Chapter 1256: Long Bao, Kill Them for Me

"Damn?"

At the Zuì Yī Diǎn Yízhǐ site, in front of the Qiān Lǐ Chuán Jìng Shū, everyone was practically stunned speechless.

They had just been urging the burly man to activate the spirit mirror again.

Little did they expect that as soon as the image appeared, it would show such explosive content:

Mò Dí Hēilóng, transformed into a smaller form, burrowing into the ground and begging for mercy...

Xú Xiǎoshòu hovering in the air with his sword, looking down from on high...

"Impossible!"

"Am I seeing things?"

"It was just a brief interruption in the image—how did Duō Yuán turn into this? Is this an illusion sword technique?"

"The Eighth Jiànxiān—has he shown up? Where is he?"

Someone grabbed the burly man by the collar, demanding to know if there was a glitch in the image. But the answer was something no one could refute:

The Qiān Lǐ Chuán Jìng Shū's image doesn't delay and can't be faked; the earlier cutoff wasn't intentional—it was interrupted by some mysterious force.

"So, before Shèng Dì begged for mercy, he deliberately cut off our image?" Damn it!

I'm such an idiot!

Why did I have to be so curious?

Everyone started slapping themselves, feeling like they'd stumbled into a huge mess.

This kind of thing isn't meant for peeping—Mò Dí Hēilóng looks like the type to hold a grudge, and now that we've seen this, what if the Lóng family comes after us later for payback?

"Huh? Brother, why is your spirit mirror image all black?"

"Yeah, yeah, hurry up and infuse some líng yuán. We can't see a thing—what's the point of this?"

"Are you kidding me? With your pathetic skills, this lord is ashamed to be associated with you. I'm leaving Tiān Kōng Zhī Chéng first. This lord is out of here!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm leaving too."

"Wait, you guys, don't you see... uh! Don't cover my mouth, uh! Uh!"

"Illusion technique!"

"Not moving? Good, drag him away and deal with him somewhere. Damn fool! Trying to get us all killed?"

Not just at Zuì Yī Diǎn Yízhǐ, where so many were left dumbfounded.

Even Xú Xiǎoshòu, who held the four swords and hadn't struck yet, was caught off guard by this turn of events.

What kind of severe beating had Mò Dí Hēilóng endured before?

I haven't even started transforming yet...

Xú Xiǎoshòu's original plan was to pull out everything related to Bā Zūn Ān and ultimately transform into Bā Zūn Ān's appearance to scare Mò Dí Hēilóng.

But he hadn't expected that by just drawing Bā Zūn Ān's techniques and sword—without even changing his face—Mò Dí Hēilóng had already spooked himself into seeing shadows everywhere.

"Do I really look that much like Bā Zūn Ān?"

Xú Xiǎoshòu briefly doubted if he had actually emerged with Bā Zūn Ān's face, which was why he had so easily intimidated Mò Dí Hēilóng.

But he realized that wasn't the case.

He had heard that in the inner island, Bā Zūn Ān had once stepped on Mò Dí Hēilóng and pointed his sword at the Bǎi Mài Sān Zǔ.

That sounded fantastical enough!

Now, Xú Xiǎoshòu felt the rumors might have been too conservative.

Before stepping on Mò Dí Hēilóng, that dragon must have been brutally beaten for a long time, leaving deep psychological scars.

Hmm, given Mò Dí Hēilóng's temperament as shown so far, he probably had to suffer a lot before lowering his dragon head to be stepped on... Xú Xiǎoshòu halted in mid-air and sheathed his sword.

Below, Mò Dí Hēilóng suddenly snapped back to his senses.

The human in front of him might look similar and had inherited all of Bā Zūn Ān's ultimate skills, abilities, and sword.

But he wasn't Bā Zūn Ān!

Why should this emperor fear him?

Yet the dragon had already shrunk into the ground, and at that moment, Mò Dí Hēilóng felt too ashamed to crawl out of the pit.

He had been scared...

Ahhh, I want to die!

It could barely suppress the raging turmoil in its heart.

It even entertained the thought of destroying the entire Xū Kōng Dǎo and erasing everyone's memories completely.

But it knew full well that with Xú Xiǎoshòu displaying such terrifying talent—having reached the second realm of ancient sword cultivation—Bā Zūn Ān would never allow him to be killed!

With a rumble, Mò Dí Hēilóng gritted his teeth and flew out of the pit, pretending nothing had happened and erasing the whole incident from his mind.

"Xú Xiǎoshòu, don't push this emperor too far. If I get desperate, I'll do anything."

"Under threat, passive points, 1."

Xú Xiǎoshòu nearly burst out laughing on the spot; he could almost see the faint blush of shame on the black dragon's head.

But undeniably, Mò Dí Hēilóng had backed down, so there was no need to push him to the point of a rebound.

"This dragon's heart blood—was it Jīn Zhào Lǎozǔ who asked you to give it to me?" Xú Xiǎoshòu offered a way out.

"Exactly! Exactly!" Mò Dí Hēilóng nodded vigorously.

"And the task that Bā Zūn Ān sent you out for—have you forgotten it?" Xú Xiǎoshòu held up the Bā Zì Lìng, discussing the matter openly in front of Shèng Dì Ráo and Yán Wúsè. He actually didn't know what the task was.

But Bā Zūn Ān had come from the east with a sword, breaking the boundary between inner and outer islands and releasing Mò Dí Hēilóng, so there must have been a prior plan.

Just opening the space between inner and outer islands wouldn't necessarily bring someone or a dragon out right away.

So, with a plan, there had to be a task.

And even if he didn't know the details, bringing it up to pressure Mò Dí Hēilóng was absolutely feasible.

Sure enough, Mò Dí Hēilóng was at a loss for words.

It shifted its dragon eyes subtly, glancing at Yán Wúsè without a trace.

In that instant, Yán Wúsè felt a chill down his spine, sensing a faint killing intent. Xú Xiǎoshòu, being the shrewd old fox he was, how could he miss such details? Connecting it to his earlier discussion with Number Two about Bā Zūn Ān's ultimate goal—and that final jest about Bā Zūn Ān wanting to bury Number Two and Yán Wúsè here—Xú Xiǎoshòu's eyelids twitched.

"Could that have been prophetic?"

Was what Bā Zūn Ān intended really to deal with these two from the Ten-Person Council here, clearing obstacles for the eventual assault on Shèng Shān?

In that case, why had Mò Dí Hēilóng been the one sent out? Xú Xiǎoshòu had some realization.

This dragon was certainly hard to tame and had a volatile temper, but at its core, it was straightforward.

Its little schemes and depth were obvious to Xú Xiǎoshòu, and Bā Zūn Ān must have seen through them too.

Compared to how Jīn Zhào Lǎozǔ and the others had schemed for centuries to turn the former Jīn Zhào Prison Sea into Bái Kū, betting on the Jīn Zhào lineage...

Or how Qí Shū Dà Dì used the blood realm's power, tempting Liú Chángqīng with the blood tree's yin branches, successfully sending Wú Jí Lǎozǔ to Shèng Shén Dàlù...

Or how Shén Yǔ Qīng Shí only sent a fragment of green stone, without any plan, just to meet Xú Xiǎoshòu and mention giving a gift...

Mò Dí Hēilóng was practically an open book—a big, adorable simpleton you could see right through!

Look at it—last time, even Shèng Dì's intent avatar had appeared, and its only thought was to try running away.

It hadn't set up any prior arrangements or inside help on Shèng Shén Dàlù.

Naturally, the result was no result.

If that's not being single-minded and endearingly naive, what is?

"So, that's why Bā Zūn Ān sent this dragon out?"

"He wants me to tame it in advance, even if by borrowing power, but at least establish some connection with Mò Dí Hēilóng, create a bond..."

"Then, there'll be plenty of opportunities later?"

Xú Xiǎoshòu's scalp tingled slightly, feeling he might be overthinking it—Bā Zūn Ān couldn't be that terrifying, right?

After all, no matter how you looked at it, Mò Dí Hēilóng had come out because of Jīn Zhào Lǎozǔ.

But gazing at that scorched Xuán Tiě Jiàn embedded in the Duō Yuán space—unmoved no matter what had happened, only trembling slightly—Xú Xiǎoshòu suddenly couldn't be sure of his guess.

Still, that didn't stop him from building a relationship with Mò Dí Hēilóng now. From initial strangers, to having his strength recognized and identity respected, to the Bā Zì Lìng making the other obey...

He had walked this path step by step on his own!

"As for the task, let's set it aside for now..."

Xú Xiǎoshòu shifted his gaze from Ráo and Yán Wúsè below, who were still under the Shèng Dì's aura suppression and will guidance, and put away the Bā Zì Lìng.

"My wish—can you fulfill it now?"

"At least, things like scheming to borrow a knife to kill someone and evade my wish—you won't try that again, right?"

Mò Dí Hēilóng seemed irritated but had no choice, scratching at the void with its five claws, growing more frustrated, and finally just snorted, "Naturally."

"But that's in the past! Tell me, should I report your little schemes just now to Bā Zūn Ān?" Xú Xiǎoshòu said with a smile in his eyes.

He wasn't even holding the Bā Zì Lìng anymore, yet he had the qualification to speak as an equal to this Shèng Dì, who had to take his words to heart.

"What do you mean?" Mò Dí Hēilóng glared angrily.

"I want to revisit what you just dismissed as nonsense..."

"Hmm?"

"My wish is for you to help me realize two wishes."

With a boom, a torrent of demonic fog erupted from Mò Dí Hēilóng, nearly striking again.

Xú Xiǎoshòu didn't move or pull out the token; he just watched quietly.

Mò Dí Hēilóng caught the playful glint in his eyes and realized this guy really would provoke him further.

But...

It started thinking seriously.

If adding one more wish meant Xú Xiǎoshòu would forget what happened, not tell Bā Zūn Ān, and even clear away any resentment to build a good relationship...

Then, that wish seemed worth it?

"This emperor agrees!"

"Damn!"

In front of the Qiān Lǐ Chuán Jìng Shū, another wave of audacious exclamations erupted at the perfect time. Xú Xiǎoshòu really dared to say it!

And Mò Dí Hēilóng actually agreed?

Soon, someone snapped back to reality, not daring to look at the image anymore, and grabbed the burly man by the collar to scold, "Why isn't this working? The spirit mirror is so dark—what are we supposed to see?" "Yeah, yeah, hurry up. Fix the technical issue—it's useless if we can't peep at the battle with this crap."

"Isn't it viewable now? This image is clearly full of vibrant... uh!"

"Cough, cough, this is clearly a vibrant black... Kids say the darndest things, kids say the darndest things."

"Drag him away and deal with that one too!"

Down in Duō Yuán.

While the exchange above continued, Yán Wúsè couldn't hold back any longer.

"I underestimated Xú Xiǎoshòu. Black Dragon's stance is firm now—he might strike at me next." Yán Wúsè temporarily dropped his title of "this emperor" and sensed the danger.

"Strike first." Ráo Yáoyao's eyes showed a bold resolve, but she quickly calmed down with a sigh, "But that's a Shèng Dì!"

"No! It looks invincible, but it's just a Shèng Dì intent avatar, and this is the outer island—its attacks are limited."

"I've got no attacks left either."

Ráo Yáoyao lowered her eyes to the Xuán Cāng Shén Jiàn, her expression tinged with melancholy.

After her ascension, she was put on a banishment countdown. Her trip to Zhèn Huáng Diàn hadn't found the exemption order—that place was already gone.

In the blood realm battle against Huáng Quán, she had held back, affecting only a small area of Xū Kōng Dǎo, so the countdown decreased slowly.

In the battle at Zuì Yī Diǎn against the various saints, she arrived late and only exerted herself fully with the sword that slew the Tiān Rén Wǔ Suì.

Even so, all her accumulated attack opportunities were used up in Duō Yuán.

That earlier second realm of Qīng Jiàn Shū, the Wàng Qíng Jiàn, was meant as defense, but Mò Dí Hēilóng shattered her sword form.

At the same time, the life-and-death spirits across tens of thousands of li in Duō Yuán were destroyed. The impact was massive!

Ráo Yáoyao's already limited banishment countdown was wiped out, leaving just one day.

If she attacked Mò Dí Hēilóng again...

She might end up banishing herself with that sword!

Yán Wúsè didn't take Ráo Yáoyao's words to heart; he turned and looked at Tiān Jī Shén Shǐ, beckoning with his hand.

"Hand it over!"

"What?"

"The 'Xuán Xū Xiá' that Number Two hid even in death—if it was lost, he must have secretly stashed a few extras for emergencies. Find them."

Ráo Yáoyao was stunned, then remembered something, turning back with immense surprise. Sī Tú Yǒng Rén was also taken aback.

After a few breaths of stillness, patterns flowed over Tiān Jī Shén Shǐ.

Soon, Sī Tú Yǒng Rén, controlling the predecessor of Number Two, reached into his abdominal cavity and pulled out three ancient Tiān Jī Xiá boxes inscribed with old characters.

He recalled that during Number Two's battle with Méi Yī Rén, the Xuán Xū Xiá had been used. Each of those boxes had released their hidden methods.

But Xuán Xū Xiá had another major function!

These were products of Dào Diǎn Zhū; wearing them could evade heavenly mechanisms, allowing free action on Xū Kōng Dǎo without rule restrictions, naturally avoiding death or banishment.

"Take them."

Yán Wúsè already had his own Xuán Xū Xiá, so he didn't need one; with a wave, he tossed them to Ráo Yáoyao.

Ráo Yáoyao felt like she had escaped certain doom, dripping blood on it to establish a connection, and suddenly regained full confidence.

With their side all equipped with Xuán Xū Xiá, they had the endurance to hold out.

But Mò Dí Hēilóng didn't have one.

So, as long as they stalled and withstood the Shèng Dì's attacks...

They could completely obliterate it using the outer island's rules!

"What about you—want one?"

Sī Tú Yǒng Rén held the remaining two Xuán Xū Xiá, glancing at the coward who had been hiding in the back, not daring to show himself.

He didn't really want to give it to this annoying guy.

But the fellow had kindly given him a shadow of the Secondary Gate as a lifesaving measure earlier.

—Consider it returning the favor!

"I..."

Yù Líng Dì hesitated at the sound, turning into a puddle of water and crawling over, tilting his head away from Sī Tú Yǒng Rén and wrapping up the Xuán Xū Xiá.

So tsundere... Sī Tú Yǒng Rén chuckled inwardly and ignored it.

"Later, we'll go first!" Yán Wúsè instructed. "As for Sī Tú Yǒng Rén and Yù Líng Dì..."

Inside Tiān Jī Shén Shǐ, Sī Tú Yǒng Rén's heart skipped a beat.

But he heard Yán Wúsè continue, "You two stay in reserve, don't show yourselves. Lend a hand at the critical moment, and watch out for your own safety."

Whew... Sī Tú Yǒng Rén finally relaxed.

He lowered his eyes to Yù Líng Dì and noticed this guy looked eager and ready.

Really?

He's not afraid of death—this is a Shèng Dì...

"Good."

"Got it, I'll strike at the right time!"

"Xú Xiǎoshòu, what's your first wish?"

Up in Duō Yuán, Mò Dí Hēilóng was tired of haggling with this guy and just wanted to get the wishes over with and go home.

"Rumor has it Bā Zūn Ān once stepped on Mò Dí Hēilóng and pointed his sword at the Bǎi Mài Sān Zǔ?" Xú Xiǎoshòu looked toward the big lump between Mò Dí Hēilóng's horns—that spot must be soft, right?

"Xú Xiǎoshòu, this emperor advises you not to go too far!" Mò Dí Hēilóng was on the verge of losing control.

Just then, from below Duō Yuán, a brilliant sword light shot up.

At the same time, within tens of thousands of li, images of red dust mortals appeared, each one now holding a small void sword.

"Red Dust Mortals, Absolute Imperial Rule!"

Ráo Yáoyao's delicate shout rang out as she flew up with her sword.

In an instant, the sword light pierced through the Shèng Dì's aura suppression. She thrust her sword through the air, aiming straight at Xú Xiǎoshòu!

"Dragon treasure, save me—"

Xú Xiǎoshòu could barely contain the delight in his eyes.

It was here!

He had finally waited for it!

Yán and Ráo must have seen him chatting freely with Mò Dí Hēilóng and assumed they had fully allied, with the dragon switching sides.

Little did they know, in Xú Xiǎoshòu's plan, completely turning Mò Dí Hēilóng required external pressure.

So, after a wail, Xú Xiǎoshòu excitedly darted onto Mò Dí Hēilóng's dragon head.

It was as if he had rehearsed this in his mind countless times...

"Violent Giant!"

"Explosive Stance!"

"Jīn Zhào Original Seed!"

"Three Days Frozen Calamity!"

"With the four swords!"

One technique after another—before Mò Dí Hēilóng could react, a heavy weight landed on its head.

In front of the Qiān Lǐ Chuán Jìng Shū, everyone was dumbfounded.

In that vibrant black image, a double-winged black demonic violent giant clearly appeared, standing on the black dragon!

His color blended perfectly, forming a seamless whole with the black dragon.

His build was enormous, complementing the black dragon just right.

His size was perfect, allowing him to sit squarely on the fleshy pad, gripping the dragon horns with both hands and howling at the sky.

"Awooo—"

Xú Xiǎoshòu vented his inner joy fully, letting out a wolf-like dragon roar.

Sitting on Mò Dí Hēilóng's head—this had to be everyone's dream in the world, right?

I've done it! I've made it big!

"Awooo awooo awooo"

Mò Dí Hēilóng was so furious its mindset shattered, roaring in rage, "Xú Xiǎoshòu, get off this emperor's head!"

"I don't care—my first wish is 'protect me'! Yán Wúsè and Ráo Yáoyao are trying to kill me. Are you going to ignore it? Dare you disregard the Bā Zì Lìng? If you don't protect me, I'll tell Bā Zūn Ān!"

"Come down and talk!!!"

"If I come down, I'll get killed instantly. How are you protecting me? Are you stupid?"

Mò Dí Hēilóng was choked silent, thrashing wildly in the clouds, rolling and struggling in frustration.

But Xú Xiǎoshòu's double-winged black demonic violent giant form was prepared, clinging tightly to the dragon horns no matter how the world turned upside down.

Ráo Yáoyao was shocked.

Xú Xiǎoshòu's boldness far exceeded her expectations!

Riding a dragon...

What kind of move was this?

It was even more exaggerated than the legends of Bā Zūn Ān!

"Attack."

Yán Wúsè didn't care about any of that.

In his eyes, Mò Dí Hēilóng would eventually be forced to change sides, so might as well kill him too.

Perfect—today, slay the recipient and butcher the dragon!

"Awooo—"

Swords and light flew forth as Mò Dí Hēilóng opened its maw, unleashing a painful dragon breath.

In an instant, the swirling demonic energy seemed to obliterate everything, melting away the dao principles and forcing Yán and Ráo back.

"You can stand on this emperor's head, but don't stand on this emperor's wound!" Mò Dí Hēilóng compromised.

It hurts so much!

Really hurts!

That was the big lump punched out by Jīn Zhào Lǎozǔ!

How could Xú Xiǎoshòu's body be so sharp? It felt like it would split open the lump on its head!

"Get to the back!" Mò Dí Hēilóng struggled fiercely.

But just then, from above, a Bā Zì Lìng dropped down a spirit yuan thread, swinging past its eyes.

Following it, Bā Zūn Ān's voice echoed from above: "Mò Dí Hēilóng, have you forgotten your task?"

In that moment, Mò Dí Hēilóng's heart nearly stopped.

The next second, its sacred thought swept over and found only Xú Xiǎoshòu's giant form on its head—no Bā Zūn Ān.

"Xú Xiǎoshòu, how dare you impersonate? You're courting death!"

"The one courting death is you! Unless I'm wrong, Old Eight's task includes killing that guy, right?"

Xú Xiǎoshòu retorted coldly, pointing at Yán Wúsè ahead.

He had seen Mò Dí Hēilóng's little moves too clearly when the task was mentioned earlier.

Sure enough, at those words, Mò Dí Hēilóng fell silent.

And Xú Xiǎoshòu could freely sit on the dragon's head, watching Ráo Yáoyao and Yán Wúsè charge forward, his face twisting into a savage grin:

"Dragon treasure, my second wish is..."

"Beat them to death for me!"