Chapter 1249: Can the Lives of the Eight Venerable Ones Exchange for My Survival?

Rao Yaoyao?

In his invisible state, Xu Xiaoshou's heart contracted sharply, and he immediately activated his escape technique.

Yet, his attempt to soar into the sky was like colliding with a barrier, bouncing him back.

Rao Yaoyao glanced in that direction, her red lips curving into a smile.

Before she could move, the Xuan Cang Shen Jian let out a sword hum, unleashing a surge of majestic sword intent that blasted the portrait clone into dust.

"It seems that sword wasn't from you. I thought as much—after all, this realm can only be created by Xiao Kongdong."

After a pause, Rao Yaoyao spoke into the empty void before her: "It's quite impressive that you managed to escape so quickly. No wonder my Hong Chen Lian Xin had no effect on you before."

That sword from Xiao Kongdong wasn't aimed at her, and even its aftershocks had little impact on someone like her, who specialized in emotion-based sword techniques.

But Xu Xiaoshou had nearly escaped as fast as she had, which surprised Rao Yaoyao.

Still, that was all it amounted to.

"Though that sword is powerful, Xiao Kongdong isn't a Jian Sheng. He can't kill Yan Lao."

Rao Yaoyao's face remained calm. "So, Xu Xiaoshou, give up your struggle. Your fate is already sealed. Come out willingly, and I might consider reducing your sentence."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou dispelled his invisibility technique and revealed himself.

"A person without integrity is unreliable."

"Can I really take your word for it?"

This sudden change left Rao Yaoyao stunned as well.

She had only said it offhand, never expecting Xu Xiaoshou to actually appear.

Not just her—even in front of the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu, people were gradually emerging from the influence of the Second World.

After all, that sword was targeted only at Yan Wuse. Those farther away were affected much less.

Even so, on the ruins of Zui Yi Dian, a large number of people lay in deep slumber.

But those who remained conscious turned their attention back to the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu screen.

Even the Second True Body was surprised by the original self's appearance.

Yu Ling Di stared at the person in the screen, falling into confusion and deep thought.

This was completely unlike the Xu Xiaoshou he knew.

Xu Xiaoshou was someone who would resist to the bitter end...

"Yu Ling Di, aren't you going over there?" someone asked.

Yu Ling Di subconsciously glanced at the person's round head, took a deep breath, and vanished from the spot.

"I'm tired."

On the Du Yuan, Xu Xiaoshou didn't explain much. "I know you have the ability to find me. I know you can track me down. I don't want to waste any more time, so I'm coming out."

Truthfully, he could have kept hiding, but Rao Yaoyao had him by the throat.

From being exiled to being found, it was only a matter of time.

Xu Xiaoshou was truly exhausted. He didn't want to hide anymore. He wanted to force Ba Zun An to appear. He was ready to burn his bridges.

Heaven help him—Ba Zun An had better be there...

"A very wise decision." At that moment, Rao Yaoyao seemed like a gentle breeze, standing as the final victor, and she smiled.

"I won't kill you, but I'll impose a Jin Wu Ling on you. You'll come back to Gui Zhe Sheng Shan with me for trial."

"Perhaps after the trial, you'll be executed on the spot, but you'll get to see your master's final moments—that's my guarantee."

Oh, so I really should thank you for your mercy.

Xu Xiaoshou was about to speak when a whooshing sound echoed from the sky, and countless ancient characters converged into a three-zhang-tall little giant in hemp robes.

"Er Hao?"

Xu Xiaoshou was startled—Er Hao was clearly dead.

Soon, he remembered: this was the Tian Ji Shen Shi being controlled by Si Tu Yong Ren, not Er Hao.

"I greet you, Rao Jian Sheng."

Si Tu Yong Ren first greeted Rao Yaoyao, then turned to Xu Xiaoshou, his eyes flashing with ancient characters: "It's him in person."

He confirmed it, then explained: "I was chasing Han Tian Zhi You, but I was too late. I'm still unfamiliar with controlling Er Hao Qianbei, so I couldn't catch up."

"Sensing that sword just now, I immediately changed direction to see if I could be of any help."

Rao Yaoyao glanced at him but said nothing more.

Si Tu Yong Ren must have escaped quickly thanks to some of Er Hao's abilities.

Just then, a flash of light appeared in the distance, accompanied by an angry voice: "Where is Xiao Kongdong!"

Yan Wuse had arrived!

That guy hadn't died after all, but he'd been delayed for more than a dozen breaths.

When he arrived again, Xu Xiaoshou turned to look. Yan Wuse had a straight bloodline from his forehead to his chest.

It was as if he'd been split open and forcibly fused back together, leaving an indelible mark from an external force. His entire aura was unstable.

Sometimes dazed, sometimes angry, sometimes desperate, sometimes violent...

"Pfft!"

Seeing that bloodline across his nose, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but laugh. "Did you get split open?"

Yan Wuse's brows furrowed in rage, and he shot a beam of light toward him.

Xu Xiaoshou reacted quickly and was about to dodge, but he quickly steadied himself.

The light from Yan Wuse shot past his side—this old man had even lost his aim from being split.

"Received angry glare, passive value: 1."

"Where is Xiao Kongdong!" Yan Wuse roared.

In his eyes, Xu Xiaoshou was already in the bag.

But from the beginning, Xiao Kongdong, who was far more important, was his main focus.

"After that sword strike, he was drained and died."

Xu Xiaoshou looked toward the Du Yuan direction, his eyes filled with regret and self-reproach for not saving him in time.

Yan Wuse snorted coldly and waved his hand.

The scene on the Du Yuan flickered, rewinding to show Xu Xiaoshou's earlier attempt to save him.

In front of the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu, people burst into laughter on the spot.

"Ah, this..." Xu Xiaoshou's face stiffened.

"Hand him over." Yan Wuse swung his right hand heavily, but he seemed to have used too much force, causing his right side to jerk outward before he forcibly pulled it back.

"Pfft." Xu Xiaoshou laughed again. "You really did get split open, huh?"

Rao Yaoyao looked at Yan Lao with a hint of worry in her eyes.

The Second World sword wasn't easy to endure.

Even if Xiao Kongdong hadn't reached Jian Sheng level, the sword's power was secondary—what mattered was the mental impact.

Anyone immersed in the Second World found it hard to completely shake off those experiences, as they became real memories.

A person's mindset might even change because of it.

Rao Yaoyao didn't know what Yan Wuse had gone through in his Second World, but he must have gotten his "fulfillment."

And afterward, he would strive for that most beautiful desire, even if it meant changing his current stance.

This was the pattern observed in everyone who had endured the Second World since ancient sword techniques emerged.

For now, Yan Wuse seemed to have recovered well, maintaining his previous stance and rationality.

But once he returned to Sheng Shen Dian Tang, he'd need another assessment.

Of course, Rao Yaoyao wouldn't be foolish enough to say any of this out loud right now.

She merely glanced at Yan Lao and then looked away, saying lightly: "Since Xiao Kongdong is with Xu Xiaoshou, capturing him will yield the same result."

"Everyone, everyone..."

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hands repeatedly. "I only showed myself to show sincerity, but that doesn't mean I'll just surrender. I'm here to make a deal with you."

A deal?

Not only Rao Yaoyao and the others on site, but also the many awakened Ling Lian Shi in front of the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu, looked puzzled.

At his wit's end, what could Xu Xiaoshou possibly offer in a deal?

What could be more important than his own life?

Just then, the Second True Body received a "come here" thought and reluctantly headed toward the Du Yuan.

He wanted to refuse,

But the original self's intent was clear: either come, or kill yourself and I'll split another one.

Could he refuse?

The original self was utterly heartless!

"What kind of deal?" Yan Wuse barely suppressed the urge to strike.

But from Xu Xiaoshou's earlier exchange with Guang Zhi Tian Shi, which he'd learned about after waking, he had to admit this was a clever young man.

Since talking more was pointless, proposing a deal now must have some deeper meaning.

"Yan..."

Rao Yaoyao started to speak but held back.

In her view, they should just capture him to avoid complications.

But seeing Yan Lao reminded her of her past self, and considering her own status was lower, she chose to stay silent.

Xu Xiaoshou saw they were still willing to listen and nodded, looking flattered. "Undeniably, all of you are incredibly strong. I have no way to fight back."

"But, suppose—I'm just supposing..."

He looked at Yan Wuse seriously and said, "Suppose what I told you before is true, and I still have one card left. This card is so powerful it might summon Ba Zun An."

"Could you trade Ba Zun An's life for mine?"

"Received suspicion, passive value: 3."

If not for the distance of the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu, the passive value would have skyrocketed by thousands more.

Because this bold claim stunned everyone at the Zui Yi Dian ruins.

Trade Ba Zun An for Xu Xiaoshou?

"What do you mean?" Yan Wuse asked, glancing back at Rao Yaoyao and seeing the same confusion in her expression.

But there was also determination—mostly determination.

Yan Wuse read Rao Yaoyao's intent: she refused. But he saw this as an opportunity.

Using Xu Xiaoshou as bait to lure Ba Zun An—why not?

Rao Yaoyao suddenly felt uneasy.

Once, on Gu Yin Ya, she had wanted to use Xu Xiaoshou as bait to catch a bigger fish.

Later, his identity shifted so much that even now, she couldn't fully confirm whether it was Xu Xiaoshou turning into Huang Quan or vice versa—it was a nightmare.

"I'm just supposing, haha..."

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou looked shifty, his tone evasive, like a total turncoat.

He was truly out of options.

But in his desperation, he'd used the time Xiao Kongdong bought to review all his memories.

Finally, he found what might be his last card besides "Huan Mie Yi Zhi."

Ba Zun An probably wouldn't let him die—he'd said as much, and he seemed like a man of his word... right?

But even with Xiao Kongdong gone, he still hadn't shown up!

Xu Xiaoshou began to suspect that maybe he needed to summon him to make it happen.

That made sense...

Given that sickly lame guy's nature, last time at Zui Yi Dian, he hadn't even mentioned Shu Shu Ren.

If he had to travel to Du Yuan on his own, it might take three to five years, and he still wouldn't arrive.

So, there had to be some "Tong Ling Zhi Shu" to call him out.

Just like last time when Mr. Mei Ji Ren appeared out of nowhere to save him.

He really did have another card—something that felt even more powerful than summoning Mr. Mei Ji Ren.

The dead character!

Like the tong character, it came from Yun Lun Shan Mai's Lei Shuang Xing and Luo Lei Lei, but without instructions or methods.

They said it could save his life in a pinch, and that was enough.

Xu Xiaoshou figured the "tong character" summoned a strong savior, so the "dead character" must go further—stick it on someone, and they die.

Of course, now he was spinning the story around his biggest guess and saying it sincerely.

Since it was all true, it came from the heart.

With that thought, Xu Xiaoshou shifted his gaze to Rao Yaoyao, but she had the surname Rao...

After thinking it over, he turned to Yan Wuse.

Sorry, I've already told you what I needed to. I even shared the "Nan De Hu Tu" life lesson.

If only one can die here,

Then Rao Yaoyao definitely won't die, Si Tu Yong Ren is too weak to consider, so you're the only choice, Yan Wuse.

You can only blame your surname Yan and your lack of backing.

Xu Xiaoshou pulled out the talisman from his pocket.

In that instant, Rao Yaoyao, Yan Wuse, and Si Tu Yong Ren all felt an inexplicable tightness in their hearts.

In front of the Qian Li Chuan Jing Shu, everyone's eyes lit up. Could this talisman summon the Eighth Jian Xian?

But the talisman looked plain and unremarkable, with no energy fluctuations—it was Xu Xiaoshou's last card...

"Ba Zun An gave me two talismans. With one, I summoned Mei Ji Ren. With this one, maybe I can call Ba Zun An and hand him over to you." Xu Xiaoshou said with utmost sincerity.

At the mention of "Ba Zun An," a flash of pain crossed Yan Wuse's eyes as he recalled his disciple's face.

Quickly, he suppressed his emotions, ignored the throbbing in his head, and stared at the talisman. "Why does it have a 'dead' character on it?"

"Dead?" Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the ling fu in his hand. "Maybe Ba Zun An is so arrogant that he thinks once he shows up, you'll all die!"

Rao Yaoyao fell silent.

Reason told her that stopping Xu Xiaoshou was the best way to resolve the trouble.

But reason also told her that besides Ba Zun An, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stir up anything else.

And Ba Zun An was indeed more important than Xu Xiaoshou.

If he entered Xu Kong Dao, Dao Qiong Cang had ways to deal with him.

So, no matter what, Xu Xiaoshou would tear the talisman, and Ba Zun An would appear.

Once he did, she and Yan Wuse could team up, plus half of Er Hao with his Tian Ji Shu.

That would hold Ba Zun An no matter what.

In that case, stopping Xu Xiaoshou was pointless.

"Tear it." Yan Wuse figured out how the ling fu worked.

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head slightly: "I said this is a deal. You haven't agreed to my request yet. If not, I'll just accept my fate."

Such words made even Si Tu Yong Ren, hidden in the Tian Ji Shen Shi, furrow his brows.

What a dramatic way to say "submit to execution"!

He looked at Yan Lao, and Rao Yaoyao did the same.

The one with the final say was here, so neither of them spoke.

"Ben Di can't agree to your request," Yan Wuse shook his head in refusal. Xu Xiaoshou looked disappointed and stretched out his neck on the spot.

But Yan Wuse changed his tune: "However, Ben Di can promise you this—if you really summon Ba Zun An, I'll give you ten breaths to run as far as you can..."

Before he finished, Xu Xiaoshou used Bu Yi Deng Tian to flash forward, his face twisted in ferocity as he slapped the dead character talisman onto Yan Wuse's old face, jamming it into that bloodline on his face.

In that instant, all his power surged forth.

Ling Yuan, Sheng Li, Jin Zhao Huo Zhong, San Ri Dong Jie, Ping Hu Xiao Qing Hua, Jian Nian, and more—all forces poured out.

He didn't know how to activate it, but one of these powers had to unlock the talisman.

And you, Yan Wuse...

Just go ahead and die!

Go meet Ba Zun An in your dreams and have a good chat!

"Chi!"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the dead character talisman on Yan Wuse's head dissolved into spiritual energy and vanished.