“Here they come…”
Yu Jing Cheng trembled with fear.
Everyone knew that Shou Ye acted recklessly and without regard for the law.
Everyone had also heard Shou Ye’s wild boasts upon his first appearance about slaughtering the city and scaling the mountain, and now that he had slain Dao Xuanji, was he truly going to unleash a massacre within the city?
“It can’t be that bad. He said Yu Jing Cheng would belong to him, not the corpses of its people. What’s the point of killing so many?”
“Yu Jing Cheng is known as the ‘capital,’ the heart of the continent, a city among cities. It contains great cities within cities, and towns within those, all nestled among mountains and rivers, a place of outstanding people and spirits. It’s vastly larger and better than ordinary cities or prefectures, and with the Xumi array expanding space, it can hold tens of millions without crowding.”
“So many people—if Xu Xiao Shou is brazen, he couldn’t possibly kill them all. The sin would be too great. The half-saints… even those above half-saints in legend, wouldn’t tolerate such demonic acts.”
“But he is Xu Xiao Shou!”
“Uh, it wouldn’t go that far. Such actions would make him an enemy of the world.”
“But he is Shou Ye!”
“Uh, no way? Please no… Xuanji Hall, no, Dao Hall Master, protect us. The capital’s great array will safeguard us!”
The people of Yu Jing Cheng were all on edge.
The city’s worries had solidified into something tangible, hanging over this ethereal, snow-covered metropolis, enough to make even a half-saint shudder.
Fang Wenxin could no longer ignore it. With the lives of the people at stake, it was the duty of a sage, so he sternly asked, “Xu Xiao Shou, what do you mean by this?”
“How’s that—does the Sacred God Hall intend to go back on its word?” Xu Xiao Shou smiled as he looked over. “The bet before Bei Bei’s battle—didn’t Elder Fang hear about it?”
Fang Wenxin was momentarily speechless.
That bet was witnessed by the world.
Even if he pretended not to hear, the half-saints from the Sheng Nu side weren’t pushovers; they wouldn’t let it slide.
Seeing Fang Wenxin deflate with just a word, Xu Xiao Shou thought to himself that the old man was too kind—if Dao Xuanji were here, she’d probably start denying it outright.
With a gravely serious expression, Xu Xiao Shou glanced at the transmit mirror and declared to Fang Wenxin,
“A gentleman’s word is worth more than a sacred mountain!
Before the battle, Bei Bei and I made a bet for the sake of peace in the world. Regardless of win or loss, no half-saint could interfere.
As for the bet’s terms—if I won, the land of Yu Jing Cheng, its great array, wealth, and everything including its people, would all belong to me.
I, Xu Xiao Shou, am I just talking nonsense here?”
Everyone present fell silent at his words.
Yu Jing Cheng waited anxiously for its unknown fate.
Fang Wenxin, Zhong Yuanzi, and the others looked around, seeing no one else to take charge, and finally nodded reluctantly.
“In that case, you, Xu Xiao Shou, can be the lord of Yu Jing Cheng.” Fang Wenxin sighed deeply, glancing back toward Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain with a troubled expression. “I’ll personally go to the sacred mountain to report this and secure for you the title of city lord, restoring you to a righteous status.”
“Afterward, it might bring this war to an end and prevent further chaos.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Liu Fu Yu, and fixed on Xu Xiao Shou. “But, young Xu, you must guarantee that you won’t engage in any more activities with the dark forces. Otherwise, I won’t be able to handle this.”
Xu Xiao Shou was stunned for a moment.
For a second, he thought Fang Wenxin was joking, until he saw the old man’s face full of difficulty and sincerity…
Was he really serious about this?
Did he truly believe Xu Xiao Shou wanted to leave Sheng Nu, return to the “light,” and submit to the Sacred God Hall’s rule to become some worthless emperor of Yu Jing Cheng?
“Are you serious?” Xu Xiao Shou swallowed hard.
“Yes!”
Getting that response, Xu Xiao Shou glanced at his information panel, but it didn’t show anything like “deceived”…
Elder Fang, you’re just too adorable!
Had he really been cooped up on Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain for centuries, regressing to the point of thinking Sacred God Hall and Sheng Nu could coexist peacefully?
Or did he think…
With his own power, he could pull this off?
Xu Xiao Shou nearly burst out laughing. He turned back, signaling Feng Zhong Zui to keep the transmit mirror close, then raised his voice,
“Elder Fang, may I ask how you plan to persuade whoever it is to grant me this city lord title?”
Fang Wenxin hesitated, about to speak, when Xu Xiao Shou cut in, “Are you the red-clothed chief executor?”
“…Vice executor.”
“Oh, just vice.” Xu Xiao Shou repeated the key point with a smirk. “So, you’re not even in the Ten-Person Council. Your position on the sacred mountain is lower than Bei Bei’s?”
“Then, do you think when I proposed this bet, that novice Bei Bei would dare to accept it on behalf of the Sacred God Hall’s Dao Hall Master?”
Fang Wenxin’s face turned pale and then flushed, vaguely understanding what Xu Xiao Shou was getting at.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
Xu Xiao Shou laughed uproariously, snatching the transmit mirror from Feng Zhong Zui’s hand. He swept it over Fang Wenxin, then aimed it at the countless people in Yu Jing Cheng:
“Everyone, the people of Sacred God Hall think I, Xu Xiao Shou, am a fool!
A mere Bei Bei, without the hall master’s orders, dares to gamble away Yu Jing Cheng.
And this little red-clothed vice executor has the nerve to spout nonsense, saying he’ll get a position as city lord for the Dao Xuanji I’ve already cut down twice, and even put it under her control…”
At that, Xu Xiao Shou couldn’t help but scoff,
“Never mind if I’m sitting at the foot of Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain—would Dao Xuanji’s butt get so scorched she can’t even sit in the hall master’s seat?
Just look at this trash—newly appointed and already cut down twice by me, Xu Xiao Shou. What virtue or ability does she have to dictate over me? Huh!”
His voice rose sharply as he glared at Fang Wenxin: “How dare you speak so recklessly, spouting such absurd and inverted nonsense?”
Yu Jing Cheng erupted in an uproar; everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
In their minds, Shou Ye was certainly worthy of the title “lord,” but he was just the second-in-command of a minor Sheng Nu. How could he compare to the colossal Sacred God Hall, which dominated the five domains?
But in Shou Ye’s view, the newly appointed Dao Xuanji was nothing but crap, and Sacred God Hall wasn’t even worth a fart…
And he didn’t just think it—he said it out loud!
Thinking it over, it actually made a lot of sense!
“Yeah, how could a place as small as Yu Jing Cheng hold a great figure like Shou Ye?” Across the five domains, in front of transmit mirrors, refiners were equally shocked.
Though Shou Ye’s words revealed the essence of the current situation, no one had ever shifted their mindset like this:
Unknowingly, with just Shou Ye from Sheng Nu, Sacred God Hall was truly helpless. The new hall master was being suppressed, completely unable to fight back!
Didn’t that mean the signboard of Sacred God Hall as the “continent’s top power” was swaying in the wind, on the verge of collapse?
Everyone in the five domains who saw or heard this through the mirrors had their perceptions cracked wide open, leading to terrifying realizations.
Fang Wenxin was lambasted head-on, fuming with anger, but suddenly his thoughts froze, just like everyone else, as he realized something…
Yeah!
In his own perception, Sacred God Hall was still the continent’s top power.
But when had the top power ever been forced into such a corner by someone?
Even back in the era of the Eight Zuns, it hadn’t come to this…
“Elder Fang, wake up!”
“I respect you, so I’m saying all this. If it were anyone else, they’d get nothing but a sword…”
Xu Xiao Shou’s voice came at the right time, his tone softening before turning heavy. “Sacred God Hall isn’t what it used to be, whether in reputation or essence!”
Fang Wenxin’s body shook, and he lifted his gaze, his mind flashing with the dark side of red-clothed’s development over the years, unable to refute it.
Xu Xiao Shou, seeing this, really wanted to shove an Apricot Realm jade talisman at him right then…
But he knew Fang Wenxin wasn’t like Zhong Yuanzi—not some fool who could be swayed so directly.
His feelings for red-clothed (the original) and his concern for the continent’s safety weighed far more than anything from Xu Xiao Shou or Tian Shang First Tower!
Returning to Yu Jing Cheng, Xu Xiao Shou sneered, “Elder Fang, all that you said is just illusion—don’t bother with it.
Yu Jing Cheng is mine now, and so are its people, whether alive or dead, all in my hands with a single thought.”
Yu Jing Cheng immediately descended into chaos.
Zhong Yuanzi glanced at the speechless Fang Wenxin and had to speak up: “Everything else can be negotiated, but there must be another way to exchange for the city’s people, right?”
“Received a plea, passive value +1.”
Xu Xiao Shou looked over; the old explosive-haired one had eyes full of pity and a hint of plea.
Seeing that plea, Xu Xiao Shou felt as if he were seeing a close friend—only the intimate would show such emotion.
Good, half of Zhong Yuanzi belonged to Tian Shang First Tower now!
Xu Xiao Shou added fuel to the fire, saying firmly, “There is!”
Zhong Yuanzi’s eyes lit up, quietly giving a grateful look, and for the people’s sake, he said loudly, “Shou Ye, please speak—what do you want?”
Countless people and refiners in Yu Jing Cheng perked up with anticipation. As long as they could survive, anything was fine!
But Shou Ye remained silent for a long while.
He just stood in the void, staring straight at the explosive-haired elemental envoy, until everyone was baffled, and Zhong Yuanzi was completely confused…
Finally, everyone felt a sudden chill, as if sensing something, and Zhong Yuanzi jolted in shock!
Only then did Xu Xiao Shou, after brewing for a long time, have tears welling in his eyes:
“Elder Zhong, for the sake of refiners across the world, you spent a hundred years researching the ‘Great Dao Diagram,’ vowing to benefit the five domains and pave a new path for refining.
For the people of Yu Jing Cheng, you’re even willing to humble yourself and plead with a arrogant junior like me—I’m deeply moved.”
As he spoke, Xu Xiao Shou stepped forward involuntarily, reaching out as if to take Elder Zhong’s hand, but seeming to remember their opposing positions, he held back from the embrace.
In the end, he raised his hands symbolically, tossing the transmit mirror back and standing at arm’s length, his voice choked with emotion:
“In my eyes, Xu Xiao Shou, one city of Yu Jing Cheng isn’t worth a third of Elder Zhong’s sincere feelings!”
This…
Yu Jing Cheng was shocked.
Feng Zhong Zui was shocked, holding the transmit mirror to broadcast this “heartwarming” scene.
The people across the five domains were even more shocked. What was Shou Ye up to? This was just making people feel nauseous…
Yet, in the scene, Shou Ye crouched down as he spoke.
Behind him, Lei Xi Er, Mei Si Ren, and the others frowned, feeling almost sick, and quickly turned away to avoid the sight.
Zhong Yuanzi was startled, thinking Xu Xiao Shou had gone mad and was about to kneel to him. “No, no, you mustn’t…”
Of course, Xu Xiao Shou wasn’t kneeling. He just squatted down and touched Elder Zhong’s spirit boots.
Uh, no shoelaces…
His emotions hit a snag for a moment, then he quickly grabbed his sleeve and shook his head. “They’re dirty.”
While wiping Elder Zhong’s spotless spirit boots, he declared,
“If you, Elder, are willing to join Tian Shang First Tower, I, Xu Xiao Shou, will give up this entire Yu Jing Cheng.”
At that moment, everyone was struck like lightning.
Across the five domains, seeing “Shou Ye polishing shoes just for Elder Zhong,” people felt a chill down their spines and gasped.
“This is too contrived…”
“No! He’s Shou Ye—he just slew the Dao Xuanji and defeated Sword Immortal Bei Bei!”
“Even if it’s all an act, if someone like him stooped to polish my shoes… no, if he just said a word, I’d follow him straight away.”
“I’m convinced! Is this what Shou Ye is like? Hearing about him doesn’t compare to seeing him in person!”
Thud—
Above Yu Jing Cheng, Zhong Yuanzi felt the world lose all color and sound.
His soft heart was hammered hard, skipping a beat.
“No way!”
Fang Wenxin shouted.
Seeing the “naive” explosive-haired one react like this made his scalp tingle with fear.
If Zhong Yuanzi left, it wouldn’t just mean losing an elemental envoy for the sacred mountain—it would mean the continent gaining an explosive death god!
But just as he was about to speak…
The explosive-haired one turned his head, sincerity in his eyes. “If it’s for Yu Jing Cheng, who else but me?”
“No! Absolutely not!” This time, before Fang Wenxin could speak, a distant, ethereal and angry voice descended from the sacred mountain.
“Dao Xuanji?!”
Xu Xiao Shou sprang up, glaring toward the sacred mountain. “You coward, if you’ve got the guts, show yourself and talk! All you do is yell ‘no’ from afar—what kind of hall master are you?”
How could Dao Xuanji show herself?
When the urgent report reached Sheng Huan Hall, she was terrified.
Who would have thought Xu Xiao Shou’s schemes ran so deep? Attacking while the sacred mountain was vulnerable was one thing, but now he wanted to poach a half-saint?
Yu Jing Cheng was big, but how could it compare to the allure of a full-attribute elemental envoy?
“Elder Zhong, don’t listen to that villain…”
“Ah—”
Before Dao Xuanji could finish, Xu Xiao Shou roared, interrupting her. He drew his four swords, pointing them furiously at the sacred mountain, his black hair whipping wildly:
“If you, Dao Xuanji, dare to influence Elder Zhong’s choice, I, Xu Xiao Shou, will make Yu Jing Cheng a river of blood and a mountain of corpses today!”
With that shout, everyone around felt a wave of terror.
Lei Shuangxing nearly laughed, though they’d only met a few times; he knew Xu Xiao Shou wouldn’t actually do it. But why was this guy acting more and more like a child…
However, moments later, he couldn’t laugh anymore.
Because when someone with world-ending power acted like a child, even his threats were highly effective.
Boom!
As soon as Xu Xiao Shou finished, a tangible killing intent filled the sky, overwhelming Yu Jing Cheng and stirring up flying snow.
The people in the city didn’t dare to gamble; they were on the verge of madness, clutching their heads and screaming:
“You old witch Xuanji, get lost!”
“Don’t, don’t come! Please, just let Elder Zhong choose for himself. Hall Master Xuanji, please don’t show up… don’t throw your life away.”
“I want to live; I want to survive! Ahhh—”
“You old hag, back off! Elder Zhong, save us!”
In Sheng Huan Hall, as the sacred thoughts transmitted the city’s sounds of fear and dread—as if she were the demon—Dao Xuanji’s mind went blank.
How… how did this happen?
Why?!
In just a few days, the momentum in Yu Jing Cheng had been completely swayed by Xu Xiao Shou alone?!
In an instant, terror spread in Dao Xuanji’s eyes.
Being cut down twice wasn’t the scary part. What was terrifying was that, judging from Yu Jing Cheng’s situation, she, as the newly appointed hall master, had truly been outmaneuvered by this young man she’d once looked down on.
By then, even if Ai Cang Sheng returned and turned things around…
“Could I ever regain my momentum?”
Dao Xuanji gripped the black dragon throne’s armrest tightly.
She seemed to see through Xu Xiao Shou’s seemingly unnecessary provocations and madness in Yu Jing Cheng.
This guy was scheming on the third level…
Above Yu Jing Cheng, Elder Zhong was torn.
On one side was Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain, where he’d been hosted and resided for half his life—impossible to say he had no feelings for it.
On the other was Xu Xiao Shou, whom he’d only recently met but shared ideals with, even willing to give up an entire city and humble himself just to invite him…
Truth be told, Zhong Yuanzi had never been so moved in his life. Though he could see Xu Xiao Shou’s act had elements of performance—and quite a bit at that—who in his life had ever polished his shoes? Even if those shoes bore an Immaculate Wind Array…
Zhong Yuanzi really liked Xu Xiao Shou.
It wasn’t just his knowledge, full attributes, or Great Dao Diagram—Zhong Yuanzi also liked his personality.
But…
Could he agree?
The people of Yu Jing Cheng watched the hesitant half-saint Zhong Yuanzi, tense with anxiety.
The refiners across the five domains stared at the silent explosive-haired figure in the mirror, speechless.
At first, everyone thought Xu Xiao Shou digging for Elder Zhong in front of the world was a joke…
Now!
Dao Xuanji was held in check!
Zhong Yuanzi was hesitating!
Was the world mad? Sheng Nu publicly poaching from Sacred God Hall—and possibly succeeding?
Yet, recalling Shou Ye’s actions since arriving in Yu Jing Cheng, everyone found his behavior completely illogical, even absurd!
But the final outcome seemed to be leaning his way?
Over and over, countless people tried to learn from Shou Ye, analyzing his motives for any “step-by-step” strategy…
In the end, they couldn’t figure it out!
Finally, someone murmured, “Shou Ye… he’s too terrifying…”
On the transmit mirror, Zhong Yuanzi paused for over ten breaths before looking at Xu Xiao Shou, his eyes full of guilt as they darted away:
“I’m sorry…”
Xu Xiao Shou’s eyes lost their light at that moment, as if he’d made a decision, and he charged toward Yu Jing Cheng with his sword raised.
“Damn!” Yu Jing Cheng was terrified; countless people screamed, “No! Shou Ye, spare us—”
Zhong Yuanzi shuddered too: “No!”
Xu Xiao Shou halted abruptly in midair, his eyes lighting up. “Elder Zhong, are you joining Tian Shang First Tower?”
Zhong Yuanzi was at a loss for words, taking a long time to say, “Sacred God Hall has treated me well…”
Seeing Xu Xiao Shou’s expression change, he quickly added, “But we can’t kill Yu Jing Cheng!”
Xu Xiao Shou suddenly acted like a resentful wife, saying softly, “You want this, and you want that—why don’t you tell me to leave Tian Shang First Tower like Elder Fang did, join Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain, and serve under Dao Xuanji like you, acting as a tiger’s minion?”
Fang Wenxin fell silent, inwardly cursing the sneaky brat.
Zhong Yuanzi was extremely conflicted, weighing options but finding no good solution, and finally pleaded, “Just spare Yu Jing Cheng as a favor to me…”
Xu Xiao Shou closed his eyes coldly and said,
“Elder Zhong, our positions are opposed. Saying such intimate things isn’t appropriate, is it?
Tian Shang First Tower has its own half-saints, more than one, and I’m full-attribute with the Great Dao Diagram…
How do I explain to myself and my people in Tian Shang First Tower—that I spared the enemy, spared Yu Jing Cheng, even spared Dao Xuanji, and broke the bet from the Sword Immortal battle, all just to give you face?”
Zhong Yuanzi’s heart was a mix of emotions, about to speak, when Xu Xiao Shou self-mockingly cut in: “You want status, you want Yu Jing Cheng, you want everything—and after you get what you want, you want me, Xu Xiao Shou, to be the one who can’t show his face. Ha.”
Zhong Yuanzi opened his mouth, stammering, “Ah…”
Yu Jing Cheng fell collectively silent.
Fang Wenxin inhaled sharply. This guy! This guy!
Mei Si Ren, Lei Shuangxing, and the others from their side twitched their faces; indeed, compared to Xu Xiao Shou’s combat prowess, his mouth was unbeatable!
Dead silence.
Yu Jing Cheng’s despair was plain to see.
At that moment, Zhong Yuanzi, self-loathing, wished he could snatch Xu Xiao Shou’s sword and end himself.
He’s been so respectful to me, and here I am, acting like a total jerk…
I’m guilty!
What should I do? Someone tell me, Dao boy… oh, Dao boy’s gone.
Zhong Yuanzi lifted his vacant gaze, looking around, realizing Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain wasn’t what it used to be—it didn’t even compare to how Xu Xiao Shou made him feel.
“Fine!”
Just then, as Zhong Yuanzi struggled silently, Xu Xiao Shou shouted again, firmly stating, “Even if I bear a thousand curses, today I, Xu Xiao Shou, will give you face, Elder Zhong. I won’t slaughter Yu Jing Cheng!” He waved his hand grandly.
Zhong Yuanzi’s eyes brightened with joy, but when he looked up, he saw a hint of strangeness in Xu Xiao Shou’s eyes.
His heart tightened, and he stepped forward instinctively, feeling something slip away.
Xu Xiao Shou retreated, shaking his head with a cold resentment: “But death can be forgiven—living crimes cannot… Or rather, Yu Jing Cheng was meant to be under my control from the start!”
The people of Yu Jing Cheng perked up at his words.
Some felt something was off—this wasn’t anything to celebrate—but they still felt relieved; at least they were alive…
“Xu Xiao Shou, what do you mean by this?” Zhong Yuanzi asked hurriedly.
Xu Xiao Shou just gazed deeply at Elder Zhong, took another step back without responding, and soon averted his eyes resolutely.
Zhong Yuanzi felt an emptiness in his heart, like sand slipping through his fingers, impossible to grasp.
Feng Zhong Zui quickly aimed the transmit mirror at Shou Ye; even he couldn’t guess what move Shou Ye was making.
Buzz!
At that moment, a spatial mystic array unfolded above Yu Jing Cheng.
The array spread in all directions, vast beyond sight, nearly covering the entire city.
The city held several million people—aside from the elderly, sick, ordinary folk, and those who had fled—there were still hundreds of thousands, even millions of refiners.
Each one felt a surge of fear, their lives hanging on the whim of the young man overhead.
Fang Wenxin and Zhong Yuanzi watched, baffled.
Mei Si Ren, Gu Yu, Feng Ting Chen, Liu Fu Yu, and the others watched, equally baffled.
Only Lei Xi Er stared at the mystic array enveloping Yu Jing Cheng, her divine pupils showing a hint of surprise as she pondered.
The people across the five domains murmured in confusion, unsure of what medicine Shou Ye was selling.
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed.
The Xuanji Great Array covering Yu Jing Cheng collapsed on its own, overlaid with a layer of “Heaven’s Mechanism Dao Patterns” spreading like a virus.
In the air, Shou Ye’s forehead veins bulged, his whole body straining, though against what, no one knew.
Rumble!
It didn’t stop there; he transformed into a golden light giant, growing to towering heights, and the spatial mystic array under his feet pressed down, sinking into the ground beneath Yu Jing Cheng.
“This…”
Fang Wenxin and Zhong Yuanzi sensed something wrong, and in their ears came Dao Xuanji’s voice, a mix of shock and anger:
“Stop him!”
“Quick, stop him!”
“He’s destroyed the Xuanji Great Array; he’s going to…”
Her voice cut off abruptly.
The spatial mystic array under the giant’s feet glowed brilliantly, like a flat white sun.
The space around Yu Jing Cheng disconnected from the world—sound, sight, spiritual energy, heavenly dao, rules—all severed.
Everyone realized something was amiss.
But before they could act, a voice full of arrogance and coldness echoed through the transmit mirror, spreading across the five domains:
“Yu Jing Cheng is a birdcage, its people golden canaries.
The cage’s master has changed; now, enter my Apricot Realm.”
Space shifted.
To the world outside the transmit mirror, the saints, refiners, and ancient sword cultivators stared intently…
The massive Yu Jing Cheng—vanished without a trace!
[26 seconds from now] Chapter 84: Not Recommended for Demonic Path Cultivators to Eat at Barbecue Restaurants
[8 minutes ago] Chapter 1574: Ascending to Heaven, Listening Below, Forging the Heart; Using the Enemy's Trick to Scheme Greatly
[15 minutes ago] Chapter 1573: The Saint of Six Points and Six Latent Sins, One Thought of Prajna Clears the Miscellaneous Debris
[16 minutes ago] Chapter 83: Lanting's Growth
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