Chapter 936: Chapter 935: Mist Rain Town, Helian Duba_1
"One hundred and eighty-six Vigorous Air Vortices."
Amidst the opulent clusters of flowers, Shi Xiaole slowly released the breath surrounding him.
After reviewing the letter from the Happy Valley and digesting its contents, Shi Xiaole continued his in-depth studies. In just one month, the number of Vigorous Air Vortices had increased from one hundred fifty to one hundred and eighty-six, a tremendous progress without doubt.
Mainly, it was because his understanding of the Vigorous Air Vortices had essentially taken shape; what remained was merely appropriate supplementation to perfect the process, which was not a massive undertaking.
According to the experience of predecessors, the human body possesses four hundred and seventy-five acupoints, and when one produces four hundred and seventy-two Vigorous Air Vortices, one can strike at the Sea Bottom Acupoint.
Once this acupoint is open, both form and momentum are required to leverage the two cyclic meridians formed earlier from breaking through the Third Pill and shattering the Three Barriers, thereby establishing interconnection, focusing the spirit in the void, and achieving the unity of heaven, earth, and mankind.
This marked the Void Origin.
It was the initial stage of fission; after that, it all depended on the individual’s talent and Fortunate Fate.
Some could achieve a second fission, creating even more Vigorous Air Vortices, and the exceptional ones could reach a third, but most Martial Emperors in the Void Origin Realm would only experience a single fission in their lifetimes.
Of course, the degree of fission didn’t represent a person’s strength, nor was it even about realm, for unless during cultivation, Vigorous Air Vortices were not manifested externally. Moreover, the size of each person’s vortices varied due to different encounters and experiences.
Additionally, the level of one’s martial realm also significantly impacted the strength of a Martial Emperor in the Void Origin Realm, hence the existence of the Deadly Kill List.
Shi Xiaole naturally was not worried about martial prowess, so he devoted considerable effort to the Vigorous Air Vortices. Today, he had finally exhausted all his foundation.
"Brother Shi, it’s time to set out."
Before long, Yang Feng came over looking refreshed. Ever since he declared his intentions to Rong Shu, this guy had been living every day as if it were the New Year, sometimes even laughing out loud for no apparent reason while lost in thought.
"Be cautious on the way, and avoid being overheard by Supervisor Qu using your flowery speech, or you risk a beating," said Shi Xiaole.
Yang Feng let out an exclamation, "Alright, Brother Shi, you actually eavesdropped on me and..." He stopped suddenly, glaring angrily at Shi Xiaole, looking ready to engage in a fierce fight.
Finally, he snorted, looked up, and drank the leftover wine from Shi Xiaole, "I’ll let you off this time!"
"Thank you, Swordsman Yang, for sparing my life," Shi Xiaole graciously replied.
Yang Feng sighed, "Brother Shi, since you’re not willing to return to Nine Heavens Mountain, do take extra caution. News about you will spread sooner or later, and I’ve heard that the number of Martial Emperors in the Void Origin Realm in the Martial World is increasing..."
Yang Feng suddenly paused.
With Brother Shi’s capabilities, did he really need his concern? The ones who should worry are those with ill intentions and petty-mindedness!
The two glanced at each other and both began to laugh.
That day, everyone departed from Happy Valley in groups. Through the disguises provided by Shi Xiaole and Qu Wuyan, even an average Martial Emperor in the Void Origin Realm would not see through them, so their journey should be free of danger.
After traveling some distance, Shi Xiaole withdrew his mental force, certain there was no one tailing them, and then bid farewell to Qu Wuyan, Yang Feng, and the others before leaving alone.
The Martial World was the real place for tempering oneself. Having finally arrived in the Daxia dynasty, Shi Xiaole of course would not leave immediately; next, he planned to visit Mist Rain Town.
Mentioning this name, there was probably no one in the Martial World of Daxia who did not know it.
Ten years ago, it was still a desolate area, occasionally haunted.
It is said that many martial arts masters had entered it, but either they disappeared, went mad, or even more bizarrely, those who went insane eventually vanished without a trace, as if evaporated from the world.
Five years ago, wisps of light fog suddenly enveloped this wasteland, growing heavier by the day, alarming all the top forces of the Daxia dynasty, who sent experts to investigate, but to no avail.
In the meantime, some rumors spread that there were treasures within the City of Death that had been divided among the sects, while others stated the City of Death was empty, or that the major sects turned on each other in conflict... but nothing was confirmed.
It wasn’t until two years ago, under the heavenly light illuminating the world, that the wasteland was filled with mist in one night. Even a warrior’s mental force could not penetrate it, eventually forming today’s Mist Rain Town.
Shi Xiaole chose to go there because he had heard that the fog in Mist Rain Town was quite peculiar, forbidding anyone below the Divine Barrier Realm to approach. Moreover, some astounding secret treasures appeared from time to time, so he planned to try his luck.
...
Mist Rain Town, located in the Smoke Domain, is enveloped by white fog all year round. Under the sunlight, it refracts different colors depending on the angle, and every day at noon, the sound of raindrops can be heard within the fog, creating a poetic and extraordinary atmosphere.
Around Mist Rain Town, there is a network of intercrossing rivers, with paths made of stone slabs alongside them, rows of inns, restaurants, and shops standing along the streets.
Since many adventurers from the martial community come here, a bustling small city has developed just outside Mist Rain Town in just two years.
Purple Cloud Inn, first floor.
Inside a very large private room.
About a dozen young men and women of outstanding disposition were gathered around a table, with most of their attention focused on the purple-haired young man seated in the most prominent position.
"Brother Helian, for this venture into Mist Rain Town, I’ll need to rely on your care again."
If there were knowledgeable individuals here, they would surely recognize from this group’s attire that they hailed from a top power of the Daxia Dynasty, the Longevity Sect, and they were not just ordinary sect members but core disciples.
The young man with purple hair had a solemn expression, with an undercurrent of haughty arrogance, and waved his hand, "We are all fellow sect siblings, there’s no need for such formalities of caring or not."
Despite his words, as he watched the speaker raise his cup, he remained indifferent, showing no intention of reciprocating.
The man, however, was not annoyed and instead drained his cup with a laugh, even commending the fine wine.
Among the attendees were those who mocked, envied, and resented, but out of concern for their reputations, they dared not show any odd expressions.
For the young man with purple hair was none other than Helian Duba, who had become the most prominent figure in the Longevity Sect over the past two years.
Initially, Helian Duba’s talents were not exceptional; within the sect, he couldn’t even compare to the elite disciples, let alone the seven Saintesses. Yet, surprisingly, he proved to be a late bloomer. A year ago, he successfully broke through from the Divine Barrier Realm to the Void Origin Realm, creating a sensation in the Daxia Martial World.
Helian Duba also managed to become the third Martial Emperor under the age of one hundred within the Longevity Sect, surpassing even the seven Saintesses in prominence.
Even reclusive Elders praised his potential, believing his future held great promise.
Nowadays, who in the Martial World wouldn’t exclaim in admiration when Helian Duba’s name was mentioned?
This time, for the adventure to Mist Rain Town, even the Sect Leader personally appointed him as the leader, with several Elders having to follow his lead. Their intentions to nurture him were too obvious to ignore.
Thus, for the time being, everyone was intentionally trying to curry favor with Helian Duba, to the point where even Yu Yourong, one of the seven Saintesses who had returned from the Western Sea with greatly improved strength, faded into the background.
"I’ve heard that Brother Helian has now mastered a human-level killer move and that before long, he’ll be able to ascend to the list of ultimate assassins. Looking across the world, how many people under a hundred years old could compete with Brother Helian?"
One person laughed heartily. They were flattering, it was true, but no one could deny that he had a point.
A significant number of Martial Emperors in the Void Origin Realm would only be able to create a human-level killer move within twenty years of advancing to that realm, yet Helian Duba had only taken one year!
"Our Daxia Martial World has always been ahead in martial arts standards, compared to Flying Horse and Bei Liang. In my opinion, if Brother Helian’s deeds were to spread, they would surely scare the locals to death!"
"Hahaha..."
The crowd burst into laughter again, unable to contain their pride and satisfaction.
"Don’t underestimate the heroes of the world, but competing with the strong is my desire. I will prove my worth with my strength," stated Helian Duba flatly, though a fervent glint flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Who didn’t want to make a name for themselves? He had already heard that the future of the Martial World would not be confined to a single dynasty but would encompass a struggle across the entire continent. To become famous in a single battle and be recognized by all would no longer be an empty dream.
Helian Duba was destined to stand at the center of the world stage, becoming the focus of universal attention.
"Junior Sister Yu, why are you so quiet today? You should be offering a toast to Brother Helian," said someone as the laughter subsided. The young man who had first flattered Helian Duba now turned to look at Yu Yourong with a meaningful glance, quieting down the others.
This time, Helian Duba narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Yu Yourong.
The Longevity Sect’s seven Saintesses were all women of breathtaking beauty, with Yu Yourong being the most outstanding.
When he was still relatively unknown, Helian Duba wouldn’t have dared to aspire to anything, but lately, he had been appraising Yu Yourong with increasing frequency and quite suggestively at that.
His future was boundless, and if this trend continued, becoming the Sect Leader was well within the realms of possibility, and winning Yu Yourong might not be out of reach either.
Of course, in Helian Duba’s eyes, even if Yu Yourong became his woman, she would not be the only one. The world was full of extraordinary women, and a great man should never settle for a single tree when the entire forest awaited him.
The others had long noticed Helian Duba’s interest in Yu Yourong, and under Tao Bo’s instigation, they all watched with cold eyes.
Yu Yourong was quite helpless, but being proud by nature, she loathed this feeling of compulsion and said with a smile, "I don’t like drinking, let’s skip it."
A flicker of displeasure immediately crossed Helian Duba’s eyes, as this was the first time in two years that someone had not shown him the respect he expected.
Tao Bo smiled faintly, "Junior Sister Yu, we’re all from the same sect, and we will face life and death together in the days ahead. We should be united. With your behavior, are you looking down on Brother Helian and thinking he doesn’t deserve your respect?"
This was quite an accusatory statement; at best, it suggested that Yu Yourong thought herself superior to everyone else, and since her talents did not surpass Helian Duba’s, what right did she have to look down on him, only to make a fool of herself?
At worst, it represented an open challenge to the will of the Sect Leader and the Elders. If they valued someone that you, Yu Yourong, did not, what were you implying?
Under normal circumstances, Tao Bo would never dare to speak to Yu Yourong in such a manner, but he felt emboldened to defend Helian Duba and, being a core disciple himself, did not believe Yu Yourong would retaliate.
The atmosphere at the table turned incredibly odd.
Helian Duba sat aloofly on the side, silently rotating his wine cup in hand, as if waiting for something, while Tao Bo watched Yu Yourong with a smile still on his lips.
Yu Yourong’s pretty face turned alternately pale and flushed, as she was about to speak, someone knocked on the door of the private room. A voice was heard, "Excuse me, is Miss Yu Yourong inside? There’s a distinguished guest requesting her presence."
