Chapter 1727: Li Zhu's Name First Appears in the World, Yan Wang Calls the Roll and Determines Pei Yuan

"So strong!"

The fleeting golden giant seemed no different from the one Master Xu had used on the Holy Spirit Continent. Feng Zhongzui initially found it only natural. Master Xu was so powerful, he should simply tear apart the Black Stone Prison and break all shackles. If he wished, he could even ascend to another level, transforming into the ultimate giant, delivering a shock from a new-era youth to all the strange beings and beasts in the Dead Sea.

"Wait!"

Soon, Feng Zhongzui realized his mistake. Having no difference at all—wasn't that the biggest difference? This was the Dead Sea, and the Holy Spirit Temple had so many Half-Saints, all of whom had thoroughly researched every detail of Master Xu's information, and then spent a full month preparing. Did they not account for Master Xu's transformation ability? Feng Zhongzui didn't know the exact contents of the Six Paths Imperial Golden Edict, but he guessed there should be at least one clause prohibiting transformations! "Was it useless?"

"Or had Emperor Cangsheng's mind been kicked by a donkey, making him unable to foresee something even I could think of?" Feng Zhongzui almost cried out in surprise, but he quickly suppressed his emotions. While the holder, or commentator, of the Preaching Mirror was supposed to maintain a neutral stance, he was currently with the capricious Master Xu. Feng Zhongzui dared not speak of anything that might reveal Master Xu's information.

However... Feng Zhongzui dared not speak. Were there really no intelligent people left in the Five Domains? Not at all! In fact, the moment Xu Xiaoshou transformed into a raging giant in the Dead Sea, spiritual refiners across the Five Domains erupted in a frenzy.

"He can still transform!"

"Indeed, he can still transform!"

"This means Master Xu's transformation spiritual skill isn't like the spiritual skills we spiritual refiners use; its form of existence might be more akin to ancient martial arts?"

"But can't the Dead Sea ban laws related to ancient martial arts?"

"Did Emperor Cangsheng make no effort in this regard? What's the point of him letting Xu Xiaoshou enter the Dead Sea to fight then? To buy time? Waiting for what, waiting for death?"

"It's useless. From the looks of it, they can't ban Master Xu's ancient martial arts, and ancient sword arts should also be unaffected!"

"But that's not right. Just now, as soon as Feng Zhongzui entered the Dead Sea, he said the Way of the Sword became distant to him. And Northern Sword Immortal said she was a bit better, but only a bit."

"In fact, even when Zhu Yike tried to pull out Beibei just now, Beibei almost didn't react. Her power was suppressed by at least ninety percent!"

"Then what about Master Xu?"

At this point, spiritual refiners across the Five Domains were all in shock. Master Xu seemed like the transcendent one; the existence of the Dead Sea appeared to have no effect on him whatsoever.

"He can transform..."

"His physical body is still strong..."

"If you told me he could just turn around, wield his sword, unleash the second stage of ancient sword arts, and chop down all the prisoners in the Dead Sea, I'd believe it!"

Some sharp-eyed individuals even pointed out the funniest scene on the Preaching Mirror right now: "Look, Zhu Yike is also stunned."

"It seems Master Xu's tearing didn't just shock us; he's bewildered too!"

Zhu Yike was indeed dumbfounded. He had considered various ways Master Xu might save him. But it would either be through indirect, long-distance rescue, or by stealing a Dead Sea pass to enter, or by transforming into the Temple Lord and giving orders to get him out. When he saw Master Xu confidently appear before him in person, Zhu Yike actually marveled at his own lack of imagination. The Great Dao is simple. Master Xu actually walked in! Since he could enter the Dead Sea in such a plain and simple manner, it meant a great deal of effort must have been put in behind the scenes. At the very least, he must have a Dead Sea pass, perhaps even two extra. One for himself. One for Aunt Xiang. Being able to walk so easily to the Black Stone Prison where he was held, he would surely be able to capture a Dead Sea supervisor later, or at least have a key to open the door.

Zhu Yike never expected this. Master Xu entered the Dead Sea by walking in; when he saved someone, he did it directly! Is this how he does it? Violently tear apart the Black Stone Prison and pull me out directly? That's it? All the other things like Dead Sea passes, Black Stone Prison keys, and supervisors... None of it was needed? Master Xu alone was equivalent to everything else?

Until Master Xu's hand stretched out before him, and he looked at Master Xu's smiling face, Zhu Yike's scalp gradually tingled. He glanced back at the dim environment of the prison a few more times, confirming it wasn't a dream, that Master Xu had truly transformed moments ago, and all of this was real. He became even more bewildered!

Zhu Yike grabbed Master Xu's hand, immediately jumped over, and clung directly onto Master Xu, exclaiming with delight, "You can still transform? Could it be that the restrictive powers of the Dead Sea have already been broken by our First Heaven Building?" He paused, then thought it unlikely. "Or did the Temple Lord give you a backdoor? But that's impossible; he treated us so badly on Greenyuan Mountain..."

"Still the Temple Lord?" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled at that, pulled the guy off him, and grumbled, "Zhu Yike, times have changed."

"Changed?" What does that even mean? "I've only been in the Dead Sea for a few months!" Before he could speak, he saw Master Xu point to the handsome young man beside him and introduce, "This is the Preaching Mirror. It's currently livestreaming to the Five Domains. Everyone is watching you, so be careful what you say."

"The Preaching Mirror!" Zhu Yike paused slightly at the mention: "Then the Seven Sword Immortals..." Feng Zhongzui quickly pointed at Master Xu and introduced, "The one standing before you now is the head of the new Seven Sword Immortals, the foremost Sword Immortal of this age, Master Xu!"

"Foremost... Sword Immortal..." Zhu Yike quickly accepted it. He had already experienced Master Xu's power on Void Island. His current bewilderment was, "Is something wrong with your Feng family? How did the Preaching Mirror of the Seven Sword Immortals end up in the Dead Sea? Are you all tired of living?"

Zhu Yike cowered into a blind spot of the Preaching Mirror. Due to the Dead Sea's restrictive laws, he couldn't transmit his voice, so he could only lower it and say, "Master Xu, has the Feng family also joined our First Heaven Building?"

Feng Zhongzui's mouth twitched at the sound. "What's the use of lowering your voice? The Five Domains heard everything!" He was waiting for Master Xu to deny it, but unexpectedly, the latter nodded slightly: "It's not impossible to interpret it that way."

"No..." Feng Zhongzui was stunned. "This kind of label can't be accepted; the Feng family would be annihilated!"

Zhu Yike had clearly not interacted much with the Preaching Mirror before. Seeing that Master Xu didn't correct him, he knew he hadn't said anything wrong and asked again, "Then what about your 'times have changed' just now? Just because of the Feng family?"

Feng Zhongzui's face turned green again. "What did my Feng family do to you? My Feng family just wants to avoid trouble. Why does it sound like such a disdainful tone when it comes from your mouth?"

"Not the Feng family, it's Dao Qiongcang." Xu Xiaoshou was too lazy to explain more, as too much had happened during Zhu Yike's absence. He casually said, "For the specifics, you can ask Mister Li when you get to the Apricot Realm. I can only tell you this: the fact that I can still unleash my combat power in the Dead Sea is largely thanks to Dao Qiongcang."

At that statement, the Five Domains erupted in an uproar. Had the Temple Lord truly colluded with Master Xu to such an extent? Did he really have the ability to open such a backdoor for Master Xu under the Dead Sea's laws and the Imperial Golden Edict, allowing him to transform freely? Wield combat power freely? Even Ai Cangsheng in the Southern Domain looked displeased after hearing this. He still didn't know the specifics. Like the Holy Mountain Refugee Group, he still didn't understand why Xu Xiaoshou could transform despite the strict prohibition under the Six Paths Imperial Golden Edict. But once 'peculiar' was linked with the name 'Dao Qiongcang,' everything became plausible. Indeed, the worst-case scenario had appeared!

"I'm not!"

"I didn't!"

"He's spouting nonsense!"

In the depths of the Southern Nether Sea, Dao Qiongcang heard this and instantly transformed from a perverse voyeur into a wronged, whimpering puppy. He desperately wanted to explain. But he was in the shadows, with no way to speak out. He was no longer the Temple Lord; now, the one who could call a deer a horse was Master Xu!

Dao Qiongcang felt a bit resentful. He had clearly used all sorts of efforts to barely verify that Xu Xiaoshou's greatest secret might be his ability to transcend this world's rules. Yet this fellow had turned around and splashed dirty water all over him! The crucial point was... this was completely unexplainable! Dao Qiongcang knew that only he could understand his own thoughts. The details of his current verification were too complex; the cause and effect couldn't be clearly explained in a short time, and even if he did, the Five Domains probably wouldn't believe it. He also needed to seize the initiative. Speak before Xu Xiaoshou threw dirt! But now, he had just finished his verification, and Xu Xiaoshou's casual remark, given his reputation for 'peculiarity' in the Five Domains... He couldn't clear his name! He had completely tied me to his pirate ship! Now, even if I hadn't betrayed the Holy Mountain before, I would be considered a traitor. At the very least, Ai Cangsheng would definitely start guarding against me, and might even want to shoot me...

"It's okay, it's okay." Dao Qiongcang frantically pinched his fingers, simultaneously brainstorming how to resolve this situation. He quickly cut off all thought. Because this 'casual' remark brought up in a conversation with Zhu Yike had too high a credibility and influence. Dao Qiongcang quickly realized that once the battle with Elder Yu ended and the Four Saint Imperial Clans began their reckoning, if the Holy Spirit Continent's situation wasn't yet resolved... Just based on Xu Xiaoshou's words right now... He would definitely be in trouble!

"Mister Li?"

Clearly, different people focused on entirely different things. In the Dead Sea, Zhu Yike was confused by Master Xu's casual mention of "Mister Li." Could he possibly be referring to mere Li Fugui? "Master Xu, who is this Mister Li..."

"Mister Zhu, your arrangements after you leave have already been planned by Little Li." Xu Xiaoshou got a headache seeing Zhu Yike's face full of cautious thoughts. He still didn't know what these two were competing over. Zhu Yike's heart sank upon hearing this. "It's over! It really is Li Fugui! What right does Li Fugui have? I was clearly here first; I met Master Xu first. Li Fugui only acknowledged Master Xu as his master later... I even entered the Dead Sea once for Master Xu! During the Aunt Xiang rescue operation, I, Old Zhu, was fighting tooth and nail on the front lines, while that Li Fugui just cowered in the back, not even daring to show his face! So, selfless devotion only ever leads to betrayal, and companionship is the most enduring confession, is that it?"

Zhu Yike was crestfallen, his spirit instantly deflated. Xu Xiaoshou immediately noticed Little Zhu's emotional change and felt a headache. "Why don't you two compete over something meaningful!"

"I have a mission for you." He wanted to snap Little Zhu back to attention, deciding to play a big game and provoke Ai Cangsheng.

"Oh."

"Hold this for now." He handed over an embroidered pouch containing a clever plan.

"Oh."

"Don't open the pouch yet. After you leave the Dead Sea, find a Preaching Mirror. Count to ten while looking into the mirror. If nothing happens, then open the pouch." Xu Xiaoshou patted Zhu Yike's face and gently washed it with water from the Dead Sea.

"Oh."

It's over. He's ruined. Zhu Yike had completely lost his spirit!

Feng Zhongzui and the people of the Five Domains were somewhat startled by this. Who was this Zhu Yike? How dared he show such a face to Master Xu? Even Half-Saints wouldn't dare! More importantly, Master Xu seemed to genuinely like this homely-looking fellow and wasn't even angry. Wasn't he just a mere Crimson Robe Bandit? He actually brought out such a tender side in Master Xu. So, Master Xu's violence was only directed at enemies?

"But then again..." Someone in the Five Domains recalled something. "The 'Mister Li' Master Xu mentioned—it wouldn't be that 'Mister Li' who's been selling tickets to the Apricot Realm lately, would it?"

"Does such a person really exist?"

"It seems Mister Li's status in the Apricot Realm isn't low, but this Zhu Yike, why have I never heard of him before?"

"From the looks of it, he seems to want to be as famous as Mister Li, or even superior to him?"

"Haha, is he worthy? Just a mere Grand Void!"

In reality, regardless of the Five Domains' criticisms, at least in Xu Xiaoshou's mind, Zhu Yike's importance was truly not low. It wasn't just any Grand Void who could create "Leaping from the Page" and acquire the Crystal Palace from the Water Ghost, who was actually a Water Elemental Spirit Drop. Nor was it just any Grand Void who, with another "Leaping from the Page," could temporarily seal the unpredictable Dao Qiongcang and create a strategic opportunity. Apart from the Ten Venerates, the last person Xu Xiaoshou had seen who could exchange blows with a Ten Venerate was himself. Zhu Yike has great potential!

The Crimson Robe Bandit was indeed just a Crimson Robe Bandit. Li Fugui's former self was also just a mere Li Fugui. Even Master Xu before, was just an insignificant Xu Xiaoshou, a dispensable chess piece. Xu Xiaoshou himself had risen to prominence. He was willing to give his subordinates opportunities. Both Li and Zhu were talented individuals. Their previous obscurity wasn't due to a lack of ability preventing them from rising. Rather, it was because the higher positions on the Holy Spirit Continent were full, and they lacked an opportunity to display their talents. The Apricot Realm, however, now had many vacant positions. And Mister Li in the Apricot Realm managed things too well; he was too shrewd, seizing the opportunity while Zhu Yike was imprisoned in the Dead Sea to secure his position. Since he could secure that position and prove his ability, Xu Xiaoshou absolutely wouldn't strip Mister Li of his status to give it to Mister Zhu.

For Zhu Yike, he had a different role in mind. One civil, one martial! Li Fugui, the chief civil official, and Zhu Yike, the ultimate martial general. Perhaps compared to civil arts, in the Holy Spirit Continent where talents abound, achieving the ultimate in martial arts was too difficult; at least Zhu Yike was clearly not qualified yet. But Xu Xiaoshou wasn't trying to make Little Zhu comparable to the Ten Venerates; having himself was enough for that. He could form a small team in the Apricot Realm, widely promote the "Golden Gate Pilfering Arts," and spread martial virtue. Xu Xiaoshou didn't have time to oversee the Apricot Realm's growth. At that time, the Apricot Realm's affairs would rely on Li Fugui. If Li Fugui couldn't handle something, then Zhu Yike could come out and "display martial virtue," thoroughly pilfering people's belongings.

What? Zhu Yike isn't even a Half-Saint? He can't even pilfer the undergarments of any Half-Saint? That was a long time ago. Now, Little Zhu has just been released from the Dead Sea; it's when he most needs a reward! Xu Xiaoshou could already imagine the scene: when Ai Cangsheng drew his bow, Half-Saint Zhu Yike would perform a "Steal from Heaven, Change from Earth" move and pilfer the Evil Sin Bow. True, the Evil Sin Bow might recognize its master and return, but who could deny Zhu Yike's ability to create strategic opportunities?

He forcibly pulled the dejected Zhu Yike, held his face, and looked towards the Holy Mountain Refugee Group: "Just at first glance, among these Half-Saints, which one catches your eye the most?"

"What do you mean? Xu Xiaoshou, what is the meaning of this? Are we just tradable goods on a shelf?" The Holy Mountain Refugee Group immediately became anxious. Just hearing those words had a somewhat sinister implication! Fang Wenxin's expression was not very pleasant. "What now? Are you going to use a mere Grand Void against us, to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys, and make all the Saints of the Holy Mountain submit to you, Xu Xiaoshou?"

Feng Zhongzui was also startled, and whispered into the Preaching Mirror, "This Zhu Yike seems to have quite a background; Master Xu seems to value him greatly... I observe that all the Saints of the Holy Mountain now have dark complexions."

The Five Domains found this amusing. It was more than just dark complexions. Each of their faces was blacker than charcoal!

Zhu Yike didn't understand why. But despite his disappointment, he still respected Master Xu. He immediately scanned the group, and with the keen senses of a Golden Gate Pilfering Arts inheritor, his eyes first landed on the young girl at the back of the crowd. More accurately, it landed on the sword on her back: "I want that one."

Beibei was both terrified and furious, glaring back with wide eyes, unwilling to show weakness.

Xu Xiaoshou was a bit embarrassed and waved his hand, "She's not a Half-Saint, and she has another purpose. I can't give her to you."

Zhu Yike was disappointed. Master Xu kept hurting his feelings. But he was Master Xu after all, so a little hurt was fine. Zhu Yike didn't show it. So he shifted his gaze, landing on a person in red robes within the Holy Mountain Refugee Group. More accurately, he set his sights on a string of red copper coins at the red-robed person's waist.

"Then I want that one."

Xu Xiaoshou was stumped again. "How are you so good at picking? Are you a treasure-hunting rat, always choosing the most valuable items?"

"He is indeed a Half-Saint, but he is the original Red Robe, a senior I respect. I can't give him to you."

Fang Wenxin was slightly surprised to hear this. It was hard to imagine that he held such a position in Xu Xiaoshou's mind. But on second thought, it seemed that ever since this boy first appeared in Jade City, he had always treated him with utmost respect, never even offending him verbally? "Alas." Thinking of this, Old Fang let out a long sigh. "Different positions, different positions!"

Fang Wenxin was certainly safe, but the remaining Half-Saints who were external reinforcements from the Holy Mountain now had faces turning pale then green. Only they were left. Master Xu probably didn't even remember their names. What would happen if that Zhu Yike set his sights on them? "Don't pick me, don't pick me..." Pei Yuan roared silently in his heart, simultaneously measuring the width of the black stone prison bar on his right, imagining it as a convenient staff.

"For the rest, pick whatever you like!" Master Xu said this with truly grand generosity.

Zhu Yike instinctively turned his gaze and glanced at the Preaching Mirror. Feng Zhongzui's legs felt weak with fright. This guy looks so gaunt and shifty, why does his gaze also feel so unnerving? Clearly, this time, Zhu Yike knew without Master Xu saying it that he couldn't get the Preaching Mirror, and even if he did, it would be useless. He didn't understand what Master Xu wanted to do, nor could he sense anything good on the other Saints, so he randomly pointed: "Him, then."

Half-Saint Pei Yuan's face turned pale, and as his imaginary staff vanished from his sight, his entire past life flashed before his eyes.