Chapter 1157: The Third Holy Tribulation

"We're here!"

"Finally..."

Returning once more to the array before Zhenhuang Dian, Jiang Buyi felt a long-lost sense of familiarity.

It had only been a short time since he left...

The intense battle earlier and the constant anxiety during the journey—all of it now dissolved into relief.

"Fortunately, everything is fine."

He took out the Po Zhen Zhi Yao and inserted it into the array of Zhenhuang Dian, giving it a gentle twist.

Jiang Buyi suddenly found it amusing.

How had a dignified Ban Sheng like him ended up acting like a frightened bird on Xukong Island, even learning to worry about nothing?

Where were all these dark sides in the world?

Under the radiance of a Ban Sheng, all unknowns and dangers wouldn't dare approach.

What had come over him, being so suspicious that he thought someone might ambush him on the way?

There were so few Ban Sheng in the world—who would bother to attack another Ban Sheng out of boredom?

And if it were someone below Ban Sheng trying to take his life...

Jiang Buyi chuckled and shook his head.

"Heh."

With a hum, the array of Zhenhuang Dian cracked open a seam, then formed a door without triggering any counterattack.

That was the power of the Po Zhen Zhi Yao.

As a Ban Sheng, Jiang Buyi's resources were vast; he could easily obtain something to deal with the ancient grand array guarding Zhenhuang Dian.

He lifted his foot.

Smiling, he stepped into the array.

"Ah—"

"Die! Make you go die!"

"Madman! Madman! I have to kill you!"

"Ahhhhhh!!!"

Heart-wrenching screams echoed from all directions, filled with agony and torment, mixed with chaotic and violent energy that made one dizzy and disoriented.

Jiang Buyi was a Ban Sheng.

This level of mental pollution couldn't invade his Saint Body.

He was just startled at first, then puzzled, but he didn't act rashly, silently gazing toward the main hall.

Two figures lay sprawled in the main hall, both in a pitiful state.

The first to catch his eye was a young man clutching his head, writhing and convulsing on the ground in a twisted mess.

Blood oozed from his seven orifices, his face twisted in agony, and the blood flowing from his body nearly filled half the hall.

Occasionally, demonic energy burst from his head, shredding his muscles and merging into the blood beneath him.

The entire main hall of Zhenhuang Dian was enveloped in an eerie and terrifying aura.

"Kill you, kill you..."

The young man muttered incessantly, as if possessed.

He convulsed violently again, and a distorted array diagram bloomed beneath him, exploding with a bang.

Jiang Buyi watched, his eyelids twitching wildly.

He finally recognized the bloodied figure.

"Yu Lingdi, the head of the Ling Department?"

"What's he doing here? What happened?"

"This... looks like signs of Qi deviation?"

Shifting his gaze, Jiang Buyi saw another figure lying nearby... well, not a corpse, but barely clinging to life.

It was a shadowy, illusory woman draped in a black feather cloak, her body curled up tightly, trembling as if from cold.

Her condition was unstable.

She would take a long, deep breath, hold it for a long time as if dead, and only exhale after a while.

Each time, her human form couldn't hold, turning into a weakened three-legged black owl.

But when she inhaled again, she reverted to human form.

"Ye Xiao, the head of the Dark Department..."

"Why is she here too?"

"This doesn't make sense. At this time, she should be dealing with Tianren Wushuai, right?"

Jiang Buyi was baffled.

He raised his hand, glanced at the Po Zhen Zhi Yao in it, and looked back.

The gap in the Zhenhuang Dian array that he had opened was slowly closing.

Without needing to test it, Jiang Buyi knew this was no illusion; he was in the real Zhenhuang Dian.

And Yu Lingdi and Ye Xiao were real too!

But their condition was unprecedentedly dire—something Jiang Buyi had never heard of or seen.

Not only were their physical injuries severe, but their senses were also extremely dulled.

Jiang Buyi had been standing in the doorway for quite a while, and neither of them noticed the intruder!

"Yu Lingdi... urgh urgh."

Ye Xiao trembled as she spoke.

"Kill! Kill! Kill you, you damn thing..."

Yu Lingdi clutched his head, his eyes bulging, rolling back and forth as blood continued to flow from his body.

It was only Mu Zixi's spiritual attack that came through her water-based avatar, allowing him to recover a bit.

"Say it!"

"My time... urgh urgh, uh, it's... not much left. Get the intelligence out..."

"What... uh, intelligence?"

Yu Lingdi groaned in pain and struggled to turn his head toward Ye Xiao.

In the hall, these two wretched figures lay head to foot, foot to head, just inches apart yet worlds away, occasionally twitching as they strained to look at each other, exchanging information like sharing ailments.

Jiang Buyi hesitated to step forward but stayed put, perking up his ears to listen silently.

"Mu Zixi, the ultimate demonic body, Shenmo Tong, remnant of the Lei family..." Ye Xiao struggled to form a complete sentence, pausing for a long time before continuing:

"Mu Xiao Gong, Yunlun Mountains..."

"The same person!"

"Yi, died by her hand!"

Yu Lingdi suddenly stopped convulsing, then his body jerked even more violently.

"Tian Shang First Tower, Xu Shao..."

"Sheng Nu, Xu Xiao Shou..."

"The same person!"

"Investigate him!"

Yu Lingdi clutched his head tightly, his expression unreadable, enduring the splitting pain as he tried to process the information in those words.

Ye Xiao seemed urgent, her lips moving a few times before she shrank into a three-legged black owl with a "ga" sound.

After catching her breath, she transformed back into human form.

"Remember, be quick, pass it back, but don't... pass it to Rao Yao Yao!"

"Send the intelligence directly to Shengshen Diantang!"

Yu Lingdi took a deep breath and nodded without speaking.

Ye Xiao tried to say more, her lips parting.

"I understand."

Yu Lingdi couldn't bear to watch, stopping her and speaking through the pain, "The rest, I know. Tianren Wushuai, ghost beast possession, Yan Wang, Jiang Ban Sheng, all need to..."

At the doorway, Jiang Buyi's face twitched rapidly.

"Ahem!"

He coughed lightly, not daring to listen further, and stepped into the hall.

Yu Lingdi and Ye Xiao both stiffened, slowly and laboriously lifting their heads like lifting a heavy weight.

The three faced each other in silence.

Jiang Buyi pondered for a moment before speaking first: "I, as a Ban Sheng, heard nothing. You two carry on."

He casually walked past the two gravely ill Lian Ling Shi and approached the giant statue.

It was completely different from before.

Now, the giant statue no longer looked like mere stone; its armor had a glossy sheen, and the cobwebs in the crevices were gone, as if cleaned.

Moreover, it stood upright, holding a black halberd over its shoulder, as if it had just fought a battle.

"What on earth happened here..."

Jiang Buyi recalled the beast roar he had heard on the way to Zhenhuang Dian.

It was probably from Xukong Jiangjun Zui.

But what did that mean?

Had someone reached Zhenhuang Dian, left Yu Lingdi and Ye Xiao in this state, and even clashed with Xukong Jiangjun Zui?

Jiang Buyi couldn't understand.

He couldn't even fathom how Ye Xiao had ended up here.

But none of that mattered now. The 'Mian Zhu Ling' was the priority. Once he exchanged for it, what mysteries couldn't he unravel himself?

"This Ban Sheng wishes to exchange for a 'Mian Zhu Ling'."

Jiang Buyi addressed the towering Xukong Jiangjun Zui, handing over the fifty Xukong Jiejing he had plundered.

The hall fell silent.

Jiang Buyi was used to Xukong Jiangjun Zui's slow speech.

But this time, after waiting a while, there was no response.

"This Ban Sheng! Wishes to exchange for a 'Mian Zhu Ling'!"

Jiang Buyi emphasized his words, even mimicking Xukong Jiangjun Zui's style.

Still no response.

"Jiang Ban Sheng."

Yu Lingdi suddenly propped himself up, his face twisted as he turned to look.

"If I told you the 'Mian Zhu Ling' has already been exchanged, what would you do?"

In that instant, Jiang Buyi's pupils shook, and he whirled around fiercely.

"You! Say! What!"

He grabbed Yu Lingdi by the neck, lifting him high, veins bulging in rage.

Drip, drip, drip...

Blood dripped from Yu Lingdi's limp lower body. This young supreme being, now at his mercy, laughed.

"I said, the 'Mian Zhu Ling' is gone!"

"You're talking nonsense!"

Jiang Buyi tightened his grip on Yu Lingdi's neck.

Yu Lingdi's eyes, already bulging from pain, nearly popped out.

"Kill me, and then you die."

"Or, cooperate with me, you live, and we can write off the past."

Yu Lingdi showed no fear, his fierce eyes locked on Jiang Buyi until the latter loosened his hold and asked calmly.

"How do we cooperate?"

Whoosh!

Yu Lingdi freed both hands and produced two tokens, each inscribed with the character "Zhu," crossed out.

"Cough!"

"These are the last two 'Mian Zhu Ling'."

"Take them, and Jiang Buyi, you accept the temporary conscription of Shengshen Diantang."

Jiang Buyi struck suddenly, but Yu Lingdi seemed prepared; the tokens vanished into his palms like sinking into water.

"Hand them over!" Jiang Buyi roared.

"Acting like a bandit—once you've done it, you'll do it again," Yu Lingdi said indifferently.

Jiang Buyi's face flushed red.

He didn't know what Yu Lingdi meant.

"You give me the tokens, and we can discuss the cooperation details later."

Jiang Buyi spoke gently, glancing at the two's injuries. "At least, once I'm recovered, I can heal you both and restore you to your peak state, no problem."

Yu Lingdi pinched his fingers, and the two 'Mian Zhu Ling' reappeared.

A fierce glint flashed in Jiang Buyi's eyes, but he heard Yu Lingdi speak.

"You could kill me and take them, but before I die, they'll turn into a puddle of useless water. Believe me, believe in the water-based principles."

"You're threatening this Ban Sheng?" Jiang Buyi raised his eyebrows coldly.

Yu Lingdi stared at him silently, then suddenly crushed one with his left hand.

"Smack!"

The 'Mian Zhu Ling' shattered into spiritual light, turning into water that flowed through his fingers.

"Now, only one 'Mian Zhu Ling' remains."

In that moment, Jiang Buyi's heart raged like a unleashed beast, instinctively wanting to tear this young man apart.

Never before had he felt such humiliation, like a tiger fallen on flat ground, bullied by a dog.

Even with Tianren Wushuai, knowing Jiang Buyi couldn't act recklessly, they still spoke politely.

They dared not offend!

You, a mere Yu Lingdi—when this Ban Sheng was dominating the Lian Ling world, your previous life was still in swaddling clothes, crying for milk!

How dare you threaten this Ban Sheng?

Jiang Buyi's arm trembled slightly, just about to exert force.

"Wait."

Yu Lingdi pinched the token.

"Stop! Cooperation! Cooperation!"

"This Ban Sheng agrees! Whatever you say! Cooperation!"

Jiang Buyi panicked, the beast in his heart suddenly dying.

Compared to being temporarily conscripted by Shengshen Diantang and exiled to the inner island of Xukong Island, that was the real nightmare.

That hellish place wasn't for humans.

If you were a ghost beast, maybe you'd have some weird survival skills.

If you were an ancient fierce beast, at least your physical body could endure.

But a proper Lian Ling Shi going in—under the forbidden arrays... oh ho, a giant baby! What a joke!

"Hand it over."

"Swear an oath."

"This Ban Sheng swears by the Great Dao..."

"Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi."

Jiang Buyi's face darkened, clearly provoked, and he flicked his sleeve. "This Ban Sheng only brought one Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi this time. I already used it in the battle with Mei Yiren."

Yu Lingdi's lips curled mockingly, as if to say, Do I believe you? And Mei Yiren...

Jiang Buyi exhaled heavily, helpless, and pulled out a black-red scroll from his robe. "Say it!"

Only then did Yu Lingdi become serious, raising his voice in command: "In exchange for the 'Mian Zhu Ling', as repayment, Ban Sheng Jiang Buyi must accept temporary conscription. On Xukong Island, he will unconditionally obey... "

"Cough cough! Cough!"

Beside him, the half-fainted Ye Xiao suddenly coughed violently, spitting out mouthfuls of blood.

Yu Lingdi frowned, glanced at her, then withdrew his gaze and sighed lightly, changing his words:

"Obey my commands, not accept orders from anyone else. This oath is binding; violate it, and be struck down by the Dao!"

Ye Xiao closed her eyes, her breathing growing steady. Jiang Buyi, however, felt his temples throb with anger.

He was a Ban Sheng, after all!

For the 'Mian Zhu Ling', he had already abandoned honor, directly seizing the fifty Xukong Jiejing.

And now, to survive, he had to obey a junior from Shengshen Diantang.

What was this?

A Ban Sheng taking orders from a Zhan Dao practitioner?

If word got out, it would be a laughingstock!

"What's the problem?" Yu Lingdi waited a while, and Jiang Buyi didn't move.

"You don't trust Rao Ban Sheng?" Jiang Buyi snorted coldly. He already knew that Rao Yao Yao was the one who had achieved Sainthood, not Mei Yiren.

"No need for provocation. She has other tasks." Yu Lingdi remained unmoved.

Jiang Buyi fell silent.

After a long pause, he acted, spreading the black-red scroll in his hand and tossing it upward.

"Buzz!"

Dazzling light instantly enveloped the entire Zhenhuang Dian.

In that moment, Ye Xiao and Yu Lingdi looked up, feeling as if the sky was replaced by the scroll, leaving only this one thing in the world.

On the vast Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi, a massive ancient character was engraved, radiating profound power.

"Allow!"

A ethereal sacred sound echoed.

The Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi, after glowing, turned into two streams of light—one entering Yu Lingdi's head, the other descending into Jiang Buyi's body.

The oath was sealed!

Only after the phenomenon ended did light return to Yu Lingdi's blood-red eyes.

Finally...

This troublemaker, Jiang Buyi, who had disrupted so many plans, was now under his control, to be used for his own purposes.

From now on, he only needed to focus on the enemies without worrying about this unpredictable Jiang Ban Sheng.

"Help me up." Yu Lingdi issued his first command.

Jiang Buyi, his face dark, extended his hand to support Yu Lingdi, while freeing the other to reach for the 'Mian Zhu Ling'.

Yu Lingdi suddenly turned back, his intense gaze making Jiang Buyi freeze his hand midway.

But under the witness of the Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi and the Great Dao oath, Jiang Buyi wasn't afraid of Yu Lingdi going back on his word.

He knew his own value.

As an unparalleled Ban Sheng in combat, no matter which side he joined, even with past grudges, any sensible person would accommodate him and accept a Ban Sheng.

Yu Lingdi wouldn't renege; he was sensible. He just warned:

"I didn't lie to you. This is the last 'Mian Zhu Ling'. Once you take it, follow my orders and don't act rashly."

"Remember, this can remove your 'Putong Countdown' once, but if you mess around and get another countdown, even I can't help."

Jiang Buyi suppressed his anger, grinding his teeth. "Does this Ban Sheng need you to teach him?"

Only then did Yu Lingdi hand over the 'Mian Zhu Ling'.

Finally!

At last!

Jiang Buyi was almost tearful, snatching it with lightning speed.

Who knew how much he had suffered for this damned token?

Threatened by Ye Xiao...

Threatened by Tianren Wushuai...

Deceived by the Forbidden Doll...

Xukong Island was full of Sainthood foundations, that was true.

Along the way, in just Zui Yidian and its side halls, Jiang Buyi had seen countless opportunities, some even tempting to him.

Even Shenmo Tong had followed him for a whole day...

A whole day!

But because of the 'Putong Countdown', Jiang Buyi didn't dare touch her at all.

If he could act freely, even if he didn't in the end, it would feel so much better psychologically than being restrained and not daring to.

"What this Ban Sheng lost, he'll get back all of it!"

"Tianren Wushuai!"

"Shenmo Tong!"

"Just you wait!"

Whoosh!

Driven by this vengeful resolve, Jiang Buyi's hand passed through the 'Mian Zhu Ling'.

Passed through...

Passed through???

Thump!

His heart contracted violently.

In that instant, Zhenhuang Dian fell deathly silent.

Jiang Buyi

His hair stood on end, every strand rigid. He stared fiercely at Yu Lingdi.

"How dare you trick this Ban Sheng?!"

But as he roared, Jiang Buyi was shocked to see that Yu Lingdi's pupils were filled with the same astonishment.

It wasn't him?

Whoosh!

Jiang Buyi grabbed again.

His hand passed through the 'Mian Zhu Ling' once more.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

He grabbed several more times; the token was right there in Yu Lingdi's hand!

Yet, no matter how hard he tried, even using Saint power, it was as if a whole world separated them—visible but untouchable.

"Don't bother trying, Jiang Buyi."

"Grabbing at it repeatedly like this, don't you find it ridiculous?

"You're a dignified Ban Sheng, after all. If you can't get it, let it go. Why stoop so low?"

A mocking voice came from outside the hall.

Yu Lingdi and Jiang Buyi turned sharply, staring in shock.

There, beyond the Zhenhuang Dian array, a gap had opened at some point, and a figure in a golden robe and mask stood there, with a knife and sword on his back.

He was utterly composed, his eyes behind the mask filled with serenity.

"Huang Quan!" Yu Lingdi exclaimed in shock.

So, Jiang Buyi couldn't take it because of Huang Quan's space-time power?

"Quick! Grab me..." Yu Lingdi reached out desperately, trying to touch Jiang Buyi to bind them together first.

Whoosh.

The air fell silent.

Yu Lingdi stared as his hand passed through Jiang Buyi's chest like a ghost.

They were right in front of each other, yet in completely different spaces.

The battlefield had been divided!

"Huang! Quan!"

Jiang Buyi was nearly blinded by rage.

How long had he waited?

It felt like a century! The 'Mian Zhu Ling' was finally in sight, and this bastard had isolated it in another world?

"Ahhh—uh?"

His roar had just begun when Jiang Buyi's pupils trembled, cutting it short.

He saw a folding fan suddenly extend from behind Huang Quan, propping open the self-repairing gap in the Zhenhuang Dian array.

Then, a scholarly, kind-faced elder bent down and stepped out.

He walked a few steps, stopping shoulder to shoulder with Huang Quan, smiling without speaking.

With a flick, he opened the fan.

A breeze brushed past, carrying four words:

"Long time no see."

Thump thump!

Thump thump!

In that moment, Jiang Buyi's heart raced to its limit.

His originally pale face turned flushed and hot from the sudden surge of blood.

Mei Yiren!

Mei Yiren was with Huang Quan?

What was going on... What did they want?

"Yo."

In a flash, Jiang Buyi thought of something, his face calmed, and he smirked. "What are you two up to? We... seem to have only met once each. Is this what they call enemies becoming friends? Ha ha."

No one laughed.

Jiang Buyi forced a dry laugh and reined in his smile.

Deep in the sea, he had fought Huang Quan and Tianren Wushuai, but midway, everyone was teleported away.

In the Miracle Forest, he had clashed with Mei Yiren.

Now, these two were together. Though they were both here to kill him, it wasn't impossible to resolve.

At least, they probably didn't know about the 'Putong Countdown' on him yet.

"Tianren Wushuai mentioned to me that Jiang Ban Sheng has a 'Putong Countdown' on you. How about it? Got the 'Mian Zhu Ling' yet?" Huang Quan spoke.

As he said this, his gaze swept toward the 'Mian Zhu Ling' in Yu Lingdi's hand.

Jiang Buyi froze.

Damn Tianren Wushuai!

You old dog!

How could you—how could you work with this Ban Sheng while messaging Huang Quan and Mei Yiren!

How could you call these two mad dogs over?

If you'd been a bit slower!

This Ban Sheng knew from the start you had ulterior motives, tricking me into Zui Yidian and monopolizing the Xukong Jiejing.

Key moment, you didn't dare act alone...

Too cautious! No, it was a perfect scheme!

Even in his fury, Jiang Buyi had to admit Tianren Wushuai was extremely cunning.

He had prime opportunities but never struck.

Time and again, waiting until this Ban Sheng was pushed to the limit, even forcing a move that cost a huge chunk of the countdown time.

Only then, when this Ban Sheng was about to unleash his full power, did he call Huang Quan and Mei Yiren.

—Like feeding someone flies, utterly disgusting!

"Where's Tianren Wushuai?" Jiang Buyi glared at the two in the distance, as if expecting something.

"He has a task; he won't come."

"This Ban Sheng acting once can take one of you down. Call Tianren Wushuai now, and neither of you dies." Jiang Buyi calmed down.

"No." Huang Quan refused. "He won't come, and you won't take either of us down."

"Want to try?!" Jiang Buyi erupted in anger, his body surging with energy, faintly transforming into immortal-colored flowing clouds.

"Go ahead." Huang Quan nodded. "Use whatever moves you have. As long as you can shatter this space-time world... I'll add another ten thousand layers! How about you? How many times can you still act? How many days do you have left?"

Jiang Buyi's hand trembled.

He only had three days left.

One more act, and probably just one or two days.

Another...

"When this space cracks and you're about to be exiled to the inner island of Xukong Island..."

"Don't worry, I'll sense the spatial changes first and strike."

"At that moment, you won't have to suffer in the inner island. I'll guide the space-time power to..."

"Even if you recover your Ban Sheng strength! Even with hidden cards! Using the spatial exile force between the outer and inner islands of Xukong Island, I can still suppress you."

Jiang Buyi's heart sank to the bottom, retracting all his power.

What a flawless plan! He almost applauded Huang Quan.

No need for much effort; just a twist of Xukong Island's power in the rift between islands could tear apart a Ban Sheng so easily.

"We don't seem to have a life-or-death feud." Jiang Buyi looked at the two seriously.

"We do." Huang Quan remained as calm as ever, listing it out: "In Tianqi Forest, I don't know how you so easily seized the San Yan Tong Mu."

"In Yunlun Mountains, your appearance explained everything."

"Since that was just bait, and you're eyeing all of Yan Wang's Lei family pupils, why hide it?"

"If you want to seize someone's life root, just say it outright. Why play innocent, Ban Sheng?"

"Let's lay it all out. You want to kill me, and I want to kill you. Isn't that straightforward?"

Jiang Buyi shook his head slowly upon hearing this: "It's not like that. The San Yan Tong Mu was just something this Ban Sheng didn't want..."

"I'm curious!" Huang Quan cut him off bluntly: "You could use the San Yan Tong Mu as bait and not fear Yan Wang turning it against you after obtaining it."

"So, what backup did you leave for yourself?"

"Shenmo Tong isn't on you, and there's only one pair in the world."

"What did you leave for yourself?"

Suddenly, curiosity filled Huang Quan's eyes.

He was genuinely curious, staring intently at Jiang Buyi's eyes, full of eagerness: "Show it, Jiang Buyi!"

"As a direct participant in the Lei family incident, at this dead end, it's time, right?"

"Reveal your trump card, your hidden final move, everything!"

"I'm really... so curious... what the Lei family pupil you left for yourself looks like?"

At these words, even Ye Xiao, Yu Lingdi, and Mei Yiren couldn't help but stare at Jiang Buyi's eyes.

Yes!

If he could offer the San Yan Tong Mu, what had Jiang Buyi kept for himself?

Nothing?

Impossible!

Anyone who could become a Ban Sheng in Shengshen Continent was full of schemes and plots. How could they cut off their own retreat?

"This Ban Sheng really doesn't have..."

"This Ban Sheng really didn't want..."

Jiang Buyi looked desolate, murmuring sadly, "Why force it? We could have resolved this peacefully."

In the maze of Zui Yidian.

Black flowing clouds burst through the walls, piercing straight through the chest of the Xukong Shi and hurtling toward Zhenhuang Dian.

In that instant of slicing through the air, vaguely visible at the front of the clouds were three strange pupils, their colors indistinguishable in the darkness.

"Save..." Ye Xiao suddenly stared at Yu Lingdi and whispered, "He can't die, not here!"

"Don't worry, I know." Yu Lingdi waved lightly, signaling Ye Xiao not to continue; she might not last if she did.

Jiang Buyi couldn't die!

Especially after signing the contract with Yu Lingdi.

They were on the same boat now. If he had to die, it should be for Shengshen Diantang, not private grudges.

But...

How to fight Huang Quan and Mei Yiren?

Never mind the cost of activating the Secondary Gate.

Once that was revealed, Huang Quan might turn on him directly.

How to break this stalemate?

Yu Lingdi began to scheme.

"I'll do it!"

Ye Xiao spoke again.

She could no longer maintain her human form, having turned into a three-legged black owl, her owl eyes filled with determination.

"You?" Yu Lingdi was stunned. "What are you planning?"

"I don't have much time left. I don't know what happened before, but now..." Ye Xiao lowered her owl head, looking at her abdomen, "I have an extra Xue Shi Zhu inside me."

Yu Lingdi fell silent.

After being controlled by the San Yan Tong Mu, Ye Xiao couldn't remember what had happened, but he did.

The Xue Shi Zhu was forced into her mouth by Tianren Wushuai!

"I'll break through, force my way to Ban Sheng. Under the Saint Tribulation, they have to flee—that's the chance to save Jiang Ban Sheng." Ye Xiao said solemnly.

"This..." Yu Lingdi's pupils shrank. Wasn't that exactly what Tianren Wushuai wanted? Ye Xiao had forgotten?

"Using the Xue Shi Zhu as my Ban Sheng foundation, I might not die; I could even cultivate an undying body. This time, I have to gamble!"

Yu Lingdi opened his mouth as if to stop her, but glancing at Jiang Buyi, he realized he couldn't say the words. This was the only solution.

But Ye Xiao's Saint Tribulation had just been stopped by him once!

Was this fate?

What had Tianren Wushuai seen when he touched the Xue Shi Zhu?

"Hold them off and wait for reinforcements."

"Our Ban Sheng will arrive soon!"

Ye Xiao knew Rao Yao Yao wouldn't amount to much; Dao Qiong Cang must have backups, perhaps already on the way.

She suddenly turned her owl eyes sharply to Yu Lingdi, as if piercing his soul.

"Can I trust you?"

In that moment, Ye Xiao desperately hoped Yu Lingdi was Dao Qiong Cang in disguise, or even Yu Mo would do!

She hadn't worked much with Yu Lingdi and rarely interacted, so she didn't know if this young man's schemes matched his father's.

And if she bet everything on this youth, a full generation younger than her, only to find he was even more useless than Rao Yao Yao...

"You can always trust me!"

Yu Lingdi suddenly spoke, his eyes blazing with light.

How could he not understand Ye Xiao's implication? How could he not hear her underestimation?

"I'm stronger than him!"

Ye Xiao stared at Yu Lingdi silently, then closed her owl eyes.

"Ga—"

A owl cry echoed in Zhenhuang Dian, startling the three still confronting each other.

Jiang Buyi, Huang Quan, and Mei Yiren all turned, stunned to see a blood-red bead floating above the soaring three-legged black owl, like a Ban Sheng foundation.

—One of the Ten Exotic Weapons, the Xue Shi Zhu!

"She dares use that to achieve Sainthood?"

No one responded.

But the first thunder from the nine heavens was the answer! In that moment...

On Xukong Island, in Zui Yidian, in Zhenhuang Dian, the Saint Tribulation began again!