Chapter 1097: The Eye of the Cursed Shadow VS All Below Are Demons

Silently, as if a holy light had descended into his mind, Xu Xiaoshou's chaotic will quieted, and he regained clarity. This feeling was rare before. However, it had occurred countless times during his practice of the Heart Sword Technique, and Xu Xiaoshou had grown accustomed to it.

"Mental Awakening..." It was precisely due to this incidental characteristic of his special passive skill, "Finger of Vanishing Illusions," that Xu Xiaoshou dared to step into the black-purple, ominous ocean at his feet, even after sensing it might threaten his mind. As he expected, the essence of "evil thoughts" was to shatter one's mind. The ultimate outcome of extreme mental confusion, regardless of how complex the process, was always to fall into qi deviation and then perish. Clearly, this process was stifled by "Mental Awakening" just as it began.

"What bizarre evil thoughts; what kind of technique is this?"

"It's completely different from the methods of the 'Yi'; it doesn't tempt one's seven emotions and six desires at all. Instead, it powerfully infiltrates the mind, like a chaotic stirring rod, mercilessly disrupting one's spiritual will..."

After calming down, Xu Xiaoshou confirmed that his mind was unaffected; he even had the presence of mind to compare this technique with the mental attacks of the Yi. Ultimately, he couldn't determine which was stronger or weaker. Both were equally potent, just employing different methods. Considering the outcome alone, had the target been anyone else, most people would have been instantly crushed by such a mental assault.

"Finger of Vanishing Illusions (Charge: 26.1)." In his skill panel, "Finger of Vanishing Illusions" lay dormant. This charge value accumulated from mental attacks and influences from various minor enemies he encountered after defeating the Yi. The second largest increase came from the mental pressure he endured when facing the Half-Saint Jiang Buyi—an unintentional, all-encompassing, indiscriminate mental assault that Jiang Buyi, as a Half-Saint, would inadvertently exert. After that "encounter," even without engaging the Half-Saint directly, the charge value still rose by several percentage points.

However, the most significant surge came from repeated instances of falling into qi deviation during his Heart Sword Technique practice, followed by "Mental Awakening," then falling into qi deviation once more... In this recurring cycle, the charge value of "Finger of Vanishing Illusions" reached an all-time high, even surpassing the "10" it had when he defeated the Yi—by more than double! Xu Xiaoshou realized that "Finger of Vanishing Illusions" had once again accumulated into his supreme ultimate attack. He merely needed to locate the core will of this malevolent ocean, point his finger, and he was confident that all its bizarre evil would vanish into thin air, without even needing to test the success of his Heart Sword Technique.

"But that would be a waste, wouldn't it?" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled as he eyed the percentage. The state of qi deviation experienced during Heart Sword Technique practice was uncommon, and he had initially thought he would only have one such invaluable experience in the near future. To his surprise, after confronting this bizarre sea, he was able to experience this benefit once more.

"As long as it can't instantly drive me insane, leading to suicide or self-detonation, 'Mental Awakening' will trigger countless times, and the charge value for my 'Finger of Vanishing Illusions' can thus be infinitely accumulated."

Could this black-purple sea in front of him instantly kill him? Clearly not!

"Therefore, my current task isn't to quickly cleanse this pollution, but to leisurely find out who was responsible for making me fall into qi deviation earlier. After all, no matter how precarious the situation, I still have two formidable bodyguards above me. This is my penultimate trump card... If something were to happen to me, it would mean they are both powerless; and if they are powerless, then who else would be safe?" Xu Xiaoshou absolutely adored his life with bodyguards.

With these thoughts, he allowed "Mental Awakening" to repeatedly trigger, resisting the malevolent influence of the black-purple sea, while simultaneously extending his mental power to "perceive" the strange entity at its core.

Xu Xiaoshou had already identified the old woman trapped within Xiaokongdong's illusory world. From the soul memories of the gold-rank hunter-order assassins he had previously encountered, he knew she was another assassin, the Ghost Hag, who sought his head. Along with her, only the last assassin, Evil Elder, could possibly remain. But the Evil Elder... As he recalled, the memories of the other assassins regarding the Evil Elder didn't seem to include this old man ever using a technique similar to what he was currently facing.

"Bizarre, malevolent, capable of swiftly inducing qi deviation, and distinct from typical mental attacks—this implies it's difficult for anyone to anticipate and counter it... And, Ancestral Source Power..." Xu Xiaoshou recalled Mr. Siren's words, and his thoughts became active. The practice of Illusion Sword Technique could be put off for a while; after all, Xiaokongdong could teach him anytime. At the very least, considering the humble nature of ancient sword cultivators, Mr. Siren's Illusion Sword Technique might not be the most powerful, but he was certainly qualified to teach it, and undoubtedly ranked among the world's top practitioners, not to mention his extensive experience in teaching swordsmanship.

And the two above him certainly didn't possess his line of thinking at this moment... "Ancestral Source Power" was exceedingly rare, something even Jiang Buyi would destroy if he couldn't obtain it. Given this, and finding himself in a completely safe environment encountering another form of "Ancestral Source Power," how could he not consider "acquiring" this technique for himself?

"Your power is formidable, but soon, it will undoubtedly become mine! Your mistake is that you shouldn't have appeared before me, especially when I already have two formidable bodyguards protecting me."

With these thoughts, Xu Xiaoshou completely submerged himself into the malevolent ocean, utterly unconcerned. He intended to find the spellcaster, to see who dared to use "gaze" to terrify people for no reason, and then to perform a "Soul Read" on that enemy, plundering this power for himself! To repay grievances with justice, and kindness with kindness.

"He's... submerging!"

Under the moonlight, Xiaokongdong watched, slightly stunned, as Xu Xiaoshou was completely swallowed by the bizarre black-purple fluid, then anxiously glanced at Mr. Siren. A hint of tension was also present in Mei Siren's eyes, but then he recalled Xu Xiaoshou's repeated awakenings from qi deviation while practicing the Heart Sword Technique. Ultimately, he didn't intervene, but simply smiled and said, "Don't worry, Xu Xiaoshou possesses the 'Qi Deviation Immunity Physique'; he's very special."

"'Qi Deviation Immunity'?" Xiaokongdong was momentarily stunned. "What kind of physique is that? What's the principle behind it?" Xu Xiaoshou actually harbored such a secret! His curiosity instantly surged, and he was about to press for more details.

To his surprise, Mei Siren immediately cast a slightly threatening gaze and softly remarked, "Everyone has secrets. As seniors, we should respect the younger generation, and curiosity, as they say, kills the cat, Xiao Xiao, wouldn't you agree?"

"Uh." Xiaokongdong's expression stiffened. "Mr. Siren, I hadn't realized you were even more protective than I am. Xu Xiaoshou only just started calling you 'teacher,' didn't he? Besides, I'm merely curious; I would never actually force Xu Xiaoshou to reveal the secret of this physique. What's my relationship with him, anyway? I'm his Senior Disciple Brother! Our teacher is Bazun An! And you, Mei Siren, are merely a newcomer!" Countless thoughts flashed through Xiaokongdong's mind. Finally, he spoke, rather nervously, "Mr. Siren, rest assured. Others might harm Xu Xiaoshou, but I never will."

Mei Siren let out a chuckle, fanning himself with his paper fan. "This old man didn't mean that. I naturally trust you; I'm merely suggesting that Xu Xiaoshou's secret might pose a danger to you. It's best not to inquire further."

Xiaokongdong's eyelid twitched. Staring at the words "Are you stupid?" on the fan, he fell into deep thought.

Darkness, coldness, malevolence. A myriad of bizarre sensations infiltrated his spiritual world. And Xu Xiaoshou, relying on his "Qi Deviation Immunity Physique," fearlessly navigated this vast expanse of chaotic ocean. The viscous, peculiar fluid was relentlessly cleaved by his "Proximity Field," splashing away only to surge back, repeatedly striking his body. The sensation was deeply unsettling, but Xu Xiaoshou gritted his teeth and persevered.

"Almost an hour has passed..." He meticulously calculated the time, aiming to maximize the charge value of "Finger of Vanishing Illusions." However, after half an hour, Xu Xiaoshou felt he was nearing his limit. Prolonged immersion in this malevolent fluid was draining his mental energy significantly. He was now utterly exhausted, feeling a pervasive drowsiness. He considered qi deviation not frightening, but if he were to fall asleep in this ocean, not even "Mental Awakening" would likely be able to save him.

"I can't be greedy any longer; it's already enough."

"Finger of Vanishing Illusions (Charge: 48.2)." A "Finger of Vanishing Illusions" charged to nearly fifty percent was something Xu Xiaoshou had never dared to imagine before. He felt that in this state, perhaps a single Yi would no longer suffice for him to kill; this strike might now even threaten a Half-Saint, given a surprise attack.

"Time to reel it in!"

Traversing this boundless ocean for half an hour, Xu Xiaoshou had not been without gains. Not long after his body fully submerged into the sea, he had already located something resembling the "strange entity," but it appeared rather terrifying, and Xu Xiaoshou was hesitant to confront it. However, after searching for so long, there was nothing else beneath this sea that resembled the "strange entity" apart from that one thing. His steps halted, and Xu Xiaoshou's "perception" reached forward.

"Hoo-woo-woo—" A chilling, piercing mental sound wave emanated from ahead. What his "perception" revealed was a black-purple eyeball the size of a human head. A gaping wound was split above its side, disturbingly eerie. Even more bizarre, the eyeball was enveloped by human skin, with hair growing behind it, and connected beneath the eyeball was a headless human body with four limbs.

"He... was once human..."

"But was forced by Xiaokongdong to use such evil arts, and this eyeball then possessed his head, transforming him into this monstrous form?"

Xu Xiaoshou's skin crawled at the sight; he had never witnessed anything so terrifying. Yet, what must be faced will be faced. Tightly grasping the You Si Sword, Xu Xiaoshou was about to advance when he felt the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale subtly throb.

"A little dangerous, but not overwhelmingly so. Perhaps, within my tolerable limits..." Xu Xiaoshou found it absurd. He felt this level of power and danger was already comparable to confronting a Saint. What was wrong with the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale? For merely this much danger, it should be throbbing frantically! Was it broken? Or could it be... Xu Xiaoshou lowered his gaze to the You Si Sword, gripped tightly in his hand, sensing its keen edge. It resonated more deeply with his sword intent than ever before, and he seemed to have found another answer.

"Hoo-woo-woo—" The mental sound wave's assault pierced through once more. Xu Xiaoshou no longer hesitated; he raised the You Si Sword and thrust it forward.

"Sizzle." It felt like a sharp object piercing into a mud pit, a peculiar sensation transmitting through the You Si Sword to Xu Xiaoshou's senses.

"Boom!" Without any warning, terrifying demonic energy erupted. No person or object, unless an ancient sword cultivator or recognized by the You Si Sword, could withstand the "fierce demonic qi" unique to this ominous blade. The black-purple eyeball before him was no exception. As the You Si Sword pierced the eyeball, the surging demonic energy almost solidified, emanating from the eye and spreading, invading the black-purple sea, and causing pollution.

But the very next second, Xu Xiaoshou witnessed an even more shocking sight! The previously unmoving, malevolent eyeball, after being pierced, violently shuddered, emitting one high-pitched, piercing mental sound wave after another. Then, the black-purple evil qi liquified, surging and expanding wildly from within the eyeball, actually pushing out the fierce demonic qi of the You Si Sword!

"This power can resist the You Si Sword? Is it on the same level as the ominous sword? No, it's possible... even greater! After all, this power currently has no consciousness, no one controlling it; it's merely instinctively resisting the You Si Sword!" Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded. It was the first time he had seen something that the fierce demonic qi of the You Si Sword could not corrupt.

Before he could ponder further, the eyeball before him suddenly expanded, bursting the human body beneath it. After consuming the flesh and blood, it grew to more than a person's height. The black-purple power climbed along the You Si Sword. Before Xu Xiaoshou could withdraw his blade, he felt a mental jolt, as if he had been pulled into another world.

"Boom, boom, boom." Above the chaotic, disorderly black-purple sea, a lame old man, leaning on a crutch, floated high. His body was wreathed in endless evil qi, and his eyes glowed with bloodthirsty crimson. A black-purple eyeball was split on his forehead, but it wasn't large, appearing only like his third eye.

"Hahahaha..." The old man, wielding a special power, spread his arms wide. Amidst his maniacal laughter, the black-purple ocean beneath his feet surged, forming two colossal wave-hands, dripping with malevolent liquid and towering several zhang high, which clapped together towards Xu Xiaoshou.

"Xu... Xiao... Shou!"

"Hahahaha, so it's you! You're the one who drew a sword against me! So, daring to intrude upon my mental world, now, your head... this old man claims it!"

As the grand, indescribable black-purple liquid hands crashed down, Xu Xiaoshou's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly understood.

"The Evil Elder!" He could never forget that face. After all, the five-member assassin group from the Central Region constantly coveted his head. And now, without a doubt, he had been pulled into the Evil Elder's mental world. Although he didn't know why this old man's mental world had transformed into such a chaotic, disorderly ocean, nor why his mental body had twisted into this grotesque form... But undoubtedly, this individual, even now in a state of complete demonic invasion—an irrational state that might even qualify as qi deviation—remained obsessively fixated on his head!

"You bastard!" Xu Xiaoshou dared not hold back. His opponent had already revealed all their trump cards; why should he still hold back?

"Your mental world is strong, and your mental body is formidable, but when it comes to 'intent,' when it comes to 'self'... Perhaps I was inferior to you before, but now... I, Xu Xiaoshou, am superior to you!"

As he spoke, the black sword in his hand tilted, and his entire being erupted with sword intent. At this moment, the ominous You Si Sword expressed an unprecedented joy, trembling violently, as endless black, fierce demonic qi surged from its blade.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz————"

As the sword hummed powerfully, the fierce demonic qi solidified into liquid, flowing from the hilt and into Xu Xiaoshou's mental body. In an instant, Xu Xiaoshou's mental form, previously gentle and composed, had its neatly tied black hair suddenly fall loose and dance wildly in the wind. His eyebrows turned pure black, sharp as two swords. His eyes became an infinitely deep night, as if capable of devouring the very sea. His sword robes became mottled ink-black, as if transformed into the ultimate yin born at the dawn of chaos, fluttering wildly in the howling evil wind and scattering specks of demonic energy throughout the space.

Just as the two colossal wave-hands, summoned by the Evil Elder and dripping with black-purple liquid, clashed together, the entire mental world suddenly erupted with a thunderous roar. Then, a majestic and ancient sword tower, ninety-nine stories high, surged from beneath the deep sea, piercing through the waves and breaking the combined assault of the bizarre black-purple hands, elevating the black-clad figure to the heavens. A silver moon, like a demon's eye, awoke in the night sky. Silver scales scattered across the black-purple ocean. In the distorted ripples, two towering structures, ten thousand zhang tall, were reflected, simultaneously connecting the highest heavens with the deepest abyss of the sea.

"This tower belongs only to the heavens; this individual's cultivation is for me alone to shape..."

Prolonged Daoist chants echoed at the edge of the world, and the image of the Sword God's Solitary Tower Shadow manifested. And beneath this extraordinary manifestation, after a long pause, a substantive voice, contemptuous of the heavens, subtly chilling, and untamed, drifted down from the sky.

"Heart Sword Technique: All before my eyes are demons!"