Rise of Humanity

by <unknown>

  Beside the dragon boat was a floating mountain, on the top of the mountain was a huge Shan Shen statue. Before the colossal statue were three priests of the Shan Shen Celestial Race, who were chanting while the disciples knelt on the ground and chanted along.

  Beside them were three huge soul weapons from the West Barren – the Dang Hu Celestial Race's Bird Nest, Shen Si Celestial Race's War Chariot, and Ming She Celestial Race's Whip. These three celestial races were considered among the more prominent races. Although they could not be compared to behemoth powers like the Shan Shen and Xiao Mang Celestial Race, their population still numbered in the millions.

  These three celestial races said that they were only here to save their imprisoned seniors in the Seal Suppression Hall, but their intentions were clear to everyone else. They were here for their chance to devour the Great Wilderness.

  “The success rate is nearly zero with Feng Shang in Swords Gate, but now, as the great Sword God has entered the Devil Soul Forbidden Land, it’s time for us to act!”

  Xiao Yin looked at the others, smiled and said, "The transfer of power in happening in Swords Gate, this is the time where they are at their most vulnerable. Shall we head over and congratulate the new headmaster for his appointment?"

  The huge ship, dragon boat, demon fortress, godly mountain all moved, flying toward the Swords Gate Mountain.

  The old man had really entered the Devil Soul Forbidden Land….

  Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin'er watched as their headmaster leaped down from the precipice into the Devil Soul Forbidden Land. That was a path of no return; any outsider would have to face the relentless assault of the evil creatures in it. It was only through Xin Huo's guidance and luck that Zhong Yue was able to escape.

  Although weakened, the seal was still so strong that it could even crush the pseudo beast god like a petty bug. The old headmaster wouldn't have the strength to break through the seal or otherwise, the previous headmasters wouldn't have died in it either.

  However, with the old headmaster entering the Devil Soul Forbidden Land, it was tantamount to tying the Swords Gate's hands behind its back. It had just lost its greatest deterring force to leave the fate of humanity in the hands of those that wished to devour them!

  To Zhong Yue, this was something the headmaster would never abide.

  So who could it be? The one that entered would never be the headmaster himself; it can only be someone else … Elder Pu? No, no, Elder Pu is too weak. Then, this man could only be….

  Sadness and sorrow glutted filled his heart as the person's true identity became clear to him. He silently gave his respects in his heart.

  Senior Shouzhu, he went in place of headmaster….

  Even if he had figured it out, he was still powerless to do anything to save him. Feng Shouzhu must die in the Devil Soul Forbidden Land; the scattered souls of the gods in the forbidden land were trying another attempt to break the seal away and return to the world. Only an existence at the level of headmaster could stop them, to crush away the fermenting danger in the Devil Soul Forbidden Land and push back the time of the eruption of the Devil Soul Yin Effluvium! But the price they would have to pay was their lives!

  The last eruption of the Devil Soul Yin Effluvium was earlier than expected; this meant that the devil souls in the forbidden land were growing stronger than before at an increasing rate. In no time, they could come again, and this time, it wouldn't be an eruption of a simple Devil Soul Yin Effluvium anymore, but the whole Devil Soul Forbidden Land!

  The only way to prevent such a disastrous event was to kill it off before it happens. To do that, Feng Shouzhu would have to burn all of his energy and fight until the end of his life in the Devil Soul Forbidden Land to earn half a millennia's time for humanity. Otherwise, the whole of Swords Gate would have to face the wrath of the Devil Soul Forbidden Land at any time within the next seven years!

  Humanity has never lacked unsung heroes like Senior Feng Shouzhu. We never lacked warriors that were willing to die for our future! A race like ours does not deserve to be treated as the most inferior race. We can't just resign ourselves to be food for others!

  Zhong Yue held Qiu Jin'er's hand and stepped on the sky and trod across the precipice.

  "Seal Suppression Hall Hall Master!"

  On the other side, the Qi Practitioners were gathered to see the ‘old headmaster' off, they raised their heads up and saw Zhong Yue and Qiu Jin'er. Suddenly, Grand Elder Yu sighed, he said, "Hall master of the Seal Suppression Hall, you are late, the old headmaster has gone … Quick, come over and meet our new headmaster, this is our new headmaster of Swords Gate, Headmaster Feng Wuji."

  Zhong Yue stepped forward, he bowed and greeted the headmaster. He said in the most indifferently, "Seal Suppression Hall, Hall Master Zhong Yue, greets the headmaster."

  Rays inconspicuously flashed across Feng Wuji's eyes. He smiled and said, "Please, spare me the formalities. I'm incompetent as the headmaster. Since everyone is here today, then I might as well take this opportunity to announce my first and final decision as Swords Gate headmaster."

  He glanced around before he said sonorously, "I've only accepted to act as the headmaster under the tenacious request of the late headmaster, but in fact, I have little to none interest in acting as headmaster. As the late headmaster has left us today, I have no intention to hold this position anymore; and now, I will dismiss myself from the headmaster's position and pass it to a man better than myself."

  As he spoke, the crowd uncontrollably plunged into an uproar. This was even more shocking than when Feng Wuji was anointed the next headmaster.

  The late headmaster had just given his place to Feng Wuji, and in this short period of time, their current headmaster announced that he would abdicate from his post and pass the position of headmaster to someone he thought was better?

  "Could it be Fang Jiange? Elder Fang is now also a magnate, and he is strong and powerful. After all, Jun Sixie is a girl, how can a girl be the headmaster? It's natural to pass the position to Fang Jiange!"

  "How is it not possible for a girl to act as the headmaster? We also had female headmasters in the history of Swords Gate! Jun Sixie is also an innate spirit body. She isn't any inferior to Feng and Fang. It is normal for her to succeed the position of headmaster!"

  “Well, let’s see then, who of the two will our current headmaster decide.”

  "Isn't the Elder Council's approval needed for such a vital matter?"

  "The late headmaster has just left us, and now this happens ... This will only shake the unity of Swords Gate. This is the most terrible thing to do now. It can potentially lead to the division of Swords Gate! The Elder Council will surely intervene to this rash decision!"

  ….

  A frigid smile climbed on his face as Zhong Yue receded into a corner while holding Qiu Jin'er's hand. Suddenly, Madam Qiu approached them and stood right beside the duo, and she whispered, "I'm afraid things in Swords Gate will not be the same as before. Stand still and only observe, do not intervene or get involved."

  Qiu Jin’er was puzzled while Zhong Yue nodded silently, he said, “Don’t worry aunty, we won’t make any moves.”

  "You are still calling me aunty?" Madam Qiu was looking at him with a blurred expression that looked like a smile while at the same time not. She looked at him with deep meanings.

  Zhong Yue was bewildered, he then said puzzlingly, “Senior martial sister?”

  Madam Qiu was the palace master of the Yang God Palace, she was an elder, but that was mainly because of her precious daughter, Qiu Jin'er who was the Wood Innate Spirit Body. Although she was given the title of elder, her cultivation base didn't really match that title. Also, she didn't have any powers within the Swords Gate and was only responsible for her Qiu Tan Clan alone.

  On the other hand, Zhong Yue was the hall master of the Seal Suppression Hall and commanded a considerable amount of power in his hands. The two of them could be said to be on the same level in terms, and it wouldn't be wron
g for him to acknowledge her as his senior martial sister.

  But clearly, the anger on Madam Qiu's face suggested that she wasn't content with being called senior martial sister' either. She replied furiously, "Senior martial sister? You brat, how dare you call me senior martial sister, I'll whack you and…."

  ……

  Zhong Yue lowered his head and listened to her rant. Qiu Jin'er winked her eyes and helped out, "Mother, didn't you just tell us to look and not do anything else? Furthermore, senior martial brother is saying that you are still young, just like a sister to him."

  Madam Qiu then suddenly stopped. She seemed satisfied with Qiu Jin'er explanation and humped, "Since my daughter's heart is with you, I will let you go this time. However, if you dare to call me senior martial sister again, I will make sure you have a terrible end!"

  Zhong Yue nodded, he quickly assured her that he wouldn't call her that anymore and thought in his heart, It's true I'm acting too rude by calling her senior martial sister. I should still address her as aunty or senior martial aunt….

  Feng Wuji glanced around at the crowd, and he then continued, "Wuji is still young and inexperienced, my virtue is lacking, and I'm still yet to be qualified to lead. With that being said, I don't think that I am fit to act as your headmaster. The headmaster of Swords Gate should be someone who is strong and powerful – a wise, virtuous and respected man or woman. And it just happens that there is someone who fits the bill perfectly in our Swords Gate."

  The whole place was in turmoil, and the voices of the myriad Qi Practitioners erupted in a clamor. They tried to guess the identity of the person to whom their current headmaster was describing. In their eyes, Shui Zian and a few other elders in Swords Gate had the qualities he stipulated – wise, virtuous and respected. But in regards to strength and power, Shui Zian, who was barely a magnate, did not quite satisfy it.

  "This man I'm talking about is none other than our Grand Elder Yu."

  Feng Wuji removed the headmaster's cloak and placed it on the grand elder's shoulders who was standing beside him. He turned around and knelt down respectfully, "Disciple Feng Wuji, greets the new headmaster!"

  Grand Elder Yu was in shock, and he pleaded, "Headmaster Feng, quick, quick, get up, I can't accept this. How am I fit to act as headmaster?"

  All of the Qi Practitioners were bewildered and seconds later, a burst of noises reverberated through the whole of Swords Gate Mountain; no one had foreseen this, none of them expected such a sudden turn in events. It was true that Grand Elder Yu was the Swords Gate Elder Council's Grand Elder, but that wasn't on account of his cultivation, but because of his adeptness at diplomacy.

  It was true that he was respected, but no one would ever call of him powerful. The only one who could be said to be that was the late headmaster. Even the other magnates like Shui Zian and Feng Shouzhu were not comparable to the late headmaster!

  Feng Wuji then said respectfully, "There is no need for Grand Elder Yu to be courteous. You are already an Imminent Deity magnate cultivator, but you've just been too low profile all these years. You have never once revealed your cultivation base to the others. But now, the old headmaster has left us on our own, and I'm too young to lead us out of the trying times that are to come. Only someone like you can act as our headmaster and save us from this adversity. Save humanity from our annihilation and save the Swords Gate from destruction! My dear martial siblings, do you agree with me?"

  Shui Zizheng of the Elder Council stepped forward and assented sonorously, "I was still a little discontent with Elder Feng acting as the headmaster, but with the position now handed to Grand Elder Yu, the Shui Tu Clan will be the first to support this decision!"

  Another elder of the Elder Council, Lei Ting also said, "Grand Elder Yu is a man of justice and righteousness. The Lei Hu Clan agrees to his appointment!"

  “Nothing counts than the capability of the candidate; The You Yu Clan supports the decision!”

  “The Nan Lu Clan supports no one else other than Grand Elder Yu!”

  “Stand out if you are uncontended with this decision!”

  ….

  The elders of the Elder Council stepped out one by one and gave their agreement to Grand Elder Yu appointment as the headmaster. This had thrown the whole of Swords Gate into a state of chaos and disorder. They were all shocked and puzzled.

  ……

  Grand Elder Yu sighed, he stomped his feet and said, “You guys … this … Hai, all of you are forcing me into a dead end! Fine, fine, I will temporarily act as the headmaster, and when the next generation grows, I will return the headmaster's position to them! Fang Jiange, Jun Sixie, what do the two of you say?"

  Chapter 309: The Celestials and Demons |

  All of the Qi Practitioners furrowed their brows, they were feeling uncomfortable with the sudden transfer of power between Feng Wuji and Grand Elder Yu; but five of the ten Elder Council elders had publicly announced their assentations while the other four remained silent.

  The people of the Elder Council were the heads of the clans; their leaders and their decisions were unaffected by others, and the clan members could only remain silent.

  However, how could the matters of the headmaster be played around so rashly, like a child’s game?

  In less than a few dozen days, two transfers of the headmaster’s power had been made! This would turn into a joke that the celestials would make for years, and they would eventually take the title of Swords Gate headmaster as nothing but a farce.

  Furthermore, the direct appointment of Feng Wuji by the late headmaster has already piqued the dissatisfaction of most of the Qi Practitioners. They deemed it against the rules of Swords Gate, but accepted it regardless as Feng Wuji was still young and he was an innate spirit body holder. There was still plenty of time for him to improve, and one day he would be able to stand on the same level as the late headmaster.

  However, Grand Elder Yu was way past his prime. It was true he was now at the level of Imminent Deity, and it was rare for an aged man to achieve that, but there was no room for him to improve anymore. When he was still a grand elder, he has already been managing the internal affairs of Swords Gate, and even with him now acting as the headmaster, Swords Gate wouldn’t be able to improve much, either.

  Thus, there would be more hope with the position of headmaster being in the hands of the next generation rather than an aged elder.

  However, no one had yet stood up to express their objections. A large number of people were uncomfortable and were in opposition with the decision, but they kept it in their hearts, as there were also a considerable amount of people supporting the respected Grand Elder Yu.

  As of now, Grand Elder Yu was asking Fang Jiange and Jun Sixie’s opinions. All of a sudden, all the Qi Practitioners were gazing over at Fang Jiange and Jun Sixie, who were seated to the same side.

  Fang Jiange was indifferent; he said nothing and stood on the spot unmoving while a little turtle sat in his palm.

  The old turtle yawned and said in a nonchalant tone, “My master only cares about the way of sword, he has no interest in this whatever headmaster at all. Grand Elder Yu need not think too much.”

  Grand Elder Yu laughed in reply, “How would I? I’ve watched Jiange growing up from a little boy to the magnate he is now; he is talented and strong! I’m just checking if he is alright with me temporarily acting as the headmaster.”

  The old turtle then answered curiously, “Then you should just ask my master, why did you even answer me? I’m just an old turtle, you are really thinking too much to even explain so much to an old turtle.”

  Grand Elder Yu’s face stiffened up for a second, he then shook his head and said with a smile, “How puckish, but I will not argue with a turtle. Jiange has no other opinions, then how about you, Sixie?”

  Jun Sixie stood up, and an elder of the Jun Shan Clan pulled her back by her shoulder, mumbling to her, “Sixie, don’t….”

  The muscles on the young lady’s shoulder flexed, and the J
un Shan elder’s hand was flung away. Her eyes were as sharp as swords as she looked over at Grand Elder Yu, striking the figure of a brave heroine. Her voice was smooth and clear like spring water as she said, “Grand Elder Yu, five of the elders in the Elder Council support you, Feng Wuji willingly gave up his power to you, and Fang Jiange couldn’t care less about what is happening. But I’m not them, I’d very much like to know your capabilities!”

  Grand Elder Yu smiled, and said leisurely, “Sixie, I’ve watched as you’ve grown up day by day, I’ve even taught you the ways of cultivation. I know very well of your prowess and if you insist, you can still give it a shot, I promise you will not be hurt.”

  Jun Sixie’s aura suddenly erupted out, the True Spirit of the Water Innate Spirit Body holder emerged behind her. The celestial being had the head of a snake and the body of a human, a dark serpent coiled on its shoulder while it stood above a black dragon. Beneath it, waters bubbled out and soon, a miniature sea was formed in the air above Swords Gate!

  Jun Sixie bolted up into the sky and stood above the ocean, right below the feet of her True Spirit, looking like a midget.

  “Go!” she yelled. Behind her, a zither flew out from the light wheels and grew bigger and bigger; eventually it reached the size of a mountain ridge, hovering in mid-air while her True Spirit started playing a melodious song on the zither, resounding throughout the whole firmament.

  “Grand Elder Yu, please!”

  Grand Elder Yu smiled, and pushed his hand at an oblique angle right at the sky. His hand was getting larger as it traveled upward, looking like a meat mountain as he slapped at Jun Sixie.

  The zither music grew louder as the snake-headed celestial being played faster. The changes in the music started to get vigorous and out of order as Sword Qi miles long were continually lashing out at Grand Elder Yu’s hand, each striking at different angles and places. It was a marvelous scene that dazzled the eyes of the Qi Practitioners. Some couldn’t even catch up to the Sword Qi, as they were too fast and too many!