura was contained, but above its head hung a hundred-zhang-long crystal sword. Just by looking at it, the swordsmen felt a profound oppression from the level of the sword way, their souls trembling in response.
"Thousand Swords Emperor!"
Someone exclaimed with a face that turned wildly.
Thousand Swords Emperor, his name alone was formidable, but the reality was even more so. This individual was a prodigy of his era, one of the six Fake Sky Origin Realm masters, reputed as the foremost swordsman of his time, much like the current Liu Ruofei.
In those days, many looked forward to an unparalleled battle between these two great masters. Unfortunately, even after the master of Hundred Battles Tower received the greatest opportunity from the Land of Fate, this battle never came to pass.
Now, five thousand years later, exceeding the natural lifespan limit of three thousand five hundred years, the Thousand Swords Emperor was still alive, emerging in this era, and intent on competing for the opportunity he had missed.
Who could be his rival?
Perhaps, only the other eight people also seated on the floating stone platform.
No!
There were two more people!
All those who had climbed halfway up the Nineteen Peaks couldn’t help but contract their pupils, for apart from the nine great masters, there were unexpectedly two other individuals that had appeared.
One was solitary and lonely, colder than the vast snow abyss, prouder than the winter plums of Sky Mountain. Merely a figure seen from the back, yet akin to an insurmountable peak. It was clear that he did not look down on anyone; there were just too few in the world who could catch his eye.
The other was carefree and unrestrained, as if a celestial being, with ink-like black hair dancing lightly in the mountain wind. Even while sitting, he exuded a breathtaking and peculiar charm. In the eyes of some women, the Nineteen Peaks piercing the clouds simply became the backdrop for the man.
Xuanyuan Di, Qi Muchu.
Had these two also forcibly breached the Wall of Fate, climbing onto the Platform of Fate early?
"Being older does have its advantages."
Ding Yufang crossed her arms and scoffed with an air of mixed surprise and envy.
The implication was clear; Xuanyuan Di and Qi Muchu were not stronger than her, they merely relied on their one-hundred-plus years of age.
At this remark, no one nearby dared to agree.
It was known that the South Sea’s Top Ten Talents were not truly equal in talent; actually, they varied, with Qi Muchu, Xuanyuan Di, and Liu Ruofei being unanimously acknowledged as having the highest potential, among whom Qi Muchu was subtly superior.
However, Xuanyuan Di’s temperament was terrifying, and he was more focused than anyone else. Martial arts were practically his everything, and so his achievements in martial arts were actually the highest among them.
Indeed, at the same age, probably only Liu Ruofei had just managed to keep pace with Xuanyuan Di and Qi Muchu. The rest were somewhat lacking in comparison.
Of course, no one could say for sure about the future. Each had their own fate, and with the capabilities of the others, if they were to gain a significant opportunity, it was possible they could become comparable in the future.
So, Ding Yufang’s words were not completely wrong.
"Boasting with words is one thing; if you have the ability, defeat those two on the Platform of Fate," Fan Shengnan, also one of the Top Ten Talents and a saber wielder, was the first to retort against Ding Yufang.
"Tomboy, if we were of the same age, I would prove to you that I am second to none," Ding Yufang responded with a cold laugh.
To defeat Xuanyuan Di and Qi Muchu right now was, of course, impossible.
At just over a hundred years of age, although he had used up much of his potential, making rapid progress difficult like it was before he turned a hundred, given another hundred years, Ding Yufang was certain that he could become one of the top twenty masters in the South Sea.
By the time everyone reached five hundred years of age, when everyone’s progress had significantly slowed down, Ding Yufang was confident he wouldn’t necessarily lose in a confrontation with those two prodigies.
As for now, under such circumstances, it was impossible for anyone in the world to defeat Xuanyuan Di and Qi Muchu.
No one could do it.
"Hmph!"
Fan Shengnan snorted softly.
In fact, her initial intent was to suppress Ding Yufang. The battle among the Top Ten Talents was inevitable, and losing to those two would not affect anyone.
But among the remaining eight, no one wanted to lose, for this was the greatest degree of fairness, where true strength and weakness could be determined. Whoever lost would have their aura of invincibility taken away by another.
As more and more people ascended the Nineteen Peaks, some had already stepped onto the circular grey stone pillars leading to the Fate Platform.
"Ah..."
"This isn’t good..."
However, more people fell, like dumplings plunging into the mist. After a while, these individuals returned to their respective peaks and tried again. After several attempts, they could only give up in resignation.
This, too, was a test.
Gathering the light symbols and climbing the peak was only the first step, not everyone was qualified to participate in the final battle. Before that, they had to cross the Bridge of Fate.
"Even Moye Great Emperor has failed? That’s not right, I remember he participated in the final battle last time."
"The person who fell, isn’t that the Fiery Emperor? He won against several opponents last time."
A chorus of shocked exclamations rose.
If ordinary people failed to cross the Bridge of Fate, no one would care. But Moye Great Emperor was one of the two Forbidden Martial Emperors of the Carefree Sect, and the Fiery Emperor came from the Traceless Sect, also a renowned Forbidden Martial Emperor.
Before the old monsters reappeared, both ranked in the top hundred of the South Sea, and even now, they must be at least within the top two hundred. Could they really have failed?
"The pressure of the Bridge of Fate changes at any moment. It seems there are too many masters this time," someone mused thoughtfully.
Before long, someone from the Divine Spear Peak finally made it to the floating stone disk. Recognized by others, this person was a Forbidden Martial Emperor from over a thousand years ago, whose prowess was now inscrutable to all.
Subsequently, various individuals gradually passed the test, all dominant figures of their time, who once roamed the Martial World and swept through all lands unopposed.
Yet, the most astonishing were the South Sea’s ten proud youths. Except for Xuanyuan Di and Qi Muchu, the remaining eight had all passed! This meant their strength ranked above many Forbidden Martial Emperors, within the top hundred of the South Sea.
Half a 2-hour period later.
There were a total of one hundred people standing on the Fate Platform. Each of their auras was stronger than the last; the clashing of swords and knives, the roaring of dragons and tigers, the confluence of wind and clouds tore at the surrounding mist, morphing into various shapes, sending shivers down the spine of those on the Nineteen Peaks.
Shi Xiaole, the Flying Snow Sword Emperor, and the Inheriting Heaven Sword Emperor arrived together at the edge of the Heavenly Sword Peak’s cliff.
"The battle for dominance among the Nineteen Peaks will take place on the central Fate Platform. However, it won’t be a series of one-on-one battles between experts from each peak, but a mix of everyone clashing against each other."
Having entered the domain of Fate more than once, the Inheriting Heaven Sword Emperor heard of the rules from others and continued to explain, "After everyone has fought each other in pairs, the one with the highest strength will be the master of this event of Fate. The strongest among the swordsmen will be known as the Sword Lord, and so on..."
Looking at the situation on site, the Inheriting Heaven Sword Emperor frowned with a wry smile.
With his strength, he might have to just watch from the sidelines. Luckily, the Heavenly Sword Peak was filled with the aura of the Supreme Sword Way; he could observe the battle and comprehend that aura, surely progressing further and making the journey worthwhile.
The Flying Snow Sword Emperor was the first to step onto the Bridge of Fate, but unfortunately, he failed at the three-quarter mark.
"Be careful, and don’t overexert yourself," he said upon returning to the cliff, casting a deep look at Shi Xiaole and giving a word of caution.
"Don’t worry, senior," Shi Xiaole replied, with a rare smile as he stepped forward.
Since most people were ready by this point, Shi Xiaole immediately drew the attention of many onlookers when he set foot on the Bridge of Fate.
"Can this youngster, with talents comparable to the ten prides, pass the test?"
"It’s doubtful, I heard his martial arts are only half Supreme Martial Arts; he can’t possibly be stronger than a Forbidden Martial Emperor, right?"
"That’s true," agreed some familiar faces among the onlookers, discussing among themselves. Generally, most people weren’t optimistic about Shi Xiaole’s chances.
Only the Inheriting Heaven Sword Emperor and the master of the Illusion Orchid Tower showed a peculiar look that was different from others.
"Such strong pressure, an ordinary top Heaven Realm Martial Emperor would be crushed to dust the moment they step on it," Shi Xiaole silently assessed the force exerted by the Bridge of Fate. Despite the increasing pressure, his steps were steady as if he were leisurely strolling in his own courtyard. The pressure became immense in the last quarter of the bridge, powerful enough to easily crush the weakest of Forbidden Martial Emperors.
Nevertheless, Shi Xiaole kept walking firmly, without a single miss in his rhythm. As he reached the Fate Platform, a commotion erupted from the Nineteen Peaks.
"How is this possible?"
Ling Jianming, the Falling Sky Sword Emperor, and others were so shocked they looked downright twisted; they simply couldn’t believe their eyes.
Purple Jade Great Emperor clenched her fists, while the Sentimental Demon Concubine’s eyes shimmered.
Iron Mad Sky, the Water and Fire Emperor, the Seven-injuries Wanderer, and even the Three Gentlemen of the Yellow Springs felt their hearts pounding. Shi Xiaole a year ago definitely wasn’t this strong. What kind of cultivation did this guy undergo?
Swish swish swish.
On the Fate Platform, many eyes settled on Shi Xiaole.
One must understand, those who could enter the domain of Fate were top-level experts in the eyes of ordinary people. And of those who managed to collect the necessary light symbols and climb the Nineteen Peaks, each was an outstanding expert among elite experts.
After one more round of selection from among these people, it can be said that, apart from the six legendary figures absent, the one hundred people present were the strongest lineup of martial artists currently in the South Sea, the paramount experts of the world!
Perhaps there were a few tasked with guarding their sects and had not entered the domain of Fate, but their strength could not possibly surpass that of these one hundred.
Being unabashedly scrutinized by these people, most would have been frightened out of their wits, but Shi Xiaole remained nonchalant.
