Chapter 978: Chapter 977: Arrow of Heart-Killing_1
Nine Human Realm Martial Emperors, joining forces to besiege Shi Xiaole and another, seemed like certain death to an outsider. However, because the target was Shi Xiaole, people subconsciously widened their eyes.
Perhaps he had a way to escape with Yan Yuchai?
Regrettably, Shi Xiaole made no defensive movements, nor did he dodge from above. Suddenly, he extended his left hand to grab Yan Yuchai’s wrist, drew his sword with his right hand, and swiftly swung it.
Fast!
So fast!
A sound like bubbles being split apart was heard as the punch force right in front of them was evenly cut into two halves, while the other eight directions of attack, though launched earlier, were still not as fast as the sword speed.
As Shi Xiaole, with Yan Yuchai in tow, passed through the channel of punching force like the wind, their afterimages remained in place. Only then came the clang of a sword being drawn from its sheath.
"Not good!"
The targeted Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor watched Shi Xiaole charging toward him with eyes wide open, a warning flashing through his mind. He wanted to make a move, but his body couldn’t react in time.
The next moment, the sword light flashed by.
He saw a headless corpse standing mid-air, dressed in familiar clothes. Was that himself? The rotating head had a trace of regretful smile on its surface.
"What?"
"How is this possible?"
Escaping from the encirclement of nine Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors to instantly killing a Human Realm Martial Emperor and creating an opening took less than a moment’s time.
Simple and decisive, like cutting vegetables, the sharpness and ruthlessness belonging to a swordsman stunned the remaining eight Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors, as well as everyone watching the scene.
"Wind Vanishing Smoke!"
Something even more terrifying occurred when Shi Xiaole, still on the run, suddenly swung his sword backward without looking. With one stroke, a thick fog mingled with the ferocious Sword Qi swept up the three closest to him in an instant.
Amidst panicked screams, the three tried their best to resist, but Shi Xiaole’s sword moves were too fast and were aimed at them deliberately. The Sword Qi had already struck them before they could even complete half of their moves.
In utter silence, three sprays of blood mist shot out in a fan shape in the reverse direction. As the Sword Qi faded, two mangled figures appeared at the scene, along with one person who, being the closest, was shredded completely.
Given the power of "Wind Vanishing Smoke," it was indeed too forceful to aim to kill three people with one sword strike, but killing one and crippling two others was done with ease. The main reason was that Shi Xiaole launched his moves in haste; otherwise, the injuries of the two survivors would have been even more severe.
While Shi Xiaole felt a tinge of regret, those around him were already dumbfounded.
A series of breakthroughs and counter-kills made it seem as if Human Realm Martial Emperors were merely wheat for the reaping in his presence, whether they attacked in formation or cooperated, it was insignificant.
Shi Xiaole’s strength transcended the Human Realm but had not reached the Earthly Realm. Yet, the effect he produced could rival an Earthly Realm Martial Emperor. Nobody with similar strength to him could have achieved this.
At this moment, people suddenly realized something. How formidable must Wudao Xuan be to have fought against Shi Xiaole for so long!
"This boy is an anomaly, unbeatable by anyone below an Earthly Realm Martial Emperor, invincible."
"Retreat quickly!"
The remaining five Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors were petrified, no longer daring to pursue Shi Xiaole, each of them eager to put distance between themselves and him.
The experts from the Yan Family and the other three major forces were slack-jawed, some with murderous intent in their eyes, some clenching their fists, but because of the oaths they had made, they wanted to act but could not.
However, upon seeing the Xuanyuan Martial Emperor blocking Shi Xiaole’s path, they all calmed down. An Earthly Realm Martial Emperor would surely be able to handle this young man.
"Quite impressive, Kirin Young Emperor, but unfortunately, you’ve shown too much of your edge."
The Xuanyuan Martial Emperor’s eyes held lingering surprise, which quickly turned into killing intent. Since he stood against Shi Xiaole, he would not allow such a person to live.
Whoosh.
It was unclear whether it was the wind or the clouds that moved, no, perhaps it was the heart. A hundred-zhang-long arrow made of Vigorous Air appeared suddenly in front of Shi Xiaole and his companion, as if no matter how they moved, they had no chance to dodge it.
"This is my trump card move, ’Arrow of Heart-Killing.’ Taste its flavor."
"Arrow of Heart-Killing," driven by the power of the heart. In terms of realm, the Xuanyuan Martial Emperor’s power of the heart couldn’t compare to Shi Xiaole’s power of the Heart Sword, but one shouldn’t forget that "Arrow of Heart-Killing" itself was an Earthly List killing move, far more profound than Shi Xiaole’s sword technique.
Once this arrow was loosed, except for an Earthly Realm Martial Emperor, absolutely no one could evade it.
At the critical moment, Shi Xiaole composed himself, and under the impulse of the Heaven and Earth Changing Great Method, the speed of the "Arrow of Heart-Killing" began to slow, allowing him to see the vague trajectory of the arrow.
Now’s the time!
With a stroke of Wind Vanishing Smoke, there was a clang!
Shi Xiaole didn’t forget to hold onto Yan Yuchai tightly as the two of them retreated with incredible speed, a full eighty thousand meters. Seizing this opportunity, Shi Xiaole once again activated his profound mental technique, momentarily affecting some Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors along the way. Ignoring the blood bursting from his arm, he forcefully swept his arm, and the remaining two forces on the Spring Fury Sword instantly spread in all directions.
Pff! Pff! Pff!
Bursts of blood-colored fireworks bloomed, each representing a Void Origin Realm Martial Emperor.
To their utter horror, people discovered that those who had died were the very ones who had previously joined in the siege against Shi Xiaole. As for Shi Xiaole, who should have been severely injured, if not on the brink of death, he was merely pale, with blood flowing from his right arm, while Yan Yuchai, under his protection, hadn’t suffered the slightest damage.
"This..."
The masters from the Yan family and three other major powers couldn’t believe their eyes, their pupils dilating with shock.
Above the Human Realm Martial Emperor didn’t necessarily mean the Earthly Realm Martial Emperor, but some Martial Emperors whose lethal moves failed to meet the Earth List requirements came to be known as pseudo-Earthly Realm Martial Emperors.
For instance, Shi Xiaole, and Wudao Xuan, who utilized the Selfless Sacred Bone, belonged to this category.
But don’t be fooled by the term pseudo; the difference in strength compared to a true Earthly Realm Martial Emperor was still substantial. Who could have imagined that Shi Xiaole not only countered the Xuanyuan Martial Emperor’s lethal moves, but even used his opponent to casually kill three Void Origin Realm Martial Emperors?
Such adaptability and quick-wittedness were simply inconceivable!
"Damn you, Arrow of Heart-Killing, Sixfold Strike!"
The Xuanyuan Martial Emperor was especially shocked, his surprise followed by an incomprehensible panic and fear. Seizing the opportunity, he exerted his full strength, unleashing six strikes in one breath, and at the expense of his energy, his Vigorous Air swiftly depleted to less than half, and his complexion became much paler.
But in the Xuanyuan Martial Emperor’s view, if he could severely injure Shi Xiaole without necessarily killing him, and with his and others’ coordination, Shi Xiaole was doomed to die.
It was one arrow before and now six, but to Shi Xiaole, there wasn’t much difference. The peak-level mental strength of the Void Origin Realm allowed him to instantly discern the trajectories and flaws of the six arrows. At most, he was simply limited by his own strength, unable to shatter them head-on.
With his long sword in motion, Shi Xiaole struck as quickly as lightning, targeting the arrow on the far left.
Clang!
Having withstood his full-force strike, the arrow retained thirty per cent of its power, but its course shifted.
Clack clack clack clack clack!
Subsequently, the second arrow, influenced by the first, changed its position significantly, disturbing the third arrow, which in turn affected the fourth, then the fifth, and the sixth.
A thunderous boom was heard as the forces of the six arrows collided, causing a massive explosion.
The Xuanyuan Martial Emperor’s forward charge came to a halt, his face darkened so much it seemed water could drip from it. Only after he heard the Yan family experts’ message did he chase in a certain direction like mad.
"After today, the name Kirin will surely spread throughout the Void Origin Realm circles of Daxia."
"If this child manages to survive, could he possibly compete for the seat of the world’s number one master one day?"
The Purple Wood Sword Emperor and the Qizheng Martial Emperor looked at each other, while the Mysterious Ice Sword Emperor, who remained silent, was already completely filled with astonishment.
As if having made a decision, the Purple Wood Sword Emperor gritted his teeth, "Let us take our leave."
The Mysterious Ice Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes, "Old guy, with your temperament, you wouldn’t be thinking of helping the Kirin, would you? It’s too dangerous, don’t seek your own death."
"Heh heh, in my life, I’ve no other interests, I simply take pleasure in making the acquaintance of extraordinary men. Besides, the best way to build a relationship with someone is to offer help in their time of need. I, need the friendship of the Kirin!"
The Mysterious Ice Sword Emperor seemed to know something, and looked deeply at the Purple Wood Sword Emperor, "Are you still hung up on that matter? Even if you help him, he might not be willing to reciprocate."
"I have to try, my time is running out."
With that said, smiling, the Purple Wood Sword Emperor resolutely darted off in a certain direction.
"Kid, you can’t escape!"
A strong gust came from behind, and Shi Xiaole knew without looking that it was the Xuanyuan Martial Emperor in pursuit. Confronted with a Void Origin Realm expert, his Flying Skill ’Crossing the River with a Single Reed’ was clearly lacking; escape was difficult.
What’s worse, although Shi Xiaole had easily broken the Sixfold Strike, the disparity in strength was clear, and he had already suffered backlash from a distance, causing severe injuries, reducing the power he could exert to less than half of his normal ability.
With a feigned palm thrust, Shi Xiaole used the momentum to push Yan Yuchai toward a light gate thousands of meters away.
Yan Yuchai suddenly turned around, only to see Shi Xiaole facing back, preparing to confront the furious and murderous Xuanyuan Martial Emperor alone, not looking back anymore.
She couldn’t possibly think that he did this because he liked her, it was more likely just to repay the life debt. Precisely because of this, her feelings were extremely complex.
A person like this, could be described nicely as pure-hearted, valuing loyalty and clear about debts of gratitude and vengeance, or less kindly as foolhardy. But wasn’t this precisely what made Shi Xiaole so unique?
You saved me, good, now I’ll save you, irrespective of whether my actions threaten my own life, but I refuse to owe someone a favor.
What a proud person he was!
Yan Yuchai activated her Vigorous Air, hastening towards the light gate.
She understood that staying would only be a burden. If Shi Xiaole survived, she would repay him in her own way. If he died, she swore, at all costs, she would avenge him, the Yan family experts, and that father.
With the situation unfolding so suddenly, and as surrounding experts had clear stances, mostly clashing among themselves, and with the third parties who were watching staying far away, she met no obstruction on her way.
Moments later, under the enraged gazes of the Yan family experts, Yan Yuchai entered the light gate and disappeared from sight.
