Chapter 1142: Try a Sword

Chapter 1124: Try One Sword?

In the dim maze, Xu Xiaoshou stared at the message on his information panel: "Received protection, passive value, 1." He was speechless for a long time.

This wasn't the first time he had felt the subtle "attention" from Tianren Wushuai. Ever since Tianren Wushuai caught up to him and crushed the spacetime gold talisman, Xu Xiaoshou had initially thought it was to deal with Chen Ruya. Later, he realized it was to help eliminate the threat from Ye Xiao.

If that could be awkwardly explained as due to the deep connection between Yan Wang and Xuyue Hui Gong, then what about now?

"Protection..."

Leaning against the maze wall, Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brows and murmured aloud without realizing it. The system had clearly confirmed it—Tianren Wushuai's actions were genuine "protection," not some ulterior "manipulation."

Why?

Even if Yan Wang and Xuyue Hui Gong had some shady, profound relationship, Tianren Wushuai had no reason to show such care for an ordinary member of another faction. Besides, Xu Xiaoshou felt that Tianren Wushuai had already seen through him—he wasn't a legitimate member of Xuyue Hui Gong at all!

"Suppose he knows I'm Xu Xiaoshou, then who would treat Xu Xiaoshou this well?"

Xu Xiaoshou stroked his chin, his mind flashing to Sang Lao, then to Ji Ren Xian Sheng, and nothing else came to mind. Even Ba Zun An's care for him had an element of self-interest. In this world, aside from Sang Lao and Ji Ren Xian Sheng, where were the truly selfless good people?

"Could he be... uh, the father of my original self?"

Xu Xiaoshou's imagination ran wild, startling himself, but he quickly dismissed the idea. They were long dead. Both parents were gone, and this body had no blood relatives. Moreover, since stepping onto the path of spiritual refinement, ordinary people and spiritual masters, the mundane world and the spiritual realm, were like two separate worlds.

Xu Xiaoshou searched his memories, wondering if there was anyone similar—perhaps Tianren Wushuai was some senior from the Spirit Palace, Holy Palace, or Holy Slave group in disguise. This was his usual way of thinking. Even if others couldn't do it, he always approached things from that angle.

The result was clear: nothing matched. Tianren Wushuai's abilities were unique, too distinctive. Unlike ancient sword techniques, which could be imitated, the power of decay was likely one of a kind in the spiritual realm. It was just like Feng Yu Jin's sealing attribute—impossible to mimic unless someone had the Mimicker.

But that was nonsense! The Mimicker was right on him...

"Good thing, this is a good thing. From a results perspective, I've gained an ally."

"He must be a friend of Ba Zun An. Anyway, whatever I can't figure out, it's definitely related to Ba Zun An."

Xu Xiaoshou kept hypnotizing himself, trying to focus only on the outcome and forget the mysterious process. In the end, he realized he couldn't handle this unknown "protection." If it was someone from Ba Zun An, there was no need for such secrecy. If he didn't uncover the truth, one day this "protection" might turn into a "betrayal," directly or indirectly leading to his death.

"You, get ready!"

In the Yuanfu World, the second true body was fishing for poisonous fish when he suddenly stood up, looking reluctant. "What for?"

"You know the disappearance technique. Fishing all day isn't much of a skill. I have a task for you: follow Tianren Wushuai and Ye Xiao. If one of them ends up dead, I want you to see it with your own eyes."

"You don't have to say it—I know what you're thinking..."

"Then why ask what for?"

"What I mean is, you should understand—I don't want to go..."

"I don't care what you want!" Xu Xiaoshou exploded in anger and issued the order. "Get your ass moving! What did I create you for? To slack off? Oh, right, I created the Yuanfu, and you're enjoying it there?"

A rift opened in the Yuanfu passage.

It seemed like something came out, but also like nothing did.

Xu Xiaoshou gazed into the emptiness before him. He shared vision with his second true body, even if it used the disappearance technique. That meant if the second true body reached the battlefield between Tianren Wushuai and Ye Xiao, he could witness the fight from a first-person view.

Of course, watching this battle would come with risks...

"Never drop the disappearance technique! You're not me—your only job is to watch the show. Don't add any extra drama." Xu Xiaoshou instructed himself mentally, and the second true body could hear it.

The second true body inherited all his abilities, but some things couldn't be passed on—like Jin Zhao Yuanzhong, Sandong Dongjie, which came from Xiao Kongdong's sword intent, plus the holy blood and various treasures.

These treasures included the Four Swords, Yanmang, the Mimicker, and more. All external forces meant the second true body couldn't duplicate them. This followed the law of energy conservation; otherwise, Xu Xiaoshou could mass-produce the Four Swords and skip forging altogether.

"What if I'm discovered? You know, the disappearance technique isn't foolproof. Holy domains or storytellers can counter it, and that old schemer Tianren Wushuai, who even Ye Xiao sensed, might spot you... uh, me?" The second true body's thoughts echoed.

"If you're discovered, run." Xu Xiaoshou smirked inwardly. How could this split version of himself develop such a survival instinct?

"What if I can't run?"

"Then kill yourself. I can always make another one. Just don't get caught and dissected."

The second true body fell silent.

"Screw you!"

After cursing, it vanished in a flash, moving so fast that not even a shadow remained, as if afraid of being pursued.

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't angry; he just stared silently into the void. Shared vision was a remarkable thing, especially since the second true body also had "perception."

Xu Xiaoshou was used to the god-like perspective of "perception," so he didn't find it disorienting now. At most, it felt like the perception range had expanded indirectly. He could control his focus perfectly—deciding when to watch and when not to, achieving true multitasking.

The second true body, that slacker, would never surpass the original in cultivation. After this time, Xu Xiaoshou realized it could use the "breathing method," but it struggled with self-breakthroughs and didn't advance with the original's progress.

Xu Xiaoshou knew that once he reached the throne realm, he'd have to eliminate this second true body and split off a new one. Because he was constantly improving, the second true body had been stagnant since its creation, unable to keep up.

"I wonder how far it can go from me—is there a distance limit..." Xu Xiaoshou pondered.

If there wasn't, he could send the second true body to the central domain or southern domain, with shared vision allowing seamless switches between real and false bodies for travel. The downside was that treasures couldn't be transferred, leaving fewer life-saving options. But that was fine—if things got dire, he could swap back. The second true body might lose out, but the original never would. The possibilities were endless!

From the second true body's independent behavior, Xu Xiaoshou suspected there was no distance limit. Of course, he wasn't sure yet and would have to test it through practice.

"Ye Xiao..."

"Tianren Wushuai..."

The names echoed in his mind as Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts wandered. Although Tianren Wushuai's intervention had completely removed the threat from Ye Xiao, he had kept Xu Xiaoshou out of it entirely, just to avoid any traces that might alert the Holy Divine Hall.

This "protection" was heartwarming, but its unclear intent was chilling. Xu Xiaoshou felt Tianren Wushuai's scheme was far from simple.

"He knows he only killed a flesh puppet. He knows Ye Xiao isn't dead. In that wilderness spacetime, he clearly had more ways to find Ye Xiao's true body, but he stopped all actions and let Ye Xiao escape."

"Obviously, it's to protect me—or at least, that's what I'd think if I were a fool."

Xu Xiaoshou rubbed his temples, trying to elevate his thinking. He approached it like a chess player, pondering Tianren Wushuai's move and its potential second layer.

"He's certain Ye Xiao will die, and die unnaturally... Yes, once locked by the decay aura, Ye Xiao can't escape, even if he runs, he'll meet an accident."

"So, he wants to... take down Ye Xiao alone?"

"That's ruthless. He's overly confident... Ye Xiao's abilities aren't simple. At least, that Death God Owl Eye I saw in the Unforgivable Hall never emerged even when her body died—Ye Xiao has trump cards."

Xu Xiaoshou broke into a sweat, yet felt his guess was on track.

"So why?"

"What is Tianren Wushuai really thinking, going out of his way to take down Ye Xiao alone?"

He couldn't figure it out... If he couldn't even understand the intent behind Tianren Wushuai's protection, how could he grasp the deeper motives? Since he couldn't, he decided not to dwell on it.

Anyway, the second true body was already on its way. A peak Taixu battle would leave traces everywhere. Even if Tianren Wushuai used another spacetime gold talisman, with spatial attributes, the second true body could find the location. Then, witnessing it firsthand would reveal everything.

"Death countdown: four days!"

Glancing at the countdown in his mind, Xu Xiaoshou knew he couldn't waste time. Survival was the prerequisite for everything.

A ten-day or eight-day countdown felt manageable with Ji Ren Xian Sheng and Xiao Kongdong around. They weren't rushed, so neither was he. But now, with it down to "four," that was ominous!

"I need to find the main hall. If I drag this out, I'll really die in this damn place."

"Ginger Buyi couldn't kill me, Ye Xiao couldn't kill me, and now some broken countdown is going to take out the first genius of the Holy Slaves in Sin One Hall?"

Xu Xiaoshou grew tense and started choosing a path, but he still didn't know which direction to go. Due to the holy tribulation and semi-saint battle, Sin One Hall was in ruins, and the maze had been blasted into roads leading everywhere.

As for Rao Yaoyao and Han Ye, they seemed to have fought their way outside. With the great hall's isolation, he couldn't even hear the thunder of the holy tribulation anymore. He had no idea if Han Ye was dead or if Rao Yaoyao had failed her tribulation...

In this vast maze, searching for the main hall was a headache whether there were no paths or too many. Xu Xiaoshou thought for a moment and decided to mimic Xiao Kongdong's ability, using his mastery of painting to create countless tiny moths to scout in all directions. The exhaustive method was the most exhausting, but also the most effective way to find his way right now.

Tap.

Just as he was about to act, footsteps echoed from around the corner, and a figure emerged.

Xu Xiaoshou was on edge—in Sin One Hall, he hadn't met a single friendly face—so he quickly turned to look.

Through the dim mist came a swordsman in white robes. Despite the chaos in Sin One Hall, with battles raging everywhere, this one was spotless, his steps light and graceful, as calm as a breeze.

He cradled a sword wrapped tightly in bandages—the seal band—its edge completely hidden.

Gu Qingyi!

Xu Xiaoshou recognized him and nearly teared up. Finally, he had encountered a normal person, and one from the same generation—a young talent!

Was this easy? The last one he met from his generation had been controlled by some old-timer and was now missing or dead. But this one...

Wait!

What was Gu Qingyi doing here? And Gu Qing Er was here too... At their age, shouldn't they be undergoing trials in the Yunlun Mountains?

Thinking of the three swordsmen, Xu Xiaoshou recalled the Sword Burial Mound, which led him to think of the Seven Sword Immortals, Wen Ting, and how Wen Ting seemed to be on good terms with Ba Zun An.

Allies?

"An ancient sword cultivator?"

Gu Qingyi stopped at a safe distance, ready to draw his sword at any moment, his brows furrowed as he asked, "Who is your master?"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat. He reviewed his memories and realized he'd only seen Gu Qingyi fight a few times. This guy was formidable! Without "concealment," without even carrying a sword, and without showing any moves, how could he still detect that he was an ancient sword cultivator?

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Gu Qing Er, who mastered the "Absolute Imperial System," and realized he couldn't treat Gu Qingyi like a regular young talent. Maybe the other two brothers were here for laughs, but this one...

In a group of three, there had to be one they could rely on, right? They represented the Seven Sword Immortals' Wen Ting from the Sword Burial Mound, so there had to be a real genius among them.

"I'm called Chen Shu." Xu Xiaoshou nodded. "I study under the Feng family in the southern domain."

"Gu Qingyi."

"I know you—the three swordsmen of the Sword Burial Mound, quite famous. And that in your arms is the Evil Sword Yue Lian, number one on the famous swords list?"

"Yes."

Xu Xiaoshou perked up, even forgetting about the death countdown for a moment.

He used to know nothing about the twenty-one famous swords or the paths of ancient sword cultivation, sword styles, or swordsmanship. Now, he understood the prestige of number one on the famous swords list and the weight of being Wen Ting's chief disciple.

He had so many questions. For instance, he was curious about what sword techniques this eldest of the Gu brothers had mastered. Ba Zun An had a disciple named Xiao Kongdong, and though Gu Qingyi was younger, he'd been practicing swords for a while with a great master, so he must have grasped many sword realms, right?

I'm Chen Shu, and I've mastered two major realms—how about you?

Before he could ask any of it, Gu Qingyi finished speaking, spread his hands, and the Evil Sword Yue Lian spun up rapidly.

Gu Qingyi caught it with one hand, his expression turning cold, killing intent flaring.

"Try one sword?"

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. The next second, messages popped up in his information panel.

"Received lock-on, passive value, 1."

"Received threat, passive value, 1."

"Received ambush, passive value, 1."

As the words fell, nine illusory sword shadows burst from Gu Qingyi, expanding as they moved and forming a sword array that sealed off all directions.

Boom!

With a massive explosion, the maze walls within a li radius were instantly shattered by the nine swords.

Xu Xiaoshou's pupils contracted. He had tested the strength of these maze walls with his own body...

It wasn't over yet. Once the nine swords formed the array, cracks appeared in the void behind Gu Qingyi, turning into countless illusory tiny swords.

With a soft whoosh, the endless tiny swords fanned out like a worship of ten thousand swords, their tips pointed straight at Xu Xiaoshou.

Bang!

The moment Gu Qingyi's momentum peaked, Xu Xiaoshou's body sank sharply, his feet sinking into the ground.

Momentum...

This guy built his faster than I did?

Xu Xiaoshou was almost dumbfounded. Among the younger generation, he thought only Yu Lingdi could match him, but you’re not weak either?

Gu Qingyi's actions seemed effortless, not affecting his next move at all. After catching the sword, he kicked the hem of his sword robe, leaned his body, gripped the sheath with his right hand, and gently extended his thumb, pressing it against the guard of the Evil Sword Yue Lian.

In that instant, a resonant sword hum echoed in everyone's mind.

Clang—

Xu Xiaoshou felt like he had entered another world. The environment around him hadn't changed, but everything had. All things seemed to sharpen—dust, rubble, air... everything turned against him, releasing malice and baring edges.

"Received restraint, passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou tried to move and found himself stuck in quicksand, even lifting his hand a struggle.

Gazing at Gu Qingyi holding the sword against the guard, Xu Xiaoshou's mind flashed with scenes from the White Cavern, from the Sword Parting Grassland.

Back then, when the Four Swords had just emerged, countless people rushed for them but fell to their demonic sword energy. And this man, merely by drawing his Evil Sword an inch, had shattered the Four Swords' overwhelming energy and even split the void in half.

At the time, Xu Xiaoshou hadn't grasped the significance of Gu Qingyi's strike. Now he did—before Gu Qingyi, and after, whenever the Four Swords were used, even Taixu masters had to dodge. Yet this guy, back in the White Cavern, had faced it head-on and cut through the demonic sword energy alone.

"Wait!"

Xu Xiaoshou realized he could still speak and saw the refined demeanor of Gu Qingyi, a true gentleman. He hadn't struck to kill; he seemed to be waiting for the proper etiquette of an ancient sword cultivator duel. Once Xu Xiaoshou nodded, he would attack.

But Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to fight. He was just curious, not looking for a brawl with Gu Qingyi.

"What are you doing? Why suddenly want to kill me?" The killing intent from the other side felt real, making Xu Xiaoshou wonder if Gu Qingyi had a deadly grudge against Chen Shu.

But Chen Shu...

Damn it, this was a fresh alias, and he hadn't even changed his face!

I'm innocent, Chen Shu!

Gu Qingyi's sword eyes were sharp and cold. "You carry the aura of my junior brother. Anyone who harms my junior brother must be slain, no matter how far."

"Your junior brother?" Xu Xiaoshou paused, then caught on.

He twitched at the corner of his mouth, feeling both angry and frustrated. He struggled to raise his hand and pointed to the other side.

"If I'm not wrong, your junior brother should be lying over there... I—Chen Shu—just saved his life!"