Chapter 1255: Taming Dragon Expert Xu Xiaoshou

"That's too ruthless!"

As the sorrow of his second true body's demise subsided, Xu Xiaoshou's words weren't just aimed at Yan Wuse, but also at Mo Di Heilong.

He had initially thought Mo Di Heilong was just a brute with no brains.

But now, recalling that flawless act of observing from the sidelines without getting involved, Xu Xiaoshou felt a chilling fear wash over him in retrospect.

On the surface, it had shown concern and even put in some effort, but in reality, it had only exerted minimal force. As soon as it sensed something was amiss, it changed tactics, prioritizing self-preservation and retreating to its lair. Who said this dragon lacked intelligence?

Clearly, it had cultivated its dragon essence to perfection!

Yet, with two of his second true bodies gone, Xu Xiaoshou genuinely couldn't regenerate a new one in the short term.

Watching Mo Di Heilong enjoy the breeze and prepare to sink back into the fissure, Xu Xiaoshou could no longer remain seated.

"Hold on!"

That all-too-familiar voice rang out for the second time.

This call stopped Mo Di Heilong in its tracks, interrupted Rao Yao Yao's thoughts, left Yan Wuse stunned, and dumbfounded all the spectators watching through the Qian Li Chuan Jing technique. As everyone turned to look, they saw a figure emerging from beneath the oppressive black clouds over the city—a silhouette with its left hand hidden in the sleeve of its robe and its right hand reaching out to grasp the famous sword Yan Meng as it flew toward him.

The chaotic winds of Duo Yuan whipped at his robes, blurring everyone's vision.

But when he lifted his head and glanced back, that sharply angled face, laced with ferocity, shocked everyone on Xu Kong Dao.

"Xu Xiaoshou?!"

From the ruins of Zui Yi Dian, cries of disbelief erupted.

If the previous "Hold on!" had been within expectations—everyone knew Xu Xiaoshou actually had two bodies, except for that dragon—then this time, after Yan Wuse and Rao Yao Yao had gone to such lengths to slay him, even with Mo Di Heilong's protection, for Xu Xiaoshou to emerge again was simply jaw-dropping!

"A miracle?"

"No, this is a divine miracle!"

Someone clutched their head, feeling that Xu Xiaoshou had truly performed something godlike, deceiving everyone present.

"How many clones does he have..."

Yan Wuse stared at the young man who had clearly died on his spear just moments ago, only to reappear, and his face twitched violently. He turned his gaze to meet Rao Yao Yao's, realizing the shock in her eyes was no less than his own.

No one had anticipated a third Xu Xiaoshou—not even the dragon!

"This is impossible..."

Mo Di Heilong swiveled its dragon head from amid the dark clouds over the city, blinking repeatedly to confirm it wasn't under the illusion of Ba Zun An's sword technique.

It scrutinized the young man again, suddenly realizing he wasn't the infant or adolescent version of Ba Zun An.

He was Xu Xiaoshou!

A true human worthy of being remembered by Ban Sheng or Sheng Di figures!

As soon as Xu Xiaoshou parted his lips, Yan Wuse's body trembled, and he lashed out explosively, his voice trembling with shock:

"Die for me, you emperor!"

At that moment, Yan Wuse's inner world was collapsing.

If not for his clear-minded will telling him this was no dream, Yan Wuse might have thought the entire Xu Kong Dao adventure was just a daytime fantasy at home.

Xu Xiaoshou had shattered him...

Xu Xiaoshou died and revived, died again and revived once more...

How could there be so many Xu Xiaoshous in this world?

Each one possessing strength and intellect identical to the original! Even a Ban Sheng would need vast amounts of time to condense a single Ban Sheng avatar, measured in years.

As for those below Ban Sheng...

The Sheng Nu storyteller's external avatars couldn't possibly achieve this. Yan Wuse was certain the ones he had slain were real.

Since that was the case, and he still couldn't completely kill Xu Xiaoshou or fathom his abilities, only one foolish method remained:

"Kill one as it comes out!"

Xu Xiaoshou's clones were real, but how many could he have?

They couldn't be infinite, right? If so, he alone with endless clones could form an army to storm Sheng Shan or even move mountains like Xu Gong!

Yet, Yan Wuse's reaction was swift, and his killing intent resolute, but on the scene, the dragon was even faster and more decisive:

"In my presence, who dares claim to be emperor?"

Almost the instant Yan Wuse moved, Mo Di Heilong made a major move.

Half of its dragon body had already sunk into the fissure opened by the burning Xuan Tie Jian.

But at the same time, its dragon tail pierced through the space in front of Xu Xiaoshou and thrust out.

"Thud!"

The black dragon swung its tail, blocking the path ahead.

Yan Wuse's transformed light body collided with what seemed like the most indestructible wall in the world, splitting in half with a snap and hurtling into the distant sky.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

Space shattered in waves, shockwaves exploded one after another.

Yan Wuse was flung into the spatial turbulence, then blasted back onto Xu Kong Dao.

His two halves were hurled from Duo Yuan tens of thousands of li away, finally exploding mid-air into fragments.

"Holy crap, that physical toughness..."

All the spectators swallowed hard, their faces changing as they witnessed this shocking scene.

"Mo Di Heilong is serious now!"

Everyone instantly reached this conclusion.

Compared to its earlier playful swipes, this black dragon tail strike was so fast that even Rao Yao Yao hadn't reacted. But forget Rao Yao Yao—even now, no one on Xu Kong Dao understood why Mo Di Heilong had been toying around before but was now getting serious.

Only Xu Xiaoshou knew.

This time, he had truly emerged with his original body, leaving no retreat.

But he harbored no underestimation and was no longer naive enough to think words or death could sway Mo Di Heilong's will or appeal to its mercy.

Appearing this time, Xu Xiaoshou came wielding the Ba Zi Ling!

The moment he turned around, even before Yan Wuse had moved, he had anticipated what would follow.

So, in silence, he raised the Ba Zi Ling hidden in his left sleeve, holding it up and aiming it at Mo Di Heilong.

No words.

No commands.

Yet, his solemn and intense expression, combined with the mysterious undying power of his two deaths and revivals, made Mo Di Heilong realize its earlier jests and probes might have gone too far.

"Ba Zi Ling..."

Rao Yao Yao spotted the token, and her face darkened from clear to overcast.

She gripped the Xuan Cang Shen Jian.

At the same time, a booming shout echoed from the distant sky: "Mo Di Heilong, do you really want to die? Have you forgotten your 'matters have come to this'?"

Yan Wuse returned, but in poor condition.

Not only had the bloodline from his forehead to his chest expanded, but his aura was also somewhat chaotic.

Clearly, that black dragon tail strike had been endured, but it hadn't been easy. "Everyone, shut up for me!"

Mo Di Heilong thundered, and the overwhelming pressure descended once more.

Rao Yao Yao had just raised her sword when her entire arm was slammed down with a crack, nearly dislocating or breaking.

Yan Wuse, flying toward the sky, split in half with a snap and plummeted downward.

"That's it..."

"That's the feeling!"

Si Tu Yong Ren, hidden within the Tian Ji Shen Shi, also felt the atmosphere drop to freezing.

Even through the Tian Ji Shen Shi, the Sheng Di's pressure forced blood to seep from his seven orifices.

"It's as if earlier, when I spoke up and told them I knew the two dead Xu Xiaoshous were fakes."

"Now that Xu Xiaoshou's true body has emerged, Mo Di Heilong will target me alone because I'm too clever..."

"So, my choice was right; I have to stay hidden!"

Si Tu Yong Ren suppressed his shock, wiped the blood from his face, and hid even deeper, like Yu Ling Di.

This battlefield left no room for those below Ban Sheng to speak—except for Xu Xiaoshou.

In the distance, Xu Xiaoshou remained silent, still holding the Ba Zi Ling aimed at Mo Di Heilong, his face icily cold.

Only after suppressing everyone did Mo Di Heilong turn its head and descend from the sky.

Its dragon body fully emerged from the dark clouds, revealing its sinuous form brimming with power and elegant lines.

On its body, every black scale glimmered with faint, intricate Dao patterns, like the most precise enlightenment treasures in the world.

Yet, even such a being dared not remain lofty in the face of Xu Xiaoshou holding the Ba Zi Ling.

It shrank its form, revealed its true body from the clouds, and lowered its altitude to be level with Xu Xiaoshou.

Mo Di Heilong spoke warmly: "Xu Xiaoshou, you've truly surprised me. This dragon heart blood is yours by right."

Without another word, it flicked its dragon claw, and a flash of dark light passed.

Xu Xiaoshou reached out and caught it—a mass of black, viscous blood the size of a human head, containing terrifyingly immense energy.

Just a glance revealed it was far purer and more abundant than the energy accumulated in Duo Yuan earlier!

Xu Xiaoshou stowed it in his spatial ring but still held up the Ba Zi Ling without speaking.

"Received suspicion, passive value +1."

"Received speculation, passive value +1."

"Received anticipation, passive value +1."

After waiting a long time without Xu Xiaoshou's thanks, Mo Di Heilong instead faced restlessness from Yan Wuse and Rao Yao Yao.

"Stay put, all of you!"

It roared again, its fierce gaze turning toward Rao Yao Yao and Yan Wuse, as if ready to tear them apart.

Rao Yao Yao and Yan Wuse inexplicably lost all desire to act, feeling that stirring now would be excessive.

People should just obey, stand still, and wait...

"Xu Xiaoshou, whatever you want to say, I'm listening."

Mo Di Heilong turned back to Xu Xiaoshou, shifting its gaze from the Ba Zi Ling and trying to show goodwill. Xu Xiaoshou still didn't speak, merely lifting his chin slightly and holding the Ba Zi Ling toward the dragon.

He knew the Ba Zi Ling was useful, but he hadn't realized it was this effective. Ba Zun An had said it could be pulled out in danger and would work on high-ranking beings.

Xu Xiaoshou had thought it might only impress someone like Wu Ji Lao Zu, but unexpectedly, even Mo Di Heilong recognized it.

If he'd known, he would have used it earlier!

But thinking differently, if he'd shown the Ba Zi Ling from the start, it probably would have been ignored or even provoked an attack.

The weak, even with a divine sword, wouldn't earn respect from the mighty.

But now, it was different!

His two revivals under a Ban Sheng's assault had already proven his potential to Mo Di Heilong.

At such a young age, with such formidable abilities, and now holding the Ba Zi Ling...

He wasn't a child wielding a sword; he was an imperial envoy bearing a decree!

Seeing Xu Xiaoshou remain silent, Mo Di Heilong grew even more uneasy. It truly hadn't expected Xu Xiaoshou to possess a genuine Ba Zi Ling.

The inner island had spread the word that this young man was Ba Zun An's successor, but those on the inner island gossiped about everything.

When Xu Xiaoshou died the first time, Mo Di Heilong saw him as a joke.

The second time, it felt regret—he had potential but couldn't survive its "test."

Now, with Xu Xiaoshou reviving again and brandishing the Ba Zi Ling...

This time, Mo Di Heilong felt it was in real trouble!

This was a genius, and Ba Zun An had clearly bet heavily on him; otherwise, he wouldn't have the Ba Zi Ling.

In that case, the chances of him rising were too high!

Thus, its earlier self-satisfied spectating might become a future rift between them.

Mo Di Heilong didn't want to relive being dominated on the inner island.

So, since Xu Xiaoshou couldn't be killed, it had to befriend him while he was still insignificant.

Glancing around at everyone on Xu Kong Dao, Mo Di Heilong remotely shattered the viewing spirit mirror on Zui Yi Dian's ruins, right in front of Rao Yao Yao and Yan Wuse, and quickly lowered its head, sincerely saying: "Xu Xiaoshou, I know I was wrong!"

"I'll honor the bet; I've given you the dragon heart blood. You have one more wish—speak up!"

Mo Di Heilong... admitting fault???

In that instant, Yan Wuse and Rao Yao Yao almost thought they were hallucinating. How could this be?

Wasn't this black dragon arrogant enough to disregard even Ba Zun An?

How did it wilt the moment Xu Xiaoshou raised a token?

And this was just a token, not Ba Zun An himself—it was apologizing to Xu Xiaoshou, not Ba Zun An...

What exactly happened on the inner island?

Did Ba Zun An leave such a massive shadow on a Sheng Di?

At the same time, waves of fury surged in Xu Xiaoshou's heart.

He had only raised the token out of desperation, and Mo Di Heilong immediately cowered and chose to apologize?

A Sheng Di, a true dragon, apologizing to him?

Xu Xiaoshou's vanity soared, nearly splitting his face with a grin.

In that moment, he knew he should know when to stop and give face to a Sheng Di.

But holding the Ba Zi Ling, he felt as if Ba Zun An stood right behind him.

The sense of security was overwhelming!

He recalled Old Ba saying, "See the token as seeing the person..."

"Ba Zun An must have told you, right? See the token as seeing the person?"

Xu Xiaoshou lifted his chin, speaking coldly and arrogantly.

He suddenly didn't want to give face anymore.

The more the other side backed down, the more he should press his advantage.

And since he represented Ba Zun An now, how he spoke and when he opened his mouth wasn't for a mere Mo Di Heilong to dictate.

Otherwise, the尊尊 of the black and white pulses would lose all prestige!

"Yes, he did say that."

Mo Di Heilong responded as meekly as a well-trained pet dog.

"Then is this how you speak to me?"

Xu Xiaoshou stared straight ahead. Mo Di Heilong met his gaze at eye level. "If I hadn't pulled out the token, would you have kept that superior attitude, looking down on me?"

Mo Di Heilong's demonic energy surged abruptly, anger flickering in its eyes, nearly uncontainable, startling Xu Xiaoshou into almost activating his vanishing technique.

But it didn't strike; instead, it sank lower, almost pressing into Duo Yuan, looking up from below, and finally raised its dragon head, saying:

"Is this better?"

"Xu Xiaoshou, don't push your demands too far..."

"Are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

Xu Xiaoshou's voice rose sharply, cutting it off mid-sentence.

With a thunderous boom, Mo Di Heilong could no longer suppress its temper, soaring into the air and thrusting a claw forward.

Xu Xiaoshou instinctively wanted to vanish.

But he gritted his teeth and held back the impulse.

If he didn't completely subdue this dragon today, it would never be of use to him, and nothing could proceed afterward.

So, Xu Xiaoshou reached behind his waist with a clang, drawing out the four swords.

At the same time, frenzied sword intent exploded around him, and he stepped onto the Jian Dao array.

"Kneel down!"

Before the swords even struck, the command echoed.

In Mo Di Heilong's eyes, this young man had almost transformed into someone else.

Or rather, he perfectly overlapped with the most vivid figure in its memory!

Swords, sword intent, sword momentum, Jian Dao mystical array...

Just these elements appearing made Mo Di Heilong instinctively retract its attack.

It curled its entire dragon body into a ball, shrank its size, burrowed into the ground, and exclaimed:

"Don't hit me, please stop! I admit my fault!"