Chapter 1704: Preaching the Dao in the Five Domains, Debating Sword Ghosts, and Fully Accepting Willow and Gui

"Beast!"

Before the Wu Yu Preaching Mirror, one after another Alchemist rose up and spat curses.

"Great, great!"

In the Jade Capital City of Xing Jie, one after another Alchemist clapped and cheered, excitedly applauding.

Yes, most of the residents of Xing Jie had changed their views and completely sided with Master Shou.

In the gentle embrace of Jade Capital City, not many had backbone to begin with; most had to consider their families and their legacy.

So, they accepted what came their way.

Moreover, it had been a month or so since Master Shou moved the city into the realm.

During this time, everyone had also thought things through. It seemed this time was different from usual, and Xing Jie was also different from ordinary alternate dimensions.

The red-clothed and white-clothed couldn't get in.

Even if they did, they couldn't save them.

Master Shou could even defeat a Half-Saint, but even if an ordinary Half-Saint entered Xing Jie, they wouldn't be able to move an entire Jade Capital City back to the Saint God Continent.

After all, not everyone had space attributes and could cultivate profound truths.

In summary, even the former red-clothed and white-clothed, who had the deepest feelings for the Saint God Palace, had given up.

This portion of people couldn't be said to have completely submitted, but they also didn't expect to leave in this lifetime.

In this Xing Jie, you had to stay whether you wanted to or not.

So the problem arose.

The population base of Jade Capital City was not small, numbering tens of millions.

From Houtian煉靈 (Alchemists) to Zhan Dao Tai Xu, all classes still existed. If you didn't cultivate, you would have to eat dirt, or suffer.

Under such circumstances, everyone naturally toiled for cultivation.

Fortunately, the spiritual energy concentration in Xing Jie was truly not low.

Under the guidance of Lord Long Xing, the heaven and earth spiritual energy at the location of Jade Capital City was even comparable to that of Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain.

Compared to the past, it had improved by more than one level.

But human greed is infinite. At this moment, seeing that the World Tree in their Xing Jie had the possibility of a qualitative change from one to two,

Everyone looked at the live broadcast in the sky, which was even clearer than the Preaching Mirror, wishing they could go up and dig two shovelfuls of dirt themselves.

"Hurry up, Master Shou, what are you waiting for? What kind of skill is it to dig with the Hua Long Halberd? Where was your flourish when you moved Jade Capital City?"

"Use the Spatial Profound Truth! Who cares if Lord Jiu Ji Shen Shi agrees or not, just move it in first. Once it's in, and she knows the goodness of our Xing Jie, she'll definitely agree!"

"Master Shou, are you hesitating…"

As some sharp-eyed observers saw, Xu Xiao Shou's temperament was not so indecisive.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti had already shaken her head in agreement.

If he truly wanted it, he wouldn't be digging with a halberd, but rather, with lightning speed, he would trick her into it and take it first.

But now, Xu Xiao Shou didn't do that; he was indeed hesitant.

Or rather, he dared to poach in front of the Wu Yu, but poaching in front of the Dao of Heaven's Eye? That truly required more consideration.

He knew Ai Cang Sheng was unwilling to open fire on him at this moment.

He also didn't really want to provoke Ai Cang Sheng into a complete frenzy when his various passive skills hadn't yet reached their peak.

He was even less sure if moving Jiu Ji Gui would prematurely trigger a change above the Heavenly Ladder.

So, he had to test it.

A bottom line is something that can be probed and tested little by little.

The attitude of the existence above the Heavenly Ladder towards the fate of Jiu Ji Gui could also be discerned from the reaction of a certain someone next.

Therefore, when Xu Xiao Shou dug with his halberd at this moment, he was never digging at the root of Jiu Ji Gui, but rather wanted to see what attitudes the people who cared about Jiu Ji Gui held.

"Boom!!!"

There was no hesitation.

As soon as the Hua Long Halberd had dug two times, the sky cracked, and a Guilt Bow arrow shot through the air.

Xu Xiao Shou had already been on guard. He put down the Hua Long Halberd, turned around, pulled out the Shattered Jun Shield, and activated the Immovable King.

"Boom!"

The void exploded with a huge hole, and the airwaves pushed up into the sky, shaking the Preaching Mirror's image several times.

"War again?"

"As expected, Emperor Cang Sheng won't agree! Good, shoot him dead, shoot that guy dead!"

"Xu Xiao Shou was too slow! He should have been faster! If he had directly used the Spatial Profound Truth to move it…"

"What are you saying? Are you a spy for Xing Jie?"

"Uh, I… no, I am…"

He defended it!

The Preaching Mirror's image quickly stabilized.

Not many people's attention was diverted. They watched with wide eyes as the Guilt Bow arrow was completely absorbed by Master Shou, who was holding the shield.

Even the layer of golden light on Master Shou's body was not shattered by the shot.

"This…"

At that moment, the Wu Yu were all astonished.

At this point, as long as the Shattered Jun Shield was used, Emperor Cang Sheng's ordinary Guilt Bow arrows were completely ineffective against Master Shou?

"No! Emperor Cang Sheng held back!"

"Before, it seemed Emperor Cang Sheng suffered a backlash because he shattered that special golden light on Master Shou's body."

"And to withstand the backlash and shatter the Jun Shield, Emperor Cang Sheng would have to go all out, not giving Master Shou a chance for a sneak attack. This involves the multi-stage unsealing of 'Art Seed Imprisonment'."

"But if he really unseals it, no matter how many stages, it means the war has officially begun, and Master Shou will definitely retaliate fiercely."

"Therefore, the choice of the two people who are unwilling to fight at this time is coincidentally… they can only hold back! And they are fighting with a very significant degree of restraint!"

There were many intelligent people in the Wu Yu who quickly saw through the clues.

This realization, and then the revealing of it, naturally also made the hearts of most interested parties sink to the bottom.

Because in the current situation, if neither of them went all out, Master Shou would have the initiative, and Emperor Cang Sheng would be passive.

Xu Xiao Shou was both annoying and despicable.

As long as he delayed entering the Sea of Death, he might not be able to take the large parts of Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain, but wouldn't the small parts be his for the taking?

"A warning!"

Feng Zhong Zui's voice came out at the same time, with a hesitation that came from careful thought: "But I'm afraid it won't be very effective…"

Yes.

This arrow was a warning.

But similarly, Ai Cang Sheng might not have realized it after shooting, but in Xu Xiao Shou's eyes, it could also become a clear numerical value of the "red line."

"Can't I dig?"

In the Preaching Mirror's image, Master Shou, holding the Hua Long Halberd and Shattered Jun Shield, revealed a grinning face:

"Ai Cang Sheng, what's your relationship with Jiu Ji Gui?"

"Even if there's some relationship, it's not that good, is it?"

"She herself agreed to let me dig, why can't you agree?"

"Does this arrow of yours mean that as soon as I dig this tree, you'll shoot me and start a war?"

Master Shou turned around helplessly, facing the Preaching Mirror, and said incomprehensibly:

"In your eyes, is our agreement so unimportant?"

"It's normal for a wanted criminal like me not to care about the Wu Yu, but as Emperor Cang Sheng, are you also going to disregard the lives of the Wu Yu and completely go to war with me?"

"Which is more important, the Wu Yu or a mere tree, Ai Cang Sheng!"

"Of course, I don't mean to disrespect you…" Xu Xiao Shou stated seriously, then turned to Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti, muttering angrily:

"I just can't stand this dog-lover looking down on you!"

"In his eyes, the Wu Yu you guard have no value at all. This is too disrespectful to you and your Dao!"

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti stared with beautiful eyes, her mind a blank.

She was completely confused by his words; for a while, she really struggled to untangle the twists and turns within them.

"Does little Ai Cang Sheng disrespect this empress?"

"Isn't he protecting this empress?"

But Xu Xiao Shou's respect for this empress was visible to all. Although he was digging at herself, it seemed to be for her own good…

Something felt wrong?

"Dao Dian Zhu truly didn't deceive me!"

"Just don't give him a chance to speak…"

At this moment, after hearing Xu Xiao Shou's nonsense, the various Saints of the Saint God Palace felt their scalps tingle.

Utter sophistry!

But with fists not as big as his, how could they stop him from speaking?

If they didn't stop him, and actually rushed up to argue with him, everyone present, even Fang Wen Xin and Xi, felt that if they went up, they would be torn to shreds by Master Shou's mouth.

Can't beat him, can't argue with him…

Dao Dian Zhu, please come back quickly. In your absence, we've been so wronged!

"It's just a little digging, why make such a fuss."

After saying that, Master Shou pouted, simply put down the Hua Long Halberd, and with an expression of disdain for Jiu Ji Gui, walked elsewhere.

Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti was confused.

Why was he so wronged? Shouldn't it be this empress who was wronged?

It can be dug!

One set of words on the surface, another set of thoughts in secret.

With this arrow shot out, whether Ai Cang Sheng was smart or foolish, Xu Xiao Shou had already seen where the "bottom line" lay.

"Ai Cang Sheng wants to protect Jiu Ji Gui!"

This proved that if he truly moved Jiu Ji Gui, it wouldn't alarm the Saint Emperors above the Heavenly Ladder, at the very least.

Otherwise, if he was happy to see it happen, how could he shoot an arrow?

"Ai Cang Sheng wants to protect Jiu Ji Gui, but he doesn't want to fight to the death!"

This proved that in his eyes, a mere ancestral tree, Jiu Ji Gui, was truly not as important as his "overall situation."

But having lost Dao Qiong Cang…

Could this group of pigs on the Sacred Mountain side, who could only come up with "Plan Sixteen" after racking their brains, come up with any other brilliant plans?

The Wu Yu were filled with lingering fear.

Seeing Master Shou give up on digging the ancestral tree Jiu Ji Gui after being warned by an arrow, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

It was then that they saw Master Shou pacing the ruins of the Sacred Mountain, as leisurely as if he were walking in his own Xing Jie's backyard.

He soon came to a pile of unknown rubble and stopped.

The various Saints of the Sacred Mountain were baffled, only Xi's eyebrows raised high. After remembering something, a look of horror appeared in his eyes.

But Master Shou, facing the crumbling pile of rocks in front of him, respectfully cupped his fists and said with utmost reverence:

"I've heard much of you, Senior Shen Bai Liu, haven't I?"

Before the Wu Yu Preaching Mirror, confused voices arose simultaneously.

Shen Bai Liu?

The head of the ancestral trees, Shen Bai Liu?

The Shen Bai Liu who, according to legend, had his willow body severed by the Qijian Xian You Tu and whose spiritual intelligence seemed to have been erased?

But…

Where was the willow?

Shen Bai Liu should be in Ping Feng Zhu Di.

But here, no one saw a trace of a "willow."

However, based on their trust in Master Shou's strength and insight, some people thought that "Shen Bai Liu" was just a title, and perhaps the actual form of this willow tree being a pile of stones was not impossible?

"Boom!"

Master Shou raised a hand and brushed it towards the stone pile in front of him.

Amidst sizzling sounds, the huge rocks burned away, revealing a concealed spiritual array buried deep inside.

"It's over…"

When the spiritual array appeared, not only the Saints of the Sacred Mountain but also the Alchemists of the Wu Yu inwardly cried out in dismay.

Using a spiritual array to hide, using shattered stones to hide the array.

And then subtly mixing all of this into the shattered Sacred Mountain.

Although it was unknown who set up this array, its purpose was very obvious: to guard against a certain person.

But he successfully deceived everyone present, including the Half-Saints. Only the one being guarded against precisely identified it.

Xu Xiao Shou raised his hand again, playfully breaking the spiritual array, and praised:

"What a powerful array technique, what a brilliant method! Is this the Self-Deceiving Array?"

In Nan Yu, Zhong Yuan Zi listened to the voice transmitted from the Preaching Mirror, his old face flushed. He eagerly explained to Ai Cang Sheng beside him:

"I used the Saint-level spiritual array disk left by Dao Dian Zhu. At the time of the explosion, Shen Bai Liu couldn't move on his own, right? When I moved it out of the mountain, I thought the most dangerous place was actually the safest, so I moved it back to Ping Feng Zhu Di, but hid it with a spiritual array and broken stones…"

"No need to explain."

"No, you listen to me finish explaining!" Zhong Yuan Zi got anxious, "I just knew his personality, taking everything, leaving no stone unturned. That's why I guarded against him in advance. I didn't expect him to target not only Shen Bai Liu, but also Jiu Ji Gui…"

"I know all that."

"You don't know! Listen to me! I really didn't intentionally leave any marks…"

"I know, Old Zhong, you're kind-hearted." Ai Cang Sheng was also forced to say a few more words, "But you forgot, his mastery of Heavenly Secret Arts is not low."

"Caw."

Zhong Yuan Zi stopped abruptly, then let out a long sigh.

Can't guard against him!

Simply can't guard against him!

He had already used all his might to resist, but perhaps doing something or doing nothing would yield the same result.

Xu Xiao Shou casually walked and stopped. If it were someone else, his actions would be interpreted as those of a traitor.

"But Old Zhong, you seem very reluctant to get involved with Xu Xiao Shou lately, even in minor details, you really want to… distance yourself?" Ai Cang Sheng frowned, a bit confused, "You never seemed to care about these things before?"

"Caw?"

"This array is actually very clever, at least Saint-level."

Xu Xiao Shou beckoned to Feng Zhong Zui, who moved closer, and the Wu Yu listened as he explained:

"This array integrates concealment, illusion, invisibility, and oblivion. It truly makes everyone uninterested in paying attention to the object protected by the array."

"Of course, the reason I could notice it wasn't because there were any 'marks' or anything like that on this array. The Sacred Mountain couldn't have traitors; the Sacred Mountain is a mountain of justice."

"I'm just strong."

Master Shou blew at the mist that still lingered after the array was broken, and the mist scurried away in fright.

"There really is a willow tree!"

What was revealed inside was a dim and gloomy place.

The towering severed willow had been compressed by magic to human height. Master Shou waved his sleeve, shattering the seal and allowing it to return to its original state.

Beneath the severed willow was an ancient table, on which a candle flickered.

The candlelight flickered, uncertain.

Xu Xiao Shou's lips curved, noticing something, but he didn't speak. Instead, he turned to look at Feng Zhong Zui.

The latter stared at the severed willow, ancient table, and dying lamp for a long time, until his hands trembled, until the Preaching Mirror's image shook with him.

For the first time, he didn't scream loudly, but seemed to be still immersed in that profound realm, muttering in a low voice:

"Strange…"

"So strange, so powerful, so terrifying sword intent…"

The Wu Yu were confused, wondering what kind of strange madness Feng Zhong Zui was having this time.

Master Shou looked like a patriarch, and beckoned to the other side again. Bei Bei reluctantly twisted her shoulders.

"If you don't come over, you'll dance over."

Bei Bei's small face immediately flushed red. She wrinkled her nose and let out a heavy snort, but still could only stomp her feet and walk over angrily.

"What else did you see?"

Now the Wu Yu understood. Beneath the severed willow, there must be something only ancient sword cultivators could see.

Master Shou seemed to be…

Testing?

"Ah, weren't they opponents before? Now it feels like their levels are different. Is Master Shou some ancient Qijian Xian?"

"Gives me a feeling of Mr. Si Ren… although I've never met Mr. Si Ren, I don't know what kind of feeling he gives off."

"I think he's like You Tu."

"If you say that, I think he's like Ba Zun An."

Bei Jian Xian quickly forgot everything else and immersed herself in the sword intent.

To be honest, she had become the master of the white-clothed執道 (zhi dao), but the sword intent beneath Ping Feng Zhu Di, as well as the severed willow, ancient table, and dying lamp.

Apart from the last time Hua Chang Deng went berserk due to the Moon Palace Li Hu's trouble, this was the first time she was allowed to observe at such close range.

What was outrageous was…

Everything that happened was actually allowed by an outsider from Gui Zhe Sacred Mountain!

"The 'Guai' of Spirit Control Guai Shu, the 'Jue' of Feng Du's master, and another thing, something even I can't see through…"

"It's normal for you not to see through it, you're just at the beginning?"

Bei Bei raised her small face, baring her teeth fiercely at Xu Xiao Shou, then her expression turned bitter. She couldn't win at all, so she could only be bullied.

But she wasn't one to be bullied. She retorted, "What about you? What did you see?"

Why should I tell you?

Xu Xiao Shou hugged his chest and smirked, completely ignoring the short Bei Bei.

He glanced over, but caught Feng Zhong Zui's gaze, which was like a pilgrimage, filled with intense desire for knowledge, without impurities, only yearning.

There were not many renowned ancient sword cultivators in the Wu Yu.

There were many sword cultivators in the Wu Yu who loved ancient sword arts.

At this moment, there must be thousands of similar gazes, waiting for an answer from the First Sword Immortal, right?

Xu Xiao Shou was startled to realize that he, too, had become someone in the eyes of others who could provide answers, without knowing when.

If Mr. Si Ren were here…

He thought for a moment, looking at the ruins of Ping Feng Zhu Di, at the severed willow, ancient table, and dying lamp, and slowly said:

"Guai, distinct from Gui, their essence is different."

"But to enter the Dao with the sword, and make the flesh become spirit. With this technique, one understands differences, discerns truth from falsehood, and comprehends beginning and end. From the summoning of spirits, to the completion of ghost contracts, to the final command of souls, the technique is almost forgotten, as if commanding one's own arm, thus Ghost Sword Art begins to be understood…"

"Guai, similar to Gui, their principles are interconnected."

"But through the form of the sword, one communicates with the essence of ghosts. Due to mutual force, it harms neither body nor spirit, existing in between. All things serve as a guide, intent observes completion, the mind enters the heart without harm, all else is lost, only this soul remains thin, thus Ghost Sword Art enters the inner sanctum…"

From beginner to master in Ghost Sword Art.

From the first realm to the second realm.

Feng Zhong Zui, Bei Bei, Xi… and even the Alchemists and ancient sword cultivators throughout the Wu Yu, no one expected Master Shou to speak, and to speak so well.

Each of them, whether they understood swords or not, knew the opportunity was rare and listened very attentively.

Xu Xiao Shou also didn't expect himself to be such a good speaker.

He simply wanted to talk about his insights into the Ghost Sword Art, to see if he could inspire the ancient sword cultivator community.

After all, in the era of the decline of ancient sword arts, the reason why talents still emerged was entirely due to old seniors like Mr. Si Ren pushing the giant wheel forward.

Receiving a favor, repaying it with a gushing spring.

Xu Xiao Shou received Mr. Si Ren's sword, and he knew that the old master's greatest wish was not for himself to become a god or ancestor, but to see ancient sword arts flourish throughout the Wu Yu of the continent.

He spoke for a while.

He found he couldn't finish.

He spoke until his throat was dry, until the Wu Yu fell silent, and even until Alchemists cultivating the Dao of Soul in various places broke through…

The ancient sword cultivators understood, but not entirely.

Until the sunset faded, the bright moon passed through the empty sky, and the sun rose in the east, Xu Xiao Shou closed his mouth and stopped.

Mr. Si Ren, you are too great, but I cannot continue…

Sword arts are vast and profound. Their fundamental knowledge cannot be explained in a few days or months by just talking.

As for the advanced knowledge of the Sword Dao Disk, and even the methods of integrating and comprehending the super-tier sword realms above…

Xu Xiao Shou didn't even dare to touch them.

He finally understood why Ba Zun An didn't teach swordsmanship.

He had said so much here, and Feng Bei Xi seemed to have gained some understanding, but they still seemed to have some distance to digest before a breakthrough?

Very good, next, it's time for knowledge fees.

Xu Xiao Shou waited only a moment, and after everyone had somewhat recovered, he pointed at the severed willow and said:

"Ai Cang Sheng, I can concede on Jiu Ji Gui, this willow is fated with me."

"It can also be considered to have perfected some aspects of the ancient sword Dao for the continent, so let it come with me."

With those words, disregarding any opposition, Xu Xiao Shou's Spatial Profound Truth unfolded beneath his feet, directly taking away the entire Ping Feng Zhu Di, and even the traces left by Hua Chang Deng.

Boom!!!

The sky above the Sacred Mountain belatedly cracked open, and a vicious arrow shot forth.

Xu Xiao Shou held the Shattered Jun Shield and withstood another blow, finding that the power hadn't increased much, and understood something.

Ai Cang Sheng, you truly are in a neutral position, I misunderstood you.

"Dog-lover, don't be ungrateful!" he roared, however.

The Wu Yu were shocked.

One moment, Master Shou was a figure of profound wisdom, the next, he reverted to his previous vulgar self. This was too hard for people to accept.

But this time, after being hit by the arrow, Master Shou did not stop. Instead, he rushed with his shield to the original location of Jiu Ji Gui.

"Since you are heartless and keep ambushing me, then don't blame me for being righteous and only following the wishes of Senior Jiu Ji Gui!"

The Spatial Profound Truth array diagram unfolded.

This time, Xu Xiao Shou didn't use the Hua Long Halberd to dig. Determined to charge a fee, he transformed into a rampaging giant, embracing the massive trunk of Jiu Ji Gui with open arms and pulling upwards with great force.

Rip, rip, rip…

Mud and stones splattered, restrictions crumbled.

The various grand arrays, accumulated power, and destruction-resistant techniques applied to the ancestral tree Jiu Ji Gui simply couldn't withstand Xu Xiao Shou's monstrous strength, amplified by his passive skills!

Jiu Ji Gui was pulled out of the soil by its roots, without even a fig leaf to cover it, and was thrown naked into Xing Jie.

"Senior Jiu Ji, please."

Calling the spirit body with the tree body, Xu Xiao Shou casually imprinted the weaving array, which activated after the ancestral tree Jiu Ji Gui entered Xing Jie.

On the Sacred Mountain side, Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti hadn't even reacted, still immersed in her soul cultivation.

She was a spirit body.

She really needed that kind of insight.

She was so grateful to Xu Xiao Shou for expressing his understanding of the Dao of Soul in front of the Wu Yu.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Jiu Ji Gui Ling Ti felt herself flying, flying towards a vortex, seemingly leading to another world.

She knew nothing, only watching the world and familiar Saints, who were looking at her in horror but growing increasingly distant. She desperately stretched out her hands, but could grasp nothing…

"No, don't…"