Chapter 1460: Peerless Genius I, Zhubao, Exhausting Human Thoughts, Don't Guess

"Princes, nobles, generals, and ministers—are they not born of ambition?"

A single stone stirred up a thousand waves. At the base of the waterfall in the back mountains of Qingyuan Mountain, Yu Zhiwen suddenly lifted her gaze, staring in shock at the night sky, her star-like eyes filled with terror.

What had she seen?

Cao Erzhu had just punched the head of Dao Dianzhu clean off!

"Is this... a dream...?"

Ever since she had been stripped of control over the Qingyuan Mountain array and sent to face the wall in reflection at the deep mountain waterfall, Yu Zhiwen had regained her senses.

She could no longer participate in the battle, but she wasn't blind.

The white-clothed figure, the ghostly spirits, the curses... including the arrival of the old sword saint Mei Yiren—all of it was clear to Yu Zhiwen.

With some free time on her hands, she had tried to deduce a way to break the deadlock, but her mind was too cluttered, yielding no results. Little did she expect that the one to turn the tide had already arrived.

It was Cao Erzhu, the man she had met only once before!

"Is he really Cao Erzhu?"

The burly figure striding through the thunder sea, full of vigor, looked from the outside just like that simple-minded giant.

But...

"Princes, nobles, generals, and ministers—are they not born of ambition?"

Yu Zhiwen murmured the line, growing more astonished with each thought. How could such words come from Cao Erzhu's mouth?

If he had such ambitions, how could he hide his identity in a remote corner like Qingyuan Mountain?

Of course, everyone has their own aspirations.

Perhaps Cao Erzhu sought to remain silent until the moment he stunned the world.

For that, he had lain low for over twenty years, just for this explosive moment.

But...

If they hadn't met before, that would be one thing.

Yu Zhiwen knew what kind of person Cao Erzhu was. That guy was cautious even when speaking to strangers, and he acted awkwardly when trying to play the senior.

"Princes, nobles, generals, and ministers—are they not born of ambition?"

"That's mine, you can't steal it..."

Could these two lines come from the same person?

Yu Zhiwen would rather believe that this Cao Erzhu was an imitation created by Xu Xiaoshou than trust what her star-like eyes were seeing!

But perhaps...

You can know a person's face but not their heart?

After just one encounter, who could have guessed that this burly man, still in his early twenties, could punch off Dao Dianzhu's head with one blow?

Maybe his earlier timidity was all an act?

"Good."

Regardless, after sighing, Yu Zhiwen gave a little hop.

But quickly, she restrained herself, silently muttering "sinful, sinful," and went back to facing the wall in reflection.

Dao Dianzhu being killed by a young man was terrible news.

She should be grieving.

In the night sky,

Mei Yiren, with the sword elephant on his back, was equally stunned by the young man bathed in purple lightning before him.

"Princes, nobles, generals, and ministers—are they not born of ambition?"

He glanced at the headless corpse of Dao Dianzhu smashed into the mountain ground, then at the Qingyuan Mountain array, and finally turned back to eye the ferocious sword elephant behind him.

Mei Yiren suddenly laughed.

He had been fighting for so long without breaking through the Qingyuan Mountain array's defenses.

Cao Erzhu stepped out and blew Dao Dianzhu's head apart with one punch—what a stark contrast!

Of course, factors like underestimation, carelessness, and a surprise attack played a role, but regardless of the process, just look at the result...

If it were anyone else, would Dao Dianzhu have ended up the same way? Probably not even a shadow of the old Dao would be touched!

"It's the era of the young now..."

Mei Yiren shook his head with a bitter smile.

After achieving sainthood, he felt a mix of resignation and self-satisfaction.

Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, he'd hear the sword cry of a holy emperor from beyond the heavens?

No need to think much; in the current world, the only one who could attain holy emperor status with ancient sword techniques must be that former student of his.

Mei Yiren felt joy mixed with worry, and mostly confusion.

The students he had taught had all surpassed him.

As for himself, after becoming a saint, he couldn't see where his path should lead.

Everything unfolded just as he had defined himself before sainthood—a half-saint was the limit for Mei Yiren!

Here at the foot of Qingyuan Mountain, he encountered Cao Erzhu and was enlightened by the young man, gaining some clarity.

He had planned to settle Cao Erzhu's vendetta for his father's death after his own matters were resolved.

But unexpectedly, Cao Erzhu himself stepped up when Mei Yiren was stalled, and with one punch, dispatched the opponent that should have been his.

How old was Hua Changdeng?

How old was Cao Erzhu?

The student surpassing the master—that's exactly it!

The only thing Mei Yiren couldn't figure out was how Cao Erzhu's bold demeanor now differed so greatly from the man he had chatted with on the mountain.

Vaguely, the old sword saint even saw a shadow of his own student in this burly fellow...

"Erzhu, who taught you those words?" Mei Yiren asked seriously.

From their brief exchange on the mountain, Mei Yiren knew Cao Erzhu couldn't have such rebellious thoughts!

He might not even understand the meaning; he could have just parroted it because it sounded fun.

But sometimes, acting on impulse can lead to serious consequences...

Even his father, whose fate was unknown, might end up opposing the Holy Divine Hall because of this!

And it's unlikely "he's just a kid who doesn't know better" would explain it away.

Cao Erzhu didn't look like a child anymore...

If it was from the heart, Mei Yiren was afraid he was being used by someone with ulterior motives.

So, he tried to trace the source and nip the problem in the bud!

Cao Erzhu stood in the thunder sea, purple lightning coiling around him.

When his tiger-like eyes swept back and met the old immortal's gaze, the ferocity in them quickly turned to simple honesty.

Erzhu scratched his head and pointed downward: "He taught me."

Mei Yiren's gaze fell, searching around until he locked onto a pile of Tianji puppet remnants with faint traces of spiritual energy.

It was familiar—Xu Xiaoshou's.

But could this be a scheme by Dao Dianzhu?

"What evil spirit dares to corrupt hearts? Show yourself at once!" Mei Yiren raised his Taicheng Sword, his killing intent radiating.

Jin Ren shivered: "Teacher, don't you recognize me?"

In that moment, Jin Ren truly felt like an independent entity; his spiritual energy was quite different from his original self.

Mei Yiren was stunned at first, then overjoyed. He knelt down beside the Tianji puppet remnants.

He still held some caution, hesitating as he asked: "How can I be sure you're Xu Xiaoshou?"

Jin Ren pondered for a moment: "You Tu, eat my sword?"

At that, the old sword saint's hand gripping the Taicheng Sword trembled, his expression changing dramatically.

He glanced panicked at Cao Erzhu, then quickly looked away, steadying his breath as he scolded: "Nonsense! Don't spout such fabrications!"

"Oh, so you're sure now?"

"Sure, sure..." Mei Yiren hurriedly changed the subject. "How did you end up like this?"

"Waah! Teacher!" Jin Ren burst into sudden sobs. "That flashy old Dao bullied me!"

"Don't cry, don't cry, I'm here." Mei Yiren's heart ached as he carefully lifted the pile of Tianji puppet parts, afraid of breaking any.

But even with his care, a piece clattered out from the heap of scrap metal.

Mei Yiren panicked.

He wasn't a Tianji master and didn't know which parts were important.

He had no idea if that fallen copper tube-like thing would affect Xu Xiaoshou's current state.

"You, you, you..."

"It's fine, Teacher. Just pull out the array disk head and keep that safe."

"Will that work?"

"Yes."

Mei Yiren was decisive. With one swing of the Taicheng Sword, he severed the most valuable array disk head.

At that, Jin Ren felt completely at ease.

With this array disk, which replicated all of Tianji Shen Shi's data, in Mei Yiren's hands, it was as secure as a fortress, impervious to all.

Just then, Cao Erzhu, who had won his first battle by blowing off Dao Dianzhu's head, descended from the air.

He retracted his Shen Fa Xing Jie and hesitated as he looked at the array disk head in the old immortal's hands, asking in a strangely familiar tone: "You... are Xu Xiaoshou?"

Jin Ren was slightly surprised. Even in a remote place like Qingyuan Mountain, had his "Lord Shou" reputation spread so far that this guy knew him?

"Right and proper, I am Xu Xiaoshou!" Jin Ren boldly claimed the identity. With Mei Yiren holding him, he feared nothing under heaven or earth.

Cao Erzhu rubbed his hands awkwardly, scratching his head as he said: "I'm Cao Erzhu. Thank you so much for helping me vent earlier..."

The words sounded a bit off.

"It was nothing, no need to mention it." Jin Ren quickly glossed over it. "You know me?"

"Yes, Ba Yue left a note. You should know her." Cao Erzhu carefully pulled a pristine sheet of rice paper from his ring.

When he flipped it over, it read "Xu Xiaoshou" in elegant ink.

"Ba Yue..."

Jin Ren frowned, thinking hard, but he didn't recognize the name.

He hadn't even heard of it before.

But the paper did have his name, so maybe she knew him. After all, who in the world didn't know "Lord Shou"?

"I don't know this 'Ba Yue' you mentioned."

"If you have more details, like why she left the name or what message she wanted you to pass..."

He paused, seeing Cao Erzhu still staring politely at the array disk head, and finished his sentence: "Maybe then I can help you."

"There's nothing." Cao Erzhu listened carefully and waved his hand. "She only left the name. I don't know if it meant I should wait for..."

Wait!

On their first meeting, if this Xu Xiaoshou didn't know Ba Yue, saying he was waiting for him might sound weird.

Cao Erzhu wasn't foolish. He felt that phrasing would make him seem strange.

Suddenly, a sense of loss hit him, like all leads had snapped.

"There's nothing."

Cao Erzhu waved his hand again, stepping back slightly in disappointment: "Since you don't know Ba Yue, maybe I was overthinking it."

You're quite odd.

Jin Ren wanted to say something, but seeing the burly man's guarded expression and his step back to keep distance, he held his tongue.

In awkward silences, the one more at a loss would likely speak up.

If he revealed more, Jin Ren could gather more information.

Cao Erzhu opened his mouth, uncomfortable with the silence, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.

Mei Yiren interjected: "Ba Yue—is she the student of that ill-tempered old man you mentioned?"

I didn't say he was ill-tempered; the old man has great presence... Cao Erzhu turned back, his eyes flickering before he nodded: "Yes, old immortal."

Then he shook his head: "Well, not exactly a student. More like a granddaughter, but she calls him 'old man,' so not quite that either..."

Scratching his head, Cao Erzhu chuckled: "I don't know. I'm just her friend."

What's with all this old man and old immortal talk? You're speaking in riddles... Jin Ren cut in directly: "Mei Yiren, what are you two talking about?"

Mei Yiren lowered his head: "You Tu."

The Taicheng Sword hummed.

Its purple-red blade glowed faintly, more striking than ever.

Jin Ren's spiritual energy shifted from the sword, shocked by that answer.

You Tu?

The old man You Tu?

Cao Erzhu had followed You Tu, the foremost of the Seven Sword Immortals, that elusive figure who was rumored to be dead or in hiding?

And Ba Yue was You Tu's student?

Ba Yue... was she younger than Cao Erzhu?

Just two words stirred a storm in Jin Ren's mind.

In a flash, he recalled some things he'd "chatted" about with Dao Dianzhu earlier.

"Ba Zun An and Yue Gong Nu had a child..."

"Why would that flashy old Dao bring this up out of nowhere?"

"Was he suspecting something and trying to probe me?"

"Ba Zun An, Yue Gong Nu..."

"Ba, Yue..."

"Ba Yue?"

In the Ran Ming ruins, Jin Ren's mind felt like it was exploding. He was incredibly alert, excited, with raging white flames in his eyes.

"Mei Yiren?" he asked uncertainly.

"I don't know."

Mei Yiren knew how sharp Xu Xiaoshou's mind was—one hint and he'd connect the dots—so he kept it to just "You Tu."

But as for what Xu Xiaoshou was thinking, Mei Yiren truly didn't know and was a bit curious.

"What does your Ba Yue look like..."

Jin Ren started, then waved it off. "Pah, not important. Erzhu, do you know Ba Zun An?"

Cao Erzhu's lips quivered, and mist formed in his eyes. "Uncle Ba, I know him. Dad said he held me when I was little..."

Why are you crying now?

Can the name Ba Zun An scare a grown man like you to tears?

Are you really Kui Lei Han's son? How can you cry so easily?

"Held you, that's it. A real man bleeds but doesn't cry. Why are you tearing up?" Jin Ren couldn't stand this burly softie; it made him queasy.

Cao Erzhu wiped his tears, not wanting to cry, but they kept flowing. What could he do?

"Dad, he... he..."

After stammering for a while, Cao Erzhu couldn't get the words out.

"Kui Lei Han was beheaded. When Erzhu found him..." Mei Yiren whispered to the array disk head, "His father's head had been cut off and put in a wine barrel."

"That's impossible!" Jin Ren exclaimed.

Kui Lei Han dead?

That was more absurd than the sky falling!

I just saw him; I know how monstrous he is firsthand!

Who in the world could cut off his head and soak it in wine?

Even Dao Dianzhu, Ba Zun An, and Shen Yi together would struggle!

At full strength, those three couldn't pull it off quietly.

If Kui Lei Han died, it would shake the world—how could it be so silent?

An assassination? Nonsense!

Among the Ten Zun Seats, there's not even a shadow of an assassin. Who could kill Kui Lei Han?

The Ten Zun Seats only have nine who can fight!

But no matter how much he doubted, seeing Cao Erzhu's grief, Jin Ren had to comfort him: "I was wrong to blame you. A man doesn't shed tears lightly, only when deeply wounded. Death is a big deal; it's okay to cry. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Cao Erzhu adjusted quickly and replied politely: "You speak so well, so eloquently. I get it now—I cried because I was heartbroken. Your words make a lot of sense."

Hiss! This guy...

Jin Ren's spiritual energy scanned Cao Erzhu from head to toe, carefully.

He couldn't reconcile the person before him with the one who had just obliterated Dao Dianzhu's head.

That world-shaking Shen Fa Xing Jie...

Jin Ren's original intent was just to test Cao Erzhu's strength, mainly to distract Dao Dianzhu so Mei Yiren could have more room to maneuver.

Then, amid the battle, secretly gauge the abilities of Kui Lei Han's son.

Who knew Cao Erzhu would erupt and take out Dao Dianzhu?

It was utterly unexpected!

Beyond the shock, what impressed Jin Ren most was Cao Erzhu's talent.

His Shen Fa Xing Jie turned into a thunder sea filling the sky, reminiscent of an unmad "Killing God Domain";

His Thunder God Hand was clearly a lightning version of Sang Lao's Sleeveless Red Jiao Hand;

Those purple thunder lines piercing Dao Dianzhu had penetration power rivaling sword intent!

Perhaps it was the other way around—these second-generation techniques all stemmed from the original.

What was most astonishing was Cao Erzhu's control over Shen Fa Xing Jie: after electrocuting Dao Dianzhu, he pulled him back like an extension of his own body for the final strike...

It seemed simple, but it was harder than climbing to heaven!

That was the unfathomable Dao Dianzhu, not some chick!

Dao Dianzhu's body was a half-saint incarnation with strong saintly resilience.

He had layers of protective gear, all astronomically expensive, yet they all shattered under Shen Fa Xing Jie, offering no protection.

And Dao Dianzhu mastered the Thirty-Six Tianji Styles, unpredictable and defenses everywhere—Tianren Five Decays was blown apart in one go.

But under Cao Erzhu's strike, was Dao Dianzhu's combat awareness lacking? He was like a human sandbag, at someone's mercy!

Was it because Dao Dianzhu was weak? Absolutely not!

There must be something wrong with Cao Erzhu's Shen Fa Xing Jie!

Some reason even Jin Ren hadn't spotted made Dao Dianzhu unable to react to the sneak attack, leading to his demise.

"And that last pull had a hint of textile technique 'Puppet Strings.' He must have deeply studied human acupoints, structure, even 'Diagrams'!"

"Did the Thirty-Three Heavens Spinning Star Pattern Array fail to protect the flashy old Dao because Xiao Yu didn't set up a passive counterattack?"

"She might not have, but would someone like the old Dao, after taking the array, not add his own defenses?"

Jin Ren doubted it.

He saw more details than Yu Zhiwen or Mei Yiren.

As a jack-of-all-trades himself, he knew how much effort and sweat went into the moves Cao Erzhu had briefly shown.

In one word: effortless mastery!

It wasn't just presented through refining spirit, but the harder-to-cultivate, harder-to-control "Thorough God Thought."

Anyone who cultivated Thorough God Thought experienced a qualitative leap.

This guy used Shen Fa Xing Jie like a basic attack, building variations on top; his attacks even incorporated ancient martial arts, Tianji techniques, spiritual arrays...

At that thought, Jin Ren's mind shook, recalling a line from Ba Zun An after awakening from the Tianzu inheritance on Void Island: "A peerless genius!"

The words from back then overlapped with the reality now.

Fantasy merging with the real world.

Looking at Cao Erzhu's simple, honest face staring at the array disk head, waiting for him to speak, Jin Ren suddenly realized...

Perhaps the perfect image in his mind—elegant, commanding, riding lightning and wind—never existed.

The "peerless genius" Ba Zun An said needed to be invited out was no one else but this simple giant—Cao Erzhu!

In that instant, Jin Ren's thoughts raced.

He was the last person who wanted to believe Kui Lei Han was really dead.

Even if his head was placed in front of him, Jin Ren would think it was a scheme, the flashy old Dao's trick.

But looking at this adorably naive Erzhu, scratching his head like he was begging to be taken...

Jin Ren felt Kui Lei Han deserved to die!

He really should die! Even if he wasn't dead, at this moment, Kui Lei Han had to be dead and out of the way!

"Mei Yiren, please hand me over to Zhu Bao... uh, Cao Erzhu." Jin Ren's voice sounded low and magnetic now.

Mei Yiren frowned, sensing something odd, but he did as asked.

Cao Erzhu held the array disk head stiffly, feeling uneasy—it easily reminded him of that scene with his father in the wine barrel.

Just then, Jin Ren spoke.

His voice carried three parts sorrow, three parts gravity, and four parts resolve:

"Erzhu, do you know?"

"Some people are alive, but already dead; while some are dead, but still alive..."