Chapter 341: Chapter 340: Returning to Qingxue State (Seeking Subscriptions)
Shi Xiaole wasn’t quite sure of the full power the Ice Soul Pearl could display after absorbing a sufficient amount of the cold aura from the Cold Pool. He had only just managed to harness a very small part of it.
Putting away the Ice Soul Pearl, Shi Xiaole leaped and landed on the giant ship.
"Spare us, young master!"
The top-level fighters from Wuhui Island who had followed were terrified.
Given that even their Hall Master Jin had been killed by Shi Xiaole, how could they stand a chance against him? Some of them reacted quickly, leaping into the sea in the hopes of escaping.
"Tell me, how did you people from Wuhui Island manage to track us down?"
Shi Xiaole couldn’t be bothered with the minor lackeys, so he used his Pupil Skill directly on Zhuo Yang.
A moment later, he killed Zhuo Yang with a single strike of his sword finger.
Under the command of Xia Yunxi, the top-level fighters from Heavenly Wood Fortress also boarded the giant ship, swiftly taking control and capturing the remaining men from Wuhui Island.
"I think, I have found a way to leave this sea," Shi Xiaole suddenly declared, causing everyone to be stunned.
Before they had left the solitary island, an idea had already formed in Shi Xiaole’s mind, and the information divulged by Zhuo Yang confirmed his suspicions.
Apparently, to prevent being located, Wuhui Island would always designate a contact outside of the island. Once the vessel entered the specified range, there would be people from the island to meet it.
The tool they used for communication was a type of bead made from an unknown material that could sense things from afar.
In other words, Wuhui Island was situated in the midst of the strange waters!
Though the area was vast, ships could wander there until they came across it, so why hadn’t the people from Wuhui Island found them in the last six months?
Considering the mountain barrier at the end of the solitary island, Shi Xiaole daringly guessed that Wuhui Island was located just beyond the peak.
Thus, the solitary island and Wuhui Island originally belonged to one complete landmass, but according to the wind and water currents, the weird powers emanating from the two places perfectly formed a semi-circular pattern, each controlling a portion of the ocean.
Using his awareness, Shi Xiaole had unknowingly led everyone out of the ocean area controlled by Wuhui Island and into the area belonging to the solitary island, which is why they hadn’t come across anyone from Wuhui Island in the past six months.
A few days ago, he had uncovered this secret and purposely moved into the area where Wuhui Island was located, and it didn’t take long for them to come across Jin Cheng and his party.
Inside the gigantic ship’s steering room, everyone found a stone bead the size of a human fist. The bead’s surface was rough and unpolished, completely devoid of light.
"Brother Shi, are you saying that we can leave this cursed place with its help?"
A top-level fighter from Heavenly Wood Fortress inquired.
Shi Xiaole smiled and said, "The stone bead can sense the location and distance of Wuhui Island. With its help, it won’t be difficult to get out of these waters."
"What if the stone bead doesn’t work?"
Another lady asked, her voice filled with worry as she was afraid they would be left disappointed again.
"Don’t worry. Over these days, I have thoroughly understood the traits of the strange power. Even without the stone bead, we can still find our way out. It would just be a little slower," Shi Xiaole assured.
Everyone was infected by Shi Xiaole’s calm demeanor and it felt as if their blood had started to race faster.
"Brother Shi, it’s great to know you!"
Lv Tao couldn’t help but blurt out.
Shi Xiaole paused.
"Yes, I always feel that Brother Shi has a captivating aura that makes you feel at ease in his presence, as if we don’t have to worry about anything, even if the sky falls."
"If we can make it out of here this time, even if Brother Shi asks me to climb mountains of blades or dive into seas of flames, I wouldn’t hesitate."
Everyone laughed heartily and hope was evident on everyone’s faces.
Having spent half a year together, everyone had gotten to know Shi Xiaole a little better. This young man might appear aloof and not too sociable, but he had a kind heart and a strong sense of justice. He would never make claims he couldn’t keep.
In short, he was a charismatic individual who would gradually earn your respect and admiration through his martial arts skills, character, and behavior, eventually making it nearly impossible to extricate yourself from his charm.
"What a pity."
Most of the women on board were looking at Shi Xiaole with affectionate and yearning looks in their eyes.
Extended periods of time spent together inevitably led to some women developing feelings for Shi Xiaole. However, they knew in their hearts that they were not worthy of him.
Some of them glanced at Xia Yunxi, noticing her gazing at Shi Xiaole in a daze. They couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
A few days later, the stone bead indeed started to emit light, indicating that the ship was within a certain range of Wuhui Island. Under Shi Xiaole’s guidance, the helmsman maneuvered the steering wheel towards the unknown direction.
Another ten days passed.
"Look, the sails are not the same as before. They seem to be pointing out the direction."
"Hahaha, fantastic, the compass has returned to normal."
That day, there were people laughing everywhere on the ship. Someone excitedly picked up a jar of wine, only to find it already empty. Many others were crying loudly.
No one could understand their feelings at that moment.
"Thank you, for saving us all."
Xia Yunxi gave a sweet smile, as radiant as a field of blooming flowers.
"I was just trying to save myself."
Shi Xiaole stared at her intently before asking, "Miss Xia, when a woman makes soup for a man for half a year, sends others to deliver it to his room, and deliberately hides this from him, what do you think goes on in her mind?"
Xia Yunxi found her cheeks growing hot as she quickly replied, "I don’t know!"
"Wang Yuwei told me that you once obtained a secret manual of ice skills, which is a second-class martial art. Why don’t you practice it?"
"How can I practice martial arts from another sect without my master’s permission?"
What Wang Yuwei didn’t know was that the secret ice skills manual was a gift from a profound hermit to Xia Yunxi, who instructed her not to give it to her sect. Given Xia Yunxi’s character, she would never hide something like this from her master.
Asking her to switch practices is akin to betrayal in her heart. She would never accept that.
"I see...I hope to find a comrade who can share hardships with me. The martial world is treacherous; at least she cannot be weak in martial arts."
Shi Xiaole sighed deeply, causing Xia Yunxi to shudder, her body felt numb like being shocked, and she tremblingly asked, "Apart from martial arts, are there any other requirements?"
Shi Xiaole laughed softly, "She should not be too ugly or too beautiful, just like you. She should have a nice figure, you’re a bit overweight, her hair should be long, dark, and straight. You, barely meet these requirements..."
Xia Yunxi stomped her foot and exclaimed, "Where am I fat? You, you’re deliberately picking on me!" She punched Shi Xiaole in the chest and quickly ran away with her head down.
After she left, Shi Xiaole continued to smile and looked out at the sea.
He’s not heartless; to be precise, he’s just indifferent. Xia Yunxi’s relentless dedication over the past six months had indeed moved him.
Of course, how things will develop depends on how the two interacts. Let things take their course.
When she got back to her cabin, Xia Yunxi’s heart was still pounding, her face burning, and without looking in the mirror, she knew she was blushing. It took her a while to gradually calm down.
"With the martial art level of Heavenly Wood Fortress, no matter how talented I am, I can’t keep up with him. But if I secretly practice other martial arts, I would be betraying my sect and my conscience."
Shi Xiaole didn’t know that his seemingly genuine words had resulted in this gentle and passionate woman making a decision that would affect her entire life.
Another half month passed, and the three ships successfully docked at a port in Redbud State.
Everyone was overjoyed, and many were in tears.
That night, they rented out an entire inn. Everyone took a comfortable hot bath, drank merrily in the hall, and agreed to reunite at the same place every year.
The following morning, everyone was heading in different directions, saying their reluctant farewells. After all, they had been missing for over six months. Their sects must be anxious; if they went back earlier, they could rest assured earlier.
Only Shi Xiaole and Xia Yunxi were left on the scene. Lv Tao and Wang Yuwei stood far away, giving them space to talk.
"Shi Xiaole, the past events were not your intention, Xia Yunxi definitely not intrigue you into owing her. You’re still you, and I’m still me. I don’t want to make people dislike me, and I don’t want to force people.\ If we truly like each other someday, it must be genuine! Don’t underestimate me; I will challenge you when I see you next time."
Xia Yunxi’s eyes sparkled. She concealed a slight reluctance, and then elegantly turned around.
She clearly saw the gap between them. Her intuition told her that if she stayed by Shi Xiaole’s side, the gap would grow even bigger. That’s why she chose to leave and to find every possible way to improve herself.
A brief separation for a potential long-lasting future. She, Xia Yunxi, wants to fight for her happiness.
"Xia... Yunxi."
Shi Xiaole extended his hand as if to detain her. Watching her figure leaving, he unusually felt a longing for her.
Until this moment, he suddenly realized that she was such an understanding girl. Behind her gentleness, there was independence and pride that refused to compromise.
I don’t need your pity. If you don’t like me enough, I will never beg for your liking. But what I like, I will strive for.
"I hope you bring the Ice Soul Pearl that I left you. It will bring you good luck. I have a feeling that we will meet again."
Shi Xiaole was lost in thought for a long time. By the time he came to his senses, her figure had long disappeared.
...
After staying in the town for two more days, Shi Xiaole decided to return to Qingxue State after completely restoring his spiritual power.
He was not strong enough back then and had to escape due to people pursuing him. Now, it was time to return and settle things.
Redbud State is three or four states away from Qingxue State. Shi Xiaole was not in a rush. While travelling, he practiced. After a few months, he passed through Mist Forest and entered the narrow entrance unique to Qingxue State.
Iron Pass Town was filled with warriors, just as lively as before.
"That guy just now?"
A surprised young man with a blue hero headband exclaimed.
"Young Hero Situ, what’s wrong?"
A group of people nearby asked with concern. Thanks to Young Hero Situ’s sense of justice, who escorted them here on the way, they would have died in the hands of bandits.
"Nothing."
Situ Changkong calmed himself down.
His eyes seldom make mistakes, so was that fleeting figure really him? But how dare he come back?
Just after returning to Qingxue State, Shi Xiaole began to gather information. A few days later, the findings left him furious!
He found out that many of the experts of Golden Phoenix Tower and Huajian Sect that he had dispersed had disappeared for no reason. Also, the Knife Assistance Gang in Feiyan City, which had a good relationship with Golden Phoenix Tower, and the remaining eleven sects of Mountain Luyan, who had a good relationship with the Huajian Sect.
Even the Truth Sword Sect where Su Junhao was, the Justice Sect where Zhu Ling was, the Zhu Family and so on. Everyone who had any dealings with him and their sects all suffered calamities in these two years. Some were exterminated, while others disappeared.
Shi Xiaole also learned from the Demon Alliance’s secret messages that the seven major sects were still searching for Su Yanru and others. There were even people who vowed to skin them alive if they found them, just to make Shi Xiaole suffer!
Shi Xiaole secretly returned to the Cloud Triangle, toured around Feiyan City and Mountain Luyan and only found ruins at the old sites of Knife Assistance Gang and twelve Mountain Luyan sects. Blood stains were faintly visible.
"I originally wanted to be softer, it seems, I was too kind!"
His chest filled with murderous intent, and the red cloud on the distant horizon reflected in Shi Xiaole’s eyes. He thought Qingxue State had been decadent and quiet for too long, it was about time for it to turn red.
