So fast!
This person arrived a little too quickly!
Jin Ren was shocked by Elder Dao the Flamboyant's bizarre and sudden entrance into the arena.
He had been planning to reel in a big fish, but as the saying goes, "Man proposes, Heaven disposes." Just like when the Four Symbols Secret Realm opened over ten days ago, Dao Qiongcang had once again caught him off guard.
"But Old Zhu did it!"
In that crucial moment, only a wisp of spiritual sense remained in Zhu Yike's body, rendering him almost powerless. The Divine Secret Arm, which could have saved them, was damaged and left behind in Jade Capital City.
Jin Ren was bracing for the worst, thinking that they would all be wiped out by the Holy Divine Palace. Yet, Zhu Yike managed to stand up at the last moment, truly buying them some time!
Zhu Yike was not a man of eloquence, nor could he match Dao Qiongcang in a verbal sparring match. Dao Qiongcang had clearly seen through Zhu Yike's intent to stall and shut him down quickly. But the Golden Gate Stealing Technique Zhu Yike used was far more effective than mere words. His life-risking move was something even Dao Qiongcang could not fully predict or guard against.
In the blink of an eye, Dao Qiongcang was momentarily restrained.
At that moment, Jin Ren's mind raced, and many of his questions were answered. He could now see through Dao Qiongcang's motives—his core fishing technique. It was clear to Jin Ren: "He's after me!"
This became evident in how Dao Qiongcang targeted Aunt Xiang. He could have captured her but chose to wait instead, biding his time. It didn't matter whom Dao Qiongcang confronted in the process—his primary objective remained unchanged.
If even someone as significant as Aunt Xiang was but a trivial pawn to Dao Qiongcang, then naturally, people like Li Fugui and Zhu Yike held even less weight in his eyes. As long as Jin Ren was the real target, there was still a chance for negotiation.
"So, the reason Elder Dao used that woman's body for his appearance was because he was absolutely certain that I was here…"
"But I didn't expose any flaws before this. Ah, of course! The evil cultivator Zhu Yike from the Southern Region suddenly seeing traces of the Divine Secret was too obvious…"
"Dao Qiongcang isn't foolish. He must have known that someone was guiding him…"
"Or worse, he intentionally revealed this flaw!"
Jin Ren couldn't help but acknowledge Elder Dao the Flamboyant's profound wisdom. He had unknowingly walked right into the trap laid by the old master. But now wasn't the time to wallow in regret; he needed to find a way out of this precarious situation.
At this moment, Zhu Yike had temporarily sealed Dao Qiongcang, but just as they were about to escape, another figure emerged from the other side—a swordsman.
"Xi!" Jin Ren muttered, recognizing him immediately.
According to Aunt Xiang's information, Xi specialized in the Phantom Sword Technique and had recently become the new Chief of the Transformation Division. Previously, he had been Yi's subordinate and the deputy leader of the Dark Division. His combat prowess and intellect were not to be underestimated.
But Xu Xiaoshou—now, that was a different story altogether. He didn't even consider Xi to be a threat. Jin Ren could sense that there was a vast chasm between them in terms of skill. If the circumstances were different, Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't even need to personally act—just by using the Ancient Sword Technique, Jin Ren could have delayed Xi or even taken his life.
Unless, of course, Xi had some hidden ace up his sleeve.
But now, Jin Ren was reduced to being just a fragment of spiritual sense within Zhu Yike's body. As soon as the Phantom Sword aura began to close in, Jin Ren could feel it. But what could a mere wisp of spiritual energy accomplish?
Suddenly, in the midst of the silence, Zhu Yike's disembodied spirit calmly spoke, "Are you Xi?"
The voice was so faint, it could hardly be considered forceful—yet it was laced with pure disdain. It cut through the stillness like a sharp blade, instantly drawing the attention of everyone around.
"Lord Shou?"
"Xu Xiaoshou!"
The white-clothed guards surrounding them were visibly shaken. Xu Xiaoshou's name had spread far and wide—from the Eastern Region to the Central Region, from the red-clothed guards to the white-clothed enforcers. In all five regions, no name was as feared as his.
The troublemaker, Xu Xiaoshou—the Lord of the Saint Servants—was in the limelight far more than any other figure, even surpassing legends like the Sanctified Water Ghost or the leader of the Saint Servants, Bazhun'an.
Even Xi's pupils constricted when he heard that voice. It sounded so familiar, so confident. His body tensed, ready to respond, but a hesitation held him back.
Then, that voice rang out again, this time full of authority: "As a fellow swordsman, I'll give you some face. You have three breaths of time to clear the white-clothed men from the arena. Fail, and you'll bear the consequences."
In an instant, every white-clothed guard turned toward Xi. They could feel the weight behind Xu Xiaoshou's words. He had no intention of senseless slaughter this time—but he wasn't going to hold back if they pushed him.
The situation was dire. Dao Qiongcang's protection array wasn't in place, leaving them vulnerable. If Xu Xiaoshou was truly here, and things escalated… They'd be obliterated in an instant.
Yet, there was no sign of Xu Xiaoshou—only his voice. Could a mere Higher Void possibly hope to see a man so elusive?
Xi's sword finger hovered before his chest as he hesitated. His instincts screamed that something was terribly wrong, but he couldn't quite pinpoint the source. The tension in the air was palpable. Aunt Xiang's cautious expression, Ah Yao's anxious stance, the jittery movements of the elderly man nearby…
Everything pointed to something being off, yet Xi couldn't grasp what it was.
"Three…"
Before he could think it through, Xu Xiaoshou's countdown had already begun. Cold sweat broke out on Xi's forehead as he observed the growing panic among the white-clothed guards. Their faces and body language screamed one thing: "Hurry up and let us retreat!"
But retreat was impossible!
The psychological pressure exerted could crush even those in the Cutting Path and Higher Void realms. Yet, it seemed powerless against the heart of an ancient swordsman who was undeterred by the divine.
Xi's eyes hardened with resolve. Just as he was about to give the command to charge, Xu Xiaoshou's mocking laughter filled the air.
"Heh, you think this Tower Master will let you off so easily?"
"One!"
Xu Xiaoshou had skipped directly to the most nerve-wracking moment, making everyone momentarily anxious and distracted.
A familiar, eerie calm settled over the arena as Xu Xiaoshou's voice turned otherworldly and commanding.
"There is a famous sword technique. It's called Fantasy…"
A shiver ran down the spine of every white-clothed guard. Even Xi felt a cold sweat, his skin prickling as if an electric shock had coursed through him.
"This is bad!"
"It's the Fantasy Sword Technique!"
A shout of alarm came from one of the white-clothed guards. The technique was well-known; Xu Xiaoshou's swordsmanship originated from Mei Siren, and this opening move was said to be capable of killing even the Sword Saint Rao Yaoyao.
As the guards turned to look behind them, their faces fell into despair. The world they saw was consistent with their spiritual senses: a chaotic scene of natural disasters and illusions. The Fantasy Sword Technique was supposed to transform the void into reality, but here, it seemed even more disorienting.
The fact that they couldn't even perceive the Fantasy Sword Technique was terrifying in itself.
Xi's eyes gleamed with a sense of dread. Despite activating the Spirits Controlling technique to its limits, he couldn't detect any sword energy or intent from Xu Xiaoshou's technique.
Sweat drenched his palms. Xu Xiaoshou's mastery of the Fantasy Sword Technique was so profound that it rendered the technique invisible—even to those skilled in sensing such things.
"Retreat!"
Xi's order rang out in desperation. The white-clothed guards scattered like birds in a storm, using all their skills to flee from the increasingly overwhelming presence of Xu Xiaoshou's Fantasy Sword Technique.
Zhu Yike, still separated from his soul and body, was left in a state of helplessness.
"This…" Zhu Yike's consciousness was paralyzed with shock.
Li Fugui, still reeling from the earlier events, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He had been told that Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual senses were weak and that they would disperse when encountering a strong opponent. Yet here was Xu Xiaoshou wielding the Fantasy Sword Technique with astounding power.
Li Fugui felt a pang of regret and frustration. "Lord Shou misled me! If I had known…"
On the other hand, Aunt Xiang watched with a mix of disbelief and admiration. Her perspective from the Ten High Nobles showed her just how formidable Xu Xiaoshou had become. Even she could see that Xu Xiaoshou's Fantasy Sword Technique was on par with the greats.
Xi, now far from the center of the Fantasy Sword Technique, felt his confidence waning. His attempts to break free from the illusion were futile.
"Xu Xiaoshou's power is boundless!" Xi thought, panic creeping in. "In such a short time, he can create an illusion extending over ten miles? Or am I just pacing in circles?"
Xi's attempts to break through the illusion only made matters worse. His surroundings seemed to warp and shift with every step he took, increasing his disorientation. The voices of Xu Xiaoshou and Mei Siren's sword language echoed in his mind, intensifying his confusion.
"Phantom Beast, break!"
With one final, desperate shout, Xi summoned the Phantom Beast in an attempt to force his way out. He managed to breach the boundary of the Fantasy Sword Technique but was met with an overwhelming sense of dread and emptiness. There was no escape, no outcome—only the oppressive weight of Xu Xiaoshou's mastery hanging over him.
Xi's mental state was on the brink of collapse as he struggled to comprehend the full extent of Xu Xiaoshou's power.
The destruction of the Phantom Beast left the battlefield eerily quiet. The omnipresent spirits were obliterated, and no trace of Xu Xiaoshou's Fantasy Sword Technique remained. The illusion had been so effective that even the spirits couldn't find any flaws.
Xi halted abruptly, sweat dripping down his nose. His eyes trembled as he grappled with a chilling possibility.
"No! It can't be!"
He vehemently shook his head, trying to deny the horrifying realization that was creeping into his mind. If his suspicion was correct, it would spell the end of his standing in the world of ancient swordsmen. The shame would follow him wherever he went.
Despite his attempts to dismiss the idea, the possibility loomed large. The name "Xu Xiaoshou" might become a nightly nightmare, a symbol of his own failure.
"Whoosh!"
Xi turned sharply, facing the battlefield again.
"Boom!"
A shudder ran through his mind, and his heart began to race. Zhu Yike, sensing the retreat of the Phantom Swords Technique's power, was ready to express his gratitude.
"Lord Shou…"
"No, God Shou!"
"After today, you will be my God!"
Zhu Yike's experience had been profound. Even separated from his soul, he had felt Xu Xiaoshou's power and presence. The realization that Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even drawn his sword, yet still managed to instill such fear, was almost too much to comprehend. It challenged his understanding of power and combat.
Yet, Zhu Yike's rational mind wanted to reject this reality. He preferred to believe that he, too, had been affected by the Fantasy Sword Technique rather than accept that Xu Xiaoshou's mere presence had been enough to intimidate the enemy.
"Lord Shou, did you really draw your sword?" Zhu Yike asked, his voice trembling.
Jin Ren, still in the thick of the crisis, didn't have time to address such questions. He barked out orders in a rush.
"Li Fugui, crush the Apricot Realm jade talisman!"
"Aunt Xiang, show the way!"
"Zhu Yike, move out of the battlefield. Go to Changde Town and find Kui Leihan. Don't delay!"
"I am Dao Qiongcang's target. If you are in danger, escape into the Apricot Realm. Your lives are the priority. He won't look for you…"
However, his urgency seemed lost on the stunned group.
Li Fugui, Aunt Xiang, and Zhu Yike stood in shock. Ah Yao, still recovering, was barely aware of what was happening.
Jin Ren's frustration boiled over. "What are you waiting for? I faked it! Everything was faked!"
The silence persisted. Jin Ren roared in desperation. "Do you understand the 'empty city stratagem'? My spiritual senses were useless; I couldn't use the Fantasy Sword Technique!"
His attempts to explain fell on deaf ears. The group remained frozen, unable to process the situation.
Aunt Xiang, regaining her composure, finally spoke with a firm voice. "South! Head toward the south! Zhu Yike, I gave you the location before."
Without waiting for further questions, she focused on Zhu Yike's energy reserve, the source of Xu Xiaoshou's voice, and the remaining chaos.
"Don't be too outrageous…" she murmured, struggling to accept the improbability of it all.
Li Fugui, snapping out of his shock, crushed the Apricot Realm jade talisman, opening a spatial passageway. The one-armed Divine Puppet stood ready at the entrance.
"Lord Shou, what should I do?" Li Fugui asked.
"Get in there!" Jin Ren instructed.
"And then?"
"Throw it out!"
Li Fugui did as ordered, throwing the Divine Puppet into the passageway. He then turned to jump in himself.
"Why are you still out here?" Jin Ren demanded.
"Uh, then?" Li Fugui hesitated.
"Go back!" Jin Ren commanded.
"Alright, Lord Shou. Take care."
As the spatial passageway closed, Zhu Yike threw out the remaining stones, ensuring the escape.
At the last moment, Xi's figure appeared on the horizon. Hallmaster Dao's expertise in casting spells was unmatched, but Xi was rendered listless and disoriented by the sheer psychological impact of the encounter.
"Sky Stealing!"
Zhu Yike took the opportunity to complete the exchange for Aunt Xiang, Ah Yao, the Divine Puppet, and himself.
Xi's dazed state reflected his internal turmoil. The realization of being tricked, coupled with his own self-mockery, left him questioning his very abilities and judgment. The world seemed a bleak place as he grappled with the stark reality of his failure.
"Was I really tricked?" Xi's mind reeled, struggling to come to terms with the humiliation and the overwhelming presence of Xu Xiaoshou.