115: Chapter 112: Gods, Ghosts, and Demons 115: Chapter 112: Gods, Ghosts, and Demons When Chu Xisheng led Zhou Liangchen and the others through the small pathway that was about twenty zhang long, they saw another expansive area ahead.
Zhou Liangchen couldn’t help but slightly raise his thick eyebrows upon seeing the scene before him.
“Divine, Ghostly, Demonic, Monstrous four paths?”
Chu Xisheng was also observing the scene ahead.
At their feet lay another wide expanse of Han white jade Square.
Twenty zhang in front of them stood four giant steles, each about five zhang high.
On the steles were the characters ‘Divine, Ghostly, Demonic, Monstrous’, written in bold, dragon-and-phoenix dance-like seal script.
Behind the steles were four narrow paths, as cramped as sheep intestines.
The paths led to different directions, shrouded in mist and fog, indecipherable.
There was also a ‘Divine Turtle Independent Cultivator’, standing atop the ‘Divine’ character stele.
At the same time, a thread of Thought entered his mind.
“This trial is to test one’s fortune!
Fortune is bestowed by heaven, but gained through strength.
Anyone who can safely traverse the Divine, Ghostly, Demonic, and Monstrous paths within one hour is fated to meet with me.”
The corners of Chu Xisheng’s lips couldn’t help but twitch slightly.
The ‘Divine Turtle Independent Cultivator’ from the legends was known for his brutal and overbearing ways, never one to reason, always measuring everything by strength.
He believed that a person’s ‘Qi Fortune’ was their strength, and with ample strength, came ample Qi Fortune.
Thus, the Divine Turtle spent his life forcibly seizing and robbing countless people of their fortunes.
His views on fortune and Qi Fortune were evident from the content of this trial.
Chu Xisheng then looked down at the base of the four steles.
Nearly five hundred Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators who had entered the Secret Realm, including Silver Patterned Tiger Lu Chen, Ying Haobai, and the other three Qingyun’s geniuses, had all gathered here.
They were standing around a young man dressed as a sorcerer, forming a semi-circle, with some engaged in discussions, while others remained silent.
The sorcerer was about fifteen years old, surrounded by a simple Formation made of various talismans.
He held the spiritual formula in one hand, his body rippling with Spiritual Power, his garments fluttering.
From a distance, Chu Xisheng glanced at him, slightly curious, “What are they doing?”
“They are probably waiting for that person to perform Qi Observation.” Zhou Liangchen glanced at that person and said knowingly, “That’s a Ninth Grade sorcerer named Mu Ling, roped in by the White Eyebrow Ying Family of the Sea Salt Gang.
It is said that he is very talented.
With a Ninth Grade cultivation, he specializes in the art of Qi Observation, which enables communication with the spirit world and discernment of good and bad omens.
It seems that the other dozen families are aware of his capabilities and are prepared to catch a ride on the Ying Family’s fortunes.”
His gaze shifted slightly, “Why don’t we wait and see which path Ying Haobai takes?
The White Eyebrow Ying Family employs over thirty Ninth Grade sorcerers proficient in Qi Observation to guide their Sea Salt Gang’s ships safely across the perilous ocean.
This individual is the most outstanding among them.”
It was clear that the four paths in front of them were a trial set by the Divine Turtle Independent Cultivator.
And the four characters ‘Divine, Ghostly, Demonic, Monstrous’ might signify different contents of the trial.
The difficulty of these four paths might also vary.
However, Chu Xisheng sensed danger.
A piece of information appeared in his mind.
——The Vengeful Blade Intent has strengthened to a high-level because more than three hundred Martial Cultivators of Ninth Grade or above harbor Kill Intent towards you!
In the status bar of his vision, the word ‘Vengeance’ had turned deep red.
Previously, when Si Huangquan had come, the strength of this Vengeful Blade Intent had clearly decreased.
But now, it had once again become deep red.
And the number of people harboring ‘Kill Intent’ towards him had astonishingly surpassed three hundred!
Feeling alarmed, Chu Xisheng concentrated and began to closely observe the situation ahead.
Chu Xisheng noticed that these Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators seemed to be watching the sorcerer perform the Qi Observation, but their glances occasionally swept over in this direction.
Each one of them had eerie looks and hidden murderous intents.
The four Qingyun’s geniuses were also covertly observing them.
Si Huangquan was standing by a nearby path, watching with apparent interest as if watching from the sidelines.
In an instant, Chu Xisheng felt a heavy weight on his mind.
Zhou Liangchen’s guess was correct; these people had likely reached an agreement to join forces and eliminate them from the competition.
Continuing to wait here would lead to trouble!
Yet, Chu Xisheng’s expression remained as calm as usual.
By now, he had become quite adept at playing the part of a martial arts master.
Besides, Chu Xisheng, with the effect of “Qin Muge’s 10-year-old character card” on him, wasn’t panicking at all.
He couldn’t afford to panic, for a moment of distraction would reveal weakness and lead to a swifter death.
Once these Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators sensed any trace of fear or hesitation, they would pounce like piranhas smelling blood.
Chu Xisheng stayed vigilant and cautious inside, but his gaze grew even more disdainful and indifferent.
A mocking smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he looked towards Zhou Liangchen, “There might be a great battle soon, or a collective assault against us.
If you’re afraid, you can use the Token to withdraw first.”
After hearing this, Zhou Liangchen huffed in dissatisfaction, “Underestimate me?
I, Zhou, have never furrowed my brow throughout seventeen consecutive Life and Death Arena battles.
No matter if it’s a mountain of swords or a sea of flames, I’ll stand with you today.”
The eight Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators of the Zhou Family behind him also clasped their fists, saying, “The Family Head has ordered that after entering the Secret Realm, we follow Chu Shaohua’s lead.”
They were all members of the Zhou Family, nurtured at great expense, or house guards, with their families under the care of the Zhou Family; there was no reason for them to retreat without fighting.
With a slight nod, Chu Xisheng stepped forward and walked on.
He didn’t retreat but advanced, heading straight towards those Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators gathered under the stele.
With his hand on his blade and a relaxed pace, he looked down on these Martial Cultivators as if they were nothing.
As they came within fifteen yards, the Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators simultaneously gripped their weapons, readying their stances.
Silver Patterned Tiger Lu Chen watched Chu Xisheng intently, his expression solemn.
He saw Chu Xisheng’s grip on his blade was as stable as a boulder, his Sword Intent ready to be unleashed, profound and inscrutable.
Lu Chen quietly admired him.
Hsi character was indeed untamed and domineering, fierce and aggressive.
Despite the circumstances, he showed not a hint of fear.
Lu Chen then exchanged glances with a few others.
Lu Chen was reluctant to be the first to make a move against Chu Xisheng.
That would mean they would also have to bear the backlash from Chu Xisheng and the Zhou Family.
Chu Xisheng’s combat power was exceptional, even among the Ninth Grade; even if several geniuses banded together, it was estimated they would lose fifty to sixty people before they could take him down.
There were also Zhou Liangchen and the eight Ninth Grade Martial Cultivators of the Zhou Family, who were no pushovers.
Therefore, whoever became the first to act would suffer the greatest losses.
What disappointed Lu Chen most was that, although they had previously agreed in private to rally their courage and take down Chu Xisheng, the greatest threat, when the time came to act, everyone became evasive.
Eventually, Lu Chen’s gaze fell on White Eyebrow Tiger Ying Haobai.
This person was the most valiant and aggressive among them.
He exchanged a look with Ying Haobai, their eyes conveying a silent message—I’ll follow you, you go first!
Ying Haobai just raised his eyebrows and replied with a cold, sneering look—Why not you first?
He enjoyed battle, but he wasn’t foolish.
That guy was not easy to deal with, even Si Huangquan from the Capital City was suppressed.
Chu Xisheng was now less than five steps away from the crowd ahead.
Zhou Liangchen and the people of the Zhou Family were all on edge, gripping their weapons, palms sweating.
At that moment, a ferocious roar erupted from the crowd in front, and five long spears thrust out suddenly.
The metal spearheads, several inches long, gleamed with a blinding silver-white chill.
Chu Xisheng’s eyes narrowed as he didn’t retreat but advanced further, taking a step of six feet towards the spears.
Meanwhile, his “Vengeful Blade Intent” took shape behind him once more.
As the beast with the head of a dragon and body of a hyena let out a tremor-inducing roar,
more than twenty people around Chu Xisheng suffered dizziness from the Sword Intent Impact, temporarily losing consciousness.
At that moment, a “clank” of unsheathing a blade echoed across the square.
Many around hadn’t even seen how Xisheng drew his blade, but the throats of the five spear-wielders were already spurting blood, as they fell to the ground together.
Chu Xisheng’s blade, as if carried by empty wind, had not only severed their throat arteries but also followed the crevices between bones into their neck vertebrae, a single deadly stroke.
At that moment, the entire Han white jade Square fell eerily silent.