Chapter 761: Chapter 760: Sword Evaluation Conference
In a flash, half a year had passed.
On this day.
A powerful blast echoed through the valley, only to subside after a moment.
Shi Xiaole’s cultivation level had successfully advanced to the late stage of the third level of Divine Barrier Realm.
To upgrade a minor level within a minor realm in six months could hardly be faster than a snail’s pace, but for the Terrestrial Immortals, such progress could only be deemed astonishingly fast.
If he had not absorbed the Heavenly Ghost Vine, it would have taken Shi Xiaole several times longer to reach this stage. After all, becoming an Earth Immortal took time.
This was why the older an Earth Immortal became, the stronger their cultivation.
"Go!"
In his hand held the Red Left Sword, with a slash from Shi Xiaole, a massive Sword Qi appeared in the void, invisible and intangible, its presence barely detectable.
Almost simultaneously, a mountain peak a few thousand meters away was severed from the middle. The upper half slid down with a loud rumble, shaking the ground and causing a cloud of dust that filled the air.
Although the mountain was not split in half, the exposed cut surface was as smooth as a newly honed blade.
"The killing power of this move may not reach the medium Sixth Tier level, but an ordinary Sixth Tier Earth Immortal absolutely couldn’t withstand it."
The sword move he just used was purchased with the remaining 125,000 bonus points from the system—a top-tier sword skill called Flying Immortal Sword Qi, invented by the swordsman Xiao QiuShui.
Flying Immortal Sword Qi, also known as Sword Qi Flying, was a shockingly powerful martial arts skill lost for hundreds of years in the original Martial World. Once mastered, it could easily take the head of a General from a million strong army.
However, the power of the same martial arts skill would increase more than tenfold in this world, showing the horrific power of Flying Immortal Sword Qi.
Now, Shi Xiaole, with the Flying Immortal Sword Qi as his murder move and Wind Sword Way as his ultimate move, and having the superb Flying Skill "Crossing the River with a Single Reed", combined with his Vigorous Air being a number of times stronger than an ordinary person, even his special abilities were enough to disturb high-ranked Earth Immortals in the Divine Barrier Realm.
What’s even more terrifying is that due to his continuous practice of top-tier sword skills, his Wind Sword Way was significantly stimulated and successfully broke through to the beginning of 50% a half-month ago.
The sword strike just now was only a demonstration of 60% of his power.
Shi Xiaole speculated that he, currently in the third layer of the Divine Barrier Realm, already had the fierce attack force at the peak of the Sixth Tier. As for his actual strength, not even he himself was clear. He needed to spar with strong opponents to find out.
Like every day after practicing the sword, Shi Xiaole returned to Wuling Villa and admittedly gave some pointers to Chou Hentian and Qi Yuanzheng.
The two apprentices were very diligent and made quick progress. Particularly Chou Hentian, after settling his deeply rooted hatred a year ago, seemed like he had overcome his mental demons, a notable change showed even in his demeanour.
Even though his talent pales in comparison to Qi Yuanzheng, he has relentlessly pursued improvement through sheer tenacity.
But Shi Xiaole knew that success in martial arts ultimately relied on talent, so he planned to continue observing for a few years. Once the two stabilized, he intended to give them the Heavenly Hidden Seed Fruit.
Xia Yunxi went into retreat three months ago because Shi Xiaole accidentally obtained a top-tier martial arts skill—Compassionate Travel Sword Scripture.
In his previous life, the Compassionate Travel Sword Scripture was one of the four great unique books in the Martial World, alongside War God Record, Longevity Technique, and Heavenly Demon Plan.
However, in Shi Xiaole’s view, this is probably the ’water-down’ one among the four martial arts.
The War God Record doesn’t need mentioning, as somebody had already used it to shatter the void. The Heavenly Demon Plan also showed its brilliance through Xiang Yutian and Pang Ban.
The Longevity Technique is a bit more special. Although Shuanglong only practiced one of the seven diagrams each, it wasn’t an indication of the Longevity Technique’s worth.
The only one left was the Compassionate Travel Sword Scripture. There have been numerous female immortals who practiced this technique throughout history, but upon calculation, only one, Qin Mengyao, reached the ’Sitting Death Border’ realm, and she did it through dual cultivation with Han Bo.
Furthermore, no one knew in the end whether Qin Mengyao succeeded in shattering the void or not. All that was known was her physical body remained in the mortal world, making it highly likely she failed.
Of course, although the Compassionate Travel Sword Scripture is not as powerful compared to other world-class martial arts, its power can’t be denied. At least for now, it is something that Xia Yunxi could practice.
In fact, Shi Xiaole himself had been studying the Compassionate Travel Sword Scripture, drawing its essence to perfect his swordsmanship.
Sitting at the octagonal pavilion by Green Water Lake to rest for a while, Zhu Ling rushed over hurriedly and said, "Master, there’s a distinguished guest here."
"Distinguished guest?"
Shi Xiaole was stunned.
It wasn’t easy to deserve Zhu Ling’s reference as a "distinguished guest"—her pride had gotten a boost recently.
...
In the reception hall of Wuling Villa, Shi Xiaole saw Zhu Ling’s so-called distinguished guest, a man whose age was hard to determine and who had an ordinary appearance.
However, a swordsman’s intuition allowed Shi Xiaole to immediately determine that the man was also a swordsman, and his swordsmanship was top-notch.
"Greetings, Master of the Villa!"
Thanks to the battle for the Exotic Fruits, Shi Xiaole’s name as the Master of the Villa had already spread across Martial World. It signified more than his title of Kirin, serving to highlight his origin and identity.
"Please, no need for such courtesy."
Shi Xiaole quickly rose to reciprocate the gesture.
The man’s warm smile widened, "Many say that the Villa Master is humble, and it’s indeed true. I, Sword Nineteen, came to bring you an invitation."
Having said that, he passed a brocade box that had been prepared in advance.
Taking in his initial puzzlement, Shi Xiaole opened the brocade box. Immediately, a surge of Sword Qi shot up and disappeared as quickly as it came, but it scared Zhu Ling in the hall, her face pale. The experts outside the hall were also alarmed until dismissed by Zhu Ling.
Throughout this process, Sword Nineteen was observing Shi Xiaole. Seeing Shi Xiaole unflustered, he couldn’t help but silently praise inside.
The invitation inside the brocade box was unexpectedly a sword-shaped jade, made from an extraordinary material.
"They say the Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain is quite innovative, turns out it’s true."
Shi Xiaole responded with a gentle smile.
Sword Nineteen replied with a smile, radiating pride, "In two months, my mountain will host a Sword Evaluation gathering, and we will extend invitations to renowned swordsmen from all over to compete in their sword mastery. I hope the mansion’s master will be able to attend by then."
Zhu Ling, by their side, couldn’t help but grin at the statement.
Among the twenty-one top forces of the Flying Horse Dynasty, the Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain is an exceptional existence.
Mainly because of the whole faction, there are less than a few thousand people, and they only practice sword techniques. They are not fond of a hollow reputation, with few rumors about them circulating in the martial world.
However, no one denies that it represents the pinnacle of the Flying Horse Dynasty’s sword way.
Furthermore, the Sword Evaluation gathering hosted by Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain is a revered stage that numerous swordmasters greatly yearn for within the martial world. Unfortunately, every time it’s hosted, the swordsmen who are lucky enough to be invited are seldom more than two hundred.
Zhu Ling recalls that she watched, from the martial world gathering, that the last Sword Evaluation gathering was fifty years ago.
At that time, even the ninth top master of the dynasty, the Galan Sword Emperor, attended, as well as other Sword Emperors and even the Earth Immortal Sword King. Each of their reputations could frighten a bunch of people to death.
That Shi Xiaole was invited undoubtedly proved his worth. Yet, considering his action, Zhu Ling felt that it was, again, quite natural, and she felt even prouder.
Of course, Shi Xiaole would not be unaware of the Sword Evaluation gathering.
In the Flying Horse Dynasty, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to call it the number one great event among sword masters.
Each time it is held, it attracts the attention of countless swordsmen, and many of the martial artists who attend have been rumored to experience sudden insights midway, abruptly improving the level of their sword way.
There is no reason for Shi Xiaole to refuse. He immediately replies, "Honored guest rest assured, I, Shi, will definitely arrive on time."
"Haha, I do not mean to hide from the mansion master, but this time our mountain has invited a total of two hundred and sixty-three swordsmen. At that time, it will be a sparkling and brilliant display of sword mastery. I hope that you can astonish the crowd and obtain a ranking!"
The man appeared extremely excited.
The Sword Evaluation gathering is not merely a stage for sword masters to exchange ideas, but more importantly, to receive a ranking.
Only those who have passed the test of Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain, and won in the respective competition, are eligible to receive the rank title.
Don’t think this ranking title is unimportant.
After all, in the martial world, who does not care about one’s reputation?
Especially those who have been invited, they are basically high profile figures. No one wants to experience the feeling of being suppressed in public.
The most crucial part is that if one could receive a ranking title, they would be eligible to receive a Sword Evaluation Order from Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain. With this order, they are entitled to the protection by Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain once!
Of course, it is rumored that protection levels vary depending on the ranking title.
But no matter what, everyone wants such an opportunity.
Keep in mind, while Sword Evaluation Elegant Mountain is low-key and has fewer people, it is widely recognized as one of the top forces that are most formidable and troublesome to deal with.
Sword Nineteen said a few words and then left, obviously, he had other places to visit. Not long after he left, the news of Shi Xiaole participating in the Sword Evaluation gathering was immediately spread throughout Wuling Villa.
For a time, many people were guessing whether the villa master could obtain a ranking and what the ranking would be.
After all, looking back over previous Sword Evaluation gatherings, the appearance rate of ranked swordsmen is roughly one in thirty, and the youngest one in history reached the age of eighty-six.
As for this, Shi Xiaole was unfazed, continuing with his regular routine, spending his time cultivating.
...
Next to a thatched cottage built on a mountain, a young man sat cross-legged, with thirteen swords stuck around him.
At a certain moment, the thirteen swords simultaneously made a whooshing sound and flew out, transforming into sword qi dragons, tearing the clouds in the distance into pieces, then suddenly returned, plugged back into their original places.
In the clouds, thirteen roars with different rhythms, as if from dragons and tigers, resounded.
"The Thirteen Ultimate Sword Formation is finally complete."
The young man slowly opened his eyes, the sword light in his eyes nearly cutting the oncoming wind into half.
In the simple cottage where he lived, on the wooden table, there quietly laid a Jade Sword.
...
The waves from the distant sea came surging, drenching the countless reefs on the shore.
On one of the reefs, a man stood as if he was a sword, not even his pores moved as he allowed the waves to hit him again and again, submerging him.
It was not known how long it had passed.
When the wave carrying a mighty force crashed into his body again, a sweeping and majestic sword pressure automatically blasted out of his body.
Hissss!
The wave hundreds of feet thick was directly split into two halves. The residual sword pressure continued unabated, directly pressing down the sea within a thousand feet by thirty feet. The scene was extremely terrifying.
"Disappeared from the martial world for more than seventy years... I wonder how many people still remember me. No matter, it is time for me to go out and see how much progress the old friends have made."
...
"Master, the Mountain Master hopes that you will grace this conference with your presence."
In front of a farmhouse so ordinary that it seemed a bit run-down, a man stood with his head bowed, respectfully holding a satin box. Without a close look, it was obvious that he was trembling greatly, with cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
A stifling silence.
"Fifty years ago, I accepted the favor of the Mountain Master and have not dared to forget it. I will make a trip."
The man standing on the steps, his face unclear and his temperament indescribable. All one knew was that everything between heaven and earth, all things, served as his backdrop.
