Chapter 935: Wang Chao, Follow Me

“You don’t need to follow…”

Murong Ying slightly shook his head, saying nothing more. He looked at Zhu Mi’er and commanded, “Show me all possible escape routes for that trespasser. I need to start searching immediately!”

No one wanted to pursue, but Murong Ying had a compelling reason to. He knew that being the first to discover the battle here was a credit. However, after mobilizing such a large force, they hadn't found a single trace; everyone had escaped. If Sword Immortal Rao were to assign blame later, it would be fortunate if his merits and demerits canceled each other out. If his demerits outweighed his merits, he would be completely ruined.

Crucially, as an enforcer, Murong Ying could avoid engaging due to fear of the Eighth Sword Immortal or the Underworld. However, if he failed to pursue even a common trespasser, it would be considered dereliction of duty. Chasing them now was a desperate measure!

Zhu Mi’er had no choice but to use the “Chronicle Disk” to display all spatial coordinates. These coordinates were marked with internal enforcer zone codes and presented numerically. Previously, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't have understood them, but with Wang Chao's soul memories, he comprehended them at a glance. With just one look, using the powerful memory granted by “Perception,” Xu Xiaoshou memorized everything.

Upon receiving the coordinates, Murong Ying didn't hesitate. His spiritual energy surged, and the shadows beneath his feet writhed as if alive, quickly eroding the surrounding space and dissolving into a dark spatial passage. Inside the spatial passage, only chaotic spatial currents, teeming with unknown dread, were visible. It was pitch black, and ordinary people would be completely disoriented.

“Shadow Tracing Method?” Xu Xiaoshou watched his captain's movements thoughtfully. According to Wang Chao's soul memories, Captain Murong Ying possessed a unique skill: he could project his spiritual consciousness into a shadow, creating a disposable clone. This clone had no combat power but was excellent for scouting. At any given time, Murong Ying could only send clones to trace a maximum of thirty spatial passages. However, given enough time, by following the map, if a spatial exit showed no lingering Heavenly Dao fluctuations, it meant Ye Xiaotian hadn't used that exit. By repeatedly using the “Shadow Tracing Method,” Murong Ying should quickly be able to pinpoint which of the 362 spatial exits Ye Xiaotian had used to escape.

As for how he could pinpoint Ye Xiaotian's whereabouts... Xu Xiaoshou understood this as well. It was simple: in terms of cultivation, Murong Ying was at the Dao Severance realm, while Ye Xiaotian was at the Dao realm. The three Sovereign realms (Dao, Dao Severance, and Grand-Void) all involved comprehending the Heavenly Dao. Regardless of whether Ye Xiaotian had mastered the profundities of spatial attributes, as long as Murong Ying pursued traces of the Heavenly Dao, his realm would always be one level higher than Ye Xiaotian's. This naturally allowed him to lock onto Ye Xiaotian's Heavenly Dao traces.

“Impressive…” Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but acknowledge that Murong Ying, once he calmed down, was indeed highly capable. As he thought, he also let his “Perception” flow into the spatial passage Murong Ying had opened, intending to use his own method to trace the Dean's whereabouts.

Xu Xiaoshou had some understanding of the Way of Space, and with the aid of the “Chronicle Disk” coordinates, navigating the chaotic spatial currents was like having a guiding light; he wouldn't get lost. As for whether Murong Ying would detect anything unusual with “Perception” flowing into the spatial passage, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't worried at all. He could use “Perception” to eavesdrop on Rao Yaoyao and Mei Si's night sky conversation and also spy on all movements of "Underworld" within Ye Xiaotian's domain, all without being detected. This indicated that using Sovereign-level “Perception” to observe people and events from an omniscient perspective meant that, theoretically, spirit refiners belonging to the three Sovereign realms would find it very difficult to detect anything unusual. Unless he used “Perception” to probe the secrets of a powerful being, for example, by focusing intently to invade the Underworld's physical secrets to examine their body structure…

Spatial tracking was incredibly fast. Xu Xiaoshou, knowing the coordinates beforehand, used his understanding of the Way of Space to trace the spatial nodes. Within three breaths, he found an anomaly at the exit of a certain spatial passage.

“So obvious…” Upon getting the result, Xu Xiaoshou's first reaction wasn't surprise, but alarm. Ye Xiaotian's spatial profundity was perfected; he could have clearly erased all traces after fleeing. Why, then, would he leave these 362 passage exits for others to trace? Wasn't this completely unnecessary?

“No, this must have been left intentionally by the Dean. He could have easily erased all traces, making himself untraceable, or just left one spatial passage as a diversion. But leaving only one spatial passage would seem too deliberate, making it unbelievable that a spatial attribute expert capable of forcing Underworld's personal intervention couldn't erase his tracks and still left a small tail. Therefore, he left over three hundred passage exits, intending... People don't trust information that comes too easily. Conversely, they are more willing to believe information obtained through their own efforts and overcoming countless difficulties, even if it's wrong—especially intelligent people.”

Xu Xiaoshou instantly understood a great deal. The Dean was also an old fox, incredibly cunning!

A little over ten breaths after Xu Xiaoshou found the “only truth,” Murong Ying's laborious but diligent traversal method finally yielded results. Without comprehension of the Way of Space, Murong Ying had expended significant energy to contend with the chaotic spatial currents. At this moment, sweat beaded on his forehead, but his eyes gleamed with excitement, and his voice carried a hint of joyful anticipation: “Found it!”

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily moved. So fast? Dao Severance was indeed Dao Severance; even though Murong Ying had been terrified by Eighth Venerable An's gaze and lacked a foundation in spatial arts, when he truly exerted his abilities, he was still remarkably powerful.

After locating the trespasser's lingering Heavenly Dao traces, Murong Ying immediately instructed those around him: “Zhu Mi’er, stay here. When Sword Immortal Rao or other superiors arrive, report everything: the results from the ‘Chronicle Disk’ and everything that happened here. Other team members, also remain here and conduct a thorough search in all directions, leaving no possibility unchecked. Why these people appeared here, why they fought, what else was left behind in this place... If you can discover or find anything before Sword Immortal Rao arrives, it will be a significant merit!”

The team members immediately nodded, excitement in their eyes, and promptly dispersed to begin their tasks. After giving these instructions, Murong Ying also told the members of other nearby teams not to waste time and to start their own thorough searches. Only then did he withdraw his gaze, casting a slightly hesitant glance at team member Wang Chao.

Even though Xu Xiaoshou had found traces of the Dean, he didn't want to follow. He suspected that given the Dean's cunning, that “only truth” might also be false, and the Dean himself had surely gone elsewhere. His original plan was to act with Zhu Mi’er and the others, then seize the opportunity to escape from the enforcer team. Because the longer he stayed, the more dangerous it became for him!

It was important to remember that the real Wang Chao was merely unconscious due to three mental attacks and interrogation, but with a Sovereign's soul strength, he should recover quickly. Even factoring in the time it would take for Wang Chao to find his way here after losing his combat communicator, Xu Xiaoshou knew he couldn't continue acting with the enforcers. His original intention was merely to temporarily operate as an enforcer in disguise, not to fully integrate into the Saint Temple's system. Otherwise, he wouldn't have just knocked Wang Chao out; he would have moved him to his Yuan Mansion and tied him up.

But at that moment, after Murong Ying finished giving all his orders, he looked at Xu Xiaoshou. “Wang Chao, you come with me!” Xu Xiaoshou froze upon hearing this. “Me?” He pointed at himself, a mix of feigned surprise and genuine shock on his face.

“Yes, you.” Murong Ying glanced around. He had lost his previous composed, in-control expression; instead, there was a hint of guilt in his eyes. “You’ll come with me!” Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened. “Captain, I’m just a Sovereign…” His unspoken meaning was: “I’m only a Sovereign. Are you trying to drag me along to my death? Are you insane?”

Murong Ying rolled his eyes and slapped at him. “Less talk. I have something important to tell you.” Xu Xiaoshou reacted swiftly, ducking to avoid the blow. Although he was using the Imitator, his passive skills weren't discarded. If Murong Ying's unguarded slap had actually landed, and his entire arm was vibrated off, splashing blood everywhere, the scene would be both comical and unmanageable...

“Captain, what is it? Can’t you tell me now? We don’t seem to have any secrets, do we?” Xu Xiaoshou tried to change the subject. Murong Ying grimaced, slightly annoyed that Wang Chao had dodged his slap, but he didn't suspect anything else. He just lowered his voice and said, “There are too many eyes and ears here. Come with me first.”

“Oh, alright.” Xu Xiaoshou had no idea what was going on but reluctantly agreed. He frowned slightly, searching Wang Chao's soul memories again, but found nothing amiss. Wang Chao and Murong Ying didn't have much interaction outside of missions on normal days, so why was Murong Ying acting this way now? What scheme was this guy up to? Could it be that he discovered Xu Xiaoshou's little “Perception” tracking trick just now? Was Murong Ying actually a hidden powerhouse? For the first time, Xu Xiaoshou felt a slight panic because he couldn't predict the enemy's next move. He knew that although Murong Ying couldn't compare to Underworld or Ye Xiaotian, he was still a Dao Severance expert. A dying camel was still bigger than a horse, let alone that Xu Xiaoshou was currently only a Grandmaster, and even his Sovereign realm was merely imitated by the Imitator.

“Let’s get out of here first.” Murong Ying gestured, pulling out a formation disk imbued with spatial fluctuations. He enveloped team member Wang Chao with his spiritual energy and said, “Don’t resist. We’re entering the chaotic spatial currents. Since you’re only at the Sovereign Dao realm, the chaotic spatial currents are very dangerous for you, and I don’t intend to force our way through them.” He paused, then held up the formation disk in his hand, indicating, “Anyway, we have spatial coordinates. Once we’re in the chaotic spatial currents, we’ll use the teleportation disk for directional teleportation.”

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt the unease of knowing a tiger was on the mountain but having to go there anyway, yet he didn't resist. He had A-Jie, the Blazing Serpent, the Four Swords, a full set of passive skills, the “Communication Character” and “Killing Character” from Tearful Twin, whose purpose was unknown but likely very potent, and protective thoughts from various powerful individuals... If Murong Ying truly discovered his anomaly and recognized him as Saint Servant Xu Xiaoshou... Then, in the chaotic spatial currents, with just the two of them, it might be the perfect place for murder and body disposal...

With these thoughts, and offering no resistance, Murong Ying easily pulled him into the chaotic spatial currents. “Om.” A faint tremor sounded in his ears. The spatial passage connected to the Cloud Ridge Mountains was closed, and darkness swept in, making Xu Xiaoshou's heart pound faster.

Considering all, excluding methods like “Ascension in One Step,” “Formation Disk Teleportation,” or “using the spatial passage opened by Ye Xiaotian in Tiansang Spirit Palace to reach Tianxuan Gate,” which bypass the chaotic spatial currents and directly connect two locations, this seemed to be the first time he truly stepped into the chaotic spatial currents and experienced the power of this unknown place firsthand. Amidst his nervousness, Xu Xiaoshou also felt a hint of excitement.

Aside from Murong Ying's spiritual energy acting as a barrier, Xu Xiaoshou now had almost no obstruction from the chaotic spatial currents; it was as if they were nakedly exposed to each other. In the air... No, there was no air! In this fragmented, dark, and opposing side of space, there were no other natural elements. There were only spatial nodes, shattered and dense, chaotic and intricate.

Arriving in this special place, completely filled with chaotic, disordered, unknown, and mysterious elements, Xu Xiaoshou felt as if he had entered the dark side of the Saint Divine Continent. Any space on the continent could be breached, allowing entry into the chaotic spatial currents. However, without exceptional power, this place could devour any living or inanimate object. Even a Half-Saint, if lost in such a dark place, could perish. For those without spatial attributes, the chaotic spatial currents were a riotous zone, a place of near-certain death, where one could not linger.

Yet, when Xu Xiaoshou arrived here, it felt like returning to another home—a dilapidated, lawless, incredibly chaotic home filled with volatile energy. He possessed all attributes, or perhaps, no attributes. After a long journey of “no attributes,” the first attribute he comprehended was space. Therefore, it could be said that apart from the Way of the Sword and special attributes forcefully imposed by external powers like Ember White Flame, Xu Xiaoshou's true main attribute was space.

Thus, even though the spatial power within the chaotic spatial currents was violent, being immersed in it allowed him to perceive the Great Way of Space more clearly, like holding a spatial origin stone and comprehending it constantly. However, compared to a spatial origin stone, prolonged comprehension in the chaotic spatial currents carried a risk of death, whereas the latter, though only containing the basic rules of the Way of Space, was incredibly safe. Just by staying in the chaotic spatial currents for a short while, Xu Xiaoshou felt he had understood many principles. Among these, it wasn't just comprehension of the Way of Space. His mental state, perspective, and other aspects also broadened as he immersed himself in the chaotic spatial currents. It was like seeing the door to a new world...

Xu Xiaoshou quickly thought of many new methods for committing crimes, destroying bodies, disposing of stolen goods, luring enemies deeper, and even channeling the power of the chaotic spatial currents into the real world for short-term, efficient, and powerful explosions. “This place is very suitable for me...” Xu Xiaoshou murmured silently. He had a premonition that this place might become his second home, a place he would frequent. Of course, the prerequisite was that he needed to have means to prevent the dangers within this “home.”

Just then, a sharp spatial blade shot past, soundless, but its speed made Xu Xiaoshou imagine the sound. What followed was a sudden spatial storm, like a ripple effect. Countless fragmented spatial blades whirled up, forming a tornado hundreds of feet high and tens of feet wide, raging in all directions, causing Xu Xiaoshou to break out in a cold sweat. “This place is too dangerous!” He immediately abandoned the idea of making this his second home.

Just as his thoughts turned, the spiritual energy around him shifted, and Xu Xiaoshou realized he had been moved by his captain to another spot, away from the spatial storm, temporarily safe. “Wang Chao!” A faint voice transmission came from the darkness. Xu Xiaoshou's alertness surged, and he suddenly remembered that there was actually another person beside him.

“Captain?” Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes slightly. As he spoke, one hand pressed against A-Jie on his chest, the other was loosely clenched, and his spiritual consciousness had already probed into his Yuan Mansion. The Four Swords were ready to be drawn at any moment if needed.

Only after completing these actions did Xu Xiaoshou feel confident. He then asked in a low voice, “Captain, what exactly do you want to tell me? What secret is so important that we have to come to this godforsaken place to discuss it?”