Missing Thoughts Literature

41: The Forty-First Chapter (Page 1/2)

Yu Sui was hauled aside by Mei Chengyu. Under his threatening gaze, she made a zipping-her-lips gesture.

"Senior Martial Brother," Yu Sui waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Are you awake yet? If not, should we wait until you are before going in?"

Mei Chengyu glanced at her.

Yu Sui gave him an innocent, sweet smile.

Li Jinshuang finished registering and came over with the Opening Formation Jade Token. Behind her, the two instructors were still laughing over what Yu Sui had said.

"Are we going in?" Li Jinshuang asked, speaking up to prove she wasn't mute. Mei Chengyu was still holding Yu Sui by the collar. He hummed in reply, and Li Jinshuang immediately smashed the Opening Formation Jade Token on the spot. White ripples spread out beneath their feet from the shattered token, and in the blink of an eye, the three of them were transported into the Military Formation.

A gust of sand-filled wind blew straight into Yu Sui's face, making her turn away. The air was thick with the stench of blood. It was another ill-fated night, with dark clouds pressing low and a solemn, oppressive atmosphere everywhere.

Only this time, they weren't on a battlefield outside the city, shrouded in smoke and gunfire. They were in a city filled with screams and the thunder of pursuing cavalry.

The city was being sacked by an army. Corpses littered the ground in heaps like a small mountain, and blood ran in rivers through the streets. Though they couldn't see a single living soul, screams still rang in their ears from time to time, growing fainter as they came from farther away, twisted and terrifying enough to unsettle the mind.

As flames consumed the houses ahead and beacon fires sent smoke billowing from the city walls, Yu Sui and the others could see a thin Blood Mist spreading before them.

"It's a bit bloody. Don't let it scare you." Mei Chengyu let go of Yu Sui and placed her behind him. Facing forward, he had already formed a protective barrier of golden Five Elements Qi around himself.

Li Jinshuang and Mei Chengyu both stood in front of Yu Sui. They seemed ready to clear the obstacles themselves and take her sightseeing through the first-level Military Formation.

The drifting Blood Mist gradually formed a group of red cavalry in the street ahead. The riders wore black-and-gold armor and held bloodstained longswords, whose blades glinted in the light reflected off their armor. The Undead cavalry searched the area, their horses' hooves clopping across the ground with a strangely graceful sound, like Evil Ghosts coming to claim the living.

"We're in the city this time." Yu Sui stood beneath the eaves, looking around. "Do we win if we fight our way out?"

"Right." Mei Chengyu watched the approaching Undead cavalry. "See the Undead Warriors up ahead? Each one has the strength of a Ninth Realm cultivator. The only way to kill them is to destroy their Light Cores."

Ninth Realm?

Yu Sui nodded.

Mei Chengyu glanced at her reaction from the corner of his eye. When Yu Sui heard that Black Wind City was full of Ninth Realm opponents, she hadn't looked surprised at all. He couldn't tell whether she truly wasn't afraid or simply had no real concept of what Ninth Realm cultivators were like.

Before Yu Sui had opened Asura Hell, she would have been shocked. Undead Warriors all at the Ninth Realm, endless in number—how terrifying!

But after she'd been instantly killed by a Thirteenth Realm Undead Warrior on the other side of the river in Asura Hell, every other Military Formation seemed unimpressive.

If she really faced Asura Hell, there'd be no point saying anything once she entered. The Thirteenth Realm black-armored cavalry inside would instantly kill her, leaving her no chance to fight back.

The minions in even the highest-grade first-level Military Formations were only Ninth Realm, not even at the Soul Realm. The Special Grade Armor Formation, on the other hand, jumped straight to the Thirteenth Realm.

As Yu Sui grumbled inwardly and continued looking around, she suddenly heard Li Jinshuang draw her sword. Its clear, ringing note was like heavenly music, shattering the soul-rattling wails of ghosts and wolves around them.

It also drew the attention of the Red Horse Cavalry ahead.

When the Red Horse Cavalry fixed their eyes on the three of them, Yu Sui felt the air all around her tremble. Dust shot away in every direction, as if an invisible gaze had locked onto her. It was like unseen ropes winding around her arms and legs, weighing her down with a suffocating sense of restraint.

The horses' hooves, which had been moving with stately grace moments before, suddenly pounded wildly. The Undead Warriors galloped toward the three of them, raising their swords and roaring.

The Undead Warrior at the front lifted his sword and brought it down in a mighty chop. The shockwave cleaved through the Blood Mist, its immense force surging forward as if to cut through everything. Though the attack came from far away, it still cleaved through the Five Elements Qi circulating around the three of them, tearing it apart.

Li Jinshuang and Mei Chengyu simultaneously used Wind Riding Technique to retreat to a nearby rooftop. Yu Sui followed close behind. She saw the spot where they'd just been standing: the Undead Warrior's Sword Qi had ripped up the paving stones, and the corpses on the ground had been torn apart, spraying blood everywhere once more.

It really was bloody.

Yu Sui raised a hand and lightly wiped the blood from the corner of her eye with her fingertip.

Li Jinshuang and Mei Chengyu wasted no time. They leaped from the rooftop and landed right in the middle of the Undead Warriors. Li Jinshuang's sword flashed a hundred times in a single stroke. Her blade moved at incredible speed, and she had a clear target: the first Undead Warrior who had swung his sword.

This wasn't their first time entering a formation. They already understood this Military Formation and knew they had to shatter their opponents' Five Elements Light Cores to eliminate them.

Yu Sui had seen Li Jinshuang's Soldier School Swordplay before, so now she turned her gaze to Mei Chengyu.

She didn't think she'd ever seen him fight.

The Nine Schools Techniques could be summed up simply: the Soldier School used blades and swords, while the Ghost Dao School used talismans.

But Mei Chengyu wasn't using any talismans. He seemed to be fighting barehanded, yet protected by his Five Elements Qi, he moved with ease through the formation.

An Undead Warrior swung his longsword in a blindingly fast sweep, aiming to behead Mei Chengyu. Mei Chengyu raised a hand. A tiny Thunder Serpent flickered between his fingers, and he flicked the blade with one finger. With a crackle, two surging forces collided. The twisted Thunder Serpent looked like a strange talisman as it flashed rapidly along the sword.

The ground shook with a deafening boom. From her rooftop vantage point, Yu Sui caught sight of the Thunder Serpent symbol flashing across the blade and raised an eyebrow.

They were both using the Bagua Life Technique. So why didn't her Thunder Serpent twist into that strange symbol?

The Forty-First Chapter (Page 2/2)

The Undead Warrior and his horse were flung far away, but the warriors were fast. Before the first had even finished falling, another's bloodthirsty sword was already slashing toward Mei Chengyu's face.

Gen Hexagram, Life Technique, Shaking Mountain.

Mei Chengyu glanced at the sword tip slicing toward the corner of his eye. A great mountain pressed down upon the battlefield, and everything froze for a moment under the irresistible weight—even the shifting Five Elements Qi came to a halt.

The man's long, distinct-knuckled fingers rested on the bloodied sword tip and pressed down lightly. A tiny Thunder Serpent sprang from his fingertip and bit the blade. The Undead Warrior on the red horse twisted at the limbs, making a horrifying series of cracks. As the Thunder Serpent shattered his Five Elements Light Core, he toppled from the saddle.

The Shaking Mountain lasted no more than two breaths before it faded.

From her high vantage point, Yu Sui watched, her eyes following Mei Chengyu as he moved.

It was the same Bagua Life Technique. They clearly knew the same moves, yet Mei Chengyu's were somehow different. This must be one of the three tests in Taiyi's Level Up Challenge: Five Elements Birth Technique and Self-Modified Divination Technique.

If Mei Chengyu hadn't been fully awake before, the fight had certainly brought him around. His usual nonchalance was gone, replaced by focus and decisiveness.

Li Jinshuang was under some pressure too, but she was much more relaxed than when she'd entered the formation alone. After all, Mei Chengyu was a Ninth Realm cultivator, on par with these Undead Warriors. And since he was on the verge of the Tenth Realm, he might even be stronger.

Yu Sui watched from above for a while and figured Mei Chengyu wasn't using his full strength. She still couldn't tell how strong he really was. He was mostly using the Bagua Life Technique and barely used any Ghost Dao School Nine Schools Techniques.

Mei Chengyu seemed more focused on helping Li Jinshuang. He first wore down the Undead Warriors' Nine Schools Techniques, then left the finishing blow to Li Jinshuang once their Five Elements Qi was depleted. From time to time, he even watched the swordplay she used.

He also kept a firm guard over Yu Sui behind him. None of the Undead Warriors' Nine Schools Techniques could get past him to disturb her on the rooftop.

Wave after wave of Undead Warriors surged in and were wiped out, but the two of them barely moved from their spots. Their battle still made enough noise to draw Undead Warriors from every direction. The enemies kept multiplying, and their Five Elements Qi dwindled with every passing moment.

Yu Sui saw a large group of Undead Warriors approaching in the distance. She crouched at the edge of the rooftop and leaned over to call to Mei Chengyu below. "Senior Martial Brother."

Mei Chengyu signaled for her to stay up there, then looked at Li Jinshuang, who stood nearby with her sword in hand. "Do you refuse to use your sword spirit, or do you not have one?"

Yu Sui looked toward Li Jinshuang. At Mei Chengyu's question, she stiffened slightly and fell silent.

Mei Chengyu held the Opening Formation Jade Token and said to Li Jinshuang, "If you don't have a sword spirit, you won't even make it halfway through the Military Formation. If you're just unwilling to use it, then I've seen enough Soldier School Swordplay from my Junior Martial Sister."

More and more Undead Warriors on red horses rode toward them. During the brief lull in battle, sharp screams rose again from every direction.

"You came here today to challenge the formation, so you have to use your sword spirit. If you only came to accompany my Junior Martial Sister for a look around, then I'll break the formation and leave."

Li Jinshuang stayed silent. She lowered her eyes, paused for a moment, then slowly sheathed her sword.

Just as expected.

If she kept fighting, something would happen to her.

Mei Chengyu smashed the Opening Formation Jade Token. The instant the Undead Warriors charged at them with their swords raised, he left the Military Formation.

Before they entered the Military Formation, the Soldier School's trial grounds had been dim. Now the sky was bright, as though it were nearly noon, and there were far more people than before.

The disciples entered with confidence, then came out looking battered and disheveled.

Nearly every disciple who came out of the Military Formation was spattered with blood, whether it was their own or blood brought out from inside.

The two instructors in charge of registering people for the Military Formation cradled their teacups and leisurely told the injured disciples, "Figure it out yourselves. Yes, go to the Medical School yourselves."

Mei Chengyu's Listening Wind Ruler buzzed. He opened it to check, and Xing Chun asked, "Food?"

"Food." Mei Chengyu replied, then glanced at Yu Sui beside him. She was looking at him too. When she caught his eye, she smiled. "Senior Martial Brother, thanks for taking me to see the Military Formation. I'll treat you to a meal?"

No reason to turn down a free meal.

Mei Chengyu took Yu Sui to the Dining Hall. Yu Sui asked if Li Jinshuang wanted to come too, but Li Jinshuang shook her head and left by herself. Yu Sui had only planned to have the two of them take her into the Military Formation so she could see what it was like, then try it herself afterward. She didn't think much of it and asked Mei Chengyu on the way to the Dining Hall, "Senior Martial Brother, do you know what Li Jinshuang's sword spirit is?"

"No." Mei Chengyu walked ahead, speaking lazily. "Soldier School blades and swords each have spirits of their own. You can cultivate one after the Third Realm. She might have a sword spirit, but it's dangerous, and she's probably afraid she can't control it."

Yu Sui ran after him. "Why do you say that?"

Mei Chengyu turned back to wait for her. "Li Jinshuang's Sword Qi nearly got out of control and cut both you and me. If she'd kept fighting, I would've killed her right alongside the Military Formation Puppets."

Yu Sui couldn't help looking up at him, unable to hold back her smile.

Which one of them was more dangerous—Li Jinshuang or you, Senior Martial Brother?

Mei Chengyu pointed at her with his gaze. "What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing." Yu Sui shook her head. "Usually, sword spirits that are hard to control are especially powerful."

Mei Chengyu gave a quiet snort. "If you can't control it, you'll only hurt yourself and others."

Yu Sui raised a hand to smooth down her hair. "And if you can control it?"

Mei Chengyu said, "If you can control it, then what's there to say? It's powerful."