Chapter 1469: Xu Lang's Wonderful Plan Pacifies the Apricot Realm, Placing Himself in a Desperate Situation for Rebirth

In Xing Jie, the flow of time was slightly different from the outside world.

"Long Xing predecessor, I am about to die!"

"Hmm?"

"After I die, Sao Bao Lao Dao will surely invade Xing Jie... Predecessor, I have one question: Can two tigers share a mountain?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just answer me—whether it's possible or not."

"Difficult."

"Good, as long as you know it's difficult! The nine great ancestral trees, born from chaos, are the rarest treasures in the world. When Sao Bao Lao Dao enters Xing Jie, his first move won't be to destroy you—he doesn't have the power to do that anyway. More likely, he'll try to persuade you with emotion and reason, asking you to relocate to Gui Zhe Sheng Shan and reside there. Would you agree?"

"Absolutely not. Sheng Shan already has Shen Bai Liu and Jiu Ji Gui."

"What if Jiu Ji Gui is willing to share and guard Gui Zhe Sheng Shan with you, even making you the primary one to control its destiny?"

"Still impossible!"

"What if Sao Bao Lao Dao offers even more benefits that I can't imagine—things that would truly tempt you? He can think of far more than I can."

"Xu Xiao Shou, no need to test me further. The bond between you and me as world tree and world master means we rise and fall together. I will not be swayed."

"I want you to be swayed!"

"Oh? Why is that?"

"If you're not swayed, how will you handle it? Fight to the death to protect my true self?"

"Can I protect you?"

"I will never let him enter Xing Jie!"

"No! No! No! Long Xing predecessor, you're avoiding the issue... Deep down, you're still underestimating Sao Bao Lao Dao! That guy has calculated everything about me from the start. Even if you don't want to let him in, he'll find a way. He's after my true self, and since he's gone this far to kill my second true body, he won't be stopped from entering Xing Jie—even I don't know how he'll do it..."

"Xu Xiao Shou, you're boosting his morale and undermining your own."

"Bullshit! I know my own limits, and I've just experienced how deep his schemes go—I'm practically done for because of him!"

"... Uh, then what do you suggest?"

"I said it already—I want you to be swayed!"

"The reason?"

"No matter how Sao Bao Lao Dao schemes, he won't want to fight you to the death. Once he enters Xing Jie, he'll definitely use a diversion tactic—to lure you away, trick you away, or deceive you into leaving, ignoring my true self's fate so he can act freely."

"Must I follow his wishes?"

"No, you have to resist, you have to struggle! If you give in too easily, with his cunning, he'll suspect a trap."

"Humans..."

"Yes, the human heart is that complicated. I hate that old daoist too—he's truly disgusting! But I'm more afraid of my own plan going wrong..."

"Once I enter Sheng Shan, how can I return?"

"Long Xing predecessor, are you joking? How can you even think about 'returning'? This isn't just about 'two tigers not sharing a mountain'—it's far worse!"

"How so?"

"How can anyone snore next to your bed? If you really go to Sheng Shan, you'll likely be drained dry by Jiu Ji Gui and Shen Bai Liu. I've heard that Shen Bai Liu, the foremost of the nine great ancestral trees, is still half-dead after being struck by Yu Tu Jian. What does it need most right now?"

"I..."

"You know it well! You absolutely can't go to Sheng Shan!"

"You call me to go, then tell me not to—Xu Xiao Shou, are you toying with me?"

"No, no! Sao Bao Lao Dao's goal is to get you to leave Xing Jie, and the journey to Sheng Shan could waste a lot of time—that's where the opportunities lie."

"Hmph! Speak!"

"At that point, take my true self and leave Xing Jie—go anywhere... Well, not just anywhere. How about you head to Chang De Zhen first and find Kui Lei Han!"

"That person is already dead—you've said so before."

"Kui Lei Han absolutely isn't dead! He dismissed us earlier because he was afraid of something. What Er Zhu saw might have just been an illusion..."

"After finding him?"

"We'll figure it out then—if we can find him, that is... My true self is about to wake up. I can feel my consciousness slowly returning to my body, but it's gradual. Maybe it just needs one more stimulus..."

"Stimulus?"

"Yes, perhaps before we find Kui Lei Han, my true self could wake up under Dao Qiong Cang's stimulation. That guy is disgusting enough to have a strong effect! If not, I'll have to settle for electric shock..."

"Hold on! At this moment, shouldn't your true self have already left Xing Jie?"

"Long Xing predecessor..."

"Hmm?"

"I don't have time to explain. If you trust me, just do as I say."

"... Ha, humans!"

"Yes, I'm dirty too. Curse if you want—at least it's better to live dirty than die humbly. This is my toughest battle yet."

"How much confidence do you have?"

"Less than ten percent."

"But that's Dao Qiong Cang! He might even predict what I'm planning..."

"Then..."

"I can only pray to heaven... No, to Xue Shi Zhu's protection! I hope that old daoist reacts a bit slower..."

"Huff! Then, if your true self wakes up in time, what's the chance of success?"

"Less than ten percent."

"I can only hope that Ba Zun An Zhen isn't just standing by. If he hasn't crashed Void Island over by then, I'll die right in front of him."

"Long Xing predecessor, what kind of expression is that?"

"I was just joking. Don't give up! I actually have a lot of confidence."

"Xu Xiao Shou, your good fortune isn't over yet."

"Ah... Talking about this so abruptly..."

"Rest assured, I will not abandon you. At the end, you will awaken!"

"Good, good, Long Xing predecessor. With those words, I'm at ease... Now, I need to offend you a bit. Is that okay?"

"What are you planning now?"

"You're not good at acting—Sao Bao Lao Dao would see through it instantly! What we're discussing isn't for you to play along right now—it's so that when you wake up later, you'll remember this plan!"

"Wake up?"

"Yes, in a moment, I'll have Tan Shen control you with San Yan Tong Mu and erase all memory of this plan. You can't resist; in fact, you need to cooperate, or it will get hurt. And when you take my true self out of Xing Jie, you'll remember everything we've talked about..."

"Impossible! I am an ancestral tree, born from chaos and awakened by the blood of the dragon ancestor. How could I be affected by something so trivial..."

"Very well, then if I die at Sao Bao Lao Dao's hands, you'll become nourishment for Shen Bai Liu. We can go to the yellow springs together—er, what a terrible name, but anyway, that's not a bad choice!"

"How about it, my noble ancestral tree?"

"Very well..."

"Good, then later, remember not to resist. Basically, what I'm saying has nothing to do with how you'll act when you encounter Sao Bao Lao Dao. You won't know anything—just follow the normal flow, as if it's his plan."

"I still have one doubt."

"Go ahead, Long Xing predecessor."

"If this memory is erased and that Dao clan person unexpectedly enters Xing Jie, and I don't remember the plan, I'll fight to the death to protect your true self..."

"Hahahaha!"

"You! Why are you laughing!"

"Sorry, Long Xing predecessor, I don't usually lose control like this. My apologies..."

"You must explain yourself today!"

"Predecessor, your question is really troublesome. Let me think how to put it... Ahem, so here's the thing: How do you think my scheming compares to Sao Bao Lao Dao's? After all, you've seen the scenes I shared with you."

"It's barely on par, I suppose..."

"Predecessor, you don't have to hold back—be straightforward."

"He surpasses you tenfold!"

"Uh, then why do you believe in me?"

"I trust the power of the blood tree's guidance—the greatest on the continent. Its curse can disrupt even a daoist's mind, and you... Your good fortune isn't over yet, so there's still uncertainty."

"So in the end, you don't really believe in me... Fine, then let me ask you, Predecessor: How does your scheming compare to mine?"

"... On par."

"Good, good, another 'on par.' Fine! So based on that, what do you think—when Sao Bao Lao Dao invades Xing Jie, can he persuade you, this great figure, to leave?"

"Good, let's stop this topic here. Predecessor, any other doubts?"

"None..."

"Good, then I'll have Tan Shen perform a little brain operation on you later."

"Xu Xiao Shou!"

"Hmm?"

"You may insult me, and if we survive this ordeal, I'll settle the score later. But you must know..."

"Know what?"

"I will guard Xing Jie to the death!"

"Hahaha, excellent! Your determination shakes heaven and moves ghosts... How about this—we make a bet?"

The bet was set. In the Crystal Palace.

"Tan Shen, I'm sorry to do this to you."

"Meow?"

"I've kept you for a thousand days, and now I need you for a moment... I'm about to die, but whether we win this battle depends on your performance. You're crucial, you know?"

"Meow meow!"

"After I die, all the related image clones in Xing Jie will die instantly, including the one talking to you now. When you see that change, remember to use San Yan Tong Mu to control me..."

"Woo..."

"Don't be sad—I'm not completely dead yet! Then, control my true self and make me use the 'second true body' to split off another Jin Ren. Do it quickly—use your fastest speed, and if needed, ask Long Xing predecessor for help!"

"Meow???"

"Good, you understand, right? Next, hand over my sleeping true self to Long Xing predecessor, then use San Yan Tong Mu to erase Long Xing predecessor's memory. Watch as it abandons me—you need to remember that scene. It'll be its lifelong shame, and we can mock it later—if there's a later, that is..."

"Xu Xiao Shou! The bet isn't won yet!"

"Meow woo..."

"Not dizzy? As long as you get it. You're such a smart little cat. Remember, after that, put the newly split Jin Ren into this dan cauldron and refine him as usual, everything as before."

"Meow!"

"So that's it... Xu Xiao Shou... No! Humans are truly insidious!"

"Now comes the part where I have to apologize to you. When Sao Bao Lao Dao enters Xing Jie, he's likely to lure Long Xing predecessor away, and my true self will go with it. But if everyone leaves, he won't believe it."

"Woo..."

"Yes, you have to stay behind and hold out. Don't worry, Long Xing predecessor will leave you some means to protect yourself—after all, it's shamefully running away."

"Xu Xiao Shou!"

"It will, right? Long Xing predecessor? You'll leave some protective talismans for Tan Shen to hold out a bit?"

"Hmph!"

"Good, Long Xing predecessor agrees... Look closely—this is the Xing Jie jade talisman, bound to Qing Yuan Shan coordinates. Swallow it first, and when you can't hold out anymore, escape from Xing Jie. Long Xing predecessor will rush to aid you right away. Before that, you can at least wait for a helpful old man who will assist you..."

"Meow meow?"

"Yes, that one with the sword... Ah? I can say the name—you understand? Wow, you're so smart! So when you get out, go straight to Si Ren mister."

"At least?"

"Yes, Long Xing predecessor, if nothing goes wrong, Li Fu Gui has already acted. Ye Xiao Tian and Tian Ren Wu Shui might show up in Xing Jie at any time."

"... Why didn't you say that before?"

"You didn't believe me, so what's the point of saying more? Wait, are you thinking of backing out of the bet?"

"I, one promise is worth a thousand gold!"

"Good, Tan Shen, remember to erase this memory too. If Long Xing predecessor knows even a little, Sao Bao Lao Dao might extract it."

"Xu Xiao Shou!!!"

"Little Tan Shen, that's all for now. You just keep refining the dan, refining me... And I'll transfer my true self's will to the new second true body and face Dao Qiong Cang's attack... That guy really wants me dead!"

"Meow woo..."

"Tan Shen, I'm running out of time! In a moment, follow my orders: First, use San Yan Tong Mu to control Long Xing predecessor."

"Meow!"

"Then on yourself... One, forget everything we just talked about; two, control yourself so that when you see Long Xing predecessor leaving, don't get emotional, don't get agitated—just continue refining the dan steadily!"

"Meow meow meow..."

"What? San Yan Tong Mu can't control you yourself? Why didn't you say that earlier!"

"Meow woo..."

"It's okay, it's okay, my bad for not thinking it through... Long Xing predecessor, do you have a way to erase part of Tan Shen's memory?"

"Yes!"

"No, no, if you do that afterward and still remember erasing it, that's a flaw—Sao Bao Lao Dao would definitely find out... Damn! I'm doomed!"

"Xu Xiao Shou, how dare you insult me again, an ancestral tree?!"

"Ah? What do you mean?"

"I can erase Tan Shen's memory and then have it control me, so it has no residual memory, and I won't know anything about this plan!"

"Uh, let me sort this out... Oh, oh, Long Xing predecessor, you're impressive!"

"Hmph!"

"So in that case, you don't need San Yan Tong Mu to control you—you can handle it yourself?"

"For safety, let it control me. That Dao clan person has unpredictable methods; there might be variables."

"Good, good, that's even better... Oh, and Xing Jie itself needs to have its memory wiped to prevent abilities like time reversal. Long Xing predecessor, I'll trouble you with that."

"Xu Xiao Shou, even if the ancestral tree forgets everything, do you think anything else in this realm could retain any memory?"

"Excellent, excellent..."

With that, Jin Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His arrangements before death could finally be perfectly executed.

And once executed, no one in the world would know of this plan—not even Jin Ren, the only one who devised it, would survive...

After revival, his will would immediately transfer to his true self outside, leaving only a dormant true self consciousness in the next second true body, waiting for Sao Bao Lao Dao's "stimulation."

In the scope of Sao Bao Lao Dao's abilities within Xing Jie, this plan would remain completely unknown!

Even if Dao Qiong Cang, with his vast reach, could pull some clues from the void...

Impossible!

Jin Ren had factored in Dao Qiong Cang's unfathomable schemes, and he didn't believe there could still be variables.

If Sao Bao Lao Dao could defy heaven and see through this, Jin Ren's true self would willingly die to affirm his "unfathomable" reputation.

"Then, if he kills me, it will stimulate my true self's spirit and speed up the awakening..."

"If he doesn't kill me or stimulate me, I'll switch consciousness and let me endure any accidents. At worst, I'll self-destruct—it's me, the second true body, that explodes..."

"If he tries to seize my body but ends up with my true self's will, that would be the worst case..."

But!

Even then, it wouldn't be hopeless.

Jin Ren vaguely recalled the scene in Tian Sang Ling Gong Tian Xuan Men, where the gray fog figure tried to seize his true self and triggered an accident with Feng Yu Jin.

In the worst case, his true self wouldn't be seized!

It's just that secrets might be exposed, so self-destruction would be better!

"If he does nothing and senses something wrong, starting to drag out time..."

"By then, Long Xing's spirit will have taken my true self's body outside. If we can't find Kui Lei Han, at worst we'll find Cao Er Zhu for an electric shock—or even a physical beating..."

"If time drags on longer, I can wake up myself! I know I can!"

Jin Ren was utterly determined.

At this point, if he didn't believe in himself, how could he succeed?

And all of this was based on the worst scenarios and even worse reasoning!

Most likely, even if Dao Qiong Cang was unfathomable, he wouldn't push things to such a dead end...

"Everyone, wish me luck!"

"If this golden cicada escape plan succeeds, for all the humiliation today, I'll return it a hundredfold when I storm Sheng Shan one day!"

Lifting his gaze, Jin Ren's eyes gleamed with intensity, full of killing intent—a perfect example of turning death into rebirth.

In his final glance, he looked toward the ancestral tree Long Xing... After a moment's hesitation, he said:

"Long Xing predecessor, I have one last worry."

"Xu Xiao Shou, the ancestral tree blesses you, good fortune be upon you—you will succeed!"

"No, it's not that..."

"Oh? Then what is it? Speak freely."

"My strategy is all-in, flawless, but there's still one variable— I just hope that when you escape and abandon me, you won't be tempted by Sao Bao Lao Dao and betray me on the spot."

"Xu Xiao Shou! How dare you insult me again and again?!"

"Just a worry in case..."

"Very well! Then I, the ancestral tree, can tell you straight—"

"What?"

"All that you've said is nonsense! It won't happen! That Dao clan person can't enter this place... And I will guard Xing Jie to the death!"