A Martial Odyssey Vol 2 Chapter 60

Yi Ping took a deep breath at the sight of the imposing marble columns of the Heaven’s Gate. Even though the entire mountains were shaking violently, the Heaven’s Gate did not seem to be affected by it as it stood serenely in the midst of the mayhem from the heavens and the earth.

This was the second time that Yi Ping had approached the Heaven’s Gate and he was still in awe of the imposing white columns that lined the mountain sides. And beyond the Heaven’s Gate was the stairs of heavens that led to the peak of the majestic Unmoving Mountains where the Holy Ascension Sect was situated!

Han Lin winked at Yi Ping as she asked, “So we are finally here!”

Yi Ping replied, “Yes but getting past it may be a problem.”

He looked awkwardly at the Celestial Mistress, Han Lin, Yang Min, Jing’Er, Xiao Qian and the Goddess Isa before he turned to look at Yixian, Lele, Lie Qing, Shi Shi, Yunzi and Youxue hoping that they could help him out but they were surprising quiet!

These twelve maidens were all looking affectionately at him and their eyes were full of tenderness!

This was not exactly what Yi Ping had been expecting for this journey after he had reluctantly agreed to take the Celestial Mistress and her entourage to the Holy Ascension Sect. He was expecting a noisy bout to break out anytime given the combative nature of both Lele and Youxue!

But to his utter surprise, Lele and Han Lin seemed to get along extremely well and they were actually very chatty along the way!

And the Celestial Mistress, Jing’Er, Shi Shi, Yang Mi, Yixian, Lie Qing and Lele seemed to get along extremely well!

They seemed to have many things to share and were even exchanging martial pointers on the sly. Even Youxue and Yunzi could not resist the temptation to participate in their martial pointers exchange!

Only the Goddess Isa and the Celeste Wind Maiden remained aloof along the way.

Yi Ping began to recall the events that had brought all these maidens to the Heaven’s Gate of the Holy Ascension Gate…

Yang Min had said shyly to him, “I can’t return to the Martial Deviant Clan anymore and I am all alone now. Can I join Shi Shi and you?”

The Goddess Isa said quietly, “I have promised to help Aiel in the Stellar Sanctuary and I have yet to repay her for saving my life.”

Xiao Qian the Celeste Wind Maiden said to him, “It is the duty of the Celestial Priestess to protect our Celestial Mistress.”

Han Lin said wryly, “There are many lecherous men around, you must know. She doesn’t even know how to protect herself.”

Jing’Er asked quietly, “Can I join as well?”

The Celestial Mistress replied unhappily, “Then who will take care of my sect if all my important sect leaders decide to go to the tiger den? You must know that I am not going there to play.”

The Celeste Wind Maiden said coldly to the Celestial Mistress, “Oh really? Then why are you going there for?”

The Celestial Mistress replied exasperatedly, “Qian’Er! You! Who just help you to become a golden practitioner?”

The Celeste Wind Maiden replied coldly, “That is another matter. I will repay you by protecting you.”

Han Lin had already issued several commands to the protégés of the Aiel Sect, “Wait here. If the other clans want to enter the Stellar Sanctuary, do not stop them from doing so. However, I want all of you to wait patiently for us for at least three months. If there is no news from us in three months’ time, go back to the Celestial Aiel Sect.”

The Celestial Mistress protested weakly, “Now who is the Celestial Mistress of the Celestial Aiel sect? How dare you make such callous decisions without first consulting me? Who says you can come with me?”

Han Lin laughed softly, “I am afraid that you will soon regret not having our company. Later, don’t you run to me like a crybaby requesting for aid from the company of wolves!”

The Celestial Mistress exclaimed confidently, “I won’t for sure. This, you really do not have to worry for me.”

Han Lin laughed softly, “Oh really? Very well then, Jing’Er, Xiao Qian. Let’s us bide our Celestial Mistress good bye and good luck!”

Xiao Qian started to walk away as she said coolly, “Good luck then, Mistress.”

The Celestial Mistress was startled as she looked panicky at Xiao Qian, Han Lin, Yi Ping, Yixian and the Goddess Isa, “Xiao Qian, you are really going? We have come together…”

The Celeste Wind Maiden looked at her coldly, “I didn’t want to come here in the first place. Who is the one begging me to come with you? Who is the one that says without my intimidating presence around you, it will be hard for you to hold the fort against the Mad Conqueror and the rest of the celestial clans? Oh well since you don’t need me at the Holy Ascension Sect with you anymore, I shall return home with my followers first.”

Immediately all the Aiel Protégés of the Black Faction began to giggle among themselves!

Everyone knew that the Black Faction led by the Celeste Wind Maiden was the most powerful faction within the Celestial Aiel Sect and that the Celeste Wind Maiden was the most skilled fighter in the sect!

Han Lin clapped her hands happily, “Good sister! I am so happy to have your company. Jing’Er and Xiao Qian, we have finally got rid of our pestering Mistress for some time…”

The Celestial Mistress raised her alluring eyebrows and looked piercing at them through her veil as she pretended to be angry, “I order all of you to follow me and that is final. Any protests will be a violation of the sect rules and will be subjected to the most stringent punishments for disobeying the Celestial Mistress!”

Han Lin groaned softly, “You are so unreasonable…”

Yi Ping wondered as he looked discreetly at the Celestial Mistress, “Who is she really?”

Even Yixian was thinking the same, “She is really not Yichi? She really looks like her. If she is not Yichi, how did she knows where my secret martial accupoint? Only my protégé mistress and Yichi know of it. Am I thinking too much?”

The martial accupoint of a martial practitioner was their most secret accupoint channel which was also known as the factual death and life channels. Hitting the death channel of a martial practitioner could render a martial practitioner powerless. Knowing the life channel of a martial practitioner could hasten recovery. However, no one was willing to reveal their factual martial channel to anyone.

Yixian had almost died in the past due to her haste to master the divine skills of the Eternal Ice Palace and therefore she had entrusted her factual martial channel to Yichi.

Lie Qing on the hand was grateful to the Celestial Mistress for treating her injuries but she was also secretly wary of her true intentions but at the same time she was delighted. “I have finally met a worthy opponent to match my wits. She is really such a good actress.”

After she had met Yi Ping and Youxue, Lie Qing the Heavenly Temptress had become more docile. That was because she had met her match in Youxue. However, she had her way with Yi Ping unlike Youxue. That was only because Youxue was too inexperienced in the affairs of the heart.

But now her fighting spirit was aroused as she thought, “No matter how good a liar this Celestial Mistress is, I am going to dig her secrets out. And this Han Lin and Goddess Isa as well. Or else I am not the Heavenly Temptress!”

Yi Ping had kept quiet along the way as he was too awkward to say anything as he tried to force himself not to remember what had happened earlier when the Celestial Mistress had undressed herself and everyone to treat their injuries.

At the same time his heart grew heavier as he approached the Holy Ascension Sect. He was in a dilemma to explain to Lingfeng, Ye Yin, Shen Xingyue, Yu’Er and Mei’Er later…

His thoughts were soon interrupted by the approaching sight of some two hundred Ascendant Protégés of the Holy Ascension Sect!

But like the first time, he was stopped by Feng Mantian, Luo Wei and Wu Han again!

This time they were extremely respectable and so were the ascendant protégés that were behind them which numbered some two hundreds. It was obvious that the Holy Ascension Sect was on high alert as the number of obvious guards was ten times greater than previously!

However Yi Ping knew that there were still many more hidden fighters that lie in wait along the stairs of heavens!

Feng Mantian quickly apologized and he looked somewhat disconcerted, “Master Yi Ping, who are they?”

He also said to Yunzi, “Our respects to the Protégé Master of the Infinity Sword Celestial Clan!”

He had naturally recognized Lie Qing, Lele, Shi Shi, Yixian, Youxue and Yunzi.

But for the extraordinary appealing and unfamiliar maidens that were also with Yi Ping, he did not recognize who they were. He was immediately wary of them though for their states of divinities were extremely imposing!

The unfamiliar maidens were of course the Celestial Mistress, Han Lin, Jing’Er, Yang Min, Xiao Qian the Celeste Wind Maiden and the Goddess Isa!

Immediately, the Celestial Mistress, Han Lin, Jing’Er, Yang Min and the Celeste Wind Maiden were all startled at the same time as they looked at Yunzi!

It was because they did not know that this maiden was actually the Protégé Master of the Infinity Sword Celestial Clan, one of the most powerful celestial clans in the Celestial Realm!

Yi Ping said awkwardly, “They…they are my friends. Brother Feng, can you let them pass?”

Yunzi said as well, “They are our friends.”

Feng Mantian had already noticed that Shi Shi the Stellar Heaven Fairy was carrying a divine sword on her return trip and was slightly startled. What more, two of the unfamiliar maidens were also carrying a divine sword too!

Divine swords were extremely rare in the Celestial Realm and therefore it was a surprise to see two more unknown celestial practitioners with it!

Like Feng Mantian, Luo Wei and Wu Han were also highly attained golden celestial practitioners that could detect the presence of a hidden or unsheathed divine weapon especially in such a close proximity. And they were equally startled by it and began to wonder who the two golden celestial practitioners were!

Feng Mantian muttered at the sight of these beautiful maidens and he was questioning if he was dreaming as he asked, “Maybe Master Yi Ping can introduce your friends to us first? We cannot allow any unorthodox or heretic sect protégés through the Heaven’s Gate.”

Yang Min looked quietly at Jing’Er who in turn was looking at the Celestial Mistress and Han Lin.

Lele added in jest, “You don’t trust the Lord of the Tranquil City or the Protégé Master of the Infinity Sword Celestial Clan?”

Lie Qing laughed softly as she stroked her braided hair slowly, “Maybe he just want to acquaint with them.”

The Celestial Mistress said nothing while Han Lin smiled amicably at Feng Mantian before saying, “Do we look like dark celestial practitioners to you?”

Feng Mantian smiled weakly as he looked at the veiled Celestial Mistress. Even though she was veiled but there was no denying that she was really an appealing maiden as he eyed her with an intimate look!

Feng Mantian was not the only one that was staring at these maidens. Virtually all the two hundred protégés of the Holy Ascension Sect were all staring at them. No matter who their dream goddess looked like in their innermost heart, they could find in these maidens!

The twelve maidens were all extremely moving and the sight of them were so wondrous that everyone was envy of Yi Ping who remained oblivious of the attention that he was getting!

Just as Feng Mantian was about to probe further, a long beard celestial had suddenly leapt over him with a startling speed!

It was Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage!

Immediately Feng Mantian, Wu Han and Luo Wei took the lead to pay their respects, “Our respects to the Supreme Celestial…”

But Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage quickly raised his right hand to silence them.

He was flustered as he lifted his trembling finger at the Celestial Mistress, “Xiaoci, is that really you? You are still around? I have always thought you are dead…”

He had known her as the first Grand Protégé Mistress and founder of the Melody Palace. Like the Lord Supreme and himself, he had known her as an Ancient Celestial.

Han Lin smiled at the Celestial Mistress, “So Xiaoci is your real name?”

The Celestial Mistress said quietly, “Yes, it is me.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage pointed a finger at the Celeste Wind Maiden as he shouted angrily, “It is you!”

The Celeste Wind Maiden hummed coldly, “So we met again.”

Many years ago, Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage and the Celeste Wind Maiden had a bitter fight. It was a titanic fight between the old and new celestial fighters. Even though that fight was a draw, Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage had nearly died from that fight and that event had propelled the Celestial Aiel Sect as a major celestial clan!

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage said angrily to the Celeste Wind Maiden, “Release Xiaoci immediately!”

He quickly turned to say to Yi Ping, “Do you know who she is? You have actually brought an enemy back to the Holy Ascension Sect. She is none other than the Celeste Wind Maiden of the Celestial Aiel Sect!”

Yi Ping quickly bowed respectfully to say, “Senior, I can explain…”

The Goddess Isa smiled coldly as she interrupted Yi Ping, “Who is this mad man?”

She did not have the intention to be involved in this mundane affair but when she had seen how Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage had raised his voice at Yi Ping, she could not resist a sneer!

Yi Ping was startled. As he was afraid of what the Goddess Isa may do after witnessing her martial skills earlier, he quickly said to her. “He is not a bad guy…”

The Goddess Isa looked at Yi Ping shyly as she muttered softly, “Oh?”

She quickly said, “You are already too respectful to him by addressing him as a Senior. I don’t think he is fit enough to even carry your shoes, humph!”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage stared at her but he was quickly taken aback when he could not see past her state of divinity as he stammered, “You are? You are not a golden celestial practitioner. You are an Ancient Celestial? No, that is impossible. Why is that I have never seen you before?”

At the same time, he was staring at her scabbard which contained her divine sword…

He had suddenly noticed that like Yi Ping, this golden hair heavenly maiden was also carrying an extraordinary divine sword and his curiosity was immediately aroused by the sword divine aura!

The Goddess Isa hummed coldly, “You are not fit to address me.”

Feng Mantian immediately shouted, “Insolent! How dare you be rude to the Supreme Celestial!”

The Goddess Isa lifted her eyes to say, “So?”

The Celestial Mistress said quietly, “He is a friend…”

The Goddess Isa looked sharply at Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage and said coldly, “If I am not injured, I will surely teach you a lesson.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage said aloud, “Xiaoci, you don’t have to be afraid of them. In fact, they are courting their own deaths by coming here!”

The Celestial Mistress looked intently at Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage as her golden eyes flicker a deep golden and green, “You must be mistaken. I am not under anyone threat. In fact, I am the Celestial Mistress of the Celestial Aiel Sect.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage and all the Ascendant Protégés were stunned!

Feng Mantian stammered out as he readied a combat stance, “The Celestial Mistress of the Celestial Aiel Sect is here?”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage said quickly, “Rubbish! Do you know who she is? She is the founder of the Melody Palace. The Melody Palace is one of the three major orthodox celestial clans in the lower realm!”

He quickly turned to the Celestial Mistress to say gently to her, “I know that it is not true. Now tell me who is blackmailing you and I will settle the score with him. I will surely protect you.”

The Goddess Isa tapped her foot gently as she said wryly, “Do you really think that you are good enough to protect her? Even if you are an Ancient Celestial of the blue-red level, I can still kick your butt.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage hummed coldly, “So you are the one that is blackmailing Xiaoci! Stop boasting. I am indeed an Ancient Celestial of the blue-red level and with my Green Dragon Sacred Sword, there are only just a handful of opponents that can fight me one to one! The one that is kicking your butt is me!”

At the mention of the Green Dragon Sacred Sword, Han Lin had suddenly lost her smiling countenance and had turned pale…

The Celeste Wind Maiden had also interrupted into the conversation as she said coldly, “Oh really? You can’t even defeat me back then.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage said angrily, “That is because I am foolish enough to believe your ruse back then! But this time, I won’t be merciful anymore!”

Yi Ping immediately said solemnly, “Senior, it is all a misunderstanding. Can we talk it over first? If they really have ill-intentions then they would have brought many more here, am I right to say so?”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage said angrily, “Then why are they here for?”

Yi Ping said, “That is because the Celestial Mistress says she wants to tour the Holy Ascension Sect…”

All of a sudden Yi Ping had realized that he had said something wrong; he had suddenly realized how ridiculous her request was. Now that he had said it aloud, he had realized that no one could possibly believe him. The Holy Ascension Sect was not a place for anyone to go and come as they pleased!

Feng Mantian said angrily, “Master Yi Ping. The Holy Ascension Sect is not a place for dark practitioners to come and go as they please! They are only here to steal the martial and celestial secrets of the Holy Ascension Sect!”

Luo Wei said, “Therefore, we must not allow them to pass!”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage pointed at the Goddess Isa, “I say that this demoness here must be the real Celestial Mistress. My sixth sense has always been sharp!”

The Celestial Mistress closed her eyes before heaving a soft sign, “That is enough already. I am indeed the Celestial Mistress. I have many different identities and the person that you know is just one of my many identities.”

She looked quietly at Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage for a moment before saying gently to him, “Old friend, we have come in peace. Can you allow us to pass? Maybe together, we can finally overcome the Stellar Sanctuary together.”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage was stunned as he stammered, “Are you…really the Celestial Mistress?”

But before the Celestial Mistress could reply him, Han Lin had stepped forward between them and her golden eyes were filled with killing intent!

Yi Ping was startled at her sudden transformation as he asked, “Maiden Han Lin, what is wrong?”

Even the Celestial Mistress, Jing’Er and the Celeste Wind Maiden were stunned at her sudden transformation as they had never seen her in this manner before!

Han Lin ignored Yi Ping as she said melancholy, “Surrender the Green Dragon Sacred Sword to me immediately. This divine sword does not belong to you but to my clan!”

Old Reverend Vanquisher Sage hummed coldly, “Fat chance!”

The Goddess Isa smiled coldly as she used her Divine Whispering Skill to whisper quietly in Yi Ping’s ears, “I suggest that we all steer clear of them immediately. The Icy Dragon Maiden is finally going to awaken soon.”

Yi Ping was startled as he looked at the Goddess Isa and at Han Lin…

The Celestial Mistress said sternly, “Han Lin! Don’t forget what you have promised me!”

Ch60 End

Chapter end