Chapter 1462: Fighting Logic and Losing to Anger, When a Marriage Proposal Fails, Then Kill

"What a smooth talker, Xu Xiaoshou!"

"And what a brainless fool, Cao Erzhu!"

"One dares to speak, the other dares to believe. Have you truly considered whether your Heaven's First Tower will survive the day?"

As the sun illuminated Qingyuan, a mocking voice, seemingly from nowhere, shattered the silence, instantly killing the beautiful atmosphere of mutual appreciation.

"Who?"

Cao Erzhu stood up, displeased. He looked around but found no one, then declared loudly, "I have a brain!"

Suddenly, the air seemed to freeze.

Jiren's faint voice responded, "Dao Qiongcang."

"That flamboyant old Taoist? Didn't I kill him with one punch?" Cao Erzhu exclaimed in surprise, then remembered his father's teachings.

In the Spirit Refining World, it's very difficult to kill a true grandmaster.

His previous venting attack had overlooked too many details.

He hadn't attacked from the spiritual or soul aspects, merely shattering that strange uncle's head...

"You must have injured him, otherwise he wouldn't have been silent for so long before reappearing, but that flamboyant old Taoist couldn't have died so easily." Jiren's spiritual sense swept the area, but likewise failed to detect Dao Qiongcang's Half-Saint avatar.

At this moment, the great formation of Qingyuan Mountain awakened with the dawn light, becoming incredibly brilliant. Dao Qiongcang's solemn voice drifted down from all directions:

"Cao Erzhu, I have a very good relationship with your father. We even drank and talked together before, which you should know."

"He would naturally warn you against me, because I truly wish for your skills to be put to good use in the Holy Divine Palace."

"The Holy Palace is a mixed bag, and he fears you might go astray, so of course he wants you to be wary of me. But despite that wariness, he absolutely would not want you to become an enemy of the Holy Divine Palace, or an enemy of me. That is point one."

Dao Qiongcang seemed to have listened to Cao Erzhu and Xu Xiaoshou's entire conversation, understanding the full context. His words were orderly and measured:

"As for killing your father, that is even more preposterous!"

"Aside from my motive, or what benefit I'd gain from killing your father, even if I truly wanted to, I don't possess the ability to kill him."

"You should have witnessed it: that day when our conversation didn't go well, your father could kick me flying. That is point two."

Cao Erzhu's thoughts were swayed, finding the strange uncle's words very reasonable, and indeed, that was the truth.

He had indeed acted impulsively last night, letting his emotions get the better of him.

Although the 'handshake' pattern originated from a Celestial Diviner, this strange uncle didn't give off the aura of his father's killer; he merely resembled him.

Just because of a 'resemblance,' he had blasted the man's head. Recalling it now, Cao Erzhu felt apologetic.

"Point three!" Dao Qiongcang wasn't finished speaking, and continued solemnly:

"From a results-oriented perspective, Xu Xiaoshou seemingly advised you in good faith to join the White-Clothed, but ultimately invited you to join Heaven's First Tower instead."

"He also said, vaguely, that Heaven's First Tower is a dark force, yet not entirely evil..."

"Heh, indeed, in this world, who can be called 'absolute'?"

After a pause, Dao Qiongcang's words took on a sharp, mocking tone:

"Do you know that this 'Brother Xiaoshou' you speak of, during his innate stage, managed to deceive the Night Watch, falsely accuse others, and use the Red-Clothed's blade to wipe out the Zhang family of Tiansang City?"

"Do you know that this Xu Xiaoshou, so full of righteousness and grand pronouncements, once held an entire city's population hostage in the Eastern Heavenly Royal City, threatening the White-Clothed and Red-Clothed just to ensure the safety of a few members of his Heaven's First Tower?"

"Do you know that the name 'Holy Slave Lord Shou' originated from the Southern Domain's Land of Sin, revered by countless evil cultivators, possessing a myriad of transformation arts, deceiving and ensnaring, driving away Jiang and slaying Teng, and a silver tongue that could turn the tides and kill without a trace?"

"You know nothing, yet you dare to join Heaven's First Tower? Do you believe the empty words of a dark force leader?"

Cao Erzhu listened, stunned, then incredulously looked down at the iron lump.

This was the past of the iron lump in his hand?

Cao Erzhu didn't know what 'Rao Yi Jiang Teng' meant, nor where the Eastern Heavenly Royal City was, or what crime the Zhang family had committed.

But despite not understanding the specifics, he generally grasped what Dao Qiongcang was trying to convey.

Brother Xiaoshou seemed to be a heinous person as well, not as good as he had imagined?

Before Xu Xiaoshou could speak, Mei Siren's face flushed with anger. He bellowed:

"What a distorted, out-of-context statement!"

"You hidden, sharp-tongued junior, step out and ask my old sword if it acknowledges your words!"

The Taicheng Sword pulsed with killing intent, and Mei Siren leaped into the air, glaring angrily in all directions.

But Dao Qiongcang did not appear. The Qingyuan Mountain formation hummed and trembled, and only a few sarcastic remarks drifted out:

"Go ahead and ask if he himself dares to acknowledge my words?"

Mei Siren ignored him completely, slashing his sword through the air towards the Qingyuan Mountain formation.

However, the great formation shifted, gathering starlight to redirect the sword light towards the sky, leaving Qingyuan Mountain completely unharmed.

The Half-Saint didn't want to fight and began to evade. What could Mei Siren do?

"Brother Xiaoshou..."

Suspicion clouded Cao Erzhu's eyes as he lowered his head, awaiting Brother Xiaoshou's reply.

Soon, he heard an indifferent chuckle from the formation plate's head:

"That flamboyant old Taoist is right, I have done all those things."

"If you wish to join Heaven's First Tower, you will also need to pass this 'Heart-Questioning' trial in the future."

"My invitation is just an invitation... Erzhu, you have the right to refuse!"

Cao Erzhu felt as if struck by lightning, his mind temporarily blank.

Of course, Jiren couldn't simply swallow the insult and agree to the one-sided accusations. He spoke again:

"But what Dao Qiongcang said isn't entirely correct, because everything I've done, I've done with a clear conscience."

"Since I've already embarked on this path, how can the struggle for the Great Dao be without bloodshed?"

"Erzhu, this is precisely my warning to you... Whether or not you join Heaven's First Tower, the Spirit Refining World is no game. Wherever you ultimately go, there's no room for childish play!"

On the horizon, Mei Siren was still indignant, ceaselessly slashing at the mountain.

"Mr. Siren, please listen to me."

Hearing Xu Xiaoshou's voice, Mei Siren stopped, suppressing his immense anger. He held the Taicheng Sword diagonally, poised but not yet striking.

Jiren took a long breath, then chuckled with relief.

Qingyuan Mountain, where everything had been quietly awaiting, soon heard this faint voice:

"Dao Qiongcang, if you had pointed out my flaws, condemned me, and rebuked me back when I was in the Spirit Palace, perhaps my Dao heart would indeed have shattered."

"But now, what good is more talk?"

"And on your hands, are there not countless families' blood and a thousand vengeful spirits?"

After a brief sneer, the voice transformed from weak and powerless to impassioned and defiant:

"A single general's success is built upon ten thousand perished bones!"

"When everyone wields a blade and acts with martial might, do you expect me to be the fish, to be slaughtered at will? Is that reasonable?"

"To repay grievances with fairness, and kindness with kindness, is ineffective; if an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth is forbidden, then is passive submission acceptable?"

"The Tears Family of the Void claimed to be non-contending, yet in the end, they were still divided among the five Saints and their entire clan was annihilated. Behind this, do you dare say there was no guidance from your Sacred Emperor Dao Clan?!"

"If the Xuyue Gray Palace hadn't resisted, people would have become demon beasts, and demon beasts would have remained demon beasts. The Red-Clothed would have gained prestige by deliberately misrepresenting the truth. Then, who in the world couldn't be branded a demon beast? Who would benefit from this? Tell me!"

The more Jiren spoke, the angrier he became. Did Dao Qiongcang truly think he was a mute who had swallowed bitter coptis root and couldn't speak?

Nonsense!

This monstrous evil, if it fell on outsiders, would be one thing, but what gives you, that flamboyant old Taoist, the right to show me such displeasure?

I, the esteemed Holy Slave Lord Shou, would I endure such indignity from you?

"Erzhu, lift me higher!"

As he called out the name, Cao Erzhu was startled and quickly raised the formation plate's head above his own, as if to amplify the voice.

He felt as if immortals were clashing; Dao Qiongcang's words seemed reasonable, but Brother Xiaoshou's were even more so!

And judging by the content of his words, the Holy Divine Palace was even more certainly a place not to go...

As these thoughts raced through his mind, Brother Xiaoshou, like a bristling wild boar, spoke with unbridled defiance:

"Dao Qiongcang, the Sacred Mountain flaunts the banner of justice while committing unrighteous acts, yet calls itself light, displays compassion to the masses, and feigns benevolence and righteousness."

"Yet you turn a blind eye, allowing tigers to harm people, and even aiding them. Is that right or wrong?"

"..." Qingyuan Mountain remained silent, offering little response.

"The world's affairs and the state of the nation have trapped me."

"Even I, a mere individual, am forced to defend myself and retaliate;"

"You observe the world; is this 'peace'? Is no action required?"

"..." The flamboyant old Taoist's swagger seemed to vanish; there was no response whatsoever.

Jiren sneered, spat disdainfully, and while his aggressive aura receded, his words remained full of contempt:

"You dare not speak the truth, yet you howl senselessly!"

"Where on my entire body do I resemble a living Bodhisattva, such that I would tolerate you slandering me with such distorted accusations?"

"If you want to slander me, do it where I can't see, but splashing it directly onto me... Do you really think everyone has to respect you, give you space, and dare not voice their anger?"

Cao Erzhu listened, his head sweating, constantly scratching his scalp.

Brother Xiaoshou was truly articulate, so now, was he the one who was right?

Mei Siren retrieved his sword in mid-air and landed, feeling more refreshed and satisfied than after winning a battle.

Who says verbal battles are unproductive? Sometimes, eloquence is a skill in itself. At the very least, you won't suffer silently and regret it under your covers at night; you can refute them then and there.

By the waterfall behind the mountain, Yu Zhiwen, tracing Celestial Divination patterns on her hand, watched the blurry formation plate's head with envy.

If one were to speak of true eloquence and sharp wit, it was Dao Qiongcang, with his mysterious ways, who was previously considered the best in the world.

She was often left fuming by the Dao Palace Master's retorts, yet helpless, feeling that his words were very reasonable.

She had also seen many important figures silenced by the Dao Palace Master, swaggering up the Sacred Mountain only to slink home dejectedly.

Xu Xiaoshou was the real deal.

At least, it was the first time Yu Zhiwen had seen someone able to render the Dao Palace Master speechless and return the offense on the spot.

As for 'reason'...

Among those who contend for the Great Dao, who doesn't claim to be in the right?

It's just a matter of whose arguments and abilities prevail!

The Qingyuan Mountain formation trembled wildly for a long time before finally emitting a voice again, this time directly addressing Cao Erzhu:

"Erzhu, there are always things you don't notice. In the end, see who truly benefits."

"Perhaps Heaven's First Tower orchestrated this entire situation simply to get you to join them and collude together."

The voice was very calm, as if Brother Xiaoshou's furious scolding hadn't caused him the slightest ripple of emotion.

Cao Erzhu scratched his head and looked at the formation plate's head. As expected, a furious outburst immediately erupted from within:

"You coward, hiding away and still blabbering here?"

"I dare to let Cao Erzhu not join Heaven's First Tower; do you dare to guarantee you won't set up a scheme to draw him towards the Holy Divine Palace, ultimately manipulating and using him?"

Hearing this, Dao Qiongcang scoffed and addressed Erzhu: "Do you dare guarantee that? Will you refuse? Do you think your words are credible?"

"Not credible! I am precisely such an untrustworthy person!" Jiren dismissed it with a laugh:

"Flamboyant old Taoist, don't try to provoke me; it won't work."

"Erzhu has his own eyes, his own brain, and he will make his own choice."

"You treat him like a child who can be deceived, but I think you're the fool. Underestimating me is one thing, but you're underestimating everyone in the world!"

Cao Erzhu scratched his head and said in a muffled voice, "Brother Xiaoshou, calm down. I won't change my mind. If I said I'd join Heaven's First Tower, I'll join."

These words suddenly choked Dao Qiongcang into silence, leaving only the Qingyuan Mountain formation rattling wildly.

Indeed, Erzhu truly had his own thoughts.

If Brother Xiaoshou was truly evil, and joining Heaven's First Tower went against his initial intentions, he could simply leave.

No one said he couldn't leave; Brother Xiaoshou's was merely an invitation, without any restrictions like a martial arts prohibition.

What's more...

Cao Erzhu glanced at Old Immortal Mei.

He might not trust the iron lump in his hand, but he could absolutely not doubt the old immortal behind him, who possessed the myriad forms of life.

No matter how reliable that strange uncle was, he couldn't be more reliable than Brother Xiaoshou's Mr. Siren — this was the simplest truth. What were they even arguing about?

The void pondered for a long time before finally emitting a cold snort, no longer dwelling on the matter. It shifted its words:

"Xu Xiaoshou, you have found a path to death!"

Can't out-argue me, so you resort to threats?

Jiren dismissed it with a laugh, but suddenly, his spiritual sense hidden in the Apricot Realm perceived the Saint Emperor Dragon Scale beginning to pound wildly.

The high frequency of the heartbeat indicated a life-or-death crisis!

That flamboyant old Taoist, is he serious?

No, that's not right. Even if he could affect this spiritual sense of mine, or even kill Jiren, how could he influence my main body in the Apricot Realm?

By the waterfall behind the mountain, Yu Zhiwen had been constantly deducing a way to break the deadlock and the safety of Xu Xiaoshou's life.

But she was constantly distracted, and the divination technique for the hexagrams remained elusive. This time, however, the ominous outcome appeared directly!

"Dao Palace Master, is he intent on killing?"

Yu Zhiwen abruptly stood up from under the waterfall, her starry eyes filled with shock and doubt.

She knew the Dao Palace Master still had some appreciation for Xu Xiaoshou's talent, and had even personally stated that the gates of the Holy Divine Palace would always be open for him.

Was this anger born of humiliation?

No, that's not right. How could the Dao Palace Master be angered by a mere verbal argument?

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

Yu Zhiwen performed another divination; the result was the same.

She looked left and right, knowing that the Qingyuan Mountain formation's control was not in her hands, making it impossible to notify Xu Xiaoshou.

But even with brute force, she had to get there!

Yu Zhiwen lifted her skirt and strode quickly towards Xu Xiaoshou's location.

Qingyuan Mountain, staying here too long spells disaster!

Even if it meant openly declaring it, she had to inform him!

Whoosh.

Just then, a figure gracefully descended from the sky.

Only the lower half of his head remained, now coalescing into a nose and mouth, while the upper part was concealed by Celestial Divination patterns, faintly revealing purple lightning, making it impossible to see his full appearance.

He held a Celestial Compass, his body gray-black and covered in scorch marks. All the gold beads and precious jade on him were gone.

Yu Zhiwen still recognized him as the Dao Palace Master at a glance!

She abruptly changed direction, veering sideways to detour, not stopping at all, and even feigning not recognizing the person, running faster than a rabbit.

"Where are you going?" Dao Qiongcang asked in a deep, cold voice.

Thump-thump-thump!

Yu Zhiwen scurried through the air, quickly evading and disappearing.

However, after running for a while, she was teleported back by the Qingyuan Mountain formation.

Yu Zhiwen glared with her starry eyes, pouting as she stared at the Dao Palace Master, sullen and silent.

"Stay here. Don't even think about destroying anything; you can't do it!"

"What are you going to do?"

"I've already proposed on your behalf."

"Huh?" Yu Zhiwen was baffled by this sudden turn, her face flushing. She had actually overheard their conversation.

"He didn't give a definite answer. He doesn't know that was his last chance."

"What are you going to do?" Yu Zhiwen repeated her question, clenching her fists, filled with apprehension.

"The dream should end..."

Dao Qiongcang let out a cold snort and looked up.

The morning light fell upon his half-face. The stone pond beneath the waterfall instantly turned grim and desolate:

"I am going to close the net and kill him!"