A Martial Odyssey

Chapter 242: The Great Lord Shenmu

Yi Ping thought to himself, "No, this Dark Goddess Xia Hsien looks like a smart person. She won't be so foolish and reckless to provoke the Great Lord Xuan Yuan. But I have no desire to witness whatever plans they have in mind. It may be a result that I don't want to witness"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan had already put his hand on his sword hilt when Yi Ping suddenly stepped forward to say respectfully, "Great Lord Xuan Yuan, we have met again. We are all here to attend your happy occasion. Moreover"

He turned to look at the Alluring Goddess Theresa, the Heaven Goddess Zero and the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien before saying firmly, "Moreover, they are here for me. If there is anyone to blame then let it be me."

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero had a startled expression as they looked curiously at Yi Ping

The Alluring Goddess Theresa smiled coldly, "He is nuts. He has no backers and yet he tries to be a hero."

Her words may be almost inaudible but to the experts here, it was all too clear!

All of a sudden the Great Lord Xuan Yuan laughed and his laughter was so explosive that the entire grand hall seemed to be shaking!

Yi Ping thought in alarm, "His internal strength is indeed profound!"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan said haughtily, "The Oracle Citadel and the Firmament Citadel have long been at odds. I am not surprise that they will come to blows. But I repeat again, this is not the place for you to mess around. But on account of the Great Lord Yi Ping here, I am inclined to be generous today and let this matter pass."

Yi Ping quickly bowed respectfully with his hands, "Thank you for your generosity!"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan commanded to his aides that were next to him, "Summon the Great Goddess Aeris now for the grand ceremony now!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien said coolly, "We are not here to attend your unison ceremony."

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan said coldly, "Then why are you here? You are here to fight me or you are here to be my consort?"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien smiled coldly as she pointed at Yi Ping, "I want him to come with us. That is my only business here!"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smiled coldly, "I am afraid that is not going to be an easy matter. Do you want to know why?"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien asked wryly, "Why indeed. What if he is willing to go with us?"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smiled, "I have invited him here for a good reason and he won't dare to leave with anyone. Moreover, I have the intention to reward the Great Goddess Aeris to my new friend here, the Great Lord Yi Ping!"

At his proclamation, everyone was startled and began to murmur among themselves!

The most shocked one was naturally Yi Ping who quickly replied, "This won't do!"

At the same time, he was asking himself. "How did the Goddess Lessica know of this in advance?"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien was startled as she took a quick glance at her sister, the Heaven Goddess Zero

Even the Alluring Goddess Theresa was startled but she quickly composed herself to say, "Now, this is interesting indeed! Now it seems that I can't invite him to my Oracle Citadel now."

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smiled coldly, "If the World Ruler Fu Xi can promise him anyone he desires, so can I or else it will appear that I am less generous than him."

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien laughed softly as she slipped off her black robe to reveal a red dress, "This won't do at all. That is because my brother the World Ruler Fu Xi has already decided to make me a consort of the Great Lord Yi Ping!"

Everyone in the grand hall was stunned as they looked at the Great Lord Xuan Yuan, Yi Ping, the Great Lord Shenmu, the Alluring Goddess Theresa, the Heaven Goddess Zero and the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan raised his eyebrows. He was obviously surprised.

The Great Lord Shenmu quickly said to the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien, "This is not real, am I right?"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien smiled coldly as she extended her arms, "Do you seriously think I will make a joke like this?"

At the same time the Heaven Goddess Zero had also slipped off her robe to reveal a red dress as she smiled wryly, "My brother the World Ruler Fu Xi has also decreed me as a consort to the Great Lord Yi Ping."

Yi Ping was secretly thinking, "To think that they have even used this trick just to get me"

He had spent several years in the intrigues of the Martial Fraternity against the most brilliant exponents. He had learnt one thing; there was really no free lunch in this world!

At this moment the Goddess Aeris dressed in red finery had just entered the grand hall, accompanied by a dozen hand maidens. She was startled to see that the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero were also dressed in a red ceremony dress!

And behind her was the Goddess Lessica!

At her sight, he was secretly pleased to see her again.

But he was soon distracted by the cold and envious look that had flared in the Goddess Aeris as she stared at the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero

It was subtle but it was not lost to Yi Ping when he compared it to the compassionate eyes of the Goddess Lessica.

He thought, "Why is that her eyes are so malevolent now? It is exactly as when I have first met her"

But he did not have the time to ponder further for the Great Lord Xuan Yuan was asking him coldly now, "So what do you think? Think carefully. Your choice may decide your fate."

Yi Ping smiled weakly as he looked at the Goddess Aeris, the Goddess Lessica, the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero

The Alluring Goddess Theresa hummed softly with an alluring smile, "This is really interesting. No matter who he chooses, he will surely end up offending the others. Not making a choice is the worst choice. Unless he is an idiot, he will not make any choice."

Yi Ping smiled bitterly when he had overheard the Alluring Goddess Theresa.

The Alluring Goddess Theresa continued wistfully, "This is the domain of the Great Lord Xuan Yuan. If I were him, the choice is obvious."

Yi Ping took a quick glance at the Alluring Goddess Theresa as he thought curiously, "She appears to be sarcastic but why is that I have a feeling that she is secretly hinting me of something?"

It was because she seemed to be emphasizing to him of the same consequences three times over. Naturally to the others, she appeared to be aiding the Great Lord Xuan Yuan but to Yi Ping, it appeared that she seemed to be giving him a subtle hint.

He had noticed that she was looking at the direction of the Goddess Aeris!

Or was it at the Goddess Lessica that was behind her?

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan said coldly as he addressed Yi Ping, "My friend, so what do you think of my generosity?"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien smiled mysteriously as she looked at her sister, the Heaven Goddess Zero while lifting her eyes to look directly at Yi Ping. "We are already in our ceremony dresses. Do you have the heart to turn us down?"

The Great Lord Shenmu quickly interrupted, "That is enough already. If you know what is good for you then quickly retract what you have said and we will regard it as a good joke."

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien hummed coldly at him, "So what if I don't?"

The Great Lord Shenmu was speechless as he blinked at the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien, "You"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien said coldly, "I am what? I can't hear you properly at all!"

Yi Ping brushed against his sleeves as he raised his hands together as he heaved a soft sigh, "Everyone, pardon me for any disrespect in advance."

Time seemed to have frozen in place as everyone looked at Yi Ping; it was because they knew that he was going to say something soon!

Between the Goddess Aeris, the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero, who would he choose?

Yi Ping looked at the Great Lord Xuan Yuan as he pointed in the direction of the Goddess Lessica, "The Goddess Lessica, I want her to be my consort."

The Goddess Aeris was flabbergasted as she turned around to stare at the Goddess Lessica and so did all the other maidens that were around her!

Even the Great Lord Xuan Yuan and Great Lord Shenmu had raised their eyebrows, obviously quite surprised at the choice. Yi Ping would actually pick a lowly goddess as his consort?

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero were ashen as they stared blankly at Yi Ping. It came to a shock to them as they were expecting him to pick them over the Goddess Aeris, after all having two Ninth Positioning Immortals were way better than a single Seventh Positioning Immortal!

The Alluring Goddess Theresa was smiling as she said softly, "Is that so? So this is the result. What a pleasant surprise!"

Yi Ping raised his voice again, "Great Lord Xuan Yuan, I have made my choice. What do you think?"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan nodded as he smiled broadly, "So be it then. I will grant the Goddess Lessica to you."

He commanded the Goddess Lessica, "Why are you still standing there for? He is now your new master. Go with him!"

The Goddess Lessica quickly bowed hastily as she said quietly before walking next to Yi Ping, "Yes sire."

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan turned to stare malevolently at the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero, "It seems that the World Ruler Fu Xi is going to be disappointed. It seems that the two of you are equally disappointed. My friend here it seems has decided to thrown in his lot with me. As I am in a good mood today so I won't pursue today's matter but"

He paused briefly before he continued coldly to the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero, "But only for this once. Now leave!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien heaved a soft sigh, "I have rejected countless patrons and to think that finally I have an opportunity to pursue my only interest, I will be rejected."

The Heaven Goddess Zero was blinking her eyes rapidly as she muttered, "Hmph! I still do not believe what I am hearing!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien hummed coldly as she turned around to face the entrance, "Let's go sister! Away from this accursed place!"

Suddenly Yi Ping said aloud as he flashed to the entrance, "Hold!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien and the Heaven Goddess Zero raised their eyebrows as they looked at Yi Ping curiously.

The Heaven Goddess Zero said coldly, "So what do you want? So you are not going to let us leave? You think that we have not disgrace ourselves enough?"

Yi Ping bowed respectfully with his hands, "Yi Ping pays my respect to the two goddesses. If you are not offended, I will like to accompany you back to see the World Ruler Fu Xi."

The Heaven Goddess Zero broke into a smile, "Oh really? Welcome, welcome indeed!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien was equally delighted as she quickly turned around to smile at the Great Lord Xuan Yuan and the Great Lord Shenmu, "You have heard him, am I right?"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan had turned ashen and almost everyone that was in the hall was trembling with fear. It was because they could all see the raging blood eyes that were on the Great Lord Xuan Yuan!

The Great Lord Shenmu was observing the changing emotions that were on the Great Lord Xuan Yuan's eyes and knew that this Yi Ping had clearly tested the limits of his patience!

So he flashed angrily in front of Yi Ping and said coldly as he raised his iron fist, "My friend! You are not leaving here!"

Yi Ping had already known that this would happen so he said coolly, "Do we really have to fight?"

The Great Lord Shenmu hummed coldly, "That is right, my friend."

Yi Ping sighed softly, "I don't really want to fight you."

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien hummed coldly, "He is clearly your inferior and moreover this is your turf. Do you think that we will be watching on the shelf and let you hurt our guest? I am expecting more honor coming from you, my friend."

The Great Lord Shenmu shuddered a little before he smiled weakly as he looked at her, "I don't want to fight either but he is clearly not showing any face to us!"

All of a sudden the Alluring Goddess Theresa smiled alluringly as she clapped her hands, "A fight! Good! A normal fight will be too messy and too ugly. Why don't we have a contest of power and will?"

The Great Lord Shenmu looked at her coldly for a while and hesitated, "Who is the challenger and who will be the challenged?"

The Alluring Goddess Theresa laughed softly, "To be fair, you will be the challenger and he will be the challenged."

There was a hint of sarcasm in her eyes and it was obvious to everyone that she was taking delight in the situation.

Mutterings could be heard in the hall that the Alluring Goddess Theresa was at her usual self and delighting in the misery of the others by stirring even more shit than usual.

Obviously the Alluring Goddess Theresa had clearly overheard them but she laughed it off, "Look, I am trying to be a good guest and suggesting that we keep the disturbances to the minimum as not to ruin today happy occasion. Therefore a contest of power will suffice!"

Yi Ping smiled coldly at the Alluring Goddess Theresa before he looked at the Great Lord Xuan Yuan and said, "I can agree to the term but can I go afterward?"

The Alluring Goddess Theresa smiled enchantingly, "Well, that is good I say but I am not the host. I can only suggest but I cannot decide for the host or else it will be too disrespectful!"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smirked coldly as he took a few steps before sitting coolly on his throne, "It is decided then. You will pit your prowess against the Great Lord Shenmu. But I must warn you first that you may die because of your actions. Not just from the Great Lord Shenmu but the World Ruler Fu Xi isn't someone as easy to talk to as I am."

Yi Ping bowed with his hands and said humbly, "I thank you for your generosity and kind advise but I have already made up my mind!"

He stole a glance at the Goddess Lessica and thought, "Last night, I have promised to take her away from this place. I have no intentions to go to the World Ruler Fu Xi either. As soon as I am out of here, I am going my way. I cannot remain in this realm much longer."

The Great Lord Shenmu roared angrily as an auburn aura burst forth from him, startling everyone including Yi Ping, "I won't go easy on you!"

Yi Ping took one step as he thought, "What a terrifying and imposing auraandpower"

The Goddess Lessica was so startled that she called out panicky, "Great Lord Yi Ping, be vigilant! This is his true strength!"

There was a burning golden leaf like sigil that had burst forth from the Great Lord Shenmu's forehead as he raised his palm forward, "If you are able to take a blow then I will let you go freely!"

Yi Ping shouted as he readied a defensive stance with his palm, "So shall it be then!"

The Great Goddess Zero and the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien said at the same time to Yi Ping, "Be careful!"

They gasped softly as they looked at each other before they averted their glances in awkward silent.

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien quickly regained her composure to say tenderly to Yi Ping, "The Great Lord Shenmu is a titan among the gods. For you to be on the defensive against him, is already a disadvantage. You just be very careful."

Yi Ping was startled by her sudden tenderness while at the same time, there was a hint of jealousy in the eyes of the Great Lord Shenmu!

He nodded. He knew the principle all too well as a fighter. In a fight, it was all about gaining an upper hand and by gaining an upper hand, it mean gaining an attack opportunity. Being on the defensive was too taxing, both physically and mentally. Moreover, he could not dodge it. He had to brave himself for the blow!

All of a sudden the Great Lord Shenmu gave a mighty shout that was deafening as his auburn aura began to strengthen as he leapt forward with his palm toward Yi Ping!

The Heaven Goddess Zero and many others gasped, "This is his Divine Exclamation!"

With a great shout, Yi Ping immediately mustered his Creation Universal Force to brace himself for the blow but all of a sudden he caught the watchful eyes of the Great Lord Xuan Yuan and the Alluring Goddess Theresa, a thought began to dawn upon him and he immediately switched his martial force to the Martial Emperor Unifying Force. At the same time, he had also summoned mustered his Golden Invincible Force as seven golden hovering discs began to wisp around him!

All of a sudden there was a thunderous thunderclap that exploded in hues of brilliant blinding gold and auburn that caused the ground beneath them to sink by one feet as flying slabs and debris flew dangerously in all directions!

When the brilliant hues began to die down, everyone could see that the Great Lord Shenmu was trembling on the same spot while a trembling Yi Ping had his Golden Invincible Force dissipated; he had coughed out blood as he took seven rapid steps back!

Yi Ping was dazzled by the impact as he quickly stabilized his vital energies as he secretly sighed to himself as he wiped the side of his mouth with his long sleeve, "He is truly extraordinary!"

At the last minute, he had decided against relying on the Universal Creation Force to withstand the Desolate Force of the Great Lord Shenmu. It was because he had noticed that the Great Lord Xuan Yuan and the Alluring Goddess Theresa was quietly observing him intently. This had the effect of alerting him not to display his full prowess in their presence.

Everyone was gasping and was in awe of the conflicting display of raw power that was displayed by the two opponents but it was obvious to everyone that the Great Lord Shenmu was the better opponent!

Yi Ping rubbed the blood off his mouth and said with a trembling, "I can go now?"

The Great Lord Shenmu said breathlessly, "Well done. You can withstand my almighty Divine Exclamation"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan narrowed his brows as he said coldly, "Yes, you can go now."

The ashen and trembling Yi Ping coughed out another bout of blood as he bowed with his hands to everyone before staggering to the entrance as he murmured, "Farewellthen!"

The Goddess Lessica gasped softly as she flew to his side to support him, asking with great concern. "Are youwell?"

The Heaven Goddess Zero walked behind Yi Ping before she turned around to smile coldly, "What an eye candy fight. I shall not impose on your happy occasion anymore!"

The Dark Goddess Xia Hsien flashed a dangerous look at the envy filled Goddess Aeris as she chucked coldly, "What are you looking at? So what if you are a Great Goddess now? Our level disparity is too great. Ten thousands year ago when I am in the same level as you, I can still take away your life in an instant. This is the difference between you and a natural Desolate Goddess like me. Therefore in my eyes, you can never deserve the title of a Great Goddess."

The Goddess Aeris replied coldly, "Have you in your arrogance forgets that this is the domain of the Great Lord Xuan Yuan. This is not the place for you to bitch around"

All of a sudden before she could finish, she was given a hard slap by the Alluring Goddess Theresa who smiled enchanting to her. "Shut your crap. You are not fit to speak!"

The Goddess Aeris was shocked for she had thought that the Alluring Goddess Theresa was on the side of the Great Lord Xuan Yuan so she quickly turned in the direction of the Great Lord Xuan Yuan to seek for his justice!

But to her utter shock, the Great Lord Xuan Yuan simply said coldly. "You are not fit to speak here."

The Alluring Goddess Theresa hummed coldly to the Goddess Aeris, "You very well know where your station is!"

The Goddess Aeris held her redden face as she stared blankly at the entrance where Yi Ping, the Goddess Lessica, the Heaven Goddess Zero and the Dark Goddess Xia Hsien had just disappeared from view

She was heard muttering, "Today is my occasion, my happy occasion. Why am I being subjected to this humiliation"

The Great Lord Shenmu turned to bow respectfully to the Great Lord Xuan Yuan, "My lord, shall I pursue? We are letting them off just like this?"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smiled coldly, "Do you think that you are superior to this Great Lord Yi Ping?"

The Great Lord Shenmu and the hundreds of guests all had a perplexed look as they looked at the Great Lord Xuan Yuan for an answer. It was obvious to everyone while Yi Ping was strong but he was inferior to the martial power of the Great Lord Shenmu!

Judging from Yi Ping's martial display in fact, they could very well tell that he was just at the beginner stage of the Ninth Immortal Positioning. In terms of raw power and the time he had taken to muster his defensive stance into action, the experienced Desolate Immortals here had already known that Yi Ping's power was beneath the Great Lord Shenmu.

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan hummed coldly, "He is above all of you here!"

One Desolate Immortal said, "We are so many. He can't possibly fight all of us here. Moreover by coming here so openly, the Firmament Citadel is openly challenging the Verdant Palace. We can't just let this slight go just like this!"

Another Desolate Immortal said coldly, "That's right! Even if the World Ruler Fu Xi is here, we are not afraid!"

The Great Lord Xuan Yuan smiled coldly, "Really? Then why don't you say that to the World Ruler Fu Xi. He is outside now."

The Alluring Goddess Theresa smiled coldly, "So not even the Great Lord Shenmu is able to detect the presence of the World Ruler Fu Xi?"

Everyone was gasping as they quickly looked at the entrance. All they could see was a divine sword that was sticking in the middle of the entrance and the drifting words of the World Ruler Fu Xi could be heard echoing, "Pardon our impudence. This is a gift from the Firmament Citadel"

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