Chapter 446: Chapter 445: Revenge Must Be Served Early
As a top-tier sword technique among the first-rate lower tier swordplay, mastering Outer Heaven Flying Immortal was extremely difficult. However, Shi Xiaole had underestimated his own comprehension ability and the effect of the Three Purities Flower.
After a month, he had achieved mastery in Outer Heaven Flying Immortal.
Of course, his swift progress had much to do with his sword realm.
Without any delay, Shi Xiaole continued to comprehend.
In any martial art, progressing from mastery to perfection is far more difficult than from a novice to mastery, by a factor of ten.
Perhaps driven by circumstances, Shi Xiaole was incredibly efficient. Just before the effect of the Three Purities Flower wore off, he had successfully achieved perfection with the Outer Heaven Flying Immortal.
In the void, light from the sword flashed. It was impossible to describe how brilliant its radiance was. Like a rainbow tearing through the sky, it fiercely crashed into the jade bi.
Bang!
The jade bi shook violently.
"Impressive. Even without the support of Wind True Intent, its power has surpassed the Thirteen Styles of Gentle Breeze."
First-rate martial arts are indeed first-rate. They are ten times more profound and mysterious than second-rate martial arts. In addition, the Outer Heaven Flying Immortal seemed to resonate with Shi Xiaole’s temperament, making it even more powerful.
After some thought, Shi Xiaole infused two more points of the Wind True Intent into the technique, only to find that there was not much increase in power, and the change made it feel out of place, disrupting its original state.
"I wonder how powerful I am now."
Having perfected a first-rate lower-tier internal technique and swordplay, coupled with a sword realm that was nearly at the level of the Heavenly Sword, it could be said that Shi Xiaole had surpassed most of the fifth-tier masters of the Dragon Gate Realm. His only shortcoming was his cultivation level.
If he were to encounter the likes of the Golden Saber Marquis and the Silver Spear Marquis again, he was ready to fight them outright!
However, the primary issue now was, how could he get out of here?
Shi Xiaole wasn’t perplexed for long. On the third day of extracting the last of the Three Purities Flowers, the mechanism of the Jade Sword Palace was activated, and a passage wide enough for one person to walk through automatically opened in the jade bi.
With a smile, Shi Xiaole walked along the passage. Shortly thereafter, he re-entered the maze.
"So it’s him."
In the shadows, a pair of eyes sparkled.
When Shi Xiaole first broke into the Jade Sword Palace, many people had shouted his name. To be cautious, the old man naturally had someone investigate Shi Xiaole’s background.
What excited him was that Shi Xiaole was not a disciple of any notable sects, which lifted his reservations.
In the field, an intense battle was unfolding.
The two participants were Yang Feng and Yu Meiren.
Yang Feng held a blue long blade, his flying skill was excellent and his offensive speed was extremely fast. Despite his relentless attack, Yu Meiren remained unhurried. Every swing of her sword would send a wave of pink sword qi rushing forward.
"Cross Lightning Slash!"
After hundreds of moves, Yang Feng swung his blade, and the electric light from his blade sizzled.
"Flower Fall Not Flower!"
Facing the electric blade light, Yu Meiren’s jade wrist rotated, her sword circling around, sending out three pink petals fluttering. Two of them neutralized Yang Feng’s blade aura, and the last one was about to hit him, but it turned into light points at the last moment.
"Thank you, Miss Yu, for sparing me."
Yang Feng was stunned for a moment, then offered his thanks with clasped fists.
Yu Meiren nodded in acknowledgement.
As time passed, the strange power within Jade Sword Terrace weakened, however, this didn’t stop everyone from practicing and interacting with each other. Besides, after leaving the Jade Sword Terrace, the feeling of hunger strangely intensified, preventing them from leaving.
"Yang, my friend, your skills have improved quickly."
Crown Sword Marquis watched Yang Feng return from his match.
To be honest, he didn’t think highly of Yang Feng at first. In Xuanwu State, which was full of talents, Yang Feng didn’t stand out. However, over time, the Crown Sword Marquis began to notice many admirable traits in Yang Feng and couldn’t help being impressed.
Yang Feng laughed, "Senior Zhou’s progress is just as impressive. I believe his current skill is now three times my own." His tone shifted, lowering his voice, "If Brother Shi were here, he would surely surpass me."
Upon hearing this, Crown Sword Marquis could not help but sigh.
Shi Xiaole had been missing for two months, and nobody knew where he was or whether he was dead or alive. Given his circumstances, if he weren’t killed by someone, he might have starved to death by now.
With another sigh, Crown Sword Marquis and Yang Feng closed their eyes.
After each match, everyone meditated on the spot to recover their strength.
At Jade Sword Terrace, the sound of discussions and weapons clashing were occasionally heard. However, more often, everyone was silently practicing their own martial arts.
This was due to two factors. First, everyone knew they might have to team up to find the exit of the maze, so unless there was a grudge between them, there was no need to fight. Second, someone had tried to kill off the fighters before, but were warned by several top fighters like Shen Wumei and Crown Sword Marquis.
Unnoticed, a figure in a blue robe silently entered the field.
"I’m recovering from my injuries?"
After having been injured by the Golden Saber Marquis and Silver Spear Marquis two months ago, Shi Xiaole’s injuries had recovered by eighty percent. The remaining twenty percent was healed at this moment by the force that surged from the field.
What everyone didn’t know was that Shi Xiaole’s absorption speed of the field’s power was five to ten times theirs. It was like a whale sucking in water, which greatly reduced the efficiency of their absorption, leaving them slightly frustrated.
Approximately two hours later, Shi Xiaole’s injuries were completely healed, and his vigorous air had circulated countless times, becoming purer and more robust.
"Brother Shi!"
Not far away, Yang Feng woke up to see a familiar face, and his surprise quickly turned to joy.
"Little friend Shi is back?"
Crown Sword Marquis also woke up surprised, his face showing delight.
Soon after, many people opened their eyes from their meditative states, and the first person they noticed was the unfamiliar Shi Xiaole.
"It is this kid!"
The eyes of the Golden Saber Marquis narrowed instantly, showing more excitement than even Yang Feng and the Crown Sword Marquis. A rampant killing intent surged within him like a tide, yearning to whip out his saber and engage in combat immediately.
"Silver Spear Marquis, let’s fight."
The Golden Saber Marquis cried out, and his saber slashed down faster than the speed of his voice.
The Silver Spear Marquis, realizing the situation, stabbed towards the blade’s light with his spear.
With a loud bang!
The shockwaves from their exchange spread out in an elliptical shape, with the tips aimed directly where Shi Xiaole was standing.
"Green Willow Strands."
With a scoff, the Crown Sword Marquis formed a layer of Green Willow Sword Qi, effectively surrounding Shi Xiaole. The shockwave hit it, shattering the protective Qi but also exhausting its residual force, having little strength left.
But this was just the beginning.
"Ten Thousand Feet Golden Light Slash!"
"Souls under Spears!"
The Golden Saber Marquis and the Silver Spear Marquis went on to use their lethal moves. They deliberately charged to a spot only a few yards from Shi Xiaole, effectively sending grass flying under the force. The gold and silver light emitted seemed like a tsunami, swallowing everything in its wake.
"How dare you?"
The Crown Sword Marquis was outraged, and countless Green Willow Sword Qi rushed out, resisting a part of the shockwave. But he was a lone force, and a great deal of vigorous air still leaked towards Shi Xiaole.
"Cross Lightning Slash!"
While everyone else retreated, only Yang Feng charged forward. His fair face determined, he swung the most powerful strike of his lifetime.
Bang!
The blade’s radiance merely held on for a moment before crumbling. Despite being suppressed in the same realm, Yang Feng was too far from the Golden Saber Marquis and the Silver Spear Marquis. He couldn’t even withstand their residual waves.
"Bastard."
Shen Wumei did not recognize Shi Xiaole, nor did he know why he had only arrived now. However, the actions of the Golden Saber Marquis and Silver Spear Marquis were undoubtedly disregarding his authority. He was just about to make a move when his movement froze.
In his vision, the young man in the blue shirt on the ground turned into a streak of cyan glow with sparkling points, appearing abruptly with Yang Feng outside the range of the residual waves.
The seemingly effortless display of flying skill left even Shen Wumei with constricted pupils.
"So fast!"
The rest of the spectators standing outside were likewise shocked.
Though he was merely midway through the first Dragon Gate Realm, the flying skills he displayed were no less than those in the fourth or even fifth tier of Dragon Gate Realm, which was almost unbelievable.
"Golden Saber Marquis, Silver Spear Marquis, if you want to plot against me, why not just make a move directly?"
Whilst looking at the two men who were still feigning their fight, Shi Xiaole remarked nonchalantly.
"You dare to fight me?"
Halting his action, the Golden Saber Marquis disdainfully looked at Shi Xiaole.
Two months ago, Shi Xiaole was beaten by him like a lifeless dog, easily extinguishable. If he was now to say that after merely two months, Shi Xiaole was qualified to challenge him, even killing the Golden Saber Marquis wouldn’t make him believe it.
What’s more, in these two months, the Golden Saber Marquis’s progress haven’t been insignificant. Rather, it equated to the attainment of several years.
"Relying on the Crown Sword Marquis’ backing, you’re prideful, you are laughably ridiculous!"
The corner of the Silver Spear Marquis’ mouth was lifted in a smirk.
He didn’t hold as deep a grudge against Shi Xiaole as the Golden Saber Marquis did. Nevertheless, Shi Xiaole’s vast potential was undeniable. Since they had already offended him, they might as well plan to kill him.
"What am I afraid of? I am just afraid that you won’t dare to make a move."
Ignoring the Silver Spear Marquis, Shi Xiaole looked straight at the Golden Saber Marquis, his murderous intent evident in his eyes.
"Ha ha ha ..."
The Golden Saber Marquis angered to laughter. He thought that Shi Xiaole had been secretly warned by the Crown Sword Marquis, knowing that they could not kill anyone here, and thus was feigning calmness without fear.
Turning his head to look at Shen Wumei, who had just stood up, he said, "Young Hero Shen, did you see? Someone is blatantly provoking me. It’s not like I’m here to find trouble."
Curious about Shi Xiaole’s flying skill, Shen Wumei casually replied, "You can duel, but it’s better not to kill. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that my sword will not draw blood."
Without making much of a move, the sword on his back flew straight out, circling around Shi Xiaole and the Golden Saber Marquis, leaving behind a trail of lingering sword Qi.
"Young Hero Shen, don’t worry."
The Golden Saber Marquis’s fierce expression softened slightly.
Under realm suppression, the current strength of Shen Wumei was indeed slightly stronger than his. In the past two months, it appeared that the latter had made rapid progress, an intimidating talent indeed!
Cursed, it seemed not suitable to directly kill Shi Xiaole. He would have to maim him first, at least.
Silence prevailed all around, apparently everyone was awestruck by Shen Wumei’s move.
Only the Crown Sword Marquis and Yang Feng grew exceedingly anxious.
Yang Feng quickly pulled Shi Xiaole, saying, "Brother Shi, a gentleman takes his revenge ten years later. There’s no need to be impatient."
In Yang Feng’s eyes, given Shi Xiaole’s aptitude, it would take at most five to ten years for him to surpass the likes of the Golden Saber Marquis. He couldn’t comprehend why Shi Xiaole was being so rash.
"Brother Yang, when you can avenge, you should do it as soon as possible. What if your enemies no longer exist?"
Shi Xiaole laughed.
Before Yang Feng could understand the meaning of his words, the Golden Saber Marquis on the opposite side had already pounced, extending a hand with a brilliant blade light.
