Chapter 644: A Stick, Two Piles of Crap

“Hall Master Jiang?”

The White-robed Sovereign was startled for a moment.

Jiang Bianyan—that was the branch hall master of the Holy Divine Palace in Dongtian Royal City.

Although they both shared the Sovereign cultivation level, Jiang Bianyan’s status was immeasurably higher than his own.

This scion of a noble family… he knows Hall Master Jiang?

How high was his status?

Just that single remark made the White-robed Sovereign more cautious. Although the young man's words still needed verification, it was better to err on the side of caution. At this critical juncture, avoiding any mistakes was paramount.

“Young man, you know Hall Master Jiang, but are you aware that Hall Master Jiang is now a thing of the past?”

“A thing of the past?” Xu Xiaoshou looked bewildered.

“Indeed.” The White-robed Sovereign nodded. “During the battle at White Cave in Tiansang Prefecture, Hall Master Jiang led a group of white-robed figures to assist. He died gloriously, achieving outstanding merit… The branch hall master of the Holy Divine Palace in Dongtian Royal City has already been replaced.”

Xu Xiaoshou genuinely hadn't expected this. Jiang Bianyan went to White Cave too? He only knew that Baxuan’an's Heart Sword technique had slain over seven hundred white-robed figures in White Cave, regardless of distance. But he never thought that Jiang Bianyan had also perished!

“So, who’s in charge of Dongtian Royal City now?”

“Cheng Ji, Hall Master Cheng.” The White-robed Sovereign stared intently at the young man, seemingly trying to discern something from his eyes. But how could Xu Xiaoshou's disguise be easily seen through? He only detected a hint of slight regret, but not a shred of surprise. Evidently, the death of someone as high-ranking as Hall Master Jiang hadn't even stirred a ripple in the young man's heart.

This Young Master Xu is truly extraordinary!

[Received Awe, Passive Point +1]

“Cheng Ji… I truly don’t know him.” Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brow slightly, as if suddenly remembering something. “Cheng?”

“Yes.”

“From the Cheng family? Then do you know someone named Cheng—” Xu Xiaoshou suddenly paused, as if due to the passage of time, he couldn't recall the name of such a minor figure. But after pondering for a long while, he finally remembered, “Cheng Xingchu?”

The White-robed Sovereign was surprised. “Young man, you know Young Master Cheng?”

“I wouldn't say 'know' him…” Seeing his expression, Xu Xiaoshou knew things would be easier. He said indifferently, “The Cheng family merely came to offer birthday wishes to my grandfather some time ago, and we met once.”

“Birthday wishes?”

[Received Suspicion, Passive Point +1]

Hearing this tone, the White-robed Sovereign realized that even Young Master Cheng Xingchu's status was likely far beneath that of the young man before him. He no longer dared to press for the young man's identity, only asking, “Then, young master, do you have any token that can prove your origin?”

The moment the honorific “you” was used, Xu Xiaoshou felt even more at ease. But, fate would have it, Xin Gugu immediately seized the opportunity to show off.

“A token?!” His voice immediately rose. “After all that's been said, it's still not enough to prove his identity? What are you good for? If you can't handle this, then call out Cheng Ji for my young master!”

The White-robed Sovereign's brow furrowed. Xu Xiaoshou himself was startled. Sensing trouble, he immediately pressed down on Xin Gugu's shoulder and said, “My subordinate is ignorant, please don't take offense.” After glaring Xin Gugu away, he turned to face the White-robed Sovereign. “I won't make things difficult for you. Register us then.”

With that, he flicked his sleeve, raised his head, and an inexplicable aura descended, suppressing all.

“Northern Region, Taixiang Xu Family!”

At those few brief words, everyone's hearts trembled, and their heads unconsciously lowered slightly. Even the long queue of people waiting behind felt their bodies sink. It was as if, with the mention of the “Taixiang Xu Family,” the whole world had to bow, and no one could surpass them.

The White-robed Sovereign was taken aback by this sudden aura. There was no need to think; anyone who could suppress everyone present with a simple name... this young man's background must be, at the very least, from a Grand Void family.

—Indeed, just as he had expected!

“Northern Region?” Low gasps erupted from within the long queue. “The War God Heaven of the Northern Region! It's my first time seeing someone from there. What's the background of this Xu family? Have any of you heard of them?”

“No… But that aura just now, they must be at least a Dao Severance family. Did you feel your hearts palpitate? When 'Taixiang Xu Family' was uttered, I felt an inexplicable mighty force suppressing me.”

“Damn it, good thing my knees are sturdy. I almost knelt just now. This Xu family, this Young Master Xu, they're incredible!”

“Sure enough, Dongtian Royal City is about to be in great turmoil…”

[Received Fear, Passive Point +75][Received Adoration, Passive Point +38][Received Affection, Passive Point +6]

The white-robed guard also heard the low murmurs from behind. After inscribing the information onto a jade slip, he asked again, “Northern Region, Taixiang Xu Family, what's the name?” Before Xu Xiaoshou could speak, the White-robed Sovereign slapped the head of the guard recording the information and muttered, “Young Master Xu!”

“Oh, right.” The guard inscribing the jade slip quickly understood. Clearly, with such a background, providing this much information was already quite cooperative.

“Taixiang Xu Family…” The White-robed Sovereign's eyes showed a contemplative look. But no matter how much he pondered, he had no solid leads. In his memory, let alone the Xu family or Taixiang, he wasn't even very clear about how many factions existed in the Northern Region. This confusion wasn't limited to the White-robed Sovereign; even the three companions traveling with Xu Xiaoshou were filled with bewilderment that they dared not show.

However, it had to be said that Xu Xiaoshou's choice of words was incredibly clever. If he had merely announced “Xu Family,” these people would likely have continued to interrogate him. But adding the prefixes “Northern Region” and “Taixiang,” combined with the overwhelming pressure of “Spirit Swallowing Mountains and Rivers,” instantly imprinted the subjective impression of a major power onto everyone present. Xu Xiaoshou didn't even know where Taixiang was. But he knew whether simply stating “Zhao Zilong” or “Zhao Zilong of Changshan” sounded more impressive—and that was enough.

These were all just minor tricks. Before the white-robed guards could inquire further, Xu Xiaoshou waved a hand and told his three companions, “You all go in first. I have a question for this brother here.” His gaze swept over, landing on the White-robed Sovereign. This move, taking control of the situation, inexplicably stunned all the white-robed guards. The one inscribing the jade slip was still pondering whether to ask for the names of the remaining three, when the White-robed Sovereign waved his hand grandly.

“Let them in!”

Special individuals receive special treatment. Since they came from the Northern Region, it's either for a truly important matter, or they're here for the Dongtian Royal City's trial qualification. Considering that the arrogant subordinate possessed Sovereign cultivation, this was a force the city gate guards couldn't afford to offend. Any demands, as long as they weren't excessive, should be accommodated.

“May I speak with you for a moment?” Xu Xiaoshou watched his three companions enter the city smoothly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He couldn't register his true identity, nor could he allow the four of them to leave too many traces of their previous identities. Therefore, he had to adopt an aggressive approach, imprinting the “arrogant” impression of their group of four onto the minds of these city gate guards as a preconceived notion.

He was here to stir up trouble in Dongtian Royal City. Once things escalated later, everyone would begin investigating his identity. His previous identity would be hard to trace, so the starting point for their investigation would have to be these Dongtian Royal City gate guards. At that time, what the gate guards said and how they described him would be crucial. Although it was merely a step into the city, Xu Xiaoshou was attempting to play a grand game of chess, laying traps from the very beginning. Later, when everything detonated, right and wrong would be blurred, and discerning truth from falsehood would be difficult. He could then fish in troubled waters more easily.

All of this, he had learned from the powerhouses in White Cave who had been planning for centuries.

“Please.” The white-robed guard led Xu Xiaoshou to the side of the city gate, ensuring not to obstruct others entering, then asked, “May I ask, Brother Xu, what guidance do you have for me?”

[Received Respect, Passive Point +1]

“Brother Xu”... Xu Xiaoshou was even more satisfied.

“I wouldn't presume to offer guidance. How should I address you, brother?” he asked first.

“Wang Chao.”

“Dynasty Domination, what a great name!” After a word of praise, Xu Xiaoshou's expression turned serious, and he went straight to the point: “Brother Wang Chao, when I passed through other cities before, the registration process wasn't this complicated. Now…” He let his words trail off, not stating it directly, but his eyes were full of inquiry.

How could Wang Chao not see what the other party wanted to ask? He sighed, “The increased workload isn't what we wished for either; it's all orders from above.”

“Brother Xu, coming from the Northern Region, you might not be aware of how many significant events have occurred in the Eastern Heaven Realm recently. The Holy Divine Palace's siege of White Cave, the successive appearances of the Saint Servants and the Xuyue Gray Palace… You should be able to find out about all this by simply inquiring once you enter the city.”

“I do know a thing or two about that…” Xu Xiaoshou's eyes narrowed into a smile. “There are the Four Swords, after all!”

Wang Chao thought to himself, *You know squat.* The Four Swords are already not very important in the face of these other forces. But he didn't dare show his inner thoughts, only explaining, “The Four Swords are merely a minor matter. The main issue is the appearance of the Saint Servants; their impact is too great. Currently, among those strictly being screened, the main focus is to guard against the Saint Servants and Ghost Beasts.”

“Oh?” Xu Xiaoshou feigned surprise and said, “Saint Servants and Ghost Beasts—can you possibly screen them, just with you lot?”

Wang Chao: “…”

As expected, a scion of a noble family who thought nothing of others, speaking without thinking and showing no respect.

[Received Curse, Passive Point +1]

He didn't pay much attention to the other party's tone and continued, “Relying solely on us, we certainly can't screen them all, but…” Wang Chao's voice trailed off, and Xu Xiaoshou understood.

“Someone else is watching?” He looked up at the sky, seeing nothing. But he knew in his heart that there were probably Dao Severance-level white-robed and red-robed figures watching from the city gate. His previous actions had probably caught the attention of these individuals. However, the fact that those people hadn't appeared yet indicated that his performance was flawless. After establishing the preconceived notion of “no problems,” any subsequent attempts by the white-robed and red-robed figures to investigate would likely face a drastic increase in difficulty.

Excellent, this was precisely the effect he wanted!

Wang Chao didn't reply, so Xu Xiaoshou took it as an affirmation. He smiled and asked, “Saint Servants, Ghost Beasts, those aren't what I'm concerned about. My main purpose in coming here is to ask about the trial situation in Dongtian Royal City?”

Indeed… Wang Chao instantly understood. Although he couldn't discern the other party's cultivation, there were no Heavenly Dao fluctuations around the young man, so his cultivation must not have reached the Grandmaster realm. And an Innate realm cultivator, traveling thousands of miles from the Northern Region to the Eastern Region… The only thing he could be after was the trial.

“Under the influence of various factions, the Dongtian Royal City trial has been moved forward,” Wang Chao said.

“Moved forward by how long?” Xu Xiaoshou vaguely recalled that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Royal City trial should begin in about one or two months.

“Within half a month.” Wang Chao's words were startling.

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised. “Half a month?”

“Mm.” Upon receiving the affirmative reply, he instead fell silent. Logically speaking, advancing the trial should be a good thing. However, to claim that the White Cave incident affected the Royal City trial might fool others, but it certainly wouldn't fool him!

“The Royal City trial concerns the qualification for the Holy Palace. It's held simultaneously across all five regions of the continent; it's impossible for it to be affected by something as minor as White Cave.” Xu Xiaoshou said with a smile, “There must be other reasons!”

[Received Admiration, Passive Point +1]

Wang Chao's eyes flickered with surprise. He had originally thought this was a foolish, dissolute young master who only had the right to bully others by relying on his family's influence and bringing a Sovereign-level subordinate. He never expected this fellow to possess some cleverness?

“Brother Xu, these matters involve classified information, so I regret I cannot elaborate,” he said, shaking his head, determined not to speak.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't seem to mind. “I understand that. I didn't come here to deliberately make things difficult for you… How about this: I have a few more doubts. You don't need to elaborate on your answers, just tell me 'yes' or 'no' when I'm done asking, alright?”

Wang Chao was momentarily stunned. *This guy, he wants to deduce answers from my expression?*

“No, I'm afraid I cannot answer!”

“Then…” Xu Xiaoshou frowned. The previously pleasant conversational atmosphere suddenly grew heavy. Wang Chao felt an inexplicable pressure and his heart tightened.

*This pressure…**Could it be that the Sovereign-level subordinate is merely the obvious protector?**Does this Young Master Xu secretly have a Dao Severance expert protecting him as well?*

After a long period of contemplation, exerting enough psychological pressure, Xu Xiaoshou finally said with slight dissatisfaction, “Just saying 'no' to everything should be fine, right?”

*What kind of answering method is this?* Wang Chao was somewhat bewildered and didn't know how to refuse at the moment. Xu Xiaoshou didn't wait for his reaction, nor did he want to give him time to refuse, and continued to ask:

“From what I understand, even if Saint Servants enter the city, they wouldn't send only Innate cultivators. If they were just Innate, even if they participated in the trial, they would be utterly insignificant. If they were to come, it would only be at the level of the Saint Servants' Ten Seats. And your people…” He looked up at the empty sky. “Are these the ones you're guarding against?”

Wang Chao remained expressionless, determined not to let the other party discern anything. “No.” He shook his head with remarkable firmness.

[Received Deception, Passive Point +1]

Xu Xiaoshou kept his thoughts hidden and continued, “The Saint Servants and Ghost Beasts coming and the Royal City defending against them have nothing to do with the trial itself. In other words, the claim that the Royal City trial was moved forward by several months because of the White Cave battle is pure nonsense!”

Wang Chao's heart was startled, and his expression grew even more serious. “No.”

[Received Deception, Passive Point +1]

Xu Xiaoshou understood. The Saint Servants calling him over to be a troublemaker indeed had a reason. Baxuan’an's true intention wasn't for him to achieve first place in the trial at all. Aside from the trial, there was another scheme in Dongtian Royal City, a profound grand scheme hidden beneath the surface. A super grand scheme that required trials across all five regions of the entire continent to be moved forward by several months to cover up the truth, and necessitated Dongtian Royal City deploying Dao Severance or even higher-cultivation powerhouses to prevent it!

What could it be? Xu Xiaoshou instantly linked this to Baxuan’an's inexplicable actions of going to White Cave and then letting the matter drop without resolution. As Wang Chao said, the “Four Swords” had, under the pushing and pulling of various forces, already become a superficial smokescreen meant to attract everyone's attention. What was truly hidden beneath the iceberg was what these people valued.

*I'm one stick, supposed to stir two pots of shit?* Xu Xiaoshou was speechless. He knew there was a trap, and sure enough, as soon as he asked, the trap revealed itself!

“As expected…” He was about to continue speaking, but the words caught in his throat, and Xu Xiaoshou suddenly paused. Some matters, if he pressed further, might not end well. After all, there were true powerhouses watching from above.

“Alright, that's enough. Many thanks, Brother Wang Chao.” He patted the White-robed Sovereign, nodded his head slightly towards the unknown person above, and strode into the city. Who was watching from above, he didn't know, nor could he see them at all. But that wasn't important. What was important was that the other party could see him; that was enough!

“Indeed, he can see them…” Wang Chao gazed at the departing figure, his heart deeply shaken. A mere Innate realm cultivator, if he didn't have a Dao Severance expert protecting him, how could he possibly see the white-robed and red-robed seniors above?

“Taixiang Xu Family…” Wang Chao muttered absentmindedly.

[Received Fear, Passive Point +1][Received Scrutiny, Passive Point +2][Received Speculation, Passive Point +2]