Chapter 491: The Person Riding Arjie

Bai Ku.

Two figures of similar height, both exceptionally short, wearing masks and straw hats, strolled casually along the road.

"Mmm, A Jie, A Jie, when do you think we'll reach the end? This Bai Ku has no maps, no Xu Xiaoshou, and absolutely no sense of direction!"

"A Jie, A Jie, where do you think your Xu Xiaoshou—that is, your mama—is right now?"

"A Jie, A Jie, why aren't you saying anything?"

A Jie finally turned his head slightly.

Mu Zixi let out a deep sigh.

She had never imagined that entering the teleportation array in Bai Ku would result in random teleportation. This time, it had separated her directly from Xu Xiaoshou. For a moment, she had no idea which way to go.

Encountering A Jie on the road was pure coincidence. He stood there like a fool, silent, arms crossed, as if following some order. Scattered around him were broken bones and a pile of shattered weapons. Clearly, even A Jie had faced numerous attacks after entering Bai Ku.

Mu Zixi was different. Upon entering Bai Ku, it was as if some mysterious guidance was at play; she had barely encountered any enemies. Every few hours, she would see a faint spatial rift in the distance. It seemed to convey a subtle intention, urging her to go and investigate.

But how could Mu Zixi dare? As soon as something so inexplicable appeared, she thought of the so-called "World Origin Point" she had swallowed. At first, the call from deep within did tempt her, as it might allow her to undergo a direct transformation in power. However...

"Keep going forward."

Another voice in her mind would occasionally interrupt, whenever she felt the impulse to change direction. This was a female voice, completely opposite to her own style—full of allure and mystery.

"Sister?"

Mu Zixi tentatively called out in her mind. But ever since this mysterious consciousness had awakened, it had only spoken to her a few times. Otherwise, it only appeared when she made some major mistake in judgment.

"Who are you, anyway..."

Mu Zixi felt frustrated. She had never thought that within one body, there could be a second consciousness. Fortunately, this consciousness didn't seem to interfere with her. Yet, this "seeming" was starting to change over time. Strictly speaking, ever since she had swallowed the "World Origin Point" last time, the other had become much stronger. Or rather, it wasn't the other—it was "me"!

"Open!"

Mu Zixi lifted her eyelids beneath the straw hat. Suddenly, her innocent eyes surged with black and white mist—one yin and one yang, one righteous and one evil. With these eyes, she could clearly sense any trace of heavenly dao energy within dozens of li around her. Though she hadn't yet reached the Zongshi realm, a feeling arose in her heart that "Zongshi is nothing special."

The little girl clenched her fists. After the change in her eyes, she felt her body split into two parts. If she channeled the white power, she could feel the spiritual energy of heaven and earth turning into her own, endless and inexhaustible. But if she channeled the black power...

Mu Zixi didn't dare touch it. Because as soon as she did, she sensed the other consciousness awakening wildly. It seemed to want to take over everything!

"Shen Mo Tong..."

The little girl murmured. These eyes were called "Shen Mo Tong," something she had learned from her memories. After absorbing half of the "World Origin Point," she could fully control this power. And if she wasn't mistaken, its initial awakening was during her time at Tian Sang Ling Palace, when that blind man attacked, and she had a high fever...

After that fever, it seemed she had even undone the headmaster's seal. The power she used back then must have been from this "Shen Mo Tong." But...

"Why?"

Mu Zixi was baffled. Why did she have that fever? Why could she undo the headmaster's seal? And that blind man...

Mu Zixi fell into thought.

"Do I have some connection to him?"

It wasn't unfounded; when Ye Xiaotian was sealed, the black and white mist in his eyes looked exactly like her own "Shen Mo Tong."

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

Mu Zixi called out sadly. A Jie was too quiet. She needed a Xu Xiaoshou to chatter in her ear. Maybe, if she had the chance, she could even resolve her troubles?

"Keep going forward."

That voice in her mind appeared again. Sure enough, her idea was rejected once more?

Mu Zixi grew stubborn.

"I'm going to talk to him!"

"Keep going forward."

"I won't! I'm going left!"

"Keep going forward."

"I'll go backward!"

Mu Zixi took a step back.

"Ow."

The next second, she clutched her head. It hurt so much... She had acted out again... Waaah, Xu Xiaoshou, I'm being bullied, where are you...

"Bang bang!"

Distant booms echoed from far away. Mu Zixi, having pushed "Shen Mo Tong" to its limit, tried to see what was happening, but her strength was too low to unleash much of its power. Ahead, there was nothing but white skeletons and barren land.

"Such big explosions— it has to be Xu Xiaoshou..."

"The last huge noise was probably his doing too, but I got there too late..."

Mu Zixi felt downhearted. When she arrived last time, all that was left was a massive crater and traces of intense battle. From the devastation, it was definitely Xu Xiaoshou's work. Unfortunately, she was too late.

"Come on, A Jie, let's go find your mama!"

Mu Zixi steeled herself, ignoring the stinging in her mind, patted A Jie's shoulder, and strode toward the explosion site.

A Jie looked down at his patted shoulder, his eyes flashing red, and his arms nearly uncrossed. But he remembered Xu Xiaoshou's instructions:

"One, if anything unexpected happens and I'm not around, stay put with your arms crossed and wait for me. Don't start a fight unless someone attacks first, or I won't pay attention to you."

"Two, my friends— the people you see often— even if they touch you, think of it as a joke and don't react, or I won't pay attention to you."

"Three, don't call me mama."

A Jie vaguely recalled confirming with a "mama," but Xu Xiaoshou had just held his head and sighed, looking exasperated.

He really had remembered. Honestly.

"A Jie, A Jie, hurry up! We're about to see your mama!"

Mu Zixi rushed ahead and turned back when she saw he wasn't following, waving him over.

A Jie murmured something, then lowered his arms, his eyes glowing red and piercing through his straw hat.

"A Jie?"

Mu Zixi was startled. She recalled Xu Xiaoshou's warnings to her and Xin Gugu:

"If we get separated in Bai Ku and I'm not there, avoid A Jie as much as possible— just note his location and wait for me."

But Mu Zixi wasn't afraid. A Jie had always been well-behaved. It was just this unusual behavior that surprised her.

"What's wrong?"

She asked, stepping closer to A Jie. He stared at her intently, then suddenly turned his head toward the direction they had come from.

"Who?"

Mu Zixi looked alertly in that direction. At the edge of her sight, a little monk of similar height to them approached slowly.

The monk wore a red kasaya. Around his neck hung a string of dark Buddhist beads, each one huge—half the size of his head. There were eighteen beads in total, almost dragging on the ground. This oversized string was probably stolen from his master... Mu Zixi thought.

In his hand, he carried a black Zen staff, shrouded in overwhelming demonic energy. At a glance, Mu Zixi felt a familiar aura— it matched half of her Shen Mo Tong.

Further back, the monk's small frame couldn't hide the golden ritual blade on his back, radiating brilliant Buddhist light and exuding an air of immense value. If she sold it...

"Amitabha."

Though he hadn't taken more than a couple of steps, the monk was already in front of them. He stopped three zhang away, adjusted his feet to stand perfectly parallel, then glanced at A Jie before focusing on Mu Zixi.

"Greetings, female benefactor. I am Bu Le."

He bowed gracefully.

Mu Zixi couldn't help but laugh at the childish voice trying to sound so mature.

"Hello, Master Bu Le. Are you lost?"

"Master?"

Bu Le, the little monk, paused at the title. The next second, his fair face couldn't hide his delight. His lips curved into a smile, his eyes crinkling like crescent moons, full of joy.

"I dare not claim that title. I... I mean, I dare not be called master."

He tried to suppress his grin but failed miserably.

"Your outfit makes you look just like a master!"

Mu Zixi bared her little tiger teeth, chuckling uncontrollably. This little monk was hilarious! He looked so pleased with the flattery but tried to act all serious. His words and actions were completely at odds with his beaming face.

"Please don't call me master, female benefactor. I am not worthy."

Bu Le planted his black Zen staff on the ground, turned his head to hide his smile until it faded, then faced her again with a serious expression.

"I am not lost. I came here specifically."

"Oh?"

Mu Zixi raised an eyebrow. "You know me?"

"I do not."

Bu Le said solemnly. "But I am here to resolve your karmic debts."

"Karmic debts?"

Mu Zixi covered her mouth and giggled. "Master Bu Le, what karmic debts do I have?"

"Um..."

Bu Le's smile bloomed again. He turned away, covering his face with his hand until the smile vanished, then turned back. "Very heavy karmic debts, originating from your eyes."

"Uh."

Mu Zixi's smile froze. She scrutinized the monk, her expression turning hesitant.

"Who are you?"

"I am Bu Le."

"You don't know me, so why are you here?"

"To eliminate your karmic debts."

"What do my karmic debts have to do with you?"

"I need to cultivate."

Mu Zixi's face stiffened. Cultivate? By eliminating others' karmic debts? The Eastern Domain was the domain of the Sword God; there were no Buddhist disciples here! Where did this guy come from? Was he drawn here by Bai Ku?

"I have no karmic debts."

Mu Zixi said seriously. She pulled A Jie's hand.

"A Jie, let's go!"

This little monk was strange, and Mu Zixi could tell. At least, his equipment wasn't something an ordinary spirit cultivator could have. And those karmic debts... Was he talking about her eyes?

A Jie looked down, staring for a long time at the hand Mu Zixi had grabbed. Suddenly, he stepped forward, turning to face the little monk directly.

Bu Le bowed to him. "This benefactor, you have no karmic debts. I do not wish to redeem—"

A whoosh of wind, and A Jie vanished, reappearing instantly in front of Bu Le. A powerful kick swept down.

"No!"

Mu Zixi shouted. Having followed Xu Xiaoshou for so long, she knew a bit about A Jie's combat ability. That kick would likely smash the other to pieces! He was just a cute little monk...

"Boom!"

Instead of blood and flesh flying, a thunderous crash erupted where the black Zen staff met A Jie's leg. Both were flung back—A Jie retreated three steps, while Bu Le flew back three zhang.

"This..."

Mu Zixi's pupils shrank. So strong! Not A Jie— it was this sudden little monk. How could his power be so abnormal?

At the critical moment, a faint golden Buddhist intent enveloped Bu Le's body. Relying on that and his Zen staff, he had repelled A Jie?

"So strong..."

Bu Le was shocked too. Where did this guy come from? He showed no sign of cultivation, yet his physical strength was so formidable? If he hadn't sensed the danger and activated his "wish force" in time, just the "Prison Void Demonic Staff" left by his master wouldn't have been enough to block it. In the Eastern Domain, among those of similar height, there was such a powerhouse? He had come to the right place!

Besides fulfilling his master's dying wish to obtain the "Four Swords," this trip wouldn't be boring!

However...

"As a monk, I do not harm the innocent. The one I wish to redeem is this female benefactor. This has nothing to do with you, so please leave."

Bu Le set down his Zen staff and pressed his palms together.

A Jie's eyes glowed redder. An opponent! This was an opponent!

He vanished again, reappearing behind Bu Le.

"Thud!"

A punch landed on the Zen staff, which Bu Le had quickly raised. Bu Le didn't resist; using the recoil, he lunged straight toward Mu Zixi.

"Little tree, rise!"

Mu Zixi remained calm. She clapped her hands, and a massive ancient tree burst from the ground, catching Bu Le off guard and flinging him into the air.

"Boom!"

The tree crown exploded. Bu Le steadied himself in the void without a moment's hesitation, swinging his demonic staff and charging at Mu Zixi again. Unharmed!

"Solid wood burst..."

Before Mu Zixi could finish, A Jie reappeared behind Bu Le, grabbing his ankle and swinging him hard.

"Boom!"

Bu Le, staff and all, was slammed into the ground dozens of zhang deep.

"Cough, cough."

"You're really strong..."

This guy was enveloped in Buddhist light, like nothing had happened. He dusted off his backside and stood up.

Can't keep fighting... Mu Zixi decided upon seeing this. She wasn't afraid of battle, but this mysterious little monk was too powerful. This fight served no purpose. It would be exhausting and unrewarding, and if A Jie got carried away and forgot to protect her...

"A Jie, run!"

She urged anxiously, "Let's find your mama first."

"Don't run, kill him!"

The voice in her mind suddenly returned. Mu Zixi felt the demonic power of Shen Mo Tong surging wildly, nearly overwhelming her consciousness.

"Shut up!"

She scolded angrily in her mind, cutting off the terrifying force rising from her soul.

"I want to see Xu Xiaoshou first, then we'll talk."

"I don't want to fight him!"

Mu Zixi sensed she had been too harsh and explained in her mind.

"Kill him."

The voice weakened.

"Why kill him? He hasn't done anything wrong, and I might not even win."

"I'll lend you my power."

"Lend it to me so I can run. Once I find Xu Xiaoshou, I'll fear nothing."

The voice fell silent.

Mu Zixi ignored it and turned urgently to A Jie.

"A Jie, let's go first. We can fight after we find your mama!"

But how could A Jie agree? In this world, besides Xu Xiaoshou's orders, who could make him stop a battle that had just begun?

"If you don't go, Xu Xiaoshou will be angry!"

Mu Zixi put her hands on her hips, frustrated.

"Mama?"

The red glow in A Jie's eyes dimmed suddenly. He calmed down. He glanced at the figure in the pit, then flashed to Mu Zixi's side. A Jie's tone was eager, as if Xu Xiaoshou had to be seen, and this fight had to happen!

"Want to run?"

Bu Le in the pit hadn't expected the two, who were just fierce moments ago, to suddenly decide to leave. He ignored his pain and leaped up, swinging his black Zen staff down.

"Stop!"

Mu Zixi opened Shen Mo Tong in anger, glaring over. She was just testing its power, not expecting...

"Boom—"

The void exploded. A black void formed, and spatial fragments scattered everywhere.

"Pfft!"

The staff was blasted away. Bu Le spat blood and flew backward.

Mu Zixi was stunned. She had only meant to try immobilizing him with a glance. Who knew that with a slight use of Shen Mo Tong's power, this little monk, who could match A Jie in strength, would be sent flying?

"What just happened..."

No wonder that voice wanted her to kill the monk. Was Shen Mo Tong really this powerful?

Her vision blurred. Mu Zixi felt her eyes growing dry. She wiped them and found blood on her palm.

"I'm bleeding..."

A sense of unease crept in. Mu Zixi realized the cost of using this power. If she kept this up, would she go blind? Then she wouldn't even see Xu Xiaoshou!

"Run."

"Run first."

"A Jie, A Jie..."

The blurry scene made Mu Zixi's voice tremble. She fumbled beside her, seemingly knocking into something and touching something sticky.

She blinked, and her vision cleared.

A Jie's straw hat had clearly been knocked off by her. And her hand, somehow, had ended up in his mouth. That sticky stuff...

Saliva?!

"Oh, sorry, sorry."

Mu Zixi quickly withdrew her hand, picked up the straw hat from the ground, covered the piercing red light on his head, and wiped her hand on her skirt as if nothing had happened.

"I didn't do anything."

"You didn't see anything."

A Jie murmured unconsciously, clenching his fists slowly before crossing his arms again.

Mu Zixi turned away, tiptoeing to glance into the distance. That little monk didn't seem to have recovered yet?

"Run, run."

"Find Xu Xiaoshou first."

"He's too weird—definitely not a good guy."

She grabbed A Jie's hand and prepared to take off. Suddenly, she realized her flying speed wouldn't be fast in this vast plain.

"A Jie, A Jie, can you carry someone?"

Mu Zixi asked hurriedly.

"Mama?"

A Jie seemed stunned. Before he could react, the girl had already moved behind him and patted his back.

"Oh, you're so dumb, bend down a bit!"

"Mama?"

A Jie's eyes flickered with disbelief, his arms nearly uncrossing. But before he could move, Mu Zixi had already jumped onto his back!

That was...

Even Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't dare climb on!

A Jie was dumbfounded. His hands, which had just relaxed, hung there, unsure whether to attack or not.

"Duh, hook your arms under my knees and fly!"

"Fly, don't you know how?"

"Use the speed you had when you were fighting, and I'll point the direction—full speed ahead."

Mu Zixi removed the bothersome straw hat from A Jie's head and glanced back. "Hurry, he's getting up!"

Tap tap.

A Jie uncertainly hooked his arms under her legs and took two steps forward.

"Don't run..."

Bu Le struggled to his feet, his face pale and weak, with black patterns crawling over his skin. He wasn't weakened from the blast— it was because, in that instant, the "Prison Void Demonic Staff" had its seal slightly loosened by the enemy's demonic energy, releasing its full power and sending him flying.

"Who is that little girl, and why does she have such heavy demonic energy?"

Bu Le wondered. Soon, his doubt turned to determination.

"No matter, I must... I mean, I must redeem her!"

"I need to cultivate. My 'wish force' can grow even more. I can definitely..."

"I can definitely redeem her and save my master!"

"No!"

Bu Le propped himself up but collapsed again. He reached out, black patterns winding around his hand, yet he stubbornly crawled toward the "Prison Void Demonic Staff," his face still showing seven parts defiance.

"No, it's not me— it's I, the monk!"

Injured this badly? Mu Zixi saw the monk's condition and felt less afraid. But as he crawled, the black patterns were gradually absorbed by the golden ritual blade on his back, and his face began to flush with color.

This recovery ability was just like Xu Xiaoshou's, version two!

"Fly fast!"

A Jie bent his knees hesitantly, about to leap.

"Wait."

Mu Zixi suddenly pressed his head, her eyes sliding to the back. "If Xu Xiaoshou were here and the other guy was this weak, what would he do..."

Her gaze locked on the monk's target. Clearly, that demonic Zen staff was no ordinary item.

Mu Zixi extended her hand, turning it into a vine that snatched the "Prison Void Demonic Staff" from where Bu Le was crawling.

Bu Le froze. He lifted his head, disbelief on his face.

"No!"

"You can't take it. That thing has demonic energy. If an ordinary person holds it, you'll explode from—"

Bu Le's words stopped. Because Mu Zixi grabbed the staff effortlessly, as if it were nothing, and patted A Jie's head.

"Giddy up!"