by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
Xiang Shaoyun laughed, "Haha, with us brothers working together, nobody can bully us!"
"Mighty heroes, don't forget to take care of a feeble woman like me then," teased Hua Honglou.
"Of course. Any who dares to bully my sister-in-law will have to face me," said Liang Zhuangmin, who was in an excellent mood.
At this time, they arrived near the place of the ghostrunes. They started seeing human corpses in the area. Looking at how the people were killed by having some object thrown at them, it was clear they were killed by ghostrunes.
"Big brother, Honglou, be careful. They're here," reminded Xiang Shaoyun.
"Let me kill them all!" Hua Honglou said. A lot of Red House members had been killed by the ghostrunes, and she had been holding a grudge against them.
"No, we won't waste any time with them. Just charge through. Our target is the soul spring, not killing them," said Xiang Shaoyun as he shook his head. He then led the way with the bucktooth tiger. Like magic, they avoided all the ghostrunes and went straight to the depths of the territory.
After traveling for a bit, they saw a group of humans being attacked by some ghostrunes. The humans seemed to be doing very badly at the moment. But since they weren't from the Cloud Margin Pavilion, Xiang Shaoyun's group did not get involved. The nearer they got to the place of the ghostrunes, the harder it was for Xiang Shaoyun to avoid the ghostrunes with his senses. Eventually, he could no longer avoid them.
After all, there were far more ghostrunes than humans here. It wouldn't be easy to keep hiding from them on their turf. A few dozen ghostrunes attacked, and a massive battle erupted.
"I'll defend against their attacks. You two will attack!" said Liang Zhuangmin, standing at the very front. He erected a yellow energy wall, protecting both Xiang Shaoyun and Hua Honglou.
Bang! Bang!
The numerous objects the ghostrunes threw were blocked by Liang Zhuangmin alone. Behind him, Hua Honglou attacked repeatedly with her crossbow.
Swish! Swish!
Instantly, numerous ghostrunes dropped from the sky. Some ghostrunes attacked from behind, sending numerous heavy boulders flying toward them. The boulders were met with a bombardment of Xiang Shaoyun's palm attacks and were instantly destroyed. This group of three was indeed the strongest group, capable of easily defeating the group of attacking ghostrunes.
"This is refreshing! With the three of us working together, we will be able to advance straight into the ghostrunes' place!" said Liang Zhuangmin in excitement.
"I don't think so. Don't forget about the ghostrune kings. They are able to directly attack one's soul. Nobody can stop those odd attacks," said Hua Honglou.
"Haha, I nearly forgot about them," said Liang Zhuangmin awkwardly.
"What should we do next?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"We need to just wait. If we are lucky enough and a soul spring happens to fly over, we will be able to get it," said Hua Honglou.
"Wait? But isn't that too much reliance on luck? If no soul springs fly over, we would have waited for nothing!" said Xiang Shaoyun gloomily.
"You don't have to worry about that. Every two or three days, soul springs will fly out from different directions. At that time, everyone will do what they can to fight for the soul springs," said Liang Zhuangmin.
"I see," Xiang Shaoyun said in realization.
But he still did not like this feeling of just waiting around.
"Come with me. I know a place where there is a higher probability of encountering soul springs. But competition will be stiff there too," said Liang Zhuangmin. He had once been in the Land of Soul Springs 10 years ago. Thus, he could lead the way with his previous experience.
Chapter 280: Are You Thanking Me or Are You Taking Advantage of Me?
Within the ghostrune territory was a cliff, and on this cliff was a stone platform known as the Moon Gazing Platform. The reason it was named such was because on the fifteenth day of each month, one could get the best view of the full moon from the platform. Someone eventually carved the words "Moon Gazing Platform" onto it, and by extension, the cliff came to be known as the Moon Gazing Cliff.
The cliff directly faced the place where the ghostrunes resided, and occasionally, random soul springs could be seen drifting over. A lot of people had obtained soul springs here before, and because of that, a lot of people were here currently.
The Moon Gazing Platform was not infinitely large, and thus it signified that only a limited number of people could climb onto the platform. And to climb, strength was required. A lot of humans were currently fighting each other to get a spot on the platform.
Members of Myriad Sword Sect, Devil Blood Society, and the other organizations were all trying their best to climb to the platform. As of now, only a few people had managed to get on the platform, and each of them was a War King.
One of them was dressed in a hemp garment with a sword hanging on his back. He was resting with his eyes shut in an indifferent manner. This person was none other than Wu Longfei, the person known as the Flying Celestial Sword.
He was the current strongest swordsman of the younger generation in the Myriad Sword Sect. He had already comprehended sword intent, and his cultivation base was extremely powerful. If he could enter the Skysoar Realm, he would definitely be a king among kings.
As he sat on the best spot on the Moon Gazing Platform, his entire aura and presence were completely kept within him. He was like a veteran monk in deep meditation, looking proud and aloof. Just like that, he sat there silently. Not one person dared to approach and bother him.
Not far from him, a woman dressed in all black was seated. She had a black veil on her face, and only her pair of eyes capable of tugging at one's soul was visible. Anyone meeting her gaze would be completely pulled in uncontrollably. On top of that, she also had an hourglass figure that was extremely fatal to any man.
She stood there facing the wind with her long hair drifting about on her back, looking like a bewitching lone flower. A woman with such peerless magnificence was certainly none other than the Devil Fairy from the Devil Blood Society. Apart from the two, there were a few other young men and women who were similarly outstanding cultivators.
They included Fan Ren the Scarlet Broadsword and Chu Chunyu the Lithe Snake Sword from the Myriad Sword Sect, Zi Jingyun the Lightning Kid and Chen Zilong the Son of Qilin from the Cloud Margin Pavilion, Han Chen the Blackfrost Spear and Xue Yue the Ice Fairy from Black Ice Palace, Wu Chi the Moha Cicada and Zhi Yong the Little Honest Monk from the Buddha's Path Temple, and Lin Zihan the Playboy from Thousand Forest Academy.
One could say that the most talented youths of the various organizations were gathered here, and each of them had occupied a good spot for themselves. Nobody dared to fight them as that would be tantamount to suicide.
These people had been on the platform since three days ago. Some of them had already gotten their own soul spring but still remained and occupied the spot. Even so, nobody could do anything to them.
Near the Moon Gazing Platform was an empty space where some overseers from the previous generation were gathered. They did not fight for the spots on the platform, as they had decided to let the young take the stage. This space was enough for them to get the soul spring they needed.
A continuous stream of people was trying to get to the cliff. At the same time, many were trying to climb the platform. Anyone who managed to actually get on the platform would be subsequently left alone. That was an unwritten rule here.
Xiang Shaoyun, Liang Zhuangmin, and Hua Honglou had just arrived at the base of the cliff. The moment they arrived, they were approached by a group of Red House members.
"Big sister, you're finally here. Quickly get on the Moon Gazing Platform. The spots are getting filled up quick."
"Yeah, Chen Zilong is already on the platform, but the vice house leader, Li Yaxuan, is injured. We will have to rely on you."
"Big sister, the Lightning Alliance people are going overboard. They keep making trouble for
us."
"Big sister, a lot of brothers and sisters have been killed. You need to avenge them!"
...
The Red House members were all complaining incessantly. It would seem like they were having a hard time.
Behaving like the big sister that she was, Hua Honglou said, "I will teach those Lightning Alliance people a lesson. Nobody can look down on us of the Red House. Just wait and see. Oh, where's Yaxuan? How bad are her injuries?"
"Senior Sister Hua, I'm here," Li Yaxuan's voice rang out nearby.
She could be seen seated and healing up at the corner guarded by a few Red House members. From her pale face and the bloodstain on her body, it was clear she was in a rather bad state.
Hua Honglou dashed over and asked, "Who did this?"
She and Li Yaxuan were practically sisters, and she was naturally furious when she saw her sister in such a bad shape.
"Zilong already killed them, but I am no longer able to get onto the Moon Gazing Platform. Big sister, you need to get up there fast. If the spots are all taken, it will be hard for us to do anything," said Li Yaxuan weakly.
"Good! That person deserves death!" Hua Honglou praised. She looked at Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "Can you give me one more drop of the healing spiritual liquid?"
Xiang Shaoyun walked over and shot Li Yaxuan a glance. He then gave her a drop of the healing spiritual liquid without any hesitation while saying, "Senior Sister Li is also my friend. No way I will just watch without helping."
"This...this is a healing spiritual liquid?" Li Yaxuan asked in astonishment.
"Yes. Take it. It will help you heal faster," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Thank you, Xiang Shaoyun," said Li Yaxuan gratefully.
"I will thank him on your behalf," said Hua Honglou before landing a quick peck on Xiang Shaoyun's cheek.
Right after doing that, she dashed straight toward the Moon Gazing Platform.
"Sister-in-law, why are you being all shy now? Wait, let your brother-in-law lend you a hand," said Liang Zhuangmin, who chased after Hua Honglou.
Xiang Shaoyun rubbed his still somewhat damp cheek and said helplessly, "Are you thanking me or are you taking advantage of me?"
After consuming the drop of liquid, Li Yaxuan smiled and said, "You say it like you were molested or something. If my big sister heard that, she would be infuriated to death. This is the first time I have ever seen her kiss a man."
She then shut her eyes and started focusing on recovering. Xiang Shaoyun did not linger on the same topic as he turned and looked at the massive number of people trying to get to the platform.
It was an extremely steep cliff, and there was only one rugged path leading to the top. This small path was filled with people. The weak would either be pushed off and fall to their death or be outright beaten to death. That was why only a small number of people had been able to actually get on the platform.
Everyone on the path was busy doing something, either fighting, climbing, or helping one's companion. In short, it was chaotic. Both Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou shot straight to the top. With their top-tier strength, they were almost unstoppable.
Xiang Shaoyun waited no longer and started charging to the top as well. He would think of what to do after getting the soul spring. In any case, it would be helpful for him during his future breakthrough into the Skysoar Realm.
But just as he had started moving, a silhouette blocked his path and shouted, "Xiang Shaoyun, to get up there, you have to go through me."
Chapter 281: Time to Send You Off
Equipped in a crimson armor and wielding the Blazing Saber in his hand, Huo Linfei stood before Xiang Shaoyun and blocked his path. He was surrounded by a raging column of flame that seemed to reach the heavens, looking like a god of flame.
"Hehe, you really don't know what's good for you," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Come. You had injured the men of the Lightning Alliance. Today is the day we settle the grudge," said Huo Linfei before lifting his saber and slashing at Xiang Shaoyun.
Raging Skyburner!
Huo Linfei used all his strength from the very start. An odd flame raged around his saber as his saber energy shot out and transformed into a fiery tsunami that crashed down at Xiang Shaoyun.
One ought to admit that Huo Linfei indeed had incredible combat prowess. He wouldn't have been able to become the vice alliance leader of the Lightning Alliance otherwise. With the combat prowess he was displaying, he was comparable to even War Kings.
"Playing with fire in front of me? You think too highly of yourself," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sneer before countering with his Seven Scorching Sun Claws.
With the pair of gloves he wore, he did not need to fear touching the Blazing Saber. His claws moved in an unpredictable manner, instantly ripping Huo Linfei's saber energy apart before reaching toward Huo Linfei's chest. He hit Huo Linfei only to find that his attack had landed on an afterimage.
"You fell for it!" Huo Linfei's voice rang out as he appeared beside Xiang Shaoyun, sending forth an even more overbearing saber energy.
The saber energy raged forth like a torrential flame with a fearsome might. Instantly, Xiang Shaoyun was completely surrounded by the wave of flame. That technique had indeed caught Xiang Shaoyun by surprise, but he was still able to pull out from the wave at the last second like an unpredictable phantom.
That was the prowess of the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps—capable of crossing worlds with a single step. Xiang Shaoyun had spent the past two years slowly tempering himself and learning more about the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps through the numerous battles he had undergone. He had slowly come to comprehend the essence of the Overlord's Nine Nether Steps.
After escaping the attack, Xiang Shaoyun no longer held back. He appeared behind Huo Linfei and started clawing madly with his Seven Scorching Sun Claws. Huo Linfei had not expected that Xiang Shaoyun would actually be able to escape his attack and counterattack so quickly. He quickly turned around and started resisting the incoming attacks with his saber.
However, Xiang Shaoyun's claws seemed to be everywhere. No matter what he tried, Huo Linfei failed to block the claws. Numerous claw wounds were left on his body, and if it wasn't for the armor he was wearing, he would have been completely dyed red in blood by now.
Huo Linfei was forced into a repeated retreat, and he finally witnessed Xiang Shaoyun's prowess in combat. Even so, he couldn't just concede defeat. Thus, he shouted in panic, "Blue Lion Flame, full activation!"
Instantly, the apparition of a blue lion appeared behind him. A column of blue flame surged out, increasing his combat prowess to a brand new level. This new blue flame was much more powerful than the flame he had been using earlier. Even Xiang Shaoyun was forced to retreat, and Huo Linfei took the chance to press on by swinging his Blazing Saber at Xiang Shaoyun.
Blue Lion Annihilation!
Four blue lions appeared out of nowhere and surrounded Xiang Shaoyun. Their aura was boundless and fearsome, their prowess creating a massive cloud of dust in the area, leaving destruction everywhere in their immediate surroundings. The people nearby cried out in alarm at the sight of that.
"Who are these people? Both of them are War Kings! This is too scary!"
"The person in the crimson armor is Huo Linfei from Cloud Margin Pavilion. His strength is second only to the Lightning Kid."
"Both of them are giants among men, but that young man in white seems to be only an eighth-stage Transformation Realm cultivator. He is actually able to stand his ground against a peak Transformation Realm cultivator. He definitely has insane potential."
"Who cares? We still need to get on the Moon Gazing Platform."
...
Huo Linfei's attack was extremely powerful, capable of giving even regular Skysoar Realm experts a hard time. Xiang Shaoyun, the target of the attack, had a first hand experience at how powerful it was. An intense sea of blue flame surrounded him, tempting Yun Flame within him to come out and devour all the blue flame in the area. Sens
ing Yun Flame's desire, Xiang Shaoyun let it release a massive pulling force and devour the flame Huo Linfei was throwing his way.
Whoosh!
Instantly, Yun Flame devoured the blue flame, stripping Huo Linfei's saber energy from the blue flame energy, leaving only a pure saber energy behind. It greatly weakened the offensive might of the saber energy to the point Xiang Shaoyun was able to easily block it.
"What?" Huo Linfei turned pale from fright.
He could not understand why his beast flame had suddenly vanished. On top of that, he could sense an incorporeal devouring force surrounding him, causing the beast flame in his stars to withdraw in fear.
Taking advantage of this distraction, Xiang Shaoyun pressed on and clawed at Huo Linfei. His attack was further powered by Yun Flame, allowing him to tear Huo Linfei's armor apart.
"AHHHH!"
Finally, the attack reached Huo Linfei's flesh, causing him to wail in pain. Even worse for Huo Linfei was the fact that Yun Flame was starting to burn inside his body. The power of Yun Flame was incredibly intense, and Huo Linfei was completely incapable of suppressing it.
At the same time, Huo Linfei also sensed that the beast flame within him seemed to have encountered an apex predator. It did not even dare to resist and was instead fleeing everywhere in a disorderly manner.
"Refine!" Huo Linfei was still a cultivator of the power of flame. While Yun Flame burned his body and suppressed his beast flame, he started relying on himself to refine the invading flame.
But how would Xiang Shaoyun give him a chance to do so?
"You nearly killed me at the volcano. Today, it's my turn to send you off from this world," Xiang Shaoyun said and gripped Huo Linfei's neck.
A look of panic covered Huo Linfei's face. "You...you are..."
He finally knew who Xiang Shaoyun was. But it was too late.
Crack!
His neck was directly snapped. After Huo Linfei died, Yun Flame continued burning and reduced Huo Linfei into a pile of ash. The beast flame was forced to escape, but it was unable to flee from Yun Flame.