Chapter 1129: Three Parts Suspicion, Directly Take Action

Xu Xiaoshou retreated at light speed from the spatial channel entrance, crashing heavily to the ground, his face a mix of shock and uncertainty.

"Scared, passive value: 1."

The spatial misalignment of Zui Yi Dian lasted only a moment.

Missing the chance to escape from Bu She Ting during that fleeting instant, the spatial channel that had suddenly appeared in the void vanished just as quickly, as if nothing had ever happened there.

But clearly, everything had changed.

The spatial channel was gone, yet the person who had emerged from it remained—suspended in mid-air!

She wore a shoulder-baring white dress, her jade-like back adorned with just two straps, revealing faint dimples at her waist. Her bare feet lightly trod on the spiritual energy, her figure perfectly proportioned and gracefully curvaceous.

In her hand, she held a three-foot-long sword with a blend of azure and white hues. The blade was unsheathed, engraved with dragons and phoenixes, enveloped in auspicious clouds, which lent the woman an otherworldly air, untouched by the mortal world.

"Rao Yaoyao!"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank to the bottom.

He had been banking on the chance that the spatial chaos of Zui Yi Dian would arrive.

Yet, he never expected that this time, it would come with an extra "gift"—Rao Yaoyao, one of the Seven Sword Immortals and a red-robed enforcer of the Dao.

"This is ridiculous..."

Xu Xiaoshou was frantic.

He had thought that even if someone else showed up, it might be someone like Si Ren Mister.

In that case, he wouldn't even need to run; he could just crush Ye Xiao on the spot and finish her off!

But...

"What was I even gambling on?"

On second thought, the people on Void Island who were on his side were few and far between.

The rest were either high-ranking members of Sheng Shen Hall, red-robed or white-robed Taixu experts, or third-party forces and assassins gunning for his head.

Whoever showed up was likely to bring bad news.

"I am Chen Tan, and I greet Sword Immortal Rao!"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare dwell on it and quickly bowed with clasped fists in the identity of Chen Tan. Without waiting for a response, he flashed back to the entrance of "Tian San" cell, as if that gave him a sense of security.

The spatial channel had already disappeared—how could he run now?

In that earlier rush, he had charged into the channel, giving him a chance to flee.

But as soon as he stepped in and saw Rao Yaoyao's face, not to mention the fear in his heart, that overwhelming sense of dread—like facing a sovereign—made Xu Xiaoshou instinctively retreat instead of pushing past her to escape.

Yes, Rao Yaoyao gave off a completely different vibe.

She was no longer like she was in Dongtian Wang City, getting angry over the Xuan Cang Divine Sword and the Four Swords competition.

Nor was she like on Ginyin Cliff, showing hesitation and caution because of Yan Wang Huangquan.

In that instant of eye contact, Xu Xiaoshou sensed a special aura from Rao Yaoyao.

It was similar to the sacred domain of Ban Sheng Jiang Buyi!

And yet, it felt very different...

How to describe it?

Untouched by the mortal world?

Transcendent and emotionless?

In any case, his instincts told him to stay far away!

Xu Xiaoshou saw that in Rao Yaoyao's eyes, only coldness and sharpness remained, with none of the previous hesitation or indecision.

He didn't dare take the risk, so he chose to retreat rather than try to pass her.

"Ye Xiao."

In the void, Rao Yaoyao didn't even bother glancing at that cowardly fool. She turned her eyes toward her dark division leader. "I sensed your aura, so I came."

The various signs of battle, the remnants of death god power, and the traces of other special forces all told Rao Yaoyao what had happened here.

But that unfamiliar guy hadn't tried to break out forcefully, so she didn't bother acting. She just used her presence to force him back.

Before she figured everything out, not even a mosquito could fly out of here!

"South Domain evil cultivator Chen Tan, inherited Evil God power, Ghost Sword Technique, Spirit Array Master, realm unknown, extremely cunning and resourceful. The Zhan Shen Order is in his possession."

Ye Xiao emotionlessly relayed all the information and judgments she had. Her gaze then shifted to behind Chen Tan, and she continued, "Tian San cell, the only prisoner in Bu She Ting, Han Ye, a Ban Sheng, ice attribute, enemy of Sheng Shen Hall, suspected to be a Gui Shou."

Rao Yaoyao's eyes narrowed slightly.

It was rare for Ye Xiao to say so many words at once.

This wasn't even "speech"—just a string of "words"—and only Rao Yaoyao was used to it, able to extract useful information from them.

The last time Ye Xiao had said this much was when analyzing the "Zhi Sheng Mo Ti" in Yunlun Mountains.

But as always, plans couldn't keep up with changes, and everything had been disrupted by unexpected events.

Without exception, whenever Ye Xiao spoke up and said more, it meant the situation wasn't good—she was like a harbinger of doom, only bringing bad news.

And now...

"Extremely cunning and resourceful."

Rao Yaoyao looked at Chen Tan, finding it hard to believe that Ye Xiao would give such a fully positive evaluation to a human.

This made all the other information about Chen Tan seem trivial in comparison.

How cunning was he?

On par with Xu Xiaoshou?

"Ancient sword cultivator?" Rao Yaoyao asked coldly, fixing her gaze on the man standing nervously at the side hall entrance.

"Yes." Xu Xiaoshou nodded, forcing himself to appear composed and not overly humble.

"South Domain... Who is your master? The Feng family?"

"Yes."

"You only know Ghost Sword Technique?"

"I know a little about it." Xu Xiaoshou answered evasively, not responding directly.

But Rao Yaoyao's expression turned icy in an instant. She raised the Xuan Cang Divine Sword, her killing intent flaring. "The Feng family in South Domain only practices Wan Jian Technique. Who are you trying to fool?"

"Scared, passive value: 1."

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou had to use his "Transformation" ability to simulate and control his heartbeat, preventing it from stopping abruptly and giving him away.

"Heh heh..."

He scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, as if his scheme had been exposed and he felt a bit embarrassed. He clasped his fists and spoke seriously, "Qingjing Sect, sixteenth-generation sole disciple Chen Tan, greets Sword Immortal Rao. I mainly cultivate the Dao of Techniques, and my sword skills are indeed from the Feng family, though the source isn't exactly proper, so I won't go into details to avoid causing offense."

Only then did Rao Yaoyao's face soften a bit. She asked further, "Have you met Feng Tingchen?"

"No." Xu Xiaoshou shook his head.

He didn't dare pretend anymore!

Rao Yaoyao was one of the Seven Sword Immortals, and so was Feng Tingchen.

Who knew what their relationship was? If he tried to claim any connection to the Feng family, his disguise might be blown in the next second.

Thankfully...

From the start, Chen Tan's ancient sword techniques weren't legitimate; the Dao of Techniques was his true path.

I cultivate Evil God power, so don't get any wrong ideas!

"Zhan Shen Order, hand it over."

Rao Yaoyao had lost interest in Chen Tan and stopped asking questions, issuing the command outright.

"Oh, damn it, here we go again..."

Xu Xiaoshou felt irritated in his heart. With a thought, the seal at the entrance of "Tian San" cell suddenly cracked open.

It's your turn, Han Ye—stir up some chaos!

"Jee jee jee jee jee..."

A high-pitched, piercing cackle echoed from the cell in an instant, quickly turning into a fawning voice: "Little brother Chen, you've come around and decided to let this great one out? Don't worry, I won't go back on the promises I made before!"

"Who's your little brother Chen!" Xu Xiaoshou stepped back in alarm, quickly distancing himself, and looked at Rao Yaoyao. "He's talking nonsense, Sword Immortal Rao. Don't believe him—you can ask Ye Xiao girl about it."

Ye Xiao girl?

Rao Yaoyao was taken aback, not immediately realizing who that referred to.

Then, she gave a slightly odd glance at the Ye Xiao on the necromancer's shoulder, who remained silent, confirming that Chen Tan was telling the truth.

Well, trying to get close was also true...

You managing to get chummy with Ye Xiao is something I didn't expect...

Rao Yaoyao shook her head inwardly with a wry smile, her attention now fully drawn to the Ban Sheng in the cell—that was the real main player here!

"You're Han Ye?"

"Jee?" Han Ye let out a sound, sounding pleased. "Another visitor? And a woman at that?"

Damn, you're bold... Xu Xiaoshou shuddered at the words and instinctively moved a bit farther from the cell entrance.

This place wasn't safe anymore. Of the thirty-six stratagems, retreat was the best.

Rao Yaoyao's gaze turned cold.

The oppressive aura she exuded after entering wasn't just felt by Xu Xiaoshou—it quickly reached Han Ye in the cell. She parted her red lips and got straight to the point: "Are you a Gui Shou?"

The cell, which had been full of chattering noises as if Han Ye was muttering to himself, suddenly fell silent.

After a pause, Han Ye's emotionless voice came out: "Who are you?"

"Red-robed enforcer of the Dao, Rao Yaoyao!"

Rao Yaoyao infused her words with full momentum, making it hard for Xu Xiaoshou in the hall to even breathe. She then sniffed lightly through her nose and pressed on, "You are a Gui Shou!"

At that moment, even Xu Xiaoshou felt that as a red-robed enforcer, Rao Yaoyao must know everything about Gui Shou.

She just needed to sniff once, even through the cell door, to be certain that Han Ye inside was definitely a Gui Shou!

But the next second, Xu Xiaoshou sensed something was off.

The Rao Yaoyao he knew didn't have that ability.

If she did, the Gui Shou den like Heaven's First Tower would have been wiped out long ago!

So...

"She is bluffing!"

Xu Xiaoshou almost wanted to applaud.

This move depended on how Han Ye handled it. Any sign of weakness, and he'd be confirmed as a Gui Shou.

But to his surprise, Han Ye suddenly shouted, "Jee! Rao Yaoyao, this great one knows you—you're that one from the Seven Sword Immortals!"

With that, he stopped responding and turned his words to Chen Tan, his tone laced with thick worry, speaking through a private transmission: "Little brother Chen, the situation's bad now. Sheng Shen Hall has sent two people. In my current state, I can only help you block the original one."

"But like this, you definitely won't beat Rao Yaoyao, so don't rush that task."

"Hurry up and break my seal, or it'll be too late."

This transmission was too weak!

Filtered through the cell's seal, it was almost negligible.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't need to think to know it would be intercepted by Rao Yaoyao and Ye Xiao.

But...

"Task?"

"What task?"

In his daze, Xu Xiaoshou felt a surge of piercing killing intent from Rao Yaoyao behind him, making his hairs stand on end.

You sly bastard!

This guy was trying to drag him onto his ship.

Rao Yaoyao was bluffing, but Han Ye was framing him outright. Was there anyone decent in Bu She Ting besides himself?

Seeing the ball being passed to him out of nowhere, Xu Xiaoshou refused to take the blame. He retreated in panic, pointing to the sky as if swearing, and nervously explained to Rao Yaoyao: "Sword Immortal Rao, please see clearly—there's no way I'm involved with this Gui Shou!"

"This Han Ye... ha, what a joke of a Han Ye—he did give me a task in secret just now, and even Ye Xiao girl didn't notice it."

"It's just to escape first, then find someone named 'Xu Xiaoshou,' something about 'White Pulse Three Ancestors,' 'Eighth Sword Immortal,' and tell them the location of 'Bu She Ting.' Once that's done, the task is complete."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't even blink as he rattled off his self-defense: "But I only pretended to agree to save my skin—there's no way I'd actually do it."

"The situation is just like that. I've told you everything now, so you decide what to do."

"But I firmly stand on your side, Sword Immortal Rao—that's my bottom line, my principle, and it's the survival rule I've summed up in South Domain: absolutely no dealings with dark forces!"

As soon as he finished, the hall fell into dead silence.

Even Ye Xiao was stunned for a moment. She had never intercepted any such conversation between Han Ye and Chen Tan, but hearing terms like "White Pulse Three Ancestors" from Chen Tan's mouth...

Based on what Chen Tan had said earlier, his knowledge of Void Island was limited to it being a place of exile, perhaps holding more than one Ban Sheng.

But the distinction between outer and inner islands, the power dynamics of the inner island...

Not even a South Domain evil cultivator like him, or probably ninety-nine out of a hundred people on Void Island, would know that!

Ye Xiao had only heard of "White Pulse Three Ancestors" without knowing the details.

She immediately looked to Rao Yaoyao, only to see the red-robed enforcer's face frosted over with killing intent, which had shifted entirely from Chen Tan to the cell entrance.

"Tian San" cell was equally silent.

But in the next instant, an outburst of hysterical roaring erupted from inside: "Chen! Tan!"

"Slander! He's slandering me! This great one isn't a Gui Shou... Ahhh! Chen Tan!!"

—It was impossible to explain now!

With a boom, the spirit array woven with spirit threads at the cell entrance was shattered by a surge of frost-white chill.

That overwhelming ice energy erupted wildly, transforming in mid-air into bat-like ice wings that slashed straight toward Chen Tan.

"Sword Immortal Rao, save me—"

Xu Xiaoshou hugged his head and fled in panic, his pupils dilated in terror, as if the Ban Sheng's attack had left him completely disoriented. In his heart, however, he had already prepared abilities like "Immovable Wisdom King," "Disappear Technique," and "One Step to Heaven."

If Rao Yaoyao didn't save him, he'd have to reveal some trump cards.

"Shing!"

The Xuan Cang Divine Sword lifted lightly in the air, its clear sword cry echoing through the entire hall.

In the next second, the sword light swept like wind, cutting through the endless chill and slicing directly into the ice wings attacking Chen Tan.

"Red Dust Refinement!"

With no flashy effects, this plain and unadorned sword strike seemed casual, not even matching the power of a Ban Sheng... no, not even a fraction of Ye Xiao's death god power!

But Han Ye's ice wings trembled violently, and the frost-white chill seeping from the gaps instantly severed the connection between it and the distant attack.

"Sizzle."

The uncontrolled ice wings were easily split in two, melting into water.

The heavy stone in Xu Xiaoshou's heart finally dropped, and his three life-saving trump cards remained hidden.

"Emotion Sword Technique, Red Dust Sword..."

As someone who had suffered from this sword before, Xu Xiaoshou fully understood Han Ye's move.

The more unscrupulous the person, the harder it was to pass through this "Red Dust Refinement."

Han Ye had abruptly stopped his attack to avoid Rao Yaoyao's sword pursuing him, crossing into his seven emotions and six desires.

If that happened, whether he could emerge from the Red Dust Sword was one thing, but if Rao Yaoyao pressed on, Han Ye in that dazed state might reveal secrets he desperately wanted to hide.

A Ban Sheng probably wouldn't be trapped or controlled by the Red Dust Sword...

But what if?

Everyone feared the worst, and someone with an unclear background like Han Ye feared it more.

Rao Yaoyao sheathed her sword and floated down from the void, landing in front of Chen Tan. She turned her head and said, "You step back; I'll handle this."

"Protected, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou stared at her beautiful back, stars in his eyes, feeling immensely satisfied.

This sense of security was just perfect!

"Keep an eye on him; Han Ye is mine." Rao Yaoyao glanced at Ye Xiao again, indicating that the Zhan Shen Order couldn't be lost and would be dealt with later.

Ye Xiao nodded silently.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, looked as if he'd heard something unbelievable and asked in a daze, "Sword Immortal Rao, what are you planning? Don't do anything rash!"

From the look of it, you're going to face Han Ye—a Ban Sheng—with your sword immortal prowess?

Are you insane!

But Rao Yaoyao simply held her sword and walked forward silently, heading toward the "Tian San" cell door.

With each step, her aura grew stronger, until by the door, a faint sacred might began to radiate around her.

From Dongtian Wang City, to Yunlun Mountains, to Ginyin Cliff, to Void Island... Rao Yaoyao had come to terms with herself.

Scheming—that was something Dao Wancang could do, Ba Zun could do, even Xu Xiaoshou could do, but for her, it was enough to dabble a little.

When the dream ended, it was time to return to reality.

"Ancient sword cultivator, forging ahead without hesitation!"

—That was the most original and fitting path for her.

The church had taught her, Huangquan had taught her, the Night Guard had taught her, Teng Shanhai had taught her, Jiang Buyi had taught her, and even Xu Xiaoshou had taught her... one truth:

With three parts suspicion, strike directly!

With five parts suspicion, better to kill the wrong one than let one go!

"If people hesitate too much, their swords will dull."