Chapter 1013: Poverty Original Sin

"Beep...""Beep..."

He pressed the communication pearl.

As expected, Shui Gui didn't answer.

Huang Quan's eyes darkened, and with a slight raise of his hand, he activated his ability without a moment's hesitation.

"Spacetime Regression!"

Light and shadow intertwined, and Ginyin Cliff reverted from its ruined state back to before the great battle, with the scene playing in reverse.

Shui Gui handed the communication pearl to Meng Po, and Meng Po's embarrassed voice rang out...

This was the start of them trying to contact him.

But after just two sentences, the sky suddenly darkened.

Clouds gathered, and a Ban Sheng descended!

In the scene, Shui Gui abruptly cut off the communication pearl and looked up in shock.

There, the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng glared down angrily and spoke coldly:

"Has the matter I entrusted to you been completely forgotten?"I told you to trace the Yan Wang members' whereabouts, not to secretly conspire with them!"Do you really think I haven't been watching this place?"

Clearly, Shui Gui and Meng Po had discussed something, and the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng had discovered it, flying into a rage and rushing over to fight.

Facing a Ban Sheng, Taixu had no chance of winning.

"Run!"

Shui Gui shouted without hesitation, throwing Meng Po into the cliff's sea of clouds, then transforming and fleeing toward the deep sea.

But the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng struck out, sweeping with holy power.

Shui Gui spat out blood with a "puff," flying backward, yet using the recoil from the blow to plunge quickly into the forbidden barrier of the cliff's sea of clouds.

"Think you can escape?"

The Jiang Shi Ban Sheng dashed to the edge of Ginyin Cliff in an instant, but stopped, clearly wary of the forbidden barrier.

After pondering for less than a breath, he leaped in without fear, charging into the cliff's sea of clouds.

What did a Ban Sheng have to fear?

The "Spacetime Regression" ended.

What Huang Quan saw was clearer and more real than what Jiang Buyi had seen.

Every detail in the scene—every blade of grass, every flower, every stone—escaped his eyes, and after watching it all, Huang Quan had no doubts!

The Heavenly Dao wouldn't deceive him.

Moreover, the power of Spacetime Regression couldn't produce a false scene.

Huang Quan had verified every detail with his own eyes, down to the last leaf and pebble.

The scene was utterly real, with no possibility of fabrication—it was the truth!

"The Jiang Shi Ban Sheng went down the cliff?"Was that his Ban Sheng avatar or his true body?"Was this part of Shui Gui's plan, or just a sudden event?"

As someone who walked in the shadows, Huang Quan was even more cautious and thoughtful.

Still, no matter the process, he could only reach one conclusion:

In the forbidden barrier, with the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng in the water, it was the perfect opportunity to eliminate him.

As for Shui Gui...

This guy, caught between him and the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng, was clearly trying to gain some benefits, or he wouldn't have suggested such a blasphemous scheme.

But if he could obtain the "Ban Sheng essence" from Jiang Buyi and toss a bit to Shui Gui, what harm would it do?

With that thought, Huang Quan's figure flickered and vanished from the Ginyin Cliff ruins.

At the same time, the cliff's sea of clouds burst with light, indicating someone had entered the water and triggered the forbidden barrier.

"Time Slowdown.""Time Sequence Reverse—hmm, just a slight reverse. It's nowhere near as powerful as Gou Wuyue's. Probably because my realm isn't high enough.""Time Freeze—ah, this one's still tough. I can only manage a Spatial Lock, basically faking it."

Deep beneath the sea, Xu Xiao Shou transformed into Huang Quan, with the Greedy God atop his head, its three Yan Tong pupils activated. He cheerfully tested his space-time attributes.

There was still half a day until his agreement with Shui Gui, when the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng would enter the water.

Meanwhile, the big shots from Sheng Shen Hall were all gathered near the Void Gate, probably not daring to force it open anytime soon, so the deep sea should be free of threats.

In this period, Xu Xiao Shou considered himself invincible.

How lonely it was to be invincible.

Bored underwater, he left traces of "Huang Quan" rampaging everywhere, just to disrupt the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng's senses once he arrived.

"I wonder if the forbidden barrier will completely seal off a Ban Sheng's abilities."If he becomes as weak as a chick down here, maybe I could even counter-kill him..."

Xu Xiao Shou pondered, but suddenly felt a chill, remembering Shui Gui's warning: If you encounter the Jiang Shi Ban Sheng, don't try to fight—just run.

He immediately dismissed the absurd idea of a Zongshi battling a Ban Sheng.

After all, one of life's great illusions was "I can counter-kill," and who knew how many geniuses had died because of it.

"I wonder where the big guy went."

Alone, Xu Xiao Shou suddenly missed Xiao Kongdong's calls of "Shui Gui predecessor."

Without that bodyguard, he felt empty and less secure, since the original plan had the big guy protecting him until the deep sea trial ended.

"Meow meow."

On his head, the Greedy God kept meowing excitedly, its eyes fixed on the direction of the lightning tribulation, showing a strong desire to eat.

"What do you mean? You want to eat the lightning tribulation?"

Xu Xiao Shou understood the Greedy God's intent and was startled.

He could devour tribulations to grow, but he hadn't expected the Greedy God to crave them too.

But the situation was special now.

The Zhan Dao undergoing tribulation deep in the sea were mostly gone.

The last one remaining had a massive tribulation—if even a Ban Sheng's true body went near, it might not dare, lest the tribulation mutate into a Saint Tribulation. How would they handle that?

Xu Xiao Shou knew the other Zhan Dao had perished in the tribulations, becoming nourishment for the Void Gate.

The only one left must be the mutated Shou Ye.

"If you'd come out earlier, I could've taken you to eat some and maybe meet someone, but now I'm scared to death, so we're not going."

Xu Xiao Shou stared at the tribulation for a long time before turning away, firmly rejecting the Greedy God's foodie invitation.

A nine-death tribulation after one hundred and eight strikes—he clearly couldn't handle it. It was already winding down, and while Shou Ye could endure it, as a Zongshi, he'd just be delivering himself.

"Meow."

The Greedy God drooped its head in disappointment.

"Let's go find some people first."

Xu Xiao Shou fed the little white cat a pill, ignoring its pouting, and sped off on his own.

He planned to use the time before the Ban Sheng arrived to hunt down more people gunning for his head, showing them that the black gold bounty wasn't so easy to claim!

But the living stowaways deep in the sea seemed few and far between.

After flying from the Void Gate, Xu Xiao Shou searched for a while, finding corpses here and there, and scenes of water spheres shattering with no bones left, but not a single living person.

"After all this time, everyone has either been drained dry or broken free and met a dignified end. There probably aren't many left..."

Xu Xiao Shou sighed.

This water sphere was truly a devilish technique!

And Shui Gui lived up to his name as the Water Ghost!

Just as he was wandering aimlessly, not expecting much, his "perception" suddenly picked up a stubborn figure—the realm wasn't high, but it was one of the rare ones still struggling to survive in the water sphere.

"When will this ever end?"

Situ Yongren, once dressed in fine robes and adorned with countless jade ornaments, looking noble and composed, now appeared utterly destitute, barely holding on in the water sphere.

He refused to die.

But he was on his last breath.

On Ginyin Cliff, he had used the Tianji Technique, trapping Yan Wang Huang Quan in the Yunjing World's internal world.

He thought this would be a huge achievement, earning everyone's admiration and securing the Dao Department leadership, putting him on par with Yu Lingdi as the top of the younger generation.

Little did he know, a mysterious swordsman had appeared out of nowhere and shattered the Yunjing World's internal world...

And that wasn't the end.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The water-attribute master pulled everyone into the water, and Situ Yongren was no exception.

If not for the perilous nature of this mission, where he had brought a massive amount of protective spiritual artifacts and pills in advance, he wouldn't have lasted this long.

"Water-attribute mastery..."In this world, besides Yu Lingdi, is there anyone else who can master it?"If it were another attribute, fine, but the same water system— that's too coincidental, isn't it?"

Situ Yongren was suspicious.

Was that person the former Ling Department leader, Yu Mo?

But from what he remembered, the great demon Yu Mo had fallen. Even if he hadn't, he should still be aligned with Sheng Shen Hall.

After all, Yu Mo was raised in the Sheng Shen Hall environment, loyal and true—he wouldn't do anything to harm their interests.

These speculations had no answers.

Situ Yongren sighed deeply, his thoughts shifting back to Ginyin Cliff, where he had nearly captured his target.

"Yan Wang, Huang Quan..."What a pity, I was so close to catching him..."

He murmured softly, his mind wandering, wondering when this water sphere would reach its end and when Rao Yao Yao would find him, freeing him from this misery.

"Were you thinking of me?"

Suddenly, a teasing voice came from behind.

Situ Yongren jolted, whipping around.

In the forbidden barrier, spiritual senses were useless, so he hadn't detected anyone nearby.

But turning back, he was horrified to see a figure in a golden robe and mask standing boldly in the deep sea, unprotected by a water sphere, yet unaffected by the pressure.

Even more absurd, the cat on his head could withstand the pressure too!

"Meow?"

Human! Are you doubting me?!

The little white cat, not at all shy, meowed strangely. Its three Yan Tong pupils spun even faster, looking more striking as it puffed up in annoyance.

Situ Yongren was stunned on the spot.

His first reaction: A ghost beast?

Second: Yan Tong? This ghost cat has the Yan Family's three Yan Tong pupils? What kind of extravagant joke is this!

Third: A golden-masked figure? Huang Quan? Yan Wang Huang Quan?!

"I'm done for!"

Situ Yongren's heart sank, his vision blurring as if he saw the Grim Reaper beckoning.

He had held on so long, waiting not for Rao Yao Yao's rescue, but for the very "prize" he had wanted to claim.

But with Rao Jianxian around, it was a prize; alone and helpless, it was the Grim Reaper himself!

"Se-senior..."

Situ Yongren found even speaking difficult. His throat bobbed, but he couldn't get out a full sentence—he was terrified.

"Tan Shen."

Xu Xiao Shou cut him off abruptly, issuing a command to the Greedy God.

"Meow."

The Greedy God understood instantly.

With its left eye's three Yan Tong pupils spinning, the gray patterns shifted, and Situ Yongren, still trapped in the water sphere and panicking, went blank-eyed.

"In your eyes, who am I?" Xu Xiao Shou asked.

"Meow." The Greedy God translated.

Situ Yongren had over a dozen spiritual artifacts for mental defense, which could resist such attacks.

But the Yan Tong was utterly unreasonable!

The three Yan Tong pupils were even more overpowered!

Across realms, as long as there was a cost, control was possible. And now, with the Greedy God at the Wangzuo level, its energy in both quantity and quality surpassed Situ Yongren's.

In this matchup, a single glance from the Greedy God, if it wanted, could take control.

"Yan Wang... Huang Quan..." Situ Yongren answered unconsciously.

Huang Quan?

Good, so this guy hasn't seen through my real identity.

Xu Xiao Shou thought to himself, figuring Rao Yao Yao probably suspected I was Huang Quan more than Xu Xiao Shou...

On Ginyin Cliff, he had switched identities three times.

Though he believed Rao Yao Yao and the others hadn't figured it out, having the enemy confirm it finally put his mind at ease.

Unknowingly, Yan Wang had taken the blame for so much...

Xu Xiao Shou chuckled, then looked at the many spiritual artifacts on Situ Yongren and asked, "How many protective spiritual artifacts and pills do you have left? How long can they keep you going in the deep sea?"

"Meow." The Greedy God relayed.

Situ Yongren: "Spiritual artifacts... one hundred... thirty-two... pieces. Pills... a lot. Can... hold on... for three... days..."

Three days?

Xu Xiao Shou's eyes widened.

How afraid of death do you have to be to carry that much...

No!

That's insanely wealthy!

Ten times, a hundred times more than me!

"Can you give them to me?" Xu Xiao Shou asked.

"Meow meow meow!" The Greedy God got excited at the question and translated quickly—it was interested in the pills too!

"No..."

"Why?"

"The artifacts... are bound... can't be given... away..."

"What about the pills?"

"The pills..." Situ Yongren's face twitched with struggle, as if fighting back, but he failed. "Can be..."

"Hand them over!" Xu Xiao Shou said eagerly.

The Greedy God issued the command.

Under the overwhelming power of the three Yan Tong pupils, Situ Yongren couldn't resist and obediently opened his spatial necklace, pulling out heaps of bottles and jars.

In an instant, the water sphere was almost filled!

Xu Xiao Shou was dumbfounded.

"Xiao Fuqu Dan, Fuqu Dan... for restoring the body. So many? Did you rob Sheng Shen Hall's warehouse?"Sheng Yuan Dan, Hun Yuan Dan... damn! These are top-quality pills for restoring spiritual energy and soul energy, right? Over a dozen bottles each?"Ciji Dan, for stimulating mental power and unleashing potential in battle..."Nine-Turn Blood Dan, a holy healing medicine..."God's Blessing, God's Blessing, God's Blessing... holy crap, so many God's Blessings?! The small bottles mean one pill each, but how... you have seven bottles?"

Xu Xiao Shou stared blankly.

Situ Yongren's haul had shattered his worldview.

He thought his inheritance from Jin Zhao made him a billionaire among peers, but this true heir of a major power was unimaginably richer!

"I should've fought you earlier. Turns out you're a fat sheep..."I regret it so much! Last time at the Heavenly First Tower, I should've never let you go! You're way too loaded!"

Xu Xiao Shou's lips trembled, his hands shaking.

If he'd robbed Situ Yongren sooner, maybe Shou Ye wouldn't have mutated, at least not left starving under the tribulation, just smelling the empty eight or nine-grade honey jars—thirsting for the unattainable.

Poverty! The original sin!

"Give it all to me!"

Xu Xiao Shou waved his hand, using spatial swap.

The piles of bottles and jars in Situ Yongren's water sphere turned into water.

And in his Yuanfu World, a massive fortune appeared!

"Anything else?" Xu Xiao Shou asked hopefully.

"Nothing... left... not a single... bottle..." Situ Yongren, even under control, sounded and looked pained, as if aware of his terrible mistake.

Xu Xiao Shou pondered for a moment, then looked up and said:

"What about Sheng Blood? Aren't you some kind of holy son in Sheng Shen Hall? You should have a lot of Sheng Blood, right?"