Chapter 843: Dead and Reborn, The Strongest Among the Youths

Inside the Yunlun Mountains.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

Three streaks of light darted across the sky, vanishing into the clouds and mist in an instant.

"Someone else just passed by," the trial participants below looked up, full of emotion. "Just how many Grandmasters has the Fire-element Origin Stone attracted? They've all been holding back, and now that the Origin Stone has appeared, they're not even suppressing their cultivation levels anymore."

"That's right. In just half a day, we've seen no fewer than two hundred Grandmasters here. Who knows how many others have broken through in other areas?"

"Let's just focus on finding Cloud Pearls. These treasures aren't something we can contend for. Even if we could get one, who among us could hold onto it?"

"You're right..."

Envy flickered in the eyes of the lower-level trial participants, but they knew well that the Origin Stone was not something everyone could afford to pursue. Instead, with the high-level powerhouses drawn away by the Origin Stone, they had ample time and space to accumulate points.

In the sky above.

Xu Xiaoshou and his two companions, sprinting at the peak speed of Grandmasters, reached the inner section of the mountains in just half a day. Indeed, when they abandoned the task of accumulating points and focused solely on traveling, the Yunlun Mountains, spanning tens of thousands of miles, could be traversed in just over a day.

"Young Master Xu, we're almost there," Liu Changqing said, checking the trial map as they continued to travel. Their speed was incredibly fast, but because of the distance, the coordinates of the Fire-element Origin Stone had already started to move.

"It's moved again," Xin Gugu remarked, also looking at the trial map. "But you can only see the coordinates moving when you zoom in. It probably means people have started fighting over it, but the battles are all happening in one place, with the Origin Stone constantly changing hands."

Xu Xiaoshou understood what was happening as soon as he heard this. A supreme powerhouse had not yet arrived at the location of the Fire-element Origin Stone. Otherwise, the Origin Stone's coordinates would surely begin to move at high speed.

"Let's hurry over. As long as we can get there first, no one will be able to snatch the Origin Stone from my grasp!" Xu Xiaoshou declared. He was afraid of arriving late and having the Origin Stone fall into the hands of people he couldn't easily deal with, such as fellow Saint Servants, stowaways, or other successors of Half-Saints. It would be hard to say whether a fight would break out then. He feared the item wouldn't be easy to obtain, and the process would become troublesome. However, if he secured the initiative, given his identity and strength, he wouldn't fear even encountering a stowaway.

"Tap."

The three rushed forward at full speed, but suddenly, a faint landing sound came from a distance. A tremendous sense of threat washed over them. The three stopped in unison, hovering in mid-air, and turned their gaze to look.

"Who's there?" Xu Xiaoshou was surprised. Who in these Yunlun Mountains could give him such a jolt? A stowaway?

He looked closer. The person wasn't a stowaway, but the black-clad trial official he had seen from afar the day before. Black clothes, still the standard black uniform. But the person himself wasn't the one he had encountered a day ago. While the face might seem unfamiliar to others, it instantly struck terror into Xu Xiaoshou.

"Yu Lingdi?" Xu Xiaoshou was terrified. Wasn't this young face precisely Yu Lingdi, the Chief of the Spirit Division, who had tortured him almost to death in the Eight Palaces and was later forcefully slain by Elder Sang?

"How is he here?" "He's not dead yet?" "He really isn't dead!"

A flash of lightning seemed to strike Xu Xiaoshou's mind. Innumerable fragments of memory instantly linked together, merging various recent events: the night rain in Wangcheng, the peeping tom... the hidden dark hand, the ultimate pursuer of various forces... and, Dao Slaying!

Yes. Xu Xiaoshou could tell with a single glance. If Yu Lingdi truly wasn't dead, there was only one remaining possibility: after Elder Sang had cut off all paths of revival for him through various means, including the Heavenly Dao and elemental resurrection, the only way he could have survived was a breakthrough in the face of death.

"Breaking through to be reborn from the ashes, rising from a bloodbath?" Xu Xiaoshou felt his scalp tingle. How terrifying! Elder Sang, a Void realm expert, had used such methods to kill a young Throne, yet couldn't completely destroy him, and he was revived? Is the Perfected Dao Realm truly that formidable?

But the key point was that Yu Lingdi had clearly been annihilated, body and soul, in the Palaces. Even Gou Wuyue had been enraged by it. How could he possibly be revived? What was used to revive him? Did he have backup plans left behind, thousands of miles away?

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill run down his spine. The vast world truly held endless wonders. Even after being utterly shattered, could the Chief of the Spirit Division find another way to live and start anew?

"Three of you." Yu Lingdi stepped forward, imbued with Dao Rhyme. This time, he had lost the arrogance he displayed during their first meeting in the Eight Palaces. His demeanor was much calmer. He simply smiled and said, "I have been waiting here for quite some time."

"Who are you?" Although Xu Xiaoshou knew who the person was, the shock, surprise, and unfamiliarity he displayed at that moment were perfectly natural.

"You can call me a trial official." Yu Lingdi nodded slightly at Xu Xiaoshou and said, "But this visit isn't about the two of you. I'm here solely for him." As he spoke, he pointed at Liu Changqing.

Liu Changqing's heart skipped a beat, and his eyelids drooped, concealing the tremor in his pupils. He was already a Ghost Beast host and knew that trial officials were essentially Red and White Guards. The reason this person was here before him was strikingly clear. However, since the other party hadn't said anything explicit, he wasn't about to confess prematurely. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward and stopped him.

"A trial official?" "I've actually met trial officials before, but it seems you're looking for stowaways. What does that have to do with my companion?" Xu Xiaoshou asked calmly.

Yu Lingdi saw that among the three, Young Master Xu was the leader. Knowing that he wouldn't get to the person without Xu Xiaoshou's cooperation, he immediately said, "Young Master Xu has already stated my purpose, so why do I need to say more?"

"Hmph!" Xu Xiaoshou sneered, "I've seen you trial officials randomly apprehending and killing people, but since it didn't happen to me, I bothered less. However, if you truly intend to slander someone without proof and directly demand a person from my side..." He drew Hidden Bitter with a clang, pointed the sword tip, and sneered, "Then, forgive my Half-Saint Xu Clan, but from the perspective of our family rules, we cannot comply!"

His aura surged, pushing back the trial official's oppressive pressure. Xu Xiaoshou not only presented his identity as a Half-Saint's successor but also highlighted the Half-Saint Xu Clan's protective nature. He didn't believe Yu Lingdi would dare to offend a Half-Saint faction without good reason.

Yu Lingdi naturally didn't care about these things, but he was surprised by the strength of Young Master Xu's aura, which could actually stand against his own.

"You want evidence?" He tilted his head.

"If I don't demand evidence, does that mean in these Yunlun Mountains, whoever you say can be arrested will be arrested, and whoever you mark for death will die?" Xu Xiaoshou's face was frosty.

Yu Lingdi smiled. While he didn't care much for the identity of a Half-Saint's successor, he had a fondness for Young Master Xu's talent. So, he calmed his temper and explained, "You must have misunderstood. For everyone the trial officials apprehend, if you wish, we can provide evidence..."

*Clap* Xu Xiaoshou spread his hand, interrupting him. "In that case, produce it!"

Yu Lingdi raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased at being interrupted, but then he nodded slightly, pointed at Liu Changqing, and stated bluntly, "He has mastered Heaven's Secrets, and his level isn't low. Coincidentally, a Ghost Beast that also mastered Heaven's Secrets and had powerful abilities escaped from the City in the Sky a few months ago. The methods they use are largely similar. This, I believe, counts as evidence, doesn't it?"

Facing a Half-Saint's successor, Yu Lingdi held nothing back. Ghost Beasts were a secret to the common world, but those who traveled the path of Half-Saint families were generally quite knowledgeable about them. After all, family members also feared that if their younger generation went out without knowing anything, they might coincidentally get entangled with a Ghost Beast.

Liu Changqing, listening from the side, felt his heart sink to rock bottom. He had never imagined the Red Guards' senses were so keen—so keen that a mere suspicion could genuinely lead them to the right person. Immediately, his hands and feet turned cold, and despair bloomed deep within him.

Xin Gugu felt the same. He was also a Ghost Beast host, and his only stroke of luck at the moment was that he had hidden himself well enough, so the Red Guards' target wasn't him.

Both looked at Xu Xiaoshou simultaneously. They saw Xu Xiaoshou, who, upon hearing this, paused for a moment, then reacted by bursting into laughter.

"Is that all?" he scoffed.

"That's not enough?" Yu Lingdi frowned.

"Mere suspicion, what's that enough for? Enough for you Red Guards to directly intervene and try to arrest someone from my Half-Saint faction?" Xu Xiaoshou was utterly speechless. He paused, then widened his eyes and asked mockingly, "Do you trial officials think that my Half-Saint Xu Clan should also be treated like common folk, allowing you to arrest us at will, send us for interrogation if you have suspicions, and then, if you have none, throw us back like toys, huh?!" He nearly roared the last word.

Both Xin Gugu and Liu Changqing were startled. They had no idea Young Master Xu would be so unyielding. He was so unyielding that Xin Gugu, at that moment, genuinely believed Xu Xiaoshou was a true Half-Saint successor, backed by a colossal power capable of rivaling the Holy Divine Palace, supporting him in uttering such offensive words to the Red Guards. It was too convincing! Exactly like the real thing!

Yu Lingdi was also choked. He hadn't expected Young Master Xu to be so resilient under pressure. His Dao Slaying aura could suppress a Throne at the innate level, yet against Young Master Xu, it seemed utterly ineffective. The person opposite him was not only unafraid but could even face a trial official calmly, matching him in both words and demeanor, truly on equal footing.

Admiration gleamed in Yu Lingdi's eyes. Such young people were rare. He was indeed worthy of being someone even Sword Immortal Rao was tempted to recruit into the Holy Divine Palace. He believed that another Half-Saint successor might not be able to achieve what Young Master Xu had demonstrated. And precisely, what Young Master Xu said was indeed true! The Red and White Guards could apprehend people at will; as long as there was suspicion, they could seize someone for interrogation. But this unwritten rule, let alone for Half-Saint factions, even for a Void family, the higher-ups wouldn't allow them to act this way. Because if they didn't make a mistake, it would be fine, but once they genuinely arrested the wrong person, the subsequent repercussions would be enormous. After all, once you entered a Red Guard prison, even if you didn't die, you'd be stripped bare!

"You are quite interesting," Yu Lingdi said with a smile. He had originally assured Sword Immortal Rao with confidence that this would be an easy task, as he had observed Young Master Xu. Yet, he hadn't realized that the facets of Young Master Xu he had seen before were all facades. Deep down, this young man was extremely intelligent, composed, and calm. He possessed all the qualities expected of a Half-Saint successor, and Yu Lingdi believed he was among the top talents even within his own clan!

However... if another trial official had come, they might genuinely have been deterred. Just like during the night watch, they would have been genuinely intimidated by "Young Master Xu's" identity. But Yu Lingdi wouldn't be! Who was he? He was neither a Red Guard nor a White Guard. He belonged to the "Six Divisions," an organization under the Holy Divine Palace with a status equal to that of the Red and White Guards. Moreover, he was the Chief of the Spirit Division among the Six Divisions, not just an ordinary member. To put it another way, in a sense, apart from the Red Guard's supreme leader also holding the title of "one of the two major Dao-wielding rulers," Yu Lingdi could stand as an equal to Rao Yaoyao! For this mission, working alongside the East Heaven Royal City, Yu Lingdi wasn't deployed as a subordinate but came to assist and help. He wasn't a night watchman. Though young, he was Yu Lingdi. In this East Heaven Royal City, he was second only to one person, above thousands. With such a status, what could he possibly fear?

"What if I disregard everything and insist on taking this guardian beside you?" Yu Lingdi's expression turned stern, reverting to the arrogant and conceited demeanor expected of a young individual holding such a high position in the Holy Divine Palace.

Xin Gugu and Liu Changqing both trembled. They both simultaneously felt that the moment the young trial official's gaze shifted, all elements between heaven and earth vanished, replaced entirely by water elements. There was clearly no domain here, yet, under that crushing aura, it was as if the entire Yunlun Mountains had become the young trial official's domain. In this region, what he said was law. Whoever he wanted to kill would die, whether it was Xin Gugu, a Throne realm cultivator, or Liu Changqing, a Dao Slaying realm expert!

"So strong..." Xin Gugu and Liu Changqing exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other's eyes. The strongest among the younger generation they had ever seen was arguably Young Master Xu. Yet, this person who had just appeared, though young, possessed the might of Dao Slaying. And not just an ordinary Dao Slaying, but a peak Dao Slaying expert who could effortlessly unleash a move that even Liu Changqing couldn't withstand!

A terrifying pressure bore down. Yet, Xu Xiaoshou didn't even waver. He said calmly, "You can try."

"Oh?" Yu Lingdi chuckled softly, taking a step forward. The ground within a ten-mile radius cracked open with a rumble. Ripples spread through the void, as if unable to withstand the world-destroying aura, threatening to collapse.

"Pfft..." Xin Gugu spat out a mouthful of blood and retreated repeatedly. He was currently feigning the cultivation of a Grandmaster who had just broken through from innate, and his disguise would not falter in the face of life and death.

"Ugh!" Liu Changqing's face also flushed, and his cheeks puffed out, but he stubbornly swallowed the blood. They were all intelligent people and hadn't forgotten how weak a Grandmaster was when facing a peak Dao Slaying expert, unable to even withstand a surge of their aura! Both of their performances were flawless.

Yet, Xu Xiaoshou, who bore the brunt of the pressure, did not retreat a single step before this imposing Dao Slaying might! He even raised Hidden Bitter in his hand, gripping it tightly, and forced a faint, calm smile. "Among the younger generation, I never fear anyone, nor will I ever retreat half a step, even if you are a Dao Slaying expert!"

"Even if I am the Chief of the Spirit Division, even if my name is Yu Lingdi?" Yu Lingdi's eyes held a playful glint as he took another step forward. Space shattered completely. Xu Xiaoshou's body swayed slightly, yet he remained firm. While surprised at how a young person could cultivate to such a degree, he also knew that the only difference between him and the opponent was the duration of their cultivation. And to think he could suppress him with just aura... What was "Aura Devouring Mountains and Rivers" for, then?

Facing such pressure now, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had returned to the illusion, facing the colossal giant. Among his peers, one who had once brought him the burden of death, and another who could now bring him an overwhelming aura, instead of crushing him, only further ignited the blazing battle spirit in his eyes.

Xu Xiaoshou gripped Hidden Bitter. Hidden Bitter had no concept of fear, humming erratically, its sword intent surging, constantly pushing back against the overwhelming pressure. Xu Xiaoshou's chest swelled with pride, knowing that Yu Lingdi could never suppress him with mere aura. He lifted his chin, his gaze disdainful, arrogance soaring, and declared resolutely:

"Never mind who you, Yu Lingdi, are. Today, even if space and time were distorted and the young Eight-Sovereign An came here, he wouldn't make me retreat a single step!"

"You want to take someone? Fine." Xu Xiaoshou sneered, his tone shifting, creating an immediate tension. "If you're brave enough, then get past my sword!"