Chapter 895: Chapter 894: Rejected?_1
In the past, some famous figures entered Sky City only to be beaten up by a group of lesser-known experts, losing face greatly.
Thus, some say that Sky City is the grave of great masters.
The challenge by Feng Guoting, in everyone’s view, was both unexpected and reasonable.
The Martial World has always been a place for fame and fortune, with everyone hoping to rise above others. Since Kirin is indeed a worthy genius leader, he should be prepared to be challenged.
The seat of number one is not for just anyone to occupy, and even less so to hold for long.
"Hehe, interesting."
The slender man beside Feng Guoting looked up to drink, using this to hide his smile.
Wild Double Currents is different from other top forces, as it represents not only a status in the Martial World but also an official identity, being an endorsement group put into the Martial World by the imperial court.
Those who emerged as masters from Wild Double Currents mostly took official positions, either joining the Forbidden Army, entering the Six Fan Gate, or becoming Golden Armor Guards...
Therefore, many do not understand why the rankings created by Divine Strategy Academy almost completely exclude Wild Double Currents. Without the imperial court’s permission, who would dare to leak information about them?
As a result, many geniuses and masters from Wild Double Currents, having not tested their mettle, do not believe in the rankings in the Martial World.
And the Martial World does not have a clear understanding of Wild Double Currents either.
As far as Yuan Gang knew, many from Jixia Martial Academy are eager to test themselves in the Martial World; there are even some madmen who are indifferent to the Nine Heaven Kings.
Feng Guoting’s talent ranked him not in the top three at Jixia Martial Academy, but certainly within the top six, perfect for testing Shi Xiaole’s capabilities.
King Huan merely smiled, saying nothing.
Shi Xiaole was invited by him, but he had no intention to stop the challenge.
The outside world is the outside world, Sky City is Sky City.
When King Huan learned that Shi Xiaole had become an Invincible Earth Immortal, he was shocked for a good half day; he had almost never seen or even heard of such rapid progress and was even more determined to win Shi Xiaole over.
So, tonight, learning that Shi Xiaole had come, he immediately sent someone to greet him.
But his unstoppable curiosity made him want to see how well the other could perform under the pressure of Sky City’s Array System.
An enemy of fifty, or of a hundred?
This would directly affect his subsequent attitude and decisions.
A gaze as shocking as a wild goose passing by swept over Feng Guoting and Shi Xiaole – Mei Junyi still wore a faint smile, but her heart was filled with a bit of curiosity.
According to her secret source, Feng Guoting once defeated nearly twenty high-ranking Earth Immortals simultaneously at Jixia Martial Academy.
You have to understand that the concept here is different from the outside world; the strength being significantly compressed means that being the enemy of twenty people here must be measured in several multiples in the outer world.
It’s like a powerful boxer and an average adult – when the boxer’s strength is only slightly better than that of an average person, his ability to defeat twenty would immediately drop to five or six, following the same logic.
Therefore, Feng Guoting’s strength at his level is absolutely terrifying.
As for Kirin, his fame is well-known, but in Sky City, his cultivation and martial arts advantage no longer exist; it’s unknown how many moves he could last against Feng Guoting.
Fifty moves, sixty moves, or perhaps...
"Great, great, but Feng Guoting, I reckon managing to hold out for a hundred moves against Young Master Kirin would be pretty good. Good luck," said Jie Yuyan, clapping excitedly on the side, clearly very familiar with Feng Guoting and unafraid to make such an offensive joke.
Jie Yuhui wore a bitter smile, but his eyes shone bright like beams, filled with an inquisitive intent.
"Sorry, I don’t engage in pointless fights."
Unexpectedly, Shi Xiaole turned down the challenge very directly, and the atmosphere in the room immediately shifted.
"Kirin, are you afraid?"
Feng Guoting burst into laughter.
"Whether I am afraid or not is unimportant," Shi Xiaole continued drinking.
With his spiritual force, he could easily discern Feng Guoting’s capabilities. Honestly, such a person didn’t even interest Shi Xiaole enough to draw his sword. Crushing an ant with an elephant gains no sense of achievement, it only wastes energy, albeit a mere trifle.
"The famous Kirin, it turns out, is nothing more than a coward who doesn’t dare to accept a challenge."
Feng Guoting’s nonchalant attitude angered Feng Guoting, his fairly handsome face now flushed with a hint of red and his eyes filled with chilling coldness.
Seeing that Shi Xiaole continued to ignore him and with Mei Junyi sitting not far away with a mocking smile, Feng Guoting let out a crazed laugh. He drew the sword hanging by the pavilion pillar, and like a streak of aurora, he fiercely stabbed towards Shi Xiaole.
"Brother Feng, you must not!"
King Huan blocked in front of Shi Xiaole, and seeing this, Feng Guoting had to halt his Sword Qi.
"Since Brother Shi is not in the mood, how about Brother Feng gives this king a face and we put swords aside and call it a truce?"
King Huan was modest and courteous, with an air of seeking peace.
"Your Highness’s face is something I will of course give due respect to, heh heh, but some people just seem to have unwarranted reputations, and that truly teaches one too much disappointment."
Sheathing his sword, Feng Guoting reseated himself, but his gaze no longer glanced towards Shi Xiaole.
"Brother Feng, calm your rage. How could you, an unknown soldier, be qualified to challenge Brother Shi? It’s just not worth it."
Yuan Gang appeared to speak casually, but upon hearing his words, the others seemed to think of something, and their looks towards Shi Xiaole became much more complex.
How could they forget that in the noble circles of Sky City Feng Guoting’s reputation was illustrious, but in the Martial World, he was hardly conspicuous. His challenging Shi Xiaole, should he fail, was to be expected.
On the other hand, if he could hold his own against Shi Xiaole for a while, his name would instantly be known far and wide. From Shi Xiaole’s perspective, this was a contest in which he stood to lose no matter what.
No wonder then.
"Brother Feng’s swordsmanship is divine and beyond measure, even the senior Elders of the martial academy praise it endlessly. I think, it may not be inferior to some significant figures; it’s better not to compare," another man laughed and said.
Indeed, with the prestige of Kirin preceding him, they seemed to have overlooked the possibility of Feng Guoting’s victory. An Invincible Earth Immortal under thirty-five, naturally peerless in talent, might not necessarily have a solid foundation and could fall short against the thoroughly tempered core disciples of the martial academy.
Especially since Shi Xiaole had refused the challenge, clearly showing a lack of confidence.
The more they thought about it, the more they felt it made sense. They were all nobles from Sky City, priding themselves on understanding the Martial World, yet their impression of Shi Xiaole was still based on hearsay. All at once, their interest in him diminished greatly.
Even Jie Yuyan looked utterly disappointed and was no longer as enthusiastic as before.
The gathering quickly returned to its lively atmosphere, but Shi Xiaole was neglected by everyone. Even though King Huan tried by every means to bring the conversation back to him, it would always be diverted.
Afterward, Mei Junyi found an excuse to rise and leave. From beginning to end, she hadn’t spoken more than three sentences. Her delicate figure slipped into the night, taking with it the passionate enthusiasm of the men, leaving behind only a waft of her refreshing fragrance.
With his astonishing six senses, Shi Xiaole keenly felt that Mei Junyi was distraught. That sorrow and pity hidden between her brows seemed almost like resentment.
The astonishing background of Wild Double Currents, the restriction in Mei Junyi’s mind, and even her subtle connection with Gui Nanyan, all shone a light for Shi Xiaole, giving him direction amidst confusion.
He made up his mind. Since there were no clues, it would be better to start with Wild Double Currents; perhaps he could uncover something.
Having decided, Shi Xiaole felt relaxed. He politely declined King Huan’s kindness and left alone.
"Your Highness, this lad doesn’t know what’s good for him, lofty and arrogant. Do you want your subordinate to have someone teach him a lesson?"
On the street, a shadow appeared out of nowhere, materializing beside King Huan like ripples on water.
Outside of Sky City, few dare to provoke the power of the Kirin, but here at the foot of the Imperial City, the Mu family’s turf, there were plenty of ways to make him suffer.
King Huan’s smile faded as he coldly snorted, "No need! I am above using such petty tactics. For now, don’t disturb him, but keep a close watch on his connections with others. If I am not mistaken, he must have come for Gui Zhihang. As for the so-called loyalty of the Martial World, heh."
Pride? If it’s smashed and reassembled, I wonder if it would still stand tall. Shi Xiaole, my patience has its limits. I hope you don’t push it.
In the night, King Huan, who always presented himself with humility and elegance, revealed a flash of cruelty and ferocity, gone in an instant.
In the following two days, Shi Xiaole rushed to Wild Double Currents early in the morning to seek an audience with Mei Junyi, but each time he was met with a closed door, sitting in the pavilion until sunset.
Somehow, this matter was leaked. Rumors spread throughout Sky City that the Kirin was hopelessly in love with Mei Junyi but was mercilessly rejected by her, becoming the talk of the town,
And the incident of Feng Guoting challenging the Kirin, only to be rejected, also circulated among the upper echelons. Through the description of certain people with an agenda, the Kirin was portrayed as the one who feared battle and refused to engage to protect his own reputation.
There were those who ridiculed him, those who pitied him, and those who sighed.
On the third day.
Shi Xiaole reported again.
"Young Master Shi, with your qualities, why should you lack for a woman’s affection? But Junyi is too unique; this kind of persistence will lead you nowhere," said the woman who greeted him. Her slim waist and ample hips made for a figure second to none, with a charming beauty mark at the corner of her full lips, a truly ravishing creature, only half a step behind the perfect ten in allure and even more enticing with her demeanor. She was the chief steward of Wild Double Currents, Du Ziyan.
"I can wait a bit longer," replied Shi Xiaole, sitting down in the pavilion of the inner courtyard, his tone indifferent.
He considered himself to have shown enough patience, not overly bothering anyone. However, time waits for no one, and if Mei Junyi continued to avoid meetings, Shi Xiaole was ready to take action.
These past two days, he had not been foolishly waiting as outsiders might imagine but had secretly examined the rear courtyard with his mental powers and finally located the flaws in all the Void Origin Realm Array Systems, confident that he could leave with ease should something go awry.
"Why bother?"
Du Ziyan didn’t catch the implication in Shi Xiaole’s words, mistaking his intent for single-minded devotion, shaking her head to herself.
She hadn’t been there that night, but later learned of the events and didn’t have a bad impression of Shi Xiaole. She hadn’t expected him to be so infatuated, albeit with crude methods.
The suitors of Mei Junyi were many among the court officials, with even Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors being common. Among these men, Shi Xiaole held no distinct advantage. This childish persistence would only deepen Mei Junyi’s dislike for him.
Du Ziyan shook her head and walked away.
After she left, Shi Xiaole patiently waited another quarter of an hour before standing up and smiling as he walked towards the deeper parts of the rear courtyard.
