Chapter 1065: Two Choices Die Miserably or Live with Dignity?

"Whoa, that's impressive then!"

Under a Half-Saint, even ordinary Seven Sword Immortals wouldn't dare claim they could last ten breaths. For a rising star like Xiao Kongdong to say this, it was either an overestimation or absolute confidence in his own strength. Ye Xiaotian first smiled, then his expression turned serious and he gravely said, "Then let me tell you another fact... Teng Shanhai is dead. He died at the hands of that person up ahead, and before his death, he displayed the power of a demon god!"

Teng Shanhai? Teng Shanhai, the Head of the War Department? —Dead? Xiao Kongdong was stunned. He looked into the distance, then back at Ye Xiaotian, his expression turning suspicious: "Didn't you say you didn't dare to look?"

Is that the point...? Ye Xiaotian was speechless. "I don't dare look at a Half-Saint, but I can't sneak a peek at others?"Xiao Kongdong: "..."

"Now tell me, how high do you still stand?" Ye Xiaotian asked again, amused.Xiao Kongdong took another deep breath: "If I said ten breaths, it's ten breaths. If it's one breath less, I'll take your surname!"

"Good confidence. You'd better be able to do it," Ye Xiaotian said, raising an eyebrow."You save people, I'll cover the rear... I can hold on for ten breaths; after ten breaths, I'll surely die." Xiao Kongdong laid out his bottom line. "I hope your Spatial Auras don't disappoint me.""Don't worry, if you can last ten breaths, I'll be able to save them," Ye Xiaotian nodded.

"Alright, let's go. Xu Xiaoshou is still waiting for us." Xiao Kongdong, with a resolute look as if heading to his death, turned to leave.

"Wait a moment..." Ye Xiaotian wasn't in such a rush. He rummaged through his spatial ring, then pulled out several pill bottles, one by one."What's this?" Xiao Kongdong asked curiously."Saint Blood."

"Saint Blood?" Xiao Kongdong's eyes widened. "All these bottles... are they all that?""You're strong enough to resist, but without Saint Blood, I can't exit a Half-Saint's Sacred Domain," Ye Xiaotian said blandly, raising an eyelid.

"What I mean is..." Xiao Kongdong swallowed. "This is a bit too extravagant!""Is it strange?" Ye Xiaotian finally chose the side-effect-free Saint Blood of the Blazing Half-Saint. It was very effective; he had used it once before. After putting away the other Saint Blood, seeing Xiao Kongdong's eyes fixed on him, Ye Xiaotian stroked his chin. "These were all rewards from the Sacred Palace long ago. They've been unused for a while and are covered in dust... A genius, after all, should have some rewards."

"Gulp," Xiao Kongdong's Adam's apple bobbed. He rubbed his hands and said, "Then, could you give me a bottle too?""Dream on!""One drop? Just one drop! We're about to do something big; we can't afford any accidents!""You're strong enough; you don't need Saint Blood." Ye Xiaotian ignored the rude request, produced the Saint Blood, held it in his mouth without swallowing, then flew covertly towards their target.

"Stingy!" Xiao Kongdong muttered, watching the white-haired Dao child's back. He didn't dare to use his abilities, carefully concealing his aura as he followed. Despite having so much Saint Blood...

As he followed, Xiao Kongdong grew increasingly annoyed. He could only take out the single drop of Saint Blood his teacher had given him, sniff it without swallowing, and then carefully put it back. Comparing oneself to others only leads to anger!

"Not just stingy, but short... you stingy shorty!"

Sacred Domain.

The ancient forest, spiraling upwards and resurrected from death, emitted an increasingly dense aura of death as time passed. However, within a hundred-mile radius around Jiang Buyi, there was no influence whatsoever. The vast Miracle Forest, with its desolate attributes activated, now resembled a foul, man-eating swamp, while the Sacred Domain was a pure land within this endless mire. Jiang Buyi, on the other hand, was like a pure lotus emerging unstained from the mud.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I don't have much time for you. Since you dared to disrespectfully call out my sacred name, you should know the magnitude of the consequences.""The Sacred Domain is not uncontrollable. I know you're still here, and you dare not escape. However, I can shrink the range of the Sacred Domain.""Thus, your location will be obvious."

Jiang Buyi stood with his hands behind his back, looking around. He had waited for a while, his expression still calm, showing no impatience or anger from being used as a pawn.

"Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump..."

In his invisible state, sweat poured from Xu Xiaoshou's forehead and back like rain. The heartbeat of the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale and his own heartbeat were both racing to an extreme, echoing each other like great hammers striking a drum.

"He really does know everything..."

Half-Saint Jiang Buyi's intelligence was clearly not on the same level as Teng Shanhai's; he wasn't so easy to fool. Just having torn a Grand Void apart and sent a Sword Immortal away, the next second, this fellow was already planning to deal with the mastermind behind this battle. This mastermind was naturally himself... Xu Xiaoshou knew that although he had seemingly done nothing just now, he had indeed done everything. Jiang Buyi wanted to settle accounts with him, and he couldn't even explain himself clearly. Because both that old man and Teng Shanhai had come because of him, and the feud between them began entirely because Teng Shanhai had been set up by him. Killing with a borrowed knife was indeed a beautiful plan Xu Xiaoshou had considered. But he really didn't expect it to actually happen here, with one person dying, and the consequences of that death becoming so severe! The Void Servant, who was supposed to be able to contend with a Half-Saint in the original plan, was instantly killed with one punch... And the one who should have died or been gravely injured by the native Void Servant of Void Island was not Jiang Buyi, but the unwelcome guest Teng Shanhai... Xu Xiaoshou was a bit flustered for a moment. The result of the plan was achieved, but all the subjects in the process were wrong. Everyone acted out of character and didn't follow common sense at all. So annoying!

"With the Sacred Domain shrinking, my location will indeed be obvious..."

Recalling Jiang Buyi's words, in a flash, Xu Xiaoshou understood everything. He knew he had no other choice but to throw out an image clone, filled with trepidation and utmost respect, and disable its invisibility."Junior Xu Xiaoshou pays his respects to Half-Saint Jiang."Within the Sacred Domain, the image clone clasped its hands and bowed, showing full etiquette. Xu Xiaoshou was trying his best to control it, but as soon as the words were spoken, the terrifying residual power of the Half-Saint within the Sacred Domain still caused his image clone to tremble, almost collapsing into a pile of spiritual energy.

Jiang Buyi was too gentle! He even intentionally used clouds to obscure his face, fearing that Xu Xiaoshou, as a junior, might accidentally perish on the spot when facing a Saint. However, turning his head, he stared at the loose pile of spiritual energy before him and was stunned."Xu Xiaoshou, you should be able to see my sincerity, but I don't see any of yours..." He pondered, his eyes slightly narrowed under the clouds, his voice growing a little heavier. "Facing a Saint, you don't even dare to show your true body?"

Xu Xiaoshou frantically wiped sweat, cursing inwardly. This was the first time his image clone appeared and he couldn't even control it; before even starting to fight or flexing his might, it was already evident to the naked eye. So this is what true Half-Saint pressure feels like? Indeed, understanding a Half-Saint through the power of a Saint Image was like gauging the bright moon with the light of a firefly. Xu Xiaoshou felt he had been misled by his own assumptions. His understanding of Half-Saints either came entirely from Bazun An, or was merely from the Evil Sin Bow's arrows that loved all living beings, or from the Saint Image of the Nine Dragons Burning Ancestors gifted by Elder Sang... To put it simply. Ignorance! And ignorance makes one overconfident!

If time could flow backward, Xu Xiaoshou swore he wouldn't provoke a Half-Saint again, not at this stage!"Please forgive this junior's trepidation and unease... Half-Saint Jiang, you are too powerful. If my true body were to appear, I might not even be able to withstand it, and would die on the spot from a single glance from you."Xu Xiaoshou controlled the image clone, subtly delivering a universally applicable compliment, while simultaneously making his image clone's legs explode into spiritual energy. See that, Half-Saint Jiang! This is the extent of my strength, Xu Xiaoshou! This is the gap between me and you! I truly am this weak. Please, please, do not act rashly. Let's talk things over. I am very rich; I can compensate for any mistakes I've made...

In his invisible state, Xu Xiaoshou nervously clutched the 'drip-drip' consistent, unhurried communication talisman. This was his last straw. Bazun An, you are too slow! I'm going to die!

"You are quite interesting..." Jiang Buyi looked at the spiritual energy clone with its legs exploded and only half a body remaining. Under the clouds, his lips curved slightly, no longer bothered whether Xu Xiaoshou had sent his true body or a mere clone. To him, these were inconsequential.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I've long heard that your intellect is extraordinary. So, take a guess: why have I kept you alive until now, instead of directly making a move and erasing you?" Jiang Buyi slowly said.You want me to guess? Are all powerful figures like this? The image clone Xu Xiaoshou still didn't dare to raise its head. Hearing this, its waist bent even lower. Clasping its hands above its head, it said, "This junior wouldn't dare. A Half-Saint's thoughts are like the vast stars; how could a mortal peek into them?"

"I will only give you one chance." Jiang Buyi didn't fall for flattery at all, his voice growing a little more serious.How could I know what you old geezers are up to...? Xu Xiaoshou was on the verge of breaking down, but he dared not act rashly. He paused, then changed his tone, saying, "Perhaps this junior still has some use?" He pondered for a moment, trying to gauge the other's thoughts, then cautiously spoke: "After all, although I'm a descendant of a Sacred Palace traitor, tracing back my origins, I can indeed be linked to the Blazing Half-Saint of the Sacred Palace?""And even if the Saint Servants don't pay much attention to me yet, the Eighth Sword Immortal has, after all, come forward for me a few times. To outsiders, this junior is also one of the few among the younger generation who can catch the Eighth Sword Immortal's eye?"

As Xu Xiaoshou spoke, he subtly raised his gaze and glanced at the other side, almost causing the image clone to explode on the spot. Because Jiang Buyi suddenly dispersed the clouds obscuring his face and looked with deep eyes: "You, are you threatening me?"

"No!" Xu Xiaoshou immediately shrieked, scrambling backward. This is called 'reminding'! 'Reminding', you know? How could it escalate to 'threatening'? Do I dare?!

Xu Xiaoshou tried to stabilize his body, but his mind became active at that moment. Jiang Buyi was perfectly clear about his background... He also knew he had been used by Xu Xiaoshou in this place, yet he had still sent Rao Yaoyao away before communicating with him... Teng Shanhai could infuriate him with just a few words, and Xu Xiaoshou had played him like a fool, yet he could still calmly stay and communicate... At this moment, Xu Xiaoshou understood something. He had actually encountered similar situations many times. When facing the Night Watch, when facing Bazun An, when facing the King of Hell... it had all happened before! This was the taste of an "olive branch"!

"Truly clear-headed chess masters don't care how many pieces they've lost, because that's all in the past.""What they care about is whether the opposing piece that caused them losses, if truly talented, can be used by them!"

Xu Xiaoshou originally didn't have this confidence. But every clear-headed, rational superior he had met wanted to invite him to join them. This led to Jiang Buyi's actions forcing Xu Xiaoshou to start thinking in this direction.

"Half-Saint Jiang, what this junior wants to say is..."

Xu Xiaoshou began to backtrack on his previous words; after all, he only had one chance. Carefully choosing his words, he firmly stated, "A 'scholar' or 'minister' piece cannot cross the river, but I, a small pawn, can, with a little background, build bridges for you, Senior, stepping forward one step at a time... You want to use me?" You want an answer, I'll give you an answer. And what you want, is simply me!

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly straightened his body, becoming neither humble nor arrogant. He had understood Jiang Buyi's intentions, and now, to survive, he absolutely could not let the other party underestimate him. Within the Sacred Domain, after the mention of "scholar, minister, pawn," the atmosphere seemed to solidify. Jiang Buyi's gaze was piercing as he stared at Xu Xiaoshou, who met his gaze without fear. The silence lasted for less than three breaths.

"Hahahaha..."

Jiang Buyi burst into laughter, shaking his head and sighing, "Xu Xiaoshou, you truly live up to your reputation. At such a young age, to possess such insight, you are indeed capable of great responsibilities!""Whew." Xu Xiaoshou's true body, still invisible, immediately let out a soft breath. The heavy stone hanging in his chest finally lifted slightly. He still tightly clutched the communication talisman, yet steadily manipulated the image clone, which only had half a body remaining, and asked, confused, "But Senior, there's still one thing this junior doesn't understand..."

"Speak," Jiang Buyi said, raising a hand, not bothering to hide the admiration in his eyes."You truly have formed an enmity with the Holy Divine Palace because of me, and this trouble is immense. But why won't you kill me, and instead want to use me...?"

"Heh!" Jiang Buyi chuckled, tilting his head back. "Do I, a Saint, look like someone incapable of tolerance?"Remove 'look like', and you 'are'... Xu Xiaoshou grumbled inwardly, thinking to himself that he didn't know which old geezer had been cursed a couple of times, spat at, lost face, and then proceeded to kill someone's subordinate right in front of Rao Yaoyao, showing no mercy at all.

Jiang Buyi seemed to know the junior's thoughts and continued to praise him profusely, saying:"Momentary rashness only brings the trouble of being trapped in a dead end... The entanglement between me and Teng Shanhai was indeed caused by you, but I killed him for other reasons, unrelated to you.""Favors and grudges, I can distinguish clearly... You are different; you are too different from Teng Shanhai!""At such a young age, you even dared to use me, and succeeded. With such talent and courage, in my eyes, ten thousand Teng Shanhais combined are not worth a single one of your fingers, young man."

Jiang Buyi sighed with emotion, thinking of the younger generation in his clan. Yet, even Jiang Xian, the best among his juniors, only acted meekly and assented with 'mm' and 'yes' in front of him. Compared to Xu Xiaoshou, he was completely outclassed. Such talent, it's just a shame the Saint Servants discovered him too early. But it doesn't matter. A chess piece originally has no name or identity. As long as you are capable, daring enough to think, and willing to act, you can even control your opponent's moves, let alone poach a chess piece.

"Received praise, Passive Points +1.""Received affection, Passive Points +1."

The information bar flashed wildly; Xu Xiaoshou was truly bewildered by the praise. He hadn't expected Jiang Buyi to not only spare him but also hold him in such high regard. At this moment, he could only display an expression of a great talent finally meeting his connoisseur, overwhelmed with flattery.

"Senior, you flatter me..." Xu Xiaoshou clasped his hands repeatedly, unable to stop himself from smiling.

Jiang Buyi's smile, however, suddenly vanished, and he gravely said, "But someone as intelligent as you should also understand this principle... A beautiful jade, if it cannot enter my possession, it's better to break it than to let it remain whole for others!"*Click*, Xu Xiaoshou froze mid-air.

"Received threat, Passive Points +1."

At this moment, he could feel the most extreme killing intent from Jiang Buyi and finally understood the reason for Jiang Buyi's effusive praise earlier. He would not let the tiger return to the mountain!

Jiang Buyi nodded slightly. Seeing that Xu Xiaoshou had understood his meaning, he then withdrew his killing intent, his expression returning to amiable, and finally asked gently:"So, I'll give you three breaths to make a choice...""Do you wish to die miserably, or to leave honorably with me, and from then on enjoy endless glory and wealth?"