Chapter 562: Chapter 561: Crashing the Scene
After nearly half a year of work, a luxurious and exquisite mansion emerges on the southeastern peak of Nine Heavens Mountain. It looks like a clustered collection of buildings from a painting.
The overall color of the mansion leans towards brighter hues, primarily beige. The connected eaves and corridors along with multiple pavilions can be arguably described as a fragment of a dream, where one gets a pleasing sight every three steps and an entire courtyard every five.
From the main entrance of the mansion, there are ninety-nine steps made entirely from white marble that can accommodate twenty people standing on them at once.
Once one is on the topmost step, they can see a large archway in front of them and a corner of the mansion enveloped in sprays of misty clouds from behind it.
The only imperfect piece of the picture is the lack of a name on the archway.
"Lele, the mansion is officially completed today, so it’s about time you chose a name, how about ’Lele Mansion’?"
The crowd standing in front of the archway is bubbling with excitement.
The disciples of Lele City were particularly ecstatic as they survey their surroundings in awe, their hearts swelling with a strong sense of belonging and pride to think that they’ll be calling this place their home.
The one asking the question is Su Yanru, wearing a teasing smile on her beautiful face.
"Cough, Master, a name is like the face of a power, so please consider something more domineering."
The Golden Saber Elder, standing off to the side, becomes anxious, dreading that Shi Xiaole would actually name the mansion "Lele Mansion".
Those who heard the Elder’s comment burst into laughter while wondering what kind of name Shi Xiaole would come up with.
Looking around the picturesque views, Shi Xiaole recalls that the entire mansion was designed by Shui Lingping and then he draws an idea. By connecting his index and middle fingers together, he scribbles something in the air.
A moment later, four characters which represented elegance and grace, were written prominently on the main archway.
"Wuling Villa!"
Everyone reads out loud in unison.
"’Ling’ symbolizes solitude, and it is my hope that the people living in this villa won’t experience such loneliness in their lifetime," Shi Xiaole calmly states.
’Wuling Villa’, though not overbearing, holds deep significance - a good name indeed!" The Silver Sword Gentleman nods in approval, asking, "Since the villa just opened, do you plan on inviting some well-acquainted powers to help liven up the atmosphere?"
"Naturally, Zhu Ling, I am entrusting this task to you."
Shi Xiaole turns to Zhu Ling.
"Rest assured, Master," Zhu Ling reassures him with a smile.
...
Wuling Villa.
Over a span of a few days, this name becomes the talk of the town in the Martial World of Xuanwu State, not only because it was built on Nine Heavens Mountain where unaffiliated sects dared not dwell, but also because its master is the brightest genius of Shuntian Capital, Shi Xiaole.
"Tsk, tsk, you guys have no idea about the grandeur of Wuling Villa. I managed to catch a glimpse of it from afar. Speaking without any shred of humility, there’s no power in Xuanwu State that could rival it!"
"What does Shi Xiaole want to do? Does he not only want to be the number one genius but also the top figure of Xuanwu State in the future?"
"I have no idea, but I heard that Wuling Villa has been sending out a wide range of invitations recently, and many first-rate powers have received them. They are meant to attend the grand ceremony of the villa on August 15th."
"This is so high-profile, what do you guys think would happen if those first-rate powers don’t go?"
"Impossible. Given Shi Xiaole’s status today, who would dare to ignore the invitation?"
In the streets, in the restaurants, everywhere one goes, the chatter of martial artists regarding this matter could be heard, as this was without a doubt the most exciting event in Xuanwu State.
"Shi Xiaole?"
Inside a brothel, a young man in a grey robe is having a good time with two women as they fill his cup with wine and peel oranges for him, the amused smirk is evident on his face.
"Senior Brother, please help us."
In an ancient cave on a lonely barren mountain, four men kneel on the ground, one of them missing his left arm. They are unmistakably the disciples of Four Symbols Mountain.
Sitting on a stone bed opposite them is an old man with a beard that reaches down to his waist, his cloudy eyes seem to be reflecting on the whirlwind of life.
"I only have three years left to live, and I wanted to depart from this world in peace, however... sigh, our late master once made me promise to take good care of you all. So be it, if that young man had the audacity to harm you, I also have to seek justice."
The old man sighs.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
The disciples of Four Symbols Mountain are overjoyed.
Their senior brother is the eighth-ranked expert in Shuntian Capital. With him taking actions, wouldn’t Shi Xiaole be a piece of cake?
All of Xuanwu State is anything but calm.
The invitations to Wuling Villa were sent out two months in advance.
Groups from far away have already set out on their journey, while those closer haven’t been slacking off either, pondering on what kind of gift would be most appropriate to bring along.
Nobody dares to underestimate Shi Xiaole.
Since he killed the Eight Fingers Mysterious Lord and the Yellow Springs Lord six months ago, the latest edition of Martial Arts Collection has ranked him among the top one hundred experts in Shuntian Capital, placing him at the seventy-eighth spot.
While this ranking seems unimpressive, remember that Shi Xiaole is only twenty-five years old. Everyone agrees that in the next ten years, he is the most likely candidate in Xuanwu State to defeat the ’Great Lethal Star’, Xin Zhuliu, and take his place as the leader of the Martial world.
This founding ceremony of Wuling Villa is the perfect opportunity to improve relations with Shi Xiaole and is not to be missed. Whether it’s the first-class sects that received the invitation or even those that didn’t, many don’t hesitate to invite themselves.
As for second and third-class sects, although they too may that intention, they also know they simply don’t have the qualifications to enter the villa, so they can do nothing but look on enviously.
...
Starting from the tenth of August, Wuling Villa began to receive the first batch of guests. In the following days, the influx of martial arts masters into Nine Heavens Mountain was unceasing.
The one in charge of receiving guests was the housekeeper of Wuling Villa, Zhu Ling.
Zhu Ling was dressed in a white gauze dress, with a beautiful appearance and delicate physique. Her cultivation level was only at the ninth level of the Xuanqi Realm, not even reaching the Spiritual-Passage Realm. Even the disciples and elders behind the sect leaders who had arrived could easily overpower her.
But no one dared to show contempt.
To show contempt for Zhu Ling was equivalent to showing contempt for Shi Xiaole. Who would dare?
Many young women, seeing Zhu Ling handling things deftly and radiating a powerful aura, could not help but feel jealous. It was only because of her relationship with Shi Xiaole that she had progressed this far. If they had such an opportunity, they would surely do better!
Within Wuling Villa, new servants and maids moved around like butterflies, orderly leading the sect leaders who were stunned by the beautiful scenery of the villa to their rooms.
In the following few days, even top-notch forces like the Ai Family, Yu Family, Tide Gate, and Heavenly Inquiry Sect arrived with generous gifts. Notably, the Ai Family sent their patriarch, Ai Renxiong, which truly highlighted the relationship between the Ai Family and Shi Xiaole.
Some people, however, were left frowning as Shi Xiaole seemed to be missing.
"I’m terribly sorry, Patriarch Ai. The Villa Master had an epiphany a few days ago and entered seclusion. Thus, he specially instructed me to extend his apologies to you."
Zhu Ling said this gracefully and politely.
"Hahaha, no worries, no worries."
Ai Renxiong waved his hand, indicating he didn’t mind.
However, Ai Wenhong, who was beside him, was a bit disappointed. She had hoped to see Brother Shi.
Time finally came to the fifteenth of August.
Early in the morning, hundreds of wine tables were set up in the large square at the center of the villa. Looking around, everyone present was a famous, rarely-seen figure in the martial world.
After the wine had flowed for some time, the people of Wuling Villa began to get anxious.
This was because Shi Xiaole, the host, had still not appeared at this critical moment. The guests were eagerly anticipating his arrival. If the host didn’t arrive when meeting the guests, it would inevitably leave an impression of arrogance and self-importance, which was detrimental to his reputation.
"Miss Su, is Villa Master Shi still in seclusion?"
An elder of the Heavenly Inquiry Sect asked.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please wait a moment. I’ve sent someone to wake him up. Even if it means interrupting his seclusion, we absolutely cannot allow any disrespect to all of you,"
Su Yanru said with a charming laugh while secretly instructing Zhu Ling not to disturb Shi Xiaole until the last moment.
Just as the auspicious time for the toast was nearing, a loud laugh suddenly resounded in the square.
"Everyone, it appears to me that Shi Xiaole clearly doesn’t care about you all. You are being made a fool of."
Sss.
Looking towards the source of the sound, a group of people could be seen strolling arrogantly into the square.
Their arrival sent a massive wave of imposing aura spiraling around, causing the sky above the square to darken and the surrounding air to suddenly shift from gentle to rapid. It felt as if countless steel needles were weaving together, making everyone feel as if they were being pierced all over, their hearts shuddering.
Powerful, terrifyingly powerful!
This aura was emanating from one person, a dashing man dressed in a brocade robe. Many recognized his identity and exclaimed, "Xiahou Zong!"
It was indeed the leader of the Xiahou Clan, Xiahou Zong.
Next to Xiahou Zong stood the Tianyan Sect Lord, Tianyan Sword Lord. What shocked everyone was that they were not standing in the center, but rather, two young men were leading the group.
"Everyone, you can leave. This Shi fellow is clearly playing with you. You may as well not participate in this revelry."
Xiahou Zong laughed.
"Lord Xiahou, we are in Wuling Villa, and it seems we didn’t invite you. Please leave."
From a large hall near the square, Su Yanru led the experts of Wuling Villa out and rebuked them with her sweet voice.
"She’s naturally charming and still a virgin."
The young man in grey standing between Xiahou Zong and Tianyan Sword Lord lit up when he saw Su Yanru. He revealed a cunning smile and remarked, "Tell Shi Xiaole to come out and see me."
"Who do you think you are? The Villa Master can’t just meet anyone who wants to see him."
One of the disciples retorted.
Whoosh!
Tianyan Sword Lord pointed his finger and a terrifying finger light penetrated the air, shooting directly towards the disciple. The stricken disciple’s face turned pale, and his breathing nearly stopped.
Just in the nick of time, a saber light intercepted the finger light.
"Bullying the weak shows no merit."
The one who intervened was the Golden Saber Elder. The other top-notch experts seated in the hall also walked out with grave expressions.
In the past, Tianyan Sword Lord was among the top fifty experts, but now he was ranked fourteenth, ahead of everyone present.
Not to mention, there was also Xiahou Zong who ranked two places higher than him.
"I do not wish to waste my time. Summon Shi Xiaole now, or I wouldn’t mind massacring everybody present and annihilating your Wuling Villa on this very day."
The young man in grey casually spoke, looking laid-back and at ease. His eyes occasionally wandered towards Zi Xiangbo and Bai Xueying standing to his side.
The Saintess had said that as long as he publicly defeated Shi Xiaole, he could have those two women that night to do as he wished. Added to that, the far off Su Yanru, it would certainly be an enjoyable time.
