Chapter 339: Chapter 338: Pursuit in Wuhui Island (Subscription Requested)
The strange force on the isolated island was exceptionally strong, but Shi Xiaole, possessing the Stone Touching Qi Cyclone, was still able to carefully sense its direction. With patience and caution, he led Xia Yunxi and the others out of the dense forest and towards the seashore.
Along the way, they encountered several young masters and ladies who appeared like refugees.
These people came from third-rate martial arts schools. While they possessed martial arts, their skill levels were definitely not high. Although they could handle the birds and beasts within the forest, they still inevitably encountered difficulty due to being unable to find the way out.
"Brother Shi, Senior Sister Xia!"
Seeing the four of them, the young masters and ladies ran towards them excitedly, as if they were their saviours.
They had enough of this primitive lifestyle and wanted to leave immediately, even if that meant being drifting at sea. At least that would provide them with the luxuries they were used to.
The gathering crowd grew larger, with most of the masters from the Heavenly Wood Fortress finding their way to them.
When Shi Xiaole successfully guided everyone back to the shore, the crowd erupted into cheers. Some of the ladies even held each other and cried, releasing their pent-up emotions.
"We are still short of thirteen people."
Xia Yunxi was meticulous and had started with a headcount which made her aware that thirteen people, including four sailors, were missing.
"I’ll go look for them."
Shi Xiaole ventured back into the dense forest. Understanding that anyone could fall on hard times, he had no mind rescuing a few more people, as long as he had the ability to do so.
After three days, Shi Xiaole managed to find five survivors and four mutilated bodies, but there were still four missing. They may have been buried deep in the forest, or swallowed by the infamous beast.
Among the crowd, there was no sign of Gao Fei, which left Xia Yunxi silent.
Her sorrow was not for Gao Fei, but for the fact that she did not know how to explain his disappearance to his grieving parents who had staked their hopes on him to succeed the Heavenly Wood Fortress.
"Where in the world had Senior Brother Gao gone?"
Wang Yuwei and Lv Tao were also lost in their thoughts.
After searching for several more days to no avail, everyone had to reluctantly let go of their hold on hope.
"I will definitely uncover the secrets of this isolated island."
As the ship slowly moved away, Shi Xiaole gazed at the lonely island, transfixed by its towering mountain range.
While others may not, he clearly felt the mysterious power near the mountain, which was much stronger than any other places on the island. Curiously, it was diametrically opposite to the Cold Pool.
This arrangement strongly resembled the Array System!
Shi Xiaole also didn’t tell anyone else that during this time when everyone thought they had covered the entire island, they only wandered around the plain areas at the foot of the mountain.
What was on the mountain and what laid behind it remained a mystery. Shi Xiaole had some terrifying speculations, but he was not certain yet.
"It seems like you’re waiting for something."
Xia Yunxi approached him.
Upon boarding the ship, she instantly changed into a yellow robe that accentuated her slender waist and curvaceous figure. Her flowing black hair fluttered in the sea breeze, framing her face which was even more beautiful than the sunrise. She was ethereal.
Shi Xiaole gave her a faint smile: "You could tell?"
Xia Yunxi replied: "It was a guess."
Despite losing her innocence to Shi Xiaole, she did not hate him. She understood that it was not his fault. However, as a woman, she couldn’t help but blame him for his callousness.
But when she saw Shi Xiaole standing alone at the bow of the ship, she found herself filled with inexplicable melancholy. In that instant, she sensed the profound loneliness hidden behind his indifferent facade.
"Is there a woman you like?"
Xia Yunxi asked abruptly.
"Not at the moment."
Shi Xiaole shook his head.
Xia Yunxi smiled and asked: "What kind of woman would catch your eye?"
Shi Xiaole pondered and dejectedly realized that he had never really thought about it.
Perhaps it was the moment when she winked and comforted him in the cabin, stirring ripples in his heart?
Xia Yunxi turned to leave, a hint of moisture in her eyes.
Shi Xiaole will never know that when she asked him if he liked any woman, it took all the courage she had under her seemingly generous appearance.
She had tried her best, both intentionally and unintentionally, to get closer to Shi Xiaole, but he had always remained aloof, beyond her reach like a cloud in the sky.
Ultimately, they both had to go their separate ways.
"Sigh!"
Shi Xiaole heaved a rare sigh. Torn between wanting and not wanting to, he still didn’t extend his hand to her.
Everything happened too quickly, and he was not prepared for any of it.
The ship sailed on.
Shi Xiaole continued to correct the ship’s course by sensing direction of the wind and water currents, but could not avoid repeating the same mistakes. With each delay, the initial urgency to return to land gradually faded into desensitization.
One month. Two months.
Then, they saw a black line on the horizon, which turned out to be the dreaded isolated island when they got closer.
The ship changed its course.
Everyone on the ship had to face the fact that they might have to spend their entire lives voyaging at sea.
"It’s not too bad. We have friends, good wine, and we can gather food from the island. Our lives are already the envy of many."
"Gentleman," said a young man, gazing tenderly at a woman sitting by his side.
Long periods of drifting, coupled with unforgettable experiences on the lonely island, had led to many young men and women developing feelings for each other. At least nine couples had silently pledged for life.
"We are happy now, but what about our parents and elders at home? They must be very worried."
Another person sighed.
Lv Tao looked around and said, "Do you all have so little faith in Brother Shi? Since he could find the lonely island, I believe that one day, he will also find a way back!"
"Indeed, Brother Shi can always do what others can’t. With him around, I always feel that everything is full of hope."
Immediately, someone echoed his sentiments, prompting many nods of agreement.
Ever since being rescued on the island, everyone acquiesced to Shi Xiaole’s commands. Their respect for him even surpassed that of Xia Yunxi.
Dawn came.
Shi Xiaole opened his eyes.
After months of frequently using his mental strength, the fatigue was unimaginable. Of course, the gains were also tremendous.
Compared to half a year ago, his mental strength had increased significantly, enabling him to utilize it twice as effectively.
His sensing range expanded from twenty-five meters to nearly fifty meters, far surpassing that of a top-ranking Spiritual-Passage Realm expert.
Shi Xiaole’s martial arts training had also not fallen behind. Although his cultivation was still at the mid-level of the Spiritual-Passage Realm, his understanding of martial arts, including sword theory, was far superior to that of half a year ago.
One afternoon, Shi Xiaole suddenly said to the helmsman, "Stop the ship."
"Young Hero Shi, what happened?"
The helmsman was puzzled.
"We’ve been waiting for more than half a year. Our chance to leave has finally arrived."
Shi Xiaole smiled. His words left the helmsman stunned.
Soon after, a sturdy ship with an iron-clad surface came from a distance and blocked their path.
"Hall Master Jin, these are the ships. These are the ones!"
On the large ship, a man in purple was excitedly speaking to an ordinary-looking man.
"Master Zhuo, now I’m curious to see how extraordinary this young man who you seemingly hold in high regard is."
Next to the man in purple, Zhuo Yang, stood another bald middle-aged man with wrist guards. He sneered.
As helmsmen of Wuhui Island, the bald middle-aged man and Zhuo Yang were inevitably engaged in open and covert battles.
Half a year ago, when Zhuo Yang heard that he had been defeated by a boy in the Xuanqi Realm, the bald middle-aged man was overjoyed. He repeatedly belittled Zhuo Yang in front of the island’s ruler, managing to suppress him.
In the bald man’s view, if he could capture the boy, he could further consolidate his status. He felt confident he could replace Zhuo Yang and take over as the Hall Master.
"That kid is not easy. Be careful not to capsize in the gutter," Xiaole said coldly.
"Heh heh, it’s a pity. I just happened to have broken through to the eighth level of the Spiritual Passage Realm a few days ago. Taking care of that kid shouldn’t be a problem."
Wan Donglai lifted his chin slightly and said indifferently.
"The eighth level of the Spiritual Passage Realm?"
Zhuo Yang’s face looked grim.
No wonder Wan Donglai was so confident. If that kid was taken down by Wan Donglai, compared to him, there would be no hope of turning the situation around.
Hall Master Jin looked at Wan Donglai approvingly and said, "If I remember correctly, Master Wan, you are only forty-two this year, right? Very good, keep it up. If you can breakthrough to the ninth level of the Spiritual Passage Realm before fifty, I will personally recommend you to take my place."
Martial artists at the Spiritual Passage Realm generally had an extended lifespan of up to 150 years due to their opened life gates. At 50 years old, Wan Donglai was still considered young.
"Thank you, Hall Master Jin!"
Upon hearing Hall Master Jin’s words, Wan Donglai was overjoyed. He immediately bowed and said, "Hall Master Jin, I request to personally capture that kid on the opponent’s ship. He dared to disrespect Wuhui Island’s power. He must be severely punished!"
Having said that, he did not forget to glance at Zhuo Yang, the corner of his mouth curling up in triumph.
This was his planned move. Using the momentum of his breakthrough, he would capture Shi Xiaole and secure his reputation once and for all.
Is there still doubt about who will be the next Hall Master?
Hall Master Jin nodded, "Since Master Wan insists, I give my consent."
Ever since hearing about Shi Xiaole’s deeds, everyone on Wuhui Island had been shocked. The island’s leader had personally issued an order to capture Shi Xiaole at all costs.
Because of Shi Xiaole, they had spent at least four months adrift in the ocean in the past six months. Hall Master Jin was extremely upset and hoped to get rid of this matter as soon as possible.
After receiving the order, Wan Donglai jumped onto their ship and looked around. Then, he shouted, "Who is the kid who defeated Zhuo Yang? Come out and meet your death!"
The young men and women, along with the many skilled fighters from Heavenly Wood Fortress, had all gathered together when they saw the large ship, but none of them spoke.
"You cowards, don’t dare to come out? Believe it or not, I will kill everyone on this ship!"
Wan Donglai was full of vigor, his face filled with bloodlust.
"Are you from Wuhui Island?"
Shi Xiaole stepped out from the cabin, followed by Xia Yunxi, Lv Tao, and Wang Yuwei.
"So you’re the kid who defeated Zhuo Yang?"
Wan Donglai let out a mocking laugh, then his eyes lit up as he looked at Xia Yunxi. Such a beautiful and dignified woman would surely be enjoyable in the bedroom.
