Chapter 51: Chapter 51 Lei Lie
The crowd was shocked and trembling in fear.
Chu Lin’s strength was matching that of Zhao Nanxing. Since Shi Xiaole was able to defeat the latter, it is likely that he could defeat the former as well.
Was this formerly obscure fellow intending to challenge two of the leading talents of Mountain Luyan in a single day, aiming to become the number one disciple of Mountain Luyan?
"Shi Xiaole!"
In the crowd, Qi Hui’s face was nearly contorted.
He had never imagined that the boy he was jealous of and resented would reach this level.
One of the most painful things in life is to watch others achieving the dreams that one cannot fulfill themselves. At present, Qi Hui was feeling the same.
Under everyone’s gaze, Chu Lin suddenly revealed a smile, saying: "Brother Shi’s skills are unparalleled, truly admirable. Chu admits that he is not your rival. This Jade Radiance Grass should naturally go to you."
With these words, he flicked his finger, and the sparkling Jade Radiance Grass ended up in Shi Xiaole’s hand.
"Brother Chu really has a great magnanimity, and I admire that."
Shi Xiaole was not being sarcastic.
A noisy dog is not scary, but a flexible and patient character like Chu Lin is the most troubling, because it is hard to get a grip on him.
Shi Xiaole was certain that if he announced Chu Lin’s practice of the Devil Path sword style now, Chu Lin could definitely find a variety of reasons to clear his name.
Of course, this is mainly because only he and Yuan Qiuwei know the truth, which lacks convincing power.
After successfully obtaining the Jade Radiance Grass, the people of the Huajian Sect looked at Shi Xiaole differently, their attitudes subtly changing.
Actually, ever since Shi Xiaole executed Wu Zhishi and defeated the Grand Elder, he had established his prestige as a true descendant of the Huajian Sect.
If today’s incident were to spread, it would be beyond doubt that the name Shi Xiaole would shock the Thirteen Sects of Mountain Luyan and make everyone look at him differently.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this area is vast. Apart from the Jade Radiance Grass, there might be other opportunities. Why not explore and see?"
Shi Xiaole acted as if he had just remembered something and suggested to the people around him.
"To be honest, we have looked around earlier, but unfortunately we did not find any such opportunities."
Someone immediately replied.
In his mind, Shi Xiaole thought that there was not much chance here to begin with, and it was taken by him and Yuan Qiuwei, so of course, others would not have any.
His asking was actually to confuse others, demonstrating that many people had searched. In this way, when other sects asked afterward, they would not be able to determine who took the opportunity.
Of course, it is a fact that Shi Xiaole made such quick progress in his realm because he obtained some kind of opportunity. But after all, it was just a minor breakthrough, not enough to cause the Twelve Sects to make a big move.
Having thought through all aspects, and assured that there were no complications, Shi Xiaole let out a silent sigh of relief.
Now, all that’s left is to wait for the rescue from his Sect. With such a big incident happening here, the Sect couldn’t possibly be unaware.
The wait was not long. Within less than a 2-hour period, people began to descend from the deep pit one after another. These were the representatives of the Thirteen Sects.
After Qi Guang and others sent the message earlier, the Thirteen Sects immediately dispatched a large number of people. After studying the deep pit, they finally plucked up the courage to send people down.
"It’s great that you guys are okay."
Several representatives of the Huajian Sect found Shi Xiaole’s group, they couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"I’m sorry for this, it’s my incompetence that not only caused our Master to worry but also troubled you all," Yuan Qiuwei said with a regretful face.
"Not at all, not at all."
The representatives quickly dismissed Yuan Qiuwei’s apology, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
Probably because they had learned what had happened from the other disciples, people continued to look around Shi Xiaole with astonishment for the remainder of the time.
Shi Xiaole was observing the others as well.
He would not forget that he fell into the pit in the first place due to an assault with a dart. Judging by the power and speed of the dart, the one hiding probably had even greater power than Zhao Nanxing.
Unfortunately, there were so many people at the time that it was impossible to see who had attacked.
"If it was targeted at me, the opponent will likely take action again after this time."
Upon realizing this, Shi Xiaole’s heart sank.
Thick ropes tied together were lowered from the top of the deep pit along the stone walls. Every disciple of the Thirteen Sects was extraordinary. Relying on their internal power and ropes, they each quickly climbed out of the pit and saw the sun again.
An hour later, everyone safely escaped the pit.
"Young man, I heard that you grabbed the Jade Radiance Grass from Chu Lin?"
While Shi Xiaole was taking a break, suddenly a stern-faced middle-aged man in brocade clothes approached, and his opening words were full of strong chastisement.
Hearing this, Shi Xiaole couldn’t help laughing and said: "Are these Chu Lin’s thoughts or yours?"
The Sect Leader of Changfeng had a profound look in his eyes.
"The way the Jade Radiance Grass belongs was decided by everyone present. Chu Lin volunteered to give it to me, so naturally it is mine. What is this about grabbing?"
Shi Xiaole met the other’s gaze, not moving a bit in the face of the Sect Leader’s veiled threat.
Changfeng’s Sect Leader laughed loudly, saying aloud: "That’s ridiculous! Jade Radiance Grass is a sacred herb of the world. Its ownership should be jointly decided by all sect leaders. Since when is it your turn to decide? Young man, hand over the Jade Radiance Grass immediately!"
As he spoke, a Qi Realm internal power erupted from his body, which was entirely directed towards Shi Xiaole.
Caught off guard by this sudden attack, Shi Xiaole stumbled and nearly fell to the ground. He felt as if someone had punched him hard in the chest and felt a little stuffy.
"Our fellow Chu Lin is a generous man who prefers not to compete with you, yet you think you are stronger than him?"
The Sect Master of Changfeng Sect mocked from atop his high ground.
The crowd around was silent, creating a sudden quietness at the scene.
Some of the sect masters revealed a schadenfreude smile. Lei Lie, known for his domineering nature, is now targeting Shi Xiaole, much to the sect masters’ delight.
"And what do you count as? As a sect master, you have to rely on surprise attacks with your Qi Absorption Realm cultivation. Does bullying the small make you feel accomplished?"
Shi Xiaole’s response was surprisingly forceful, not giving Lei Lie any face at all.
Among the crowd, two people broke into a smile.
One of them was Chu Lin.
Another was Yu Fangge, who had been observing from the sidelines.
"Utterly lawless! Today, even if God himself is here, I will teach you, a rude bastard, a lesson."
Lei Lie’s eyes flashed with danger, anger burning within him, he slaps directly towards Shi Xiaole.
The force of the slap, if hit, would surely shatter Shi Xiaole’s skull. Many people realized that Lei Lie had murderous intentions and was seeking to kill Shi Xiaole with this strike.
"Sect Master Lei, are you acting like I don’t exist?"
A figure suddenly stepped in between, blocking Lei Lie’s strike with its hand.
"Yu Fangge, get out of the way if you know what’s good for you, or don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Lei Lie looked disdainfully at Yu Fangge. As the Sect Master of the Changfeng Sect, he held the title of Mountain Luyan’s top fighter and didn’t put Yu Fangge in his eyes.
Lei Lie had already decided, regardless of how powerful Shi Xiaole was, today at least, he would cripple him to prevent any threat to the Changfeng Sect.
As for his reputation and righteousness, as long as his fists were hard, who would dare to criticise?
"Act ruthlessly? Try it."
Unexpectedly, Yu Fangge showed no fear, instead, a smile curled up on his lips.
Bam!
The next moment, Lei Lie lashed out. His large fist seemed to be wrapped in an invisible gale, making a harsh, violent sound as it tore through the air.
Many people felt their scalp tingling as they recognised that this was Lei Lie’s claimed killer move, the Fierce Wind Divine Fist. The combined leaders of the Flying Leg Sect and Finger Flicking Sect were defeated by this very fist.
Yu Fangge remained smiling, drawing his long sword from his waist and slashing it through the air.
Windless Willow Sword.
With a sizzle.
The originally violent fist wind was immediately cut apart, and the long sword vibrated irregularly.
"Good job, Yu Fangge, you’ve been hiding your talents."
Lei Lie’s eyes narrowed, his face as still as water.
"Sect Master Lei, we all reside on Mountain Luyan, seeing each other now and then. Why ruin our relationship?"
Yu Fangge said, his hand gripping the sword steadily.
The two confronted each other for a long while, Lei Lie’s eyes flickered with a variety of expressions, finally, he sneered, "Yu Fangge, you’re good!" He spoke the words, but did not act.
The crowd let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this. The situation would have been even harder to control if these two top fighters started a brawl.
However, more people were curious about Yu Fangge, especially the sect masters of the Flying Leg Sect and Finger Flicking Sect.
With their keen eyes, how could they not recognise that Yu Fangge’s skills surpassed theirs? Although they couldn’t necessarily determine who was stronger between Lei Lie and Yu Fangge, Yu Fangge certainly ranked among the top three in Mountain Luyan.
This Yu Fangge, he really knows how to hide his talent, huh?
Shi Xiaole’s incident was a minor interruption. Afterward, the thirteen sects divided the Sansen Grass. This time, Yu Fangge intentionally let Changfeng Sect take the first place.
According to the agreement, the first place gets 20%, the second to fourth places get 10%. The difference of 10% wasn’t much in comparison to the gained Jade Radiance Grass.
"Xiaole, you were too impulsive today."
On the way back, Yu Fangge walked up to Shi Xiaole and said.
"Uncle, thank you for stepping in today."
Shi Xiaole earnestly said.
Yu Fangge laugh. From his observations, this youngster was not impulsive, did he just become a pawn for him today?
While on their way back, Shi Xiaole was very quiet.
He understood that if it weren’t for Yu Fangge’s intervention today, he probably would have been wasted by Lei Lie. Since the other party didn’t distinguish right from wrong and acted recklessly, he can’t blame him for being ruthless in the future!
After returning to the Huajian Sect, Shi Xiaole handed the Jade Radiance Grass to the Second Elder, who would commission someone to refine the Purity Pills and ensure that they would be distributed proportionately once they were made.
Everything seems to be back on track, but with a few changes.
Every day, when Shi Xiaole returned from practicing on the back mountain, he would see many disciples pointing at him as they passed by. Several times, some bold female disciples would even block him in the yard to ask him about martial arts.
Now, with the story of the Sansen Grass incident spreading, who in the Huajian Sect didn’t know that Shi Xiaole defeated Zhao Nanxing of the Four Maestros of Mountain Luyan, and even had the first among the Four Maestros, Chu Lin admit defeat?
However, among the crowds of disciples, nobody knew that a pair of cold eyes were constantly watching Shi Xiaole from the shadows.
