Chapter 595: Chapter 594: The Sword with Dark Radiance
There were many experts in the Yundai territory. After hearing about the Fire Stiffs, many spontaneously headed towards the site. In just a few days, fierce fights began to erupt within the mountains.
"Qiankun Heart-Piercing Sword!"
With a frosty expression, the young man swung his sword, causing a chain of cold and white flashes of light. A series of Fire Stiffs in front of him fell to the ground, with holes right through their chests.
"True to his reputation, Yan Buhui, one of the top ten talents in Yundai territory."
The surrounding experts all looked at him with awe.
Yan Buhui was only thirty years old this year, but he had already become a supreme-level expert. His speed may not match Chu He and Bai Zhanmei, but he was still confident enough to stand out among his peers. He was worthy of the title - the best young swordsman in Yundai territory.
"Monsters daring to cause chaos, die for this young master."
Seemingly competing with Yan Buhui, not far away, a young man with a red line drawn on his forehead and an air of elegance and evilness swept out a long fan in his hand. Eight Fire Stiffs of a light red color flew out and exploded into dozens of pieces in mid-air.
"Evil Intent Young Master, your fan technique still falls short."
Yan Buhui coldly retorted.
"Heh, heh, heh, it’s more than enough to fend off your Heart-Piercing Sword."
The Evil Intent Young Master responded with equal hostility.
As two of the top ten talents in Yundai territory, the two had always been at odds. In fact, aside from Chu He and Bai Zhanmei, the remaining eight did not recognize each other’s superiority, and they all tried their best to surpass others.
The two didn’t have long to enjoy their moment of triumph. Suddenly, a middle-aged spear wielder attracted their attention. With a sweep of his silver spear, and consecutive explosive sounds, five deep-red Fire Stiffs immediately blew up into mince.
"’Unsurpassed under the Spear,’ Bi Yuesheng."
A handsome man following the Evil Intent Young Master murmured to himself.
Yundai territory did not have any Divine Boundary strong warriors, nor any Invincible Lords, so the Limit Supreme Lords were considered the most powerful forces. This Bi Yuesheng was a Limit Supreme Lord, and not just an ordinary one.
The man had been well-known for fifty years. It was said that during his travels through the south and the north, he had slain a total of eight Limit Supreme Lords. The strength he possessed was so great that his peers could not reach it.
"Sooner or later, I will defeat you."
The Evil Intent Young Master thought in secret, shifting his gaze away.
For ordinary people, the calamity of the Fire Stiffs was a disaster, but for him, it was an excellent opportunity to become famous.
Indeed, in the Martial World, it’s not just about strength, but also reputation. Many people may not actually have strong abilities, but they have incomparable reputations earned through their numerous deeds of chivalry.
Don’t think that reputation isn’t important. This intangible thing truly exists, and to a certain extent, it can even impact luck!
Of course, it’s not to say that the higher the fame, the better the fortune. It also has a connection with one’s fate. In short, this matter is very complicated.
The Evil Intent Young Master knew that his master had solemnly instructed him to perform well at all costs, while also ensuring his survival, so he naturally would not slack off.
The Fire Stiffs would appear and disappear sporadically. As more and more experts and talents arrived, the battle became even fiercer. From dozens of miles away, one could hear the sounds of fighting within the mountains.
However, the Fire Stiffs’ stubborn resistance, and the fact that they would appear in their tens of thousands each time, began to wear out the fighters. Even Bi Yuesheng, Yan Buhui, and the Evil Intent Young Master began to show signs of strength decline. One Dragon Gate Realm expert after another perished, and the arrival of reinforcements could not keep up with the rate of death. This situation made the faces of those hunting the Fire Stiffs look somber.
Just on this day -
A beautiful woman in a white outfit, with a big sword on her back, flew in from a distance. Leaping hundreds of meters in one leap, she saw the crowd fighting. With a flick of her slender hand, the long sword was already in her hand, transforming into a hundred-metre long blade light which slashed out.
Bang!
All Fire Stiffs within the range of the blade light were split neatly in half. This terrifying destructive power stunned everyone present.
"It’s Bai Zhanmei, hahaha, the famous swordswoman is here!"
Someone laughed heartily, their fatigued bodies suddenly filled with strength.
In most places, those highly praised as talents are just that - talents. But in Tian State, it’s different. Those who can be named talents here are all one in a million or even one in ten million.
Because their innate talent was too outstanding, they had already obtained the power to impact the Martial World at a young age.
If Yan Buhui and the Evil Intent Young Master, and the other experts, could be acknowledged as great masters in Yundai territory, then, Bai Zhanmei, without a doubt, would be among the esteemed great masters, on par with Bi Yuesheng!
So when they saw her arrive, many people present were encouraged and cheered loudly.
"Falling Moon Slash!"
After she fully exhausted the momentum of her sword swing, Bai Zhanmei didn’t gather her energy but instead to everyone’s surprise, she swung her sword again on the spot.
The vague sword light changed from light to dark, from weak to strong. She completed all the changes in an instant, and most people didn’t even know how she gathered her energy.
Another hundreds of Fire Stiffs were shattered, and a large area of the red tide was cleared. This time even Bi Yuesheng could not help but look at Bai Zhanmei, with surprise in his eyes.
"Everyone, there’s no need to resist these monsters head-on. Why not use a strategy of retreating when they advance, and attacking when they retreat?"
Bai Zhanmei suggested while swinging her sword.
"What the lady Bai suggests makes sense."
Everyone’s morale was lifted, and many who had wanted to retreat agreed with her immediately.
The Evil Intent Young Master gritted his teeth darkly, full of jealousy.
Wasn’t that exactly the kind of influential power he sought?
...
At the top of the mountain, Shi Xiaole led more than twenty experts to defend the dangerous checkpoint. They repelled the fierce assaults of the Fire Stiffs time and time again. However, his body was growing increasingly tired.
Because although the checkpoint was narrow, there were countless Fire Stiffs. They attacked at least a dozen times each day, each attack lasting from half a two-hour period to several two-hour periods.
Fire Stiff had no internal strength, relying purely on brute physical strength, so the transformative effects of the Undying Seven Illusions could not be realized. Shi Xiaole could only seize every opportunity to rest and recover his energy.
But after several days, the hardship was overwhelming. He had lost a great deal of weight.
"We have been holding back Young Hero Shi."
On the east side of the checkpoint, Jiang Yatang sat weakly on a stone, his face covered with dust. He watched Shi Xiaole’s back in admiration.
He knew better than anyone else how much Shi Xiaole had contributed to the team. His efforts had not only kept everyone going, but also ensured that no one was injured.
Over the past few days, the young man had saved everyone’s lives dozens of times. To buy time for them to recover, he often had to fight on his own against the onslaught of Fire Stiff. The danger he faced was unimaginable to anyone else.
Yet he never complained. His sword, like him, was straightforward and targeted.
"Brother Shi, have a sip of water."
A female disciple of Jiang Yatang picked up a water bottle and plucked up the courage to offer it to Shi Xiaole.
"Give it to the others. They need it more than I do."
Shi Xiaole turned around and said.
"You’re the one who’s most exhausted."
The girl quietly admired his increasingly slim and handsome face. Despite his beard, it could not hide his gallant beauty that was breathtakingly masculine, which made her somewhat infatuated.
The sound of vibration sounded from underneath.
The wave of the fire stiffs had arrived again.
"Rest as much as you can. I’ll go."
Without looking back, Shi Xiaole rushed out. The eyes of admiration, respect, and gratitude followed him from behind.
It was a battle of one man.
Over these days, Shi Xiaole lost track of how many times he had wielded his sword. His arms were sore from his internal energy and physical strength. He alternated between his left and right arms like a meat grinder, paving a way through the wave of fire stiffs, not allowing them to advance an inch.
The tip of the sword pierced three inches into the fire stiff’s body, and it fell to the ground with a loud noise.
Shi Xiaole’s sword was faster and more accurate!
Continuous fights were challenging and painful, but they also helped him refine his swordsmanship and combat skills. He was becoming fiercely formidable and improving at a frightening rate.
The same amount of energy that he used to kill a Fire Stiff could now kill one Fire Stiff and severely wound another. No one could imagine the extent of Shi Xiaole’s combat capabilities at this time.
However, this was not enough. Facing the endless fire stiffs alone, he would eventually exhaust his energy.
"I have only thirty percent of my Vigorous Air left. That’s enough to sustain me for only four or five days."
His eyes were filled with determination. Shi Xiaole didn’t back down. His ruthless sword movements were imbued with a layer of faint black air.
About after killing countless fire stiffs, the black air on the sword grew thicker. From a distance, it gave off a deathly aura.
A howl from afar echoed again, signaling retreat.
To his surprise, a mere quarter of an hour later, Shi Xiaole had no time to rest, and the Fire Stiff tide came. Today’s attack was incredibly fierce and frequent. After five consecutive onslaughts, his vigorous air remained only ten percent.
Bang!
Finally, he was punched by a Fire Stiff and was sent flying. Thanks to the Vajra Unbreakable Body, he was still in one piece, except for pain. But as several attacks followed, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
However, his eyes seemed to be empty, as if he was immersed in some realization.
"Young Hero Shi, let’s assist!"
"Attack!"
Behind him, Sun Wei and others had recovered after a moment rest. They rushed forward. Seeing the invincible Shi Xiaole being knocked down by a fire stiff, they became enraged, their eyes wide and glowing red.
But with their martial prowess, how could they defend against the brutal fire stiffs?
The woman disciple who had given water to Shi Xiaole had her weapon knocked out of her hand. Then her shoulder was pierced through and she was thrown to the ground, her moan covered by the thunderous crash, completely silenced.
"Sister Xiaohong, ah!"
Zhao Hong and others shouted with white faces.
"I’ll fight it out with you, you beasts!"
Jiang Yatang’s heart was in pain as he charged forward with tears rolling down his cheeks, throwing life and death to the back of his mind. Sun Wei and others also charged in headlong.
They had only known each other for a few days, but they had formed special bonds in these life-and-death situations. They were no martial arts experts or prodigies, but they all shared the code of chivalry.
That’s why they stayed with Shi Xiaole, hanging on till today.
If they were destined to die, they would go down fighting!
"I’m sorry for failing to protect you."
A faint black sword light suddenly appeared before them, sweeping gently. The Fire Stiffs that came into contact with the black light, whether they were red, dark red, or light red, all fell straight away, clearing a large space in front of them.
Another swing from Shi Xiaole and another large area of enemies fell.
Fire Stiffs rushed in again from the rear, but the ones whose feet just landed suddenly fell to the ground screaming, as if they had lost all their strength.
Arriving at the girl named Xiaohong, Shi Xiaole addressed the crowd ahead, "Everyone fall back, she can still be saved! As long as you trust me, Shi Xiaole will not let any one of you get hurt."
