Chapter 675: Chapter 674: Cultivation
It’s been just over two years since Wuling Villa was established, but today, Wuling Villa is the first real powerhouse in the Martial World of Xuanwu State.
The owner of Wuling Villa, the ’Great Lethal Star’ Xin Zhuliu, emerged two months ago, reportedly repelling seven of the top ten masters in Shuntian Capital with a single palm strike, stunning the Martial World.
The three great guardians of Wuling Villa, Golden Saber Elder, Silver Sword Gentleman, and Jade Axe Lady, have also briefly appeared in the Martial World, easily defeating the top ten masters individually.
Below these four, there were three new Invincible Lords who joined and became the elders inside the villa, as well as twelve top Lords who became the external elders of the villa.
And these fifteen people ensured Wuling Villa’s lofty position.
In fact, for over a year, the number of masters at the Lord Level wanting to join Wuling Villa has far exceeded the common people’s imagination, but Zhu Ling, the chief steward, is too strict. Apart from requiring top-notch strength, she has clear rules on character and experience, and anyone with the slightest rule-breaking, no matter how influential they are, is useless.
As for the martial artists below the Lord level, there are countless like fish crossing the river, all eager to join, and swarms of people head to Wuling Villa every day, making Nine Heavens Mountain, originally unvisited, the place with the most martial artists in Xuanwu State.
However, nobody dares to cause trouble.
During this picky selection process, Wuling Villa has absorbed a considerable number of elites and geniuses from Xuanwu State and even outside, with its strength changing every day. This momentum lasted until a few months ago when it finally slowed down.
Everyone knew that all of this was because of one person.
Shi Xiaole!
When the news reached Xuanwu State that Shi Xiaole, akak Kirin, had become one of the five monsters, the whole Martial World went nearly mad.
Big martial arts factions, Martial World families, and even bandit camps on the greenwoods, everyone knew Shi Xiaole.
It was said that Nine Heavens Mountain was an ominous place, but not only did Shi Xiaole not fail, but he bashed ahead even harder, putting his own name at the top of the Ten Thousand Forms Stele and delivering a vigorous slap to those who looked down on him.
At that time, there was a saying that Kirin is a rare genius who can reverse destiny and change the ominous place into a lucky one.
Latter, there were continuous rumors about him, causing more and more people to long to join Nine Heavens Mountain, and when Shi Xiaole demonstrated his prowess in the Endless Risky Peak, this wave of people reached its peak.
Nine Heavens Mountain became the center of the Martial World in Xuanwu State. Many people believe that, given the current trend, after some time, this place will become the holy land of the Martial World.
At the southeast peak of Nine Heavens Mountain was Wuling Villa.
Outside the octagonal pavilion, spring rain was quietly drizzling. Inside the pavilion, Xia Yunxi was staring blankly at the rippling surface of Green Water Lake.
She often went into seclusion over these two years, digesting the energy of the colourful beads within her body. Her advancement was incredibly fast, and her cultivation had reached the peak of the eighth layer of Dragon Gate Realm, just one line away from the ninth.
When she occasionally came out, she would interact with Lei Jiaxin, Su Yanru, and other women. Her day-to-day life was carefree, but she always felt slightly empty inside.
The spring rain brought back memories from two years ago, and her cheeks turned a little red.
"Miss Xia, what are you thinking about?"
A voice joined into her hearing.
Xia Yunxi was stunned.
Due to her relationship with Shi Xiaole, her status in Wuling Villa was extraordinarily high, even Xin Zhuliu behaved very politely whenever he saw her.
She simply couldn’t figure out who would dare speak to her in such a frivolous tone. However, Xia Yunxi herself has a warm and generous character; she hid the displeasure in her heart and didn’t respond.
"Yo, Miss Xia is so haughty, don’t you recognize me anymore?"
The voice abruptly changed. It was very deep and magnetic.
Xia Yunxi trembled slightly. After a moment, she slowly turned around. Her beautiful face was flushed, as though she were drunk. She didn’t hesitate but rushed into the man’s arms, holding him tightly.
"You, Shi Xiaole, you finally came back!"
Her voice trembled.
"Don’t call me Shi Xiaole, can we use a different name?"
Shi Xiaole also embraced her, burying his head in her hair, deeply inhaling her hair’s fragrance.
In the pavilion was a soft wind and thin rain, in his arms was a jade of warmth and fragrance; the strife of the Martial World was tilted away from Shi Xiaole at that moment, causing him to want to only enjoy the beauty in front of him.
"What should I call you then?"
"Just don’t call me by my name."
"When did you come back?"
She couldn’t say his name, so she used "you" instead. The passionate Miss Xia seemed unexpectedly shy.
Shi Xiaole chuckled: "Just got back, you are the first person I saw."
Xia Yunxi’s heart felt like it was dipped in honey, sweet enough to take flight. She enjoyed the male’s scent for a long time before finally lifting her head, but her body refused to let go, so she just stared at him like that with affection.
Shi Xiaole was also looking at Xia Yunxi.
Her eyes weren’t particularly large, her lips weren’t in the standard shape, her chin was slightly round, but she was still astonishingly beautiful. Especially when she smiled, it was infectious, making others happy along with her.
The temperature gradually rose, the two could feel each other’s breaths, even their heartbeats, were in sync. A strong feeling of love entangled them.
"Hmm...."
After a while, they broke apart.
"What happened to your hair?"
Xia Yunxi suddenly touched Shi Xiaole’s grey hair at his temples. Seeing him look away, she thought it was funny.
"Does it look good?"
"Umm.... it’s pretty cool."
"Miss Xia, can you show me around?"
"Why do you call me like that?"
"Because I think it’s exciting to call you this way."’
...
Only a few people knew that Shi Xiaole was back because he had taken Xia Yunxi to his room as soon as he left the octagonal pavilion, only meeting a few people like Su Yanru.
Regrettably, Crown Sword Marquis, Yang Feng, and the siblings from the Ai Family were not there. They were said to have left the villa for an adventurous treasure hunt half a year ago.
"I apologize for my tardiness, esteemed seniors."
Yinfeng Pavilion was the place in Wuling Villa where major matters were discussed. On the highest, the sixth floor, Shi Xiaole saw the Three Eccentrics and expressed his regret.
"We thought you had forgotten."
Jade Axe Lady smoothed her hair and smiled, "Have you got it now, the top-flight martial arts manual?"
She asked this question, completely in a teasing tone.
Thanks to the popularity of the Martial World Collection, the Three Eccentrics knew more about the rarity of top-flight martial arts than before. According to statistics, the Flying Horse Dynasty only unearthed a manual like that from relics once every ten years, showing its rarity.
Jade Axe Lady continued to laugh, "Whether you’re a Kirin or the Villa Master Shi, if you can’t produce anything, we’ll eventually leave."
Golden Saber Elder and Silver Sword Gentleman shook their heads with a smile.
They passed the two-year mark long ago, if they wanted to leave, they wouldn’t have stayed until now.
It could only be said that Nine Heavens Mountain was indeed a good place for retirement. Also, they were not sure whether it was because they were affected by the aura of fate, their cultivation speed was much faster than before, and they had implicitly agreed to stay here for a long time.
Shi Xiaole took out a manual and handed it to Jade Axe Lady, "This is for you."
Jade Axe Lady instinctively took it and glanced through a few pages. Her body stiffened and she didn’t dare to keep reading. She suddenly looked up, "Where did you get this?"
Although she had never seen it in person, she had good eyesight. How could she not recognize that this Effortless Seeking Technique was definitively a top-flight martial skill?
Shi Xiaole laughed, "Don’t ask too much about it. In a word, will you two cultivate it or not?"
Shi Xiaole had several considerations for handing out the Effortless Seeking Technique.
First, he needed to build up his followers, and the more formidable the better. In his plan, the future Wuling Villa must at the least be a top-level power.
Secondly, the Effortless Curing Technique was not a pure internal strength method, but more of a way of using internal strength. Compared to the other three sets of top-flight martial arts, it would be much faster to practice.
Especially since he planned to enter closed-door cultivation soon, Wuling Villa would have to temporarily rely on the three Eccentrics for support.
"Of course, we will cultivate it!"
Jade Axe Lady changed her usual dignified and steady demeanor, hastily stuffing the Dragon Gate Divine Skill into her bosom, as if afraid that Shi Xiaole would snatch it back, causing the Golden Saber Elder and Silver Sword Gentleman to lose their composure.
After the three people retreated, Shi Xiaole met with Xin Zhuliu.
Without a doubt, he was the most remarkable genius Shi Xiaole had ever met in Xuanwu State, even more impressive than Yu Zhao.
Despite the lack of resources in the past, he had remained the number one martial artist in Shuntian Capital for many years. After obtaining the Vajra Unbreakable Body just over a year ago, he cultivated it to perfection. With such comprehension, even in Tian State, he would be considered top-notch.
"I underestimated you. I didn’t expect that you’ve already become an Earth Immortal."
Feeling the aura intentionally released by Xin Zhuliu, Shi Xiaole sighed.
"I’m sorry, that must upset you."
Xin Zhuliu revealed a mischievous grin, arrogant and triumphant, "My little Villa Master Shi, two years ago, you forced me to work for you. Although there’s still a year left on the term, I’d like to teach you a lesson, you presumably don’t oppose, do you?"
Crackling!
He clenched his fists, without any apparent action, he was already upon Shi Xiaole, his fist strength restrained.
Shi Xiaole didn’t move. He just released a more terrifying and sharp aura than Xin Zhuliu.
"What...you..."
Xin Zhuliu’s face drastically changed, as if he was struck by lightning.
Because of the distance, the news of Shi Xiaole becoming an Earth Immortal had not yet reached Xuanwu State.
"Take my punch!"
Unwilling to admit defeat, Xin Zhuliu compressed all his strength, throwing a silent punch.
Shi Xiaole showed a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
He could see that Xin Zhuliu must have recently advanced to the Divine Barrier Realm. But whether it was martial strength, the purity of the Vigorous Air, or the application of martial skills, all were extraordinary. His strength might not be weaker than the Earth Immortal of Hell Gate who he’d killed.
What a pity.
Without even looking, Shi Xiaole waved his hand casually.
Bang!
A human figure was knocked hundreds of meters away from Yinfeng Pavilion and staggered onto a square. Many people gasped in surprise because the figure was none other than the Villa Master Xin Zhuliu.
The Three Eccentrics looked at each other when they heard the commotion.
They were the only ones who knew Xin Zhuliu’s true realm, but they had no idea what had happened. From his appearance, it was like someone had knocked him out.
Who could do that?
Could it be...
The Three Eccentrics were taken aback, unable to believe it.
"Let’s make a bet, even if I give you another ten years, you still won’t be able to take my move."
The hateful voice entered Xin Zhuliu’s ears and only he could hear it.
"Bet, bid your head! You want to trap me again, think I’d be fooled again? Buzz off!"
Xin Zhuliu was furious, turned around and walked away. After a few steps, he turned back and reluctantly transmitted a message through gritted teeth, "What’s the bet?"
"I’ll give you a manual, and you continue to be the villa master. Ten years later, as long as you can take one of my moves, I’ll grant you a request at no cost."
"Shi Xiaole, you’re a jerk!"
What Xin Zhuliu was most upset about was Shi Xiaole’s carefree tone, knowing full well that it was a trap, wanting him to work for Shi Xiaole, but still unable to resist jumping in.
Amidst his anger, a manual suddenly fell into his hand. The first page showed the four words: "Effortless Seeking Technique."
