Chapter 1252: Black Dragon Patrols the Island, Offering Treasure and Probing Claws

“Long!!”

On Xukong Island, cries of extreme terror filled the air.

Within the Seven Duan Jin of Sheng Shen Dalu, there was the Long Ku, rumored to be the source of all dragons in the world.

Long was a symbol of power.

It had no prefixes or suffixes. There was no mention of a green long's shadow, no body of a white long, no techniques like Red Flame Long Fist, or any physique related to a long.

A Long was a genuine, living being!

People had learned many spirit techniques related to the long and consumed many spirit medicines inspired by it.

However, few had ever seen a real long, let alone one appearing so vividly, almost face-to-face.

Thus, even if a single glance shattered their eyeballs, everyone still found it utterly unbelievable.

This long was enormous, incredibly real!

Amid the dark clouds that covered the entire Xukong Island, they could only vaguely discern a patch of black scales on its body from a distance.

Only when the black long circled the island could they catch glimpses of its claws through the demonic energy and clouds.

But even without seeing the full long, every Dao Cutter and Taixu cultivator was overwhelmed, their minds on the verge of breaking.

This made one fact crystal clear:

It was at least a Bansheng, something that could not be directly looked upon.

From the earlier images in the Qianli Mirror Technique, even Rao Yao Yao and Yan Wuse couldn't withstand the aura of this black long's appearance...

“Sacred... Sacred Emperor?”

After a long pause, someone finally uttered that term.

Only then did everyone realize: yes, Bansheng was a realm, and Sacred Emperor was another.

But the latter was so distant, it had been subconsciously erased from their memories.

Now, with the black long's emergence, their memories awakened, bringing back the concept of “Sacred Emperor.”

“This long looks a lot like that black long shadow that appeared in the East Domain before...”

Once, on the Yunlun Mountains, a long had manifested, visible across hundreds of realms, nearly covering half of the Sword God Heaven in the East Domain.

Such a powerful being couldn't appear twice in a short period, so only one possibility remained.

“In the inner island of Xukong Island, the Island of Exile, the Magic Emperor Black...”

A few who knew the truth recalled that almost forgotten answer, but the words died on their lips, unspoken.

Even a glance could cause an explosion—what harm might come from speaking the full name?

Many had repaired their damaged eyes and urged the big man to activate the Qianli Mirror Technique again.

To hear the Dao at dawn and die at dusk was no mere jest.

They had come this far; if they didn't see everything clearly, death would leave them with regrets!

Soon, the Qianli Mirror Technique was activated once more. Everyone knew a long loomed overhead, but no one dared to look up directly—they only peeked through this medium.

The black long's intimidating aura had faded, and its temperament seemed milder now.

The crowd saw the long scales and instinctively covered their eyes.

“Huh?”

Nothing exploded!

That meant they could look!

Of course—this long was searching for Xu Xiaoshou, so it was permitting mortal gazes.

Wait!

Why was the Magic Emperor Black Long looking for Xu Xiaoshou?

Everyone's mood turned strange. Though the black long was summoned by Xu Xiaoshou, he was merely the key.

With the Magic Emperor Black Long's status, it should be speaking directly to the Eighth Sword Immortal, not lowering itself like this.

High above the Fallen Abyss, Xu Xiaoshou in his vanished state felt a chill that seemed to lift his scalp.

He had reformed his eyes and cautiously stole another glance. Good—it was fine.

This was indeed the Magic Emperor Black Long that had fought Dao Qiong Cang before.

So...

Was the death character from Ba Zun An meant to summon a sword, devour the energy accumulated in the Fallen Abyss, open the rift to the inner island of Xukong Island, and release this powerful ally?

But why did Ba Zun An give him the death character back on the Yunlun Mountains? What if he had used it earlier?

Xu Xiaoshou thought that perhaps the death character's effect changed with time. Anyway, it could summon a sword, and Ba Zun An could do whatever he wanted with it. Or maybe, Old Eight had guessed that without facing a Bansheng, he wouldn't be pressured enough to use the death character.

If it was the latter...

Then Ba Zun An's foresight was too profound and terrifying!

Had he already anticipated Xu Xiaoshou's fate on Xukong Island back then?

Xu Xiaoshou preferred to believe the former!

“Who holds the Yanmang Sword? Who is Xu Xiaoshou?”

The Magic Emperor Black Long, coiled in the skies above Xukong Island, spoke in a deep voice, as if its sole purpose for appearing was this goal, nothing more.

Below the Fallen Abyss, Rao Yao Yao had helped Yan Wuse to his feet.

Yan Wuse, who had reformed from his shattered state, felt a strong surge of dissatisfaction.

He, a dignified Bansheng and master of the Spirit Refining Light, was being ignored. And because of his injuries, he was suppressed the moment this wretched long appeared. Others might be afraid, but he was not.

Clearly, this wasn't the true body of the Magic Emperor Black Long—it was just like before, a mere remnant will.

At most, it was a Sacred Emperor's intent avatar.

Without the Xuanxu Box, did the Magic Emperor Black Long dare to rampage on the outer island?

Unbearable! Absolutely unbearable!

“I...”

“Yan Wuse, wait a moment.”

Rao Yao Yao quickly stopped him.

With her sharp mind, she detected the anger in the Magic Emperor Black Long's words.

Perhaps the title of Ba Zun An as the lord of the black and white veins was just for show. He couldn't truly control the Magic Emperor Black Long, just as he had summoned it on the Yunlun Mountains.

But in the end, the black long had seemed ready to rebel.

Now, Xu Xiaoshou had called for help, but whether this ally would aid him or kill him remained unknown.

“Why does it come out asking for me? It shouldn't know anything at all...”

Rao Yao Yao could think of this, and so could Xu Xiaoshou in his vanished state.

As the summoner, he wasn't excited or foolish enough to rush out and let this divine long grant his seven wishes.

Instead, he began pondering the Magic Emperor Black Long's intentions:

“Ba Zun An can't easily contact the inner island. Even if he wanted to or could, the cost would be huge.”

“For example, this time, the Fallen Abyss absorbed so much energy for this very purpose...”

“And if the Magic Emperor Black Long is acting on Ba Zun An's orders to find and help me, why does it need the Yanmang Sword to verify my identity instead of the Four Swords?”

“Yanmang...”

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts struck like lightning, branching out in all directions.

Everything vanished in an instant, yet the answer emerged: “Yanmang came from the White Ku, from the Wolf Saint, who is basically Jin Zhao Old Ancestor.”

“Ba Zun An went to the White Ku and delved into the dimensional rift there, probably plotting the descent of Xukong Island.”

“But just as the Magic Emperor Black Long showed self-awareness and wanted to rebel on the Yunlun Mountains, Jin Zhao Old Ancestor can't be completely under Ba Zun An's control.”

“His backup was a traitor from the Jin Zhao lineage... well, it was supposed to be Old Sang going into the White Ku for the Yanmang, but it ended up being me.”

“So, my identity belongs to the Jin Zhao lineage—not the one in the Sacred Palace, but the one on the inner island, among the White Vein Three Ancestors.”

“It's well-known that the inner island's black and white veins don't get along, and the Magic Emperor Black Long's words carry anger—it even needs the Yanmang to find me.”

“From this, it's clear he's acting on Jin Zhao Old Ancestor's orders... Hiss! How could it obey? It even wants to rebel against Ba Zun An!”

“So, it wants to kill me!”

At this realization, Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced with frustration, wishing he could grab Ba Zun An's head, slap it hard a few times, and put it back. Are you insane?

I used the seal to call for help.

Why did you send this rebellious long to mess things up? Do you think I'm living too long?

“Who holds the Yanmang Sword? Who is Xu Xiaoshou?”

The Magic Emperor Black Long spoke for the third time, its voice laced with impatience. The words boomed like a heavy punch to Xukong Island.

The thunderous sound shattered rocks in the Sin Hall, toppled people, destroyed the forests of the Miracle Woods, and stirred massive waves in the Blood Realm's corpse mountains and blood seas...

Xu Xiaoshou was even more certain he couldn't reveal himself—this was a deadly threat.

“Come here!”

“Run faster, you!”

“At this speed, you couldn't even catch up to fresh dung, let alone pretend to be Ba Zun An and save me from this mess?”

In his scolding, the second true body in its vanished state finally arrived at the battlefield.

In the original plan, if Ba Zun An turned out to be all talk and no action, a new Ba Zun An would appear to save Xu Xiaoshou—the adorable “Desperate General,” his second true body!

Now, with the situation changed, Xu Xiaoshou adapted on the fly.

In his vanished state, he completed a shady treasure exchange with the despairing second true body and kicked it forward.

“Go for it—survive, and I'll value you greatly!”

The second true body could only swallow this empty promise, forcing a face full of ecstatic joy as it appeared in the sights of Rao Yao Yao, Yan Wuse, and the others.

“Me!”

“I hold the Yanmang Sword, and I am Xu Xiaoshou!”

He raised the Yanmang Sword, soaring upward with enthusiasm: “Magic Emperor Black Long, sir, you are the one I sum... invited! Invited out!”

“I'm in trouble now, so you have to help me out!”

At this, the second true body burst into tears, like a floodgate bursting, unable to contain his emotions:

“Heaven has pity on me.”

“Sword Saint Rao Yao Yao, Bansheng Yan Wuse, and a Bansheng-level Tianji Puppet ganging up on a young guy like me.”

“I'm so young! I've endured pressures no one my age should have to bear. Magic Emperor Black Long, sir...”

“Shut up.” The Magic Emperor Black Long was thoroughly annoyed, turning in the dark clouds, causing deafening rumbles louder than a Sacred Tribulation.

“Oh, as you say.” The second true body quickly shut the gate, his emotions under control, wearing a fawning smile.

The greatest fear is death—but once you understand that in this world, what is there to fear?

Rao Yao Yao and Yan Wuse wore complex expressions.

Xu Xiaoshou was too clever!

With his silver tongue, even if the Magic Emperor Black Long came in anger, one couldn't help worrying if it might change its mind in the end.

Before the Qianli Mirror Technique, the onlookers were awestruck by Xu Xiaoshou's boldness, at a loss for words.

Not far from the Fallen Abyss, the Tianji Divine Envoy trembled slightly.

Inside, Situ Yongren seemed to have something to say, staring straight at the expressive Xu Xiaoshou, but in the end, he did nothing.

“You are Xu Xiaoshou?”

Through the rolling dark clouds and swirling demonic energy, the black long revealed its head, exposing two eyes as brilliant as blazing suns.

Its whiskers swayed like willow branches, or like fishing lines cast by a giant deity.

Its horns twisted upward, clearly strong enough to support the heavens and earth.

As it spoke, its voice rolled like thunder, shaking the soul.

Occasional wisps of demonic breath escaped, melting the Dao principles and shattering space. All who beheld it trembled, feeling insignificant, lamenting the world's inequalities.

“Yes.”

The second true body suppressed his shock, staring straight up. At that moment, a doubt identical to everyone else's arose in his heart:

Why did this majestic, ferocious, and mighty black long's head have a large bump between its horns?

It was as if it hadn't fully developed, like a third horn was about to burst forth.

The Magic Emperor Black Long shadow from the Yunlun Mountains didn't have this bump...

“Very well, Xu Xiaoshou, I have come for you, to give you a treasure.”

At these words, Rao Yao Yao, Yan Wuse, and Situ Yongren nearly stopped breathing.

The second true body, however, brightened up as if emerging from despair.

He was about to express his thanks when the Magic Emperor Black Long changed tack:

“But your Jin Zhao aura is truly detestable!”

“So, here's the deal: take one claw from me. If you withstand it, I'll give you the gift and even grant you a wish.”

“If not, you die.”

Not just the second true body and Xu Xiaoshou—even Rao Yao Yao, Yan Wuse, Situ Yongren, and everyone before the Qianli Mirror Technique were stunned by this shocking twist.

Some were delighted, some dismayed.

“Wh-why?” The second true body asked through teary eyes.

Why was it always like this?

Why was it always the clones, the second true bodies that got hurt... They were people too; they had rights!

“Cackle, cackle, cackle—blame Jin Zhao Old Ancestor if you must!” The Magic Emperor Black Long let out a strange laugh, raising its head.

The motion seemed to pull at the bump on its head, making it wrinkle, and the black long's face twisted in pain.

“Ahhh!”

“Jin Zhao Old Ancestor, I will kill you! I will kill you!”

Xu Xiaoshou figured it out.

Could that bump be... from Jin Zhao Old Ancestor beating it? He cut off that thought, but the second true body continued: You can't take out your grudge against Jin Zhao Old Ancestor on a second true body!

If you're going to vent, do it on the main body!

The main body: “Shut up.”

The second true body: “...”

Not only was his thought forcibly silenced, but the second true body was also ordered to speak: “If I survive, can any wish really come true?”

“Everything in the world, nothing is impossible!” The Magic Emperor Black Long declared proudly, treading on the void Dao principles.

“Then, what if my wish is to get two wishes?”

The words fell, and silence enveloped the island.

The Magic Emperor Black Long exhaled two long streams of demonic breath from its nostrils, its eyes seeming to strip Xu Xiaoshou apart piece by piece.

At that moment, Situ Yongren was still struggling internally:

“Speak up!”

“I have to speak!”

“Rao Sword Saint and Yan Wuse can't see it, but I've already analyzed through Senior Number Two that this isn't Xu Xiaoshou's true body! His frequency, rhythm, and aura prove he's just a clone!”

But as he looked up, his lips parted—the ferocious Sacred Emperor long head on the nine heavens expanded in his pupils, in his mind, infinitely.

“How could anyone speak now?” Situ Yongren nearly broke down.

“At a time like this, with the Magic Emperor Black Long in a rage, Xu Xiaoshou's clone might not fear death.”

“If I speak, all eyes will turn to me, and one claw from the Magic Emperor Black Long could crush me.”

“Even a sound transmission... how could a Sacred Emperor not intercept it?”

“If it fails, my master, my master, probably won't protect me a second time!”

Situ Yongren lowered his head, his gaze sweeping over Rao Sword Saint and Yan Wuse, then toward the distance.

He was looking for Yu Ling Di...

He found him!

That guy was hiding at the back again!

So, I don't need to stick my neck out—I'm not even part of this game... Situ Yongren reclaimed his initial excuse and chose to stay silent.

“Are you ready, Xu Xiaoshou?” The Magic Emperor Black Long extended its five claws from the clouds, revealing their fearsome edge.

The second true body took a deep breath, soared into the sky, and proclaimed boldly for all to hear:

“A true man lives between heaven and earth—how can he cower under a long forever?”

“Come on!”

The black long struck with its claw.

The second true body fell.