Rise of Humanity

by <unknown>

  Upon seeing their faces, Zhong Yue whispered to them, “If you are afraid, then you would have lost the battle before the battle could even start! Qi Practitioners are all individuals of strong will, able to remain steadfast in the face of great dangers and adversity.”

  Qi Feng and the few Qi Practitioners looked at him gratefully and they quickly calmed themselves down.

  Although the few of them had participated in many friendly matches with the Qi Practitioners back in Swords Gate, their experiences paled in comparison to those of Zhong Yue, which was why they panicked as soon as all the Qi Practitioners turned to stare at them.

  But things were different for Zhong Yue; he had stood on stages far bigger with the stakes much higher. For example, the Devil Soul Forbidden Land, the volcano mountain of Gu Xia City, the Black Mountain’s secret realm and much more. Therefore, a scene like this meant nothing to him and failed to cause him any pause at all.

  “The Western Barren must have contained a huge secret….”

  In his psyche ocean, Xin Huo said, “Or the God Emperor wouldn't have built his base here and left behind this many celestial races.”

  Zhong Yue was shocked as he had never thought of this and after Xin Huo said it out, he too felt that something was off.

  There were too many celestial races in the Western Barren. It was not normal at all for all those thousands of celestial races to be concentrated within the Western Barren. Besides, as compared to the Eastern Barren and the Great Wilderness, the Western Barren possessed terrific power. If these celestial races wanted to get out of the Western Barren, it would not be a difficult task for them, yet they have been dwelling here for such a long time. It must be that something has been keeping them here!

  And this ‘something’ must have been the secret that Xin Huo was alluding to!

  “Brat Yue, too bad you are too weak or we could have taken a stroll around the Western Barren and found out what this ‘something’ is that is keeping the celestial races all over the Western Barren to stay here.”

  Zhong Yue blinked his eyes as an Awakening level human Qi Practitioner that ran around the Western Barren will definitely be captured by these celestial races and become their slaves!

  He looked around and saw countless people from the Xiao Mang Celestial Race standing all over the city walls around the temple with long blowing horn in front of them. These blowing horns were made with the long horns of some unknown animals and they were gold in colour. Then, these people blew the horn and the sound horn echoed throughout the mountains for a indeterminate amount of time, creating a very amazing scene.

  In the sky, there were all sorts of floating clouds that turned into umbrellas to provide shade for people underneath them. Below the clouds was a little stage that was provided for the high priests from the other celestial races along with some other well known figures to seat.

  Feng Shouzhu was also among them and he appeared to be tensed up and sweat could be seen on his forehead.

  Elder Feng is indeed very nervous, like an ant on a frying pan… Zhong Yue thought.

  As soon as Feng Shouzhu saw Zhong Yue, he wanted to head over to Zhong Yue but it would seem quite disrespectful if he were to leave the side of the high priests at that moment.

  Besides, it would be too late for him to aid Zhong Yue to reverse open the Dao Yi Wheel because there were not much time left as the battle was about to begin!

  I wonder what kind of expression he will show if Elder Feng knew that I have already managed to reverse open my Dao Yi Wheel, thought Zhong Yue calmly.

  Little did he know that various thoughts ran wildly all over Feng Shouzhu’s mind. Although he was a huge figure and the pillar of Swords Gate, he has been overthinking about the battle of Zhong Yue with the Xiao Mang Celestial Race. He did not know if he should let Zhong Yue proceed with the battle or ask Zhong Yue to forfeit.

  Maybe I should let Lei Teng go in his stead. I guess he might be able to you.... No no no. Lei Teng is only good at arguing and his psyche has yet to reach the level of thunder blighted pool. He will lose for sure if he fought with the Awakening level Qi Practitioner of Xiao Mang Celestial Race!

  Countless thoughts rampaged in the old man’s mind, If Zhong Yue could not take part in the battle then the Swords Gate will lose. How are we supposed to win? Qi Feng of the Spirit Nurturing level? No, he is no match at all… Tian Yanzong is strong but he has only entered the Inner Core level so his cultivation base is not as stable nor as strong as the celestial race’s….”

  After a moment, the blowing horn stopped and the surroundings became steeped in silence. Suddenly, loud roars and footsteps could be heard coming out from the supreme celestial temple. Everyone looked towards that direction and they all saw four hundred-metre tall three- headed coiling Ao’s walking out from the temple with heavy footsteps.

  The four coiling Aos were very big, just like four moving mountains and they were definitely a very strong existence in the Xiao Mang Celestial Race. Judging from their appearances and auras, they were definitely no weaker than Jun Sixie, Fang Jiange and the young successors of the Swords Gate.

  The heads of these coiling Aos were panting and on top of their backs was an enormous wheel. The wheel was illuminating bright lights like an unrivaled jewel!

  The wheel was too big and too heavy to the point that even the four coiling Aos had difficulties carrying it.

  Other than that, there were a few humanoids with Ao heads sitting on the back of the four coiling Aos that were holding onto the wheel to prevent it from falling down.

  “It’s the God’s Realm!”

  As soon as the wheel appeared, noises could be heard all over the front of the supreme celestial temple as quite a few of the Qi Practitioners knew that the wheel was the Yuan Shen secret realm within a godly spirit. They were all shocked by the fact that the Xiao Mang Celestial Race that brought out the God’s Realm to be the arena of the battles held today!

  Jun Lutang sighed and said in a very low voice, “We have sensed five Xiao Mang celestial temples that worshipped the godly spirit of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race but I never thought that they would have more than five godly spirits.”

  A white robed priest washed his hands in a silver basin and then he prayed to the wheel. Then, the wheel started to tremble before ascending to the sky.

  In the air, a huge hole to another dimension appeared, the entrance of which was the wheel. From the outside, one would not be able to see anything at the eye level but when looked at from the top or below, that person would only be able to see a huge hole in the sky.

  “This secret realm belongs to the godly spirit of our Xiao Mang Celestial Race. The Wan Xiang secret realm in this godly spirit will be able to create a landscape with huge mountains, wide rivers and even desert and ocean or other terrains.”

  Beside the high priest of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race, a white robed priest stood up and said loudly, “This secret realm will be the arena of the battle between the human’s Swords Gate and our Xiao Mang Celestial Race! Today, the high priest from we Xiao Mang Celestial Race and the high priests from various celestial races have decided that the arenas for the five battles will be the desert, jungle, celestial temple, ocean and glacial area.”

  In the air of the city, Feng Shouzhu and the high priests of the other celestial races nodded as these five geographical locations were all decided by them after a long period of discussions. They tried their best to create locations that could ensure the battles involved air, land, water and underground battles.

  The reason why they did this was to ensure that the Xiao Mang Celestial Race would not be able to fight in a place where they were familiar with so as to ensure the fairness of the battle.

  The white robed priest then said, “The first match will take place in the desert. The candidates of both parties may now enter the secret realm and you have fifteen minutes to acclimate yourselves to the location.”

  A Qi Practitioner from the Xiao Mang Celestial Race immediately fle
w out and entered into the wheel to get used to the location. He was the Qi Practitioner personally picked by the high priest of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race, and his name was Xiao Shan.

  Whereas on the other hand, Zhong Yue, Qi Feng and the others looked at Feng Shouzhu and waited for his order to decide who would be the candidate for the first battle.

  “We will forfeit the first match.”

  Out of their expectation, Feng Shouzhu suddenly said, “The first match is won by the Xiao Mang Celestial Race. Senior martial brother, please summon the little friend back and let us begin the second match.”

  Chapter 175: Sword Seed |

  Noises could be heard again all over the celestial temple as everyone erupted into a furor over Feng Shouzhu’s decision.

  Qi Feng and the other two Spirit Nurturing level Qi Practitioners were shocked and the disappointed Qi Feng asked in impulse, “Elder Feng, are we not even trying? I am willing to fight and I may not be weaker than the opponent!”

  The high priest of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race laughed and said, “Brother Shouzhu, our little friend is right. Why don’t you give it a try? Who knows ... you might even be able to win?”

  Feng Shouzhu shook his head and voiced out softly, “One must be able to know his limit. Qi Feng and the other two may be talented but they are only be able to win against average Qi Practitioners around the same level as them, not those from the celestial race. They might end up dying so we might as well give up.”

  The observing Qi Practitioners scoffed in disdain as they mocked, “Giving up before trying. No wonder the humans are such lowly beings.”

  Qi Feng and the other two Spirit Nurturing level Qi Practitioners blushed and clasped their fist while Tian Yanzong looked at them as he said, “Don’t put to heart. Winning and losing is just a part of your daily life as Qi Practitioners. Go back and train even harder so that you can surpass the Xiao Mang Celestial Race in the future.”

  Zuo Xiangsheng nodded and said, “The first battle would have a significant role in impacting the morale of both sides – it is of paramount importance. If we really want to stand a fighting chance, then we must fight to the end but Xiao Mang Celestial Race is also taking the first match seriously. Therefore, they will definitely send out a very strong Qi Practitioner! This first battle is directly related to our morale and only Zhong Yue is able to secure sure a win. That is why Elder Feng made the second round battle is the first match by forfeiting the first round.”

  Qi Feng and the other two nodded but they were still left slightly unresigned at heart from these turn of events.

  The white robed priest was slightly stunned and he summoned back Xiao Shan as he said, “The second round will take place in the jungle and it is the battle between two Rebirth level Qi Practitioners. Candidates from both sides may not enter the secret realm. The both of you have fifteen minutes to prepare.”

  “Xiao Chuwen, are you confident that you can defeat Zhong Yue?” asked the high priest.

  Xiao Chuwen bowed and said, “I have been observing and researching his skills and techniques. Instead of pursuing a win, I will try my best to ensure that I will not lose to him. Therefore, I have confidence in not losing!”

  “Good!”

  The high priest showed a happy expression and said, “You are indeed my disciple! Now, go.”

  Xiao Chuwen got up and he flew into the secret realm like an eagle.

  Feng Shouzhu hesitated and he looked towards Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin’er. He was a little bit hesitant to designate a candidate for the upcoming battle as without his guidance and protection, Zhong Yue would not be able to reverse open the Dao Yi Wheel; hence, failing to enter the Awakening level. If he picked Zhong Yue, then they would definitely win this round.

  However, the Swords Gate would instead lose the third match because of Zhong Yue’s participation in the second round. After already losing the first round, if they were to concede another two rounds out of the five that would be fought, the Swords Gate would eventually have to resign its territory and people!

  But if he did not pick Zhong Yue, Qiu Jin’er might not be able to win against Xiao Chuwen. After all, this Xiao Chuwen was hand picked to be the disciple of the high priest of the Xiao Mang Celestial Race!

  If Qiu Jin’er were to lose, the only one left would be Zuo Xiangsheng who could win the following battle. As a result, Swords Gate will have to swallow a bitter defeat of losing four out of five rounds!

  Qiu Jin’er is the disciple of the headmaster and Xiao Chuwen is the disciple of the high priest. The outcome is very hard to predict if the two were to fight….

  Feng Shouzhu gritted his teeth and thought, Since we are losing anyway, we might as well gamble and see if we could win!

  “Qiu Jin’er, you will be the candidate for this round!” shouted Feng Shouzhu as he stood up.

  Once again, Feng Shouzhu’s decision had once again shaken the onlookers. The higher ups of the various celestial races also looked at Feng Shouzhu in disbelief. They had all received news that Zhong Yue immediately extinguished the life of two Xiao Mang celestial race’s disciples as soon as he arrived and Zhong Yue was the publicly acknowledged candidate for the Rebirth level battle!

  Other than that, Zhong Yue had gained considerable renown around the celestial temple as he was the top individual in the Rebirth level that bore the “Yue” in his name, which was why he was called as the “Rebirth Level Twin Yue”, alongside Long Yue from the East Barren.

  The meaning behind their title was referring to the fact that Zhong Yue and Long were the two immovable juggernauts of the Rebirth level, undefeated among those in the Rebirth level!

  But Feng Shouzhu’s decision fell completely out of their expectations. Instead of picking Zhong Yue, he actually picked the female disciple on the wheel chair to participate in the battle – something that was quite a departure from what they originally thought would happen.

  Although Qiu Jin’er possessed an Innate Wood Spirit Body and commanded exceptional strength in her own right, she was after all confined to a wheelchair and suffering from some disabilities – a significant disadvantage to her. This would result in various unstable factors that could adversely affect her winning rate.

  “Brother Shouzhu, I never thought you would not pick Zhong Yue, but let the Innate Wood Spirit Body to take part in the battle. It is really surprising,” a confused high priest remarked.

  The high priest then asked, “Why did you make such a decision? Zhong Yue has a higher winning chance than the Innate Wood Spirit Body. Could you please help me what you plan to achieve with this?”

  Feng Shouzhu’s eyes twitched and was suddenly struck with a bout of regret and indecisiveness. He wanted to call Qiu Jin’er back and change the candidate back to Zong Yue, but he remained silent and did nothing in the end.

  Qiu Jin’er was a little worried as well because she did not have much experience in fighting with other people and this was also the first time she took part in a battle in such a big scenario. Other than that, this was also a battle that could not be lost!

  Zhong Yue smiled and comforted her, “Junior martial sister, don’t be afraid. Have you been practicing the【 Sun Moon Prodigious Emanation Art】that I taught you?”

  Qiu Jin’er nodded softly and Zhong Yue then said again, “Xiao Chuwen has been researching my fighting pattern and styles but he did not research on yours at all. With that, your chances of victory are high! Junior martial sister, surprise them with all you’ve got!”

  “Alright! I will give them the shock of their lives!”

  Qiu Jin’er slightly calmed down after Zhong Yue’s reassurances and she ascended into the secret realm after taking a long breath.

  Zhong Yue and the others stood on the high ground, which allowed them to have a clear view on the situation in the secret realm. The space in the secret realm was much larger than outside and it could allow the Qi Practitioners to have a fight without much restriction!

  Right now, the secret realm has change
d the terrain from the desert into the jungle terrain with jungles all over the mountains.

  This was all thanks to the amazing Wan Xiang Wheel, which could freely alter its form.

  Qiu Jin’er sat on her wheelchair and she flew in the air as she observed the jungles, taking note of the direction of the blowing wind and also checking the toughness of the mountains and the ground.

  Xiao Chuwen’s heart thumped as he saw Qiu Jin’er’s actions and he thought ,”The girl seems to be very young and she is at most at the age of thirteen to fourteen but why is she so experienced?”

  The battles between Qi Practitioners were completely different from the battles between normal people. Unlike the normal people who fought without much consideration to other factors, Qi Practitioners would oftentimes fight in the air, on the ground, in the water, or even underground. They were required to always be aware of the conditions of their surroundings by knowing the direction of the blowing wind when they fought in the air or understanding the toughness and structures of the ground when they fought underground.

  Whereas for close quarter combat, they would have to know the toughness of the mountains to know that if they could just breach through to mountains to evade the attacks of their enemies!

  The actions of Qiu Jin’er were completely like that of an experienced pugilist rather than that of a naive little girl – this greatly alarmed Xiao Chuwen!

  However, little did he know that the only reason why Qiu Jin’er was acting so experienced was because Zhong Yue had been telling her about the things to be aware of during a battle on their way here.

  As someone who had found himself at the wrong end of a pursuit for a few million miles, Zhong Yue had overwhelming knowledge and experience on the factors that needed to be considered during a fight. With Zhong Yue’s and her own intelligence, the young girl immediately understood and she too, became aware of these things.

  Fifteen minutes passed quickly and under the signal of the white robed priest, the battle started!