Chapter 1840: Chess Strategy

“That wide smile is so alluring!”

On Lingyu Mountain, Xu Xiaoshou observed the Fusang battlefield with heightened senses, while simultaneously turning his attention to Bazun An beside him. The Red Dust epiphany was still ongoing. He had barely managed to adapt to the overwhelming rhythm of these memories. After the Will Dao Plate underwent super-Daoization, his mental power had been forged into something incredibly potent. By now, Xu Xiaoshou could endure the memories while simultaneously detaching himself, extracting his ego from the memory onslaught.

Something must have happened to Jin Ren. Of course, it wasn't the favorable situation he had imagined. The fact that they weren't dead, yet continued to receive these life experiences that weren't their own, could only mean they had fallen into the Dry Beginning Saint Emperor's trap after entering Dry Beginning.

Was the Dry Beginning Saint Emperor's intent benevolent or malicious? Xu Xiaoshou had no way of knowing the truth, and after Ghost Ancestor's warning, he no longer wished to return to Dry Beginning. He could only choose to accept his fate. Overall, the current situation was relatively "good," with probably only Jin Ren suffering...

“Let it remain in a stalemate then!”

Temporarily setting the matter aside, Xu Xiaoshou pulled out the Scythe of Death. While dealing with the myriad aspects of the mundane world, he pondered the relationship between these multiple lives and reincarnation. The onslaught of memories was giving him some insights.

He wondered if these life scenes, interpreted as infinite reincarnations of the same person in the same time and space, could somehow connect the Dry Beginning Saint Emperor's "gift" with the reincarnation insights from the Ghost Ancestor's Scythe of Death.

“Coincidence?”

Of course, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't go so far as to abandon himself by truly embodying the protagonist of all these mundane world insights, using them to cultivate reincarnation. He had asked Bazun An about the Dao of reincarnation and the various cultivation methods and precautions for the Reincarnation Token. Unfortunately, Bazun An usually had answers to his questions before. Now, whenever asked, Old Eight, this novice, only had one reply left:

“You, give it a try?”

With the two-fold power of the Scythe of Death and the Dry Beginning Saint Emperor flowing into him, Xu Xiaoshou developed two unanswered questions about himself. Or rather, these uncertainties had always existed; it was just that now he was finally qualified to glimpse them. That was his biggest secret, one he could never discuss with outsiders.

First, he still didn't know how he had arrived on the Saint God Continent after his death in his previous life—an inexplicable "time-space travel"? Now, it seemed that "guidance," "reincarnation," or similar concepts might be more realistic answers. Second, he still didn't know the true nature of the Passive System's existence. However, considering all the Dao Plates he had cultivated, almost all were connected to the Ten Ancestors or their powers. Was this also a coincidence? Xu Xiaoshou didn't know.

He felt as if he had reached out and touched the veil that concealed his secrets, a veil he previously couldn't even see or perceive. He couldn't pierce it. But he believed that becoming a God and an Ancestor would reveal his greatest secret.

Caressing the exquisite Scythe of Death in his hand, Xu Xiaoshou still hesitated whether to use it to gain insights into the Reincarnation Dao Plate. However, Ghost Ancestor had also said that at their next meeting, "It" might no longer be "It"—what if gaining insight meant meeting It right away? Xu Xiaoshou temporarily suppressed this impulse, deciding to fully digest the Dao of Red Dust first.

He returned to the matter of Fusang, asking Bazun An: “I don't think I've ever heard you explain the fundamental reason why the Holy Servants have been collecting famous swords over the years.”

There weren't many people on Lingyu Mountain at the moment. Elder Yang had already taken his leave; after all, he wasn't an internal member of the Holy Servants or Heaven's First Tower, and he had no intention of getting involved in these two major maelstroms. The remaining individuals, Li Fugui and Mei Sir, were all their own people. Xu Xiaoshou thus felt fewer reservations when asking questions.

Li Fugui was very excited; this was his first time touching upon such a high-level secret, a top-tier meeting between the Head of Heaven's First Tower and the Head of the Holy Servants. He symbolically asked for permission. Master Shou waved his hand, indicating he didn't need to leave. Li Fugui then sat down with a clear conscience, covering his ears and beginning to listen attentively.

“Ancestor God's Destiny.”

Bazun An spoke little. With just a few words, Li Fugui's ears twitched, and an unusual expression crossed his face. The Twenty-one Famous Swords involved the Ancestor God's Destiny? He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Mr. Si Ren, seeing a bewildered expression on his face, then looked back at Master Shou, who was equally puzzled: “Explain it more clearly.” Only Master Shou would dare speak to Lord Bazun An like that, yet the latter wasn't even angry, communicating in a tone of complete equality... Li Fugui increasingly felt that Master Shou was a very important person to Lord Bazun An!

Bazun An stood at the center of the barren stone circle on Lingyu Mountain, sword aura still emanating from his body. With an unperturbed tone, he revealed a secret that sounded earth-shattering to Li Fugui: “I have been to Sword Tower.”

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened instantly. Bazun An looked at him, then shook his head: “But not in the way you might think. During an unconscious state of enlightenment, my spirit wandered beyond this world, drawn by traces of ancient sword intent. All sword cultivators in this era are weaker than me—and among ancient sword cultivators, I recognize the sword intent of Great Sword Saint Hua Weiyang, and I've seen the sword intent of the divine sword Feng Wuchen, passed down from Sword Pavilion. The only one left that could still attract me, and whom I did not know, was the Sword God Gu Louying.”

It involved the Sword God... Li Fugui swallowed with difficulty. He cautiously glanced at Mr. Si Ren, seeing his calm expression, and realizing he actually agreed with Bazun An's words, believing him to be the foremost as well! Li Fugui suddenly felt he had joined the wrong circle. They were discussing ancient and modern times, deliberating on Ancestor Gods, and here he was, mere Li Fugui, allowed to listen in?

He glanced at Master Shou, who remained silent, listening intently as well. Such mysterious concepts as spirits wandering beyond the world would be unbelievable coming from anyone else, but from Lord Bazun An, Li Fugui felt it was perfectly natural. “My intent, riding a crane, sought only the Sword God's sword intent. After traversing vast stretches of time and space, I finally arrived at an unknown place and saw a solitary tower. The solitary tower had no moon, no shadows, nothing at all; it only exuded ancientness, desolation, and aloofness. I refused to leave, so I approached the tower and knocked, requesting entry.”

Xu Xiaoshou was completely engrossed by this mysterious and bizarre story, temporarily forgetting about the Fusang matter and even his own question. Bazun An's expression showed contemplation, as if his memories were hazy. He paused for a long time before he could recall some details and continued: “Not long after, the solitary tower's door creaked open slightly, and from the darkness emerged an elderly man, his hand holding that of a three or four-year-old girl. The elder asked my name, which I truthfully told him. He inquired about my purpose, and I relayed everything. He was an ancient sword cultivator whose cultivation was not beneath my own, yet he appeared polite. He invited me into the tower.”

“I refused.”

Just as expected of you... Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself that if it were him, he would have at least gone in for a cup of tea, satisfying his curiosity before coming out. Before Bazun An had even finished his story, he was already interested in Liu Fuyu's invitation. Perhaps if there was an opportunity, he too should visit Sword Tower. Not the kind where his spirit wandered, but physically arriving there!

Li Fugui also mused, his thoughts wandering, no longer focused on the main topic. If the elder was Lord Bazun An's generation of Sword Tower guardian, then was the little girl he was holding Liu Fuyu? Li Fugui wanted to speak but hesitated, not daring to ask. There was simply no room for him to interject; being allowed to listen in was already good enough.

“What happened next?” Mei Sir was also hearing Bazun An recount these matters for the first time, his paper fan waving so quickly that the ink characters on it seemed about to fly off: “Don't keep us in suspense!”

Bazun An continued to release sword aura, controlling the number of yin souls generated in the Ghost Buddha Realm, while simultaneously using this to deduce Hua Changdeng's arrival time. He pondered briefly, but his eyes grew even more bewildered: “The elder set up a tea stand outside the tower and conversed with me for a long time. Perhaps because no living person had visited Sword Tower for tens of thousands of years, he was exceedingly hospitable. However, I can't recall most of what we discussed now. I only remember learning about the Ten Ancestors and the whereabouts of the Sword Ancestor's 'Ancestor God's Destiny' at Sword Tower.”

Xu Xiaoshou unconsciously nodded. Was this related to the Twenty-one Famous Swords? He recalled a legend about the famous swords: once gathered, they could summon a god... or rather, a miracle? In any case, if someone truly managed to collect all twenty-one famous swords, a "great event" would occur. But what this great event was, the world had no record. Because from ancient times to the present, no one had succeeded.

“Gathering all twenty-one famous swords and achieving their complete Heavenly Release might summon the Sword Ancestor's 'Ancestor God's Destiny' left in the world, but I can't recall the specifics either. Afterward, I issued the 'Sword Collection' command to the Holy Servants; it was merely a casual move, with Xiao Kongtong specifically responsible for its execution.”

Li Fugui was dumbfounded. Even the Ancestor God's Destiny was merely a casual move—truly worthy of Lord Bazun An. “It seems you have no intention of forming a contract with the Sword Ancestor's Ancestor God's Destiny, so why bother collecting these twenty-one famous swords?” Mei Sir frowned.

Bazun An looked at the old gentleman: “Just wanted to see it.”

The others fell silent. Bazun An's "just wanted to see it" was certainly not that simple. Most likely, he wanted to glimpse the entire process of the Sword God's path from the Ancestor God's Destiny, then extract its essence, discard the dross, and make it his own. Since Old Eight also wished to walk the path from two to one, and from one to zero, he certainly couldn't follow the Sword God's old path by becoming a God and an Ancestor through the Ancestor God's Destiny. His ambition, far from diminishing since his youth, had only grown more audacious and wild!

“What else?” Xu Xiaoshou wasn't only curious about the Twenty-one Famous Swords and the Ancestor God's Destiny. He was even more interested in the "matters of the Ten Ancestors" that Bazun An had mentioned: “Tell me about Ghost Ancestor?”

Bazun An lowered his gaze, glanced at the Scythe of Death in his hand, and chuckled softly, “For me, there is no good or evil, no right or wrong. I cannot give you the answers you seek, but I have another question for you.” Xu Xiaoshou raised his chin, “Speak freely.”

“Did the Ten Ancestors' path go wrong?”

Bazun An's single question silenced all three present once more. He didn't seem to expect Xu Xiaoshou's answer, and continued, “What do you think the Saint Devil, Medicine Ghost, and Art Fiend are still clinging to?”

Troublemakers? Like me, stirring up these waters? In the past, Xu Xiaoshou would have joked like this, but this time he truly pondered, saying: “Their path hasn't finished, it's still ongoing?”

Bazun An shook his head noncommittally, “I don't know.” “You ignorant Old Eight!” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes, just about to speak. Bazun An said, “The answers to all questions will surface when you become a God and an Ancestor—these were the elder's words to me then, and I pass them on to you now.”

Indeed, at the end of the road, one still had to rely on oneself. But from Bazun An's meaning, everything the Saint Devil, Medicine Ghost, and Art Fiend did was still a struggle within their unfinished "Dao." Which meant... After this, they would all make their move? Xu Xiaoshou developed a headache and changed the topic: “Hua Changdeng, how do you plan to deal with him?”

“I will handle him.”

“Huh?” Xu Xiaoshou was startled. “What do you mean?”

Bazun An still didn't answer directly: “Do you know why Dao Qiongcang, with his near-demonic intelligence, has been hesitant to emerge, and why Cao Yihan, with his exceptional talent, has long been afraid to take that final step?”

“Why?”

“Because like me, they excel either in strategy or in combat, yet they have only made significant achievements in their respective specific fields.”

“That's far too modest,” Li Fugui mused inwardly. “Mastery would be a more fitting description.” As Bazun An spoke, he pointed to Mei Sir: “Mr. Si Ren excels at teaching swordsmanship.” He then pointed to Li Fugui, whose thoughts had wandered slightly: “This one... excels in strategy. Were he not limited by combat power, he might even rival Dao Qiongcang...”

Li Fugui immediately snapped back to attention, flattered and overwhelmed, about to exclaim, “I wouldn't dare!”

“In certain respects,” Bazun An added.

...That's enough! Li Fugui hadn't expected that in Lord Bazun An's eyes, he could actually be comparable to one or two of the Dao Hall Masters. This was truly a great honor!

Bazun An continued, “Wuxiu and Water Ghost are also skilled at strategizing; this is not my forte. Without them, the Holy Servants would not have reached where they are today. The amount of water a wooden bucket can hold depends on its shortest stave. We are all born with limitations, but you are different.” He gazed fixedly at Xu Xiaoshou: “You are proficient in all Daos, your strategies are exceptional, your combat prowess is not inferior to even a god, and your schemes are no less than Qiongcang's. You are more suited than I to handle the final situation.”

“What do you mean?” For the first time, Xu Xiaoshou didn't get carried away by Bazun An's flattery, feeling pressure instead. Bazun An smiled: “That's why I said, leave Hua Changdeng to me. But the various Ancestor Gods that follow, with their millennia-long schemes, plots, and contingencies—you will have to uncover and carefully deal with each of them.”

Xu Xiaoshou's pupils contracted. “Old Eight, what nonsense are you spewing? What about you?” He certainly didn't want to face everything alone. If Bazun An, this sword, could eliminate Hua Changdeng, he would be an excellent choice to deal with the subsequent Ancestor Gods.

“Don't take it for granted, Xu Xiaoshou.” Bazun An smiled helplessly, pointing to a boulder on the ground. As his sword aura flowed, a nineteen-line chess board was swiftly etched. “In a game of chess, if a 'variable' emerges that captures your attention as the player, and it runs rampant, killing in all directions, what would you do?”

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, 'Isn't that me?' In the past, he had only done that one thing. But now, he was the player in Bazun An's analogy, so he naturally had to think like one. Without hesitation, he said: “Set up a trap and remove it.”

“Remove myself?” Even after saying this, Xu Xiaoshou still didn't understand Bazun An's meaning.

The latter, however, stared at the chessboard for a long time, pondering something unknown, before finally chuckling: “Xu Xiaoshou, you are still too young. In this game of becoming a God and an Ancestor, for decades, only I, this variable, have been targeted. So, when I draw my sword, I will draw their attention,” Bazun An said, his expression serious.

At these words, Mei Sir and Li Fugui instantly lost all color from their faces. There were no fools present; Xu Xiaoshou's expression also changed after hearing this. “You will die?”

“What do you think?”

“Then what do you mean?” Xu Xiaoshou truly disliked suspense.

“The removed piece will no longer be noticed. And our young piece, whose intelligence far surpasses mine, and who is not yet noticed by them, will then be able to smoothly take over the Holy Servants' affairs and begin strategizing,” Bazun An said.

“Me?” Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened, pointing to himself, never having imagined he held such importance in Bazun An's mind. Bazun An swept his sleeve, gently dispersing the chessboard. With smiling eyes, he looked at the young man before him, staring for a long time until Xu Xiaoshou's hair stood on end, then said: “Master Shou, if not you, then who?”