Chapter 420: I, Xu, Am Peaceful by Nature and Do Not Like to Kill

“This is unbearable; if this can be endured, what cannot!”

Xu Xiaoshou easily stirred up the crowd's sense of shame and anger.

Or perhaps it was this blatant provocation and brazen show of force that they were witnessing for the first time among their generation.

Every elite from these families had undergone strict training.

Even the most undisciplined among them wouldn't dare act so freely and arrogantly in such a setting.

If they behaved like this on the stage and went back, wouldn't they be scolded to death by their family elders?

But Xu Xiaoshou...

Was there no one who could discipline this guy?

Or was this kind of behavior, in his eyes, just as ordinary as everyone else's restrained emotions?

Look at that expression...

What on earth?

Encouragement?

For the first time in their lives, from the eyes of someone at the mere Yuan Ting level, the crowd clearly saw the kind of encouragement that only elders would show.

“Damn it, I can't hold back anymore!”

In response, a figure instantly shot forward.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up, and a look of satisfaction appeared in his gaze.

“Good.”

“You've got courage, kid. What's your name? I, Xu Xiaoshou, see a limitless future for you!”

Xu Xiaoshou didn't hold back his praise.

He was afraid that if he spoke too slowly, this kid's courage might fade, and he'd fall back from the sky.

“You're talking to your grandpa here, and my name is Meng Xin!”

This was a burly man with a square face, full of indignation.

He wore a blue swordsman robe and carried a massive sword on his back, clearly a strength-based fighter.

Xu Xiaoshou took a careful look and quickly made his judgment.

Upper Spirit Realm, at its peak.

Innate Sword Intent.

His physical body was also quite impressive.

Though it hadn't reached the level of an Innate Physical Body, in this environment, it was already an outstanding existence.

“Good fellow, your strength should rank among the top here.”

“It's just that your temper is a bit foul. That mouth of yours might work against others, but it's not making anyone happy right now.”

Even as he said this, Xu Xiaoshou didn't skimp on the admiration in his eyes.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted elsewhere.

“What about the rest of you? Anyone else want to challenge me?”

“You!”

Meng Xin froze on the spot. Was this guy looking down on him?

However, since he had dared to step forward, he must have some backing.

“Xu Xiaoshou, this is a Refining Spirit Master's battle. Earlier, you used pure Sword Intent to injure someone, which was against the rules. I don't know why you're still standing here so calmly.”

Meng Xin shook his head as he spoke, looking toward Fu Xing on the high platform.

“Lord Fu Xing, you said earlier that pure Sword Intent battles should be in the second round.”

“And this Xu Xiaoshou, relying on his dual cultivation of physical body and spiritual energy, has quietly changed the rules. Am I right?”

Before Fu Xing could speak, Xu Xiaoshou burst out laughing.

“So, what you're saying is, you want to fight me, but I can't use Sword Intent?”

“Heh, I'm not that shameless.”

Meng Xin scratched his head and chuckled naively.

“If you can use sword techniques and know any, feel free to use them.”

“Do you know me?”

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

“No.”

Meng Xin shook his head.

“Are you sure you know me?”

“No!”

“Deceived, passive value, 1.”

“Heh, I see.”

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou understood what was going on.

This guy must have some understanding of him.

Among those present, the only ones who knew him inside out were his enemies; others hadn't even met him.

How would they know he didn't know spiritual techniques?

The only possibility was that in this short time, they had gathered intelligence from their family members and figured him out completely.

“Good fellow!”

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised.

To achieve this in such a short time was no small feat.

But...

“Kid, how recent is the intel you got? A few days ago? A week? Or half a month?”

Xu Xiaoshou said with a grin.

“What do you mean?”

Meng Xin was a bit bewildered.

What's the difference?

Xu Xiaoshou said nothing.

He knew this guy's intel was outdated.

For others, half a month, or even half a year or a year, might not make much difference in strength.

But he was different.

If he faced this guy with intel that wasn't updated in three days, he might get them crying with his new trump cards.

“You seem very confident. I appreciate that kind of confidence in a young man.”

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand.

“Come on up.”

“Come up to this stage.”

“Then tell me, besides not letting me use Sword Intent, what other abilities of mine do you want to restrict?”

Meng Xin paused, his foot halting.

What did this guy mean?

From his words, it seemed like he already knew Meng Xin had him figured out.

But why was he still talking so boldly?

Meng Xin's first reaction was that this guy was bluffing.

But considering Xu Xiaoshou's previous performance, he was arrogant, sure, but he never exaggerated his abilities.

He said one punch, and it ended with one punch.

He said one sword, and it unleashed Master-level Sword Intent.

In that case, Meng Xin had to be cautious.

But according to the intel, this guy only had an Innate Physical Body, and his Innate Sword Intent was just broken through today.

Though he didn't know how he managed to reach Master-level Sword Intent in such a short time.

It was probably for the Bai Ku spots.

Such desperate measures would only let him run wild for a moment.

“This time, he's really bluffing me...”

Meng Xin thought to himself and said dismissively, “No need. As long as you don't break the 'pure' Refining Spirit Dao battle rules, you can use any other means!”

He emphasized the word “pure” to warn the referee.

If Xu Xiaoshou stepped out of line again, according to the rules, he should be disqualified early.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't mind. Not to mention, he was indeed a Refining Spirit Master and hadn't really broken the rules.

Even if he was restricted from using Sword Intent, he wasn't someone this guy could handle.

“Really not thinking it over? No other restrictions?”

He raised an eyebrow.

Meng Xin lifted his head arrogantly.

“No need.”

The referee stepped forward at the right time.

He had already consulted Fu Xing; if Xu Xiaoshou used pure Sword Intent again, he had the authority to remove him.

“Thus, the match begins!” he announced.

As soon as the words fell, Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands.

With a flick of his fingers, five compressed fire seeds slipped out from his fingertips.

Elder Sang hadn't lied to him; the Jin Zhao Refining Pill Technique lineage was indeed designed for combat.

At least, after this period of practice, even without deliberately upgrading his “culinary mastery,” Xu Xiaoshou's control over flames was now incomparable to before.

The compressed fire seeds quietly rotated at his fingertips, not interfering with each other at all, and not even a hint of violent aura leaked out.

Though Jin Zhao Heavenly Flame was an extremely domineering flame, and the compressed fire seeds were the epitome of dominance, at this moment, spinning at Xu Xiaoshou's fingertips, even if observed with spiritual senses, they looked like mere candy beans.

“This is...”

Not many in the arena could sense something was off. Even Shou Ye only frowned slightly.

He could feel that Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual technique was far from ordinary.

But under spiritual senses, it was too deceptive.

It was like a simple “small fireball,” looking completely harmless.

What made him realize something was wrong was actually Xu Xiaoshou's level of control over the flames.

This kind of mastery, pure and returning to simplicity, made people forget the intricacy of the manipulation itself.

It was like a cup of aged wine, seeming turbid, but a true master could smell its sweetness from the aroma.

Yet, even the strongest master wouldn't think at first glance about what techniques were used to brew such aged wine.

Shou Ye saw the subtlety within the subtlety.

The other old folks who sensed something wrong only saw the hidden subtlety.

As for the younger generation below the platform, they couldn't even see the “hidden subtlety.”

“Just this?”

Meng Xin almost laughed at the five candy beans in Xu Xiaoshou's hand.

“Suspected, passive value, 1.”

The spectators below suddenly woke up.

“This Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't have lost his abilities from the restrictions, would he? He doesn't know any spiritual techniques?”

“From what Meng Xin said, it seems he doesn't.”

“That's right. My family sent word that this Xu Xiaoshou really forced his Sword Intent. He practiced the 'White Cloud Sword Art' for two years and only mastered one move!”

“Can you believe it?”

“He must have used some drug for tonight's show.”

“Meng Xin is going to win big!”

“Suspected, passive value, 1100.”

“Mocked, passive value, 654.”

Xu Xiaoshou remained silent. Among these people, there must be some with the latest intel.

But even if it was the latest, it wasn't enough.

After all, those who had seen the true power of this move had probably all turned into fireworks.

The second time he used the “Five Finger Imprint Technique,” Xu Xiaoshou felt an unusual sense of familiarity.

He held back the urge to nest the fire seeds and turned to look at the referee.

“Save him.”

The referee was stunned and hadn't reacted yet when Xu Xiaoshou vanished from sight.

The battle began!

This time, Xu Xiaoshou didn't wait for the other to attack first.

He maxed out his “agility,” and with a quick shake, his body suddenly closed in.

Meng Xin was greatly shocked.

He hadn't expected Xu Xiaoshou, who seemed so careless, to enter a serious state the moment the fight started.

This guy was terrifying.

Were all his earlier actions just an act?

Thinking of this, Meng Xin's face turned pale, but his reaction was sharp. Almost the instant he realized Xu Xiaoshou had disappeared, he abruptly turned around.

Sure enough, Xu Xiaoshou was right behind him!

“Heavenly Sword Slash!”

With a downward lunge, Meng Xin hadn't even touched the hilt of the giant sword on his back when the sword spun as if yanked hard, using his spine as a pivot point for a circular slash.

He struck with an instant Innate Spiritual Technique!

“Swoosh!”

The air exploded, and the white ring of sword energy cut through from above the platform, slicing straight through Xu Xiaoshou's body.

“Holy shit.”

“Is he dead?”

The crowd knew the sword energy couldn't hit them, but under such intimidation, they still involuntarily ducked.

When they came to their senses, they saw Xu Xiaoshou's body, which had been cut, gradually dissipating.

Behind Meng Xin's knee, the figure reappeared.

“What incredible speed!”

At that moment, everyone realized that the figure standing behind Meng Xin earlier was just an afterimage left by Xu Xiaoshou.

At the same time, after witnessing this visible speed,

Everyone gained a deeper impression of the scene in his earlier battle with Xi Yusheng, where Xu Xiaoshou stood unmoved amid the myriad feathers.

“This guy is too frightening.”

“His speed has completely surpassed our level!”

“Even a Master might not be this fast.”

“But how is this spiritual technique used without any spiritual energy fluctuations? It feels innate... a talent skill?”

Meng Xin in the arena also sensed something was wrong. After executing the spiritual technique, he reached back and grabbed the sword hilt that had just completed its rotation.

Gripping the sword, he slashed downward, and thunder suddenly boomed in the sky.

“Thunderous Pool!”

With a massive rumble, before the sword even struck, divine thunder from the nine heavens seemed to be drawn down, bombarding the platform before anyone could react.

“Boom!”

Stones shattered, and silver serpents danced wildly.

Everyone was startled.

“Good one, Thunderous Pool... That's Meng Family's signature spiritual technique, derived from the Throne-level 'Thunder Pool Dragon Dance.' Even at Master level, its power is impressive.”

“Xu Xiaoshou, he wouldn't really be dead this time, would he?”

Contrary to the crowd's illusion, Meng Xin's heart had already sunk to the bottom.

Only by truly fighting Xu Xiaoshou could one realize that the platform's explosion wasn't just from his “Thunderous Pool.”

Before it exploded, there had already been one blast.

Meng Xin barely caught a glimpse of that fleeting scene.

But in it, Xu Xiaoshou had just kicked once, and the platform exploded?

What kind of ability was that?

Impossible!

Even if he struck first, using the counterforce, Xu Xiaoshou must have dodged his attack.

“What reaction speed is that? Faster than thunder?”

Meng Xin was terrified.

From the start of the battle, he hadn't even touched Xu Xiaoshou's clothes.

To be precise, he hadn't seen Xu Xiaoshou's true form even once...

“Where is he?”

Meng Xin's spiritual senses burst out, and he suddenly spotted a bathtub in the air?

How could something like that be here?

“No!”

He realized it must be something Xu Xiaoshou summoned.

Using the ground's counterforce to dodge the thunder, he had leaped into the air and deployed this bathtub-shaped defensive spiritual tool, planning to attack from above?

Meng Xin concluded, feeling more at ease, and sneered.

“Xu Xiaoshou, the range of my sword's attack isn't just that limited.”

“You're still within my normal attack range!”

He roared, his face turning ferocious.

In that instant, spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged into his body, and the fierce Innate Sword Intent suddenly gathered on the sword, transforming into a beam of golden light.

“Blazing Sun · Thunder Fall!”

As Meng Xin swung his sword, the golden light on the blade shot out like a wild horse, and behind it, a blazing sun was pulled along.

At the same time, void lightning danced wildly, striking down bolts of dark purple thunder.

In this collision, with the power of a near-Throne-level spiritual technique, even if Xu Xiaoshou used a defensive spiritual tool or had a perfected Innate Physical Body...

He was doomed!

A satisfied smile spread across Meng Xin's face.

He knew he would finally take down this night's big troublemaker.

But...

“Hey.”

Everyone looked up at the sky with eager eyes, but before the explosion, the voice came from the ground.

Right behind Meng Xin as he swung his sword.

“Xu... Xu Xiaoshou?”

“Suspected, passive value, 1.”

Meng Xin's pupils shrank in shock as he turned around.

He couldn't believe that Xu Xiaoshou, who should have been hiding in the defensive spiritual tool, was now behind him.

When did that happen?

“This is impossible!”

Not only Meng Xin roared in his mind, but everyone below was also shocked.

What kind of sleight of hand was this? When was it performed?

Why didn't anyone notice?

“You seem to have misjudged.”

“That cauldron was just something I used to kick off from; it's not a defensive spiritual tool.”

Xu Xiaoshou looked at Meng Xin, who was wide open and full of momentum, and rarely explained.

Then, the compressed fire seeds on his five fingers pressed mercilessly into Meng Xin's chest.

“Sizzle.”

As the intense scorching aura seeped into his lungs, Meng Xin still had eyes full of disbelief.

He couldn't accept that even after going all out without holding back, the result was still like this.

All his attacks missed...

At that moment, the world in Meng Xin's eyes seemed to slow down.

This guy's candy beans are so hot...

And that big bathtub in the sky—oh, it's a cauldron...

And what is he saying...

Xu Xiaoshou inserted his five fingers into Meng Xin's chest and leaned close to his ear, but his gaze was on the referee who still hadn't reacted.

“You're a bit slow to react.”

“Forget it, I can't save him, at least catch him.”

With a push, Meng Xin's body flew toward the referee.

“Smack!”

The referee hurriedly used soft force to catch Meng Xin's miserable form.

It wasn't until Xu Xiaoshou's five fingers pierced Meng Xin's chest and the compressed fire seeds' energy was disrupted that everyone barely realized those five candy beans had power not inferior to Meng Xin's “Blazing Sun · Thunder Fall.”

What was even more terrifying was that such compressed energy was concentrated to a single point!

This focused explosive force would outdo even five “Blazing Sun · Thunder Fall” attacks on a single target!

The moment the referee caught the body, his face turned green.

He wanted to flee, but duty bound him, so he first lowered his head to check, trying to dig out those terrifying energy fire seeds.

But upon looking down, Meng Xin's chest only had five charred holes with dried blood, nothing else.

“This is...”

“A mistake?”

“Didn't they embed?”

Meng Xin himself, having narrowly escaped death, immediately thought, “I'm still saved.”

After all, the referee hadn't declared the match over, and Xu Xiaoshou's move had missed, so he still had a chance to fight back.

“Xu Xiaoshou!”

He gritted his teeth and struggled free from the referee's hold, wanting to return to the battle.

But as his vision refocused, not far away, he saw that aloof figure raising his right hand high.

He didn't speak, but that raised hand seemed to hold the trophy of victory.

Those calm eyes made Meng Xin feel absolute mockery.

“Xu Xiaoshou, I haven't lost yet!”

Meng Xin roared!

Boom!

In the sky, the Blazing Sun and thunder collided, bursting into a brilliant firework.

The mountains shook, and the void trembled.

Xu Xiaoshou remained silent, gently exerting force to send the five blood-stained compressed fire seeds into the roaring area.

The next second, a even more massive explosion came from the void.

That searing white light directly pushed aside the golden and purple radiant curtain, exploding in a barbaric manner.

“Boom!”

Layer upon layer of mushroom clouds rolled up in the void.

The entire scene fell silent.

Meng Xin swallowed hard in shock.

He couldn't believe that if Xu Xiaoshou had really sent those five fire seeds into his body...

Could he still say something as arrogant as before?

“So, it wasn't a mistake; it was mercy...”

Meng Xin felt his strength drain away, a bitter smile on his lips, and his knees buckled as he knelt down.

Only then did he realize his back was soaked through.

“Lost is lost. As a young man, you need to learn to accept reality.”

Xu Xiaoshou clapped his hands, evaporating the blood on them, and said slowly, “Remember, you owe me your life. If you're not convinced, feel free to try again.”

“Gulp.”

The silence was deafening, making that swallow so jarringly loud.

But at this point, no one thought being cautious was out of place.

“Xu Xiaoshou... How can Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual techniques be this terrifying?”

“Did he really use the Refining Spirit Dao with Yuan Ting cultivation to almost crush Meng Xin?”

“This...”

“Too frightening! How can one person have not only an Innate Physical Body and Master-level Sword Intent, but also such achievements in the Refining Spirit Dao?”

“How old is he? Even if he started cultivating in the womb, he couldn't have achieved this!”

“I'm speechless. If the world has so many geniuses, what's one more like me going to hurt?”

At the wine table, Zhang Taiying felt the familiar heat in the sky and a hint of doubt in his eyes.

From the first moment he saw Xu Xiaoshou, he had a strange sense of familiarity and confusion.

Then, all of Xu Xiaoshou's displayed abilities undoubtedly confirmed his suspicions.

“Perfected physical body, exceptional swordsmanship, fire-based abilities...”

Zhang Taiying clenched his fist.

This was clearly the guy who had gone to the Zhang residence that day, overwhelming everything with sheer force and suppressing them all!

He is Xu Xiaoshou?

Xu Xiaoshou is him?

At that moment, Zhang Taiying felt deceived.

But he didn't believe it.

Even if Xu Xiaoshou was acting arrogantly now, he didn't believe this guy would dare play the big shot in front of him, Zhang Zhongmou, and Zhang Duoyu with only mid-Yuan Ting cultivation!

And in the end, suppress them completely!

“Impossible!”

Zhang Taiying's eyes were bloodshot.

He desperately tried to convince himself they were two people with similar abilities.

But that day, that figure...

If you ignored the mud on his face, it perfectly matched the young man in front of him...

A perfect match!

“Impossible!”

Zhang Taiying was frantic.

He slammed his fist on the table with a bang, drawing everyone's attention.

“Xu, Xiao, Shou!”

“Xu Xiaoshou, how dare you deceive me...”

“Suspected, passive value, 232.”

“Feared, passive value, 1233.”

“Admired, passive value, 1410.”

“Worshiped, passive value, 646.”

Xu Xiaoshou naturally noticed Zhang Taiying's outburst of rage.

He wasn't panicked; he was as steady as a mountain.

With his top-tier planning, how could there be such a slip-up with Zhang Taiying at the banquet?

Impossible!

The restructured weaving spiritual patterns in the sea of flowers were still quietly waiting.

Everything was just waiting for the fish to take the bait!

Coming back to his senses, Xu Xiaoshou turned his attention to the information bar.

After this wave of notifications, he could clearly feel that suspicion had decreased.

It was gratifying, but also heartbreaking.

This meant his abilities had been acknowledged by most people.

But at the same time...

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, not dwelling on it, and continued with his hands behind his back. Seizing the moment of everyone's shock, he said in a indifferent tone:

“Though I know it's unlikely any of you have the guts to challenge me, Xu Xiaoshou, I still want to say a bit more.”

“I'll give you another chance!”

“I, Xu Xiaoshou, am naturally peaceful and don't like killing. I guarantee none of you will die.”

“Now, if there's anyone with the guts and courage to challenge me...”

“In the audience, is there anyone?”