Chapter 1368: Jin Ren's One Play Shocks the Semi-Sage, Wei An's Half Sentence Determines the Universe

Great!You are truly an outstanding successor to the Jin Zhao lineage—so spirited!

Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes lit up. He had perfectly calculated Hua Ying's temper, which was why he was being so aggressive.

Today, the Sheng Gong envoy dared to strike at him, putting him on the side of public sympathy.As long as he could withstand one blow without dying, Sheng Gong would have to assign people to watch over him and ensure his safety afterward.Once the Sheng Gong trial announcement ended, if Xu Guseng suddenly dropped dead, anyone would suspect it was because he had offended the Sheng Gong envoy, right?

So the question was...Could the sickly young master Xu Guseng withstand the Sheng Gong envoy Hua Ying’s strike?

"Stop!"

Xu Xiaoshou could figure this out, so the old foxes accompanying Sheng Gong naturally understood it too.But this "Stop!" came off as half-hearted—just a verbal protest, with few people actually stepping up to intervene.In reality, every year during the Sheng Gong trials, there were always people looking for trouble, and you couldn't reason with them—they always found unexpected ways to nitpick.This time, with the Ran Ming Site emerging, encountering provocateurs was completely normal.Sheng Gong had its reasons for selecting Hua Ying as the representative for the announcement, given their abundance of talents.

In Jin Huang Square, some were stunned, while others with sharp eyes quickly caught on.Without exception, no one stepped in to help.Anyone who had risen to a high position in a major force could see that this Xu Guseng was just a superficial pawn—a talking figurehead.The real challenge to Sheng Gong was coming from that person hidden in the shadows, who had struck at some point.That was the true big player!

Only when Hua Ying charged forward with the cauldron aimed at the sickly young master’s face did she notice his look of utter panic.Combined with the fact that she hadn’t received any strong intervention from the Sheng Gong guardians, she sensed something was off.This felt like one of those schemes her master had mentioned—though she couldn't remember the details.It didn't matter; relying on a woman's intuition, she instinctively held back some of her force to avoid letting anger cloud her judgment and accidentally kill him.

Boom!The cauldron struck his head.The moment it made contact, the void exploded with a violent blast.The ground cracked into spiderweb patterns, and the spirit array shattered in an instant.This was overly dramatic!

Even Hua Ying, holding the cauldron, was stunned.She knew she had only used about a third of her power.And she had contained the force, so it shouldn't have leaked out to affect anyone else in the square.Yet, she saw a terrifying shockwave erupt before her, flipping people in Jin Huang Square head over heels.After taking the hit, the sickly young master had no sign of the guard who had fanned him earlier. He let out a wail and was flung back in pain.A stark blood trail arced through the air.As the sickly young master flew, he crashed into crowds across the square, knocking over too many people and clearing a path.He finally came to a stop when he slammed into a stall on the street outside the square, smashing the scattered exploding fruits and vegetables.

"Murder!""The Sheng Gong envoy is murdering someone!""The sacred ground nurtured by saints of old is gone! Now, Sheng Gong is controlled by the five authorities—they say one thing is one, turn deer into horse, and brook no doubt!""They won't even let people ask questions. If you dare speak the truth, they'll kill you!"

While the crowd in the square was still reeling from the sudden incident, at the same time, several bystander figures emerged from all sides, shouting chilling words.The high-level representatives from various forces were alarmed by these direct statements.The Sheng Gong entourage felt a darkness fall before their eyes—as if a massive pot had dropped from the sky, covering everyone's faces!But when they turned to find the speakers, those virtual image clones manipulated by someone had already vanished.

"That damned guy..." Hua Ying gritted her silver teeth, nearly shattering them, clutching the great cauldron tightly as her delicate body trembled with rage and chill.That storm of destruction wasn't her doing!Her single strike couldn't possibly harm innocents or injure others in the square!All of this...It had to be that Xu Guseng staging the whole thing!Hua Ying regretted it; she should have smashed him to death right then.But regret was useless.With a fierce glint in her eyes, she thought, why not seize this chance to erase that regret?She immediately lifted the cauldron again, intending to rush over, stuff Xu Guseng into it, and silence him forever.

But then, a voice echoed in her mind:"Stand down!"It was the Sheng Gong guardian speaking.

"But..." Hua Ying tried to protest.

"Relax, rumors won't harm Sheng Gong. The representatives from the major forces around here have brains—they can see Xu Guseng is putting on a show. They won't dare follow suit."

Hua Ying could only sigh inwardly in disappointment. She shot a vicious glare at Xu Guseng, sprawled in the fruit stall, then turned to head back to the platform.Sheng Gong's reputation was too immense!Even if Xu Guseng had staged this spectacle, who would dare echo him aloud? Especially on this sensitive eve before the trial, who would risk offending Sheng Gong?Amid the thousands in Jin Huang Square, no one realized that the chaotic storm and those roars were just the prelude to the disruption.

"What a Sheng Gong!""Do you really want to silence me? I didn't even say anything treasonous or false..."

The sickly young master spat blood as he spoke, growing even weaker.He had wailed and collapsed in the fruit stall, and as the two women from You Gui Pavilion hurried to help him up, he rose again.The hidden mastermind had already extended vicious strings in the chaos, manipulating everything with clawed hands.He was like an elegant pianist, lost in his own world of illusion, his fingertips dancing lightly like dragonflies on water.

"Apologize!"From the outer section of the square, a burly man suddenly stood up, speaking righteously:"What did this Xu Guseng do wrong? Why did the Sheng Gong envoy attack him?""You injured him and just walked away without even a basic apology?"

People nearby were stunned.They turned to see it was Zhao Yizheng, the sixth elder of Hong Tian Sect.Normally, he had some sense of chivalry, but he knew his limits. Why was he being so bold today?Demanding an apology from the Sheng Gong envoy to some random person in front of thousands?

"Elder Zhao, why are you doing this? Don't scare us...""Sit down, Elder Zhao!""Old Zhao, what are you thinking!"

Those close to Hong Tian Sect panicked, grabbing at Zhao Yizheng's sleeve to pull him back.But the elder, at the Zhan Dao level, waved them off with a sweep of his hand and angrily scolded:"Justice calls, and you all cower like turtles.""Under broad daylight, with righteousness at stake, I, Zhao, am ashamed to be associated with you!"

He flung his robe and soared into the sky, vanishing from sight.

"He's gone?"This turn of events shocked many.At the Sheng Gong trial announcement, a renowned Zhan Dao expert had stormed off in protest over injustice.If word got out, where would Sheng Gong's face be?

"Why is this happening?"Hua Ying was baffled, her face darkening.She glanced around and saw the remaining members of Hong Tian Sect, their faces ashen. The looks they gave her were laced with fear, as if she might strike them like she did Xu Guseng at any moment.

"I won't attack you!""What Elder Zhao said was actually quite reasonable!"

Hua Ying nearly choked on her own blood, wailing silently in her heart.To others, suggesting an apology was hard to broach, but she thought Elder Zhao was upright and correct—it was something worth apologizing for.Just as she was about to speak up and apologize...

From another side, another Zhan Dao expert rose, indignantly saying:"I think what this Xu Guseng said makes sense. Why did the Sheng Gong envoy attack him?""Could it be that he hit a nerve? With the Ran Ming Site about to emerge, does Sheng Gong lack the ability to ensure the safety of trial participants in the Si Xiang Secret Realm, yet still push forward?"

Everyone sucked in a breath, turning in unison.It was from Qing Fa Dao Sect's position...Wasn't their sect leader at Tai Xu level?The one speaking was their left protector, Xiao Kun?How dare they speak out? A mere Zhan Dao like Xiao Kun, disregarding Sheng Gong?

Before the Sheng Gong group or Hua Ying could respond, Qing Fa Dao Sect's great elder trembled, stood up, and slapped Xiao Kun to the ground with a powerful strike."What nonsense are you spouting, you fool!"He was so flustered his words tangled on his tongue.After scolding, the great elder shakily turned, facing the thousands of gazes in Jin Huang Square.In that moment, he felt the sky collapsing—nothing darker than this.Like a broken bone, for the sake of his sect's future, the great elder bowed ninety degrees toward the central platform, trembling as he said:"Sheng Gong envoy, our protector Xiao often has episodes.""He always says incoherent things. This time is no different, so please don't take it to heart."

Hua Ying closed her eyes and sighed softly.She sensed something odd about the scene, and Sheng Gong was already investigating, so she had to hold things together.She didn't mind Xiao Kun's words, so she replied, "I don't care about it."

"Thank goodness..." The great elder relaxed instantly.

"Why the sudden shift from arrogance to deference in Qing Fa Dao Sect? Is it fear of Sheng Gong's retaliation afterward?" A voice suddenly rang out from somewhere.

Jin Huang Square fell deathly silent.

Hua Ying nearly grabbed her cauldron to smash toward the source.But she heard the great elder of Qing Fa Dao Sect, as if stimulated, suddenly stand tall, eyes gleaming, chest out, and roar:"What did Protector Xiao do wrong?""I've endured for a lifetime—I can't endure this moment!""Please, Sheng Gong envoy, give a straight answer: Can you truly protect those in the Ran Ming Site's Si Xiang Secret Realm..."

In a flash, the great elder vanished mid-sentence.

At the same time, the hidden mastermind in his illusory world snapped his eyes open."A big shot has arrived?"He quickly severed the spirit threads hidden in the great elder, Xiao Kun, and others, feeling a sudden sense of unease—a premonition of danger.

High above Jin Huang Square, a middle-aged man in white appeared.The crowd looked up to see him with a benevolent expression, calm eyes, and a faint glow around him.He descended like a saint, bringing a soothing breeze that calmed everyone's minds.The moment he arrived, his presence suppressed the square's chaos, leaving only him in their sights.

"A Ban Sheng!"

The mastermind recognized the saintly power and shuddered, realizing things had escalated.Xu Xiaoshou reaped a wave of passive points and planted the news of the Ran Ming Site's emergence deep in people's minds, but he didn't dare push further.Sheng Gong's Ban Sheng had shown up?Better to play it safe and lie low for now...

"I am Wei An from Sheng Gong's Sheng Shou lineage. I will host the rest of the Sheng Gong trial announcement." The man in white hovered in the void, speaking kindly.He didn't mention the earlier events at all.Everyone seemed to forget the previous turmoil, waiting respectfully, their hearts racing.Wei An!The former head of Sheng Gong's Sheng Shou lineage.His age and status were similar to Mu Lin's, but he had achieved sainthood a decade earlier.With his guardian attributes, gentle nature, humility, and sense of justice, he embodied the spirit of a gentleman and was Sheng Gong's greatest public face.

"Wei Dage..." Hua Ying glanced up briefly before lowering her head and walking back.With Wei An here, this matter was no longer an issue."Who knew that just a simple trial announcement could go so wrong, forcing Wei Dage to clean up..."

Hua Ying was furious!She wished she could drag Xu Guseng over for a refining session, but she didn't dare act recklessly now.Last time in Si Ling Mountain, she had only refined someone a bit to vent—nothing fatal.But Wei Dage had caught her!He had kindly explained that such behavior was unsafe, damaging, and bad for a young woman's image.Then, her master Bai Lin had exploded in rage and sentenced her to a month of reflection in seclusion.What happened between them, Hua Ying didn't know and didn't dare ask.

Wei An looked down from above, his demeanor serene, like a refreshing spring breeze or autumn rain, putting no pressure on the young people below. His soft voice carried far:"This Sheng Gong trial will take place in the Gong Yang Mountain's Si Xiang Secret Realm, lasting one month, and will use a points system.""The Si Xiang Secret Realm is divided into four veins: Qing Long Mai, Bai Hu Mai, Zhu Que Mai, and Xuan Wu Mai.""Within the four veins, a special species called 'Yi Gui' naturally occurs. Trial participants must gain points by slaying Yi Gui.""Yi Gui are divided into six levels: Yi Gui, Yi Gui King, White-Faced Yi Gui (also called Initial Realm White Face), Xuan Realm White Face, Extreme Realm White Face, and finally Red Face.""The corresponding strengths are Xian Tian, Zong Shi, Wang Zuo Dao Realm, Zhan Dao, Tai Xu, and Variant Tai Xu, with points of one, ten, one hundred, one thousand, ten thousand, and one hundred thousand respectively.""Additionally, each of the four veins has a golden tower where participants can earn points by climbing, though it's more difficult. The specific rules can be learned upon entering the secret realm.""That concludes it."

As Wei An finished, Jin Huang Square erupted in an uproar.Six levels of Yi Gui, with the highest matching Tai Xu and "Variant Tai Xu"—how could they fight that?Even the geniuses from the five domains about to participate looked uneasy.The strongest among those gathered openly was only at Xian Tian level.Going against Tai Xu?Or that "Variant Tai Xu"?It wasn't about earning points anymore—it was about survival!

"It seems many of you have questions. Feel free to ask."

Wei An scanned the crowd, seeing fear, tension, anticipation, excitement...But with a Ban Sheng announcing the trial, who dared ask?

Wei An turned his gaze to the fruit-juice-covered, bold young master outside the square."Young friend, do you have any questions?"

Everyone turned in unison.Even Hua Ying looked over, knowing Wei Dage was helping her vent.This was scrutiny from a Ban Sheng!Let's see if you can handle it!

"Question received, passive points: 1.""Scrutiny received, passive points: 9999.""Expectation received, passive points: 9999."

Xu Xiaoshou was fully revived."I have a question!"

"Please go ahead."

"May I ask, Wei An Ban Sheng, what is a Variant Tai Xu? Is it a hybrid of humans and Yi Gui, or with some other beast?" The sickly young master asked with pure curiosity.

Representatives from various forces in Jin Huang Square inhaled sharply, vaguely sensing an undertone, but seeing the young master's earnest eyes, they figured they were overthinking.

"This kid..." Hua Ying was suspicious and uncertain. Was this Xu Guseng unafraid of a Ban Sheng? What was his background?

"No." A hint of surprise appeared in Wei An's eyes as he responded fully to the young man's bold inquiry. "Variant Tai Xu simply means a Red Face with strength surpassing typical Tai Xu, along with other bizarre abilities."

"How did these bizarre abilities come about?" The sickly young master followed up.

"They occur naturally in the secret realm."

"Are there many of them?"

"Not many."

"Does the Variant Tai Xu have any connection to the impending emergence of the Ran Ming Site? Has it been affected by that legendary ancestral source power, making the Yi Gui stronger than usual and endangering the trial participants?"

The sickly young master fired off questions rapidly, as if he had an endless supply, always mindful of the participants' safety, like he was the saintly Ban Sheng himself.

"Admiration received, passive points: 8595.""Praise received, passive points: 6226."

The geniuses in the square cast sincere, approving glances at this Xu young master.What a good person...Always thinking of everyone's safety.If they met him in the Si Xiang Secret Realm, they'd definitely spare his life.

Wei An already regretted picking this troublemaker to ask, but he answered steadily:"No connection.""No influence.""During the Sheng Gong trial, the safety of all participants will be monitored by me personally. No external variables will affect them."

I, personally... Hua Ying silently bowed her head.Whenever even the usually calm Wei Dage used this self-reference, it meant some people or events had gone too far.

The sickly young master didn't realize he'd overstepped. As soon as Wei An finished, he latched onto the minor slip:"Variables?""Are there variables in the Si Xiang Secret Realm? From the Ran Ming Site?"

The whole square erupted in astonishment.Everyone was dumbfounded.How dare he keep bringing up the Ran Ming Site?

"Awe received, passive points: 9999."

Wei An stared silently at Xu Guseng for a long moment, then took a deep breath, relaxed his fingers, and shifted his gaze:"The question period is over."

"Hey? Dage... I mean, Wei An Ban Sheng, I still have questions!"

Wei An's gaze swept back, flames burning in his eyes as he suddenly asked: "Xu Guseng, are you a trial participant?"

The sickly young master froze, suddenly feeling outmatched, even shrinking a bit as he weakly replied:"I, I'm not...""But you asked if I had questions, so I asked..."

The entire square was petrified.Everyone's minds went blank, unsure how to look at Xu Guseng anymore.You're just a bystander?Then you're just idly curious, sticking your nose in!

In that instant, it seemed someone heard a fist clenching in the air, but no one dared pay attention.

Wei An remained "composed," saying nothing extra, as if Xu Guseng had never existed in his world.He turned to the real trial participants, who had "no issues":"The Sheng Gong trial begins in one shichen in the Si Xiang Secret Realm!""All participants, your first task is to reach the Si Xiang Secret Realm within one shichen, by any means necessary. Fail, and you're eliminated on the spot!"

One shichen?The five-domain geniuses in the square were shocked, suspecting Wei An was venting his anger on them.But they only murmured quietly, not daring to question.This was a Ban Sheng, after all!

Even the outsider Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.One shichen?Weren't there still over ten days left?What was going on?His "peerless genius" plan hadn't been set yet!The smoke bomb from his three incense sticks hadn't fully exploded!All this fuss in the square was just for earning passive points and confirming the Ran Ming Site's emergence—and it hadn't even started fermenting!A lightning thought flashed...Xiang Yi burst in, serious-faced, saying "something's wrong," and now Xu Xiaoshou realized what it was!He quickly raised his fan and called out:"Wei..."

"Outsiders, keep quiet! Participants, set out! I will await you in the Si Xiang Secret Realm!"

With a flash, Wei An vanished, as if staying another second would make him lose control.