Chapter 561: Chapter 560: Two Young Men
Sword-Stirring Wind and Thunder does not refer to a name of a move, nor does it refer to a certain realm, but instead, it pertains to the application of swordsmanship. Its significance is similar to Sword Qi Thunder Sound and Sword Qi Congealed Ice.
In the state of man-sword unity, swordsmen of high talent can display Sword Qi Thunder Sound and Sword Qi Congealed Ice. For example, such was the case with Shi Xiaole and Xue Changqing in the past.
Similarly, at the Heavenly Sword realm, there are corresponding applications of swordsmanship, for instance, Sword-Stirring Wind and Thunder.
What stunned the three miraculous individuals was, throughout the entire Shuntian Capital, there are fewer than five swordsmen who have achieved enlightenment to the mid-stage of the Heavenly Sword, and currently, only the Sun Sword Lord can perform Sword-Stirring Wind and Thunder!
In other words, has Shi Xiaole right now, in terms of swordsmanship skill, already equalled the Sun Sword Lord?
"Incredible, it’s simply incredible, I’ve always fancied myself a genius in swordsmanship, but if compared with the Village Chief, I would barely count as a mediocrity."
Silver Sword Gentleman shook his head with a bitter smile.
His words were neither an intentionally exaggerated statement nor self-deprecating sentiments, at least in the lifetime of the Silver Sword Gentleman, he had never seen someone with a higher talent than Shi Xiaole.
Jade Axe Lady and Golden Saber Elder nodded, not knowing what to add.
The higher one’s understanding of the Wind from Beyond, the greater benefits they acquire. The three miraculous individuals each made progress in True Intent, thus naturally Shi Xiaole wouldn’t be left behind.
In a single day, his Wind True Intent had advanced from a realm of fifty percent to a summit of sixty percent, just barely shy of breaking through to seventy percent.
The Illusion True Intent had also advanced from twenty percent to reach its pinnacle.
Shi Xiaole activated his thoughts, pointing forward with the index finger of his left hand.
Whoosh!
Countless green threads appeared in mid-air with that finger point, crisscrossing in chaos and slicing through a solitary mountain peak three hundred meters away.
Crack, crack, crack.
The upper half of the solitary mountain peak, much like a reflection in a mirror, suddenly collapsed, and then shattered into a sky full of wood and stone chips.
"The lethality of Wind Extreme Sword Technique is actually reaching the level of top-tier Lords."
Ordinary top-tier Lords have not comprehended the Heavenly Martial realm, and having the enhancement of the mid-stage Heavenly Sword is enough to make up for Shi Xiaole’s deficiency in True Intent. Coupled with his superior Vigorous Air quality slightly exceeding that of top-tier Lords, his only shortfall would be cultivation.
That is to say, the current Shi Xiaole has acquired the real power of a top-tier Lord, excluding the need to engage in a protracted battle with top-tier Lords relying on defense.
He attempted to perform the Undying Seven Illusions, but due to the only slight increase in Illusion True Intent, the power of the Undying Seven Illusions didn’t experience a surge in strength.
However, for Shi Xiaole, this was enough.
On the offensive front, he had the Wind Extreme Sword Technique.
On the defensive front, he had the Vajra Unbreakable Body and Undying Seven Illusions.
Add on top of this his breakthrough in swordsmanship techniques, his current power might have even surpassed the elderly figure among the Four Symbols Mountain people.
Only when he had reached this point, did Shi Xiaole finally breathe a sigh of relief.
For a long duration, he had carried the responsibility of protecting all the people of Lele City. Although he never uttered it out loud, the pressure in his heart was something that was beyond the imagination of an ordinary person.
Now everything is alright, with his strength, even when up against the top twenty masters of Shuntian Capital, it’s not entirely impossible for him to fight, and together with the Jade Moon Axe and Array System, he needn’t fear anyone who comes!
More importantly, he also has three companions equally qualified to enter the top twenty ranking.
Shi Xiaole laughed.
The three miraculous individuals also responded with smiles.
The mutual understanding between them was encapsulated without the need for words.
...
Inside a mansion located surrounded by mountains and rivers.
The young girl in black was lying down on a reclining chair, closing her eyes and enjoying the soak in the sunset. Served by two beautiful women, one purple and one white, her long eyelashes fluttered occasionally, with her mouth letting out enticing, soft moans.
At one moment, the black-clothed young girl opened her eyes, her eyes resembling enchanting blue, and she said with a smile, "Come in."
The door was pushed open and two young men entered.
One of them wore a green garment, his face was thin and he perpetually displayed an arrogant demeanor. The only time he would submit was when he looked at the black-clothed young girl.
The other wore a grey robe, tall and thin in physique, with a gentle smile on his face. However, the smile did not reach his eyes, making others feel a chill down their spines.
Zi Xiangbo and Bai Xueying, who were serving Ren Mengzhen, suddenly felt the hairs on their bodies stand on edge. When they looked up, they found the young man in grey was looking at them, and his gaze made them feel very uncomfortable.
Normally, with the strength of these two women, even if they were to be stared at, they should not show such a reaction. The only explanation is, this grey-robed young man has the ability to pose a threat to them!
"We pay our respect to the Saintess."
The two kneeled down in unison.
"Stand up, did your Foster Father send you?
"The Sect Leader was worried that the Saintess was working too hard, so he sent the two of us to assist you."
Both of them stood up. The one answering was the young man in green.
Ren Mengzhen said, "It’s just the task of subduing the forces of Xuanwu State, it won’t be too difficult for me."
The youth in grey laughed, "Who doesn’t know that the Saintess is unparalleled in her strategies, and no one can compete with her talent. However, it’s needless for Saintess to personally deal with these insignificant sects in such a place. Whatever you want to do next, just instruct us."
His words were arrogant, it seemed that he completely disregarded the martial world of Xuanwu State.
However, Ren Mengzhen did not refute him, instead she introduced the two to Zi Xiangbo and Bai Xueying, "Remember these two, one is named ’Green Demon,’ Ou Wukai, and the other is ’Poison Eye,’ Peng Dian. Let me put it this way, amongst the so-called top fifty masters of Shuntian Capital, seventy percent of them are not their match within ten moves."
Zi Xiangbo and Bai Xueying were greatly shocked upon hearing these words, if they were not said by Ren Mengzhen, they would not believe it even if they were beaten to death.
"Peng Dian, you have always been fond of women, what do you think of these two maids of mine?"
Ren Mengzhen suddenly looked at the young man in the gray robe with a meaningful smile.
With a wide grin, Peng Dian replied, "If they were bestowed on me, I would be immensely grateful."
The two women turned deathly pale.
Ren Mengzhen bemusedly smiled, and finally, when the tension made the women’s hearts pound, she said, "Very well. However, in a few months, there shall be an interesting event in the martial world of Xuanwu State. When that time comes, you shall go and teach someone a lesson, and I will give the girls to you."
"Hehe, then I will not decline."
Peng Dian didn’t ask who the person was. As long as the Saintess was the one assigning the task, he was confident the said person would not be a match for him.
...
Construction of the mansion had reached its third month.
On this day, a large group of people arrived at the foot of Nine Profound Mountain. The leader was a distinguished old man who looked incredulously at the outline of the large mansion being built on the southeastern peak.
"Sixth Elder, it’s been a while."
A figure approached from a distance.
The old man was indeed the Sixth Elder of the Ai family who Shi Xiaole had saved in the Illusion Lord’s cave. He laughed heartily, "Little Xiaole, when you were founding your sect, such a significant matter, how could you not inform our Ai family? That’s not a good move!"
Shi Xiaole hurriedly replied, "Elder, please don’t take offense. I was planning to invite everyone over for a drink once the mansion was built."
Sixth Elder didn’t mind his remark. He looked at the distant mansion, "Such a massive construction project, it’s almost as grand as the Ai family."
Back in Qingxue State, Su Yanru had hired five thousand craftsmen and built Lele City in two months.
But now, with tens of thousands of craftsmen working together for three months, they had only completed the mansion’s outline, which showed how enormous was the project. No wonder Sixth Elder sighed.
Everyone ascended the mountain.
On the way up, the Sixth Elder asked Shi Xiaole why he was building the mansion here and expressed his concerns as well as those of the Ai family. But Shi Xiaole explained them all.
So, the Sixth Elder didn’t bring it up again.
Those who were familiar with Shi Xiaole knew that he was neither rash nor arrogant. His decisions must have their own reasons.
Following the Sixth Elder were thousands of craftsmen. According to him, they were the members of the Xiangshan Sect, maintained by the Ai family. Hearing that Shi Xiaole was building a mansion, they came to help.
Shi Xiaole was of course, immensely grateful.
"Such a delicate structure!"
When they arrived at the construction site, both the Sixth Elder and the Xiangshan Sect members were fascinated by the architecture. It was something they had never seen before.
The architecture varied, and the bases were diverse, but each building seemed to rise from the ground. Its harmony with the surrounding environment and even every flower and tree gave people an indomitable sense of solidity.
Many members of the Xiangshan Sect closely observed and expressed their astonishment.
"Great! The person who designed it is God-givenly talented! With such structure, even a major earthquake wouldn’t pose a threat." A man who looked like the leader of the Xiangshan Sect came forward and urgently asked, "May I know which expert designed this place, young hero Shi?"
Sixth Elder also looked at Shi Xiaole.
With his insight, he could easily see that the quality of this building significantly exceeded the Ai family’s and even all those in Xuanwu State. Living in it would surely be a great pleasure.
"I’m sorry, the friend who drew the design had repeatedly instructed me not to reveal her name."
Shi Xiaole apologized with a smile and spoke in extreme pain.
Before her last departure, Shui Lingping had indeed warned him not to reveal her name or her whereabouts, otherwise, it would be the last time they meet.
The Xiangshan Sect’s leader looked towards the Sixth Elder. Sixth Elder smiled wryly, "Highly skilled people do have a temperament. Don’t blame Xiaole. It’s our lack of fortune."
"Sixth Elder, if you like it, Shi Xiaole will reserve a room for you. It wouldn’t be an issue to stay in it year-round."
"Hahaha, that’s a deal."
With the participation of thousands of Ai family’s craftsmen, the progress of the project was speeded up.
The Sixth Elder stayed at Nine Profound Mountain for several days. Once he confirmed that the place was safe, he left. Shi Xiaole’s life was back to normal, dedicating all his attention to martial arts except for occasional rests.
Two more months passed in this manner.
On a huge rock, a fierce wind suddenly rose, its vigor stretching a hundred meters away.
"Finally broke through to the early stage of the Dragon Gate Realm’s Ninth Level."
Gradually condensing his breath, Shi Xiaole sighed. No wonder there were countless geniuses in the martial world, yet there were so few young lords.
Take him, for example. He trained fiercely for most of the year, and his cultivation had only broken through from the intermediate stage of the Dragon Gate Realm’s Eighth Level to the early stage of the Dragon Gate Realm’s Ninth Level.
You can imagine, if he had not practiced Karmic Conversion Skill, his cultivation level would still be stuck in the middle phase of Dragon Gate Realm now, let alone compete with lords.
Of course, the several months of hard work also yielded more than just cultivation progress.
Standing up from the huge stone, Shi Xiaole swung a sword in front of him.
The speed of the Sword Qi was beyond description. In just a blink, both the grassland a meter away and a hundred meters away were simultaneously overwhelmed by the Sword Qi, as if the distance had no meaning.
After the Sword Qi dissipated for about three breaths, all the green grass within a hundred meters suddenly turned into green dust. The wind blew, littering the air with it.
"This sword, created based on sixty percent comprehension of the Wind True Intent, focuses on the utmost speed. Let’s call it... Wind of Lingxi."
Wind of Lingxi was Shi Xiaole’s greatest achievement over the past few months. As the sixth move of the Wind Extreme Sword Technique, it was way more potent than the fifth move, Fierce Wind Hundred Turns.
It was named Wind of Lingxi taken from the phrase ’heart-to-heart understanding’, symbolizing that this sword was fast just like the mind. Wherever it swings, that’s where the wind is.
