Chapter 1151: Perhaps This Time, We Can Really Slaughter the Saint

Xu Xiaoshou had ambitions.

However, when one is insignificant, openly admitting ambition yields no good outcome. At best, it invites the label "too ambitious for one's station" and immediate suppression.

Now, it was different.

When the Semi-Saint Ghost Beast, Elder Han, truly bowed down at his feet, swearing lifelong allegiance to Chen Tan alone and no longer obeying anyone else, not even Azure Stone of Divine Prison or the Eight Venerables…

Xu Xiaoshou found it hard to articulate his current feelings.

"I'm about to make my mark…"

After enduring for so long, carefully pursuing his own agenda amidst the chaotic grand scheme, Xu Xiaoshou now felt there were finally signs of breaking through.

The Heavenly Arcane Tower was an experiment where he first met Mr. Si, and also received help from Mo Mo and Xin Gu Gu.

The latter two: one represented the Black Vein faction of Void Island's Inner Isles. Setting everything else aside, the very name "Sealing Heaven Saint Emperor" spoke volumes.

Behind Xin Gu Gu were the Gluttonous God and the Grey Palace of Xuyue—an immensely powerful faction that Xu Xiaoshou wanted to approach but currently didn't dare to.

Even if most of these alliances were forged by leveraging the influence of the Eight Venerables…

While the Eight Venerables were using Xu Xiaoshou, wasn't Xu Xiaoshou also using the Eight Venerables?

Whenever he faced major upheavals and was on the verge of losing control, simply invoking the Eight Venerables would shift the attention of all major forces.

For instance, when the Heavenly Arcane Tower first appeared, how many layers of investigation did it face? Xu Xiaoshou knew perfectly well!

Yet, every time the investigations by the Holy Divine Temple hadn't yielded results, incidents in East Heaven King City would occur one after another, each seemingly more significant than the Heavenly Arcane Tower.

This repeatedly forced Rao Yaoyao to abandon many actions against the Heavenly Arcane Tower and instead prioritize what she considered the real major events.

It was under these circumstances that Xu Xiaoshou completed his initial endeavor.

The Heavenly Arcane Tower was established!

Xu Xiaoshou's ambition was so immense that he had always been afraid to voice it.

After joining the Holy Slaves, the Eight Venerables did not restrict his freedom, allowing him to act as he wished.

Under these circumstances, what Xu Xiaoshou wanted to do was not to conform to the Holy Slaves or integrate into them, as his actions already demonstrated.

What he wanted was to establish his own unique faction, leveraging the Holy Slaves as a powerful backing.

He didn't join the Red Guard, didn't join Yama, didn't form a Ghost Beast contract with the Gluttonous God, and didn't prematurely connect with the Grey Palace of Xuyue.

This was precisely because if these ties were formed while he was still weak, it would be difficult for him to remain independent.

Then, while everyone was openly and secretly contending, they would suddenly see a tower standing tall at the periphery of the grand scheme, already reaching an unreachable height, forcing them to take it seriously.

At that point, he could then leverage the previously established relationships for negotiations and transactions.

No one would look down on him anymore.

And no one would be able to swallow him whole, or swallow the Heavenly Arcane Tower!

This idea was audacious and seemingly impossible to achieve, but from East Heaven King City to Void Island, and up to this very day, Xu Xiaoshou had stealthily stabilized his position.

Perhaps even the Eight Venerables didn't know that one of his minor Master-level Holy Slave members could now summon three Semi-Saint level combatants if he truly called upon them.

Mei Siren, Void General Hong, and the newly subdued Elder Han!

Leaving aside Feng Yujin and the Grey Palace of Xuyue, Xu Xiaoshou never did anything without absolute confidence.

He wanted people who, at his whim, could instantly turn against the Eight Venerables, not those who, upon his command, would hesitate between the Holy Slaves and the Heavenly Arcane Tower, ultimately siding with the Holy Slaves.

Of course, Xu Xiaoshou currently found no points of divergence between himself and the Eight Venerables, nor would he be foolish enough to truly challenge the Eight Venerables.

It's good to seek shade under a big tree.

Only if the Holy Slaves, this "tree," remained standing could the Heavenly Arcane Tower flourish. Who would be so foolish as to dismantle their own backing?

All of this was merely a routine consideration from the worst-case perspective.

"Get up."

Helping Elder Han to his feet, Xu Xiaoshou gazed at him with a smile, suddenly finding Elder Han even more endearing.

This guy was trouble; taking him in meant facing Rao Yaoyao on his behalf. But from another perspective, would not taking him mean not having to face her?

If Elder Han weren't Elder Han, but another Semi-Saint with a distinct personality and his own ideas...

He might not have been able to take him in, or even have had the chance to.

Such a silly yet adorable Semi-Saint—if he didn't take him now, should he just leave him to fend for himself?

"From now on, you must revert to your original demeanor."

"Be as arrogant as you should be, as unrestrained as you should be. Call me whatever you used to call me, but do not show me reverence, fear, or dread toward me."

"Outwardly, you must not reveal our relationship. Do you understand what I mean?"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at Elder Han, his eyes burning as if he were using his Three Animosity Pupils to brainwash him.

"Understood," Elder Han nodded.

"That's not a thorough enough understanding."

"Huh?" Elder Han was startled, then a sneer quickly appeared in his eyes. He waved a large hand. "This great one understands. Is there anything else you want to say?"

"That's more like it!" Xu Xiaoshou nodded in satisfaction.

"What about those two outside..." Elder Han instantly shrunk back, his neck shortening, and he gestured towards the two Gu-surnamed individuals outside the frost world, speaking softly.

Xu Xiaoshou glared coldly.

"Chirp!" Elder Han immediately shrieked, then brazenly said, "What about those two out there? What do they do? Are they qualified to know? Are they also your people?"

Only then did Xu Xiaoshou nod again, stating earnestly, "In this world, apart from me—you and I are now on the same boat... so, besides me, no one else is worth trusting, regardless of whether they are my people or not."

"This great one understands." Elder Han recovered extremely quickly, instantly regaining the arrogance he had when he first emerged from the Hall of the Unforgiven.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, then thought for a moment and asked, "If you now simultaneously receive orders from Azure Stone of Divine Prison, the Eight Venerables, and me, whose will you execute?"

"Yours." Elder Han didn't even have to think. To follow a rising power, one must have the mindset of a follower. He had now transformed into the standard protector mode; he wanted to witness the growth of Lord Chen Tan!

"You're wrong," Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, speaking eloquently:

"Azure Stone of Divine Prison will not issue orders contrary to the Eight Venerables, just as I, ostensibly, will not defy the Eight Venerables."

"So, you must still obey Azure Stone of Divine Prison's orders."

"But when the Eight Venerables forcefully demand your obedience, you must listen to him, because the Eight Venerables are the masters of the Black and White Veins, and Azure Stone of Divine Prison is merely one of his subordinates."

"However, when I strongly emphasize that you must not listen to the Eight Venerables' orders, only then can you choose me... But this possibility is almost zero, at least until I have the power to defeat the Eight Venerables."

Defeat the Eight Venerables?

Elder Han was startled. He hadn't even entertained such an absurd idea, but he understood Chen Tan's words. "Fine, no need for you to teach me, this great one knows it perfectly!"

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt a toothache, questioning whether it was a good idea to let Elder Han revert to his arrogance. He quickly stopped dwelling on these details.

"One last question: do you really have ten thousand Void Crystals?"

"Yes."

"Where did they come from?" Xu Xiaoshou simply didn't believe Elder Han could earn ten thousand Void Crystals while being pursued by Rao Yaoyao; it was impossible.

"When this great one left the Inner Isles, Azure Stone of Divine Prison, that... fellow..."

"Call him what you should call him."

"Oh, right. Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison had the people of the Inner Isles gather these travel expenses for me, this great one. It practically emptied everyone's coffers in the Inner Isles."

"They only gave it to you?"

"Of course!"

"What about your companions?" Xu Xiaoshou was a bit skeptical. With Elder Han's mind, giving him a collection of ten thousand Void Crystals would surely be a waste?

"How could there be companions?" Elder Han laughed.

"Those people are strong in combat, but few are suitable for coming out."

"The Sealing Heaven Saint Emperor was protected and sent out first because chaos was needed in the outside world. His abilities are best suited for causing trouble on the Holy Divine Continent, which came at a great cost."

"Ancestor Wuji could come out because his Celestial Machine Art could obscure heavenly secrets, making it highly probable he'd succeed. It seems he did."

"As for this great one, it's because I can escape... well, I am extremely proficient in evasion techniques. Others, let alone coming out, if they just lifted their backside to relieve themselves, the Holy Divine Temple would see it clearly."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood.

No wonder Elder Han had the chance to come out.

Normally, given his junior status within Void Island's Inner Isles, it wouldn't have been his turn no matter how it was cycled.

"It seems you... hmm, your evasion techniques are unusually strong," Xu Xiaoshou nodded thoughtfully.

An escape method acknowledged by the Three Ancestors of the White Vein and the Demonic Emperor Black Dragon was likely no ordinary escape method.

No wonder even Rao Yaoyao, enduring her Saint Tribulation and wielding the Profound Azure Divine Sword, couldn't strike this fellow dead.

"Give it."

"Oh."

Elder Han truly acted without hesitation once he made a decision. He handed the ten thousand Void Crystals to his current master without a second thought, completely forgetting how the people of the Inner Isles had painstakingly gathered the travel expenses for him.

Xu Xiaoshou took the spatial ring. His spiritual sense swept through it, revealing it to be densely packed with black hexagonal crystals.

Elder Han hadn't lied; his assets truly were substantial!

"These were for exchanging for the Transdimensional Gate. This great one doesn't know what punishment I'll face now that the Transdimensional Gate is gone, but taking them back probably won't lead to a good outcome either," Elder Han said with some regret.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at him, put away the spatial ring, and chuckled:

"Follow me, and you will no longer be punished by others!"

"Even Azure Stone of Divine Prison and the Eight Venerables will show you respect now. If you meet them later and this matter comes up, just tell them your Void Crystals were taken by someone named Xu Xiaoshou."

"They won't blame you, nor will they ask for reasons; they'll simply drop the matter immediately."

Elder Han was startled.

Isn't this tricking someone?

And tricking the successor of the Eight Venerables, who was already quite famous in the Inner Isles?

"This... is this really possible?"

"If I tell you to do it, do it. Don't think! Your thoughts hold no value, otherwise Azure Stone of Divine Prison wouldn't have even told you who to find after you came out."

Upon hearing this, Elder Han instantly felt reassured.

He could tell that Lord Chen Tan was reprimanding him, but there was no hint of anger.

Words like "don't think" were only spoken by the great figures in the Inner Isles.

The fact that Lord Chen Tan spoke to him this way immediately proved that he possessed the mindset of those great figures.

Such a person lacked everything except brains. As long as he obediently served as a blade in his hands, he would enjoy all sorts of benefits.

Heaven knows, within Void Island's Inner Isles, Elder Han had never once had the opportunity to serve as someone's blade!

Elder Han had the standard mindset of a pawn.

He had once been spirited and ambitious; after all, he was a Semi-Saint.

But after being confined to the Inner Isles and having his sharp edges dulled, Elder Han now knew his true capabilities.

Previously, while in the Inner Isles, he was merely a discarded piece, not even qualified to be utilized. This time, it was just his escape ability that was valued, giving him the chance to come out.

Compared to the cold and detached great figures in the Inner Isles, Elder Han felt a long-lost sense of "being needed" from Lord Chen Tan.

And this "being needed" wasn't minor; it was extremely strong!

Repaying kindness with gratitude was not yet applicable.

Because Elder Han only believed ninety percent of Lord Chen Tan's words; for the remaining ten percent, he had to see it with his own eyes before he could be fully certain.

Elder Han also believed that with Lord Chen Tan's wisdom, he could discern that Elder Han's current sincerity was not absolute.

Both sides were currently willing to trust each other, yet still harbored a slight intent to test.

At such a time, Elder Han certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to play any petty tricks.

Opportunities were fleeting; precisely because it was rare, he had to seize this chance even more.

Even if that final ten percent couldn't be confirmed yet, if Lord Chen Tan needed it, Elder Han would immediately draw his blade.

If it were finally proven that Lord Chen Tan's words were false, that he was merely boasting, Elder Han would lose nothing and could simply turn and leave.

But if it was ultimately discovered that Lord Chen Tan's words were completely true, then Elder Han's wholehearted allegiance during this uncertain period would bring him incalculable wealth.

Having survived in the Inner Isles of Void Island for so many years, Elder Han had his own set of principles for survival and for dealing with great figures.

Do not question, do not overthink, do not defy!

If these "three don'ts" were followed, he could never become a brilliant strategist, but he would certainly be the most qualified charging general.

Elder Han's self-positioning was that he would be the most perfect protector and the sharpest blade for Lord Chen Tan on his path from obscurity to prominence!

"Let me see that piece of azure stone of yours as well." Xu Xiaoshou gestured with his hand.

Elder Han's thoughts suddenly broke off. His face darkened slightly, but he said nothing, pulling out the supreme treasure bestowed by Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison and handing it over.

"What's it called?"

"A Corner of Divine Prison."

"Divine Prison? What is 'Divine Prison'?"

"This great one doesn't know either. I only know it's one of Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison's abilities. Perhaps it's a prison that can hold gods?"

Xu Xiaoshou scoffed, not agreeing with that explanation.

He took A Corner of Divine Prison, examining the azure stone carefully, wondering if it had abilities similar to the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale.

After a while of contemplation, there was no change.

As soon as spiritual energy was injected...

"Buzz!"

A Corner of Divine Prison suddenly trembled violently.

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had been pulled into another world.

He saw an immense, boundless deep azure prison, with ancient barred cells stretching horizontally and vertically in all directions.

Endless roars and howls, mixed with hysterical madness and pain, faintly drifted in. He wanted to hear clearly but couldn't, wanted to see but couldn't.

And at the end of this sole passage, there was a person dressed in azure prison robes.

The person's face was indistinct, their age unclear, their entire form blurry.

Only their limbs, like the dishevelled Saints he had seen before, were shackled with several broken segments of black chains.

"Greetings, Xu Xiaoshou."

"Among other things, let me first give you a few small gifts. As for what they are, you'll have to figure that out yourself."

With a whoosh, the illusory, ethereal voice, along with all the images of the azure prison, vanished as if they had never existed.

Xu Xiaoshou even forgot whether the voice he had just heard was male or female, and he couldn't recall any of the specific content.

Only its meaning seemed to be deeply imprinted in his mind.

"Azure Stone of Divine Prison... he/she/it, is that Azure Stone of Divine Prison?"

"Gave me gifts? What gifts? You could have just said it!"

But all illusions had vanished.

Xu Xiaoshou held the azure stone in his hand. No matter how much spiritual energy he injected, the previous phenomenon did not reappear.

"Brother Chen, what happened?"

Elder Han was stunned, then immediately stared around with extreme vigilance.

In that instant, he felt the power of Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison!

Perhaps it had come to punish him, but at such a time, only by firmly standing on Lord Chen Tan's side would he have a better chance of survival—

A fence-sitter was doomed; once a decision was made, there was no turning back!

"Nothing."

Xu Xiaoshou frowned and shook his head, glancing at Elder Han who was vigilant of his surroundings. A corner of his lips curled upwards, then quickly settled. "Azure Stone of Divine Prison was just saying hello to me."

"Huh?" Elder Han's face was already pale, and now he was as white as a ghost, scared to death.

Saying hello?

Lord Chen Tan truly was unfathomable!

"Here, take it back."

Xu Xiaoshou tossed A Corner of Divine Prison back to Elder Han. He had already gained the person; there was no need to cling to such a small item.

Essentially, it was all his!

Elder Han, however, was flattered. Lord Chen Tan disdained Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison's treasure?

Oh, right. Lord Chen Tan had the power inheritance of Ancestor Jinzhao, the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale of the Demonic Emperor Black Dragon, and the Blood Tree's Shadow Branch...

He didn't care for Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison's things anymore?

No! A great figure must have his own thoughts!

Perhaps Lord Azure Stone of Divine Prison's greeting just now wasn't sincere enough, and Lord Chen Tan disliked him? So he didn't accept his gift?

Thinking this, Elder Han shivered and quickly cut off his thoughts.

Good heavens, if he thought any further, he'd be asking for trouble!

"Time to go out."

Xu Xiaoshou had no intention of remaining in the frost world, even if the power of Azure Stone of Divine Prison insulated it, preventing any detection of his Saint's name being called.

He looked at Elder Han, giving his final instructions:

"After we go out, first, don't call me Elder Brother Chen; call me Younger Brother Chen."

"Second, our identities are very special; we both have triple identities. I am currently called Chen Shu, but I am actually Chen Tan, and my true identity is Chen Ruye of the Grey Palace of Xuyue; you are a Ghost Beast, actually a Ghost Beast, and in reality, an elder-level Ghost Beast of the Grey Palace of Xuyue."

"Third, your current target is too large; transform into your Ghost Beast form and then shrink down."

True Radiance Hall.

The two Gu brothers waited quietly. The elder brother, Gu Qingyi, remained composed, but Gu Qing'er grew somewhat anxious.

"Senior Brother, he hasn't come out after so long. Could Brother Chen have been possessed? Elder Han's Saint Domain is quite difficult to break without summoning the Ten Remnant Sword Ghost!"

"He won't be."

"How can you still be so calm? He's my lifesaver!"

"He's not mine."

"You— Hmph!"

The Ten Remnant Sword Ghost found it too boring and had already returned to Gu Qingyi's soul space.

Aside from the noisy Gu Qing'er, the rest of the hall was quiet. The giant statue also didn't speak proactively.

When Gu Qing'er occasionally fell silent, only the intermittent sound of small puddles in the quiet hall crackling as they froze into ice remained.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, at a certain moment, the frost world dissipated, and Chen Shu returned.

Gu Qingyi turned his gaze. Chen Shu, who had finished his private conversation, showed few signs of combat, but Elder Han was gone.

And on Brother Chen's shoulder, there was now a palm-sized, pure white, fluffy-tailed ermine.

Gu Qingyi's eyebrows shot up.

This was incredible! A Semi-Saint Ghost Beast had transformed into such a small, adorable form and was now standing with Brother Chen?

"You're Elder Han!"

Gu Qing'er, however, suddenly jumped out, pointing furiously at Chen Shu and shouting:

"If you know what's good for you, quickly release my Brother Chen! If you want a Ghost Beast host, you can find another, but this one is not for you to mess with! Do you believe I'll tell my Senior Brother to release the Ten Remnant Sword Ghost?"

"Chirp!"

After Elder Han, perched on Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder, chirped, Gu Qing'er finally saw the small creature. "Huh?" He was bewildered.

"It's all over."

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands, nodded at Gu Qing'er, signaling that everything was fine.

Then he looked at Gu Qingyi and smiled:

"Chen Tan and I know each other. I just had a talk with Elder Han. He's being pursued right now and needs to hide with me for a while."

"Chirp!"

Elder Han chirped, tugging at his long whiskers with his two tiny front paws, shifting back and forth on Younger Brother Chen's shoulder as if his paws were burning.

Hey, amazing!

Why does it feel a bit prickly underfoot?

He still couldn't get used to it, so he jumped onto Younger Brother Chen's head, only to find...

...these wretched hairs were even sharper and more prickly!

In helplessness, he could only use frost power to congeal a layer of ice crystals under his paw pads to counter the sharp prickliness.

In such a small Ghost Beast form, Elder Han's power was reduced by more than ninety percent.

But similarly, his aura could be hidden more perfectly this way.

At least when he wasn't attacking, even without using crafted items, outsiders would generally not be able to tell that he was a Ghost Beast who had mastered Ghost Beast power.

"Are you really fine?"

Gu Qing'er was skeptical and wanted to step forward to ask more questions, but his senior brother pulled him back. "As long as it's settled, where will Brother Chen go next?"

Gu Qing'er was a bit dissatisfied; he genuinely cared.

Gu Qingyi, however, glared back coldly, preventing his junior brother from speaking.

Chen Tan and Chen Shu—he now thought that perhaps their relationship was like that between Gu Qingyi and Gu Qing'er.

Elder Han was also a Ghost Beast, and these two named Chen came from the Southern Domain, which had many Ghost Beasts. If one were to ponder the relationship between them, it would be extremely subtle.

Not to mention that Ghost Beasts were not something ordinary people on the Holy Divine Continent should associate with.

Given Elder Han's strength, when he stood on Chen Shu's shoulder, it signified many things.

Gu Qingyi was unwilling to hear any more. Getting involved with Ghost Beasts brought no good outcome; his master had warned him of this.

He certainly didn't want his junior brother to put himself at risk, continuing to get tangled up because of the "lifesaver" title, ultimately ending up in dire straits.

"My affairs are basically resolved. Many thanks, Brother Gu, for bringing me to True Radiance Hall. There's no need to accompany me any further; it will be very dangerous." Xu Xiaoshou was perceptive, knowing it was time to say goodbye.

"Ah, how can this be..."

Gu Qing'er was halfway through his words when Gu Qingyi pulled him back, calmly stating, "In that case, the road ahead is long; we shall meet again if fate allows."

With that, he dragged the younger Gu brother directly out of True Radiance Hall.

"Senior Brother, things aren't over here..."

"Shut up!"

"I still have many questions..."

"Did I tell you to speak?"

Amidst Gu Qing'er's muffled grumbles, Gu Qingyi suddenly stepped onto a melting puddle of ice water, pausing and looking back.

"Brother Chen!"

"Hmm?"

Xu Xiaoshou looked up. He was already seeing the two off.

But with that glance, a faint sword intent was triggered on Gu Qingyi, and Xu Xiaoshou felt his spiritual body being drawn into another world.

Subconsciously, his Heart Sword Technique was about to activate, but he quickly suppressed it.

The surroundings were still the True Radiance Hall, but the giant statue was gone, Elder Han was gone, and Gu Qing'er was gone too.

Only Gu Qingyi remained, speaking solemnly, nodding slightly to the young man not far away, leaving him with a sentence:

"Beware of the Yu Ling droplets."

With a whoosh, the illusory world ended.

When Xu Xiaoshou looked again, Gu Qingyi and Gu Qing'er had already exited the True Radiance Hall's array range and were gone.

It seemed that Gu Qingyi hadn't been idle during this time, studying the water in this hall. But why was he so certain that this was Yu Ling's urine? Xu Xiaoshou fell into deep thought, gazing at the small puddle Gu Qingyi had just stepped through.

"Chirp—"

Elder Han's chirp pulled his thoughts back. "Time for business."

"True Radiance List!"

Xu Xiaoshou no longer pondered, speaking to the giant stone statue.

The giant statue was still very slow, taking a long time to finally lower the golden glowing list again.

"See? The Transdimensional Gate, ten thousand Void Crystals. The gray text means it's already been exchanged. I asked; it was exactly one day ago. You're late," Xu Xiaoshou said, pointing at the gray text at the top of the list, speaking to Elder Han on his shoulder.

Elder Han was silent; he had naturally seen it.

Just one step!

Just one step short!

If he had arrived just one day earlier, perhaps things wouldn't have unfolded this way.

Perhaps he would have already met the Eight Venerables, gone down a different path, joined the Holy Slaves, and become a second-in-command or something similar.

However...

Blessings and misfortunes were intertwined. In the end, he met Chen Tan, and currently, it seemed even better?

"What's this?"

At this moment, Xu Xiaoshou saw the only glowing line among the top ten on the True Radiance List. It was ranked second, and its brightness indicated it had not yet been exchanged.

"Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing, Void Crystals: Ten Thousand."

These were the only two items that required ten thousand Void Crystals.

Below it, the third-ranked item only needed three thousand Void Crystals, and the rest only one to two thousand or several hundred.

"Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing, ten thousand... the same as the Transdimensional Gate, meaning they're of equal value?" Xu Xiaoshou waited for a long time but received no reply from the giant statue, so he could only speculate on his own.

"Nonsense!" Elder Han scoffed. "It looks like they're of equal value, but the 'Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing' requires acknowledgment from the Heavenly Ancestor's will to be used. This thing is useless even if exchanged; you'd be better off exchanging for something else."

So this was why it was ranked second but no one exchanged it... Xu Xiaoshou understood. Of course, he knew the ten thousand Void Crystals also played a part.

It was too expensive.

Expensive and not worth it, so naturally no one would want to splurge.

"Give me a Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing," Xu Xiaoshou said to the giant statue.

"Are you crazy?" Elder Han was greatly alarmed, only reacting after a moment of stunned silence. "They already said this thing is useless."

"Perhaps I can gain the acknowledgment of the Heavenly Ancestor's will?"

"The Heavenly Ancestor is dead!"

"Who knows? Do you know who the Heavenly Ancestor is?"

"Uh, this great one actually doesn't know..."

"You don't even know who the Heavenly Ancestor is, so you must have just heard through hearsay that 'the Heavenly Ancestor is dead.' Are you saving these ten thousand Void Crystals for the New Year? What if the Heavenly Ancestor needs to resurrect through me, via this Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing?"

"That's impossible!"

"Everything is possible."

The ten thousand Void Crystals were offered without question.

The giant statue spat out a viscous liquid enveloped in a ball of light, emitting a faint fragrance.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't even know what this thing did, whether it was for internal consumption or external use, but he exchanged for it without hesitation.

Too coincidental!

He currently had ten thousand Void Crystals, and just as the Transdimensional Gate was gone, there was this Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing, also worth ten thousand, so conspicuously right before him.

Could this be the gift Azure Stone of Divine Prison spoke of?

Or was it another kind of fateful coincidence, an arrangement?

Didn't the person who exchanged for the Transdimensional Gate also want the Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing?

Probably not. It was likely that he didn't have enough Void Crystals left.

Given that even Void Island's Inner Isles had to painstakingly gather travel expenses for Elder Han to get ten thousand Void Crystals, exchanging for the Transdimensional Gate must have already severely strained that person.

Since that was the case, if he didn't acquire the "Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing" now, it might be gone if he returned tomorrow.

By then, it would be too late for regrets!

"What's the use of the Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing?" Xu Xiaoshou held the item, unable to figure out its mystery, and asked the giant statue again.

After some deliberation, the giant statue finally spoke:

"Consume... may gain... Heavenly Ancestor's... power..."

"Hear that!" Xu Xiaoshou looked at Elder Han.

"You listen again!" Elder Han showed no fear, his eyes fierce, as if he knew the inside story of everything on the True Radiance List.

Xu Xiaoshou waited for a while, and the giant statue really had more to say!

"Must first... gain... Heavenly Ancestor's... acknowledgment..."

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened.

Isn't this just tricking people, speaking only after such a long delay?

However, he would not regret exchanging for the "Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing."

Heavenly Ancestor's power—this was Ancestral Origin power! He had only mastered the aura of an Evil God's power, yet he could pretend to be a Great Void to the point no one could see through him.

If he truly had the chance to gain the acknowledgment of the Heavenly Ancestor's will, wouldn't he immediately take off?

"What if I don't get the acknowledgment and force myself to swallow it?" Xu Xiaoshou raised the viscous liquid in his hand, opening his mouth as if to swallow it.

Elder Han was unsure about this, so he hesitated and said, "You can try."

Xu Xiaoshou actually tried, with the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale showing no heartbeat reaction.

He raised the mucus in his hand.

The next second, he lowered it.

"Huh, what was I just trying to do?" Xu Xiaoshou frowned, pondering.

Elder Han found it amusing. "This great one knew it would turn out this way. This means you haven't received the Heavenly Ancestor's will's acknowledgment!"

"Then how can I gain acknowledgment?" Xu Xiaoshou, through Elder Han, learned of his previous attempt and asked again.

"This great one doesn't know!" Elder Han arrogantly shook his head, though without a logical answer, still sounding defiant. "But they say that with things related to Ancestral Origin power, you'll naturally know when it's time to know."

Xu Xiaoshou fell into contemplation.

He believed there was a basis for the Heavenly Ancestor being alive, because through his previous conversations with the Void Attendants, he speculated that the Spirit of Void Island was the Spirit of the Heavenly Ancestor!

Since it could bestow a "Death Countdown" upon people, it surely wasn't dead.

In other words, he would have to do something beneficial for the Void Attendants, the Void Clan, or Void Island to gain Its acknowledgment?

He casually put away the "Heavenly Ancestor's Blessing" and paid it no further attention.

He was just keeping an option open.

If there were no follow-up, holding onto this item wouldn't be a loss; it was obtained for free anyway.

If there was a result, then it would be amazing—getting Ancestral Origin power for free would infuriate the Holy Divine Temple to death!

"Elder Han."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly looked outside the True Radiance Hall.

The hall, now without Gu Qing'er, was incredibly quiet, so quiet it was unnerving.

Yet, there were battles erupting in multiple places outside, and all signs gave one the feeling that a storm was brewing.

"Hmm?" Elder Han raised his head. He sensed Chen Tan's emotions and shared the same thought.

"How long does it take to become a Saint?"

"You mean that Rao? I don't know, maybe half a day, maybe ten days to half a month. Ideally, she'd be struck by the lightning tribulation for a year! But we should escape. This great one is good at it; as long as we escape quickly, it will take her a long time to track us down after she becomes a Saint."

"One more step. We need to find someone first. Perhaps this time, we really can slay a Saint..."

Elder Han felt nothing about "slaying a Saint." Too many Semi-Saints had died before him; he had always been the monkey being warned.

"Who are we looking for?"

"This."

Xu Xiaoshou handed over a seed.

Through the vibrant seed, he knew his junior sister was not in immediate danger, but Jiang Buyi being by her side was a risk in itself.

Why did he take in Elder Han?

Because a single Void General might not be able to hold back Jiang Buyi! And Xu Xiaoshou alone couldn't find his junior sister!

"Can you sense her aura?"

Elder Han glanced at Lord Chen Tan's solemn expression, realizing this matter might be significant.

He pinched the seed with his left paw, brought out the azure stone with his right paw, and simultaneously clasped them, unleashing his Saint's spiritual sense.

"Shhh~"

Within the hall, a swirl of wind seemed to suddenly rise, ripples moved across the small puddles, traveled into the True Radiance Hall's grand array barrier, and finally vanished into the horizon.

"Yes."

"Then let's go!"