Chapter 1576: Eighteenfold Heavenly Double Saint Seals, Relentless Fierce Killing Intent

Rumble… The distant sound of the Holy Tribulation no longer drew much attention.

At the Temple of Fate, numerous Taixu diligently upheld their duties, not daring to stray from the vicinity of the plaque.

"It's time to send the message, Xiao Gao, you do it." Someone checked the time, reminding him.

"Mad Emperor Non-Recipient, Eight Disgusting Divine Fish... Okay, I've sent the code. Lord Li still hasn't replied."

"Sigh, I wonder if it's a normal lack of response, or if he has already fallen..."

"Bah, bah! Watch what you say! That's Lord Li!"

"Ah, haha!" The old man who had spoken out of turn scratched his head, stiffly changing the subject. "How do you think Half-Saint Huayuan knew to go in? We didn't even see or speak about it."

"That's a Half-Saint! Do you presume to fathom a Half-Saint's thoughts? Can you even begin to comprehend it?!"

"A Half-Saint..."

This remark left several people deep in thought. Someone sighed, "Actually, aren't we all just half a step away?"

The scene fell silent for a moment, and a somber expression settled on the faces of all the old-timers.

Hadn't it always been this way?

Between Taixu and Half-Saint, wasn't there just that half-step?

But that half-step was a chasm, unreachable in a lifetime—the Half-Saint status!

In their youth, they still had dreams, believing that with enough effort, a Half-Saint status could at least be earned through merit.

Now, in the blink of an eye, they realized their years had been wasted, stuck at the Taixu realm for decades, even centuries, with nothing to show for it.

Dreams were like tying a carrot to a stick on a donkey's head, always desirable but forever out of reach.

Once settled in comfort, unwilling to change or transcend, one's life would simply remain as it was.

"Enough with the sentimentality!"

Soon, someone laughed, pointing to the distant tribulation cloud. "Someone's attempting to become a Saint again, and it's a Fire Saint... If you wanted to, you could all try like him."

"Us? We're nowhere near that level!" The others snapped back to reality, shaking their heads with bitter smiles.

Everyone present was an old man, long past the melancholic years of youth. How could they be so easily moved by the scene again?

Now, seeing the Saint Sealing Tribulation Cloud, what they perceived was no longer a lifelong desired opportunity, but an immense risk of death!

The Divine Ruins had been open for some time. Even back in the first heaven, people would occasionally ascend to Sainthood.

Initially, everyone rushed forward, wanting to join the excitement, observe the Saint Sealing process, and learn from the experience in case of future need.

Who would have thought that most of them were merely wishful thinkers?

They hadn't even found a Half-Saint status, and instead began undergoing tribulation with what they mistakenly believed were suitable substitute treasures.

The result?

Naturally, each one of them was utterly annihilated.

The Divine Ruins had been open for so long, yet there had been only one successful case of Saint Sealing.

Fewer people watched that time, and the person hadn't acquired the Saint Sealing opportunity within the ruins, but had brought a Half-Saint status from outside.

Saint Slave, Cen Qiaofu!

"Counting this one, I've already seen twenty-eight tribulations. This means the twenty-seventh deluded Taixu ghost is about to be born."

"Oh, my mistake, even their soul will be extinguished."

As everyone gazed at the distant Saint Tribulation, the envy in their eyes was truly irrepressible.

The step they dared not take, someone else had taken.

Even if the outcome was failure, that courage was always admirable, yet contradictorily, they were unwilling to see others succeed.

Thus, their initial envy and admiration invariably transformed into bitter jealousy.

"There are always those who foolishly dream of flying onto branches to become phoenixes."

"And they always only realize regret when they crash and bleed, but by then, it's too late."

However, some offered a different perspective:

"The intensity of that fire tribulation seems quite formidable. This person undergoing tribulation doesn't appear to be an ordinary Taixu, does he?"

"Who can be ordinary if they can achieve Taixu? No matter how strong his Saint Tribulation is, it can't be a Supreme Saint Tribulation, can it? I've seen Water Ghost undergo tribulation with my own eyes!"

With that boast, the Saint Tribulation seemed less impressive. Everyone's gaze turned, and someone chuckled, "Then, in your opinion, how does Water Ghost's Supreme Saint Tribulation compare to this one?"

"How can they even be compared? That person is an Abyssal Half-Saint!"

"His isn't weak either. I think it's many times stronger than the Saint Tribulations other Taixu undergo... This is just the aura we sense from this distance. It must be even more intense on site."

"Indeed, Old Tan has nothing to say. I told you this Saint Tribulation wasn't normal; it truly has something special."

Everyone looked at the Saint Tribulation again, and no kidding, it was incredibly powerful.

It was too far to see clearly, but judging by the aura, it was truly not something an ordinary person could summon.

"Old Tan, haven't you seen Water Ghost become a Saint? Tell us, how would you rate this tribulation, out of ten?"

"I... indeed, now that you mention it, in terms of aura, it seems no worse than a Supreme Saint Tribulation."

"Huh? Are you serious? I was just joking!"

"But it also depends on the circumstances," Old Tan quickly explained. "Water Ghost was in Sky City at the time, and the rules there can't compare to the Divine Ruins here..."

"True, the Divine Ruins are on a higher level, and the Saint Tribulations are stronger. Even if this fire tribulation looks powerful, it might just be ordinary if undergone on the Saint God Continent."

Old Tan looked worried. "Perhaps..."

He suddenly had a thought: this fire-type Saint Tribulation, why did it have such a fierce and dominant essence, a bit familiar?

But before he could voice his question, the ground trembled, and boundless holy might descended.

"Lord Grand Tutor is here!"

"And... and many Half-Saints!"

The outermost Taixu whispered, and immediately everyone simultaneously knelt in greeting.

Not daring to raise their heads, they shouted:

"Greetings, all Saints!"

"Congratulations, Master, on successfully becoming a Saint!"

As the final wave of tribulation rain poured down, feeling the sense of phoenix-like rebirth spreading around, Xu Xiaoshou was the first to exclaim in surprise.

This was his first time witnessing someone undergo tribulation so quietly and obediently—it was quite novel!

In the past, either Water Ghost would undergo tribulation to tie down Dao Qiongcang, or Cen Qiaofu would charge and fight everywhere with fire and lightning.

For ordinary people, a "tribulation" was a solemn matter, requiring extensive preparation, and the process couldn't even be disturbed.

A slight misstep, and they'd be annihilated.

But it seemed for the Saint Slaves, undergoing tribulation had always been a means, a method, allowing them to fight many with few—the best strategy.

Even when to undergo tribulation, what tribulation, and who to tie down, all had to be meticulously calculated.

Because if one was missed, the Saint Slaves would lack the personnel needed for their plans.

What kind of hard lives had they been living before this... Xu Xiaoshou wanted to cry and laugh a little, realizing that not only himself, but the Saint Slaves' situation had always been difficult.

Back to the present, as he made that remark, the many Taixu and Half-Saints behind him understood, and they all congratulated in unison:

"Congratulations, Senior Wuxiu!"

"Indeed, it's truly commendable." Cen Qiaofu smiled broadly, offering sincere congratulations.

"Very good. After being stuck for so many years since the battle with Gou Wuyue, you can finally take a step forward. From now on, there's no possibility of further progress." Water Ghost's smile was rarely not eerie, even showing a touch of relief.

Awakening from annihilation!

Rebirth from ruin!

As the last wisp of tribulation essence receded, Old Sang sat cross-legged in the void, self-regulating, with streams of fire-elemental Saint Power surging from his body.

His charred and withered body began to repair itself.

His originally extremely aged face also improved, becoming radiant.

Even the somewhat bald patch in the middle of his head stubbornly grew many tiny fine hairs.

But that was all; it seemed even becoming a Saint couldn't completely solve the problem of hair loss, which seemed like irreversible damage.

"Such a big change?"

Xu Xiaoshou stared blankly at Old Sang rejuvenating.

Although it wasn't enough to say he directly returned to a youthful appearance, he did go from an old man to a middle-aged appearance normal for his age.

Yes, middle-aged!

Compared to the long lifespan of a spiritual refiner, this was merely the beginning.

However, in his impression, Xu Xiaoshou had always thought Old Sang was an old monster who had lived for hundreds of years, just like Cen Qiaofu and Mei Sirena.

In fact, he wasn't.

He later learned that the Four Sons of the Saint Palace belonged to one generation, and Ye Xiaotian even missed the Battle of the Ten Venerables because he was born a few years later.

He then realized that Old Sang was at most fifty or sixty years old, not much older than Bazun An or Shen Yi.

"He looked so old before, was it because of the battle with Gou Wuyue?" Xu Xiaoshou turned his head to look at Water Ghost.

"Yes, and not entirely," Water Ghost smiled. "That battle accounted for about forty percent. The rest was mostly caused by Fén Qín, as it's quite draining."

"Even Taixu can get tired?" Xu Xiaoshou felt that building a career seemed very draining, no matter the world.

"You know, he started doing these things when he was a Grandmaster."

"Grandmaster? Didn't he start Fén Qín *after* breaking away from the Saint Palace?"

To this, Water Ghost smiled: "There's no such thing as an overnight success. He's not one of the Ten Venerables; only gradual achievement."

After a pause, Water Ghost muttered with a slight palpitation: "This is precisely why I only want to maintain intelligence work for one city at most."

"So you only set up 'Night Cat,' responsible for intelligence work in East Heaven King City, right?"

Xu Xiaoshou secretly rolled his eyes, evidently not thrilled with the Grand Elder of the First Building in the Sky being so unambitious.

Old Sang was good!

Old Sang was more dedicated.

"You, Water Ghost, should learn more from Old Sang, gain experience, and be a competent Grand Elder."

"Buzz!"

With the success of Saint Sealing here, a powerful and fierce Saint Power fluctuation soon emanated from not far away.

Judging solely by the aura, it was not much weaker than Old Sang, the Abyssal Half-Saint.

Everyone's gaze turned to the distance, their expressions filled with renewed astonishment.

"He succeeded too."

"It's Palace Master Baizhou!"

"Excellent! Now we have two more Half-Saint level combatants."

"Sigh, if I weren't so untalented, I'd also want to become a Saint to help ease Lord Shou's burdens."

"Oh, come on, shut up! Lord Shou isn't the Saint God's Hall; he really might bestow a Half-Saint status upon you."

"Damn, that's true! I didn't say anything..."

Xu Xiaoshou was half happy, half worried.

He wasn't sure if letting Baizhou also become a Saint was the best choice.

After all, the alliance between Xuyue Grey Palace and the First Building in the Sky wasn't even a formal agreement, just a verbal promise.

"Meow!"

In his mind, Greedy God let out a low meow, signaling to its master not to worry; Palace Master Baizhou shouldn't be the kind of person who would break a promise.

"Should..." Xu Xiaoshou was speechless.

Greedy God was still young when it was in Xuyue Grey Palace and hadn't met Baizhou many times. Later, after following him, its ties with its original home faded.

Its impression of Baizhou, while decent, was limited to being straightforward, generous, and somewhat chivalrous.

The rest was pure fear.

Even by association, it was a little afraid of "wine," the heavy drinking kind.

As for why a Saint Beast would have such deep-seated fear of Palace Master Baizhou Taixu, whom it had only met a few times:

Xu Xiaoshou wondered if, besides environmental factors, it might have something to do with the Saint God's Hall being unable to destroy Xuyue Grey Palace to this day.

The Ten-Person Council changed repeatedly; by now, there should have been over ten Half-Saint level combatants.

Yet, before this very moment, the leader of Xuyue Grey Palace had always been just a mere Taixu.

They couldn't destroy it.

There was truly something significant behind that.

At this moment, even when becoming a Saint, under the devastation of the Saint Tribulation, Baizhou didn't even reveal his true form and still successfully underwent tribulation.

"How was it?"

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud laugh.

Xu Xiaoshou looked back. Old Sang was rubbing his head, dressed in white, his skin, if not perfectly smooth, was at least at a normal person's level.

The Wuxiu-Chijiao Body, which he couldn't suppress as a Taixu, his power constantly externalizing, had now become controllable upon entering the Half-Saint realm.

"Congratulations, congratulations! A Fire-elemental Abyssal Half-Saint, plus Thorough Divine Sense! You should be slightly stronger than our Great Demon King Yumo now, right?" Xu Xiaoshou cupped his hands and sincerely congratulated him.

As soon as these words came out, Old Sang's smile froze. He shook his head, gnashing his teeth. "You brat..."

Water Ghost covered his face and sighed.

If he hadn't known Xu Xiaoshou for so long, he would have genuinely mistaken this guy for innocent and childlike, speaking without any intention to sow discord!

"How is he?"

Old Sang's good mood vanished instantly. He glanced towards Baizhou's side, bringing up the real matter.

Yes, they had both used two Half-Saint statuses, and after offering to share the burden of the Saint God's Hall's Half-Saint combat power for Xu Xiaoshou, they underwent tribulation together.

With Xu Xiaoshou's current abilities, he could distort Baizhou's Saint Tribulation so outsiders couldn't see it, and his Space Abyssal could conceal most of the fluctuations of Old Sang's Supreme Saint Tribulation.

Once the Idea Dao Plate was activated, and Heaven-Man Unity was enabled, he even began trying to "guide"!

Guiding outsiders to believe that his own matters were more important, they could bypass the Saint Tribulation fluctuations here and didn't need to rush to observe.

It was unclear if his guidance succeeded, or if the Space Abyssal concealed the Saint Tribulation well, or if there were simply few idle people who could reach the eighteenth heaven.

At least, during the tribulation process, no one approached.

Since there were surprisingly no accidents, after Old Sang became a Saint, his first concern was naturally what Xu Xiaoshou was thinking: their own people.

"He also didn't have any accidents..."

"That's not what I asked!" Old Sang glared, implying that if he didn't pay attention to details and worry so much, his hair wouldn't have fallen out so fast.

"Of course, no abilities are visible either. In short, Greedy God approved of him, so he can still be trusted, I guess." Xu Xiaoshou was indifferent. If Baizhou were to cause trouble, he had plenty of ways to punish him, even if he had reached Half-Saint.

Seeing this, Water Ghost spoke up at the right time: "Compared to the First Building in the Sky, or the Saint Slaves, I think the one he'd least want to cooperate with is the Saint God's Hall... So, there's no need to worry so much."

Cen Qiaofu saw that everyone had given their opinions, paused, and then added: "Water Ghost is right."

"Hahahaha..."

As they were talking, a loud laugh suddenly came from the sky, and then Baizhou flew over, happily proclaiming, "This old man can finally be a Half-Saint too!"

"See?" Xu Xiaoshou turned and gave a look. "What kind of accident could happen to someone like this? Isn't he just like Zhou Tianshen, like Shen Yi?"

"To put it positively, their brain isn't needed. To put it negatively, their brain might not even be useful."

As soon as Baizhou landed, he rushed forward, grabbed Xu Xiaoshou's hand and shook it, sincerely saying:

"Xu Xiaoshou, I'm very grateful to you. This old man is truly very grateful to you."

"If it weren't for you, I'd have to wait God knows how long on the Saint God Continent for a Half-Saint status, for an unnoticed treasure land to become a Saint."

"You... um..."

After pondering for a long moment, Baizhou finally squeezed out what he considered a compliment: "Xu Xiaoshou, you are a good person!"

"Received thanks, Passive Value +1.""Received praise, Passive Value +1."

"Oh dear, you don't necessarily have to thank me like that."

Xu Xiaoshou was overwhelmed by the compliment, subtly withdrew his hand from the palm of this person whose true gender was unknown, surprised that this person could withstand his recoil and sharp damage, while patting his shoulder:

"Good brother, for life."

Baizhou laughed loudly, grabbed his wine gourd and took a big swig:

"Good brother, for life, want some?"

He then handed over the wine gourd.

Xu Xiaoshou's smile stiffened. He unnaturally took the wine gourd; it wasn't impossible to drink.

"Meow!"

In his mind, Greedy God shrieked.

Only then did Xu Xiaoshou smell a faint bloody scent. He couldn't help but lower his gaze and peek at the wine gourd, suspiciously asking, "Inside here..."

"Blood wine!"

Baizhou laughed loudly: "The strongest wine!"

"Blood wine? What kind of wine is that? Am I so ignorant?"

Xu Xiaoshou was still hesitating whether to drink, when Greedy God transmitted a memory.

It was a large pool, soaking many colossal corpses—dragons, rhinos, phoenixes, tigers. The wine scent was very strong and very foul. It should have been a place where even dragon apricots would drool, but it was also a place Greedy God didn't want to enter, even when running wild.

"Ugh."

Xu Xiaoshou held the wine gourd and couldn't bring himself to drink.

He had never seen such a "primitive" brewing method, so he changed the subject and chatted with Baizhou for a couple more sentences, then put the wine gourd back on him.

"Both of you became Saints in just one day," Xu Xiaoshou said. "Since that's the case, after a few more days of rest and recuperation, shall we depart directly?"

Baizhou waved his hand. "No need! This old man only needed the breakthrough of becoming a Saint, no rest and recuperation needed. This old man is very strong; right now, I just want to kill people and slaughter Saints!"

After a pause, he seemed to remember that it wasn't good to say that, and looked at Wuxiu, adding, "But if *he* needs it, waiting a few days is perfectly fine."

Everyone looked at Old Sang, Xu Xiaoshou included, but Old Sang slightly shook his head:

"On the path of Abyssal, my foundation is already extremely solid. Furthermore, the Divine Ruins' rules are at a very high level, and the unowned Saint Power is exceptionally concentrated."

"All my spiritual essence has been converted into Saint Power, and my realm, having just had an epiphany, has also stabilized. I can depart at any time."

"That fast?"

Water Ghost secretly gaped.

After his battle on Void Island to become a Saint, he had to consolidate his Saint Power for a long time to stabilize his realm.

But then again...

He had consolidated his realm on the Saint God Continent, while Wuxiu was in the Divine Ruins.

His Saint Sealing had been interfered with, even by Xu Xiaoshou, whereas Wuxiu had been protected by Xu Xiaoshou.

No need to compare like this... Water Ghost secretly chuckled to himself. When had he become such a competitive person?

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou was heard rubbing his chin, seemingly unconsciously muttering:

"No need to consolidate your realm, then you really are a tiny bit stronger than Water Ghost!"

"Is Fire Abyssal truly stronger than Water Abyssal? I'm a bit skeptical..."

Everyone around him felt a chill down their spines. Water Ghost was even more choked with anger, finally understanding where his change in mindset came from—it turned out there was a troublemaker beside him.

"Bang!"

Old Sang opened his Wuxiu-Chijiao hand and crossly knocked Xu Xiaoshou's head with a knuckle. Xu Xiaoshou's head bounced twice, as if about to fall off.

"Hiss..." That hurt a little.

"Received attack, Passive Value +1."

"Business!" Old Sang was furious.

Xu Xiaoshou gritted his teeth and, right in front of Old Sang, styled his dark, shiny, thick hair, huffing, "Alright, alright, business. Let's do business..."

He raised his palm, and the Ancestral God List popped up. He connected his spiritual thoughts to names.

Soon, Grand Tutor Ci's location was displayed, highly overlapping with the sensed location of the God-Slaying Token.

"Then let's go!"