NOVPUBElder Shipo’s body stiffened in place.
A longsword had been thrust through his back.
The blade was positioned right at his heart, and Yu Shaoqing was standing behind him, holding the sword with both hands, his body slightly leaning, his right leg taking a half-step forward.
His black hair moved as if there was a breeze.
Time seemed to have frozen at that moment.
The sword pierced not only Elder Shipo’s heart but also the heart of the Flame Giant behind him.
"You," Elder Shipo struggled to turn his head.
After uttering just one word, his body heavily fell to the ground.
"Elder Shipo," someone from the Stone Race cried out in agony.
"Let’s fight them."
"Yes, let’s fight. If we keep going like this, our Stone Race will inevitably be finished.
What’s the difference between us and the livestock they raise? They kill one of us every day."
Some people couldn’t bear the collapse and began to cry with their heads in their hands.
Every battle, every hope, shattered time and again.
"Everyone, go back," Shi Shaoshuo watched his clanspeople and closed his eyes in silence for a long time.
He then took a deep breath and spoke.
"Chief, we can’t bear to retreat, let’s fight," someone began to shout.
"I said go back, didn’t you hear?" Shi Shaoshuo’s voice was somewhat hysterical as he roared.
His eyes turned even more ferocious.
The Stone Race clanspeople immediately fell silent, each walking toward Stone Holy Mountain.
"Young Master Shaoshuo, you can reconsider the conditions I offered before," the laugh of Yu Feihuang came from behind.
"What’s wrong with being an affiliated race of our Feather Clan? Eventually, we will all be family.
To bully you would be to bully us; why insist on a fate of annihilation?"
Hearing the other party’s words, Shi Shaoshuo’s expression turned frighteningly grim.
Just like what his clanspeople said, according to his temperament, he would have preferred to fight to the end.
Even if it meant dying in battle, at least he wouldn’t live in such humiliation.
But he couldn’t, for he was managing a race.
If his race extinguished under his leadership, then he, Shi Shaoshuo, would be a criminal.
A sinner for all eternity.
Even if he died and went to Hell, he would have no words to face his ancestors.
...
The people of the Stone Race walked up Stone Holy Mountain in defeat.
Xu Zimei and the others were originally planning to return to Stone Heart Pavilion when halfway through, Shi Yuyan and Shi Jian halted them.
"Our chief wishes to see you," Shi Jian said.
"What’s the matter?" Lu Ze asked.
"It’s not certain yet, but you’ll know when you get there," Shi Yuyan replied with a smile.
Following Shi Yuyan and Shi Jian, the group arrived inside the Council Hall halfway up the mountain.
At this moment, all the Clan Elders of the Stone Race, both great and small, had gathered here.
Shi Shaoshuo sat at the forefront; the atmosphere seemed somewhat oppressive.
When Xu Zimei and the others arrived, Shi Shaoshuo’s previously furrowed brows finally revealed a faint smile.
He said, "You’ve all come."
"Chief Shi, just tell us what it is, and we will do our utmost," Li Ze nodded and replied.
"Young Talented Disciples, please don’t misunderstand. I didn’t call you here because there’s another matter," Shi Shaoshuo sighed as he spoke.
"Rather, I want to discuss the current situation with you.
We won’t be able to hold Stone Holy Mountain for much longer.
That you could come to help our Stone Race at such a critical moment is a kindness we’ll never forget.
But in the end, human strength is limited, so I think it’s best to escort you all down the mountain and away from here."
"Chief, what are you saying? We are not the kind to fear death and grasp at life," Lu Ze snorted coldly.
"Young Master Lu, please don’t misunderstand," Shi Shaoshuo inquired. "I just don’t want to sacrifice myself in vain."
"I wonder if Young Master Lu could introduce us to an elder from the Immortal Mortal Sect. Maybe there’s still a chance to salvage the situation."
Upon hearing Shi Shaoshuo’s words, Lu Ze sighed softly.
"To be frank, it’s not that I am unwilling to make the introduction.
In fact, before coming to the Stone Race, I had consulted my grandfather, and according to him, it seems the Sect Gate is reluctant to get involved in this affair."
"Is that so," Shi Shaoshuo sighed softly.
"I’ve also thought it through. In tomorrow’s challenge, I will take the field myself.
If I die in battle, you all should leave Stone Holy Mountain as soon as possible."
"Chief, this really shouldn’t be," an elder below, upon hearing this, quickly tried to stop him. "You are our pillar. If you die, what will become of our Stone Race in the future?"
"If I don’t go, then who will?" Shi Shaoshuo asked.
"The Core Elders are nearly all dead. As the Clan Leader, I must stand up.
If I die, it’s up to you to decide where you go.
Those who wish to die in battle may do so, those who wish to flee should escape quickly, and if you desire to defect to the Feather Clan, I will not blame you."
Seeing Shi Shaoshuo’s attitude, everyone fell somewhat silent.
They were clear that the situation had developed to this point; it was a checkmate.
An unequivocal checkmate.
"Chief, how much chance do you have against that Yu Shaoqing?" At this moment, an elder below stood up and asked.
"Elder Shiyang," Shi Shaoshuo glanced at him, then replied.
"Fifty percent."
"That low?" Someone below frowned slightly.
"The Chief has Stepped into Immortality, and that Yu Shaoqing is just Divine Vein. What virtues or abilities does he have?"
"Though I have Stepped into Immortality, my aptitude is mediocre, and perhaps this is as far as I’ll go in life.
There’s nothing outstanding about my strength."
Shi Shaoshuo said self-deprecatingly, "Although he is of the Divine Vein, his foundation is so strong that even I feel inferior.
Fifty percent is already the maximum.
Perhaps this is the difference between an Evil Being and a mediocrity."
Originally, Shi Shaoshuo was elected as the Clan Leader not because of his great strength.
But because he had a good grasp of the race’s needs and could lead the race in the right direction.
"How about I give it a try tomorrow?" Just when everyone was looking worried, a voice rang out evenly from the side.
As the originally silent hall erupted in buzz, everyone instantly looked up.
They saw Xu Zimei watching them with a faint smile.
"How about I take down that Yu Shaoqing for you?"
"Young master, please don’t jest," Shi Shaoshuo was taken aback, then replied.
"Whether you believe it or not, I’m too lazy to explain," Xu Zimei waved his hand and left the hall.
"My only condition, Shi Jian knows.
If you decide, let Shi Jian tell me."
Watching Xu Zimei’s retreating figure, everyone in the hall had different thoughts.
Some glanced sideways, some were deep in contemplation.
"Let’s leave it at this for today," Shi Shaoshuo tapped the table next to him a few times.
Then he stood up and said, "Everyone else may leave, Shi Jian, you stay."
After everyone with their own thoughts had left, Shi Shaoshuo turned to Shi Jian and asked, "Tell me about your junior brother."
Shi Jian thought for a moment and then briefly recounted the story of their encounter in the Tower of Heavenly Dao and the resurrection of the Vermilion Bird.
"You’re saying he came to our Stone Race for the Supreme Hammer?" Shi Shaoshuo inquired.
"Mm, just to borrow," Shi Jian nodded.
"I don’t know how strong he is, but he’s unfathomably deep."
Shi Shaoshuo pondered for a long time, then suddenly turned around and said vehemently, "Tell him if he slays that Yu Shaoqing,
I will gift him this Supreme Hammer."
