Chapter 1493: Sinful Folding Screen Initially Bending Willows, Original Intent Can Be Accepted with Beast's Howl

"Report!"

A voice rang out from outside the Sacred Imperial Palace. Soon, the phantom spirit, the translucent Xi, appeared impatiently within the main hall.

"Speak."

The discussion regarding the challenge in the hall had just concluded. Dao Xuanji, the Nine Sacrifices Divine Envoy, and Beibei, the white-robed Path Ruler, were all still present.

Xi got straight to the point, without a word of preamble: "Xu Xiaoshou is clamoring in Jade City, demanding Senior Fang give him an answer about the nature of ghost beasts – whether they are good or evil."

"Ghost beasts... what?" Beibei thought she had misheard. "Did Xu Xiaoshou have such a naive side?"

"Their inherent good or evil!"

"This 'good or evil' of yours, does it mean 'very bad,' or..."

"Good and evil!"

"Oh, oh." Beibei finally understood. She still found Xu Xiaoshou very naive, but she didn't interrupt again and looked towards Palace Master Xuanji.

"Let him ask then. We are most pressed for time right now," Dao Xuanji looked towards the sky.

"The main point is that Senior Fang is an upright person. When he couldn't answer, Jade City fell into turmoil, and everyone started disputing the term 'ghost beast'..." Xi opened his mouth but stopped himself from continuing. Some things are best hinted at; he believed Palace Master Xuanji understood his meaning: if he elaborated too much, people would start pointing fingers at the Red Robes.

"Do you believe the words of a Holy Slave, or the ingrained thinking of the world?" Dao Xuanji countered, not answering directly.

Xi shook his head lightly. He naturally understood Palace Master Xuanji's meaning. It was nothing more than the dark forces slandering them; time would make people forget everything, and history would only be written by the victors. But there was another crucial point...

"The main thing is Yu Zhiwen stepped forward!"

Hearing this, Dao Xuanji's expression changed. She finally fixed her gaze on him: "What did you say?"

"She directly responded to Xu Xiaoshou's question, pointing out that the Red Robes' path had indeed gone astray, but not as severely as Xu Xiaoshou imagined..."

"Tell her to come back!" Dao Xuanji interrupted, her voice stern.

Xi was choked up. Indeed, what came after "but" was habitually ignored because it seemed less important compared to what preceded it.

"It's a bit difficult," Xi hesitated, saying, "because Xu Xiaoshou suddenly launched a thunderous attack and sent the Kunpeng Divine Envoy flying with a single punch..."

"Elder Yu was sent flying by one punch?" Killing intent instantly filled Dao Xuanji's eyes. She herself had been severely weakened, and she felt it was understandable afterward. After all, influenced by the guiding force and underestimating her opponent, as a Heavenly Divination Artist, she had chosen to use her weakness against his strength, opting for the most disadvantageous form of confrontation, so defeat was normal. But who was Elder Yu? His true form was the Kunpeng Sacred Beast, possessing boundless physical might. Unless Xu Xiaoshou transformed into that colossal giant, how could he possibly send him flying with one punch? If he truly transformed, surely the Sacred Imperial Palace, right outside Jade City, would have seen it?

"Who is he performing for?" Dao Xuanji's expression was slightly displeased. "Summon him here as well!"

"Still a bit difficult," Xi didn't dare to pause. "Mainly, after Xu Xiaoshou sent Elder Yu flying, he challenged the Sacred Mountain and then overturned the Xuanji Great Formation in one swift move..."

Dao Xuanji slammed the table and stood up, exclaiming angrily: "You're only telling me about such an important matter now?"

Xi was stunned by the outburst. It was important, yes, but why keep interrupting him? He looked blankly, then thought of more: "I thought Palace Master Xuanji knew..." The Xuanji Great Formation was personally created by Dao Xuanji. As a Saint-level Heavenly Divination Artist, her creation was destroyed, and she knew nothing? Did this mean... after Xu Xiaoshou had dealt her such a blow, she hadn't fully recovered? Xi didn't dare to ponder this thought.

The Nine Sacrifices Divine Envoy and Beibei simultaneously turned their heads to look at Dao Xuanji, as if they too had thought of this point.

"Are you alright?" The Nine Sacrifices Divine Envoy's tone held concern.

"I'm fine." Dao Xuanji waved her hand, taking two deep breaths. She felt her head throbbing. This wasn't just anger; it was also fury at Xu Xiaoshou's insolent actions. After all, she had just promised that the Xuanji Great Formation would protect Jade City for a hundred years...

"Is there anything else? Tell me everything at once," Dao Xuanji regained her composure.

"Yes!" Xi was now certain that Palace Master Xuanji truly knew nothing of the outside events. Just how serious were her injuries? "Xu Xiaoshou threatened to blow up Jade City and overturn the Sacred Mountain, implying he intends to assault the Sacred Mountain itself." Xi didn't dare delay, bowing his head with clasped fists and quickly adding.

Dao Xuanji waited for a moment. Xi also waited, and when no further questions came after a long pause, he raised his head, his gaze meeting that of Palace Master Xuanji.

"Continue," Dao Xuanji gestured with her hand.

Xi was now embarrassed. "Uh, that's it..."

The hall suddenly fell silent. Beibei hissed, shrinking behind Lord Nine Sacrifices, thinking, 'How dare you, Xi? Aren't you just toying with people?' The atmosphere in the hall became incredibly oppressive!

Dao Xuanji's mind buzzed, and the world before her seemed to blur slightly. She wasn't sure if it was a headache or the lingering effects of her previous damage. After she stood up in a fit of rage, she saw Xi as quiet as a cicada in winter, and she swallowed her anger back, her head throbbing even more painfully. She didn't erupt, but simply declared:

"Command the Three Saints, especially Yu Kunpeng, to fully obstruct Xu Xiaoshou. Jade City must not be damaged."

"As for the Xuanji Great Formation, this Palace Master will personally repair it... he can only destroy formations when this Palace Master isn't present!"

"Beibei, prepare yourself and depart with Xi. If necessary, challenge him. Remember to choose your timing well; don't provoke him when he's angry, as he might not accept."

"A challenge?" Xi glanced in surprise at Beibei, who appeared even younger than himself, and raised an eyebrow high. "It couldn't be the kind of challenge he was thinking of, could it?"

"Yes!" After receiving the order, Beibei picked up her sword case and walked to the hall entrance, gesturing to Xi, who was also an ancient sword cultivator: "Shall we go?"

"Wait," Xi held out his hand to stop her, turning back to Palace Master Xuanji: "Xu Xiaoshou is very impulsive. What if the Three Saints can't stop him..."

"With all Three Saints deployed, and three great ancient sword cultivators as backup, he won't have the energy to fight his way to Sacred Mountain," Dao Xuanji scoffed coldly.

So... it really was a challenge for ancient sword cultivators, a fight for the name of the Seven Sword Immortals? Could this work? Xi suppressed his doubts. There was no need to question matters decided by the Palace Master; it was a good habit he had cultivated. He only probed subtly: "If the Three Saints fight to the death with all their might, and the Xuanji Great Formation is already damaged – if it cannot be repaired in time, I fear there will be countless casualties..."

As if a wound had been touched, Dao Xuanji glared coldly: "Are you questioning this Palace Master's ability?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Xi recoiled in fright.

"Even if the formation cannot be repaired, Xu Xiaoshou dares to make a few threats, but would he truly dare to massacre the city?!" Dao Xuanji flicked her sleeve.

As these words left her lips, the Sacred Imperial Palace suddenly fell silent. Xi stared in shock, Beibei also turned back with wide eyes, and even the countenance of the Nine Sacrifices Laurel Spirit became bewildered.

Dao Xuanji realized her slip of the tongue. Taking a deep breath, she continued: "This Palace Master has studied Xu Xiaoshou. He acted similarly in Eastern Imperial City. On the surface, he appears reckless, but he merely manipulated Rao Yaoyao's psychology, with other intentions. He won't go to extremes."

He won't, but we can't gamble like that! If Palace Master Dao were still here, he would surely prioritize the lives of Jade City's citizens; he would never treat them as a mere stake in a gamble! Xi hesitated, on the verge of speaking. In the end, Beibei reached out and pulled him in time, making him swallow his words.

"Palace Master Xuanji, we're setting off now!"

"Remember to fix the formation quickly, don't forget, okay..." Beibei dragged Xi away, "reminding" her without looking back, and quickly vanished from the scene.

Only two Saints remained in the hall. The Nine Sacrifices Laurel Spirit said nothing, only gazing intently at Dao Xuanji.

"Xuanji just now misspoke. My thoughts and considerations had not yet fully shifted to my role as Palace Master. Similar mistakes will not be made again in the future." Dao Xuanji sighed lightly, admitting her error proactively.

"Even the Three Emperors, even if one were truly free, could never utter such words!" The Nine Sacrifices Laurel Spirit said in a deep voice.

"Lord Nine Sacrifices' lesson is well taken."

"You should rest well... Hmm, you should depart as soon as possible. The Xuanji Great Formation has been broken; there's no time for you to rest." The Nine Sacrifices Laurel Spirit finished speaking, turned, and disappeared from the hall.

Dao Xuanji watched him leave, gazing blankly at the direction he had disappeared for a long time. The empty Sacred Imperial Palace returned to silence. The turmoil and unrest in Jade City, far below Sacred Mountain, seemed to become irrelevant simply by closing her eyes.

Dao Xuanji turned around, looking at her rightful place at the dark long table. In truth, the things and positions one fought for as a child, once obtained through every possible means in adulthood, often reveal that the happiness they bring is far less enduring than imagined. Everything has two sides, just as Dao Qiongcang often said: blessings and misfortunes are intertwined, gains and losses are reciprocal. This position, to put it plainly, was merely a chair. Only by truly sitting in it could one understand what it meant to be "on pins and needles," despite the boundless superficial glory.

"Xu Xiaoshou..." Dao Xuanji muttered silently, pinching her brow. She then turned and left the main hall, heading to the Screen and Candle Ground.

The Screen and Candle Ground on Laurel Mountain was a forbidden area. During Hua Changdeng's secluded sword cultivation, even Dao Qiongcang had to ask for permission to enter; only Yue Gongli dared to trespass slightly. Now, however, that restriction was gone.

Dao Xuanji stepped into the heart of the Screen and Candle Ground. It was still dim there, with a broken willow, a square table, and a dim lamp. But things had changed; Hua Changdeng had already left.

"Lord Willow, you have awakened. Sacred Mountain is in distress, and I require your assistance." Dao Xuanji's expression was pious, and her words respectful.

Whoosh—

The flickering candle flame in the Screen and Candle Ground swayed, emitting a chilling wail that sent shivers down one's spine. The severed trunk of the Ancestral Tree's leader, the God-Worshipping Willow, gave no response.

"Lord Nine Sacrifices Laurel cannot easily leave the mountain. Jade City is in trouble now, and Sacred Mountain is empty."

"I need power to help Sacred Mountain overcome this difficulty."

"He is an ancient sword cultivator, inheriting the You Tu lineage."

The God-Worshipping Willow seemed to sway slightly. Soon, with a "hissing" crack, the newly sprouted tender green fell from it. Dao Xuanji reached out and cupped it. The glowing aura contracted, and the object in her palm transformed into a small willow leaf, though its surface was dull.

"Thank you for your assistance, Senior." Dao Xuanji did not carefully preserve the leaf. After turning to leave, she casually consumed it.

Boom!

Above Jade City, bizarre lights swirled. As soon as the Xuanji Great Formation shattered, countless scattered Heavenly Divination Array patterns exploded across the sky like brilliant fireworks, layer upon layer.

"Run, the great formation is broken!"

"Impossible! Palace Master Xuanji said this formation could protect Jade City for a hundred years. How could it be broken in half a day?"

"Then you keep thinking it's impossible, I'll take my leave first..."

"Xu Xiaoshou, he... he didn't even turn into that largest giant. He only became a golden giant, so how could he stomp through the formation with one foot?"

"Palace Master Xuanji is dead! She was dealt such a blow! If you don't run, are you waiting for Xu Xiaoshou to massacre the city?"

"No need to run."

"Get lost, don't drag me! If you want to die with the city, die yourself. I'm not an idiot... If not now, when should I run?"

"I'm Li Fugui, trust me, Lord Shou won't massacre the city."

"Yeah, right!"

"Ow."

Li Fugui inexplicably took a punch. Now his figure was even more disheveled, and almost no one noticed him among the crowd. He gazed into the sky from afar, at the towering and arrogant Lord Shou, his eyes filled with deep worry...

Actually, thinking calmly, after severely damaging Dao Xuanji, Lord Shou had made a name for himself. At this point, a graceful exit would be best. Charging into Jade City and assaulting Sacred Mountain was too irrational. Rumors were already circulating that the Holy Slave Wuxiu had entered the Dyeing Tea Ruins, and intelligence from the Flower & Grass Pavilion also stated that Wuxiu's Scorched Hand had been seen in the ruins. So, even if he assaulted Sacred Mountain now, at most he would save one Zhu Yike. What was so great about saving Zhu Yike? At this moment, retreat was the wise choice.

"Lord Shou is being impulsive. Is it the influence of the Blood World Pearl?" Li Fugui gazed towards the south from afar. The intelligence he received said that the Five Decays of Heaven and Man had been following Lord Shou. However, once the battle in Jade City began, that person vanished. He believed they were merely hidden, not gone.

The chaos in Jade City... it truly looked like the "root of calamity for the world, a guide to death!" But Li Fugui had absolute faith in Lord Shou. Since Lord Shou dared to use the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, he must have made preparations beforehand. Perhaps, in his current actions, Lord Shou had a deeper meaning that he (Li Fugui) hadn't considered, as if Lord Shou was on the fifth floor, and he was on the third...

As he pondered this, Li Fugui suddenly saw Lord Shou, who had just shattered the Xuanji Great Formation in the distant sky, descend like a demon, laughing maniacally with a twisted expression: "Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!"

"Run, run! I'd like to see where you people can run to! Today, this city, I'm definitely going to blow it up!"

Li Fugui froze for a moment, then turned and ran.

"Received Fear, Passive Points, 9999.""Received Condemnation, Passive Points, 9999.""Received Curse, Passive Points, 9999."

With just one laugh, the notification bar popped up continuously. These people are so easy to trick. Do I really look that brutal? I'm a good person, actually...

"Passive Points: 82,814,429."

After showing off his power outside the city for a while, his Passive Points surged by over six million, breaking through the eighty million mark, up from seventy million! Xu Xiaoshou felt that after this battle, he might even reach one hundred million?

Speaking of which, after his true self awakened, he rushed here without pause. He had intended to spend points as he fought, making up for the time wasted during his slumber by aggressively accumulating Passive Points. At the very least, if he could just aggressively master a 'Spirit Refining Profound Truth,' he would be able to barely withstand the pressure from the Holy Divine Palace. Who would have thought... Dao Qiongcang was actually afraid of the name 'Lord Shou' and fled before fighting! Dao Xuanji was truly just a junior... er, a sister. She was tricked out of the city and severely damaged upon their first encounter! To date, these tens of millions of Passive Points hadn't been put to use.

Why did Xu Xiaoshou dare to openly challenge them like this over Jade City? It was because he understood that this was precisely the Holy Divine Palace's downtime. Dao Qiongcang, one of the Ten Great Venerables, was absent, and Ai Cangsheng was also not present. The Three Emperors, Yan Wuse, was dead; Wei Feng was sealed in Blackwater Ravine; and Dao Xuanji was just a junior. Of the Four Divine Envoys, only three remained: one was slacking off, one was a ditz, and one was a recluse. As for the two Path Rulers, the red-robed one had gone in, and the white-robed one was still a baby, not even a half-saint... What was there to fear?

If he didn't attack Sacred Mountain now, when would he? Wait until everyone was assembled, then propose a gentleman's challenge, calling upon Elder Ba Zun'an for a group brawl? If he didn't beat them into utter defeat now, making them summon a Saint Emperor from the Western Heavens to save the day, then Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't be Xu!

"Fang Wenxin!"

Looking back at the only Half-Saint present who could fight, wanted to fight, yet still held back, Xu Xiaoshou no longer waited for his answer. This person's character was indeed commendable. At the very least, the Blood Shadow Copper Coins had captured so many ghost beast souls, meaning far, far fewer were taken by the Red Robe high-ups for research. He had borne the weight of all this. Whether he could truly achieve salvation remained unknown, but his spirit was admirable. Yet, he couldn't even give a definitive answer, not even comparing to Yu Zhiwen. Xu Xiaoshou had waited so long, and now he understood. It should be this way!

Just as Ba Zun'an had said in White Cave. In this world, those who could and dared to give direct answers like him were exceedingly rare. Ultimately... if Fang Wenxin weren't afraid, why would he idly guard Sacred Mountain, nameless in his twilight years? If he had no qualms, how could he still only be a Half-Saint now? If he dared to fight, he would either be dead by now or would have at least reached the level of the Ten Great Venerables. Talent determines the lower limit. Courage determines the upper limit!

What others dared not do, Xu Xiaoshou dared. Now, he not only intended to blow up Jade City right in front of Laurel Mountain but also to execute a major plan: to openly reclaim the Gluttonous God!

Whoosh!

As the silent Fang Wenxin's gaze fell upon him, Xu Xiaoshou calmly pulled out the ghost beast contract from Jiao Tangtang, retrieving it from his Apricot Realm. At this moment, everyone present was moved. Not only Fang Wenxin recognized what it was. Even Elder Yu, who had crawled back from the spatial currents, the transparent Zhong Yuanzi, and Yu Zhiwen, all recognized the formidable aura of this ghost beast contract.

Before anyone could speak, Xu Xiaoshou sighed and said: "Senior Fang, you're tired. It's time for you to rest."

"The current era belongs to the young. Elders should retire and live out their golden years; there's no need to keep fighting on the front lines. It's not worth it."

"And the answer you cannot give, the choice you cannot make—I am young, I am impulsive, I can give it for you, make it for you!"

As Xu Xiaoshou spoke, he unfurled the ghost beast contract with a flourish. At this moment, Fang Wenxin's pupils trembled. He knew what Xu Xiaoshou was doing.

"Don't!" Yu Zhiwen cried out, her voice breaking with urgency. She, of course, knew what this meant. If Xu Xiaoshou were to bind himself to the ghost beast Gluttonous God, all the karma associated with the latter would converge upon him. The crimes of the Gluttonous God's rampage in Jade City... the Red Robes' targeting of ghost beasts... the White Robes' pursuit of Holy Slaves... the lingering conflict between the Holy Divine Palace and the Twilight Ash Palace... There were too many threads, overt and covert, and these would intertwine, forming an entirely new conflict, named 'Xu Xiaoshou'! He would completely stand against the world. With the blessing of the Devouring Body, combined with Xu Xiaoshou's already terrifying talent, even the Five Great Saint Emperor Clans would be collectively alarmed. Once this ghost beast contract was torn... Even the young Ba Zun'an would recede to a secondary position. In the present world, the chaotic ruler of the dark realm, the leader who unified various paths, would truly have to change his name to 'Xu Xiaoshou'!

"Received Persuasion, Passive Points, 1.""Received Suspicion, Passive Points, 4.""Received Fear, Passive Points, 9999."

When silence suddenly fell below the city, and even Fang Wenxin fixed his gaze on him, calling out "Don't!" in unison with others, Xu Xiaoshou held up the ghost beast contract and smiled freely.

"I once thought that the Gluttonous God was my trump card, that I could use the contract to bind it when I was in my most difficult times, saving myself from peril... I was wrong; I was too selfish."

"I also once thought that contracting with a ghost beast meant completely binding the two worlds together, blending them seamlessly, inseparable... I was wrong again. Someone told me through their own experience that humans and ghost beasts can actually coexist harmoniously."

"It seems that mental inertia has led everyone to treat this thing with extreme secrecy, elevating its status to the highest and considering its significance to be immense..."

He paused, a hint of doubt appearing on Xu Xiaoshou's face: "But is there a possibility that everyone has simply given it too much value, an excessive amount?"

"Is the root of their silence, caused by fear, because the truth has been distorted and guided?"

"It doesn't matter, it no longer matters."

"I once promised a Red Robe that I would find the answer myself. Now that I have the ability, I've come to fulfill that promise."

He held the ghost beast contract high, and under the light of the sky, all its brilliance faintly shimmered.

"At least, in my eyes right now..."

"This contract is merely a way to deepen the connection between me and my friend, nothing more."

Puff! Puff!

As his words fell, white flames ignited in Xu Xiaoshou's hand, and right in front of everyone present, he completely burned the ghost beast contract to ashes.

"No—" Yu Zhiwen exclaimed, her star-like pupils filled with panic and urgency. Suddenly, she realized something. "Eh?" The ghost beast contract had vanished. But the power within it had not emerged. Xu Xiaoshou had merely burned the item; he hadn't chosen to bind himself?

"Received Glare, Passive Points, 1."

Tears welled up in Yu Zhiwen's eyes, her cheeks burning red. She nearly glared Xu Xiaoshou to death. At a time like this, was he still joking?

Xu Xiaoshou turned his head in full view of the public and said to her, chuckling: "I don't dare to trust or use anything given by the Twilight Ash Palace."

"What does that mean?" Yu Zhiwen had just wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes when her star-like pupils suddenly trembled. She saw Xu Xiaoshou standing on an array disc, his hands sketching Heavenly Divination lines, actually weaving a brand new bloodline contract in mid-air, using the content of the ghost beast contract as its foundation!

"Gluttonous God."

This soft call accompanied the contract as it was woven into shape. It was so fast that before anyone could react, it struck the spirit of the Gluttonous God, who had been captured by the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul-Snatching Art, from afar.

"Roar!"

The Gluttonous God struggled violently, instinctively resisting. Suddenly, its nine tails drooped, its scarlet eyes flickered, and it stiffly turned its head: "Meow?"

A ferocious giant beast actually let out such a hesitant meow, tinged with faint doubt and deep, long-awaited expectation.

Xu Xiaoshou's lips curved into a slight smile as he looked at it gently: "I no longer wish to rely on mental perception to understand what you're telling me; that's too complicated..."

"I want to hear your voice, your most direct and authentic voice."

Many thanks to Xu Xiaoshou for the generous patronage of Xu Xiaoshou (Little Beast)! Xu Xiaoshou and the beast are connected. Is this a premonition?