Chapter 433: He Is Very Special

“Just a Grandmaster Spiritual Array?”

Such arrogant words truly startled everyone. As they gazed at the nested spiritual array trapping the four Grandmaster Array Masters, everyone felt a surge of indignation.

“Stop me, please stop me, or I'll rush out and beat Xu Xiaoshou to death!”

“This guy talks too arrogantly!”

“A Grandmaster spiritual array can be kicked open with just one foot?”

Someone, unable to contain their anger, grabbed the hand of the person next to them, making as if to charge out.

“But... he really did kick the spiritual array apart!” The person whose sleeve was tugged looked stunned and said, “We're not stopping you! Go ahead and beat him up. If it's Xu Xiaoshou, I think everyone here will... mentally support you.”

“Forget it.” The person tried to rush forward twice, but realizing their hand was about to be forcibly pulled away by others, immediately lost their drive. “When it comes to Xu Xiaoshou, his kick truly can't be judged by common sense. He has a Grandmaster's body; even a casual kick from him is equivalent to someone else's Grandmaster spiritual technique. Not to mention, this guy is full of oddities, capable of both offense and defense. To be honest, he really doesn't seem to have exaggerated. A mere Grandmaster trapping array truly is a piece of trash that can be kicked open...”

Everyone fell silent. The silent scene was filled with simmering resentment, yet also a strong sense of helplessness.

If others said such words, it might be showing off. But Xu Xiaoshou...

“He simply stated a truth that is incredibly ordinary, to the extreme point of being mundane.”

Shou Ye stared blankly at Xu Xiaoshou. He, too, was astonished by this guy's way of thinking. While everyone else was still struggling to decipher the array with their intellect, Xu Xiaoshou had clearly adopted the most direct, yet most effective method.

Just kick it open! Upon closer thought, there was indeed nothing wrong with it. If a problem can be solved with brute force, why resort to roundabout tactics and make unnecessary efforts?

Shaking his head, no longer dwelling on such trivial matters, Shou Ye said earnestly, “Xu Xiaoshou, were you serious about what you just said? Think carefully. If you obtained inside information from somewhere else, just tell me honestly; I can understand. However, if you lie to me, and you don't understand anything once we get to the White Cave site, then you'll have to consider the consequences yourself.”

Shou Ye's tone was very solemn, but Xu Xiaoshou wasn't buying it.

“Believe it or not, I don't care.” He rolled his eyes, placed the jade slip on the table, and turned to leave. Since he had already deciphered it, and with his “Perception” ability, he likely wouldn't forget the White Cave spiritual array diagram inside for at least three to five years. Whether he took the jade slip or not was just a matter of a few White Cave spots. With over ten White Cave spots already, did Xu Xiaoshou even care about one more?

“I'm leaving; you all can figure it out!”

Shou Ye watched Xu Xiaoshou turn to leave with a disheartened expression, and surprisingly, he himself began to hesitate. But to say that this young man could decipher the White Cave spiritual array diagram at such a young age, he truly still didn't believe it. He disbelieved it a thousand times over! Yet, the truth was right before his eyes...

“Stop.” Shou Ye called out, making a decision in his heart.

He was never an arbitrary person. Since Xu Xiaoshou could articulate professional terms like “thirty-six nested layers” and “Heavenly Secrets Art” in front of him, even if he still didn't believe it, he wouldn't renege and withhold the White Cave spot.

Casually tossing the jade slip over, Shou Ye said, “Though you, young man, seem unreliable, this time I'll trust you. Remember, you've been conscripted. When you go to the White Cave, someone specific will contact you, along with a professional Array Master, to verify your identity.”

With that, Shou Ye tossed again, and a red jade stone flew over.

Xu Xiaoshou caught both items, but his heart unexpectedly sank.

“Conscripted? What does that mean?”

Shou Ye chuckled, “If you are capable, rest assured that when you go to the White Cave, you won't suffer any losses. Follow the Red Coat, and you'll definitely gain the most.”

The crowd below instantly turned envious. From the sound of it, Xu Xiaoshou was favored by the Red Coat organization due to his extraordinary achievements in array formations? This was truly remarkable! Everyone knew that the Red Coats of the Holy Divine Palace were specifically responsible for ghost beasts and interdimensional spaces. Regarding the White Cave, these people must have studied it extensively! If one could follow them, even just “drinking soup” (getting leftovers), they would surely make a fortune.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, didn't think so. He immediately tossed the red jade stone back as if it were a hot potato.

“What kind of joke is this? I haven't agreed yet, what gives you the right to make decisions for me? Conscripted? I'm not going with you.” Not to mention Elder Sang might have other arrangements, just the presence of the Greed God playing with fish in his origin space wouldn't allow him to have too much contact with the Red Coats! Shou Ye could be fooled for now. But what if, among the Red Coats he encountered later, there were highly vigilant individuals? Perhaps by following the lead Shou Ye provided and with his own abilities, he could indeed eventually contact and even enter the Red Coat organization, thus rising to prominence.

But what if? If it were so easy to join the Red Coats, would their existence be so special in this world? Xu Xiaoshou felt there was a greater chance he would only be a tool for the Red Coats during the White Cave's opening phase. Once things were done, most of the remaining people would likely be discarded as obsolete tools.

Therefore, regarding his current choice: either he would give up the Greed God and become a tool, vying for that minuscule chance to enter the most powerful official force, or he would continue to be free and follow his own pace. Without much thought, Xu Xiaoshou chose the second path. If he truly needed to rely on connections, he would have already agreed to Luo Leilei at Tianxuan Gate then, and boarded the potentially top-tier “Holy Slave” organization's big ship.

Shou Ye hadn't expected Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts to turn so quickly, virtually arranging his entire latter half of life in an instant. He was only surprised that this young man before him could so easily reject the olive branch offered by the Red Coats.

“Are you sure that wasn't just an impulse? I'm giving you a chance to change your mind,” Shou Ye urged.

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head decisively. “Sorry.”

The crowd below immediately erupted in an uproar. Regarding Xu Xiaoshou's choice, it's safe to say that no one present could understand it. Even Su Qianqian was bewildered. The Red Coats belonged to the Holy Divine Palace, which was the headquarters, not a branch in various domains or cities. Even within the Holy Divine Palace itself, they were an extremely transcendent existence. How many people struggled their entire lives, moving from one force to another, changing countless affiliations, all ultimately just to join the most official force on the Holy Divine Continent: the Holy Divine Palace. Yet, even so, the “White Coats” and “Red Coats,” these two organizations, remained elusive and unattainable for most.

But Xu Xiaoshou actually discarded it so casually?

“He must be crazy! What a great opportunity; I feel sorry for him.”

“If he had accepted this, he could have directly left Tiansang County and explored the various major domains.”

“Xu Xiaoshou, alas, so ignorant. He's still too young; he doesn't understand anything...”

Among the crowd below, sounds of regretful sighs grew noisy.

“Received Taunt, passive value, 232.”

“Received Pity, passive value, 1211.”

Shou Ye stared blankly as Xu Xiaoshou resolutely turned and left, until he returned to his seat. Only then did he truly feel how different this young man was. To be honest, even though he had the intention to recruit this young man deep down, Shou Ye felt he still needed to maintain a certain decorum. After all, the Red Coats' status was too transcendent. Even if Xu Xiaoshou was a genius, once outside Tiansang County, among those of the same age group, there were many who surpassed him... well, not none! There were still quite a few! But that wasn't the point. The point was, in previous years, whenever the Red Coats showed an inclination to offer an olive branch, which young person wouldn't eagerly rush over?

This Xu Xiaoshou was too crazy! How could he refuse so bluntly? It must be said, human nature is sometimes truly perverse. Shou Ye, who had been maintaining a superior attitude earlier, immediately felt Xu Xiaoshou's uniqueness when he was genuinely rejected. It was like someone accustomed to being endlessly flattered suddenly encountering an individual who gave them the cold shoulder and ignored them. Even the most aloof person would feel something unusual in their heart.

“He's so special...” Shou Ye caressed the red jade stone in his hand. At this moment, his interest in Xu Xiaoshou hadn't diminished in the slightest despite being rejected. On the contrary, Shou Ye felt his heart had been stolen.

“Xu Xiaoshou, you have successfully caught my attention.”

Suppressing the unusual feeling in his heart, Shou Ye surprisingly rose and walked directly towards Xu Xiaoshou under the gaze of the crowd.

“Hmm? Something's not right. Could this Red Coat senior not be giving up?” Everyone watched in surprise as he drew closer, and an unusual feeling suddenly surged in their hearts.

“Oh my god, could Xu Xiaoshou be so outstanding that even the Red Coats want to snatch him? This is...”

“Damn it, I feel like I've taken critical damage! Why doesn't anyone value me this much? I need a discerning eye too!”

Everyone chattered away, but no one dared to speak loudly.

Xu Xiaoshou had just sat down and was about to speak to his junior sister when he suddenly sensed the atmosphere was off. He turned his head and saw Shou Ye already standing before him.

“What do you want?” He crossed his arms, saying warily, “I only refused you; you're not going to hit me, are you?”

Shou Ye's mouth twitched. That posture, those words... Anyone who didn't know might think I was about to do something to you!

“No.” He shook his head and said, “However, as someone capable of figuring out even a little about the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal-Less Array,' you indeed deserve to have this jade stone.”

With that, Shou Ye pushed the jade stone in his hand towards him again. Xu Xiaoshou glanced at it and said, “I don't want it.”

Shou Ye's eye twitched. Under everyone's watchful eyes, this guy truly gave him no face at all! As a Red Coat, when was it ever someone else's turn to refuse him?

“Take it.” He bellowed, and Xu Xiaoshou trembled in fear, immediately picking up the jade stone.

“What can I do with this thing? I'm not planning to go with you.”

“Besides, if I were to go with you, someone else might not agree!”

Shou Ye sneered, “Who dares to disagree?”

Xu Xiaoshou subconsciously wanted to pin the blame on Elder Sang, but then he suddenly remembered the existence of their “Three-Chapter Agreement” and immediately reined in his thoughts.

“Master Ti, Guild Master Ti wouldn't agree. He also said he wanted to take me as his disciple, and I haven't agreed to that either. If I refuse him first and then accept you, wouldn't that indirectly admit that Guild Master Ti is inferior to you?”

Sitting carefree in the distance, Master Ti nearly fell off his chair. This Xu Xiaoshou was crazy! You don't use someone as a shield like this! How come I'm so far away and still taking splash damage? His first instinct was to refute, but then he thought of old man Sang... If that guy found out his disciple was out for a bit of training and was then forcibly taken away, wouldn't Tiansang City be turned upside down? He would definitely go after the Red Coats, but before that, on whom would that old man's wrath be vented? Wouldn't it be on him, who was involved but merely stood by?

“That's too much.” Master Ti rose righteously and said, “While the Red Coats are indeed a transcendent existence, if Xu Xiaoshou has explicitly refused your invitation, I believe it's best for everyone to take a step back.” At least, these matters cannot happen under my nose. If you want to cause trouble, do it privately.

Even though the remaining two hidden sentences weren't spoken, everyone already sensed that the atmosphere had become a bit subtle.

“What, Xu Xiaoshou and Guild Master Ti also have sparks?”

“Don't they only have the enmity of having blown up the Pill Tower and having the Pill Tower blown up?”

“Could it be that explosions can create feelings?”

Shou Ye looked back, equally dumbfounded. Master Ti actually spoke up for Xu Xiaoshou? Did the sun rise from the west? From the moment this guy appeared, his demeanor was clearly not in line with Xu Xiaoshou's! That kid said such outrageous things as “refuse,” and he's still siding with him?

However, starting a dispute was not what Shou Ye wanted. His expression hardened, and he waved his hand, saying, “You're overthinking it. I'm just giving you this jade stone to stay in contact. The White Cave is about to open. If anything unusual happens, we will use this item to contact relevant Array Masters, gather everyone, and collectively break through the difficult array.”

At this moment, Shou Ye, an outsider to array formations, clearly didn't realize that Xu Xiaoshou's previous words indicated a vast understanding of the “Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal-Less Array.” He still thought this guy was just like everyone else, only seeing a small trick.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, as if realizing something. He already knew that his “Textile Mastery” was at an astonishing level to others. This was evident from the four old Array Masters in the field who hadn't even deciphered the rudimentary array. So now, what he should do was no longer to show off his brilliance, but instead to appropriately conceal it.

“Oh, I see.” Xu Xiaoshou glanced at Shou Ye, not refusing, and said, “Then I'll take it.”

Shou Ye immediately nodded in satisfaction. As long as Xu Xiaoshou took the jade stone, he wouldn't be lost. With a connection established, he could then inquire about the Red Coats' internal opinions. If Xu Xiaoshou truly had monstrous talent in array formations, then this person could still be brought back. Heh, is there anyone the Red Coats want in this world that they can't get? With that, he turned and left.

The refining path competition was not over. Xu Xiaoshou's rapid array deciphering was just an unexpected event. Only when the old refining masters in the field had all broken the array and gained the qualifications to study the “Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal-Less Array” would his mission be considered complete.

As he moved, Xu Xiaoshou's dismissive voice came from behind him.

“Is it pretty?” Xu Xiaoshou looked at Mu Zixi, raising the red jade stone in his hand.

“A little,” Mu Zixi nodded. This item looked like a ruby, and it came from Shou Ye of the Red Coats; even if it were a mere pebble, everyone would still find it beautiful.

“If it's pretty, then it's for you.” Xu Xiaoshou smiled and handed the red jade stone over.

“Huh?” Shou Ye immediately stumbled. He stopped, his face darkening, and turned around. “Xu Xiaoshou!”

“Huh?” Xu Xiaoshou looked back.

“What do you mean?” Shou Ye asked in a deep voice, startling Mu Zixi so much that her outstretched hand recoiled.

“Can this jade stone be given away casually?” Xu Xiaoshou was taken aback.

“No?”

“Of course not!”

“But...” Xu Xiaoshou's gaze shifted to his junior sister. “But I didn't give it away casually. Besides, my junior sister isn't just 'anyone else'.”

Shou Ye: ??? He was momentarily dumbfounded but immediately understood. Was this the time to be discussing this? Casually? Anyone else? Why are your priorities so bizarre? My point is, this jade stone cannot be given away!

From afar, Master Ti watched Shou Ye's face turn purple with rage, his chest heaving, yet he couldn't utter a single word. He suddenly felt a strange sense of empathy. But to prevent Xu Xiaoshou from being smacked to smithereens, he still spoke up to mediate.

“Tolerance is a kind of... Ugh, never mind.” Master Ti felt that his words would only add fuel to the fire, so he immediately suppressed a smile and transmitted his voice: “Just bear with it, bear with it. This guy is like this. Is it your first time encountering him? Just get used to it, and it'll be fine.”

Shou Ye regained his composure, his lips trembling as he spat, “Don't mess around, kid! This item is very important; we need it as a means to find people!” Feeling he had already lost some composure, he didn't want to stay in front of Xu Xiaoshou for another moment.

Having said that, he turned to leave.

“Oh?” Xu Xiaoshou was surprised. He just felt that this Red Coat had ill intentions. What good could come from something forced upon him? “You mean, you want to use this to monitor me?” Even if he was a coward, Xu Xiaoshou felt he still needed to confront this Red Coat until things were clear.

Shou Ye felt his kidneys ache. This guy's thought process is definitely different from ordinary people, isn't it?!

“No!” He trembled with rage and roared, “It's just an ordinary communication stone, that's all! Of course, it can only connect to the Red Coat side.”

“Oh, oh.” Xu Xiaoshou pouted, asking suspiciously, “Then... there won't be any of your spiritual thoughts attached to it, right?”

“Received Curse, passive value, 1.”

Shou Ye felt powerless. He felt that if he stayed in front of Xu Xiaoshou any longer, he might truly be unable to suppress the killing intent within him and randomly kill someone to vent his anger.

“Just take it for now. This thing isn't as terrifying as you imagine; it really is just an ordinary communication stone.”

“Oh.” Xu Xiaoshou nodded. “Since it's so ordinary and I don't really need it, why can't I give it to my junior sister?”

Shou Ye's feet slipped, and he nearly fell over. This turn of phrase not only confused him, a Red Coat, but also bewildered everyone else in the field.

“He's damn right!” someone exclaimed.

“If I didn't step back and look, I would really be tricked by Xu Xiaoshou into not knowing my own home anymore.”

“Oh my goodness, this Xu Xiaoshou is truly bold! It's already impressive that he can hold the jade stone; not only does he refuse it, but he also tries to belittle its value in various ways?”

Now Xu Xiaoshou couldn't stand it. He turned and looked at that person, saying, “Who said I belittled it? He himself said it wasn't important.”

Shou Ye's fingers trembled as he snapped, “All of you, shut up!”

The entire venue fell silent. The kind where you could hear a pin drop.

Sitting in the front, Master Ti suddenly felt an urge to laugh. So, this is what it feels like to watch others get tangled by Xu Xiaoshou? Suddenly, he remembered if others felt the same way when they watched him get angry at the Pill Tower back then. Now he couldn't laugh anymore. He immediately stood on the same side as Shou Ye, glaring at Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou timidly said, “I'm just talking normally... Is talking not allowed anymore? Did my words break any laws?”

“Ugh!” Shou Ye's myriad angers ultimately dissolved into a helpless groan. His expression turned stern, and he said in a muffled voice, “Take the jade stone. If you dare give it away, I'll kill you!”

“Received Threat, passive value, 1.”

This time, Xu Xiaoshou behaved, no longer daring to act impishly. “Oh.” He immediately snatched the jade stone from Mu Zixi's hand and tossed it directly into his ring.

Only then did Shou Ye slowly let out a breath. So, the truly effective way to converse with Xu Xiaoshou wasn't to argue, but to suppress him with absolute force?

This guy... Shou Ye admitted. In half a lifetime, this was the most audacious person he had ever seen. He just did whatever he wanted, however he wanted. And yet, he had a valid point! Damn it... Having suppressed Xu Xiaoshou, he no longer dared to delay and walked directly towards the high platform. After all, besides this kid, there were other Grandmaster Array Masters he needed to approach and assess.

“Once those old fellows come out, my White Cave spot should be secured, right?” Xu Xiaoshou muttered to himself. Seeing that the situation in the arena didn't look like it would be resolved quickly, his heart stirred. “Once the refining path competition ends, it seems only the final challenge matches will remain?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, tilting his head. He had heard some of the rules Fu Xing mentioned before he fainted. The last rule was for after the four competitions concluded. Because some people in the arena might have special combat power, there would be a challenge match, giving everyone a last chance to challenge contestants who had already secured White Cave spots. This also included the five major forces that had already obtained White Cave spots without fighting. In previous years, this rule was essentially just for show. After all, those who could secure spots right under everyone's noses had visible strength. But this year was different.

Su Qianqian, standing to the side, heard this and her pretty face began to turn serious.

“Yes.” She nodded, then suddenly smiled with relief, raising her eyes, which seemed to sparkle like bright stars. “I came here specifically to face this battle.”

“Perhaps more than one battle,” Xu Xiaoshou said.

Su Qianqian shook her head. “Although the Su family has declined, with me here today, they will absolutely not be able to snatch a spot from my hands.”

Xu Xiaoshou neither confirmed nor denied this, but asked again, “But have you considered that you are the only one left in the Su family? As long as you fall tonight, the title of Tiansang City's number one genius will be completely gone, and only then will the Su family truly be considered to have completely declined! Among the Four Great Families, only when one truly falls can the others possibly rise.”

Su Qianqian was startled. She had indeed thought about this, but she had tried her best not to consider the worst-case scenarios. But Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't be as naive as her; instead, he brutally tore open that wound.

“I...”

“Don't doubt it. In the end, what you'll face isn't just the desire of other county geniuses for White Cave spots, but also the numerous Tiansang City families who would resort to even a prolonged battle to cripple you.” Xu Xiaoshou sighed, “The real challenge has only just begun.”

Su Qianqian's face fell; she knew how terrifying this was. However, from the moment “Tomb-Named City Snow” was lost, and when the masked person plainly stated such a brutal reality to her on the back mountain, she knew then that all of this was what she had to face. Reality was cruel, but in the end, didn't everyone still have to face it with a smile?

Smiling brightly, Su Qianqian looked at Xu Xiaoshou and said, “I know, Little Beast Brother, you don't need to worry. Even if it's a prolonged battle, I can handle it.”