Chapter 662 — A Show of Might at First Meeting

And our descendants worry me even more; I fear they grow ever more mediocre. Without pressure, men lose their drive. I feared that if our descendants remained in the Floating Realm, they would lose all chance of rising again. So three thousand years ago I gave the order that you must find Kaihuang. Even then I was prepared to move to the Kaihuang era, even to submit to Kaihuang! I never thought Kaihuang would fall so swiftly. " Chixi said, "Only when I went outside did I discover that Kaihuang had already fallen, and that the present is the Jingping era. Jingping's reforms have produced arts and divine powers with many unique features. This time I allied with Emperor Yanfeng, and he has promised me leave to found academies and transmit the divine powers and cultivation arts to the sons of Chiming. " The Divine Son of Chiming said in surprise, "This Emperor Yanfeng has the bearing of a great sovereign. " Chixi nodded.

The Divine Son of Chiming smiled. "A pity. The Kaihuang era is dead but not yet stiff; the Heavenly Court's eyes remain fixed there, and will not give him the chance to grow. Did you find the Wheel of Creation on your journey back?

Did you bring that divine artifact with you?

" Chixi's heart lurched.

He shook his head. "There was a young brat surnamed Shen, clever beyond measure — he demanded the Wheel of Creation and took it. " The Divine Son of Chiming stared at him and said, word by word, "Did it never occur to you what the true power of that treasure is? " Chixi was overcome with shame.

He bowed his head. "At first I truly did not think of it.

Only later, when I saw the young brat surnamed Shen use it, did I regret it too late. " The Divine Son of Chiming sighed.

"I do not blame you. Your mind is too straight, without twists or turns.

This young brat surnamed Shen is a talent. He is among the Jingping envoys this time, is he not? " Chixi said hastily, "The Divine Son's foresight is godlike!

" "Not godlike foresight — but if I were Emperor Yanfeng, I too would send so clever a man.

" The Divine Son of Chiming scattered fish food and said, "In contending with him, you came off the worse. " Chixi was deeply ashamed.

His face red, he said, "This subject is foolish.

.

.

" "You are not foolish — merely not clever enough. " The Divine Son of Chiming said, "You said just now that you took a youth of Jingping as your disciple, and that his strength is high.

What realm is he in now?

" Chixi said, "He has just entered the Life-and-Death realm. " The Divine Son of Chiming thought for a moment, then said, "Summon him.

Attendants — relay my command: gather all the divine-power wielders of the Life-and-Death realm in the realm to the palace! " Chixi was puzzled at his meaning. The Divine Son of Chiming said, "I need a blade — a blade to rouse my people's fighting spirit, but one that will not let my people be utterly defeated. Kindness and severity together: I give the Jingping envoys kindness, and I will also give them a show of might. But above all, I will give my people a whetstone!

" He poured all the fish food into the water, tossed aside the plate, clapped his hands, and said, "If they are defeated too badly, they will lose confidence — a beaten dog only tucks its tail. So your disciple shall be the first whetstone. Grind them, polish them, sharpen them, and then test the blade on the Jingping envoys. It will cut down the Jingping envoys' prestige, and at the same time let my people know they are not invincible under heaven, rousing their fighting spirit! I will turn them from sheep into vicious dragons! " Chixi hesitated, then said, "This disciple of mine saved my life. . .

" The Divine Son of Chiming smiled.

"Rest easy — he will not die. As for the Jingping envoys, I will not meet them until the blade is sharpened.

" Chixi hurried away in haste.

Before long, Bangongcuo came following Chixi. Bangongcuo looked up and saw, before the gate of a great hall at the head of the plaza, many three-headed and six-armed divinities and demons standing, and in their midst sat a man of delicate features. He knew this was the Divine Son of Chiming, and hurried to pay his respects. The Divine Son of Chiming, seated high above, raised a hand.

"Rise.

You may begin. " Bangongcuo was puzzled at his meaning, when suddenly hundreds of Life-and-Death realm divine-power wielders walked into the plaza. One of them, a three-headed and six-armed Chiming divine-power wielder, bowed and said, "Hu Kang.

I ask senior brother for instruction! " Before Bangongcuo could collect himself, the expert called Hu Kang came charging at him with a howl!

Bangongcuo was startled, and without a moment's thought unleashed the Flawless Battle Divine Art — yet what he used was not battle-technique divine power, but spell divine power hidden within battle techniques! On the journey he had sparred with Ling Yuxiu, and had actually learned seven or eight parts of her signature techniques! Boom!

His divine power burst forth with terrifying force, driving Hu Kang back. Hu Kang gave a cold laugh, took up blades in his six hands, and the blades whirled like a cyclone, actually slicing open his divine power.

The rolling blade-light surged toward him like towering waves.

Bangongcuo's eyes flashed with keen light. His six arms took up six sharp swords, and he actually unleashed the Daoist Dao Sword — six Dao Sword forms bursting forth at once! His Dao Sword had actually incorporated the three basic sword forms of the Imperial Teacher of Jingping, becoming more complex and varied.

With a hiss-hiss-hiss, amid the flash of blades and swords, Hu Kang took dozens of sword wounds and fell to the ground. Bangongcuo laughed.

"You are too kind. Your Highness the Divine Son. .

.

" The Divine Son of Chiming raised an eyebrow, and another expert stepped forward, bowing. "Luo Ziyang.

I ask senior brother for instruction! " Bangongcuo frowned, somewhat puzzled. "Was this not supposed to be a show of might for that bastard surnamed Shen?

Why is the Divine Son of Chiming giving me a show of might instead?

" Luo Ziyang charged. He had no time to think further, and could only meet the challenge. The golden eye at the center of the Divine Son of Chiming's brow slowly opened, and its pupil reflected every stance and move of Bangongcuo with perfect clarity, analyzing his techniques and divine powers until they held no secret at all.

Before long Luo Ziyang was defeated, and yet another expert came forward to challenge. Bangongcuo braced himself and fought on.

After a long while, Bangongcuo was so exhausted he spat blood. Only then did the Divine Son of Chiming order a halt, and instructed Chixi, "Take him down and let him rest and heal. In ten days, bring him up again.

" Chixi led Bangongcuo away.

The Divine Son of Chiming rose and went down to the field himself. He suddenly unleashed divine powers and sword techniques, every stance and move clear and distinct, perfectly reproducing all that Bangongcuo had learned in his life before the divine-power wielders of the Floating Realm! He explained these divine powers and cultivation arts in exhaustive detail, then said calmly, "You have ten days to cultivate diligently.

In ten days, fight him again! " Meanwhile, Shen Mu and Ling Yuxiu were strolling about the city, with the Primordial Ancestor, the Human Sovereign, following behind them with two big-eyed monsters. Shen Mu wandered about, looking at the divine statues of the Floating Realm, often pausing for long stretches.

Ling Yuxiu was puzzled and laughed. "What is so interesting about stone statues?

" "The stone statues are wonderful. " Shen Mu's eyes shone bright. "These statues were made when the Floating Realm was first established.

The craftsmen who made them were the finest of that time, and they poured their life's blood into the work.