Chapter 524: Legend

What more could I possibly give?

The little monk was on the verge of tears. Slumped on the ground, he tried to push himself up, but felt utterly powerless. It seemed there was nothing left to give, besides what Xu Xiaoshou had just suggested: stripping off all his clothes and throwing them to the dogs.

“Xu Xiaoshou!” From behind, Mu Zixi finally couldn't stand it. “How can you bully him? He’s just a child!”

“Bully?” Xu Xiaoshou was amused. “Little Junior Sister, try to be more clear-headed. I'm standing up for you.”

“But…” Mu Zixi suddenly hesitated. He had a point, though! She had been chased for no reason; wasn't having a senior brother like him to defend her exactly what she had always wished for?

Yet, seeing the little monk under Xu Xiaoshou's gaze, progressively defeated in both spirit and word, until even his last remaining treasures were taken from him... If she didn't intervene, wouldn't this monk likely be stripped of everything, down to his very skin?

“This is taking it too far…” the young girl mumbled. The little monk was truly pathetic. Even though she was the victim, she couldn't help but feel a surge of sympathy for him at that moment.

“How about we just let it go? He’s already in such a state…” Mu Zixi said timidly, pointing at the little monk on the ground.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Bule nodded frantically. His eyes, now fixed on the benefactress he had once thought to be a demon, were incredibly warm.

“What ‘state’ is he in?” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes. “He hasn't lost any limbs; he still has two eyes and a nose. He's perfectly fine. You make it sound like I've committed some heinous act.”

Bule: “…”Mu Zixi: “…”

Everyone present was speechless. This Xu Xiaoshou… He truly hadn't inflicted any physical harm. But through his words and actions, haven't you utterly shattered that little monk's spirit?

“Prison Void Demonic Staff, Buddha-Slaying Saber…” Yu Zhiwen murmured. Her attention wasn't on these minor details at all. After a moment of thought, she asked in surprise, “Are you a disciple of the Western Buddhist Sect?”

“Uh… yes,” Bule replied, turning his head slowly. He had noticed this beautiful older sister long ago. However, at the time, they hadn't conversed, and he couldn't speak, so he was unaware of this older sister’s… or rather, this benefactress’s background. Yet, it seemed Xu Xiaoshou was entirely unaffected by his words. This benefactress, on the other hand… Was she the only one here who recognized his identity?

“The Grudge Buddha…” Yu Zhiwen murmured again, then frowned and asked, “If Buddha harbors resentment, hell will overflow; if the northern Sophora sheds no tears, heaven too shall weep… The master you spoke of, is that ‘The Grudge Buddha,’ correct?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the little monk Bule nodded emphatically. “Great! Now I’m saved! Finally, someone familiar knows my master's history!” He asked, surprised, “Do you know my master?”

“I know of him, but it’s impossible for him to know me,” Yu Zhiwen said with a smile. “I’ve only heard the legends of ‘The Grudge Buddha.’”

“Ah, I see…” The little monk's eyes immediately dimmed. Oh, right. My master has been gone for so many years. This benefactress is so young; how could she possibly have known him? I was truly… fantasizing.

“What riddle are you two speaking in?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, turning his head curiously. “What are all these lines about?”

Yu Zhiwen smiled faintly. “Haven’t you heard of the legend of the Ten Exalted Ones of the Central Domain?”

“Ten Exalted Ones?” Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. He had indeed heard of this title. If he remembered correctly, the Eighth Sword Immortal was among them?

“So, this is related to all that… ‘If Buddha harbors resentment’ nonsense you were speaking of?” Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

“Of course,” Yu Zhiwen said. “Perhaps the most widespread legend in the Eastern Domain is simply that of the Eighth Sword Immortal. But the struggle for the Ten Exalted Ones in the Central Domain back then was a truly brutal contest. Yu Zhiwen pointed at the little monk. The caliber of his master’s generation of Ten Exalted Ones was almost the highest in history. Nearly every powerful individual from the Five Domains of the continent mobilized, solely to contend for those ten supreme positions. The poem I recited was merely a mnemonic jingle composed by a curious bard back then, arranged according to the rankings of the Ten Exalted Ones.”

“Who are they?” Xu Xiaoshou’s interest was immediately piqued.

Yu Zhiwen let out a soft sigh, her eyes reflecting a hint of yearning, and recited softly:“Kuiliehan, Eight Revered, gods and ghosts unpredictable, reaching the sky.Gou Wuyue, daughter’s fragrance, breaking through the mundane world, fighting the ghost gate.If Buddha harbors resentment, hell will overflow; if the northern Sophora sheds no tears, heaven too shall weep.The moon, drunk in wine, only regret remains, half loving common people, half vast coldness!”

She tilted her head, her eyes crinkling in a smile. “It’s easy to remember, isn’t it?”

“It’s indeed quite easy to remember…” Xu Xiaoshou unconsciously echoed her words, slightly dazed. In just a few short lines, he not only heard several familiar names, but also, within those fragments, he could glimpse the brilliance of an era teeming with geniuses and the clashing sounds of blades. That bard’s recitation was truly masterful!

“Ten Exalted Ones, ten people?” he asked.

“Yes,” Yu Zhiwen nodded. “One line, one person.”

*Hiss.* Xu Xiaoshou finally understood the little monk’s true background. The Grudge Buddha? If Buddha harbors resentment, hell will overflow? He stared in disbelief at the little monk slumped on the ground. This guy has such a prominent background? The Eighth Sword Immortal was also one of the Ten Exalted Ones. To put it another way… Isn’t this little monk essentially a direct disciple of the Eighth Sword Immortal?

*Damn it…* Xu Xiaoshou felt a surge of panic. Suddenly, he had the urge to return the “Prison Void Demonic Staff” and “Buddha-Slaying Saber.” It’s easy to invite a Buddha, but difficult to see him off! Now that he’d fleeced him, what if they came for revenge later?

Bule, observing the shock in Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes, clearly saw the reverence this guy held for his master. His chubby face crinkled, and his eyes narrowed into smiling slits. “See? My master is amazing, isn’t he!”

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the monk’s smug expression, as if he could read his thoughts. — *Now that you know my master’s identity, do you still dare to mess with me?*

A wave of irritation immediately welled up in him. “Little fellow, your master is so formidable, yet you’re disgracing him like this? You’ve broken all three Buddhist precepts and nearly succumbed to demonic influence. How can you even show your face?” Xu Xiaoshou’s lips twitched as he retorted harshly, “If I were you, I’d be so mortified I’d just kill myself on the spot.”

Bule: “…” His smile froze. His cheeks burned, and he felt as though he could crawl into a hole and disappear.

“Xu Xiaoshou,” Mu Zixi called out again, a hint of worry in her eyes. Before, unaware of the little monk’s prominent background, she had let Xu Xiaoshou lecture him. But now… She herself was perfectly fine. Yet the other party had such a powerful background. Her Senior Brother truly didn’t need to offend them just to defend her.

“It’s fine,” Xu Xiaoshou replied. He knew what this girl was thinking. He wasn't overly concerned. He could tell that the little monk had a decent upbringing and a clear sense of right and wrong. He had just offered words of insight, helping the monk to understand his own demonic affliction and even overcome it. This was no small favor. Ultimately, Bule’s current predicament stemmed from his youth, willfulness, and tendency to act on impulse, not from any malicious intent.

“Ten Exalted Ones…” Xu Xiaoshou’s attention, however, was drawn to the Ten Exalted Ones. He snapped out of his thoughts and asked, “You said the mnemonic for the Ten Exalted Ones is arranged by rank? Then who is this ‘Kuiliehan’ from the first line? He ranks ahead of the Eighth Sword Immortal?”

Xu Xiaoshou was utterly disbelieving. The Eighth Sword Immortal, whose legend was sung across the entire continent, was only ranked second? Who, then, could be ranked first?

“Kuiliehan…” Yu Zhiwen’s eyes revealed a look of reverence. “Kuiliehan, Eight Revered, gods and ghosts unpredictable, reaching the sky! This senior wasn’t just ranked ahead of the Eighth Sword Immortal. With him present, even the current Grand Master of the Holy Divine Palace could only be ranked third…”

Only then did Xu Xiaoshou realize. Indeed. This extraordinary individual had indeed outranked the two strongest fighters he currently knew of! One from the Sword Dao. The other from Heavenly Divination. Both were incredibly formidable figures.

“So, who exactly is he?” Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but ask again.

Yu Zhiwen composed herself before slowly replying, “Kuiliehan’s real name is Cao Yihan, and he’s an Artifact Forger. The reason he ranked first among the Ten Exalted Ones…” She paused, and then Yu Zhiwen’s brow suddenly furrowed. “Actually, the ranking of the Ten Exalted Ones shouldn’t be interpreted so literally; many had no will to fight by the end of the competition. For instance, Ai Cangsheng, who held the lowest rank, and Kong Yuhen, who was the last to emerge. One is among the Three Emperors of the current Holy Divine Palace, and the other wields the power of time. If they truly fought, even the Eighth Sword Immortal might not be their match.”

“Time?” Xu Xiaoshou was awestruck. He had heard of the Space attribute. Ye Xiaotian, for example. But time… Among everyone he’d met so far, only the Ninth Swordsman of the Three Swordsmen seemed capable of wielding even a sliver of time-related power. And that was just the barest hint. So, does someone truly wield the ‘Time’ attribute in this world? Xu Xiaoshou gasped. This talent… As expected, comparing oneself to others only leads to frustration!

“So what?” he pressed. “Why was Kuiliehan first?”

Yu Zhiwen brought the conversation back. “Kuiliehan ranked first because, during the competition for the Ten Exalted Ones, he unleashed a power unrivaled in the world. It was a groundbreaking power, one that had never appeared before!”

“What power?” At this, not only Xu Xiaoshou was captivated. Even Mu Zixi, the little monk, Xu Xiaoji curled in a distant corner, and A-Jie, who loved to learn, all craned their necks, listening intently.

“Mind Power!” Yu Zhiwen stated firmly, “Initially, it was just Mind Power, but as the battles progressed and he gained enlightenment, Kuiliehan completely transformed it into a new form of power—Thorough God-Sense!”

“Mind Power? Thorough God-Sense?” Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded. He felt his mind buzz, as if something clicked into place.

“The Mind Power you’re talking about, could it be…”

“Could it be what?” Yu Zhiwen turned her head.

“No.” Xu Xiaoshou exhaled, thinking of his Ten-Segment Sword Fingers and the “Mind Power” he had awakened in the Heavenly Xuan Sect. Could it be… the same thing?

Yu Zhiwen, unfazed, continued, “Mind Power is a unique force that combines one’s form, qi, and spirit, transforming intent into tangible substance. On its own, this power was only considered ‘decent.’ While conceptually, it undeniably surpassed all previous notions, in terms of actual power, when pitted against spiritual techniques capable of world-shattering destruction, it could only be described as ‘adequate.’ But Thorough God-Sense is different.” Yu Zhiwen gasped, then continued, “Thorough God-Sense, building upon the foundation of Mind Power, incorporates the insights of a Spirit Refiner, establishing a complete connection with the Heavenly Dao. Moreover, it can momentarily intercept… no, it completely controls a portion of the Heavenly Dao’s power! Control…”

Yu Zhiwen herself seemed to disbelief her own words, yet she continued. “Controlling the power of the Heavenly Dao — isn’t that the power of gods? Who could believe that? No one!” she answered her own question. “Thus, despite everyone’s disbelief at the time, Kuiliehan used his lightning attribute, combined with Mind Power, to commune with the Heavenly Dao, thereby manifesting the primordial form of the first-generation Thorough God-Sense: Divine Punishment! Divine Punishment…” She shook her head, her eyes filled with admiration. “The emergence of this first-generation Thorough God-Sense truly revolutionized the previous power system, enabling Kuiliehan, even at the Path-Cutting level, to master the power of the Grand Void. He even ‘stole’ a trace of divine power, far beyond that of a Saint Emperor! This divine power, it is said, forces even Half-Saints to momentarily retreat!”

*Hiss!* A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers. Even the little monk Bule was stunned. His master was indeed The Grudge Buddha, one of the Ten Exalted Ones. But he had left early, and rarely spoke of his own legends from his peak. As a result, Bule was largely ignorant of these secrets. He had only known his master was powerful, but never how powerful. But now, he understood. To be ranked among the Ten Exalted Ones alongside someone who, at the Path-Cutting realm, could threaten a Half-Saint… Master is truly… astonishingly powerful!

Xu Xiaoshou’s thoughts, however, were entirely different from Bule’s. His point of shock centered on “Mind Power.” According to Yu Zhiwen, the power he had comprehended in the Heavenly Xuan Sect was indeed the initial form of “Thorough God-Sense.” But! Wasn't it comprehended from the “Ten-Segment Sword Finger”? Didn’t the Eighth Sword Immortal himself create it? How could it be connected to Kuiliehan? There must be…

“The Mind Power you’re talking about, no, Thorough God-Sense, Divine Punishment? Was it truly Kuiliehan’s own realization, not a plagiarism of others’ achievements?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, surprised.

“Plagiarism?” Yu Zhiwen was immediately amused. “As the founder of the first-generation Thorough God-Sense, how could ‘plagiarism’ possibly describe him? Who could he plagiarize? Who could have provided him with a concept to ‘plagiarize’? Conversely, every second-generation Thorough God-Sense that has emerged in the world today is a genuine appropriation of Kuiliehan’s intellectual creation. It’s just that, in terms of power, very few have managed to reach the level of the first-generation Thorough God-Sense.”

As she spoke, her gaze suddenly fixed on Bule. “Little monk,” she said with a smile, “if I’m not mistaken, the golden Buddhist glow that just emanated from you must have been ‘Thorough God-Sense,’ correct?”

“Uh…” Bule’s face flushed. Plagiarism… He couldn't accept this word.

Yu Zhiwen turned to Xu Xiaoshou. “The Buddhist sect’s ‘Vow Power’ is a second-generation Thorough God-Sense, developed by The Grudge Buddha himself, combining his own Buddhist path with the first-generation Thorough God-Sense, ‘Divine Punishment.’ It’s one of the rare powers in this world capable of somewhat contending with the first-generation Thorough God-Sense.”

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood. No wonder. No wonder, when that phantom figure appeared behind the little monk just now, enveloped in Buddhist radiance, he, with his Grandmaster physique and “Rebound” ability, couldn't even hold his ground and was forcibly flung back.

“Second-generation Thorough God-Sense, then?” He murmured, then suddenly asked, “Among the second-generation Thorough God-Senses, besides the Western Buddhist Sect’s ‘Vow Power’ you mentioned, what other notable ones are there?”

Yu Zhiwen’s eyes curved in a smile. “You’re a sword cultivator; you should be asking yourself that question.”

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. He immediately reacted, letting out a gasp. “Sword Sense?”

“Yes!” Yu Zhiwen smiled and nodded. “Legend has it that the Eighth Sword Immortal and Kuiliehan were close friends. This Sword Sense was developed by him, building upon Kuiliehan’s ‘Divine Punishment’ and refined through their joint discussions. It represents the absolute pinnacle of second-generation Thorough God-Sense. Kuiliehan entered Thorough God-Sense through the path of a Spirit Refiner. The Eighth Sword Immortal was different; he was both a Spirit Refiner and an ancient sword cultivator. In his pursuit of surpassing his predecessors, he didn’t rely on the conventional Spirit Refiner’s path to enlightenment. Instead, he purely employed the most direct method of Mind Power condensation. And then, astonishingly, he completely integrated the ‘Sword Sense’ system through the cultivation methods of ancient sword cultivators. Unlike other Thorough God-Sense, if one were to discuss the purest form of ‘Thorough God-Sense,’ even Kuiliehan himself would deem ‘Sword Sense’ as paramount. Furthermore, unlike other Spirit Refiners’ second-generation Thorough God-Senses, this ‘Sword Sense,’ unique to the Sword Dao, stands alone at the top, with no close second.” Yu Zhiwen held up a single finger. “It’s one of a kind!”

“So that’s how it is…” Xu Xiaoshou finally understood what he had just comprehended. So, his Mind Power, after all this, has such a history. He suddenly remembered something. If Sword Sense is truly one of a kind, then doesn’t that mean its cultivation method is also exclusive? His pupils suddenly constricted. Xu Xiaoshou felt he had stumbled upon a crucial detail.

“How does one cultivate Sword Sense?” At this strange question, not only the little monk but even Mu Zixi was bewildered.

“Xu Xiaoshou, are you crazy? You’re asking others how to cultivate Sword Sense, when you yourself already…”

“Uh?” She paused, then looked bewildered herself. Yes! How did Xu Xiaoshou acquire Sword Sense?

Yu Zhiwen glanced at Xu Xiaoshou peculiarly. She was still lost in the magnificent glory of a bygone era, unable to extricate herself, and hadn’t considered this point. She simply said softly, “There are indeed cultivation methods for Sword Sense that have been passed down, but unfortunately, I don’t know them. Legend has it that after the Eighth Sword Immortal fully comprehended Sword Sense, he compiled all the essence of ancient sword cultivation into a book titled *The Observer Sword Canon*. To cultivate Sword Sense, one would have to find the lost *Observer Sword Canon*. Why do you ask about… hmm?” She suddenly stopped speaking. Xu Xiaoshou… he also possesses Sword Sense!

Yu Zhiwen: ??? “Your Sword Sense…”

He took a few quick steps backward. Xu Xiaoshou, looking stunned, stumbled backward repeatedly. He couldn’t hear anything anymore. When the words “*The Observer Sword Canon*” were uttered, his mind buzzed again, and everything clicked into place. The scruffy old man! That scruffy old man… he’s the one who gave me *The Observer Sword Canon*… So! Xu Xiaoshou stared, utterly incredulous. So, he had actually met the Eighth Sword Immortal? That person was the Eighth Sword Immortal?!

“No, no, no!” Xu Xiaoshou immediately overturned his own deduction. If the Eighth Sword Immortal was that old man… then where did the “Holy Slave” masked figure he’d originally theorized fit in? It couldn’t be that these two individuals actually confirmed the most improbable deduction in his mind… “They’re the same person? The Holy Slaves were founded by the Eighth Sword Immortal?”

My heavens… Xu Xiaoshou felt his mind turning to mush!

“Xu Xiaoshou?”“Xu Xiaoshou!”

The voices in his ears grew louder. Xu Xiaoshou barely snapped back to reality, seeing Yu Zhiwen and Mu Zixi both looking at him with worried expressions.

“I’m fine.” He quickly waved a dismissive hand.

“I know you’re fine,” Yu Zhiwen said, her concern elsewhere. “What did you just realize…”

“No.” Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, unable to utter another word.

“The Eighth Sword Immortal?”

“No,” Xu Xiaoshou denied.

“Hmm…” Yu Zhiwen’s starlike eyes narrowed. She was also startled by her own conjecture, but immediately dismissed it. “It’s impossible it was the Eighth Sword Immortal. *The Observer Sword Canon* has long been lost, but remnants of Sword Sense cultivation methods do still exist, albeit incomplete, and can be found in two places. Perhaps what you obtained is an incomplete Sword Sense cultivation method from one of those two locations.”

Lost… Xu Xiaoshou thought, there’s no way it was lost. Back then, the scruffy old man destroyed the Red Dog with two fingers, and an ancient book was slapped right in front of him. How was that “lost”? That was *The Observer Sword Canon* itself!

“What places?” He didn’t show his surprise, instead following up with the question.

“Can Yue Immortal City, and the Buried Sword Mound,” Yu Zhiwen replied.

“Hmm?” Xu Xiaoshou’s thoughts immediately snapped back. Buried Sword Mound? He recalled that the Three Swordsmen seemed to have emerged from there, didn’t they? Oh, right. They also possess Sword Sense…

“Tell me more?” Xu Xiaoshou looked up, ending his contemplation.

“Can Yue Immortal City was actually established in recent decades, but it’s gained considerable prominence, subtly threatening to usurp the title of the Eastern Domain’s foremost sword cultivator force. Its founder, it’s rumored, is a registered disciple of the Eighth Sword Immortal. If *The Observer Sword Canon* is lost, the most likely place for it to surface would be Can Yue Immortal City. As for the Buried Sword Mound… The Buried Sword Mound is a place that has existed since ancient times. It was originally a mountain called ‘East Mountain.’ However, because it became the repository for the fate of countless swords from across the land, it collapsed inward, earning it the name ‘Buried Sword Mound.’ Speaking of the Buried Sword Mound…” Yu Zhiwen paused, a faint smile gracing her lips. “There’s a very interesting legend about the Buried Sword Mound.”

“What legend?” Xu Xiaoshou asked, looking at her.

“Actually, it’s not just a legend; it’s a fact.” Yu Zhiwen’s smile deepened. “Each generation’s leader of the Buried Sword Mound is known as the ‘Sword Bearer.’ The current Sword Bearer, Wen Ting, was a friend the Eighth Sword Immortal made before his rise to prominence, and they traveled the world together. He’s very powerful. But no one truly knows the extent of his power. Because no matter how strong a sword cultivator might be, no one could compare to the Eighth Sword Immortal’s radiance. But his brilliance was eventually revealed to the world… Only after the Eighth Sword Immortal’s demise!” Yu Zhiwen paused dramatically.

“Why?” Undoubtedly, everyone present was now keenly interested.

“Because…” Yu Zhiwen covered her mouth, her eyes twinkling with an uncontrollable smile. She seemed to be mimicking the tone of storytellers from that era, her voice tinged with mischief and teasing. “Because it was only after the Eighth Sword Immortal’s demise that the world discovered… Ah! So the one who journeyed through the Five Domains alongside the Eighth Sword Immortal wasn’t just the wielder of Yue Lian, the most renowned sword, but also one of the Seven Sword Immortals!”