Chapter 1128: Chen Tan, Whose Wisdom is Nearly Demonic; Using Stillness to Counter Night Owl, the Only Path of Escape

"I'm going!"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart shook violently.

He had heard of the Si Xiang Secret Realm, and not just once—it was like thunder booming in his ears!

Why was the Wang Cheng Trial in the Yun Lun Mountains held? It was all to compete for the thirty-six spots in the Sheng Gong Trial.

Where was the Sheng Gong Trial held?

Outsiders might not know, but ever since the battles in the Eight Palaces ended, and Ba Zun Yan himself personally revealed it, Xu Xiaoshou had learned that this year's Sheng Gong Trial was most likely to be held in the Si Xiang Secret Realm.

He hadn't fully grasped the weight of the title "Ba Zun Yan" before.

But now, thinking about it, any information from that person's mouth had to be true.

According to the eighth sword immortal, his next path was to go to the Wang Cheng Trial, enter the Si Xiang Secret Realm, reach the Sheng Gong, and ascend the Sheng Mountain.

Xu Xiaoshou had come to the East Heaven Wang Cheng as promised.

The waters here were deeper than he imagined!

As the trial went on, his peers were still fighting against innate and grandmaster levels, but he had ended up on Void Island, where all his enemies were Tai Xu and Ban Sheng experts!

To say that the "Si Xiang Secret Realm" was simple, and that Ba Zun Yan wasn't setting a trap for him—Xu Xiaoshou no longer believed that at all.

Han Ye had mentioned the "Ran Ming Site" was in the Si Xiang Secret Realm, and Ba Zun Yan had arranged his path to include the Si Xiang Secret Realm too. Was there such a coincidence in the world?

Absolutely not!

"Dog old eight, is this your scheme?"

Xu Xiaoshou was on the verge of directly asking Han Ye if he was one of Ba Zun Yan's people.

It was just like how Ba Zun Yan had arranged for this Ban Sheng stranger to encourage him to take the next step at first sight.

If he didn't go, they'd push him!

But ahead was an abyss!

He didn't dare ask, though. Aside from not knowing if this Ban Sheng stranger was friend or foe, just asking would expose the deep connection between Chen Tan and the Sheng Nu.

Anyone with eyes would see that he was either Lei Shuangxing, or at worst, the Sheng Nu's third young sword cultivator—and either way, they'd kill him.

Wasn't that just courting death?

"Young brother, why've you gone quiet? Have you heard of the 'Si Xiang Secret Realm'?"

From inside the cell, Han Ye's teasing voice came again.

He was the most unreserved Ban Sheng Xu Xiaoshou had ever met.

One moment he was calling out "big brother" in fear, and the next, after showing his Ban Sheng strength to get closer, he switched to "young brother."

"I've heard a bit about it."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't hide what he knew.

Because Han Ye's earlier words had truly shocked him, and those instinctive reactions must have been noticed by Ye Xiao.

But so what if she had?

The Sheng Gong Trial had been held in the Si Xiang Secret Realm before, and any normal spirit refiner would yearn for the Sheng Gong. It was natural to know some details about the Sheng Gong Trial.

And that naturally included the Si Xiang Secret Realm!

"I can tell you're very interested, kid..."

Han Ye's voice tempted him further.

"This old man is interested too. How about it—let me out, and we'll explore the treasures together?"

"This world is too boring. Only secrets and treasures can excite people like us. The joy of adventure lies right there!"

Like hell I want to adventure with you!

After learning about the Zhan Shen Order, Xu Xiaoshou just wanted to cross the bridge and burn it behind him, sealing up the hole in the cell door.

"Don't! Wait a minute!"

Han Ye immediately let out a strange cry, his voice even carrying a nauseatingly coy tone.

"This old man is serious. At the Ban Sheng level, life really is boring. As long as you let me out, I'll do three things for you. How about that?"

He paused, and his words took on a murderous edge: "The first thing—I'll chop down that woman in front of you. I can see you don't like her."

"A love for beauty is universal."

Xu Xiaoshou shot back.

"Oh, please. You, love beauty? Don't think I can't feel the killing intent on you!"

Is it that obvious?

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned for a moment and glanced at Ye Xiao, only to find the head of the dark department still completely unfazed.

She's really steady!

They were already talking about her, even mocking her outright, and she could still keep her cool?

"You're the one who wants to kill her, right?"

Xu Xiaoshou let out a scoff.

"Oh?" While continuing to seep out his cold energy, Han Ye made a nasal sound of surprise, as if curious why Chen Tan would say that.

Xu Xiaoshou acted as if he hadn't noticed Han Ye's little moves and continued on his own:

"First, without outside help, you can't get out of this cell. Even if the sealed bars are all destroyed, it would take you a while, so you spoke up earlier to convince me to team up with you."

"Second, you're not human!"

His words were full of conviction, as if he had solid evidence in hand.

"Hee—"

From inside the cell, Han Ye let out a sharp laugh.

But that was all—it stopped abruptly.

"Heh heh... Ha... Ha, ha..."

"Kid, are you stupid?"

Even if Xu Xiaoshou wasn't the sharpest, he could hear the hint of guilt in those laughs. And he wasn't stupid at all.

"I've wandered Void Island for so long, and besides the Void Attendants, there are only outsiders. There's not a single native. Why would the Bu She Ting lock up a Ban Sheng like you here?"

Glancing at Ye Xiao, Xu Xiaoshou saw she was still unmoved.

He realized that whatever he knew, this shrewd woman probably knew too, but she was still letting him speak freely.

"Either you're from ancient times and have been imprisoned until now, but what merit do you have to be a Ban Sheng locked in Bu She Ting? Where are the other Ban Sheng on Void Island? You're the only one alive here?"

"Normal people might not know, but I do... Void Island is a place of exile!"

"If Bu She Ting were truly the final prison, it wouldn't just have you. So either you're the weakest among Ban Sheng and got thrown here, or you're incredibly powerful and escaped from somewhere else."

"You're not human because Void Island doesn't imprison normal people!"

Xu Xiaoshou abruptly cut off the next sentence: You're a ghost beast, because Void Island exiles ghost beasts!

He wasn't saying this without basis.

From Han Ye's earlier line, "People under the eaves have to bow their heads—you humans say..." he had picked up on it.

In a normal tone and situation, Han Ye should have said, "You humans have an old saying..."

Xu Xiaoshou believed Ye Xiao had noticed too—she was a smart woman—but she hadn't mentioned it, as if she didn't care.

That was completely normal!

Xu Xiaoshou didn't believe Han Ye's imprisonment here had nothing to do with the Sheng Shen Hall.

In other words, Han Ye was likely an enemy of Ye Xiao's, or at least on opposing sides.

So, Han Ye's goal was probably to target Ye Xiao all along.

After going in circles, Han Ye was just trying to use him as a pawn!

"I'm not a gun, Han Ye. Don't treat people like pigs or dogs. Fools died on the way to Void Island, and besides, this is the Sin One Hall, the Bu She Ting!"

Xu Xiaoshou said meaningfully.

Once "Si Xiang Secret Realm" came up, and he connected it to what Ba Zun Yan had said, everything made sense.

The only uncertainty was whether Han Ye was some third kind of existence besides humans and ghost beasts, or if he wasn't under anyone's control on Void Island and was an absolute big shot!

But one thing was clear: from how Ye Xiao refused to mention it, afraid he'd figure it out and fully side with Han Ye...

Han Ye and the Sheng Shen Hall were definitely on opposite sides and not unrelated!

"Received shock, passive value +2."

"Received fear, passive value +2."

"Received speculation, passive value +2."

Notifications popped up.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the silent Ye Xiao, even more convinced that this woman knew everything but said nothing, just as he had thought!

"Hee hee hee hee..."

The cell fell silent for a moment, then burst into an ear-piercing laugh that made one's heart crawl.

After a long while, Han Ye's low, eerie voice came out, sounding both startled and incredulous.

"Impossible!"

"You humans have evolved to this level?"

"This old man only slipped up once. It's just that I haven't played these mind games in so long, so I was a bit careless..."

He clearly realized where his only flaw was, but now, he openly admitted Chen Tan's deduction without hesitation.

"Kid, you're right. You're very smart, just like this old man in his prime!"

Han Ye changed his tune and laughed again, his voice full of familiarity as he said slowly:

"But look, everything you want to know, this old man has told you; everything you want, this old man can give you."

"We're on the same path. With your smarts, you can see how much this old man likes you. You know what to do."

"Let this old man out—three things, and I won't go back on my word!"

From inside the cell, Han Ye swore earnestly, his words firm and resounding, as weighty as nine tripods.

"Slap."

Xu Xiaoshou slapped the seal over the hole.

Are you kidding me?

It's like you thought I was saying that for you to hear...

Do I look that stupid, that easy to fool?

Xu Xiaoshou turned to look at Ye Xiao, stood up, and pointed to the water formed by the melted ice wings.

"Swish!"

With a wave of the Necromancer Staff, Ye Xiao cooperatively cleared away the potential threat and said, "You're too smart—it's frightening."

Some of the information in Chen Tan's words was even more detailed than what she had thought, especially under the pressure of a Ban Sheng... Not to mention summarizing it into coherent speech.

"Received praise, passive value +1."

"You're overpraising me. You're even more terrifying—silence is golden, worth a hundred of me." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled dismissively.

"What do you want?"

Ye Xiao said straightforwardly.

Since they were both smart, there was no need to beat around the bush.

Chen Tan knowing Han Ye wasn't on their side was like holding leverage.

Even if he didn't know the full story, as long as he controlled the cell door, she couldn't attack him without Han Ye breaking free.

—He was already in an unbeatable position!

So, Chen Tan choosing to pierce the veil must mean he had demands, some exchange.

Ye Xiao liked to be direct; she hated wasted words, so she spoke plainly.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled, one hand on the seal at the cell door, the other gesturing openly as he said honestly:

"First, I hope you drop any thoughts about the Zhan Shen Order. At least in Bu She Ting, you can't take it."

Ye Xiao's gaze fell on Chen Tan's hand on the sealed spirit array and nodded silently.

"Second, I have no intention of getting involved in the disputes between you at Sheng Shen Hall and this Ban Sheng. Choosing to lay it all out is just to say this."

"I'm not a gun or a fool. You fight your fights—don't drag me in. I don't want to die."

Ye Xiao nodded again.

A wise man preserves himself—this was a smart decision, and from the heart, she approved of Chen Tan's thinking. She would do the same.

But taking the Zhan Shen Order means you can never escape the vortex.

Even if you flee Bu She Ting, how far can you really go?

Wise preservation? Possible, but not much.

"Third, you and I met by chance, and our fate ends here."

"Next, I'll look for a way out of Bu She Ting here. Don't interfere, and don't stop me from leaving."

"As for the future..."

Xu Xiaoshou turned his head toward the cell door, his mind flashing back to when Ye Xiao first entered this hall and lingered right where he was standing.

She had been alert early; he was late to realize.

Fortunately, he had struck back and prevented a big mistake.

He sighed a bit, shook his head, and said with regret, "As for the future, who knows?"

If possible, a truly smart person like Chen Tan should hand over the Zhan Shen Order and completely exit the vortex.

But unfortunately, Chen Tan wasn't really Chen Tan—he was just Xu Xiaoshou's alias.

Giving the Zhan Shen Order to Sheng Shen Hall would just create a future enemy for himself.

Xu Xiaoshou had a feeling that even if all three Zhan Shen Orders fell into Sheng Shen Hall's hands, Ba Zun Yan wouldn't let it go.

He would probably end up in the Ran Ming Site after entering the Si Xiang Secret Realm, just like how he mysteriously ended up on Void Island after the Wang Cheng Trial.

"Why not just avoid the Si Xiang Secret Realm?"

Ha! Naive!

Xu Xiaoshou was past the age of such naive thoughts.

He had learned a truth—once you're in the Jianghu, you're not in control of your own fate.

"Agreed."

On the Necromancer's shoulder, Ye Xiao nodded lightly, retracting all her power.

But it didn't completely vanish; it seemed she was waiting for some variable.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded in approval. Smart people had their own way of playing.

Since neither could overpower the other, a temporary truce and recovery was a good choice.

Leaving the "Tian San" cell door, Xu Xiaoshou wandered around, not fearing a sudden attack from Ye Xiao.

Even without warnings, he knew with Ye Xiao's cautious nature, she understood he had left countermeasures on the spirit array.

Any misstep, and it would unseal.

Do that a few times, and Han Ye might really escape.

Then, the one suffering the most might not be Chen Tan, but Ye Xiao from Sheng Shen Hall—she couldn't survive a Ban Sheng, even with the power of death.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

Footsteps echoed like invisible clock hands, ticking away.

Xu Xiaoshou had almost explored the entire Bu She Ting, his "perception" scanning every corner more than ten times, but he couldn't find an exit.

The inner hall, outer chambers, including the initial landing spot...

This fully enclosed Bu She Ting seemed to have no window for prisoners to escape.

He searched for a whole day.

The hall doors wouldn't open, the passages were nowhere to be found.

Even cutting space with sharp weapons, the space here was tough and solid—impossible to break normally. And if broken, the spatial storms were tens of thousands of times more terrifying than in the outside world!

Xu Xiaoshou secretly sent in a portrait clone to test it, disguised as some southern domain evil technique.

The result: as soon as it entered the spatial fragments, the portrait clone shattered.

The test showed that without Ban Sheng strength, leaving through spatial fragments from Bu She Ting was impossible.

"Woo..."

At the giant table in the main hall, Ye Xiao had already stepped down from the Necromancer's shoulder and sat there.

Her feet dangled in the air, swaying gently like willows in the evening breeze. Her upper body leaned forward slightly, half her face hidden in the hood's shadow. Her ten fingers interlocked and rested on her pale chin, quietly watching Chen Tan's bustling for the entire day.

"Gah—"

The three-legged black owl on her shoulder curiously examined the spirit array that had replaced the Zhan Shen Order, then seemed to see something complex, its eyes going dizzy. It tilted its head back and let out a sharp cry.

Magpies bring good fortune, crows bring bad omens.

In essence, there's no such thing as birds of fortune or disaster; it's just that the latter has higher spirituality, sensing unknown variables and urging people to decide quickly.

But a crow's cry often leads to no good results.

Over time, people blamed disasters on them, calling them "birds of ill omen" or "incarnations of death."

Ye Xiao, silent all night, moved with the black owl's cry.

She released her hands, lifted her gaze to the giant hall's ceiling, her eyes piercing through the darkness as if seeing the future.

"Chen Tan."

After a long while, she jumped down from the table, landed on the Necromancer's shoulder, and called out to the still-busy, unyielding Chen Tan, saying lightly, "Actually, you have another choice."

"Thanks, but no."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't even turn his head.

"This is my final advice."

"Thanks, but we're not a match."

Ye Xiao lowered her head, the hood's darkness hiding all her expressions. She stopped persuading and waited quietly.

Xu Xiaoshou also halted his actions.

A whole day, and he hadn't found a way out.

Either break the seal on Han Ye and let him take him away, or wait for a variable—like the last spatial disorder in Sin One Hall—hoping for another chance.

Xu Xiaoshou feared death, so he chose the latter, betting on an unknown possibility.

And now, the variable had arrived!

"Boom."

With a deafening roar, a massive rift opened in the void outside Bu She Ting, where the giant torture instruments were displayed.

Space twisted and overlapped, lights and shadows flickering rapidly.

Prepared this time, Xu Xiaoshou saw many scenes he had missed before.

There were spirit refiner corpses lying in pools of blood, packs of Void Attendants chasing something, ancient grand halls forgotten in time...

Everything was there, but all blurred.

Finally, space stabilized.

Above the void rift, a passage unique to the Sin One Hall maze suddenly extended—four walls on all sides, only a cross-section cut by space and projected here.

"Opportunity!"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes flashed, and he rushed toward the passage, aiming to return to Sin One Hall and find Mister Yi Ren and his junior sister.

The next second.

"Tap."

Footsteps echoed from within the passage.

Xu Xiaoshou stopped abruptly, his spirit cooling like poured water.

Ye Xiao still stood on the Necromancer, head lowered, not even glancing at whoever was coming from the passage, as if she didn't care at all.

"Thump thump..."

"Thump thump..."

Xu Xiaoshou felt his heart pounding wildly.

Who could it be?

An enemy?

An ally?

But this was the only chance. No matter who came through this spatial disorder, he had to leave through this passage.

Wait any longer, and the opportunity would be gone.

Death's countdown didn't wait for anyone!

"Swish!"

With that thought, Xu Xiaoshou dashed into the passage.

At the same time, Ye Xiao on the Necromancer suddenly lifted her head.

She kept her promise and didn't stop Chen Tan from leaving, but after raising her gaze, the shadow was gone. In the faint light, only the corners of her lips curved slightly, forming a thrilling arc.

The three-legged black owl cried out in alarm and took flight.

"Gah—"