Chapter 987: 妄议师母大师兄,天打雷劈笑崆峒

"Is the power of a Saint Emperor influencing this? I don't know much about the First Seat's private life, but now I'm quite curious..." Xu Xiaoshou covertly tried to use his imposing presence to subtly draw out Xiao Kongtong's desire to confide.

He mused that if Bazun'an's former lover were an ordinary person, it was unlikely that no one would have known about it for decades.

After all, he was the Eighth Sword Immortal; any romantic dalliances would have long been unearthed by bards and become popular topics of conversation.

But the world remained entirely unaware, which was a significant issue.

Previously, Xu Xiaoshou might not have been so sensitive, but after all he had experienced, his first thought was of a strict vow of silence.

Who could so easily silence the world?

The answer was glaringly obvious: the power of a Saint Emperor!

And what was the likelihood of Bazun'an's romantic affairs being connected to a Saint Emperor family?

Xu Xiaoshou subjectively felt that the possibility was considerable. Moreover, this also perfectly aligned with Bazun'an's grandiosity – he didn't bother with trifles; he only dealt with major matters!

Xiao Kongtong, who had just been nicknamed "Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City," clearly didn't need any external prompting. Upon hearing this, his mouth fell open, and he stared at his "Water Ghost" senior with an incredulous look.

"You don't know that?"

He gasped softly, rubbing his hands together. He cast quick glances to his left and right, and seeing no one, a fierce flame of gossip ignited in his eyes.

"Water Ghost senior, don't tell me you've been so occupied with missions your entire life that you don't even know about the 'List of Peerless Beauties'?" The "Big Mouth" abruptly changed the subject, introducing something entirely new.

"'List of Peerless Beauties'?" Xu Xiaoshou paused, slightly taken aback.

"You truly don't know? Incredible!"

"You seem to know quite a lot, young man?"

"Absolutely! 'Moon Palace Slave,' the top beauty on the list, is none other than our teacher's beloved! I've also heard that she is the most beautiful woman in the world..."

Xiao Kongtong had a blissful expression. He suddenly narrowed his eyes, swayed his head, and recited rapturously:

"The Moon clan's lady frolics in the mortal realm, bare feet treading the green mountains. The green mountains blush with shame, beckoning clouds to conceal their imperfections... Senior, just imagine, how beautiful is that?"

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily lost in reverie.

The green mountains blush with shame, beckoning clouds to conceal their imperfections...

Though the words only hinted at the full meaning, he could already envision a beautiful fairy wandering the mountains barefoot. Seeing the mist rise from the green peaks, she was overcome with joy, so she danced with graceful sleeves and sang softly, momentarily captivating all of heaven and earth.

"It is indeed very beautiful..."

Xu Xiaoshou had never seen Moon Palace Slave, but that did not prevent him from feeling a deep yearning and allowing his imagination to soar.

Xiao Kongtong, too, had been lost in contemplation for a while. Then, remembering something else, he lowered his voice significantly and hesitantly asked, "Senior, you couldn't possibly also be unaware of how our name 'Saint Servant' came to be, could you?"

"'If not a Saint, then forever a slave...' Xu Xiaoshou was still in a daze. After a moment, he snapped back to reality and asked, "Isn't that it?"

Xiao Kongtong clapped a hand over his mouth, barely believing his ears. He whispered, "Saint Servant, Saint Servant... it's the 'Servant' from Moon Palace Slave!"

"Ah?" Xu Xiaoshou also covered his mouth, his face a mask of shock, finally regaining his senses.

Bazun'an, you scoundrel! I've been utterly deceived by you!

All this time, he was spouting that nonsense about "If not a Saint, then forever a slave," and even deceptively claimed, "No one else can find the answer; only I possess it..."

You were just too serious!

So serious that unknowing outsiders were completely led astray by you!

Yet, the truth was that all of it amounted to nothing more than elaborate excuses! They were merely pretenses to conceal his past romantic entanglements!

Xu Xiaoshou felt a thrill, as if he were listening to an unofficial history.

The versions he had heard from the public, and the official reports he had received, all painted the Eighth Sword Immortal as having exceptional talent in swordsmanship, while portraying Saint Servants as a dark force—all seemingly respectable but ultimately misleading information.

However, what came out of the mouth of the "Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City," who loved gossiping about his teacher's scandalous romantic history, was explosive, unfiltered information!

Even if these details sounded suspiciously like disreputable unofficial histories, they were coming directly from the disciple of the 'protagonist' of those very histories. Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but feel the credibility was exceptionally high!

It all fell apart...

In that moment, Xu Xiaoshou felt a noble image collapsing in his mind.

Not just one, but two!

First, there was the Senior Brother of Canyue Immortal City standing before him. His previous appearances had been incredibly dashing and classic, but now, while impersonating the Water Ghost, he was utterly a chatterbox, with no dignified image left.

Second was Bazun'an himself. The dignified Eighth Sword Immortal was not only unseemly, but his disciples were also so undisciplined. Indeed, they were cut from the same cloth!

It was no wonder this "Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City" hadn't yet gained his teacher's full approval; perhaps Bazun'an had long seen through his true nature.

"Moon Palace Slave..."

"Is she also from one of the five Great Saint Emperor Families, the Moon clan?"

Xu Xiaoshou forcibly suppressed his wandering thoughts, picking up on Xiao Kongtong's words, wanting him to continue elaborating and expand on the topic.

Such high-quality gossip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The more secrets he could extract, the better.

But at this point, Xiao Kongtong finally sensed that something was amiss.

This Water Ghost senior knew far too little, almost like an imposter!

He reined in his gossipy enthusiasm, looking suspiciously at Xu Xiaoshou: "Water Ghost senior, why do you feel somewhat un... *cough*, strange?"

"Isn't it perfectly normal for me to be strange? My worldview has been completely overturned by you, the 'Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City'..." Xu Xiaoshou muttered inwardly, but he didn't rise to the bait, as his true identity could not yet be revealed.

Who knew if this "Big Mouth" would suddenly erupt and swallow him whole if he discovered Xu Xiaoshou's true identity at this very moment?

So, Xu Xiaoshou puffed out his chest, clasped his hands behind his back, and countered, "Your swordsmanship isn't particularly impressive, but you seem quite well-versed in romantic tidbits like the 'List of Peerless Beauties,' don't you?"

Xiao Kongtong was instantly silenced, as if his vital spot had been seized. His face flushed crimson: "I-I... I'm not doing this for romantic entanglements. I learn these things to prepare for cultivating the 'Love Sword Art'!"

Oh, what a grand and plausible excuse!

'Love Sword Art,' indeed?

Xu Xiaoshou could instantly tell that this "Big Mouth" was talking utter nonsense.

"Oh, so it's about romance, is it...?" He scoffed, chuckling. "Did I ever suggest you were doing it for romantic reasons? You're confessing without prompting, aren't you?"

"..." Xiao Kongtong was instantly speechless, unable to utter a single sound.

"Cursed, Passive Value +1."

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

They both snapped out of their uninhibited conversation, suddenly realizing their discussion had become too personal for such a brief acquaintance. However, due to mutual reservations, neither dared to press further.

A few moments later.

Xiao Kongtong awkwardly turned his face, saying with some embarrassment, "Senior, what I just spoke about was a bit too presumptuous. I hope you won't mention it to my teacher."

"It's fine, I rather enjoy your presumptuousness..." Xu Xiaoshou secretly chuckled, then said casually, "Don't worry, what we just discussed is known only to heaven and earth, to you and me. There's absolutely no way a third person will ever find out."

Xiao Kongtong brightened, cupping his fist in a bow: "Many thanks, senior, for keeping my secret."

Xu Xiaoshou, however, had his own concerns. This "Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City" didn't seem like someone capable of keeping a secret. Once he encountered other Saint Servants, he would likely bring up this very matter.

Currently, any blame would undoubtedly fall on the *true* Water Ghost. But what if something happened later, and his own true identity became impossible to conceal? Who knew if Xiao Kongtong and Bazun'an would then hold him accountable?

Xu Xiaoshou considered it for a moment, still feeling it wasn't secure enough, and immediately suggested, "Why not take an oath?"

An oath?

Xiao Kongtong was taken aback. Was it truly serious enough to warrant an oath?

But on second thought, with the restriction of a Grand Dao oath, it would genuinely be impossible for the Water Ghost senior to mention his indiscreet remarks about his teacher's wife to the teacher.

He was pleased with this idea and nodded, "Alright."

Xu Xiaoshou's lips curved upwards. He was the first to raise his hand: "Then, as I just declared, what transpired here shall absolutely not be revealed to a third party. Should this oath be broken..." He trailed off, looking at the "Big Mouth."

Xiao Kongtong also raised his hand, solemnly declaring, "May heaven strike me with lightning!"

The two exchanged smiles, lowering their hands simultaneously, feeling that they now shared more secrets, which had considerably deepened their relationship.

So, it seemed that the bond between men could be strengthened not only by a shared drink but also by gossip and oaths...

Both simultaneously felt a surge of emotion, but the good times were short-lived. No sooner had the oath concluded than a sudden change occurred.

"Boom!"

Above their heads, a deafening peal of thunder suddenly erupted, followed by a faint electrical sizzle, causing both of them in the deep sea to feel a tingling numbness throughout their bodies.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

He gazed upwards, his face frozen in bewilderment.

Did this "Big Mouth of Canyue Immortal City" harbor ill intentions, intending to betray me?

Xiao Kongtong: ???

He, too, trembled in fright, his gaze flicking towards the Water Ghost senior.

What did this mean? They had just sworn a Grand Dao oath, and Xu Xiaoshou had already decided to inform his teacher?

"Boom!"

Another, even more deafening, peal of thunder abruptly shattered any lingering hope in their hearts.

It hadn't been an illusion; heavenly punishment had truly arrived...

Xu Xiaoshou instantly darted his gaze sideways, his lips trembling, as if explaining to the Heavenly Dao itself. He blurted out, "That last phrase, 'May heaven strike me with lightning,' came from your mouth, didn't it!"

Xiao Kongtong's face instantly turned green. All thoughts of good friends or kindred spirits vanished; he was so enraged that he nearly burst into curses:

"Senior, you were part of it too! This oath was made by both of us. Without your preceding assurances, how could my subsequent punishment even manifest?" He managed to maintain some composure, but only because of the respectful address "Senior."

Xu Xiaoshou was instantly speechless.

He hadn't even had a chance to demonstrate his silver tongue and shift all the blame onto the "Big Mouth" when several more chaotic peals of thunder rumbled from the heavens.

"Boom! Rumble! Rumble!"

This time, the heavenly punishment appeared genuinely enraged.

Along with the thunder, the deep sea no longer only carried a faint electrical sizzle.

In an instant, streaks of red lightning etched vivid, sharp lines across the deep-sea depths, their destructive power clear for all to see.

Xu Xiaoshou felt relatively fine; his body only experienced an intensified numbness, with no major adverse reactions.

But he watched as Xiao Kongtong was struck by the red electricity, his entire body rigid. His eyebrows and hair stood on end in the deep sea, and even his pupils glazed over.

His indistinct form suddenly became much more solid; his Swordless Art state was almost disrupted by the lightning.

A pungent burnt odor subtly masked the faint power of the calamity, stinging their nostrils.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't overthink it at first. He sprang up, pointed at the "Big Mouth," and gloated shamelessly, "See? See? The lightning only strikes you, not me!"

"Why...?" Xiao Kongtong's vacant eyes instantly filled with resentment and doubt. He stammered, "Li-lightning elemental counters water, so wh-why... why are you unharmed?"

Lightning elemental counters water?

I didn't expect you to possess not only spiritual refining knowledge but also a grasp of physics!

Xu Xiaoshou sneered, " 'May heaven strike me with lightning' were your words. You harbored ill intentions, wanting to implicate me. If the lightning doesn't strike you, then who will it strike?"

"I-I didn't..." Xiao Kongtong was on the verge of tears. Just as he managed to regain movement from his rigid state, a thunderous boom echoed overhead once more.

"Boom!"

This time, not only did red lightning flash, but multicolored electric arcs crisscrossed simultaneously, with even black and white appearing among them.

"Zzzzz——"

Xiao Kongtong's legs instantly shot straight, his head tilted back, his neck retracting into his chest. Only his vacant, fish-like eyes remained, rolling upwards.

Xu Xiaoshou fared no better. All his hair stood on end, and he felt a burning, stinging sensation spread through his entire body. Every cell convulsed, and he completely lost control of his physical form.

Had it not been for his numerous passive abilities and his relatively high physical resilience, that electric shock would likely have reverted him to his original form.

"Heh, hehe!" Xiao Kongtong, in a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black, finally let out a laugh. "So, you wanted to betray me too..."

"..." Xu Xiaoshou abandoned his playful demeanor, beginning to realize that something was seriously amiss.

This familiar calamitous power, accompanied by nine-colored lightning, was something he had only encountered before in treasures like the "All-Illuminating Original Seed" and the "Three-Day Frost Tribulation."

Undoubtedly, this was the distinct aura of calamity that only formed when a Dao Severer successfully navigated the Nine-Death Lightning Tribulation.

Surely, beneath the deep sea, a lightning punishment couldn't genuinely be triggered by their mere oath, could it?

However, there were indeed many Dao Severers facing death due to the water orb's suction. Could there be one among them, unwilling to perish in vain, attempting to forcefully undergo the Nine-Death Lightning Tribulation within the forbidden formation?

"Big Mouth... no, Xiao Kongtong, look closely. Is someone undergoing tribulation?" Xu Xiaoshou almost blurted out his internal nickname but quickly corrected himself, refocusing on the matter at hand.

Xiao Kongtong's thoughts were instantly pulled back on track.

The person opposite him might be inexperienced, but he was the authentic Senior Brother of Canyue Immortal City!

"Calamitous power... red lightning... that first bolt of thunder, it truly seemed to be the Scarlet Rule Divine Lightning..." Xiao Kongtong realized, his eyes widening. "Senior, someone is actually undergoing tribulation in the deep sea! The Nine-Death Lightning Tribulation!"

Truly?!

Xu Xiaoshou felt incredulous: "Isn't there a forbidden formation in the deep sea? How could anyone possibly undergo tribulation there?"

Xiao Kongtong was momentarily flustered by the question, thinking, 'Isn't that what *I* should be asking? Didn't *you* set up the forbidden formation?'

But being asked this, he also began to ponder: "With all nine colors of lightning tribulation appearing, is there a possibility that the Dao Severer undergoing it wants to pass all nine-death lightning tribulations in one go?"

Is that even possible?

Xu Xiaoshou was no longer an ignorant spiritual refining novice. He knew that each of the Nine-Death Lightning Tribulations was exceedingly difficult, and even if one survived, they would be severely wounded. How could anyone possibly pass all of them consecutively?

Yet, the restrictions of the forbidden formation remained.

Undergoing only one tribulation, perhaps its power would be utterly insufficient to stir the dormant spiritual ocean, and any signs of breakthrough might even be instantly obliterated by the forbidden formation.

This, perhaps, could explain why no Dao Severers had attempted to undergo tribulation previously.

Because only by passing all nine tribulations could one, using the terrifying power of heavenly punishment, possibly breach the constraints of the forbidden formation and seize a sliver of hope between life and death?

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Shouye.

The one undergoing tribulation might not be Shouye, but for Shouye, a Dao Severer, breaking through his limitations might indeed be his only remaining option.

Clasping the fake Sea-Dominating Divine Halberd, he activated his mimic ability to draw on water elemental power for self-preservation, and simultaneously asked, "Has anyone in history ever attempted to pass all nine of the Nine-Death Lightning Tribulations?"

"Yes!" Xiao Kongtong watched as the Water Ghost senior, while asking the question, simultaneously pushed away the surrounding water currents. His eyes filled with envy, and he wanted to plead for help.

"And the outcome?" Xu Xiaoshou pressed immediately.

"They all failed..." Xiao Kongtong could only reply.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank instantly, his thoughts drifting far away.

Xiao Kongtong could no longer withstand the pressure. Since this was the Nine-Death Lightning Tribulation, the lightning strikes were systematic. The next wave was imminent!

"Senior, could you please help me push away the water currents first? Without Sword Flow, I cannot withstand these indiscriminate attacks under the power of Heavenly Punishment..."

"Huh?" Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily dazed for a breath before finally reacting.

"Boom! Rumble!"

Just then, another lightning bolt flashed and struck.

"Gah!"

The scream abruptly ceased. Xiao Kongtong's head snapped back, and his body slowly floated upwards in the deep sea, his navel acting as the highest point.