Chapter 932: Captain, Look Quickly, There's an Eight-Respectful Figure Over There

"Captain!"Xu Xiaoshou imitated Wang Chao’s typical behavior from "Soul Reading." To be extra cautious, while mimicking, he also used "Transformation" to replicate Wang Chao's tone and voice, ensuring not a single flaw was revealed. Naturally, his combat communicator was conspicuously placed at his earlobe, so no one would find anything amiss.

Murong Ying was an exceptionally tall man with long, narrow eyes and high cheekbones, exuding an overall air of gloom. Seeing his team member arrive, Murong Ying showed no suspicion. He pointed to the spatial fluctuations nearby and stated directly:

"There are at least two stowaways. They are currently trapped within their own Throne domains. I haven't engaged them yet, nor have I been exposed. Based on the spatial fluctuations and the cultivation level of the domain, I estimate they are at least at the Path-Cutting realm. This operation is extremely difficult, so I've already contacted higher-ups. Sword Immortal Rao will soon send reinforcements.""Wait here. Once our other team members arrive, we'll form a formation before advancing. Otherwise, your life could be at risk."

Path-Cutting realm?Xu Xiaoshou was astonished. Were these stowaways suicidal? To expose their cultivation in the Cloud-Felling Mountains at the Path-Cutting realm? Were they afraid Rao Yaoyao wouldn't discover them soon enough, or that they wouldn't die fast enough?

Captain Murong Ying's words conveyed concern, and the information he provided was sparse. Clearly, he couldn't penetrate the domain to observe the situation inside. After a simple "Yes," Xu Xiaoshou looked up.

Leveraging his prior understanding of spatial principles, he began to dissect the domain before him. However, he found this domain to be even more extraordinary than the unusual one he had observed previously. It was densely packed with spatial nodes, leaving not the slightest gap!"What is this?" Xu Xiaoshou’s heart trembled.

Analyzing a Throne's domain from the perspective of spatial nodes, one would typically find only a few nodes forming a spatial barrier to block external forces while simultaneously summoning its own realm. A Path-Cutting realm domain, building upon this, can condense more spatial nodes, reinforcing the domain and more easily manifesting the domain master's unique and stronger powers. The Great Void domain was like the extraordinary one Xu Xiaoshou had encountered previously—impenetrable! There was no way to force entry other than by applying immense external force, such as with the Four Swords, and then using spatial understanding to locate minute gaps between the incredibly dense spatial nodes to create a small opening. The last time Xu Xiaoshou managed to break into Yi's domain was due to holding the Four Swords and having a foundational grasp of spatial principles. Otherwise, even another Great Void cultivator would likely struggle to force their way in. After all, that was the domain of Yi, the chief of the Yi Department!

But now...What Xu Xiaoshou "perceived" was a domain composed of endless spatial nodes, resembling an impenetrable fortress built from spatial crystals. Not only was it sealed airtight, but there wasn't even the slightest discernible gap between the spatial nodes. It was perfectly seamless and utterly invulnerable!

"Is this a Path-Cutting realm domain?" Xu Xiaoshou fell into deep doubt, momentarily thinking Captain Murong Ying must be blind. Yi's domain wasn't as perfect or aesthetically pleasing as the one before him! "This must be the domain of a peak Great Void, perhaps even more formidable than Yi!" Xu Xiaoshou speculated.

But he quickly dismissed this unrealistic thought. More powerful than Yi? How could that be? Yi was the head of the Yi Department; how could there be a more formidable stowaway? If such a person existed, would they be held up in the Cloud-Felling Mountains, forced to reveal their Throne domain and expose themselves? "Perhaps it's not a Great Void..."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly considered a possibility: even Yi, a Great Void cultivator, couldn't form such a perfect domain. Perhaps the person forced into the domain nearby was a spatial-attribute expert above the Throne realm, someone with an incredibly deep comprehension of spatial principles, but whose cultivation level wasn't exceptionally high? "Who could it be?"

Xu Xiaoshou's curiosity was piqued. His Throne-level "Perception" could already penetrate ordinary domains, but doing so for Great Void domains was challenging and time-consuming. The last time he encountered Yi's domain barrier, he had little time, so he had to force his way through with the Four Swords. This time, however, time was precisely what he had in abundance. "Let's try!"

Focusing his attention on a single point, the range of his "Perception" converged, continuously penetrating the gaps between the spatial nodes. This was a difficult task, as the domain before him, while theoretically possessing gaps, had ones that were almost negligible. Yet, Xu Xiaoshou remained undeterred. Spatial nodes are typically hard for abilities to traverse, but "Perception" operates on a different frequency than spatial power. Perhaps by leveraging the somewhat "ethereal" nature of "Perception," he could succeed.

Consequently, the "Perception" range, which originally covered a hundred li, steadily diminished under Xu Xiaoshou's focused intent. It shrank from a hundred li, to ten li, to one li... then to ten zhang, three zhang, and finally one zhang. This was Xu Xiaoshou's first attempt at compressing his "Perception" range to such an extent. He felt his head begin to ache, and his temples throbbed. This compressed "mental channel," almost solid enough to be used as a blunt force, could potentially shatter someone's spiritual power. Yet, even with such intensity, he still couldn't penetrate the minuscule gap between the two spatial nodes!

"This is impossibly difficult! Is this domain really so impenetrable?" Xu Xiaoshou's heart turned cold. He found it hard to fathom how terrifying the owner's comprehension of spatial principles must be to construct such a formidable domain. Yet, the greater the challenge, the more unwilling he was to give up, and the more he yearned to penetrate it and observe what lay within. After all, his current identity as an enforcer meant he was immune to blame, with powerful backing. If he didn't seize this chance now, he might never get another.Compress!Continue compressing!His head buzzed and then went blank as the "mental channel" formed by "Perception" was finally, for the first time, compressed by Xu Xiaoshou to the fineness of a needle!

*Hiss*A faint sound.The needle-fine "Perception" channel, concentrated with surging spiritual power, finally met expectations and pierced through the minuscule gap between the spatial nodes. This breakthrough was like a dam bursting; Xu Xiaoshou could no longer suppress the high-intensity surge of spiritual power following his intense concentration. As soon as "Perception" passed through the spatial node, it radiated outwards, instantly pervading the entire interior of the domain.

"What is this?"The scene inside the domain finally manifested in his mind, and Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily stunned. There were four people! One individual, though his face was unfamiliar, shared a striking resemblance in appearance, hair color, and height to Dean Ye Xiaotian of Tiansang Spirit Palace. This man was covered in blood, desperately fending off an attack with a spatial barrier. Opposite him was a masked man in a golden robe, carrying a sword and saber, who was casually exchanging blows with the white-haired, short young man using spatial power. Supporting them from the rear, identifiable by their robe colors, were the Yama organization's Nine Nether Ghost Infant and another unknown figure. Four people in total, three familiar faces!

"Yama's boss, Huang Quan; the Nine Nether Ghost Infant, whose iron attribute seems to have mastered a profound attribute; and one unfamiliar person...""But the crucial point is, that short, white-haired young man... he must be Dean Ye!"Xu Xiaoshou felt the world had gone crazy. How could Ye Xiaotian be here? Shouldn't he have returned home to feed his geese after escorting the Tiansang Spirit Palace inner court disciples to the Royal City trials? How was he fighting Huang Quan, Yama's leader, who commanded spacetime power?

*Boom!*As he pondered, a violent roar erupted once more within the domain. It was the spatial barrier of the short, white-haired young man, presumably Ye Xiaotian, being forcefully shattered by Huang Quan. Xu Xiaoshou's eyebrows twitched wildly. Two spatial powers colliding—this was incredibly fierce! Just then, he saw the white-haired young man suddenly ascend, plunge his hand into the void, tear off a piece of the sky, and hurl it fiercely towards Huang Quan."Sky-Rending Hand!"Xu Xiaoshou's pupils constricted. This was Dean Ye's renowned ultimate technique; there was no way he couldn't recognize it!

As Ye Xiaotian tore off a piece of the sky, his blood-stained white robe billowed, and a familiar profound array diagram—one previously seen only on Yu Lingdi and the Nine Nether Ghost Infant—swirled beneath his feet. Empowered by the might of spatial profundity, this severed fragment of the sky was hurled with immense force, hurtling toward Huang Quan."Dean Ye has mastered spatial profundity?" Xu Xiaoshou’s scalp tingled. This was the mark of a truly formidable individual, wasn't it? He had bided his time, unnoticed by the world, and had now become the second person, after Yu Lingdi, to master an attribute profundity.

The thought of attribute profundity led Xu Xiaoshou to scan the Nine Nether Ghost Infant. This individual was also very young, yet had also mastered an attribute profundity. However, in actual combat, Xu Xiaoshou sensed that he didn't appear as potent, enigmatic, or invincible as Yu Lingdi or Dean Ye.

"Indeed, you have mastered spatial profundity..."Inside the domain, Huang Quan's ethereal voice echoed at that opportune moment. His eyes, hidden beneath his mask, gleamed with admiration as he slowly spoke: "Spatial profundity, a power many dream of! Although I command spacetime power, possessing both means I'll never have the chance to master a single profundity in this lifetime. To think that in mere decades, you've reached the pinnacle of human achievement..." He spoke with such praise, his tone like an elder marveling at a youth's accomplishments, yet he completely disregarded the fragment of the sky hurtling towards his head.

Moments later, as the sky fragment neared, Huang Quan subtly flicked his sleeve.*Boom!*Heaven and earth violently vibrated. At that instant, Xu Xiaoshou felt his thoughts grow sluggish. He watched with wide eyes as the sky fragment, moments from reaching Huang Quan, was slowed ten millionfold in mid-air. Then, as if undergoing an accelerated process of eons, it aged and disintegrated. Did spatial fragments also have a lifespan? Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized something profound. This was the power of time! The sky fragment, while in motion, had its time accelerated, causing all its power to dissipate within the river of time."Terrifying beyond belief!"Xu Xiaoshou's heart trembled. He couldn't fathom how he would withstand such power. No wonder Dean Ye, despite having perfected spatial profundity, was like a beaten dog before Huang Quan, utterly overwhelmed.

*Whoosh!*Following a sudden sound, Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts snapped out of their sluggish stupor, even accelerating to remarkable agility. He watched as the sky fragment, after dissipating, was as if time-reversed, brought back to life, and solidified once more in the sky. But this time, it was no longer controlled by Ye Xiaotian; instead, Huang Quan dominated it, sending it hurtling back toward Ye Xiaotian.

"Who exactly are you?!" Ye Xiaotian's eyes were bloodshot as he roared the question. After perfecting his spatial profundity, he could originally toy with even Great Void cultivators. Yet, in his very first battle since achieving this, he encountered someone whose face he couldn't even discern. Before this individual, Ye Xiaotian was like fish on a chopping block, completely at their mercy. This was utterly demoralizing...

"Shatter!"Facing the howling sky fragment, Ye Xiaotian's heart chilled, yet he could only extend his hand, attempting to utterly dismantle this ultimate crystallization of spatial power. But just like every prior counterattack, Ye Xiaotian's command was issued. However, after the Heavenly Dao responded, the target of his counter-attack seemed to have been entirely directed at another sky fragment in a parallel spacetime. The illusion vanished, but the real one continued to hurtle towards him.*Bang!*An explosive sound, and blood splattered. Despite Ye Xiaotian having integrated himself into the Great Way of Space, his opponent also possessed spatial attributes, allowing the attack to strike him directly. The sky fragment hit him, sending Ye Xiaotian hurtling out of the Heavenly Dao. He crashed heavily against the domain wall, slowly sliding down, barely clinging to life.

Watching from outside, Xu Xiaoshou gasped, his fists unconsciously clenching. This was simply a monumental difference, an incomparable gap!

Inside the domain, Huang Quan gazed at Ye Xiaotian, who was barely clinging to life and struggling weakly, and slowly spoke: "Ye Xiaotian, do not be disheartened. Your spatial profundity is unparalleled; you can even fight and kill Great Void cultivators. It is simply unfortunate that this time, you encountered me. Originally, we only intended to acquire the 'Sacred Source Crystal' from you, but having witnessed your abilities, I must say, I deeply admire you. Join 'Yama.' I need your power!" Huang Quan extended the invitation earnestly, yet Ye Xiaotian, lying on the ground, remained unresponsive.

"Very spirited," Huang Quan praised. He then turned his gaze to the Nine Nether Ghost Infant and Blooming Shore Flower, who were standing far behind him, and said: "Do you see? This is the combat power one should possess after perfecting an attribute profundity. I can bestow upon you two the inheritance of profundity, but theoretical knowledge is always superficial. Without actual combat, without a multitude of opponents to spar against, you are not even one-tenth as strong as Yu Lingdi or Ye Xiaotian. Just like Nine Nether..." Huang Quan paused, looking at the trembling Nine Nether Ghost Infant, and smiled: "Last time, you claimed that the Holy Slave Xu Xiaoshou defeated and killed you only because he wielded the Four Swords and had a Heavenly Secret Puppet. But if you truly mastered the power of the 'Iron Profundity,' let alone the Four Swords and a Heavenly Secret Puppet, even a hundred more Xu Xiaoshou would not be your match. At the very least, a master of attribute profundity can always remain undefeated, just like Ye Xiaotian..." He trailed off, pointing his finger backward. Ye Xiaotian, though barely alive, had been secretly attempting to use domain shifts to escape, but he was now completely sealed by Huang Quan's spacetime power, utterly losing all chance of escape.

"Profundity is the most formidable power in this world," Huang Quan declared. "The Three Thousand Sword Paths are too complex; only one Ba Zun'an has appeared in millennia who could truly master them. Spirit Refinement, however, is different: one chooses a single Great Way from the three thousand, and anyone who masters it can wield the power of profundity. This makes it far more suited to a world where mediocrity is rampant. And this is the fundamental reason why the Spirit Refinement era was able to replace the Sword Dao era!" Huang Quan's words were truly profound.

After speaking, his gaze settled on the two newest members of the organization, and he sighed, "You two still require significant honing..." The Nine Nether Ghost Infant and Blooming Shore Flower didn't even dare to object, nodding vigorously in agreement like chicks pecking at feed.

Xu Xiaoshou mulled over Huang Quan's thought-provoking words, but dared not dwell on them now. He truly couldn't bear to watch any longer, nor could he wait. He knew Dean Ye would never surrender, so continuing like this would only lead to his death in battle. Huang Quan was powerful, but clearly not a Half-Saint; otherwise, he wouldn't be oblivious to the outside world while inside the domain. Of course, this could also be attributed to the overwhelming power of Ye Xiaotian's domain. Regardless, Dean Ye had already revealed his domain, signaling for help from the Red Cloaks. He, too, had to find a way to assist him...

Xu Xiaoshou turned to Murong Ying and couldn't help but ask, "Captain, haven't the other team members arrived yet? Are we just going to wait here?""What's the hurry?" Murong Ying turned his head. "The two stowaways inside must have started fighting, which is why they opened their domains... Judging by this domain, the individuals inside are at most Path-Cutting realm cultivators. Once they emerge, both injured, our personnel will have arrived, and we can simply apprehend them."

*If Huang Quan decides to emerge on his own, you won't even catch a glimpse of him! More importantly, Ye Xiaotian, you, I, and the team members who haven't arrived yet, could all perish!*

Xu Xiaoshou grew anxious. His eyes darted, and an idea suddenly struck him. He abruptly looked towards the distance, in the direction above the domain, pointed, and exclaimed with a terrified voice, "Captain, look quickly! There, there's a Ba Zun'an!"