Chapter 1158: Hello? Is Ba Zun there?

"Another person is undergoing tribulation to seal as a saint?"

When the third wave of Sheng Jie erupted, almost everyone on Xuankong Island sensed it, except those trapped in dire straits.

"Again?"

"When did Sheng Jie become so commonplace? Jealous!"

"Are there really so many foundations for sealing as a saint? Why is it never my turn?"

The ignorant were still marveling at the successive waves of sealing fluctuations in such a short time, just like Mu Zixi.

The young girl lifted her gaze upward, looking at the darkness of Zuoyi Dian, with a knowing expression, as if she were the only one who had sensed it.

"Xu Xiaoshou, that's the third sealing fluctuation!"

"It's so terrifying! This place..."

Then, as if recalling something, she glanced at Tianren Wusui, who was still scavenging unknown debris from the battlefield.

"Where's your curse? When will it take effect?"

She was eager for Ye Xiao to drop dead as soon as possible.

As one of the six department heads, and with close ties to the outsiders.

A guy like that needed to be eliminated quickly, or he might come after her next.

Those who knew about the Sheng Jie, like Xu Xiaoshou and Tianren Wusui, were different.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't even bother answering his junior sister's question.

Tianren Wusui, however, had the leisure to turn around and glance at her. "So, what do you think is causing this third Sheng Jie?"

Mu Zixi froze on the spot.

She suddenly realized that this red Sheng Jie, different from the previous black one, might be coming from Ye Xiao after being cursed.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I think we should check if anything was left here." The young girl looked at Tianren Wusui, who was picking through the trash, her pretty face turning pale, her eyes filled with alarm.

Tianren Wusui's abilities were too frightening!

Just by picking up random things, he could start cursing people and even drag them into a Sheng Jie?

Wasn't he worried that the target might actually survive the tribulation?

Oh, right!

It was impossible for Ye Xiao to pass it.

After all, Ye Xiao didn't even have a half-saint status—she had said so herself.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at his junior sister and said in surprise, "Are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

Mu Zixi choked up, then glared fiercely at her senior brother and muttered, "So you've already checked it out, huh? As expected of you."

"Passive value from curse: +1, +1, +1..."

Xu Xiaoshou had no mood to deal with this string of curses.

He watched Tianren Wusui, who had finished packing up and was about to leave, and couldn't help asking, "Where are you planning to go?"

"Why?" Tianren Wusui turned his head, his eyes full of expectation. "Do you want to come with me, or are you going to hand your junior sister over to me now?"

"Impossible!" Xu Xiaoshou shook his head firmly. "If it's just cooperation, maybe I need to know where you're going and what you're doing, so that..."

He paused, then thought of an excuse. "Well, to coordinate with your actions later."

Tianren Wusui's lips curled into a smile, and he said silently,

"Youming Guidu."

"If you need anything, come find me anytime."

He didn't hide it at all!

Who knew if this was a smokescreen to cover his real destination?

But Tianren Wusui said it seriously, and in the end, his gaze fixed on Mu Zixi.

"You too."

"If you figure it out, you can come find me anytime, even if you're at a dead end."

"After all,"

Tianren Wusui spread his hands.

"We can't grow under someone else's wings, can we?"

"Mu Zixi, you're one of my kind, a stalker in the darkness!"

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment, then pulled his junior sister away and left.

He couldn't talk to Tianren Wusui any more!

The more they talked, the more his traits as a human trafficker showed.

Whether abducting or killing outright.

But just then, he felt resistance from the hand he was holding.

Mu Zixi suddenly turned her head, her expression serious, not like she was joking.

"How can I find you?"

It was a clear, cold female voice!

Xu Xiaoshou's pupils trembled.

Was that Leixier?

Had Leixier been persuaded?

She didn't seem like the type to act without reason.

"Shut up!"

"You get back to sleep!"

Mu Zixi clutched her head, her face full of disgust, and slapped herself hard, changing her voice.

Tianren Wusui was clearly startled by this dual voice.

He furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, probably not expecting the host of the divine demon pupil to be swayed so quickly.

But this was a good thing!

Tianren Wusui gave Mu Zixi a deep look, then shifted his gaze to Xu Xiaoshou, his lips curling up.

"It's coming soon. When the time comes..."

"If you're in trouble, just call my name—Tianren Wusui!"

With a bang, Tianren Wusui stopped teasing, finished speaking, and his body exploded into gray-black mist, escaping into a weak spot in space and out of Zuoyi Dian.

Xu Xiaoshou was speechless for a moment.

It took him a while to snap out of it, and he turned around, gripping his junior sister's shoulders tightly.

"Leixier, have you gone mad?"

"Ow, it's me now!"

Mu Zixi winced in pain, her little face scrunching up, about to say something, when her expression suddenly calmed.

"Xu Xiaoshou, you should know that I have to use every means necessary."

"Tianren Wusui is filthy, and I will be too, but he's right—I am like him, meant to walk in the darkness."

"Shut up!" His junior sister finally spoke, overcoming that detestable cold female voice.

Xu Xiaoshou's lips parted slightly.

Then Leixier's voice came again, "You know better than anyone that you can't protect me forever."

"Ah—" Mu Zixi suddenly clutched her head and screamed, "Eeek? Eeek?"

Once the voice disappeared, she brightened up, grabbed Xu Xiaoshou's hand, and said, "Let's go quickly, don't listen to her nonsense. Where are we headed next?"

Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brow deeply and said nothing for a long time.

He didn't respond to Leixier's words but looked back and said after a silence,

"Stay here for a bit."

"Old Chen, a half-saint is approaching!"

The creature on his shoulder, Han Ye, suddenly lifted its head and gazed into the void.

Its perception was extremely sharp, and it was quite proud of being able to warn Chen about the arrival of a half-saint.

But after waiting a while, Han Ye realized that Chen wasn't reacting at all!

"What's wrong with you?"

Han Ye turned its head, its four claws clinging to Chen's ear. With its sacred thoughts, it could see that this young man's face had suddenly become unpredictable.

"I'm fine."

Xu Xiaoshou's true body stopped his journey; his "perception" range had finally connected with his second true body.

A few more teleports, and he could reach his junior sister's side.

But now, he suddenly couldn't feel happy about it.

"The half-saint you mentioned isn't Ye Xiao, who's sealing as a saint, right?"

"No."

Han Ye nodded.

"Then who is it?"

"I don't know, but it's definitely a proper half-saint. The aura is very faint, well-hidden, and it's not someone who just broke through."

"What about Jiang Bansheng?"

"I'm not sure about that; I haven't fought him, only heard you mention him."

"Where is he coming from?"

"Outside Zuoyi Dian!"

"Hmm, that makes sense. Jiang is probably heading to Zhenhuang Dian; he might even be there by now. That can't be him... If even you can sense it, it's so obvious, and it doesn't seem like someone from Bazun An's people. It's probably a half-saint from Shengshen Hall! With Rao Jianxian, they now have two half-saints."

Xu Xiaoshou had to set aside his worries about his junior sister and start thinking about serious matters.

If a half-saint from Shengshen Hall entered the scene, it meant Zuoyi Dian was about to face major upheaval.

At that point, everything would turn into an open war, because Shengshen Hall wouldn't hold back.

Unlike Tianren Wusui, who had to operate in secret—like a stalker in the darkness, as he put it so aptly!

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes turned cold, then quickly returned to normal.

"How many half-saints have you sensed?"

"Just one."

Han Ye said, hesitating as it lowered its head from the top of Chen's head, its round eyes wide. "Do you think half-saints are cabbages? How many could there be?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Half-saints will be like cabbages, one after another."

Xu Xiaoshou exhaled.

He felt it was time for the Sheng Nu to make a move.

Otherwise, with just him and Han Ye, no matter how much trouble they stirred, they might not withstand a single sword from Rao Yaoyao after she sealed as a saint.

A shit-stirrer couldn't handle something so solid!

"Right." Xu Xiaoshou became alert. "If you can detect him, he can probably detect you too?"

"Hee hee hee—"

Han Ye laughed heartily. "Chen, you're underestimating me. I'm extremely skilled in evasion—er, escape techniques. Now, unless it's Rao Bansheng, who has locked onto me, no one else can find me."

Rao Yaoyao?

Xu Xiaoshou didn't deny Han Ye's abilities, but he wasn't that optimistic. "If she comes, can you sense her first?"

"She just broke through to half-saint, so wherever she goes, it's like she's wearing a signboard. You don't need to worry about that, Chen. We can just avoid her for now; it should be fine."

For now...

Xu Xiaoshou didn't know how long "for now" would last.

He glanced back toward Zhenhuang Dian, thinking of Si Ren and Xiao Kongdong.

If those two bodyguards were still around, maybe he wouldn't be afraid.

But the "Tongfu Symbol" allowed Si Ren to find him, not the other way around.

So, Si Ren hadn't shown up after all this time.

He must have something important delaying him, right?

Who knew if they had exchanged for the exemption orders yet?

"Sigh."

With a light sigh, Xu Xiaoshou stopped worrying about the aftermath of the many events in Zuoyi Dian.

None of it concerned him anyway; as long as he found his junior sister, that was enough.

"Stick close!"

He shrugged and began to ascend step by step.

In no time, he located his second true body. With a wave of his hand, his second true body wore a relieved expression and entered the Yuanfu World, picking up his fishing rod.

Han Ye was indeed skilled in evasion.

Xu Xiaoshou's step-by-step ascent couldn't even carry anyone.

But no matter how he teleported, as long as he didn't vanish on the spot, Han Ye always managed to land right on his shoulders, never falling behind.

This soul-chasing ability was a waste if not used for escape or travel.

"Why are there two of you now?"

Watching the two Xu Xiaoshou switch places, one arriving and one leaving, Mu Zixi wrinkled her nose.

But she was used to her senior brother's habit of using multiple identities to trick and scare people, so she didn't mind whether there was one or two.

She had already been frightened once by the identical twins in the Yuanfu World!

So, when Xu Xiaoshou's true body appeared and replaced his second true body, she was only briefly surprised. Her attention quickly shifted to the little white creature on Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder.

"Little Tan Shen?"

She leaned in for a closer look. This fluffy white being didn't seem like a cat; its tail was even fluffier than Tan Shen's, like a squirrel's tail.

"Little White Weasel?"

Mu Zixi looked at her senior brother in delight, reaching out to hug the little white weasel and play with it.

"Wow! How do you always find such cute little pets? Is this for me? I like it so much!"

"I'm not a pet!"

Han Ye was furious, its fluffy tail standing up straight and its round eyes glaring, making it even cuter!

"Oh ho~..." Mu Zixi's eyes sparkled. "It says 'I'm not a pet'? You're way more personality than Little Tan Shen. Xu Xiaoshou, I really like it!"

The young girl said, immediately hugging the little white weasel and stroking its head vigorously.

Han Ye felt a tingling sensation spread through its body and instinctively wanted to moan, but it quickly suppressed this strange pleasure, its fur standing on end as it prepared to strike.

"I said, I'm not—"

It had only mobilized half of its sacred power when Han Ye's words cut off, sensing something was off.

Wait!

What did this young girl just call him?

Xu Xiaoshou?

Who was she talking to?

There wasn't a third person here, right?

Uh, Chen—was Xu Xiaoshou?

Han Ye trembled as it glanced back, seeing Chen's calm gaze fixed on it, with a hint of coldness.

But it wasn't because he had noticed something; it seemed he was staring at the sacred power in Han Ye's claws!

Han Ye quickly retracted its sacred power, its expression complex. "You..."

"I have many identities; you can think of it however you want. But what I said before is what it is—don't pay attention to anyone else's names for me, even if they call me Bazun An or something." Xu Xiaoshou instantly transformed into Bazun An's appearance, his two fingers together, manifesting sword intent.

No way?

This was wrong!

Han Ye was stunned.

Xu Xiaoshou was Chen?

And when necessary, he could be Bazun An?

Han Ye's mind short-circuited.

"So, the one I swore loyalty to was actually the successor to Bazun An that's rumored on the inner island? But why won't he reveal his real identity?"

"Oh! Right..."

"If I get caught, I can only report identities like 'Chen Tan,' 'Chen Shu,' or 'Chen Ruye,' not 'Xu Xiaoshou.' Is that what he means?"

Han Ye somewhat understood. It looked up at the young girl.

So, this little miss was the one Xu—er, Chen—was desperately rushing to save? His junior sister?

Han Ye had some knowledge of Xu Xiaoshou's identity.

It quickly calmed down, but still felt something was off—no, very off!

Where was the battlefield?

Where were the enemies?

What about the promised Yuling Di?

No matter who you are, I came to help Chen beat people, not to be petted. I'm not a pet!

"Woo hoo~"

"Hee hee~"

A current ran through its neck, and Han Ye's thoughts were interrupted. Its round face took on a cat-like contentment, letting out a few soft calls.

It couldn't figure it out.

But in the end, it lay back down contentedly.

This was the cunning Xu Xiaoshou!

The one favored by the inner island's Bai Mai Three Ancestors and the Demon Emperor Black Dragon!

No wonder he had so many treasures from the big shots; he should have realized earlier that he had backed the right person this time.

"Hee~"

Mu Zixi was still petting the weasel.

But Han Ye didn't dare fight back anymore.

What humiliation!

I am a half-saint level ghost beast; remember, saints cannot be humiliated!

But this time...

Forget it; this humiliation felt pretty good.

If it's a dream, please let it continue; don't wake up.

Following Xu Xiaoshou, he absolutely couldn't go wrong; this was a big shot close to Bazun An!

"Hee hee hee~"

"Don't tickle me!!"

"Hiss... Uh? Cough cough! I said, don't tickle me!"

"Hee hee hee~"

Space cracked, and Xu Xiaoshou retracted his fist.

The long-absent light pierced the eyes, making it hard to adjust.

Emerging from the gloomy Zuoyi Dian and embracing the sunlight of Xuankong Island again gave people a false sense of illusion.

"Finally out of that sea of suffering, away from the storm's center!"

Yet, it was foreseeable that this freedom was only temporary.

"Xu Xiaoshou, where are we going next?" Mu Zixi hugged Han Ye, still excited.

Han Ye hadn't snapped out of being called "Xu Xiaoshou" so casually and was still in a daze.

Mu Zixi didn't feel as restricted by Zuoyi Dian's dark atmosphere; she just thought this trip had been alright.

Full of surprises but no real dangers.

Although she had separated from Xu Xiaoshou, he had found her in the end, as expected!

"You're a half-saint, right? And a ghost beast? Then Tan Shen should be like your sister. Hmm, you two do look alike. I'll introduce you later." Mu Zixi smiled and stroked the little white weasel's head.

Sister?

When did I have a long-lost sister?

Han Ye stared blankly at the sky, not daring to move, unable to respond.

"We're not going back."

Stepping on the land of this giant kingdom, Xu Xiaoshou was silent for a moment and didn't bother with his junior sister's petting of Han Ye.

He truly didn't want to return to Zuoyi Dian.

His original purpose for coming here was just to exchange for the "exemption order."

Now that the goal was achieved, even though Zuoyi Dian was still in chaos, what did it have to do with him?

"Boom!"

Above the nine heavens, red tribulation clouds loomed.

The fluctuations of the Sheng Jie spread across the entire Xuankong Island, occasionally striking down thunderbolts into Zuoyi Dian.

Looking up, the center of the Sheng Jie was far from him...

The aftermath of the Sheng Jie was something he was seeing for the first time; anyone would feel shocked and uneasy.

But after seeing it so many times, Xu Xiaoshou was used to it.

"Let's leave here first and decide where to go later. Everyone else is breaking through; I need to seek my breakthrough too."

Xu Xiaoshou started walking, choosing a direction to flee.

He didn't know what he was fleeing from, but the farther, the better.

"Breakthrough?"

Mu Zixi hugged the little white weasel and hurried after him, her eyes lighting up. "Xu Xiaoshou, are you breaking through to Wangzuo Daojing?"

"Yeah, I should have broken through to Wangzuo a long time ago, but the death countdown held me back, so I didn't dare. Now that it's relaxed, I can't suppress it anymore."

"I think you should hold off?" Mu Zixi remembered how strong Xu Xiaoshou already was; breaking through to Wangzuo Daojing would make him even more powerful. She suggested it lightly.

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes silently.

If he held off any longer, he might really die!

A mere lesser master, facing monsters time and again.

He used to think fighting Wangzuo or slaying Dao realm was absurd, but then it happened naturally, and he even took on Taixu.

Now, on Xuankong Island, enemies had skyrocketed to half-saint level!

Luckily, he didn't have to fight them, but if he got caught in the war, who knew where his life would end.

High-level battles were tough!

Seizing the time while half-saints were just appearing, he needed to break through to Wangzuo quickly. That way, if he got dragged in, he might stand a better chance of survival.

"Where should I break through to Wangzuo with the least risk?"

Xu Xiaoshou flew away from Zuoyi Dian while pondering.

His thoughts were always clear, unaffected by external chaos, even if elsewhere it was utter mayhem.

But he couldn't disrupt his own rhythm.

If he did, and got carried away and rushed into the battle, he'd die on the spot!

"By the way, how long did it take you to break through to Wangzuo back then?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, turning back.

Mu Zixi was stunned. "Me? I slept and woke up as Wangzuo. You forgot?"

Xu Xiaoshou's lips twitched.

Damn it...

"Han Ye, do you know how long it generally takes to break through to Wangzuo? I heard you need a long time to comprehend the great dao?"

"Ah?" Han Ye was also confused and hesitated. "According to human terms, I'm a native sacred beast, born at Wangzuo Daojing. During growth, I think I got struck by lightning and became Taixu, so I don't know what you're asking."

Xu Xiaoshou's lips twitched again.

This is annoying!

Am I the only one who has to worry about being disturbed during a breakthrough?

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath and gave up on the conversation.

Why is no one around me normal?

He could enter the Yuanfu World to break through directly.

But breaking through to Wangzuo was different from innate or master levels; comprehending the heavenly dao was key, and Xu Xiaoshou already knew that.

The Yuanfu World was newly formed, and its great dao rules weren't fully established.

Xu Xiaoshou worried that breaking through inside might cause accidents.

The rules on Xuankong Island seemed different from Shengshen Continent's.

But since Rao Yaoyao dared to seal as a saint here, it meant the place was at least stable enough for his breakthrough theoretically.

The issue was that Xuankong Island was full of dangers. If he sat down and the breakthrough took three to five days, what if a Xuankong Servant or Rao Yaoyao showed up?

"I need someone to protect me..."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at Han Ye.

As a half-saint, Han Ye would be the ideal guardian.

But now, Han Ye was basically a lure for Rao Yaoyao; who knew when she'd be drawn over.

Having Han Ye guard him was no better than splitting up.

At least that way, there was no risk of Rao Yaoyao interrupting midway.

"Pat."

He pulled out the communicator, thinking of the perfect guardian, though it might be a bit extravagant to call on them...

Infusing spiritual energy.

Xu Xiaoshou started daydreaming while trying to contact Bazun An.

"At this point, Bazun An should have entered the scene, right? Maybe he's nearby?"

"If Bazun An guards my breakthrough, that would be worry-free. Maybe I could even cultivate some special domain..."

"Yes, I need to confirm what he's ultimately after. I can't keep being led around by the nose."

"Perfect, I'll use that as an excuse to contact him. Guarding the breakthrough is just incidental; it won't use up favors—I'm helping him, so he should thank me."

With anticipation, Xu Xiaoshou flew while waiting for a response.

The communicator maintained its usual busy tone.

Besides that time at the Ling Que Trade Fair when something went wrong and he successfully contacted Bazun An, he hadn't reached this elusive figure since.

So, he didn't know if this whimsical idea would work.

It probably would...

Hopefully!

"What are you doing?" Mu Zixi cast a curious glance.

"Calling for backup."

"Who? Why? Aren't you going to break through to Wangzuo?"

"Calling Bazun An to see if he's free to guard my breakthrough."

Han Ye, who had been lying comfortably, suddenly sprang up like a cat, fully alert.

What? Just for breaking through to Wangzuo, you're calling the尊of the black and white pulses to guard you?

Am I not a person? I'm right here to watch over you; is that necessary? Still calling Bazun...

"Beep."

The communicator trembled lightly and rang once.

Click. Han Ye's eyes widened, freezing on the spot, its thoughts stalled.

No way, no way, no way!

Did it connect?!

Is this really contacting Bazun An, not just some random person?

It connected?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

"Hello?" Xu Xiaoshou was a bit surprised himself; he had just been daydreaming, and it actually worked?

"Bazun An?" Xu Xiaoshou held the communicator to his ear, feeling like he was dreaming.

At that moment, Han Ye truly felt like it was dreaming!

That was the尊of the black and white pulses!

Even the inner island's great saints couldn't contact him; they could only wait passively for tasks.

And Chen just pulled out a communicator and reached him?

Han Ye perked up its ears, its body in Mu Zixi's arms, its soul practically on the communicator in Chen's hand.

Soon, its liver trembled as it heard a familiar, devilish voice.

The last time it heard that voice... decades ago!

Back then, it had almost prostrated itself, only stealing a glance at that person stepping on the Demon Emperor Black Dragon, sword pointing at the Bai Mai Three Ancestors, his tone arrogant and unrestrained.

But this time, the voice was very calm.

"Come in."

With a boom, Han Ye's mind went blank, as if struck by a Sheng Jie, feeling a surreal mix of fantasy and reality, like legends coming to life.

—Bazun An's voice!

Han Ye snapped to attention, realizing Chen was suddenly gone.

Traces of time and space lingered around.

Very faint.

But that meant Bazun An had really come?

"Xu Xiaoshou?" Mu Zixi panicked. How had he disappeared right after holding up the communicator?

"Where did he go?" The young girl quickly lifted the little white weasel in her hands; it was a half-saint, so it should know something.

"Don't worry, don't worry..."

Han Ye comforted her repeatedly. When it saw Chen could contact Bazun An, it realized the identities of these two youngsters were far more valuable than it imagined!

"Chen—er, Xu Xiaoshou was just called away by Bazun An. He'll be fine; you can relax."

"Where was he called to?"

"I don't know; how could a little half-saint like me understand Bazun An's actions? But he's definitely safe!"

Bazun An?

Little half-saint?

Mu Zixi was stunned; this didn't match her understanding of the world. She looked puzzled. "You're a half-saint, and you're afraid of him? He is a bit scary... but he hasn't sealed as a saint yet, right?"

Han Ye laughed at that.

People are different, after all!

Some can only be measured by saints.

But some, even as masters, have ice-type half-saint ghost beasts under them. How can that be the same?

Han Ye had thought people like Chen would all be extraordinary.

But from what she said, it realized Mu Zixi was on the same level as it—maybe even a bit denser.

She didn't know Bazun An's background?

Or about the inner island?

But...

"You've seen Bazun An?" Han Ye's eyes darted around, its mind racing.

"Yeah." Mu Zixi furrowed her brow and nodded, pouting. "He's incredibly unkempt, not even half as handsome as Xu Xiaoshou!"

Han Ye took a deep breath.

What a big shot!

People and beasts are different, indeed.

Some have messed-up minds, but their backgrounds are top-tier; unlike certain beasts, who are smart but never reach the highest levels.

Han Ye finally exhaled and put on an adorable expression, its tone a bit flattering.

"Little girl, don't worry about your Xu Xiaoshou; he won't be in danger."

"Tell me, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"

"Do you want to pick stars?"

Come in?

Where to come in?

Xu Xiaoshou clutched the suddenly disconnected communicator, puzzled.

Suddenly, he noticed that Han Ye and Mu Zixi behind him were gone, and his heart skipped a beat.

But he quickly relaxed.

Joke—this anomaly was caused by Bazun An!

Since he was nearby, even if the sky fell, he'd hold it up!

At this point, if Rao Yaoyao showed up, that would be great.

If she brought a half-saint from Shengshen Hall, even better—preferably two.

Hmm, three half-saints—could they kill Bazun An?

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't sure.

But the idea of Bazun An dying on Xuankong Island seemed ridiculous.

"At least, it would take a saint emperor to kill Bazun An, right?"

"Strange, he's just below half-saint, so why does he give off this unique feeling, like he's on another level?"

No need to search; Xu Xiaoshou quickly detected the anomaly.

First, the Shi Zu Shadow Staff he had thrown into the Yuanfu World suddenly flew out.

The surrounding space-time was clearly distorted.

Stepping on Xuankong Island's land, Xu Xiaoshou felt like he had entered another world.

This wasn't an illusion!

From the chaotic, interwoven spatial nodes, Xu Xiaoshou knew that what his eyes saw and what his body felt were completely different.

He glanced back.

Still couldn't see his junior sister.

The Shi Zu Shadow Staff seemed to urge him forward; this thing was strange, coming from Kong Yuhen.

But thinking of Bazun An being nearby, Xu Xiaoshou felt inexplicably secure, boldly following the Shi Zu Shadow Staff.

"Kong Yuhen..."

"If Kong Yuhen showed up to cause trouble now, that would be perfect?"

"At least, Bazun An should be able to handle him, right? If even he can't, who can?"

After a few steps, the world before his eyes became bizarre and chaotic, yet strangely stable.

Xu Xiaoshou looked ahead, vaguely feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if he had dreamed of this place before.

Wait!

"Zuoyi Dian?"

Xu Xiaoshou's hairs stood on end.

He had been flying away from Zuoyi Dian and had gone far, so how did he end up here after a few steps?

And...

People?

He turned his head.

"Then let's go in?" Xiao Kongdong hesitated, as if swallowing some words, looked up to confirm the "Zuoyi Dian" plaque, and pushed the door open, taking the lead.

"Follow me." Mei Si Ren overtook him, glanced back, and entered the great hall.

"I'll go first!" Mu Zixi appeared! She snatched the middle position; she really didn't have the guts to bring up the rear!

"Then I'll be the tank." Xu Xiaoshou blurted out, but halfway through, he woke up with a start.

Something was wrong!

This was the scene when their four-person team first entered Zuoyi Dian?

A loop?

A dream?

Time-space?

Reincarnation?

Covered in cold sweat, Xu Xiaoshou almost thought his previous experiences in Zuoyi Dian were fake.

But checking his mind, the death countdown was gone.

"Come in."

From within Zuoyi Dian's great hall, Bazun An's voice timely emerged.

At that moment, Bazun An's voice had a magical calming effect.

At least, Xu Xiaoshou's racing heart steadied.

He took a deep breath, not rushing to step inside, but instead retreated a step, looked up, rubbed his eyes, and gazed at the Zuoyi Dian plaque again.

Last time, he had mindlessly followed the group into Zuoyi Dian and ended up somewhere else.

This time...

When Xu Xiaoshou's eyes met the plaque, they lost focus.

"Gujin Wangyou Lou!"

His soles felt cold, as if his skull had been pried open, and a fear from the unknown poured from his brain into his heart—it was icy terror.

"So, what I entered back then was really Gujin Wangyou Lou, completely different from Mei Si Ren and the others' experiences."

"Gujin—now that has a timeless feel."

"Wangyou my ass; this thing only creates anxiety. It said I was anxious? Who wouldn't be anxious coming here!"

Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the Shi Zu Shadow Staff.

Wait!

Shi Zu Shadow Staff?

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly couldn't remember where he got this thing, and subconsciously threw it aside like trash, as if it were a hot potato.

Only then did he feel a bit better, smiling slightly, straightening his clothes, and stepping forward, using the Shi Zu Shadow Staff to push open the wooden door of Gujin Wangyou Lou.

"Screech—"

As the door opened, the world inside was revealed.