Chapter 1285: Xi

In the Central Domain, at Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, within the Sheng Huan Dian.

As Dao Qiong Cang landed on the Void Island and entered the sight of the Water Ghost, it wasn't long before a shadowy figure materialized outside the majestic council hall, which belonged to the Ten-Person Council of the Sheng Shan headquarters. The figure coalesced into the vague form of a black-clad person.

"Urgent report from the Outer Divisions!"

The messenger's voice carried a note of urgency, yet remained steady.

Without permission, only the heads of the Six Departments were allowed to enter the Sheng Huan Dian. Thus, even in the midst of a dire emergency, the strict rules of Gui Zhe Sheng Shan could not be broken.

In the vast Sheng Huan Dian, only two figures sat at the silver round table, on high-backed chairs of varying heights.

One was Ai Cang Sheng, seated in a mottled Gui wood wheelchair, with black hair cascading over his shoulders, his gaze serene like the moon, his sharp edge concealed. A black cloth covered his knees, with a bow and arrows slung diagonally across, and he remained silent.

The other was a woman in a yellow palace dress, dignified and elegant, her dark hair pinned up with jade pendants dangling like flowing tassels. Her form was ethereal and illusory, like a mist, the spirit body of Jiu Ji Gui.

"Enter."

At the sound of the gentle female voice, the black-clad figure outside the hall immediately rose and stepped into the Sheng Huan Dian.

The expansive hall was empty and quiet. Yet, the two seated at the round table, even without speaking, exuded an aura that filled the entire space.

The black-clad messenger from the Outer Divisions, upon facing the two saints, felt his heartbeat steady, like a great weight settling, and his panic faded.

"I greet Lord Ai Cang Sheng! I greet the Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui!"

"What is the matter? Speak."

"Yes, Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui." The black-clad person bowed before quickly reporting, "According to intelligence from the Outer Divisions, just moments ago, a total of thirty-six sub-halls of the Sheng Shen Hall across the Five Domains of the continent were simultaneously attacked."

"Among them, the attackers of twelve sub-halls remain unidentified, while those of the remaining twenty-four sub-halls hail from various dark forces. Tracing back to their origins, they all have connections, to varying degrees, with the Sheng Nu."

"The Outer Divisions therefore speculate that this coordinated attack was led by the Sheng Nu, orchestrated by... by Ba Zun An."

In just a few sentences, the black-clad person delivered the investigation results, then lifted his gaze toward the two saints.

For other forces on the continent, suffering such an attack might leave them reeling for half a day, unsure of the assailants' identities. But the Outer Divisions controlled the most comprehensive intelligence network on the continent, drawing from past behaviors of these attacking forces. Not only did they quickly deduce the results, but they also clearly classified several previously uncertain dark forces under the Sheng Nu's banner.

Now, they could be uprooted entirely!

The black-clad person knew that the time of these great figures was limited, so he focused his report on the key outcomes. He would only elaborate on the details if the two saints inquired further.

Unexpectedly, as he looked up, he saw no surprise on the faces of the two saints. It was as if they were already fully aware of these events.

Ba Zun An... Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body turned her gaze toward Ai Cang Sheng, her beautiful eyes smiling as she said, "It's here."

It's here?

The black-clad person was startled. Did they truly know an attack was coming?

Of course—they have Lord Dao Dian, who must have foreseen it...

"What about the specific distribution of the attacks?" Seeing that Ai Cang Sheng's expression had turned slightly cold and he offered no response, Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body turned back and asked.

"The sixteen royal cities of the Eastern Domain, the eight major royal cities of the Central Domain, the six major ones of the Southern Domain, the three of the Northern Domain, and the three of the Western Domain—all were hit simultaneously!"

"So it's all royal cities. Looks like this was premeditated for a long time..."

"Yes, the four royal cities in the Central Domain that were attacked have already been quelled by us on the spot, but the rest, especially those in the Eastern and Southern Domains, will likely take time to suppress."

"That's only natural. The Sheng Nu's main forces are in the Eastern Domain, and the Southern Domain's Sin Lands were never stable to begin with. The fact that you managed to quell four locations immediately is already commendable."

The black-clad person fell silent and did not respond. He refrained from saying outright that the unrest in those other areas might escalate rapidly, potentially leading to the destruction of the sub-halls.

The attack had come too suddenly. After this battle, who knew how many lives would be lost.

Ah, when will this world truly know peace?

"By my command, immediately mobilize the sub-halls of the Sheng Shen Hall near the conflict zones, along with the highest forces from the various royal cities and territories, to provide aid without delay. Any who disobey will be executed."

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body could see the worry in the black-clad person's eyes. With a graceful wave of her hand, the "Jiu Ji Order" transformed into a streak of golden light and flew out.

The black-clad person caught it with his hand and glanced down. It was a divine messenger token crafted from golden Gui wood, imbued with the sacred aura of Jiu Ji Gui.

With this token, mobilizing the major forces was akin to holding a semi-sacred decree—none under heaven would dare refuse.

"Yes!"

The black-clad person responded firmly, tucking the token away as he prepared to withdraw.

"Have someone else deliver the order—you stay here."

Ai Cang Sheng suddenly spoke up.

The black-clad person paused briefly, then nodded in agreement.

Under his large black hood, where only his eyes were visible behind the shadowy mask, a faint azure glow suddenly lit up.

Soon, a wisp of black mist rose beside him, forming an illusory ghost spirit that took the order and left the Sheng Huan Dian.

"What are your instructions, Lord Ai Cang Sheng?"

The black-clad person then spoke.

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body glanced at him in surprise, seemingly impressed by his abilities, but she said nothing more and turned her gaze back to Ai Cang Sheng.

She had only heard from Dao Qiong Cang that chaos might erupt on the Sheng Shen Continent, likely from Ba Zun An, but she knew none of the specifics.

Ai Cang Sheng, who often played with Dao Qiong Cang, probably knew more.

In the Gui wood wheelchair, Ai Cang Sheng rested his hands on the black cloth over his legs and spoke calmly, "In the Western Domain's Great Desert Ridge, the Southern Domain's Half-Moon Abode, the Northern Domain's Tian Alliance, the Eastern Domain's Can Yue Immortal City, the Central Domain's Four Tomb Mountains, the Dead Floating Slaughter City at the crossroads, and the Dead Sea beneath Sheng Shan—what anomalies have occurred there?"

Seven precise locations in a row?

The black-clad person hesitated for a moment before replying, "We haven't received any reports yet..."

"Don't wait—go and investigate actively, now."

"Yes!"

The black-clad person shuddered slightly. Even though Ai Cang Sheng's tone was even and emotionless, it still made his heart feel as cold as ice. This was no one as approachable as Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—he was one of the Ten Venerables, after all. One wrong answer could cost him his life.

The black-clad person quickly formed a hand seal, pointing like a sword, and a dark light flashed in his eyes.

Soon, another ghost spirit appeared.

He silently mouthed words, murmuring incantations as he gave instructions.

The ghost spirit shimmered and vanished.

"Lord Yi..."

In his peripheral vision, as the messenger ghost spirit departed, the black-clad person sighed inwardly.

Originally, the one in his position should have been the head of the Outer Divisions, Lord Yi. But unfortunately, the head had fallen in the Yun Lun Mountains, leaving him to face these two saints alone.

"What is your name?"

Jiu Ji Gui glanced at the icily composed Ai Cang Sheng and realized she didn't need to maintain such formality. She turned back and took the initiative to break the ice, her gaze tinged with curiosity. "I've never seen you before."

"I report to Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—my code name is 'Xi'."

"Xi?" Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body felt the name was vaguely familiar. "Xi, what is your position in the Outer Divisions?"

"I report to Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—I was previously the deputy to Lord Yi, the head of the Outer Divisions, and now I am acting as the head."

"Acting head? You seem quite young, don't you?"

"I report..."

"There's no need to be so formal."

"Understood, Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui! I report that I have just turned twenty this year."

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body's red lips parted slightly, her eyes flashing with amusement and even more surprise.

Without a doubt, "respect" and "humility" were ingrained in this young man's very bones. In his life experiences, he must have endured quite a bit of hardship...

At twenty years old, acting as the head of one of the Six Departments!

"You're even younger than Si Tu Yong Ren..." Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body murmured softly, as if spotting a prodigy.

"I dare not compare! I am merely acting temporarily and would never equate myself with Lord Si Tu."

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body gave the young man a deep look and said no more.

It had just occurred to her that Gui Zhe Sheng Shan was full of talents. But the Sheng Shen Hall, with its long inheritance, had its top positions mostly occupied by a group of ancient monsters who clung to power for decades or even centuries. Unless some unforeseen event occurred, there was little turnover.

Naturally, this suppressed generation after generation of talents beneath them, hiding in obscure corners.

These people weren't weak, but due to shallow backgrounds, superiors blocking their way, insufficient abilities, or other miscellaneous reasons, they couldn't rise.

As a result, their brilliance remained unseen by the world.

For instance, if Yu Tu hadn't ascended Gui Zhe Sheng Shan back then, and hadn't beheaded the previous lord of the Sheng Shen Hall with his seven swords, who would have known that Dao Qiong Cang, previously obscure except for his minor title as one of the Ten Venerables, was so exceptional? Upon taking office, he liberated the entire brain of the Sheng Shen Hall, holding the Sheng Shen Continent firmly in his grasp!

And now, the situation was much the same?

With the head of the Outer Divisions fallen, the top spot was vacant, and someone could immediately fill it. But surprisingly...

The Outer Divisions were full of talents—there should be plenty of people older than Xi, with deeper backgrounds and stronger abilities, who could take the position. How could a twenty-year-old like him suppress all those waves of geniuses and claim the acting head role?

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body knew well that among the Six Departments, there were many young, middle-aged, and even older members from the Five Great Sheng Di families sent for training!

At that moment, Ai Cang Sheng seemed to have his attention drawn to the black-clad person's age as well. He furrowed his brow and said coolly, "The Dark Department... seems to have a 'Xi' too..."

"What 'Xi'—is it the same name?" Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body turned back.

"I'm not sure. There's an outstanding assassin in the Dark Department who works under Ye Xiao."

"I've heard of him—it's because of how cleanly he executes missions. He's successfully assassinated Tai Xu multiple times without failure."

"They say he even took on the task of investigating the Black Heart Fruit Clan's Ban Sheng... and he's from the San Zhu Xiang lineage."

Ai Cang Sheng's expression shifted slightly, and as he spoke, he looked toward the black-clad person, Xi. The latter showed no reaction, his eyes unwavering—it probably wasn't the same person.

Of course not—someone who could investigate a Ban Sheng at twenty? That would be impossible. It must be some dusty veteran in the Dark Department, perhaps even older than him, from the previous or prior generation.

"The Black Heart Fruit Clan..."

"Isn't that the Southern Domain's Ban Sheng who was suspected of contacting the Half-Moon Abode?"

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body seemed to recall something, murmuring thoughtfully, "Now that you mention it, I remember too—there's someone like that in the Dark Department, Xi..."

She turned directly to the black-clad young man standing at the hall's threshold. "Young one, is that Xi the same name as yours? Do you know him?"

"I know him."

"Oh? What's your relationship?"

"He is me."

At this, both Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body and Ai Cang Sheng's expressions changed slightly. Such a calm, matter-of-fact response almost made them doubt their ears.

"He is you?" Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body confirmed.

"I report to Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—he is me."

The two at the silver round table exchanged glances, both seeing the ripple of surprise in each other's eyes.

This young man... had some real substance.

"What is your position in the Dark Department?" Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body asked.

"I report to Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—in the Dark Department, I serve as Ye Xiao's deputy. Before she left on her mission, she entrusted the department to me."

"Another deputy..." Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body said bluntly, "Ye Xiao has been confirmed as fallen."

The Sheng Shen Hall kept jade plaques for the heads of the Six Departments, revealing their status at a glance. Not long ago, the plaques for Teng Shan Hai and Ye Xiao had shattered. The news hadn't spread yet.

"Yes."

Xi's eyes flashed with a trace of sorrow. "So my responsibilities have only grown heavier."

"So, you're acting as the head of the Dark Department in addition to the Outer Divisions?"

"I report to Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui—yes."

"Hah..."

Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body let out a light sigh, genuinely impressed. Such a humble young man had abilities and origins this significant! If she hadn't asked, she would have thought he was just a simple messenger—this was too low-key.

Were all the young people these days so unassuming?

"The transmission you used earlier—was that Ghost Sword Technique?" Ai Cang Sheng suddenly interjected.

"I report to Lord Ai Cang Sheng—yes."

"Are you an ancient sword cultivator?"

"I report to Lord Ai Cang Sheng—yes."

"What is Hua Chang Deng to you?" Ai Cang Sheng fired off questions in succession, his eyes sharp as arrows, piercing straight into Xi's soul.

Xi paused for a moment, his gaze steady and unruffled as he replied, "I report to Lord Ai Cang Sheng—I have no relation to Sword Saint Hua Chang Deng."

Only then did Jiu Ji Gui's spirit body's slightly forward-leaning upper body slowly relax. Earlier, from Ai Cang Sheng's words, she had thought this Xi might be a direct disciple of Hua Chang Deng. If so, his age and disproportionate abilities would make perfect sense.

But hearing Xi's response, she felt a mix of regret and admiration—this young man was even more impressive on his own!

Ai Cang Sheng alone, seated in the Gui wood wheelchair, gave Xi a deep look, a faint smile tugging at his lips. This answer might fool Divine Messenger Jiu Ji Gui, but not him. Others might not know Hua Chang Deng well, but he did.

Ancient sword cultivators were all so taciturn! From the humility etched into Xi's bones, Ai Cang Sheng could already imagine how much hardship this young man had endured under Hua Chang Deng's sword.

In fact, if he wanted, he could even mimic Hua Chang Deng's tone and spout the exact words that old man would say: "With your current achievements, you're not even worth one finger of Ba Zun An! Outside the Ping Feng Candle Grounds, don't dare claim you're my disciple, or you'll bring shame."

But Ai Cang Sheng didn't expose it. He just shook his head and leaned back into the wheelchair.

He gazed upward, his eyes swirling with Dao principles, as if peering into the Ping Feng Candle Grounds, where beneath the broken willows and dim lamps, an unkempt ancient sword cultivator with immense power chose to idle away his life.

His gaze extended further, as if Ai Cang Sheng had seen through Dao Qiong Cang's entire plan.

"Dao Qiong Cang, oh Dao Qiong Cang..."

Earlier, Ai Cang Sheng hadn't understood why, even knowing they would lose, this game required sending so many people out, one after another, to their doom. Using an enemy's knife to kill your own was understandable, but seeing it done like this was a first.

Now, he got it. If the stifled, exhausted old guard at the top wasn't cleared out, the buried young talents below would never see the light of day.

Those vast resources would achieve little if given to people like Teng Shan Hai or Yi—they had limited futures, visible at a glance.

But if allocated to these young ones, the potential was boundless! Just looking at this youth, Xi, standing below in the Sheng Huan Dian, Ai Cang Sheng's Dao eyes seemed to foresee the surge of talents about to erupt in the Sheng Shen Hall.

He understood—the Sheng Shen Hall was too massive, had lain dormant for too long, like an ancient tree in its twilight.