Chapter 1523: After Securing the Gambling City and the Gamblers, I Have a Plan to Kidnap Fu Yu

"Xu Xiaoshou, have you forgotten the last invasion of Xingjie?"

Xingjie brimmed with life, yet the ancestral tree, Long Xing, couldn't shake a subtle worry.

That person, Dao Qiongcang, had laid groundwork decades ago in the Shennong Medicine Garden, only to arrive in Xingjie years later.

Yu Jing Cheng was formerly under his jurisdiction, so how could he not have left some hidden traps?

Moving the entire city into Xingjie—wouldn't that mean Dao Qiongcang could come and go as he pleased?

A soft "whoosh" sounded.

At the former site of Yu Jing Cheng.

Xu Xiaoshou ended his extreme giant form, returning to his human body, drenched in sweat.

Moving an entire city meant instantly constructing a spatial passage the size of Yu Jing Cheng and maintaining its stability without any flaws.

The energy expended in that instant nearly drained him completely.

Fortunately, the spatial Dao disk had upgraded to the realm of profound principles, so everything went smoothly without any accidents.

As for the consumption...

After severing the Dao, he could draw upon a portion of power from the Heavenly Dao.

By leveraging the spatial profound principles, most of the depletion was borne by the Dao principles, with only a small part handled by himself.

This wouldn't leave him utterly depleted, avoiding the weakened state from last time.

"You're overthinking it, Xingbao."

Gazing at the desolate surroundings caused by the sudden disappearance of the massive city, Xu Xiaoshou felt a strong sense of accomplishment and responded in his mind to Long Xing's telepathic message:

"The most critical issue last time wasn't that Dao Qiongcang invaded Xingjie, but that he struck when I was at my weakest."

"The most serious problem wasn't that he made the Greedy God drink blood and damage Xingjie, but that he cut off my backup plans at Qingyuan Mountain, leaving my true self in a coma with only the 'Golden Cicada Shedding Shell' as an escape route."

"We need to distinguish what's primary and what's secondary, Xingbao. Did that flashy old Daoist scare you out of your wits?"

Long Xing fell silent for a moment, unsure whether to protest the nickname "Xingbao" or refute Xu Xiaoshou's mockery.

Compared to the extremely cautious and timid ancestral tree, Xu Xiaoshou was far too calm and clear-headed.

He certainly feared Dao Qiongcang but wasn't seeing shadows where none existed.

He knew full well...

Dao Qiongcang's strength lay not in the moment he landed in Xingjie—that was just the result.

He was formidable in starting his schemes from the Four Symbols Secret Realm, using Bei Huai and the Holy Emperor Qilin to exhaust his true self, then factoring in his second true body trapped in Ran Ming ruins, and finally driving him into a dead end like Xingjie—he excelled in that entire process.

Even so, Xu Xiaoshou had managed to escape, jumping out of that dead end, even if luck played a part.

But just as he couldn't be a hundred percent sure of evading Dao Qiongcang's capture plan, did that flashy old Daoist have absolute confidence in catching him?

No.

He had failed too.

From the Four Symbols Secret Realm to Changde Town to Qingyuan Mountain, that game had consumed vast resources, time, and effort, much like the eight venerables on Void Island scheming for a semi-saint position in the Holy Divine Palace. It required perfect timing, location, and people, with nothing overlooked.

The only difference was that the Water Ghost hadn't betrayed the eight venerables, while Dao Qiongcang had been backstabbed by his own people.

If it happened again, could Dao Qiongcang replicate or even perfect that scheme?

Well... who knows.

Fine, even if he could!

Would Xu Xiaoshou still fall for it and go rescue Aunt Xiang, who was beyond saving anyway?

Everyone had grown up...

If it happened again, Xu Xiaoshou would break free at an earlier stage—he wouldn't choose to fight Bei Huai to the death.

He'd run straight to the Southern Domain to find the eight venerables, hand over the Holy Emperor Qilin and the Ten Venerable Seats for them to handle.

That way, none of the subsequent events would occur.

So, even though moving Yu Jing Cheng might leave many anchors for Dao Qiongcang in Xingjie, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't afraid of him coming.

First, that flashy old Daoist was now a traitor to the Holy Divine Palace, in a worse position than a holy slave, so he probably wouldn't help backstab his own sister.

Second, so what if he came? At full strength, Xu Xiaoshou had his second true body for protection and spatial profound principles to escape—why fear him?

Long Xing clearly hadn't thought this through as deeply and didn't know that Xu Xiaoshou had already planned all his contingencies when moving the city, so it spoke again:

"What if it happens again, and his 'anchor' appears in Xingjie when you're exhausted?"

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head with a smile: "There won't be a next time."

He rarely made such declarations, afraid of jinxing himself.

But this time, he used it to remind himself that no matter what, he couldn't fall into a state of extreme weakness again.

The feeling of having his life controlled by others was something he'd only endure once.

Long Xing wasn't ready to give up, still feeling that Yu Jing Cheng was a hot potato that could backfire:

"Then there's Dao Xuanji, Dao Qiongcang's sister. She might use 'Great Divine Descent Technique.' What if she also enters Xingjie?"

Xu Xiaoshou was taken aback, nearly laughing out loud:

"Don't worry, I won't kill her."

Long Xing was stunned by this response, not knowing how to continue, feeling like they weren't on the same wavelength.

Xu Xiaoshou continued:

"Honestly, I already regret killing Rao Kěài back then."

"I was too young at the time, didn't realize that after killing Rao, there was still Yue. Seeking revenge feels great in the moment, but I overlooked the importance of keeping enemies alive to strengthen myself."

"Unless Dao Xuanji offers up the necks of her remaining two bodies for me or my junior sister to chop, I won't completely eliminate her until I'm fully powerful."

"Why?" Long Xing still didn't understand.

Xu Xiaoshou sighed softly: "I don't want Dao Qiongcang to return to Gui Zhe Holy Mountain..."

Long Xing suddenly realized.

In the eyes of this Xingjie master, Dao Xuanji didn't hold a candle to Dao Qiongcang?

Having such a person in the highest position at Gui Zhe Holy Mountain wasn't a bad thing—it was actually good?

"Humans..."

Long Xing suddenly felt uneasy, ashamed of its earlier worries for Xingjie and Xu Xiaoshou, and chose to go silent.

The human heart is as deep as the ocean, treacherous beyond measure—best not to delve into it.

At the former site of Yu Jing Cheng.

In the void, Fang Wenxin looked down at the empty basin below and felt a wave of sorrow, exclaiming:

"Xu Xiaoshou, where did you move Yu Jing Cheng to!"

Everyone already knew the answer.

But who would have thought this guy could be so ruthless?

He had just argued that Yu Jing Cheng belonged to him, and in the blink of an eye, he took the whole city and its people away...

This wasn't how things were supposed to go!

Shouldn't it be negotiations, outrageous demands, haggling, bargaining... leading to a win-win?

What was this scorched-earth tactic? Was there no fairness left?

"Well..." Xu Xiaoshou shrugged and spread his hands, "Just like what you saw."

Fang Wenxin was about to speak again.

But Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand dismissively, clearly not wanting to discuss it further—he hated going back on things:

"My previous offer still stands: we can exchange people for the city."

"But now, even if Yu Jing Cheng can be brought out or wants to be, if the people inside don't want to leave, I won't force them. Think it over."

Pausing, Xu Xiaoshou turned back to the main combatant of this battle, Liu Fuyu: "I'm quite charming, you know—lots of people chase after me."

Liu Fuyu showed no reaction.

Fang Wenxin's head was spinning, unsure how to report back, even though this wasn't directly his issue, it still involved him!

Zhong Yuanzi noticed that ever since Xu Xiaoshou moved the city and now with this "exchange people for the city" talk, he hadn't even glanced his way.

He felt a strange sense of being unilaterally abandoned—as if it could still be salvaged, but if he delayed, it might be too late.

Zhong Yuanzi grabbed his exploding hair fiercely, steeling himself as he looked at Fang Wenxin: "Actually, I could really go..."

"Shut up!" Fang Wenxin cut him off without hesitation. "You can't!"

What was there left to discuss?

Xu Xiaoshou beckoned backward, signaling Feng Zhongzui to bring the Dao mirror closer: "Fellow semi-saints, the next is the battle of the Seven Sword Immortals. Unrelated parties, please step back a bit!"

Fang Wenxin had no intention of retreating and took a step forward...

Xu Xiaoshou's face turned cold: "Bei Bei has lost, and the pre-battle wager stated that no semi-saint can interfere in the upcoming battlefield. Did you forget, Elder Fang?"

Ah...

What a mess, what a mess!

Fang Wenxin sighed deeply, closed his eyes, and withdrew.

Xu Xiaoshou's cold gaze shifted to the one with the exploding hair.

Zhong Yuanzi felt another pang in his chest, reaching out as if to grasp something, but words failed him—he could only retreat in tears.

At that moment, Zhong Yuanzi remembered something and clenched his palm tightly.

A glimmer appeared in his eyes because, before the city was moved, Xu Xiaoshou had secretly slipped him a Xingjie jade talisman...

The initiative had always been in his grasp!

"There's still a chance!"

"It's coming! It's coming!"

"As for Yu Jing Cheng, we ancient sword cultivators don't care about it—that was just a wager."

"Next up is the second battle of the Sword Immortals. Let's forget the strange events that just happened and get back to the thrill of the fight itself!"

Feng Zhongzui, holding the Dao mirror, panned it between Xu Xiaoshou and Liu Fuyu, giving a full pre-battle analysis of their strengths and weapons.

This battle had been delayed a bit, with many interruptions in between...

Surprisingly, earlier when nothing was happening, Xuanji Palace Master had popped up multiple times, showing off.

Now that the city was gone, she was completely silent.

Feng Zhongzui felt a bit uneasy, wondering if some sudden twist might cut off his broadcast.

But since the top figures weren't showing up, no one could change the situation, and the Seven Sword Immortals battle continued.

They were already here...

Feng Zhongzui glanced at the old family head behind him and felt a slight sense of security.

The people of the Five Domains gradually refocused, shifting from the upheaval of Yu Jing Cheng back to Feng Zhongzui's passionate pre-battle introduction.

As the introduction grew quieter, the atmosphere on the battlefield grew more intense, and the crowd became incredibly focused.

"Sorry for the wait."

Facing the Dao mirror, Xu Xiaoshou looked Liu Fuyu up and down once more—this elegant woman, dressed only in a simple green sword robe.

After a brief pause, he asked: "I'm really curious—why have you been chasing me for a fight, even letting the Holy Divine Palace use you? What's your goal?"

Liu Fuyu, holding her pure white sword, replied slowly:

"I want you."

The battlefield atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.

Lei Shuangxing tilted his head.

A blind man! With his eyes covered in black cloth!

In that instant, through Feng Zhongzui's mischievous Dao mirror, the Five Domains spectators could almost see the gossip-fueled flames burning in Lei Shuangxing's eyes, staring straight at his sister.

Lei Xier remained completely unfazed.

Inside her, it was as if a screeching voice erupted, but it was quickly suppressed.

"Cursed, passive points, 1, 1, 1..."

Xu Xiaoshou detested self-absorbed people like Bei Bei, but even he couldn't help pointing at himself in surprise: "You like me?"

Liu Fuyu's expression stayed the same: "Come back to Jian Lou with me."

The Five Domains onlookers rolled their eyes, and Xu Xiaoshou stumbled slightly.

Who taught you to phrase it like that?

The ancient sword cultivators' minds started racing.

Jian Lou was too elusive, impossible to find, even more mysterious than Void Island.

Rumors said it held some sword god inheritance, but no one knew if it was true or false.

Others claimed it suppressed some demon, but that was unverified too.

Now, Jian Lou's sword guardian Liu Fuyu had appeared, and all she wanted was to take Xu Xiaoshou back...

What were they planning?

"Back to Jian Lou? What for?" Xu Xiaoshou's eyes twinkled with an idea.

Liu Fuyu said no more, lightly raising her sword to signal that talk was unnecessary—victory would reveal all.

"No, no, no..."

Xu Xiaoshou changed his approach, pointing to the empty basin below: "Bei Bei fought me and wagered a city. You're fighting me—what's your wager?"

Liu Fuyu shook her head: "No wager."

Wow, you're such a model student!

But is this about wagering or not? It's about fairness!

Xu Xiaoshou was amused and annoyed: "So, if I lose, I go to Jian Lou, and if I win, I get nothing?"

Liu Fuyu's red lips parted slightly, as if realizing the unfairness, then she closed them again.

"Huh?" Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

So that was it?

You're just going to stay silent?

That's really the best way to handle problems!

The scene fell into a standoff...

If anyone was stubborn, it was Xu Xiaoshou—you won't speak, so I won't either. Let's see who cracks first.

After more than ten breaths, Liu Fuyu experienced discomfort for the first time in her life.

Xu Xiaoshou was staring straight at her.

The surrounding ancient sword cultivators and semi-saints were staring at her.

The Five Domains crowd in front of the Dao mirror was probably staring at her too.

She finally realized this wasn't something she could brush off with silence and said, with a slight flush on her mature face:

"I don't have... um, a wager."

Xu Xiaoshou's gaze shifted down to the sword in her hand: "You do!"

The seventh of Jian Lou's Twelve Swords: Protector.

Feng Zhongzui had just introduced it, and Xu Xiaoshou remembered it well.

He didn't know when it started, but he'd developed a habit of "collecting" famous swords—though it was just a thought, and he only acted if it was convenient.

Liu Fuyu's face returned to its cool demeanor as she firmly shook her head: "That won't work."

"This won't work, that won't either—you want this, you want that, Liu girl, you're just like Zhong Yuanzi, greedy beyond measure." Xu Xiaoshou pointed to the exploding head not far away.

Zhong Yuanzi lowered his head in shame.

Liu Fuyu turned her head slightly, thinking for a moment, then said: "If you win, Jian Lou will lend itself to you for a day—free to explore, very beneficial."

This statement set the ancient sword cultivators' minds racing again.

Liu Fuyu must have a way to return to Jian Lou and could bring people along, knowing most if not all of its secrets!

Otherwise, she wouldn't say this—she was speaking from the perspective of Jian Lou's owner.

Indeed...

They always called her the "sword guardian of Jian Lou."

But what was her exact role, beyond outsiders' guesses?

This thought flashed through many minds before quickly fading.

Xu Xiaoshou forgot about it too.

But he didn't forget the gains and losses. After hearing this, he laughed: "If I lose, I go to Jian Lou; if I win, I also go to Jian Lou. So it's all good for you and bad for me?"

"No, you can move freely." Liu Fuyu said seriously, "For one day."

"Oh, so it's the difference between you capturing me for imprisonment and letting me roam free for a day before imprisoning me?"

"It's not imprisonment..."

"Then what is it?"

Liu Fuyu pursed her lips, looked down at her chest, and fell silent.

She couldn't outtalk Xu Xiaoshou.

The crowd was speechless, then realized that perhaps the best way to deal with Xu Xiaoshou was to stay mute.

At least that way, he'd have fewer openings and wouldn't launch personal attacks...

But Xu Xiaoshou wasn't one to back down.

After a brief headache, he spoke again:

"Alright, I won't ask for your 'Protector.' Let's have a more equal, absolutely fair match."

"You said the wager—if you win, I belong to you."

"So, if I win, you belong to me. How about that?"