Chapter 304: Chapter 303: Pity Flower Treasure Identification (Wang Daxia asks for subscriptions, asks for monthly tickets)
After leaving Red Jade Temple, Shi Xiaole had no other place to go, so he decided to head for the Silver Bull Horn.
He also wondered how far he could get based on his own strength. On the other hand, there had always been a legend in the Great Cold State that whoever could climb to the fifth layer of the Silver Bull Horn would receive a special reward.
Although the legend was hardly credible, it always gave one a kind of motivation to verify its truth.
But Shi Xiaole was not in a rush.
He wanted to wait until the completion of the Death Claiming Thirteen Swords before going there, so he would be more confident. Meanwhile, the comings and goings of people in White Mountain City meant he could keep up with the news of the Martial World whenever he wanted.
After finishing his meal brought by the waiter and taking a rest, Shi Xiaole continued to ponder the Death Claiming Thirteen Swords.
Days turned to nights.
A month and a half later.
Ninety percent of the Death Claiming Thirteen Swords seemed to have made some progress, yet seemed to have made no progress.
Simply practicing relentlessly was not the solution, so in his spare time, Shi Xiaole would open the Outer Heaven Secret Record and study the sword techniques inside. He would even use the Retaining Life Sword Technique of the Sword Marquis as a reference.
The Retaining Life Sword Technique, which leaves room for survival, is diametrically opposite to the Death Claiming Thirteen Swords. However, the so-called "the positive pole gives birth to the negative pole", enlightenment gained from merciful sword techniques can give Shi Xiaole a deeper understanding of murderous sword techniques.
Another two months passed.
The Death Claiming Thirteen Swords were finally perfectly integrated. Shi Xiaole tried to wield a sword, and the terrifying Sword Qi practically claimed lives with every move, so much so that even he himself was taken aback.
Naturally, half a month later, the fourteenth sword also reached a surprising 90% mastery.
If the preceding thirteen swords all claimed lives with each move, then the fourteenth sword was like piercing deep into your soul. The mere sword intent was enough to make a person feel endless darkness and despair.
As for the fifteenth sword, it wasn’t so easy to understand and so far has only reached the thirty percent mastery. Shi Xiaole found that he couldn’t fully execute it given his current mental state.
"Yan Shisan didn’t perfect this sword back then, so the heritage I received is incomplete. Forcing myself to cultivate it will only lead me to demonhood. Do I need to supplement it myself?"
Shi Xiaole thought of a possibility.
The fifteenth sword is like a fork in the road. One way leads to the demon, resulting in killing and bloodshed. The other way is unknown, and Yan Shisan didn’t have time to try it.
What should he choose then?
"To perfect the fifteenth sword, my current foundation is far from enough, so why bother thinking so much about it? I’ll take things as they come."
Soon, Shi Xiaole relaxed again, blaming himself for worrying too much.
Ding!
"It’s mid-month. Would the host like to perform martial arts drawing?"
The sound of the system sounded in his mind.
Shi Xiaole slapped his forehead. These days, due to the cultivation of Death Claiming Thirteen Swords, he had accumulated four months of free drawing opportunities. Since he was going to the Silver Bull Horn anyway, he might as well use them all in one go.
"Draw."
The square halo kept moving up and down on the five-tiered stele.
The first time, Shi Xiaole drew the third-rate Mount Tai Sword Technique.
The second time, he drew nothing.
The third time, he drew nothing again.
The fourth time, the square halo stopped on a stele on the second tier. When Shi Xiaole saw the characters on the stele, his eyes shone brightly.
"Congratulations to the host for drawing the second-rate top-tier martial arts, Pity Flower Treasure Identification by Wang Lianhua."
Pity Flower Treasure Identification!
A smile appeared on Shi Xiaole’s face.
In terms of power, the mind methods and techniques recorded in Pity Flower Treasure Identification certainly couldn’t compare to Death Claiming Fifteen Swords, and weren’t even particularly outstanding among the second-rate top-tier martial arts.
However, getting this secret book was more practical than many top-tier second-rate martial arts.
Because it is the accumulation of all the knowledge Wang Lianhua gathered throughout her life, aside from martial arts, it also includes poison techniques, medical skills, the Persian-transmitted Captivating Heart Skill, and even the lost art of disguise in the martial world and so on.
Wang Lianhua was exceptionally bright and her studies were wide and profound, hence she was regarded as the premier authority in the martial world.
Especially her skills in poison, medical arts, and the art of disguise, by the middle of her life, they had almost reached the pinnacle, with no one in the martial world surpassing her.
So don’t be mistaken, thinking that Pity Flower Treasure Identification is spread too thin. That’s an illusion.
Back then, Wang Lianhua even considered destroying her own work, to prevent it from falling into the hands of those with nefarious intentions and causing harm to the martial world.
But in the end, she couldn’t bear to see her hard work wasted, so before she and the famed hero Shen Rang went off to sea in search of immortality, she decided to entrust it to Li Xunhuan, hoping he could find a successor for her.
However, fate plays with people, and Li Xunhuan was away at the frontiers at the time. Therefore, by mistake, Wang Lianhua handed it to Lin Shiying.
Then, Li Xunhuan returned from the frontiers with the ungrateful Long Xiaoyun in tow, giving him houses, land, and even his cousin, leaving him lonely. Lin Shiying kept her secret forever!
It wasn’t until later when Li Xunhuan encountered the Heavenly Machine Stick that he got to know the whole story.
Putting away his emotions, Shi Xiaole began to study the Captivating Heart Skill and the Art of Disguise first. The former could fully utilize his mental advantage, and if combined with the Soul Transfer Great Method, it would be another weapon at his disposal.
The latter was more applicable than mere martial skills. In his future adventures in the martial world, he might be able to avoid many killings using it.
Another month passed.
On this day, the seclusive Shi Xiaole finally descended the stairs, drawing the eyes of the innkeeper and waiter.
Unable to find a seat by the window, Shi Xiaole casually chose an empty seat, ordered a table full of fine wine and dishes, preparing to unwind.
"Any recent news about the Silver Bull Horn?"
The majority of those present were wanderers of the Martial World, including many young individuals like Shi Xiaole. Some inquired for news, preparing for their challenge on the Silver Bull Horn, while others were there purely for the excitement.
"There is, quite a lot actually. A few days ago, ’Young Master Startling’ Chu Shanhhe ascended to the fourth layer of the Silver Bull Horn officially becoming a rising star of our Great Cold’s first stage."
"Crossing the third layer of the Silver Bull Horn allows one to contend against warriors across four different realms. In that case, Chu Shanhhe, a cultivator of the fifth tier of Xuan Qi, is now capable of matching peak experts of the ninth tier of Xuan Qi. That’s terrifying!"
Someone exclaimed in awe.
"Even amongst the rising stars of the first stage, there are disparities. Last time, although Wind and Cloud Young Sword Marquis didn’t ascend to the fifth layer, it’s said he was short by just an inch. In three years, there might be a chance for success."
Another person interjected, recounting the grandeur from several months ago.
As per his account, during that time, various martial heroes from around the world had gathered outside the Silver Bull Horn. Several people aspiring to ascend the tower had even given it up just to witness the Wind and Cloud Young Sword Marquis performing a miracle.
Although he eventually failed, a faint glow had momentarily emerged from the fifth layer of the Silver Bull Horn - which had been dormant for a hundred years - indicating how closely the Wind and Cloud Young Sword Marquis had brushed against success.
"Now that’s what I call a real genius. Our Martial World of the Great Cold is filled with talents, but over a millennium, only three people had managed to ascend the fifth layer. If someone from this generation could accomplish this feat, they would be on par with the legends!"
"Hahahaha...."
Someone suddenly burst into laughter, scanned the room, and said, "You’re probably not privy to this, but the Gu Family recently relayed news that Sunset Little Sword Marquis has set out with the decision to challenge the fifth layer. Upon hearing this, Little Fist King and Divine Wind Young Master have also commenced."
"What, is it true or false?"
"The competition within this generation is especially fierce, certainly a result of the actions of the Wind and Cloud Young Sword Marquis. Sunset Little Sword Marquis, Little Fist King, and Divine Wind Young Master - these three can be considered the most formidable geniuses in the Cold State. Hahaha, it seems that a great show will ensue soon."
The atmosphere inside the inn immediately reached its peak. Ordinary wanderers were visibly excited while the young prodigies exhibited a mix of surprise, admiration, and a hint of envy.
A mere decision, a single action, causing such a tremendous stir in the Martial World, now that’s the true definition of being the center of attention.
Even a few of the women present, their faces flushed, felt a feeling rising within them that they found hard to conceal.
Wind and Cloud Young Sword Marquis was a whisker away from reaching the fifth layer. Could these three geniuses, who seemed to possess a slightly superior aptitude than him, stand a chance at succeeding?
One could only imagine, how shocked the entire Martial World would be then!
Subsequently, some of the people delved into a discussion regarding major events happening around the Martial World, such as the great showdown between the Haomu Courtyard and the Heavenly Dragon Gang. However, many did not take much interest, which they would regret in the not too distant future.
"Young Master, your wine is here."
The waiter placed a jar of wine in front of Shi Xiaole, grinning cheerfully.
With his keen discernment, he could easy tell that Shi Xiaole was a budding talent of the Martial World, who had secluded himself for months probably preparing for the challenge of the Silver Bull Horn.
Unfortunately, anyone other than the trio was destined to merely play second fiddle, paling in comparison.
"The fifth layer, huh?"
After taking a sip of wine, Shi Xiaole could already feel his blood starting to boil.
He hadn’t challenged the Silver Bull Horn before or had any knowledge about its insides, but he had already brought himself to peak condition. Perhaps it was time for him to test his limits.
Having finished his meal, Shi Xiaole stood up to leave, vacating his room.
"Senior Sister, what do you think of the man who just left?"
At an adjacent table sat several young women, one of them, a petite girl with an oval-shaped face, asked while chuckling.
The one addressed as ’Senior Sister’ replied, "I didn’t notice much, other than the fact that he can really eat."
A burst of laughter echoed.
"Junior Sister, compared to your betrothed Divine Wind Young Master, the man who just left is not even worthy of attention."
The group of women spoke half-teasingly, half-flatteringly.
The girl with the oval-shaped face only smiled, her gaze following the direction in which Shi Xiaole had left, suppressing the strange gleam in her eyes. She had a sixth sense stronger than others, and had met quite a few geniuses.
If it were to be said that her betrothed Divine Wind Young Master was like a thrilling storm, astounding in his aura, and Sunset Little Sword Marquis was like a blazing sun radiating overwhelming brightness, then the man who just left was like an inscrutable mist, seemingly empty, yet seemingly capable of encompassing everything.
Indeed, it was rather odd.
"Junior Sister, let’s hurry up with our meal, we still need to meet our Senior Brother. As long as he ascends the fourth layer of the Silver Bull Horn this time, our Piaomiao Sect can hold its head high."
The Piaomiao Sect, one of the top forces in the Great Cold State, had been lacking in talents in recent years and had not produced any top-notch geniuses.
...
Fifty miles east of White Mountain City is a vast plain.
Atop the plain stands a bizarrely shaped tower.
Called a tower, it looks more like a colossal bull horn that sprang out from the ground, dozens of meters tall with a sharp tip pointing obliquely upward, reflecting a pure silver shine under the sun.
This was the Silver Bull Horn, famous within the Cold State.
No one knew who built the Silver Bull Horn, only knowing that the array system inside surpassed the imagination of the Martial World in Cold State. Centered around the Silver Bull Horn, the area within a radius of five hundred meters was its domain.
Only those with cultivation reaching Xuan Qi Realm, meeting the age requirements, and capable of withstanding intense pressure were allowed to approach.
