Chapter 423: Weak Water Three Thousand, Only Take Half

Xu Xiaoshou stretched lazily, suddenly feeling uneasy under the intense stares from those three figures not far away.

Before he could turn around, the many young people standing below the high platform also turned their heads to look.

"Received gaze, passive value, 686."

"Received gaze, passive value, 433."

Currently, the only one who had demonstrated Jian Zong realm was Xu Xiaoshou, who had shown immense power in the previous battle.

The competition between Ling Dao and Jian Dao didn't specify that one could only participate in one of them.

Thus, everyone's attention naturally focused on Xu Xiaoshou.

This great demon king...

Was he going up or not?

If he was, how many strikes could these underlings of theirs withstand?

Based on the intensity of that earlier attack, "All Things as Sword," which could even change angles and might not be stopped by the referee...

Probably only a few in the audience could block it!

So, should they just concede directly, or let this guy stand on the high platform for half an incense stick's time?

But half an incense stick...

That was five Bai Ku spots!

Realizing this, everyone felt a surge of resentment in their hearts, almost tearing Xu Xiaoshou apart with their gazes.

This was outrageous! How could someone be so versatile that even when the city lord's mansion created a special rule for him, it still couldn't stop his advance?

"Received curse, passive value, 499."

"Received awe, passive value, 676."

"Received disgust, passive value, 1420."

The information panel suddenly started scrolling rapidly, with each entry increasing faster than the last.

Xu Xiaoshou was somewhat taken aback, then saw the hateful looks in these people's eyes and couldn't help but chuckle.

This passive system was just like that sometimes.

As long as his previous reputation was high enough, even just stretching could wildly generate a lot of passive values.

After stretching, Xu Xiaoshou paused as he looked at the hesitant and waiting eyes of the crowd.

Then he started wiggling his hips.

"Received curse, passive value, 1121."

"Received muttering, passive value, 686."

"Xu Xiaoshou, they're all waiting for you." Mu Zixi couldn't stand those gazes anymore.

Even though she was only getting a small splash of that attention, it was still overwhelming.

She had no idea how thick-skinned Xu Xiaoshou had to be to twist his hips and stretch right under everyone's eyes.

Anyway, Mu Zixi couldn't handle it, so she urged him on.

"What's the rush?"

Xu Xiaoshou pursed his lips. "Heroes always make their entrance last. How can I go up so quickly?"

Mu Zixi said speechlessly, "But if you don't go up, they might not feel at ease..."

"That's their problem, what's it got to do with me?"

"As a Ling Shi, as a Jian Xiu, if even I, Xu Xiaoshou, have to be afraid to this extent, then they're done for life."

Xu Xiaoshou shrugged his shoulders.

These words hit hard.

"Received resentment, passive value, 323."

Almost simultaneously, the sound of dozens of swords being drawn echoed through the venue.

Some Jian Xiu couldn't hold back and drew their swords on the spot.

They, as Jian Xiu, held beliefs of never bending and facing hardships head-on—how could they tolerate such mockery?

But when they saw Xu Xiaoshou's eyes light up with excitement at the sound of the swords being drawn, those who had unsheathed their swords all unanimously flourished a sword flower and then sheathed their weapons.

"Sitting for so long, the sword needs to get some air."

"That's right, my sword needs some air too. If I keep it hidden, it'll rust."

"Exactly, if I don't let it out for a spin, it'll get dull for killing later."

Xu Xiaoshou: ...

Were these guys serious?

Where did that earlier sword-drawing momentum go?

How could one word from him make them all back down?

Xu Xiaoshou stood there stunned, and the whole venue fell silent.

The air grew thick with awkwardness, not just a hint, but overwhelmingly so.

Fu Xing's face turned dark.

This Xu Xiaoshou was really toxic!

Why did weird things always happen wherever he showed up?

In previous years, nothing like this occurred—now, just standing up and stretching had everyone too intimidated to go on stage?

He sighed and suddenly said, "Xu Xiaoshou."

"Hmm?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned back, wondering what new instructions his nephew had.

"You, get on stage first and let others challenge you." Fu Xing waved his hand helplessly.

"Why?"

Xu Xiaoshou was angry.

He had reasons for not going up.

From the beginning, those three Jian Ke's piercing gazes had told him that going up would lead to trouble.

Others might not know, but he was well aware.

That guy without a sword already had Zong Shi Jian Yi.

His two senior brothers each had a famous sword—how could their strength be lacking?

If he went up now, he'd definitely be ganged up on until he was done for!

Since the rules already limited him to five spots, why bother with something so thankless?

Better to wait until those three Jian Ke got their spots and were restricted from going up again—then he could take the stage. Wouldn't that be perfect?

Zhang Taiying was still waiting for him to save his strength for a beating— he couldn't waste it!

With a thud, Xu Xiaoshou plopped down on his butt.

"I don't think so."

Fu Xing glared. "I, Fu Xing, think it's fine, so get up there now, or everyone will keep waiting!"

"I said, that's their issue. The weak wait, the strong have already stepped up!"

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't flustered at all.

Fu Xing was shaking with anger. This kid really didn't give face and wasn't cooperating at all!

But luckily, he had prepared for this.

He chuckled softly and said slowly, "You don't have a choice now. Look at the rule sheet in your hand—the last item has been set for you."

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned, grabbed the rule sheet from the table, and glanced at it.

"This rule sheet is customized by the city lord's mansion. All interpretations belong to Fu Xing. Whatever Fu Xing says goes. If you don't agree, the Bai Ku spots will be revoked!"

Xu Xiaoshou was so amused he almost laughed out loud.

"You sly Fu Xing!"

He nearly pulled out a pair of slippers from his ring to smack him.

Suppressing the urge, Xu Xiaoshou shook his hand, and the paper rustled.

In the next second, it turned to ashes.

"Oh, how clumsy of me. I forgot I'm a fire-attribute Ling Shi."

"Lately, I've been getting fired up, can't control my killing intent."

Fu Xing: ...

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Everyone watching was shocked. The matter of the individual rule sheet had already been announced by Fu Xing when Xu Xiaoshou went off to relieve himself.

So, everyone knew about this rule.

But now, Xu Xiaoshou burned it right in front of Fu Xing?

"This guy is way too bold. When he mentioned killing intent, was he talking about killing Fu Xing?"

"Heh, I can't wait for the final challenge—Fu Xing going all out against Xu Xiaoshou would be epic."

"The almighty son of the city lord's mansion versus the new unbeatable dark horse..."

"Tsk, impressive! I'd never dare provoke the city lord's mansion like that."

"Received admiration, passive value, 865."

"Received worry, passive value, 56."

"Received affection, passive value, 2."

Fu Xing just silently watched Xu Xiaoshou burn the rule sheet. After a moment, as the guy's smug look was about to overflow, he reached into his pocket.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I knew..."

As he spoke, he pulled out another brand-new rule sheet.

"This is a duplicate. We each have one, and it's already been announced and effective."

"If you still want to..."

Rustle.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened suddenly, and everyone felt the air scorch in an instant.

In the next second, the paper in Fu Xing's hand turned to ashes, and even the ashes vanished completely.

"Damn, what kind of Ling Ji is that?"

"What just happened?"

Everyone was stunned.

That fleeting yet all-encompassing scorching aura—everyone could feel its dominance.

And this dominant flame could be transmitted directly through a gaze to someone's body?

Everyone thought back to Xu Xiaoshou's earlier "Five Finger Seal Technique"...

Could this thing ignite people without even touching them?

"My goodness, what other trump cards does Xu Xiaoshou have?"

"How much did he hold back in the written exam..."

This was supposed to be the eve of the Jian Dao competition, yet everyone was once again shocked by his Ling Dao skills.

Fu Xing was furious, his lips twitching as he suppressed a cold laugh.

"As expected..."

With that, he clapped his hands, and a guard behind him brought a box.

Opening it revealed it was packed with rule sheets.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

He was genuinely surprised. Was Fu Xing out of his mind, going this far to target him?

Fu Xing chuckled and continued from where he was interrupted: "If you still want to burn them, go ahead. The city lord's mansion has plenty in stock."

"You sneaky Fu Xing, I'll remember this!"

Xu Xiaoshou pointed two fingers in the air and tapped, suddenly unleashing Jian Yi.

Fu Xing panicked immediately.

"Bro, Xu Bro, don't do that."

He quickly sent a voice message: "Give me some face. If you don't go up now, I'm in a tough spot. If everyone keeps dragging this out, the banquet will go on until tomorrow."

Xu Xiaoshou snorted and let it go.

His eyes darted around, then he leaped into the air.

He stood high above, overlooking the crowd.

"Received curse, passive value, 565."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

I haven't even said anything yet—why are you cursing me?

Ignoring the crowd, he continued: "Fine, I'll go first. Anyway, you're all just waiting."

"But participating in Jian Dao is all about sparring Jian Yi. What I said earlier might have been provocative, but one thing was true."

"Jian Dao—if no one dares to draw their sword, what's the point?"

The crowd quieted down.

Xu Xiaoshou's words made sense.

Even Shou Ye nodded in agreement.

A Jian Zhe should forge ahead without hesitation!

"So..."

Seeing everyone agree with his view, Xu Xiaoshou said earnestly: "To encourage you all to challenge bravely, I suggest that if ten rounds still can't take me down, give me ten Bai Ku spots!"

"As the saying goes, from the vast waters, take only half."

"I'm not greedy, Xu Xiaoshou. It's all for the heroes of Tian Sang Jun, all for the greater good."

The crowd: ???

Just moments ago, everyone was immersed in Xu Xiaoshou's insight, thinking it profound.

But when his ambitions were laid bare, everyone was shocked.

They must have been fools!

Clearly, even with water in their brains, they shouldn't have thought Xu Xiaoshou was doing this for the greater good!

"What 'from the vast waters, take only half'? Isn't it 'drink only a ladle'? I'm baffled—this Xu Xiaoshou is really bold!"

"Heaven doesn't produce Xu Xiaoshou, and the path of greed would be eternally dark."

"Received curse, passive value, 565."

"Received disdain, passive value, 1323."

"Received affection, passive value, 2."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled at Fu Xing, whose face was now as dark as ink.

"How about it?" he asked.

The entire audience was stunned, and some suddenly burst out laughing.

"This Xu Xiaoshou is crazy. Fu Xing calls him bro out of politeness and manners—does he really think he's something?"

"Fu Xing wouldn't agree even if his brain was kicked by a donkey."

"Exactly, Xu Xiaoshou, get out of the city lord's mansion!"

Someone shouted from the crowd, thinking the chaos would hide them, and Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't notice.

But Xu Xiaoshou locked onto him with a single glance.

Under "Perception," no one could escape his sight.

With just a light glance, that person thudded to the ground, collapsing.

"Tsk tsk."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head without harsh words, turned back to Fu Xing just as he was about to refuse, and tapped two fingers in the air again.

"Think it over carefully."

Fu Xing: ...

Xu Xiaoshou!

You're just getting back at me!

Staring at those sword fingers, Fu Xing suddenly felt like dying.

"Well said! The heroes of Tian Sang Jun need to stand up. Jian Xiu can't be this weak!"

Fu Xing suddenly perked up and declared: "Everyone, challenge Xu Xiaoshou. If you win, you get ten spots too!"

The audience was shocked.

"This..."

"Damn, did Fu Xing's brain get kicked by a donkey? How could he agree?"

"Ten spots!"

"Who can beat this Xu Xiaoshou?"

Even Shou Ye looked at Fu Xing in surprise, his focus different from others.

He cared that under such expectant gazes, especially with elders present, as a young man, Fu Xing wouldn't possibly agree to this!

But the result was the opposite—Fu Xing challenged the rules?

"Good kid..."

"This guy's got potential!"

"No way!"

Where there's oppression, there's resistance.

The Bai Ku spots were already limited, and Jian Dao only had twenty spots.

If Xu Xiaoshou took half directly, what would be left for the rest?

"Xu Xiaoshou, what gives you the right to ten spots? I don't accept it."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced over.

Everyone doesn't accept it!" the person quickly added.

"Accept?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't use force; he always persuaded with reason.

"You seem to have misheard. Fu Xing said that whoever beats Xu Xiaoshou gets ten spots."

"Just like me, you'd have to win ten rounds in a row."

"It's a very fair competition, so why not accept?"

He paused and continued: "Besides, not accepting is good!"

"Not accepting means you've achieved what I, Xu Xiaoshou, am trying to encourage—the rise of Jian Xiu in Tian Sang Jun."

"Jian Dao needs that unyielding spirit, right?"

The last sentence wasn't for the others—Xu Xiaoshou pulled a black sword from his embrace.

It was a peak ninth-grade Ling Jian, with an ancient black sheath.

As if it hadn't breathed the outside air of Yuan Fu in ages, "Zang Ku" leaped out excitedly, letting out a joyful hum.

A clear sword cry rang out, overpowering all the chatter in the venue.

Every Jian Xiu was amazed.

"This is..."

"A ninth-grade Ling Jian?"

"But how can a ninth-grade Ling Jian have such distinct spirituality? It's almost like..."

Many Jian Xiu shifted their gazes to the three Jian Ke at the distant table.

This level of spirituality went beyond ordinary Ling Jian—it was nearly on par with a famous sword!

Gu Qing San was equally stunned.

He paused, his eyes filled with fervor.

"Good sword!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, your sword... it's a good one!"

"Senior brother, second senior brother, this sword has the potential to become a famous sword!"

This time, when Gu Qing San looked back, his words were no longer a question but full of certainty.

Gu Qing Er was also shocked by Xu Xiaoshou's sword.

Such humble grade, yet such spirituality.

One could imagine how much effort he put into nurturing it!

"I agree with our junior brother. This sword is exceptional. If it gets the right nurturing method..."

"Hmm?"

"No!"

"How could there be someone outside nurturing swords?"

All Jian Xiu knew the legends of famous swords.

Naturally, they knew many famous swords had grown step by step with legendary figures, eventually being nurtured.

But the method of nurturing swords, beyond the common understanding of constant companionship, had no shortcuts in the outside world.

And if it was just constant companionship, it definitely couldn't produce such a spiritual sword at Xu Xiaoshou's age.

Gu Qing Yi stroked the ancient sword trembling in his embrace.

He could feel the joy from that sword—the delight of a famous sword's leader seeing one with such spirituality—and also the fiery intent to do battle.

Gently shaking his head, Gu Qing Yi rejected his junior brothers' ideas.

"The sword is good, and it has the potential to become famous, but there are many such swords on the continent."

"Famous swords, however, number only twenty-one."

Gu Qing Yi didn't elaborate, but everyone understood his point.

Shou Ye sighed in admiration.

These three were also key figures he was watching.

But with the senior brother's words, he had clearly pulled ahead of his two junior brothers.

"This kid has high standards..."

Shou Ye's gaze fell on that gray, plain sword, clearly sensing the sealed, fierce evil energy within that others couldn't detect.

"Yue Lian, Isolated Cold..."

He narrowed his eyes and looked again at the nine Jian Ke behind.

In his sword wheel, nine swords were sheathed, the middle one blood-red and ominous.

" peerless Enchantress..."

Shou Ye tapped the table, pondering.

"So, is it 'Zang Jian Zhong' that's coming?"

"That's too far!"

"But if it's about the 'Four Swords,' it's certainly worth it..."

A sword emerges and shocks thousands; frost stirs and the hall grows cold.

Xu Xiaoshou hadn't paid special attention to "Zang Ku" in a while.

But recently, with occasional practice of the "Guan Jian Dian," this sword seemed on the verge of transformation.

Perhaps because they were so close, only after the crowd's exclamations did he realize how different it had become.

"Almost eighth-grade..."

"This 'Guan Jian Dian' is terrifying. Who was that scruffy uncle, anyway?"

"If I keep nurturing it like this, it really could become a famous sword!"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't dwell on it—now wasn't the time.

He drew the sword to earn passive values.

"You don't accept?"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the person who spoke earlier.

"I accept."

That person backed down, afraid Xu Xiaoshou would drag him to the stage again.

Xu Xiaoshou glared. "No, you don't!"

The speaker regretted it immensely.

He hated why he couldn't keep quiet and be the one to speak up.

"Yes, I don't accept," he said weakly, his voice pitiful.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded in satisfaction. "See, everyone? This is my sword. Not high-grade, just a mere eighth-grade one."

Everyone's mouths twitched.

"Received curse, passive value, 1111."

"But!"

Xu Xiaoshou changed tack: "My Jian Dao is too strong!"

"So strong I can't control it. Do you know what that means?"

Everyone watched Xu Xiaoshou hovering with his sword, itching to pull him down and pile on him.

But no one dared move; they just listened to him ramble on.

"My sword kills."

Xu Xiaoshou flicked his sleeve, his face suddenly turning stern.

The venue felt a surge of killing intent, cold winds swirling, as if autumn had arrived.

This somber atmosphere didn't last long before Xu Xiaoshou broke it.

"To keep you from getting killed, I have to hold back my sword. It's exhausting."

"You think it's unfair?"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the collapsed person again and said suppressively, "It is unfair."

"I don't think it's fair either."

"Dammit, I'm just fighting, and I have to worry about killing you—how frustrating is that?"

"You tell me, if I win these ten rounds, do I deserve ten Bai Ku spots?"

Xu Xiaoshou slapped his thigh.

"I do!"

Mu Zixi silently lowered her head.

Fu Xing's lower lip trembled, his neck stretching a bit.

Even Shou Ye was stunned by Xu Xiaoshou's words.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Who knew this guy had gone in such a big circle just for those ten spots?

Now, who dared to object?

They had already let go of the spots, but Xu Xiaoshou brought it up again. Looking at his pained expression in the air, no one could hold back.

"This guy is asking for it!"

"I can't hold back my inner primal force anymore. Tonight, don't stop me—let's all go up and wear him out, take him down!"

"Ten rounds? If ten don't work, then twenty!"

"So what if it's twenty Bai Ku spots? I don't believe Xu Xiaoshou can take them all!"

"I challenge you!"