Chapter 1466: Treating a Dead Horse as if Alive, Er Zhu to the Rescue in the Jianghu

"Bang!"

Yu Zhiwen collapsed weakly to the ground, her lips bloodless, her star pupils dimmed, filled only with utter despair.

He's dead...

Through the Qingyuan Mountain great array, she could sense it all too clearly—the Xu Xiaoshou in the array disk's core was dead!

At that moment, control of the Qingyuan Mountain great array had indeed returned to Yu Zhiwen's hands.

But...

It wasn't something she had fought to reclaim.

It was just that Dao Dianzhu had grown tired of the game and tossed it back to her.

If this were a trial of heavenly secrets, Yu Zhiwen knew her answer sheet would score zero points.

Not even passing, let alone full marks?

After struggling in the Spirit Protection World for so long, analyzing for so long, deducing for so long...

Yu Zhiwen ended up with nothing!

Dao Dianzhu was still Dao Dianzhu. When he decided not to hold back, no one could surpass him.

"I... I can't do anything..."

Yu Zhiwen propped herself up with both hands, staring blankly ahead as bloody tears dripped down her cheeks one by one.

Her body trembled.

This sense of powerlessness and defeat was more agonizing than being killed.

If she had known the outcome would be like this, she never should have entered the starlight protection of the Spirit Protection World back then!

Even if she had charged forward recklessly, straight to Xu Xiaoshou's side...

At the very least, if she had died along the way, under the power of the Spirit Extraction World, she would have at least struggled.

But now?

Now it just looked like she had chosen to abandon Xu Xiaoshou for her own survival, seeking shelter and clinging to life.

"I survived, but he died..."

Yu Zhiwen's mind went blank, her ears ringing with a buzzing hum.

Suddenly, she thought about why the starlight from the Spirit Protection World had landed beside her instead of directly on her.

Was that an additional test from Dao Dianzhu?

He had already given the clearest direction!

He had even mentioned things about her and Xu Xiaoshou...

But because she hadn't been firm enough, choosing to evade instead, that's why Dao Dianzhu had become ruthless and struck the fatal blow?

Yu Zhiwen slumped powerlessly to the ground.

She cradled her head, unable to believe how weak she truly was!

"No, I just thought I could crack the Qingyuan Mountain great array, that I could seize back control..."

"You're just deceiving yourself!"

"No, I was so close—if I had deduced the heavenly secrets and gained control..."

"If, what if? You're just a second on the Dao Department heavenly rankings, daring to outmatch the unfathomable Dao Qiong Cang. Are you daydreaming or just plugging your ears? You know the truth in your heart!"

In her mind, two versions of herself clashed, making Yu Zhiwen even more tormented, the mud and sand digging deep into her nails.

She couldn't even tell which one was the real her!

Was it that she hadn't thought of this before, or had she deliberately ignored it...

Was it genuine overconfidence, or just feigned?

When everything was set in stone, these questions seemed meaningless. Yu Zhiwen suddenly hated herself and loathed Dao Dianzhu even more.

But strangely, at the very end, Dao Dianzhu's voice echoed in her mind:

"Follow your true heart, stay safe."

Yu Zhiwen snapped back to her senses, lifting her gaze sharply as her star pupils regained their brilliance.

The one who died was just Xu Xiaoshou's incarnation...

There was still a chance to turn things around...

Dao Dianzhu was still acting, still fighting, still targeting!

If she fell into despair now and sank completely,

Then all her previous "persistence" would truly become self-deceptive cowardice, and Yu Zhiwen would no longer be Yu Zhiwen.

"Shun!"

The Qingyuan Mountain great array trembled, a light gate forming. Yu Zhiwen wiped away her bloody tears and dashed into it.

"I'm sorry."

Cao Erzhu said apologetically to Mei Laoxian, especially to the deceased Tie Gadui and Xiao Shou Ge.

"I knew it was an illusion, but I just couldn't get out. I... sigh!"

He wanted to explain why he didn't dare to come out, or even wanted to stay put.

But those thoughts churned in his stomach like a mess, and Cao Erzhu, though he had a mouth, couldn't find the words, so it all turned into an apology.

If apologies worked, Xiao Shou Ge wouldn't have died...

"Slap!"

Cao Erzhu slapped himself hard across the face and declared firmly: "I won't be like that anymore. Dad is already dead!"

Mei Siyi acted as if he hadn't seen the self-reproach beside him, and he lacked the energy to stop Cao Erzhu's actions.

He never placed his hopes on the younger generation.

He only hated his own lack of strength, unable to protect his student.

"Cao Erzhu, you should go back."

Mei Siyi looked up at the sky, his killing intent solidifying around him.

Dao Qiong Cang still intended to hunt down Xu Xiaoshou's true self, and he knew he couldn't let that happen.

But what came next, Cao Erzhu couldn't help with.

In fact, even with his own killing intent, he might not be able to locate Xu Xiaoshou's true body, so he might not be of any use!

"Buzz."

A light gate formed at his side, and a backlit figure emerged.

Mei Siyi and Cao Erzhu both jumped in fright. This could only be Dao Qiong Cang's doing.

After all, the Qingyuan Mountain great array belonged to the Dao family.

"Siyi Mister, Cao Erzhu."

But the one who stepped out was Yu Zhiwen.

She wore an urgent expression, barely greeting them before hurrying on, her words coming quickly:

"Xu Xiaoshou has a Yuanfu world. He usually goes there to recuperate after getting injured."

"After battling the Holy Emperor, he must be severely wounded, so he's definitely in his Yuanfu now."

"Dao Dianzhu took the jade talisman leading to the Yuanfu world from Xiang Yi."

"Since he said he wouldn't let it end easily, he's surely heading to the Yuanfu world to continue dealing with Xu Xiaoshou... his true self!"

Yu Zhiwen's star pupils burned intensely as she fixed her gaze on the only hope here, Mei Siyi, her tone pleading:

"Xu Xiaoshou is in danger!"

Mei Siyi understood the words, but he was momentarily stunned. "You are..."

How did this young girl know so much about Xu Xiaoshou?

She even knew about the Yuanfu world and his situation—an old man like him, his teacher, didn't know all that!

"Yu Xingxing... no, Yu Zhiwen!"

Cao Erzhu recognized her and instinctively moved closer to Mei Laoxian, feeling a bit afraid.

He wasn't afraid of Yu Zhiwen.

He was just scared of heavenly secret masters now.

Dad was right—heavenly secret masters weren't something he could handle...

"She’s a heavenly secret master, one of that flashy old Daoist's group!" Cao Erzhu pointed at the witch and said.

Yu Zhiwen could only nod, caught between two sides: "Yes, I'm from the Dao Department, but I'm also Xu Xiaoshou's..."

At that point, Yu Zhiwen hesitated briefly.

What was she to Xu Xiaoshou?

In truth, nothing at all... Her face darkened a little as she said softly: "Friend."

Mei Siyi, being experienced, glanced at the young girl's expression and, after confirming it was genuine, understood.

"Ah, yes..."

At that moment, Cao Erzhu seemed to recall something.

Back on Qingyuan Mountain, this witch had been insistent on getting him to save Xu Xiaoshou, right?

But at the time, who was Xu Xiaoshou? What did he have to do with me...

Cao Erzhu hadn't known or wanted to get involved in the trouble.

Now, thinking back, it all made sense!

What Yu Zhiwen wanted him to resolve was Xiao Shou Ge's crisis?

In that case, she really didn't seem to be an enemy.

"Yes." Cao Erzhu nodded emphatically, pointing at Yu Zhiwen. "She's a friend."

Mei Siyi was speechless.

He glanced at this fence-sitter, Cao Erzhu, but decided not to dwell on the friend-or-foe topic.

"You have a way to get to Xu Xiaoshou's Yuanfu world, right?" Mei Siyi asked.

"I..." Yu Zhiwen parted her red lips, suddenly realizing the insurmountable gap between her and Xu Xiaoshou.

"No way."

Yu Zhiwen said despondently.

She just discovered that every time she entered the Yuanfu, it was because Xu Xiaoshou allowed it—she'd never had control.

"But I can try to crack it."

Soon, Yu Zhiwen rallied herself.

She didn't explain further, just manipulated the Qingyuan Mountain great array to lock onto the spatial traces left when Dao Dianzhu had crushed the jade talisman.

By tracing the heavenly secrets, she might pinpoint the spatial coordinates of the Yuanfu world.

Siyi Mister was a sword saint; with his spatial leap via sword, he could take them all into the Yuanfu to save Xu Xiaoshou.

But as the great array shifted, Yu Zhiwen found countless spatial coordinates, all mockingly similar, forming what looked like a sneering face.

"How could this be..."

Yu Zhiwen fell silent, bowing her head in bitterness.

Of course—the one who set the puzzle would have blocked every solution she could think of.

"No way?" Mei Siyi read the situation.

"There is!" Yu Zhiwen regained her calm, her star pupils growing eerily still. "I know the great spirit descent technique too."

The moment Mei Siyi heard "great spirit descent technique," a chill ran down his spine.

But Yu Zhiwen didn't seem hostile...

"How?" he asked.

"I've been to the Yuanfu before. Even without leaving a mark myself, I still remember some of its structures..."

" That's enough to form a fixed imprint, as long as they haven't been destroyed."

"The essence of the great spirit descent technique is to use imprints for special transmission—including the body, soul, will... It's like another form of possession."

"I can try anchoring to that broken tower in the Yuanfu world. I remember that thing, and then I won't go myself—just use my body... just open a spatial channel to let you all in."

By the time Mei Siyi heard this, his brows were already furrowed.

He could easily see the resolve in the girl's expression and asked directly: "What are the consequences if you don't follow the original method of the great spirit descent technique?"

"No consequences." Yu Zhiwen blinked her star pupils and shook her head.

"Girl, don't lie. You're not of the space attribute—building a spatial channel isn't that simple." Mei Siyi shook his head, rejecting the idea outright. "You're planning to sacrifice yourself."

"It's the only method!" Yu Zhiwen was anxious. "I have a way to protect myself."

"What if that broken tower doesn't exist, or Xu Xiaoshou's cultivation has caused some changes to the original 'imprint'?"

Mei Siyi knew his student's nature all too well.

That broken tower wasn't just possible—it was likely already shattered from Xu Xiaoshou's cultivation!

"What if the anchor is something unknown..."

Yu Zhiwen paused slightly, recalling Dao Dianzhu's serious demeanor when he taught her the technique and the terrifying consequences he mentioned, making her body shudder.

Before she could speak, Mei Siyi, seeing her reaction, decisively fanned his foldable fan. "No!"

There was no hope of success!

It would just be wasting a life for nothing!

"I have a way."

Just then, Cao Erzhu spoke up.

Mei Siyi and Yu Zhiwen were both surprised, turning to him in unison. "You have a way?"

Their voices overlapped, thick with doubt!

Cao Erzhu didn't catch the skepticism; he just said, reminiscing: "I met a senior before, and he left me something, saying it might save my life in a crisis."

"For Xiao Shou Ge, I can use it."

The senior Cao Erzhu met...

Mei Siyi was delighted—it had to be You Tu!

You Tu specialized in illusion sword techniques, and his research into time and space far surpassed his own.

If spatial leaps wouldn't work, the second world definitely could—You Tu's second world could not only enter Xu Xiaoshou's Yuanfu but even reconstruct one from scratch with ease!

"Quick, bring it out." Mei Siyi urged.

Cao Erzhu reached into his storage and pulled out an ordinary, weakly spirited sound-recording pearl.

The entire Qingyuan Mountain fell silent.

Mei Laoxian Jianxian’s mouth twitched, and Dao Department’s leader closed his eyes heavily, both thinking the same thing:

Have we gone mad...

Expecting Cao Erzhu to save the day?

Even treating a dead horse as if it were alive wasn't this absurd!

"It really works." Cao Erzhu saw that both Mei Laoxian and Yu Zhiwen had gone silent, clearly not believing him, and he grew anxious.

"The senior you mentioned is..." Yu Zhiwen still held a sliver of hope.

She was truly desperate; anything could be a lifesaver, and she couldn't dismiss even the most far-fetched possibility.

Cao Erzhu's eyes darted, and he solemnly stated the senior's imposing name, which should be well-known in the Spirit Refining Realm:

"Li Daren!"

It was a direct blow.

Li Daren? What on earth was that?

Yu Zhiwen couldn't even laugh; she just felt more pained.

At a time like this, don't joke around. If you said Xu Daren, I might still hope you met that swindler Xu Xiaoshou...

But Li Daren?

Yu Zhiwen glanced at the sky.

Perhaps out of sheer fear, she was even willing to believe "Li Daren" was the savior.

With a hint of desperation, she said: "You, try it?"

Mei Siyi sighed deeply, holding no hope at all.

Cao Erzhu nodded vigorously, confidently grasping the sound-recording pearl and injecting a trace of spiritual energy into it, then holding it high.

Sunlight slanted down.

The pearl emitted a faint glow, and after a long pause, it activated with a "shh" sound.

The world grew quiet.

Mei Siyi and Yu Zhiwen both turned their ears, waiting for the sound.

Yet, they both dared not show any hope in their eyes, as if it would shatter the dream.

"Shh..."

After a period of silence from the pearl,

Suddenly, a tearing, collapsing, desperately helpless shout burst from within:

"Ye Xiaotian, Dean Daren, come save me!!!"

In that instant, it was as if fireworks were launching into the sky above Qingyuan Mountain.

Yu Zhiwen and Mei Siyi's faces were filled with intense disbelief, their hearts sweeter than eating candy, more joyful, more elated!

How was this possible?

Xu Xiaoshou's voice?

Mei Siyi was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up as he realized what this cry for help meant:

Spatial mysteries, directly calling the holy name...

"Cao Erzhu!"

He suddenly grabbed the big guy's arm, overcome with excitement, beyond words.

Yes!

When all was hopeless...

When hope was completely erased...

Even if the Holy Emperor arrived, it might not solve the problem...

Ye Xiaotian of the spatial mysteries could find the Yuanfu world advancing or retreat with Xu Xiaoshou's true self from pursuit—he was the savior!

No one else would do.

Calling Ye Xiaotian, no matter what danger the original holder of this pearl faced, there was a glimmer of survival!

"Heh heh..."

Cao Erzhu saw Mei Laoxian hugging him in joy and scratched his head with a laugh: "I told you it was useful, right?"

"Useful!" Mei Siyi nodded vigorously, giving the most direct affirmation.

Yu Zhiwen didn't speak; she just stared blankly at the void.

She didn't dare celebrate prematurely; she was terrified of Dao Dianzhu.

As one of his own, she knew exactly what he had done in advance to prevent these "variables"...

Ye Xiaotian might have achieved sainthood, even mysteries sainthood.

But his opponent was the Wang Ze Holy Emperor—a Holy Emperor!

"Buzz."

In a brief interlude, intricate patterns not belonging to heavenly secret principles emerged in Yu Zhiwen's star pupils.

She was delighted.

A reaction!

But soon, her full excitement was doused like cold water.

These patterns appeared abruptly, and though Yu Zhiwen couldn't fully understand them, she knew they weren't spatial principles.

The aura of space wasn't this chilling!

"Jie jie jie..."

"Putting your hopes in the unknown? Xu Xiaoshou, you're truly foolish!"

When this chilling, eerie laugh echoed from behind, the three present felt a shiver in their hearts.

Yu Zhiwen whipped around and saw a mass of sinister gray mist, thick with darkness.

She was completely despaired.

As the mist dissipated, it revealed a tall figure in orange robes, wearing an orange mask.

A murderous aura enveloped Qingyuan Mountain, leaving only the cold laughter of the orange-robed figure:

"What can Ye Xiaotian do? Why didn't he call me? The five declines of heaven and man... Not worthy?"