Chapter 846: Chapter 845: What a Fool_1
The sword in the hands of the swordsman clad in black was no longer a sword, but a patch of blood red that sapped one’s will to live, a blood red pervaded by death without life. As the aura dispersed, many saw layers of white bones in their eyes, and even their will to resist weakened significantly.
"For making me lose decades of accumulated essence blood, I’ll drink to your head."
The voice condensed into a thread, yet it was not quicker than the black-clad swordsman’s strike. With his powerful slash downwards, the earth turned red, the sky turned red, everything turned to red.
"To force out the Blood Sea Floating Slaughter Slash, that kid is really tough."
The gaunt man fighting against the four women was a bit shocked, but then sneered coldly.
No matter how talented, a dead genius can only live in people’s memories and will soon be forgotten.
"This is bad."
The aftermath of the blood sword unintentionally spread out, even affecting the Four Bodies Sword Formation. Pei Qiuyan and the other three women felt a chill in their hearts, facing this move they could resist, but it would take a huge effort.
After all, how could Shi Xiaole, a high-level Eighth Tier Earth Immortal, withstand it?
"Die, just go die."
Sheer exhilaration surged in Duan Changge’s heart, eager to immediately see Shi Xiaole’s body severed in two, or at the very least reduced to a cripple for his satisfaction.
The Blood Sea Floating Slaughter Slash was too fast; people just managed to follow with their thoughts when suddenly, within the sea of blood, a point of extremely bright sword light erupted into existence.
What kind of sword move was this?
It seemed like a meteor streaking across the night sky, forming into a consciously wielded sword, piercing through the sea of swords in a curving, looping manner, leaving a trail of potent, overwhelming killing intent.
Star Stab, this move, newly created by Shi Xiaole, has greater close-range lethality than the Controlling Sword with Qi Skill’s Star Stab.
Clang!
Clash!
A point of cold starlight stretched ten thousand lengths; the first sound was the shattering sound of the blood sea splitting, the second was the friction of the two swords colliding.
The two figures crossed each other and then came to a stop simultaneously.
"Pff."
After a moment of silence, Shi Xiaole spat out a mouthful of blood, his face slightly pale.
"That sword move was truly frightening, but in the end, it’s still the master of Ghost King Ruins who has the upper hand. A high-level Eighth Tier Earth Immortal, no matter how advanced their combat technique, can’t beat a top-tire Eighth Tier Earth Immortal, it’s impossible for anyone to do so."
"A seventh level of Divine Barrier Realm against a ninth tier, to fight to this extent is already shocking and extraordinary."
The crowd retreated far away, and seeing this scene, aside from feeling some pity, they weren’t too surprised.
But then.
"Ah, uh..."
The imposing swordsman in black suddenly shuddered, struggled to press his lips together, but could not suppress the surging blood. Rich blood foam spilled from the corner of his mouth, and he ended up vomiting again and again.
He was not wounded by Shi Xiaole’s sword; with Shi Xiaole’s ability, he couldn’t possibly be injured. It was just that to unleash the Blood Sea Floating Slaughter Slash, he had drained much of his essence blood and was inevitably subjected to backlash.
But upon reflection, if it hadn’t been for this, he doubted whether, in a hurry, he could have parried Shi Xiaole’s previous sword.
So in truth, the two of them had fought to a draw at most.
At this thought, the swordsman in black vomited even more violently.
Silence had long since fallen all around.
The expressions on everyone’s faces were exceedingly animated, especially those who spoke first, their mouths slightly ajar, faces frozen, as if they had witnessed something unbelievable.
Crack, crack.
Young Master Evil’s fists crackled continuously from clenching too hard, yet he was oblivious, because the shock he felt that day was too great. At that moment, Shi Xiaole gave Young Master Evil a sense of despair that seemed unattainable.
Even when he was defeated by Shi Xiaole, he had not felt this way. One could only say that Shi Xiaole’s progress was excessively exaggerated. Others climbed one step in a year, while he could leap three, how could one possibly catch up?
"Perhaps he will slow down in the future, yes, that must be it, maybe this year he has come upon some special opportunity."
Taking a deep breath, Young Master Evil consoled himself with that thought.
"Uncle Xu, can we kill that kid?"
Duan Changge quietly asked Uncle Xu, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
Uncle Xu was silent for a while before saying, "Now is not the right time. If I make a move, it would mean directly offending Madam Xi, and it would bring trouble for Young Master and the Duan family."
As the former fifth-ranked figure of Illusion Orchid Tower, Madam Xi’s power was not to be underestimated, especially given her personality, which was more upright than many men. Only a fool would provoke such a person.
Uncle Xu was not foolish. Although loyal to the Duan family, how could he place himself in a disadvantageous position just because of Duan Changge’s jealousy?
Duan Changge snorted, his eyes flashing strangely, but said no more.
"I don’t believe it, it’s impossible!"
The swordsman in black appeared frenzied, continuously swinging his sword at Shi Xiaole, but each execution of his ultimate moves was blocked by Shi Xiaole’s Wind Mastery. As for close combat, it was even more frustrating for the swordsman in black, achieving no advantage and always having to guard against the opponent’s deadly moves.
After an intense battle, the swordsman in black had to admit a fact: he had no way of dealing with Shi Xiaole.
With eyes like swirling vortices, as the fight reached its climax, Shi Xiaole suddenly employed the Heaven and Earth Changing Great Method, transforming his body into a Star Stab.
Whiz...
Clothes torn, the swordsman in black was left with a bleeding chest, retreating in shock with a horrified expression.
"The distance was too far, which affected the outcome,"
Shi Xiaole shook his head.
Whether it was the Heaven and Earth Changing Great Method or the Star Stab, both were close-range killing techniques. Once the distance increased, their power was inevitably diminished.
The swordsman dressed in black was at an impasse with Shi Xiaole, neither able to gain the upper hand over the other unless it came down to a fight to the death. Utilizing life-and-death martial arts might deplete the opponent’s vitality, but it would also exact a great toll on himself.
Nevertheless, he managed to hold the opponent back.
Boom!
Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard from ten thousand meters above.
"You wench, you were still hiding your true strength?"
There was deep horror in Ninth Void Ghost King’s voice.
"You’re lucky to be the first to witness my new move, Orchid Void Valley!"
One seed appeared in the sky, gradually enlarging from a spinning state into a flower bud. The bud blossomed in all directions, with the center glowing brighter than the sun in the sky.
Although the process seemed slow, everyone’s moves and even their thoughts came to halt, as if they were visitors in an empty valley waiting for the flowers to bloom and wilt.
True to expectation, the petals withered. The Ninth Void Ghost King let out a terrified scream as blood spurted from his body and he was forced to retreat upward for tens of thousands of meters, his aura significantly weakened.
"You dare to deceive me, I’ll remember today’s debt," he growled, gritting his teeth.
With a turn of his head, the Ninth Void Ghost King fled. If he remained, he would face certain death.
The Ninth Tier Earth Immortals were similar to the Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors to some extent; often, a single move could determine the strength of both parties. Of course, the Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor was ten times more exaggerated; the moves within this circle were entirely different from the common understanding of moves.
Seeing their leader flee, the Ugly Ghost King dared not linger either. He activated a secret technique and fled for his life, quickly disappearing without a trace.
As for the gaunt man and the swordsman in black, they were miserable. The former had his head severed by a sword strike from An Rumei, while the latter had his heart meridian shattered by Madam Xi from a distance.
"Martial Uncle, your martial arts are so advanced, you should have used that move earlier to teach those ugly ghosts a lesson," Qu Ni said, shaking Madam Xi’s hand half with pride, half coquettishly after the battle had ended.
"It’s not that simple," Madam Xi said with a chuckle.
Although the Orchid Void Valley was powerful, it wasn’t perfected yet and required some time to build up momentum. This was why Madam Xi had hoped Shi Xiaole could hold on for a quarter of an hour.
But things went somewhat beyond expectations.
Madam Xi couldn’t help but look toward the young man not far away.
He was exceedingly handsome, tall, and straight, with a long sword hanging at his waist. His light blue robe accentuated his already elegant demeanor perfectly. At that moment, as a light breeze blew, his slightly fluttering white temples added a moving grace to his appearance.
He was like a swordsman from a dream.
In her lifetime, Madam Xi reckoned she had seen countless prodigies and talents, but the talent and grace of Shi Xiaole had left an unparalleled deep impression on her.
If he could develop smoothly, this young man could definitely rival the three great leaders.
Following Madam Xi’s gaze, Pei Qiuyan and the other ladies also turned to look at Shi Xiaole. Even An Rumei, who was normally stoic, unexpectedly showed a touch of appreciation in her eyes.
"Thank you, Madam Xi, and all of you for your rescue," Shi Xiaole said, stepping forward soberly with a fist tucked in palm, expressing his gratitude under the ladies’ gaze.
"You saved Qiuyan and the others, so it’s only right that I saved you," Madam Xi replied, a smile spreading across her face.
Qu Ni suddenly asked, "Young Master Shi, didn’t you see Junior Sister Bai?"
"No," Shi Xiaole replied.
Zhang Xiaoting waved her hand, interrupting the two, "If you’re going to catch up, find another place to do so. Let’s focus on the matter at hand first."
With the situation under control and the masters around them having vanished, the ladies easily approached the Enlightenment Fruits, withdrew their power, and took them into their hands before leaving the scene.
...
Under a recessed, concealed rock wall.
"Young Master Shi, the three Enlightenment Fruits you obtained belong wholly to you. The remaining six will be divided among us six. How do you feel about that?" Madam Xi said with a light smile.
"This would put you at too much of a disadvantage. I only want one," Shi Xiaole responded honestly.
He was reluctant to part with two of the Enlightenment Fruits. Without Madam Xi, he would have had to waste a killing technique, and it was still uncertain if he could evade the pursuit from Ghost King Ruins.
Both morally and logically, he couldn’t shamelessly keep all three fruits for himself.
Madam Xi shook her head, "Should I say you’re sensible or just too modest? We each saved each other once, so we’re even. But you obtained three Enlightenment Fruits with your own skill and helped me delay the masters from Ghost King Ruins. I can’t let you give them up. There’s no need for more words."
An Rumei coldly interjected, "Martial Uncle is an upright person, so don’t be polite. If you really want to give it away, then give it to me." As she spoke, she stretched out her hand without pretense.
Shi Xiaole was put in a difficult position of whether to give or not to give, and his face turned beet red.
The ladies couldn’t help but laugh, their laughter blooming like flowers, making the scenery around them seem dim in comparison.
"What a fool," Qu Ni muttered with a laugh.
Thereupon, each of the women used their martial powers to dig out a cave and entered to assimilate the Enlightenment Fruits.
Shi Xiaole gave a wry smile, quickly dismissing the embarrassing incident, and started to do the same.
Once everyone was settled in, Madam Xi took out a formation disk from her bosom. With its activation, a hazy aura concealed the nine caves. Even an ordinary Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor would fail to detect it without careful sensing.
