Chapter 1533: Only I Am Supreme Overlord's Thought With Comprehension as the Covenant for the Three Realms Sword

Chapter 1517: The Tyrannical, Unrivaled Thought; The Leveling of the Three Realms Through Sword

A sword technique that hadn't even been demonstrated once...

Xu Xiaoshou had deduced it outright and even struck first despite being second. Horror crept into Gu Yu's eyes, seeping into the hearts of the surrounding ancient sword cultivators, and piercing into the bones of the spectators from the Five Domains like a chilling wind.

In that moment, everyone recalled what had happened, yet no one could detect the exact moment when Xu Xiaoshou, standing behind Gu Yu with his sword sheathed, had unleashed that strike. Just how fast had it been?!

Even Mei Si Ren was stunned, staring dumbfounded at the brat who was cradling snowflakes, blowing on them, and repeating the act... His reactions couldn't keep up! Not with blowing the snowflakes, but with Xi Feng Diao Xue!

"The ultimate speed, the most terrifying power, the most effortless and graceful sheathing of the sword... What a move, Xi Feng Diao Xue! What a Xu Xiaoshou!" Feng Zhong Zui cried out in excitement, his blood boiling as every pore on his body opened wide.

This sword perfectly matched Feng Zhong Zui's understanding of the term "sword immortal."

He believed not just himself, but everyone who had witnessed this strike would remember it more vividly than Tian Jie or the second realm. There was no other reason—Xu Xiaoshou was toying with his opponent now!

When he had to counter Tian Jie with Tian Jie or the second realm with the second realm, Xu Xiaoshou was impressive, but serious. Because if he didn't strike that way, he might lose.

But after his "slight realization," facing the Zhong Gu Ba Men Jian that the major first-realm experts wielded with mastery and compatibility... Xu Xiaoshou had casually destroyed Gu Yu's lifelong masterpiece with such a playful attitude, showing he was completely at ease.

Feng Zhong Zui shifted his gaze from Xu Xiaoshou's black-clad back to the blood-soaked Gu Yu, whose arms were severed, and took a deep breath:

"Though this is disrespectful, I have to say it..."

"Xu Xiaoshou is really just playing around. Zhong Gu Ba Men Jian couldn't even touch his hem. If they keep fighting like this, Gu Yu doesn't have a shred of hope... Ouch, old family head, don't hit me."

Feng Ting Chen knew when to act. He let his boy finish speaking before smacking him on the head, cutting off his trembling roar of excitement.

Clearly, Feng Ting Chen agreed with that assessment. He believed Gu Yu could see it too.

The spectators on the other side of the Dao Mirror were so shocked they could barely make a sound, staring fixedly at the armless Gu Yu in the mirror.

A sword immortal who promised three strikes, only to have his left and right arms crippled on the first one. How could he continue fighting? With sheer willpower of steel?

"The student has surpassed the master, even exceeding him... Xu Xiaoyou, I admit I've underestimated you." Gu Yu glanced around, clicking his tongue with a tone of genuine regret.

At that moment, the power of spring growth and summer flourishing from the heavenly phenomena behind him entered his body, and his arms regenerated inch by inch. His wounds healed rapidly, and soon the blood scabs fell away, making him look as good as new.

But keen observers could see... Faint silver light still lingered at the sites of his severed arms, neck, chest, and waist, as the sword intent suppressed full recovery.

It was just a spar, after all! Xu Xiaoshou had held back and didn't stop Gu Yu from recovering. If this were a life-or-death battle, anyone who tested Xu Xiaoshou with Zhong Gu Ba Men Jian like Gu Yu had would already be in pieces.

Xu Xiaoshou, who had been blowing on snowflakes with a look of utter boredom, turned around leisurely at the sound. He didn't hold back, speaking with a mix of teasing and mockery:

"Gu Lao is still impressive. You hyped up three strikes and built up my anticipation. Otherwise, the top floor in the heavens would already be hosting a victory celebration."

How arrogant!

The surrounding ancient sword cultivators, the Five Domains spectators, and even the Yang Mao in the Apricot Realm all contributed massive amounts of passive points.

Gu Yu's eyelids twitched wildly, but his composure was excellent. He laughed heartily: "Don't worry, Xu Xiaoyou. I said you'd gain something, and I won't go back on my word."

Xu Xiaoshou wiped the blood from his Cang Ku Keng Wa sword without lifting his head: "If it's still that Zhong Gu Ba Men Jian..."

He raised his eyelids, his gaze piercing like a sword:

"Forget it."

Before anyone could react, a deafening "boom" echoed, like thunder from a clear sky, leaving everyone's minds blank as if struck by lightning.

Liu Fu Yu showed a hint of surprise.

Cao Er Zhu even stepped forward involuntarily: "This is..."

Through the Dao Mirror, the Five Domains spectators looked again, feeling that Xu Xiaoshou, who was wiping his sword with his head slightly bowed, had been magnified countless times. Behind him, though nothing was visible, it seemed as if a colossal giant had risen, half its body in the clouds, towering enough to hold up the sky, making it hard to breathe.

In contrast, Gu Yu looked minuscule under that aura.

"Presence..."

Gu Qing Er beside the Dao Mirror at Zang Jian Zong murmured in surprise, then corrected himself: "No, it's like Liu Fu Yu's... Nian?"

"Has Xiaoshou Ge developed an oppressive Che Shen Nian?" Cao Er Zhu finally recognized that strange yet familiar pressure on the battlefield periphery.

His father had said that oppressive Che Shen Nian is built on absolute confidence, even arrogance. It either comes from countless battle victories bathed in blood or from long-held positions of power... In short, one must first have the "Wei Wo Du Zun" momentum, then master the basic Che Shen Nian, to infuse it into even a glance, turning the intangible into something tangible that creates mental oppression or attacks.

Cao Er Zhu's oppressive Che Shen Nian had been brainwashed and trained into him forcefully. He knew it was all thanks to his good father—something outsiders could never replicate. He also realized Liu Fu Yu had likely mastered it due to her origins in Jian Lou and knowledge of one of the Ten Ancestors' inheritances.

But Xu Xiaoshou clearly hadn't had it before; he was still far from that realm...

"Has a string of battle victories, including that 'slight realization' just now, enlightened him?"

"No! Xiaoshou Ge's strength is in his learning talent, and this is related to what Liu Fu Yu showed earlier..."

Body and intent unite, intent and energy unite, transforming into Nian. From the initial cultivation of Nian on Hei Luo Cliff in Tian Sang Ling Palace, drawing energy that swallowed mountains and rivers, to Tian Sang City, Bai Ku, Yun Lun Mountains, Void Island, and now Jian Ya Yu Jing...

From passively encountering assassins like Feng Kong, Hong Gou, Jin Zu, Semi-Saint Rao Yao Yao, Saint Emperor Rao Wang Ze, to actively challenging Saint Emperor Qi Lin, Saint Emperor Bei Huai, Yu Fang Zhong, Dao Xuan Ji...

It could be said that this path of battles and victories, combined with the shift from passive involvement to actively volunteering, had cultivated Xu Xiaoshou's dominating Wei Wo Du Zun aura.

In that instant, when his sword intent turned intangible into form, merging with the pressure to force out Gu Yu's trump card, Xu Xiaoshou felt for the first time that he had truly enlightened himself. Not through Tian Ren He Yi, not through various Dao discs—just his own "sudden insight"!

"Oppressive Che Shen Nian?"

It was as if some shackle before him had shattered. Xu Xiaoshou felt like a dragon returning to the sea, free of all restraints, exhilarated to the extreme. This was the real feeling of enlightenment!

Was this the power of Kui Lei Han's single glance of Nian? With his new ability retracted, his "perception" swept over the stunned expressions of those around him, and Xu Xiaoshou gained some insight: Maybe it's not that everything leads to success only after becoming one of the Seven Sword Immortals and gaining fame's nourishment. Rather, it's because fighting your way to the level of the Seven Sword Immortals allows all past accumulations to erupt when seen by others.

This creates the illusion that a single glance or word can enlighten Che Shen Nian, or a moment of closing eyes or meditation can surpass an era. But it's not like that. There's no overnight success, only gradual accumulation. That's the ultimate truth... Xu Xiaoshou deeply agreed, though he quickly added in his mind: Except for that talent freak, Ba Zun An.

"What kind of monster is this?"

Gu Yu felt a shiver run through his body in that instant, sensing that Xu Xiaoshou had comprehended a new power. It was even more exaggerated than the Nian he'd seen Liu Fu Yu use, especially since Xu Xiaoshou also cultivated other Daos and systems. His Nian was stronger than others by more than a notch. Combined with the "presence" he'd built from battling the many Semi-Saints in Sheng Shen Dian Tang, it could probably create even more variations.

But the oppressive Che Shen Nian flashed and vanished, as if Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to show too much. Gu Yu had no intention of foolishly testing this new trump card. This guy was already overwhelming with what he showed openly!

Buzz...

Without another word, realizing this monster wasn't human and he couldn't hold back anymore, Gu Yu activated the profound array diagram under his feet. At the same time, strands of mist rose from his Mei Zi Yu sword.

"It's coming!"

"The ultimate intent of the Nine Sword Techniques?"

Feng Zhong Zui's eyes burned with intensity. For this generation's Seven Sword Immortals, the second realm was standard, so he wasn't wrong.

"Wait..."

His gaze fixed on the array diagram, and he said in surprise: "It seems there are traces of other sword techniques?"

The Nine Sword Techniques, returning to one extreme sword, right? Xu Xiaoshou waited silently, but his mind flashed with the names of various sword schools. At this point, in the order of Huan Jiu Wan, Mo Wu Xin, Gui Cang Qing, he had witnessed the second realms: Empty, Da Hong Shen Zhi Nu, Empty, Tian Qi Zhi, Ban Ruo Wu, Empty, Empty, Shan Hai Ping.

The unseen "four great empties" were: Jiu Zhi Gui Yi Ji Jian, Mo Zhi Wu Yu Wang Wei Jian, Gui Zhi Feng Du Zhi Zhu, and Qing Jian Shu's third realm, Bu Shi Jian.

Zang Jian Shu had no second realm, so it wasn't part of the "empty" flow. For these four second realms, the Jian Dao disc had basically completed the entry stage for him, so he could use them. But as with book examples, without using them personally or seeing others adapt them, the impression wasn't as deep as practice.

Feng Du Zhi Zhu seemed even beyond Liu Fu Yu's grasp; she could only draw a sword. Among what Xu Xiaoshou knew, only Hua Chang Deng specialized in Gui Jian Shu, but he didn't dare challenge or learn from him, as the latter was suspected to be a sealed Saint Emperor.

Bu Shi Jian was even more out of reach—no one seemed to know it, maybe Ba Zun An did? He'd ask if he got the chance! As for Wu Yu Wang Wei Jian, the deepest research was probably by Gou Wu Yue, who tried to be free under the strict rules of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, so there might be a chance to learn from him.

And then there was this Gui Yi Ji Jian... He recalled that Gu Qing Er from Zang Jian Zong specialized in the Nine Sword Techniques; her master, Wen Ting, might know it well and have deep research, but they wouldn't meet anytime soon. Today, Gu Yu also practiced the Nine Sword Techniques, so he could probe it from him.

But...

"Why does this Nine Sword Technique look neither nine nor huan, neither qing nor qing?" Xu Xiaoshou frowned, sensing a major pitfall.

"Xu Xiaoyou, this is the second strike."

"With your abilities, I don't need to explain much—you can probably discern it yourself."

Gu Yu smiled as he spoke, not planning to elaborate this time; he clearly wanted to pose a challenge. The profound array diagram under his feet, if judged only by its brilliance and not the complexity of the patterns or the number of Nine Sword Techniques mastered, was on par with what Xu Xiaoshou had shown before!

"A single profound array diagram, reaching an extremely high proficiency, close to 70 or 80."

"Like Mei Si Ren's Ban Ruo Wu level?"

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised, but quickly noticed something off. If Gu Yu was this strong, why had he been in seclusion? As a previous Seven Sword Immortal, he could have dominated gods and Buddhas alike, so why compete with the next generation?

With an 80 on the Jian Dao disc, Xu Xiaoshou's realm and insight were high, realizing Gu Yu's sword techniques hadn't reached the same level of understanding as his own. But he must have used some method to temporarily elevate himself by more than a level, briefly reaching 70 or 80.

So... what was it?

The mist on Gu Yu's sword grew thicker, eventually enveloping the entire blade and making it fade away. At the same time, his whole body swayed, turning into a wisp of wandering cloud that merged into the heavens and earth.

"This is!" Feng Zhong Zui cried out in front of the Dao Mirror, then hesitated: "...What is it?"

Xu Xiaoshou's expression shifted: "Tian Jie?" He quickly corrected himself: "No... not just that!"

At that moment, the battlefield where Gu Yu had vanished echoed with a melodious voice, penetrating the Dao Mirror:

"Southern smoke and rain, plum blossoms wither and bloom."

"Flying clouds flow with seasons, mountains and waters return..."

It paused, and as everyone anticipated, the final word came:

"Home."

Xu Xiaoshou staggered back a step, feeling deeply uncomfortable. The meaning wasn't smooth, the rhyme didn't match, and the imagery had points but no focus; it was there but not emphasized...

What did it mean? What was Gu Yu trying to express? This elusive phrase... ended, leaving even the Five Domains spectators wondering if their cultural knowledge was lacking.

Finally, the heavens and earth welcomed a voice everyone could understand:

"Mei Zi Yu · Tian Jie!"

So it was Tian Jie? Feng Zhong Zui immediately abandoned any deep analysis of that earlier phrase and refocused on the battle.

He saw gentle spring rain falling from the sky, and when a drop landed on his arm...

"Sizzle!"

The skin wrinkled instantly, as if all moisture had been drained or aged!

"Get out of Tian Jie's range!"

Mei Si Ren's eye twitched, though from what, no one knew, as he stood up and shouted, quickly retreating.

Feng Zhong Zui didn't dare delay, hurrying away from the battlefield.

Xu Xiaoshou extended his hand, and a drop of Mei Zi Yu rain fell into his palm, aging it instantly before it restored. The rain grew steadily, each drop hitting his body like the long-absent Yu Ling Di, feeling familiar.

But the power was entirely different.

"Wither, bloom..."

Xu Xiaoshou felt the dual forces of time and life, not dodging or evading. He knew that even a second-grade spirit sword's Tian Jie, no matter how strong, couldn't elevate Gu Yu to this realm. There had to be something else!

Sure enough, after a pause, that ethereal voice accompanied the Mei Zi Yu rain once more:

"The mortal world has feelings, flying clouds as ping..."

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, watching expectantly, but after a long wait, the voice squeezed out half a line:

"With clouds as ping!"

So? Xu Xiaoshou opened his mouth slightly, his anticipation growing.

The Five Domains spectators widened their eyes, waiting longer, until Gu Yu's voice finally fell:

"The mortal world has feelings."

Uh... Xu Xiaoshou smacked his lips, finding the Mei Zi Yu rain a bit bitter, his mood turning sour with it.

Seriously? After waiting so long, you pulled that? What was this stuff? If you couldn't do it, you didn't have to force it!

"Um..." Feng Zhong Zui was silenced, unable to utter a word, not daring to comment.

Just then, misty clouds rose in response within the Mei Zi Yu rain covering thousands of miles, delving into the Dao principles and anchoring the heavens and earth, completely sealing off this realm.

"Buzz!"

The sword Dao profound array diagram flashed.

Xu Xiaoshou, amidst the flowing clouds, felt a familiar force—Qing Jian Shu's "Ping" power. He finally understood: Gu Yu's Tian Jie phrases and second-realm phrases were all to mislead him. What he was using was Qing Jian Shu · Wang Qing Jian · Fei Yun Ping!

Using Mei Zi Yu Tian Jie as the lure, Fei Yun as the Ping, becoming formless and adaptable, then constructing this world—he planned to draw out his main Nine Sword Technique's second realm with this?

"Buzz!"

The profound array diagram flashed again, but the aura wasn't from the Nine Sword Techniques; it was the familiar Huan Jian Shu...

The all-too-familiar, laborious "ethereal Dao sound" descended from the heavens, a surround-sound attack from all directions:

"Flying clouds..."

Not again—why "flying clouds"? Do you only have that left?

Xu Xiaoshou was on the verge of losing his composure, but he handled it well. He almost said something, but remembering this was Mei Si Ren's friend, he held back.

His "perception" glanced at Mei Si Ren and saw the old sword saint had somehow covered his face with a fan, using Zang Jian Shu to minimize his presence—as if afraid Feng Zhong Zui would grab the Dao Mirror and ask him what Gu Yu's second-realm phrases meant.

"Flying clouds as Ping, illusion as sequence!"

Well, he managed to rhyme a bit! But the Five Domains crowd waited eagerly, and Gu Yu, like someone constipated, exhausted himself with two lines and didn't squeeze out another word for a long time.

The cold rain slapped heavily against Xu Xiaoshou's face, and he finally couldn't hold back:

"Is it that hard to admit you have no talent? Let's just fight until next year, okay?"

"If you can't do it, don't force it, Gu Lao. I've waited so long that the ancestral tree and dragon apricot have already withered!"

The void rain paused, then an annoyed and embarrassed voice echoed:

"Huan Jian Shu, second realm!"

Finally, it was straightforward and smooth. With a boom, the rain transformed, forging a vivid landscape of mountains, fields, and countryside all around.

Is this how the second realm is used? Xu Xiaoshou was stunned because he didn't see what he desired in this scenery. It all seemed to reflect what that talent-limited old man cherished.

But soon, Xu Xiaoshou spotted the trick... In this Jiang Nan rainy landscape, nine illusory, towering swords stood!

"The nine limits path... flying clouds..."

Still "flying clouds"? What's wrong with you!

"Unlimited infinity is unlimited infinity, Nine Sword Techniques are Nine Sword Techniques—what are nine limits? What are flying clouds?" Xu Xiaoshou couldn't take it anymore. "Hurry up!"

The landscape shook again, and an irritated voice boomed:

"Three realms unite, Gui Yi Ji Jian!"