Chapter 1335: Lightly Breaking the Dao and Severing a Fourth-Grade Sword; Fighting for Fame with the Seven Sword Immortals

Awake? How do you feel?

Not good... It’s so bloated! How can the energy from Tian Zu’s inheritance be this vast? I can barely stand…

Tian Zu is from the Void Giant Clan, and from his size, you should know that his power core is enormous, far beyond what a normal qihai can handle.

That makes sense… But why am I so weak after accepting the inheritance? Even breathing is a struggle… Huff!

You’re only at the Wangzuo Daojing level, and you’re receiving the ultimate inheritance of ancestral source power. Your qihai naturally can’t handle it. To protect you, the excess Tian Zu energy has overflowed and filled every part of your body… In other words, have you ever seen a spirit refiner right before they self-destruct?

Uh.

Exactly, it’s like Er Hao at that time. That was when it was most vulnerable on the outside, but the energy compressed inside was at its peak lifespan.

Hey, I was going to say, can’t you come up with a better analogy? Not something with "Er Hao”…

You’re the same! Right now, it’s like you’re constantly on the verge of self-destruction. You look weak, of course, but the energy inside is overwhelmingly strong. So, when you go out later, be careful not to let anyone scratch your skin—the consequences could be explosive… Hmm, actually, with you, that might not be a worry.

Wait, go out? I just want to find a quiet place to digest the Tian Zu energy properly…

No time for that. Someone’s coming out, and you have to go meet them for me.

Is this a task?

No, it’s a request. Can you do it, boss?

Uh…

Zhongyu, Jingdu, Changle Jie, Yougui Ge—find a person named Xiang Yi.

Wait, I haven’t agreed yet…

If you complete this, I’ll give you someone for Tianshang Diyi Lou.

A task? You said we’d discuss things later!

Aren’t we discussing it now? Doesn’t Tianshang Diyi Lou need people?

I want Li Fugui.

Who?

In Nanyu, Banyue Ju, Huacao Ge—an intelligence operative.

I don’t know him, but he’ll be thrown in as a bonus. Is that sincere enough? The one I mentioned is the real prodigy.

A prodigy? Does Ba Zun An even use words like ‘prodigy’? Are you kidding me… Who is it?

You’ll have to go invite this person yourself.

I’m out! Weren’t you just saying you’d give them to me?

If you can invite them, they’ll be the sharpest sword for your Tianshang Diyi Lou, and your strongest shield in the future—thicker than even the Suijun Shield.

Even Dao Qiong Cang would have to give them some face before acting.

You… Ha ha, Ba Zun An, tell me more about this. Let’s chat properly about our cooperation.

No need for more questions. First, find Xiang Yi, and after that’s done, go invite them. If you mess around, I’ll stir things up from the middle, and they’ll become Dao Qiong Cang’s sharpest sword against you.

Are you crazy?!

A bit better than you.

Xiang Yi… Who is she?

Don’t ask. You’ll know when you get there.

Then let me prepare a bit. This name sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it somewhere before.

No need to prepare. Set out immediately. Tomorrow is the meeting time, and you woke up just in time.

You’re really crazy! Look at me right now…

Perfect.

Xu Xiaoshou now seriously suspected that after waking up on Void Island, Ba Zun An, that sly person, had used the Holy Emperor’s guidance.

Just as he had used the Holy Emperor’s dragon scale power when entering the city, making everyone overlook the Xianggui carriage.

Ba Zun An had made him “forget” everything related to Xiang Yi.

Otherwise, with the powerful memory of his “perception,” if he’d heard it before, he should be able to recall something upon thinking about it.

Sitting quietly in the private room, he pondered deeply but came up with nothing.

Xu Xiaoshou decided to stop thinking about it and turned his attention to the strange gazes from the people around him and their whispered conversations.

This Xu Gusheng—where did he come from? He must have some serious business, right? That’s why he’s throwing around money like that to see Xiang Yi.

Nonsense! I think he’s just here for one thing—pure lust. Look at his expression just now; he clearly wants to “pick” Xiang Yi. Is he just a bold fool, or has he lost his mind?

Ha, he’s probably just some idiot with more money than sense. I bet he’s been tricked by some shady friends who didn’t tell him about Xiang Yi’s background.

Tsk tsk, that’s a Shizun Seat we’re talking about!

Shizun Seat?

Xu Xiaoshou’s hand trembled as he held his wine cup, and the faint, subtle smile he’d learned to maintain on his face suddenly froze.

With a boom, his mind was struck by lightning, unlocking sealed memories.

Xiang Yi, Xiang Yaoyao…

The one killed by Kong Yuhen, that big boss, only to be snatched back from the gates of death by Shen Yi…

Clink, he set down the wine cup and quickly fanned himself with his paper fan, feeling like the wine was too strong—his whole body was burning up.

Damn Ba Zun An…

Why didn’t you just tell me? Why play these games? If I’d known, I would have acted more low-key…

Why find Xiang Yi? Does she have connections to the Holy Slaves, or even be one of them?

Ba Zun An only said to find this person but didn’t mention what the task is. Xu Xiaoshou could already imagine a lot.

Xiang Yi, Shen Yi—if she’s also connected to the Holy Slaves, or even just has ties and friendships…

At this point, a month after the Zhan Rao incident, everything has fermented. The Shengshen Hall must be watching closely, right?

I’ve always acted boldly, and Ba Zun An must have thought of that, yet he didn’t warn me. That means this move is probably not a big problem, or even something he expected…

This indirectly confirms that, at least in outsiders’ eyes, Xiang Yi has no connection to the Holy Slaves.

But Xu Xiaoshou knew that Ba Zun An must have a deep relationship with Shen Yi.

And since he’s meeting Xiang Yi, she must be deeply tied to the Holy Slaves too.

This is getting interesting…

Thinking this far, Xu Xiaoshou calmed down, his lips curling into a smile.

He didn’t know how Dao Qiong Cang viewed such special relationships, but if outsiders couldn’t see through it, that flashy old Daoist certainly could? He’s one of the Shizun Seats, so he should know about Ba Zun An and Shen Yi’s connections.

If he can see through it and still ignores it… Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t think of any other explanation and suddenly became curious about how strong and dominant Shen Yi must be.

Could it really be that as long as the sign “At the Gates of Hell, Shen Calls the Shots” is up, even the Shengshen Hall wouldn’t dare to keep an eye on Xiang Yi?

That sounds absurdly over the top…

And yet, Xiang Yi’s airs are indeed quite grand!

After splurging a fortune, Xu Xiaoshou didn’t go upstairs.

He drank three cups of wine and just sat quietly, watching over a dozen beauties at the table vying for his attention, taking turns to snuggle up to him. Even the song girls came over from outside seven or eight times.

This experience was quite wonderful…

Xu Xiaoshou remained composed, but that madam, Xiang Yi, hadn’t even shown a hint of her presence yet!

Yougui Ge was bustling with people, and conversations were everywhere.

As they chatted, the topic shifted from the sick young master to other matters.

Soon, a burst of noise erupted from the right courtyard, drawing everyone’s attention.

“The Seven Sword Immortals!”

“Did you hear? The new generation of Seven Sword Immortals has just been announced!”

This topic instantly set Yougui Ge ablaze.

Everyone flocked over, and even the beauties at the sick young master’s table kept glancing sideways.

There was no helping it—the Seven Sword Immortals title was just too big!

Rao Yaoyao, Hua Changdeng, Gou Wuyue… Which of them wasn’t a dragon among people?

Even Ba Zun An, who wasn’t one of them, had become a household name in Zhongyu just by getting the nickname “Eighth Sword Immortal.”

Zhou Gongzi, is your information reliable? Have the Seven Sword Immortals really been reranked?

Of course it’s true! Think about it—on Void Island, Master Ji Ren became a saint, and Rao Xianzi became a saint… They’re saints now, so how can the Seven Sword Immortals stay the same? They have to change!

What about Wuyue Jianxian? And the missing Yu Tu, plus Hua Jianxian…

Tsk tsk, brother, your information is outdated. I heard almost all the Seven Sword Immortals have become saints, and Rao Xianzi was the last one.

Ah, Wuyue Jianxian…

Heh, heavenly secrets can’t be revealed—I don’t want to bring trouble to my clan. Anyway, a new era has arrived… Everyone, guess who the new Seven Sword Immortals are?

This suspense had everyone grinding their teeth.

Now, all they wanted was to see the list in Zhou Gongzi’s hand, but they had to hold back their impatience.

I once heard that on the clouds above Yunlun in Dongyu, the Holy Slave master used a sword to slay Rao Yaoyao, so the new Seven Sword Immortals must include him!

Nonsense! Xu Xiaoshou is nothing! Haven’t you heard he used external power? Everyone saw it— if it came to a real fight, he couldn’t even block one of my swords! I’m a sword cultivator too!

I guess the senior brother from Can Yue Xiancheng, the new leader of Dongyu’s ancient sword cultivators—that one’s a sure bet.

Nonsense! Are you talking about Xiao Kongdong? Can Yue Xiancheng is in deep trouble now—who knows if it’ll survive tomorrow? If he makes it through the day, that’s already good. How could he be on the Seven Sword Immortals?

The Gu family three brothers from Zangjian Tomb will definitely take three spots…

Ha ha ha, the Gu family three brothers? That Gu Qingyi who just hugs a famous sword all day with no real achievements, just hype? Give me that sword, and I could make the list too!

Hey, have you heard about the new leader of the foreign branches? Seems like another ancient sword cultivator…

Xi? He’s just an intelligence guy. People pass around rumors—don’t take it seriously!

Brother, you’re too arrogant! I advise you to watch your mouth—there’s apparently a brother from Zangjian Tomb here…

Who?

Me!

Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t stand it anymore.

He just wanted to hear the Seven Sword Immortals list, but who was this guy, barking like a dog?

And who are you?

That arrogant man was dressed in a sword robe, with a black great sword on his back, looking down his nose at him with utter disdain.

A grandmaster expert… Xu Xiaoshou’s vision darkened, and he was too lazy to speak. He snapped open his paper fan.

I’m Xu Gusheng.

The white-robed man with the black sword murmured the name, then burst out laughing: Where did this nobody come from? Xu Gusheng—never heard of him!

Zhou Gongzi stepped back, clutching the list in his hand.

Everyone around did the same, staying silent and clearing space, all with expressions eager for a show.

On the contrary, a few beauties from the sick young master’s table frowned slightly, as if wanting to step forward, but were held back by their sisters.

Xu Xiaoshou, unfazed, fanned himself and said with a faint smile: Then, may I ask for your honorable name?

Feng! Xiao!

The white-robed man with the black sword puffed out his chest arrogantly, his sword intent erupting wildly, making the tables and chairs in Yougui Ge tremble.

The surroundings fell silent at once.

A Wangzuo sword intent…

No one paid attention to the grandmaster’s spiritual energy fluctuations.

But that Wangzuo sword intent revealed he was an ancient sword cultivator.

And achieving this at around thirty years old meant his talent was extraordinary—Feng Xiao indeed had the right to be arrogant.

Surprise flashed in Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes.

What was going on…

He thought this was just some joker, but he actually had some skill?

A sword Wangzuo, and I didn’t even notice earlier? This guy must be using a concealment sword technique, and it’s pretty decent.

Feng Xiao? Xu Xiaoshou fanned himself, sizing him up as if getting to know him anew. I’ll remember you.

Heh! Feng Xiao snorted coldly, not even glancing at the sick young master, but scanning the room. Nonsense about the new Seven Sword Immortals—if they didn’t even rank me, I’ll challenge them one by one and shock those Feng family dogs!

What audacity!

These words, backed by Wangzuo sword intent, stunned everyone around.

Indeed, a sword Wangzuo had the qualifications to challenge the Seven Sword Immortals. Maybe this Feng Xiao was hiding something more?

Xu Xiaoshou just smiled.

He acknowledged the man’s sword Wangzuo strength.

But that didn’t mean he saw any trace of someone who could reach the Seven Sword Immortals in this guy.

After looking left and right, up and down, he finally figured out what was off about Feng Xiao.

This was clearly a deformed imitation all over… Xu Xiaoshou tapped his chin with his paper fan, musing: You’re imitating Ba Zun An?

Uh. Feng Xiao’s aura stalled, and he turned his head, looking like someone had caught him by the throat.

Pfft… Xu Xiaoshou suddenly burst out laughing, then realized it was rude and covered his face with his fan. Sorry…

He couldn’t hold it in!

Ba Zun An was arrogant, but not like this! Was this guy here to embarrass himself?

Did he even know Ba Zun An… or had he even studied him?

What Xu Xiaoshou didn’t expect was that his merciless laughter enraged this serious individual.

Clang!

Feng Xiao gripped the sword on his back and slowly drew it out at an extremely deliberate pace: Xu Gongzi, what are you laughing at?

Xu Xiaoshou instantly composed himself, as if his laughter had been an act.

After lowering his fan, he shifted his gaze from the fourth-grade spirit sword and said flatly: I’m laughing because you took it seriously.

You’re mocking an ancient sword cultivator! Feng Xiao glared with wide eyes, tilting his sword tip and tearing a black line through the space— razor-sharp!

This fourth-grade spirit sword was now aimed at the sick young master.

In this tense standoff, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood.

Why Ba Zun An had that famous saying…

Why he never held back against challengers and cut them all down…

I advise you to put your sword away.

Ha ha ha, what if I don’t?

Beat him.

As soon as the words fell, a wind stirred in the void.

The onlookers hadn’t even seen who struck, but the black sword clanged to the ground.

Feng Xiao’s chest caved in with a thud, smashing through the private room on the second floor of Yougui Ge, breaking through the skylight, and flying out.

Boom!

In an instant, he was punched back from mid-air, slamming heavily at the sick young master’s feet.

He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, his face swollen beyond recognition, blood and teeth everywhere.

Hiss!

Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.

A sword Wangzuo, and he was down just like that?

The sick young master hadn’t even moved—it was his guard who acted? An invisible person?

Mu… Guang…

Lying on the ground with all his ribs broken, Feng Xiao didn’t realize the fight had ended so quickly.

He reached out a trembling hand, trying to grasp his sword.

But with a slap, the sick young master’s foot stepped on his hand, keeping the sword just out of reach.

Feng Xiao struggled to look up, meeting the pale, frail face bending down toward him.

You can’t even beat my guard, and you want to challenge the Seven Sword Immortals?

You…

The path of ancient sword cultivators has been walked to death!

Bull… shit!

What sword are you cultivating? Break it!

Crack! Without a visible assailant, Feng Xiao’s sword snapped in two, leaving everyone in Yougui Ge stunned.

Breaking someone’s sword is like shattering their dreams!

No—

Feng Xiao on the ground let out a miserable howl.

Xu Xiaoshou now understood what Ba Zun An must have been thinking back in the Spirit Palace.

If there’s even a glimmer of hope, he’d let them grow; if not, better break their sword today than let them lose their life tomorrow.

But people like this were probably doomed anyway.

Throw him out.

Xu Xiaoshou waved his fan to cover his face, not wanting to see more.

With a thud, Feng Xiao’s chest caved in again, leaving a pool of blood as his body was kicked out of Yougui Ge.

Heh, having a guard like this feels pretty great…

“Awe received, passive value +858.”

“Adoration received, passive value +323.”

Xu Xiaoshou turned to Zhou Gongzi, ignoring the notifications popping up, and said with a smile: The new Seven Sword Immortals—read it for me, will you?

That rather handsome but utterly outshone Zhou Gongzi swallowed hard, lifted the paper in his trembling hand, and said:

“The Feng family of Nanyu has temporarily set the new generation of Seven Sword Immortals, upholding the ancient sword cultivator ideals: charge forward relentlessly, fight for fame, succeed as sword immortals, fail and rotate out.”

“The list is as follows…”

“Shuanglao Yixiao Liu Fuyu, Hua Lai Beitian Ying Shouye.”