Chapter 1254: The True Lord of the Black Vein

Xu Xiaoshou soared into the air, flinging his sleeves dramatically as spittle flew from his mouth:

"Tiandi is not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs!"

"Though the Dao Fa can be emotionless, when sentient beings cultivate to escape suffering and self, it's not about abandoning emotion, but about cultivating the ultimate emotion!"

"The ultimate emotion is far from being emotionless."

He nearly choked, catching his breath as his second true body paused, allowing his thoughts to settle.

His gaze swept back from the thoughtful faces of Yan Wuse and Rao Yaoyao below, and from the bewildered yet forcibly wise eyes of Mo Di Hei Long, before he let out a long sigh:

"All races are born unequal, with inherent differences in strength and weakness..."

"If dragons are emotionless, why bother assigning a home to each of the myriad races?"

"In the end, this follows the true self's 'faith—promising true peace to the world and true equality to all beings, which allows for genuine universal love!"

"Does the great Dao of heaven and earth, with its myriad laws, dictate that true dragons must act this way? No!"

His second true body questioned and answered himself, his emotions building:

"But precisely because this world has not only the Dao, but also De!"

"Besides the heavenly Dao that unifies the cultivation order of Lian Ling Jie, there is the morality that myriad beings willingly uphold, which builds this world of love!"

"This is the power of self-restraint, the beautiful moral world founded on faith and righteousness!"

His second true body's eyes filled with emotion, then suddenly turned fervent as he declared firmly:

"Even mountain and sea oaths can be broken, and the Dao cannot punish, but the human heart can!"

"If faith, loyalty, and courage come first, then even if the law is not revered, all beings will revere it!"

"Mo Di Hei Long, do you think what I say is right or wrong?"

Not just Mo Di Hei Long—even all the Lian Ling Shi watching through the thousand-mile mirror technique were swept away by this overwhelming rhetoric.

It made sense!

It made perfect sense!

Even though Xu Xiaoshou's words involved some selective interpretation, twisting universal love into a promise to oneself and the world—implying that a dragon without faith is unknowable—it still held water.

In essence, it was valid.

Xu Xiaoshou's exposition on the Dao and morality was nearly flawless.

At least, among the many people on Void Island at that moment, few had the confidence to refute his argument after hearing it.

Even if some did, they lacked the courage to speak up.

Those who had risen from humble beginnings through cunning and scheming, like the most seasoned human-skinned foxes, couldn't confidently debate Xu Xiaoshou.

As for Mo Di Hei Long, who sat at the pinnacle of world power and preferred to act rather than think, he agreed deeply with Xu Xiaoshou's words.

"Absolutely, absolutely!"

On this outing, Mo Di Hei Long had lost count of how many times he'd said "absolutely." He had taken a liking to Xu Xiaoshou.

No wonder the three ancestors of the White lineage favored this young man—he was so interesting, his words so pleasing.

He was infinitely more endearing than Ba Zun!

His second true body, hovering with sword in hand, felt this was the most brilliant moment of his life.

Seeing Mo Di Hei Long's reaction, he knew his life was about seventy percent safe.

Thus, driven by survival instinct, he spoke again:

"Mo Di Hei Long, you are so great that you also uphold the principle of 'a dragon without faith is unknowable.'

"So, what you said earlier—that as long as I, Xu Xiaoshou, withstand one strike from you without dying, I can receive your gift and a small wish—is that still valid?"

At that moment, his second true body's heart was fraught with anxiety and unease.

He feared Mo Di Hei Long might suddenly snap out of it, forget everything, shake his dragon head, and strike again.

If that happened, his second true body would be finished—twice over.

But logically speaking...

With such a massive lump on the dragon's head, and still willing to come out and give a gift for Jin Zhao Lao Zu, it was essentially a dragon of integrity.

Even if its integrity was minimal, it should have been greatly amplified by now.

Flattery could be deadly, after all.

And both Xu Xiaoshou and his second true body knew this well!

Sure enough, Mo Di Hei Long threw his head back and laughed heartily.

He let out a few "Jie ga ga" laughs, then his expression turned serious, as if bestowing the greatest favor on a subordinate, and he said gravely:

"A small wish? Fulfilling it is no trouble at all."

"As for the gift, it's already yours; I was merely holding it for you."

This was bad news!

Down in the abyss, Rao Yaoyao and Yan Wuse turned to each other at the same moment, seeing the dread in each other's eyes.

Had Xu Xiaoshou turned the tables against the odds?

Both realized they had made another fatal mistake: underestimating Xu Xiaoshou yet again!

Perhaps Xu Xiaoshou's cultivation was only at the Wangzuo Daojing level.

Perhaps his overall combat power barely reached half-saint caliber.

But that didn't account for his mouth!

That mouth alone had the power of a Shengdi!

Look at this—Mo Di Hei Long had come with resentment, yet after this rhetoric, his attitude and stance were completely reversed.

This guy had to be eliminated, and that tongue pulled out—endless trouble otherwise!

"Hmm?"

"Hmm."

After exchanging those nasal sounds, they confirmed their intentions.

Yan Wuse suddenly shot forward, transforming into a streak of light, manifesting two Dian Liang spears, and thrust straight toward Xu Xiaoshou.

"How dare you!"

Mo Di Hei Long roared in anger.

How could a mere human dare act under his watch?

Dark clouds churned, thunder boomed, and with a swipe of his front claw, demonic energy surged like a black sea, pressing down on Yan Wuse's light streak.

At the same time, Rao Yaoyao ran her fingers along the blade of the Xuan Cang Shenjian, activating an array diagram under her feet that spread across tens of thousands of li.

Blood colored the sword, and her eyes lost all human emotion, as if she had become a divine being above the mortal world, untouched by earthly concerns.

"Qingjian Technique... Wangqing Jian Shanhai Ping!"

With an upward slash, the sword light swept forth.

A buzz echoed, with the abyss as the base and the array diagram's coverage as the range, illusions of mortal lives appeared.

Moreover, within this array, all myriad beings and objects lost their spirituality, involuntarily contributing their own strength and spirit to the sword.

The black demonic sea under Mo Di Hei Long's claw was halted by the sword light, but it quickly dyed the light black and shattered it, with the demonic power even trying to backflow and corrupt Rao Yaoyao.

Yet at that very moment, the Shanhai Ping force surged!

A hazy, pink-red barrier, formed from the power of countless lives and deaths, enveloped tens of thousands of li, briefly holding the black demonic sea at bay. As long as Void Island stood, Shanhai Ping would not fall!

"Humph!"

Even so, the gap in realms was undeniable.

Mo Di Hei Long snorted coldly, infusing his purely physical strike with a trace of Shengdi power.

"Crack—"

The pink-red barrier fractured instantly.

In the next second, within the array's scope, all the myriad spirits of life and death exploded, Shanhai Ping's "Ping" was destroyed, leaving nothing.

Only then did the defensive barrier, outlined by sword force, finally collapse.

"Can't hold it... But if my Wangqing Jian advances further, not just tens of thousands of li, but the entire Void Island as the base..."

"Then even Shengdi power couldn't shatter my defense!"

Rao Yaoyao gauged her current combat limits, feeling a bit pleased.

Her Wangqing Jian had broken through its final shackles; it was just a matter of time now.

And although Shanhai Ping couldn't block Mo Di Hei Long's attack, Rao Yaoyao had achieved her goal.

Xu Xiaoshou was isolated and vulnerable!

Yan Wuse's speed was too fast!

Not even his second true body, let alone the bystander Xu Xiaoshou, could react. Both had their attention fixed on Mo Di Hei Long.

With a Shengdi present, how could a half-saint dare act recklessly?

Based on that mindset, and with Mo Di Hei Long's promise of protection, who would dare intercept? Surely the black dragon would help.

But who could have guessed that Rao Yaoyao and Yan Wuse could seize that split-second in front of a Shengdi to force a life-or-death moment!

In that instant, his second true body instinctively sensed his end was near.

"Xiao Shi Technique!"

Without turning his head or shifting his perception, as his pores flared open, he activated his ultimate life-saving awakening skill.

However, Yan Wuse was no slouch in combat awareness; he had come prepared and knew his window was mere seconds.

"Bansheng Xuan Zhi · Xian!"

In that moment, instead of thrusting his spear, Yan Wuse tore open a black-red scroll almost simultaneously with his second true body.

Anticipation!

The bystander Xu Xiaoshou felt his scalp tingle and, upon hearing the first words from Yan Wuse, instantly activated Bu Dong Ming Wang.

"Damn it!"

His second true body emerged in shock.

From vanishing to being forced visible by the Bansheng Xuan Zhi, there was almost no gap.

This time, he was truly on the ropes!

All his moves had been completely read by Yan Wuse!

Why, why was it always the clones, the second true bodies, getting hurt? They had rights too!

Even as his mentality cracked, his second true body, true to his essence as part of Xu Xiaoshou, clung desperately to survival.

Seeing that Mo Di Hei Long's strike was blocked but a second one was imminent, he knew he only needed to withstand Yan Wuse's attack.

So, upon reappearing, his second true body roared:

"Kuangbao Juren?"

Yan Wuse sneered first:

"Kuangbao Juren!"

"Zhalei Zishi?"

"Zhalei Zishi!"

"Da Kuang Duo Shi?"

"Da Kuang Duo... "

His second true body froze, halting his actions, his eyes wide as he stared at Yan Wuse's repulsive, hateful face, itching to tear it apart.

This guy... this guy had even predicted his next move?

And why couldn't Kuangbao Juren activate?

Why were all his awakening skills failing?

"Come on, it's the same few tricks over and over—got anything new... " Yan Wuse snorted derisively, thrusting his hand forward. "Xu Xiaoshou, you're strong with words, but not in combat!"

"Urk!"

His second true body felt a sharp pain in his abdomen, spitting out blood.

He hung his head weakly, seeing the spear piercing his gut.

It wasn't the Dian Liang spear.

This one was bright silver, exquisitely radiant.

Its shaft was stained red with blood, and all the blood flowing over it lost its spirituality—including the Ling Yuan, Sheng Li, and all other energies.

His second true body's limbs hung limp, his body suspended by the silver spear alone. All his strength was sealed, just like when he first encountered Feng Tian Shengdi Feng Yu Jin.

A spear with sealing properties?

"What... is this spear?" His second true body trembled as he spoke, glancing toward Mo Di Hei Long.

Mo Di Hei Long had indeed extended his claw for a second strike, but then stopped.

Because even Mo Di Hei Long could sense it was too late.

Yan Wuse smirked and chuckled: "Fengyuan Qiang, one of the nine supreme divine artifacts. In your terms, think of it as a famous sealing sword."

Fengyuan Qiang... His second true body gave a bitter laugh, mustering the strength to lift his head, but to no avail.

"Help me." He struggled to say.

Yan Wuse had used more than just the Fengyuan Qiang.

As the spear pierced him, terrifying Sheng Li surged like a storm, erasing all life force within his unresisting body.

"Help you with what?" Yan Wuse leaned in to hear.

"Help me... lift... my head..."

Yan Wuse didn't understand and remained unmoved.

He feared Xu Xiaoshou might have some trick left; he was truly wary now!

But after waiting a moment and confirming that under the Fengyuan Qiang, Xu Xiaoshou had no resistance, Yan Wuse sighed softly.

Facing a dying opponent, he unexpectedly felt a touch of respect and gently lifted Xu Xiaoshou's head.

His second true body's gaze passed over the indifferent Mo Di Hei Long, landing on the endless dark clouds above.

"Clouds..."

"What?"

"Clouds... can they clear...?"

Yan Wuse fell silent.

So, that was his final wish?

"Light!"

He commanded.

The dark sky ripped open, a layered hole forming as a beam of light shot down, illuminating the dust and casting spots on his second true body's pale face.

"The sky... it's blue..."

His second true body closed his eyes, his breath fading completely.

Fengyuan Qiang, big brother—make sure you never get pierced, not even scratched...

His second true body couldn't do more; all he could offer was this last bit of intelligence...

"Argh!"

In his Xiao Shi state, Xu Xiaoshou felt the agony of death once more in that brief time.

The pain forced him out of Bu Dong Ming Wang.

As soon as the Bansheng Xuan Zhi activated, realizing the danger, Xu Xiaoshou had guessed it countered his Xiao Shi.

Thus, he exploited Bu Dong Ming Wang's side effects, entering a state where even thoughts slowed.

Yan Wuse had him figured, but he had grown too.

His experiences in Miracle Forest had taught him that when facing Bansheng Xuan Zhi, the first reaction from figures like Si Ren was to tell him and Xiao Kongdong not to look.

So, not looking, or looking slowly, should avoid the command's influence, right?

Xu Xiaoshou's gamble succeeded; he maintained Xiao Shi, but his second true body emerged.

He never imagined his second true body would die so quickly this time!

In Xiao Shi, Xu Xiaoshou could react with Bu Dong Ming Wang first, but his second true body couldn't, leading to this tragedy.

"The blue sky..."

In his Xiao Shi state, Xu Xiaoshou looked up, feeling an inexplicable sorrow. It was just a second true body, meant as a tool, and all previous ones lacked such intense emotions.

Why?

Why did this one have to act out so much before dying, weighing so heavily on his heart?

"Am I really someone who cares this much for my 'descendants'?"

Xu Xiaoshou's self-mockery couldn't erase the grief of his body's death. Thinking of his second true body's life born in darkness, burdened with facing a Shengdi, only to die under the blue sky...

For some reason, tears welled in his eyes.

"Damn it..."

"So heartbreaking!"

"No, can't be heartbroken, can't be."

"Now if I get emotional, I'll be joining my second true body soon." Xu Xiaoshou's gaze turned to Yan Wuse, finally seeing the great terror lurking in the light.

He added another note in his little book:

Never, ever underestimate your opponents!

"What a shame!"

Yan Wuse shook the Fengyuan Qiang in his hand, and Xu Xiaoshou dissipated into light dust. It was like crushing an ant; even if the process was winding, it was just extra circles for amusement. His heart remained unmoved.

Yan Wuse looked toward Mo Di Hei Long.

Gazing at this true master, he smiled slightly: "Such a shame you couldn't save Xu Xiaoshou. What now?"

"Indeed a shame..." Mo Di Hei Long lowered his dragon head, slightly regretful. "I should keep my word, but unforeseen circumstances prevented me from stopping the tragedy. Now that it's done..."

"It's done?" Yan Wuse's eyes narrowed with a mocking smile.

"Yes, it's done. I have no reason to interfere further and will return home." Mo Di Hei Long lazily shook his head and sank into the clouds.

Yan Wuse showed no reaction.

But Rao Yaoyao was struck like thunder, her body trembling.

Her worldview was shattered again!

She had thought this was just a mindless, foolish dragon, easily manipulated by Xu Xiaoshou. In the end, she had been naive—it was an old fox in dragon skin!

From then on, Rao Yaoyao looked at the black dragon coiling in the nine heavens, shrouding the sky, and her heart grew even darker. She suddenly realized:

"This is Mo Di Hei Long, the lord of the Black lineage, a Shengdi! How could he be so easily led by the nose by Xu Xiaoshou?"