When had Xiang Yu ever suffered such humiliation?This was simply a disgrace of the highest order.
Yet, even in a rage, Xiang Yu didn't move. To chase after someone stark naked — his skin wasn't thick enough for that.His heart burned with fury, but he couldn't act. That feeling made his entire body feel like it was about to explode.
Swish!!
Just then, a robe was tossed toward Xiang Yu.
Seeing it, he grabbed it like a drowning man catching a lifeline. Without a second thought, he threw it over himself, covering his body. The darkened expression on his face finally eased.
"Much appreciated."Xiang Yu looked toward Yi Tianxing and nodded firmly in thanks.
"No need. It was just a casual gesture," Yi Tianxing replied calmly with a faint smile.Indeed, it was he who had thrown the robe. No matter what, someone like Xiang Yu couldn't be left to suffer such disgrace over a piece of clothing.
"You villain! Coward! Trying to flee after what you've done? Go die!"
As Xiang Yu clothed himself, Sikong Picking Star already knew he'd stirred up unimaginable trouble.To strip Xiang Yu naked — that wasn't just a grudge, it was humiliation.
Put yourself in his place: if someone stripped you bare, could you accept it? That kind of shame wasn't just a grudge — it was deeper than blood vengeance.This hatred was too great to resolve.
Seeing Xiang Yu regain his clothes, Sikong didn't hesitate. He flew straight toward the Mountain of Blades.
Though terrifying on the ground, the mountain's effects were much lesser in the sky. At worst, one had to endure sharp blade winds — but to someone riding a Flying Serpent, that wasn't a problem. It was far easier than navigating by foot.
"Fellow Daoist, it was all a misunderstanding — a huge misunderstanding! Here, take your clothes back!"Sikong cried bitterly as he tossed Xiang Yu's robes back. But he didn't stop — he fled forward as fast as he could.
"Courting death!!" Xiang Yu's face twitched. A misunderstanding? Did he look like an idiot? Even if it was a misunderstanding, the deed was done. He'd kill him first, ask questions later.
ROAR!!
Even the Tyrannosaurus Rex beneath him shared his rage, letting out a thunderous roar and charging up the Mountain of Blades.
The blades shimmered with a cold gleam. Blade aura filled the mountain.But the T-Rex, with its thick hide and sturdy body, was surrounded by a strange glow — some form of protective energy — shielding it from harm.Even as it trampled the blades, they failed to pierce its hide. Some blades even bent under its weight.
Still, the T-Rex roared again and again.The invisible blade aura might not tear through its flesh, but it still seeped into its body, causing extreme pain.The longer it lasted, the more blade aura accumulated inside, building up for a devastating internal explosion that could very well tear the mount apart.
Boom! Boom! Boom!The T-Rex charged forward like a rampaging beast, eyes filled with fury.
"Let's go — we're going after him too."Watching Xiang Yu charge up the mountain at such speed, Yi Tianxing summoned his Golden Roc, soaring into the sky.Blade aura filled the air, but to the Golden Roc, it was little more than a breeze. Its iron wings shimmered with golden light, clashing against the blade aura with ringing sounds.
"Someone's walking through the mountain? Striking the blades with a sword?"As they flew past, Yi Tianxing's pupils shrank sharply.
On the mountain, he saw a middle-aged swordsman and a giant bird walking on foot through the blades. The bird could fly, yet it didn't — they chose to walk.
The swordsman wielded a rusty iron sword, seemingly on the verge of breaking. Each swing looked plain, yet every blow shattered the blades in their path.
Stab. Slash. Smash. Thrust...Every move was extremely precise, every strike containing powerful sword intent.
The intent carried a towering arrogance — as if standing alone atop the highest peak, looking down on the world.It was a unique, inimitable form of intent.
Though it looked like basic sword techniques, each strike was filled with subtle and exquisite transformations.With every step forward, the swordsman's sword intent grew stronger and more refined.
"Using the Mountain of Blades to hone oneself — refining sword intent..."Yi Tianxing's body shivered in awe. He couldn't help but salute the man in his heart.
To walk through this sea of blade aura, using pure sword intent to carve a path — the internal pain must be unimaginable.Yet this man persisted, using the mountain as his forge.
Endure the tribulation, and there will be gains.
Yi Tianxing knew that if this weren't a race, he'd have stayed to walk the mountain himself — to refine his own spear intent.
But now, with Sikong Picking Star's crimes, he couldn't let it go. The man had stolen many treasures along the way, likely all stored in a dimensional pouch.Recovering it would mean not only getting his items back, but gaining interest too.
"A man like that is destined to become a legend. If there's a chance to befriend him — even if not now, maybe in the future — that's a connection worth having."Even though the competition would scatter everyone across the Eternal Continent, Yi Tianxing firmly believed that one day, his Xuanhuang Town would grow strong and mighty, famous across the land. By then, having ties with such elites would pay off.
But now wasn't the time to disturb the swordsman. He urged the Golden Roc onward, soaring past the mountain.
This was a trial — one that many might not survive.
From above, they actually overtook Xiang Yu.
Further ahead, Sikong Picking Star was still fleeing for his life.
But what appeared before him wasn't salvation — it was another mountain.
A mountain of fire.
The entire peak was engulfed in red flames.A wave of scalding heat blasted forth, making it hard to even breathe.
"You've got to be kidding me. We just crossed a mountain of blades, and now there's a sea of fire?! Is this supposed to kill me?"Sikong's face turned pale.
Fire and water were both ruthless — and now there was a flaming mountain before him. No way back.
The pursuers were close. Falling into Xiang Yu's hands would be worse than death.
"No choice. If I die, I die. Better burned alive than tortured by Xiang Yu. And maybe — just maybe — I can make it through this fire."Gritting his teeth, Sikong urged the Flying Serpent forward into the fire.
At once, the serpent went wild. These flames — pure yang fire — were a natural nemesis to serpents. Its blood boiled. Vital energy leaked from its body, vanishing into the fire.
"Don't panic. I've got a trump card left!"Sikong pulled out two talismans, slapping one on himself and one on his mount.
In a flash, golden light erupted, forming a protective aura that pushed the flames back.
Talisman — Golden Light Talisman! A defensive charm that created a golden shield.
Though not immune to damage, it slowed the flames enough for him to advance — even if his hair began to curl and scorch.
"A sea of fire... could this be the Fire Disaster from the Three Calamities?" Yi Tianxing stood before the fire mountain, frowning.
The fear of fire was innate in humans.There was no avoiding it — he had to go through. If even a thief could do it, he certainly wouldn't be outdone.
"Let's go — today, we cross this fire!"He shouted decisively.
With a thought, he activated his Black Armor Life Orifice. A jet-black suit of armor enveloped his body.
The moment they entered, searing heat rushed in. But the armor flared with light, blocking the fire.
The Golden Roc summoned a layer of wild wind, sweeping the flames aside. It didn't help much, though — its feathers still started to burn.
But then —The heat vanished.
"Huh?" Yi Tianxing murmured, puzzled.
"So comfortable! I thought the fire would ruin my noble fur. But it feels amazing! I'm growing fur again! Glorious!" Green Emperor, standing on the Roc's back, looked utterly pleased.
Looking closely, new green fur was sprouting rapidly from his left hind leg — drawing in a strange energy from the flames around them.