Chapter 401: Chapter 400 Battle of Absolute Cloud Mountain
The dim night, circulating an unnamed oppression, even the stars had become slightly dimmer.
Within a certain courtyard.
Heroes gathered.
If a knowledgeable person was here, they would have been taken aback. Because everyone in the courtyard, was a renowned figure in the martial world of the eight states.
Figures such as the Broken Sun Blade Marquis, Flying Sky Fist Marquis, Lady Bizan — these top sect masters are only considered juniors here.
They were looking at the dozen or so reclusive figures from the martial world standing in the center of the courtyard. And these reclusive figures were looking at the silent Jade Fan Scholar at the front.
"Senior, once Shi Xiaole loses in the battle of Absolute Cloud Mountain, this will deliver a huge blow to the morale of our Righteous Path. I even worry that Xie Xiaofeng will kill Shi Xiaole given the chance, at that time, the Righteous Path will lose our biggest hope in resisting the Devil Path."
The person speaking was a very prestigious old man, his eyes radiating vitality. He was the second-in-command of the Righteous Path: Star Carrying Elder.
Everyone fell silent, but they couldn’t agree more with the words of Star Carrying Elder.
The battle was a must-win for both the Righteous and Devil Path.
If Shi Xiaole loses, Xie Xiaofeng would definitely kill him, extinguishing the hope of the Righteous Path.
Conversely, the morale of the Devil Path would too be greatly impaired, a hard-earned unified front would crumble.
The crux of the problem was, nobody here knew the extent of Shi Xiaole’s strength, and couldn’t help but feel worried.
"This Shi Xiaole, he acts too impulsively. For a matter that decides the future of martial world, he should’ve discussed with us."
A reclusive figure voiced his grievances with a sigh.
"Everyone does not have to worry too much, I have had brief exchanges with Young Hero Shi before. This lad is not the reckless sort, maybe he’s really confident."
Pan Yiheng stepped forward, speaking with a tone of uncertainty.
Ge Jiao from the side shook his head.
True, but Xie Xiaofeng daring to boldly accept the challenge, doesn’t that mean he is also confident?
Furthermore, to be honest, a few months ago, Shi Xiaole’s strength was only somewhat stronger than theirs. Whether he can take on Star Carrying Elder remains to be seen.
Xie Xiaofeng is a formidable figure who can compete with the Jade Fan Scholar, not to mention that he has made progress, and his skills seem to have surpassed the Jade Fan Scholar.
To most people, Shi Xiaole’s decision seemed problematic.
"Yesterday, I sneaked into the Red Dragon Divine Palace at night. Regretfully, the alertness of the people inside the palace had increased again. Before I could break into the main hall, I was discovered. Before leaving, I sensed Xie Xiaofeng’s presence."
The Jade Fan Scholar at the front suddenly spoke.
A wry smile crossed his face: "Although we didn’t fight, I knew that I definitely couldn’t beat him."
The hearts of the people present sank like they were submerged in ice water.
The Jade Fan Scholar suddenly felt a wave of sorrow.
He knew clearly that his strength was unable to make a decisive impact in the battle between the Righteous and Devil Path. His glory days of commanding the wind and clouds no longer belonged to him.
Hurried footsteps attracted everyone’s attention.
"Elders, we’ve sent out a large number of people, but until now, we have not found any traces of Young Hero Shi."
The person who entered was also a top-ranking sect master who came in to report to the Jade Fan Scholar and others.
"With only half a month left before the decisive battle on the fifteenth of August, we can’t even find the person, sigh!"
The crowd was both angry and helpless.
Still, it was the Jade Fan Scholar who spoke: "We have done a lot of arrangements, but I predict the Devil Path must also have made plans. At this point, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. With still seven years left, let the old man contribute one last time to the martial world."
Hearing his words filled with the determination to risk his life, the crowd felt a twinge in their hearts, but also developed immense respect for him.
"Senior, we are willing to follow behind you, to fight for the peace and safety of the martial world. Even if our blood splashes upon the Absolute Cloud Mountain, we will have no regrets!"
"The martial world is like a storm, we come and go in the rain, haha, we can’t waste our talents."
"No matter the outcome of the decisive battle, I always believe that there is justice in this world, evil will never overcome the righteous."
Depending on where one stands, they have to bear corresponding responsibilities. Everyone present understood that they had no way out. The greatest confrontation between the Righteous and Devil Path in the past six hundred years, was very likely to start in half a month.
By then, they will go forward without turning back, repaying their beloved martial world with their passionate blood, ensuring it does not fall into the grip of the Devil Path!
As countless people from the Righteous and Devil Path in the eight-state martial world waited anxiously, even with fear, days passed by.
Three days.
Two days.
When the fifteenth of August arrived, no one in the eight-state martial world could sleep.
Countless people looked towards the direction of the Absolute Cloud Mountain.
Sect masters and heirs from noble families gathered in small groups. People kept shuttling between the sects and noble families, reporting the latest news they had received.
In restaurants and inns, the lights were brightly lit. Wanderers and lone warriors sat together, discussing amidst the commotion, as if this could dispel their inner unrest.
Even many members of the Righteous and Devil Paths were fully armed, concentrating their energies to deal with any sudden situations.
Everyone was waiting for the outcome of the battle.
...
Absolute Cloud Mountain is located in the central part of the Great Cold State, its altitude is not high, only over three thousand meters. The terrain, however, is extremely peculiar, standing tall like a pistil within a flower, surrounded by white clouds, it is indeed spectacular.
Tonight is a full moon night.
At the foot of the mountain, the top figures of both the Righteous and Devil Path just met. Their imposing auras clashed like towering waves, causing the air to produce continuous cracking sounds as if it could shatter at any moment.
"Tonight is the time for the Divine Monarch to reign over the eight states, you from the Righteous Path better surrender now if you’re smart."
The Heaven Eating Demon chuckled coldly, opening his mouth to swallow a piece of raw pork.
"It’s not yet clear who will win, don’t celebrate too early."
’Broken Sun Blade Marquis’ Gu Nanfeng sneered as well, confronting with equal sharpness.
The Heaven Eating Demon squinted his eyes and was about to move, but was stopped by Demon Marquis’ hand: "A fight of pride is meaningless, as long as the Divine Monarch wins, they will collapse without any attack."
The Jade Fan Scholar looked at the two one-eyed elders, their gazes being as intense as the fiercest lightning and flint, just met, and then immediately separated.
Both the right and wrong parties apparently knew, that clashing before the main event would be pointless, so they all restrained themselves on the way, almost simultaneously arriving at the top of the mountain.
Under the moonlight, the surrounding white clouds seemed to emit a faint glow, slowly spinning, making people feel as if they were away from the world. Such a scene, however, could not evoke admiration in those present.
About half a two-hour period later.
A figure clad in green appeared, walking alone to the top of the mountain.
He was walking casually, but it looked extremely elegant. His natural insouciance made the hearts of those on the righteous path inexplicably relax a bit.
"Young Hero Shi."
"Sword Marquis Shi Xiaole."
The righteous heroes were overjoyed.
"Is that Shi Xiaole? His style is indeed unique."
The Jade Fan Scholar looked him over and was amazed.
Some people, like peacocks, are so splendid that they want everyone to know how powerful they are. Especially those who are young and successful, superior to other young people.
Before this, the Jade Fan Scholar always thought that Shi Xiaole was also that kind of person.
But now he knew he was wrong.
The Shi Xiaole in front of him, where there was any sign of being pretentious, anyone who saw him for the first time would be attracted by the unique temperament he carried.
Even his handsome face seemed to carry a kind of tranquil highness that made people admire and deeply intoxicated by.
What a young Sword Marquis.
"Hmph!"
Several in the demonic path snorted, their gazes varied.
They had of course heard rumors about Shi Xiaole, seeing him being so young, they couldn’t help but be shocked. This night must be the night to get rid of him or else letting this boy grow will be a great enemy to the demonic path.
"Young Hero Shi, I don’t know how confident you are, dare to challenge the Red Dragon Divine Monarch?"
Just as everyone was thinking, the Left-eye Elder of the two one-eyed elders suddenly opened his eyes and said coldly.
Quite a few of the Demon Door masters were secretly surprised.
With the character and experience of the two one-eyed elders, why would they be the first to confront Shi Xiaole?
Where would they know that as soon as Shi Xiaole appeared, he immediately gave the two one-eyed elders a very strong sense of threat, a sense of threat they had only felt from Xie Xiaofeng after his breakthrough.
This was an extremely terrifying young master, far beyond anyone’s imagination.
"What does the elder want to say?"
Said Shi Xiaole.
"The old man wants to have a few rounds with the young hero, do you dare?"
The Left-eye elder’s idea was to probe Shi Xiaole’s bottom line first to make preparation for the Divine Monarch. Of course, if the other party is determined not to agree, he will have to give up.
"Young Hero Shi shouldn’t agree."
The righteous heroes could see the Left-eye elder’s intentions and immediately shouted out to stop him.
Shi Xiaole himself has no advantage. Facing an opponent like the one-eyed elders, he inevitably reveals his cards, and his already low chances of winning would be even lower.
"Hehe, this really is a coward! A person who is not daring to accept a challenge, what qualifications does he have to challenge others? I think there is no need to compare in tonight’s duel!"
The Red Charm Demon sneered disdainfully.
She knew that the two one-eyed elders would not shoot aimlessly, so she used her best provocation.
"Haha, ever since our last parting in the Divine Palace, I have been regretful and also wanted to challenge Lord Xie. I wonder if Lord Xie is here?"
The Jade Fan Scholar stepped forward, smiling.
At such a critical moment concerning the rise and fall of the right and wrong paths, he could not care about face anymore.
The angle of the Red Charm Demon’s mouth grew wider, said: "Sorry, the Divine Monarch has not arrived."
"Shameless!"
The righteous leaders cursed under their breath.
Shi Xiaole laughed, looked at the one-eyed elder who had been staring at him, and said, "Since the elder invites me, I will accompany you for a few rounds."
"No!"
People were anxious, thinking that Shi Xiaole had to accept because of his face.
Only the Jade Fan Scholar, who remained smiling.
In fact, the moment he saw Shi Xiaole, more than half of his worries were lifted. The one-eyed elders could feel the power of Shi Xiaole, so how could the Jade Fan Scholar not?
This extra duel would undoubtedly affect Shi Xiaole if he lost, but if he won, it could also greatly boost morale.
On the other hand, if Shi Xiaole could not even defeat the one-eyed elders, or if he won by a narrow margin, it would be pointless to compare him with Xie Xiaofeng.
Then, even if it means losing face, the Jade Fan Scholar would forcibly take Shi Xiaole away and not allow the duel to proceed.
Whoosh!
Not giving anyone a chance to persuade them, the two one-eyed elders attacked at the same time, like thunder and lightning, quickly attacking Shi Xiaole from left and right.
