Chapter 73: Chapter 73: A Gathering of Heroes
The Astonishing Dragon Castle spans dozens of acres, equivalent to several standard football fields in size. The buildings within the castle are mostly made of stone, looking grand and firm.
At this moment, a group of people in the square started making a racket.
Even the Fiery Fire Sect and Huajian Sect, who were confronting each other, couldn’t help but look towards the entrance.
"It’s the people from the Cloud Sword Pavilion."
Yan Donghua showing a rare solemn expression.
In the entrance where the crowd automatically parted, under the personal ushering of the steward of the Astonishing Dragon Castle, more than a dozen people in white robes casually walked into the castle.
This group of white-robed people was led by an old man. The rest were all around twenty years old, carrying long swords on their backs, each exuding a distinct bearing.
Cloud Sword Pavilion, one of the four major forces of the Cloud Triangle in the unaligned martial sects, was renowned for their swordsmanship. The sect has been established for many years and was said to have produced many top swordsmen well-known in the Cloud Triangle.
"This is really lively. I bet the Cloud Sky Alliance Meeting the day after tomorrow will be very exciting."
Among the disciples of the Cloud Sword Pavilion, a handsome young man looked around and laughed excitedly.
"Jiang Junior Brother, this is your first time attending the Cloud Sky Alliance Meeting. I am sure with your talent and strength, you will definitely shock everyone, just like the Four Outstanding Youths of the Cloud Triangle."
Someone said.
"The Four Outstanding Youths of the Cloud Triangle?"
Jiang Qingzhou suppressed his fiery ambition, but the burning enthusiasm in his eyes betrayed him.
This was his second year after joining the Cloud Sword Pavilion. His outstanding talent was already widely recognized by the Cloud Sword Pavilion, and he was expected to become a top-notch talent of the first level in the Cloud Triangle.
This Cloud Sky Alliance Meeting was his battle to make a name for himself!
"Jiang Junior Brother, don’t underestimate others."
Ahead, a tall and thin young man suddenly said.
This person exudes a faintly sharp aura from head to toe. His gaze swept across the crowd, making some of the young ones feel as if they had been stabbed by a sword.
He was ’Wind Sword’ Zuo Feiyang, the eldest disciple of the Cloud Sword Pavilion, and also one of the top figures among the second-tier talents in the Cloud Triangle.
"Liu Mengse, haven’t you appeared yet?"
Zuo Feiyang had an aura of eager anticipation for battle.
Ever since he was defeated by the Dream Color Young Master who was one of the Four Outstanding Youths two years ago, he has been devoted to his training almost to the point of neglecting sleep.
Originally, given Zuo Feiyang’s strength, he was disdainful of participating in the Cloud Sky Alliance Meeting. However, when he heard that the Dream Color Young Master would appear, he immediately changed his mind. His motive was nothing more than to avenge his previous defeat and beat his opponent.
"The people from the Dry Land Sect are here too."
As everyone was quietly observing the disciples of the Cloud Sword Pavilion, someone looked towards the entrance and shouted.
The Dry Land Sect was on par with Cloud Sword Pavilion, also one of the four major forces among the unaligned martial sects.
Unlike the pure white robes of the Cloud Sword Pavilion, which were free from dust, the people of the Dry Land Sect wore dark brown cloths that were deep and hefty, forming two extremes with the Cloud Sword Pavilion.
"Zuo Feiyang, I didn’t expect you to be here."
From within the Dry Land Sect, a young man with a tall and robust physique shouted.
"Xiong Ni."
Zuo Feiyang looked at him simultaneously.
Xiong Ni, nicknamed Flying Sky Bear, was the eldest disciple of the Dry Land Sect, known for his natural strength and agile movements. It was universally acknowledged in the Martial World that he was no less powerful than Zuo Feiyang.
As their gazes met, the crowd seemed to hear the electric sizzling.
For Zuo Feiyang and Xiong Ni, although the Four Outstanding Youths of the Cloud Triangle were a target, wasn’t each other a great rival? Only by defeating everyone could they proclaim dominance among the young generation.
"Zuo Feiyang, I wonder how far your swordsmanship has developed and whether it can break my Savage Bear Iron Shirt?"
Xiong Ni hooked the corner of his mouth and laughed.
"Do you want to give it a try?"
Zuo Feiyang replied coldly.
Both of them had straightforward personalities, lacking the courtesy of the usual chivalrous men. Therefore, they clashed as soon as they met, causing the many young people in the audience to breathe heavily.
"You two, save it for the meeting the day after tomorrow. What’s the point of me defeating you if both of you are injured?"
At the critical moment when the situation was tense, a lazily voice rang out, carrying a hint of undeniable arrogance and dominance.
Zuo Feiyang and Xiong Ni turned their heads at the same time and shouted, "Ba Renxiong!"
Ba Renxiong, also known as Bloody Tyrant Saber, was the eldest disciple of Tyrant Saber Sect, one of the four major forces, famous in the martial arts world for his ferocious saber techniques. It was said that all who fell into his hands either died or were maimed.
"Ba Renxiong, don’t be too full of yourself. Be careful I don’t smash your face."
Xiong Ni spoke icily.
"Hehe."
Ba Renxiong had a head of red hair, wore the same red clothes, and just smirked upon hearing this.
The disciples of Tyrant Saber Sect behind him also smirked one by one, as if they didn’t put the Dry Land Sect in their eyes at all. This provoked the disciples of the Dry Land Sect, who were all infuriated and began to chastise them.
The disciples of the two sects were aggressively confronting each other, the arguing became more and more intense, the leading elders of both sides not only didn’t stop them, instead they stared at each other, seemingly wishing they could kill each other.
Caught in confusion, Shi Xiaole heard Yuan Qiuwei explain: "In the past, during the joint demon extermination by the two sects, it was rumored that the Dry Land Sect had used a trick causing the Tyrant Saber Sect to suffer a great loss. Later the Tyrant Saber Sect also played a trick on the Dry Land Sect in return, thus the two sects had a deep-seated grudge."
So that’s how it is.
Shi Xiaole nodded, about to speak, when he inadvertently saw a patrician young man in the crowd and was momentarily stunned.
This man was handsome and tall, but these were not the key points that attracted Shi Xiaole. What really made Shi Xiaole startled was the other’s natural, free and easy temperament.
At least since his crossing, Shi Xiaole was seeing such a person for the first time.
"Liu Mengse!"
Perhaps it was due to their rivalry, Zuo Feiyang quickly noticed the elegantly dressed young master, his eyes instantly radiating a frightening spark.
"Liu Mengse, the Dream Color Young Master from the Four Outstanding Youths?"
Swish, swish, swish.
Many eyes turned and landed on the elegantly-dressed young master - filled with fighting intent, admiration, surprise, in numerous different forms.
"I have come this time for a duel, my greetings to everyone here."
In response to all the attention, Liu Mengse remained calm and composed, giving everyone a fist-and-palm salute with a smile, his easygoing demeanor making many women secretly swoon.
Zuo Feiyang expelled a slow breath.
Xiong Ni’s fist tightened unnoticed.
Ba Renxiong’s hand went to the sword at his waist.
Also, many young people, who were highly self-esteemed martial artists and had never seen Liu Mengse’s might, could not keep calm and were filled with intense fighting spirit.
Want to establish a striking reputation in the Martial World? Undoubtedly, the quickest shortcut is by defeating renowned aces, and hereby usurping their fame.
"Honor and gain can indeed be harmful."
Observing people’s reactions, Shi Xiaole subtly shook his head.
He was inherently modest, preferring a life of candid retribution of favors and grudges.
It was hard to imagine - if one day he leveled up to the ranks of the Four Outstanding Youths, wouldn’t he become the ’enviable prize’ in everyone’s eyes, wherever he went?
Of course, if Shi Xiaole’s thoughts were known, he would definitely be mocked relentlessly.
Attaining the status of an Outstanding Youth? Who does he think he is?
"Hahaha, Brother Liu, you finally arrived! I’ve been eagerly waiting for you."
A hearty laughter sounded from atop the Astonishing Dragon Castle. As people looked up, they saw a young chap clad in yellow standing upon an elevated corridor, laughing down at them.
"Yue Xunxian."
The smile on Liu Mengse’s face spread, but it was no longer that carefree smile anymore.
"He, he is the Astonishing Dragon Young Master from the Four Outstanding Youths?"
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Yue Xunxian, also known as the Astonishing Dragon Young Master, was the son of Yue Changzheng, known as the Nine Appearances of Cloud Dragon, and the Young Master of the Astonishing Dragon Castle amongst the four major forces.
Though Yue Xunxian’s looks were unclear, from his noble stature, people could be confident that he was in no way inferior to Liu Mengse.
The forthcoming Meeting of the Cloud Skies had attracted so many members of Cloud Sky Alliance largely thanks to the bout between Liu Mengse and Yue Xunxian.
Do not mistake it for a mere exchange of fists between two youths.
In truth, years ago, the might of the Four Outstanding Youths had already surpassed many Sect Masters of the Cloud Triangle, earning them a reputation as top-tier experts in the Martial World.
Everyone was curious as to the extent of their abilities now.
The remote standoff between the two Outstanding Youths instantaneously captured the crowd’s attention, overshadowing the limelight for all the other young attendees.
Subconsciously, many people started looking forward to the Meeting of the Cloud Skies after the day after tomorrow.
The Huajian Sect members were arranged in the rooms on the eastern side of the Astonishing Dragon Castle. Overflowing with greenery and vibrant flowers, the environment was serene and pleasing to the eye.
Also assigned to the east side were the Changfeng Sect, Duster Gate, Finger Flicking Sect, Flying Leg Sect and eight other sects from Mountain Luyan. Seeing each other, with the exception of the Changfeng Sect, everyone exchanged nods.
"Xiao Le."
As fate would have it, Lan Ning, Jin Wuwei, and Sha Zongheng were also in this area. As Shi Xiaole approached, the three of them noticed him right away.
"You guys are here too."
Shi Xiaole beamed, an unusual reaction.
He hadn’t been very familiar with these three before. Due to differences in position, they hadn’t necessarily been on good terms, but Shi Xiaole wasn’t interested in dwelling on the past. At the very least, none of them had ever hurt him or his aunt.
"We heard about the disaster at the Golden Phoenix Tower last time. Regrettably, we didn’t know about it at the sect. Otherwise, we would have rushed back there no matter what."
Sha Zongheng started off, sounding more like an explanation.
He didn’t want Shi Xiaole to think he didn’t care about the fate of the Golden Phoenix Tower, just because he wasn’t the future leader.
Lan Ning and Jin Wuwei quietly surveyed Shi Xiaole.
As direct disciples of the Golden Phoenix Tower, they were more informed about the inside story of that gang fight than anyone else. Hence, they found Shi Xiaole even more baffling.
They simply couldn’t understand how Shi Xiaole had killed Jiang Buxu and Sima Biao. Even for secret techniques that overdraw vitality, things seemed too terrifying.
"This guy is becoming more and more mysterious."
Lan Ning shook her head, secretly murmuring.
If after losing to Shi Xiaole during the Golden Phoenix Tower competition, she had still been somewhat unconvinced, his defeat of the Bloody Hand - Lian Tu, had made her sincerely admit defeat.
As for that gang war, it was more like a veil of mystery, it was getting harder and harder for Lan Ning to gauge Shi Xiaole’s true potential.
"Xiao Le, you have to take pride this time, seize the opportunity of the day after tomorrow’s event. Maybe you’ll become famous in just one fight."
The four of them chatted for a while, and Sha Zongheng encouraged him enthusiastically.
"Given your capability, I believe you could easily rank as a second-level ace after this event."
Jin Wuwei also agreed.
It was clear that they had gradually let go of their competitiveness with Shi Xiaole, and had instead started to think from the perspective of the Golden Phoenix Tower.
Once Shi Xiaole rose to fame, it would not only benefit him, but also greatly enhance the reputation of the Golden Phoenix Tower.
"Truly overestimating your abilities, do you think a second-level ace title is a cabbage that just anyone can pick? Ridiculously laughable!"
Suddenly someone laughed, the tone filled with mockery.
