Chapter 1097: Cursed Yin Eye VS All Demons Under the Eyes

In the silence, a divine light seemed to descend upon his mind, allowing Xu Xiaoshou's chaotic thoughts to settle and restoring his clarity.

This sensation was rare in the past.

But during his practice of Xin Jian Shu, it had occurred countless times, and Xu Xiaoshou had grown accustomed to it.

"Spiritual awakening..."

It was precisely because of the special passive skill "Huan Mie Yi Zhi" and its accompanying trait that Xu Xiaoshou dared to step into the black-purple, sinister ocean below, even after sensing it might threaten his spirit.

As expected, the essence of "Xie Nian" was to destroy a person's spirit.

And the ultimate state of spiritual chaos, no matter how complex the process, always led to Qi deviation and eventual death.

Clearly, this process had only just begun before "spiritual awakening" nipped it in the bud.

"What a bizarre Xie Nian—this must be some unknown technique?"

"It's completely different from Yi's methods. It's not tempting one's seven emotions and six desires; instead, it's a brutally forceful invasion of the spirit, like a stirrer mixing everything up, recklessly disrupting one's mental will..."

After calming down, Xu Xiaoshou assessed that his spirit was unharmed and even had the leisure to compare this technique to Yi's spiritual attacks.

In the end, he couldn't conclude which was stronger.

They were roughly equal; the methods differed, but as for results, if the target were anyone else—if the one enduring it wasn't him—most people would be crushed on the spot by such an attack.

"Huan Mie Yi Zhi (charge value 26.1)."

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This charge value came from the miscellaneous spiritual attacks and influences he had faced while traveling after slaying Yi.

The second largest boost was from the spiritual pressure endured when facing the semi-saint Jiang Biyi, an all-around, indiscriminate mental assault that Jiang Biyi unconsciously exerted as a semi-saint.

After that "battle," even without direct engagement, the charge value had increased by several points.

But the greatest gains came from practicing Xin Jian Shu—repeated instances of Qi deviation, followed by spiritual awakening, then more Qi deviation...

In this cycle, the charge value of "Huan Mie Yi Zhi" reached an all-time high, even surpassing the "10" from when he slew Yi, by more than double.

Xu Xiaoshou knew that at this moment, "Huan Mie Yi Zhi" had accumulated into his ultimate killing move once again.

He only needed to find the core will of this sinister ocean and point his finger; he didn't even need to test the success of Xin Jian Shu. He believed all strangeness and evil would dissipate like smoke.

"But isn't that a waste?"

Xu Xiaoshou stared at the percentage number and chuckled. The Qi deviation state from practicing Xin Jian Shu was rare, and he had thought this phase would only bring one such precious experience.

Little did he expect that after coming to deal with this strange sea, he'd get to taste this benefit again.

"As long as it doesn't drive me mad instantly, leading to suicide or self-destruction, 'spiritual awakening' will trigger repeatedly, and I can keep farming the charge value for 'Huan Mie Yi Zhi.'"

Could this black-purple sea kill him in an instant?

Obviously not.

"So, what I should do now isn't to quickly clear away this pollution, but to take it easy, slowly find the culprit that caused my Qi deviation, and see exactly who it is."

"After all, in the worst-case scenario, I still have those two big bodyguards watching over me."

"This is the second-to-last trump card... If I get into trouble, that means they can't handle it either; and if they can't, then who should if not me?"

Xu Xiaoshou absolutely loved life with bodyguards.

With that thought, he let "spiritual awakening" trigger repeatedly, resisting the sinister forces of the black-purple sea one wave at a time, while extending his spiritual power to "perceive" the strange core.

He had already identified the old woman trapped in the Xiao Kongdong illusion world.

From the soul memories of the several gold medal hunter order assassins he had fought before, he knew she was another killer, the Ghost Granny, who wanted his head.

The one with her could only be the last remaining killer, Xie Lao.

But Xie Lao...

From the memories of the other assassins about Xie Lao, it seemed he had never used a technique like this.

"Strange, evil, capable of rapidly inducing Qi deviation, and unlike ordinary spiritual attacks—meaning it's hard for anyone to prepare countermeasures in advance..."

"And then there's Zu Yuan Zhi Li..."

Xu Xiaoshou recalled what Si Ren Xiansheng had said, and his mind started racing.

He could put off practicing Xin Jian Shu for a bit; after all, Xiao Kongdong could teach him anytime.

Even if that didn't work, given the humble nature of ancient sword cultivators, Si Ren Xiansheng's Xin Jian Shu might not be the strongest, but it was certainly qualified to teach him, and at a level among the top few in the world—not to mention his rich experience in sword instruction.

Meanwhile, those two above him definitely weren't thinking like he was...

"Zu Yuan Zhi Li" was extremely rare; even Jiang Biyi, upon seeing it, couldn't obtain it and had to destroy it instead.

So, now that he was in an absolutely safe environment and had spotted another kind of "Zu Yuan Zhi Li," how could he not think about "digging" this technique out for himself?

"Your power is strong, but soon, it will be mine!"

"The mistake was appearing in front of me, especially when I already have two big bodyguards."

With that, Xu Xiaoshou thought without a care in the world and fully submerged himself into this sinister sea.

He wanted to find the caster, see who dared use "gazing" to scare people, and then use "soul reading" on the enemy to plunder this power!

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

"He's sinking—completely sinking in!"

Under the moonlight, Xiao Kongdong watched in slight shock as Xu Xiaoshou was entirely swallowed by the black-purple, strange fluid, and turned worriedly to glance at Si Ren Xiansheng.

In Si Ren Xiansheng's eyes, there was a hint of tension too, but recalling how Xu Xiaoshou had repeatedly awakened from Qi deviation during Xin Jian Shu practice, he ultimately chose not to intervene. Instead, he smiled and said,

"Relax, Xu Xiaoshou has a 'no Qi deviation constitution.' He's very special."

"No Qi deviation constitution?"

Xiao Kongdong was stunned for a moment. "What kind of constitution is that? What's the principle?"

Xu Xiaoshou actually had such a secret?

His curiosity surged, and he was about to ask more.

But Si Ren Xiansheng immediately looked at him with a slightly threatening gaze and said softly,

"Everyone has secrets. As seniors, we should respect the younger generation. And curiosity can kill the cat, don't you think, Xiao Kongdong?"

"Uh."

Xiao Kongdong's face stiffened.

Si Ren Xiansheng, I didn't realize you were even more protective than I am. Xu Xiaoshou just called you "teacher," right?

Besides, I'm just curious; I wouldn't force Xu Xiaoshou to reveal the secret of this constitution.

What's our relationship?

I'm his senior brother!

Our teacher is Ba Zun An!

And you, Si Ren Xiansheng, are just a latecomer!

In that moment, countless thoughts flashed through Xiao Kongdong's mind, but in the end, he opened his mouth and said tensely,

"Don't worry, Ba Ren Xiansheng, no one else will harm Xu Xiaoshou—I certainly won't."

Si Ren Xiansheng chuckled and fanned himself with his paper fan.

"That's not what I meant. I naturally trust you. I was just saying that Xu Xiaoshou's secrets might bring you danger. It's best not to ask too much."

Xiao Kongdong's eyelid twitched as he stared at the words on the fan—"Are you stupid?"—and fell into thought.

Darkness, coldness, strangeness.

All sorts of bizarre sensations invaded his spirit.

But relying on his "no Qi deviation constitution," Xu Xiaoshou roamed recklessly through this vast, sinister sea.

The sticky, strange fluid was wildly cut apart by the "Chi Jie Force Field," shattering and splashing out, only to surge back and slap against his body repeatedly.

This feeling was deeply unpleasant, but Xu Xiaoshou gritted his teeth and endured.

"It's been almost an hour..."

He precisely calculated the time, intent on maxing out the charge value of "Huan Mie Yi Zhi."

But after half an hour, Xu Xiaoshou felt he was nearing his limit.

Prolonged traversal through this sinister fluid was rapidly draining his spirit; he was already exhausted and felt drowsy.

He thought Qi deviation wasn't scary, but if he fell asleep in this ocean, even "spiritual awakening" might not save him.

"I can't be greedy; this is enough."

"Huan Mie Yi Zhi (charge value 48.2)."

A "Huan Mie Yi Zhi" approaching fifty percent—Xu Xiaoshou had never dared dream of it before.

In this state, maybe even one Yi wouldn't be enough to kill; this finger might even threaten a semi-saint with a surprise attack.

"Time to reel it in!"

After wandering this endless sea for half an hour, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't without gains.

Soon after fully submerging, he had found something like the "strange core," though it looked terrifying, and he wasn't eager to face it.

But after searching for so long, beneath this sea, there was nothing else that resembled the "strange core."

Stopping in his tracks, Xu Xiaoshou extended his "perception" forward.

"Hoo woo—"

A chilling spiritual sound wave came from ahead.

What his "perception" revealed was a black-purple eyeball the size of a head, with a ghastly wound split above it on the side.

Even stranger, this eyeball was wrapped in human skin, with hair growing from the back, and below it connected to a headless body with human limbs.

"It used to be a person..."

"But forced by Xiao Kongdong, he used this evil technique, letting the eyeball take over his head and turning him into this monstrous form?"

Xu Xiaoshou's skin crawled at the sight; he'd never seen anything so horrifying.

Yet, what had to be faced must be faced. Gripping You Si Jian tightly in his hand, Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward, but he heard Sheng Di Long Lin twitching slightly.

"A bit dangerous, but not much."

"Maybe within what I can handle..."

Xu Xiaoshou found it absurd; this level of power and danger felt on par with facing a saint, so why was Sheng Di Long Lin only giving a mild warning? It should be going crazy!

Was it broken?

Or...

Xu Xiaoshou lowered his gaze to the You Si Jian in his hand, feeling its blade sharper than ever, more in tune with his own sword intent. He seemed to find another answer.

"Hoo woo—"

The spiritual sound wave pierced again, and Xu Xiaoshou hesitated no longer. He raised You Si Jian and thrust it forward.

"Sizzle—"

It was like stabbing into a quagmire; a strange sensation traveled through You Si Jian to his senses.

"Boom!"

Without warning, terrifying demonic energy erupted.

Anything not an ancient sword cultivator or recognized by You Si Jian couldn't withstand its exclusive "fierce demonic energy."

The black-purple eyeball was no exception.

As You Si Jian pierced the eyeball, the surging demonic energy materialized, spreading from the eyeball as the center, flowing along the black-purple sea, invading and causing pollution.

But in the next second, Xu Xiaoshou witnessed something even more shocking!

The previously still evil eyeball shook violently after being stabbed, emitting another high-pitched spiritual sound wave.

Then, the black-purple evil energy turned liquid, surging and expanding wildly from within the eyeball, actually pushing out the fierce demonic energy of You Si Jian!

"This power can resist You Si Jian—it's on the same level as a fierce sword."

"No, it might even surpass it! After all, this power is acting on instinct, without consciousness or control, yet it's still repelling You Si Jian!"

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned; for the first time, he saw something that You Si Jian's fierce demonic energy couldn't pollute.

Before he could think more, the eyeball in front of him suddenly swelled, bursting the human body below it, devouring the flesh, and growing to over a person's height.

The black-purple energy crawled up along You Si Jian, and before Xu Xiaoshou could withdraw his sword, his spirit shook, as if pulled into another world.

"Boom boom boom."

Above the chaotic, disordered black-purple sea, a lame old man leaning on a cane floated high, enveloped in endless evil energy, his eyes filled with bloodthirsty red.

On his forehead, a black-purple eyeball was cracked open, like his third eye.

"Heh hahaha..."

The old man with the special power spread his arms wide.

In his manic laughter, the black-purple ocean at his feet churned into waves, forming two massive hands dripping with sinister liquid, towering several yards high, and clapping toward Xu Xiaoshou.

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

"Heh hahaha... So it's you! The one who dared to strike at me is you!"

"Then, for daring to intrude into my spiritual world, your head is mine now!"

As the immense, indescribable black-purple liquid hands boomed down, Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes and realized something.

"Xie Lao!"

He could never forget that face.

After all, the five assassins from the central domain were always after his head.

And now, without a doubt, he had been drawn into Xie Lao's spiritual world.

Though he didn't know why this old man's spiritual world had turned into such a chaotic sea or why his spiritual form had twisted into this abomination...

But clearly, even in this state of complete demonic possession—whether it counted as Qi deviation or not—he was obsessively fixated on Xu Xiaoshou's head!

"You bastard!"

Xu Xiaoshou held nothing back.

The opponent had played all his cards, so what was the point of hiding?

"Your spiritual world is strong, and your spiritual form is formidable, but when it comes to 'intent' and 'true self'..."

"Perhaps you were superior before, but now..."

"I'm above you, Xu Xiaoshou!"

As he spoke, he angled the black sword in his hand, and his entire body erupted with sword intent.

At that moment, You Si Jian burst with an unprecedented joy, vibrating excitedly as infinite black fierce demonic energy surged from its blade.

"Buzz buzz buzz—"

Amid the soaring sword hum, the demonic energy solidified into liquid, flowing from the hilt into Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual form.

In an instant, his originally gentle and amiable spiritual form changed: his neatly tied black hair suddenly loosened, dancing wildly in the wind.

His eyebrows turned pure black, like two sharp swords.

His eyes became endless abysses, as if they could devour the sea.

His sword robe was overtaken by inky black, speckled as if born from the chaos at the dawn of creation, fluttering fiercely in the howling evil winds, leaving demonic spots in the space.

Just as Xie Lao's summoned wave hands clapped together, the entire spiritual world suddenly exploded with a boom.

Then, a majestic, ancient sword tower, ninety-nine stories high, burst from the deep sea, shattering the sinister black-purple hands' attack and hoisting the black figure up to the heavens.

A silver moon awakened in the night sky, like an evil demon opening its eyes.

Silver scales scattered across the black-purple sea, and in the twisting ripples, two towering buildings reflected, connecting the highest clouds to the deepest sea.

"This tower belongs only to the heavens, this person only I can cultivate..."

A melodious Dao chant echoed at the world's edge, manifesting the intent of the Sword God Gu Lou Ying.

Beneath this supreme intent, after a long pause, a defiant, cryptic, and chilling voice drifted down from the sky.

"Xin Jian Shu, all under my gaze are demons!"