Chapter 1574: Ascending to Heaven, Listening Below, Forging the Heart; Using the Enemy's Trick to Scheme Greatly

“Where… where are the people?”

Cen Qiaofu climbed up the Lunhui Tian Sheng Zhu toward the eighteenth heaven, intending to lend a hand to Xu Xiaoshou.

To his surprise, he didn’t spot any enemies, and Xu Xiaoshou was darting around erratically, as if searching for something, popping in and out of sight.

Every now and then, he bent down to pick something up.

The landscape of the eighteenth heaven was indeed unique—space was fragmented and filled with an aura of decay.

The ground was riddled with craters and massive chasms, an otherworldly sight. If one used Sheng Nian to magnify it…

What a coincidence!

Those deep pits looked just like enlarged human footprints!

Cen Qiaofu examined them closely, and his entire face changed:

“This must be from a giant’s foot!”

“This has to be a battlefield!”

What unique landscape? From the scattered remnants of Sheng Li fluctuations and the shattered Dao principles…

Xu Xiaoshou had already fought a Ban Sheng!

Whoosh.

As he was thinking, the black-clad youth who had been teleporting ahead finally appeared in front of him.

Xu Xiaoshou stared fixedly at the deep pit under Cen Qiaofu’s feet and reached out as if to pat his arm:

“Move aside.”

Cen Qiaofu quickly stepped away—he had no desire to be touched by this porcupine.

“Where are the people?”

He asked again right in front of Xu Xiaoshou.

There was no choice; earlier, this guy had mentioned there were six enemies.

A Ban Sheng had already shown up here, plus five Tai Xu, and yet Xu Xiaoshou had handled them…

What if there was another Ban Sheng lying in wait?

Seeing Xu Xiaoshou playing mute and not speaking, Cen Qiaofu grew anxious: “What exactly are you looking for…”

His words cut off abruptly.

Because Xu Xiaoshou had pulled out a crystal gem the size of a fist from deep underground, using Ling Xian as a net.

“Ban Sheng’s position!”

Cen Qiaofu’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly stepped forward to take the thing and examine it closely.

A Ban Sheng’s position didn’t have a uniform appearance or size, but they were generally similar.

Especially that pure Sheng Li essence inside—it was impossible to fake.

Cen Qiaofu glanced at it once and excitedly confirmed: “It’s really a Ban Sheng’s position!”

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at him sideways with half-lidded eyes. “Can this thing be fake?”

“No!” Cen Qiaofu shook his head. “What I mean is, this eighteenth heaven is truly full of treasures. You can just dig up a Ban Sheng’s position like that?”

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent.

“Impressive! With this, your master could seal as a saint right in the ruins, right?” Cen Qiaofu murmured while fiddling with the treasure in his hand, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right, what about the people you mentioned?”

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent again, just staring at him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Cen Qiaofu frowned, about to say more when his eyebrows shot up.

He quickly glanced at the crystal gem in his hand, then looked back at Xu Xiaoshou in shock, unable to believe it: “You… you killed them?”

Xu Xiaoshou: “What do you think?”

“No…”

“This!”

Cen Qiaofu was stunned for a moment, suddenly at a loss for words.

A Ban Sheng, just like that? It hadn’t even been a quarter of an hour!

Although Xu Xiaoshou had said to wait half a shichen in the first heaven before coming…

But the situation was urgent; the kid had rushed off without explaining anything.

At the time, Cen Qiaofu had stayed in the first heaven with Shui Gui to help Bai Zhuo temporarily lift the evil god’s influence on Wu Xiu.

He’d asked them to keep watch and hurriedly ascended to help.

Even with that delay, it was less than a quarter of an hour, right?

And now…

The battle was over?

A Ban Sheng died so easily?

“No, no, no, something’s not right!”

Cen Qiaofu was a Ban Sheng himself and knew their strength.

He stopped fiddling and gently touched the Ban Sheng’s position in his palm.

It was warm!

Was this from his own handling, or…

“You really killed them?”

Cen Qiaofu looked up again, still in disbelief.

Ban Sheng didn’t die that easily. Aside from their strange survival methods—like having a soul if the body was destroyed, or will if the soul was gone—not to mention their individual abilities for staying alive in even weirder ways.

In short…

Defeating them was easy, but killing them was hard, unless it was a total crush where they couldn’t even react, and body, soul, and will were all destroyed!

Gazing into Xu Xiaoshou’s calm eyes, Cen Qiaofu seemed to get his answer. His hand holding the Ban Sheng’s position grew a bit weak.

He opened his mouth, but no questions came out, so he changed the subject:

“What about the others? You said there were six, right?”

If he’d killed the Ban Sheng, the Tai Xu probably hadn’t escaped.

Thinking this, he saw Xu Xiaoshou toss the bag containing the Shen Zhi Ming Xing from behind him and nod toward it, saying nothing more.

What… what did that mean?

Cen Qiaofu was truly puzzled by Xu Xiaoshou now. He tentatively stepped forward, gesturing as if to ask if he should open it.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded again.

Cen Qiaofu crouched down in a daze, opened the bag, and poured out its contents.

Clink, clink, clink…

Amid the rolling sounds of the Shen Zhi Ming Xing, several more fist-sized Ban Sheng positions tumbled out.

Cen Qiaofu’s mind went blank. He turned back stiffly to look at Xu Xiaoshou, his throat losing all sound.

“This… this is…”

Patterns lit up behind them one after another.

More than ten intelligence officers from the Sheng Nu had emerged.

After Bai Zhuo, Sang Lao, and the rearguard Shui Gui appeared, it signaled that these were all the Sheng Nu representatives selected for the eighteenth heaven.

“Another five Ban Sheng positions!”

Someone in the crowd exclaimed softly.

Everyone stared at the Ban Sheng positions lying discarded on the ground, covered in dirt like worthless junk, their expressions mirroring Cen Qiaofu’s—stunned beyond words.

“Have I been hit by an illusion sword technique?”

“Five of them, plus the one in Cen Lao’s hand, that’s six Ban Sheng positions?”

“All killed by Shou Ye? How long has it even been?”

“Wait, didn’t Shou Ye say there were six Tai Xu? How could it be six Ban Sheng?”

“No, he only said ‘six’.”

“You’re wrong—he said, ‘Don’t worry, only six’.”

Even Shui Gui’s gaze toward Xu Xiaoshou was frozen in place.

A quarter of an hour…

Even the weakest Ban Sheng had some dignity.

Shui Gui didn’t have the confidence to take down any of the five domains’ Ban Sheng in such a short time.

Xu Xiaoshou had done it—and all six at once!

What did that mean?

Aside from possibly needing time to adapt to a Ban Sheng’s abilities at the start, once Xu Xiaoshou made his move, it was basically instant kills!

“How did he do it?”

This question lingered in everyone’s minds.

Bai Zhuo was frozen on the spot. In his memory, the last time Xu Xiaoshou killed a Ban Sheng was at Yun Lun Mountains, when he barely managed to take down Rao Yao Yao.

That was less than two months ago…

This was ridiculous!

Before this, Bai Zhuo hadn’t even wanted to call him “Shou Ye.”

It just felt beneath him.

What was his status, and what was Xu Xiaoshou’s level?

Even their collaboration on the first floor of the heavens had been full of hesitation.

But now…

“Impossible.”

Bai Zhuo silently shook his head in his heart, forcing himself to blink and look at Xu Xiaoshou again.

The young man stood there casually, hands behind his back, watching the others, without a trace of smugness on his face.

As ordinary as could be…

Bai Zhuo read those words, thinking he was seeing Shen Yi, but after blinking, he realized it wasn’t.

It was just Xu Xiaoshou!

Just Shou Ye!

“Absolutely impossible.” Bai Zhuo’s vision blurred, feeling a suffocating sense of being overtaken by the new wave crashing on the shore.

Sang Lao was the first to snap out of the petrified state. He furrowed his brow and stepped forward, staring intently at Xu Xiaoshou as he asked:

“Who did you encounter?”

Unlike the others, Fen Qin’s leader was thinking more deeply.

This rascal might not have actually killed six Ban Sheng so cleanly—it could be a special array or a setup by Yue Gong Li.

Xu Xiaoshou listed them off: “One Yue Lao, one Wu Gui, one Fu Shi, one Ya Ba, one…”

Sang Lao raised his hand to stop him.

Xu Xiaoshou paused his finger-counting.

Sang Lao pinched his brow and turned to Shui Gui.

Shui Gui struggled to speak: “Central Domain, Liu Mang Sheng…”

“Right, that’s what they called themselves.” Xu Xiaoshou nodded, feigning a bit of concern. “Is there something special about them?”

It seemed like he’d won too quickly and was worried it might be a trap.

Sang Lao fell silent.

Shui Gui followed suit.

For a moment, everyone was silent.

Except for Xu Xiaoshou, everyone present was familiar with the Central Domain’s Liu Mang Sheng.

If Shou Ye had named anyone else, it might have slightly diluted the shock in their minds.

But Liu Mang Sheng—they weren’t weak; in fact, among Ban Sheng, they were quite strong!

If these six teamed up against a single Ban Sheng, it wouldn’t be them going to deliver themselves—it would be too costly, and no one would be confident of escaping unscathed.

But against Shou Ye…

“You really are a porcupine!”

Cen Qiaofu finally accepted the reality. Looking at this youth who had pricked his hand bloody the first time they met in Ling Gong, he felt a mix of emotions.

Back then…

Now…

Cen Qiaofu couldn’t express his complex feelings with words, just an “ah.”

Gazing at the current Xu Xiaoshou, he felt the same awe as when he first met Ba Zun An.

The same inexpressible.

The same extraordinary brilliance!

“Shou Ye…”

The thirteen Tai Xu murmured quietly.

Only now, when the Sheng Nu’s former second-in-command Wu Xiu and the current second-in-command Shou Ye stood together, did these intelligence officers no longer see the younger one as presumptuous or out of place.

They no longer saw the older one as regrettable or unfortunate.

Everything felt perfectly natural.

Even when Ba Zun An had passed the Sheng Nu second-in-command position to Shou Ye back then—placing the young man ahead of Qiao Fu and Shui Gui—any surprise or doubts had now vanished.

How could mere mortals understand the Ten Zun Seats?

As expected of Ba Zun An!

As expected of Shou Ye!

“That’s enough, pack it up.”

Sang Lao looked speechlessly at Xu Xiaoshou, who was still staring off into the distance, and tried to pat his hand behind his back…

It didn’t budge.

This kid really didn’t know when to stop.

Once everyone recovered from their amazement, his attitude would only backfire and make things awkward.

“Received admiration, passive value +16.”

“Received reverence, passive value +16.”

“Received criticism, passive value +13.”

“Received contempt, passive value +6.”

The info panel had shifted from positive to negative.

Unfortunately, there were too few people here for much gain.

But by now, Xu Xiaoshou wasn’t just chasing big increases in passive value.

After material desires were satisfied, people sought higher spiritual pleasures.

Like quality books, high-grade illustrations…

It made the soul feel elevated.

Yes, that’s exactly how Xu Xiaoshou felt.

He sensed his soul had been refreshed and uplifted by those dozen or so gazes of admiration.

“Though there aren’t many people…”

“But niche tastes make for art rooted in the alleys; too many, and it loses this feeling.”

Xu Xiaoshou savored it again, then turned to Sang Lao and asked:

“Who’s stronger between me and Fu Tu Cheng’s Shen Yi?”

Sang Lao smacked the back of Xu Xiaoshou’s head hard.

The latter ducked, and Sang Lao’s hand went numb, a chill flashing in his eyes: “Do you have all the time in the world?”

That was true… Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and scratched his head, snatching the Ban Sheng’s position from Cen Qiaofu’s hand: “Here, I’m giving it to you. Just ask if you want it; no need for all this.”

Sang Lao was left speechless.

That wasn’t what he meant at all.

“But…”

Xu Xiaoshou paused, raising an eyebrow suggestively: “Ba Zun An once told me not to use a Ban Sheng’s position to seal as a saint, even for Jian Sheng.”

Sang Lao knew exactly what he was implying and glanced at Shui Gui. “But even he can’t.”

“So, none of you can, but I can?” Xu Xiaoshou grinned broadly.

Surprisingly, Sang Lao didn’t refute it and said thoughtfully: “Maybe. The Ten Zun Seats can.”

Bai Zhuo, listening nearby, was baffled.

What encrypted language were they speaking?

Every word and sound made sense individually, but together, it was nonsense.

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained.” Sang Lao turned back.

“You’d never get it even with an explanation.” Xu Xiaoshou joined in the fun.

Sang Lao glared at him fiercely—he realized that with this rascal, the most effective move was just this.

“Don’t change the subject!”

“Since you can kill Liu Mang Sheng, your wings are really hardened now. So, what’s your plan next?”

He had already adopted a hands-off approach.

He didn’t care if this rascal’s actions meant his title as Sheng Nu second-in-command would become “former” and irreversible.

The crowd around them, except for Bai Zhuo and the spaced-out Cen Qiaofu, all sensed the resignation in Wu Xiu’s words.

Xu Xiaoshou didn’t notice anything and subconsciously wanted to slack off, letting Sang Lao and Shui Gui take the lead.

After all, he was only responsible for combat; he and Cen Qiaofu were on the same wavelength.

But then he thought twice…

Some things, Sang Lao and Shui Gui really couldn’t handle right now.

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand through the void, and a space mirror appeared. He said:

“After I finished off Liu Mang Sheng, I immediately tried to find Shen Yi’s location, but I couldn’t no matter what.”

If even space mysteries couldn’t find him, that meant he wasn’t in this heaven?

Everyone pondered, quickly showing signs of alarm.

The thirty-third heaven?

“Continue.” Sang Lao furrowed his brow without commenting.

Xu Xiaoshou went on:

“It’s possible Shen Yi entered a special secret realm.”

“But I think it’s more likely he’s pushing straight ahead. With his personality, once he’s targeted the Di Ying Sheng Zhu, he’d just keep fighting blindly.”

“In other words, he’s probably reached the thirty-third heaven, because I didn’t find anything like the Dark Birth Forest here.”

Shui Gui nodded upon hearing this, thinking aloud: “In the Yu Sheng Three Realms, one sees the true name… By now, he should have met Ran Ming, received the inheritance, and the Shen Zhi Relic should be closing.”

“Yes.” Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands. “But it hasn’t.”

Sang Lao met the rascal’s gaze and moved his lips: “Continue.”

You’re slacking off too?

Xu Xiaoshou didn’t pass the buck, because he knew a bit more than Sang Lao and Shui Gui.

“When I was in the Dark Shen Court with Yue Gong Li, he let slip something…”

“The Ancestral God’s fate is probably gone.”

“Even Ran Ming’s inheritance—from his tone and behavior—it doesn’t sound promising.”

“You can’t trust Yue Gong Li, even if what you see seems real.” Shui Gui reminded.

“I know, but it’s a kind of…” Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes and pondered for a while.

Everyone listened intently, expecting an insightful analysis, only to hear him say:

“Intuition.”

Xu Xiaoshou lifted his head, eyes bright: “A man’s sixth sense!”

“Received criticism, passive value +16.”

Sang Lao suddenly thought of the Yi Zhi Dao Tu and surprisingly agreed: “Continue.”

Only then did everyone realize that behind Shou Ye’s comical act, his “sixth sense” likely referred to some more practical ability.

Xu Xiaoshou didn’t dwell on it and shifted topics:

“I want to know, during the days I was cultivating, how did Rao Wang Ze kill our people?”

“I couldn’t find any trace of him in the first heaven or this one.”

This wasn’t bravado.

Xu Xiaoshou truly didn’t think Rao Wang Ze could hide from his abilities, even as a Sheng Di.

And now, me…

Though not named Sheng Di, what’s the difference?

Everyone’s faces darkened at his words. Bai Zhuo said resentfully:

“For a Sheng Di to kill, what method is needed?”

“He doesn’t have to show up in person; just a single thought, commanding the rules, and your… our people would drop dead one by one in a day.”

Drop dead?

So, when Rao Wang Ze killed our people, you couldn’t even find where he was or how he struck?

Xu Xiaoshou lowered his head, eyes flickering.

He stopped beating around the bush and stated his conclusion:

“In my view, the Di Ying Sheng Zhu, Ran Ming’s true name, Shen Yi, Wang Ze Sheng Di—all the key factors that could sway the big picture—are now in the thirty-third heaven.”

His words were so certain that it instinctively invited doubt, even from Shui Gui.

After thinking it over, he held back and just looked at Wu Xiu.

He expected Wu Xiu to say something like “How so,” but instead, the guy nodded vigorously:

“You’re right.”

“Received affirmation, passive value +1.”

Encouraged, Xu Xiaoshou continued:

“That guy Rao Wang Ze has been eyeing me, and even though I’ve mentioned Sheng Di multiple times, he’s ignored it… He’s really in danger now.”

“At least, as the World Tree, if I wanted Ran Ming’s inheritance and to reach Ancestral God level, I’d do everything to stop the Sheng Di from interfering in my domain’s rule.”

“So, he might have entered, but not at full strength!”

At this point, Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes gleamed red, and he licked his lips.

Everyone was startled.

From the look of it, killing Ban Sheng wasn’t enough—Shou Ye had set his sights on Sheng Di?

“Then we…”

Cen Qiaofu snapped out of his shock, thinking Xu Xiaoshou was about to lead everyone to ascend to the thirty-third heaven and execute Wang Ze Sheng Di on the spot.

“We…”

“Of course, we don’t need to bother with them!”

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand again, and the space mirror switched to show an ancient plaque:

“They can do their thing; we’ll do ours… See this?”

Everyone looked up. The plaque read: Si Ming Shen Dian!

“What is that?” Someone from behind hesitated.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled: “The Zhan Shen Order; I tampered with it…”

“Zhan Shen Dian?” Sang Lao finally showed surprise.

Shui Gui had some inkling but reminded: “Yue Gong… He’s already a step ahead of us; there might be a plan.”

Xu Xiaoshou shrugged indifferently and waved his hand again, splitting the space mirror into over twenty pieces.

Each one displayed a vaguely outlined figure.

No one could see clearly.

But at that moment, everyone knew these positioned figures were all Ban Sheng!

“Shou Ye…”

The Sheng Nu members shuddered instantly.

Including Bai Zhuo, who now looked at Xu Xiaoshou with a hint of fear.

Ban Sheng had keen senses and were highly sensitive!

If Xu Xiaoshou could locate them with the space mirror without them noticing, then his abilities…

Space mysteries—oh, that explained it.

Xu Xiaoshou knew what Shui Gui was worried about, but he also knew everyone was still stuck in a defensive mindset.

He said nothing, just slowly bent down and picked up the scattered Ban Sheng positions one by one.

With each one he picked up, the gazes around him shifted.

From fear, to tension, to anticipation, to excitement, to thrill…

Finally, Xu Xiaoshou stuffed all five Ban Sheng positions into Shui Gui’s arms, looked him straight in the eyes, and said firmly:

“Turn their plan against them!”