Chapter 952: Pretending to Be Xu Xiaoshou, Strong Move by the Night Guard

"Recognition gained, Passive Points: 62."

This sudden message on the information bar truly startled Xu Xiaoshou.

Impersonating Yi was a sudden inspiration, purely out of habit—an unconscious act of provoking hostility. Yet, Xu Xiaoshou never expected that after venting his emotions at Rao Yaoyao, he would gain the trust of over sixty fools.

Are these people brainless? Yi is already dead! The Holy Divine Palace must have other ways to confirm his death, so how could so many people believe him after just a few words?

Xu Xiaoshou recalled the small details he had deliberately revealed in his words: Yi's candied hawthorn, the nickname "Little Owl," and the instantaneous identity switch with a successful explanation of his undercover mission. All of these were read from Yi's soul memory. The ability to quickly deduce the key points of the "undercover mission" narrative came from Xu Xiaoshou's rapid summarization of Yi's intelligence work habits at a critical juncture.

This narrative completely overturned the judgment of Rao Yaoyao and the others. Xu Xiaoshou was so confident because he himself had almost believed his own performance. But the truth was... no matter how successful a performance might seem, it must be based on the audience's cooperation.

The current situation was that both sides were in a tense standoff. As soon as his identity changed, Rao Yaoyao was somewhat convinced by his words. Why? Has my art of verbal persuasion improved again?

This absurd thought flashed briefly in Xu Xiaoshou's mind before he quickly discarded it. He thought of a more accurate answer: Aura of the Vast Sea!

"Aura of the Vast Sea, State Passive Skill: When emotions change, aura can be stacked, with no upper limit."

When he transformed into Yi, he started from a calm state, then moved to accepting various doubts, then systematically refuting and clarifying, then reducing everyone opposite him to silence, and finally reaching the point of taking liberties, pointing at Rao Yaoyao and cursing. These unconscious emotional states piled up, accumulating layers of aura powerful enough to suppress any resistance in others. The invisible aura naturally had an invisible influence. It not only functioned on the concrete level of shocking the mind, but also made his aggressive rhetoric more persuasive, making it impossible for people to refute him from the bottom of their hearts!

"Aura of the Vast Sea at Throne Level 1 already has these functions?"

Xu Xiaoshou only remembered using "Aura of the Vast Sea" to imitate the aura of powerful figures like the Eighth Sword Immortal and Elder Sang. He never expected that this state passive skill, upon reaching the Throne level, would initially possess the ability to "tamper with will." Or perhaps, rather than "tampering with will," "convincing others" would be more fitting.

Xu Xiaoshou had experienced such terrifying situations: in the White Cave, due to cultivation suppression, he was once "forcibly convinced" by Yu Lingdi, leading to incidents like "forgetting to check key information in the information bar," which almost caused a major disaster. More recently, Xu Xiaoshou believed that he and even Ye Xiaotian were abruptly "guided" to Lone Echo Cliff to face so many experts from the Holy Divine Palace. There should have been similar "convincing" power involved, approximately from "Ba Zun'an"! Or, Ba Zun'an used the guidance of the Holy Emperor's will!

And now, "Aura of the Vast Sea" at the Throne level already possessed such a rudimentary form, initially affecting Rao Yaoyao, a Taixu-level expert who was two small realms higher.

"Perhaps, when my 'Aura of the Vast Sea' reaches a higher level, it can truly achieve 'whatever I say, it is so'... yes, the level of words becoming law. And this is essentially 'emotional assimilation,' making people unable to refute from the bottom of their hearts, or perhaps... never even having a thought of doubt or refutation. Similar to... 'if I believe it, then it truly exists,' such an exaggerated abstract power?"

In a flash of lightning, these insights flickered through his mind, but Xu Xiaoshou remained unmoving, his expression utterly calm. Since entering East Heaven King City, he had rarely shown his true appearance or true abilities. It was only now that he realized he had unknowingly grown to a point where a single word could influence a Sword Immortal-level expert.

"Suspicion received, Passive Points: 1.""Speculation received, Passive Points: 1."The information bar kept popping up. In front of him, Rao Yaoyao was still deep in thought. Even without looking at the information bar, Xu Xiaoshou could easily read her thoughts from her rapidly changing expression. This was nothing more than the small details he had deliberately revealed—the nickname "Little Owl," the explanation of the undercover work, Yi being on par with her and not wanting to be managed by her.

What was originally an absurd act of "transforming into Yi," intended only to buy time and wait for an opportunity with no hope of success, unexpectedly achieved unimaginable results, which surprised Xu Xiaoshou. He "perceived" beyond Rao Yaoyao, focusing on the law enforcers behind her, and even his own people like Lei Xi'er and Ye Xiaotian. What he saw were all expressions of surprise and doubt! Lei Xi'er was no exception!

"Excellent..." Xu Xiaoshou chuckled inwardly. He suddenly felt that he truly had a chance of success – resolving the current crisis without bloodshed!

However, at this very moment, he keenly noticed the only variable in the field... Shou Ye!

Xu Xiaoshou's heart suddenly sank. Among the law enforcement officers, Shou Ye's cultivation was not the highest, but he was the first among everyone to regain his rationality. The reason was simple: Shou Ye had fallen for similar tricks too many times. As the saying goes, "a fall into a pit, a gain in your wit." From the moment Xu Xiaoshou transformed into Yi, Shou Ye was the first to find it unrealistic. This, after all, was Xu Xiaoshou's signature trick!

But as "Yi" began to use his eloquent tongue, refuting everyone into silence, and even starting to curse Rao Yaoyao, everyone seemed... to start believing him! "Yi's" image, standing on the moral high ground and accusing everyone of mistakes, was almost the embodiment of "truth," making it inherently difficult for anyone to resist. What's more, "Yi's" essence was ninety-nine percent still Xu Xiaoshou! Shou Ye knew that Xu Xiaoshou possessed a special power, similar to the "aura of a high-ranking individual." He had only seen a few people possess this power, such as the Temple Master and Lord Cangsheng... and figures of that level were Half-Saints! Shou Ye didn't know why Xu Xiaoshou, at such a young age and with such weak cultivation, would possess this special aura. But he had been influenced by this aura before and knew that it was difficult to raise doubts about anyone Xu Xiaoshou transformed into. Coupled with the fact that Xu Xiaoshou was too intelligent! Every time he transformed into a person, he could always perform the habits and behaviors closest to the real person from the most imperceptible details.

"Little Owl, undercover mission..." All these statements were too perfect, too seamless, making it impossible for people to refute anything he said from the bottom of their hearts. But in Shou Ye's view... this was precisely too much like Xu Xiaoshou!

"Xu Xiaoshou, stop playing tricks! Others don't understand you, but do you really think you can hide everything from my old eyes?" At once, Shou Ye stepped forward, sternly rebuking him. With a single sentence, he broke Xu Xiaoshou's aura's influence over everyone present, causing them to slightly awaken and realize that their emotional changes just now had been overly peculiar. From "absolutely disbelieving" to "deeply convinced"... the speed of this transformation was too fast!

Having just slightly broken Xu Xiaoshou's aura, Shou Ye immediately turned to Rao Yaoyao and said in a deep voice, "Sword Immortal Rao, whether Yi is dead or not, I believe you should have more definitive ways to confirm... such as soul lamps, spiritual paper, and the 'spiritual jade slip' stored at the Holy Mountain headquarters, and certainly not here, listening to a biased statement from an enemy!"

Shou Ye was unsure if the higher-ups had issued a death notice. But he believed that given Sword Immortal Rao's position at the Holy Divine Palace headquarters, she must have more information than he did. The things he mentioned were precisely what could confirm a person's life-and-death status. Soul lamps indicate whether a person's soul has completely dissipated. Spiritual paper confirms whether a spirit artificer's spiritual aura still exists on the continent. Spiritual jade slips, bound to Heaven's Secrets術, directly indicate whether a person's spiritual will has completely vanished into the Dao of Heaven, with no possibility of resurrection. All three of these were stored on Guizhe Holy Mountain. And in Shou Ye's opinion, these methods for confirming the life-and-death status of direct high-ranking officials at the Holy Divine Palace headquarters naturally superseded the biased statement of an enemy.

Rao Yaoyao, seemingly alerted by the reminder, slightly regained her senses, her attention returning to the situation. But in truth, what Shou Ye could think of, she had already anticipated.

However, at this moment, Wang Dachui, who was standing nearby, stomped his foot in anger with a "wah" sound. He only then remembered that among everyone present, probably only he and Rao Yaoyao had received news that Yi's soul lamp had been extinguished. This undoubtedly indicated that the person in front of them was actually Xu Xiaoshou in disguise.

"You, Xu Xiaoshou, how dare you deceive me repeatedly! This is beyond endurance!" Wang Dachui felt completely played. Although he was still confused as to why Xu Xiaoshou knew such confidential matters as the "Spear-Locking Essence Pill," he now trusted the Holy Mountain's message more. So, he raised his hammer and lunged forward.

The little girl Yi, transformed by Xu Xiaoshou, easily dodged the blow with a flick and returned to Rao Yaoyao's side. His expression was extremely calm, seemingly unaffected by Shou Ye's words. He merely scoffed and casually looked at Rao Yaoyao, saying, "Wang Dachui is a fool. Can't even you understand this?"

Had Rao Yaoyao not considered the "soul lamp" matter? But according to "Yi's" earlier statement, if he truly had a mission here, besides assisting her, to secretly investigate dark forces like the Holy Slaves, then Holy Mountain would certainly cooperate with his actions. In a way, this further aligned with Yi being dispatched here to assist her with the mission. Therefore, it wasn't that Rao Yaoyao hadn't considered the crucial point that "under normal circumstances, a soul lamp can indeed indicate a person's life or death." Rather, she knew that this rule did not include Yi, who was an expert in spiritual and soul arts! Even what she considered the most crucial reaction – "Night Owl losing contact" – the "Yi" in front of her had given the most direct answer: still cooperating with the operation. If the soul lamp extinguished, her mind could quickly conjure up what "Yi" would say in response.

For a moment, Rao Yaoyao truly fell into a state of self-doubt. I, I actually can't discern whether the person in front of me is the real Yi or the fake Xu Xiaoshou!

"Villain Xu, stop spreading your evil words!" Wang Dachui glanced at the still-hesitant Rao Yaoyao and resolved to act as her sword, to verify "Yi's" identity. This time, he no longer suppressed his strength. He stomped his foot, breaking the space with a boom, and swung his large hammer directly at the little girl Yi's head.

"Under attack, Passive Points: 1."Damn it... Xu Xiaoshou cursed inwardly. He most feared these brainless hotheads! After all, he could use his cunning to confuse intelligent people like Rao Yaoyao, but when a scholar meets a soldier, by God, it's really impossible to reason with them! Fortunately, I was prepared... Xu Xiaoshou's figure instantly became ethereal. The 'Imitator' brought Yi's reaction speed after all. He dodged sideways, sliding past the furious hammer blow. Then, just like when Yi brushed past him and their eyes met, he flew past Wang Dachui, turning his gaze to meet the latter's furious, bloodshot eyes.

"Boom!" In an instant, Wang Dachui felt as if struck by lightning. The power of Mental Pierce caused him to momentarily become disoriented. It really is Yi's ability... After being directly impacted, Wang Dachui's aura subsided. He also couldn't refute whether this was Xu Xiaoshou utilizing the Imitator, or if he was truly being impulsive and already fighting against Yi himself.

"Do you have a brain?! Huh!" The little girl Yi, having passed Wang Dachui, immediately yelled loudly, almost kicking him away. Immediately after, Yi's expression became annoyed: "If I hadn't extinguished the headquarters' soul lamp, if I hadn't had the Temple Master's mission, could I have infiltrated here and endured an old fool like you for so long? Are you truly blind to my identity, or are you trying to use this opportunity to get rid of me?" He directly confronted Wang Dachui, showering him with accusations. That sense of righteous indignation made it truly difficult for anyone not to cower.

Shou Ye's heart turned cold upon hearing this. It's over... Xu Xiaoshou, as expected, is incredibly cunning, knowing how to deal with people's minds. Wang Dachui's actions predictably froze, an awkward expression appearing on his face. He, too, only just realized that if his soul lamp were extinguished, it would indeed mean his own death, as he lacked the ability to affect his soul lamp. But Yi was different. Yi himself was a top expert in the soul arts on the continent. Extinguishing his soul lamp to make the Holy Mountain headquarters announce his death, thereby inciting the anger of the high-ranking law enforcers and making them work harder – this was a normal part of Yi's bizarre operations, and also a common trick used by those above to squeeze people's potential.

I... I can't tell who this is anymore... Wang Dachui turned to look at Rao Yaoyao, hoping she could provide an answer. Rao Yaoyao remained silently, her face equally full of struggle. She had similar thoughts to what "Yi" had just expressed. If the "Yi" in front of her couldn't explain this point, then he might indeed be fake. But now, the other party had given a perfect answer. What reason did she have to attack her own person?

Perhaps Xu Xiaoshou could kill Yi... Perhaps he could indeed obtain the Imitator and successfully imitate Yi... But as the supreme expert in soul and spiritual arts, how could Xu Xiaoshou obtain Yi's thoughts, the absolute secrets of the Holy Divine Palace, and even clearly master everything to the point of knowing even the "secret dealings" between Wang Dachui and Yi? Soul possession wouldn't even yield such "memories"! So, in Rao Yaoyao's view, if all counter-arguments were invalid, the person in front of her could only truly be Yi carrying out an undercover mission. And her impulsive actions had indeed damaged Yi's work in obtaining internal intelligence about the Holy Slaves, which was why the other party was so angrily accusing her. Rao Yaoyao was stuck on this point, unable to move past it.

The scene fell silent once more. At this point, even Lei Xi'er and Ye Xiaotian showed either feigned or genuine "vigilance." How could Xu Xiaoshou understand Yi so well? He couldn't be, could he, truly Yi in disguise? To deceive to this extent, this could only be the work of "the ever-changing Yi"!

"Speculation received, Passive Points: 10.""Recognition gained, Passive Points: 93."Even "Suspicion received" had disappeared; they had all entered the phase of contemplating his identity... Facing the sudden massive shift in the information bar, Xu Xiaoshou could only exclaim at this moment: "Soul Reading is truly a divine skill!"

Just as he felt the situation had entered an extremely familiar stage, where everything could be turned around with a flick of his wrist, Shou Ye suddenly moved from behind him! His slightly stern expression held admiration, increasing despair, and accompanying madness. Without receiving orders from Rao Yaoyao, Shou Ye, as the captain of the law enforcement squad, directly overstepped his authority, launching an attack on his own initiative, and with full power.

"Nightfall!"On Lone Echo Cliff, all light suddenly vanished, and everyone plunged into absolute darkness. Then, from the darkness, a single point of light abruptly appeared in the sky. That light quickly expanded, transforming into a giant, blazing white hand descending from the heavens, filling everyone's spiritual world, like a god's palm falling. "Hand of Heaven's Punishment!"