Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Constantly Sublimating, Encounter with Wind Valley
Early morning, the thin fog was just rising, the rising sun cast its glow from the east.
"Grandmaster, take care along the journey."
At the gates of the Positive Pole Sect, Yang Jiuding looked reluctant to part, behind him were all the disciples of the Positive Pole Sect.
"Everyone, we shall meet again."
Fist in hand, Shi Xiaole gave a smile, turned around and departed, his figure quickly disappearing at the street corner.
"I wonder if we’ll ever see the Grandmaster again."
A disciple sighed.
"We surely will. The Grand Competition will start next year, and both the Senior Brother and the Second Senior Brother will participate. Given the Grandmaster’s exceptional talents, how could he be absent?"
"Ah, indeed, I nearly forgot about that."
The atmosphere of parting was instantly broken, and the disciples start to chatter and discuss, their words filled with anticipation.
"The Grand Competition, huh?"
Yang Yi’s eyes were filled with fervor.
Although he admitted that he was inferior to Shi Xiaole, it did not mean that he would be content with his current situation. There was still more than half a year until the competition. A determined effort might just reduce the gap between Shi Xiaole and himself.
"From today, full close-door cultivation. When we meet next year, I hope you all can surprise the Grandmaster."
Hearing the disciples’ talks, Yang Jiuding was also excited and spoke out loud.
"Yes!"
Everyone shouted in unison.
...
Having walked out of the city, Shi Xiaole started to whistle. Soon, amidst the sound of gallant horse hooves, a horse as fine as carved jade rushed up and quickly arrived in front of Shi Xiaole.
Riding on Qingfeng, Shi Xiaole sped away.
"Truly an exceptional steed."
In the mist, three beautiful figures emerged. The woman who spoke was wearing a gold silk dress with a jade hairpin in her hair and her beauty was truly breathtaking.
"Big Sister, with your strength, capturing this kid wouldn’t be difficult. Why didn’t you act?"
Yuhua Lady cast her gaze back, still somewhat discontent and asked.
The more she looked at Qingfeng, the more she liked it. Missing such a fine horse, it would be difficult to see such again.
"It’s a fine horse, but you have to consider whether you are destined to have it. Coveting things that don’t belong to you would only harm others and yourself in the end."
Madam Gold Flower gently shook her head, her tone serious.
No one knew that she was an expert in observing people. Just now she carefully observed Shi Xiaole’s face, but she couldn’t see any clues, which could only be explained by two reasons.
Either the other’s destiny was lowly, hence it did not show any characteristics, or the other’s destiny was beyond her understanding, making it difficult for her to see through.
A person who single-handedly annihilated the Gown Gang, could he be of low destiny? Madam Gold Flower would never believe it.
Hence she did not make a move.
Fate has always been elusive, yet terrifying upon careful thought.
Any choice made now can cause profound influence in the future. Madam Gold Flower’s intuition told her not to offend that young man.
"Big Sister always has a plan, we should listen to her. Little Sister, is it true you have accepted Pan Yue, the so-called ’Jade Gentleman’? Do you plan to accept him as long as he can make it to the top twenty in the Grand Competition?"
Noticing a bit of awkwardness, the Yinhua Lady consciously changed the subject.
Sure enough, on hearing this, Yuhua Lady’s magnificent face flushed, snorting, "Accepting his offer is one thing, whether he can achieve it is another matter."
It had been analyzed that in all previous Grand Competitions, anyone who managed to squeeze into the top 20 tends to become a formidable powerhouse in the martial world of Qingxue State in the future.
If Pan Yue could cross this threshold, Yuhua lady wouldn’t mind spending more time with him.
Of course, it would be difficult.
Especially for the next year’s session. The competition will be keener with the participation of more geniuses and elites than it had been in the past century. Currently, the entire martial world of Qingxue State is looking forward to it, and many sects are already cheering for their disciples, waiting for the grand competition in six months.
Undoubtedly, those who can be on the list next year would be worth as much as the top twenty in the past. Those who break into the top twenty would be worth as much as the top ten, or even the top five of the past.
"The hero mountain is located in the area of Qingxue. Walking slowly from Yunfeng Domain would require over half a year. If we set off now, we can just visit famous historical places along the way."
Madam Gold Flower also started to laugh.
The Grand Competition where talents vie for supremacy has always been the grand event of the entire martial world. Each time, all the major sectors of martial arts would be bustling with activities. Just like them, there were countless people who set off half a year in advance.
Of course, there are probably a million people rushing to the location. If nine hundred thousand could actually get there, it would be very impressive. The contest and the killing along the way would consume a lot of people. There were also some fellows who were entirely there for a free ride on the crowded train.
"I wonder, what rank will you be at?"
Before leaving, Madam Gold Flower couldn’t help but turn her head and glance at the official road.
...
With the same idea as the Three Flower Ladies, Shi Xiaole also planned to start his journey towards Qingxue, only he didn’t plan to visit the famous places, but to travel through the treacherous mountains and rivers instead.
Anyway, with Qingfeng present, going through perilous mountains and rivers felt as easy as walking on a flat road. It could also help to avoid trouble, allowing him to focus on cultivation, indeed killing several birds with one stone.
"My current strength is not really outstanding, there’s half a year left, I must make good use of it."
Although he had repeatedly triumphed over his opponents, Shi Xiaole was not at all complacent.
This was because he had heard numerous rumors that the high-ranking talents in the previous Little Hero list were being toppled one by one by the next generation of talents, not due to their own lack of power, but because the challengers were stronger and younger.
Many elders and even sect masters of the large sects in the martial world of Qingxue State are now feeling a sense of urgency and have commanded many of their talented disciples to return to the sect and cultivate in isolation.
This situation has resulted in fewer and fewer talents moving around the martial world of Qingxue State. Everyone is furiously practicing, studying martial arts to participate in the grand martial arts competition half a year from now, hoping to make a name for themselves.
Through being reborn for the second time, Shi Xiaole, while appearing calm on the outside, harbored an ambitious heart that was second to none. He wanted to see for himself how big the gap was between him and the top talents of Qingxue State.
Eating in the wind, sleeping under the stars.
Starting this day, Shi Xiaole rode Qingfeng into the deep mountains and dense forests. When hungry, he managed by picking fruits or hunting game. During his journey, he deliberately avoided encountering other lone wanderers, traveling deeper into the mountains, and resting on the ground at night.
All his remaining time was devoted to cultivation.
Inner skill, sword skills, saber skills, and even palm and claw skills... He practiced all the martial arts skills he knew in an iterative manner, never tiresome or weary.
Although this method of cultivation was comprehensive, it was inevitably mediocre and prevented one from focusing on a particular skill. Shi Xiaole, nonetheless, had his own thoughts.
The path of martial arts is interconnected.
He believed that solely focusing on cultivating sword or saber skills was not conducive to learning from all sources, expanding his horizons and thoughts. It was better to first establish a solid foundation and build up his own abilities, focusing later on refining a specific skill.
Days went by one after the other.
Shi Xiaole matured physically into an adult, growing a scruffy beard. His cultivation progress was slow, but his realm of martial arts was constantly improving through repetitive reflection and innovation.
Bang, bang, bang.
In the night sky, firecrackers burst, and fireworks bloomed across the vast expanse.
Another New Year’s Eve had arrived.
In the cities outside the mountains, there was heavy traffic, lanterns hanging high, laughter and cheers everywhere. The disciples of the various large families and sects could also relax for a day, reuniting and chatting with their mentors and peers.
In the Golden Phoenix Tower, clad in a red dress, Su Yanru, looking even more charming, looked at the fireworks outside the window, and a deep longing flashed in her beautiful eyes.
"Lady, dinner is ready, and everyone is here."
Meng Qi stood outside the Ru Garden, speaking respectfully.
"How are you doing?"
Letting out a sigh, Su Yanru withdrew her gaze. As she descended the stairs, a charming smile spread across her face, and she entered the hall of the Golden Phoenix Tower with Meng Qi to have dinner with all the high-ranking members.
Inside the mountain range, it was dark and desolate.
Sitting under the tree, Shi Xiaole withdrew his gaze from the sky, and his mount, Qingfeng, neighed non-stop beside him.
"I’m going to continue cultivating."
Petting Qingfeng’s head, Shi Xiaole smiled and closed his eyes. Soon he entered a state of clear and tranquil meditation.
If any high monk from the Buddha’s door was here, they would be extremely astounded. Because this was clearly the state of selflessness that countless martial artists dream of.
In this state, the mind and inspiration will be quicker and more abundant than usual, and it will be easier to comprehend the knack and killing moves that cannot be understood under normal conditions.
However, to reach this state, one must focus all their thoughts, fully concentrate their minds, and not be affected by any worldly distractions.
That’s why only those in the Buddha’s sect, who possess wisdom roots and great wisdom, can enter this state after days of sitting meditation and self-cultivation.
But those high monks have seen life, experienced sophistication, and have a clear and transparent heart. But for someone like Shi Xiaole to touch this state at the age of seventeen, it is indeed rare in the martial world.
Half a month after New Year’s Eve, Shi Xiaole changed his usual routine. He no longer practiced flying skills, palm skills, or claw skills, instead, he focused on saber skills and sword skills.
After a few days, he even gave up on saber skills, focusing solely on practicing sword skills every day.
Clip-clip-clip.
Qingfeng carried Shi Xiaole, deliberately choosing remote and dangerous terrain to run in, as if to demonstrate its abilities. After an unknown amount of time, they accidentally arrived at the outskirts of a small secluded valley.
Streams of green wind blew out from inside the valley.
"What is this..."
Shi Xiaole, in the middle of practicing his sword skills, was amazed.
Primarily because when the green wind blew past earlier, his mind appeared to be electrified, triggering many strange and innovative thoughts within him.
"The wind from the Inspiration Bridge?"
Shi Xiaole was stunned.
The wind from the valley bore a strong resemblance to the inspirational wind of the Will Sect that occurred once a year. However, in comparison, the wind blowing from here was undoubtedly much stronger, blowing out in large quantities.
Could this place be the origin of the inspirational wind?
His heart pounding, Shi Xiaole, on Qingfeng, rushed forward. As they entered the valley, they were greeted not by a green wind, but by a deeper, more intense green wind.
When the deep green wind brushed past his body, Shi Xiaole only felt his vision turn white, as if his billions of brain cells were about to explode on the spot. Frightened, he quickly commanded Qingfeng to retreat from the valley until he felt better.
Fast thinking was good, but the deep green wind made his thoughts too fast for his brain to process. If he stayed for too long, there was a risk of him becoming an idiot.
"Gift from the Gods. I will cultivate and meditate outside the Wind Valley. With Qingfeng’s speed, as long as I leave ten days in advance, I should be able to reach the Qingxue Domain in time."
Laughing, Shi Xiaole dismounted and, based on the changes the green wind brought, sat outside the valley at a distance of fifteen meters. This time, without making a conscious effort to eliminate all distractions, he directly entered the state of selflessness.
Because his mind was moving too fast, faster than distractions could arise.
