Apocalypse Summoner Chapter 23 - Who is he?

Everyone present held their breaths simultaneously. They s.h.i.+fted their fervent gaze toward the snow-white silhouette with only one thought in mind...

'...Who is he?'

He had a figure that appeared rather slender and feeble, yet exuded a cool temperament like a wintersweet flower. Equipped with a sword in hand, it added an unspeakably gallant aura atop his stout figure!

Although the tailored white s.h.i.+rt he donned had long since been sullied by the brightly-colored insect blood, in everyone’s eyes, it did not look pathetic in the least. Instead, they seemed like medals of honor which complimented the glory that surrounded the indifferent swordsman.

The most crucial point was that this snow-haired and ice-blue eyed swordsman's appearance was too eye-catching! Had it been someone else wearing a white wig and silver lenses, bystanders might feel that person was being pretentious. However, this person was exceptional. He made one feel as though it was natural, like drifting clouds and flowing water; there was an unspeakable pleasantness to it all.

A small portion of the emotionally sensitive girls started to doubt their own s.e.xuality!

'Is it a male or a female?'

That person was simply too good-looking. He had delicate facial features that made it seem as though he had come out from a painting and gave out an unknown attractiveness. 

His voice sounded audibly gender-neutral, yet extremely pleasant. While most men bore sharp and clear-cut features with coa.r.s.e voices, where in the world would you find a “swordsman” that was this good-looking?

However, compared to his outer appearance, they were, evidently, more curious about his strength!

He was decisive, ruthless, cold-blooded and proud. 

Moreover, the time in which he showcased his skill numbered less than one minute and yet, it enlightened everyone on what “swordplay” really was. Vastly distinct from those flashy, flowery actions in martial art films, every move was unstoppable and swift as lightning without the slightest trace of sloppiness!

His movements were simple, sharp and lethal.

There was not a single movement wasted. Once he spotted an opportunity, every brandish of his sword would return with a harvest!

What did killing decisively mean?

This was killing decisively! There was no need for blinking or gasping. Las.h.i.+ng out 18 swords at once, there would be 18 spirits(fallen victims) lying under his sword!

His courage and his swordplay definitely did not belong to an ordinary juvenile who grew up in a sheltered environment!

Regardless of the circ.u.mstances! Even if it was an expert who was immersed in the path of the sword, they may not necessarily match the sharpness of his “sword”. Even if it was a mercenary who struggled in the battlefield every day, they may not necessarily be able to match his combat intuition!

'Why is he so strong?'

'Is he a world-ranked a.s.sa.s.sin?'

'A martial art grandmaster?'

'Or he is a disciple of a mythical ancient martial art— a modern swordsman?'

Regardless of who he was, just his miraculous emergence alone had saved everyone from the brink of despair. His elimination of the terrifying insects— those feats were sufficient for everyone to hold him in high regard, whether it be out of gratefulness or adoration!

“Incredible. Your swordplay is better than my father’s… May I ask…”

Ran Hongxia stared fixedly at Li Jiayu. Her innocent yet alluring gaze brimmed with curiosity and reverence. Especially after noticing Li Jiayu’s ice-silver colored long sword, her eyes lit up inadvertently. She thought that Li Jiayu was an expert in the sword. Were it not for the circ.u.mstances, she would have had dragged Li Jiayu into a conversation and made him teach her swordplay!

“Ran Hongxia… Are you crazy?! If I hadn’t arrive in time, you would have been dead!”

Li Jiayu couldn't help but flare up after seeing Ran Hongxia’s exquisite face. In a crude manner, he interrupted Ran Hongxia fiercely. However, shortly afterward, his expression sank as though recalling something unpleasant and he said snappily,

“Ai, I’m too lazy to bother with you! Looking at you annoys me! Your kind of people... I can’t offend you, but that does not mean I can’t hide.”

Having said that, Li Jiayu turned around, ushered Dark Octopus, then rushed out of the room under everyone’s reluctant gazes.

He had no time to squander with these people. There were still three halls that required Li Jiayu’s saving!

'Hope the other survivors persevere for a while longer...'

“I- I… When did I provoke you? Why are you so fierce when I’m just trying to talk to you… How unreasonable…”

Ran Hongxia watched Li Jiayu and Dark Octopus’s vanis.h.i.+ng silhouettes, feeling both dejected and wronged.

Ran Hongxia belonged to a long-established family with a literary reputation within Xijiang. Be it her etiquette or mannerisms, they were both excellent, as was her attractive appearance. She possessed an otherworldly beauty that would, as the saying goes, "topple countries and cities alike". 

Moreover, she was a prestigious flower, famed throughout the university alliance spread across the city of Xijiang, so much so that entertainment agencies vied to scout her! Only G.o.d knew how many people fell for her beauty!

Being someone with an exceptional background, how could she fancy these playboys who indulged in pleasure and booze all day long?

Although there had been outstanding men, such as young entrepreneurs and young masters of the Red-Fourth-Generation[1]. who moved according to her whims and wishes, she had been indifferent to them all.

Everything stemmed from her obsession to the sword! She liked the spirit of swordsmans.h.i.+p: the culture; the etiquette; the martial art; and the weaponry. Immersing herself in these, she had silently followed on the path of the sword.

Nevertheless, her hobby was training. She would dedicate at least an hour a day in the accompaniment of the sword!

She had often fantasized about encountering a peer that was as skilled as her… Unfortunately, in the modern society, this kind of person was too hard to come across. Even if she did encounter someone that fit the requirements, it would most likely be a emotionally detached monk.

Yet she had just found a person who had skills several realms higher than her! Not to mention, that person’s splendid silhouette appeared extremely charming. He exuded the temperament of a snow-lotus, possessed handsome features that seemed like a painting and had a disposition like a Swift (bird); everything about him had a fatal attraction. She really wished to befriend him, but why did he treat her so coldly and in such a loathing manner?

'I… I definitely didn’t do anything wrong, right? Why did he display such an att.i.tude as though I owe him 5 million dollars?'

If it had been other guys who treated Ran Hongxia like that on purpose, putting on a cool and indifferent facade to flaunt their out-of-the-ordinary personality, Ran Hongxia would have looked upon them with disdain.

Li Jiayu was, however, an exception to the rule. His coldness had the sharpness of a blade and it made Ran Hongxia’s heart feel uncomfortable. There was an unspeakable sense of loss. Even if she managed to survive the big ordeal, she still felt no joy or relief.

“Hero! Please stay, we have not thanked you properly…”

“He must be busy! A hero like him should have no time to waste here. He must be heading out to save other survivors right?"

“Ah? Wouldn't it be dangerous? Even if he is powerful… The insects are powerful, what if he gets injured?”

“Handsome, too handsome! A man should be like this! Cool exterior and lightning-quick figure with swordplay that has reached great heights… I’ve decided, he is the target I’m going to follow from now on!”

“Nonsense! That person may not necessarily be a guy! What if that person is female… a Sword G.o.ddess…”

“Calm down, everyone is definitely rejoicing after being saved but this is an inappropriate moment. Too many of our men fell and our friends met with disasters. Even the 50 fearless warriors, they’d stepped out bravely and yet, they ended up- Let us have a moment of silence for the fallen…”

A middle-aged female lecturer yelled. Her action snapped the students out of their emotional states immediately and dragged them back to reality, the cruel reality that was the apocalypse.

The more apprehensive they were towards the apocalypse, the more reverence and veneration they held toward Li Jiayu!

With the circ.u.mstance of how the sacrifices of 50 men had failed to deal with the Corrosive Worms, it made Li Jiayu's feats of decimating the insects seem even more remarkable... 

His hegemonic confidence, his greatness and prowess that seemed to scream out, "I have no equal", have all been etched deeply into everyone's hearts.

“Hongxia, that person… Um, benefactor, when he left… Did he leave a message? Are you acquaintances? Who is he?” The middle-aged female lecturer inquired stealthily.

“N-nothing… I do not know him but he seems to hate me…” Ran Hongxia shook her head slightly. Her crescent-like eyebrows knitted together slightly and her limpid autumn water-like gaze flickered with disappointment.

“How could that be? You must've been overthinking things. When he’s done and if we manage to survive… we must thank him properly. You are the Vice-Chairperson of the Student Union, we must not provoke him.”

“En…” Ran Hongxia nodded thoughtfully. Her tender, white hand gripped tightly onto the wooden sword. No one knew what was going through her mind.

Meanwhile, Li Jiayu was on a murder spree throughout the three halls, like an autumn gale that sweeps away fallen leaves! He had initiated a fierce a.s.sault on the remaining Corrosive Worms! 

With his excellent swordplay and keen combat awareness, coupled with the summoned Legendary artifact, Frost Moon, and the “Suppressor type” summoned beast, Dark Octopus, they raided the three halls without a hitch. 

Under the astonished gazes of the public, time and time again, they saved the students and lecturers who were resisting desperately. Time and time again, they fought a life-or-death battle with the Corrosive Worms.

During the battle, Li Jiayu witnessed the occurrence of a similar event in his previous life.

During the most crucial moments, humans awakened and received sudden enlightenment that granted them strength beyond the scope of the human imagination!

Amongst these of these individuals, there was a guy capable of unleas.h.i.+ng visible sound waves similar to the Lion Roar skill in martial art films! His sound waves were filled with might and greatly affected anyone in the vicinity, so much so that eardrums ruptured!

However, when these sound waves collided with the insects, the impact was akin to a full-speed collision of a motorcycle. They sent the Corrosive Worms cras.h.i.+ng into the walls, rupturing their flesh and causing them to breathe their last!

Another one was a young male lecturer whose entire body had emerged with black-colored scales. It was not just that, his hands and feet had turned into claws, a horn had grown from his skull and a lengthy lizard-like tail had extended out from his tailbone, giving him an appearance of a lizardman!

A male student's body had turned beet-red and was emanating dreadful temperatures! Flames spewed from his pores and yet his body seemed unscathed despite being wreathed in raging flames. He had turned into an actual "human torch" with increased speed and strength!

Aside from these males, there were also females that had awoken.

There was an ordinary-looking female student who had awoken soon after a bosom friend was about to be doused in acid. She had shrieked in fear and what followed afterward was a change in her hair!

It had grown longer, turned lush and flexible like a snake. If one looked from afar, it would have appeared as a small tuft of churning, black cloud which proceeded to sweep up the soon-to-be corroded bosom friend, successfully moving her out of harm's way!

Additionally, there was a 32-year-old, young married woman. Regarded as a capable woman amongst the education world of Celestial Empire, she was known as Xijiang University's Vice-Princ.i.p.al and was loved by all students!

From her body, she emitted a sacred radiance that shrouded those in her vicinity. Those who were covered in it felt warm and comfortable as though they were in a hot tub. Yet, when the insects basked in that brilliance, they writhed in frustration, obviously affected negatively!

In the four halls, each one holding 500-600 people, the awakened had appeared (In the later chapters, most of the people were not Awakened but rather, sorcerers who stole from the spirits that hailed from the abyss.This story is not apocalypse powers but more of a ranking upgrade power system): Flame Sorcerer; Awakened Draconian; Shapes.h.i.+fter; Sonic Warrior; Priestess of Radiance; and an Enlightened Sword Saintess!

There were mere six people!

Within these 2000 people, merely 6 individuals awoke. Though measly in numbers, they were still extremely precious!

Li Jiayu vividly recalled that during the invasion in his previous life, the awakened, without his protection, were mostly killed by the mult.i.tudes of insects not 1 minute after their fortuitous awakening. The ones who survived the ordeal were : Sword Saintess,Ran Hongxia; Priestess of Radiance, Hsiao Wanqing; Flame Sorcerer, Fang Zilong!

One must know that when a person awakens, either through willpower or enlightenment, they are considered a genius that possesses limitless potential that is worthy of nurturing!