Chapter 451: Chapter 450: Revenge
The hearts that had just been lifted fell once again.
Indeed, the news of the Jade Sword Palace was known to half of the Martial World, the surrounding area was undoubtedly filled with highly skilled martial artists. They might become the target of many people as soon as they show up.
"No need to worry, if Shen Wumei and others have long planned this, they must have also planned a way out. Let’s look carefully for it."
In fact, the owner of Purple Extreme Dagger had already told Shi Xiaole about the way out, but he couldn’t point it out immediately, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to explain it.
Upon hearing this, they felt it made sense, and so, started to search for the exit.
During this process, Shi Xiaole covertly used the secret sign given by the owner of the Purple Extreme Dagger. Shortly after, Yu Meiren’s excited voice came, "I found it, there is a passage here."
It turned out that a long and deep passage appeared in the first half of the maze near Jade Sword Pool. The passage was straight and dark, and it was not clear where it led.
"Senior Zhou, can you lead the way, I will cover the rear,"
Shi Xiaole suggested.
Among the people present, he and Crown Sword Marquis were the strongest. Naturally, the others had no objection to this arrangement and were even secretly grateful to Shi Xiaole.
The group walked along the secret passage and emerged from a valley about a day later.
Rumble!
As soon as they emerged, the secret passage behind them collapsed, making it impossible to return.
It was evident that this was meticulously designed by the Jade Sword Palace to prevent possible pursuers.
"We owe our safe escape to Young Hero Shi,"
Looking at the green mountains and clear waters, one of the masters couldn’t help but step forward and express his gratitude with a fist salute.
"You’re too kind, I was just saving myself,"
Shi Xiaole waved his hand dismissively.
"With Young Hero Shi’s talent, I believe that before long, your fame will resound throughout the Martial World,"
Another master also stepped forward.
This was not just flattery. In their eyes, Shi Xiaole was definitely one of top talents in the Xuanwu State. Maybe due to his young age, his prowess didn’t surpass the other few, but his name would definitely become well-known throughout the Martial World sooner or later.
"Brother Shi, if you have time, please visit the Water Moon Sect,"
The usually silent Fan Donglai also extended an olive branch.
Next to them, Yu Meiren, with her stunning beauty, flashed a charming smile. As a young lady, it wasn’t appropriate for her to directly invite Shi Xiaole, but she also subtly expressed her goodwill.
"There’s also one more thing to consider. Our departure from the Jade Sword Palace will inevitably be noticed sooner or later. If we’re not careful, it could easily arouse other people’s coveting,"
"Does Brother Shi have any ideas?"
As for Shi Xiaole, people had no idea what to say, they were in awe, admired him, and even held a hint of fear.
"Perhaps we could do this ..."
Not long after, the group went their separate ways.
Crown Sword Marquis and Yang Feng didn’t leave. The former wanted to learn from Shi Xiaole’s cultivation insights, while the latter had nowhere to go for the time being. After discussing for a while, the three of them settled in a purchased villa in a nearby city.
However, the two didn’t have much money, and the cost was borne by Shi Xiaole.
...
Three days after Shi Xiaole and others left the Jade Sword Palace, the Water Moon Sect and Pink Gang jointly declared that the reemergence of the Jade Sword Palace was a huge conspiracy.
Latter, the two factions cracked the Air Sword Formation outside the Jade Sword Palace. Countless masters rushed in, and immediately discovered a group of masters brought in by Shen Wumei’s mentor.
More than half of these people had starved to death, and the remaining ones were eating the flesh of the corpses after using their Internal Power to roast it.
"Speak, what’s going on here?"
The captives were seized by the crowd.
Within the Water Moon Sect, a master proficient in Soul Capturing Skill interrogated them. They quickly learnt the truth, causing uproar amongst the group.
...
In a courtyard full of blooming flowers.
"Be careful!"
Crown Sword Marquis struck three times, each stroke producing a blade of Sword Qi towards Shi Xiaole with the speed of lightning. However, they were all shattered by Shi Xiaole’s sword before they could even reach halfway.
Clang, clang, clang...
Next, Crown Sword Marquis did everything he could, his long sword whipping up numerous illusions in the air, but he couldn’t even force Shi Xiaole to retreat. After enduring for a while, he reluctantly sheathed his sword with a bitter smile.
"Xiaole, you’re not giving me any face. Luckily there’s no one else here, otherwise my reputation would be ruined in an instant,"
Crown Sword Marquis pretended to be angry.
After spending many days together, he and Shi Xiaole had become familiar with each other and their conversations had become more casual.
Shi Xiaole laughed, "If you go all out, I wouldn’t be able to handle your twenty moves."
"What’s the point of comparing Sword Realms if we’re also comparing cultivation prowess?"
Crown Sword Marquis shook his head, walked to a stone table on the side, and drank a pot of wine, causing Yang Feng to chuckle.
Shi Xiaole was also helpless.
Over the past month, the trio spent their days either discussing martial arts, sharing cultivation insights, drinking to their hearts’ content, or practicing swordplay. They were carefree and happy.
Of course, Shi Xiaole had not given up on his progress in martial arts.
Probably because of the constant intense battles in the Jade Sword Palace, his cultivation advanced quickly. Now, he had reached the peak of the first tier of the Dragon Gate Realm. Combined with his Sword Realm and true meaning, even an average fifth tier Dragon Gate Realm master might not be able to handle him.
"Xiaole, thanks to your guidance during this time, my Sword Realm has improved considerably. Perhaps in another five or ten years, I’ll have a chance to comprehend the Heavenly Sword Realm."
As the three drank and chatted, Crown Sword Marquis broke into hearty laughter.
His talent for swords was naturally high, otherwise, he wouldn’t have become one of the strong ones among the intermediate Dragon Gate Realm practitioners in his fifties. With Shi Xiaole’s experiences, his progress was understandably swift.
Yang Feng expressed both envy and frustration, "It’s truly commendable how much you’ve improved, Brother Zhou. In comparison, I feel rather insignificant."
Compared to Crown Sword Marquis, Yang Feng was less talented. Moreover, he was a knife master, and the effect of their sparring was not as great as that between two sword masters. Over time, his progress had inevitably been much slower.
Crown Sword Marquis thought for a moment, then said, "I have a good friend who is also a blade wielder. His skills are equal to mine. If Brother Yang is willing, I can introduce you to him."
He had learned that Yang Feng was a loner without a sect or a master, and acquired his skills purely through serendipity, hence his suggestion.
Upon hearing this, Yang Feng’s face lit up with joy. "That would be wonderful. Thank you, Brother Zhou."
Having a master versus not having one amounted to two different worlds. Yang Feng had struggled for many years on his own, and knew the hardships of self-taught cultivation all too well. Not everyone was as freakish as Shi Xiaole, learning everything on their own without a guide.
Crown Sword Marquis turned to Shi Xiaole and said, "Xiaole, you have already reached the pinnacle of the first tier of the Dragon Gate Realm. There is nothing of value that I can give you as a gift, but perhaps this could suffice as a token of my regard."
As he spoke, he reached into his robes and drew out a cloth bag. Opening up the bag, there laid three transparent and pristine Sun and Moon Crystals.
"That’s too much, Brother Zhou!"
Shi Xiaole was taken aback. This was far too generous a gift.
"Don’t decline! Compared to how you generously shared your experiences without holding back, my little gift is nothing. Further, with my level of cultivation, these three Sun and Moon Crystals won’t significantly increase my power."
Crown Sword Marquis said with an unconcerned smile.
Also, Yang Feng chimed in, "Exactly Xiaole, this is just a token of Brother Zhou’s affection. You’ve no reason to refuse."
Shi Xiaole thought for a moment. Seeing Crown Sword Marquis being very determined, he reluctantly nodded, "Well then, if you insist, I will accept gratefully."
The three continued to drink, the atmosphere even more fervent than before. For they knew that their day of parting was soon to come.
Late at night.
Shi Xiaole sat on his bed with three Sun and Moon Crystals before him.
"Perhaps tonight, I can break through to the second tier of the Dragon Gate Realm."
Picking up one of the left crystals, Shi Xiaole began to absorb its energy.
Half an hour later, the first Sun and Moon Crystal was reduced to dust, and Shi Xiaole’s vigorous air became denser.
Then the second one.
The third one.
When the third Sun and Moon Crystal was fully absorbed, Shi Xiaole’s internal power surged like a rampant river, breaking through an invisible barrier in his body.
Boom boom boom.
A powerful aura emanated from Shi Xiaole, radiating in every direction. The windows of the room were shattered instantly, and the furniture was covered in countless cracks. When a night breeze blew, they all collapsed.
The early phase of the second tier of the Dragon Gate Realm.
After absorbing the three Sun and Moon Crystals, Shi Xiaole’s cultivation had successfully broken through to the early phase of the second tier of the Dragon Gate Realm.
At this moment, his vigorous air had greatly increased, which had also substantially boosted his strength.
If by the previous night, Shi Xiaole had only been able to face masters of the fifth tier of the Dragon Gate Realm who had not practiced top-tier moves, now, even if he were to face those who had, he wouldn’t lose by much, unless, of course, their martial arts realm was very high.
"It’s time for revenge."
Remembering what had happened in the Ancient Ruins, Shi Xiaole’s face turned ice-cold, radiating an icy chill.
"Truly a genius, breaking through to the second tier of the Dragon Gate Realm at the age of twenty-three. If given enough resources, he can certainly rival those top-tier talents."
Feeling the fluctuations in the air from another room, Crown Sword Marquis smiled contentedly.
"I need to work even harder."
On the eaves of the roof, Yang Feng clenched his fist.
The three chatted for two more days.
On this day, Crown Sword Marquis was ready to take Yang Feng to visit his friend while Shi Xiaole said he had something else to handle. They bid each other farewell at the city gate.
...
A magnificent, unmatched horse of amber color galloped on the official road, attracting many onlookers. On horseback sat a man with a beard.
Under normal circumstances, it would take half a month to travel nonstop from Jade Sword Palace to the Ancient Ruins. But considering how astounding Qing Feng was, it took only half a day to get close to the Ancient Ruins. Not until then did he slow down.
As soon as he entered the Ancient City, he didn’t need to ask around, based on the Tianluo Sect’s symbol, he found their base. Having heard that Luo Wenxu had left half a month ago, he hatched a plan.
...
At the base of Tianluo Sect.
In a standalone small courtyard.
Third Elder leisurely sipped his tea.
As one of the inner elders, he was in charge of the entire Ancient Ruins branch. He didn’t have many mundane duties, only major decisions required his approval, so his days were quite relaxed.
If there was one thing that had been annoying him, it was letting that Shi kid escape almost a year ago.
"Why did he have to foolishly intrude into the Jade Sword Palace?"
Putting down his tea cup, the Third Elder snorted coldly.
Of course, it wasn’t that he pitied Shi Xiaole’s life, but that he regretted not having been able to acquire Shi Xiaole’s psychic techniques and Qing Feng. Had he known this would happen, he would have sent out the information much earlier.
Footsteps echoed out.
Lifting his head, Third Elder immediately smiled, "My disciple, why are you back so soon?"
He remembered that Luo Wenxu said he was going to explore an ancient site. It had been only half a month since he left.
"I came back to retrieve something."
Closing the yard gate, Luo Wenxu halted three steps away and said.
"What is it?"
Before the Third Elder could come out of his confusion, Luo Wenxu had already attacked, thrusting his sword towards him.
"Seeking death!"
His internal power automatically started working. The Third Elder was about to slap him when suddenly his mind felt as though it was sliced by two blades. His actions momentarily halted, and he quickly sidestepped and shouted, "So it’s you!"
He was not surprised but overjoyed.
This Shi kid, thinking he could assassinate him by disguising himself as Luo Wenxu? This was great! This was a gift from heaven! This time, he would definitely capture this kid and interrogate him thoroughly to vent his built-up frustration.
