Chapter 996: Being Law-Abiding, or Perhaps... Ambitious

"To be frank, this is a bit too big."

After some thought, Xu Xiaoshou still felt it was irrational to get involved in slaying a saint.

He sincerely advised, "Senior, perhaps your best choice isn't to intervene directly and take sides. Instead, let them fight amongst themselves, and you can watch from the sidelines."

"So you're the clever one, are you?" The Water Ghost chuckled, shaking his head. "But the Half-Saint is already trying to drag me into this. How do you suggest I watch from the sidelines without getting caught in the crossfire?"

"That's true..." Xu Xiaoshou rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

Every time he had been caught in a whirlpool, he'd found himself powerless to resist.

He was all too familiar with that feeling.

"Xu Xiaoshou..." the Water Ghost began, "Your temperament actually suits me quite well."

The Water Ghost suddenly changed the subject, scrutinizing the young man in front of him. He rubbed his fingers and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Sleeveless didn't teach you for long before he left, did he?"

"Left..." Xu Xiaoshou was speechless for a moment, but nodded. "I suppose so. What do you mean, Senior?"

The Water Ghost swayed the Sea-Guiding Divine Halberd in his hand, a flicker of reminiscence in his eyes as he spoke:

"Although Sleeveless and I were both Saint Servants, we didn't interact much. He left very early, and I was rarely with the organization myself.

"Our connection was limited to a few chess games we played early on.

"With his personality, if he were still by your side, you'd likely be even more at ease, and certainly bolder, not as hesitant as you are now..."

The Water Ghost glanced meaningfully at Xu Xiaoshou. "He would teach you how to maximize your benefits between life and death, because that's his forte."

What did he mean? Xu Xiaoshou didn't quite grasp the implication.

The Water Ghost smiled. "If he were here instead, he wouldn't advise me to cower in a Half-Saint's game.

"Because he understands that what's called 'self-preservation' is, in a Half-Saint's eyes, merely 'waiting' to delay the inevitable demise.

"On the contrary, he would say..." The Water Ghost paused, then continued, "If a Half-Saint seeks you out, but you're not their primary target, then you can certainly act as a go-between, fan the flames, and look for opportunities to profit.

"'Watching from the sidelines' is never the best approach for cultivators like us to maximize our gains, but 'when snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits' is.

"Therefore, you shouldn't retreat; instead, you should face the challenge head-on, using both sides to eliminate each other. You, the sole survivor, will then reap all the benefits."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

This... Isn't that the mindset of a true opportunist?

I understand the logic, but how can you guarantee you'll be the last one standing?

"Senior, your words make sense, but I have a small question..." Xu Xiaoshou understood that the Water Ghost was trying to indirectly teach him survival strategies, but he wasn't entirely convinced.

"I know what you're wondering," the Water Ghost interrupted with a smile.

"What you're thinking is, 'How can I guarantee I'll be the sole survivor?'

"Or 'if either side survives and discovers your involvement, how do you protect yourself when all their conflict shifts to you?'

"Or even, 'I could simply choose to step back, so why must I get involved?'"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, confirming that these were indeed his precise thoughts, even more comprehensively articulated.

The Water Ghost explained patiently, as if instructing a junior he held in high regard:

"You've forgotten the 'Battle for the Great Dao,' you've forgotten that 'a general's glory is built on the bones of ten thousand,' and you've even forgotten that 'even if you do nothing now, one day in the future, they will still move against you'...

"Because you have direct conflicts with both sides."

He paused, then remarked emotionally:

"On the path of spiritual cultivation, it's either progress or decline.

"Perhaps in the early stages of cultivation, choosing to retreat and protect yourself when faced with danger is a wise decision.

"But once you've reached the Throne realm—or even as a Grandmaster, if you're directly involved in 'Battle for the Great Dao' matters, which are typically for Throne-level cultivators—

"Then 'retreating in the face of trouble,' or 'only seeking self-preservation without maximizing benefits,' will always be the least effective strategy."

The Water Ghost's voice suddenly grew distant, like a resonant bell echoing in Xu Xiaoshou's mind:

"You're already quite assertive, but that's only relative to your peers.

"Your opponents are never your peers! Sleeveless chose you, and Banzun An chose you; that means you are destined to be exceptionally advanced just to be considered barely adequate.

"And since you're already involved in the various stratagems of Saint Emperors and Half-Saints, your current ambition isn't enough—far from it!"

The Water Ghost extended a finger, touching the deep sea.

The deep sea transformed into a chessboard, with pieces appearing, constantly moving, shattering, and regenerating.

Pointing to the board, the Water Ghost looked directly at Xu Xiaoshou, observing his pensive expression, and continued:

"In such a grand game of chess, which piece is useful, which is expendable, and which might seem insignificant now but must be protected because it will enable a 'divine move' in the future...

"All of this is within the chess master's considerations.

"Don't worry that they aren't clever enough to play you to your demise, because you are merely a piece; you're not qualified to contemplate matters beyond the chessboard.

"Any chess master who lacks qualification is eliminated early. As long as you prove useful, other, more astute chess masters will notice you, preserve you, and use you for their own ends."

The Water Ghost cleared his throat, leaving no room for a pause, and continued:

"And why does a piece excel and get reused? Is it simply because it's strong enough, or its utility value is significant enough?

"Yes! But that's far from sufficient.

"It must also be capable of growth, so it isn't discarded midway;

"It must possess its own ideas and display sufficient ambition to be promoted from a pawn to a general;

"And it must, at a certain point, in some corner, emanate its own light, allowing a desperate and confused chess master to clearly see... This is an opportunity for a 'divine move'!

"That's when your opportunity arises.

"Whether you can use this to escape the current game, be kept by the chess master for the next, or even repeatedly leverage opportunities to grow, ultimately breaking free from their control to become a player yourself...

"It all depends on your desire and your ability to leverage the situation.

"In other words, is your ambition great enough, and your ability strong enough... to forcefully influence the chess master's actions within the game!"

*Pop.* As the Water Ghost finished speaking, he lightly tapped his finger, shattering the underwater chessboard and leaving Xu Xiaoshou alone, deep in thought.

"What you said makes a lot of sense..."

"But you don't agree, do you?" The Water Ghost interrupted Xu Xiaoshou. "Or perhaps, this is a bit different from what your master taught you, isn't it?"

Xu Xiaoshou raised his gaze, meticulously studying the Water Ghost's expression for a long moment.

Only when he realized that the Water Ghost was truly acting as a guiding senior and not merely toying with him, did Xu Xiaoshou become serious. He replied, "He said that as a piece, you must have the awareness of being a piece; doing your part well is enough."

Surprisingly, the Water Ghost didn't refute. Instead, he went along, "So you grasped that idea and have survived until now, which proves its validity."

"Is it not valid?" Xu Xiaoshou thought that while the statement might need slight modification, it was already a highly effective life-saving mantra.

As for anything beyond that statement, well, he figured it was best left to the chess masters.

"Sleeveless is right, and his words were correct," the Water Ghost smiled. "But people meet due to destiny, and words are spoken when the time is right. You also have to consider if that statement is still appropriate for the current moment, don't you?"

"How so?" Xu Xiaoshou cupped his hand in the water, leaning in to listen intently.

"If I were Sleeveless, I would have told you the same thing when you were a Post-Heaven, Innate, or even an ordinary Grandmaster—when you couldn't participate in the 'Battle for the Great Dao.'

"Because at that time, you were too weak. It was already difficult enough for you to survive with the sure-death title of a Saint Servant member.

"But now, the circumstances are different."

The Water Ghost shook his head, chuckling softly:

"You are now a Grandmaster, capable of influencing Throne-level battles and the Battle for the Great Dao. So the ambition you previously couldn't afford, you must now cultivate.

"If you cling to the past and fail to seek change amidst stability, then a major calamity will surely strike in the future, either leading to your death in despair or your rebirth from it...

"But at that point, after being reborn, your losses will be even greater!"

The Water Ghost's voice deepened significantly as he paused.

"To give you some examples: your master, Banzun An, and I myself...

"Among the opposing forces, Gou Wuyue is still like this; he's even more miserable, and his fate, whether life or death, remains uncertain."

Xu Xiaoshou, being highly intelligent, suddenly understood a great deal.

Ambition... was indeed a driving force for growth.

The Water Ghost's words were essentially a variation of "being prepared for danger in times of peace."

In times of peace, such words would naturally be considered irrational.

But in this brutal era of spiritual cultivation, where it's a constant struggle for survival—people devouring people, beasts swallowing beasts, where it's either you or I—they were incredibly fitting.

Xu Xiaoshou mostly didn't fully understand the examples the Water Ghost provided.

After all, he still didn't know what had happened to the Water Ghost personally, nor the truth behind Banzun An's "demise."

But Elder Sang's arrest and Gou Wuyue's imprisonment fit the theme perfectly.

What's more, Xu Xiaoshou thought of even more.

Leixier's transformation, wasn't it a result of leaving the innocent and naive Spirit Palace and gradually changing due to the harsh realities of the world?

And wasn't Shounie's plight a testament to failing to truly awaken even after reaching a certain stage of growth, ultimately having his personality completely transformed by a personal catastrophe?

Contentment, or... ambition?

The path ahead and the path behind truly require different mindsets.

"I think I understand your words, Senior..."

Xu Xiaoshou felt a sincere gratitude well up within him.

Had it not been for the Water Ghost's words, if he continued to follow Elder Sang's creed, he would likely encounter insurmountable problems in the future.

But the Water Ghost's words had now shifted his mindset, effectively nipping in the bud a potential future calamity similar to Shounie's.

"I merely taught you what Sleeveless hadn't yet, that's all. After all, you are my... junior," the Water Ghost said, gazing softly at Xu Xiaoshou like an old father.

As he gazed, his eyes blurred, and the person before him seemed to transform into someone else.

"By my reckoning..."

He murmured, the corners of his mouth suddenly curving upward, not with amusement, but with genuine warmth.

But then, remembering something, the Water Ghost suddenly snapped awake and stopped speaking.

"What?" Xu Xiaoshou looked up, not having heard the Water Ghost's last words clearly.

"Nothing," the Water Ghost replied, his usual smile returning.

Clearly, there was something! He wasn't mistaking him for a deceased child or something, was he?

Xu Xiaoshou squinted, silently speculating in his mind. After a moment, he gave a sincere slight bow. "Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it," the Water Ghost's lips curled upward again as he jested, "I merely wanted to trick you into helping me with a small favor. If you're that grateful, I'll feel guilty."

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

You're incredibly honest! I've truly never met anyone as frank as you in my life!

"Alright, tell me what I need to do! But let's be clear from the start: even if I get involved, you must at least guarantee that I won't die."

Xu Xiaoshou shrugged, stating helplessly, "I can't deny that your words just now were very persuasive, but my life is important; I cannot die. That's my absolute minimum."

The Water Ghost was chillingly frank. He cut in, "Whether you live or die, I can't guarantee that. In a Half-Saint's game, even I'm not entirely confident of success. But if a person has no ambition, how are they different from a salted fish? If you don't strive now, many people will try to seize your path later!"

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes, yet knew this was the unvarnished truth.

His path was not yet fully formed, but he was already offending even the Sacred Divine Temple. What about the future?

"So?" Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

"Heh heh..." Seeing that the young man was finally willing to help, the Water Ghost smiled with relief. "Jiang's Half-Saint wants Yama? I'll find Yama for him. He wants the Tear Clan's eyes? I'll find the Tear Clan's eyes for him. What you need to do is very simple..."

"You're not going to make me impersonate Yellow Springs, are you?" Xu Xiaoshou interrupted, his brows furrowed.

"Clever!" The Water Ghost snapped his fingers, his tone appreciative. "I love talking to clever people."

Clever, my foot! If I become the direct target, I'll die... Xu Xiaoshou cursed inwardly, then his eyes suddenly rolled, and he thought of something.

"Cut the pleasantries. You're asking for my help, and you know my capabilities, so you must have already planned an escape route for me before saying this."

Xu Xiaoshou, being very astute, grinned wryly. "Since you're so frank, I won't beat around the bush either. In this matter, how can I ensure my survival, and what can I gain, either before or after, to protect my life and aid my growth?"

Since they were talking about ambition.

Xu Xiaoshou's greatest ambition at the moment was to become a Throne.

He needed nothing else; as long as he could smoothly advance his cultivation realm, his combat power would immediately skyrocket. Then, with the help of the Saint Statue, he could likely walk unchallenged among those below the Half-Saint level, unless he encountered someone of Banzun An's caliber.

The Water Ghost clicked his tongue in surprise, sighing. "You're excessively shrewd. You can even discern that I'm scheming against you, and then calmly negotiate terms... One shouldn't be too cunning!"

"Leveraging power, using influence, seizing opportunities, and profiting as the fisherman... Weren't all these what you just taught me?" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled.

The Water Ghost was taken aback. How could his profound words be summarized into such devious tactics?

But he didn't dwell on it, shaking his head with a smile. "Very good, well said. I can't guarantee your life or death, but how could I ask a mere Grandmaster like you to intervene in a Saint-level situation without providing you with some means of defense?"

Going to give something? Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up.

The Water Ghost, who was indifferent even to Banzun An and dared to speak of blaspheming and slaying Half-Saints—would anything he offered be of low quality?