Chapter 596: Chapter 595: Impossible
Jiang Yatang, Sun Wei, and the others suddenly halted their advance, staring blankly at the scene before them-intense mayhem among the Fire Stiffs, unable to regain their momentum caused by the disorder in the rear.
What kind of two swords were they?
Sun Wei distinctly noticed that the fallen Fire Stiffs on the ground had traces of black energy on their bodies. This black energy was transmitted into the other Fire Stiffs upon contact, causing them to fall powerlessly to the ground.
"Brother Shi, can Sister Xiaohong really be saved?"
Zhao Hong was the quickest to regain his senses, running up to ask the question.
Shi Xiaole didn’t answer. He placed his hands on Wang Xiaohong’s back, silently running the Undying Seven Illusions, converting all the death energy inside her into life energy.
Gradually, a trace of colour returned to Wang Xiaohong’s pale face.
"Hahaha, Sister Xiaohong is indeed getting better, Brother Shi, you are truly a miracle!"
Zhao Hong burst into hearty laughter. Jiang Yatang and the others guarded him closely. Hearing his words, they were both astonished and overjoyed.
What eased their tension was that the Fire Stiffs, after their long and fruitless charge, began to retreat, giving them a moment to breathe.
"For the next few days, she must rest well. Everyone, rest assured, I will periodically adjust Miss Xiaohong’s energy."
Given the inappropriate intimacy between a man and a woman, Shi Xiaole handed Wang Xiaohong over to Jiang Yatang. Then, leading everyone back to the peak, the villagers rushed up with concern upon seeing the injured, offering comfort.
Being able to save Wang Xiaohong from this ordeal, had indeed left Shi Xiaole in a cold sweat.
The Undying Seven Illusions weren’t omnipotent. It could convert death energy into life energy only to a maximum extent, not necessarily bringing back the dead. It merely mitigates wounds and promotes healing.
If someone had a fatal injury, then there would be nothing to do.
Of course, if Shi Xiaole were to fully understand the Life and Death True Intent, and comprehend the supreme Path of Life and Death, there might be astonishing changes.
"That was close. But it was precisely this crisis that led me to comprehend the sword technique. Dealing with the Fire Stiffs should be easier next time."
It is often said that killing is one of the quickest ways for a martial artist to grow, a statement that is indeed not false.
Over the past several days, Shi Xiaole’s nerves have been taut, most of his time spent fighting. Suddenly, he had come to understand his second True Intent Sword Technique.
The Wind Extreme Sword Technique was Shi Xiaole’s first True Intent Sword Technique, evolving from the Wind True Intent.
The sword techniques that just massacred the Fire Stiffs, however, evolved from the Life and Death True Intent, to be precise, from the True Intent of Death.
Killing gives rise to death.
Given the special environment, backed by the experience of creating the Wind Extreme Sword Technique, and coupled with Life and Death True Intent already reached to perfection, everything was just right.
However, the power of that one sword exceeded Shi Xiaole’s imagination, making even him, the originator, somewhat afraid.
"Transform life and death into death energy and swing it with a sword, anyone or anything infected by the death energy will be destroyed."
Though that sword was terrifying, the actual consumption of Vigorous Air wasn’t much since it was the death energy that played a role. He only needed to transform the life energy in the air into death energy.
The Wind Extreme Sword Technique, the first four moves are of second-rate top-tier level, the fifth and sixth moves are first-rate lower-tier, whereas the seventh move is of first-rate mid-tier level.
As for this one sword technique, which evolved from Life and Death True Intent, it reached directly to the first-rate mid-tier level. Because it perfectly matched with Life and Death True Intent, its lethality far surpassed the Wind Extreme Sword Technique!
With Shi Xiaole’s current foundation, he couldn’t imagine what the subsequent sword moves would be like. So, for now, that single sword strike would stand alone. He named it, the Soul Extinguisher!
Implying that once this sword emerged, even the soul would perish.
Shi Xiaole was engrossed, mentally revisiting the essence of the Soul Extinguisher, until the wave of Fire Stiffs attacked again.
Standing at the checkpoint, he swung his sword five times in succession.
The ferocious Fire Stiffs were like harvested straw, falling down in large patches. The black energy spread out, and even those Fire Stiffs who weren’t hit by the sword Qi fell to the ground due to weakness. Seizing this opportunity, Sun Wei and others inflicted heavy blows, killing quite a few Fire Stiffs.
In the end, these corpses began to roll down the steep slope like a red mudslide, knocking down the Fire Stiffs below, the sound of angry shouts, shoving, and swirling dust. The originally brutal battlefield seemed somewhat farcical.
All of this was due to the young man in the green garment.
"I’ve never seen such a terrifying sword technique, it is like it comes from hell."
Li Changde murmured to himself.
The others also found it hard to recover. Just the thought of that sensation of the extinguishment of all souls made their bodies shiver.
"Tell me, who is stronger when compared to the Twin Stars, Young Hero Shi?"
Jiang Yatang suddenly asked Sun Wei in a low voice.
Sun Wei bitterly smiled, "I have never met Chu He and Bai Zhanmei, but judging by the rumours, their strength is not as good as Young Hero Shi."
Although everyone had their own answers in mind, they were still in a daze when sat out loud by Sun Wei.
How high and unattainable were the Twin Stars? And yet, this young man, who stood shoulder to shoulder with them in the face of hardship, was even more dazzling?
A profound sense of pride and honor rose in the hearts of everyone present. This was their friend!
Shi Xiaole had less than half his Vigorous Air left, but the group of Fire Stiffs seemed to have been scared stiff. They did not launch an attack all night long, providing Shi Xiaole with an opportunity to restore his strength up to 50 percent.
Swish Swish Swish.
A series of figures approached the peak.
"Young Hero Shi, are you guys still alive? I’ve brought reinforcements."
The man leading the group yelled. He was earlier dispatched to ask for reinforcements. Seeing the path covered with the bodies of the Fire Stiffs, the faces of the many experts turned pale.
"It seems that the group you spoke of has received strong reinforcement from others."
The Evil Intent Young Master nonchalantly commented while shaking his fan.
Under the command of Bai Zhanmei, the experts who rushed to the scene fought in an orderly manner, gradually gaining the upper hand. Upon hearing that several hundred villagers were trapped on a certain mountaintop, they all hurried there.
However, the one who sent for help clearly wasn’t aware of the latest situation.
According to him, there were only a few dozen warriors protecting the villagers, including five from the Dragon Gate Realm. Besides a young man surnamed Shi, who was suspected to possess the strength of a top Lord, none of them were even Lords.
With such a team, if there was no help, they probably would have been consumed by the Fire Stiffs to the point where not even bones remained. It was absolutely impossible for them to have defeated so many Fire Stiffs.
"Even if there is someone helping, the situation is likely rather grim. We need to quickly go up and check. Let’s hope there are lesser casualties."
The speaker was another top-tier Lord.
Even with their abilities, they could not guarantee no casualties, let alone the people on the mountain.
The group ascended with heavy hearts and soon approached the dangerous checkpoint. They saw over twenty people who, while clad in torn and tattered clothing, were still full of spirit.
"You, you all survived?"
The man who had requested help stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"Heh-heh, Brother Jin, could it be that you wish we were dead?"
Sun Wei chuckled.
"Of course not. It’s just...How you all managed to survive is absolutely incredible. And what about the villagers, did anyone perish?"
"Not a single one."
Upon hearing this answer, not only Jin Cheng, but even Bai Zhanmei, Bi Yuesheng, and other seasoned experts were stunned.
Considering the stacked bodies on the path, one could infer how brutal the fight was. How could these mere twenty or so people have possibly withstood it?
"I am wondering which experts lent their aid. I, Bi, would very much like to meet them."
Bi Yuesheng stepped forward.
If Jin Cheng wasn’t lying, this checkpoint would have required cooperation from at least two top-tier experts for them to come out unscathed.
Had their old friends also rushed over?
Sun Wei and others glanced at each other. In the end, it was Sun Wei who said, "No one helped us. Of course, all of this is Young Hero Shi’s doing. Without him, everyone would have been dead long ago."
"Young Hero Shi? Could it be that Shi Xiaole?"
Jin Cheng shouted, tongue-tied, and reflexively bellowed, "Impossible! There’s no way he could have protected you by himself."
At best, Shi Xiaole was an elite top-tier Lord, probably inferior to the Evil Intent Young Master, Yan Buhui, and others. Saying he singlehandedly protected everyone was simply absurd.
"We have no reason to lie to you."
Jiang Yatang grumbled, mystified and somewhat furious at the disbelief on the faces before him.
"Oh, so this Young Hero Shi is quite a rarity, incomparable within the Yundai Realm! Where is he? I, for one, would very much like to meet him."
The Evil Intent Young Master gave a faint smile, idly waving his fan.
Serious doubt clouded everyone’s eyes and many kept glancing around as if searching for something.
In this strange atmosphere, a young man in blue clothes walked over from a distance. He covered a hundred meters in a single step and appeared nearby in the blink of an eye.
His clothes were somewhat tattered, and his hair slightly messy from days of fighting. He had a bit of a stubble, but his masculine charm, as well as his martial artist’s spirit, were plain to see and impressed everyone present.
Subconsciously, everyone knew that he was Shi Xiaole. His adorable name did not quite match his elegant and handsome appearance.
"Brother Shi, I heard that the Fire Stiffs down the mountain were all killed by you?"
Yan Buhui stepped forward.
Shi Xiaole had just been healing Wang Xiaohong’s wounds on the mountaintop and was unaware of the previous happenings. Hearing the comment, he shook his head, "This was the result of everyone’s concerted efforts. I dare not take credit."
Yan Buhui smirked coldly.
He too found it hard to believe that this unknown person could have such an ability. But for some reason, Sun Wei and others did not seem to be lying. So, what was the truth?
Forget it. If the next wave of Fire Stiffs came, the answer would reveal itself.
Others seemed to harbor the same thoughts. After all, they were experienced people of the Martial World. Some immediately went up the mountain while others surveyed the situation around them, and the hustle and bustle resumed.
Meanwhile, Shi Xiaole sat to the side, continuing to restore his energies.
Originally, he had little confidence in resisting the wave of Fire Stiffs, but now that many experts had arrived, it undoubtedly relieved much of his pressure. Even without him, they could hold out for a while.
However, resisting mindlessly was not a smart approach.
Suddenly, Shi Xiaole remembered the roars that would occasionally ring out, controlling the wave of Fire Stiffs.
If they could find the source of those roars, could they control the Fire Stiffs wave and thereby put an end to this calamity?
