Chapter 997: Saint Emperor Dragon Scale's "Correct" Way to Open

"Take out what I gave you."

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered, the Water Ghost didn't pull anything out. Instead, he held out his hand as if asking for money.

"When did you ever give me anything...?" Xu Xiaoshou was astonished.

Didn't he promise to give me a protective treasure? Why is he now asking for something from me?

And besides, when did you ever give me anything?

"The Holy Emperor Dragon Scale," the Water Ghost calmly explained.

"Ah..." Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, finally understanding. When he went underwater, the Water Ghost had indeed put the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale into his mouth.

However, when it was in the Water Ghost's hands, it could pinpoint his location under the "Disappearance Art."

Once it fell into his own hands, he had no idea how to use it, so it remained unused.

Without thinking much further, Xu Xiaoshou flipped his hand and pulled out the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale, asking, "How do I use it?"

He wasn't worried the Water Ghost would reclaim it. It seemed the other party intended to teach him how to use the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale.

The Water Ghost took the black dragon scale, tossed it gently upwards, and said,

"This is the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale of the Demonic Emperor Black Dragon, and it has many functions.

I previously placed it on you for self-defense, imbuing it with guidance to avoid danger. This ensured you wouldn't encounter insurmountable enemies underwater.

For example, it kept you from encountering the ancient sword cultivator Rao Yaoyao, who can ignore the power of forbidden arrays, and other enemies who could instantly kill you."

Xu Xiaoshou paused, then realized why he hadn't found the enemies he'd been searching for so long underwater.

So, the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale sensed that finding Rao Yaoyao, Ye Xiaotian, and others might involve immense danger, and thus kept their paths clearly separated?

"Guidance power..."

Xu Xiaoshou murmured, then asked curiously, "Then how do I use it myself?"

"It's simple," the Water Ghost smiled, his fingers lightly manipulating the dragon scale. "Drip a drop of blood onto it, and your strongest thought will become a 'guidance.' Of course, if you're unsure, you can also speak to it directly."

Soon after, he extracted a drop of blood from it and returned the dragon scale to Xu Xiaoshou.

"This..."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

This method of use was far too simple!

So simple, in fact, that he had considered it before but dismissed it, thinking it couldn't possibly be that straightforward, and so he had put it aside.

The Water Ghost seemed to read Xu Xiaoshou's expression and smiled again.

"It sounds simple, but it's hard to do.

Before this, my blood was still in the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale, so it would only follow my 'guidance.'

Of course, now that I've extracted the blood from it, you simply need to inject your own, and you can easily use it."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded numbly, thinking to himself, *If I had known this beforehand, I would have just operated on it in my Yuan Mansion and removed your blood.*

*What a sight it would have been to see the Water Ghost's expression when he suddenly couldn't sense the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale anymore?*

"Chhh."

Without further thought, he drew a line with his fingertip.

Before the wound healed, Xu Xiaoshou quickly squeezed out a drop of his own blood and let it fall onto the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale.

"Thump-thump!"

"Thump-thump!"

A heavy heartbeat reverberated within the dragon scale.

Xu Xiaoshou felt a strange connection form between himself and the black scale.

"How magical..."

He looked up at the Water Ghost, who was gazing at the dragon scale with a hint of reluctance, yet feigning nonchalance, and still wearing that sly smile.

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated for a moment, then began to silently repeat in his mind:

"Fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool..."

The Holy Emperor Dragon Scale showed no abnormality.

The Water Ghost finally tore his lingering gaze away and looked towards the distant direction of the lightning tribulation. He paced with his hands behind his back underwater, saying:

"I've already removed the other negative abilities carried by this dragon scale. Now, it's just a simple treasure.

This was originally given to me by Ba Zun'an for strategic planning.

Your reason for coming to Solitary Sound Cliff, and why Rao Yaoyao, Ye Xiaotian, King Yama Huang Quan, and others came here, was also guided by this Holy Emperor Dragon Scale.

Now that I'm giving it to you, consider it compensation for a mere Grandmaster like yourself getting involved in a Semi-Saint's scheme. I hope you use it well to avoid the risks of being pursued by Semi-Saints from now on...

Hmm? Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me like that?"

The Water Ghost stopped mid-sentence, apparently having noticed Xu Xiaoshou's intense gaze.

"Ah... no, I'm listening intently."

Xu Xiaoshou, like a student caught daydreaming in the back row, felt a little guilty and deflected, "You're really cunning. It seems all of this was arranged by you in secret..."

*Why isn't it reacting?*

*Could it be that this guy still has a trick up his sleeve, and the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale doesn't affect him?*

While outwardly agreeing, Xu Xiaoshou secretly harbored other mischievous thoughts.

He saw the Water Ghost walking further away, still tightly gripping the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd without ever loosening his hold, and immediately thought of something.

The Ten Abnormity Weapons can transcend forbidden arrays, but if the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd were to suddenly abandon the Water Ghost in the deep sea, would the Water Ghost be suppressed by the forbidden array?

"Due to some irresistible elements, the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd once again yearns for freedom. It slightly breaks free from the Water Ghost's control, causing the Water Ghost, who has lost the barrier of this Abnormity Weapon, to suddenly lose control of his spiritual essence, and then...

Fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool..."

The Water Ghost suddenly snorted, seemingly sensing Xu Xiaoshou's inner machinations, and said in a deep voice,

"Don't think about things you shouldn't!

The Holy Emperor Dragon Scale's guidance power only creates more coincidences in events; it cannot twist a person's will out of thin air.

Moreover, a Semi-Saint has already reached the Saint Realm and would be extremely sensitive to such coincidences.

Therefore, when you use this Holy Emperor Dragon Scale, you can only use it to avoid risks. Do not foolishly attempt to guide a Semi-Saint to do something against their own will, or you will die terribly!"

"Oh, I see," Xu Xiaoshou nodded very seriously, but the corner of his eye was fixed intently on the Water Ghost's right hand gripping the halberd.

*Was that considered forcefully twisting his will just now?*

*Hmm, it was indeed a bit unscientific.*

"Then... let's try an itch!

Itching is a common human sensation; everyone occasionally feels the urge to scratch themselves.

However, this time, the Water Ghost scratches not with his free left hand, but with the right hand holding the halberd. Just as he loosens his grip on the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd, it yearns for freedom... This is perfectly normal. My Hidden Bitter also acts up occasionally."

"And so, fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool, fall off the stool..."

At this point in his thoughts, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly remembered something and, without a change in expression, looked up and asked, "What about those below the Semi-Saint realm? Can the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale forcefully twist their will?"

The Water Ghost suspected nothing. He stopped, suddenly twisted his neck left and right, and then chuckled,

"There's a chance, but it's difficult.

However, given your cunning nature, I doubt you'd deliberately arrange conflicts.

You'd make everything happen naturally, right? I still have that much faith in you..."

As the Water Ghost spoke, he suddenly loosened his grip on the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd and scratched the back of his neck twice with his right hand. The moment the halberd left his grasp, it twisted and writhed rapidly as if regaining freedom, much like a maggot-version of Hidden Bitter.

Something terrible happened!

A sudden hum resonated in the deep sea, and dazzling light erupted.

The forbidden array was instantly triggered, and the Water Ghost's pupils abruptly contracted, as if he understood something.

"Xu Xiao—"

The next second, just as he opened his mouth, he was harshly choked by two mouthfuls of cold deep-sea current. Then, his body stumbled, plummeting downwards, desperately trying but failing to grasp the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd.

"Awesome!"

Xu Xiaoshou saw this scene, clapped his hands together, and was so excited he almost jumped up, all while silently repeating in his mind:

"Can't grab it, can't grab it, can't grab it..."

However, the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd seemed to sense its master's predicament and swiftly flew back into the Water Ghost's hand.

At this, Xu Xiaoshou's expression changed.

*Does that still count as twisting his will?*

The furious Water Ghost, after gripping the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd, flipped his body upright in an instant, then glared over.

His enraged appearance resembled a provoked war god. He twisted the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd tightly in his hand and said with a livid expression,

"Xu Xiaoshou, are you tired of living? How dare you make a move on me?!"

Xu Xiaoshou retreated at lightning speed, letting out strange cries as he went,

"Senior, spare my life! What did I do for you to get so angry? I didn't cause this; who can you blame if you suddenly spazzed out yourself?"

*I spazzed out?*

*The Sea-Governing Divine Halberd suddenly stopped protecting me, the forbidden array was triggered, and I was still in my own domain... choked on water!*

*Any one of these things could be a coincidence, but for them to happen simultaneously? Only a fool would believe it's a coincidence!*

*I just handed the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale to you and gave you one instruction on how to use it, and you've already developed a completely new usage for it?*

*You're so impressive, Xu Xiaoshou!*

The Water Ghost grew angrier the more he thought about it. Gripping the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd, he kicked off, ready to fly over and beat him.

"Don't come over, Senior, please don't move, or you'll regret it..." Xu Xiaoshou retreated at the speed of light, wailing as he ran.

"Even if the Heavenly King himself came today, he couldn't save you!"

The Water Ghost roared, taking a stride with the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd.

But as he stepped forward, he felt as if something had snagged between his legs, and a ripping sound came from below.

The Water Ghost's body stumbled again. This time he didn't fall, but he stopped moving.

"What was that sound?"

He lowered his gaze in disbelief.

To his surprise, the Water Ghost saw that his belt had come undone at some point.

His robes fanned out due to the current, and the trousers beneath them, having lost their restraint, had slipped down to his ankles.

The ripping sound was precisely because his stride was too wide, tearing the tripping trousers.

But none of this was the main point.

The crucial point was that his trousers had slipped down and ripped, and he hadn't even noticed!

Even more crucially... when his trousers fell, his short underpants were completely exposed to an outsider's view!

Even if the deep sea was dim and indistinct, who was Xu Xiaoshou? That guy had eyes as sharp as a thief's; how could he not see?

"Xu... Xiao... Shou!" The Water Ghost almost gnashed his back teeth as he growled out these three words.

Despite the uncontrollable violent murderous intent in his heart, he had no choice but to bend down, pull up his damaged trousers, and fasten his belt.

Only after completing these actions could he resume his pursuit, gripping the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd.

The time wasted in between... was too long!

Not far away, Xu Xiaoshou had stopped the moment the Water Ghost took his step. He watched intently as the person completed all his actions, then covered his mouth, hunched his head, and let out a snickering, "Kukuku" laugh.

"Pink and purple stripes...

Senior Water Ghost, you're so flashy!"

This sarcastic remark completely ignited an endless inferno within the Water Ghost.

"Xu Xiaoshou! Even if the Heavenly King himself came today, he couldn't stop me from killing you! Go to hell!"

The deep sea exploded with a roar. The Water Ghost, his face crimson as blood, held the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd and moved at near-teleportation speed, darting directly towards Xu Xiaoshou.

"Disappearance Art."

He brought the halberd down, but it struck nothing.

This feeling of hitting cotton, of powerlessness, only made him more frustrated.

Moreover, the Water Ghost was close to going berserk, and when his halberd struck empty air, he was so enraged he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Xu Xiaoshou, get out here!"

The person had vanished, and there was no response.

"Xu Xiaoshou, come out. Let's continue discussing our cooperation. What just happened... forget about it. I don't blame you." The Water Ghost's tone suddenly became much gentler, but the hand gripping the Sea-Governing Divine Halberd showed bulging blue veins on its surface.

Still, there was no response from beneath the deep sea.

The Water Ghost pressed his hand to his chest, taking a deep, almost ceremonial breath. Only then did he suppress all the abnormalities in his body, showing no outward sign of anger.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I was headstrong in sending you underwater; that was indeed my fault.

So, let's consider our scores settled from this moment on. Now, come out and continue to discuss cooperation with me. I won't pursue anything from the past, how about it?" the Water Ghost said calmly.

In the space above, a head resembling Xu Xiaoshou suddenly popped out, asking innocently, "Is that true?"

Bang!

The Water Ghost pointed from afar, and a water gun directly transformed into a speck of light, piercing through that head.

"Damn it!"

In his vanished state, Xu Xiaoshou cursed angrily.

*He actually made a move?*

Thankfully, he had already imbued the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale with the intention to "avoid danger."

And thankfully, as soon as he peered out, a "Sudden Attack" notification popped up in his info bar.

Otherwise, this time, the Water Ghost would have truly blown his head off!

"I'm not coming out, I'm not coming out...

I've already vented what I needed to vent. You're lucky I didn't hit you this time. I'll let bygones be bygones. Come out now; I promise not to lay a hand on you."

The Water Ghost suddenly smiled again, speaking softly and gently, like a kind and educating teacher.

*You're a two-faced dog; who would dare to trust you?*

Xu Xiaoshou didn't believe him at all and once again pulled back into his shell.

The Water Ghost's expression suddenly turned ferocious, and he roared with a distorted voice, "Xu Xiaoshou! Do you really think that just because you've vanished, I can't do anything to you? Do you truly believe I only have one Holy Emperor Dragon Scale on me?"

The deep sea remained silent, leaving only someone's impotent rage.

The Water Ghost then regained his composure, saying with a slight embarrassment, "You guessed correctly; I really only have one Holy Emperor Dragon Scale. If you truly want to hide, I can't do anything about it, but..."

He paused, as if talking to himself, and said regretfully,

"What about our cooperation? I just gave you the Holy Emperor Dragon Scale, and you treat me like this. It's truly disheartening.

And your little girlfriend, the Semi-Saint Jiang, is going to make a move on her. If you don't come out, I really won't care."

*Heh heh...*

Xu Xiaoshou remained hidden, responding only with a cold sneer.

The Holy Emperor Dragon Scale was given to him much earlier, clearly as compensation for being thrown into the water. Now the Water Ghost was bringing it up again. How could Xu Xiaoshou be swayed by him?

But the Semi-Saint Jiang was indeed a problem...

Xu Xiaoshou thought for a moment but didn't dare to deactivate his vanished state.

Instead, he conjured a painted clone of himself from his Yuan Mansion world and threw it behind the Water Ghost. From a distance, he remotely controlled this clone, making it say, "Senior, you spoke with..."

"Bang!"

Without even turning his head, the Water Ghost pointed backward, and a water bullet from his finger gun precisely pierced the throat of the painted clone of Xu Xiaoshou.

In the deep sea, the painted clone's body dissolved into spiritual energy and vanished.

Xu Xiaoshou's scalp tingled as he watched.

"You dog! You really want to kill me!

You're only allowed to set fires, but the common people aren't even allowed to light lamps. And you can't even take a damn joke, can you?!"