Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Stunning Skills
After consolidating his strength once more following his breakthrough, Shi Xiaole finally stood up. It had been over three months since his arrival in this world, and he had unknowingly grown taller.
"Junior Brother, congratulations!"
Yuan Qiuwei, an upright man, remained silent for a long time before finally saying these words.
He was actually more curious about how Shi Xiaole cultivated, but it was a personal matter. He felt embarrassed to ask.
"Senior Brother, how’s your injury?"
"They are mainly external injuries. A little treatment and recovery should do it."
Shi Xiaole did not rush Yuan Qiuwei. Only after two 2-hour periods when Yuan Qiuwei felt unobstructed did he propose to leave the stone chamber. They then set off together.
After wandering in the dark tunnel for about a 2-hour period, Shi Xiaole was awakened by footsteps ahead.
Shi Xiaole gripped his Qingfeng Sword.
And the people opposite them had obviously noticed the two of Shi Xiaole.
"Senior Brother, Junior Brother."
Xiao Yuanbo and Mao Wenjing showed joy and quickly came over.
"Why are you guys here too?"
Shi Xiaole expressed his confusion.
He didn’t know what had happened after he had fallen into the deep pit. After hearing Xiao Yuanbo’s explanation, he finally understood.
"By the way, didn’t you run into Chu Lin?"
If there was another person in the underground space that Shi Xiaole found threatening, it was Chu Lin.
"Chu Lin and Zhao Nanxing are fighting each other for the Jade Radiance Grass right now. We knew we couldn’t win, and we were worried about you, Junior Brother, so we came out on our own," Xiao Yuanbo explained.
Shi Xiaole grunted in acknowledgment. Chu Lin wouldn’t dare to use his Devil Path sword techniques openly, otherwise, Zhao Nanxing would have been dead already.
"Senior Brother, what would be the effect if the Jade Radiance Grass was used to refine pills?" Shi Xiaole suddenly asked.
"Although the Jade Radiance Grass is small in size, it has astonishing medicinal potency. One person doesn’t need even one leaf of it. If it’s used for refining pills, it can produce at least twenty Purity Pills, the effect of which would be better than that of direct intake," Yuan Qiuwei explained.
As he said this, he gave Shi Xiaole a strange look, not understanding why he would ask such a question.
"If we had Purity Pills, I believe that our Senior Brothers and Senior Sister would surely improve even further, right?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Qiuwei, Xiao Yuanbo, and Mao Wenjing all looked at each other.
Of course, he was right. However, the problem was that with Chu Lin and Zhao Nanxing there, nobody could lay their hands on the Jade Radiance Grass.
Even though Shi Xiaole appeared to be evenly matched with Zhao Nanxing earlier, most of it was due to his realm of conception. Once they had crossed hundreds of trips, the gap in their internal power would gradually widen, leading to Shi Xiaole’s definite loss.
Mao Wenjing blinked her eyes and tentatively said, "Junior Brother, you’re not thinking of fighting for the Jade Radiance Grass, are you?"
"Why not?" Shi Xiaole resolutely answered.
Jade Radiance Grass was rare, and it was okay if he couldn’t fight for it. But now that he had the strength to compete, how could he not strive for it with all his might?
Disciples of the Huajian Sect were dumbfounded. Did he really intend to do this?
"No!"
The first to object was Yuan Qiuwei, because he knew how terrifying Chu Lin was. Frankly, none of the disciples in the Lu Yan thirteen sects could compete with him.
"Senior Brother, Chu Lin would not dare in public," Shi Xiaole reasoned, thinking that even if Chu Lin dared to use the Devil Path sword technique, he wouldn’t necessarily fear him now.
Yuan Qiuwei remained prudent, still disagreeing with the idea of fighting for the Jade Radiance Grass. However, since everyone was present, he wasn’t worried that Chu Lin would murder Shi Xiaole. Hence, when Shi Xiaole suggested going over to take a look, he reluctantly agreed.
However, Xiao Yuanbo had a feeling that their Junior Brother hadn’t changed his mind.
Thump, thump, thump.
Soon after, the disciples of the Huajian Sect arrived at the center of the fierce battle, and indeed, it was where they had found the Jade Radiance Grass.
In the middle of the encircling disciples of all the sects, Chu Lin and Zhao Nanxing were fighting wildly, looking as though they shared unresolvable grievances.
"Chu Lin and Zhao Nanxing have fought five rounds without any clear victory. It appears this round will also be a deadlock."
"At this rate, they won’t get the Jade Radiance Grass, instead, they’ll exhaust themselves to death."
People were chattering everywhere.
They also harbored intentions for the Jade Radiance Grass, of course, but unfortunately, they were no match for the others, thus could only watch from the sidelines.
"Brother Zhao, you can’t defeat me, and I can’t defeat you either. So how about this, let’s split this Jade Radiance Grass evenly?" Choi Lin proposed after fighting for a while.
If he could, he would, of course, be reluctant to share the Jade Radiance Grass. But his Devil Path sword techniques ultimately couldn’t be used publicly, and ordinary methods couldn’t deal with Zhao Nanxing, which led Chu Lin to only concede begrudgingly.
Of course, he had already made up his mind. If he could escape this dilemma, he would find ways to kill Zhao Nanxing, this annoying troublemaker!
"Heh heh, Chu Lin, are you scared?"
Zhao Nanxing grinned, showing his teeth. However, he also stopped fighting. It was evident that he didn’t want to continue either.
Chu Lin disregarded his words, took out the gleaming Jade Radiance Grass from his chest, and was about to split it into two. At this moment, everyone’s eyes were all staring straight at it.
"Wait!"
Just at this moment, Shi Xiaole suddenly let out a shout and stepped out slowly from the crowd.
Yuan Qiuwei extended his hand, attempting to stop Shi Xiaole.
Xiao Yuanbo gave a wry smile, saying "I knew this was going to happen."
Mao Wenjing’s eyes were sparkling as she kept her gaze fixed on Shi Xiaole.
Moreover, disciples from various sects were staring at Shi Xiaole, their gazes filled with different shades of emotions.
"It’s you again, what do you want?"
Zhao Nanxing was taken aback at first, then followed by a harsh shout, his face filled with rage.
"Nothing special, I just want to compete for this Jade Radiance Grass as well."
Shi Xiaole maintained a nonchalant demeanor.
"You? You just want to take advantage of someone’s difficult situation, you mongrel!"
Zhao Nanxing said through gritted teeth.
His thoughts were the same as everyone else’s, believing that as long as he had enough time, he could absolutely defeat Shi Xiaole, so he didn’t feel the other party was qualified to compete.
Chu Lin’s face was also equally grim.
Compared to Zhao Nanxing, Chu Lin’s hatred for Shi Xiaole was ten times stronger. The brat knew his secret and it would cause trouble if he spilled it one day.
"I would never take advantage of someone’s hardship, you can take enough time to restore your vitality. I will make my move once you are fully recovered."
Shi Xiaole maintained a stoic face, even when Zhao Nanxing insulted him to his face, his gaze unchanged.
For some reason, Chu Lin felt a heavy wave of dread.
"Restore vitality? I don’t need it, I want to chop you up right now."
Zhao Nanxing suddenly took out a pill and swallowed it. A moment later, he appeared invigorated and full of vigor.
"A Qi Recovery Pill, which can restore one’s strength instantly."
A disciple from the Iron Sword Sect shouted, his gaze on Shi Xiaole was filled with delight at his misfortune.
"Zhao Nanxing is really resolute. I remember that Qi Recovery Pills are tens of thousands taels apiece, I guess he doesn’t have many left."
"It seems Shi Xiaole has truly angered Zhao Nanxing."
Under the gaze of an audience yearning for a spectacle, Zhao Nanxing roared and charged towards Shi Xiaole.
"You’ve cost me a Qi Recovery Pill, kneel before me, you mongrel!"
Having already fought five matches, Zhao Nanxing’s momentum was exceptionally strong. Adding his anger towards Shi Xiaole, he was like a ferocious beast released from its cage. The sword in his hand swung with force, as if it could shatter the air.
He Houhua in the crowd narrowed his eyes, Zhao Nanxing’s power surpassed his limit. If he were in his position, he would have no choice but to dodge.
If this had happened a day ago, Shi Xiaole would have made the same decision. But now, he only had one choice.
His Internal Power of the Hidden Qi level seven surged like rushing rivers within him. The azure sword light pierced through the air, heading straight toward Zhao Nanxing like an antelope’s horn.
"Back off!"
Zhao Nanxing laughed wildly, this was his full-strength attack. Shi Xiaole daring to block it head-on would certainly bring shame upon himself!
The two swords collided, and the overwhelming power transmitted through them, pushing each other away.
Boom, boom, boom.
Both of them stepped back three steps.
"He can stand his ground in a head-on attack?"
Xiao Yuanbo exclaimed in surprise, almost jumping up.
"Has he broken through to the next Internal Power level again?"
Mao Wenjing’s expression was full of shock, doubt, and shame, as if she had seen a ghost.
The expressions of the other disciples were apparent without saying. But the most surprised was Zhao Nanxing, one of the parties involved.
Not only because Shi Xiaole had successfully blocked his attack, but because Shi Xiaole had quickly counterattacked with his second strike.
Clang!
Shi Xiaole moved swiftly, his sword forcefully slammed against Zhao’s sword, deepening its notch.
"I’ll kill you!"
Zhao Nanxing was furious, however, before he could execute his killing technique. Shi Xiaole faintly smiled, and in mid-air, he swiftly launched his third strike.
This time, Zhao Nanxing was continuously forced back. Only with his formidable Internal Power could he avoid being severely injured.
"I don’t believe this. What kind of sword technique are you using?"
Zhao Nanxing cried out in disbelief.
"Taiyue Three Green Peaks."
Shi Xiaole made no attempt to conceal it. Hiding it would serve no purpose. Given the relationship between Yu Fangge and his aunt, he would not be blamed for learning other sword techniques.
Clang, clang, clang ...
Though Shi Xiaole repeatedly used the same three strikes, each attack came from a different angle, with a different pose, as though it was random. However, it was precisely this unpredictable sword technique that disrupted Zhao Nanxing’s rhythm, preventing him from even defending properly.
This was the benefit of having advanced Internal Power.
In the past, Shi Xiaole’s Internal Power was insufficient, and his moves had limited power, so he had to rely on his determination. Now, with the Taiyue Three Green Peaks technique, he can disrupt Zhao Nanxing’s rhythm.
"You have lost."
With the thirty-third move, Shi Xiaole abruptly changed his sword path, exuding a preposterous aura as though one was standing on a perilous summit, ready to fall at any moment.
Zhao Nanxing’s eyes dilated, at the same time his sword was sent flying and he himself was kicked away by Shi Xiaole.
Zhao Nanxing was defeated!
Even in the dim underground, at this moment, people seemed to see a glow emanating from Shi Xiaole, an invisible glow.
"Junior brother’s strength has surprisingly surpassed mine?"
Yuan Qiuwei murmured to himself.
Despite his unwillingness to admit it, he had to accept that after breaking through, Shi Xiaole’s strength had officially surpassed his own.
No, maybe even before the breakthrough, he had...
"Chu Lin, it’s your turn."
Unconcerned with the others, Shi Xiaole turned to look at the silent Chu Lin.
