Chapter 1073: Don't Look Back

A truce?

Ye Xiao Tian watched from behind, feeling somewhat bewildered. The Ban Sheng Jiang Bu Yi had chosen to back down?

Was this the pressure that Ba Zun An had brought upon him?

"Too impressive..."

He had been fully prepared for a desperate fight, with plans for "laughing for ten breaths" and "risking death to save someone" already set in motion. Mei Ji Ren's appearance was barely more than a fortunate surprise.

But unexpectedly, the situation had turned completely.

The immense pressure from Xiao Kong Dong's Ba Zun An form hadn't driven Jiang Bu Yi to force a confrontation; instead, it had made him retreat.

—This was undoubtedly the best outcome!

What was a perfect plan? The most perfect one was where all the prior preparations went unused—everyone just showed up, made an appearance, and then went their separate ways, patting the dust off their backs.

However...

Ye Xiao Tian wondered if such a perfect ending truly existed in the world.

If he were Jiang Bu Yi, after failing to claim Xu Xiao Shou and even having one of his Ban Sheng avatars slain by the other's people, how could he simply wrap things up based on a few words from someone? At the very least, he would have to throw out some harsh threats or take someone away, right?

With Mei Ji Ren impossible to take and Xiao Kong Dong's Ba Zun An form out of the question, the only plausible targets for capture, based on his speculations, would be...

Himself, or Xu Xiao Shou!

"Be careful."

Ye Xiao Tian warned from behind, not relaxing in the slightest.

He understood the principle of falling short at the last moment—people were most likely to let their guard down then, making it the prime time for accidents.

On the Mo Shen Da Qiang, Xiao Kong Dong was just as vigilant as Ye Xiao Tian.

Jiang Bu Yi's retreat was both logical and unforeseen. What he feared most was that this man might grab something on his way out.

If a Ban Sheng wanted to leave, everyone here combined probably couldn't stop him.

But in that final probe, he might expose that Xiao Kong Dong wasn't the real Ba Zun An!

Still, Xiao Kong Dong couldn't afford to hold him back. He had no choice but to follow Jiang Bu Yi's words smoothly, responding calmly:

"Then thank you for giving face, Jiang Ban Sheng..."

"Rest assured, I'll remember this favor. If I pass through Bei Yu Pu Xuan Jiang Shi in the North Domain someday, I'll come visit Jiang Ban Sheng for tea and a chat."

"The road ahead is long—today's enemy could be tomorrow's friend. Who knows, we might even have a chance to collaborate in the future."

Xiao Kong Dong smiled: "Isn't that right?"

Jiang Bu Yi showed no goodwill in return.

How could he not hear the threat in the other man's words?

—If you dare touch my Holy Slave's people today, I'll come stir up trouble at your Bei Yu Pu Xuan Jiang Shi tomorrow. You can leave if you want, and we'll all stay out of each other's way, but if you try to use your Ban Sheng power to snatch someone on your way out...

You can run, but your home can't!

Jiang Bu Yi narrowed his eyes slightly. He had indeed considered that just moments ago.

Or rather, once he realized he couldn't get a clear result from Mei Ji Ren, he had thought about seizing the vanished Xu Xiao Shou and leaving.

But right at that critical moment, Ba Zun An had appeared.

This guy's ability to seize opportunities was too precise—he had perfectly gauged the timing to strike and advise.

However...

No! There couldn't be a "however"!

Hadn't he heard Ba Zun An's threat?

If he really went after Xu Xiao Shou today, he'd have to hole up in the Bei Yu Pu Xuan Jiang Shi main sect afterward, waiting for some unknown crisis that might never come, living in constant anxiety.

—It wasn't the thieves you feared; it was knowing they had you in their sights!

After a long silence under the watchful eyes of the three highly alert individuals, Jiang Bu Yi finally let out a sigh.

"Ba Zun An, I said I'd give you face, and I will."

"The path ahead is uncertain... but I don't want any more entanglements with you all. It's best for everyone if we stay out of each other's affairs."

Pausing there, Jiang Bu Yi didn't want to dwell on the topic any longer. He shifted his gaze to the person behind Ba Zun An—the one who had entered with a spatial mystic array.

If he hadn't been mistaken earlier, that white-haired daoist child had revealed something that all continental spirit refiners dreamed of!

"Space mystic array?" Jiang Bu Yi chuckled. "I don't think I've seen you before. When did such a figure emerge on the continent? Are you also with the Holy Slave? What's your name?"

As everyone's eyes turned toward him, Ye Xiao Tian felt like cursing.

Why? Out of all these people, why focus on someone as insignificant as him?

Ye Xiao Tian took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and forced himself to stay calm: "I'm Zhou Can."

"Zhou Can?"

Xiao Kong Dong was stunned, and so was Mei Ji Ren.

That name had a strangely thick "Shou" flavor to it.

Jiang Bu Yi was also momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter: "So your surname is Zhou? I thought you were named Ye Xiao Tian."

Ye Xiao Tian's scalp tingled.

So you knew who I was? Then why ask for my name? What's wrong with you!

Jiang Bu Yi said no more, just gave Ye Xiao Tian—wait, Zhou Can—a deep look before withdrawing his gaze.

Space mystic array...

His combat prowess wasn't evident today.

But if this person survived, he would surely claim a place at the pinnacle of the continent.

He was far superior to that time-space attribute "Huang Quan" and the elusive "Kong Yu Hen," who had only shown up once to join the Ten Venerable Seats and then vanished.

At least, Ye Xiao Tian—er, Zhou Can—was a specialist in the space path, a living, breathing person who could even lie, unlike those shadowy types!

"As they say, no fight, no friendship..."

Shifting his gaze again, Jiang Bu Yi looked at Mei Ji Ren with a touch of regret: "After today's battle, I've truly seen what it means to 'remain silent until striking with thunder'."

"Who would have thought that among the Seven Sword Immortals, there was someone with cultivation like yours? I always believed that aside from those with the potential to become saints, the rest were just like Gou Wu Yue or Rao Yao Yao—barely qualifying as an eighth Sword Immortal."

"But you!"

Jiang Bu Yi fixed his gaze on Mei Ji Ren, not hiding his admiration: "I've gained a new respect for you."

"You're too kind."

Mei Ji Ren remained unfazed, showing no sign of pleasure. He even had the presence of mind to wonder if Jiang Bu Yi's endless chatter hid some hidden agenda.

He didn't know the man's exact age, but it was possible that Jiang Bu Yi was younger than him!

Even if his strength had reached the level of a Ban Sheng, would a younger generation's praise really delight an elder? More likely the other way around!

Mei Ji Ren nearly blurted out, "You're not bad yourself—at least you've proven that the legends of Ba Zun An are real, and Ban Sheng aren't invincible." But after thinking it over, he held back.

Otherwise, a second Ban Sheng war would erupt over mere words!

Seeing that none of the three before him wanted to continue the conversation and were instead on high alert, Jiang Bu Yi felt a bit awkward.

Making friends, and they're all so tense? What's the big deal?

"I actually have one last thing to say..." Jiang Bu Yi smiled.

Xiao Kong Dong laughed too, not bothering to hide his impatience. He scratched his ear with his pink finger, flicked it away, and scoffed: "I'm not really in the mood to hear it."

"This isn't for you—it's for Xu Xiao Shou."

As soon as he said that, the three in the field narrowed their eyes, their auras shifting like tigers coiling to pounce.

"There's no need to be so tense..." Jiang Bu Yi waved his hands quickly, signaling he meant no harm. "It's just a few words of praise. I said I'd give you face, and I will!"

Xiao Kong Dong fell silent, and Ye Xiao Tian said nothing.

Mei Ji Ren snapped his fan shut and tucked it into his ring, then casually drew the stone sword from his back.

In a critical moment, using swordless techniques was less efficient than having a weapon ready—it saved a step.

Jiang Bu Yi took in all their reactions, shook his head with a laugh, and stopped looking at them. Instead, he turned his gaze to the empty air.

"Xu Xiao Shou, I know you're still here. Don't worry—with someone protecting you, I won't touch you today..."

"Well, strictly speaking, I never intended to in the first place."

"What I said earlier about giving you two choices was just a joke. Life isn't black and white—there's always a third path."

"I was only saying that to see how someone as clever as you would respond."

He paused, but no response came.

Jiang Bu Yi knew the boy was on guard—probably more so than anyone else here. He raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and continued:

"It's a shame your Mei Ji Ren entered too early, so I didn't get a satisfying answer. Because you chose half of the options I gave, which doesn't quite match the rumors."

"From what I recall, you're the type who could even toy with Rao Yao Yao—that's one of the Seven Sword Immortals... Oh, right, Mei Ji Ren is too. So, was his entry also part of your plan?"

"I get it... Is this your third path?"

Jiang Bu Yi suddenly widened his eyes, as if startled by his own deduction, and glanced surprisingly at Mei Ji Ren.

"Hah."

Mei Ji Ren laughed lightly, as if a breeze had passed.

What a crude attempt at sowing discord? That just showed he had overestimated Jiang Bu Yi earlier... He sheathed the stone sword on his back, thought for a moment, and drew it again.

Still, Jiang Bu Yi got no reply from Xu Xiao Shou.

He couldn't very well recreate his sacred domain in front of everyone, shrink it down to lock onto Xu Xiao Shou's position, and drag him out just for a chat.

That would be ridiculous!

Those two would definitely attack!

So, with a shrug, Jiang Bu Yi sighed helplessly.

"Looks like I'm not welcome here—first time for everything."

"Alright, I'll go. Since even I am so unwanted..."

He shook his head like an outdated elder, no longer favored by the young, and began packing up his battlefield, choosing to leave.

The Xiao Shen Qiang, Sang Hun Sheng Ta, Xian Mo Pian, plus the other nine soul artifacts he had partially used earlier...

Under the watchful eyes of Mei Ji Ren, Xiao Kong Dong, and Ye Xiao Tian, Jiang Bu Yi leisurely gathered all his belongings, smiled at everyone, and said:

"Farewell, all of you."

"If we meet again, may we be neither friends nor foes, and all stay well."

With that, the winds gathered, and the universe restored itself.

Jiang Bu Yi's figure shattered with a "whoosh," dissolving into golden light that drifted away with the wind.

One breath...

Two breaths...

Three breaths...

After waiting a full ten breaths, the three in the field finally lowered their final guard, sighing in relief.

"He's gone."

Ye Xiao Tian, with his incredibly keen spatial perception, confirmed that Jiang Bu Yi was no longer in this realm.

"Hah."

Xiao Kong Dong said nothing else, just exhaled a long, turbid breath, dispelling all his inner unease.

"Mm."

Mei Ji Ren nodded lightly, confirming Zhou Can's words. He sheathed the stone sword on his back and stepped over to the two by the Mo Shen Da Qiang.

The great battle had finally come to an end.

It had to be said that afterward, the three of them—despite only one having fought, with the other two just handling the aftermath—felt utterly exhausted.

"Wait!"

Just as Mei Ji Ren was about to speak, Ye Xiao Tian suddenly cried out in alarm, pointing ahead.

The other two instantly tensed, their hairs standing on end as they looked over.

"What's that?" Ye Xiao Tian's pupils contracted.

They could no longer sense the Ban Sheng Jiang Bu Yi in the surrounding world, but he had just noticed a faint trace of sacred power lingering.

—Where Jiang Bu Yi had stood, a black-red scroll had fallen!

"One of his soul artifacts?" Xiao Kong Dong was stunned. He almost hadn't noticed the sacred power fluctuations from that scroll—it was only thanks to Ye Xiao Tian's alert that he saw it.

Without thinking, he stepped forward...

Ye Xiao Tian followed suit, slowly flying over to pick up the scroll and examine it...

"Hold on!"

Their uncharacteristic actions made Mei Ji Ren's skin crawl. He shouted sharply.

The two in front seemed to snap out of it, both startled.

Why had they wanted to take it? Clearly, anything left by Jiang Bu Yi should be avoided or destroyed from afar!

Greed? None of them would attribute their odd behavior to greed, as they all knew they weren't that type of person.

Even if it might be a defensive soul artifact Jiang Bu Yi had dropped... a Saint Emperor position was something they could let go of—how could they be greedy?

"No!"

"It's not a soul artifact!"

Xiao Kong Dong stared intently and suddenly realized something. "Earlier, when he was fighting Mei Ji Ren, there was no scroll-shaped object among his soul artifacts. I'm absolutely sure—I need to review it later..."

Before he could finish—

"Buzz—"

The black-red scroll on the ground trembled suddenly, then erupted with astonishing sacred power fluctuations!

Visible waves of sacred energy instantly blanketed the entire Miracle Forest, and the three at the epicenter were hit the hardest.

"Heart..."

Xiao Kong Dong couldn't even complete his sentence before his eyelids drooped. The divine Buddha behind him straightened up with a rumble, steadying his mind and shielding him from the sacred power's influence.

"Too..."

Ye Xiao Tian did the same, immediately using his life-saving method. He swallowed a mouthful of sacred blood without hesitation, not caring about the waste, and a space mystic array bloomed under his feet.

In an instant, the distance between the three and the black-red scroll became like an endless void—though not far physically, it felt infinitely vast.

The sacred blood, with its full Ban Sheng effects, boosted Ye Xiao Tian's power to its peak in that moment.

The scroll's sacred energy couldn't shatter the folded space he had summoned!

It was as if thousands of void islands lay between them, blocking the sacred power and giving the three a strong sense of security.

"How extravagant..."

Xiao Kong Dong was full of envy. His divine Buddha paled in comparison to those with resources and backing—it could only protect himself.

Yet Ye Xiao Tian, a mere Wang Zuo, had shielded all three!

As that thought flashed through his mind, the two couldn't help but look back at the black-red scroll.

Whatever Jiang Bu Yi had left behind clearly wasn't benevolent. After the sacred energy surged, the scroll slowly floated up and began to unfurl in the air.

"Boom!"

Even through the vast void, Xiao Kong Dong and Ye Xiao Tian felt their minds shake, as if struck by a hammer at the soul level.

In the next second, the black-red scroll seemed to unfold within their divine souls, expanding to cover their entire conscious space!

Mei Ji Ren's heart trembled slightly as he finally recalled what this was.

He quickly closed his eyes, and in his mind, a "sword image" monster formed, slashing his own will with a fierce sword strike.

With that, the black-red scroll in his mind shattered...

Only then did Mei Ji Ren have the capacity to act. He grabbed the heads of the two in front of him, turning them away, and roared:

"Don't look!

"This is a 'Ban Sheng Xuan Zhi'—you can't handle it!"