Chapter 1209: Red Plum Three Flows Qing Shi Sword

Is it really Mu Xia Jie Mo?

Xu Xiaoshou never imagined that just one glance from him would send the three great Ban Sheng into demonic possession.

This was giving him way too much credit!

As for Jiang Buzi and Han Ye, who were now mere consciousness forms, it was understandable—they couldn't fight back anyway.

But how had even Mister Mei Siyi fallen under its influence? This was the second time, wasn't it?

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

Mei Siyi, having experienced demonic possession once before, quickly vanished from Luo Ying Jie, his body flickering out of sight.

When he reappeared, the demonic energy around him had been completely dispelled.

He shouted irritably, "When you use your technique, can't you tell friend from foe? Are you trying to kill your own teacher?"

"It's not something I can control..."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled awkwardly and leaped down from the top of the ancient tower.

After losing his aloof and arrogant sword god demeanor for a moment, he nearly had his manifestation collapse.

Xu Xiaoshou hurriedly adjusted his state, trying to prevent more power from leaking out and affecting Luo Ying Jie, while also attempting to retract the demonic energy from Han Ye's consciousness to stop his own people from causing a meltdown.

Mei Siyi looked at his student, who had landed in front of him but was still unstable, and showed a face full of disappointment.

"Your Xin Jian Shu isn't even under your control. Are you going to let the power manipulate you instead?"

These words hit Xu Xiaoshou like a bucket of cold water, suddenly enlightening him.

Of course—ever since he started, because the manifestation of Xin Jian Shu was so strong, he'd always felt like he couldn't handle it.

But Xin Jian Shu is based on one's true self... How could he not control a manifestation he visualized himself?

If he were still a novice, that might be fine, but now he was standing on the Jian Dao Pan—he wasn't a beginner anymore.

In the end, it was just that he hadn't mastered the power perfectly because his mindset hadn't adjusted; he still believed he couldn't handle such a powerful manifestation.

"No gods, no Buddhas, no laws, no heavens..."

Murmuring Mei Siyi's earlier teachings on the first realm of Xin Jian Shu, Xu Xiaoshou realized he had turned his own manifestation into his "god or Buddha."

If he didn't break this barrier, he might never cross the threshold to the second realm of Xin Jian Shu, no matter how long he tried.

"Return!"

With that thought, Xu Xiaoshou's eyes sharpened, and he gripped the black sword tightly.

In Luo Ying Jie, the full moon in the nine heavens vanished, the ancient tower disappeared, and the demonic energy on Han Ye's consciousness faded away.

Everything turned into energy and was drawn back into Xu Xiaoshou's body.

As his heart desired, it became command and order!

"Zang Ku..."

He lightly stroked the sword, feeling a bit emotional.

In reality, Zang Ku couldn't keep up with his battles, but the sword visualized through Xin Jian Shu could now conceal endless hardships.

"You..."

Mei Siyi watched as Xu Xiaoshou regained control of Mu Xia Jie Mo in an instant and was stunned.

Xin Jian Shu is founded on the heart and manifests through visualization, but the stronger the manifestation, the harder it is to control.

There's no denying that Xu Xiaoshou's manifestation was incredibly powerful, making it all the more difficult to manage.

Mei Siyi had already resolved that no matter what, he would teach Xu Xiaoshou to master Mu Xia Jie Mo this time, to avoid a third embarrassing incident as his teacher.

Yet he never expected that with just a single hint, Xu Xiaoshou had fully grasped it.

This level of talent would make every ancient sword cultivator feel ashamed!

"What about me?"

Xu Xiaoshou suppressed all his playfulness and joy, hid every expression, and spoke calmly.

He realized that in the Mu Xia Jie Mo state, he couldn't afford to joke around. Just a moment of levity earlier had nearly destabilized his manifestation, risking total collapse in Luo Ying Jie.

With his feet on the Jian Dao Pan, even without Mei Siyi's reminder, Xu Xiaoshou understood this might relate to his manifestation's positioning.

Any behavior that didn't align with the "solitary sword god in the ancient tower" could easily trigger a collapse.

In the Mu Xia Jie Mo state, it was best to maintain that cold and unyielding demeanor.

"You... did well."

Mei Siyi glossed over it smoothly, concealing his inner praise.

Seeing Xu Xiaoshou's cold and composed expression, he realized the boy had independently grasped the positioning of Xin Jian Shu's first realm.

The state of the heart determines the manifestation.

Xu Xiaoshou always noticed his shortcomings in the finest details and grew quickly from them—that was a good thing.

"Teacher, I've learned Luo Ying Jie."

"With this sword, can I save someone... like a consciousness form?"

Xu Xiaoshou asked, glancing at Han Ye's fragmented wisps of consciousness.

Although his demonic possession power could be withdrawn from it, Han Ye had been severely wounded by Er Hao earlier, leaving his consciousness completely scattered and unable to reconnect.

Now, under Mei Siyi's sword, reality and abstraction had swapped, truth and illusion inverted.

If targeted again, Han Ye in his current state could be destroyed beyond revival with a single blow.

But on the flip side, saving him in this state might be easier.

"What do you think?" Mei Siyi countered with a question.

"So, it is possible!" Xu Xiaoshou realized his idea could work.

"How should I do it?"

Mei Siyi didn't teach directly; he wanted his student to figure it out.

"Xin Jian Shu? Wu Jian Shu? Or a combination of both?"

With his feet on the Jian Dao Pan and in a state of harmony with heaven and earth, Xu Xiaoshou felt like he was onto something.

He tried amplifying his inner thoughts in Luo Ying Jie, focusing his gaze on Han Ye's wisps of consciousness.

"Condense!"

A hum echoed, and void sword patterns rippled.

But Han Ye's wisps of consciousness remained unmoved. It had failed...

Xu Xiaoshou felt disappointed; he thought anything his heart desired could become reality, but this was just empty effort.

Mei Siyi smiled smugly, finally seeing his student stumble.

Of course—it was natural. Without a teacher's guidance, how could anyone break free from the first realm of Xin Jian Shu alone?

If everyone could self-teach, what would be the point of teachers?

"Listen carefully, Xu Xiaoshou."

"The first realm of Xin Jian Shu cultivates the 'self,' and the second realm cultivates the 'other.'"

"The will of the heart can easily affect oneself and manifest as form."

"But relying solely on your will to influence others and cause real harm—whether to body, spirit, or intent—is extremely difficult."

Mei Siyi glanced at Han Ye's wisps of consciousness as he spoke.

"And to use the will of the heart not for harm, but to save someone—that's even harder!"

Though he made no movements, just like Xu Xiaoshou, with a single "Condense," Han Ye's wisps began to drift, converging toward the center and forming a cluster.

"Squeak!" As the consciousness gathered, Han Ye seemed to slowly recover, his form wriggling as he let out an excited sound.

"How did you do that?" Xu Xiaoshou was astonished.

This seemed so mysterious, even with the Jian Dao Pan, he couldn't grasp it...

Soon, he thought of something.

The reason he didn't understand was because this touched on the heights of Xin Jian Shu's second realm, didn't it?

Mei Siyi wasn't holding back at all!

Seeing the first realm was no challenge for him, he jumped straight to teaching the second.

"Practice." Mei Siyi summed it up with a smile:

"In simple terms, it's the power of 'intention.'"

"Only through repeated, uninterrupted attempts and comprehension—applying the methods you've mastered in the first realm of Xin Jian Shu to others—can you gradually influence them and cultivate the second realm."

"Cultivating the heart is also cultivating intention. Xin Jian Shu is the root of the nine great sword techniques. Master this one, and you'll handle others effortlessly, like Che Shen Nian or Jian Xiang."

Han Ye's consciousness had now fully gathered, quickly taking the shape of a small Han Tian Zhi You, staring blankly at the two in front.

This was his first time seeing Xu Xiaoshou like this—all in black clothes, black sword, black hair, and black eyes, exuding pure malice.

But somehow, this state felt more fitting for Xu Xiaoshou.

"Master Xu..." He wailed.

"Is he one of yours?" Mei Siyi asked.

"Yes." Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

"Then let him go rest for now. I suspect Er Hao is about to break through this sword." Mei Siyi twirled his Tai Cheng Jian, and Han Ye's consciousness vanished, sent out of Luo Ying Jie.

As for repairing the physical body and soul of this Ban Sheng ghost beast, Mei Siyi had no intention of getting involved.

If Han Ye couldn't recover on his own after having his consciousness refined, he might as well give up.

"Can Er Hao get here?" Xu Xiaoshou focused on the key point.

He had just noticed that Er Hao's traces were absent in Luo Ying Jie, as if that one was still stuck between reality and illusion, unable to penetrate this sword.

"Don't underestimate the title of 'strongest Ban Sheng.'" Mei Siyi shook his head with a sigh.

"The Dao Dian Master has never experienced this sword of mine, so his creations naturally wouldn't exceed his own understanding."

"But with the abilities of the Tian Ji Shen Shi, breaking it is just a matter of time."

"Moreover..."

Mei Siyi stopped there.

He knew Er Hao had overheard the explanation of Luo Ying Jie's true meaning he gave to Xu Xiaoshou.

It didn't matter much—it would just let Er Hao's powerful computing abilities find a way to crack it faster, but that wasn't as important as the teaching itself.

"No!"

"Don't..."

In the distance, Jiang Buzi's consciousness form struggled under the influence of demonic possession while watching the two ancient sword cultivators rescue someone and turn their gaze toward him, panicking instantly.

For Er Hao, cracking this sword might just take time, but for Jiang Buzi, it was far too advanced!

Inverting the real world and the world of consciousness, exposing consciousness forms to enemies' sight—it was insane!

What kind of madmen were these ancient sword cultivators to create such a battle method that should only exist in theory, never in practice?

Since Jiang Buzi had been scattered, his consciousness wandering over the ruins of Zhen Huang Dian, he had witnessed many fights.

Xu Xiaoshou versus Yu Ling Di, Xu Xiaoshou versus Er Hao, Tian Ren Wu Sui versus Er Hao...

But no matter the battle, none of them could detect a Ban Sheng's fully concealed consciousness.

Even Tian Ren Wu Sui couldn't find it and had to rely on sealing the entire area with the Sheng Yu to prevent him from escaping Sin One Dian.

Of course, Jiang Buzi believed these people wouldn't waste energy searching for a Ban Sheng's remnant consciousness—it was pointless.

Because even a single wisp could allow a Ban Sheng to regenerate.

It was thankless work!

But Mei Siyi had gone too far!

With one sword, Luo Ying Jie, he had unearthed Jiang Buzi's long-hidden consciousness and made it visible.

It was like being stripped bare, defenseless—how could that not terrify him?

"Fairness!"

"In ancient sword cultivator duels, fairness is key!"

As red plum blossoms fell, Jiang Buzi's consciousness form cried out in alarm:

"Earlier, Er Hao gave Xu Xiaoshou a chance, waiting for you, Mei Siyi, to come rescue him. Now, you should give me a chance, wait for Er Hao to come aid me—that's only fair!"

"Is that so?" Mei Siyi glanced at Xu Xiaoshou.

"Not at all." Xu Xiaoshou replied coldly, without even blinking.

"Xu Xiaoshou, you're talking nonsense!" Jiang Buzi was furious. "I saw it clearly—Er Hao was waiting for Yu Ling Di to recover and for Mei Siyi to save you. Give me a chance..."

Without a word, Xu Xiaoshou raised his Zang Ku gauntlet—

Sword Awakening!

A soaring black sword light tore through the void, instantly splitting Jiang Buzi's consciousness form in two and dyeing it pure black.

"Arghhh!!"

Jiang Buzi's bisected consciousness cloud twitched and distorted in midair, curling into a chaotic mess, his thoughts verging on total loss of control.

Xu Xiaoshou was about to strike again—he couldn't wait any longer.

This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate Jiang Buzi and avenge his junior sister.

Just then, Mei Siyi gently extended his hand, holding him back.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened slightly, a flash of crimson piercing through the pure black in his pupils, followed by his spiritual awakening triggering.

He halted his actions, deep in thought:

Jiang Buzi wasn't important anymore. If Mei Siyi wanted to finish him, it would take just one sword.

The real enemy now was Er Hao.

In his liberated state as Tian Ji Shen Shi, Er Hao was nearly unbeatable in reality, and even Mei Siyi wasn't fully confident.

But if they used Luo Ying Jie to their advantage, luring Er Hao in by using Jiang Buzi as bait, then engaging in battle...

In Luo Ying Jie, Mei Siyi's power was undoubtedly at its peak.

If Er Hao entered, he'd have to switch to a consciousness form or something similar.

How much of his strength would remain then?

"What an old fox..."

Xu Xiaoshou subtly glanced at Mei Siyi and began pondering the likelihood of Er Hao rushing to save Jiang Buzi.

From his current perspective, it seemed unlikely.

But if Mei Siyi was keeping Jiang Buzi alive, he must be certain Er Hao would come. Why?

"Justitia."

Mei Siyi suddenly spoke, interrupting Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts.

At the same time, as Jiang Buzi teetered on the edge of madness, he regained a thread of sanity and wailed:

"Er Hao!"

"Lord Tian Ji Shen Shi!"

"I've formed a Ban Sheng contract with Yu Ling Di—I'm one of yours now."

"I haven't done anything against the Sheng Shen Dian Tang's rules; I even helped protect the Secondary Gate... Now that I'm in trouble, how can you not help me?"

Luo Ying Jie fell silent for a moment, red plum blossoms scattering.

Suddenly, a voice devoid of emotion echoed from the void: "Tian Ji Replacement, Consciousness Rule Mode."

Countless ancient characters flew out, converging and taking shape into the form of Liberated State Tian Ji Shen Shi.

Still with twelve light wings, clad in sacred armor, and a halo above his head.

But Er Hao, formed from ancient characters, was hazy, lusterless, and lacked the sacred aura.

He was merely a shell, having lost most of the power that should belong to Liberated State Tian Ji Shen Shi.

"He really showed up!"

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't expected Er Hao to switch to a consciousness form and enter Luo Ying Jie just to save Jiang Buzi.

Was this some kind of overt scheme? A trap?

Almost the instant Er Hao appeared, Mei Siyi's eyes turned ice-cold.

"Illusion Dao, Heart Dao, Nothingness Dao..."

Tai Cheng Jian soared into the air as Mei Siyi had no time to explain to his student.

Traces of space-time surged around him, and the immense sword manifestation behind him unsheathed, while Tai Cheng Jian's blade churned out a green river.

"Space-Time Leap!"

"Mu Xia Shen Fo!"

"Qing He Jian Jie!"

In an instant, the first realms of the three great sword techniques unfolded and merged perfectly.

The sword manifestation leaped forth, transforming into a massive green sword that pierced through space-time barriers, enveloped in Qing He Jian Jie, and attached itself to Tai Cheng Jian.

Before Er Hao's consciousness rule form could touch Jiang Buzi, Mei Siyi's figure appeared between them.

With one sword, he severed and tore through the nine heavens.

"Red Plum Three Flows—Qing Shi Jian!"