Chapter 998: Human Relations and Social Norms

"Come out.""No!""You'd better come out soon.""Impossible!"

"Third time's the charm. Since I've already tried to kill you so many times without success, I won't hold past grudges anymore. Come out, and let's talk business."

"Whatever it is, let's just talk like this. You're in the open, I'm in the dark. I think this arrangement works well."

In the deep sea, the Water Ghost and the invisible Xu Xiaoshou were in a stalemate for a long time. Finally, the Water Ghost gave up on his plan to force Xu Xiaoshou out and kill him.

Firstly, truly killing him was impossible; at most, he could drag him over for a beating to vent his frustration.

Moreover, he would still need Xu Xiaoshou's help later. The Water Ghost understood that Xu Xiaoshou would be angry about being dragged into the Saint's Game for no reason.

However, he hadn't expected the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale to be used like this in Xu Xiaoshou's hands...

The Water Ghost had never imagined it!

He already regretted giving away the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale, as he could foresee the immense trouble Xu Xiaoshou and the scale together would cause.

Finally, after a moment, the Water Ghost gave up struggling and began to discuss the main business:

"In a day, disguise yourself as Yama and wander through this deep sea.

"Remember, the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale, imbued with the intent of 'danger evasion,' will produce a terrifying heartbeat sound when you are about to encounter great peril.

"Don't be affected by the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale, and as soon as its heartbeat begins, flee immediately.

"Don't hold out hope that the danger might not be from a Half-Saint; also, don't try to resist. A Half-Saint's power is beyond your current level of resistance."

"If all else fails, hide at the bottom of the deep sea, push open that door, and go inside."

The Water Ghost spoke impassively, as if he had genuinely forgotten all the previous unpleasantness.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, was terrified. After a long hesitation, he projected his voice from afar: "You're not planning to use a Half-Saint to kill me, are you?"

With a swish, the Water Ghost immediately turned, pinpointing the direction of the voice.

But Xu Xiaoshou had already changed his position after speaking, disappearing once more.

The Water Ghost didn't rush to attack, instead scoffing, "Don't judge a gentleman by your petty standards. If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need anyone else's help!"

A gentleman?

The way you're talking now, you sound exactly like a complete fool!

Xu Xiaoshou muttered a few curses internally, then changed positions repeatedly, asking from a distance, "What's that door for? There's also a guiding force there. I think it's a trap, and I don't want to go in."

"That's your opportunity!" the Water Ghost said indifferently. "I used the spiritual energy of hundreds of thrones and the power of the Nine-Death Thunder Tribulation of Dao Severance to open this door. It's meant to secure an opportunity for young ones like you who haven't fully grown yet. It's truly laughable that you're not scrambling to get in."

"Speak plainly," Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes.

"Heh," the Water Ghost sneered, not bothering to be offended. "Any opportunity is a matter of life and death. Whether you survive depends entirely on your own ability. Besides, everyone else is the same as you. If you don't go through that door, plenty of others will want to."

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily speechless.

That actually makes sense?

He wanted the Water Ghost to elaborate on the dangers beyond the ancient door.

But in their current situation, if the Water Ghost didn't explicitly say it, he couldn't very well keep asking.

—It certainly wouldn't lead anywhere!

The Water Ghost paused, then continued:

"After you transform into Huang Quan, you don't need to deliberately use your spatial and temporal abilities, but occasionally reveal the unique nature of your attributes to attract the Jiang clan's Half-Saint.

"Also, you must bring out the Tear Bloodline Eyes. Wasn't that little girlfriend taken in by you? Release her. The Jiang clan's Half-Saint should be able to sense the power of the Tear Bloodline Eyes."

"With that attraction, there's a high probability he'll enter the water."

He wants to trick two of them?

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned to hear this.

He had many ways to escape, but Tearful Child might not be able to evade a Half-Saint's pursuit. What if something went wrong if she were released?

"I'll try my best..." Xu Xiaoshou didn't agree on the spot, giving an ambiguous reply.

The Water Ghost knew what he was thinking and retorted impatiently, "I only need you to lure the Jiang clan's Half-Saint into the water. The deep sea has a Forbidden Law Barrier that even Half-Saints cannot transcend. Once he's in the water, I have a hundred ways to deal with him."

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated, then asked, "Are you sure the Jiang clan's Half-Saint really doesn't have any of the Ten Great Anomalous Weapons on him?"

This question stumped the Water Ghost.

He was stunned for a long moment before replying, "No matter. In a day's time, the Void Gate will have absorbed enough power. If he dares to enter the water, I can forcibly take him in and grant him an opportunity!"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a headache coming on.

He truly didn't know if the Water Ghost genuinely equated "opportunity" and "danger."

Why did it sound like, beyond the ancient door, it wasn't a narrow escape from death but a guaranteed death?

"The Void Gate..."

Chewing on the information the Water Ghost inadvertently leaked, Xu Xiaoshou probed further, "Who named this 'Void Gate'? It's quite clever, and it sounds a lot like 'Void Island,' doesn't it?"

The Water Ghost let out a heavy snort, no longer concealing it. He stated decisively, "Beyond the 'Void Gate' is the 'Void Island'!"

Despite being somewhat prepared, Xu Xiaoshou still gasped.

The Void Gate beneath the deep sea led to the Void Island, which floated above the Eastern Imperial City?

This was a lot of information...

Because, seen this way, the Water Ghost's scheme to lure people into the Isolated Sound Cliff was indeed massive!

The Seven Sword Immortals, the Six Department Heads, the Saint Palace authorities, Yama, the Jiang clan's Half-Saint...

Was he planning to use one net to catch all of them?

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

For continent-topping strategists like the Water Ghost and Eight Trigrams, it was truly difficult to guess their intentions without speaking to them face-to-face!

To dare to encompass so many powerful individuals within one section of the deep sea, without fear of repercussions—only the Holy Slaves could make such a grand gesture, right?

The battle of the Saints in the Yunlun Mountains had barely concluded, and Xu Xiaoshou had thought the Holy Slaves would pause for a while. He never expected events to follow one after another, giving no one time to breathe.

Now that he thought about it...

The commotion he caused at the First Heavenly Pavilion was indeed too small.

Compared to the Holy Slaves' upper echelons, the actions and style of Yama and other dark forces seemed utterly laughable.

For true trouble, one had to look at the Holy Slaves' upper echelons!

"I think I understand the plan. I'll act as the situation dictates. Do you have any defensive treasures you want to give me?" Xu Xiaoshou asked from afar.

"No!" The Water Ghost was amused to the point of anger. "How dare you ask me for things? I already gave you the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale!"

Is it true that shamelessness makes one invincible?

When it came to the safety of his own life, Xu Xiaoshou was not polite. He stated frankly:

"Your gentlemanly self wouldn't still be bothered by those minor past issues, would you, Senior?

"This is a game of blasphemy, and it could easily turn into a massacre of Saints. Is it wrong for me to ask for another way to save my life? I'm only a Grandmaster!

"Besides, even if I have a way to save myself, my little girl... *cough*, my junior sister, has the Tear Bloodline!

"What if something accidentally happens to her? You should at least give her something like a Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale as a protective charm, right?"

He paused, then thought of more. "Besides, as a senior of the Holy Slaves, it wouldn't be too much to give my junior sister a welcome gift, would it? After all, she's also the second disciple of the Holy Slave Wuxiu. Have you forgotten those few games of chess?"

The Water Ghost: "..."

How did that mouth of yours grow so sharp, kid?

He seemed to be swayed, falling silent, and only spoke after a long while.

"What you said isn't entirely without merit..."

A chance?

Xu Xiaoshou had just been trying his luck, but he didn't expect the Water Ghost actually intended to give something.

He immediately fell silent, knowing that speaking too much leads to mistakes.

Just enough.

Next, all he had to do was wait for the senior to give the gift.

The Water Ghost chuckled silently, then flipped his hand, pulled out a jade pendant, and held it in his palm, saying:

"I no longer have the Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale, or else you wouldn't have been able to hide until now.

"I don't keep ordinary items on me, and other things are too valuable. As the saying goes, 'a jewel in the bosom invites crime,' so I won't give them to her to avoid attracting trouble."

"Give this jade pendant to your little girlfriend. Let her use it as a protective charm. It can save her life against anything below a Half-Saint. As for a Half-Saint, it's up to fate."

Tsk, tsk... Xu Xiaoshou was impressed. He had never heard of someone not giving a gift because it was *too* valuable, but for some reason, he found himself deeply agreeing with it.

A protective charm?

Can withstand a Half-Saint's attack?

Hmm, that's pretty good too.

He'd take it for his junior sister; it might genuinely come in handy someday.

As for whether the Water Ghost would use the jade pendant to track him and retaliate, Xu Xiaoshou had considered that too.

However, he felt that even if the Water Ghost was petty, he wouldn't stoop to such a level.

Moreover, the Water Ghost's status was quite high; he just seemed to have been dragged down a bit by encountering Xu Xiaoshou. Xu Xiaoshou figured he wouldn't stoop to such contemptible acts.

"Throw it farther away," Xu Xiaoshou gestured from a distance.

The Water Ghost's lips curled into a smile. "What, now you remember to be afraid of me? You won't even come get it yourself. Is your relationship with your little girlfriend so distant that you need this much space?"

"Junior sister!" Xu Xiaoshou snapped irritably, thinking, *You've learned to use provocation now.*

However, if he were to go get the treasure himself...

He wouldn't die, would he?

Xu Xiaoshou seriously suspected the Water Ghost was using this as an opportunity for revenge. He summoned another clone from a portrait, manifested it, and threw it into the deep sea.

"Bang!"

Without even lifting his head, the Water Ghost ended the clone's life with a single finger, smiling as he said, "This is too disrespectful. A senior gives a gift, and you send a dummy to fob him off? Do you still want this protective charm for your little girlfriend?"

*Damn it...* Xu Xiaoshou was furious, gnashing his teeth, but looking at the protective charm, he couldn't bring himself to just leave.

At a critical moment, this could be his junior sister's life! How could he not take it?

Fine!

Let him retaliate, then!

Gritting his teeth, Xu Xiaoshou ended his invisible state.

With a boom.

In the deep sea, the Water Ghost saw a dazzling golden light in the distance, followed by the descent of a colossal golden giant.

This giant was enveloped in a violent sword qi domain, endlessly cutting. Behind its back was a monstrous Taotie beast head, constantly devouring the surrounding water currents.

Its left hand held the fierce sword "Four Swords," and its right hand tightly clutched the renowned sword "Blazing Python." It walked with thundering steps, one heavy stride after another, approaching.

"Is that really necessary...?"

For a moment, the Water Ghost was dumbfounded.

How afraid of death must one be to be on guard to this extent?

It's just picking up a protective charm. Does he really need to transform into this monstrous form and be fully armed?

And besides, your armament is useless. If I truly wanted to harm you, in the deep sea, how could you possibly escape?

The Water Ghost stared speechlessly as the golden giant trudged closer. Even with the overwhelming aura from the other side, it couldn't suppress him in the slightest.

"Hurry up," the Water Ghost said impatiently.

"Oh, right," the berserk giant immediately nodded, then scurried over, holding its two transformed greatswords.

"Pfft!"

The sight was so comical that the Water Ghost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He raised his hand high, holding the jade pendant upwards, waiting for the golden giant to take it.

As the berserk giant, Xu Xiaoshou's transformed body, got closer, it stopped instead, hesitatingly rumbling, "I can't retract this 'Proximity Domain Force Field'; it might hurt you..."

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you really think your meager abilities can kill me?" the Water Ghost sneered.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare to retract the Proximity Domain Force Field. He immediately took a step forward, continuing to advance.

"Swish swish swish..."

Within the Proximity Domain Force Field, sword qi endlessly sliced, instantly cutting through the Water Ghost's body.

But the other side remained unperturbed, like the sea embracing all rivers, absorbing all the damage from the Proximity Domain Force Field without shedding a drop of blood.

His body was just like the jade pendant in his hand...

Xu Xiaoshou could see through his "Perception" that no matter how dense the cutting power of the Proximity Domain Force Field was, the Water Ghost could always find a gap, slightly disintegrating or subtly shifting his position to evade the attack before being injured.

Essentially, the Proximity Domain Force Field was outputting damage furiously, but it hadn't landed a single hit!

"Terrifying, this reaction speed..."

Xu Xiaoshou was utterly appalled.

The Water Ghost's combat awareness was truly terrifying!

Was this the true power of a peak Supreme Void, a master of water-type profound mysteries?

No...

This was just the tip of the iceberg!

"What are you dawdling for? Take it!" The Water Ghost could even pout his lips within the Proximity Domain Force Field. His body was constantly dispersing, completely unharmed.

"Hoo..."

Xu Xiaoshou exhaled heavily, retracting Blazing Python into his Origin Manor, and freeing his left hand to grasp the small jade pendant.

Just then, a strange sound came from behind him.

Xu Xiaoshou's "Perception" showed him another Water Ghost appearing behind him.

This newly appeared Water Ghost clone wielded the Sea-Controlling Divine Halberd, raising it high with a ferocious expression, then viciously bringing it down, aiming directly at the berserk giant's backside!

"Ambushed, Passive Points +1."

The information panel immediately popped up.

"Thump-thump..."

The Sacred Emperor Dragon Scale also began to emit a faint heartbeat.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, didn't immediately disappear after taking the jade pendant. Instead, after letting out a strange cry, he tried to cover his backside.

"You ambushed me?!"

With a "thwack," before he could even cover himself, the Sea-Controlling Divine Halberd struck.

The intense pain caused the berserk giant to disintegrate. Xu Xiaoshou reverted to his original form and was sent flying like a cannonball, his backside even leaving a trail of blood in the deep sea.

"So painful, so painful! This truly hurts me to death, I almost got killed, so scary..."

The Water Ghost was shaking his arm, which was slightly numb from the impact. The satisfying feeling of landing the hit hadn't even had time to spread before black lines appeared all over his face upon hearing Xu Xiaoshou's words.

"Scram!" he snapped, glaring at the young man who was still clutching his backside, even though his wounds had already healed.

"Alright then, thanks for the protective charm, Senior! My junior sister will definitely love it!" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, then swiftly flashed away.