Chapter 1197: Xu Xiaoshou, You Have Indeed Become the First of the Younger Generation

Just as Er Hao's finger broke through the wooden ball, while everyone was on high alert, fearing Er Hao might close in and cause injury, Lei Xier suddenly realized everything in a flash.

Secretly, this Tianji Shen Shi had stealthily squeezed out a drop of Sheng Xue and dripped it into Yu Ling Di's flesh. She had never anticipated such a sneaky move. After all, Er Hao, as a Tianji Shen Shi of such high stature, was still feared by everyone, even though his original form—or perhaps his avatar—as a thousand-zhang giant had been shattered by Xu Xiaoshou. Who would have thought that Er Hao wouldn't brazenly resurrect, but instead, the moment his original body was destroyed, he pulled off such a petty, underhanded act? How despicable! But it had to be said, it was quite effective!

With Yu Ling Di gaining a drop of Sheng Xue from the Shui Xi Ao Yi, his injuries might not fully heal, but at least he could recover a little, setting the stage for Er Hao's next moves. Given Yu Ling Di's bizarre abilities, he didn't even need to fully recover; as long as he could entangle someone briefly and hold one of them in place...

"Traction!"

Lei Xier instantly grasped Er Hao's plan. Yu Ling Di wouldn't need to fight directly; he could just provide support and distraction, leaving the battle to Er Hao. Tian Shang Di Yi Lou would surely crumble like a collapsing mountain!

A buzzing tremor echoed as ripples spread through the void, and a faint Ao Yi array beneath the Qing Tong Ding began to rotate. "Jin Zhao Tian Fen!"

Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward on his Huo Dao disk, simultaneously igniting the Jin Zhao Yuan Zhong power in his Qi Hai. Whoosh.

The Sheng Xue inside the Qing Tong Ding was instantly ignited from afar. But in that brief moment of delay, Yu Ling Di had already absorbed the nourishment from the Sheng Xue.

As the flesh in the Qing Tong Ding writhed, it almost formed a vague human shape. "Throw it away!"

Xu Xiaoshou roared again. He hadn't expected Yu Ling Di, with such severe injuries, to recover even a bit with help from this sly old Er Hao. And since Yu Ling Di was closest, once he regained some ability, his only choice would be to control Lei Xier and use her as a hostage. Could Lei Xier defeat Yu Ling Di? That seemed like a question not worth pondering. Even if Yu Ling Di only recovered a fraction of his strength, with Shui Xi Ao Yi, he could drag things into a stalemate in an instant. As time stretched on under Er Hao's watchful eye, it would only favor Yu Ling Di more!

Yet, despite Xu Xiaoshou's repeated shouts, Lei Xier remained unmoved. She knew that the creature in the Qing Tong Ding couldn't be allowed to regain its combat ability, or else Xu Xiaoshou would face far too many threats. "Mo Ji!"

As Shen Mo Tong swirled, black Himu Hua bloomed inside the Qing Tong Ding.

The half-formed human shape of Yu Ling Di, still tainted with the aura of the Four Swords Fierce Demons, was instantly tormented by the Mo Xing force, writhing in agony. At that moment, even the Shui Xi Ao Yi array beneath the Qing Tong Ding flickered twice and vanished.

At the same time, Lei Xier's Qi Xue surged uncontrollably, about to burst from her body—Yu Ling Di had made his move! Fortunately, his methods were forcefully suppressed by Mo Ji, allowing Lei Xier to turn danger into safety.

The Qing Tong Ding couldn't be thrown away! So, the only option was to bury this creature, empowered by Sheng Xue, once again in this coffin-like Qing Tong Ding! "Zhi Sheng Mo Ti, release."

Lei Xier's pale face showed unyielding resolve as her Sheng Ti was liberated in an instant.

Everyone watched as a faint black aura emanated from the silver-haired woman, and in the next second, the life energy from the surrounding heavens and earth crazily converged into her body.

"Plunder received, passive value +1."

Far away in the sky on the other side, Xu Xiaoshou noticed his own life force draining at a suddenly accelerated rate. This far surpassed the attributes of the First Hall's Absolute Ground... by tens of thousands of times!

It was visibly rapid; massive amounts of life Ling Qi were forcefully drawn from his body, causing his skin to crack. And it wasn't just him.

Among everyone present, except for Er Hao's finger, even Feng Xiao Se, who was holding Zhu Yi Ke below, showed changes. The worst off was Zhu Yi Ke.

He was already barely clinging to life. Under this forceful plunder of Zhi Sheng Mo Ti, his body stiffened, twitched twice, and then he flatlined on the spot. "Old Zhu? Old Zhu!"

Feng Xiao Se was stunned, slapping him across the face on reflex. Realizing the slap had no effect and nearly sent the limp Zhu Yi Ke's head flying, Feng Xiao Se quickly pulled out a Dan Yao from his space ring and stuffed it into his mouth. Then he straightened the head, pretending he hadn't slapped him... This was his lifesaver, after all! Earlier, Zhu Yi Ke had traded one leg for Feng Xiao Se's life; this favor had to be repaid. "Huff, huff, huff!"

Not only the Lian Ling Shi on site, but also the lingering Ling in this place, and the Qi born from the Tian Dao itself... under Lei Xier's liberated Sheng Ti, all transformed into pure energy and merged into her body.

The Qing Tong Ding trembled violently, its interior thick with life aura, yet it surged out and dissipated. Even the Sheng Xue power seemed about to be drawn out from afar.

Yu Ling Di struggled fiercely and finally broke free from Mo Ji's control, causing the Shui Xi Ao Yi array beneath the Qing Tong Ding to reappear. "Shen Duo!"

Lei Xier's eyes sharpened, ascending to another level of Bing Huo Liang Chong Tian.

Yu Ling Di's Shui Xi Ao Yi array shattered on the spot, reducing him once again to a lump of rotten flesh in the ding. The surging life Ling Qi entered her body.

The wounds on Lei Xier from the earlier battle nearly fully healed.

Her originally pale face turned flushed, and her eyes grew more dazed. Soon, her delicate body softened, nearly collapsing in a drunken stupor.

Her body was regressing in age... Her thoughts were emptying...

Fortunately, she held on for the final moment, remembering the purpose of liberating Zhi Sheng Mo Ti to devour this wave of life energy.

"Plunder!"

She reached into the Qing Tong Ding.

With a hiss, everyone saw her blood-streaked, fair hand glow like red-hot iron. As soon as it pierced into Yu Ling Di's half-formed flesh, not even a scream escaped from the Qing Tong Ding before the flesh suddenly withered, as if all its life energy had been utterly consumed.

"Mmm... Ah..."

After a suppressed groan, Lei Xier's body went limp on the spot, her silver hair fading to black as she regressed into Mu Zi Xi. Her eyes closed, then opened.

Mu Zi Xi awoke. "Hah!"

She clearly knew her task, forcefully throwing the Qing Tong Ding toward Xu Xiaoshou. "This..."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

So, this was the power of Zhi Sheng Mo Ti? It could plunder life force from afar without even biting?

Not just from people, but from the heavens and earth, even the Dao Ze themselves... All of it?

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill on the back of his head, recalling that Zhi Sheng Mo Ti had once been listed among the Five Great Absolute Bodies.

Thankfully, it was on his side!

As for Yu Ling Di... Well, he deserved it anyway! "Whoosh."

The Qing Tong Ding flew through the void, but there was more than one whistling sound.

Er Hao's finger, unaffected by Zhi Sheng Mo Ti's plundering, shot toward the Qing Tong Ding like lightning. "Get lost."

Xu Xiaoshou glared fiercely, stepping into the sky in one stride.

He released the Kuang Bao Ju Ren form, returning to normal human size.

As he instantly appeared and grabbed the Qing Tong Ding, Yan Mang in his hand followed with a slash. "Bang!"

The sword struck Er Hao's finger hard, sparking fire and electricity, but failed to sever it. Whoosh.

Er Hao's finger flickered illusively, vanishing as it was knocked away.

At the same time, below where it had been, a second finger appeared, reaching for the Qing Tong Ding. It was as if the one Xu Xiaoshou had just struck was merely a Fen Shen of the finger!

"I said, get lost!"

Er Hao might have a second hand hidden, but others couldn't see it—how could Xu Xiaoshou be so careless?

As he parted his lips, the golden light point he had been holding in his mouth flashed fiercely and bombarded Er Hao's finger's true form. Explosive stance!

With a boom, the awakening skill "Fan Zhen," though not yet upgraded to Sheng Di Lv0 and thus not powerful enough to threaten a Ban Sheng, was exactly what Xu Xiaoshou needed—the anti-shock force of the explosive stance! Er Hao's finger abruptly turned away.

He seemed unprepared for Xu Xiaoshou's own sly second hand.

But this was purely the swift reaction of a San Jing fighter.

As the golden light point from the explosive stance neared his fingertip, Er Hao's finger slightly cracked open a small gap. "Ji Jue Hei Shu, break."

A voice devoid of emotion emerged.

A thin strand of black energy light point, though merely a wisp, pierced straight through the golden light of the explosive stance with immense penetration. "Sizzle..."

A faint sound spread. Xu Xiaoshou was shocked.

This was the first time he'd seen someone shatter the energy of an explosive stance into pieces rather than detonating it.

One could imagine how terrifying the compressed energy of that Ji Jue Hei Shu was.

And now, that black line, having pierced the golden light of the explosive stance, was shooting straight toward him! Sheng Di Lv0's "Min Jie" wasn't for show.

With no third hand prepared and facing a sudden attack, Xu Xiaoshou instinctively tilted his head back.

"Da Ku Duo Yi!"

With a gulp, a Taotie beast head flashed behind him, swallowing the energy-laden Ji Jue Hei Shu and converting it. Xu Xiaoshou's body swelled violently, as if it couldn't contain the energy and might burst like a balloon.

But in the next second... "Breathing Method, expel!"

He whipped his head back and spat forcefully, transforming the Ji Jue Hei Shu into a surge of energy that erupted from his mouth like dragon breath.

In a flash of lightning and sparks, the two completed three rounds of confrontation, ending with a terrifying energy shockwave. Er Hao swore he had underestimated Xu Xiaoshou again.

Because when he fired the Ji Jue Hei Shu, his finger had already dismissed Xu Xiaoshou as a threat—surely Xu Xiaoshou couldn't withstand it!

So Er Hao had charged straight for the Qing Tong Ding, intending to seize Yu Ling Di and then freely slaughter everyone present.

But he never imagined Xu Xiaoshou could not only convert the Ji Jue Hei Shu's attack but also turn it back on him?

When the destructive energy poured out, all Er Hao could offer was the unguarded tail of his finger. It was like exposing his back to the enemy!

Even with San Jing reactions, it was too late—too close!

Everyone stared in stunned silence at the rapid exchanges between Er Hao and Xu Xiaoshou. To their surprise, this round ended with Xu Xiaoshou gaining the upper hand!

The crowd rejoiced.

But just then, a悠扬 yet murderous voice echoed from nowhere. "Combat mode..."

"Activate!"

Feng Xiao Se's joyful expression froze, and his hand clenched, nearly ripping off Zhu Yi Ke's head.

Mu Zi Xi's scalp tingled as she retreated, frantically dispersing her life aura to awaken Lei Xier. This was tricky...

At this critical moment, Lei Xier was drunk!

This big sister, just like her, had only touched a cup of life Ling Qi... just one cup, and she was out! "Ahh!"

Mu Zi Xi was frantic. How could they fight this?

She knew her limits; in a Ban Sheng battle, she should just stay back and watch. This was a scenario only Lei Xier could barely handle—she was just here to act without thinking, not to fight! "Xiao?"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill down his spine as his "Ganshou" caught Er Hao's finger glowing red and shrinking into dust!

He was actually shrinking amid the energy shockwaves, weaving through the gaps to charge head-on?

For an ordinary Lian Ling Shi...

Even Tai Xu Ling Nian might not detect Er Hao's movements—it was insane!

But Xu Xiaoshou's Sheng Di Lv0 "Ganshou" could; he clearly saw this red-glowing Er Hao speeding forward! Yes.

No longer just a finger.

In an instant, it had transformed into a miniaturized version of Er Hao's true body!

"Damn, I don't want to fight anymore, please spare me..." Xu Xiaoshou's inner voice was full of panic, but he knew he couldn't dodge.

Dodging meant certain death.

Facing it might offer a slim chance! "Xin Jian Shu..."

His pupils contracted as sword intent erupted from his entire body.

Xu Xiaoshou, dead set on battling the combat-mode Er Hao, was burning his bridges. A aura that could swallow mountains and rivers soared skyward.

The Jian Shen Gu Lou Ying illusion dominated the scene.

The heavens shook, sword intent soared, and dust wept.

But he realized Er Hao was completely unaffected, as if he had no Shen Shen Ti at all... No!

Er Hao had no Shen Shen Ti to begin with! "Hell! Are you cheating?"

Xu Xiaoshou cursed wildly, retreating while drawing his sword, as Yan Mang swung up in a seamless shift. The moment Sheng Di Lv0's Qi Tun Shan He aura emerged, it indeed affected even Er Hao. Seizing that split second of stiffness, thousands of golden tiny swords condensed in the void behind him.

Xu Xiaoshou flung the Qing Tong Ding aside, planted his feet on it, and as Yan Mang stirred white flames, he swept it horizontally through the air. "Kneel before me!"

The golden Kuang Bao Ju Ren reappeared, with a Jian Dao disk swirling beneath it. From the nine heavens, ten thousand swords bowed in worship as Yan Mang pressed down from above.

Absolute Imperial Rule!

"Boom!" One sword cleaved the void.

The sky above Zhen Huang Dian seemed severed by gravity, ripping open a ring of black spatial fragments. All things plummeted.

Mu Zi Xi's knees slammed down with a thud, and she yelped in pain.

Feng Xiao Se, still holding the unresponsive Zhu Yi Ke, knelt as well, nearly driving his elbow through Zhu Yi Ke's chest from the force. The earth couldn't bear the weight, rumbling as it sank deeper and deeper, collapsing into craters.

"Bang." An explosion rang out in the void.

The tiny dust-like Er Hao, who had been charging through the energy shockwave toward Xu Xiaoshou, now plummeted straight down like the surrounding energy waves.

"Opportunity!"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up, not expecting Absolute Imperial Rule to hold the combat-mode Er Hao for long. He quickly opened his Yuan Fu, kicked the Qing Tong Ding, and prepared to toss it inside.

"Swoosh." A light sound came from his ear.

The world suddenly grew quiet...

The fast-paced battle slowed to a crawl.

The Kuang Bao Ju Ren froze mid-motion, turning back in bewilderment.

Beside him stood a thousand-zhang Tianji Shen Shi with blood-red eyes, appearing out of nowhere.

He wasn't in a normal standing pose but was sideways, fully charged, and delivering a kick. Fast!

Incredibly fast!

This was on a completely different level from before!

With a bang, the Kuang Bao Ju Ren was struck in the chest before it could react, shattering into fragments across the sky.

At the same time, this Tianji Shen Shi with flickering red eyes in his gaze spoke calmly across the nine heavens.

"I thought I wouldn't need combat mode to deal with you, but I never expected you to push me this far."

"Xu Xiaoshou, you truly deserve the title of the top among the youth."

"But this ends now."