Chapter 1242: The Path of Liberation, Also the Path of Death?

Xu Xiaoshou had also heard of Ba Zun An, the Eighth Sword Immortal, being called "One Poem, One Sword," but his previous impressions were nowhere near as vivid as they were now.

In the real world, few people could truly replicate it.

He still remembered that in the city lord's mansion of Tian Sang City, there was a certain Fu Xing, who was skilled in both poetry and swordplay.

He greatly admired Ba Zun An and coveted the Ten Duan Sword Finger.

However, Fu Xing's sword techniques had the form but lacked the essence—no poetry, and thus no soul, missing the very spirit that defined Ba Zun An's "One Poem, One Sword."

After all, the gap between them was vast, whether in era or realm.

Even though Fu Xing had heard the legends of Ba Zun An and tried to imitate them, he could never capture the true essence.

Xiao Kongdong was completely different.

This guy was Ba Zun An's number one fan.

He not only perfectly replicated his master's strength but even managed to mimic that youthful, reckless flair to some degree.

“I, I… Huff!”

Xiao Kongdong leaned on his knees, heard the voice, and weakly waved his hand. He was clearly exhausted but still putting on a front. “He didn't teach me, but I can learn it myself.”

“Learn it yourself?”

Xu Xiaoshou had a better constitution and had mostly recovered after stopping. “How do you learn it yourself? You've never seen it or heard of it… So, are you saying these sword styles aren't from your teacher but are your own creations?”

That was impressive!

Rao Yao Yao wasn't an ordinary person—he had seen Ba Zun An's swords—and this didn't seem to worry him about being exposed.

“Who says I haven't seen or heard of it?”

“Of course, these swords are from my teacher. I'm not suicidal!”

After steadying his breath, Xiao Kongdong rolled his eyes and continued, “I'm older than you, so I've witnessed some of my teacher's swords, though only from a distance.

“The ones I used just now were mostly based on what I've heard, since I wasn't around during my teacher's era.

“But Can Yue Xian Cheng is different… In other parts of Dong Yu, you might only catch a glimpse of my teacher's influence, like the tip of an iceberg, but in Can Yue Xian Cheng, plenty of elders can recount my teacher's glorious past for you.”

“Elders?” Xu Xiaoshou frowned at the mention.

Was there a bunch of people in Can Yue Xian Cheng more powerful than Xiao Kongdong?

Xiao Kongdong clearly knew Xu Xiaoshou had misunderstood and chuckled. “Their strength might be lacking, but they've seen a lot and lived long, so they've become elders.

“Can Yue Xian Cheng is like a treasure trove I've built for myself.”

Oh, so that's what he meant… Xu Xiaoshou relaxed his surprise.

He had thought that if Can Yue Xian Cheng had a bunch of people surpassing Xiao Kongdong, they would have rebelled against Sheng Shan or something, banding together like kids playing house.

“But how can you learn from secondhand stories and descriptions?” Xu Xiaoshou was still puzzled.

He had his own Jian Dao Pan, but even he wasn't confident he could master a sword just from hearing someone describe it.

Xiao Kongdong lifted his chin arrogantly. “That's your ignorance!

“The way the elders describe it, they've already captured six or seven parts of my teacher's sword essence.

“From there, with a little refinement, it's not hard to restore it.

“Besides, my teacher's swords rarely repeat themselves. Even if some details are off, as long as the overall spirit is right, anyone familiar would think it's a new sword.”

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill inwardly. This was "not hard"?

Out of nowhere, his curiosity about Xiao Kongdong's faction grew, so he asked, “In Can Yue Xian Cheng, are there many people with talent like yours?”

“A whole bunch.”

How was that possible? Xu Xiaoshou was stunned and followed up, “Then, are there many who can replicate your teacher's swords like you?”

“Just one.”

“Ah, there's another one? Who?”

“Uh, I mean me…”

This time, Xu Xiaoshou fell silent.

Indeed, there were talents, but extreme geniuses were rare everywhere.

Having one Xiao Kongdong in Can Yue Xian Cheng was already impressive—how could there be more?

Wait, no.

That line of thinking was fundamentally wrong.

In reality, the world might only have this one Xiao Kongdong capable of founding Can Yue Xian Cheng!

“You're incredibly strong. I think you deserve the title of Ninth Sword Immortal. If circumstances were different, you'd have a place among the Seven Sword Immortals.” Xu Xiaoshou recalled the swords from earlier and sincerely praised him.

“It's not me who's strong—it's my teacher.” Xiao Kongdong touched his own face. “I'm just an imitator.”

That's already top-tier, though!

If you keep being this "humble," how will other ancient sword cultivators survive?

Xu Xiaoshou had to admit that after fighting alongside him, his view of this big-mouthed guy had completely changed.

Given time, as long as they were in the same realm, this guy wouldn't be any less than Rao Yao Yao.

Seeing that Xu Xiaoshou was fully hooked, Xiao Kongdong seized the moment. “If you have time, come visit Can Yue Xian Cheng. A sword cultivator who hasn't been to the immortal city is missing out on life—you'd love it there.”

Xu Xiaoshou nodded silently.

The legends of the Eighth Sword Immortal were just legends.

Among all who imitated him, Xiao Kongdong had created a true legend of his own.

Can Yue Xian Cheng was indeed a miraculous rise in the modern era.

“By the way, why did you establish 'Can Yue Xian Cheng'? Did your teacher influence you that much?”

Xu Xiaoshou figured that even if elders like Sang Lao or Ji Ren Mister had taught him for so long, he wouldn't go as far as creating a faction to worship them.

Let alone reshaping a realm and forging a new faith.

That was just too extreme.

At these words, a touch of warmth appeared on Xiao Kongdong's face.

He gazed toward the chaotic Luo Yuan in the distance, his eyes filled with memories, and said wistfully, “There are always people with similar fates who gather, only to separate because of worldly reasons.

“I don't like goodbyes, so I created a place for them. Call it a childhood dream.

“Sadly, those who've left can't come back.

“This might be what 'home' feels like. Now, it's pretty good—at least I have more people to protect.”

Home…

Xu Xiaoshou felt a tug at his heartstrings but suppressed his emotions.

He raised an eyebrow and teased with a smile, “It's rare to see you care about anyone besides your teacher.”

“Heh, who in this world can truly be unattached?” Xiao Kongdong shrugged. “Maybe that's why I can't master the Wang Qing Jian. But I suspect it's the Wang Qing Jian that's wrong, not me.”

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled in amusement.

If the Wang Qing Jian had been created by Rao Yao Yao, that might be one thing, but it was the divine sword of Jian Shen Gu Lou Ying.

How dare you question it?

“An interesting idea.”

He didn't comment further and, like Xiao Kongdong, turned his gaze to Luo Yuan.

This was Xu Xiaoshou's first time at Luo Yuan, one of the nine great forbidden lands.

From its unique terrain, chaotic energy, and disordered Dao principles, he could tell this place was more terrifying than the other forbidden lands.

And Xiao Kongdong hadn't been wandering aimlessly—the path he'd taken, after visiting the major forbidden lands, led here for a reason.

“Enough small talk. Do we keep fighting, or what?”

“You still want to fight? I have nothing left to teach you!”

Xiao Kongdong glared at him and looked toward Luo Yuan. “There are two paths here: one leads to the inner island, and the other, through the chaotic spacetime while heading to the inner island, might let you escape Void Island.”

“Spacetime leap?” Xu Xiaoshou pondered.

“Yeah, it's a great skill for getting away—at least, that's what I think.” Xiao Kongdong pointed to the void abyss ahead. “Jump down, and you can be free.”

Make it clear—which kind of freedom? From life, or from the trap of Void Island?

I don't want to die because I misunderstood you!

“How do you jump?”

“Just use your feet to jump.”

What are you even saying?

Xu Xiaoshou instinctively wanted to retort, but suddenly, he understood Xiao Kongdong's meaning.

Going down from here would mean leaving Void Island entirely, and everything else would no longer concern him.

Whether it was Ba Zun An, or Dao Qiong Cang's schemes,

Or anyone, anything, or any opportunities on the island—they'd all be completely unrelated to him.

The four words "Tian Kong Zhi Cheng" were mysterious in the outside world because it hadn't appeared in so long, only once every hundred years or so.

But having come to the island personally, Xu Xiaoshou had seen that the legendary Feng Sheng Dao Ji was real.

At least, Ye Xiaotian had taken away a Half-Saint position.

And that was just a drop in the ocean compared to the other opportunities here.

What was frightening was that, aside from such chances, for ordinary people to survive here was thousands or even tens of thousands of times harder than achieving sainthood!

Xu Xiaoshou thought back.

Everyone he'd met on this journey… no, the Half-Saints!

If he had to walk the path of Void Island again, he wasn't sure he could still be alive.

Maybe at some detail, like encountering Jiang Buyi or Er Hao, one wrong move would lead to total loss.

And the cost of losing was, naturally, death.

Just look—someone as strong as the Half-Saint Jiang Buyi, or the Tian Ji Shen Shi Er Hao, one was gone, and the other had lost consciousness.

That was the obvious outcome of defeat.

And for those who won…

Xu Xiaoshou looked back, but saw no trace of life in Luo Yuan.

He didn't even count as a winner yet—in the end, he still hadn't figured out what Ba Zun An was up to.

If he ran now, would that be deserting?

“It's exhausting, to be honest.”

Xu Xiaoshou glanced back at Luo Yuan, feeling conflicted.

He liked adventure, especially since he'd been "confined" for so long before.

But if the danger was too great, he'd remember that he was still someone who valued his life.

It wasn't worth risking his life just for adventure.

“Do you know what he's thinking?” Xu Xiaoshou suddenly asked.

He didn't specify who "he" was, but he believed Xiao Kongdong would understand.

At that, Xiao Kongdong shook his head slightly, looking puzzled. “I don't know.”

“Then do you want to stay here?” Xu Xiaoshou asked again.

“I will.”

“Why?”

Xiao Kongdong didn't answer. He just smiled, rubbed the face that resembled his teacher's, and gave it a pinch.

His idea of fun seemed to be doing irreverent things while wearing his teacher's guise.

Xu Xiaoshou got it.

He looked out at Luo Yuan again.

The chaotic energy in Luo Yuan was like a pot of exploded stew, with more ingredients piled on top.

He could even spot traces of Sheng Jie and Di Jie forces within it.

“I'll see you off, then come back.” Xiao Kongdong stepped forward and gestured for him to jump.

“No need.” Xu Xiaoshou lowered his head, his brows relaxing as he refused.

“Why?” Now it was Xiao Kongdong's turn to be surprised.

He could see that Xu Xiaoshou was truly worn out from persisting this far.

He shouldn't get involved in this mess… Even Xiao Kongdong felt that his teacher had put too much pressure on Xu Xiaoshou.

The best option now was to send him away, and he could go back and follow his teacher through whatever came next.

Xu Xiaoshou being alive could be more useful later.

Avoiding wasn't shameful.

When facing something you can't resist, avoiding could just be called emergency evasion.

Xu Xiaoshou scanned his surroundings.

From the clearly devastated and repeatedly blasted mountain terrain of Luo Yuan, he saw more than what met the eye.

“If Luo Yuan is the end of Void Island, I have reason to suspect why we've reached here so quickly and without incident.

“I think this isn't really a choice.”

Xu Xiaoshou pointed to the ground and smiled. “Maybe jumping down leads only to death.”

This statement made Xiao Kongdong's expression change, and he instantly became alert.

But when his sword intent spread out to scan all directions, he didn't find any suspicious traces.

“You…”

Xiao Kongdong was about to say, “Are you overthinking it?”

But just then, Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and called out toward Luo Yuan, “Stop hiding. Your concealment technique is as clumsy as a beginner's… Xu Men Meng Yin, you're acting like a clown!”

Come out.

Is there someone else here?

Xiao Kongdong was shocked and suspicious, feeling like he'd been insulted too.

But he still couldn't figure out which member of Sheng Shen Dian Tang had the spare time to block Xu Xiaoshou from leaving Void Island.

Yet, right then, a flash of light appeared in the depths of Luo Yuan, and laughter echoed from beyond the space:

“Interesting, so interesting.

“I was waiting below for someone to jump in and die, and here you are, figuring out I'm hiding here. How did you guess?

“You saw me? I don't believe it!”

This voice, this self-proclaimed title… Xiao Kongdong's heart tightened, his face paling.

He couldn't have followed us!

He was still trapped under the San Cai Jian!

Even if he broke free, by then, this "Ba Zun An" and "Xiao Kongdong" had already fought to the point of chaos.

That battle wasn't faked—Yan Wuse should have seen it.

So, he should be dealing with others right now, not us true and false Ba Zun An!

Quickly, Xiao Kongdong's thoughts settled, and he considered a possibility.

Maybe Yan Wuse was dealing with both of us and others at the same time.

He couldn't be compared to normal logic.

This person could appear in three places at once just with his speed.

That had already been proven in the previous battle.

Boom!

The chaotic energy below Luo Yuan exploded, ripping open a void fissure.

The fissure wasn't black; dazzling white light burst from within. Soon, a figure of light stepped out step by step.

It was an angel of light, formed from radiant energy, with no distinct features.

Yet, anyone could be certain of his identity at a glance.

One of the Three Emperors, Yan Wuse.

“Why is it you?”

Xiao Kongdong didn't ask, but Xu Xiaoshou did.

He had only guessed that leaving Void Island couldn't be this easy, that it was too transcendent, allowing an early exit.

But for it to be Yan Wuse, he was still quite shocked.

His second true body had seemingly left but was actually grumbling while forced to stay in the safest place—the most dangerous spot was the safest.

So, he had seen that Yan Wuse was still confined in the area of Zui Yi Dian!

The angel of light emerged from the spatial fissure in Luo Yuan, raising his hands high, his words full of regret.

“What a pity, such a pity. I couldn't trick you two.

“Though my appearance is an accident… how did you think a mere punch and the San Cai Jian could hold me for so long? Am I made of paper?

“Don't you find it strange from the start that this was influenced by something?”

The angel of light stepped onto the mountainous ground of Luo Yuan and looked down at the two in alarm, like a god scornfully overlooking mortals:

“For example, the Xue Shi Zhu that doesn't distinguish friend from foe?”