Chapter 1570: Within Arm's Reach, Surpassing the Dao; Racing Against Time to Fight Demons

Those who leave, leave.Those who ascend, ascend.

Through Kong Yu Hen and Shi Zu Ying Zhang, Xu Xiaoshou managed to recall the exact process involving Shen Yi and Si She.

"Shed me..."

"It's almost like an isolated, world-forsaken forgetting effect. Shi Zu Ying Zhang is so powerful, and yet it can still be traced back?"

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered this, he glanced over at Sang Lao.

"What is it?" Sang Lao felt uneasy under the strange gaze from this wayward disciple.Up to no good again?Plotting something?

"Heh heh." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled slyly—he did have a little scheme in mind!

Just as Sang Lao had given him a generous gift at their first meeting, he had prepared a small surprise in return.

"Passive value: 18,624,438."

Earlier, after pushing Mang Shang Jian Dao Pan to 80, Xu Xiaoshou had held back and not used up all his reserves.

Because he remembered that at the end of their second encounter in Tai Xu world, something resembling an Ao Yi Zhen Tu had lit up under Sang Lao's feet.

He hadn't been entirely sure at the time, but to avoid being caught off guard, Xu Xiaoshou had left a backup plan for another Mang Shang Huo Dao Pan.

Little did he expect that when they met again, Sang Lao would strike directly with a massive empty attack.

That reversed Tian Gang's "Lian Ling Zhi Shi" slap to the face had left Xu Xiaoshou too embarrassed to activate Huo Dao Pan to counter fire with fire.

As a result, his stockpile of over ten million passive values remained intact.

"Mang Shen Dao Pan?"

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated.

He had remembered the ancient martial Si She, but couldn't fully digest it.

Clearly, Shen Dao Pan was no longer sufficient for such high-level insights—it needed an upgrade.

"But if Shen Dao Pan is like Jian Dao Pan, a massive disk, then over a million passive values won't be nearly enough."

"Instead of that, I might as well pick a ready-made smaller disk, like Kongjian Dao Pan or Shengming Dao Pan, push one to 90, and experience the 'super dao transformation'..."

But there were drawbacks.

Because there was no one ahead to reference—or at least, no one easy to reference.

If he pushed Kongjian Dao Pan to 90, he might end up like Kong Yu Hen, and Xu Xiaoshou had no intention of messing around like that.

If he pushed Shengming Dao Pan to 90, he could become the next Di Ying Sheng Zhu...

"Ugh!"

A chill ran through Xu Xiaoshou, making it impossible to imagine the horrific scene of everything in his sight causing widespread conception.

Sang Lao was startled by the sudden shudder from this wayward disciple and stepped back."What are you planning to do?"

"I'm just going to cultivate a bit."

Xu Xiaoshou turned his gaze toward the distant Yue Gongli.

He decided not to take risks and would first follow Shen Yi's path to see if Shen Dao Pan could work.

But before upgrading, he had many things to arrange, because if he succeeded, he would ascend like Shen Yi.

Once he was in a higher realm, communicating across the two layers of heaven would be impossible.

Without any hesitation, Xu Xiaoshou said:

"Keep stringing along Yue Gongli."

"Now, the first layer of heaven is our territory. No matter how strange Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu is or how powerless they are, they'll still have to try ascending to seek opportunities—after all, their insights aren't up to par."

"We'll stay put for now... Here are ten Shen Zhi Ming Xing. If Yue Gongli's path works and Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu can be used again, summon it yourselves with these and 'climb' up to the eighteenth layer."

"What about you?" Shui Gui glanced over.

"I said, I'm just cultivating a bit." Xu Xiaoshou handed over the Shen Zhi Ming Xing and sat down cross-legged on the spot.

This action was incredibly provocative!

Near the dimmed Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu in the distance, the people from Sheng Shen Dian Tang, including Yue Gongli, were practically fuming.

"What is he doing?"

"Not only is he treating us as expendable scouts, but he's also underestimating us and sitting down now?"

"Does he want to imitate that person who just ascended? Ascending on the spot? I don't believe it!"

"Yue Gongli, you should ascend too and put this guy in his place—he's too arrogant!"

"Yes, Lord of Mastery!"

Yue Gongli listened, his eyelids drooping as he scanned the crowd behind him, speechless.

I want to...But I can't!

Holding the ancient bamboo slip with its faint inscriptions, Yue Gongli was certain that after Xu Xiaoshou's conversation with that anxious figure, he had remembered everything from before.

By now, no one could doubt Xu Xiaoshou's talent as the Holy Slave Lord—the Ten Venerables had no right to question it.

Maybe Xu Xiaoshou is the next Kui Lei Han?He just needs to sit cross-legged, and when he opens his eyes, he could transcend the great dao?

Instead, Yue Gongli began wondering what would happen if Xu Xiaoshou succeeded...

"Yue Gongli, we really need to stop Xu Xiaoshou!"

Some of his subordinates were indeed thinking straight, but as soon as the words left their mouths, it seemed their thoughts were more water than substance. Yue Gongli snapped back,"Go stop him yourself?"

"You go!"

"What am I supposed to use to stop him? My burning passion and iron will?"

"...Then we can't just sit here and watch Xu Xiaoshou succeed, can we?"

Of course, sitting idly wasn't an option.

Yue Gongli frowned in thought, and soon an idea formed in his mind.

If he played it safe, he could retreat with his people, scatter the Shen Zhi Ming Xing, and vanish without a trace.

Then, once Xu Xiaoshou succeeded or the Holy Slaves grew impatient and summoned Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu to ascend, the first layer would be his, Yue Gongli's, domain.

But that would be too cowardly—what's the difference from surrendering?

Moreover, the name "Sheng Shen Dian Tang" alone wouldn't allow such a defeatist countermeasure against the rampant Holy Slave.

On the other hand...

If he pushed forward aggressively, there was only one path: reactivate Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu, try multiple times before Xu Xiaoshou succeeded, regardless of failure, and be the first to reach the eighteenth layer to search for Shen Zhi Ming Xing. That might offer a slim chance of victory.

But what about after that?

As the sole controller of Sheng Shen Dian Tang in Shen Zhi Yi Ji, and now shamefully reduced to someone else's pathfinder, Yue Gongli didn't want to give up so easily and had to think further.

"The one who ascended..."

He still couldn't recall who that person was.

But looking at the entire Shen Zhi Yi Ji, only the "Ten Venerables" likely had such qualifications.

Combining it with the turtle and goldfish—wait, no, the incantation—on the bamboo slip, the answer was almost obvious.

"The eighteenth layer now has Shen Yi and the corrupted Di Ying Sheng Zhu, and they're enemies."

"Xu Xiaoshou wants to emulate Shen Yi, ascending through ancient martial arts?"

"If that's the case, once he succeeds, even allying with Shen Yi or threatening Di Ying Sheng Zhu, how could Sheng Shen Dian Tang possibly turn things around?"

After racking his brains, Yue Gongli was left with one final method.

"Make a deal with the devil?"

"They've started." Sang Lao pointed toward Yue Gongli's group.

Xu Xiaoshou's "perception" swept over and saw them bustling again, piling up Shen Zhi Ming Xing to summon Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu, but to no avail. Then they tried to awaken it and "climb" to the eighteenth layer.

"Do you think they'll succeed?" Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

Sang Lao shook his head, then nodded. "It'll take time."

Shui Gui nodded in agreement. "Di Ying Sheng Zhu is probably too preoccupied with the first layer right now. Yue Gongli isn't bad—he'll figure it out soon, but the cost..."

The cost, of course, would be extraordinarily high.

But tonight, Sheng Shen Dian Tang's young master was footing the bill, so the Holy Slaves could just sit back and enjoy the benefits.

Sang Lao watched for a while, lost interest, and turned back to Xu Xiaoshou:

"Are you confident?"

"Shen Dao Pan (38)."

The first Yuan Dao Zhong was planted, and Shen Dao Pan now showed a progress bar.

At a glance, Xu Xiaoshou laughed—it started at 31 for Shen Dao Pan, so it clearly wasn't a massive disk like Jian Dao Pan that encompassed everything.

It seemed...

Shen Dao Pan was Shen Dao Pan.

Gu Wu Dao Pan was Gu Wu Dao Pan.

The two were connected, but not closely. Maybe pushing Shen Dao Pan to 90 would yield more than from Gu Wu, but it would require other means to touch "Si She."

"Let's give it a try!"

Responding to Sang Lao, Xu Xiaoshou stopped hesitating, closed his eyes completely, and began planting Yuan Dao Zhong in his Yuan Dao Tian, waiting for them to bloom and nourish him.

"Shen Dao Pan (42)."

"Shen Dao Pan (54)."

One Yuan Dao Zhong after another went in, turning Xu Xiaoshou into a joyful farmer, reaping harvests with every planting—pure bliss!

Until the end...

"Passive value: 13,624,449."

"Shen Dao Pan (80)."

A dazzling Ao Yi Zhen Tu spread out in all directions, captivating everyone's attention in the area.

"Has he really done it?"

Around them, those in Tai Xu or Ban Sheng states, or those obsessed with Shen Dao insights, were few, but the rest quickly snapped out of it, stunned.

Most people here had never witnessed Xu Xiaoshou's three legendary Ao Yi feats outside Yu Jing City.

In their minds, the only one capable of such monstrous insights and immediate enlightenment was one person...

Kui Lei Han!

Now, Xu Xiaoshou was almost perfectly replicating Kui Lei Han's path from back then.

He wasn't even enlightening to the elusive Che Shen Nian of the heavens, but to the Lian Ling Ao Yi that everyone coveted yet could never reach—utterly infuriating!

Shui Gui clicked his tongue in amazement.

Cen Qiaofu stared blankly.

Sang Lao glanced over, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He now understood the meaning behind Xu Xiaoshou's strange look earlier.

This guy could get whatever he wanted?

What about fire-element Ao Yi, then?

"Lord Xu has broken through! Lord Xu has broken through!"

"What kind of Ao Yi is this? Oh my heavens..."

The spirit refiners who stayed to witness the ascension miracle hadn't expected to see another legendary feat from Lord Xu before that.

Soon, everyone's eyes turned to the Sheng Shen Dian Tang people still trying to climb the pillar, only to find them all stuck on it.

One by one, they twisted around, looking like they'd swallowed flies, their faces twisted in dismay.

"Is it really happening for him?"

"What is this Ao Yi Zhen Tu? I've never seen it before!"

"I think I've seen it... Back in Qilin Realm, when Lord Xu was learning Gu Wu Six Dao... Hiss, what was I forgetting?"

The various murmurs from below felt like willow branches brushing against his heart, leaving Yue Gongli's emotions in turmoil.

Compared to that flashy Ao Yi Zhen Tu...

The Sheng Shen Dian Tang people climbing the pillar like apes looked utterly ridiculous—embarrassing didn't even begin to describe it.

"Get out of the way!"

Yue Gongli shoved the ape-like figures aside, gathered the Shen Zhi Ming Xing back, and infused his palm with Xie Shen power.

There was no time left!

If Xu Xiaoshou succeeded, Sheng Shen Dian Tang would be in deep trouble.

Since Di Ying Sheng Zhu had corrupted and now specialized in Xie Shen power, then...

"Smack!"

Without a second thought, Yue Gongli slapped his palm onto Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu.

Devil?Bring it on! Let's see who's the real daredevil!

"Buzz!"

The world echoed with a strange hum, seeming to come from all directions and from within.

His body felt like it was merging with the great dao, or as if the dao was just an extension of his body.

After absorbing the layers of insights about the physical form, Xu Xiaoshou remained clear-headed, filled with surprise:

There was no sense of impending "death and eternal life" like when he broke through in Sheng Shen Continent!

Shen Zhi Yi Ji, which gathered the remnants of the shattered divine realm, truly lived up to its name!

"If I can continue, then I'll just push straight to 90!"

Gritting his teeth and staying vigilant, Xu Xiaoshou pressed on with planting and cultivating the Yuan Dao Zhong.

"Shen Dao Pan (81)."

"Shen Dao Pan (82)."

"Shen Dao Pan (83)."

"Shen Dao Pan (90)."

As the progress hit this point, that familiar sensation returned.

Xu Xiaoshou felt himself floating in an instant, his body completely weightless.

Hands, feet, shoulders, chest, head...

Everything was detaching from him, wanting to merge into the dao.

"Come back!"

The changes happened faster than before.

Fortunately, with his experience from multiple Ao Yi pushes to the limit, Xu Xiaoshou quickly guarded his mind and pulled back his nearly lost body.

In the eyes of onlookers, Lord Xu, who was sitting cross-legged in enlightenment, suddenly floated up and froze in midair.

"To this extent..."

Without a doubt, everyone was awestruck by the exaggerated brilliance of the Ao Yi Zhen Tu.

Even Shui Gui looked horrified, certain this surpassed his water-element Ao Yi by far.

Ao Yi above Ao Yi?

What did that "Ao Yi" even mean?

Shui Gui pinched the half-golden beast mask on his face, thinking of Ba Zun An's answer that was still emerging, and his expression turned grim.

The only one unaffected on site was Yue Gongli!

His eyes were as resolute as if he were heading to his death.

After slapping the pillar, a long moment passed before a surging Xie Shen power erupted from him.

"Boom!"

A beam of light shot out from Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu, enveloping Yue Gongli.

Yue Gongli vanished.

"Did he ascend?"

Sang Lao almost missed it, his attention fully on his enlightening disciple.

But after Yue Gongli, another Tai Xu stepped forward and pressed Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu.

"Boom!"

The light flashed, and the Tai Xu exploded.

"It's not ascension—it's just access. That Xie Shen power is weaker..."

Shui Gui turned his head, pondering as he spoke: "Those who can withstand it go up; those who can't die. It's a straightforward 'ascension' criterion."

Another massive boom echoed.

Another Tai Xu shattered.

Again...And again...Keep going...

Beneath the Ao Yi, the world seemed to darken, with Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu as the only blinding light.

The Sheng Shen Dian Tang people were like moths to a flame, charging forward relentlessly, using lives to pave the way and find the minimum threshold to the upper realm.

This brutal scene left not just the spectators, but even the Holy Slaves, silent.

Yet...In the struggle for the dao, how could there be peace?

It worked!

After an unknown time, when his mind regained control of his body and everything was back in hand,

Xu Xiaoshou, though eyes closed, was fully awake:

The changes from Shen Dao Pan at 90 were tremendous!

A terrifying vitality ignited within him, with passive skills like endless vitality and abundant energy seeming to evolve further.

His muscular strength became even more restrained and subtle, but under intent, its explosive power would be more fearsome. In a physical form, Xu Xiaoshou felt he could even withstand Shen Yi...

Well, just a feeling.

"Super dao transformation" was now within reach.

Xu Xiaoshou sensed that with a single thought, he could use the insights from pushing Shen Dao Pan to ascend.

What might happen in between was uncertain, but it felt like he could ascend.

Again, just a feeling.

"Ming Bian Wo" still wasn't fully clear, and Xu Xiaoshou quickly realized that rushing up like this might be impulsive.

And...

"Passive value: 12,624,666."

He could get even stronger!

Gu Wu Si She—shed body, shed spirit, shed intent, shed self—this "body" was already shedable, so why not transcend the other three as well?

After all, Shen Yi was so powerful, and the Ai Cang Sheng who clashed with him in Shen Zhi Yi Ji wouldn't be much weaker, right?

So, either stay ignorant and bark like a love dog.

Or learn, but not settle for mediocrity or equality—surpass it!

Surpass Shen Yi!

Rematch Cang Sheng!

Gu Wu Si She was useful, but only in Shen Zhi Yi Ji and only for ascension—that was a huge flaw.

Xue Ji Zhi Shu's side effect was death, so it needed to maximize its main effect.

At least, boost combat power before death, and make it usable...

Ordinary Si She wouldn't work.

If he pushed Shen, Ling, and Yi Dao Pan all the way up, could he then shed them in a way that exceeded Shen Yi's understanding and broke free from Gu Wu's constraints, even in Sheng Shen Continent?

Xu Xiaoshou felt it was possible.

Though just a feeling, with his current passive value stock, it seemed he could push two more dao disks.

He didn't want to just feel anymore.

He wanted to act, to be impulsive, in one word...

"Mang!"

After watching a full day of performances, he was exhausted from running, but it felt amazing!