Chapter 923: Chapter 922 Subduing the Heavenly Divine Eagle (Part 1)_1
Zhuo Wansheng’s appearance was so ordinary that he didn’t resemble the leader of a sect but more like a private tutor, and after bowing, he held the position without moving for a long time.
Shi Xiaole’s body burst with a sharp sword momentum, thrusting straight towards his opponent, but Zhuo Wansheng seemed unaware and did not even stimulate his Vigorous Air.
With Shi Xiaole’s skill, and given how close they were, if he suddenly harbored a killing intent, not even Zhuo Wansheng, a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor, could have possibly blocked it.
As the sword momentum dissipated, Shi Xiaole sheathed his sword, "Sect Leader Zhuo need not be overly courteous, it seems we have a misunderstanding."
Zhuo Wansheng then stood up, his eyes filled with apologetic, "Divine Wind Hall Master, do not take offense, over the past several centuries, three groups have successively impersonated Divine Sect’s experts, attempting to merge with the Heavenly Will Sect. One time, it even caused severe losses to our members, forcing me to be cautious. I hope you can overlook any offense."
Now it was Shi Xiaole who was surprised, "What forces would impersonate the Divine Sect?"
Zhuo Wansheng said, "The first two times should have been the same group, because the martial arts they practiced were identical. I really couldn’t discern their origins, but the third group... resembled a force from the Flying Horse Dynasty quite closely; however, I dare not confirm."
"What forces?"
"Holy Heaven Sect."
Shi Xiaole was greatly stunned.
The three words "Holy Heaven Sect" were known by everyone in the Flying Horse Dynasty, being the foremost of the Four Great Divine Factions, ranking even above Shaolin, Wudang, and Pudu Peak, and truly being the leader of the Righteous Path.
The influence of the Holy Heaven Sect was pervasive, being present in the court, in the Martial World, and in every corner, with its disciples and branches everywhere. Even the triennial competition of heroes from the various states was led by the Holy Heaven Sect.
It was said that they also had connections with other powers on the East Victory Continent, so even in places like the Daxia Dynasty, Bei Liang Dynasty, and the hundreds of countries in the Western Region, the name of the Holy Heaven Sect was known.
Shi Xiaole couldn’t differentiate between the truth and falsehood immediately, but his goal was to subdue the Heavenly Will Sect, so he simply bypassed the subject and got straight to the point, "Let’s talk about this later. I only ask Sect Leader Zhuo, are you willing to return to the Divine Sect?"
"For more than six hundred years, the Divine Sect has ignored us, and now that our sect has started to thrive, you want to reap the rewards? Do you take us for fools?"
Just as Zhuo Wansheng was about to speak, a venerable old man with a beard as tough as steel needles and a physique like that of a tiger or leopard walked up; his aura was identical to the Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm who had made a move earlier.
"Grand Elder, after all, we are from the Divine Sect. All these years, we have endured hardships and diligently practiced, isn’t it for the revival of our Divine Sect?"
Zhuo Wansheng reasoned.
The Grand Elder gave a cold smile, "Of course I would not forget the ancestral teachings, but Sect Leader, why can’t our Heavenly Will Sect represent the Divine Sect? Do we need to return to the so-called main lineage? These years, haven’t we gotten by just fine and even thrived?"
As soon as these words were spoken, many around them echoed fervently, while some remained silent.
Shi Xiaole was beginning to understand.
Nowadays, the Heavenly Will Sect was divided into two factions, one led by Zhuo Wansheng, apparently willing to return to the Divine Sect, the other led by the Grand Elder, planning to establish their own sect.
Both were Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm, with comparable status, so it was difficult to say who could suppress whom.
Of course, it was also possible that this was all an act by the two of them! But judging by Zhuo Wansheng’s initial performance, the possibility seemed extremely low.
"During the great battle between good and evil, the Divine Sect suffered heavy casualties and was stretched thin; how could we still have the energy to manage you? Besides, we owed our escape to the Divine Sect back then."
These words caused the Grand Elder’s face to change, but he quickly regained his indifferent demeanor. His followers behind him dared not question the Sect Leader, yet their expressions were firmer than ever.
Compared to living under someone else’s roof, establishing their own sect certainly offered more freedom and aligned more with the martial artist’s temperament and interest.
Against two Martial Emperors of the Void Origin Realm, Shi Xiaole could not defeat either, nor could he possibly persuade Zhuo Wansheng to confront the Grand Elder, so the matter was at a deadlock.
By the Grand Elder’s side, a sturdily built middle-aged man suddenly stepped forward, "Fellow sect members, as to whether or not we return to the Divine Sect, our ancestor already left clear instructions, have you forgotten about the Heavenly Divine Eagle?"
The buzz of discussion quieted down immediately, some were joyful, others glared at the middle-aged man with resentment.
Shi Xiaole swiftly asked about it, and after Zhuo Wansheng’s explanation, he learned that the so-called Heavenly Divine Eagle was actually an exotic bird brought back from the Western Region by the Heavenly Will Sect’s founding Sect Leader, Heaven’s Intent Master.
The bird understood human nature, often predicting significant events, and was extremely fierce; it became the spiritual guardian of the Heavenly Will Sect.
Heaven’s Intent Master had left a maxim that whoever could tame the Heavenly Divine Eagle was a noble of the Heavenly Will Sect, whose will must not be opposed by anyone within the sect.
In other words, if Shi Xiaole could tame the Heavenly Divine Eagle, getting the Heavenly Will Sect to return would be just a matter of a word. Even the Grand Elder, who had only ascended to the Void Origin Realm a little over two hundred years ago, would not dare defy the ancestral command, no matter how bold he was.
However, curiously, it was Zhuo Wansheng’s faction that showed concern, while the Grand Elder laughed heartily, "If Divine Wind Hall Master truly is the noble, I will follow your lead without question."
"Divine Wind Hall Master, please refrain from being impulsive! The Heavenly Divine Eagle is an exotic beast of heaven and earth, to be honest, both I and the Grand Elder have thought about taming it but almost ended up with our bellies torn open by the Heavenly Divine Eagle. It’s too risky."
Shi Xiaole heard Zhuo Wansheng’s warning by sound transmission.
So that’s how it was.
Yet the Heavenly Divine Eagle reminded Shi Xiaole of Qingfeng. Could this be another mutant creature, possibly related to the meteorite from the Battle Plain?
And what has the meteorite from beyond the heavens got to do with the land beyond the skies?
In almost an instant, Shi Xiaole made up his mind, "I would very much like to meet the Heavenly Divine Eagle."
He was very confident in his Flying Skill and survival abilities. Even if he could not beat the Heavenly Divine Eagle, he could always give up if worst came to worst but he had to try.
Zhuo Wansheng wanted to dissuade him further, but the Grand Elder spoke up first, "Sect Leader, the Divine Eagle is sacred and must not be desecrated. Since Divine Wind Hall Master has spoken, there can be no turning back!"
Zhuo Wansheng couldn’t help but pound his chest and stomp his feet, heaving a long sigh.
The Grand Elder laughed wildly in his heart.
What Shi Xiaole didn’t know was that taming the Heavenly Divine Eagle wasn’t something you could simply opt out of if you failed; you had to stay in Heaven’s Intent Secret Land for two full days and nights.
Three years ago, the Grand Elder had also exhausted every trick he could think of and barely managed to hold on for two days and nights, suffering severe injuries all over his body. He estimated that if it had been one day longer, he would have undoubtedly died.
And Shi Xiaole’s strength was not even on par with his own, not to mention two days and nights, less than a day would be enough to push him to death! Not to mention, he wasn’t about to foolishly stand by and watch.
Sect Leader of the Divine Sect?
Heaven doesn’t keep those who seek death!
Shi Xiaole was a decisive person, and half a "shichen" later, he arrived at the entrance to Heaven’s Intent Secret Land, led by the senior members of the Heavenly Will Sect.
From the fluctuations in the void, there appeared to be twenty-six layers of Void Origin Realm Arrays. It took Shi Xiaole several dozen breaths to find the flaws in the arrays, which he secretly noted, though on the surface, he waited for the Array Master to open it.
In a moment, a gate of light appeared.
"Sect Leader of the Divine Wind Hall, there’s more than one way to do things, don’t be obstinate, make sure to prioritize your own safety," Zhuo Wansheng said with apparent concern. During their journey, he had already described the terrifying aspects of the Heavenly Divine Eagle.
"Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader Zhuo, I understand," Shi Xiaole replied.
With a tip of his toe, Shi Xiaole stepped into the gate of light.
"I hope no one has to collect his body," said the Grand Elder with a smile as he glanced at Zhuo Wansheng and left.
...
Heaven’s Intent Secret Land turned out to be a desolate desert where not a blade of grass grew. Far off, a setting sun was hidden in the misty grey haze, with occasional winds blowing through, depressing and desolate amidst the silence.
After walking for a quarter of an hour, Shi Xiaole saw a dark shadow off in the distance. It came from the ends of the heavens, and in just one breath’s time, it had arrived close. Its speed was so astonishing it could only be described as beyond belief.
A great shadow enveloped Shi Xiaole. Looking up, he first met a pair of cold, fierce, golden eyes, their glow as if to pierce through him.
But what posed the greatest threat to him wasn’t the eyes, but the three-feet-long, downward curved sharp beak, seemingly forged from gold and iron, indestructible and tearing through the void, leaving behind a series of sharp sonic booms in its trail.
In a moment of crisis, Shi Xiaole’s movements were faster than his thoughts, and he swung out a Thousand-feet Sword Aura towards the sky.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing rang out.
The Divine Eagle’s wings, each stretching thirty feet, made of feathers like deep golden sword plumes, stood stiffly against Shi Xiaole’s Sword Aura without falling short, and split it into two halves.
Whoosh.
Like a gust of moving wind, the Divine Eagle’s talons struck out and withdrew, and the ground split open like cake, uplifted chunks of earth several dozen feet across.
Apparently surprised by Shi Xiaole’s quick actions, a mocking, almost humanlike glint flashed in the Divine Eagle’s eyes. Its speed suddenly doubled, and this time there wasn’t even the sound of the wind, just a phantom zigzagging through the sky, and only after a long while did terrifying consecutive explosions sound off.
Should this eagle serve as a mount, it would be the most convenient tool in the world. Not only could it soar for ten thousand miles, but traveling to various places would also take half the time.
Clang, clang, clang...
Shi Xiaole kept slashing with his sword while dodging swiftly. Amidst the high-speed movement, neither the Divine Eagle’s talons nor its beak were inferior to a mid-grade Spiritual Weapon. Bursts of great force transmitted to his body, shaking him to the bone, making him feel as if he’d fallen apart.
It was then that he truly realized how terrifying the Heavenly Divine Eagle was.
Sheathing his mid-grade Spiritual Weapon, Shi Xiaole drew the Spring Fury Sword and finally managed to withstand the Heavenly Divine Eagle’s attacks. But after dozens of moves, the Heavenly Divine Eagle suddenly opened its beak wide and bit down on the Spring Fury Sword, nearly snatching it away.
"Does this beast know how to hide its strength?"
Countless overlapping talon shadows covered the sky, rendering Shi Xiaole unable to escape without abandoning his Spring Fury Sword. At this critical moment, an overwhelming surge of mental strength spread out and pierced into the consciousness of the Heavenly Divine Eagle.
Choo!
The Heavenly Divine Eagle let out a scream that shook the heavens and the earth.
In its moment of confusion, Shi Xiaole snatched back the Spring Fury Sword and, with all his might, landed ten continuous blows on it, causing two golden feathers to fall. The Heavenly Divine Eagle issued a prolonged painful cry, its golden eyes instantly flaring up, transforming into an even more ferocious assault.
"Such strong defense, far superior to a mid-grade Spiritual Weapon, and its mental consciousness is also strong, almost comparable to the lowest-tier Martial Emperor of the Void Origin Realm," Shi Xiaole was genuinely astonished.
He dared to assert that the Heavenly Divine Eagle’s degree of mutation far surpassed that of Qingfeng by many times.
Another pounce, with the flapping wings almost shattering his protective Vigorous Air, unified mind and heart, he suddenly unleashed the Spring Fury Sword.
Heart Thunder Sword.
Boom!
Amidst the thunderous roar, the Spring Fury Sword penetrated about an inch into the left wing of the Heavenly Divine Eagle, with droplets of blood scattering out.
