Chapter 1672: Facing Grandpa Xu Head-On, The Grandson Who Loves Not Shooting Arrows on Time

Killed? An instant kill? With just a single glance?

When Drunk-in-the-Wind's transmission mirror zoomed in on the proud figure atop the solitary tower, his usually sharp commentary became inaudible to the spectators.

It was no exaggeration to say the whole world was astonished.

At this moment, those watching before the mirror were clutching their heads, utterly dumbfounded. Their expressions were so exaggerated that it seemed they wanted to gouge out their eyeballs, wash them, and put them back in, just to confirm whether their vision was truly failing them or if the Holy Mountain had played a colossal joke on the Five Domains.

"Is this Qin Duan a joke? Is he really a Demigod? He doesn't look like one to me!""The Qin family of Xiami from the Northern Domain? After this battle, their reputation is ruined. It's time for the Qin family to be destroyed, isn't it?""This is a Demigod? I could do that too!""No, don't you think Grandmaster Xu is just too outrageous? An eye-kill! An eye-kill!""What was that, really? The Profound Truth of Intent? What kind of Profound Truth is this? Is Grandmaster Xu specialized in this? Isn't he an ancient sword cultivator?""I cultivate Innate Sword Intent, I know!""Brother, please elaborate.""Grandmaster Xu must have entered the Dao through Heart Sword Technique, comprehending the combination of mental power, aura, and intent. Building upon the Red Plum Three Streams, he cultivated spiritual attacks to...""Speak plainly!""Uh, Grandmaster Xu must have gained some fortune at the Executioner God Official's ruins...""Get out of here!"

Though the words were crude, the underlying logic was sound. Those who followed Grandmaster Xu regularly knew that back when he relocated Jade Capital City, his Dao Diagram of Intent was far from remarkable. Compared to the Profound Truths of Space and Life, it was as insignificant as a firefly next to a bright moon, not even warranting discussion. However, was Wen Ting overshadowed by Ba Zun'an because Wen Ting was utterly useless? Probably not. By the same token, this Dao Diagram of Intent wasn't inherently weak; Grandmaster Xu simply hadn't specialized in it back then. The only event that could explain such a significant transformation was Grandmaster Xu's visit to the Executioner God Official's ruins.

"Perhaps the Executioner God Official cultivated this very Dao of Intent, and Grandmaster Xu has already received the Executioner God Official's legacy!" At this point, spectators across the Five Domains, gathered before their transmission mirrors, grew even more vociferous in their discussions.

Oh, how tempting! Their hearts yearned. They didn't necessarily covet the Executioner God Official's legacy, but they harbored immense desire for the Profound Truths themselves. Before Grandmaster Xu's emergence, the term 'Profound Truth' was synonymous with invincibility; Yu Lingdi, Chief of the Spirit Division, had used it to overwhelm an entire generation of Spirit Cultivators. But after Grandmaster Xu's appearance, who was Yu Lingdi? A mere mud ball, easily shattered with a flick of a finger. Even his father, Yu Mo the Water Ghost, became a mere footnote in Grandmaster Xu's various legends, perhaps only mentioned incidentally when recalling the Void Island battle.

"So, if Grandmaster Xu wins this battle and becomes the Holy Mountain Hall Master, is it possible he'll publicize the mass-production method for cultivating Profound Truths, benefiting the Five Domains?""Stop dreaming! Look at Ai...bah, Emperor Cangsheng! His face has changed. Grandmaster Xu's insults are truly vicious; he was 'disappointed' in an instant.""Indeed, Emperor Cangsheng's face turned green after being 'disappointed'... By the way, when Grandmaster Xu didn't show his face, Emperor Cangsheng shot arrows. But why isn't he shooting now that Grandmaster Xu has appeared?""Are you stupid?! There must be something fishy going on!""Something fishy... No, you mean an internal affair, right?""You're asking me? How would I know? If I knew, wouldn't I, Zhao Cangsheng, be the one sitting in that wheelchair right now?"

Atop the Holy Mountain.

Ai Cangsheng, in his wheelchair, indeed had a changed expression, though it had little to do with Xu Xiaoshou's mockery. The flamboyant old Daoist had previously warned that to deal with Xu Xiaoshou, one must either out-talk him or feign deafness and dumbness. A single response to him meant falling into his trap. From this perspective, Xu and Dao could be seen as equals. What truly astonished Ai Cangsheng was Xu Xiaoshou's suddenly elevated realm of Dao comprehension.

"The Profound Truth of Intent, and even beyond..." Ai Cangsheng had some understanding of the concept of Transcendence. After all, he had entered the Dyeing Tea Ruins and knew that if the cultivation limit of the Holy Divine Continent was eight, the Divine Ruins could probably reach nine-tenths. Unfortunately, before he could fully comprehend all this, Dao Xuanji, with her unpredictable schemes, tricked him out of the ruins. Even killing two of her bodies hadn't quenched his hatred. Witnessing Xu Xiaoshou's gains from the ruins at this moment, Ai Cangsheng felt he should have searched more thoroughly back then and shattered Dao Xuanji's main body as well to truly be done with it.

"My lord Cangsheng, there's still no movement from the Dead Sea," Xi quietly transmitted from beside the wheelchair. To this day, he dared not believe that a voice transmission could remain secret in Grandmaster Xu's presence. After all, it was highly probable that Grandmaster Xu had acquired a method to intercept voice transmissions from Spirit Cultivators below the Demigod level since his return. Ai Cangsheng didn't need explicit words; a single phrase conveyed Xi's implicit meaning: "Saint Slave Wuxiu has not yet returned."

This was interesting. Xu Xiaoshou's assault on the Holy Mountain undoubtedly had other motivations, such as seeking fame and gain; even Ba Zun'an cultivated his reputation, and Xu Xiaoshou needed it even more. But at its root, his motive to rescue his master was beyond doubt. With Wuxiu not yet returned, Xu Xiaoshou's attack on the Holy Mountain presented only two possibilities: either he possessed another method to bring people from within the Divine Ruins back to the Holy Divine Continent, meaning he always had a retreat.

"There's a possibility, but it's small." Ai Cangsheng didn't entirely dismiss this point. What puzzled him was that if this method were feasible, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't have needed to attack the Holy Mountain again. Having stayed in the Divine Ruins until the very end, he should have encountered Shen Yi. Anyone who had directly encountered Shen Yi would understand the concept of a combat-type Ten Great Venerates. Therefore!

"No matter how conceited he is, he wouldn't have the desire to compete with me for now. Yet he still came..." Not only did he come, but he also held Drunk-in-the-Wind hostage, deliberately creating a spectacle to announce his return to the entire continent. From Xu Xiaoshou's history, this was his usual trick: one thing stated, two implied; a hidden agenda. What then, was this 'second' intention? Was it truly the second possibility — that he harbored resentment for the arrow I shot at the Eight Palaces previously, and simply wanted to fight me? That brings the problem full circle. He can't defeat me right now... Ai Cangsheng took a light breath, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the armrest of his wheelchair. He had no clue! He once again experienced the frustrating feeling of being constrained everywhere after losing Dao Qiongcang. But he now had to think for himself. However, his mental acuity was simply insufficient to fully grasp the entire sequence of an event that hadn't even happened yet, in an instant. Naturally, he couldn't achieve Dao Qiongcang's style of... a quick calculation with his fingers, a slight smile on his lips, and then daring to say, 'Heaven's secrets must not be revealed.'

"Emperor Cangsheng, which plan should we proceed with?" Xi asked for instructions again. Standing beside the wheelchair, he could clearly feel the faint melancholy that had appeared between Emperor Cangsheng's brows after being verbally humiliated by Xu Xiaoshou. But alas, what could be done? The Holy Mountain had lost Hall Master Dao. And the world only saw Grandmaster Xu's combat power, completely unaware that his intelligence was even more terrifying than his strength! He planned ten steps ahead, while also strategizing for things a hundred steps away... How many such people were there in the world? In the eyes of Xi, Chief of the Anomaly Division, there were only two individuals in this era who, starting as mere pawns in a chaotic game, could maneuver themselves into players and achieve 'defying fate and changing destiny.' Grandmaster Xu was one. Xiang Yaoyao was another. The latter cultivated the Dao of Investment, a path unique through all ages, and had already reached its culmination.

"For a conservative approach, proceed with the provisional 'Plan Sixteen'," Ai Cangsheng decided after a moment of contemplation. Xi paused slightly, then quickly nodded, not daring to question. Thirty-six Stratagems to Defeat Xu! These were the thirty-six plans devised over the past half-month by the ten-person council and the Demigods from various regions who had come to reinforce them, aimed at dealing with Xu Xiaoshou and the Saint Slaves behind him. In the latter twenty of these plans, Xu Xiaoshou was mostly not the main focus; Ba Zun'an was. But in the first sixteen plans, they had explicitly discussed what to do if Xu Xiaoshou, upon emerging from the Dyeing Tea Ruins, displayed talents befitting a Ten Great Venerate. Emperor Cangsheng's adoption of 'Plan Sixteen' indicated his acknowledgment that Xu Xiaoshou's combat power had the potential to contend with a Ten Great Venerate, and even with some deficiencies, he was more than capable of defeating anyone else on the Holy Mountain. "And that's precisely the case." Judging by his ability to instantly gravely injure Demigod Qin Duan with a single glance, Lord Yuegong Li's earlier suggestion was entirely correct! Apart from Ai Cangsheng and Elder Yu, no one on the entire Holy Mountain was Xu Xiaoshou's match. But 'Plan Sixteen'... Xi understood, supported, but felt ashamed. He felt that this time, the Holy Mountain's reputation was utterly ruined.

"I propose 'Plan Sixteen', the most conservative approach," Elder Yu fearlessly suggested during the last meeting before he left the mountain. "Elder Yu, please elaborate." At that time, only Emperor Cangsheng remained calm in the Sacred Firmament Hall. Everyone else, after hearing 'Plan Sixteen,' was enraged by Elder Yu's methodical presentation: "Xu Xiaoshou excels at schemes, while we lack wisdom. Therefore, we should temporarily avoid confrontation and not engage in stratagems with him. Xu Xiaoshou excels at combat, while we lack courage. Therefore, we should again avoid confrontation and not engage in battle with him. Xu Xiaoshou excels at spirit cultivation and masters various Profound Truths, while we are not skilled in spirit cultivation and have few Profound Truths. Therefore, we should retreat to the Dead Sea and absolutely not get entangled in a prolonged fight with him. Xu Xiaoshou excels at formations and masters Heavenly Secrets Art, while we are not skilled in formations and have lost Hall Master Dao. We can close the mountain protection array and absolutely not give him any opportunities. Xu Xiaoshou excels at close combat and is invincible in melee, while our spirit cultivation methods do not specialize in hand-to-hand combat. I suggest that if Xu advances, we retreat; if Xu retreats, we also retreat. Xu Xiaoshou excels at sword arts and is invincible at long range. We only have one Bei Bei, who is not up to the task. We must absolutely not compete in swordsmanship, but rather suppress his prestige in the opposite direction. Xu Xiaoshou has extensive connections and can invite Ba Zun'an. We should climb the Heavenly Ladder seven times a day and first invite the Saint Emperor to assist in the battle. Xu Xiaoshou's target is firm, only Sang Qiye. We should just keep an eye on Sang Qiye, let him insult us, and absolutely not engage in battle." "Xu Xiaoshou..." "Xiaoshou..." "Shou..."

At that time, Elder Yu truly seemed inhuman. He simply didn't notice the terrible expressions on all the Demigods present after hearing his words. A cowardly strategy, was it? According to Elder Yu, he was interrupted less than halfway through his presentation. In Xi's opinion, for him to be allowed to present so much, everyone must have been overly respectful of Elder Yu. How this 'dead salted fish' was then condemned and cursed by the various saints—the details need not be elaborated.

Ultimately, the core idea of 'Plan Sixteen' was singular: "The Dead Sea can restrict at least half of Xu Xiaoshou's power, so we should guard Wuxiu and leverage this core to fight him. If we abandon this core, the Holy Mountain is sure to lose this battle." Of course, Plan Sixteen also had a contingency, and Elder Yu specifically emphasized the crucial point: "Unless Hall Master Dao returns!"

It was all nonsense! The content was nonsense! Even the crucial point was nonsense! Without a doubt, this 'absurd' and flawed plan was the first to be discarded by everyone. But now... Grandmaster Xu had just returned and powerfully suppressed Qin Duan. The Thirty-six Stratagems to Defeat Xu couldn't even compare to one of Hall Master Dao's thirty-six Heavenly Secrets forms; they had seemingly collapsed entirely. The conservative approach suddenly seemed to be the best option?

"Shall I announce it?" Xi hesitated, then, holding the special communicator left by the Heavenly Group's operation, posed his final soul-searching question to Emperor Cangsheng. Ai Cangsheng nodded. "Yes, you do it." "Ah, with just one sentence, I'll be the sinner of the Holy Mountain..." Xi looked up at the sky; it was clear blue, with a refreshing breeze—truly a beautiful day. But aren't subordinates meant to take the blame for their superiors? Xi gritted his teeth and transmitted the order via the communicator: "Execute 'Plan Sixteen'!"

"What?!" In the plaza, the Nine Sacrificial Diviners turned their eyes in shock. Fang Wenxin, Zhong Yuanzi, and others looked back in astonishment. The Chiefs of the Six Divisions and the experts among them all widened their eyes. Many Demigods from the external aid faction were immediately consumed by rage, their hair standing on end, utterly uncontrollable. Led by Qiu Gu, who had returned from who-knew-where and when, they stared in inexplicable horror at Xi on the steps and launched into furious questions: "Are you crazy, boy, daring to give such an order!"

Xi, with a nonchalant expression, took a step forward, obscuring Emperor Cangsheng's impassive face. It was as if this act would make everyone realize that Xi, as a mere Chief of the Anomaly Division, dared to bypass Acting Hall Master Ai Cangsheng and issue orders to everyone on the Holy Divine Hall's side, including the Demigods, simply because he had the audacity.

"Ai Cangsheng!" The crowd finally realized that Xi's order definitely had Emperor Cangsheng's approval: "We demand an explanation!"

An explanation? High in the sky, Xu Xiaoshou watched the Demigods and Grand Void cultivators on the Holy Mountain suddenly erupt into infighting, a look of confusion on his face. "No way? I, an outsider, expressed 'disappointment' in Ai Cangsheng, and you, his own people, are following suit? No matter what, he's a Ten Great Venerate, the pillar, even the sky-pillar in your hearts, right? This infighting is getting... interesting!"

Xu Xiaoshou waved a hand. Drunk-in-the-Wind, carrying the transmission mirror, swiftly moved forward, flying a circle around the plaza, nervously collecting everyone's discussions: "Plan Sixteen?" "Isn't that a cowardly strategy?" "Ai Cangsheng must have been kicked in the head by a donkey. Xu Xiaoshou merely crushed Qin Duan with a glance, and... uh, that's all..." "Yes! He is a bit strong! That's undeniable, but we're not that... uh, not that weak, right?" "In any case, I disagree!" "This Saint also disapproves!" "Ai Cangsheng, why aren't you shooting arrows?" "Your combat power is the greatest on the Holy Mountain! Xu Xiaoshou is humiliating us like this, why are you indifferent? Are you a Saint Slave too?!"

They're actually questioning our Chief as a Saint Slave... bah, our Hall Master! Xi's head was throbbing, feeling overwhelmed. He naturally understood Emperor Cangsheng's choice and his difficulties. Shoot arrows? Arrows could be shot, but could the Holy Mountain withstand a holy war that might last half a day, or even a year and a half? If this fight erupted, half of the Central Domain could be flattened! Even if all Demigods were integrated into a logistics team to protect the environment and create a sustainable combat arena... What if Xu Xiaoshou didn't enter the arena or receive the arrows? This cunning fellow came first, preventing Wuxiu from returning to the Dead Sea, thus seizing the initiative—he could retreat at any time! If Ai Cangsheng shot at him, wouldn't he dodge? Was Xu Xiaoshou a reckless novice?

"Emperor Cangsheng..." Xi felt his ears were about to burst, cursed viciously by countless condemnations, becoming Elder Yu Mark Two—a representative figure of the 'dead salted fish' and 'cowardly turtle' factions. Ai Cangsheng didn't utter a word. He clutched the Evil Sin Bow tightly, his eyes raised distantly, gazing at Xu Xiaoshou high in the sky.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, didn't know what was happening. After two breaths of contemplation, his eyes subtly brightened. He then put on a show for the world, though his actions were far from simple. What the audience saw as the sixth Evil Sin Bow's arrow piercing the clouds was merely him returning from near death in the Southern Domain, lifting his Solitary in the World and Divine Insight states. With his hands casually clasped behind his back, he surveyed the plaza's commotion, looking down at all directions, as if challenging the eighteenth Evil Sin Bow's arrow piercing the clouds. He had actually awakened in the Divine Ruins, faked his death, and had Li Fugui's capable subordinate, an intelligence agent named Xiao Zi, bring him back to the City of Dead Pagodas. "Is this the City of Dead Pagodas?" he'd asked. "Yes, Grandmaster Xu, the crossroads are just ahead." "Indeed, the rules feel different... Thank you for leading the way. Go wait for me in the Divine Ruins; I'll probably need you for a few more trips later." "My pleasure!" Xu Xiaoshou watched Xiao Zi leave, memorizing the City of Dead Pagodas' spatial node. Spatial Profound Truths were indeed powerful; they allowed him to teleport anywhere in the Five Domains, provided he knew the location's spatial node in advance. Once he'd been there, he could return anytime. But exploring the City of Dead Pagodas wasn't his current goal; Shen Yi wasn't there, so there was nothing worth exploring. Xu Xiaoshou activated his Spatial Dao Disk beneath his feet, and *whoosh*, he was back atop the Holy Mountain. The plaza remained chaotic. The saints' condemnations of Ai Cangsheng grew fiercer: "Emperor Cangsheng, shoot an arrow!" "Emperor Cangsheng, slay Xu Xiaoshou!" The clone he had created with his Intent Dao Disk remained high above, its sole purpose to briefly maintain the Illusion Sword Technique. Xu Xiaoshou's true body then replaced the clone, resuming his hands-behind-back pose high in the air. The transmission mirror had been broadcasting the plaza's commotion for a long time, and now it conveniently turned to face Grandmaster Xu, making it seem as if the clone had served no purpose and Grandmaster Xu had been there the entire time. The Dao of Editing—I, Xu Xiaoshou, have transcended it... Xu Xiaoshou coldly smiled, looking down disdainfully. This was his twenty-third arrow! When Xu Xiaoshou's clone was discovered and instantly destroyed, the Illusion Sword Technique was seen through. But his true body returned quickly, with hardly any time difference, deceiving the world's audience through the Dao of Editing, making him appear back in his original position. This was his thirty-eighth arrow! Drunk-in-the-Wind, carrying the transmission mirror, was discovered, almost killed. Xu Xiaoshou, already vigilant with his Divine Insight state active, had promptly sent him to the Great Desert of the Western Domain, leaving an Intent Dao Disk clone there to maintain the Illusion Sword Technique for the viewers. Afterward, he himself entered Solitary in the World, returned from the Divine Ruins to the Holy Mountain, and effortlessly recalled Drunk-in-the-Wind to continue filming. The Evil Sin Bow's arrow broke through the Illusion Sword Technique. As soon as the Illusion Sword Technique was broken, it instantly reappeared, making it seem to the world that Ai Cangsheng had never moved. The Evil Sin Bow's arrow pierced through the Dao of Illusion, rendering the Illusion Sword Technique momentarily unformable. Left with no choice, Xu Xiaoshou's face showed helplessness. He had to use his Transcendental Intent Dao Disk to employ the 'Circuitous Guidance' technique, stolen from the Dirty Dao. He couldn't guide the unreasonable Ai Cangsheng, who wanted to expose the truth, but could he not fool the miscellaneous Demigods and ordinary soldiers across the Five Domains? Ai Cangsheng shot an arrow. But the Ai Cangsheng the world saw did not shoot an arrow. Ai Cangsheng truly wanted to fight. But the Ai Cangsheng the world saw did not fight.

"What's happening?" Drunk-in-the-Wind, clutching the transmission mirror, felt himself occasionally spin, yet he remained steadily on the plaza the entire time. The footage he filmed was also of the plaza from beginning to end. The only change was that the Demigods in the plaza, calling for battle, grew increasingly furious. The only constant was that Grandmaster Xu repeatedly called for a direct battle over thirty times, yet Emperor Cangsheng remained silent, like a mute. Emperor Cangsheng? No, Emperor of Forbearance! Drunk-in-the-Wind couldn't help but exclaim to the world: "What are we seeing?! Grandmaster Xu is challenging, and Emperor Cangsheng doesn't dare to respond at all!" "Emperor Cangsheng, shoot an arrow!" "Emperor Cangsheng, slay Xu Xiaoshou!" "Emperor Cangsheng, why do you hesitate to shoot arrows? Xu Xiaoshou is humiliating you like this; are you truly so forbearing?!" "Brothers, this is the forty-sixth time!" "Grandmaster Xu has challenged forty-six times, his battle intent soaring, resolute as iron. Why doesn't Ai Cangsheng respond?" "I'm almost afraid to commentate anymore. I feel like in the next moment, Emperor Cangsheng will shoot me dead... Oh my, he raised his bow?" "Huh, was that an illusion? Emperor Cangsheng hasn't moved at all." "Emperor Cangsheng, shoot an arrow!" "Emperor Cangsheng, slay Xu Xiaoshou!" "Cangsheng Da... Ai-dog, you Ai-dog, why do you hesitate to shoot arrows? You're even more cowardly than Elder Yu!"

When Qin Duan's soul returned to the plaza, his physical body restored, he was so enraged that he couldn't contain himself and called the three Emperors who refused to protect him 'Ai-dogs'. The entire world fell silent for a moment. Ai Cangsheng, in his wheelchair, gripped the Evil Sin Bow tightly, pressing it forcefully onto the black cloth on his thigh. He couldn't control his head. He couldn't suppress his killing intent and looked at Demigod Qin Duan. He abruptly raised his bow, aiming it at the old Demigod who dared to call him an 'Ai-dog'. Suddenly, a mocking laugh came from the horizon: "What's wrong, Ai-dog? Even if you shoot your own people, do you still not dare to face your grandpa in battle?"