Chapter 1183: Eat my fire seed first

Plink!

Within the utterly dark palace, a drop of water suddenly fell, splashing onto the ground with a clear sound. Immediately following, faint circular patterns of light spread outwards in rings from a central point. The intricate patterns slowly expanded, and in a short while, they outlined the nascent form of an array. However, before the array could fully form, it quickly vanished.

The darkness persisted for a long time.

“Ah…”

A soft, light exhalation, tinged with a hint of bewilderment, suddenly broke the silence. It was as if someone in a deep slumber had finally awakened.

Silence returned to the palace.

Boom! Boom!

The Holy Tribulation descended. The lightning tribulation, already in its later stages, was like a deranged deity, unleashing thousands of bolts with a mere flick of its hand. Jiang Buyi had already become a man of blood.

For a Grand-Eminent to undergo the Demi-Saint Tribulation is a test, a necessary assessment by the Holy Path for those seeking transcendence. Provided one is thoroughly prepared, possesses strong self-confidence, and has attained the Demi-Saint Status, there's a decent probability of success. After all, the foolish wouldn't cultivate to the peak of Grand-Eminent, nor would they consider undergoing the Holy Tribulation to take that step.

But a Demi-Saint is different! For a Demi-Saint to undergo the Holy Tribulation again is a direct provocation to the Holy Path! You’ve already passed the assessment and entered this threshold; if you still seek to be struck by lightning, you must be exceptionally eager for punishment. In such a situation, if you insist, then you shall be thoroughly satisfied! Therefore, at such times, the intensity of the Holy Tribulation will be several, even more than ten, times greater than that faced by a regular Grand-Eminent.

Jiang Buyi was facing this secondary trial. He wasn't experiencing a superposition of triple Holy Tribulations, which would have caused a mutation in the tribulation, but his situation was by no means easy. Because of the Three Tribulation Eyes, he had never considered revealing them from start to finish, possessing no preparations whatsoever for enduring the Holy Tribulation. If he had, Jiang Buyi wouldn't have been threatened by the Five Decays of Heavenly Man at that time. Wouldn't it have been better to risk forcing the Holy Tribulation while under the Five Decays, fight intensely, and kill that disgusting fellow?

“Will this Saint’s life end here?”

Jiang Buyi, now a blood-soaked figure, lifted his gaze amid the lightning tribulation, his breath faint. He felt his Saint’s consciousness was experiencing hallucinations. With lightning tribulation surrounding him from all sides, he was caught in a pincer attack, even faintly feeling someone watching him from the shadows. Not only that, but hostility directed at him emanated from all corners of the Hall of Sins. Jiang Buyi's transformation from the once peerless figure on the Holy Spirit Continent to someone who now dared not even glance when his Saint's name was called aloud, was not without reason. Being called out too many times, sometimes even when he was at his weakest or in battle...

He was truly scared!

“Perhaps, this Saint shouldn’t have come here…”

At this moment, Jiang Buyi couldn't help but ponder whether sending out the Three Annoyance Eyes as bait and personally venturing to the Cloud Ridge Mountain Range was a good or bad decision. Considering all subsequent developments, he couldn't find a single positive interpretation. In fact, it was an extremely urgent turn towards the worst possible outcome.

Too rushed! He had just cast the bait, and the fish had only just touched it, not even knowing whether to bite or just swim past... yet he rushed to pull the rod, eager to gain something. It must be said, this game of chess was played truly poorly, completely beneath his usual standard.

However... Jiang Buyi also understood that if given another chance, he would probably make the same choice, still rushing to pull the rod. He couldn't wait any longer! Of the Demi-Saint families involved in the Tear family incident back then, only a few remained now. Openly and covertly, the Holy Spirit Temple was settling old scores, seeking to gain more by reclaiming the authority that had been previously dispersed. Jiang Buyi knew that if he didn't act quickly, perhaps tomorrow, disaster would strike without him even realizing it.

Was it to fight for survival and ascend rapidly? Or was it to lose everything silently, like those others, leaving no trace of their existence?

Jiang Buyi chose the former.

“Holy Tribulation…”

He looked up. The Nine Heavens Thunderbolts were poised, a new round about to descend. At this point, his own condition was less than one percent of its peak; this wave of Holy Tribulation would damage his cultivation foundation. If his cultivation foundation were truly damaged, he would be unable to advance even half a step further, no matter what.

Jiang Buyi narrowed his eyes, realizing the period when he had made his biggest mistake. It had to be even earlier, before the destruction of the Tear family! If his past self had been a little more rational, and hadn't participated...

Jiang Buyi closed his eyes heavily; with things as they were, further thought was useless.

“Greed, the original sin.”

The Nine Heavens Thunderbolts descended once more. Jiang Buyi's entire body tensed, veins bulging on his neck, his face becoming incredibly distorted. He abruptly opened his eyes... No! Three eyes! Along with the fissure on his brow, three incredibly eerie Three Tribulation Eyes, each with three rapidly swirling blood-colored flowers, were simultaneously unleashed.

“Holy Tribulation?”

“Then let it come!”

Jiang Buyi's entire being exuded a mad aura, his thoughts entering a state of paranoia, no longer placing hope in others. “Perhaps this Saint’s preparations are incomplete, but he can still take that step! What harm is there in trying?”

Jiang Buyi suddenly reached out, aiming forcefully at the Three Tribulation Eye on his brow. It was at this moment that an abrupt change occurred!

Plink.

A golden droplet flew from his body, soared over his head, and met the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation. Jiang Buyi's movements instantly ceased, his eyes wide with shock. He recognized this golden droplet! The last time he went to the True Splendor Hall to exchange for a banishment exemption token, the giant statue there had given him a similar golden droplet, instructing him to rescue a forbidden creature from the Hall of Sins. As it turned out, the one he was supposed to rescue was Night Owl, and he had just clashed with the Five Decays of Heavenly Man. After shamelessly stealing fifty Void Crystals from the Five Decays of Heavenly Man, Jiang Buyi returned to the True Splendor Hall, only to find the banishment exemption token was gone! To save his life, he even had to form a contract with Yu Lingdi... Ultimately, his current predicament was all thanks to that golden droplet! All thanks to Yu Lingdi!

“Damn you, Yu Lingdi! If this Saint survives, I will definitely cut you down first!”

Jiang Buyi glared upwards, only to see the golden droplet, beneath the Nine Heavens Lightning Tribulation, fearlessly unleashing... a faint power. It was the phantom of a door, its aura very faint. Upon its appearance, a familiar aura of spatial displacement from the Hall of Sins surged around it. But it quickly expanded, a phantom enlargement. As the grand door opened, the lightning tribulation blasted through it but did not emerge from the other side.

“Sub-plane Gate!”

Jiang Buyi seemed overcome with joy, vitality surging anew throughout his entire being. That door connected to another world, clearly separating above from below, and life from death. The Sub-plane Gate pushed upwards, enveloped the Holy Tribulation, and then its two halves closed.

Boom!

The Holy Tribulation, vanished!

The Holy Tribulation that was about to drive him to despair, just disappeared?! Jiang Buyi's eyes widened, unable to believe what was happening before him. A sudden turn for the better—Yu Lingdi actually made a move? The Three Tribulation Eyes instantly closed. Thinking of Yu Lingdi, Jiang Buyi immediately recalled that golden droplet, and his pupils trembled.

“When did he leave this trick on this Saint? Was it when he was taken away from the True Splendor Hall?” Jiang Buyi couldn't recall at all. He was a Demi-Saint, while Yu Lingdi was merely at the Severed Path realm. Yet, this Severed Path cultivator, with his power of profound truth, could leave a hidden move on him without being detected. This time, it was merely the Sub-plane Gate, which was fortunate. Next time, if Yu Lingdi harbored ill intentions...

A chill ran through Jiang Buyi's heart; he realized that his recent encounters had left him unsettled. He shouldn't have been unable to detect it. But having been repeatedly severed, with Demi-Saint avatars dying one after another, he had forgotten to guard against Yu Lingdi, this ‘ally’. That was someone who could even deceive the Yellow Springs and successfully deliver a death-exemption token across space-time into his hands! One must guard against him! He must not be underestimated!

“Right, where is Yu Lingdi? Why did that fellow suddenly extend aid from a distance? Even with the Demi-Saint's Decree binding him, preventing his death, this time, he must be shown what it means to be a Saint, not to be...”

“Huh?”

His Saint’s consciousness unfolded. Jiang Buyi's thoughts halted as he stared in horror at the scene in the distance... A black ray tore through the air, transforming into a black sword that savagely impaled Yu Lingdi, who was burning with white flames, wreathed in demonic energy, and whose consciousness was hazy, onto the void! This sword was the Four-Fold Sword! And it was impaling Yu Lingdi's head!

In an instant, Jiang Buyi felt a rush of heat to his brain, and his entire body began to tremble slightly. He thought of the Demi-Saint's Decree, of his unfulfilled command, and that Yu Lingdi, for now, could not die! He had to walk out of Void Island alive, and die by his hand once the contract ended!

Jiang Buyi's eyes were bloodshot; his form transformed into a cloud of mist, and he abruptly rushed towards the direction of the True Splendor Hall ruins. “Who dares touch him?!”

**Dragon Blending Realm.**

With one sword impaling Yu Lingdi's forehead, he then gazed at the grand scene where a thousand li of white suppressed the Water-attribute Profound Truth. Although it was still somewhat short of the scene in the Eight Palaces where Elder Sang's single move shattered a hundred thousand mountains, the gap was not significant anymore! Xu Xiaoshou felt his thoughts clear, and the subtle knots in his heart were all resolved. Back then, he was only at the Innate realm, and this Head of the Spirit Department tortured him to near death. Now, the tables had turned; as soon as he entered the Throne realm, Yu Lingdi was already down, without even a tenth of his power unleashed. Xu Xiaoshou had made full preparations for this Head of the Spirit Department. He still had too many trump cards unrevealed!

“Time truly makes one sigh with emotion…”

After reminiscing about his past self and Elder Sang, and thinking that this counted as a small revenge for himself and Elder Sang, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly emerged from his melancholic mood. “Speaking of which, Elder Sang isn't dead yet, is he? Why am I so sad? It's as if the old man has truly passed away. But why has Yu Lingdi's combat power become like this? It's a bit disappointing...”

After calming down, Xu Xiaoshou keenly noticed too many unsettling details. First, Yu Lingdi was in such a miserable state, yet he still hadn't activated the Sin of Void General. What was he waiting for? Second, what about his Sub-plane Gate? He was on the verge of death, yet he wouldn't bring it out. Was he afraid Zhu Yike would steal it again? Xu Xiaoshou had been exceptionally vigilant, constantly anticipating the Sub-plane Gate with its peculiar abilities. During the fight, he had even dedicated most of his attention to being able to instantly switch techniques, transforming into the Spatial Dao Disk, to directly counter the spatial displacement power of the Sub-plane Gate and prevent his group from being forcibly dispersed... He even thought about secretly learning from it! —To secretly learn the Sub-plane Gate's abilities using the Spatial Dao Disk; such an audacious idea was something only Xu Xiaoshou would dare to conceive.

“Master Shou.”

Behind him, Feng Xiaose suddenly spoke, his tone grave: “The fiendish demonic energy of the Four-Fold Sword can cause non-ancient sword cultivators to go berserk. Essentially, this is because their Dao hearts are not firm! But Spirit Refiners who master profound truths are different. Their cultivation foundations are extremely solid, and Yu Lingdi severed his path on this very basis. Individuals like them are almost immune to going berserk. You should note this.”

Hailing from the Feng family of the Southern Region, and being a genuine ancient sword cultivator himself, Feng Xiaose's understanding of various renowned swords was likely deeper than his own. Thus, his words immediately prompted deep thought from Xu Xiaoshou.

“The Four-Fold Sword can't kill Yu Lingdi?”

To make this fellow suffer more, Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even brought out the Blazing Serpent. Originally, for fire attribute against water attribute, the best assistant would be the renowned sword, Blazing Serpent. He never thought that the power of profound truths would have such a foundation? But on closer inspection, it seemed to be true... For the Throne realm, to fully comprehend profound truths, one must endure countless torments of inner demons. The state of mind forged through such experiences would surely be incomparable to that of ordinary Spirit Refiners. Moreover, Yu Lingdi had taken that step, severing his perfect cultivation foundation, surpassing his past self even further. Little did he know, Ye Xiaotian had spent decades to take this step! Such world-rare talents had already inflicted such a brutal cut upon their own Dao realm and state of mind earlier. After that, facing enemies... what kind of tempering could they not have experienced during their Throne realm?

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but think of his Heart Sword Art, 'All Under My Gaze Are Demons.' This sword could even forcefully control Mr. Jiren for a time, causing a momentary loss of control over his Dao heart and leading to qi deviation. Mr. Jiren was able to suppress it because he was a Demi-Saint disguised as a Grand-Eminent—his cultivation was high enough, and his experience ample! As for Yu Lingdi, when he previously endured 'All Under My Gaze Are Demons,' he merely suffered spiritual damage, his state of mind was severed, and demonic energy wreathed his body. However, he did not lose control; he remained conscious and able to speak! On this point, even Elder Sang couldn't compare... After Elder Sang was struck by an arrow from the Evil Sin Bow, he could only utter a few more instructions before his entire being was completely enveloped in demonic energy.

Xu Xiaoshou linked this to the most fundamental difference between the two. “Profound Truth of Water, Ultimate Fire...” Elder Sang's fire was merely ultimate flames, but this was due to the inherent intensity of the All-Illuminating White Flame itself. Ultimately, Elder Sang had not comprehended the Fire-attribute Profound Truth. His state of mind was therefore not as powerful as Yu Lingdi's. With such a comparison, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but marvel once more at how astonishing the talent of this Head of the Spirit Department was.

“Indeed, the renowned truly live up to their name!”

He looked up. Beyond the shattered void of the Dragon Blending Realm, Xu Xiaoshou gazed at Yu Lingdi, who remained impaled in mid-air in the distance.

“Sword, come!”

He beckoned with his hand. With a clang, the Four-Fold Sword in the distance trembled violently and swiftly flew over, carrying Yu Lingdi's broken body.

Thud!

Another sound. This time, the Four-Fold Sword impaled itself before Xu Xiaoshou. Yu Lingdi's body trembled violently, suffering secondary damage, his head almost severed.

“Heh heh heh...”

This former glorious Head of the Spirit Department was now covered in blood, a black sword impaling his brow, serving as the basis for his suspension in mid-air. His breathing was extremely labored, his eyes vacant and broken, occasionally flashing with crimson light.

“Hoo!”

“Roar!!”

From time to time, Yu Lingdi would let out uncontrolled, inhuman roars, filled with desolation. Indeed, the Four-Fold Sword's fiendish demonic energy could torment him to the brink of death, but it wasn't fatal. Yet, even so, Yu Lingdi's current injuries could not even be described as 'severely wounded.' His heart was pierced by the Sleeve-less Fiery Hand, leaving a large hole, and the wound was scorched, preventing even blood from flowing out. His abdomen was blasted by Xu Xiaoshou's kick, his intestines and bones completely shattered, and as his body passed through the Dragon Blending Realm, his wounds appeared to have been treated with a coagulant, all scorched and fused into a coagulated mess. Even without mentioning the immense pain caused by the Four-Fold Sword, which had cracked his skull at his brow, Yu Lingdi's body was still ablaze with the raging All-Illuminating White Flame. Physical body, spiritual essence, Dao principles... All-Illuminating White Flame, burning everything! Under the various pains in his body and the brilliance of the tyrannical will deep within his spirit and soul, the Water-attribute Profound Truth simply could not materialize. Naturally, Yu Lingdi was unable to extinguish the All-Illuminating White Flame and could only endure the agonizing injuries it inflicted upon him.

“I must say, you have a hard life; you're not dead yet.”

Xu Xiaoshou was deeply shocked, even feeling stunned himself. He had never seen anyone so severely wounded—from body to spirit to soul—yet still clinging to life. Even the Oddity, if it were here, would surely feel ashamed in comparison, right? Yu Lingdi wasn't like him, possessing various passive regeneration abilities. If he didn't die now and continued like this, his injuries wouldn't improve; they would only worsen. By then, if Xu Xiaoshou had time, crushing him would be as easy as flicking a finger.

“Cough, cough!”

Yu Lingdi, who had been breathing heavily, coughed several times, and his eyes surprisingly managed to gather a few points of focus. He parted his lips, which were already burned and cracked; the pain of this movement made his entire body tremble uncontrollably. Yet Yu Lingdi struggled to speak.

“Xu Xiaoshou! You... can't... kill me! Heh heh, ha... ha ha ha! As long as, as long as there is... a single drop of water... in this world! I, Yu Lingdi, will not... die! Ha ha ha—*gasp*! *Pfft*!”

Yu Lingdi's eyes widened, his pupils tinged with demonic energy; he could still laugh. However, after laughing, he coughed up blood and lost his composure, quickly falling back into a state of struggling with inner demons. Once the man before him regained some focus, Xu Xiaoshou spoke with a smile: “Why should I kill you? The hatred between us isn't great. You inexplicably beat me up before; now I'm stronger and chose to beat you back for revenge. The grudge is settled, isn't it? Every wrong has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor! I used the Four-Fold Sword to stab you mainly because you always remind me of an old man, which greatly affects my mood. But you don't need to provoke me into killing you for that... because you alive are more valuable than you dead, understand?”

Xu Xiaoshou pinched Yu Lingdi's chin and saw his pupils trembling.

“Trash!” Yu Lingdi spat out, after holding it in for a long time.

Xu Xiaoshou was amused. “You can live a very miserable life, I guarantee you, because the Holy Spirit Temple must have spent vast resources cultivating you. I think your life is worth more than that of a certain old geezer! You will live... until I use you as a hostage to get him back...” As Xu Xiaoshou spoke, the smile in his eyes faded, replaced by a hint of killing intent. “The way Elder Sang is living now, you too shall personally experience it!”

Puff puff!

The All-Illuminating White Flame suddenly intensified under his killing intent. Yu Lingdi's body convulsed, his wounds bled and instantly dried, and he completely lost the ability to speak.

“Where is the Sub-plane Gate?”

Xu Xiaoshou tossed a pill onto Yu Lingdi's wound.

Sizzle sizzle!

The pill had barely transformed into spiritual essence before it was instantly incinerated by the All-Illuminating White Flame. But like rain in a long drought, even if he only caught a faint scent of the medicinal aroma, Yu Lingdi was stimulated and regained his focus. He struggled to lift his eyes, staring fixedly at Xu Xiaoshou, his lips trembling, yet he remained silent. Xu Xiaoshou met his gaze, and an overwhelming aura of power erupted, pressing down like a giant looking down on an ant.

Beneath the Dragon Blending Realm, the two stood in mid-air. One of them was so frail that he needed the Four-Fold Sword for support to keep from falling. And this weaker party was actually the foremost among the contemporary younger generation!

Unimaginable... Feng Xiaose, Zhu Yike, and others could no longer express the shock in their hearts with words. They suddenly realized that perhaps all the intelligence they had gathered previously was outdated. The Holy Slave, Xu Xiaoshou, had truly grown into Master Shou! In both wisdom and combat power, he had ascended to the pinnacle of the Holy Spirit Continent; it would be difficult for anyone short of a Demi-Saint to contend with him!

“Feared, Passive Points, 3.”“Worried, Passive Points, 1.”

“Very courageous,” Xu Xiaoshou rarely praised. He could already determine that the Yu Lingdi before him was not one of his Water-attribute clones, but his true body. Otherwise, he couldn't have produced the Crystal Palace, nor would he still be hiding the Sub-plane Gate.

“By the way, when was the last time you met a Saint?” Xu Xiaoshou murmured softly, as he located Glutton God in his Primordial Abode World. He didn't want to ask anymore. Yu Lingdi, being the esteemed Head of the Spirit Department, must frequently encounter Demi-Saints. But at this moment, even at the risk of meeting a Saint, he had to read Yu Lingdi's soul memories. As for the Saint in Yu Lingdi's memories... it could even be Dao Qiongcang!

“The risk is great. But there's no other way.” This could only be circumvented by using Glutton God's Three Annoyance Eyes—taking advantage of Yu Lingdi's poor condition, he would use a two-pronged approach: questioning while reading!

With this thought, Xu Xiaoshou intended to bring out Glutton God.

But it was at this very moment that an abrupt change occurred on the scene.

“Saint-Execution Cloud Radiance!”

The sky suddenly flashed with ethereal clouds and mist, and cloud radiance descended from all directions, with no prior warning whatsoever. Its speed was so immense that by the time Feng Xiaose and the others looked up in horror, it was already directly above everyone present!

“Saint Power...”

“Jiang Buyi!”

How swift was Xu Xiaoshou's reaction? He instantly changed tactics, even discarding Glutton God. With a stomp of his foot, the Spatial Dao Disk unfolded, and he instantly entered the state of Unity of Heaven and Man. Another individual on the scene—no, a beast—also realized the imminent threat, just like Xu Xiaoshou! As Saint Power was about to descend, Old Man Han sensed something was amiss. Fortunately, Jiang Buyi's attack enveloped everyone, not just Xu Xiaoshou, which spurred Ghost Beast Old Man Han into action. Old Man Han reacted instinctively, pushing off with his hind claws and lunging into mid-air, ice wings suddenly manifesting on his back.

But just then, a tranquil voice spread throughout the area. Its speed was actually half a beat faster than Demi-Saint Old Man Han's move!

“Space, immobilize!”

As the Saint-Execution Cloud Radiance descended, the Spatial Dao Disk beneath Xu Xiaoshou's feet had already formed; he barely had time to raise his sleeve... But the technique was already complete! As his voice fell, a ripple, like water, spread out from the void, gentle and elegant. Yet everything in heaven and earth halted, completely frozen in place! Mu Zixi's ice wall above her head froze while still in its misty stage, and her Divine Demon Eyes didn't even have time to turn away. Feng Xiaose's sword had barely been lifted, and the Ghost Beast power that should have surged forth was stuck between his pores. Zhu Yike had just put his finger to his lips, not yet biting down; he made no other movement, his thoughts completely stagnant. —This held pose, even in his terror, revealed a hint of absurd cuteness.

“Saint Power!”

In the void, Jiang Buyi's half-transformed body also froze, his eyes filled with immense shock. That young man down below, that youth... He looked even younger than Yu Lingdi; how could he possess Saint Power and simultaneously master the Spatial Profound Truth? Was he possessed by someone, or was he a ghost beast's host body?

Xu Xiaoshou felt his Qi Sea spiritual essence depleting frantically. If it were anyone else, even if they could achieve spatial immobilization to halt a Demi-Saint's attack, it would only be for an instant. The next second, they would die, as their spiritual essence would be instantly exhausted. But with his three major passive regeneration abilities running frantically, he could, by estimation, control Jiang Buyi's attack for another three to five breaths. Xu Xiaoshou then casually looked up, gazed at Jiang Buyi, and curved his lips into a grin.

“Devour!”

Behind him, a ferocious gluttonous beast head suddenly materialized; with a flash of red light, the beast head opened its maw and swallowed the Saint-Execution Cloud Radiance before him.

Burp!

Xu Xiaoshou's chest and abdomen swelled, and he immediately let out a satisfied burp, his Qi Sea spiritual essence instantly replenished!

“You, a debilitated Demi-Saint, instead of cherishing your remaining life after the tribulation, came running to your death before me?”

Xu Xiaoshou let out a menacing laugh, his eyes bulging, and held up five fingers.

Pop!

With a crisp sound, the compressed power of the All-Illuminating Original Seed jumped from his thumb.

Pop!

Another crisp sound, and the compressed power of the Three-Day Frost Tribulation jumped from his index finger.

Pop, pop, pop!

Then three more successive pops, and the already raging compressed power source seeds, after being imbued with high-level powers such as the Peaceful Lake Small Green Flower, Saint Power, and Sword Intent, immediately went out of control. Xu Xiaoshou's arm even burst into bloody blossoms! But as soon as the blood bloomed, it was instantly vaporized, and his already sleeve-less hand once again became scorched and withered.

“What the hell?”

Jiang Buyi's face turned pale at the sight! Who was this person? Was he also a Demi-Saint? This single move actually contained four... no, five... no! This entirely surpassed the power of five Saint-level forces blended together!

It's... it's about to explode!!

“Saint: Five-Finger Seed Art!”

He clenched his palm into a fist, as if fearing that this strike's power wouldn't be explosive enough. Leveraging the immense power of the Sleeve-less Fiery Hand, Xu Xiaoshou forcibly merged the five power source seeds into his palm, forming a single one.

“Get lost, Jiang Buyi, take a fire seed from me first!”

Xu Xiaoshou stepped on the Spatial Dao Disk and instantly soared, appearing before Jiang Buyi's half-transformed upper body. Everyone below was stunned. The changes on the scene were truly too rapid! So fast that neither they nor Old Man Han could fully comprehend what had transpired in between. All they could see was Jiang Buyi's sudden appearance, and the Saint-Execution Cloud Radiance catching everyone off guard. But what kind of reaction speed, what kind of combat awareness did Master Shou possess? He instantly counter-controlled the entire scene as if predicting it, compressed five Saint-level powers in his palm, and teleported before Jiang Buyi? Jiang Buyi himself hadn't reacted yet! Shouldn't there only be one person attacking and outputting power on the scene, and that person be surnamed Jiang?

“You... Mph?”

“Mph! *Muffled sounds*!!!”

Jiang Buyi had barely broken through the spatial seal, and his astonished mouth had just opened. Xu Xiaoshou's Saint: Five-Finger Seed Art fiercely jammed itself into that opening! Just like the nightmare at Goose Lake that night, where Elder Sang forcibly inserted the fire seed, Xu Xiaoshou unceremoniously shoved the small object in his hand into Jiang Buyi's throat. Yes! The Sleeve-less Fiery Hand even melted Jiang Buyi's teeth, going straight to his stomach!

“Cosmic Shift.”

Feeling the terrifying aura of an impending explosion, an aura so familiar he couldn't be more so, Xu Xiaoshou didn't even dare to wait or take a glance! Using the Spatial Dao Disk, he attempted to teleport everyone on his side below, including Yu Lingdi, away from the scene. But at this moment, Yu Lingdi's vacant eyes suddenly widened, and a dim light flashed in their depths.

“Roar—”

A beast's roar exploded in his ears, incredibly deep. The Sin of Void General suddenly appeared, a giant over three zhang tall, wielding a large black halberd. With an undeniable swing of the halberd, at close range, even Xu Xiaoshou couldn't dodge; his technique was forcefully broken, and he was blasted high into the air!

“Ambushed, Passive Points, 1.”“Startled, Passive Points, 1.”

With a 'crack,' a sound of bone fracturing came from his chest. It was light; his ribs weren't even fully broken yet, presumably... Yet at this moment, Xu Xiaoshou still felt overwhelmed, not by the appearance of the Sin of Void General, but by the Saint: Five-Finger Seed Art. —When a cauldron explodes, the alchemist should run, not stay inside the cauldron!

“Get down!”

“Everyone, get down!”

In mid-air, Xu Xiaoshou forcefully twisted his direction using his powerful physical body, roaring at everyone on the scene who had regained their mobility. Old Man Han sensed the violent power within Jiang Buyi, his entire body trembled violently, and he abruptly lunged towards Mu Zixi. Feng Xiaose, Zhu Yike, and others hadn't even managed to shift their thoughts—the attack Master Shou wanted everyone to guard against was actually one unleashed by his mere Throne realm cultivation? But the power of that one move was evident at a glance! Feng and Zhu's scalps tingled, and grasping each other's hands, they exerted force to pull themselves downwards.

“Solidify me! Solidify me too! You can't abandon me, we're together!” Feng Xiaose's entire face was pale; he frantically shook Zhu Yike, his fingers tightly clasped onto the other's, refusing to let go.

“That's a solo technique, damn it! You're on your own, good luck, goodbye.” Zhu Yike's lips trembled; without thinking, he immediately activated his own defense, “Impenetrable Fortress!”

“Damn you!”

“Zhu Yike! May your damn eighteen generations of ancestors never rest in peace!”

Feng Xiaose watched the person before him instantly transform into a golden statue, his mind frantic; he wanted to run. But his power was blocked? He looked down. Feng Xiaose discovered that his fingers, tightly clasped with Zhu Yike's, had not separated! He tugged... still couldn't pull it free?!

“Holy hell, I'll kill you, you pig-born dog bastard!”

Feng Xiaose went berserk, wielding his spiritual thought as a sword and slashing at both his wrists, severing his hands at the base. A large amount of Ghost Beast energy surged from his body, green scales emerged on his skin, and he used the small golden figure as a shield on his back, plummeting downwards with all his might.

“Get away!”

On the other side, Xu Xiaoshou lunged towards his junior sister. Upon realizing Old Man Han was also lunging this way, he simply kicked this Demi-Saint level ghost beast away with one leg.

“Huh? He flew off just like that? What kind of physical body do you have? Are you even worthy of protecting my junior sister?”

“Xu Xiaoshou...”

Mu Zixi stared blankly at Jiang Buyi in the distance, who was frantically digging at his own body, tearing out even flesh and blood, yet still couldn't retrieve the fire seed, his face filled with terror. She remembered. This very move was the culprit that had almost destroyed Xu Xiaoshou's Primordial Abode, subsequently causing Lei Xi'er to go and check, only to be blasted to death by Xu Xiaoshou in return, allowing her to re-emerge.

“Why are you standing there stunned? Hold on tight to me!”

With a 'bang,' Xu Xiaoshou transformed into a golden giant, scooping his junior sister, who had already lunged towards him for protection, into his embrace. He curled his body into a ball, minimizing his surface area as much as possible, not even daring to teleport. This time, the Saint: Five-Finger Seed Art was a Throne realm technique; even before it exploded, the spatial fabric of heaven and earth was shattering. Who would dare to teleport? Even Xu Xiaoshou's own physical body was currently trembling frantically out of fear!

“Berserk Giant!”“Explosive Stance!”“Slow Field!”“Immovable King!”

“No, no, boss, I'm still fishing, you can't do this, I'm innocent!” a wailing voice was also pulled out.

“Second True Body!”