Chapter 451: Sang Lao's Second Letter

The glorious sun ascended to the heavens, ushering in a new dawn.

Tianxang Spiritual Palace.

The Council Hall.

Unlike the quiet and peaceful morning, everyone seated in the hall wore solemn expressions, awaiting with grave anticipation.

“Is Xu Xiaoshou not back yet?” Ye Xiaotian looked at Qiao Qianzhi, who sat beside him, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, his small feet swinging unconsciously in the air beneath his seat.

“Not yet,” Qiao Qianzhi replied, shaking his head. “However, Elder Sang said he should be able to make it before the battle begins.”

“I heard that fellow even went to the City Lord’s Mansion banquet hall for a gathering.”

“And then, he acquired eighteen White Cave slots.”

Ye Xiaotian’s expression froze. The words he was about to utter suddenly seemed to catch in his throat, unable to escape.

“Eighteen?”

The ten young men and women below also exclaimed in shock.

Rao Yinyin’s beautiful eyes widened slightly, her expression showing a hint of surprise. It hadn’t been long since they last met, yet the fellow who had accidentally trespassed on her spiritual grounds and even peeked at her bathing had grown to such an extent.

“Eighteen slots?” A tall, wild-faced man rose, saying with a playful smirk, “Then I suppose this Xu Xiaoshou must be one of the two leaders in the Dean’s mind, eh? I haven’t been back in so long, I truly didn’t know such a character had emerged from the Inner Court.”

No one would think that those attending the City Lord’s Mansion banquet were of low caliber. On the contrary, at the onset of the White Cave, anyone who went there was certainly a formidable expert. For Xu Xiaoshou to stand out so remarkably among the younger generation, his strength must be extraordinary.

The hall fell silent for a moment. It seemed no one wanted to respond to the man’s words. He didn’t appear embarrassed, continuing with a laugh, “What about that Zhang Xinxiong fellow? I thought he would also be one of the two leaders this time. Why isn’t he here?” As he spoke, the man’s gaze swept around, yet still no one spoke.

The thirty-three members of the Inner Court were all prodigies, possessing considerable strength. Yet, under this man's gaze, they all lowered their heads. The only one who remained standing without lowering his head was… Zhou Tianshen!

Zhou Tianshen truly hadn't expected to be chosen among the Inner Court candidates for the White Cave. The Tianxang Spiritual Palace seemed to have divided the ten slots into two teams. One team consisted of the long-standing thirty-three members, led by Rao Yinyin. The leader of the other team was unknown, but its members, for the first time, were new recruits who had just joined the Inner Court. These 'new recruits' were actually relative newcomers, meaning the recently admitted thirty-three members. As for how he became one of these ten, without even having earned the title of the Inner Court's thirty-three, Zhou Tianshen admitted he was completely bewildered.

“Zhang Xinxiong is dead.” Facing the scrutinizing gaze, Zhou Tianshen scratched his head. “Xu Xiaoshou killed him.”

“Oh?” The man finally raised an eyebrow. “Xu Xiaoshou again? It’s been less than two years, right? Did the Inner Court really produce such a figure?” he asked, perplexed.

“Tan Ji, sit down.” Rao Yinyin tapped the table, motioning for him to mind his manners, before continuing, “He’s not from the Inner Court. Xu Xiaoshou is currently still an Outer Court disciple.”

Tan Ji was speechless. "What the hell? An Outer Court disciple?" For the first time, Tan Ji developed a strong interest in someone he had never met. “Is the Spiritual Palace insane? Keeping such a talent in the Outer Court? He should be admitted by special exception! He killed Zhang Xinxiong and obtained eighteen White Cave slots; doesn’t that prove his strength?” As Tan Ji spoke, his gaze shot directly to Ye Xiaotian. His lips twitched, then he suddenly paused and turned to Qiao Qianzhi, “I guess it’s not those old geezers pulling pranks again, is it? They messed with me back then, and they’re still at it now? You guys are truly something else. Can’t you have a mind of your own instead of being manipulated like this?”

Ye Xiaotian’s face darkened. Qiao Qianzhi rubbed his forehead, a headache clearly forming. The numerous long-standing thirty-three members in the hall grew increasingly alarmed as they listened. Indeed, it was Tan Ji. This fellow was still as fierce as ever after two years! Directly confronting the Dean?

Zhou Tianshen’s eyes widened immediately. “Who is this guy? Is he not afraid of death?” During his time in the Inner Court, he hadn’t seemed to encounter such a fierce individual.

Thump-thump!

“Tan Ji, sit down!” Qiao Qianzhi rapped the table twice forcefully. “Why are you talking so much nonsense? It’s already good that you’re allowed to attend this meeting; can’t you just shut up?”

Tan Ji pushed back the hair from his forehead, his thick brows and large eyes making him appear even more rugged. He chuckled, saying, “You’ve allowed me to attend the meeting, yet you won’t allow me the right to speak?”

“Sit down.” Ye Xiaotian spoke indifferently.

“Oh.” Tan Ji immediately took his seat.

“Pfft!” Rao Yinyin, sitting nearby, burst out laughing. “Weren’t you just being so stubborn? Why didn’t you say that directly to the Dean? Two years away, and your edges have been smoothed out? You’ve become well-behaved?”

Tan Ji’s face stiffened. “Shut up, you wretched woman!”

“Heh, little brother.” Rao Yinyin didn’t mind, shaking her head with a sigh and a smile.

Seeing that the scene had finally calmed down, Ye Xiaotian then spoke, “Is Su Qianqian not coming either?”

“That’s right.” This time, Qiao Qianzhi didn’t speak; Rao Yinyin quickly interjected, “Dean, you are aware of the Su family’s situation. That girl Qianqian has to go back to lead her team, so she likely won’t be able to make it this time. But once inside the White Cave, I believe mutual assistance among all parties will certainly be possible.”

Ye Xiaotian nodded lightly. His conjectures were largely accurate. But since neither Su Qianqian nor Xu Xiaoshou could make it, would Tan Ji have to lead the team? “This…” Recalling the turmoil this fellow had caused in the Inner Court two years ago, Ye Xiaotian was inwardly resistant. But at present, there seemed to be no other option?

“Elder Sang said Xu Xiaoshou should return before the battle begins,” Qiao Qianzhi repeated in a low voice, knowing what he was thinking.

“There’s no time,” Ye Xiaotian immediately shook his head, his tone grave. “The situation in the White Cave is already more severe than anticipated. Red Cloak doesn’t know what they’re doing. It’s supposed to be a trial ground, yet this time, it seems it will be directly open to the outside world. Therefore, everyone should prepare yourselves mentally. In this expedition, once you enter, there will be no rules, and it’s even less likely that anyone will secretly protect you. So, no matter what family power stands behind you, once you enter the White Cave this time, you will truly face life and death directly. Now, if anyone wishes to withdraw, you may raise your hand.”

Tan Ji’s eyes immediately lit up. "No rules? Isn’t that the best rule? The Dean must be joking! How can we, cultivators, be such timid people? If we don’t even dare to face life and death directly, how can we talk about progressing further in the future?”

“Shut up,” Ye Xiaotian ordered.

“Oh.” Zhou Tianshen, on the side, nearly burst out laughing. But he forcibly held it back. It was obvious that this Tan Ji had been dealt with by the Dean before. He was indeed very curious about the process involved. However, to reach a level where the Dean would personally intervene, this guy’s strength must also be astonishing. And this fellow’s personality, he guessed, was straightforward, likely an extreme warmonger. Zhou Tianshen wasn’t foolish; he knew that laughing out loud at this moment could genuinely bring him trouble.

“What are you laughing at?” However, even as he held back, Tan Ji’s gaze immediately shot towards him. In that instant, Zhou Tianshen felt a palpable pressure rush over him. His body swayed in his seat, and caught off guard, he nearly fell over on the spot.

“Heh!” Tan Ji sneered, “You’re too timid to laugh, and your strength is so weak. A piece of trash like you, are you even worthy of entering the White Cave?”

“You!” Zhou Tianshen’s eyes immediately reddened, and he stood up directly. With a flick of his single arm, he reached for the golden-yellow broadsword strapped to his back.

“Oh, ho, you’re not bad, kid, daring to reach for your blade?” Tan Ji was completely unfazed; in a situation that seemed poised for an immediate confrontation, he simply tossed his head. “Dean, he wants to kill me.”

Zhou Tianshen was speechless. "What the hell! What did I do? I want to kill you? Didn't you make the first move?" At that moment, his sudden frustration with words made him directly sense Xu Xiaoshou’s shadow on Tan Ji. “This guy… no, I need to call Xu Xiaoshou over to deal with him!”

“Silence!” Ye Xiaotian grew impatient. “One more word of nonsense from either of you, and both of you will be thrown out!”

“Oh.”

“Oh.”

Below, two more compliant 'babies' appeared.

Ye Xiaotian waved his hand, and a light screen directly appeared in the void. Everyone looked up. Inside the screen was an endless expanse of desolation. Across the vast horizon, countless black spatial fissures flickered, as if that section of space would collapse entirely at any moment, unable to bear the strain.

“As you all can see, this is the current state of the Eight Palaces,” Ye Xiaotian’s voice was stern as he slammed the table. “The White Cave is about to open. Based on my understanding of the space between heaven and earth, within a day, the dimensional rift will directly blossom. Therefore, there is no time to wait. Rao Yinyin will lead one team, Tan Ji will lead the other. Depart immediately!”

Qiao Qianzhi’s face showed great alarm. "They're really letting Tan Ji lead a team? Isn’t that sending these young lambs to their deaths? You can’t…” Before he could finish, Ye Xiaotian had already turned his head. “Elder Qiao, please call Elder Xiao to be responsible for the escort. Depart now.”

“I…”

“Alright.”

Qiao Qianzhi felt powerless. He truly spoke coldly but had a kind heart, deeply valuing the lives of these young ones. However, the White Cave trial was never an easy task to begin with. Since that was the case, life and death were fated. Perhaps with Tan Ji as leader, they could experience a cruel life early on, which might not be so bad.

The smile on Tan Ji’s lips finally blossomed, no longer able to be suppressed. "A team leader! This had been his dream for years. He had originally intended to assassinate Zhang Xinxiong, but unexpectedly, upon his return, someone had already taken action for him. Xu Xiaoshou, what a truly good person!"

“Tan Ji!” Just as everyone stood up, Ye Xiaotian spoke again.

“Huh?” Tan Ji turned his head.

“Regarding the leadership: if Xu Xiaoshou returns, you will automatically step down to a deputy position, and all commands will be subject to his arrangements!”

Tan Ji: ???? “What kind of joke is this? Me, an old-guard member of the Inner Court’s thirty-three, taking orders from an Outer Court disciple?”

Ye Xiaotian sneered, “Obey, or withdraw.”

“Oh.” Tan Ji immediately wilted. "Damn it. Xu Xiaoshou, is it? Just you wait! Sure enough, coming back still means celebrating by killing someone!"

“Depart!”

“Yes!”

The thatched cottage.

“Creak.” Qiao Qianzhi pushed the door open and, as expected, Ye Xiaotian was already seated inside.

“Elder Sang isn’t back yet either?” He sat down directly and poured himself a cup of wine.

“That’s right.” Ye Xiaotian frowned, his gaze seemingly piercing through the void. “Just one White Cave, and all factions are in motion. This time, I estimate it won’t be so simple.”

Qiao Qianzhi rolled his eyes. “Then why are you sending those young ones in there? Isn’t that just sending them to their deaths?”

Ye Xiaotian met his gaze. “Elder Sang was right. Opportunity always comes with danger. If you don’t put your life on the line, how can you achieve the greatest rewards?”

“True.” Qiao Qianzhi drank it all in one gulp. “Let them die if they must. Only those who survive are the elite. We’ve certainly been too complacent these past few years.”

Ye Xiaotian said nothing, and the scene fell silent for a moment. Qiao Qianzhi poured him a cup of wine, and after a long while, asked, “I heard Gou Wuyue seems to have come as well?”

“Hmm.”

“What is his objective? The Four Swords?”

“Not necessarily.” Ye Xiaotian’s brows furrowed again; this was precisely what bothered him. “If it were about the Four Swords, that would be fine. But with this fellow making a move, how could the White Cloaks behind him remain inactive?”

Qiao Qianzhi chuckled. “Isn’t that great? Those Holy Servants should have been in Heavenly Prison long ago. This time, Red Cloak and White Cloak might even work together—a sight not seen in years! Perhaps it's a chance to catch them all in one net! I also heard that people from the Xuyue Gray Palace have been dispatched!”

“What about Elder Sang?” Ye Xiaotian suddenly looked at him, interrupting.

Qiao Qianzhi paused, slightly lost in thought. “He…”

“His departure at this time was already problematic.” Ye Xiaotian sighed, “He appears calm on the surface, but he still can’t let go internally, heh!”

Qiao Qianzhi pursed his lips, picked up the wine pot, and drank directly from it. “Gou Wuyue… Can he be beaten?” he asked.

Ye Xiaotian chuckled. “Even if he can’t be beaten, he’ll fight. Do you really think, with his temperament, he could hold back? It’s already good that he didn’t challenge the Holy Divine Palace back then.”

Qiao Qianzhi nodded at his words. “Yes, back then… Alas, the Eighth Sword Immortal truly died an unjust death.” As he spoke, he patted Ye Xiaotian’s shoulder and stood up directly. “We’re going to be busy!”

“Indeed, we’re going to be busy.” Ye Xiaotian clenched his fists. It had been an unknown number of years since he had fought such an exhilarating battle.

“Oh, by the way.” Qiao Qianzhi, who had stood up to leave, suddenly paused, turned back, and pulled a letter from his robe. “This is from Elder Sang to Xu Xiaoshou. You can hold onto it! I’ll continue unsealing Ah Jie’s seal. I probably won’t be free for a while.”

Ye Xiaotian picked up the envelope. “Alright.” He hesitated for a moment, then immediately tore it open.

Qiao Qianzhi: ???? “This, isn’t this a bit… improper?”

“Don’t you want to see?” Ye Xiaotian counter-questioned.

“Since it’s already torn…” The two of them leaned their heads together and unfolded the letter. The content was simple. “The White Cave has no rules.” Six characters. Two darkened faces.

Qiao Qianzhi was enraged. “Is Elder Sang crazy? The White Cave has no rules? Does he perhaps want Xu Xiaoshou to blow the place up?”

“It’s possible he really did have that thought…” Ye Xiaotian hesitated, but could the White Cave really be blown up? He suddenly shivered. It seemed he had a similar thought when he first entered the Heavenly Profound Gate? At that time, Xu Xiaoshou was only of Xiantian cultivation. Judging purely by appearances, who would have thought this guy could just snatch away several world-suppressing treasures? Even Ah Jie was dug out by him. “But the White Cave, it shouldn’t be that extreme, right? That’s an entire dimensional space!”

Qiao Qianzhi fell silent. After a long pause, he quietly sighed, “Have you forgotten where Elder Sang’s Cinderflame Seed came from?”

Ye Xiaotian’s pupils contracted. Only then did he recall that, besides his inherent destructive power, Xu Xiaoshou was also Elder Sang’s direct disciple! That Cinderflame alchemy, passed down in an unbroken lineage.

“Change it!” Ye Xiaotian clenched his fists, feeling a sudden nervousness. “You copy it, or I?”

Qiao Qianzhi’s heart was also pounding. “I’ll do it. Your handwriting isn’t good.”

Ye Xiaotian: “…” He tossed the brush aside. “Then you do it!”

Qiao Qianzhi held the brush, dipped it in ink, then suddenly paused. “What should I write? Tell me?”

“Let me think.” The scene fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, the two exchanged glances simultaneously. “It’s not that serious, is it?”

“Change the characters for Xu Xiaoshou?” Ye Xiaotian asked hesitantly, feeling it was beneath them.

“I also think it’s a bit much…” Qiao Qianzhi also looked a bit awkward. Who would have thought that two grand figures of the Tianxang Spiritual Palace would be so nervous over an unknown incident that an Outer Court disciple might cause? But…

“How about just writing 'mind your limits'?” Qiao Qianzhi swallowed. He said it awkwardly.

“No, that’s not Elder Sang’s speaking style. It might arouse suspicion?”

Qiao Qianzhi’s face darkened. “Are you crazy, or am I? Would Xu Xiaoshou even suspect that we’d change the words?”

“True.” Ye Xiaotian thought for a moment: “Then… 'Take it easy'?”

“Take it easy?”

“Mm.”

Qiao Qianzhi hesitated, then looked up. “Elder Sang left a letter just to write these three insignificant words? 'The White Cave has no rules'—wasn’t that just pointless chatter anyway?”

Ye Xiaotian slammed the table. “Write it quickly!”

“Alright…” Qiao Qianzhi dipped his brush in ink again and shakily wrote three large characters on the new letter paper. “Take it easy.”

“So ugly,” Ye Xiaotian sighed dismissively.

“It’s not my bad handwriting.” Qiao Qianzhi rolled his eyes. “Elder Sang’s handwriting is just like that. As the man, so the writing. Don’t you know that?”

“You have a point.” Ye Xiaotian took a step back, surveying Qiao Qianzhi up and down. “As the man, so the writing.”

Tiansang City.

Duo Ling Inn.

“Thwack!” The hazy spiritual energy rose in Mu Zixi’s hand shattered again. Speechlessly, she kicked at the bedding with her small feet. “Damn Xu Xiaoshou, why has there been no sign of him for three days? He hasn’t even come to teach me. Hmph!”

After a moment of silence, once her anger subsided, she began to ponder. “Something’s not right. How could Xu Xiaoshou spend three days so quietly? Did he change his personality? Or did he secretly go out to play without me?”

With a roll of her eyes, Mu Zixi sprang up, intending to go check the room next door. Suddenly, she froze. “Or, should I try that thing I recently awakened?” Her face suddenly flushed. Mu Zixi tugged at her twin pigtails, gritted her teeth slightly, and nodded. “God-Devil Eyes, open!”

Her eyes closed, then opened. Instantly, black and white mist surged from each of her eyes. Those eyes, originally human, instantly transformed into heterochromatic pupils, with yin-yang fish circling within them, appearing exceedingly bizarre. The room’s walls and barriers were instantly pierced. Mu Zixi effortlessly saw into the room next door… No one!

“As expected.”

“I knew it.” The little girl stomped her foot in anger, then closed her eyes, deactivating her God-Devil Eyes. She slumped weakly, then forced herself to gather her spirits before deciding to go out and look for Xu Xiaoshou. “Where would he go?”

Just as she reached the door, a “thump-thump-thump” sound came from outside. “Who is it?” She opened the door.

“Xu Xiaoshou?” His pale and weak face made Mu Zixi jump back in fright.

Xu Xiaoshou was also startled. “What’s wrong? Am I a ghost? Am I that terrifying?”

Mu Zixi glared. “Weren’t you not in your room?”

Xu Xiaoshou: ???? “How did you know that?”

“Uh…” The little girl’s eyes darted around. “Nothing. Why are you looking for me?”

Xu Xiaoshou gave her a strange look. Ever since she swallowed the ‘World Origin Point,’ this girl’s changes had become more pronounced—or rather, she was getting smaller. It was too obvious! Reverse growth? “Be careful absorbing that life energy. I feel like if you keep absorbing it, you’ll turn into a baby.” Xu Xiaoshou warned. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. “Spiritual Ascension Realm?” Mu Zixi had actually broken through to the Spiritual Ascension Realm? My heavens, who is cheating here? How is it that your cultivation realm is rising faster than mine, girl?

Mu Zixi paused at his words. She immediately checked her Qi Sea. “Hey, it really is!” Her small face instantly lit up with joy. Mu Zixi happily said, “How did I break through to the Spiritual Ascension Realm? I didn’t even feel it.”

Xu Xiaoshou: “…” Strange! This was too strange! Even if she had swallowed the ‘World Origin Point,’ this girl should still be stalled due to insufficient understanding of the Dao of Heaven! How could she reach the Spiritual Ascension Realm just like that, as if there were no bottlenecks at all? Demonic stuff. “Are you human?” Xu Xiaoshou blurted out.

“Cursed, Passive Point, +1.” Mu Zixi immediately became displeased. "What kind of thing to say? Who asks someone “Are you human?” the moment they meet? Xu Xiaoshou, what do you mean by that?” she demanded, hands on her hips, fuming.

“If you say yes, I’ll verify it.” Xu Xiaoshou grabbed her head.

“Ah!” Mu Zixi instantly started punching and kicking, but Xu Xiaoshou had anticipated this and bowed back. Couldn't hit him.

“Tell me quickly.”

“I won’t!”

“I’m not asking you to say no; if you’re human, just admit it!”

“Why should I answer such a question? I’m not stupid.”

“Deceived, Passive Point, +1.”

Xu Xiaoshou paused, then burst out laughing the next second. “You’re not human,” he chuckled.

Mu Zixi was driven mad with anger. “I am!”

“Cursed, Passive Point, +1.”

Xu Xiaoshou stared silently at the information bar for a long time before finally letting out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was just a curse; she wasn’t lying. Little junior sister, she truly is human.

Xu Xiaoshou admitted that his little heart sometimes truly couldn’t bear the truths spoken in a joking tone. Too terrifying. Fortunately, little junior sister was always reliable. If she was human, then things would be simple…

“Let’s go!” He released her hand.

“Where?”

“Home.”

“Home?” Mu Zixi paused. “Back to the manor?”

“The Spiritual Palace!” Xu Xiaoshou tapped her head. “Why would we go back to the manor now? Have you forgotten what Elder Sang said? We have to go back once we’ve had enough fun.”

“Not enough fun…”

“Oh, then you can keep playing. I’ll go back first.”

“Hey, wait for me!” Mu Zixi hastily kept pace with him. “Confess honestly, what have you been doing for the past three days?” she asked, clutching the back of Xu Xiaoshou’s clothes.

“Three days…” Xu Xiaoshou’s lips curled into a smile; he didn’t even turn his head. “Beating people up. And I also practiced a spiritual skill.”

Mu Zixi’s eyes lit up. Xu Xiaoshou’s words weren’t reliable, but Xu Xiaoshou’s spiritual skills were incredibly fun! “What spiritual skill? Teach me!”

“Teach you? You can’t learn this one,” Xu Xiaoshou chuckled.

“Why not? I’m serious. I’ve almost mastered that rose, I can learn the next one.”

“You really can’t learn it. You don’t have the foundation. No one can learn it.”

“Foundation?” Mu Zixi paused. “What kind of foundation?”

Xu Xiaoshou smiled mysteriously. “It’s a spiritual skill that allows you to grow larger, and it requires a strong foundation.”

Grow larger? Mu Zixi froze, then her face completely darkened. “Xu Xiaoshou, what do you mean by that? I don’t have a foundation?”

“Heh heh.” Xu Xiaoshou quickly retreated. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Cursed, Passive Point, +1, +1, +1, +1…”