Rise of Humanity

by <unknown>

  All of a sudden, a sonorous laughter resounded in the Fiery Capital, “Long Yue, it’s been a long time, do you still remember Jiao Qingtu?”

  On the Cloud Stage, the ladies looked over and saw a draconic Qi of over hundred miles billowing, shrouding a brawny young dragon in it as he walked toward Long Yue with an exuberant battle will.

  “This Jiao Qingtu, he is not any weaker than Long Yue and Xia Chusheng.”

  Chi Xue said curiously, “Who is this dragon? His cultivation base is strong.”

  “Jiao Qingtu of the Eastern Sea, one from the dragon race.”

  A phoenix lady who knew of Jiao Qingtu said, “A new rising star of the dragon race. Rumors said that he had a battle with Long Yue and was defeated, however, as the battle was only between them, no one knows whether it is true or not. Then later on, he met with Zhong Yue in the Lesser Void World and despite his defeat, he supplanted Xia Chusheng in the Warrior Board as rank one. Recently, this Jiao Qingtu entered the Lesser Void World again and climbed onto the Godlike Board, being listed as the last second, a rank higher than Zhong Yue.”

  A male phoenix continued, “He acquired the Ancestral Dragon’s heritage, ancestor of the dragon and one from the Leizhe Clan. Hence, his prowess is increasing and becoming stronger day by day. His ascension onto the Godlike Board in the Lesser Void World was a great incident, but the timing wasn’t so great, the upcoming battle of Long Yue and Zhong Yue had taken over the eyes of the public.”

  “No wonder.”

  Chi Xue laughed, “The Leizhe Clan is a royal race among the celestials and even a pig could ascend into a dragon. This Jiao Qingtu, although strong, but he is not boggling enough for me.”

  She was very conceited but not a single phoenix disciple found it odd, showing high cognizance of her prowess.

  All of a sudden, there was another laugh that came rushing into their ears, Zhu Jushan strode forward and said sonorously, “Brother Qingtu, the Twin Yues’ battle has been setted for more than half a year, there is no need to take the spotlight from them. Furthermore, you’ve just entered the Godlike Board and you were battered by Mister Bi Xie, your injuries are severe and it is best for you to take some time off and rest well.”

  This brat! Why did he have to speak of this?!, Jiao Qingtu was stirred to anger. When he had ascended onto the Godlike Board, Mister Bi Xie of the West Barren found him and they had battled. In the battle, Jiao Qingtu was severely wounded and the winner shook his head and said, “You are not a match for the Zhong Shan Clan member.”

  The incident was an embarrassing moment for him and yet, Zhu Jushan had exposed it to the world, of course, he would be pissed.

  Then, a pallid young man walked over, he was none other than Bai Canghai of the North Barren Bai Zhe Clan, he said with a grin, “Such a hard to come by event, how lively the crowd is. Is the Zhong Shan Clan member not here yet?”

  “It’s been quite sometime since I’ve seen him, I didn’t know he had went to the demon race and caused such a big calamity.” Zhu Jiangyue of the Zhu Yan Celestial Race walked over with a weird expression on his face.

  Laughter then came again as a few strong celestial Qi Practitioners walked into the vicinity. They were the Inner Core Qi Practitioners of the West Barren, one of them was a Martial Master of the Xia Clan, he smiled and said, “Junior martial brothers, all of you have just cultivated your inner cores so try not to be too conceited, we are still here and do you think you lot are better than us who have been long cultivating our inner cores?”

  Their auras clashed against each other and created strong hurricanes above the Fiery Capital.

  All over the lands, there were many talents in every cultivation level. Although Xia Chusheng, Jiao Qingtu and the lot had entered the level of Inner Core there were other experts who preceded them and entered the Inner Core level and some of those experts had spent a long time in the level of Inner Core, and had a strong and sturdy cultivation base.

  These newcomers were exactly those kind of experts, they were the Inner Core talents on par with the humans Zuo Xiangsheng and Tian Yanzhong!

  All of a sudden, Long Yue raised his voice and said, “The Zhong Shan Clan member has yet to come and we are now starting a war, is that it?”

  The crowd then restrained their auras and Xia Chusheng appeared, he greeted the Xia Clan Martial Master and said, “Elder Brother Shengyan, talents of the world have gathered here today, so why don’t we have a toast on the Martial God Stage, we will drink and converse while we wait for the Zhong Shan Clan member’s arrival.”

  Xia Chusheng smiled and said, “A splendid idea. Martial siblings, shall we?”

  On the Cloud Stage, the phoenix disciples heard the suggestion and they all pleaded, “Princess Chi Xue, can we go to the Martial God Stage also?”

  “Go if your heart desires so, but I’m going to the Lesser Void World.”

  Chi Xue said softly, “My ancestor was once on the Legendary Board, I’d also like to know if I can be listed on the Legendary Board as well.”

  She looked at the many Inner Core experts on the Martial God Stage with her thoughts in her eyes, These people, they are not strong enough to ever enter my eyes and there are only two men I’m interested in, Bi Xie who defeated Jiao Qingtu and the Zhong Shan Clan Zhong Yue who has also defeated Jiao Qingtu. Shame, the two did not appear.

  The Lesser Void World Legendary Board, there were only two names on it, one of which was her ancestor!

  Abruptly, the Fiery Capital turned vociferous and a loud voice shouted, resounding above the sky, “The Zhong Shan Clan member has arrived in the South Barren, eight hundred miles away from Fiery Capital!”

  The experts then bursted out from the city, filling the sky and they looked out over the distance of eight hundred miles. Even the magnates and giant cultivators couldn’t refrain themselves and surged their psyches out over the eight hundred mile distance.

  Never once had a single man shoved the demon race from its high throne down to the ground, one could infer just what a fervor could be caused by Zhong Yue’s imminent arrival in the Fiery Capital!

  Chi Xue stopped walking and she looked over, a bright smile blossomed on her face and she said, “Alright, there’s no hurry so let’s take a look at this Zhong Shan Clan member before I leave for the Lesser Void World.”

  Moments later, another Qi Practitioner said, “Sword Demon Zhong Yue is only five hundred miles away! The Sixty-four Sword Human Demon Shui Zian and the Jungle Demon Lady Qiu Tan Clan member, Zuo Xiangsheng and Tian Yanzhong are all here!”

  “Two hundred miles away!”

  “City gate now, entering Fiery Capital!”

  ….

  Chi Xue was puzzled, she said while smiling, “This Zhong Shan Clan member, his entrance is way grander than the other magnates, what an odd man. I’d very much like to see what kind of person is he to have such a grand entrance.”

  In mid-air, a huge river billowed over the top of the Fiery Capital, an old man stood on the deck of a ship and the magnates stepped forward and said with smiles, “Senior Martial Brother Shui, quick, come in, come in!”

  Shui Zian had a wide circle of acquaintances, although the Zhong Li Celestial Race had two of its elders killed in Swords Gate, the Xia Clan and Zhu Rong Clan didn’t want to affront him and the two clan masters had stepped forward to welcome him.

  ……

  “It’s my honor to have the many senior martial brothers here welcoming my arrival.” Shui Zian laughed and landed the billowing water, he walked down from the ship and entered the Fiery Saint Palace, leaving Zhong Yue and the others behind.

  Chi Xue was staring at Zhong Yue and she then let out an exclamation. She shifted her eyes away to Long Yue then back to Zhong Yue again and exclaimed again.

  At that moment, Zhong Yue’s heart was alerted and he looked back at Chi Xue who was on the Cloud Stage, she could clearly feel pressure pushing on her, coming from his eyes. She smiled and the young lady said with a laugh, “Interesting….”
/>   “Princess Chi Xue, what is interesting?” The phoenix disciples asked.

  Chi Xue shook her head and did not answer the question, she thought, This Long Yue and Zhong Yue, they have the same incomplete souls, they are, one single individual. How interesting … one soul two bodies.

  Chapter 383: Twin Yue's |

  Qiu Jin'er felt Zhong Yue's body suddenly freeze for a moment, and she immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

  "Nothing," Zhong Yue answered calmly.

  He then moved his eyes away and thought to himself in shock, Who is this lady? Her gaze felt like they could see through all the secret of my soul, this has never happened before! Who is she, how is this possible?

  Zhong Yue then asked Chi Xue through his psyche, "Senior martial sister, may I know your name? And if possible, where you stay?"

  "Zhong Shan Clan's member, don't you think you are a little bit too presumptuous?"

  On the stage, Chi Xue laughed, exposing her little canine teeth, "You came to me just like that to ask my name and where I'm staying. My mother said that men are all evil beings and that I should be careful of them or I will be harmed by them. My name is Chi Xue, and I stay at the Kunlun World's Western Mother Empire. I am seventeen years old now, second among my sisters, and I am not married yet."

  Upon hearing her reply, Zhong Yue was very much speechless as the girl said that she should be wary of men, but before Zhong Yue could say anything, the girl had already revealed everything about herself in an instant.

  “How did you manage to do it? A soul shared between two bodies?” asked a curious Chi Xue.

  "This is my secret, and I hope Senior Martial Sister Chi Xue could help me keep it that way," Zhong Yue answered.

  Chi Xue then laughed and said, "Of course, a person fighting his own self is an interesting thing to watch, and this will be my first time witnessing something like that. I am definitely keen to see this, so I won't expose your secret."

  …..

  Zhong Yue and his companions had become the center of attention in Fiery Capital as soon as they showed up. No matter where they went or what they did, they would draw everyone's gaze since Zhong Yue had, after all, caused a considerable ruckus among the demons.

  Suddenly, a hearty laugh rang out as West Barren celestial Qi Practitioner stood up, "Zuo Xiangsheng, long time no see! You have not shown yourself ever since the incident in West Barren."

  That Qi Practitioner's aura was like a vast mountain, and a four-armed Yuan Shen emerged behind his back. From the looks of his Yuan Shen, this Qi Practitioner was definitely from the Shan Shen Celestial race. He obviously had some conflict with Zuo Xiangsheng back in the West Barren as he immediately asked for a fight with Zuo Xiangsheng just as Zhong Yue and the others showed up.

  This Shan Shen Celestial Race Qi Practitioner possessed incredible natural strength; he should be quite a character in the Inner Core level of West Barren.

  Zuo Xiangsheng looked at him and said, "Anything that you want from me, Senior Martial Brother Shan Zhufeng?"

  "The battle between you and me never got to happen because of the interference from the Shen Ya Celestial Race. How about we settle our business here today? What do you say, Senior Martial Brother Zuo Xiangsheng?"

  "Alright, after you then, senior martial brother," Zuo Xiangsheng answered evenly.

  “Let’s go to the outside!” said Shan Zhufeng as he led the way out of Fiery Capital.

  Zuo Xiangsheng then followed behind him while Tian Xiangzong said as he frowned, "Something is off, this Shan Zhufeng immediately distracted Senior Martial Brother Zuo away from us. Its as if he is trying to stop anyone strong from following beside you… When we arrived, the people from the other clans were also distracting Elder Shui away, and after Senior Martial Brother Zuo, it should be me… Something is not right here. There seems to be a plot brewing behind the scene. We mustn't let our guard down!"

  Zhong Yue then laughed and replied, “Senior Martial Brother Tian, don't’ worry, just look at Long Yue.”

  Tian Xiangzong looked towards Long Yue who was on the stage only to find that this Long Yue was dressed with exceptional flamboyance and luxury and exuded a sense of immense power within his body. He also realized that the draconic power surging within Long Yue was so intense that when it leaked out, it formed an image of a running Xiang Dragon. Tian Xiangzong then thought in awe. I can't tell if this is real or not at all!

  From his point of view, Long Yue who was on the stage was definitely a member of the dragon race, one that was incredibly strong for sure and at the same time, he must be one of the strongest in the Inner Core level even with every race taken into consideration!

  Where did Junior Martial Brother Zhong find this dragon? His disguise is so much better than ours!

  Tian Yanzong was extremely puzzled as Shui Zian made them follow Zhong Yue to disguise as Long Yue so that Zhong Yue's secret would not be revealed. However, there seemed to be a Long Yue present already, so there was no need for them to disguise as Long Yue anymore. He then thought, Could it be this Long Yue is someone Junior Martial Brother Zhong asked to take his place as Long Yue? No… it can't be, if it were really like that, the other races will definitely find out about it easily. After all, Long Yue's arts and techniques have already been well-documented and understood by many. Even if the dragons themselves tried to pose as Long Yue, they wouldn't be able to pull off this good of an imitation. Then who is this young man? Are Junior Martial Brother Zhong and Long Yue really the same person?"

  At this time, Zhong Yue whispered to Tian Yanzhong, "Not so worried anymore, eh? Senior Martial Brother Tian."

  Just when Tian Yanzong was beginning to feel relieved, someone called him out and chortled loudly, "Tian Yanzong, do you still remember me?"

  Tian Yanzong looked towards the Qi Practitioner from the Gui Shen Clan, and he replied, "Wei Heiqi, have you not been beaten up enough by me?"

  Wei Heiqi hmphed and as eight banners shrouded in black mist rose from his back, and he said, "Today, we will fight again and decide which one of us is more superior! I will wait for you the outside!"

  Then, he turned into a black ray and shot towards the outside. His voice then sounded out again, "Come out and receive your punishment from me, Tian Yanzong!"

  Tian Yanzong then looked at Zhong Yue and said softly, “They are plotting something, you must be careful.”

  Zhong Yue nodded and replied, "Go, don't worry, I can take care of myself. After all, I've already been through many unbelievable incidents. You don't have to remind me to be careful."

  Tian Yanzong then turned around and chased after Wei Heiqi.

  Meanwhile, in the Fiery Capital's palace, Shui Zian immediately noticed that Zuo Xiangsheng and Tian Yanzong were pulled away from Zhong Yue's side, and he instantly knew that something bad is about to happen. However, he remained calm as he continued entertaining conversations with the others elders including the Xia Clan and Zhu Rong Clan clan masters. He then laughed and said, "Gentlemen, since the two main characters today have arrived, how about we go ahead and watch their battle?"

  The clan master of Xia Clan then laughed and said, "Why the hurry? Be patient. There should be two more days until the promised date of the battle. Today, we shall drink together happily since it is hard for us to be gathered together like this. Oh, I have yet to introduce you, this is Feng Ming'er, the magnate Qi Practitioner from the West Barren's Kunlun Phoenix Clan.

  Shui Zian immediately greeted Feng Ming'er while quietly shocked. This Feng Ming'er was a very beautiful lady, and she quickly returned his greeting, "Long ago, I've heard Senior Martial Brother Shui's fame and every clan will always be good with you."

  Although he was apprehensive right now, Shui Zian remained calm and thought, Seems like it is hard for me to get out right now… These people definitely plotted something terrible against us. With Zhong Yue now by himself, he can only rely on himself now.

  On the other hand, a vine appeared under Zhong Yue's legs as Qiu Jin'er visu
alized vines that carried him and the others up onto the stage.

  When everyone landed safely, they saw a huge and marvelous-looking copper pillar supporting the stage underneath.

  The Martial God Stage had numerous levels o

  n top of each other, tapering off into a conical shape the closer to the apex one went. A stairway lit by fire torches also wrapped around the perimeter of the Martial

  God Stage to allow one to travel through each level.

  The stone steps were all made from white jade, and the railing that followed the steps were made from green jade and was engraved with the images of Tao Tie, a type of fiend that was forever driven by their insatiable hunger and their desire to consume.

  Zhong Yue then slowly walked up the stairs while the Swords Gate disciples followed behind him. Out of their expectations, just when they stepped onto the first step, they all felt an immense pressure on them as the beast carvings on the rails all started glowing.

  The few disciples of Swords Gate let out a low groan as they all felt that it was almost impossible for them to move their legs.

  Zhong Yue was surprised, but he did not flinch at all. This Martial God Stage was actually a fire torch shaped soul weapon, and the higher one went, the stronger the pressure was. And the stronger one is, the more pressure the person would be able to withstand. Similar to the previous places, this Martial God Stage was also a smelting ground that tested one's capabilities.

  Jin’er and I are capable of getting up there but the others….

  Zhong Yue then told the disciples of Swords Gate to act according to their own limits and not push themselves too hard while he and Qiu Jin'er started advancing to the top.

  In the middle of the stage was a vast platform, and one after another, Inner Core level Qi Practitioners gathered around there, all seemingly very young. It seemed like everyone had stopped here as no one attempted to advance any further due to the overbearing pressure.

  Zhong Yue and Long Yue's eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly between the two of them. Dragons emerged from the back of Long Yue, and in the middle was a toad. The Jiao Dragons then circled around the Six Eyed