Chapter 1489: Venturing Alone into Danger to Gain True Knowledge, Sheng Huan Has Techniques to Fight for Fame

Sheng Huan Dian.

The newly decorated halls, in deep black and crimson, added a touch of solemnity and depth to what was once a bright and spacious chamber.

Dao Xuanji sat in the main seat.

She remained proud, with her usual meticulous and strict demeanor.

But her face now appeared quite different from before.

At least, the faint weariness and irritability in her brows were impossible to hide.

At her side, only two members of the Ten-Person Council were present for this emergency meeting: Jiu Ji Shen Shi and the newly appointed White-Clad Executor Sovereign, retrieved from the Four Symbols Secret Realm, Bei Bei.

“At that time, I was still observing Wei Feng's battle, following the order of the Dao Hall Master to learn Thorough Divine Thought.”

“Xu Xiaoshou was with Feng Tian Sheng Di then, and suddenly, the latter suppressed Wei Feng.”

“I was outside Hei Shui Jian, watching the two of them escape from the Zhan Shen Guan Site entrance. I was just about to challenge Xu Xiaoshou when Feng Tian Sheng Di struck and sealed me again.”

Bei Bei wore an annoyed expression, finishing her words before jumping back onto the high chair. Her face showed sheer helplessness as she spread her hands and added:

“Completely unbeatable!”

“Thankfully, they both got sucked into the site.”

How could she, not even a Semi-Saint, withstand a strike from Feng Tian Sheng Di, Feng Yu Jin?

The battle level was way beyond standard!

Jiu Ji Shen Shi, in her semi-transparent spiritual form and dressed in palace attire, turned her gaze toward the others:

“So, you're certain both of them entered the Zhan Shen Guan Site? Feng Tian Sheng Di can't return, and as for Xu Xiaoshou…”

She paused, a hint of confusion crossing her face:

“In the real-time reports from Qing Yuan Shan, Dao Qiong Cang showed that he killed a Xu Xiaoshou.”

“After entering his world, he found Xu Xiaoshou's true self, but it was unconscious.”

“When the ghost beast Tan Shen appeared at Nan Cheng Menkou, there was another Xu Xiaoshou, but he committed suicide.”

“Now, the one still fighting outside Yu Jing Cheng—who killed… well, anyway—remains another Xu Xiaoshou, and his power is even stronger than before!”

“So…”

Jiu Ji Shen Shi, in her spiritual form, posed a philosophical question: “Who is the real Xu Xiaoshou?”

Bei Bei was stumped, pondering for a long time before replying: “Who knows? The outside world says he can 'derive a thousand selves from one,' and it's not without reason. Maybe they're all Xu Xiaoshou?”

“But Dao Qiong Cang insisted that Xu Xiaoshou can have at most two selves—he told me that himself.” Jiu Ji Shen Shi's spiritual form glanced toward Dao Xuanji.

At this moment, only Dao Xuanji could unravel this. Though she had just been struck down, heavenly mechanism masters excelled not in direct combat but in unraveling mysteries.

“My apologies.” Jiu Ji Shen Shi apologized for her earlier slip of the tongue and rudeness, as she hadn't held back from using the word “kill.”

“Jiu Ji Shen Shi, speak freely; it's the truth.” Dao Xuanji responded with unusual magnanimity and calm:

“Based on my understanding of Feng Tian Sheng Di, once he entered the Zhan Shen Guan Site, he won't come back voluntarily. We can rule out that force for now.”

“As for Xu Xiaoshou, while he can only exist as two at once, and their power seems consistent, their essence is quite different.”

This statement piqued the interest of the two beside her, and Bei Bei gripped the edge of the table: “Dao Xuanji Hall Master, please explain.”

Dao Xuanji laid out her earlier observations one by one:

“I deliberately put myself at risk to confirm this fact: Xu Xiaoshou has received a transmission similar to 'Ti Hu Guan Ding.'”

“Including his skills in heavenly mechanisms, spirit arrays, disguise techniques, and perhaps even alchemy and ancient sword arts.”

“Oh?” Bei Bei's eyes lit up. Xu Xiaoshou's ancient sword arts weren't self-cultivated? I knew it!

Jiu Ji Shen Shi's spiritual form was equally surprised. Dao Xiao Peng had hinted at something similar before, but he hadn't elaborated.

Because he rarely spoke about uncertainties.

But after just one battle, Xiao Peng's younger counterpart had sorted it all out?

Dao Xuanji took a deep breath and listed out, in her post-battle calm, all the data on Xu Xiaoshou:

“He knows a great deal about heavenly mechanisms but understands very little of it deeply—this doesn't seem like a skill he cultivated himself.”

“His spirit array skills have only ever shown destructive and enhancement powers. From the traces of the arrays in the 'Bagua Chao Sheng Tu' at the Dongyu Chao Sheng Tower—formerly the Heaven's First Tower—he only knows how to borrow arrays, not create them.”

“Similar examples can be seen in his alchemy. His alchemy mastery is extremely high, yet his cultivation time is very short.”

“I consulted the top alchemists at the Alchemy Masters Association headquarters in Sheng Fu Tu City and had them analyze Xu Xiaoshou's absurd 'Black Chicken Alchemy Technique' from the Dongyu Alchemy Conference…”

“How?” Jiu Ji Shen Shi's spiritual form and Bei Bei asked simultaneously.

They were both familiar with this matter, as the sacred mountain had held more than one conference targeting Xu Xiaoshou personally.

From Tian Sang Ling Palace to Void Island, everything had been studied, but the Dao Hall Master hadn't provided answers on Xu Xiaoshou's alchemy back then.

Dao Xuanji's tone carried a hint of disdain as she said:

“The conclusion is that he's not strong in alchemy itself—in fact, his techniques are quite ordinary and lacking.”

“What he's strong in is his understanding of medicinal ingredients and properties, and his control of heat—all of which require extensive time to accumulate.”

Pausing, Dao Xuanji steered the topic back:

“Xu Xiaoshou rose to prominence in just a year. Even with access to blessed lands and varying time flows for cultivation, he couldn't master so much!”

“The only explanation is that someone gave him 'Ti Hu Guan Ding,' imparting transmissions that he's gradually digesting and evolving.”

She stated this with absolute certainty.

The conclusion was bold to the extreme.

Bei Bei didn't know how to respond, but Jiu Ji Shen Shi's spiritual form fell into deep thought again: “Xiao Peng actually mentioned a similar guess…”

Dao Xuanji turned her gaze immediately.

He might not like his elder brother, but he acknowledged his abilities.

Jiu Ji Shen Shi sighed: “But you know his personality. He's in the midst of verifying it—maybe he's found the answer by now, but he's defected from the sacred mountain…”

Dao Xuanji couldn't help but mock: “He pursues perfection and is overly cautious, which only ties his hands. Some things can be confirmed with just a three-in-ten chance.”

Bei Bei remained neutral and offered another guess: “Is it possible that Xu Xiaoshou is just a genius who knows everything?”

Dao Xuanji swept a cold glance at her: “Have you ever seen someone combining the talents of Kui Lei Han, Shen Yi, Ba Zun An, and more, excelling in every path and even surpassing them?”

“Well, no…” Bei Bei muttered, though she felt her guess wasn't entirely impossible.

There hadn't been one before, but now there was!

She still held a grudge about Xu Xiaoshou splashing tea on her. Not only was he talented, but his personality was awful too!

Jiu Ji Shen Shi saw through it more clearly.

She wasn't concerned with whether Xu Xiaoshou was truly a genius; she was focused on the intent behind Dao Xuanji's points.

“So?”

Dao Xuanji, with keen insight and full confidence, said:

“So, for any power Xu Xiaoshou has received through transmission, it's something that can be observed, grasped upon seeing, and broken upon comprehension. To defeat him, we must approach from other angles.”

“Moreover, his avatars can only inherit the powers from his transmissions. Other aspects, like Dragon Ancestor forces, haven't appeared yet, so avatars generally won't fight to the death—they'll just provide support.”

“Only when his true self appears, feeling secure with an avatar as backup, will he act boldly and recklessly, like he's doing now in Yu Jing Cheng—that's his true self in battle.”

“At this point, the avatar has hidden away… With the main and secondary roles clear, the battlefield is straightforward and controllable—we can handle them separately.”

“Actually…” Jiu Ji Shen Shi pondered, then hesitated.

“I know what you're thinking, but it's impossible.” Dao Xuanji leaned back, exuding an aura of authority, and directly dismissed it.

Jiu Ji Shen Shi's eyes showed a flicker of annoyance, but she didn't stay silent and pressed on:

“I know you don't like hearing it, but I have to say it!”

“With Ai Cang Sheng gone, Yue Gong Li having entered the site…”

“You said San Di Wei Feng was taken by Dao Qiong Cang, Gou Wu Yue escaped from the Dead Sea and won't return, Yan Wu Se and Number Two fell at Void Island earlier, and most of our usable people on the sacred mountain have perished…”

“This is the most manpower-scarce time for Sheng Shen Hall in decades, while Sheng Nu lurks threateningly, Ba Zun An hasn't made a move, Xu Xiaoshou is at his peak, and even you… have been struck down!”

Dao Xuanji furrowed her brows, her face turning icy.

Bei Bei stared wide-eyed, glancing around and biting her lip, trying to shrink herself to minimize her presence.

This was her first time seeing the usually gentle and kind Jiu Ji Shen Shi get angry.

How terrifying!

Was she really confronting Dao Xuanji Hall Master directly? Were they about to fight?

But Jiu Ji Shen Shi didn't stop, pausing briefly before speaking bluntly:

“With internal troubles unresolved and our people not back yet, declaring war on Xu Yue Hui Gong, or even the entire Southern Domain, could spark external threats.”

“What if Ba Zun An's forces in the Southern Domain ally with Xu Yue Hui Gong?”

“Attacking the strong with the weak, like eggs against rocks—how can we win?”

“I think your choices now are unwise. You're heavily influenced by the Blood Tree's guiding power… Dao Xuanji, you need to calm down!”

Sheng Huan Dian fell silent after this final stern rebuke.

Bei Bei shivered.

No, please—I'm new to this position and haven't seen much of the world.

Were the Ten-Person Council meetings always this tense, full of conflicts and harsh words?

It was nothing like the rumors…

Dao Xuanji didn't get angry.

She had no right to rage against the ancestral tree that guarded the sacred mountain.

Not just her—even everyone in Sheng Shen Hall, including the former hall master Dao Qiong Cang, wouldn't dare.

She simply waited until Jiu Ji Shen Shi's anger subsided on its own, exchanging a look that said, “Sorry for the rudeness, but I won't apologize this time,” before responding:

“Jiu Ji Shen Shi, you have a point. I can explain right now.”

“Oh? Then why?” Jiu Ji Shen Shi settled back into her seat, hands folded in her skirt, resuming her gentle tone.

Dao Xuanji didn't answer directly but turned to Bei Bei: “What if we sent you to fight Xu Xiaoshou?”

“Ah?” Bei Bei suddenly became the center of attention, stunned for a moment. Realizing it, her mouth formed a perfect O: “Me?”

“Yes, you!”

Bei Bei froze.

If you had asked me this before Hei Shui Jian, my answer would be, I can do it.

But asking me now, after you've been cut down by Xu Xiaoshou as a Semi-Saint… my answer can only be…

“I'm no match for him.”

Bei Bei said this with self-awareness.

She had wanted to challenge him earlier, but now, thinking of how Xu Xiaoshou could grow huge and fight a Saint Emperor like the Qilin, with Mr. Si Ren behind him…

She just wanted to hug her sword and stay in the rear support.

Too tough to fight!

No gain for the effort!

One wrong move, and she might end up like the previous White-Clad Executor Sovereign—head blown off…

Come to think of it, Xu Xiaoshou had blown off Wu Yue Jian Xian's head from the start. Now, seeing his achievements, it made sense!

“Then, if we ignore others and other paths, and only compare ancient sword arts, how do you stack up against him?” Dao Xuanji asked further.

“You mean…”

Bei Bei thought of something.

A pure ancient sword cultivator duel?

Of course—now was the period for the new Seven Sword Immortals to fight for their names.

By the rules, if she issued a challenge, Xu Xiaoshou would have to accept, and during the fight, he couldn't use other paths.

Otherwise, the Feng Family of the Southern Domain wouldn't recognize his Sword Immortal title.

And the importance of “name” had already been proven by Ba Zun An.

As Xu Xiaoshou's half-disciple, who had learned “Guan Jian Shu,” he would definitely want to compete.

That sword of his, Cang Ku, had been nurtured for so long, progressing rapidly under Guan Jian Shu. Any ancient sword cultivator would know why he was nurturing it—Qing Ju was the answer.

Cang Ku needed the nourishment of “name” next…

Seeing Dao Xuanji nod slightly, Bei Bei knew her guess was correct.

But Dao Xuanji's suggestion still needed weighing.

Challenging Xu Xiaoshou as an ancient sword cultivator, Bei Bei originally had confidence.

Now, thinking of what Dao Xuanji said—that he could “observe, grasp, and break” anything…

“If he can learn my sword just by looking, I can't win.” Bei Bei was straightforward about it.

“It requires time and process.” Dao Xuanji said.

“But in the end, I'd still lose.” Bei Bei pouted, muttering unhappily, “My ranking is still higher than his now!”

Shuang Lao Yi Xiao Liu Fu Yu, Hua Lai Bei Tian Ying Shou Ye.

This session of the Seven Sword Immortals had rankings, and Bei Bei's initial rank was just one above Xu Xiaoshou.

The Seven Sword Immortals rules were:

Candidates could challenge the Seven Sword Immortals; those in lower initial ranks could challenge higher ones.

While there were no restrictions on challenging lower ranks, no one did it.

That would be bullying the weak!

Ancient sword cultivators valued backbone.

If someone shamelessly challenged downward and lost because of being copied…

Bei Bei cringed at the thought, feeling itchy all over and scratching restlessly. She didn't want to take that risk.

She'd rather challenge those ranked higher and skip Xu Xiaoshou altogether.

That guy…

So annoying!

So hateful!

He'd never be liked by any girl in his life!

“But when the time comes, to climb the rankings, he'll challenge everyone one by one—you might be his first target.” Dao Xuanji calmly watched Bei Bei, the White-Clad Executor Sovereign who still had a childlike side in Sheng Huan Dian, and added:

“Are you afraid of him?”

“Afraid of him?!”

Bei Bei sprang up from her chair, her sword case trembling slightly at her side.

She suddenly deflated, her eyes darting to the ground with a touch of dejection:

“Well, sort of… but mainly, I don't want him to steal my sword!”

Dao Xuanji offered no comment and gestured toward the hall entrance:

“What if we add these two?”