Chapter 1866: Take Action

"Don't be afraid, little one, we're good people."

As he plummeted into the abyss, darkness enveloped him. In a daze, Xiao Kongdong heard a voice from his childhood memories.It was a gentle woman's voice, belonging to a woman as beautiful as a celestial being. Even after many years, Xiao Kongdong still remembered her name."Sister Yue..."

Whispering the name, the scene before his eyes blurred, and time seemed to reverse. He was a child again.The feeling of weightlessness vanished, and his feet touched solid ground.Xiao Kongdong quickly looked down, then raised his hands, seeing two chubby, small hands clutching a rolled-up book. Had he really gone back to his childhood?Sunlight cast shadows as the street bustled with people.This was the familiar scene of Dafu Street, a place he had visited several times with Grandma Hu from the orphanage when he was young. The memory was vivid."At this time, I wasn't Xiao Kongdong yet. I was called... Kongzi?"Xiao Kongdong unrolled the bundled book in his hand. It depicted an ancient sword cultivator flying on a sword, with an elegant posture, and bore the large characters "August Poetry Collection."Below it was his favorite line: "When heaven is but a foot above, who dares challenge the Eight Venerables with a single blade?"

"Teacher..."Xiao Kongdong froze.He realized something.This wasn't a return to the past; perhaps it was merely a dying man's final vision.But he also remembered that it was on this very day, at this very moment, that he encountered the turning point of his life and destiny: he met the legendary Eighth Sword Immortal!"Teacher!"He abruptly turned his head, looking towards a specific spot on the familiar street.Amidst the crowd of ordinary mortals, Xiao Kongdong easily spotted a pair of divine partners dressed in ethereal attire.The man was tall but acted rather jumpy, while the woman was dignified and graceful, yet wore several gaudy bracelets on her arm.As he looked at them, the divine pair also turned their heads and looked back.Just for a moment!With a hum, the flow of people on the street blurred and faded, and even the woman as beautiful as a celestial being seemed to vanish.In Xiao Kongdong's eyes, only the man remained.When the man looked over, his brow was initially furrowed, expressing both surprise and disdain.Before long, colorful light and shadow swirled in his eyes, as if time was passing within them.In an instant, he seemed to transform from an immature young boy into an experienced middle-aged man.Finally, he became the mature and steady figure Xiao Kongdong later knew as the Head of the Holy Slaves, the Eighth Sword Immortal.The gaze he directed at Xiao Kongdong also held a touch of approval.

"Teacher..."Xiao Kongdong choked out the word.As even his teacher faded away without speaking a single word to him, a profound sadness washed over him.And with the disappearance of Teacher Ba Zun'an, the streetscape of Dafu Street and its vendors also crumbled.Everything returned to zero."Boom!"The world shattered, and darkness returned.Xiao Kongdong plunged deep into the abyss, crashing through the future from the past, and finally landed heavily on Lingyu Mountain, his bones nearly all broken.He lay on the ground, vomiting blood incessantly.He could hear the spectators' murmurs, but he couldn't make out what they were saying—perhaps only mockery, mocking his ignorance of the world's immensity.It didn't matter.The world was a blur of crimson, his consciousness fading.Xiao Kongdong's eyes drooped as he weakly gazed at the sky, which was obscured by Fengdu, showing only darkness, without a single glimmer of light."Is this... the end...?"His life's past, all its experiences, flooded his mind.His entire life flashed before his eyes in an instant. Even with his lingering obsession, Xiao Kongdong could only let it go.He knew the gap between himself and Hua Changdeng was simply too vast.It was a difference between heaven and earth, incomparable."Let it go..."Even his last shred of consciousness seemed to urge him so.

But just as his eyes finally closed, the ethereal voice of Teacher Ba Zun'an, from Dafu Street in his childhood, echoed in his ears – a voice from after he had finished imparting his wisdom, granting Xiao Kongdong new life, and departing on the clouds:"On the ninth day, walking Kongdong, laughing, knock on heaven's gate.""Immortals wish to guide me, yet my path is dim and deep!""One thought can make one a sage, one thought can divide heaven and earth.""Walking this mortal world, why must one bow to immortals and gods?"After a moment of silence, Xiao Kongdong suddenly opened his eyes again, brilliant light bursting forth from them.Yes!Walking this mortal world, why must one bow to immortals and gods?What if Hua Changdeng was powerful? Even knowing this outcome, wasn't it he himself who still drew his sword, wasn't it his original intention?I am not fighting Hua Changdeng.From beginning to end, I am fighting myself!"Sword..."Xiao Kongdong no longer had the strength to move his fingers.But as he called out with his thoughts, the Kongdong Formless Sword flew from afar, rallying with a loud hum.The sword flashed, transforming into a rainbow light, lifting the fallen Xiao Kongdong and soaring into the sky.

"What is this...?"The spectators on Lingyu Mountain had also returned from the past vision.They saw that the Senior Disciple Brother of Canyue Immortal City, just moments before, had been barely breathing, with not much time left to live.In a blink of an eye, there was a new development!This was an ancient sword cultivator, an unkillable praying mantis. Was he going to try another sword strike?"Sword! Open! Profound! Mystery!"From above, Xiao Kongdong's deep, fierce cry echoed.At this sound, the spectators looked up in shock, seeing profound celestial light descending from the nine heavens. Sword energy condensed, quickly forming the shape of a "gate.""Gate of Profound Mystery!"Gu Qing'er of Sword Burial Mound revealed a look of shock.Senior Disciple Brother had pushed himself to this extent, attempting to try a sword strike at the third stage?"This is probably..."Gou Wuyue and Feng Tingchen were speechless, exchanging glances.To forcibly open the Profound Mystery while severely wounded, regardless of the combat power, the outcome was already sealed.Xiao Kongdong was inevitably destined to become the next Gu Yu."Third stage..."Hua Changdeng, held in check by the sword's momentum and the sole target of this strike, slightly closed his eyes, a solemn expression forming on his face.

Xiao Kongdong was undeniably powerful.His second-world sword strike just now would have truly wounded Hua Changdeng, had his thought demon not passively protected him by connecting his future self to his past will.After the Hell of Ice and Fire and the Ten Yama Lords, Hua Changdeng had assumed Xiao Kongdong was finished.He hadn't expected this fellow to be so tenacious, even erupting with power at the brink of death.How big was the difference between the second and third stages?Others didn't know, unable to grasp even a tiny bit, but Hua Changdeng understood. It was roughly the same difference as that between this person and himself just moments ago.Xiao Kongdong at the second stage, even risking his life, might not have harmed Hua Changdeng in the slightest.But if he reached the third stage...Once Xiao Kongdong achieved the Divine Ancestor realm, even if the three Sword Demons protected Hua Changdeng passively, they might not be able to defend against the sharpness of a third-stage ancient sword cultivator.He might even be forced to reveal some of his hidden cards to protect himself, as Hua Changdeng had no intention of achieving the Divine Ancestor realm at this moment.The best immediate response, as anyone with eyes could see, was to interrupt Xiao Kongdong's ascension.He was too slow.A simple strike from Shoguk would instantly end his life and cultivation, with no accidents.Yet, Hua Changdeng was also an ancient sword cultivator.He watched quietly, just as Xiao Kongdong was curious about the scenery beyond that gate. Hua Changdeng also wanted to know how close a contemporary ancient sword cultivator, if they could open the Gate of Profound Mystery and still unleash a sword strike, could come to his own level.

"Buzz!"At this moment, thousands of people on Lingyu Mountain felt their spirit swords tremble and hum continuously.Divine light descended from the heavens, forming the shape of a gate.Xiao Kongdong, controlling the Kongdong Formless Sword, plunged into it, enveloped by the light, becoming a dark silhouette.Like a moth to a flame, he unhesitatingly rushed towards his own path.Even if his path was not yet complete, even if he couldn't yet see the end, he leaped forward, eager to glimpse the destination's scenery in advance."Teacher, I'll go ahead..."As the Gate of Profound Mystery opened, Xiao Kongdong looked back, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but then resolutely leaped forward, along with the Kongdong Formless Sword, towards the scene beyond the gate, imbued with profound dao.*Clatter!*But at that very moment, his hand felt as if it were grabbed by something, and his body staggered slightly."Who?"Xiao Kongdong was stunned.He already had one foot across the threshold of the Gate of Profound Mystery.He knew that when old Gu Jian tried to open the Profound Mystery, he couldn't even enter the gate, failing to reach its culmination.But with his own foundation, he could at least go beyond the gate, comprehend the Way of the Sword, and then deliver one final strike to Hua Changdeng.That strike would have been the most brilliant moment of Xiao Kongdong's life, in this world.Yet now, it seemed someone had seized him, suppressing his moment of glory."Who?!"Xiao Kongdong didn't believe Hua Changdeng would stop him from opening the Profound Mystery with his sword.No matter how formidable Hua Changdeng was, the integrity of an ancient sword cultivator should still remain; he wouldn't stoop to this level.

Turning his head sharply, Xiao Kongdong froze.He was back on Dafu Street once more, back to the moment he first met Teacher Ba Zun'an.The teacher stood quietly before him.He was so tall, his back silhouetted against the blue sky.He calmly took Xiao Kongdong's hand, gazed at him for a long moment, and then gently shook his head:"There's no need for this."With a splash, tears of blood welled in Xiao Kongdong's eyes, and he burst into sobs.This was happening under the watchful eyes of thousands on Lingyu Mountain.This was during the pinnacle moment of his sword opening the Profound Mystery.Xiao Kongdong absolutely did not want to cry, but he couldn't stop himself.He felt that his act of facing a stronger opponent, of wanting to buy more time for his teacher, was understood; his grievances were finally released.But in the end, he pressed his lips together, choking out a defiant shake of his head:"I want to do this. I decided it myself; it has nothing to do with Teacher..."Though he spoke stubbornly, he genuinely wanted to see the scenery beyond the gate, both for himself and to pave the way for his teacher, to see if this path could lead to lasting peace.So that when his teacher one day also needed to reach this step,at least he wouldn't always be the first. He could have a precedent, experiences, and lessons to learn from.His teacher had lived too tiring a life.Ba Zun'an shook his head gravely, pulled the foolish child back from the gate, and said with an unquestionable tone:"Sleep. The rest, leave it to me."

The Gate of Profound Mystery, only halfway open, shattered with a deafening roar.In the sky, sword energy collapsed, leaving only a blood-red silhouette plummeting downwards. Everyone was stunned, having believed this would be Senior Disciple Brother Xiao's final moment of glory...Had he failed?After Sword Immortal Hua's strike, was he so weak that he couldn't even open the Profound Mystery with his sword?"What happened?"Opening the Profound Mystery with one's sword was wishful thinking for others, but for Xiao Kongdong, it should have been a matter of course.The four disciples of Sword Burial Mound were all bewildered.Xiao Wanfeng, among the spectators, also couldn't understand.Gou Wuyue, Feng Tingchen, and others felt even more absurd; it seemed as if Xiao Kongdong had been interrupted by someone?There was no time to ponder these things!Mei Sire rushed forward, catching Xiao Kongdong before he hit the ground. Another impact, and this child would truly be shattered to pieces; he couldn't withstand any more."Poor child..."Holding him by the mountain rock, Mei Sire looked at the blood-soaked Xiao Kongdong, feeling a pang of sorrow.He searched his entire body but could only find a small Minor Body Restoration Pill; he didn't even have better healing medicines like Body Restoration Pills or Divine Blessing."Just make do with this.""Little one, you shouldn't have been so impulsive. Hua Changdeng is already a Holy Emperor; how could he be so easily dealt with?"Mei Sire thought to himself that even he dared not confront the sharp edge directly, and even Feng Tingchen and Gou Wuyue were content to watch from the sidelines.What kind of spectacle did a little child like him think he could put on?He brought the Minor Body Restoration Pill to Xiao Kongdong's lips, but the latter, who was clearly unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes again as if resurrecting from the dead.

"What the--!"Mei Sire stumbled back in fright.His second-world sword strike was already astonishing, and though opening the Gate of Profound Mystery failed, it was still extraordinary. Did he want to try a third time?"Close your eyes!"Mei Sire didn't even bother with the pill anymore. A stubborn mule like him should be unconscious. He simply covered Xiao Kongdong's eyes with one hand, intending to force them shut.Xiao Kongdong struggled vigorously. Without even taking the pill, he managed to break free from Mei Sire's embrace and stand up directly."What?!"Mei Sire's beard twitched, and the Minor Body Restoration Pill fell to the ground.He knew Xiao Kongdong's bones were completely shattered, making him akin to a corpse.Forget standing up; the only muscles he should have been able to move were perhaps subconscious twitches and spasms of his broken body.This, this, this...What kind of miracle was this?Rising from his deathbed, did he want to unleash a third sword strike?After standing, Xiao Kongdong surprisingly took a heavy step forward, confronting Hua Changdeng again."Come back!"Mei Sire reached out to grab him, wanting to pull the big lad back and away from Lingyu Mountain.How could his temper be even more stubborn than Xu Xiaoshou's?Who would have thought that silver sword energy burst from Xiao Kongdong's wounds, intertwining as if weaving his injuries together?With this, had he barely regained his mobility?"Boom!"Before Mei Sire could even get close, the sword energy on Xiao Kongdong's body exploded, suddenly expanding for hundreds of miles.This not only pushed Mei Sire back, but also startled the spectators on Lingyu Mountain. How did it feel as if Xiao Kongdong's sword intent had undergone a qualitative change after his defeat?Before anyone could fully grasp the situation,the newly standing Xiao Kongdong didn't even wield his Kongdong Formless Sword. He simply raised his eyes and fixed his gaze on Hua Changdeng nearby:"Long time no see. You've gotten much stronger, and your temperament has changed quite a bit."

This...Everyone was baffled.Hadn't they just met? And hadn't Hua Changdeng nearly shattered him with one sword strike?"Is he... suffering from amnesia after being hit?"Hua Changdeng was also bewildered by Xiao Kongdong's repeated 'resurrections' and surprising pronouncements.He remained silent, his brow slightly furrowed, simply wanting to see what else this child could pull off."One sword."Xiao Kongdong slightly raised his chin.This declaration completely confused everyone.Not amnesia then; this guy must have been driven mad by the thought demon, his obsession leaving him with only "one sword"?Hua Changdeng felt he understood the meaning from the other side.Since descending the Heaven's Ladder, he had often used this phrase, but always when facing juniors or provocations.This Xiao Kongdong...He felt he had misunderstood. Xiao Kongdong shouldn't have meant it that way."Shoguk, hold steady."But Xiao Kongdong seemed to genuinely mean *that*!He offered no further explanation. Facing Hua Changdeng, he slowly raised his hand... his fingers!The Kongdong Formless Sword was in his left hand, humming and trembling as if eager for battle.Yet, he used his right hand, extending two fingers, pointing them at Hua Changdeng from a distance—as if he could detonate Hua Changdeng with just two fingers!"What is this?""Could this sword strike be the legendary Ten-Stage Sword Finger?"Among the spectators, someone made a remark that amused everyone. Even the second world couldn't break Hua Changdeng's defense, so what was a Ten-Stage Sword Finger going to do?That technique was only effective when used by Ba Zun'an.If someone else used it against a high-tier cultivator, besides putting on a show, wouldn't the only outcome be death?Hua Changdeng was also thoroughly confused by Xiao Kongdong.He hadn't even needed Shoguk for the second world strike, so he certainly wouldn't need to draw his sword for a mere Ten-Stage Sword Finger.Hua Changdeng's lips moved; he was about to speak...But Xiao Kongdong gave him no more time!As the words fell, all the sword energy in his body converged at his fingertips.In an instant, the entire world, the mountains covered in wind and snow, contained only one person, only one finger.Something was wrong...Hua Changdeng, directly in its path, suddenly felt his scalp tingle. Before he could react, he saw a faint light illuminate on Xiao Kongdong's fingertip, accompanied by a soft murmur, as sword energy pierced through the air:"Point of Dao · End."