Chapter 1081: Keep Up, But Please Stay Safe

Jiang Buyi felt like he was soothing a mad dog on the verge of collapse. He clutched ten stones in his hand, but he dared not throw a single one.

The Five Great Anomalies were all monsters.

Their abilities were abnormal, and so were their minds.

Their destinies ensured their paths would be met with scorn, and their abilities guaranteed they would never make friends.

Such individuals either perished halfway through their cultivation or, if they grew powerful, became uncontrollable devils wreaking havoc wherever they went.

Jiang Buyi felt as though he was trying to calm a volatile alchemical furnace with words – despite not knowing how to refine pills himself.

He didn't expect to succeed and had already decided that if the situation turned even slightly unfavorable, he would flee, even if it meant sacrificing a chance to attack.

Yes, he would run!

At this moment, Jiang Buyi had no desire to fight; he didn't want a mutual kill.

If others claimed they didn't want to live, Jiang Buyi might take it as a joke. But if one of the Five Great Anomalies said it, they were genuinely seeking death.

The path to the Underworld was lonely; what greater honor than to drag a Half-Saint with them to their grave?

The tension was palpable; the situation could explode at any moment.

In the nick of time, the Five Signs of Decay suddenly reined in his aura of decay, straightened up, even withdrawing the power of the Three-Eyes of Aversion, and lightly chuckled: "Wouldn't it have been simpler if Half-Saint Jiang had said that earlier? This old man came with no ill intent, merely to offer you a choice."

He spoke with such calm and composure, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion, and his life-or-death combat stance had never even been displayed.

Jiang Buyi took a deep breath. "If you want to talk properly, then withdraw all your abilities." He glanced at himself.

If the other party didn't retract the Decay Physique's abilities, Jiang Buyi wouldn't be able to bear it much longer, even if they wanted to talk. He would have to act—not to kill, but to undergo his tribulation.

As soon as he spoke, the scene suddenly quieted down.

The Five Signs of Decay tilted his head slightly. His expression was hidden by his mask, so it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, but he seemed to be pondering.

After a long pause, he said, "We've only met once?"

Jiang Buyi nodded silently. He couldn't grasp the meaning behind this sudden question, but indeed, excluding this encounter, he had only met the person before him once, in the deep-sea world.

The Five Signs of Decay nodded in turn. His spiritual energy surged, and then the Five Signs of Decay anomaly on Jiang Buyi's body gradually vanished, absorbed back into the other's own body.

In an instant, to Jiang Buyi, the Five Signs of Decay's aura appeared even weaker.

It didn't look like the other party had merely withdrawn his divine abilities, but rather as if he had taken on the curse of the Five Signs of Decay himself!

"This old man saved your life," the Five Signs of Decay said calmly.

"..." Jiang Buyi was speechless for a moment, yet he offered no rebuttal.

Perhaps it was true?

Curses and misfortune were perpetually tied to the Five Signs of Decay's very being and surroundings; this was passive. He had no intention of harming others and couldn't freely control these abilities.

However, what he had just done was actively take on an additional portion of the curse's power—gathering all the surrounding effects onto himself and bearing the full burden.

But...

Should he be grateful?

Jiang Buyi remained silent, thinking, *If you hadn't appeared, none of this trouble would exist. What is there to be grateful for?*

He was still engrossed by the other party's strange abilities, more interested in someone than ever before, yet he felt no desire to recruit him.

"Decay Physique..."

As he recalled, even a fully mastered Decay Physique couldn't control the unconsciously emitted curses and misfortunes, could it?

But the Five Signs of Decay possessed an additional method to handle the surrounding decay energy!

Did this mean that his development of the Decay Physique had reached an extreme, perfect state?

If so...

Would such a person willingly remain under the command of the Underworld?

Jiang Buyi didn't ask. He simply felt his body return to "cleanliness," watched the Nine Heavens Saint Tribulation dissipate, and exhaled slightly. "Hall of Sins One? What were you trying to say earlier?"

The Five Signs of Decay remained calm. "As I said, I've come to offer Half-Saint Jiang a choice."

"What choice?"

"Two paths... cooperation, or death."

A vein throbbed faintly on Jiang Buyi's temple. For a moment, he felt as if the other person was the Half-Saint, and he himself was Xu Xiaoshou from the Forest of Miracles.

This was a choice?

There was clearly only one path!

Xu Xiaoshou was better off than him; at least he had something to rely on, external help to break free from his predicament.

Jiang Buyi had nothing. He was born to be others' reliance, yet now, having fallen to this point, he found himself completely stripped of all bargaining chips.

His methods, his abilities... all gone!

At this moment, he couldn't even break the stalemate!

"You were also present at the Forest of Miracles," Jiang Buyi said, realizing something.

The Five Signs of Decay seemed to chuckle softly from behind his mask, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "When Half-Saint Jiang offered choices to others, you probably never imagined a day like this, did you?"

Jiang Buyi chuckled in response.

"A dragon in shallow water, a tiger on flat ground"—wasn't that precisely his current situation?

He wasn't angry, for he had lost the right to be. "This Saint is very curious. How dare you be so certain that I can't instantly kill you? To be honest, if I truly wanted to act, I still could."

"But the cost would be immense, wouldn't it?" the Five Signs of Decay countered, pausing slightly before continuing:

"Half-Saint Jiang may not know, but our Lord Underworld is extremely interested in ancient history, so his understanding of Void Island is no less than that of your Half-Saint factions, perhaps even surpassing it."

"Half-Saint Jiang, in your ignorance, you acted recklessly in the Forest of Miracles, which led to your name appearing on the 'Exile List,' didn't it?"

Jiang Buyi's expression remained unchanged, a smile playing on his lips, offering no reply.

"It seems I'm correct..." the Five Signs of Decay sighed, shaking his head slightly, and continued:

"Lord Underworld's idea was originally just a conjecture, because no Half-Saint could come forward to corroborate his thoughts."

"However, this old man unexpectedly witnessed this scene... It turns out that besides the 'Kill List' for those below Half-Saints, the 'Exile List' for Half-Saints and those of higher rank also truly exists on Void Island."

Jiang Buyi couldn't maintain his composure.

This Yama organization truly knew more about Void Island than he did!

"Exile..." He seemed to repeat the word inadvertently.

From behind his mask, the Five Signs of Decay scrutinized the man before him and chuckled, "Half-Saint Jiang, there's no need to pretend. You know your current state better than this old man. The Spirit of Void Island gave you a hint... Oh, perhaps it shouldn't even be called a 'hint,' but rather a 'threat,' wouldn't you agree?"

Jiang Buyi met his gaze coldly, then suddenly chuckled. "Indeed!"

"Exile, yes, it's exile!" The Five Signs of Decay, living up to expectations, explained, "As the name suggests, it means you will be banished to the inner island of Void Island in a few days, with no possibility of reprieve!"

Jiang Buyi's expression changed, then quickly returned to normal.

"So, how many days does Half-Saint Jiang have left?" the Five Signs of Decay pressed.

"One year."

"That's excessive," the Five Signs of Decay chuckled.

"Half a year."

"I doubt you even have a month left, do you?" the Five Signs of Decay stated firmly. "This old man recalls that the Kill List only gives ten days. The Exile List gives even less time, not more."

Jiang Buyi laughed heartily, waving his hand. "You are indeed clever. This Saint has a month and a half left and must find a way to resolve this issue. That's precisely why this Saint stopped to listen to your nonsense."

The Five Signs of Decay nodded. "Alright, let's calculate that for Half-Saint Jiang. Suppose... and I mean *suppose*, you only have one day left."

"But concerning a Half-Saint's destructive power, even with only an hour left, if they so desired, they could turn Void Island upside down."

"So, the Spirit of Void Island must still have some restrictions on you, correct?"

The Five Signs of Decay smiled faintly behind his mask.

Jiang Buyi couldn't be bothered to argue further and casually said, "You are very clever. There are indeed restrictions. This Saint cannot exert full power now, as it would deplete my lifespan."

"Lifespan?"

"Yes."

"I doubt it," the Five Signs of Decay retorted, his eyes glinting with amusement. "If I were the Spirit of Void Island, one attack from you would halve your exile countdown. Three attacks, and you'd be sent directly to the inner island."

Jiang Buyi's aged face tightened, becoming incredibly grim. He enunciated each word: "One attack, and the countdown decreases by an hour... For this Saint, that *is* my lifespan... What exactly do you want to say? What kind of cooperation do you propose? Stop wasting time!"

"Good, Half-Saint Jiang is direct," the Five Signs of Decay laughed loudly. "Then let's consider another scenario for Half-Saint Jiang. Suppose you only have three chances to attack..."

"No more hypotheticals!" Jiang Buyi cut him off, waving his hand. "Let's discuss cooperation, state your terms!"

The Five Signs of Decay suddenly fell silent.

The scene remained perfectly still for ten full breaths before an unrestrained burst of laughter erupted.

"Hahahahaha..."

"It seems Half-Saint Jiang is extremely weak now..."

After a pause, the Five Signs of Decay regained his composure and said indifferently, "Half-Saint Jiang, are you not going to change your answer regarding the choice I offered earlier?"

Jiang Buyi stared silently.

He knew the man opposite him was a lunatic!

What normal person would dare to threaten a Half-Saint like this? Especially knowing that the Half-Saint could still act, albeit with some restrictions?

This was no different from seeking death!

Yet, the Five Signs of Decay constantly provoked his anger, seemingly intent on dying!

"Hall of Sins One." Before Jiang Buyi could ask again, the Five Signs of Decay returned to the main topic. "Come with this old man to the Hall of Sins One, and you will survive."

Having said that, he turned and walked away. "Follow me when you've understood."

"What's the catch!" Jiang Buyi remained rooted. Unless he understood the other party's intentions, he wouldn't follow this lunatic, even if it meant finding his own way out.

The Five Signs of Decay seemed a little impatient, but considering he was a Half-Saint after all, he eventually stopped, not turning his head. "Only in the Hall of Sins One can you find Void Crystals and exchange them for a 'Banishing Exemption Token.' Otherwise, you either leave Void Island now, or you will certainly die in a few days."

*So, these are the rules of Void Island...* Jiang Buyi mused, then asked again, "What about you? You don't seek any benefit, just helping this Saint once?"

"That's naturally... impossible!" The Five Signs of Decay tilted his head, speaking in a chilling tone. "Xu Xiaoshou, whom you wish to kill, will also appear in the Hall of Sins One. He is this old man's target."

Xu Xiaoshou?

Jiang Buyi froze for a moment. "He's already dead."

"Hahahahaha, hahahahaha, ha-cough-cough-cough..."

A sudden, unrestrained cackle erupted from ahead, transforming into violent coughing as if he were trying to cough up his lungs.

Jiang Buyi watched, wide-eyed, as the Five Signs of Decay laughed maniacally ahead, bending over, his aura of decay spilling forth, and the endless power of misfortune and curses spreading out, threatening to engulf him again.

"Are you insane?" He stepped back and asked calmly.

"You are insane!" The Five Signs of Decay instantly returned to his normal state, reining in his uncontrolled abilities, and said calmly:

"Xu Xiaoshou, you can kill him five times in a row, and the next second you'll find he's still alive."

"How can he truly die? You would have to destroy all his protective shields, push him to a dead end, sever his physical body, extinguish his divine soul, erase his will..."

"Only by employing a killing method that transcends the Grand Void might you completely eradicate him. And even then, it's just a possibility."

Jiang Buyi was amused. He curled his lips and said, "Since you observed the battle in the Forest of Miracles, you naturally know that this Saint left behind a Half-Saint's will and a Half-Saint's profound decree, which completely annihilated him, leaving no possibility of resurrection."

"Is that so?" The Five Signs of Decay looked straight at him and said lightly, "But when this old man left the Forest of Miracles, I saw two Void Servants and three of Xu Xiaoshou's protective shields still present, and Saint Palace's Mu Lin was watching from afar... Which one do you think was him?"

At this, Jiang Buyi's heart stopped. His face twisted into a look of shock. "You... what do you mean?"

"Nothing much. This old man is just saying you're on the same level as Yao Yao, the Red-Clad Master of the Saint Divine Palace. You were given a chance, but you didn't seize it, so don't blame anyone... Come on, if we keep talking, you'll get upset." The Five Signs of Decay started walking.

Jiang Buyi took a long time to recover, still in disbelief!

However, since the Five Signs of Decay had said it, he was content to follow along, asking from a distance, "Even if he's not dead, why are you looking for him?"

The Five Signs of Decay picked his ear impatiently. "So you fought him for so long, for what? Don't you know he might have the Three-Eyes of Aversion, the bait you cast out? Don't you know there's a god by his side..."

His words stopped abruptly.

But the information revealed up to this point had already bewildered Jiang Buyi.

Three-Eyes of Aversion?

Xu Xiaoshou has it?

Wasn't that on the person right in front of him...? Jiang Buyi suddenly realized something, enlightenment dawning on him.

From beginning to end, he had only seen one Three-Eyes of Aversion in the Five Signs of Decay's right eye. What about the other one?

He vaguely remembered Jiang Xian's message stating that the Three-Eyes of Aversion had been divided between two major factions: Yama and the Holy Slaves... So that was it!

Having understood this, Jiang Buyi hurriedly followed the Five Signs of Decay, clearly convinced. He asked again, "So, how do you know Xu Xiaoshou will go to the Hall of Sins One?"

The Five Signs of Decay paused, looking back with great surprise. "So, you weren't fighting Xu Xiaoshou for the Divine Farmer's Medicinal Garden?"

Jiang Buyi: ???

What are you talking about?

"Hahahahaha—"

The Five Signs of Decay suddenly burst into laughter again, as if tears were about to stream down his face. "No need to say more, this old man understands everything now."

Jiang Buyi could distinctly hear a hint of mockery in the loud laughter. He didn't ask further, as the other party clearly didn't want to elaborate, so he finally confirmed, "You want to obtain the Three-Eyes of Aversion from Xu Xiaoshou?"

"Indeed." The Five Signs of Decay returned to normal, nodding and whispering, "What do you think this old man stays in Yama for? The Three-Eyes of Aversion, even powerful, can only affect cultivators of the same realm with just one. But if all are gathered, one can manipulate Half-Saints from the Grand Void. What do you think I want?"

Jiang Buyi remained silent, clearly preoccupied, following the person ahead without missing a step.

"You're thinking about your bait, aren't you?"

Amidst their conversation, the Five Signs of Decay had already entered the City of Giants, striding purposefully down its broad streets.

"Don't worry, you wouldn't dare wear the Three-Eyes of Aversion. This old man is willing to be your test subject. Whenever you feel the time is right, you can take it back. That's not a problem."

The Five Signs of Decay chuckled. "Our cooperation is, after all, just a verbal agreement. It can be broken at any time."

Jiang Buyi was slightly startled. He was unaccustomed to the other man suddenly being so frank.

"But you must understand, if you intend to act against this old man, I might also become interested in you at any moment. So... guard against me well. Be careful not to fall into my trap." The Five Signs of Decay glanced back.

"Hmph," Jiang Buyi sneered. Would he not be wary of that?

On the deserted street, footsteps abruptly halted, echoing in the silence.

Jiang Buyi almost collided with the suddenly stopped Five Signs of Decay.

"What is it?" he asked.

The Five Signs of Decay remained silent, then slowly turned. A corner of his mouth curved up under the mask. After a long pause, he said, "While chatting with this old man is certainly interesting, and I did tell you to follow me, please remember to maintain your distance."

He paused, then reached out and brushed away a piece of weed from Jiang Buyi's shoulder that shouldn't have been there. "This old man doesn't want to constantly absorb the power of decay for you. If you mean to guard against me, remember to guard against my abilities too, Half-Saint Jiang."

Jiang Buyi felt as if he had just woken from a dream and looked down.

The manifestation of the Five Signs of Decay had, unbeknownst to him, once again permeated his entire body!

"Rumble—"

The Nine Heavens suddenly thundered. Jiang Buyi looked up in alarm; the sky was overcast, and the Saint Tribulation was imminent, yet he had been completely unaware moments ago!

Misfortune had made him forget the approach of death!

"Damn it!"

Jiang Buyi was terrified. He abruptly retreated, putting a full mile of distance between them.

After maintaining his distance, he looked up again at the long street of the Giant's Kingdom...

Between the vast and towering city walls, a solitary figure cast a short, slanted grey shadow under the daylight. The orange-masked man, a tiny ant in comparison, turned and nonchalantly continued forward.

This man was so small!

Yet, wherever he passed, city walls within several miles became mottled, plants withered, sand and stone crumbled into dust.

"A lone star of disaster..."

Jiang Buyi's face grew solemn as he once again recognized the man's dangerous nature.

He suddenly wondered, what would be the outcome of cooperating with such a person? Could a Half-Saint suppress such a destiny?

Even with his abilities suppressed by the Spirit of Void Island, Jiang Buyi could still go anywhere on Void Island.

But the appearance of the Five Signs of Decay was like a variable, and now even Jiang Buyi felt he was losing control over his future.

"What are you thinking about?"

As he pondered, a husky voice drifted into his ear—the Five Signs of Decay's calm voice.

"Keep up, but please be careful."