Chapter 1223: Teacher, Now It's My Turn to Protect You

Banruo Wu?

Xu Xiaoshou, in his vanished state, watched Mei Yiren risk his life for him, his heart burning with anxiety.

So close!

His temples bulged with veins, and he clenched his right hand tightly, gripping something firmly. What was this?

Xu Xiaoshou froze for a moment, his state of enlightenment interrupted, and he turned his head to look.

At some unknown time and place, the Shi Zu Ying Zhang had emerged—unbound by worldly eyes, uncontrolled by his own will, a staff that wandered freely and returned to itself.

His eyes were fixed on this mysterious staff.

Still trying to recall who had given him this thing, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body shuddering.

Countless fragments of time flashed before his eyes.

Innumerable shadows wove into rivers of light.

Infinite versions of himself appeared in complex timelines, taking on all sorts of forms.

Some prayed to gods and Buddhas, some lounged by windows, some crawled on the ground... It was like an extravagant lottery draw! In that instant, a new Dao Pan unfolded beneath Xu Xiaoshou's feet—the Time Dao Pan he had longed for!

Had he entered the Time attribute?

Stepping out a Time Dao Pan meant it wasn't just the basic entry level for ordinary Spirit Refiners.

It was an advanced entry that could combine with Tianren He Yi, be used in combat, and potentially reach the level of Mysteries later on!

Xu Xiaoshou gripped the Shi Zu Ying Zhang, finally feeling as if he held its true form, no longer just a shadow slipping through his fingers like sand.

Instinctively, he thrust the staff forward, but realized he was still in his vanished state and couldn't affect the real world, so he immediately tried to dispel the vanishing technique.

He suddenly stopped himself, lost in thought.

Within the battlefield, a voice echoed suddenly.

Mei Yiren, who was gathering power for a strike, felt as if all time had frozen.

Yan Wuse, turning back at the speed of light, found all his movements halted.

Both turned to see a young man stepping out of the void in the distance. He was strikingly handsome, dressed in luxurious robes, wearing a jade crown, and had a simple wooden ornament shaped like a gate around his neck.

He walked with ease, each step causing time to rewind.

Until Mei Yiren sheathed his sword, the light on Yan Wuse faded away, and Xu Xiaoshou emerged from his vanished state in shock.

The mysterious young man opened his hands and said with a casual smile:

Friends...

It seems everyone is quite anxious!

Who is this?

And this power—is it time manipulation?

Yan Wuse's brow twitched, and he lowered his head to examine his hands.

The Huangquan hadn't been able to reverse time for him while he was in his Wan Jing attire, relying on Void Island.

But this man had succeeded!

Yan Wuse was forced back to his previous state!

Not only that, but Mei Yiren's strike was reversed, and even Xu Xiaoshou in his vanished state was drawn out!

Yan Wuse had just confirmed that a Spirit Refiner's attribute power basically couldn't force Xu Xiaoshou out.

He had been preparing to use the Sun Wheel Collapse as a trap, combined with the Exile Space restriction and the Semi-Sage Decree to force Xu Xiaoshou out.

A three-pronged approach to trap and eliminate that Holy Servant tumor right here, once and for all.

But now, everything—people and plans—was interrupted by this uninvited guest. Was it Huangquan?

Was this man a Semi-Sage incarnation of Huangquan with special abilities?

Yan Wuse even took a moment to flash to Huangquan's side.

The light in his eyes receded, freeing him from Tianren Five Decays, but he didn't dare act rashly.

Because their Yanwang leader was trembling slightly, his eyes fixed on the newcomer, radiating an aura of sheer dread!

Yan Wuse's pupils contracted.

It wasn't Huangquan.

This was someone who could make even Huangquan feel shaken.

Hmm, Huangquan was staring at...

The young man's right hand, but there was nothing there. What was Huangquan looking at?

It doesn't matter!

Anyone who could shake Huangquan, combined with this time power, his identity was almost obvious.

Kong Yuhen! Number Two suddenly spoke, with an extremely certain tone, confirming what Yan Wuse suspected.

You recognize me?

Xu Xiaoshou smiled faintly, tilting his head to look at this being who had previously beaten him severely in his liberated state—the Tianji Divine Messenger.

He then scanned with great interest from the Sheng Cai Sword, the white armor, the twelve light wings, to the holy halo on its head.

Without asking anything, he simply nodded lightly and said:

In that case, I suppose I don't need to introduce myself.

He hadn't expected that after emerging with this face he thought was familiar but now felt somewhat strange, he would be exposed so quickly.

Unexpectedly, the first to confirm his identity was Number Two!

Did that powerful knowledge base of his contain nothing but nonsense? It couldn't even recognize Kong Yuhen's face?

Yes, just a moment ago, Xu Xiaoshou had a flash of inspiration and sent his second true body out as a decoy, disguising himself as Kong Yuhen to step forward.

But as soon as he appeared, he regretted it.

Because one second, the Kong Yuhen in his mind looked like this young man, and the next, the face felt unfamiliar.

Kong Yuhen should be older, with a beard, right? Yet, despite such obvious flaws, he hadn't been exposed, and Number Two confirmed it with such conviction. What was his basis?

Xu Xiaoshou suppressed the turmoil in his heart and vaguely guessed.

The Shi Zu Ying Zhang!

The time that even Huangquan couldn't reverse on Yan Wuse—he had just comprehended the Time Dao Pan and hadn't even used Tianren He Yi yet; he had merely held the Shi Zu Ying Zhang.

And he had accomplished what Huangquan couldn't.

Was it because he was a genius?

Absolutely not—it was the Shi Zu Ying Zhang from Kong Yuhen that was incredibly powerful!

And that was the first reason Number Two confirmed his identity.

As for the second...

Xu Xiaoshou thought that perhaps the ever-changing face of Kong Yuhen in his memory had further aided his disguise.

Even the Sheng Di's perception couldn't clearly remember Kong Yuhen's face, so Number Two, as just a Semi-Sage and not above, was likely the same.

After all, the one who created him, Dao Qiong Cang, was only on par with Kong Yuhen, not far superior!

Kong Yuhen, records incomplete, once appeared briefly among the Ten Venerables, then vanished from historical records.

Kong Yuhen, frequents the Ancient and Modern Forget Sorrow Tower, but the tower isn't fixed—it's a flowing space-time entity, appearing randomly across the continent for those fated to find it.

Kong Yuhen, appearance ever-changing, no fixed form; in the Ten Venerables War, he appeared holding the Shi Zu Ying Zhang—that's the only way to confirm his identity.

Kong Yuhen, lost in records, suspected to have appeared across multiple eras.

Number Two listed fact after fact, transmitting them to help Yan Wuse confirm and recall this figure.

Undoubtedly, his transmission was intercepted by everyone.

Including Mei Yiren, Huangquan, and Tianren Five Decays, all eavesdropping.

The only two still looking confused were the timid Lord Han, who didn't dare eavesdrop, and Xu Xiaoshou's second true body, playing the role of the real Xu Xiaoshou.

The Shi Zu Ying Zhang—one of the Ten Miraculous Weapons, said to grant control over time powers?

Yan Wuse finally understood Huangquan's earlier gaze.

He glanced at Kong Yuhen's right hand but still couldn't see any trace of a staff.

Yet, dense time energy radiated from that point in all directions. Kong Yuhen himself seemed unremarkable, like an ordinary person, but in his palm, it was as if he held the essence of time mysteries!

So, that's the invisible Shi Zu Ying Zhang? But even I, as an emperor, can't see it—that's a bit far-fetched...

Yan Wuse's mood grew even heavier.

A figure on par with Dao Boy, mastering a time attribute that surpassed Huangquan's—how could one not be cautious?

While they were rapidly confirming the newcomer's identity,

On the other side, Xu Xiaoshou, holding the Shi Zu Ying Zhang, gained a second special ability.

He effortlessly sensed Number Two's transmission waves, and with a thought, the Shi Zu Ying Zhang channeled its power.

Without even moving his ears, he overheard everything Number Two said to Yan Wuse.

Does this staff also enhance my status?

I can eavesdrop on a Semi-Sage's words, and I already have Sheng Li—what's the difference between me now and a true Semi-Sage?

Xu Xiaoshou once again redefined his understanding of the Shi Zu Ying Zhang.

Each of the Ten Miraculous Weapons is incredibly unique.

Holding this staff gives me the illusion that I'm Shi Zu himself! Can't get carried away, can't get carried away...

Xu Xiaoshou kept reminding himself in his heart that he couldn't reveal the Sheng Li.

Even in his current state, he absolutely couldn't step out the Space or Time Dao Pan.

The light of a subpar Mysteries Array was too easy to distinguish from the real one. For someone like Kong Yuhen, you either reveal a fully formed Mysteries Array or do nothing and let people guess.

Stepping out something so weakly glowing would just announce to all these old foxes:

I'm a fake, I'm a fake—come beat me, come expose me!

Thinking this way, wearing what might or might not be Kong Yuhen's face, Xu Xiaoshou effortlessly conjured a faint, enigmatic smile and turned his gaze to Number Two:

You're quite interesting.

Kong Yuhen's face was hard for him to remember.

But his understanding of Kong Yuhen from the Ancient and Modern Forget Sorrow Tower, Xu Xiaoshou felt, should be accurate.

That person seemed to have lost his memory and was very interested in his own past. So, Xu Xiaoshou showed even more interest and said to Number Two:

Perhaps we should find a place to sit down and have a good chat about what you know of me.

As he spoke, he raised a finger to his temple, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

In that moment, the expression of Kong Yuhen from his memories was perfectly copied onto Xu Xiaoshou's face.

You see, I've forgotten a lot of things.

Number Two's transmission stopped abruptly.

He felt like he was being stalked by a predator and, for the first time, experienced that distinctly human sensation of scalp tingling.

But before he could react, he saw Kong Yuhen lower his hand and shake his head toward the other side.

Unfortunately, not right now.

Because right now, I have important things to do.

Number Two followed his gaze.

Yan Wuse did the same, looking toward Mei Yiren, who stood beside the surprised Xu Xiaoshou, and his expression darkened. You're with the Holy Servants?

I'm fulfilling a favor for someone. Xu Xiaoshou gritted his teeth and replied in a vague, ethereal tone, though inwardly he was complaining wildly.

Old Eight, oh Old Eight, when will you ever be reliable?

I'm so tired of being my own backup!

If you don't have a plan, just say so—there's no need to make me be my own backup every time.

But no matter how bitter he felt, Xu Xiaoshou had to take someone away, or Kong Yuhen's appearance would raise too many questions.

I came, I saw.

Oh, sorry, you're in the middle of a fight?

Then carry on with your fight; I'll be on my way first. That would look so suspicious! What kind of absurd master does that?

Senior.

The second true body made eye contact with his original self, almost in tears, and trembled as he spoke. He never imagined that from the moment of his creation, he'd have to shoulder such a heavy burden and play out this grand act.

Any slip-up here, and both he and his original self would be doomed!

Mei Yiren, come with me. Xu Xiaoshou said lightly, his gaze drifting elsewhere.

The second true body shuddered violently.

Mei Yiren was equally stunned, pointing at himself. This old man?

He thought Kong Yuhen was here for the Eight Venerables' people, so he should be taking Xu Xiaoshou away from this mess.

Why take him? What about Xu Xiaoshou?

Was this kid being left behind?

Don't forget how you got to Void Island. Xu Xiaoshou stared at his teacher's face with utter unfamiliarity and no emotion.

Mei Yiren was dazed for a moment.

From an outsider's view, this might make sense.

Because Mei Yiren had basically tied himself to the Holy Servants to save Xu Xiaoshou, so the Eight Venerables sending someone to rescue him was logical.

But to Mei Yiren himself, this was too strange!

It felt off, indescribably off!

This didn't seem like something the Eight Venerables would do, and besides, did he, Mei Yiren, even need saving?

This felt more like...

Mei Yiren glanced at Xu Xiaoshou, who had been pulled out of his vanishing state by the time reversal, and saw the despair on his face.

No flaws!

But that was exactly what was wrong!

With a flicker of spiritual thought, Mei Yiren connected to the communication talisman on him.

The talisman from the Eight Venerables, which had guided him to Xu Xiaoshou's location on Void Island, reacted again.

But it pointed not to the person beside him, but to... Kong Yuhen!

Boom—like a thunderclap, Mei Yiren's mind went blank for a split second. He's Xu Xiaoshou?

Kong Yuhen is Xu Xiaoshou?

Then who is that thing beside him? Is he the real Kong Yuhen? No, no, this is all so confusing!

What on earth?

When was the switch made?

What happened between these two Xu Xiaoshous, and when... Hmm? When Xu Xiaoshou vanished?

Mei Yiren finally realized this key point.

He had heard of his student's sleight-of-hand tricks, which could even fool the Holy Divine Hall.

Now, in this treacherous battlefield, Xu Xiaoshou had pulled off another one, leaving even him baffled. Mei Yiren didn't know what to think anymore.

Xu Xiaoshou, wearing Kong Yuhen's face, stared fixedly at Mei Yiren, waiting for an answer.

Teacher, you've protected me before; now, it's my turn to protect you.