novelraw Chapter 926 787: Shi Chun Has Arrived
Chapter 926 787: Shi Chun Has Arrived
Watching Shi Chun leave with a swagger, the West Niu People hesitated to obstruct him, as Commander Niu Qian angrily pointed at the mirror image and cursed, "Idiots, a bunch of idiots, write down all their names..."
Observing the two riders escaping in the mirror image, Beiju Commander Lan She seemed to whisper to himself, "Failed to stop them again..."
Xiao Ruomei turned her head to look at him, the tone in the commander's voice was ambiguous, uncertain if it was relief or regret.
At the Command Center in Nanshan, Pu Gong shifted his gaze from the mirror image and communicated to Ming Chaofeng, "Li, this friend of yours, without question, hasn't disgraced you. If given the opportunity and at the right time, he might indeed become someone noteworthy."
Previously, with the prestigious status of their Yanbao Sect, they truly looked down on someone like Shi Chun. No matter what small fame Shi Chun might have had before, he wasn't worth considering. They always thought Shi Chun mingled with Li Hongjiu just to cling to the Yanbao Sect's coattails, never mind how many times Shi Chun had saved Li Hongjiu.
Until now, seeing Shi Chun kill disciples from sects ranked even higher than Yanbao Sect, dispatching these renowned individuals as if cutting through vegetables, one after another, killing people so efficiently that it strangely shifted their attitude, making it seem reasonable for Shi Chun to befriend Li.
Ming Chaofeng glanced at him, retorting with slight annoyance, "I don't care if he'll be someone important in the future, at least not in the Battle of Great Pardon's battlefield! Hurry and check where Luo Que is!"
Pu Gong, realizing he spoke out of turn and aware that his senior might not fare well if he doesn't secure victory, and by extension neither would he, immediately complied.
At the East Victory Command Center, Tao Zhi finally couldn't resist expressing amazement, "His Cultivation Technique doesn't seem extraordinary, yet he's exceptionally bold, charging into melee combat regardless of how many foes there are, driven by sheer 'courage'. Of course, a bunch of Magical Treasures in hand also gives confidence."
Wei Mo sighed, "His greatest asset isn't those Magical Treasures nor mere 'courage', but his bold and decisive nature... Where's Blue Child now?"
Tao Zhi replied, "Shi Chun is being closely watched. In that area, no suitable terrain for his escape has been found yet. Blue Child is expected to confront him within half an incense stick's time."
Wei Mo hesitated and muttered, "Beiju, Nanshan, and West Niu's interceptors all failed; could Blue Child be..."
He wanted to say the exception, but in the end couldn't utter it. Allowing Shi Chun to pass unblocked was impossible, hence regardless of success or failure, he had to proceed with the original plan.
But his worries were evident on his face.
In the Heavenly Court Command Center, Manxi enthusiastically applauded continually, eyes sparkling with excitement, somewhat reflecting, "Goodness, he's offended Thunder Sound Sect, Qiankun Sect, and Water Mansion Grandma. Normally, in battles like the Battle of Great Pardon, killing isn't unusual, but his misfortune is being openly displayed by every Heavenly Mirror, even if he escapes the Demon Realm, his future might be bleak."
Mulan Jin casually replied, "Given his background, these situations are familiar to him, not as tough as you imagine."
He was more worried about the present; since those four battle teams targeted him, it seemed unlikely Shi Chun could escape to the Extreme Abyss successfully.
In the air, amidst a cloud, five people floated, led by someone conspicuously clad, not tall and possibly slightly slim, wearing a large, colorful high-collared blue robe.
Their face was covered by a mask revealing only the eyes, the mask being blue, with erratic small brushwork paintings of plants, small animals, and primitive scenes of men farming and women weaving, unclear what the artist intended to convey.
Their hair was braided incorporating colorful threads.
Wearing skin-tight gloves with cicada-wing-like patterns, one could obscurely discern a good hand shape.
Unlike those beside him, this person stood atop the head of a nearly seven-zhang long, vividly colored dragon snake, with two three-clawed front paws extending from its belly, hovering like a dragon, body subtly swaying back and forth.
This eccentrically dressed Dragon Rider was Blue Child, as mentioned by Wei Mo. This name sounded more like a nickname than a real name.
But it didn't matter; a name is merely a label, concealing a real name has its reasons.
The four people accompanying him were specifically dispatched by Wei Mo to protect him.
Among them, a black-clad, sword-bearing man was also a monk at the Earth Immortal Great Success Realm, named Xi Chu, with notable origins as a disciple of Immortal Sword City, where Sword Saint Fu Que hailed from.
It's said that he once received personal guidance from Sword Saint Fu Que.
While waiting, Xi Chu suddenly took out a Mother-child Talisman, examined it, and frowned, floating closer to hand it to Blue Child for inspection, "Brother Lan, West Niu arranged Water Mansion Grandma's grandson, the great Zhen, to ambush Shi Chun, but Shi Chun cut him down with one slash, dozens died at Shi Chun's hand, and a millennia-old Demon Rider also fell to Shi Chun. The Command Center advised caution regarding Shi Chun's Soul-breaking Bell, claiming it can ensnare one's mind."
While protecting Blue Child was certainly the Commander's assignment, his courteous demeanor suggested another reason. The origins of Blue Child were extraordinary, hailing from the world's foremost sanctuary for poison, 'Fold Spring Valley,' a place feared by many.
Of course, those proficient in poison often excel in healing and saving lives, deserving respect and friendship.
It's said that Blue Child is the closed-door disciple of the contemporary Fold Spring Granny.
"Killed the grandson of that old demon from the Water Mansion?" Blue Child was highly surprised, his voice sounding odd and muffled, with bright eyes flickering through the mask's holes. He received the Mother-child Talisman and examined the latest report on intercepting Shi Chun, then returned it with a slow voice: "The grandson of the old demon from the Water Mansion must be adept in illusion technique, yet got slain in one encounter..."
Xi Chu sneered, "Obviously fell for that 'Soul-breaking Bell'."
Blue Child buzzed, "What about Chongxing from Thunder Sound Sect? He was defeated in direct confrontation."
Xi Chu: "Anyway, that fellow has plenty of Magical Treasures; getting even one isn't easy for others."
Someone nearby chuckled, "No wonder, they say he participated in the 'Divine Fire Covenant' conference. Those gatherings in Artifact Refining World are hubs for Magical Treasures, and he managed to seize a fortune there. It's bizarre since such conferences are exclusive to Artifact Refining World members; outsiders aren't supposed to sneak in, yet he managed to do so and struck it rich, truly envy-inducing."
Blue Child said, "It's more than just mingling in the Divine Fire Covenant conference; early on, after he escaped Life Prison, he infiltrated the talisman-refining Wukang Mountain. He snuck into our East Victory Royal Court's Sky Rain Meteor Conference, worked on chores in a library in West Niu, and later was imprisoned in Life Prison for twenty years. His immobilization skill must have come from sneaking into Wukang Mountain, winning first at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, and claiming first at the Divine Fire Covenant conference. Incidentally, he has some connection with you, Xi Chu."
Xi Chu questioned, "What connection do I have with him? With his origin, he has no ties to our Immortal Sword City."
Blue Child replied, "While working at that library in West Niu, Shi Chun was pursued by the Demon Path, and Sword Saint Fu Que intervened to save him."
Xi Chu scoffed, "That? I thought it was something significant. According to Immortal Sword City rumors, Mr. Fu had no connection with him, only rescuing him in passing because he fights against demons..." He paused, suspiciously asking, "Doesn't Fold Spring Valley rarely meddle in worldly affairs? How is Blue Brother so well-versed in Shi Chun's matters?"
Blue Child laughed, "Participating in such battles requires knowing more about opponents, doesn't it?"
Xi Chu's eyes still couldn't shake the doubt; Blue Brother was unfamiliar with the top experts of several battle teams, repeatedly inquiring about them. Yet now, he knew a small figure's situation thoroughly, claiming to know the enemy's situation better? Could it be that in your eyes, the top experts of other teams don't count as opponents?
Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly lowered his head, looking at the newly arrived message on the Mother-child Talisman. After reading it, he paused and furrowed his brow, handing it to Blue Child, "The commander has ordered that upon encountering Shi Chun, it is crucial to proceed with caution. If doubtful, don't force the issue; retreat immediately."
Retreat sounds pleasant; bluntly, if there's a chance of losing, they should escape immediately.
This remark caused the nearby people to look at each other in surprise.
Blue Child did the same, quickly taking the Mother-child Talisman to verify the message personally.
One person wondered aloud, "Why does the Commander's attitude feel inconsistent? He repeatedly stressed the importance of capturing Shi Chun earlier, urged us to seize him, and now, before the battle starts, asks us to prepare for retreat. Isn't this dampening our morale while boosting others'? Does... he think we can't manage?"
Saying this, he looked at Blue Child and Xi Chu, thinking surely with these two involved, success is a given. It's unclear what the Commander is thinking.
Another person smiled bitterly, "That's probably the case, thinking we might not capture Shi Chun, afraid we'll follow Chongxing's footsteps."
Xi Chu's brow furrowed tightly.
After confirming the message, Blue Child seemed relieved, tossing the Mother-child Talisman back to Xi Chu, "Let's do as the Commander said; if it doesn't work, we'll retreat. No need to risk our lives. I'll start with poison; if he's unaffected, we'll retreat immediately."
The others had no choice but to nod helplessly as they hoped to grab some credit.
Unexpectedly, Xi Chu suddenly spoke up, "Let me face him first; if it doesn't work, Blue Brother can step in. After all, 'Fold Spring Valley' only promised to act thrice; let's save one, if possible."
Blue Child's eye under the mask holes gazed at him for a while, then slowly said, "Though Sword Saint Fu Que hails from Immortal Sword City, the ranking of Thunder Sound Sect far exceeds your Immortal Sword City. Are you implying your Immortal Sword City is superior to Thunder Sound Sect?"
Xi Chu shook his head, "It's not as Blue Brother thinks. I cultivate Sword Dao, having designated Shi Chun as my opponent. Shying away would disrupt my sword heart. Furthermore, rank isn't everything; such opponents provide an opportunity for growth, even in defeat."
No sooner had he spoken than a white bird swiftly flew into the cloud, perching on a man's shoulder, cooing. The man immediately announced to everyone, "Shi Chun is here!"