Chapter 1498: Explosive Realm Destroys Divine Spirit, Jade Capital's Two Slashes Cut Dao Xuanji

"Is that still Lord Shou?"

The citizens of Jade City watched, jaws agape. The revered Saint Slave Lord Shou, the formidable "Flower Comes to Northern Sky" Lord Shou, was meowing in public! How absurd! This was a stark contrast to his imposing image from battling Dao Xuanji and resisting the Kunpeng.

"Is this what the side effects of being possessed by a ghost beast look like?""Also, possession, to put it plainly, means the ghost beast dominates, and the host is secondary.""Why, after a successful contract, is Xu Xiaoshou's will still dominant, with the God of Greed's influence being negligible, just a few harmless meows?"The common folk indulged in the joy of spectating; there was no escaping anyway, and if the sky fell, Half-Saint Ye would bear the brunt. They found it quite amusing to watch Xu Xiaoshou in the sky, bickering with his own tail, muttering to himself, and occasionally letting out a "meow."

"Ghost beast transformation, is it actually fun?"Others with foresight were already contemplating the future of the Sacred God Continent — the future of ghost beasts! Undoubtedly, ever since the Ten Venerables' Leader, Kui Leihan, pioneered the "Thorough Divine Thought" and guided an era, Xu Xiaoshou's current actions had opened up another completely new cultivation path for everyone. He demonstrated through his actions that ghost beasts were not to be feared. Contracting them was easy and didn't lead to death; one could even dominate the ghost beast's transformed will, rather than being "possessed" as commonly imagined. If the side effect was just meowing, anyone could accept it upon closer thought. The key question was whether Xu Xiaoshou's combat power would significantly increase in his ghost beast form. If it could...

"Meow!"High in the sky, Lord Shou suddenly went berserk. He furiously pulled at the white tail behind his waist while simultaneously letting out forceful, self-prohibiting meows. This left the farsighted Spirit Cultivators utterly bewildered. Could combat power really be significantly boosted? It looked more like a comedy act...

"Xu Xiaoshou, I have a question." Fang Wenxin looked over gravely. As an original Red-Clothed Envoy, his understanding of ghost beasts far surpassed that of the ignorant citizens of Jade City. He should have stopped Xu Xiaoshou from contracting the ghost beast out of Red-Clothed compassion, not wanting him to bear too much. But when Xu Xiaoshou successfully transformed into a ghost beast and could still maintain his own will, Fang Wenxin couldn't simply try to eliminate him entirely; he had to make another choice. Hearing this, Xu Xiaoshou temporarily ceased his struggle with the excited God of Greed in his mind and, meeting Fang Wenxin's gaze, said, "Elder Fang, meow! Uh... please speak..." The surroundings instantly fell silent. The meowing, now even more abrupt, seemed to have been accepted by everyone, as even Lord Shou himself had given up struggling against it. Fang Wenxin looked at the young man. He could easily tell that Xu Xiaoshou was still rational, and it wasn't an act; the ghost beast possession had very little impact on him. All of this seemed to stem from Xu Xiaoshou's modified and unique ghost beast contract.

Fang Wenxin asked, "Your ghost beast contract seems not to be from the Xuyue Gray Palace, but rather something you created yourself?""Meow!"As soon as Xu Xiaoshou spoke, he flared up, "Damn it, shut up!""I wasn't talking about you, elder..." He then looked apologetically at Fang Wenxin, "Yes, I created it, meow."

This single sentence sent Jade City into fits of laughter, utterly delighted."Received astonishment, Passive Points, 9999.""Received mockery, Passive Points, 9999.""Received fondness, Passive Points, 3666."Fang Wenxin was about to say something more when Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts shifted, and he said with a half-smile:"Elder Fang, meow, you wouldn't want me to magnanimously contribute this ghost beast contract and teach it to the Saint Meow Temple... *whew!* To the whole world, meow, would you?"After finishing the sentence, Xu Xiaoshou's facial muscles twitched violently, and tears glistened in his eyes. My reputation, ruined! He suppressed the shame, evaporating the tears from the corners of his eyes, and glared at Fang Wenxin. He could have conversed calmly, but now he was furious at everyone!

Fang Wenxin was stumped by the question. Indeed, he had just had that very thought. And in front of Xu Xiaoshou, he didn't even need to say a word; his thoughts were fully understood. Then, after a chuckle and another meow from the opposite side, Xu Xiaoshou's face turned ashen, and he spoke:"Actually, that's possible. As long as Elder Fang leaves the Saint Meow... Palace and joins the Heavenly Tower First, I can, meow... alright, we can teach the ghost beast contract to the world!"

Fang Wenxin instantly gleaned a lot of information. After Xu Xiaoshou contracted the God of Greed, had the God of Greed's rationality also returned? Both of them were seemingly intact, even capable of deep self-conscious dialogue. This meant... Xu Xiaoshou's talents would truly include "Devourer Physique" now?

"This is absolutely impossible." Fang Wenxin flatly denied it; he wouldn't make mistakes on matters of principle."Hahaha, if I were Dao Xuanji, meow, you'd already be on a path to death—failing to apprehend the God of Greed, indulging me, Xu Xiaoshou, in contracting a ghost beast, and then discussing such rebellious matters in front of the world..." Xu Xiaoshou sneered, "You'd at least lose two arms, meow!"Jade City immediately erupted in an uproar. This veiled sarcasm was remarkably clever. Wasn't it directly slapping Saint Mountain's face and criticizing its previous punishment of the Moonless Sword Immortal?

After cursing the God of Greed in his mind, Xu Xiaoshou changed the subject and said:"The Osmanthus Mountain lacks the capacity for toler-meow-ance; it cannot tolerate even half a non-native cat. Elder Fang's surname is Fang, and sooner or later, something will happen to him, meow...""*Whew!* Why not join my Heavenly Tower First? You and I can freely research ghost beasts, and once we have results, we can share them with the world, benefiting the Five Domains. Why not, meow?""Damn it!"Having said this, Xu Xiaoshou could no longer tolerate it. He drew Cangkou and chopped at the white tail behind his waist. However, the white tail pulled him, and he began to spin in circles in the air... To outsiders, didn't this scene perfectly resemble a cat playing by chasing its own tail?

"Heh." Yu Zhiwen covered her mouth, amused. Wasn't ghost beast transformation a serious matter of life and death? Why was Xu Xiaoshou's ghost beast transformation so... adorable? What began as a very serious event and a very earnest negotiation immediately changed character the moment Xu Xiaoshou started playing, raising his sword to chase his tail. Everyone in the city was watching this farce. Fang Wenxin found himself unable to reply. He watched the young man spinning in circles high in the sky and slowly closed his eyes. Youth, truly wonderful...

"Buzz!"The Xuanji Great Array trembled. Yu Zhiwen jolted awake, realizing her control over the array had been stripped away. When she looked back, high above Jade City, a majestic figure had appeared at some unknown time and declared:"Xu Xiaoshou has contracted a ghost beast and is spreading heretical words to mislead the public!""The dangers of the Devourer Physique are evident; to only discuss its benefits and ignore its harms, while promoting the path of ghost beast transformation, is certainly not righteous!""Today, I command the Three Saints to jointly apprehend Xu Xiaoshou without any further delay or procrastination. Violators will be severely punished!"With these pronouncements, everyone looked on in surprise."Hall Master Xuanji!""The Hall Master is back! She truly isn't dead. Xu Xiaoshou's crime deserves death!""Xuanji demoness... er, ahem, the Hall Master's words are profound!"

Not just the city dwellers, but also the Saints above the city turned their heads to look. Upon hearing that sickeningly familiar tone, Xu Xiaoshou also stopped his movements and looked back with startled eyes:"Dao Xuanji, meow, you still dare to show your face? Aren't you afraid I'll cut you down with another sword?"Dao Xuanji sneered, looking at Xu Xiaoshou, who had made her neither human nor ghost, a scornful curve on her lips:"Making a fool of yourself."

It must be said that this single phrase truly struck Xu Xiaoshou's current biggest raw nerve. He usually wasn't susceptible to such taunts, but this time was truly different. With a whoosh, fine white hairs subtly grew behind Xu Xiaoshou's ears, suddenly standing upright. The white tail behind his waist also rose, and his hips arched high... then abruptly pressed down."Dao Xuanji, you're seeking death!"A loud roar, accompanied by swirling blood-black ghostly energy, erupted. In the hazy scene, everyone saw three blood-red marks on Xu Xiaoshou's forehead become incredibly prominent, and with a sweep of his fluffy white tail, it transformed into nine tails.

"Boom!"He extended a claw, imbued not only with his own various powers but also carrying some of the power of the "Punishing God's Tribulation," and powerfully struck the Xuanji Great Array. The array's water curtain shimmered, but this time it wasn't pierced. Dao Xuanji, within the array, looked on with contempt. As long as she stayed inside, how could Xu Xiaoshou possibly strike her down again? Moreover, after enraging him, with the Three Saints attacking together, the young man could easily be subdued! It was at this moment... Facing Xu Xiaoshou's ferocious expression, Dao Xuanji's gaze was involuntarily drawn to the strangeness in his eyes. She saw that within the vertical pupil of his left cat-like eye, three gray mottled spots suddenly spun, rapidly disappearing into the depths of his pupil.

"Shifting Intent Aperture?""No! The Three Aversion Pupils!"Dao Xuanji's face instantly turned ashen. She sharply tried to turn her head away, but a thunderous "buzz" exploded in her mind. Her thoughts, disconnected...

Xu Xiaoshou pressed his claw onto the Xuanji Great Array. His cat-like human body sprang up with a pop, then flipped in the air, before he straddled the suddenly condensed ghost energy throne. Nine tails fanned out behind him. Saint Power surged from beneath his feet. He crossed one leg over the other, tilted his head, and from his left eye, the Three Aversion Pupils, ghost energy shot out like lightning. He coldly roared:"Old Turtle Dao, get out of that array for me!"This explosive roar left everyone present nearly deafened, their hearts filled with terror and awe. When they looked up again...

Xu Xiaoshou sat majestically atop the ghostly energy, acting with unrestrained abandon! Meanwhile, inside the array, Hall Master Xuanji trembled, seemingly like a cat receiving its master's command, actually daring to step forward."No!""Hall Master Xuanji, quickly awaken!""Xu Xiaoshou, you must not act recklessly anymore!"Above the city, Yu, Zhong, and the Three Saints were all astonished. No one had expected such a rapid and severe turn of events. That Xu Xiaoshou, transformed into a ghost beast, had inherited the God of Greed's Devourer Physique was one thing — terrifying, yet somewhat foreseeable. But these Three Aversion Pupils... Were they Xu Xiaoshou's own? Or inherited from the God of Greed?"God of Greed!"Only then did the Saints recall that according to their intelligence, the God of Greed possessed not only the Three Aversion Pupils but also the Three Calamity Eyes. It now seemed that all these abilities had truly been inherited by Xu Xiaoshou after his ghost beast transformation? Who could have prepared for this?! Dao Xuanji was already meticulous enough, yet she hadn't considered this point. But Xu Xiaoshou, like sensitive skin, deployed the Three Aversion Pupils the moment he met eyes and triggered the ability! It was too fast! Although the Saints' reactions were a bit slow, the three Half-Saints certainly lived up to their title. As Dao Xuanji trembled, struggling yet obeying, almost about to fly out of the Xuanji Great Array, the Three Saints, moving belatedly but swiftly, simultaneously attacked Xu Xiaoshou on the ghostly energy throne. Ten types of energy danced on Zhong Yuanzi's fingertips... Fang Wenxin followed with nine blood-shadow copper coins... Elder Yu was completely numb. While flying and wanting to retreat, he could only roar, "Zhong Yuanzi, withdraw your divine abilities!"

Upon the ghostly energy throne, Xu Xiaoshou laughed defiantly and rose into the air:"Excellent timing!"He leaned forward, then raised his head and inhaled."Hiss—"Breath Technique, activate!Feast Mode, activate!Devouring Power, activate!In the blink of an eye, the energy from tens of thousands of miles around Jade City was completely drained by that terrifying suction. The Heavenly Dao trembled, and space distorted. Even some of the Heavenly Secrets runes on the Xuanji Great Array were sucked dry and exploded, transforming into starlight that flowed into Xu Xiaoshou's eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Zhong Yuanzi was stunned. All the "energy seeds" in his hand had vanished."Huh?"Only then did the old man realize... Xu Xiaoshou was no longer the same Xu Xiaoshou; he had undergone ghost beast transformation and possessed the Devourer Physique! Force of habit was truly misleading. But with that hiss, all the vanished energy, spiritual energy, and Saint Power, as the Three Saints faced him, had been manifested by Xu Xiaoshou in his palm. It was a blurry small orb. If magnified, it would resemble... a domain? Yet the energy within was not blurry: Ash-Light, Frost Calamity, Sword Will, elemental power, ghost beast power, ancestral power... everything that should be there was there! The Bursting Domain, for the first time combining these myriad energies, pushed its instantaneous explosive power to the absolute limit of what Xu Xiaoshou could achieve. When he flung this attack out, without the slightest defense, merely flicking it gently towards the blood-shadow copper coins and the Three Saints, everyone realized something terrible was about to happen... But the only solitary word remaining in the world, conveyed by Xu Xiaoshou through countless mental transmissions, was:"Burst."

Rumble, rumble, rumble...A slight tremor occurred in the Central Plains Realm. Everyone looked around frequently, exchanging glances, feeling that the tremor was somewhat familiar, much like the prelude to a coming disaster. After all, not long ago, a similar earthquake had led to the appearance of an ultimate giant in the Central Plains Realm, who then tore apart the Saint Emperor Qilin!"Look, over there!""This... is that the direction of the Qilin Realm?""No! It seems even further, perhaps the capital city?""It looks like it. What happened in Jade City? Did Elder Yan revive?"In the direction of distant Jade City, it was as if a giant fiery sun had fallen, covering half the sky. From the Central Plains Realm, beneath that terrifying, incandescent white light, the mountains lost their luster, the world grew dim, like the end of days. Fortunately, it hadn't descended upon the Central Plains Realm again."It shouldn't be Lord Shou, right?""Definitely not. Lord Shou must be weak after his last battle with the Saint Emperor.""But I heard there's indeed some unrest in Jade City. It seems Hall Master Dao is trying to capture Venerable Xiang Yaoyao. Maybe Aunt Xiang caused this.""Pfft! Brother, don't joke around, Aunt Xiang? Hahaha!"

Above Jade City."No way..."Ye Xiaotian was stunned. Xu Xiaoshou's first move in his ghost beast form had made him feel utterly defeated. His role here wasn't to help Xu Xiaoshou fend off the Half-Saints, but to put out fires? It was just protecting Jade City, nothing more. As for the rest, even with the Three Saints facing him, Xu Xiaoshou could send them flying alone? As the terrifying explosion reverberated... Zhong Yuanzi gradually turned to ash and vanished. Fang Wenxin was struck by his own blood-shadow copper coins, causing him to vomit blood, while his ghost beast spirits autonomously protected him, disappearing one after another. Finally, with only half of Elder Yu remaining, he pulled himself away, barely escaping the epicenter of the explosion! Mei Siren was too busy fending for himself and could only flee in a disheveled state. This remaining Jade City, if he didn't protect it, who would?"How could he...""He's only at the Way of the Throne realm; how could he be so powerful..."Ye Xiaotian shook his head in disbelief, even as he tearfully acted, isolating the battlefield and taking Jade City into his palm. As he finished, he looked back at the explosion's epicenter, seeing Xu Xiaoshou still standing gracefully atop the ghostly energy, his eyes bloodshot."Is this... ghost beast transformation?"

Just then, a hand landed on his arm. The out-of-control Bursting Domain had completely exceeded Xu Xiaoshou's mastery. Thanks to this, the control of the Three Aversion Pupils broke just as Dao Xuanji was barely leaving the city! Snapping back to her senses, Dao Xuanji looked up, and a doomsday-like landscape, accompanied by the silent roar of the explosion, rushed towards her."What is this..."She hadn't even recalled what had just happened, yet she knew her life was in danger again."This path, Forbidden Technique!"As Dao Xuanji rapidly retreated, the Sky Scroll beneath her feet unfurled. In the nick of time, she successfully activated the Xuanji Great Array, deploying countless chains of forbidden techniques that pierced into the explosive energy. However, just then, a low chuckle sounded in her ear:"This path, it's mine!"

Dao Xuanji sharply turned her head, then quickly closed her eyes. However, her spiritual sense swept past, and Xu Xiaoshou's sneering expression as he flicked his sword was deeply etched into her mind. He hadn't activated the Three Aversion Pupils again! He seemed certain she would close her eyes and, seizing the moment she manipulated the Xuanji Great Array, he shot out the Four Swords of Existence! The Black Sword of Shadow Piercing moved swiftly through the waves of the explosion. Dao Xuanji felt a sudden surge of deathly intent. She had never imagined that upon reappearing, even with full preparations, Xu Xiaoshou could still so powerfully try to kill her. Unwilling! I'm unwilling!!

"Woo—"Just then, the sound of a Kun's cry rose, and a savior appeared. Elder Yu was truly frightened; he absolutely dared not let Dao Xuanji be killed twice by Xu Xiaoshou in his presence. This wasn't just a matter of dereliction of duty. The Sacred God Hall also needed to save face!"Xu Xiaoshou, get lost!"Amidst the blasting impact, the colossal Kun body, as vast as the sky, was still able to charge forward swiftly, parting water and breaking waves. This attack not only contained Elder Yu's hatred from being sent flying earlier and the grudge over his precious great-granddaughter Xiaoyu's eyes being covered but also held a bit of a lesson. Young man, you need to know... old ginger is still spicier!

However, Xu Xiaoshou, seated atop the ghostly energy throne, remained perfectly still at the sight of the gigantic Kun body. The explosion was still roaring... He pointed a finger from afar and coldly reprimanded:"I am the descendant of the Heavenly Ancestor. How dare a Kunpeng act so presumptuously?"The world suddenly darkened. Elder Yu, now in his Kun form, saw that behind the ghostly energy throne, a monstrous maw had ripped open above Xu Xiaoshou's back. Inside, blood vessels writhed. Suddenly, an incredibly massive eyeball gently rotated out, gazing at him, terrifying beyond measure."Scram!"Rolling thunderous sounds, wave upon wave, assaulted him, causing his mind to falter. The Heavenly Ancestor's Manifestation?! Cold sweat broke out on Elder Yu's back. The Kun's charging momentum was directly halted by that single gaze and roar. Xu Xiaoshou had received the Heavenly Ancestor's inheritance and obtained the manifestation of the Ten Ancestors? How was that possible? He had never used it before... Oh, right, he hadn't needed to before... No! How much had this young man been hiding?! The Heavenly Ancestor's will blocked his path. It wasn't just that Elder Yu already wanted to retreat. Even if he wanted to charge forward, his Kun form was simply powerless to advance. That Heavenly Ancestor's eyeball, which had ripped through the sky... With just one look, Elder Yu felt that taking another half-step forward would trigger a monumental change. It might not kill him, but it would certainly leave him severely injured!

"Woo—"From Dao Xuanji's perspective, she saw nothing. The Kun beast, which had appeared from the horizon, paused, then returned to the horizon as if casually fishing."Yu Kunpeng!"Dao Xuanji was furious. Either you don't come, or if you do, you block with all your might. Is this coming and going just to play games with people? Still, it had bought some time. As the Four Swords of Existence came assailing her face, she had just thought to block them with her hand."Don't!"In the distance, Beibei's alarmed cry suddenly rose. With a flash of illusionary sword light, she appeared before the formidable sword, one of the Five Chaos Divine Artifacts. Only then did Dao Xuanji realize that she had been entranced again, influenced by the guiding force. The Four Swords of Existence were formidable; to a non-ancient sword cultivator, attempting to block them with one's physical body... they wouldn't even know how they died!

"A mere Beibei, easily shattered with a flick of a finger."Xu Xiaoshou showed no trace of the pride of an ancient sword cultivator. His gaze shifted, and the Three Aversion Pupils instantly locked onto her. Beibei had just clapped her sword scabbard, intending to draw the Emperor Sword Solitary Supremacy... While the action was cool, the flamboyant wind-up for drawing the sword was too much. Guided by the momentum, she glanced over and, upon seeing Xu Xiaoshou's eerie left eye..."Ah!"Her body went limp, and Beibei collapsed directly to the ground.

Dao Xuanji manipulated the Xuanji Great Array, instantly teleporting inside. But that fleeting teleportation gate—how could Xu Xiaoshou, the king of Weaving Arts, fail to capture it? The Four Swords of Existence, following the opening, slipped into the Xuanji Great Array!"Whoa!"The citizens of Jade City erupted in chaos. They were held within Ye Xiaotian's hand. In the world outside, Dao Xuanji was incredibly gigantic, like a titan. The Four Swords of Existence were also immense, filling the sky, with the Black Sword of Shadow Piercing moving through the explosive waves, its sword energy boundless. Yet, in an instant, Dao Xuanji shrunk as she entered, and the Four Swords of Existence also shrunk and followed. No path to the heavens, no door to the earth! Was Xu Xiaoshou truly determined to kill Dao Xuanji every time he saw her? He was simply too unreasonable!

"Elder Gu!!!"Dao Xuanji screamed with all her might. In her entire life, had she ever been more disheveled than she was now? In front of the world, she was even being hunted by Xu Xiaoshou's sword, forced to flee into Ye Xiaotian's protection! Dao Xuanji's Dao heart was on the verge of collapse. At this crucial moment, Gu Yu, the current "First Sword Immortal" of the Five Domains, sighed and stepped forward."A mere Sword Immortal, do you dare to look at me?"He hadn't even moved, but as Xu Xiaoshou's words rang out, Gu Yu glanced over. Amidst the dazzling light, the figure seated on the ghostly energy throne transformed. He became a black-clad figure, a vague silhouette standing atop a solitary tower under a full moon."This!"Gu Yu's heart trembled. No one told me that Xu Xiaoshou's Heart Sword Art imagery was the 'Sword God's Lonely Tower Shadow'! Could I get some warning? Just then, atop the solitary tower, the black figure stood with his sword angled, his gaze turning to the side."Under my gaze, all beings are demons."

As Gu Yu pulled himself away from the imagery of the Sword God's Lonely Tower Shadow, endless demonic energy surged from his body. He was too busy defending himself; how could he possibly break free to rescue Dao Xuanji?"Whoosh!"The Black Sword pierced the air, right behind her head!Dao Xuanji's eyes widened in fury. She abruptly formed a hand seal and turned to block:"Thirty-Six Forms of Heavenly Secrets, Grand—""Grand what? Dao Xuanji, your mind is in disarray!"Suddenly, a soft chuckle sounded in her ear, "This is an Illusionary Sword Art. Didn't you realize?"As the words settled, scene after scene that had unfolded in this world transformed into fluttering red plum blossoms falling away. Xu Xiaoshou still sat majestically on the ghostly energy throne high in the sky. Ye Xiaotian had not taken Jade City into his palm; beside him was another Xu Xiaoshou, holding his hand, preventing any action. Everything that had just happened in and around Jade City was actually real. The only falsehood was that the one holding the city in his solitary palm was Xu Xiaoshou's second true body, who also possessed spatial attributes, had photographic memory, and, with the aid of an Imitator, could temporarily mimic Ye Xiaotian's spiritual techniques. Dao Xuanji had entered not Ye Xiaotian's "world within a palm," but the second true body's "world within a palm"! From start to finish, she was under Xu Xiaoshou's complete control! With a ripping sound, as the character "Grand" had just appeared, the world froze. Dao Xuanji's pupils dilated as she watched, wide-eyed, the Four Swords of Existence pierce through her brow and fly out from the back of her head. Far away, outside this world, the ghost beast-transformed figure seated on the ghostly energy throne was impossibly huge. He shook his head and sneered:"Remember this, Dao Xuanji...""Every time I see you, I'll cut you down!"