Chapter 649: Chapter 648: Sixty Methods of Breakthrough
It had been three days since the battle at the Endless Risky Peak.
As expected, this battle stirred up a great commotion in the Martial World. Once word spread, heated discussions flared up everywhere, whispering about the Jade Lion and Kirin.
Jade Lion’s talent was unparalleled, defeating the Divine Barrier Realm third-degree practitioner, Xing Shuzi, with his first-degree Divine Barrier Realm power. This astonished everyone and left those who previously doubted him speechless.
Compared to the grandeur of the Jade Lion, Kirin’s entrance was unexpected but the impact was as equally overpowering.
Practicing the Dragon Gate Realm, mastering a strand of Wind Sword Way, and defeating a strong practitioner of the False Divine Barrier Realm, these achievements in the past several hundred years were unheard of, at least not publicly. This battle was worth going down in the history of the Martial World.
All in all, the Martial World was once again bustling because of these two individuals; subliminally making the reputation of the five talents more dazzling and illustrious.
One interesting incident was that due to the scheduled combat between Jade Lion and Xing Shuzi on the first day of the month, their battle on the day prior resulted in many Divine Barrier Realm terrestrial immortals arriving only to find an empty battlefield.
It was said that some people were so angry that they almost started swearing. This then became a laughingstock within the Martial World.
...
Windhearing City, the closest metropolis to the Endless Risky Peak.
To the east of Windhearing City lies a magnificent manor adorned with vibrant flowers. Covering an area of ten acres, the garden, embellished with multifarious flowers along the pavilion pathways, encircles a lake at its center.
And at the eastern side of the lake, stands a boat-shaped three-story loft. When the breeze blows over the lake, it gives the captivating illusion that the loft is navigating through the water.
On top of the three-story loft stood four individuals with charismatic presences.
The man on the far left, dressed in golden robes, stood eight feet tall, was strikingly masculine and handsome. His presence was like that of a fierce sun, too glaring to be directly looked at.
The second individual was a young man dressed in red. With an erect posture, and immaculately handsome features, he was regarded as a world-class beauty. There was always a faint smile on his lips as if nothing in this world could ever hinder him.
The third individual was a woman dressed in orange. The woman, almost five feet nine, with slightly broad shoulders, added a dominating aura to her beauty rather than ruining it.
The most striking thing about her was her eyes. Her upwardly curving eyes filled with fascination for the landscape seemed to be unconcernedly overlooking the world beneath her.
The fourth individual, on the far right, was two inches taller than the woman in orange, dressed in a light blue long gown. His build was not as broad as the man in gold, yet his wide shoulders, narrow waist, long legs formed a perfectly impressive figure from any angle.
His face lacked in the beauty of the man in red but it was made up with manly charm and elegance. His eyes resembled the deep sea, concealing a strong sense of mystery, inciting an eagerness to learn more about him.
Such a subtly low-profile individual, yet impossible to be ignored.
Four individuals, each occupying their own skies and yet they resembled heavenly bodies shining against each other, became the magnificent focal point of the manor.
"Duanmu, isn’t it your first time to invite Kirin to your manor? Shouldn’t you introduce him around?"
The man in red, Gui Zhihang, said breaking the silence with laughter.
Duanmu Keren, in the orange dress, glanced at him and then said to Shi Xiaole, "As for the manor, feel free to go wherever you like, use anything as per your wish, but refrain from advancing on the women."
Gui Zhihang shook his head, while Mu Ling erupted in laughter as they were accustomed to her remark.
Shi Xiaole, however, was at a loss for words. Did he even look like that sort of person?
"Kirin, don’t mind her. She assumes all the men in the world are lecherous," Gui Zhihang explained.
"Aren’t they?" Duanmu Keren retorted with a mocking smile.
"Ahem."
Clearing his throat, Mu Ling strode towards the table and poured two bowls of wine. With a wave of his hand, one bowl gently floated towards Shi Xiaole, who deftly caught it, giving an illusion of an invisible thread pulling the bowl through the air.
"Kirin, I promised to drink with you. Here’s to you," Mu Ling said, raising his head to toast and draining his bowl, his demeanor chivalrous.
A thought crossed Shi Xiaole’s mind. Knowing that Mu Ling didn’t use Vigorous Air to dissolve the alcohol, he smiled and drained the bowl completely.
All three looked at him curiously, especially Mu Ling, who wore an expression of excitement.
To them, the liquor was not ordinary, but brewed by Mu Ling through the secret method of Carefree Unmoving City, known as A Single Drop Drunk. As the name implies, the liquor’s alcohol content was extremely high, and a drop could make anyone drunk.
Dragon Gate Realm martial artist, although their energy and strength were far beyond ordinary people, there was not much difference in other aspects. Apart from Mu Ling, he rarely saw anyone drink a bowl of A Single Drop Drunk without changing their facial expression.
This Kirin was really interesting.
Following Mu Ling’s initiation, the four sat down. Gui Zhihang and Duanmu Keren only had a small drink. Mu Ling did not persuade them but continued to pour wine for himself and Shi Xiaole.
He was interested to see how much Kirin could drink.
Shi Xiaole originally wanted to refuse but considering it was their first gathering, he didn’t want to spoil the fun and allowed the pouring. In less than a quarter of an hour, both had downed three large bowls of A Single Drop Drunk, which left Gui Zhihang and Duanmu Keren in astonishment.
"Kirin, you’re the first person who can compete with me in drinking, good, very good!"
Mu Ling’s handsome face flushed red, his emotions extremely agitated.
In contrast, Shi Xiaole was looking as usual, perhaps with just a hint of redness on his face, he said with a smile, "It’s all about enjoying the drink, we should drink a bit slower, otherwise we’ll end up sleeping on the ground."
Gui Zhihang also rushed to persuade him, not forgetting to glance at Shi Xiaole in astonishment. Kirin’s alcohol tolerance is simply enormous!
In fact, Mu Ling was already a bit dizzy. Hearing this, he was glad for the chance to climb down the well. He definitely didn’t want to show any awkwardness on his first time drinking with Kirin.
With the aid of wine, the initial awkwardness among Shi Xiaole and the three gradually dissipated, and their topics of conversation increased.
Only then did Shi Xiaole learn that the Four Mischievous Spirits would meet once a year, but this year’s gathering had already passed. This was a casual get-together of the three of them, which was why they hadn’t invited Young Dragon.
All of them being martial arts geniuses, as they chatted, the topic naturally shifted to martial arts.
"Kirin, you have a solid foundation, I believe your breakthrough into the Divine Barrier Realm shouldn’t be too far away."
Duanmu Keren suddenly asked.
Quite coincidentally, apart from Kirin, the Four Mischievous Spirits had all become Terrestrial Immortals at the age of 28, a year later than Martial Emperor.
This doesn’t mean they’re inferior to Martial Emperor, after all, time of breakthrough isn’t the most important measure of talent. It’s the result of various factors, and can only be used as a reference at best.
In Duanmu Keren’s view, Shi Xiaole has a strong chance of breaking through to the Divine Barrier Realm within the next two years or even within a year.
If it occurs within two years, it would mean Shi Xiaole also broke through at twenty-eight; if it’s a year, then he would be tying the Martial Emperor’s record. As he contemplated this, Duanmu Keren felt a chill in his heart.
Of course, everything is still unknown, and no one can be one hundred percent sure until the breakthrough is made.
"I don’t have enough methods to study for a quick breakthrough, it’s not that simple."
Hearing Duanmu Keren’s words, Shi Xiaole shook his head.
This is the helplessness of a rogue martial artist. They have to acquire all resources on their own.
Like the three mischievous spirits, Duanmu Keren was from Heaven and Earth Surprised Swan Castle, Mu Ling was from Carefree Unmoving City, and Gui Zhihang’s Gui Family, while not a top level force, was still a top class one with countless resources. As long as they reach the needed realm, they could obtain corresponding resources, saving a lot of effort.
The three looked at each other.
Mu Ling suddenly patted his chest, "Kirin, I don’t like too many people, but you’re one of them. I can copy a manual and give you twenty breakthrough methods from the Carefree Unmoving City, but I hope you won’t spread it out."
Through the ages, the Carefree Unmoving City had produced numerous Terrestrial Immortals and certainly had many breakthrough methods, but those were closely guarded secrets. Mu Ling offering twenty methods was incredibly generous.
Hearing this, Duanmu Keren also didn’t want to be stingy, "I can also give you twenty breakthrough methods."
Although breakthrough methods are top secrets, it is inevitable that they overlap with previous ones since many successors break through based on the methods of their predecessors. So many breakthrough methods aren’t as valuable as outsiders might think.
Given Kirin’s talent, even without breakthrough methods, he could still break through. Why not just do him a favor?
As for whether it would help him progress further and eventually threaten them, Duanmu Keren never considered it. Mischievous spirits have their own pride. If he was that narrow-minded, his future achievements might not be that high either.
"I will also give twenty methods as a welcome gift to you, Kirin."
Gui Zhihang, not wanting to be outdone, said generously.
"How could I?"
Shi Xiaole was greatly shocked.
He undoubtedly needed the breakthrough methods, but sixty methods was too much. It was such a heavy gift that he hesitated to accept it.
Gui Zhihang laughed and said, "Kirin, in the Martial World, everyone has their own circle. Considering our talents, it’s not easy to find a circle. Since we’ve accepted you, you needn’t feel uncomfortable. And from another perspective, maybe we’ll need your help someday."
There’s no free lunch in this world. You help me a bit, I’ll help you a bit. Over time we become friends. Gui Zhihang’s words were very straight, but also very heartening.
Shi Xiaole took a deep breath.
He knew that if he refused the three today, it would be as if he refused their olive branch, and this might be his last meeting with them.
"Shi Xiaole, thank you three, for this favour and kindness, I will remember it in my heart!"
Standing up from the table, Shi Xiaole solemnly bowed to the three, then poured a full bowl of wine and drank it all.
"Hahaha, satisfying, truly satisfying!"
Mu Ling slapped the table and laughed as he emptied his bowl of wine. Gui Zhihang and Duanmu Keren also stood up, drained the wine in their bowls, and returned the toast to Shi Xiaole.
The four looked at each other, the last vestiges of their unfamiliarity completely gone.
Afterwards, they leisurely drank and chatted about interesting things until the late hours of the night.
Before leaving, they agreed to meet again on the first of October the next year. Duanmu Keren also told Shi Xiaole that Young Dragon would be attending at that time.
