Chapter 181 The Heroes’ Party and a Volatile Situation
He inserted the long steel sword into the scabbard, and five light red hot crystals were rolling on his five fingers. He then turned and smiled at the registered disciples, and said, “You guys, Have you seen it? Have you ever seen such wonderful swordsmanship? Haha, I know you must admire me now, but I must tell you I have not used my most powerful movements...”
Damn!
Ding Hao suddenly felt very ashamed, and his mouth was twitching.
Li Lan’s also changed, and he hurriedly covered his eyes and squinted his head. His expression meant that he did not know this guy.
Both of them complained in their hearts. He did it again! You cynical man, are you going to die if you don’t act cute?
Those nominal disciples also stared at the teacher-in-charge of the Eastern Academy of the Blue Shirts. It was difficult for them to connect the amazing sword with the idiot-like guy in front of him. The worship in their hearts disappeared in an instant. They thought that this guy was unreliable and he had no demeanor of a Martial Uncle.
“Huff!” The teacher-in-charge of the Southern Academy of purple shirts snorted coldly without saying anything. He was a gloomy middle-aged handsome guy.
The other people who had the same statuses with the cynical man had known how unreliable this guy was. They had become inured to the unusual, so there were no expressions on their faces.
...
In the morning, we set off from Swordsmanship-seeking Sect, and when we arrived at Western Rock Mountain Range, we had flown six hours.
Along the way, we had encountered a lot of flying monsters. Many of them were stronger than that Heavenly Hound. Fortunately, the teachers-in-charge of the five academies and the other five three-generation disciples were all powerful. They battled with those monsters and killed them, and they finally arrived at the destination.
The nominal disciples were shocked from the beginning, and later they were not surprised, and finally knew the strength of these high rank warriors.
The speed of “Celestial Bodyshield Cyan Eagle Chop” slowed down and began to land slowly.
Western Rock Mountain Range was a deep and ancient land with strange towering mountains. There were quite a lot of monsters which were at the realm of Demon General and Demon King. If they continued moving forward rapidly in the sky, once they entered these creatures’ fields, they would probably receive devastating attacks. Even those Masters, such as Wang Juefeng did not dare to relax in front of those attacks.
They landed at the peripheral areas of Western Rock Mountain Range and then they would walk into the mountains.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dense clangs came over, and “Celestial Bodyshield Cyan Eagle Chop” began to change.
The feathers on its huge wings were vibrating, and then turned into thousands of tiny short swords, constantly rubbing and contracting, and the other parts of this machine also changed. There were many thick and red sparks. At this time, Ding Hao was surprised to find that this Level Four magical weapon was composed of iron swords with different shapes and sizes.
As those nominal disciples were shocked, this huge metal cyan eagle turned into a half-meter-high eagle statue, and when the leader of the third-generation masters, a man with a white face and three wisps of beard, waved his hand, the eagle was stored in his storage space.
“Let’s go.” Liu Suifeng, the three-generation disciple with a white face and a black beard, walked to the forefront.
The others quickly followed him.
...
Western Rock Mountain Range was located at the western border of Snow Province. It was famous because this whole mountain range was a massive rock and it was one of the ten perilous places in Snow Province.
As they walked between the mountains, they were like ants.
Ding Hao looked up and saw many huge peaks of 10,000 meters high stood upright as if they were sharp swords and sabers toward the sky. They blocked the sun, and it was extremely dangerous.
There was a legend on the land of Snow Province. This steep mountain range was formed in one day millions of years ago. At that time, there were lightning and thunders in the sky. It seemed that Gods and Demons were fighting. Their battles caused giant earthquakes and landslides. Countless swords and sabers fell from the sky and turned into huge rocks. They formed the current Western Rock Mountain Range.
Among Western Rock Mountain Range, there were countless perilous places since ancient times.
Ancient ruins, Immortal’s Caves, and a large number of treasures had been discovered here. Today, six of the famous ancient magical weapons in Snow Province were found here, and they were seen as the most powerful and important treasure in their sects.
Therefore, warriors, who were extremely confident about their own strength, often came here, trying to find some treasure.
The ancient ruins discovered this time was at the peripheral area of Western Rock Mountain Range. Allegedly, a wandering samurai squad, when they explored this area, inadvertently triggered some functioning inhibitions and then there were rays of colorful light, a mysterious sign appeared. Therefore, nearby human beings and demons noticed this place.
According to the “Primitive Alliance Treaty” signed by the supreme experts from the Terran and the Demons, this relic was first found by a human being, so it should be explored by human beings.
However, even it was located in the periphery area, it was extremely dangerous for the average human.
Millions of years had passed, the bare mountains had been covered with various kinds of plants. Thick moss grew on the rock that should be bare. In the dust piled up in many places, various exotic plants and various vines were grown. The species and ferns were extremely lush, and the ground was filled with humus, poisonous insects were among them. This place was damp and poisonous miasma was drifting back and forth between the mountains and forests.
Ding Hao saw with his own eyes that a demon at Demon Soldier realm screamed and instantly corroded and become a pool of pus, just because some white poisonous stuff touched him.
It was extremely creepy.
Liu Suifeng released a faint silver enamel, which spread out, and enveloped the 15 nominal disciples in order to protect them from being attacked by miasma.
He and four other third-generation disciples, to gain their sect Contribution Points, received the task of escorting the rookies to the site to explore, so they had to keep them safe, and this was one of their basic duties.
“The monsters here are rather powerful, even the plants are likely to devour creatures. It’s very dangerous. Your rookies, follow closely.”
It was rare that the black bellied man warned them seriously.
The five teachers-in-charge looked at the surroundings seriously. The five men were walking at the periphery of this team, protecting the rookies.
Though it was at the periphery of Western Rock Mountain Range, it had been too dangerous for those nominal disciples to handle.
Fortunately, this three-generation disciple named Liu Suifeng was extremely powerful. The breath he released was very strong and his blood Qi was as strong as an ancient behemoth, which shocked the creatures around, and the nearby demons chose to stay back as they felt this power. Therefore, there was not any danger along the way.
Walking between the mountains, the team could not move fast.
There were a lot of squats, and they had to use their foot movements to stride across or climb them, which cost them a lot of Qi.
Only when the nominal disciples were not able to solve the problems, the third-generation disciples would lend a helping hand.
Thought the strength of the nominal disciples was far beyond that of the ordinary people, as they walked till the evening, they began to pant.
In the process, the strength of the 15 nominal disciples revealed.
Ding Hao, Li Lan, Li Muyun and Liang Feixue, looked not tired at all from beginning to end, and it seemed that they did not use their full power. Lin Xin, Li Canyang, Ren Xiaoyao, Chen Sheng looked not tired too. However, the rest of them did not look good. Lu Pengfei, Lyu Kuang, and Wang Xiaoshi were the worst. They were sweating and panting.
At this time, although the sun had not yet set, because of the high mountains blocked the sunlight, the surroundings looked gloomy.
“Here we are!” as the gentle voice of Liu Suifeng came from the front, everyone looked excited.
As Ding Hao looked up, there was a cliff in front, towering into the sky. There were no roads in front, no holes or other entrances. There was no trace of human activities. Ding Hao felt doubtful. Was this the so-called ancient ruins?
When he felt surprised, Liu Suifeng’s finger shotted a silver Sword Qi flame, and the whistling sound rang through the mountains.
Something incredible happened.
A water pattern slowly swayed on the cliff in front, and the cliff became transparent, and hearty laughter came out from inside.
“What wonderful ‘Finger Sword Sky Qi’! You must be from Swordsmanship-seeking Sect. Please come in.”
Liu Suifeng did not say a word, walked through the ripples, and instantly stepped into the rocky cliff. The silver Sword Qi that he displayed was called “Finger Sword Sky Qi”, which was one of the famous sword Qi in Swordsmanship-seeking Sect. This movement told the guard their identities.
“It turns out that an inscription formation has been set up here.”
Ding Hao suddenly understood it.
He followed others to step into the rocky cliff, and nothing was in his way. It was as if he passed through a thin layer of water. Suddenly, there was light in front and the scene changed. They came to a relatively flat hillside.
The hillside was soothing, and the air was fresh. The yellow weeds were growing on the ground. The scenery was beautiful. Compared to the poor mountains outside, it was countless times more comfortable.
As they looked around, there were a pile of bonfires ignited and large and small tents, and a lot of people. There were at least a thousand people on the hillside.
It was like a huge market. The human warriors in various costumes came and went. They were strong and arrogant. They wore swords and various strange-shaped outer weapons. Their strengths were not weak, and there were many groups formed by three or two people.
Countless eyes were shot over and looked at Ding Hao and others.
These eyes looked either envious, awkward, disdainful, or full of awe.
Swordsmanship-seeking Sect was a large Sect in Snow Province, so it immediately attracted the attention of almost everyone.
Ding Hao carefully observed the distribution of the human warriors on the hillside, and gradually understood clearly in his heart.
He initially thought that only the disciples of the nine Sects were here, but now it seemed that many of the guardians of the human settlements in Snow Province, the wandering warriors, and the Individual Cultivators were also gathered here. The nine Sects did not dare to be too arrogant. After searching for most of the precious treasures of this ruin, they left some wrecks to these vagrants, so as not to arouse public anger.
“Haha, you Swordsmanship-seeking Sect people finally came, well, this time, the nine Sects are all here, and tomorrow morning, we can open the ruins and begin to make explorations.” The laughter Ding Hao had heard at the cliff reappeared. A mighty old man with red hair and long beard came over and smiled. “Excuse me, who is the leader?”
“Liu Suifeng, a disciple of the third-generation of Swordsmanship-seeking Sect.” Liu Suifeng saluted with hands folded with a white face and a black beard.
The strong old man looked surprised and smiled, “‘One Sword Destruction’. It’s you! It’s my pleasure to meet you! I’ve heard that brother Liu’s ‘Destruction Swordsmanship’ is unpredictable. You’re a rare fast sword master. Today, I finally see you, and you’re really extraordinary. You deserve your reputation. I’ve heard so much about you!”
Liu Liufeng smiled and nodded, trying to be polite.
He was the core figure among the Sect’s third-generation disciples. His “Destruction Swordsmanship” was superb. He had become famous in Snow Province more than 30 years ago. He had won the reputation of “One Sword Destruction” and was one of the supreme human experts in Snow Province in the Mesozoic era.
However, just then—
“Fast sword master? ‘One Sword Destruction’ means nothing! I remember there was a guy called ‘One Sword Wind-chasing’ Guan Feidu. He was very arrogant, but he was still defeated by our child prodigy, out Youngest Uncle, with one sword movement and quickly escaped!”
An arrogant and aggressive voice came over.
The disciples of Swordsmanship-seeking Sect glared at him.
There were five 14 or 15 years old red-dressed young people. They were all sneering. The one who just ridiculed them was a silver-haired, beautiful girl, the leader of them. She looked pretty but there was morbid air in her face. She was noble and glamorous. She provocatively looked at the people of Swordsmanship-seeking Sect.
“They are from Tranquility Academy.”
Ding Hao recognized the origins of these people from their clothing.
Swordsmanship-seeking Sect was the second among the nine human Sects in Snow Province. In the past three or four decades, it became more and more powerful. Talents had emerged, and there was a faintness to catch up with Tranquility Academy, which had always been recognized as the orthodox of human by the Snow Province people. The trend of becoming an eight-level human sect threatened the status of Tranquility Academy.
Therefore, the relationship between the two Sects was becoming increasingly tense.
Tranquility Academy did not become more famous until Mu Tianyang, the child prodigy, appeared.
Especially, not long ago, Mu Tianyang defeated the recognized four fast sword young martial artists during the martial arts contest on Frozen Peak. Guan Feidu was the first man among the four people, and because he was also the first man of Swordsmanship-seeking Sect, this kind of record made Swordsmanship-seeking Sect shameful.
The relationship between the two sects was still not good, and it was common that their disciples fought against each other.
That explained why the disciples of Tranquility Academy, such as the silver-haired girl, disdained them.
Moreover, it seemed they were waiting here to see them.
Liu Suifeng’s gaze swept the disciples of Tranquility Academy. As he saw they were just some young disciples, he shook his head and ignored them, and said something to the old man with red hair and red beards, and the old man led him to the top of the hill.
“Haha, the people from Swordsmanship-seeking Sect are a group of timid turtles, haha...” The disciples of Tranquility Academy screamed smugly, laughing.
“That’s right! A group of cowards, timid like this, dare to explore the ancient ruins! You’d better go back to your mothers’ arms to drink milk!”
“The inhibitions of this ruins were broken by our Martial Uncle Tianyang. Huff! You pathetic worms come to drink our cleansing water...”
Under the instigation of the silver-haired girl, several disciples of Tranquility Academy became more disdainful, and their voices were mixed with Qi and clearly spread out.
Everyone in this camp heard what had happened here. Many of the wandering warriors and other martial artists showed interests on their faces. They came over. It seemed that there would be a conflict between Swordsmanship-seeking Sect and Tranquility Academy.
The nominal disciples who followed Liu Suifeng could not bear it.
“Haha, are you afraid? If you are afraid, you’d better get out of here. This ruin is opened by our Martial Uncle Tianyang. You are not welcome!” The silver-haired girl said arrogantly.
The eyes of all people, at this moment, were concentrated on Swordsmanship-seeking Sect’s people.
They had been so disdained, if they left just like that, it would be their big shame. What was more, there were so many wandering warriors and Individual Cultivators.
However, Liu Suifeng and other third-generation masters did not show any dissatisfaction, and they still walked upward the hillside.
Ding Hao suddenly stopped, snorted, and turned and strode toward the five disciples from Tranquility Academy.
The breeze swept his face, and the corner of Ding Hao’s clothes was swaying in the wind. His face was calm and elegant, and he walked fast with mighty momentum. There was a warm breath of him.
Everyone’s gaze was instantly fixed on Ding Hao. They only felt that this boy had an inexplicable momentum.
Almost without any hesitation, Li Lan turned around and followed Ding Hao at once.
The two other geniuses, Li Muyun and Liang Feixue, did not speak, as if they did not notice this conflict, and followed Liu Suifeng toward the top of the hillside.
Seeing this, Chen Sheng, the martial mania, had to follow his two brothers.
Among the other eleven registered disciples, Li Canyang, Xiao Chengxuan, and the beautiful girl in the Western Academy of red shirts also turned and followed Ding Hao. The handsome young boy, Lin Xin, and the fat man, Ren Xiaoyao, from the Northern Academy of yellow shirts, were just standing there, looking at this scene from afar. The sturdy but shameful teenager just stood quietly behind Lin Xin.
Wang Xiaoshi and Lyu Kuang, from the Southern Academy of purple shirts, did not hesitate to leave with Liu Suifeng.
The white skin girl from the Southern Academy of purple shirts with a normal face and a sturdy shape showed interest in her face and she also followed Ding Hao.
Lu Pengfei, another disciple of the Eastern Academy of the Blue Shirts, looked back at Ding Hao. His expression showed that he delighted in the misfortunes of Ding Hao. He paused, and then followed closely behind Li Muyun and his people of the Central Academy of white shirts. There was a fawning smile on his face and he was talking with Li Muyun.
“Hey? It seems that the disciples of Swordsmanship-seeking Sect are not united.” Among the crowds, a teenager with a shallow scar from a knife on his face said thoughtfully.
He was majestic with thick eyebrows and a squared face. He had a strong breath. The knife scar not only did not destroy his temperament but also added a mysterious aura to him. The young man was holding a blue scabbard knife that was twice as large as a conventional steel knife. The red silk cloth was wrapped around the scabbard and fluttered in the wind.
By his side, standing five teenagers who were also wearing blue gowns. All of them were arrogant, with giant scabbards on their shoulders, and the red silk was burning like a flame.
Those who were familiar with the nine Sects of Snow Province knew that this was the dress of the disciples of Chopping Sun City, which was famous for its saber techniques.
In addition to Chopping Sun City, among the crowds, there were also groups of teenagers wearing various kinds of uniforms.
Some of them were the disciples of Leiyin Sect who were wearing red tight-fitting samurai costumes. Some of them were the disciples who were wearing Taoist costumes from Zero Thought Sect and Great Void Sect. There were handsome disciples who were from Dependent Arising Clan. Some disciples were wearing all kinds of leather pouches and deerskin gloves, and they were from Falling Star Sect. Some disciples wore long swords, and they were from Clear Heart City, where there were white mountains and many handsome men and women.
Where there were people, there were conflicts of interest.
All the disciples here from the nine Sects were the outstanding disciples of this nominal disciples. They represented the future and potential of their respective Sects. Each one was confident, held great self-esteem, and would not accept defeat. Naturally, they wanted to take this opportunity to know how powerful the disciples from Swordsmanship-seeking Sect and Tranquility Academy were.
At this moment, heroes gathered, and the stories of the young geniuses of Snow Province began.
...
Those disciples who followed Ding Hao stood in a small curved shape behind Ding Hao and Li Lan, five or six meters away from the disciples of Tranquility Academy.
“Hey, I can’t think of there is a man in such a group of cowards.” The silver-haired girl sneered. Her beautiful eyes were filled with disdain and contempt. She proudly hooked her fingers and said, “You’re brave. I give you a chance for you to attack together. I can defeat you by myself alone.”
Ding Hao shook his head slightly.
“Tranquility Academy is known as the First Academy of Snow Province. ‘Tranquility Nirvana Heart Sutra’ is also known as the saint martial arts. It is about calmness and stability. The heart leads the body, the body leads the behavior, and the behavior leads the Qi. When Qi and thought are united, one’s spirit will be mighty and powerful, the evil spirits will not affect you, and the inner evils will be cleared. Only in this way, it will fit the meaning of Tranquility. You are an excellent disciple of Tranquility Academy and a girl, and you’ve forgotten you’re a girl. Besides, you’ve forgotten the real meaning of your own martial art. You screamed and shouted, showing disdain. You think you’ve gained the upper hand, but in my eyes, you’re just a pathetic clown who had been affected by evil spirits!”
“You are a clown... You...” The silver-haired girl was angry. She looked extremely embarrassed and stood there. She wanted to refute, but she did not know what to say.
Ding Hao did not use a single obscene word, but every word was like a sharp knife stabbing on her heart. These words were based on the martial arts of Tranquility Academy. They were irrefutable. Ding Hao seriously criticized the silver-haired girl and the entire Tranquility Academy.
The speech suddenly caused a large range of discussion.
The silver-haired girl’s face was white and red. She was so angry that her body was shaking, and she felt that everyone was laughing at her.