Chapter 1216: Chapter 1214: Peach Blossom Village, Support
East Victory Continent.
Bei Liang Dynasty.
White Mist Town.
With a population of only several hundred thousand, White Mist Town was a small town on the East Victory Continent. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, a common person would need half a month to reach the nearest city by foot, resulting in the town’s extremely slow trade development.
The people of White Mist Town primarily lived off the land, cultivating and farming for themselves.
To the southeast of White Mist Town lay a dense primeval forest which was said to stretch into the next province; its area was vast and, as such, townspeople dared not enter.
On this day.
Three figures descended into the forest.
Meng Xiaoliu struck a series of hand seals into the void, and silently, a narrow gate of light appeared, through which the three stepped. Throughout this process, they passed through no fewer than dozens of security checkpoints.
The Array System at each checkpoint reached the level of the Sky Origin Realm.
Even with Shi Xiaole’s current level of spiritual power, it would be difficult to find a flaw in a short amount of time. One could imagine that if enemies were to invade, even if the Meng and Shi Clans were no match, they would be able to leave at ease.
Crossing the final threshold, Shi Xiaole was met with a view of a serene and peaceful haven, completely isolated from the world.
A dense yet orderly array of houses filled his view. Between the houses was an uncountable number of pink peach trees, framing the crisscrossed earthen paths where adults and children occasionally passed by, exuding a sense of extraordinary tranquility.
At the entrance of the village stood a large tree, under which a lonely, bald old man sat. To Shi Xiaole, all of this seemed like a scene from a mirror—unreal.
"Xiaole, you still need to drop your blood into the ancestral altar at the entrance of the village. You can only enter Peach Blossom Village once the altar acknowledges you,"
While speaking, Meng Xiaoliu formed a seal, and an ancient, square altar manifested in the void.
A drop of blood floated out and fell into the altar.
Boom!
The altar erupted with a light that reached the heavens, illuminating the entire Peach Blossom Village. For a moment, all the villagers, men, women, the elderly, and children included—even the bald old man at the entrance—looked up in its direction.
"Hahaha, come on, let them have a look!"
Shi Xiaoba took hold of Shi Xiaole, walking proudly with his chest puffed out, through the Array System. Meng Xiaoliu shook his head, following closely behind, his handsome face unable to hide a smile.
"You little rascals, who have you brought back this time?"
As soon as he stepped into Peach Blossom Village, the bald old man appeared before Shi Xiaole’s eyes, his swift movements so extraordinary that even Shi Xiaole could not detect how it was done.
The instant the bald old man’s gaze landed on Shi Xiaole, it could no longer move away. His lonely, profound eyes suddenly burst forth with a dazzling splendor so intense that Meng Xiaoliu and Shi Xiaoba, familiar with him though they were, could not bear to look directly at him.
"What a handsome young man!"
"Women always focus on looks. Haven’t you felt the energy and blood in this kid? Hahaha, blessed by heaven, our Meng and Shi Clans have gained yet another brilliant talent!"
"Such rich bloodlines, comparable to the last one brought here for induction."
A group of villagers, old and young, crowded around, scrutinizing Shi Xiaole from a distance before revealing exceedingly kind smiles.
An old woman even took Shi Xiaole’s hand, tears in her eyes, repeatedly voicing her approval.
What shocked Shi Xiaole was that everyone here possessed an extremely high level of martial prowess; in the outside world, they would definitely be top-notch fighters. Even a group of children on the outskirts all had attained the Xuanguan Realm.
Shi Xiaole subconsciously tried to break free from the old woman’s grasp but couldn’t overcome her enthusiasm. He saw in the villagers’ eyes a kinship and warmth much deeper than that of ordinary families, and his heart softened.
Back in the day, the Meng and Shi Clans yearned for peace. Though tasked with attacking the world of East Victory, they were reluctant to become executioners and instead aided the masters of East Victory in stopping other extraterrestrial beings.
However, what they received in return was betrayal and abandonment. Seen as enemies by the extraterrestrials, the people of East Victory guarded against them, even resorting to humiliation and extermination when the two clans fell into misfortune.
In such a cold and isolated world without support, all malice and cruelty bound the Meng and Shi Clans closer together, making each member dearer than family.
Shi Xiaole had once found it difficult to judge this situation, as from the perspective of the extraterrestrial beings, the Meng and Shi Clans were indeed traitors and deserved to be severely punished.
But on the way back, Shi Xiaole learned from Meng Xiaoliu that the so-called extraterrestrial place was different from the world of East Victory; it was made up of many different races with varying beliefs, sent by stronger beings to conquer the world of East Victory.
So, from this angle, the Meng and Shi Clans did not betray their world or race—only a leader they did not acknowledge.
Shi Xiaole seemed to understand those feelings, and smiled at everyone. His smile instantly made many hearts surge with warmth.
"Alright, Xiaole is the one who was induced last time. Uncle Meng, weren’t you regretful for missing out on a once-in-a-generation talent? Xiaoliu and I have brought him back to you!"
Shi Xiaoba pat his chest, then suddenly inquired curiously, "By the way, where are Clan Leader Uncle and the others? Xiaole has returned, why haven’t they come out to meet him?"
The old woman who had grabbed Shi Xiaole’s hand replied, "Our Meng and Shi Clans have dispatched five hundred people to the East Sea."
Meng Xiaoliu froze: "To the East Sea? What for?"
A muscular, bearded man standing over eight feet tall said, "Affectionate Island in the East Sea was discovered by the Murong Clan and couldn’t withstand their assault. Therefore, a few days ago, they sent a distress signal through the Ancestral Altar to us."
This man was Uncle Meng, Meng Hao, whom Shi Xiaoba had mentioned. Noticing Shi Xiaole looking at him, a rare smile appeared on his stern face.
Affectionate Island?
Shi Xiaole was taken aback.
If he remembered correctly, based on what Uncle Wang had found from the Nine Ancestors’ clay statues, there were three extraterrestrial dwellings within the peaceful faction: Peach Blossom Village, Yang Town, and Affectionate Island.
These were also the three most powerful amongst the nine peaceful extraterrestrial factions. But judging by the current state of the Meng and Shi Clans, the strength of Affectionate Island had greatly diminished, at least not matching the current power of the Meng and Shi Clans.
"Again, the Murong Clan. The ancient blood feud remains unavenged, and yet they have the audacity to initiate conflict, they must be killed!"
Shi Xiaoba’s smiling face immediately took on a ferocious look, his eyes turning red.
Shi Xiaole also felt a surge of anger in his heart. He had seen the images of the battle from years past at the Ancestral Altar in the Zrin Kingdom.
Indeed, it was the Murong Clan from beyond the heavens, along with the Ge Clan and the Dongguo Clan, who had joined forces to deplete the top powers of the Meng and Shi clans, forming a blood feud that spelled life and death during that battle.
Later, during the process of guidance, it was the strong among them who interfered, leading to the National Master being dragged into the depths of the void to save himself, his life and death unknown.
"Uncle Meng, how goes the battle? Let me join too. I have cultivated for so many years just for this day!"
Shi Xiaoba was brimming with a fighting spirit, a rolling killing intent emanating from his entire body.
"It’s not your turn yet. The clan leader and Brother Shi Tang will head the team, and I believe they will return triumphant in no time."
An elder of the Shi clan said with a chuckle, "You’d better take your little brother and settle down first, and by the way, take him around to familiarize him with the place, lest he become estranged. Otherwise, when your father returns, he’ll surely scold you for neglecting your brother!"
Shi Xiaoba looked at Shi Xiaole and finally returned to his normal state, scratching his head and saying, "It might be better to let the sisters accompany him. I, a grown man, can’t attend to everything properly."
"What does Brother Xiao Ba mean, looking down on us women?"
A spirited young girl coldly retorted, immediately eliciting a barrage of verbal attacks from the other women on Shi Xiaoba, scaring him into fleeing. Before he escaped, he didn’t forget to warn Shi Xiaole to be wary of these tigresses, naturally provoking another round of ’pursuit’.
The quiet Peach Blossom Village was filled with laughter and cheerful voices on the day of Shi Xiaole’s arrival.
Shi Xiaole was arranged to stay with the Shi clan’s chieftain, Shi Fu. Previously, Shi Fu’s parents, wife, and daughter lived here. The addition of one more person made the family all the more enthusiastic.
Shi Xiaole went with the flow.
Although he was not fond of socializing, it didn’t mean he lacked social skills. On the contrary, his outstanding temperament allowed him to win others’ favor with just a bit of warmth shown.
Peach Blossom Village was vast, and its inhabitants cultivated more diligently than anyone Shi Xiaole had ever seen, occasionally receiving pointers from elders whose potential had been exhausted.
In their expressions, Shi Xiaole saw a will for revenge that was ingrained in their blood, unchangeable.
The entire village, except for the bald elder at the entrance, sat alone every day, doing nothing without anyone reprimanding him. Since the day he met Shi Xiaole, the bald elder seemed to have forgotten him, just staring in a certain direction, lost in thought.
Aside from wandering around Peach Blossom Village, Shi Xiaole still spent his time cultivating. A month later, the refinement of his spirit reached forty-one percent.
Moreover, after assimilating much heritage, there were signs of improvement in the power of the Heart Sword, which he believed would not take long to enhance.
Shi Xiaole was waiting.
He suspected that his possession of the Shi clan’s bloodline was all due to the mischief of the Demon Bone within him. This matter could only be clarified once the main forces of the Meng and Shi clans returned.
However, man’s plans are no match for Heaven’s.
It was on the first half-month of Shi Xiaole’s arrival at Peach Blossom Village.
A blood light shone from the Ancestral Altar.
"What, the situation is critical? Our Meng and Shi clans, along with the warriors of Yang Town and Affectionate Island, have fallen into a trap and are surrounded by the Murong Clan, Ge Clan, and Dongguo Clan in a combined assault?"
As the person in charge of Peach Blossom Village at the time, Meng Hao’s face was particularly grim.
After many years of sharpening and growth, the Meng and Shi clans were confident in their swift recovery of strength, but in this joint venture with allies, they were still encircled by the other three clans, at a disadvantage.
Could it be that the development of those three clans was stronger than theirs?
Impossible!
"Uncle Meng, our clan is in trouble. Quickly use the Ancestral Altar Array System to send me and the others to provide support!"
Upon hearing the news, Shi Xiaoba was the first to shout out.
"Uncle, send us over!"
"When our clansmen are in trouble, we cannot sit idly by. I want to kill those people from those three clans with my own hands!"
A number of passionate young men volunteered.
Due to the rapid restoration of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in recent years, the Ancestral Altar Array System between Peach Blossom Village and Affectionate Island had also become more intricate, allowing passage through the Void Channel without the need for a powerful guide, and it was hard to detect.
Of course, this process was very dangerous, and the slightest carelessness could result in being swept away by chaotic currents, ending up with no place for one’s body to rest in death.
These people standing before him were the elites of the Meng and Shi clans, and Meng Hao dared not let them risk danger. He immediately refused and prepared to head to the battlefield himself with a few other high-level guardians.
"Uncle Meng, I am stronger than you. Why can’t I go? Have the clan members not nurtured me just for moments like this?"
Shi Xiaoba demanded loudly.
As the twenty-sixth ranked entity from the East Victory Fate battle, Shi Xiaoba was also considered an unprecedented expert.
People pleaded to join the fight.
"Take me with you as well."
Shi Xiaole also stood up. Regardless of whether he belonged to the Meng and Shi clans, he was undeniably closely related. In such a time, there was no room for retreat.
Meng Hao was originally unwilling, but suddenly a voice rang in his ear. He looked in the direction of the village entrance, struggled for a long time, and finally clenched his teeth, "Fine, but every one of you must take care of your safety. Only by staying alive, can you kill more enemies!"
Amidst a burst of laughter, the Ancestral Altar Array System was activated, and Meng Hao, with the elite of the two clans, along with Shi Xiaole, Shi Xiaoba, Meng Xiaoliu, and other young generations, stepped into the void.
Shortly after, they emerged from the Ancestral Altar on Affectionate Island.
