Chapter 882: Imitator, the Second Xu Xiaoshou?

"What the hell?!"

Yi stared at the completely blackened, raging giant before him, utterly stunned.

He had fought Xu Xiaoshou before. But that time, Xu Xiaoshou had consumed holy blood, unleashing combat power far beyond his cultivation level, in addition to that strange "Ordinary Punch." Yi had been caught off guard by the sneak attack.

The power of the holy blood usually just dissipated with time. Last time, he had underestimated his opponent. This time, Yi had learned his lesson, waiting for Xu Xiaoshou to consume the holy blood again and preparing for that peculiar "Ordinary Punch." But to his surprise, facing him again, Xu Xiaoshou possessed other abilities and could even transform into this!

Yi had seen intelligence on the Holy Servant Xu Xiaoshou and knew that he indeed possessed a spiritual technique to transform into a giant. However, he never imagined the oppressive force that came with the transformation would be so terrifying!

"Have-Four-Swords...""This kid's body is completely suffused with the demonic energy of Have-Four-Swords.""I absolutely cannot be harmed by him, not even a superficial cut, or the demonic energy will completely invade me."

But! Yi's face twitched as he looked at the giant swords in the raging giant's hands. Blazing Python and Have-Four-Swords. Both could almost completely ignore Void-level defenses. Moreover, Xu Xiaoshou also commanded sword intent; fighting him without taking any damage would be absolutely impossible!

"Roar—"

While Yi was quickly calculating everything in his mind, the raging giant opposite him could no longer wait. With a colossal roar, the giant flapped its twin wings.

"Whoosh!"

The figure vanished completely.

"So fast?!" Yi's pupils constricted. He had assumed that the giant's massive size would inevitably lead to slow movement. Yet, with just one flap of its wings, the giant was already upon him.

"Boom!"

The raging giant stomped its foot down. With a thunderous crash, the terrifying explosive power of its explosive form utterly shattered the ground. Yi reacted quickly, flashing backward.

Unexpectedly, the raging giant, who appeared completely insane, turned around with remarkable rationality, as if it had eyes on its back. The massive Have-Four-Swords came slashing towards him again.

"Little guy, you're really getting addicted to fighting, aren't you?" Yi grew furious. His sleeves burned away, revealing two pairs of utterly charred hands extended into the air. He actually intended to use his bare hands to block the violent slash from Have-Four-Four-Swords.

"Clang!"

The moment the edge of Have-Four-Swords met the Sleeveless Red Scorched Hands, the space within several hundred zhang shattered from the shockwave.

"Not good!" Yi instantly sensed trouble. The physical strength of the raging giant was terrifying. Its pure physical power alone was probably incomparable to the combined might of an average Sovereign or Path-Severer. Adding various special spiritual techniques with amplifying properties… Yi even felt that the various powers emanating from the raging giant, when gathered, seemed to form the rudimentary characteristics of the Void-level's insoluble power.

"Flash!"

The moment Have-Four-Swords broke through his spiritual energy defense, Yi dared not overextend himself and instantly teleported away. In that instant, he felt the power of sword intent and had no desire for his hand defenses to contend with the sharpness of that world-renowned demonic sword. If he won, it would merely be blocking an ordinary attack. If he lost, just a slight cut to the skin, and the malevolent demonic energy of Have-Four-Swords could drive any non-ancient sword cultivator in the world to qi deviation!

"Why?""Why would he master the Sleeveless Red Scorched Hands?"

Behind, Lei Xier watched, greatly confused. The penetrating wound in her chest had already fully healed under the large influx of life force transmitted by Xu Xiaoshou. Watching from afar now, she could clearly see that the hands on Yi's transformed body, Sang Lao, the same hands that had just pierced both her and Xu Xiaoshou, were Sang Lao's famous ultimate technique—Sleeveless Red Scorched Hands! But that shouldn't be… Even if Yi possessed the ability of myriad transformations, surely, he couldn't also master the spiritual techniques that a transformed person needed to cultivate for a very long time, could he?

At this moment, Ancestor Wuji had approached from behind. He explained very seriously: "Yi is the Chief of the Six Divisions. He carries 'The Mimic,' one of the Ten Great Anomalous Weapons of the continent. The Ten Great Anomalous Weapons, regardless of their offensive power, are renowned for their strange properties, capable of rivaling even the might of the Ten Supreme Divine Artifacts. Are you wondering how he learned the Sleeveless Red Scorched Hands?"

Ancestor Wuji paused mid-sentence, looking at Lei Xier beside him. Though Lei Xier had just recovered from severe injuries and still had a large amount of life force remaining, her delicate face remained sickly pale, yet it exuded another kind of pitiable beauty. She merely gave Ancestor Wuji a cold glance and didn't reply. Ancestor Wuji chuckled awkwardly, no longer daring to keep her in suspense, and gravely said, "The anomalous property of 'The Mimic' is that by simply obtaining the blood of the person you wish to imitate, you can transform into their likeness and possess any of their inherent abilities. While it cannot achieve a perfect hundred percent replication, it can mimic up to seventy-seven percent!"

At this, Lei Xier could no longer remain calm.

"Blood?""Seventy-seven percent?"

Just now, Yi had pierced through her with one hand, and in doing so, he had also pierced Xu Xiaoshou's chest. He had already obtained Xu Xiaoshou's blood, which meant... Lei Xier sharply turned her head, looking at Yi, who was dodging the raging giant's sword, seemingly searching for a weakness, and suddenly realized. Perhaps he was testing the raging giant's various ability values? Lei Xier grew anxious, her beautiful face hardening. She said, "Then what are you still doing here!"

"I, your ancestor, am here to apologize..." Ancestor Wuji took a long breath and, without giving Lei Xier a chance to react, stated in one breath, "I'm sorry. Although I had personal reasons, I truly shouldn't have put you second. I should have saved you first. My apologies!" After speaking, he bowed very solemnly. This bow exceeded even ninety degrees. Lei Xier could clearly hear cracking sounds from Ancestor Wuji's back, but he stubbornly completed the bow, almost touching his head to his shins.

Lei Xier raised an eyebrow. Ancestor Wuji was said to be the Saint Emperor of Void Island. Why would this person go to such lengths, doing this much? For her? Lei Xier immediately dismissed that thought. She then thought of Xu Xiaoshou but quickly dismissed that as well. If it were Mu Zixi, perhaps this would be the end of it. But Lei Xier felt that Ancestor Wuji's bow was not for them, these two juniors, at all. He was doing it for the Eighth Sword Immortal! He was afraid!

Lei Xier didn't care whether Ancestor Wuji apologized or not. At this moment, her only concern was the completely berserk Xu Xiaoshou. Even in this state, even wielding a demonic sword and a renowned sword... Could Xu Xiaoshou truly defeat a Void-level master? Lei Xier held a negative view. She wasn't doubting Xu Xiaoshou's combat prowess but was keenly aware of just how high the upper limits of true masters in the Void-level realm could be!

Watching Ancestor Wuji complete his bow with a cold gaze, Lei Xier said, "You should act now. If you don't, even if this is over, I can't guarantee you'll survive."

Lei Xier knew better than anyone in the world, even Xu Xiaoshou or Mu Zixi themselves, just how far Xu Xiaoshou would go for Mu Zixi. Ancestor Wuji actually wished Yi could withstand a few more attacks, allowing Xu Xiaoshou to vent all his anger. But clearly, he also knew the urgency of the situation. Xu Xiaoshou alone, even in this state, might be able to contend with Yi for a while, but to oppose or slay a Void-level master... Nonsense!

"I, your ancestor, still have a small matter to attend to. It'll only take a moment. Once all his escape routes are cut off, I guarantee Yi won't be able to flee." Ancestor Wuji looked up at the sky, assuming a profound and mysterious demeanor. Lei Xier's delicate brows furrowed. Ancestor Wuji noticed and hastily explained, "Actually, someone outside has detected an anomaly and wants to reclaim control of the Cloud Realm World. I must hold them off first. Don't worry, it'll only take a moment!"

Lei Xier turned back without a word, gazing at the battlefield, her God-Devil Eyes instinctively about to activate. But she wasn't Mu Zixi; she wouldn't act on impulse anymore. She forcibly suppressed the urge. "Wait a little longer, just a little longer..." She seemed to be explaining to herself. In such a situation, how much could a Grandmaster achieve? Even the God-Devil Eyes, at most, could control Yi for an instant if activated, but once he became wary, it would be difficult to gain any further advantage.

"Xu Xiaoshou, give me more time!" Lei Xier clenched her fists, no longer looking, and closed her God-Devil Eyes. Above her Qi Sea, the remaining vast power of the holy blood was continuously being devoured by the White Cave World Source. Mu Zixi didn't know how to use this World Source, only managing to deduce a slight effect similar to a Sovereign's domain. Lei Xier was different. Within her mind lay the complete memory inheritance of all the Lei family ancestors!

"Boom!""Boom boom boom!"

In the center of the battlefield, Yi had successfully launched countless sneak attacks, only to be blasted away by the terrifying physical strength of the raging giant's shockwave.

It was fortunate that it wasn't a cut from Have-Four-Swords. Otherwise, he would surely be bleeding now! "Goodness, how long has he been cultivating? You're almost catching up to your master's progress..." Yi was filled with exclamations. Among the Red Guards, there were always people saying Xu Xiaoshou's progress was rapid. Yi used to not believe it, but now, seeing this combat power that fully belonged to Xu Xiaoshou himself... Yi believed.

Once again, using the shockwave to propel himself far away, Yi's body stood suspended in mid-air. In front, the winged raging giant seemed to have grown very impatient, brandishing Have-Four-Swords, ready to chop towards him again. Yi remained unperturbed. He gazed at the raging giant from afar, stuck out his tongue, and licked the dried bloodstain on his charred right hand.

"Raging Giant, is it?"

From afar, the black raging giant flapped its wings and darted forward again. Yi, in his transformed Sang Lao form, curled his lips into a cold, unfathomable, eerie smile, then pressed his hands together.

"Mimic, Form!"

A brilliant white light burst forth from him.

At this instant, time seemed to halt. Ancestor Wuji, who was clashing with Yu Zhiwen from afar using Heavenly Mechanism Art, seemed to realize something and suddenly turned his head to look. Lei Xier, who was cultivating with closed eyes, also seemed to sense something special, and her God-Devil Eyes suddenly opened wide.

In the distance, the white light dissipated. Yi's transformed Sang Lao form was gone, replaced by Xu Xiaoshou! With wild black hair, a body radiating holy light, a handsome face, and a cold gaze surveying the world… it was Xu Xiaoshou at the Void-level!

The pupils of Lei Xier's God-Devil Eyes dilated. She was shocked. Even though her memory inheritance had indeed mentioned The Mimic a few times, when witnessing it firsthand, who wouldn't be amazed that such a divine artifact existed in this world, capable of imitating a person's appearance and abilities so flawlessly?

Lei Xier closed her eyes tightly. She seemed to be unable to wait. Life force surged wildly from her body, and the holy blood power in her Qi Sea rapidly burned. Just like the transformation of the God-Devil Eyes' power earlier, the white Deathly Hallows could be stained black in an instant. At this moment, Lei Xier's beautiful black hair also turned silver-white at a visible speed.

"Xu Xiaoshou, wait for me!"

While Ancestor Wuji and Lei Xier were both astonished by Yi's successful imitation of Xu Xiaoshou, Yi, in the center of the battlefield, looked at the "raging giant" charging at him, then lowered his gaze and scrutinized his own "short stature" a few times. Suddenly, his mind went blank.

"This shouldn't be..." He felt he might have missed a step. Perhaps Xu Xiaoshou's abilities required further activation.

So, facing the winged black demonic raging giant, Yi pressed his hands together again, murderous intent surging wildly in his mind, as if returning to the state Xu Xiaoshou was in before his transformation.

"Raging Giant, Form!"

With a hum, spiritual energy surged within his body, wrinkling Yi's new clothes. However, other than that, there was no other abnormality. Let alone the raging giant, Yi couldn't even imitate a fraction of the explosive golden light spots that appeared before Xu Xiaoshou's transformation.

"Impossible!!!" Yi was terrified. The Mimic could imitate any ability of anyone across the Five Domains of the Holy God Continent. Even a Saint Emperor – as long as one dared – could be successfully mimicked. But! Why couldn't The Mimic imitate Xu Xiaoshou's abilities? Was this guy beyond the Five Domains, not subject to the Great Dao?!

Before Yi could think further, the frenzied raging giant, having been delayed twice, came charging with its sword.

"Roar—"

The raging giant roared, unwilling to spare even a moment. It violently threw Have-Four-Swords, which, traversing the short remaining distance, pierced the demonic sword straight into Yi's chest from afar.

"Bang!"

The ground was instantly shattered. Have-Four-Swords had transformed into a giant sword, its size vastly larger than before. Just the blade entering his body completely severed Yi's entire torso, splitting him into two halves.

"Wind Cloud Avatar, Form!"

Yi despaired. He dared not try anymore, opting directly to sacrifice a rook to save the king. He conjured the half of his body that had just been severed by sword intent, using that half-remnant to absorb all the malevolent demonic energy from Have-Four-Swords. In just an instant, that remnant body completely blackened, demonic liquid oozed out, and then its power ran wild, exploding into fragments in mid-air with a bang.

"Go!"

Yi dared not wait. The other half of his remnant body forcefully merged into a whole, about to fly past the side of the raging giant's enormous head, which was unable to stop its forward momentum. But just as they brushed past each other... The raging giant suddenly turned its head. Their eyes met.

Soul Read!

"Buzz—"

Yi's mind instantly went blank, and his body trembled violently. As a powerful master of mental control, he immediately realized that Xu Xiaoshou possessed a supreme mental control technique he had never even heard of!

In his blackened state, Xu Xiaoshou's will had never actually wavered. He methodically controlled the battle, his countless seemingly random slashes designed to cultivate Yi's habitual thinking: "The raging giant is crazy, berserk, completely irrational." Only then did he finally seize Yi's weakness. One Soul Read technique completely shattered any possibility of Yi cutting off his tail to survive.

Having experienced backlash from Soul Read before, Xu Xiaoshou, unsure if Yi had encountered a half-saint, dared not maintain it for long. After controlling him for just an instant, he ended the awakened ability. Then, with a backhand grab, the giant's palm directly seized Yi, who was attempting to bypass him from behind his ear.

Thinking of Mu Zixi, thinking of Lei Xier... Fury welled up in his heart, and malevolence blossomed in his courage! In that instant, Xu Xiaoshou admitted he could no longer suppress the demonic energy. He should have ended his opponent directly, but as the tyrannical aura surged, the giant immediately leaped and twisted in mid-air. He swung his arm back. Terrifying colossal force flowed directly from his legs and waist, up to his right upper arm and palm, then he hurled Yi fiercely towards the ground!

Yi's body instantly turned into a streak of light.

"Boom!"

The ground for several miles around completely exploded, sending shattered rocks hurtling towards the sky. Yi's body was pulverized into fragments of flesh, blood gushing forth. He felt that the pain he endured in that instant seemed capable of rendering his soul utterly lifeless.

But Yi still wanted to live... So, seizing the moment his body was about to be smashed into the darkness underground, Yi attempted to reverse the situation. However, just as shattered rocks would be blasted skyward by a shockwave, Yi's several large chunks of pulverized flesh also bounced high up the moment they touched the ground.

At this instant, Yi's soul suddenly trembled, and an inexplicable sense of threat surged. The raging giant watched everything before it, then slowly opened its mouth, gently inhaling with "Breathing Technique."

"Whoosh—"

The shattered rocks were gathered, pushing Yi's remains, forming a line in mid-air. The raging giant extended its right hand forward, pointed a finger, aiming at all of Yi's flesh and blood in front of it.

"Goodbye..."

Finger of Vanishing!