Chapter 1529: Xu Xiaoshou's Slight Gain Enlightenment at a Word, Young Man

"Won?"

"The second battle of the Seven Sword Immortals, and Xu Xiaoshou won again?"

As the sword strike concluded, spectators from the Five Domains erupted in waves of discussion, each one lost in the scene they had just witnessed.

"This time it really was a second realm battle—Tian Qi Zhi, that Ban Ruo, Feng Du Zhi Jian, and Shi Kong Yue Qian..."

"My mind is blown. Is the Seven Sword Immortals title this prestigious now? They're casually using first realm techniques, and even squeezing in second realm ones?"

"I've said it before, this year's competition is different from past ones. Everyone's incredibly fierce. Just think, Bei Jian Xian could even achieve Emperor Sword Heavenly Release, something even Rao Jian Sheng couldn't do before he died!"

"What a shame. I don't think Liu Fuyu lost. She just broke the rules she set for herself before the battle. No one said she had to stick to Wu Jian Shu and Gui Jian Shu—might makes right, after all!"

"Yeah, but as for Xu Xiaoshou, how come his techniques don't feel purely like Gu Jian Shu? It seemed like he sneaked in some Lian Ling methods and other shady tricks. He comes across like some miscellaneous cultivator from the Nan Yu..."

"Hmm, hard to say. Let's see what the Feng Jia has to say about it."

"I'm actually curious about Xu Xiaoshou's final Yu Jian Shu move. He had his back to the battlefield, and I thought he was going to charge out through the mirror, but who knew he'd turn and strike at Liu Fuyu..."

The battle of the Sword Immortals ended with a reverse Yu Jian Shu.

Opinions on this varied among spectators across the Five Domains, and those at the scene felt differently too.

Mu Zixi, in a daze, recalled how this so-called "reverse Yu Jian Shu" had first appeared when it was used against her at Tian Sang Ling Gong.

Who would have thought that, after all this time, this sword technique could be used to finish off Liu Fuyu and defend the title of Sword Immortal?

"Xu Xiaoshou of the Seven Sword Immortals..."

The young girl smacked her lips, feeling a bit uneasy. Xu Xiaoshou's growth was too rapid, giving her a sense that she could never catch up.

True, Liu Fuyu had her self-imposed rules and wasn't fighting at full strength, with other sword techniques left unused, yet she still lost.

But what about Xu Xiaoshou? Wasn't he the same?

This was just a challenge between Gu Jian Xiu practitioners. Some treated it as more serious than life and death, while others stopped at mere sparring.

If it were a real life-or-death battle...

Who would be stronger—a fully unleashed Liu Fuyu or a fully unleashed Xu Xiaoshou?

Regardless, Mu Zixi stood firmly on Xu Xiaoshou's side. She had the blindest trust in her senior brother.

"I appreciate the match."

In the arena, after Mei Siyi awkwardly withdrew, Xu Xiaoshou smiled and sheathed his Zang Ku sword.

That was enough.

He didn't want to fight anymore.

He had learned plenty from this battle—enough to digest internally and in front of the world.

Of course, for someone like Liu Fuyu from Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, he would show the full respect she deserved.

"Don't go back to Sheng Shen Dian Tang."

"You're with Tian Shang Di Yi Lou now. Go with Mr. Mei Siyi for now, and then follow me later."

After saying this to Liu Fuyu, Xu Xiaoshou turned his gaze to the back, looking at the Chuan Dao Jing, and at Feng Zhongzui and Feng Tingchen, before speaking slowly:

"Truth be told, while I won, if we're just comparing Gu Jian Shu mastery, I lost."

"Liu Fuyu held back more than once. At the very beginning, she could have started with Tian Qi Zhi and followed up with Jian Bu Fifty-Four Kills..."

"I'm sure that if she had, by the time I reacted, I wouldn't have gotten a single strike in and would've had to break the rules and use other methods just to survive."

Liu Fuyu had been ready to let it go, but upon hearing this, her steps halted, and her expression grew complicated.

She did have chances to win.

But back then, she had approached the fight with a teaching mindset, never imagining she'd lose.

Still...

A loss was a loss; no excuses needed.

This time, she couldn't convince Xu Xiaoshou to return to Jian Lou, but there would be other opportunities in the future.

Feng Zhongzui, holding the Chuan Dao Jing, hadn't even started the interview when he saw this humble side of Xu Xiaoshou and muttered with his head down:

"Honestly, this modest version of Xu Xiaoshou feels a bit unfamiliar..."

After winning, Xu Xiaoshou hadn't gotten arrogant at all!

Not only did he reflect on the battle, but after reflecting, he continued to self-criticize:

"Senior Feng..."

Xu Xiaoshou stared at Feng Tingchen and said earnestly, "I take back my rude words earlier. The Jian Ta rankings do have some basis. When it comes to Gu Jian Dao alone, I still have shortcomings."

This left not just Feng Zhongzui and Feng Tingchen feeling off-kilter.

Everyone else felt a chill down their spines, wondering what Xu Xiaoshou was up to. It seemed like there was a pattern?

He wasn't just staying grounded—he was practically rooting himself in place. What was he planning...? Feng Tingchen sensed something was wrong and quickly snatched the Chuan Dao Jing from Feng Zhongzui's hands, setting aside his questions about Ling Jian Shu as he said:

"You're too modest, Xu Xiaoshou."

"A win is a win, a loss is a loss."

"Before the Seven Sword Immortals rankings are finalized, if either of you wants another fight, just let the Feng Jia know."

Pausing, Feng Tingchen spoke quickly, "If there's nothing else, we'll head back to the Nan Yu."

He glanced at Feng Zhongzui: Run!

No good deed goes unpunished.

And now he's suddenly being humble, even flattering the Jian Ta...

He wouldn't have set his sights on the Feng Jia already, and seeing how strong Liu Fuyu is, now he's eyeing the Jian Ta, which rivals Jian Lou?

Good heavens!

This bandit!

He already hauled away Yu Jing Cheng—who's to say Jian Ta won't vanish overnight too...

The thought made Feng Tingchen eager to leave this unlucky place.

He gripped his He Jian Tingchen, and if not for maintaining his image, he might have used Shi Kong Yue Qian right then.

"Wait a moment, Old Master Feng, please stay."

But Xu Xiaoshou reached out a hand just in time.

Feng Tingchen's scalp tingled, cursing himself for worrying about image, and he drew Tingchen, giving Yang Xi Zhi a look that said "you're on your own," ready to escape.

"Brother Feng, hold on."

This time, it was Gu Yu who spoke.

As his voice rang out, spectators across the Five Domains, watching through the Chuan Dao Jing, reacted with surprise.

Those around them turned back, expressions varying, with Mei Siyi showing the most dramatic reaction.

"Ah..."

"Ah ah ah..."

"Oh ah oh ah ah..."

Mei Siyi shook his head like a rattle drum, sighing endlessly, as if his belly was full of air from the second world.

He waved his paper fan frantically; it bore no words, just a simple sketch of a faceless figure.

He waved that face back and forth, until suddenly, he flipped the fan...

The face was gone!

Just a blank page!

"I..."

Gu Yu hadn't even finished his sentence and was already fuming.

In front of the Five Domains' audience and so many fellow Gu Jian Xiu, his face darkened like charcoal.

He finally mustered his composure, opening his mouth...

"Oh ah oh!" Mei Siyi's sighs grew louder, turning mockingly singsong, though no one knew what he was sighing about.

"Old Mei, that's enough! What are you sighing about? Do you think I'm deaf and can't hear you?" Gu Yu angrily pointed at Mei Siyi.

"Huh? Who's speaking?" Mei Siyi looked around, searching everywhere, and finally spotted the source, his expression turning shockingly surprised:

"Gu, my brother?"

"Oh? You're really here!"

"I thought I sensed your aura earlier, but I couldn't find your eyes anywhere... Oh!"

Mei Siyi slapped his thigh with the fan, as if suddenly enlightened: "So you've just noticed me too?"

Xu Xiaoshou inhaled sharply. Mr. Mei Siyi had this side to him?

He knew Gu Yu was here for a wheel battle challenge, but he hadn't expected this old man and Mr. Mei Siyi to have such an unusually close relationship.

"Good, good, good, you sly old Mei..."

Gu Yu's face was so dark it could drip ink; he even used the nickname, itching to stab his Yin Yang friend straight through.

But arguing was pointless. He quickly gave up on engaging the old fool, as it would only make him more smug.

"Young friend Xu..."

Gu Yu turned back to Xu Xiaoshou with a smile on his face.

But as soon as he opened his mouth, his mind flashed with images of Mei Siyi winking and grimacing, and that "faceless" figure on the fan.

The words he'd carefully prepared, with all his mental buildup for this public challenge, stuck in his throat.

"Elder Gu, please wait a moment. Allow me to say a few words first."

Xu Xiaoshou spoke up first, his tone carrying a touch more respect.

He could see that Gu Yu wasn't an enemy; he exuded the aura of someone born for Tian Shang Di Yi Lou and destined to die for it.

This challenge could wait a bit.

"Young friend, go ahead."

Gu Yu gestured courteously.

Unintentionally, his peripheral vision caught Mei Siyi tsking away, his face wrinkled into an ugly mess, nearly making Gu Yu's lungs burst!

Mei Siyi, I'm in the middle of something important here! A Gu Jian Xiu challenge is serious and sacred!

What are you doing?

Look at yourself—where's the elegance of a Gu Jian Xiu? You're just a ugly, mocking face, you shameless old rogue!

Uh, maybe he's thinking the same about me... Gu Yu hated his own empathy, which left him speechless in the end.

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned again.

He never imagined Mr. Mei Siyi could make such vividly mischievous expressions.

He always presented himself as dignified and restrained. Even when being playful, it was subtle, like a natural, understated release of an older man's charm.

Like that time in Tai Cheng when he rushed to rescue at the last moment, changing clothes and combing his hair for a grand entrance.

But now? Winking and grimacing like some troublemaking friend under the lectern?

Xu Xiaoshou quickly snapped back, glanced thoughtfully at Gu Yu, then turned back to Feng Tingchen and got to the point:

"Old Master Feng, I gained a little insight from that battle just now."

"The Chuan Dao Jing can be closed sooner or later. I won't go to the Nan Yu Feng Jia early or late... So why rush, old master?"

Feng Tingchen's face darkened even more than Gu Yu's as he said gravely, "What do you mean by that?"

"Heh, no particular meaning. I'm not some pest you need to avoid like the plague. Is it that you just don't like people from Tian Shang Di Yi Lou?" Xu Xiaoshou, never one for pleasantries, cheerfully tore down the facade, threw in some mud, and slapped on the lid, all with class.

Feng Tingchen was put in an awkward spot, damned if he did, damned if he didn't.

But Xu Xiaoshou immediately offered a way out, pointing to the Chuan Dao Jing: "How about satisfying the curiosity of the Five Domains' people? Let them see what I've realized after this battle?"

Feng Tingchen raised the Chuan Dao Jing at once and said seriously, "What I meant earlier was, what do you mean by 'a little insight'?"

Well...

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent, his gaze meaningfully sweeping over Feng Tingchen, Liu Fuyu, Mei Siyi, and the other Gu Jian Xiu present.

Finally, he fixed his eyes on Gu Yu, smiled faintly, and closed his eyes.

"Hmm..."

Gu Yu was closest.

In that instant, he could clearly feel the surging Dao rhythm washing over him like wind and waves.

"Enlightened?"

From behind, Feng Zhongzui exclaimed in shock, leaping up and snatching the Chuan Dao Jing from the old master's arms to point it at Xu Xiaoshou. "Sudden enlightenment? How's he doing it again?"

Feng Tingchen's eye twitched as he glared at this Feng Jia disciple.

"Uh." Feng Zhongzui realized his mistake and apologized, "Sorry, old master. It's just that whenever I get excited, I have to grab something, or I feel uncomfortable..."

The spectators before the Chuan Dao Jing across the Five Domains had no time to mock Feng Zhongzui's words—they were too stunned by the closed-eyed Xu Xiaoshou.

There were legends that Kui Lei Han could sit, close his eyes, and stand up from the Ten Zun Seats having comprehended Shen Nian.

People heard the stories but never fully believed them, thinking it too outrageous.

Now, they'd heard and seen this genius multiple times, and it was always the same person—Xu Xiaoshou!

Xu Xiaoshou had just fought over Yu Jing Cheng...

First, he closed his eyes to grasp the essence of life.

Second, to perfectly contract a ghost beast.

Third, to comprehend space before Dao Severing.

Fourth, for the Fierce Sword Heavenly Release.

Fifth, for Ling Jian Shu.

Sixth...

Too many to count!

His talent was terrifying enough that every closure of his eyes yielded results.

But before, he kept it low-key, not saying a word beforehand. Now, he was asking Feng Tingchen to broadcast his gains to the entire Five Domains...

"A little insight?"

Everyone sensed trouble.

Given a Gu Jian Xiu's humble nature, after battling Liu Fuyu, had Xu Xiaoshou made a major breakthrough?

"Buzz..."

The sword Dao array diagram spun open beneath Xu Xiaoshou's feet.

Liu Fuyu glanced over; the power of Tian Qi Zhi was nearly gone, but what was lighting up now were entirely new Dao patterns she hadn't seen before.

That's right!

Liu Fuyu swore she wasn't mistaken—the Dao patterns were all fresh, growing and brightening rapidly!

Mei Siyi appeared just in time, landing beside Gu Yu.

While gripping Tai Cheng Jian and vigilantly watching the surrounding Ban Sheng to protect Xu Xiaoshou, he murmured lowly:

"He doesn't want you to speak first."

At their age, who wasn't a shrewd old fox?

Gu Yu gazed at the young man who had entered enlightenment so abruptly, his heart a mix of emotions.

Yes, some words, once spoken, were irreversible, commitments to be upheld with one's life.

But, young man, just how astonishing must your "little insight" be to withstand an old man's final pursuit of the Dao?

"Passive Value: 77,446,663."

What kind of level was "a little insight"?

It was the level where, after recklessly using two Dao insights, the passive value climbed back, only a million or so short of its peak!

With nearly 80 million passive points, after two fierce battles, he could add points to the sword Dao disk again.

Following the seamless comprehension of life Dao after contracting the ghost beast, and the space Dao enlightened through the Imitator and Ye Xiaotian's Ban Sheng blood, he would naturally barrel through another sword Dao insight...

No, with 77 million, he could barrel through ten!

"Who says I, Xu Xiaoshou, aren't a genius?"

"Even if that showy old Daoist is watching me, my breakthrough speed is still pretty fast—barely fitting the words 'reasonable enough,' right?"

Xu Xiaoshou knew the Imitator and Ban Sheng blood couldn't fool Dao Qiong Cang, or even Dao Xuan Ji.

But did that mean he shouldn't cover it up?

No matter how far-fetched, he had to throw up a smokescreen to hide his deepest secret.

A person's talent could be outrageously good, like reaching Ban Sheng overnight, and someone like Dao Qiong Cang might even give a thumbs-up, since it fit his understanding.

But achieving Sheng Di status by just pissing on the spot? That would have Dao Qiong Cang wielding a knife to dissect you, and the Five Great Sheng Di peering down to see what kind of freak you are.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to draw the true forms of the Sheng Di yet.

He could fight them, even to exhaustion.

But if they targeted him, wanting to kill and uncover his secrets, that was a whole different story.

The former might send an intent avatar when they remembered; the latter would be endless pursuit!

Now, after clashing with two brilliant Gu Jian Xiu, with his "little insight," Xu Xiaoshou could finally add points openly.

And he deliberately wanted the entire Five Domains to watch, to witness the legend!

Yun Dao Tian, Yun Dao Zhong, sword Dao disk bound...

"Barrel through!"

The first seed went in, and Xu Xiaoshou felt like he was on his wedding night, lifting the veil he'd waited and endured for so long.

"Sword Dao Disk (18)."

Great, it started at "18"—this was just... His thoughts froze as Xu Xiaoshou froze.

Wait, why so little?

The space Dao disk, which he hadn't fully comprehended, started at "15."

The life Dao disk, purely stacked with passive skills and never comprehended, started at "13"!

He'd practiced Gu Jian Shu for so long; shouldn't the sword Dao disk start at 50 or at least 40?

What's with 18?