Chapter 885: White Cave Lord

"Buzz, buzz, buzz..."

Beside him, silver-haired Tei Xier suddenly emitted layers of spiritual energy mist, a clear sign of a realm breakthrough and a surging Qi Sea.

During the time others were arguing and fighting, Tei Xier finally absorbed all the power of the Sacred Blood using the White Cave World Origin.

The World Origin had long since merged with her.

Having borrowed the Sacred Blood's power to perfect and activate all the Dao principles of the White Cave World...

At this moment, through a secret memory inheritance technique, Tei Xier truly and completely took over the White Cave World Origin, gaining its full recognition as its master.

With the World Origin now recognizing its master and successfully activated...

This signified Tei Xier's transformation into the Planar Child of the White Cave dimensional space.

If the Sacred God Continent is the only Great Thousand World recognized by the grand Dao of heaven and earth...

...then the dimensional space worlds born throughout the continent are Small Thousand Worlds.

A Throne realm cultivator can form a domain.

However, a domain is merely a nascent world, not comparable to a true Small Thousand World.

Xu Xiaoshou possesses a Yuan Mansion.

Yet, the Yuan Mansion is only a large spatial secret treasure, formed by the convergence of power after a Small Thousand World withered.

The difference is that Xu Xiaoshou used various methods to successfully reactivate that withered Small Thousand World, causing it to evolve and be reborn as a new one.

But the White Cave is different.

The White Cave is a dimensional space world that still stands on the Sacred God Continent, currently in its mature stage. It possesses complete rules, its own unique life, and a world will.

As long as one gains the recognition of its World Origin and world will, successfully becoming its master and activating it...

...then the one possessing the World Origin becomes the sole master of the White Cave world, similar to Xu Xiaoshou's relationship with the Yuan Mansion world or Yi's with his domain here.

It can be said that within the White Cave world, Tei Xier could, at this moment, transform into a "god-like" being, provided she understood how to utilize the various Dao principles of heaven and earth.

The Sacred Blood had mended all imperfections.

With the World Origin finally submitting completely and recognizing its master, the energy feedback was immense.

As the master of the White Cave world, Tei Xier no longer needed to worry about comprehending Dao principles at the Master realm.

The White Cave world was completely self-sufficient regarding these fundamental Dao comprehensions; its master no longer needed to painstakingly comprehend the rules of the Sacred God Continent.

Tei Xier could thus unreservedly receive the energy feedback from the White Cave world, and her cultivation instantly soared from the Master's Heavenly Manifestation realm to the Yin-Yang and Star Sacrifice realms.

And it was still climbing!

From early to mid-stage, then to late-stage and full completion...

She was just one step away from breaking through to the Throne realm!

At any other time, the appearance of a Throne realm Spirit Refiner in the Yunlun Mountain Range would have immediately been detected by the Cloud Realm World controller.

But now...

...the control was in their own hands!

Tei Xier had no reservations. If she wanted to truly assist Xu Xiaoshou, her Master cultivation was entirely inadequate; at best, she could only run errands.

Only one method remained now...

"Throne!"

With a soft murmur in her heart, Tei Xier, still meditating, slowly floated into the air. Intricate Dao patterns became visibly etched around her body.

A majestic wave of energy pushed outwards.

Then, a heaven-shaking hum echoed through the sky, as dense world power diffused, completely engulfing and assimilating Yi's domain, forming Throne Tei Xier's nascent domain.

Chaos...

Nothingness...

It was like a nascent world, undeveloped and formless.

But in just one breath, this chaotic, void world rapidly evolved.

Mountains, lakes, rivers...

...manifested!

The Spirit Melting Marsh, Departing Sword Grassland, and the Dark Valley before the Void Island rift...

Tei Xier suddenly opened her eyes, her God-Demon Pupils swirling rapidly. Black and white mist, imbued with the dualistic aura of both god and demon, continuously emanated from her.

"Domain: White Cave World!"

Tei Xier's red lips parted slightly, her silver hair swayed in the wind, and her God-Demon Pupils surveyed the world with an air of dominance.

At this moment, the Throne realm pressure she exerted could faintly contend with Xu Xiaoshou's long-accumulated aura, creating an evenly matched confrontation.

Their auras coexisted.

This, in turn, completely suppressed the powerful auras of both the subdued Uncouth Old Ancestor and Department Head Yi, who was now only a soul entity!

"How is that possible?!"

Yi was utterly stunned to see the silver-haired Tei Xier standing upright again.

Just a moment ago, he was still aghast that Uncouth Old Ancestor had been forced to his knees by a single word from Xu Xiaoshou.

That was Xuan Wuji!

Within the Yi Department, even after his physical body had been ravaged by Yi, Uncouth Old Ancestor had never been so subservient.

Yet, Xu Xiaoshou's single word had made him kneel completely.

For Yi, this shock was immense.

But in the very next second...

...the shock in his heart was replaced by another.

When Tei Xier, who had been cultivating with closed eyes, stood up, the instantaneous world pressure almost made Yi believe that a Half-Saint had risen!

"She broke through?"

Yi felt his mouth go dry.

He could see that Tei Xier, for some unknown reason, had completed all three Master realms in one swift motion, and even the bottleneck of Dao comprehension hadn't halted her progress.

She had gone straight to the Throne realm!

"But how could a nascent Throne realm domain exert such powerful oppressive force?"

Yi was completely bewildered.

It was one thing for Xu Xiaoshou to be a monstrous talent.

But why was there no one normal around him?

A young girl, barely clinging to life after a fall from the Grand Void, had inexplicably awakened another will, broken through to the Throne realm, and even manifested such a nearly perfect domain!

"Is this the Tei family's hidden power?"

Yi was responsible for various intelligence missions in the Central Region, rarely venturing out himself, and had never encountered the White Cave minor world located far in the Eastern Region.

Thus, he couldn't recognize that the domain around Tei Xier was a microcosm of the White Cave minor world.

He simply assumed it was her innate talent.

The Tei family, God-Demon Pupils...

And the desperate gamble of the entire Grand Void family before its demise, pouring all their treasures into Tei Xier to cultivate such a monstrous girl!

Yi's soul entity began to calculate in the void. He stared directly at the prodigious girl, twirling the Revival Spirit Flower, and started to ponder.

"A Throne realm cultivator... perhaps she barely meets the criteria?"

"Being watched, Passive Points +1."

Affected by the White Cave minor world's domain power, the various auras from powerful beings on Xu Xiaoshou receded. He released Uncouth Old Ancestor and silently looked back towards the other side.

Under the silent night, only the rustling of the wind remained in his ears.

The background scene before him was so familiar.

Time seemed to be rewinding; everyone had inexplicably returned to the White Cave minor world, and a step further, it seemed they could even reach the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace.

However...

Things were the same, but people had changed.

As the wind rustled, Tei Xier, with her silver hair loosely cascading, stood alone not far away.

Her blood-stained, tattered green dress could not conceal the tantalizing glimpses of her graceful figure, nor could it evoke the familiar innocence of a young maiden from days past.

Against the backdrop of the misty black and white God-Demon aura, Tei Xier's pretty face conveyed only indifference and coldness.

With slender, jade-like fingers, she tucked the wind-blown silver strands behind her ear. Every gesture carried a faint, captivating charm.

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily entranced.

If the divine aspect of the God-Demon Pupils was represented by Mu Zixi's innocence, mischievousness, and lively charm...

...then Tei Xier was truly a self-contradictory enchantress: aloof, yet alluring.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to admit that this was his junior sister.

Yet, the way Tei Xier looked at him...

...those God-Demon Pupils, amidst their eerie allure, revealed the very same gaze Mu Zixi used to have when she stared at him wide-eyed.

The emotion and expression were identical!

"You're awake?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, pursing his lips.

He didn't take a step forward, feeling as if a distance called "strangeness" had grown between him and his junior sister, much like their distant gazes at this moment.

"Mhm," Tei Xier nodded subtly.

"Throne realm?" Xu Xiaoshou asked again.

"Throne realm." Tei Xier's red lips curved into a slight smile, her eyes almost forming crescents. "I can finally help..."

Mid-sentence, she abruptly stopped, seemingly realizing this was not her intended reaction. She immediately regained control, her expression returning to cold indifference.

Xu Xiaoshou let out a long breath.

Even before obtaining the World Origin, Mu Zixi's cultivation had always mysteriously soared.

Originally, he hadn't understood why, simply thinking his junior sister was also a genius, which was understandable.

Now, it seemed...

...everything had a reason.

Perhaps Tei Xier had been present from the very beginning; he simply hadn't noticed.

"Being thought of, Passive Points +1."

The information panel popped up, interrupting Xu Xiaoshou's reverie.

He turned his head.

After the aura dissipated, Uncouth Old Ancestor had risen from his kneeling position.

But clearly, that kneeling had cost him immense dignity, and Uncouth Old Ancestor would remember it.

Xu Xiaoshou paid it no mind.

He valued Liu Changqing, treating him as a friend.

Even though Liu Changqing had always been deferential, he had never overstepped, allowing Xu Xiaoshou to treat him with an equal mindset.

But Xuan Wuji...

When this old man first appeared, Xu Xiaoshou had indeed held him in great respect.

But after he disregarded Mu Zixi's life and death, everything changed.

Xu Xiaoshou looked at Uncouth Old Ancestor, holding the Four Swords, with undisguised killing intent in his eyes.

"That kneeling, did it sting?"

He smiled coldly, "You can resent me, plot against me in secret, or even kill me on the spot right now, if you're capable."

Xu Xiaoshou pointed to the sky.

"The Cloud Realm World is now under your control. You could easily leak some information and use Rao Yaoyao's hand to eliminate me later."

Uncouth Old Ancestor's body trembled; he had indeed just thought of that.

"Being surprised and suspicious, Passive Points +1."

Xu Xiaoshou then gestured around them.

"The trial in the Yunlun Mountain Range still has a long way to go. You could also lurk here, biding your time."

"Just as you take your time, disregarding others' lives and deaths, to meticulously set up formations until you're absolutely certain you can slay your enemy before acting, you could slow down and set a trap to kill me."

Uncouth Old Ancestor's lips twitched again.

He had just thought of that too.

"Being awed, Passive Points +1."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the information panel, let out a soft laugh, and took a step forward, whispering, "Every contingency you can think of, I can think of too."

He paused, then continued coldly:

"But I can't even guarantee whether you'll still be qualified to live after this battle concludes."

"Therefore, from your perspective, the best solution right now is to kill me here, before I grow stronger!"

Xu Xiaoshou said this without fear, as if the subject of his words were not himself.

He gripped Uncouth Old Ancestor's shoulder, and with a slight exertion of force, his fingers pierced into the man's flesh.

"Do you dare?"

A low whisper close to his ear made Uncouth Old Ancestor's skin crawl.

He looked into Xu Xiaoshou's eyes, seeing the chilling demonic energy, and felt the terrifying pressure of his aura on his shoulder.

Lowering his head, he saw the Eight Trigrams Token of the Eight Masters.

Uncouth Old Ancestor remained silent for a long time, then bit his lip and gently shook his head.

"I don't dare..."

He finally recognized his place.

A chess piece is always just a chess piece.

From the moment he, Xuan Wuji, was jointly sent out of Void Island by the Three White Vein Ancestors, his life had ceased to be his own.

Under such circumstances, how could he dare to openly strike at Xu Xiaoshou, who might become the master of the game in the future?

Not to mention the Eight Masters.

The wrath of the Three White Vein Ancestors alone was more than he, Xuan Wuji, could bear!

Just then.

Seemingly seizing the moment of their internal strife, Yi suddenly attacked, his soul entity transforming into a streak of light and darting towards Tei Xier.

"Watch out!"

Uncouth Old Ancestor immediately warned, attempting to atone for his actions by abandoning his struggle for control over the Cloud Realm World and aiding Tei Xier.

"Do your part!"

Xu Xiaoshou reprimanded, turning abruptly.

Why would he need a reminder?

His "Perception" ability had been specifically monitoring this very soul entity that might have had a hidden trick up its sleeve; Xu Xiaoshou had waited long enough.

Yi's speed was swift.

But his domain had already been supplanted by Tei Xier's White Cave minor world.

No matter how fast he was, he couldn't outpace Tei Xier, the master of this domain, nor could he escape Xu Xiaoshou's perception.

Almost simultaneously with Yi's movement...

Tei Xier tilted her head slightly. Without any discernible movement, she merely shifted her God-Demon Pupils.

"God-Demon Seal."

Her crimson lips parted, and a clear, enchanting voice rang out.

The void hummed and trembled, and the God-Demon mist around Tei Xier blossomed like blooming black and white Nirvana flowers.

Then, reflections of black and white God-Demon Pupils, representing yin and yang, appeared in the eye sockets of Yi's soul entity.

"Urgh!"

In just an instant, Yi's figure was frozen in the void.

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even released his "Soul Reading" yet and was already astonished by the sight.

He immediately recalled the scene at the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace when Tei Shuangxing, fighting Ye Xiaotian, had remotely frozen people across several realm tiers.

So, this was how the God-Demon Pupils were used?

Tei Xier's God-Demon Pupil power could directly affect Yi's soul entity, something Xu Xiaoshou had been utterly powerless against?

Xu Xiaoshou immediately abandoned the idea of using "Soul Reading." His hands rapidly moved as he chanted incantations.

Heavenly Secret Dao patterns emerged, quickly sketching a clearly discernible, profound array in the void.

"What?!"

Uncouth Old Ancestor's eyes immediately widened.

Wasn't this the Heavenly Secret technique for constructing the "Spirit Transfer Six Profound Array"?

Xu Xiaoshou had actually learned it?

And judging by his proficiency...

Uncouth Old Ancestor stared incredulously at the young man beside him.

What kind of monster was this? He even knew Heavenly Secret Arts!

And his mastery was so profound?

"Spirit Transfer Six Profound Array, activate!"

Xu Xiaoshou pressed his hands forward, and the Heavenly Secret array immediately sealed the target.

The Dao patterns penetrated Yi's immobile soul entity, using the grand Dao of heaven and earth as a bridge to connect the real and the illusory, yin and yang. This opened a large breach in Yi's soul entity's dual space—his soul space.

Spatial rings, spirit artifacts, pills...

All his secret treasures were laid bare!

Xu Xiaoshou disregarded the rest, first searching for the item he desired most. He finally located it in an inconspicuous corner.

It was a fist-sized stone figurine, resembling a mud doll, with a head but no facial features, and bare limbs affixed to its body—utterly bizarre.

"This is... the Imitator?"

Xu Xiaoshou watched with cold eyes. With a hook of his hand, the Heavenly Secret Dao patterns formed a structure, pulling the figurine out.

"Hand it over!"