Chapter 445: Collapse of Fu Xing, Second Sacrificial Carving Fragment

Is Zhang Taiying gone?

It wasn't just Zhang Mansion's inner circle; even the hundreds of forces attending the banquet reacted with various degrees of shock.

It's important to remember that in Tiansang Prefecture, Tiansang City holds the highest position among all cities. And the Zhang family, thanks to Zhang Taiying, had flourished over the past decade, rising to become the leader of Tiansang City's four major powers.

Yet, such a prominent figure was simply... gone?

"Am I dreaming?" someone murmured.

Indeed, the shock brought by tonight's banquet had far exceeded expectations.

"First the Su family, now the Zhang Mansion?""White Cave hasn't even opened yet, and the power dynamics in Tiansang Prefecture are already this turbulent?""My goodness, just a while ago, those twenty-plus forces eyeing the challenge seemed to be relentlessly attacking the remnants of the Su family, supposedly under Zhang Mansion's command.""But the battle was only half-done, and the instigator... was gone?"

Everyone looked uncertainly in Xu Xiaoshou's direction. Was it... him? Was it still this young man?

That phrase, "If you want to kill me, you can try," not only revealed the young man's absolute confidence but also offered the most direct interpretation of Zhang Taiying's death!

"So, Zhang Taiying transformed into a ghost beast in the City Lord's Mansion to kill Xu Xiaoshou, but in the end, Xu Xiaoshou killed him?" someone deduced.

"But that doesn't make sense!""If it was Xu Xiaoshou, why would Zhang Taiying go to such great lengths? He's just a mere Mid-Tier Yuan Court... wait, when did he reach the peak?"Someone was completely bewildered.

How could Xu Xiaoshou's strength have improved again after just one encounter? Is he even human? You haven't even passed the Late-Tier Yuan Court, so how did you directly reach the peak? And looking at this spiritual energy fluctuation, it's still so potent and solid...

"Suspicion received, Passive Point, 1212.""Questioning received, Passive Point, 1212."Immediately, the information bar scrolled frantically.

The more they thought about the person they should have dismissed at first glance, the more uneasy they felt.

"But even if he's at the peak of Yuan Court, how could Xu Xiaoshou be Zhang Taiying's opponent?""You know, before that senior in red left, there was already an explosion that shattered the City Lord's Mansion. At this point, could it really be Xu Xiaoshou fighting Zhang Taiying?"

Even with the previous conversation between the man in red and Fu Yinhong, everyone remained somewhat skeptical. But now, all signs indicated that Zhang Taiying's death was undeniably linked to Xu Xiaoshou.

A Throne-level figure, forced to transform into a ghost beast by a mere Innate, and then killed on the spot by the timely arrival of the man in red?

"Terrifying!""Fear received, Passive Point, 879.""Admiration received, Passive Point, 646."

Su Qianqian, carrying the jade plate in her hands, somewhat dazedly walked towards Xu Xiaoshou.

She vaguely remembered her Xiaoshou brother making a joke when he left the banquet hall to... relieve himself. "Who knows whether accident or tomorrow will arrive first?" Afterward, he even gave the absurd example of a meteorite falling from the sky, instantly interrupting the banquet hall's challenge.

Even then, despite her inner anxiety, she couldn't help but chuckle.

But... Su Qianqian looked at the five crystal-clear Linglong Stones on the plate. The meteorite hadn't arrived. But the competition had indeed been interrupted. At that time, she herself had almost given up.

However, with the explosion that shattered the City Lord's Mansion, not only the banquet challenge, but everyone was shaken and terrified. Even the City Lord's Throne was alarmed. These family forces, hailing from all corners of the land, were merely Grandmasters. How could they have the energy to continue the challenge?

So! "Did Xiaoshou brother disregard his own safety and forcefully kill Zhang Taiying for me?" "That's too risky!" Have you ever risked your life for someone else in your entire life... Tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.

Su Qianqian couldn't help but wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, immediately smudging a streak of dirt across her dusty face. Wiping away tears on her tattered, blood-stained, and blast-blackened clothes, the young girl came before Xu Xiaoshou.

"Xiaoshou brother...""Gratitude received, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

Xu Xiaoshou jumped, almost thinking the girl had been possessed by Mu Zixi. Thankfully, from her noticeable height and the special address, he could still recognize his little sister Su.

"What's wrong?" Gratitude? Good, good, I almost mistook it for a curse! But why are you feeling grateful for no reason? What kind of story have you cooked up in that little head of yours?

"Xiaoshou brother..."Su Qianqian choked, unable to speak. She didn't know why, but as soon as she left the battle and stood before Xu Xiaoshou, even though she was now a Sword Sect Master, the scene from many years ago, when she'd trotted behind Xu Xiaoshou, serving tea and learning things, would involuntarily resurface. Was this the feeling of a safe haven? It seemed that no matter what, as long as Xiaoshou brother was there, she wouldn't have to worry too much. She just needed to take steady steps forward, one by one. The thorns ahead would always break apart on their own.

"Alright, alright, don't cry.""What's wrong? Did those guys really bully you?" Xu Xiaoshou stared at the five Linglong Stones on the plate. He thought to himself, if she had truly been bullied successfully, she probably wouldn't still have all five of these.

Su Qianqian considered giving some of her Linglong Stones to Xiaoshou brother. However, the Su family was indeed in a critical moment. These five items, even if not for her personal use, could have an excellent effect placed elsewhere. Besides, Xiaoshou brother already had sixteen Linglong Stones. Sixteen! Hmm, he probably wouldn't... look down on just five of these, right?

"Gratitude received, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."Xu Xiaoshou grimaced, pressing down on the girl's head with a slight headache.

"Put these away for now; be careful on your way back, in case a thief targets them.""Don't worry about giving them to me; I have plenty, more than I can use." He chuckled, having discerned a bit of the girl's good intentions.

Su Qianqian blinked her large eyes, silently staring at Xu Xiaoshou, unable to speak.

"Gratitude received, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."Suddenly,"Curse received, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

Xu Xiaoshou abruptly turned his head, his gaze falling upon the softly lit area.

After Fu Zhi announced the matter of Zhang Taiying, it basically signaled the end of the banquet. Xu Xiaoshou had obtained everything he wanted and accomplished his predetermined goals. He was about to return home fully laden when suddenly, an excited voice rang out from the high platform.

"He's awake! He's awake!"Everyone's attention was drawn simultaneously.

They saw Fu Xing, who had been knocked unconscious by the furnace explosion when unprepared, now regaining consciousness under Shi Ti's care.

"Fu Xing?" Xu Xiaoshou hesitated, feeling he bore a small responsibility for the situation, so he stepped forward to check on him.

"What is this..."Fu Xing, regaining consciousness from the darkness, opened his eyes to see several heads before him. Savage, savage, handsome man, savage... No, wait! This is... Little sister, President Shi Ti, Xu Xiaoshou, savage... This, this last savage, why does he look so familiar, yet his face is a blur, as if he's forgotten it?

Fu Xing stared at the savage chieftain, a look of intense thought appearing in his eyes.

Fu Zhi, seeing his son awaken, had initially shown some joy, but the intense unfamiliarity in his son's eyes caused him to burst with anger.

"Foolish boy, what are you thinking!" At the sound of that familiar voice, even though it was a little hoarse, Fu Xing still trembled.

"Fa-Father?" After calling out, he vigorously shook his head. "Must be a dream. How could Father be here? That guy's been a hands-off manager for so long..."

Fu Zhi's face darkened, but no one else could tell.

Fu Xing's gaze swept past him, landing directly on Xu Xiaoshou's face.

This dream is so strange. Why are others all dark and unidentifiable, which perfectly suits the dream's atmosphere? Only Xu Xiaoshou is so real? Is he deeply imprinted in my mind?

"Oh right, at that time..." Fu Xing recalled the furnace explosion, and suddenly he felt unwell.

He stirred his body, releasing his spiritual sense to check the damage to the banquet hall. After all, he had personally experienced Xu Xiaoshou's destructive power. But as soon as he released his spiritual sense, his entire body froze. "It's gone?" "The banquet hall is gone?" The lingering scorching scent in the air, the dust everywhere, the wounded people... Had Xu Xiaoshou really shattered the banquet hall?

No, wait! The scene conveyed by his spiritual sense seemed to extend far beyond the banquet hall's scope? Could it be that the entire mansion was gone?

Fu Xing's body suddenly convulsed. He extended his spiritual sense to its maximum, but even at its furthest reach, all he saw was desolation.

This dream... wasn't it a bit too real and terrifying?

"Where is this?" Fu Xing simply didn't believe this was the City Lord's Mansion anymore. After all, no one could blast the City Lord's Mansion into such a state.

But with that casual question, his sister's sorrowful voice reached his ears. "Home." Fu Xing froze. He looked at Fu Yinhong. Could she talk? Was she alive? He lightly bit his tongue. "Hiss!" So painful. Looking again at Xu Xiaoshou's apologetic gaze, Fu Xing opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found he had nothing to say.

He woke up, and his home was gone. The entire City Lord's Mansion, gone?

"Suspicion received, Passive Point, 1."Xu Xiaoshou got a headache. It's like this again; I really didn't intend for it to turn out this way! "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Fu Xing could have endured it. But with that one sentence, he suddenly rolled his eyes, stiffened, and fainted.

"Fear received, Passive Point, 1."Fu Zhi: "..."

Everyone simultaneously turned back to glance at Xu Xiaoshou, all silent.

Shi Ti let out a heavy sigh. He didn't understand why, even with the City Lord's Mansion bombed to such an extent, Fu Zhi could still act as if nothing had happened, not even planning any punitive action against Xu Xiaoshou. If it were him, if the Pill Tower ended up like this, even if Elder Sang came, he would tear Xu Xiaoshou into tiny pieces of flesh! But this...

"Tolerance is a virtue.""Generosity is a sign of cultivation."Indeed, no one who could reach the position of City Lord was simple. He had underestimated Fu Zhi.

"Xu Xiaoshou, you should leave first!" Seeing no one speak, Shi Ti could only helplessly wave his hand. At this moment, the patients' injuries were clearly more important. After all, there wasn't just one Fu Xing here; too many people had been revived, and if they caught another glimpse of Xu Xiaoshou, they would probably faint on the spot.

"Oh, I see..." Xu Xiaoshou rubbed the sole of his foot, wanting to offer some help. It was all Zhang Taiying's fault for senselessly activating some spiritual array, which resulted in the City Lord's Mansion being destroyed. It was all his fault!

"Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help, within my capabilities?" Xu Xiaoshou rubbed his hands, apologizing.

Everyone on the side collectively stiffened, feeling their hearts skip a beat. Within his capabilities...

"Brother Shou, you should leave first. My foolish son's mind isn't very stable; I'm afraid he won't be able to see you for a while," Fu Zhi said, his face stiff.

"I see." Xu Xiaoshou also understood the psychology of these people; he had a rough idea. In that case, let's go!

"Little junior sister.""Hmm?" Mu Zixi crouched, observing Fu Xing and the other patients on the ground with interest from behind, clearly not wanting to leave this lively and amusing place yet.

"Let's go." Xu Xiaoshou, however, directly grabbed the little girl's twin ponytails and lifted her away.

"Attention received, Passive Point, 1240.""Curse received, Passive Point, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

Outside the City Lord's Mansion.Far away from Tiansang City.In the Eight Palaces.The wind howled ominously, and birds and beasts cried out in sorrow.

It was an extremely remote town, perhaps once glorious. But due to its proximity to the White Cave and the opening of a dimensional rift several years ago, it had essentially lost all signs of human activity.

Yet now, within this town, which should have been deserted, a faint trace of human presence had reappeared. Unlike the farmers and others of the past, the passersby now were all Spirit Refiners. And their numbers were considerable!

Inside a small inn that had been revitalized. Lan Xinzi, in a black dress, and He Yuxing, with magic patterns on his face, were sitting cross-legged facing each other on the bed in a room.

"How do you feel?" Lan Xinzi's gaze lowered, moving from the magic patterns on He Yuxing's face to a carved piece in his hand.

"I can still hold on." He Yuxing's eyes held a crimson frenzy. He tried his best to control himself, keeping his tone calm. "'The 'Sacrificial Carving' is too powerful. The sword intent contained within it is something I can't fully comprehend right now. But even a tiny bit is enough. I feel that I am more than just a little stronger now than before.'"

He Yuxing desperately clutched the bronze carving in his hand. The carving was only the size of a pinky fingernail. But the power it contained seemed truly boundless. Just suppressing the trembling of his body felt as if it would exhaust all his strength.

"That's enough," Lan Xinzi said indifferently. "You've reached your limit for today. If you continue to comprehend it, you won't be able to bear it." She extended a slender hand, motioning for He Yuxing to return the carving to her.

This object came from Zhang Xinxiong. Both of the 'Sacrificial Carvings' possessed by Zhang Mansion were obtained from the White Cave. The larger one should be on Zhang Taiying's person or hidden somewhere in the scripture storage pavilion. The smaller one, naturally, was given to Zhang Xinxiong for comprehension.

However, this item seemed truly only related to sword intent. Even if Zhang Taiying gave it to Zhang Xinxiong, he couldn't comprehend anything from it. In contrast, she and He Yuxing seemed to have a greater affinity with it.

Especially He Yuxing! Lan Xinzi marveled inwardly. Even if she had obtained this 'Sacrificial Carving' from Zhang Xinxiong, it would be difficult for her to comprehend much from it. But He Yuxing... This guy's talent in swordsmanship was terrifying. Indeed, Su Qianqian's brilliant achievements at such a young age had truly overshadowed too many geniuses from the Spirit Palace. At least, at He Yuxing's current realm, with one sword strike, even if Su Qianqian possessed 'Grave City Snow,' it would be very difficult for her to resist.

After all, in recent days, the Grandmaster experts who had died directly by He Yuxing's sword, simply for attempting to provoke him, were already nearing double digits.

"He Yuxing, Sacrificial Carving..." Lan Xinzi cradled the carving, now resting back in her hand with spiritual energy, muttering inwardly. This combination was her guarantee for entering the White Cave. As for the item in her hand, although she didn't know much about it, she knew that the Zhang Mansion had put great effort into acquiring it from the White Cave during its last opening. Even though it was just this small piece, the terrifying sword intent and killing intent within it made Lan Xinzi suspect that it was absolutely linked to the recently rumored 'Four Swords.'

With the prerequisite met, and He Yuxing, such a Sword Sect Master, if she could acquire the 'Four Swords'...

Lan Xinzi's beautiful eyes gleamed, her red lips subtly curved, and killing intent bloomed in her gaze.

She recalled the scene of Zhang Xinxiong's death, where she had barely managed to save her life by feigning terror and weeping. This humiliation would be unforgettable for life!

"Xu Xiaoshou, where are you now?""After killing Zhang Xinxiong, you should also get a White Cave spot and come here, right?""What a pity, you didn't manage to get this 'Sacrificial Carving'!"

"Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo..." The snorts before her grew louder. Lan Xinzi, deep in thought, looked up to see He Yuxing's crimson eyes, unmasked, fixed on her shoulder.

"He Yuxing!" Recalling the terror of that day, she instantly stood up in a panic, exclaiming.

At that, He Yuxing's body abruptly trembled, his eyes cleared, and even the magic patterns on his face faded slightly. Seeing Lan Xinzi's somewhat flustered jade-like face, his expression showed distress, and he said apologetically: "Sorry, my mind is still too unstable; I almost lost control of that desire... killing desire."

Lan Xinzi shuffled back a few steps and plopped down onto the tea table, picking up a teacup and taking a small sip, which helped calm her nerves.

"You've done very well already; not everyone can comprehend the Sacrificial Carving." Finishing her sip, Lan Xinzi stood up and walked out the door without looking back.

"I'll leave first; calm yourself down!""I..." He Yuxing gripped his sword and stood up, wanting to speak but hesitating, his outstretched hand then falling limply.

The room door slammed shut with a bang. He Yuxing's body jolted, and a red light flashed in his eyes.

"Sacrificial Carving..." The magic patterns reappeared clearly, this time not only on his face but also with dark energy swirling over his exposed hands.

"Buzz!" His sword hummed softly, emitting a joyous thrum. It seemed that this terrifying killing intent was a demonic obstacle to humans. But for a sword, it was the perfect nourishment.

He ran his fingers over the sword's blade, the muscles in He Yuxing's face twitching almost imperceptibly, revealing an incongruous, eerie smile.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss, the Sacrificial Carving, what a good thing!"

Clear, lingering footsteps, pausing and resuming, echoed rhythmically through the inn. Lan Xinzi raised an eyebrow. What was going on today? In the Eight Palaces, a chaotic and lawless place where killing was rampant, how could it be so quiet?

She turned back. At the stairs, a woman in a white dress descended with incredibly graceful, lotus-like steps. Her appearance was quite ordinary, yet her aura was remarkably ethereal. The sandalwood incense burning quietly in the small bronze censer in her right hand seemed to exude a sense of peace and tranquility, even from several meters away. It was as if a noble snow lotus, meant for the Heavenly Mountains, had bloomed in this murky, defiled swamp.

The appearance of the woman in white was the very reason for the inn's complete silence.

"This person..." Lan Xinzi frowned. Somewhat familiar. When she was still at Tiansang Spirit Palace, had she seen her in the inner court? But how could there be someone with such an aura in the inner court whom she couldn't recall? And...

"Yin-Yang Realm." Among the thirty-three established elders in the inner court, there weren't many women who had reached the Yin-Yang Realm, the second stage of Grandmaster cultivation! Except for Rao Yinyin, and those few graduated elders. Even she and He Yuxing hadn't reached this level! Who was this newcomer...?

"Do we know each other?" As the woman in black and the woman in white passed each other, Lan Xinzi couldn't help but ask.

The woman in white glanced sideways. A slight smile appeared on her unperturbed face. As if seeing a long-lost friend, her pearly teeth parted slightly, about to greet. But quickly, the smile vanished. She indifferently shook her head: "You must have mistaken me for someone else." With a slight bow, the woman tightened her grip on the small bronze censer in her hand and turned to leave.

"Bang!" The room door instantly burst open. He Yuxing rushed out, gripping his sword.

"Who?" He growled softly, his gaze involuntarily falling upon the retreating woman in white.

Lan Xinzi didn't reply. Her gaze fell on the girl's left hand; the trickling blood made her realize that the crisp sounds she had heard earlier were not just footsteps, but also blood dripping onto the ground.

Her gaze swept towards the first floor. There, sprawled in disarray, lay over a dozen male bodies, completely limp and powerless.

Lan Xinzi's eyes revealed clear disdain and revulsion. "A bunch of good-for-nothings ruled by their lower halves!"

When she had first arrived, these very individuals had also tried to proposition her. But after He Yuxing dealt with a few with a single sword stroke, they had quieted down somewhat. Unexpectedly, upon encountering this woman, history had repeated itself.

But... "Their cultivation?" Lan Xinzi was shocked to discover that these individuals, who should have possessed cultivation levels of Upper Spirit and Heavenly Manifestation, had, at a glance, completely lost their realms and cultivation!

"Crippled?" She asked, puzzled."No," He Yuxing said, squinting. "They were sealed. Furthermore, though they appear alive, even their souls have likely been completely suppressed. This woman..." His gaze fell upon the spot where the woman in white had stood before disappearing through the doorway, and an ominous premonition arose in his heart.

A strange familiarity, yet an extremely heart-pounding sensation. Did he know this person?

"Adding to that, the woman I saw a few days ago with violent leg strength...""The Eight Palaces are no longer peaceful," he murmured.

Lan Xinzi stepped aside and looked at him. "Not peaceful, isn't that even better? That's exactly what we want."

He Yuxing also withdrew his gaze, his eyes softening again. "Yes, whatever you want, I will give it to you."