Chapter 720: Chapter 719: Shen Canghai’s Challenge
"What a great move, Thousand One."
Thanks to the wealth acquired at Purple Beauty Hill, Shi Xiaole had spent five hundred two of his silver coins to buy a three-part mansion after recovering his true body. These days, he was wholeheartedly practicing an exceptional sword technique - Thousand One.
Thousand One, which is based on the Wind Blade and Frost Sword, can be swung as a knife or a sword, capable of both area and single-target attacks. Its power significantly exceeds that of Wind Extreme Sword Technique.
After a month, Shi Xiaole had already thoroughly mastered it.
At this moment, his sword attack power had impressively reached the mid-fourth tier level, equally matching his Illusion Way power.
Of course, the emphasis of illusion power is not on attack strength, but bewildering the opponent’s mind. In terms of this meaning, the sword skill is still not as good as illusion skill.
In addition to Thousand One, he also often used the tortoise shell that he obtained in the Hundred Flower Heavenly Land.
After observing the humanoid light shadow for many days, Shi Xiaole excitedly discovered that the strand of Heart Sword power within his body had become somewhat clearer. Although the change was minimal, so small that he could barely notice with his mental power.
With this discovery, Shi Xiaole studied the tortoise shell even more diligently.
However, there was a major problem. Observing the tortoise shell consumed Sword Qi, greatly limiting his observing time and largely hindering his progress.
"Heart Sword, vague and elusive, even understanding a tiny part would give me a substantial increase in strength. I absolutely cannot give up."
For ordinary people, Heart Sword is undoubtedly like the yellow earth and white clouds, indiscernible. Even swordsmen with extraordinary stature find it difficult to understand the basics of Heart Sword.
Now that he had grasped a clue, Shi Xiaole would absolutely not give up, even if he were to die.
"I heard that in Sword King Valley, there is an endless circling Sword Qi, that could be worth a visit."
Thinking of one of the wonders in Tian State, Shi Xiaole instantly had a plan. Before leaving, he sold his mansion, exchanging it back for three hundred and fifty taels of silver.
...
Sword King Valley, located in the Spirit Fortune Domain in Tian State, covers an area of over one hundred thousand square meters. In the center of the valley, there are exactly one thousand, two hundred and thirty-six treasure swords.
Among these treasure swords, the majority are lower-grade spirit swords, the finest lower-grade spirit swords account for about ten percent.
And within the innermost boundary is an unbelievably dense Sword Qi, so powerful that it could blind anyone at a glance. It is rumored that inside it are mid-grade spirit swords and even one high-grade spirit sword!
Legend says that all the treasure swords here belong to the most exceptional swordsmen who lost to the Sword King. They placed them here before Sword King disappeared, creating the Sword King Valley of today.
People have had ideas about obtaining these swords, unfortunately, even masters of Void Origin Realm dared not really approach the inner area of Sword King Valley.
The most recent example was a few hundred years ago when a swordsman of Void Origin Realm of the Devil Path tried to take the treasure sword from the center of Sword King Valley. He accidentally triggered the resonance of a thousand swords, was cut off part of his arm, and fled in disgrace.
It was then that people recalled how domineering Sword King had been in his day.
In his time, he was an unparalleled swordsman. Draw a sword and shock the world, which generation of swordsman recognized him as the most potential person to become the Sword Emperor!
Regrettably, Sword King disappeared at his peak. Nobody knows why or where he went. His disappearance remains an unsolved mystery to this day.
The Sword Qi in Sword King Valley divided into one thousand, two hundred and thirty-six varieties, attracting a large number of swordsmen every year to comprehend it.
Of course, the swordsmen eligible to enter Sword King Valley have at minimum a cultivation level of the ninth rank of the Dragon Gate Realm. These people can only stand on the outermost boundary of three to five thousand meters, otherwise, they would not be able to withstand the Sword Qi.
From thirty thousand meters to twenty thousand meters, it is the territory of the Earth Immortal of the Divine Border from the first to the third tier.
From twenty thousand meters to ten thousand meters, it is the territory of the Earth Immortal of Divine Border from the fourth to the seventh tier.
Within ten thousand meters, only top tier Earth Immortals at the seventh tier or higher of Divine Border could resist it.
Given that Sword King Valley is enormous, and there are few Terrestrial Immortals, everyone rarely meets each other within their respective range, so everyone can easily comprehend the swordsmanship.
A green shadow was flying through the valley, blinking a thousand meters, and finally landed in a hidden valley.
"What a chaotic Sword Qi."
As soon as he entered Sword King Valley, the Qi of Heavenly Sword within Shi Xiaole’s body reacted. He was confident that swordsmen practicing sword skills and even the Heavenly Sword Realm in Sword King Valley would definitely be faster than it would be outside.
However, comprehending Heart Sword would not be useful.
The Heart Sword was concealed by heaven’s secrets and could not be transformed by human effort, let alone by the treasure swords left by Sword King. The Terrestrial Immortals who entered Sword King Valley mostly wanted to comprehend Ultimate Moves, Killing Moves.
He took out the tortoise shell, and without Shi Xiaole’s infusing it with Sword Qi, it started shining directly.
Shi Xiaole grinned slightly, sat cross-legged on the ground, and immediately fell into deep comprehension.
There’s no concept of time in the mountains.
Observing the humanoid light shadow day and night did indeed benefit Shi Xiaole greatly. Half a month later, the strand of Heart Sword power was refined, and he gradually caught it.
Another half month passed.
Whoosh!
Shi Xiaole took a flick of his finger, and the chaotic Sword Qi in the air was cut into a pathway.
"Is this the power of Heart Sword?"
The integration of sword skills and the strand of Heart Sword power, whether it’s attack range, attack strength or attack speed, has increased a little than before.
Although the improvement is minimal, don’t forget this is just a strand of Heart Sword power. If it could be increased slowly, Shi Xiaole’s strength at the same realm would continue to surge.
"With the help of the Golden Sword King and the Tortoise Shell, it took me over a month, working day and night, to master a trace of the Heart Sword’s power. Just imagine what it would be like for others."
Shi Xiaole truly started realizing the precious and terrifying nature of the Heart Sword.
He didn’t know how long it would take to fully comprehend the Heart Sword. He only knew that the process would be very hard, but no matter what, nothing could stop his progress.
His head was throbbing, a consequence of severe spiritual power depletion. Shi Xiaole stood up, planning to leave the Sword King Valley to get some rest.
"Hmm, who’s that guy?"
Not far away, a passing swordsman paused, his mouth agape.
...
Outside the Sword King Valley, there was a Sword King City, self-established by martial artists who admired the Sword King’s reputation, which later gained recognition from the royal court.
Sword King City, Natural Residence.
A group of refined, good-looking young people were drinking. Among them, a man in a green robe with his long hair draped over his shoulders stood out.
His broad bone structure and handsome face were extraordinary. His starlike eyes were filled with a chilly light, giving off an intimidating aura that people dared not to provoke.
Since their arrival, the other patrons of the inn had become much more discreet.
"I knew Senior Brother Shen would have astonishing skills after practicing for 25 years, but I never expected them to be so impressive. Haha, even Gu Wantong, the ’Moon-Breaking Spear’ who is ranked twenty-sixth on the Earth Spirit Ranking, was not able to withstand your nine moves."
"Bullshit, Senior Brother Shen only strikes when necessary, and when he does, he’s impressive! Who doesn’t know the name Shen Canghai, ’the Passionate Nine-Chained Chain’ now? In my opinion, those so-called young elites who rank higher are just people who made a name for themselves earlier!"
Two young people toasted the man in green with a hint of reverence in their eyes.
Shen Canghai had only been active for less than three months and had only had three opponents, but each of them was famous.
Especially his battle with ’Moon-Breaking Spear’ Gu Wantong. Under the watchful eyes of many, Shen Canghai had effortlessly defeated his opponent with just nine moves.
As soon as the new issue of the Martial World Journal was out, he would surely be on the list.
"Gu Wantong is nothing to brag about. No more words."
Sensing the amazed gazes around him, Shen Canghai remained calm and spoke lightly.
One young man gave him a thumbs-up, "Senior Brother Shen is indeed Senior Brother Shen. In my opinion, only those ranked in the top fifteen on the Earth Immortal Rankings are worthy to be your opponents."
Shen Canghai changed his expression.
Not considering Gu Wantong as a worthy opponent doesn’t mean he could overlook the top fifteen masters on the Earth Immortal Rankings. It is said that these people are all high-ranking Fourth Tier Earth Immortals, at the very least.
His maximum attack power was only at the high Fourth Tier level. However, attack power doesn’t represent strength, and Shen Canghai’s strength lies elsewhere.
"You are right, my next opponent is ’Wandering Trace for Thousands of Miles’ Shui Piaoping."
The moment Shen Canghai finished speaking, a flurry of excitement arose around him.
Shui Piaoping, who was ranked 15th among Earth Spirits, was his opponent.
"Jumping from twenty-sixth to fifteenth might be too quick, it might be better to transit with someone in between."
Some people were careful.
When a genius challenges another genius, what they vie for is momentum and spiritual fortune. They cannot be careless, as one mistake could turn them into stepping stones for the other. And those who rank in the top 15 of the Earth Immortal Ranking are by no means simple.
"Senior Brother Shen, have you heard the news? Kirin is in Sword King City."
At this time, a young man revealed shocking news.
"What, where did you hear that?"
The people next to him exclaimed.
"I heard that yesterday, someone saw Kirin in the Sword King Valley and that he appeared in the city on the same day, staying at the largest Yinfeng Inn. However, I also heard it through the grapevine, so I can’t guarantee its authenticity."
Kirin’s name has stirred the Martial World. At present, very few people in the martial world do not know him. If there are any, they definitely won’t last long. With such a lack of information, what if they are ambushed by enemies?
In the last issue of the Martial World Journal, Kirin, at the age of 27, had shockingly ranked 17th among Earth Immortals, which was an unprecedented achievement.
Especially when compared to Young Dragon, the first on the Earth Immortal List, and also considered a freak of nature.
He had not even broken through the Divine Border Realm by the age of twenty-seven. Even if Kirin’s strength was not top-tier yet, in the eyes of many, he had already secured a place among the top hundred Earth Immortals.
Upon hearing the words of the others, Shen Canghai’s eyes flared brightly, instantly enveloping the second floor of the tavern with a thick aura of battle intent.
"Kirin, huh? Well, I didn’t originally consider him as a target for my challenge, but since he’s here, I wouldn’t mind trying him out."
In Shen Canghai’s view, neither talent nor potential were as reliable as actual strength.
People change over time, as do the heavens. People’s fortunes vary immensely. Talent cannot guarantee one being the final victor.
It was said that Kirin defeated Dragon Slayer Swordsman with his leg technique alone. Although Golden Sword Way had blessed the latter, to be honest, based on his judgement of strength, Shen Canghai believed it would not take more than fifteen moves to defeat the Dragon Slayer Swordsman.
He could only hope that Kirin had made some progress; otherwise, it would be way too dull.
