Chapter 1270: Cultivate Digital Sword Technique, Forge Divine Sword Body, Worship the Sword God of Heavenly Mechanism

Chapter 1271: Self-Destruct Program, Activate

"Hoo..."

On the head of Mo Di Heilong, Xu Xiaoshou brought his consciousness back and let out a long sigh. Exhaustion!

It was utterly exhausting!

Juggling multiple tasks—scheming against Rao Yaoyao and Yan Wuse while deciphering Tianji Shen Shi, and all the while guarding against any possible contingencies left by Dao Dianzhu—in that brief skirmish, it was more draining than all his previous battles combined.

Not only had his body suffered backlash from the mountains and seas, but his spirit was utterly depleted.

The only two consolations were that no unexpected incidents occurred, and the injuries were on his second true body, which had little to do with his main self.

Once his consciousness returned, the pain vanished for Xu Xiaoshou.

Aside from the lingering mental fatigue, he regained that sense of detachment.

Gazing down at the ruins of Duo Yuan, even more devastated than the Sin One Hall site, breathing in the stale air of the aftermath, and savoring the fleeting peace, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but sigh:

"The years are tranquil..."

He had no choice but to switch his consciousness back.

With the heart sword technique controlling the two saints, unleashing energy to shatter Yan Wuse, and the four swords severing one of Rao Yaoyao's arms, Xu Xiaoshou had reached his limit.

But this was still just catching the enemies off guard.

It was like how Sin One Hall used Situ Yongren to strike Number Two, then used Yu Ling Di to strike Number Two again.

Once Situ Yongren and Yu Ling Di were gone, Number Two was freed and nearly killed Xu Xiaoshou on the spot.

And now, it was unlikely that someone like Yi Ren Mister would show up in time to save the day.

Similarly, as soon as Yan Wuse and Rao Yaoyao realized their mistake and shifted their primary target from the sword intent left by the red-hot Xuan Tie Sword to Tianji Shen Shi and the second true body inside...

That would mean losing their restraint, and Xu Xiaoshou would have no chance of winning.

If his initial decision to switch consciousness into Tianji Shen Shi and play tricks was influenced by "higher-up" emotions,

Then, after learning about the "Blood World Pearl" inside Tianji Shen Shi, Xu Xiaoshou had calmed down.

"The root of calamity, the guide of death..."

This had already completely destroyed Sin One Hall, You Ming Ghost City, and Duo Yuan, shattered the rest of Void Island, and incidentally caused the fall of several half-saints.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare to act recklessly anymore.

After going in and out with his consciousness, his goal was essentially achieved...

"Xuanxu Xia!"

He raised his hand, and a Tianji box appeared in it.

This was sent over by his second true body through a simple spatial transmission after the consciousness switch. With Yan Wuse shattered and Rao Yaoyao missing an arm, their bodies still exploding, no one could stop this minor action.

Xu Xiaoshou successfully obtained the "divine artifact"!

"Long Bao, protect me for a bit. If fighting breaks out again, don't actively damage Void Island—that way, you shouldn't get exiled or killed by the rules."

Xu Xiaoshou had already figured out Void Island's game rules.

"Okay."

Mo Di Heilong unusually didn't say much.

In other situations, it might have acted tsundere, complained, or at least muttered about how it couldn't act anymore.

But now, after Xu Xiaoshou's bold maneuver—openly fortifying the main road while secretly crossing at Chen Cang, using Tianji Shen Shi to defeat the two saints—it was conquered!

Just like all the spectators on Void Island and the ghost beasts in the mirror world. Mo Di Heilong could no longer understand Xu Xiaoshou—this person, his train of thought, his plans, his hidden trump cards, and how many more he had.

Since it didn't understand, the best way to build goodwill was to ask less and do more.

On the dragon's head, after saying that one word, Xu Xiaoshou paid no attention to Mo Di Heilong's reaction. Seizing the moment while the enemies were in disarray, he stepped onto the array disk without hesitation and began analyzing Xuanxu Xia.

"Another nested Tianji array..."

The intricate layers of arrays engraved inside Xuanxu Xia numbered in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at it and felt his head spin.

He really didn't have much energy left to analyze this complex thing, but he had no choice—it was a lifesaver.

Focusing intently, he quickly deciphered Xuanxu Xia.

"It's based on Tianji technique, but perfectly adapted to Void Island's heavenly dao rules, emphasizing the 'path of concealment... Dao Qiong Cang must have thoroughly studied Void Island's rules. Of course, his name is on the Zhen Xu Bei; he's been here before.'"

"This is similar to my 'concealment,' or akin to the disappearance technique."

"But Xuanxu Xia erases a person's aura so they're not recognized by Void Island's dao laws, without erasing their form, whereas the disappearance technique is a complete vanishing..."

The quality of this Xuanxu Xia wasn't high.

Of course, that was relative to Saint Emperor Lv.0's mastery of weaving.

If it were given to Situ Yongren, he might need a month to understand it—if he hadn't studied Xuanxu Xia before.

But Xu Xiaoshou had quickly deciphered even Tianji Shen Shi in battle, so how could he fail with Xuanxu Xia?

And being able to decipher it meant he could fine-tune the Tianji dao laws inside without affecting the whole.

Just like fine-tuning parts of Tianji Shen Shi to treat himself as Situ Yongren or Dao Qiong Cang, gaining more permissions.

"Sure enough, there's an identity verification process in here, and not just one."

Xu Xiaoshou's fingertip shot out extremely fine, invisible spiritual threads, weaving the "incorrect" Tianji dao laws in a certain part of Xuanxu Xia.

The process didn't take long.

Soon, the "incorrect" became "correct":

For the user of Xuanxu Xia, the nested Tianji arrays originally identified different identities through blood.

Now, once blood entered, there was only one result: Situ Yongren!

"What identity could be weaker, more inconspicuous, yet have high permissions without triggering reactions?"

"Long Bao, try this treasure I went through hell to steal for you." Xu Xiaoshou tossed Xuanxu Xia down. "Drip your blood."

You don't have to emphasize it; I know you're amazing and hardworking... Mo Di Heilong lifted an eyelid, clamped Xuanxu Xia in its dragon jaws, and let its blood seep in.

"What's this thing?"

"Xuanxu Xia. If nothing goes wrong, once your blood drips in, that countdown in your mind should disappear."

Mo Di Heilong waited for a while, then shook its head. "It hasn't."

It hasn't?

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

Before he could speak, Mo Di Heilong spat Xuanxu Xia back out, and Xu Xiaoshou hurriedly grabbed it to check.

It couldn't be a mistake.

His current level in Tianji technique might not match Dao Qiong Cang's, but he couldn't have failed to crack Xuanxu Xia.

Yet, upon examining it again, Xu Xiaoshou quickly realized the problem.

"This thing can only be used by half-saints and below?"

The nested Tianji arrays inside Xuanxu Xia didn't explicitly state this hidden condition, but Xu Xiaoshou could deduce it.

He was a bit surprised, then accepted it.

It made sense!

It was completely logical!

Xuanxu Xia was Dao Qiong Cang's creation.

And the unfathomable Dao Qiong Cang couldn't have overlooked these points:

"On Void Island, the Sacred God Hall wouldn't deploy a Saint Emperor; at most, it would be half-saints like Yan Wuse, Number Two, or Rao Yaoyao."

"But his opponent is the Eight Zun An... Though the Eight Zun An don't show up, as the revered one of the black and white lineages, Void Island is half his home turf, so he's likely to get Saint Emperor-level help."

"Long Bao did come out, even if just as a thought projection, but still a Saint Emperor."

"If Xuanxu Xia could be used by a Saint Emperor, once it's seized or deciphered, Long Bao would truly gain the power to slay saints!"

Xu Xiaoshou was deeply alarmed.

He hadn't expected that from the very beginning, Dao Qiong Cang had anticipated this step with Xuanxu Xia's creation.

But how could a normal person think that far ahead?

How could Dao Qiong Cang notice such details about Xuanxu Xia possibly being cracked so early?

"My Tianji technique is all breakthroughs in the heat of battle, relying on passive systems... Is he some kind of prophet?"

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts paused briefly before he suddenly realized.

Wu Ji Laozu!

That guy escaped to the Sacred God Continent using Liu Changqing as a ghost beast host.

Even if he wasn't on Void Island right now, the all-calculating Dao Qiong Cang would have factored Wu Ji Laozu in advance.

This led to Xuanxu Xia being designed from the root to prevent use by Saint Emperors.

"How terrifying!"

Though Xu Xiaoshou had never directly faced Dao Qiong Cang, at this moment, he gained a new understanding of the phrase "unfathomable."

His little tricks were always improvised in battle.

But that Dao Dianzhu calculated everything before it even happened—true foresight.

"Is this what a top-tier player is like?"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit overwhelmed.

After all this effort, getting nothing would be ridiculous.

"No, I can still gain something..."

A memory flashed, and Xu Xiaoshou recalled something.

He wove Tianji spiritual threads again, and soon, Xuanxu Xia clicked open from the front, spitting out a black-red scroll.

"Sure enough!"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up. A Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi!

He had guessed right, just like when Yi Ren Mister fought Number Two at Sin One Hall.

Every Xuanxu Xia corresponded to a Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi or something of similar level, for emergencies.

People are inherently selfish.

Situ Yongren gave the used-up Xuanxu Xia to Rao Yaoyao and Yu Ling Di, but kept one with its trump card intact for himself.

And now, it had become Xu Xiaoshou's possession.

"Situ Yongren, I can't thank you enough!"

Xu Xiaoshou was excited; he had witnessed the power of Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi too many times.

Besides observing Number Two versus Yi Ren Mister at Sin One Hall,

He had personally experienced it...

Like in Miracle Forest, when Jiang Buyi's "Return" Xuan Zhi got him.

And on Duo Yuan, when Yan Wuse used the "Manifest" Xuan Zhi to instantly take down his second true body.

So painful!

But now, the joy of inflicting that pain on others had fallen on him.

"Long Bao, help me check this thing."

"No need to look; it's a blank Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi."

Mo Di Heilong was long past the age of playing with Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi; it remained unfazed.

It played with Saint Emperor Jin Zhao.

When bored on the inner island, it made a pile and gave them to its subordinates for fights, with some left over. Too bad it didn't bring any out; otherwise, it could smash them over Xu Xiaoshou's head until he was dizzy.

"Can you tell who made it? Can I use it? Are there any risks?"

"Can a half-saint ant remember their names?" Mo Di Heilong scoffed first, then continued, "But a blank Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi, once made, anyone can use it."

"No risks?"

"There are."

Mo Di Heilong paused. "Not anymore."

Xu Xiaoshou felt some invisible energy sweep over the scroll in his hand; he knew Mo Di Heilong had acted.

"Love you, Long Bao! How do I use this?"

"Engrave it with a sacred thought on the scroll, ideally refining it into a single word that describes what you want to do. The more practical, the better—heavenly dao will help realize your wish."

Xu Xiaoshou was startled.

This powerful?

Realize a wish?

"Then if..."

Xu Xiaoshou shifted, and Mo Di Heilong knew whether he needed to poop or pee.

"Put away your ridiculous ideas. If your wish is to realize two wishes, only I can do that in this world—Saint Emperor Jin Zhao can't even manage it."

"Oh..." Xu Xiaoshou was disappointed. "So, how exactly do I use it?"

"For attack, defense, suppression, or escape... It's for emergencies, essentially a full-powered strike from a half-saint, just pre-made into a scroll. It's not that overpowered."

Mo Di Heilong explained.

It's already powerful enough!

Just a thought to break the disappearance technique—what could be a better treasure?

Xu Xiaoshou stored the Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi away.

Long Bao had eliminated the risks for him—Long Bao was a Saint Emperor, after all. He wasn't worried about being traced through this scroll.

Grasping Xuanxu Xia again, Xu Xiaoshou didn't give up.

He wanted to mutate it so it could be used by a Saint Emperor.

After all, he was now barely a half-saint level Tianji master.

Modifying the nested Tianji arrays inside, adding some arrays without damaging the spirit array, while maintaining balance and the original function of Xuanxu Xia...

It was tough, but possible.

He just didn't know how much time it would take.

But he had to try!

This was self-rescue!

"Give me some time, Long Bao, and I'll free up your full power."

"Bang bang bang bang..."

Down in Duo Yuan, Rao Yaoyao, hidden in the state of No Sword Technique, had explosions rippling through her body one after another. She used every trick she had to finally suppress the demonic energy of the four swords intertwined with the purifying power of the Saint Judgment Sword.

Only then could she regain control of her body—that body with its left arm severed!

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

Clutching the torn collar, her half-exposed chest now stained with spots of crimson blood, Rao Yaoyao murmured silently, her emotions complex.

She never imagined Xu Xiaoshou could push her to this extent.

A sword saint like her, having an arm cut off by a minor figure who wasn't even a sword immortal—it was a utter humiliation!

Though much of it was due to Tianji Shen Shi, her lingering reverence for the sword god's image, and being distracted by the sword intent and Yan Wuse...

A loss was a loss.

And Xu Xiaoshou's ability to exploit these was proof of his skill.

Rao Yaoyao wouldn't deny her defeat anymore.

She only regretted why, on Gu Yin Cliff, she hadn't seen through Xu Xiaoshou's disguise.

Back then, he was so weak; one strike would have ended him...

Why did she think of fishing for bigger fish?

Rao Yaoyao, you're too naive!

All that was in the past, set in stone—reminiscing served no purpose.

Rao Yaoyao used her sacred power to seal the torn collar, gripped her sword, and looked toward Tianji Shen Shi.

"Rao Keai, what do you want to say? I'm listening."

From inside Tianji Shen Shi came that detestable voice. "Earlier, I spared your life. Won't you show some gratitude?"

Shut up!

Why do you always call me Rao Keai?

Rao Yaoyao's chest heaved with anger, her beautiful eyes narrowing, but she quickly suppressed her emotions: "Xu Xiaoshou, you won't get any more chances."

"Is that so? Dare to fight me up close? I'm Tianji Shen Shi—the strongest physical form, the mightiest half-saint!"

Don't get reckless, don't get reckless... Rao Yaoyao knew Xu Xiaoshou still had tricks; he definitely did!

"Rao Keai, you're scared, so let's keep our distance and compare ancient sword techniques. With your strengths against my weaknesses, I'll take some hits and give you the edge..."

"Don't call me Rao Keai!"

The power of Xuan Cang Divine Sword's qi surged instantly, and Rao Yaoyao interrupted that hateful voice, her eyes turning red as she charged forward.

Xuan Cang Divine Sword, carrying its green Mo Jian, easily pierced Tianji Shen Shi's defense, emerging from its chest.

At that moment, Tianji Shen Shi was only normal human size.

After Xuan Cang Divine Sword passed through, not just Rao Yaoyao, but everyone on the island watching with spiritual techniques, could see the blood on the sword.

That had to be Xu Xiaoshou's blood!

But...

Why did it break through the defense so quickly?

Had Xu Xiaoshou realized he couldn't win and given up resistance?

"He's not that kind of person!"

The spectators were baffled.

Rao Yaoyao herself was baffled.

She knew that without holding back, she would win, but this sword striking Xu Xiaoshou felt too smooth.

Smooth enough to make her afraid.

Was there a trick?

Instinctively, Rao Yaoyao wanted to pull back and retreat.

She was truly scared of Xu Xiaoshou!