Chapter 174: Is Su Mou Qualified to Call You Trash?_1
And then, in an instant, a terrifying suction force emanated from deep within the stone.
This isn't good, Su Bei thought to himself, but in the next instant, his Divine Sense was still suddenly pulled into the terrifying Spiritual Energy Vortex.
All around him was an aura of desolation, that violent spiritual energy which the cultivators of the Twenty-One Provinces could not withstand!
Su Bei found himself in a new world, seemingly facing a gigantic stele, upon which was engraved in ink and gilded with gold a single, large character: "Wilderness!"
Could this spiritual energy be the aura of the Wilderness?
The legendary aura from the endless Wilderness beyond the Twenty-One Provinces?
But why do I feel a sense of familiarity?
The world spun around him, and then the scene changed. Su Bei found himself sitting alone in the desolate Sword Sect, where one could vaguely make out its former glory—jeweled lamps, golden and jade pillars, carved beams and painted rafters, and white jade paved ground.
However, it was now a desolate waste. Although it was not shattered as if it were the end of days, the black bloodstains and remnants of broken swords silently bespoke the terrible scene that had transpired here.
The four large characters "Underworld Sword Sect" carved onto the Han Baiyu Mountain Gate above were already trembling as if ready to fall, as though a gentle breeze could destroy them.
Su Bei furrowed his brows, murmuring to himself, Could the scene before me represent the Sword Sect from a millennium ago?
At that time, the Sword Sect was still named Underworld Sword Sect.
All that happened here must be the Cataclysm of Ten Thousand Clans from a thousand years ago...
The records of the Sword Concealing Pavilion in the Sword Sect mentioned that a millennium ago, several Wilderness Cultivators had emerged from the endless Wilderness. Consequently, the entire Twenty-One Provinces were plunged into calamity.
But what does all this have to do with this stone?
Then, Su Bei's vision blurred as one scene after another shifted before him. He saw Inverted Heaven, the Broken Sword River, Kuchan Mountain...
And next, numerous mysterious writings and a mysterious aura instantly merged into Su Bei's mind, seemingly the same Wilderness aura from within the strange stone!
It seemed that the bizarre visions he had experienced in his sleep a few days ago were replaying in Su Bei's mind. Unlike last time, they were clearer. The man in the distance seemed to be wearing a mask, yet for some reason, Su Bei felt an increasing sense of familiarity with his movements.
It's as if... it's me!
Finally, the numerous mysterious writings in Su Bei's mind coalesced, and he saw the gilded characters: "The Wilderness Scripture."
As Su Bei was dumbstruck, another aura, utterly different from the Wilderness aura, emanated from The Wilderness Scripture, reshaping itself into a few large characters: "Devouring Heaven!"
The Wilderness Scripture? Devouring Heaven?
Su Bei, brows furrowed, had not the slightest clue.
Could this be the Cultivation Technique hidden within the strange stone?
While Su Bei's Divine Sense was engrossed in the stone, unbeknownst to him, the outside world was already in an uproar!
BOOM!
Everyone watched the spectacle before them in disbelief!
A thunderous explosion echoed, and the strange stone in front of Su Bei instantaneously erupted with an all-encompassing, grim aura!
Then, an aura of desolation diffused outward!
A resounding blast tore through the heavens!
The strange stone shone brightly, its surging aura as powerful as an avalanche, filling the vision of all onlookers with the boundless aura of desolation sweeping toward them.
With a deafening roar, as if thunder had struck from clear skies, the aura spread beneath Su Bei. Then, magnificent lotuses of a prosperous era blossomed one after another across the sky!
Majestic Sword Qi, wrapped in the lotuses, encircled Su Bei, seemingly declaring to the entire sky who the master of this realm was!
The wind stopped, and the light dimmed.
The willow leaves, which had been constantly swaying in the overwhelming aura, suddenly became still, hanging suspended in mid-air.
Illuminated by an azure and purple light, the faces of everyone around showed their shock.
SWISH!
That brilliant radiance, like the flowing light of heaven and earth, spread out from in front of Su Bei. Then, under the moved gazes of the crowd, it began to skyrocket at an astonishing speed!
HUM!
"HISS—"
"It's a celestial phenomenon!"
"A celestial phenomenon has truly occurred!"
The terrifying aura that erupted in that moment attracted all the experts in Wu City!
Shocked gazes were cast toward the silhouette in the begonia-embroidered white robe sitting before the strange stone!
Master Fa Jiang's eyes were filled with disbelief as he looked at the scene before him, his expression solemn, the shock in his heart beyond words!
The stone, which had been displayed for six events, had actually been deciphered by the man before him!
"Look at that strange stone!!"
Around the stone, a rumbling noise suddenly erupted. The onlookers watched the stone, covered in flowing light, feeling as if their very blood was beginning to boil!
This Su Bei, only at the Early Stage Refining Void, had actually deciphered the stone that had been displayed for six events!
Lin Duo watched the scene with incredulity, his hands clenched tightly, his complexion turning pale in an instant.
How could this be possible?
He... he's merely at the Early Stage Refining Void? How could someone who couldn't last ten moves under my hand decipher a stone even the Saintess couldn't?
This... This is absolutely impossible!
Lin Duo looked at the stone, feeling his heartbeat quicken, and he bellowed, "How could he possibly decipher it?!"
He truly couldn't accept the outcome that someone merely at the Early Stage Refining Void had deciphered the stone, especially since this person had been the subject of his mockery on several occasions!
Above in the sky, the aura of desolation gradually subsided.
Unbeknownst to them, more and more people had gathered around, shock evident in their eyes as they looked upon the figure in the begonia-embroidered white robe sitting quietly before the stone.
The luster of the stone grew dimmer and dimmer. It felt as though the hearts of those present were caught in their throats; they hardly dared to breathe.
Cries of excitement erupted from the crowd!
"Elder Su really deciphered the strange stone!"
"Elder Su actually deciphered the strange stone!"
A hoarse voice suddenly rose. The hearts of everyone at the scene clenched fiercely as they saw that the aura of desolation had already spread across the sky, then turned into innumerable streams that merged into Su Bei's body!
A breeze picked up, and moonlight dappled Su Bei's body, like drifting snow.
The expressions on countless faces solidified at this moment, as they looked on in disbelief, obviously unable to imagine that someone at the Early Stage Refining Void had truly managed to decipher the strange stone!
One could imagine the commotion that would arise throughout the Sacred Land when news of this event spread.
Not only that, but he would also gain the Sacred Land's Token!
And personal guidance from the Saintess!
Everyone's breath became hurried at this moment, their gazes suddenly becoming extremely fervent!
Not far away, Tong Xiu's face looked somewhat stiff as he watched this unfold, the words he had spoken not long ago still seeming to echo in his ears.
"No one can possibly decipher this strange stone... I said."
His expression faltered, and his face felt burningly hot.
Yu Hongxiu also let out a deep breath, her eyes complex as she watched Su Bei, whose eyes were still closed as if sensing something.
Her lips were tightly pursed, her beautiful eyes shimmering.
Indeed, he's really quite mysterious! The thought of tying Su Bei to the Star Moon Sect became even more resolute!
Before this, even she had not believed Su Bei could decipher the stone. After all, it was a stone even the Saintess could not decipher. Taking a deep breath, she inwardly smiled bitterly.
Dan Wulan watched the events unfold with a calm expression. It was as if from the moment Su Bei had told her not to worry, she had not even considered the possibility of his failure!
Has this inexplicable feeling somehow seeped into my heart?
She smiled lightly, gazing gently at Su Bei. She didn't even realize that the icy shackles she had placed upon herself over the years were gradually melting away in this person's warmth.
Shouts of shock, clamor, and discussion—the myriad noises gradually subsided.
「The next moment!」
Nearly everyone's gaze turned towards Lin Duo at the same time.
As if by tacit agreement, their expressions became odd; or perhaps they were waiting to see Lin Duo make a fool of himself?
Then, out of nowhere, someone spoke in a jeering tone, "Is Elder Lin going to keep his promise?"
"Right, Elder Lin previously said that if Elder Su could decipher the strange stone, he would give the two swords to Elder Su and also offer an apology…"
"Elder Lin, won't you say something?"
"..."
Lin Duo's complexion suddenly froze, turning from pale to green. He clenched his teeth tightly, staring directly at Su Bei, who was sitting cross-legged in front of the strange stone, without uttering a word.
Su Bei gradually regained clarity from his trance, and his Divine Sense began to return to his Sea of Consciousness as the aura of desolation dissipated.
A clamorous noise reached his ears.
Su Bei stood up with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. Everyone looked back at him with awe mingled with infinite shock in their eyes.
At this moment, no one dared to look down upon this man who was but at the Early Stage Refining Void!
Su Bei turned his head, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Lin Duo, who had an ashen face. Then, in his usual voice, neither loud nor soft, he said, "Does Su Mou have the right to call you a waste now?"
"Elder Lin?"
This "Elder Lin" was uttered with profound meaning!
All the words Lin Duo wanted to say caught in his throat. He swallowed hard, his hand tightly clenching the horsetail whisk.
His face, ashen from suppressed rage, turned almost the color of liver. He wanted to argue back but had no grounds to do so and could only endure Su Bei's mockery!
Then Su Bei walked towards the four women. In a state of unperturbed focus, he sensed Lin Duo trying to slip away. With his back still to him, Su Bei calmly said, "Elder Lin? If Su Mou remembers correctly, what did Elder Lin say before?"
Sheathing the Qingping Sword, Su Bei flicked a speck of dust from his little finger and said softly, "It seems that in addition to an apology, there were also two swords from Kuchan Mountain, weren't there?"
"Su Mou thanks Elder Lin in advance for the swords on behalf of my two disciples. Surely Elder Lin wouldn't go back on his word, with so many people watching..."
Gently blowing on his fingers, Su Bei turned around, a smile on his face as he looked at Lin Duo.
The Elders and disciples from Wuhua Palace behind Lin Duo all looked at Su Bei with ashen faces.
"Elder Lin? Are you intending to break your word?"
"Or is Wuhua Palace entirely composed of those who break their promises?"
"..."
This heavy accusation was instantly pinned on Wuhua Palace. Lin Duo's chest heaved as he glared furiously at Su Bei.
Then, taking out two longswords that flashed with a grim luster from his storage ring, he threw them towards Su Bei. With a cold snort, he made to leave with a flick of his sleeve!
Su Bei caught the two longswords, looking expressionlessly at the ashen-faced Lin Duo. His eyes narrowed as he called out sharply, "Apologize to Su Mou!"
Lin Duo took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the many cultivators around him, all of whom wore expressions of enjoying the spectacle.
He felt his blood rushing to his head, having never experienced such humiliation!
Watching the placid face before him, his teeth tightly clenched as he forced out each word, "Lin Mo apologizes... to Elder Su!!"
Once his words fell, he gave a cold snort. His gaze on Su Bei was icy as he turned and disappeared from sight!
"Elder Su, I hope you make it to that Ascension Platform!"