Chapter 1355: Shi Wuyou · Forge Ahead (Part Two, Updated for Anonymous Readers)
Upon hearing of Shi Wuyou’s return, everyone in the higher ranks of Nine Heavens Mountain rushed to the Sword Dissolving Pool.
"Wuyou!"
In a trembling voice filled with sobs, Xi Xianglei dashed forward, and upon seeing her son unharmed and even more mature than before, she embraced him tightly.
In Shi Wuyou’s memory, although his mother loved him extremely, she was restrained by nature and had never lost her composure in front of anyone. But he could feel his mother’s body shaking at this moment.
There was also another mother, the Witch Queen, as well as Xia Yunxi, Su Yanru, and others, who looked at him with tender pity.
The heavy love from everyone made Shi Wuyou silently clench his fists, swearing to use his own strength to protect it forever!
Not playing with other children of his age, Shi Wuyou, after a brief rest, began rigorous solitary training despite the discouragement from his mother and other elders.
He got up at dawn and trained until 7 p.m., then he would enter the study to read until midnight before finally going to sleep. This continued for years on end, even on festive days, without a break.
Many people advised him to relax and not push himself so hard, but Shi Wuyou just smiled, thanked them for their concern, and continued as before.
In his heart, there was immense pressure. This pressure was like an invisible whip that lashed at him, driving him forward whenever he showed even the slightest slack.
Only when he was too exhausted to move, would he come alone to the downstream area of Jade Water Lake, a place untouched by others, where lying on the grass, basking in the sunshine, he felt a bit of unprecedented peace and relief and wanted to fall into a deep sleep.
But in less than a year, this secret place was discovered.
"Shi Wuyou, you don’t hang out with us and prefer to enjoy solitude here instead?"
A foxtail brushed against Shi Wuyou’s nose, and when he opened his eyes, a pretty face that could show joy and displeasure appeared not far away. It was a beautiful little girl around six or seven years old.
Shi Wuyou recognized her. she was the only daughter of Uncle Zhang Xiangfeng, Zhang Mengyun.
On his first day back at Nine Heavens Mountain, this little girl had taken the initiative to approach him and invited him to play. After several invitations and rejections, they became "enemies."
This girl liked to pick on him whenever she could.
"I’m just resting for a bit."
Shi Wuyou closed his eyes again.
Angry at being ignored, Zhang Mengyun’s eyes flickered as she suddenly ran to the lakeside and scooped up a basin of water, splashing it towards Shi Wuyou.
The water droplets sprinkled on him, thrilling Zhang Mengyun to clap excitedly. As she was about to continue, she suddenly slipped and fell back into the lake.
"Ah..."
With her playful nature and having not formally learned martial arts, Zhang Mengyun turned pale with fright, screaming instinctively.
At the critical moment, a hand suddenly caught her arm and gently pulled her away from the shore.
"Mengyun, be more careful next time."
Leaving behind those words, Shi Wuyou shook his head in resignation and walked away. The little girl’s disturbance had ruined his rest, so he might as well go back to training.
Zhang Mengyun stood still, watching the tall and straight figure of the boy walking away.
The sunlight was perfect that day, and the splashed droplets fell on the grass blades, shimmering beautifully, just like those dreamy youthful days. Years later, Zhang Mengyun would still occasionally remember the scene of that day.
Perhaps from the moment the boy saved her without holding a grudge, with gentle care, a vague shadow took hold in her heart, which, through repeated encounters, became clearer and harder to drive away.
Persistent effort, along with unmatched talent, allowed Shi Wuyou to break through to the Earth Immortal of the Divine Barrier Realm at the age of fifteen, smashing the record set by Shi Xiaole.
Upon hearing the news, all the elders and uncles of Nine Heavens Mountain rushed over, lavishing him with endless praise. Even the Demon Immortal Aunt, who usually kept to herself and rarely met outsiders, made an unprecedented appearance at Jade Water Lake to watch the upcoming battle.
"Young Master, be careful!"
The Sixth Elder of the outer sect from Divine Sword Villa took a deep breath and thrust a sword at Shi Wuyou; the light from the sword blazed like a sun-piercing rainbow, while carrying the momentum to shatter all in its path.
He gave it his all with that thrust because the Young Master had not allowed him to hold back, and he didn’t have the right to do so.
The sharp aura emanating from the Young Master was cutting his body ruthlessly, like a vast net. If he didn’t take action now, he wouldn’t have the chance to do so!
Clang.
Drawing the sword, striking with the sword, sheathing the sword.
He couldn’t discern the Young Master’s movements, nor did he feel anything until, as he brushed past the Young Master, he discovered his long sword had been knocked away, not knowing when it had happened.
Shi Wuyou in front hadn’t even moved an inch.
"The Young Master’s talent is unparalleled; among his peers, his strength might even surpass that of the former Villa Leader!"
The Sixth Elder exclaimed internally, unable to believe it.
No less incredulous were all the spectators around, who knew of Shi Wuyou’s astonishing talent but hadn’t expected it to be to such an extent. Having just attained the first tier of Divine Barrier Realm, he had defeated the third tier Sixth Elder with a single sword stroke.
To understand, in Divine Sword Villa, there were no mediocre practitioners—everyone was the best of their tier. The strength of this Sixth Elder was certainly not inferior to a fourth or fifth tier expert in the Martial World.
Zhang Mengyun stood in the crowd, her eyes sparkling with admiration, looking at the increasingly tall and ethereal, incomparably handsome Wuyou brother. Such an achievement was partly due to his talent, but she, more than anyone, knew the efforts that Wuyou brother had made.
How many people knew that this young girl had been secretly watching from the side, observing Wuyou brother practicing martial arts for many years.
"Wuyou brother, take me with you. I also want to explore the Martial World."
At the edge of the Sword Dissolving Pool, Zhang Mengyun stretched out her hands, stopping Shi Wuyou.
Shi Wuyou said with a smile, "Sure, as long as Uncle Zhang and Aunt Ling Hui agree, I’ll take you with me."
Zhang Mengyun felt a pang of frustration, knowing it would be so. How could her parents agree when her martial arts were still unformed?
"One day, I’ll catch up, Wuyou brother, wait for me in the Martial World!"
Zhang Mengyun shouted after him. Shi Wuyou did not turn back but simply waved his hand and strode away.
With his intelligence, how could he fail to understand Zhang Mengyun’s feelings, but he couldn’t afford to entertain them. With the Outer Heaven Demons still at large and his father’s responsibilities not yet shouldered, he would not entangle himself in romantic affairs.
Surviving battles in chasms and drifting in the Martial World, Shi Wuyou had been through numerous life-and-death crises, but he never spoke of them to anyone.
It was not something to be proud of nor was there a need to boast. Everyone had their own goals and dreams, and any difficulties encountered along the way were just tests.
In one battle for a reclusive paradise, Shi Wuyou was nearly killed by his enemies. Fortunately, with heaven’s blessing, he used a golden hoe to enter a secret chamber, where he acquired a mystical treasure that enhanced his power.
Aunt Su Yanru said that the golden hoe was found by his father years ago at Silver Bull Horn in Great Cold State, and now it had helped him. Was it his father’s blessings from beyond?
It must be.
It was also in this secret place that Shi Wuyou killed a man who was relentlessly pursuing him. Only later did he learn from the belongings the man left behind that this person was known as Black Devil, a tyrant in eight states many years ago.
When his father was still in his early days, it seemed he had nullified one of Black Devil’s spiritual seeds, causing the latter’s spirit to be damaged, hence the enmity.
Of course, what his father left to him was not only enemies but also friends.
When he was once in dire danger, a person dressed in purple saved him with unparalleled cultivation, calling himself Zi Yuansheng, the very owner of the Purple Extreme Dagger his father used to have.
For a long time after that, Shi Wuyou traveled with this Forbidden Martial Emperor.
From him, he learned of the grand conspiracy by the Three Talents Association to capture geniuses all over and brutally train them into loyal death soldiers. Remembering his own childhood experiences, he vowed to eradicate it completely.
Based on the investigation results of Zi Yuansheng over the years, coupled with the support of Nine Heavens Mountain, the Three Talents Association was soon annihilated, and its leader, ’The Fisherman,’ also died at the hands of Shi Wuyou.
At this time, Shi Wuyou was not yet fifty years old, but there were no more than ten people in the world who could match him, even without counting the Supreme Lord.
"Young Hero Shi’s prowess is as formidable as your esteemed father’s," even Zi Yuansheng commented.
His own spiritual seed had witnessed Shi Xiaole’s rise, and his main body shared those feelings.
In Zi Yuansheng’s heart, no one in the world could surpass Shi Xiaole. It could be imagined how excellent Shi Wuyou was to receive such an evaluation from him.
Not content with the status quo, Shi Wuyou bid farewell to Zi Yuansheng and continued on his path of cultivation.
After that, he went to the furthest reaches of the East Sea, where he personally planted the second Enlightenment Tree, ventured to the edge of the Western Region, and there met a man of extraordinary presence.
He said his name was Ao Yuanfeng and that he used to live in Maple Forest Cottage. Many years ago, he was chased by enemies to the ruins of Yanbei Country. After a brush with death, he managed to escape and had even written a letter to Qin Building in the West Sea, asking for help under his master’s name.
"Martial Uncle!"
Remembering the past, Shi Wuyou immediately guessed Ao Yuanfeng’s identity. He wanted to bring Ao Yuanfeng back to Nine Heavens Mountain, but the latter refused.
"With my strength today, I’m not worthy to face my master and junior brother. Wuyou, when I truly feel qualified, I will come to meet them," Ao Yuanfeng said with a light smile.
Knowing his mind was made up, Shi Wuyou did not insist. After accompanying him for three more days, he respectfully took his leave.
After that, he traveled to The Ends of the Earth; at the farthest, he had reached the shores of the South Sea, where he saved Wind Valley from peril and stayed for a few days.
The help of Wind Valley could not be ignored for his father to win the heroes’ competition in Qingxue State years ago.
Along the way, Shi Wuyou encountered countless wonders, met many remarkable people, and resolved the grudges his father had left behind. Finally, he settled in East Victory City, fighting battle after battle, utterly oblivious to personal safety and peril.
But unexpectedly, the leader of the Blade Slaves Sect, one of the three Supreme Lords of East Victory, turned out to be a traitor. He colluded with the Outer Heaven Demons, both from within and without, and the situation in East Victory came to its most dangerous crux.
Just when everyone, including him, thought the end was near—
His father returned!
Like a deity descending, he appeared once again before the people of East Victory, once more turning the tide and thoroughly rescuing East Victory from its plight.
No one could describe the surge of excitement and joy in his heart when he saw that familiar yet unfamiliar figure in green appear in the sky.
Like a far-fetched hope that only existed in dreams, suddenly arriving just as you were about to fall off a cliff. It turns out that happiness can dizzy you, leave you breathless.
All burdens and shackles vanished in an instant.
Shi Wuyou knew that at this moment, he was truly liberated. He no longer had to bear immense pressure and responsibility, no longer had to struggle forward. He just needed to be himself.
He decided to venture into the Martial World again, but this time, he set out lightly, filled with joy and anticipation.
By the Sword Dissolving Pool.
"Wuyou brother, take me with you, I too want to venture into the martial world."
In her white dress, stunningly beautiful, Zhang Mengyun stood in his way, her eyes sparkling, shining into the depths of the man’s heart.
It was like a scene from years ago replaying. The same place, the same people, the same words. What was different were their hearts at this moment.
"Alright,"
Shi Wuyou said with a smile.
