Chapter 1191: Taicheng Travels the Heavens, I Am the Sword Immortal Gifted by Taicheng, Helping Me Attain Sainthood

"Boom..."

In the northernmost part of Zhen Huang Dian, the faint echoes of the only Sheng Jie from Zui Yi Dian were still lingering.

This sound had persisted for a long time.

By the time it reached the battlefield, its intimidating power had weakened considerably, no longer drawing much attention.

However, if someone paid close attention, they would realize that under normal circumstances, even those crossing three layers of Sheng Jie should not be able to hold on this long without perishing.

In other words...

The one undergoing the Sheng Jie in the north possessed extraordinary combat strength and an incredibly deep foundation.

He had a faint chance of forcibly overcoming these three layers of Sheng Jie!

Er Hao's computational abilities were exceptionally powerful.

He looked down on everyone present, and even dealing with Xu Kong Jiang Jun would only require a bit more effort in combat.

As for the only variable left in Zui Yi Dian... it might just be that person crossing the tribulation!

Hearing Si Tu Yong Ren's excited shout, Er Hao could easily tell that, due to witnessing his formidable power, this esteemed disciple of the Dao Hall Master had become overly exhilarated.

Si Tu Yong Ren had even forgotten that, as calculated by Bian Luo Da Yan, Zui Yi Dian harbored multiple overlapping variables.

These remained unclear to him so far, so how could he afford to be so careless? After a brief pause, his expression turning serious, Er Hao was about to offer a reminder...

"War!"

From afar, the kicked-away Xu Kong Jiang Jun suddenly charged back with his sword.

Er Hao withdrew his gaze, focusing temporarily on this towering giant, intending to completely obliterate Xu Kong Jiang Jun before addressing other matters.

Variables existed everywhere!

As the Tianji Divine Envoy, Er Hao knew that no matter where he was, he represented the greatest variable to his enemies!

Between the enemy's variables and his own, Er Hao was quite confident in which was stronger.

Er Hao raised his hand.

Just as he was about to block Xu Kong Jiang Jun's attack, a sudden flash in his mind recalled the guidance from the Dao Hall Master at his inception:

"No matter when, never underestimate anyone in the world. Always keep something in reserve—it might help you."

The heavy sword fell once more, the clash of weapons exploding.

To Er Hao's surprise, one of his fingers was severed, vanishing into the spatial fragments.

Beyond the void.

In the vanished world, that pair of eyes that had always existed there stared unceasingly at the battle.

"The tactic succeeded!"

A Hong is truly strong—he could even hold Er Hao back for a short while.

It must be because Xu Kong Jiang Jun has such a powerful physical body, with other abilities keeping up, that he could achieve this.

The guy's escape ability is completely countered by Er Hao, and he can't even unleash half of his combat strength.

In this battle, his contributions are almost zero, not even comparable to Zhu Yi Ke!

But the second true body wouldn't be disappointed in Han Ye because of this. It's not that Han Ye and the others are too weak; it's just that the enemies they've encountered this time are too strong!

This isn't even the same level; they're not beings that can be compared.

The second true body thought that to restrain Er Hao's power, it might take someone like Ba Zun An to act personally.

But that unscrupulous jerk, Ba Zun An, sent him out to cause trouble, only for Er Hao to show up...

He's dragged things out this far without any support! What's he waiting for?

Could support have already arrived? But why hasn't it been seen?

The second true body felt helpless, but fortunately, he had perfectly inherited his original self's strengths, never placing hope in others and always controlling everything himself.

"Er Hao threw out a Tianji puppet with Si Tu Yong Ren's voice—that's a flaw!"

"After all, while the Tianji Divine Envoy is invincible, that Tianji puppet definitely isn't as tough as him. It can crush Tai Xu Hang, but even Han Ye could break it if he struck."

"Um, but Han Ye is gone..."

The second true body couldn't even find any remnants of Han Ye's broken body; that guy was completely done for, so his combat strength couldn't be factored in.

In his vanished state, the second true body clutched his severed arm, furrowing his brow in deep thought, silently watching the one-sided battle between Xu Kong Jiang Jun and Er Hao.

And nearby, Si Tu Yong Ren, who was controlling the Tianji puppet, was clearly getting carried away.

"Good show."

"This situation is favorable for you all, but you must get even more reckless!"

Touching his wound, the second true body lifted his gaze toward the distant north.

His severed arm was just like when his original self had faced Jiang Bu Yi, resorting to self-mutilation to escape.

The second true body, upon realizing his original self couldn't move, had imitated that move.

In high-stakes games, the winners are often clever thinkers, not brutes.

The second true body, possessing Xu Xiao Shou's original mindset, naturally understood this well.

The vanishing technique even evaded Er Hao's detection.

This was the first non-invulnerable point the second true body had observed in Er Hao.

So, after hiding himself, he had early on severed his arm to transform and race toward the north for aid.

Why the north?

The three layers of Sheng Jie in the north were something no ordinary person could endure for so long—only a freakish powerhouse could.

And on Xu Kong Island, the few who matched that level... The second true body didn't dare show himself in the fight, but his mind was working at full speed, racking his brains to seek a way out for everyone. He realized Er Hao wasn't truly invincible, and the scene wasn't as hopeless as Feng Xiao Se and the others thought. For example...

"Zhen Huang Dian retains obscure traces of swordsmanship, not just from the Jian Sheng, but also from someone who hasn't achieved sainthood."

"This means ancient sword cultivators have been here, with formidable power. Excluding the already sanctified Rao Yao Yao, that leaves Xiao Kong Dong or Si Ren Xian Sheng."

"Besides, there are remnants of space-time forces here. Kong Yu Hen probably didn't come, so it's just Huang Quan."

"Jiang Bu Yi was nearly buried here, forced to use the Three Tribulations Eye..."

These conclusions were gathered early by the second true body after realizing escape was impossible.

Upon arriving, Xu Xiao Shou had noticed these traces but hadn't used them.

As soon as Er Hao appeared and dominated the field, the second true body had to pull out this information to analyze opportunities for himself and others.

Based on the remaining battle traces, not only could the above be inferred, but the following guesses could also be made:

"Huang Quan and Si Ren Xian Sheng, or Huang Quan and Xiao Kong Dong together or separately, intended to kill Jiang Bu Yi, forcing him to use the Three Tribulations Eye."

"So, the ones likely crossing three layers of Sheng Jie at the extreme south and north are mainly Si Ren Xian Sheng and Huang Quan."

"Rao Yao Rao has been here; her sentient beings' power headed toward the extreme south."

"Back in East Heaven King City, she exchanged words with Si Ren Xian Sheng and showed great respect, treating him as a senior."

"So, it's highly likely that even if Rao Yao Rao discovered Si Ren Xian Sheng's involvement, she would target Huang Quan for killing."

"After all, on Gu Yin Ya, Huang Quan had tricked her once, forging that grudge early on..."

"Thinking this way, the one fleeing to the extreme south is probably Huang Quan, who left the space-time traces here, and the pursuer is the Jian Sheng, Rao Yao Yao!"

This was the second true body's observation.

The chances of the guess being correct weren't high, as any unfamiliar outsiders involved in the previous battle here could overturn it if unseen.

But under the circumstances, he could only hope they were all acquaintances and proceed with this reasoning.

On Xu Kong Island, not many dared to act so brazenly, randomly attacking to kill a saint—having a Huang Quan was already outrageous!

Following this guess, the one crossing the tribulation in the extreme north was likely some ancient sword cultivator that even the sanctified Rao Yao Yao didn't want to provoke. This made Xiao Kong Dong's probability slim.

Xiao Kong Dong generally appeared as Ba Zun An, with immense enmity, so he wouldn't ally with Huang Quan to kill Jiang Bu Yi—it would be beneath him! If Rao Yao Yao saw Ba Zun An, she'd either flee or go mad with pursuit.

Facing Jian Sheng Rao, Xiao Kong Dong would surely be exposed.

This would probably turn into a slaughter among ancient sword cultivators.

But the ancient sword cultivator aura left in Zhen Huang Dian was sparse, with no signs of a two-sided fight.

Thus, the second true body boldly deduced that the one crossing the tribulation in the extreme north was Si Ren Xian Sheng!

In other words, one of their own!

Based on all this, the second true body had early on severed an arm and transformed to head north.

His purpose, of course, was to invite this great Buddha.

He remembered that Si Ren Xian Sheng had a half-saint status; as long as he crossed the first layer of Sheng Jie, he could achieve sainthood on the spot.

Even if he endured the subsequent two layers, as long as he could bring this Western Heaven Buddha Ancestor to the battlefield...

What enemies would there be to fear!

Er Hao's divine abilities were vast, his power boundless—describing him with the Seventy-Two Transformations would even undersell it.

But ancient sword cultivators defied all logic!

Ba Zun An wasn't the only one; he had entered Xu Kong Island's inner island during Tai Xu times and later became the revered figure of the black and white lineages.

The Dao Hall Master's masterpiece, alongside an ash-level ancient sword cultivator from ages past like Mei Si Ren...

If these two sides truly clashed, the second true body didn't know who would win or lose.

But if they had to find the only person in Zhen Huang Dian with a chance of defeating Er Hao...

The second true body knew it wouldn't be his original self, Xu Xiao Shou, once awakened—it had to be that one in the extreme north, under the three layers of Sheng Jie!

"Buddha Ancestor, protect us—may my deduction not be wrong."

"You must be my Si Ren Xian Sheng!"

Boom! In the northernmost part of Zhen Huang Dian.

The Sheng Jie thundered down violently, and Mei Si Ren, covered in blood, met it sword after sword, his battle intent growing fiercer amid the lightning.

"Come on, how exhilarating!"

The three layers of Sheng Jie hadn't slain him, but they had blocked his path.

Yet, the half-saint status above Mei Si Ren's head had already absorbed the full power of the Sheng Jie.

As he said, achieving sainthood was merely a thought away. Jiang Bu Yi's Three Tribulations Eye was not to be trifled with; after facing it, even if Mei Si Ren wanted to suppress his own Sheng Jie, he couldn't.

Since he couldn't suppress it, he might as well fully release it!

After all, since taking Xu Xiao Shou as his disciple, Mei Si Ren knew his involvement was destined, so whether to achieve sainthood now or later was just a matter of time.

The only pity was that his leisurely days would never return.

But achieving sainthood under the Three Tribulations Eye was a dream for those with deep foundations.

One must know, the Tear Clan's Three Tribulations Eye was originally meant not for war, but to help geniuses break through better under Sheng Jie.

Though few in the world could cross three layers of Sheng Jie,

If someone truly achieved sainthood from Tai Xu by crossing three layers, their future combat strength would far exceed three times that of an ordinary half-saint.

"Come!"

"Make it stronger!"

Mei Si Ren swung his spirit sword, his arrogance soaring, cleaving through hundreds of layers of thunder.

It was almost time.

He felt the moment was near.

Xu Kong Island was indeed his place of sainthood—this was an unchangeable fact.

Jiang Bu Yi's purpose had both succeeded and failed.

He had summoned the three layers of Sheng Jie, yet he would end up aiding Mei Si Ren!

The first layer of Sheng Jie had passed.

Mei Si Ren didn't want to achieve sainthood yet.

He bore the half-saint status, nearly bursting with power, his only thought to provoke the Sheng Jie and make it stronger.

Then, at the final moment, shatter it completely and achieve sainthood forcefully! At that point, with one surge, he could even touch the threshold of Sheng Di.

What a pity there was no Sheng Di status.

If there were... half-saint would just be a stepping stone.

Breaking through from Tai Xu should lead to the Ten Realms Sheng Di—this was the ultimate pursuit for all who accumulated deeply!

Snap!

But as the thunder struck again, Mei Si Ren was strong, yet the second-grade spirit sword in his hand couldn't withstand it and shattered.

This sudden change made the old sword immortal's expression falter for a moment, his body scorched by the Sheng Jie.

Yet, relying on his sword image, he stood firm.

"Bai Xi..."

Gazing at the white spirit sword in his hand, now just a hilt, Mei Si Ren's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia and regret.

This was the spirit sword his beloved had given him in his youth, from seventh-grade to now second-grade—it had reached its end.

The sword's name was the same as that person's, a memento of the deceased.

Mei Si Ren had been famous for so long that, after he no longer needed to draw his sword, the world had forgotten the name of his former blade.

People's only impression of this old sword immortal's weapon was the plum blossom and paper fan.

But Mei Si Ren always remembered.

He didn't use Bai Xi not because it was weak, but because there was no need.

This sword represented the past and memories; keeping it dust-free was enough—using it might damage it.

He had thought that in this moment of tribulation, he could achieve sainthood alongside his deceased love.

But he, Mei Si Ren, could do it; for a second-grade spirit sword, the demand was too great.

"Sorry..."

The Sheng Jie fell again.

Mei Si Ren remained unmoved, flicking his fingers to gather the broken sword fragments into his sleeve.

He suddenly looked up at the impending Sheng Jie and softly commanded, "Wait a moment!"

With sword intent overhead, the world seemed to stop, time as if frozen.

Even the Sheng Jie halted at his word.

Mei Si Ren withdrew the sigh from his eyes, his gaze slowly turning resolute.

An ancient sword cultivator couldn't achieve sainthood without a sword.

Now that Bai Xi was broken, like obsessions turning to wind, blowing back to the past.

The deceased were gone.

The living must look to the road ahead.

Mei Si Ren slowly drew an ancient sword case from his ring, opening it gently.

Inside was a magnificent purple-red three-foot sword, its sword energy fierce, its aura fully exposed.

It was nothing like what one would expect from someone of Mei Si Ren's temperament.

"Tai Cheng, you gave it to me—where are you now?"

Mei Si Ren sighed deeply, gently grasping the purple-red three-foot sword.

The three-foot sword hummed violently.

But the next second, upon sensing its wielder's sword intent, it became incredibly gentle.

In the world of ancient sword cultivators, there was the tale of the Jian Sheng slaying for Feng Cheng Xue Xiu to forge a sword, a celebrated story.

Now, that bond had evolved into a unique warmth among ancient sword cultivators.

When a swordsman went to battle or retired to the mountains, if the outcome was uncertain,

Some would entrust their best sword, or one of their early treasured blades, or all of them, to a friend for safekeeping.

Mei Si Ren rarely opened the case containing this Tai Cheng sword.

Though this sword was extremely powerful, far surpassing Bai Xi by multitudes.

In terms of rank, Tai Cheng sword was one of the five great divine artifacts of chaos; any sword cultivator in the world would covet it for crossing tribulation.

But this sword wasn't Mei Si Ren's; it was held by him for his friend, who had wandered far without word.

So, it had become like his own.

Yet, essentially, it wasn't.

Every time he opened the sword case, Mei Si Ren thought of the legends of his era.

That legend predated his own, telling of a youth who climbed a mountain, witnessed a sunset, gained enlightenment, and became an immortal.

"Sunset dwells in the mountains, Tai Cheng traverses the heavens. In this extraordinary time, I become a sword immortal... Ha."

Mei Si Ren sighed with emotion, a smile on his lips, suddenly gripping the Tai Cheng sword in the case and drawing it with a clang.

Time and space shattered, thunder descended.

Mei Si Ren swung his sword upward, his sword image roaring, the Tai Cheng sword light piercing the sky, splitting the overhead Sheng Jie into six, inciting the Sheng Jie to riot anew.

This single sword surpassed a thousand from Bai Xi!

Mei Si Ren watched the Sheng Jie fall again, with Bai Xi shattered and Tai Cheng risen, shadows and lights overlapping before his eyes, sounds echoing distantly.

He suddenly threw back his head and laughed, drawing his sword and soaring into the sky!

"Si Ren, I give you this sword. Bai Xi is too weak; you must let go of your obsessions soon and seek another good sword for yourself. Don't believe in that nonsense of swordless techniques, or you'll suffer when you achieve sainthood."

"You Tu, you're mistaken. Bai Xi isn't weak, and I won't achieve sainthood..."

"Don't speak so absolutely. You seem indifferent, but your competitive spirit surpasses mine. Since you always want to best me, achieving sainthood with your sword is inevitable."

"Bai Xi is enough..."

"Then let it be enough. Anyway, I'll leave Tai Cheng sword with you for now. Take it out when you feel it's not enough—it might aid you."

"And you..."

"This journey's return is unknown; don't worry. Wiping the sword is like speaking to me—there's much to say."

Beyond the Sheng Jie, in the vanished state, a staggering figure intruded.

The form created by the second true body's severed arm, transformed into another Xu Xiao Shou, entered the Sheng Jie area and instantly felt his scalp tingle.

Yet, when he saw the bloodied face under the Sheng Jie, he smiled.

He had bet right!

The one crossing the tribulation was indeed Si Ren Xian Sheng!

Incredibly rare—three layers of Sheng Jie had all been withstood by Si Ren Xian Sheng; he was no mere mortal!

Xu Xiao Shou watched wide-eyed as the intense aura of death enveloped him, and the Sheng Jie seemed ready to strike him too...

But it was all blocked by Si Ren Xian Sheng!

Just then, he saw the spirit sword in the tribulant's hand crack, filling him with worry.

The next second, the old sword immortal commanded the Sheng Jie to halt with a word and drew out a sword case.

The sword inside was astonishing, its intent as fierce as a murderous blade!

Xu Xiao Shou was utterly shocked, feeling he had arrived at just the right moment—perhaps to witness a glorious instant...

Then he heard:

The old sword immortal drew the sword from the case; the previous second, he was full of sighs and nostalgia.

"Sunset dwells in the mountains, Tai Cheng traverses the heavens. In this extraordinary time, I become a sword immortal."

What did that mean? Xu Xiao Shou didn't understand.

The next second, he saw the old sword immortal grip the sword in the case, his sword intent erupting.

The half-saint status suddenly merged into his body, and Mei Si Ren flashed into the thunder, his three-foot sword startling even the saints and splitting the tribulation.

"Sword radiance breaks the trials, Tai Cheng is your gift. In this very moment, it aids me in achieving sainthood!"