Chapter 307: 306
As Shi Xiaole was rolling up the parchment, three beams of light appeared in the void, forming a triangle and aiming directly at him.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Shi Xiaole felt numbness in his arms.
The three attacks, each one as powerful as a full-blown strike from a sword master at the peak of the Ninth Tier of Xuan Qi, were enough to overwhelm any Fourth Tier Xuan Qi swordsman, let alone when combined. A single strike would be enough to defeat them.
The light of the swords was fine and dense, appearing and disappearing intermittently, forming a sort of sword array. The sparks flew out delayed as the tip of the sword scraped against the air, all because of the speed was too fast, causing an optical illusion.
Luckily, Shi Xiaole did not rely on his eyes. Sensing the fluctuations with his mind, he reacted instantly, unleashing three strikes of the Death Claiming Sword Qi, just enough to smash the second wave of attacks.
Unexpectedly, the sword array changed in an instant.
The three sword lights merged into one, and the terrifying sword momentum expanded like a balloon. The unstoppable force spread, making Shi Xiaole feel a hint of pressure.
Facing three sword masters at the peak of the Ninth Tier of Xuan Qi, Shi Xiaole wouldn’t have easily won, but he also wouldn’t have been as passive as he was now.
There would always be flaws in a human-operated attack, but in an array-controlled attack, the gaps were too small, almost impossible to find, especially considering the rapid changes in the array system.
The sounds of swords clashing echoed in a series.
If the outsiders of Silver Bullhorn was to see this scene, they would undoubtedly be of shock.
The speed of the three sword shadows was so fast that they were hard to distinguish with the naked eye. Often, the sound would ring out before they could even see the sword lights flash by.
As for Shi Xiaole’s sword speed, it was equally unbelievable. With each thrust, he was accompanied by several deadly sword Qi. The three sword lights were shattered time and again, only to re-form time and again.
"Damn it!"
Suddenly, sword light emerged from the ground. Shi Xiaole wanted to dodge, but he hit the top of the stone slab overhead. If his reaction wasn’t quick enough, the second sword would have pierced his chest.
The third sword attacked almost concurrently, finally leaving a wound on his arm.
And then, another round of three swords.
The situation was unfavorable for Shi Xiaole. In such a peculiar space on the fifth floor, he couldn’t dodge normally. If his movements got disoriented, the sword lights would attack him when his guard was down.
Whoosh.
With one sword stroke, the sword Qi was like a red flower and the three sword lights were simultaneously shattered.
The fourteenth Sword of Death Claiming.
But soon, the three sword lights, once again, reformed and continued their attack.
One quarter of an hour.
Two quarters of an hour.
Unknowingly, half of a two-hour period had passed.
The constant strain and continuous use of the fourteenth Sword of Death Claiming had exhausted Shi Xiaole both mentally and physically. His face had turned a bit pale, and several wounds had emerged on his body.
If it weren’t for Shi Xiaole, whose attack power, mental strength, reflex speed and internal power were all superior to ordinary Fourth Tier Xuan Qi masters, and whose only shortcoming was his movement skills, anyone else would’ve been defeated long ago.
Even so, Shi Xiaole was reaching his limit and wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.
"The attacks have slowed down."
Shi Xiaole noticed that the three sword lights were not without wear and tear. At least compared to half a two-hour period ago, their speed has reduced by at least 30%. And the slowdown rate was also increasing.
Taking a deep breath, Shi Xiaole’s eyes became fierce. He had said he wanted to test his limits, and this was undoubtedly the opportunity.
...
"Why hasn’t he come out yet?"
Outside of the Silver Bullhorn, new people came into the 500 meters range from time to time and saw the panicked waiting crowd. After understanding the situation at hand, they were all immensely shocked and joined the wait.
Firstly, everyone wanted to see what kind of person the youth in blue was as described by Wang Yuan. Secondly, only when all ten people came out of the tower could the next round begin.
"Have you heard? Someone reached the fifth floor of the Silver Bullhorn this afternoon."
"Impossible, are you lying? Who is it? Was it the Sunset Little Sword Marquis?"
"No, it wasn’t any of the three geniuses. It’s said to be an unknown man in blue."
Many people in White Mountain City had witnessed the anomaly of the Silver Bullhorn, and some curious people went to investigate. As a result, news began to spread, and upon hearing such news, it quickly spread back to White Mountain City.
One stone stirred up a thousand ripples, White Mountain City was thoroughly shaken.
Being the talent testing stone recognized by the martial arts of the Great Cold, the Silver Bullhorn had stood for a thousand years. Whoever was the first to reach the fifth floor was destined to be renowned in the Martial World, and even recorded in the history books of the Great Cold Martial World!
This was the first time in a thousand years. How could it not cause a sensation?
In a short time, numerous figures rushed towards the Silver Bullhorn. Although they couldn’t get close to the 500 meters range, some people still waited outside to keep abreast of the latest developments.
In the winter night, the sky darkened early, and the cold wind whistled, but it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.
"Hey, do you guys think, that guy hasn’t come out yet, could he, could he have possibly, cleared the fifth floor and reached the sixth floor?"
A thin young man looked around and suddenly whispered a horrifying guess.
"Impossible! The fifth floor has broken the record of a thousand years, the sixth floor... no one could possibly reach the sixth floor."
Someone immediately refuted loudly.
"Brother Zhang, what do you think?"
Carefree Swordsman turned to Zhang Silou.
Among the people present, only Zhang Silou had been to the fourth floor. He had the most right to speak.
At his words, everyone turned their gaze on Zhang Silou.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Silou’s voice carried a barely perceptible hint of rasping: "I once heard the Divine Wind Young Master say that to break through to the fourth layer, one must possess the battle prowess of the Fifth Tier. As for the fifth layer, perhaps it’s the sixth tier, or perhaps there’s even stranger requirements, attempting to break through would be like trying to ascend to heaven. But that gentleman there, who has accomplished what others could not, perhaps, there’s a glimmer of hope."
From a logical, even emotional standpoint, Zhang Silou was leaning towards the possibility of Shi Xiaole failing.
To ascend to the fifth layer, was to leave countless so-called geniuses far behind in the dust. If he were to ascend to the sixth layer, many would find it too much for their hearts to bear.
But, if there were no hope, why would he still not emerge? Surely he couldn’t be resting inside?
Releasing a long sigh, Zhang Silou suddenly felt that he was somewhat pitiful.
Originally, ascending to the fourth layer would have been enough to enhance his reputation even further. But now, who would pay attention to him? He was nothing more than a backdrop.
...
The fifth layer of the Silver Bull Horn was so silent that all that remained was the sound of clashing swords. The high frequency of these sounds quickened one’s pulse, sending one’s blood boiling.
Shi Xiaole had reached the end of his rope, his body was covered in bloodstains.
The power of his swordsmanship was only one-third of what it was at its peak. Initially, he could shatter three Sword Qi within dozens of moves, but now he had to employ over three hundred moves.
Luckily, the recovery period of the three Sword Qi had also increased, from the initial instant to the current one hundred and fifty breaths, which gave Shi Xiaole some time to rest.
During these periods, Shi Xiaole would nonchalantly operate his Brahma-I Unity, hoping for the greatest extent of recovery. In this process, his understanding and application of this internal power became even more refined.
Thrice.
Five times.
The recovery period of the Sword Qi suddenly increased exponentially.
Shi Xiaole saw hope. His numb arms swung with a willpower that surpassed limits, drawing strength from his blood, even his soul.
Three hundred breaths.
Six hundred breaths.
A quarter of an hour.
When the last sword shattered the Sword Qi, the Cyan Edge Sword fell to the ground. Shi Xiaole collapsed onto the ground, having lost even the strength to take deep breaths.
All around him was quiet.
Shi Xiaole waited for the moment when he would be killed by the Sword Qi and expelled from the Silver Bull Horn.
Boom!
Suddenly there was a violent shaking of the earth. The dust was suffocating. At the highest point of the fifth layer, a crack appeared in the stone wall, revealing a staircase. The stone step was more ancient, and also displayed a sense of vicissitudes.
"Did I pass?"
An astonished and overjoyed Shi Xiaole discovered that his muscles had long been numb, and he couldn’t even muster a smile. After two hours, he finally had the strength to get up. He immediately sat down cross-legged and began to recover his strength.
Although everything experienced in the Silver Bull Horn was an illusion, as long as one does not leave, there’s no difference from reality.
By this time, outside, it was already nine p.m.
"Why hasn’t he come out yet?"
"What exactly happened inside? I’ve never seen anyone stay in the Silver Bull Horn for so long."
Many had grown impatient.
However, many more people were incredibly curious. There were even a few who maliciously speculated: could it be that there was a problem with the Array System? That Shi Xiaole had an accident inside?
"If what you say is correct, I now really want to challenge that man."
Among the crowd, the ’Rainstorm Knife Master’ Xie Dong had long lost his initial arrogance. With anticipation on his face, he spoke to Zheng Dan.
The reason he wanted to exchange blows with Shi Xiaole was not due to his refusal to accept defeat, but to gauge how far he himself was from reaching the fifth layer.
"I’m afraid you won’t even be able to force out a few of his moves."
Zheng Dan’s tone was indifferent.
Another two hours passed, and it was the hour of the ox.
The fifth layer of the Silver Bull Horn.
"Finally fully recovered."
The injuries sustained by Shi Xiaole were not severe, mainly superficial. Once his internal strength recovered, he was pretty much fine. Standing up, he walked towards the stone staircase.
The stone steps were simple and unadorned, the marks of mottling bespoke the vicissitudes of ancient times. Climbing the steps one by one, Shi Xiaole finally arrived at the sixth layer.
At that moment, he felt the entire Silver Bull Horn tremble for an instant, before regaining its tranquility.
In the outside world, a bright but not dazzling powerful light suddenly shined in all directions, expanding rapidly like ripples.
Anyone who came into contact with this light felt their souls trembling and shuddering.
In White Mountain City, countless vigilant warriors sensed the unusual fluctuations in the air. They crawled out of bed, opened the windows, gawked and gaped, dumbfounded.
"No, this, this..."
Outside the Silver Bull Horn, many stared dumbfounded at the dazzling light from above, as if they lost the ability to think, even their necks were stiffening up.
"The sixth layer, he, he has ascended to the sixth layer."
Wang Yuan wore a vacant expression. A long blank in his mind was followed by a dreamlike sensation.
All of a sudden, he remembered when he’d self-righteously given Shi Xiaole advice as his ’senior’. He was so mortified he wanted to burrow into the ground in embarrassment.
"It’s fake!"
Xie Dong’s eyes bulged. He had taken a long time to accept Shi Xiaole’s ascension to the fifth layer. The current development was almost beyond his capacity.
