Chapter 1982: Slap

At the crossroads.

The Xuèshì Zhū still emitted a faint glow under the shadow of the low wall, silent and still.

Suddenly, at a certain moment, a faint crimson spread out.

Accompanying this anomaly, within the Guǐfó Jiè, the human-shaped "art seed" that had become integrated with Yuègōng Lí's body, covered in roots and stems, seemed to have something awaken within it, trembling almost imperceptibly.

"Xú Xiǎoshòu..."

A low call drifted along the street, indistinct and ethereal.

Tān Shén was extremely alert, its fur bristling, and it leaped onto the shoulder of the hair clone, daring only to poke out half its head.

It was terrified.

Xú Xiǎoshòu was also startled.

After confirming that it wasn't an auditory hallucination, nor did it originate from Běi Huái, but from behind the Xuèshì Zhū, he hesitated slightly, put aside the interrogation, and walked over with the cat.

It was just a hair avatar.

What was sent out to interact with the Xuèshì Zhū was merely a thought that could be severed at any time.

"Buzz..."

Just a light touch of his finger on the Xuèshì Zhū.

His true body, far away in the Lóngkū, Xú Xiǎoshòu felt a slight dizziness, as if his mind had been drawn into another world.

Soon, the surroundings changed, and he entered a blood-red scene.

"Xú Xiǎoshòu..."

The call grew louder.

Following the sound, he saw a blurry blood-red landscape in the distance, with endless mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and seven blood trees connected as one, their branches dangling countless human and beast remains.

Within that scene, which seemed both illusionary and real, there was an image that was incredibly vivid.

It was a skeleton divine throne with a deep black hue and dull luster, upon which a slender, three-headed, six-armed Suìyīn was comfortably and lazily sprawled.

Two of its heads seemed to be dead or not yet awake; the only awakened face rested its chin on its hand, a massive Suìyīn eye on its cheek gazing over.

"Suìyīn!"

Xú Xiǎoshòu showed no fear, his voice even holding a hint of a smile.

Once his thought-body solidified in this blood-red world, he took a step forward, arriving before the divine throne, so close that he could almost sit directly on it, sticking to Suìyīn.

Suìyīn did not retreat or move.

Xú Xiǎoshòu, however, did not actually press forward.

Finally, he crossed his arms, maintaining a very presumptuous distance, and smiled as he surveyed the massive Suìyīn image that could still maintain such a lazy posture before him.

"Looking at you, you've aged a lot, your heroic spirit is gone, there's a sense of nearing the end of your life..." Xú Xiǎoshòu teased, "And it's clear that Lord Suìyīn has something to ask of me."

Suìyīn's gaze was very calm; at this point, it would no longer be affected by Xú Xiǎoshòu's words.

Life's experiences, how regrettable they are, nothing more than this.

Having fought this ant in the Ruins of the Gods, having met it when its cultivation path underwent transcendence, and then numerous encounters afterwards...

From the initial disdain, to the slight admiration in the middle, to the cautious treatment in the later stages, to the final reluctance to conspire with it, and then to today's active call and welcome.

To be honest, before uttering that "Xú Xiǎoshòu," Suìyīn had struggled countless times.

If there were any other possibilities, It would never knock on Xú Xiǎoshòu's door; condescending to ask was for others, Suìyīn's pride would not allow It to bow down to someone It once looked down upon.

—But there truly wasn't any other possibility!

Suìyīn no longer cared that Xú Xiǎoshòu stood presumptuously before it, even maintaining an equal position.

It gracefully waved its hand, long, slender fingers with dark brown, sharp nails cutting through the air, carrying a calm and elegant demeanor, and said lightly:

"A trade."

Upon hearing this, Xú Xiǎoshòu barely managed to suppress a laugh.

If he didn't know how terribly Suìyīn's true body was being tormented by Yào Zǔ outside, just looking at Suìyīn now, one would think it was in perfect condition and incredibly powerful!

"Tell me about it," Xú Xiǎoshòu feigned curiosity.

Suìyīn didn't speak further, but flicked a finger, and an eerie purple light shot out towards Xú Xiǎoshòu.

Xú Xiǎoshòu remained motionless, allowing the purple light to strike his brow.

"Buzz!"

His thoughts trembled, and a scene appeared in his mind.

It was a scene from the Guǐfó Jiè, but from Suìyīn's perspective. It was confined in a pitch-black, gloomy space, with only the rhythmic thumping of a heartbeat.

All around, roots crisscrossed; Lí Zǔ had clearly perished, but seemed to be drawn by Suìyīn. As the roots pulled, they lifted Lí Zǔ's body, which had finally knelt, into the air.

This body, which Suìyīn had regained control of, though still in a somewhat bizarre posture, managed to stand up and make a single-handed incantation gesture.

"Buzz!"

The scene changed again.

Suìyīn's forbidden art was cast, and the life roots rapidly retracted into Its body.

And following the path of the art, It actually bypassed the Shèngshén Dàlù and peered far away at Yào Zǔ in the Bēimíng Dìjìng.

It was also through this perspective that Xú Xiǎoshòu saw the current state of the Bēimíng Dìjìng.

Birds sang and flowers bloomed everywhere, and Yào Zǔ, like Běi Huái, was curled up in a white radiance, brimming with life, but seemingly in a deep slumber.

"Regarding the changes in the art seed, Suìyīn has gained understanding."

"Tracing life back through the art, Shénnóng Bǎicǎo cannot evade."

"Taking advantage of its unpreparedness, Suìyīn can cast an art to exhaust the power of the art seed, briefly restoring Its state, and seize the opportunity to counter the zero-state Shénnóng Bǎicǎo, refining it into a life seed."

"This seed's effect is equivalent to Suìyīn's current art seed, capable of elevating the cultivation level of the Shèngshén Dàlù to the height of the Heavenly Realm..."

At this point, Suìyīn's voice paused.

Xú Xiǎoshòu also disengaged from Suìyīn's perspective in the Guǐfó Jiè, his gaze returning from the Bēimíng Dìjìng, and saw Suìyīn on the divine throne smiling lightly, then slowly resuming:

"This life seed can be planted in the Xìng Jiè, the New Heavenly Realm, with you as the master; Suìyīn is not interested."

"As long as Suìyīn survives, Shénnóng Bǎicǎo will have no power to retaliate. The only regret is the lack of energy."

Raising Its chin, Suìyīn's gaze fell upon Běi Huái at the crossroads, then said:

"The energy of the Life Medicine Pool can just make up for the deficit."

"Suìyīn only needs three pools of energy. You will forever have one less opponent. You only need to temporarily work with Cáo Yīhàn and Shén Yì to restrain the demonic forces."

"Once Suìyīn has suppressed Shénnóng Bǎicǎo and is free, you can step back and observe; the demons will be returned to me... Suìyīn will resolve everything."

Withdrawing Its gaze from Běi Huái, Suìyīn looked over with unparalleled confidence, speaking in a very assured tone:

"You don't need to exert any effort. You just need to wait and you can become the master of the New Heavenly Realm, freely consecrating yourself as a deity or ancestor, whether you return to zero or not."

"Once Suìyīn has resolved everything, as long as the Ruins of the Gods are settled, I will naturally stay away from the Shèngshén Dàlù and the New Xìng Jiè, and will never visit without your permission."

"This is Suìyīn's promise... Xú Xiǎoshòu, what do you think?"

His heart pounded!

Who wouldn't be tempted by such a good thing?

But the problem was, Suìyīn, you were a step too late; Dào Qióngcāng offered better terms first.

And in your plan, the existence of that flashy old Daoist wasn't seen at all. How can I trust you then?

As for Yào Zǔ, you, Suìyīn, can handle him, but Dào Qióngcāng also guaranteed it, so he must have a backup plan to connect with Shénnóng Bǎicǎo.

He even dared to vow that he would even take you, Suìyīn, along with him. What would you do then?

"Cáo and Shén, what do you think?" Xú Xiǎoshòu neither immediately agreed nor flatly refused, but posed a very strange question.

Suìyīn was startled, but knew that Xú Xiǎoshòu would not speak without reason. After a moment of thought, It looked up with a hint of surprise:

"Your thoughts are not without reason."

"Since the demons have entered the fray, constrained by the Way of Refining, Cáo is difficult to transcend, and Shén was ultimately a step too slow, thus neither had a chance."

Pausing, Suìyīn was not discouraged, but quickly offered a solution: "One pool of medicinal liquid, Suìyīn can separate a body clone, enough to restrain Cáo and Shén, and you still don't need to exert any effort."

Then that would be four pools... Xú Xiǎoshòu calculated, then added: "The ten Venerables are all immensely talented. What if someone like Gǒu Wúyuè or Dào Qióngcāng suddenly emerges and also becomes a deity or ancestor?"

"Absolutely impossible."

Suìyīn waved Its hand, this time not even bothering to explain, as if in Its eyes, these two didn't even count as ants.

Xú Xiǎoshòu sighed silently.

Suìyīn's sincerity was actually quite full, and the conditions offered were also quite good.

But, how to put it...

Lord Suìyīn is good in every way, but just a bit too arrogant, too disdainful of others.

The people you look down on, in my eyes, are actually quite terrifying!

"Why the sigh?"

"I don't know."

"Suìyīn has given everything, yet it's still not enough?"

"Not really..."

Over at the Lóngkū, facing Dào Qióngcāng's slightly suspicious gaze, Xú Xiǎoshòu didn't mind being seen through.

In fact, he deliberately showed that he was distracted and paying attention elsewhere, precisely to attract the attention of the flashy old Daoist.

"What's wrong?"

As expected, Dào Qióngcāng, whose curiosity had been fully piqued, finally asked.

Xú Xiǎoshòu spread his hands helplessly: "Lord Suìyīn is talking to me..."

Dào Qióngcāng paused slightly.

Dào Qióngcāng's eyes showed thought.

Dào Qióngcāng's expression changed drastically!

His mind sank, and in front of Xú Xiǎoshòu, he also sank into another channel of the Língxī art... with no result.

He suddenly looked up, flames sputtering in his eyes, and grabbed Xú Xiǎoshòu's hand firmly:

"Don't agree yet!"

"Divine Descent Art!"

A shout echoed in his ears, truly terrifying.

Outside the City of Dead Buddhas, Wū Sìniáng, Lèi Xī'ér, and Jiāng Nàyī were anxiously awaiting the results from the Tiānjī Grand Array while observing the battle in the Guǐfó Jiè.

Turning around, they found Liú Guìfēn suddenly kneeling, hands raised, his face full of devotion, his head held high, yelling, as if welcoming something.

*Rip!*

A bloody裂口 opened from his brow, across his neck, down to his chest and abdomen, and a foot stepped out from within.

"Ah?" Wū Sìniáng froze for a moment, her face turning ghastly pale, countless images flashing through her mind...

At that instant, she let out an incredulous, sharp shriek, then pulled back and retreated explosively.

"What's that sound..." Lèi Xī'ér was also startled by this bizarre scene. Fortunately, she had been prepared for the three people around her and immediately chose to flash away.

"My goodness, Jiāng!" Jiāng Nàyī's pupils constricted, almost fainting on the spot. Just as he was about to leave, that figure stepped out of Liú Guìfēn's body and backhanded him with a slap.

It was as if some memories were lost in Jiāng Nàyī's mind; he was petrified in place, a faint "囧" robot pattern appearing on his face, then quickly disappearing.

"Great Teleportation Art."

Wū Sìniáng and Lèi Xī'ér, who hadn't run far, were teleported back. They hadn't spoken yet, nor had they resisted.

"Great Oblivion Art."

Starlight brushed their faces, and both women also lost parts of their memories, like their souls had left their bodies, remaining dazed.

Dào Qióngcāng slapped Wū Sìniáng's face.

The latter reacted like Jiāng Nàyī, a faint "囧" robot pattern appearing on her cheek, then quickly disappearing.

He used the same method.

Lèi Xī'ér received a slap on her shoulder, "囧" appeared, "囧" disappeared.

"Great Embroidery Art."

Dào Qióngcāng turned around, placing a hand on the Tiānjī Grand Array. Daoist patterns from his palm flowed along the array's lines, merging into it.

His entire being rapidly transformed into a pile of data and ancient characters, and with the Tiānjī Daoist patterns, he didn't break the array but became a part of it.

Then, from within the array, he meticulously peeled himself away, reconstructing himself at the Tiānjī Daoist pattern stage, and then solidifying into a human body.

Thus, he entered.

"Meow?"

Tān Shén was the first to notice the anomaly. Lying behind its master's head, it turned to look, and a familiar human face was already pressed against his.

"Gah!!!"

The little white cat, as if seeing a ghost, felt some unspeakable memories awaken as if stimulated. It leaped up instantly, violently splitting and transforming into a giant nine-tailed white-furred beast.

"Good kitty, don't be afraid, I'm a good person."

Dào Qióngcāng moved unimpeded. Upon reaching the Xuèshì Zhū, he first covered the bead with a black cloth, methodically.

And when Tān Shén, with its Three-Aversion Eyes and Three-Calamity Eyes, slapped down with a paw, he closed his eyes and his figure faded.

The crossroads boomed with explosions, but Dào Qióngcāng was not hit by Tān Shén. Instead, a pile of Tiānjī Daoist pattern "solution" dripped from the top of the Tiānjī Grand Array, solidifying into a human form on Tān Shén's back, and gently patted down with a palm.

"Great Suppression Art."

"Great Confinement Art."

"Great Oblivion Art."

Three voices rose simultaneously, and three rays of starlight fell upon Tān Shén.

Tān Shén let out a soft meow, shrinking back to its original form, and landed back behind its master's head, apparently having forgotten why it had grown big just now, or what had happened.

"Meow?"

It whimpered softly, staring at the stranger who had suddenly appeared at the crossroads.

Even though it had never seen this person before, there was a strange sense of security, as if this person must be a good person, exuding a gentle kindness from within that made the cat feel safe.

For a moment, Tān Shén even forgot to call its master.

"Be good, go play over there, you're useless."

Dào Qióngcāng waved the little white cat away and then squatted down next to Xú Xiǎoshòu's clone, his hands touching the black cloth on the Xuèshì Zhū.

"Blah blah blah..."

Dào Qióngcāng's face suddenly twisted and contorted, his tongue hanging out and flopping wildly. Soon, he adjusted his expression into one of "fury."

He lifted the black cloth.

The furious Dào Qióngcāng snatched the Xuèshì Zhū away with great force.

He raised the bead high and unceremoniously slammed it down.

The Xuèshì Zhū violently hit the ground, creating a deep pit and embedding itself within.

At the same time, in the blood-red world, Suìyīn suddenly trembled, and Xú Xiǎoshòu almost lost his connection, nearly being thrown out.

He was slightly dazed.

Had Dào Qióngcāng gone mad?

"Dào! Qióng! Cāng!"

On the divine throne, Suìyīn was no longer calm, as if provoked by an ant, and roared angrily.

But before It could use the Língxī art to communicate with this inexplicably raging ant, who had also somehow found its way here...

*Boom!*

The blood-red world resounded with another colossal sound.

Sound after sound, rumbling incessantly, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing, the entire inner space of the Xuèshì Zhū was being shattered from the outside.

"Come out!"

"Get out for me!"

"All of you, get out!"

Dào Qióngcāng, his hair standing on end, kicked the Xuèshì Zhū again and again, violently trampling it, like someone catching adulterous lovers in a secret rendezvous. He was completely deranged, wishing he could smash both the people and the bead.

Suìyīn was bewildered by this irrational person. It was impossible for Dào Qióngcāng to discover the anomaly within the Xuèshì Zhū's internal space, unless...

It looked at Xú Xiǎoshòu.

Xú Xiǎoshòu also spread his hands, showing no intention of hiding anything: "To be honest, Lord Suìyīn, Dào Qióngcāng told me his plan before you did. He said he was confident he could become a deity or ancestor, even return to zero, and while dealing with Yào Zǔ, he would also eliminate you... The words might not be exact, but that's the gist."

On the divine throne, Suìyīn suddenly fell silent.

From Its only conscious head, not a single trace of emotion was visible.

*Rumble, rumble, rumble...*

The blood-red world continued to shake.

Faintly, a hoarse voice from outside could be heard:

"Get in!"

"Let me in!"

"What are you talking about? I want to join... Ahhh! Suìyīn! Xú Xiǎoshòu!"

Suìyīn waved Its hand.

The Xuèshì Zhū glowed faintly crimson.

Xú Xiǎoshòu turned to look, and in the distance, a condensed thought formed into a figure of Dào Qióngcāng.

Unlike what he saw in the Lóngkū, this Dào Qióngcāng thought-body was incredibly real and exquisite.

He wore a magnificent robe, and his exposed face, hands, and feet were as jade-white as crystal. Beneath his translucent white porcelain-like skin, not blood, but intricate Daoist patterns faintly flowed.

As the figure fully formed, the internal space of the Xuèshì Zhū actually began to fill with the sound of gushing water. Unbeknownst to Xú Xiǎoshòu, a phantom, winding river flowed from the distance, passed beneath Dào Qióngcāng's feet, flowed into the distance, and seeped into the nameless.

"Hmm?"

On the divine throne, Suìyīn showed a slight surprise.

Its gaze immediately fell upon the River of Memories beneath Dào Qióngcāng's feet. It frowned as if recalling something, but for a moment, could not find a result.

"Suì! Yīn!"

The River of Memories was just a fleeting glimpse; soon, what captured one's attention was Dào Qióngcāng's furious voice from the distance.

He had returned to his unpretentious state from the Lóngkū, stomping his feet vigorously like an aggrieved young wife, rushing to the divine throne with an utterly absurd and comical gait, as if to question Suìyīn.

Suìyīn was speechless.

For a moment, it was good that Dào Qióngcāng finally stopped his steps; It didn't need to act.

However, this inexplicable, towering rage, as if It, Suìyīn, had done something wrong—not to mention It hadn't, even if It had, how could a mere ant like you have the right to question?

"Dào Qióng..."

On the divine throne, Suìyīn cast its gaze, about to speak with a snort, but at the same time...

Dào Qióngcāng had stopped before the divine throne.

Suddenly, he lunged forward, propping himself on the divine throne with one hand, and the River of Memories surged forth from beneath his feet again. He then slapped out with his palm.

A light sound echoed.

It ended the raging emptiness within the Xuèshì Zhū.

The entire blood-red world instantly fell into dead silence.

Suìyīn stared at the person before it in disbelief, covering its face, its face burning with pain.

Dào Qióngcāng, however, raised his eyebrows high, shedding all the absurd pretense he had just shown. He pressed himself down, lying on the black skeleton divine throne.

He was sprawled out languidly like Suìyīn, his figure elegantly curved, and with one hand propping his chin, he looked at Suìyīn's wide eye, which was still too close to react to "this brat actually dared to do such a thing," and chuckled:

"Lord Suìyīn, you've been eliminated."