Chapter 861: Chapter 860 What Is Unparalleled in the World_1
"Intuition?"
The erhu-playing elder chuckled indifferently and casually said, "I am merely a wanderer in search of an old friend, having passed through here. In a couple of days, I plan to break through the realm. Would you care to join me, young friend?"
Shi Xiaole was profoundly shaken, staring blankly at the erhu-playing elder.
Firstly, the elder’s passing through this place didn’t seem like he came by way of passing through the checkpoints of Rainbow Island – it felt more like he entered from another portal, similar to the Thousand Dark Poison Emperor.
Secondly, the ’breaking through the realm’ the elder spoke of likely referred to Rainbow State.
It was rumored that only with the emergence of the fifth Divine Fire Order can the method to break through the realm be found, and even the four top experts were unable to do so. Does this not signify that the strength of this elder before me exceeds even that of the Floating Blood Palace Master and the Ghost Emperor?
But there was no way he could leave. Shi Xiaole said, "Thank you for your generous offer, Senior, but I must participate in the battle at Wuyuan Palace and cannot depart."
The erhu-playing elder sighed, "The place you speak of is fraught with peril! I have a friend known as the Heavenly Destiny Divine Fortune Teller (Chapter 288), who makes a living by fortune-telling. I’ve learned a few tricks from him, too. Young friend, your journey ahead is likely rife with more danger than safety! If you are concerned about the issue concerning your life’s vital essence, I can help you resolve it."
The means of a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor are unfathomable, and since the fortune-teller friend mentioned wasn’t ordinary, the erhu-playing elder had no reason to deceive him, suddenly causing a lump in Shi Xiaole’s throat.
But even if not for his life’s vital essence, could he really leave alone?
If the Thousand Dark Poison Emperor had not lied to him, his father Shi Xuanzhong was most likely in Rainbow State, and the opportunity at Wuyuan Palace was the final hope for his mother Ling Yujie to awaken.
Shi Xiaole bowed with hands clasped together, "Thank you, Elder! I have reasons I cannot ignore."
"Alas! People always have too many helplessnesses, knowingly heading towards death yet still rushing forward blindly. It is so with you, and it was the same with that old friend of mine who remains unfound; it truly pains my heart!"
"May I ask who your friend is?"
Shi Xiaole was somewhat curious, mainly because he didn’t know how to continue the conversation.
"Speaking of it is pointless. In this vast world with countless travelers, how could you possibly know him? He’s just an ordinary old man, always carrying an erhu, and he’s blind, too."
Shi Xiaole shook his head. Indeed, he had not met such a person, but during his comprehension of the Dragon Gate Divine Skill, he had unexpectedly heard some erhu music that allowed him to break through his realm. Yet, when he sought that person, their traces had become faint.
Could that person have been another remarkable traveler residing within the mountains and rivers?
"Young friend, with your natural talent, the calamity ahead is your great trial. If you could leave with this old man, in the future, ruling the Martial World wouldn’t be impossible. Don’t miss out on your own potential, and don’t deprive the Martial World of a heavenly bloomed talent, for a temporary reason!"
"I have already made up my mind."
The erhu-playing elder sighed deeply with a disheartened expression, glanced at Shi Xiaole, "It seems, then, that this period of time will be our last together. Meeting is fate, so be it, let this old man give you one last aid."
Since ancient times, destiny cannot be defied, and human effort can never change it, only influence it to some extent. The erhu-playing elder hadn’t even spoken when he guessed the answer, but upon hearing it directly, he still felt a wave of sighs and helplessness.
Looking at the exceptionally rare and unprecedented talent before him, the elder forced a smile, "My previous words were but jests. Do not take them too seriously, young friend."
Shi Xiaole returned the smile.
"May I ask, young friend, in a fight against peers, how many can you withstand simultaneously?"
The erhu-playing elder suddenly asked.
After contemplating seriously for a moment, Shi Xiaole said, "At most, six."
For ordinary Ninth Tier Earth Immortals, overcoming one on one is already challenging, standing undefeated against two is enough to shake the Martial World, and against three is almost unheard of. Beyond that, with every additional opponent, the difficulty doesn’t just add up; it multiplies.
Yet Shi Xiaole’s answer was six, an announcement that could stun the world and shatter people’s imaginations.
The elder nodded, "Young friend, you are the second person I have seen capable of this feat."
"Oh?"
"Many years ago, I met someone. He appeared as young as you and could withstand nine peers at once at the level of Ninth Tier Earth Immortals."
A single statement sent shockwaves rippling through Shi Xiaole’s heart.
The battle he had with the sculpture in the mysterious cave forced Shi Xiaole to reassess his talent and combat power; he was not unparalleled in this world, and there were many stronger than him. Now, suddenly hearing the elder’s words, he was deeply moved.
One against six and one against nine are entirely different matters. If he were to confront that person, how many moves could he withstand?
Indeed, there is no strongest in the world, only stronger.
A wry smile appeared on Shi Xiaole’s lips, but in silence, he didn’t notice the elder’s mouth curving into a peculiarly intriguing smile, "He truly is a person who surpasses all. Barring any accidents, he should be unparalleled in the world. But you shouldn’t be disheartened, young friend. With the help of this old man, you might just have a sliver of a chance to match him."
"How can you instruct me, Elder?"
Shi Xiaole bowed deeply, his head dipping to his waist.
He realized that this was an extremely significant opportunity.
The guidance of a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor is a treasure beyond all secret manuals and fortuitous encounters combined, especially since the erhu-playing elder was evidently an unparalleled figure on the level of the Ghost Emperor.
Of course, for those lacking in comprehension, secrets and fortuitous encounters might be more valuable, but Shi Xiaole was not short of these. What he lacked was a guide.
Since he started his journey, all his cultivation knowledge had been self-taught. Although his understanding was profound, his method was inevitably unsystematic, leading him down many unnecessary detours.
A proper guide could help him discard the dross and select the essence. Many of the difficult problems he currently faced could also be better solved from another’s perspective.
"Hahaha, this old man has nothing to teach you. As long as you can withstand this piece of music, my duty will be fulfilled."
As he spoke, the old man playing the instrument casually strummed the strings.
Clang, clang, clang.
Invisible and chaotic sound waves surged forward. Shi Xiaole instinctively drew his sword to defend, and sparks scattered in the void. However, soon he was struck, retreating step by step, until a gap appeared on his right side, and he was sent flying dozens of yards away.
Shi Xiaole felt it clearly; the attack just then was on par with the power of his swordsmanship, but the sheer number of them was overwhelming, equivalent to a joint attack by eight or nine people.
He could block several waves, but without closing the distance, it was hard to block them all.
The old man’s fingers moved faster and faster over the strings, the beautiful and clear melody echoing through the mountains. Shi Xiaole continued to strike with his sword, but he was always sent flying. Luckily, each note turned into wind, or else he would have died a hundred times over.
"My movements are not fast enough, I need to be faster!"
To most people in the world, Shi Xiaole’s speed was ghostly. Among Earth Immortals, few could compete with him. But after experiencing the old man’s music, Shi Xiaole knew he was far from sufficient.
To completely block the attack, he had to be thirty percent faster than his current speed!
The martial intent of eight Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors drifted over, gradually absorbed by the Path of Life and Death in martial arts, while Shi Xiaole was immersed in the world of resisting the music, oblivious to his surroundings.
"It’s difficult to improve the Wind Sword Way right now, so I can only work harder on the strength of my attacks."
Without knowing when, the Demon Bone had turned completely silver. The lustrous and bright silver light seemed to dispel the fog in his mind, greatly enhancing Shi Xiaole’s inspiration and comprehension.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
He kept trying with one sword strike after another. Within the process of countering and being struck, he repeatedly pondered the key to unleashing his power, down to each specific muscle in his body.
More and more muscles were involved in the sword strikes and evasions. The body is a whole, and the past Shi Xiaole didn’t pay enough attention to this point, neglecting the ultimate limit of power the body could unleash.
Gradually, Shi Xiaole went from being able to resist ten swords to twelve, then thirteen...
Time quietly passed.
For a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor, fighting continuously for ten days and nights was no problem, let alone simply suppressing power to the level of an Earth Immortal. After five days and nights of relentless fighting, the old man stopped and gave Shi Xiaole a three 2-hour period break.
Then, a new round of intense battle commenced.
When Shi Xiaole managed to resist twenty-one swords, he reached a bottleneck. The muscles involved in exerting force began to decrease intentionally.
For a specific movement, more muscles aren’t always better. It’s only by combining muscles that truly enhance that action that can maximize efficiency.
Shi Xiaole gained a deeper understanding of his body, and his sword speed increased even more.
One and a half months later.
He thrust with his sword, and Sword Qi vanished into thin air.
Clang, clang, clang...
A series of sparks shot out, and in an instant, Shi Xiaole had delivered nine sword strikes, moving laterally to the right. Another nine swords followed, his feet barely touching the ground, as he escaped from the multitude of powerful energies.
At this moment, Shi Xiaole seemed to have found the correct technique for exerting force. His strength in the same rank had increased, reaching an exceptionally rare level worldwide!
"Good, you’ve managed to block the simplest wave. Next comes the second wave."
The old man’s music suddenly grew complex, and the energies in the void became chaotic, as if nine high-level fighters of the same rank had suddenly increased in power.
Shi Xiaole was once again sent flying.
"True peerlessness is not just being one level stronger than the second best, for there’s always a chance of being surpassed. It’s about being two, even three levels stronger. Young friend, if you can withstand this wave, you’ll be no less impressive than that person from years ago."
As if recalling something, the old man laughed heartily.
Shi Xiaole grew more somber, like a still pond, yet beneath the stillness were surging waves.
No one wishes to be inferior to others, especially Shi Xiaole. He appeared gentle, but his pride ran deep, surpassing one expert after another represented one of the few significant pursuits in his life worth giving his all for.
"To block this wave, the Wind Sword Way must be improved further. But that isn’t a contest of equals anymore. What else can be done?"
Under the relentless pressure of the endless music, even Shi Xiaole felt lost. All his techniques were exhausted, all the methods he could think of were used, but still, he couldn’t block it.
The nine masters created by the music, each at the peak level of a regular Ninth Tier Earth Immortal, could take on two of their own rank without an issue. This meant that Shi Xiaole was facing the equivalent of eighteen high-level fighters of his own rank at once.
