Chapter 1283: Void Island, Xu Xiaoshou Sees

“What?”“Ling Hao Ji Hua, does it really exist?”

If it was surprising enough that Dao Qiong Cang personally invited Xu Xiaoshou to join Sheng Shen Dian Tang and promised to overlook all past matters, then hearing him confirm the existence of “Ling Hao Ji Hua” straight from his own mouth left everyone on Xukong Dao utterly stunned.

“Did I mishear? Is Xu Xiaoshou actually from Sheng Shen Dian Tang, just with his memory erased?”“Is he really a warrior of ‘Ling Hao Ji Hua’? A spy planted by Sheng Shen Dian Tang in Sheng Nu?”“That’s impossible! If he were a spy, why would Dao Qiong Cang reveal it now? This is clearly a ‘separation scheme,’ and I can see through it—how could the Eighth Jian Xian not?”“But my friend, don’t forget, this is Dao Qiong Cang. If even you could see through his words, you wouldn’t be standing here beside me. You’d be up in the heavens, in the midst of battle, not just an ordinary person!”“How do you mean?”“If Dao Qiong Cang could be figured out that easily, he wouldn’t be so unfathomable. In my view, this move of his is on a third level…”“Oh? What’s your profound insight?”“Listen carefully! On the surface, it’s a ‘separation scheme’ to confirm the existence of ‘Ling Hao Ji Hua’ and stir up suspicion against Xu Xiaoshou among Sheng Nu; Sheng Nu will initially suspect it’s a ‘separation scheme,’ but their leader, the Eighth Jian Xian, will quickly realize that Dao Qiong Cang is too cunning for that, so they’ll counter-think and believe ‘Ling Hao Ji Hua’ is real and Xu Xiaoshou is a traitor; finally, Dao Qiong Cang is actually operating on the third level…”

It had to be said, this high-flown theory drew a lot of attention, and the pause built up everyone’s suspense, with some eagerly asking:

“What’s the third level?”“The third level is that the ‘separation scheme’ is real! ‘Ling Hao Ji Hua’ is fake! Xu Xiaoshou isn’t from Sheng Shen Dian Tang at all, but by the time the Eighth Jian Xian realizes this, the trap is already set, and they’ll start doubting Xu Xiaoshou!”“Ah? That’s a bit confusing. Let me sort it out… But according to you, isn’t that the same as the first level?” The speaker still sounded doubtful.“Yes, but it’s a result that’s been twisted through three layers. It looks the same, but the essence is completely different.” The one spouting the theory puffed out his chest with confidence.

Everyone around heard this smug, nonsensical reply and was boiling with anger, nearly exploding:

“You bastard…”“Listening to you is like listening to nonsense!”“Drag him away and tear him apart, you little weasel! What a waste of time!”“Yeah, get him!”“Uh… no… ah… help… My insight here is unique, you all understand what it means to see the mountain as a mountain, then not as a mountain, then as a mountain again… oh, ooh, not there!”“Come on, let’s rip him apart!”“You brute! A true brute! Reckless! You all are… mmph!”

This seemingly comical farce at the ruins of Zui Yi Dian was actually one of the ideas swirling in Xu Xiaoshou’s mind at that moment.

Dao Qiong Cang’s response had hit the mark perfectly.

“Ling Hao Ji Hua” was just something Xu Xiaoshou had casually thrown out as mud to sling at Sheng Shen Dian Tang when he was dealing with Yan Wuse, purely to annoy their so-called “justice.”

After Dao Qiong Cang appeared, he seized the opportunity to pull that mud right onto the main player.

At the very least, he thought it might corner this unfathomable Dao Qiong Cang a bit—and once news of today’s battle spread across Sheng Shen Continent, even if just one person doubted it, that would be doubt.

But he never expected Dao Qiong Cang to acknowledge it!

And he said it with such conviction, even confirming the name “Ling Hao Ji Hua” that Xu Xiaoshou had made up on the spot!

“I lost my memory?”

If Xu Xiaoshou didn’t know his own background, he might have actually fallen for this old daoist’s trick!

There was no doubt, Dao Qiong Cang’s response was cunning, living up to his reputation as unfathomable.

Xu Xiaoshou realized he had met his match today.

He was used to sowing discord among others, but he never thought someone would turn it back on him and Sheng Nu.

As for the talk of joining Sheng Shen Dian Tang and letting bygones be bygones, that was utter nonsense.

From the start, Xu Xiaoshou never entertained such naive ideas.

Even if Dao Qiong Cang had significant influence in Sheng Shen Dian Tang, he wasn’t the sole decision-maker, and besides, their positions didn’t align with Xu Xiaoshou’s aspirations.

What was freedom?

Freedom meant no true dao could bind it, no laws could restrict it.

Even Sheng Nu wasn’t true freedom; it was just a temporary phase.

But in Sheng Nu, Xu Xiaoshou still had some freedom, with the eight Zun An’s promises giving him a say. If he switched to Sheng Shen Dian Tang…

What would he gain?

Just go from being the lord of Sheng Nu to another Gou Wuyue or Yan Wuse, getting used and discarded?

Xu Xiaoshou showed a face full of shock and uncertainty, waiting until he felt everyone’s eyes on him before letting his expression turn serious and saying firmly:

“Dao Qiong Cang, you can stop with your little tricks. I won’t fall for it.”

He didn’t have a better way to counter Dao Qiong Cang’s unexpected response that had turned the tables, so he chose to interrupt and not dwell on the topic.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit…

After labeling this response as a “separation scheme,” a hint of sorrow flowed in Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes, mixed with a touch of hatred, as he said softly:

“When you abandoned us and erased our memories, you should have expected the retribution that would come.”

His memory had been forcibly erased?

So even if it was restored, Xu Xiaoshou could never return to Sheng Shen Dian Tang?

And now, by saying this, did it mean he had already recovered his memory, which is why he awakened his Tian Ji Shu?

The people on Xukong Dao felt like thunderbolts were striking their minds, reading all sorts of implications from that single sentence.

“Us…”

Someone murmured quietly, pondering the unintended information, not quite grasping it but somehow feeling enlightened, their expressions shifting.

Dao Qiong Cang swept a slightly surprised glance at Xu Xiaoshou, then looked up at the vast sky and sighed after a long pause:

“The tide rises with boundless glory, but when it falls, it leaves a mess.”“All of this boils down to my personal mistake; it never should have begun.”“I don’t seek your forgiveness, but time will give you the answers. When that day comes, you’ll awaken and understand my intentions.”

Xu Xiaoshou’s heart shuddered. What was he saying?

It seemed like he said everything and nothing at once, full of meaning yet ultimately empty words.

But after this back-and-forth, the mysterious “Ling Hao Ji Hua” had gained all sorts of details, making it feel undeniably real.

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly didn’t know how to respond.

He had no idea if becoming the unwitting lead in this non-existent “Ling Hao Ji Hua” was a blessing or a curse.

So this was Dao Qiong Cang?

He felt shifting the topic was key; dragging this out further, even if the eight Zun An wouldn’t suspect him, Xu Xiaoshou might start doubting himself.

“Give yourself a chance!” Dao Qiong Cang suddenly spoke up. “Let me go, and let yourself go.”

“What chance?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, on full alert.

“Look at the Xuanxu Xia, but you don’t have to tell me the answer. Just take a glance…”

Xu Xiaoshou froze for a moment, instinctively reaching for the Xuanxu Xia, but quickly stopped himself.

What did this mean?

Dao Qiong Cang had mentioned earlier that the 520th Tian Ji Zhen inside was his contact method.

He hadn’t had time to check it before…

But was this a seed he had planted in advance?

As long as he looked now, regardless of whether there was a formation or not, outsiders would assume he got the contact method and could betray Sheng Nu to join Sheng Shen Dian Tang at any time.

That would plant a seed of disaster—making the eight Zun An’s initial absolute trust waver with doubt?

“Damn old fox, I can’t look at this thing!”

When Xu Xiaoshou realized this, his whole body tensed up, not daring to pull out the Xuanxu Xia.

Soon, seeing Dao Qiong Cang’s smirking expression, his mind went blank, and his pupils dilated.

“What exactly is the Xuanxu Xia?” Low murmurs rose on Xukong Dao.

“I don’t know, but it has Dao Qiong Cang’s contact method; he said so before.”“Maybe Xu Xiaoshou learned his Tian Ji Shu through this thing?”

Even without hearing those distant murmurs, Xu Xiaoshou was horrified.

Not pulling it out was useless now!

The seed Dao Qiong Cang had casually planted earlier had taken root; it didn’t need watering to sprout and bloom.

Everyone would think that even if he didn’t look now, he could sneak a peek later!

“Whether I pull it out or not, it’s no longer the question.”

“This old daoist turned a ‘nothing’ into a ‘reality’ with a few words, embedding it deep in everyone’s souls as an established fact.”

How brilliant!

Xu Xiaoshou stared intently at the middle-aged man in the jade crown and white robe opposite him, feeling a chill run down his spine.

This was his own specialty—overt schemes.

But Dao Qiong Cang executed it even more masterfully.

Xu Xiaoshou was used to manipulating established facts to create outcomes where choices seemed possible but weren’t.

Dao Qiong Cang, however, conjured something from nothing, crafting an unescapable established fact with just a few words!

“You’re disgusting…”

Xu Xiaoshou gritted his teeth and took out the Xuanxu Xia.

Since looking or not would have consequences, he chose to fall for it openly, at least not losing in a haze.

Dao Qiong Cang still looked relaxed and amused. “That’s also how your former opponents described you.”

Xu Xiaoshou didn’t bother responding.

He connected his spiritual sense to the Xuanxu Xia and probed the 520th Tian Ji Zhen.

With his Saint Emperor Lv.0 perception, Xu Xiaoshou’s memory was exceptional.

He remembered that the 520th Tian Ji Zhen had no contact method.

Sure enough, it was just as he recalled.

The 520th Tian Ji Zhen had no contact way at all, but as Dao Qiong Cang said, it was optional and could be removed without affecting the Xuanxu Xia’s abilities…

Xu Xiaoshou took a hidden loss, his heart aching so much he could barely breathe, but he lifted his eyes and nodded seriously:

“I get it, but I need to think it over.”

A wave of shock rippled across Xukong Dao.

“Think what over?”“Did he really get Dao Qiong Cang’s contact method? Could he betray us at any time?”“It’s over; Sheng Nu can’t tolerate Xu Xiaoshou now. He shouldn’t have looked—that’s Dao Qiong Cang’s move…”“You there, what’s your take on this?”“First, let me go!”“Release him! Let him speak!”“Hmph, should’ve done that earlier. In my view, there’s nothing in there; Xu Xiaoshou and Dao Qiong Cang are just countering each other…”“Drag him away!”“Ah, let go! I… uh… mmph! Mmph!”

Above the Fallen Abyss, Dao Qiong Cang’s lips curved slightly as he stared at the seemingly mysterious Xu Xiaoshou and asked:

“Did you really see it?”“Or did you not see it and you’re just pretending? That Tian Ji Zhen has to be viewed in reverse.”

In reverse?

Xu Xiaoshou, eyeing Dao Qiong Cang’s serious demeanor and wondering what trick he was playing, pulled out the Xuanxu Xia again.

The 520th Tian Ji Zhen…

In reverse…

“Hmm?” Xu Xiaoshou paused.

When that seemingly meaningless Tian Ji Zhen was reversed, it actually formed a formation, outlining several large characters:

“Xukong Dao, Xu Xiaoshou sees.”

Ah…

Thump! Xu Xiaoshou’s heart contracted sharply, his pupils trembling.

Damn!

There really was something!

How was that possible?

This Xuanxu Xia came from the Water Ghost, who got it from Si Tu Yongren while disguised as Yu Lingzi, and it hadn’t been touched by anyone else before.

With his Saint Emperor Lv.0 weaving mastery, he hadn’t detected any recent tampering by Dao Qiong Cang.

So, this formation must have been set up earlier.

Before this, the Tian Ji Shen Shi had brought the Xuanxu Xia into play, entering the scene after the Xukong Dao situation unfolded.

That meant…

This 520th Tian Ji Zhen was outlined by Dao Qiong Cang back on Gui Zhe Sheng Mountain, before Xukong Dao even descended on Yun Lun Mountains?

“Holy shit!”

“Did he predict everything that’s happening now?”

“Damn, damn, damn!”

Xu Xiaoshou was so scared his soul nearly fled, his mind filled with the impossibility of it all.

Even if it was Dao Qiong Cang, even with his unfathomable reputation.

From Yun Lun Mountains to Gu Yin Cliff to the deep sea to Xukong Dao, how could he have foreseen all this? If so, why did Sheng Shen Dian Tang suffer so many losses on Xukong Dao?

“A coincidence?”

“No way! There’s no such targeted coincidence. This was premeditated, but how?”

“My ‘weaving mastery’ was a spur-of-the-moment thing from the passive system—how could it be calculated?”

Xu Xiaoshou clutched the Xuanxu Xia, staring at it fixedly.

Below the ancient text, there was a shape like a Tian Ji Fu, and Xu Xiaoshou understood its drawing method at a glance.

“Was there really a contact method?”

Xu Xiaoshou’s lips parted slightly as he released the dragon horn, glanced at Dao Qiong Cang’s meaningful expression, and ran his hand over his cooling scalp.

What kind of being was this Dao guy?

At that moment, the terror in Xu Xiaoshou’s heart was worse than if the eight Zun An themselves had shown up and slashed him a dozen times.

He racked his brains but couldn’t figure out when Dao Qiong Cang had made his move, and if it was planted in advance, that was even more terrifying than doing it secretly!

“What’s happening?”“I really don’t get it.”“Don’t ask me; I don’t get it either… Why did Xu Xiaoshou suddenly lose control? Is Dao Qiong Cang confessing to him?”

The people on the island were baffled by Xu Xiaoshou’s series of actions, feeling like he and Dao Qiong Cang were engaged in some deep, non-surface-level exchange.

Suddenly, they saw Xu Xiaoshou’s fingers dance quickly, sketching a Tian Ji Fu in front of him.

“Wait…” Dao Qiong Cang’s expression changed as he tried to stop it, but it was too late.

The Tian Ji Fu that Xu Xiaoshou sketched finished forming and turned into a streak of light that vanished.

In just one breath, a piece of white jade at Dao Qiong Cang’s waist trembled and emitted a sound.

“Drip, drip, drip…”

Some people died, but not completely…