Chapter 427: Evil Sword, Yue Lian

This was a gray, ancient sword.

Xu Xiaoshou had been eyeing it for quite some time.

From the first moment he saw it, he had the urge to draw it out.

Unlike Su Qianqian's "Mu Ming Cheng Xue," which was another famous sword, Xu Xiaoshou felt that Gu Qingyi's sword was even more mysterious.

Without his "perception" ability, relying solely on spiritual sense, he couldn't detect even a hint of aura from inside the sheath.

Gu Qingyi cleared the space between them and, under everyone's watchful eyes, slowly drew the sword.

Buzz—

The blade scraped against the sheath, producing a harsh, prolonged sound.

The crowd leaned in eagerly, hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous sword's true form.

To their surprise, when the sword was pulled out, it was wrapped in bandages!

Xu Xiaoshou: ...

Was this to keep the blade from getting cold?

It was wrapped so tightly.

The onlookers below also showed disappointment in their eyes, unsure if Gu Qingyi was protecting the sword or concerned about others' safety.

In any case, their hope of seeing its full reveal was dashed.

As the sword was unsheathed, before the crowd's disappointment could fade, Gu Qingyi suddenly gripped it in reverse and thrust the bandage-wrapped famous sword straight into Gu Qingsan's chest.

In an instant, everyone's eyes bulged.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

"No!"

The referee's face turned green.

Wasn't this his own junior brother?

Just because he lost, did he have to finish him off personally?

Gu Qingsan's already twitching body stiffened suddenly, blood blooming from the wound as he thrashed like a dying fish whose head had been struck.

The next second, Gu Qingyi yanked the sword out forcefully.

A strand of shimmering sword intent was pulled out with it.

Clang—

Before the sword intent could fly far, Gu Qingyi swung down with his sword, unleashing a terrifying wave of sound across the banquet hall.

The surging sword energy rampaged outward. Xu Xiaoshou ducked low and quickly scooped up Gu Qingsan from the ground, moving him away.

To his astonishment, in his arms, there were actually three people.

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

The referee stared at him, eyes wide.

Jiu Jian Ke Gu Qing'er glanced back and forth between the other two, looking as if to say, "You two are meddling."

Gu Qingsan remained unconscious, but with the three of them pressed together at the wound, blood started spurting again.

"I'm redundant here."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and let go.

Truth be told, with Gu Qingsan defenseless like this, he really couldn't just let the guy die.

But clearly, the other two felt the same way.

Turning his gaze back, he saw that the source of the terrifying sword wave was the sword intent, now split in two and exploding from the force.

Xu Xiaoshou was genuinely shocked.

This was his first time seeing someone use a sword to directly sever sword intent.

Hiss—

Gu Qingyi's sword wasn't unscathed either. After rebounding, a ripping sound followed, and the bandages on the blade actually tore open.

In that moment, everyone in the banquet hall felt a pang in their hearts.

Xu Xiaoshou, being close, could clearly see the gray, unassuming sword releasing a gray evil aura, as if a seal had been broken.

In just that instant, he felt his seven emotions and six desires stirring in his mind.

It was as if his desires were being shattered, his thoughts in chaos, and a violent primal urge surged in his spiritual platform.

A golden light cracked open on his chest, and Xu Xiaoshou nearly threw his head back in transformation.

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

Just then, a call came from behind him.

Xu Xiaoshou snapped out of it and turned to see Mu Zixi had entered the area, one hand on his shoulder and the other transformed into a thick vine.

The vine's tip was sharp, as if ready to pierce something.

Xu Xiaoshou: ...

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

Mu Zixi innocently changed the vine back into a small hand.

For some reason, after swallowing the "world source point," she had become extremely sensitive to life energy.

Seeing the golden light crack open on Xu Xiaoshou's chest and sensing his chaotic life fluctuations, an image of a golden giant inexplicably flashed in her mind.

Instinct told her that something was wrong with Xu Xiaoshou.

If his condition continued, the banquet hall might...

Or maybe not just the banquet hall.

Everyone present could explode!

"Are you okay?" Mu Zixi stepped back, clapping her hands.

"I'm fine."

Xu Xiaoshou frowned.

Just one glance, and he had nearly transformed into a raging giant?

Gu Qingyi's sword was terrifying!

From the nature of the bandages, it was clearly similar to his sealing ring, with suppressive properties.

And this sword, wrapped entirely in bandages, had unleashed such fearsome power from just a small tear. If it were fully released...

"What is it called?"

Xu Xiaoshou watched as Gu Qingyi expressionlessly sheathed the sword.

He could see gray mist still churning at the tear in the bandages, as if a demon were sealed inside.

Even the bit of blade that was exposed was this evil gray color!

"Xie Jian, Yue Lian."

Gu Qingyi sheathed the sword and took a deep breath, drawing all the remaining gray mist in the air into himself, then let out a satisfied burp.

"You're impressive."

He sincerely complimented, then asked, "What was that golden light just now?"

Clearly, Xu Xiaoshou could sense the abnormality of this famous sword.

And Gu Qingyi had felt the immense, violent power from that golden light earlier.

If that power were released, his junior brother probably wouldn't have lasted that long.

It might have ended with just one sword—or even one punch...

"The body of a grandmaster."

Xu Xiaoshou admitted openly.

The crowd below erupted upon confirmation.

"It's really the body of a grandmaster!"

"Heavens, Xu Xiaoshou is incredible! From today on, he's my idol!"

"Whoever tries to take Xu Xiaoshou from me is my sworn enemy!"

"Nonsense, he's mine! The body of a grandmaster— no wonder he's so strong!"

"Received admiration, passive value, 626."

"Received praise, passive value, 223."

"Received admiration, passive value, 2."

"The body of a grandmaster?"

Gu Qingyi was a bit puzzled; from what he knew, the body of a grandmaster didn't seem to have such exaggerated effects.

But book knowledge was shallow; perhaps the real thing had this kind of power?

"Impressive."

He complimented again, then stepped past Xu Xiaoshou toward where Gu Qingsan had been carried off.

"Aren't you going to challenge me?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned and asked.

Earlier, he might have thought fighting these three sword masters would drain his energy prematurely.

But after experiencing Gu Qingsan's strength, he no longer worried.

These three sword masters each seemed to follow different sword paths.

Gu Qingsan's "Wujian Technique" had coincidentally been countered by his "Guan Jian Dian," leading to an abrupt end to the fight.

But the remaining two clearly weren't practitioners of "Wujian Technique."

If he could spar with them, he might even learn more.

"No."

Gu Qingyi waved it off. "My junior brother is seriously injured; I need to take him back for treatment."

Jiu Jian Ke Gu Qing'er looked surprised at the pill bottle in his hand, then at Gu Qingsan's nearly healed wound.

This guy was just unconscious; where was the need for treatment?

Xu Xiaoshou knew it was an excuse as soon as he heard it.

In a hurry to go back? For what?

His eyes twinkled. "If you're thinking of going back to study that sword intent, it's better to fight me now. I can demonstrate it on the spot!"

Gu Qingyi paused mid-step and slowly turned back.

In that moment, Xu Xiaoshou clearly saw the fighting spirit in his eyes, but the guy remained eerily calm.

"You're strong."

"But our battle won't be here."

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow, not understanding.

But he didn't press further.

It was probably for the best if he left.

Right now, he wasn't entirely sure he could take this person—and the sword—down.

Still...

"Think it through."

Xu Xiaoshou shouted loudly, "Next time we meet, you might not even be worth my sword!"

The whole room froze.

Everyone watched the two exchange challenges, initially getting fired up.

But then Xu Xiaoshou's bold words shifted the tone completely.

This guy was really full of himself!

Even after defeating Gu Qingsan, that brief glimpse of the famous sword had unnerved even non-sword cultivators among the younger generation.

Did Xu Xiaoshou really have the confidence to take on that strange evil sword too?

Gu Qingyi's lips curved slightly. After a moment of silence, he suddenly smiled.

"Tian Sang County is too small. Remember to step out."

"If possible..."

His voice dropped, and he chuckled self-deprecatingly before adding seriously:

"White Ku is just a beginning."

"I'll be waiting for you at the Zang Jian Zong in the east domain's peak!"

Whoa.

Xu Xiaoshou had to admit, he was taken aback.

Gu Qingyi's confidence was completely different from anyone he'd met before.

He came from a orthodox sword path lineage, wielded a famous sword, and likely hid immense strength.

Just one sentence made Xu Xiaoshou feel like an ant.

While the other stood at the pinnacle of the sky.

Visible, but unreachable.

Looking at the famous sword in his hand, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly thought of the masked man who had tried to steal "Mu Ming Cheng Xue" that day.

According to Sang Lao, there were twenty-one famous swords, and the masked man wouldn't stop at just one.

Tian Sang County was a hotspot for "Sheng Nu" activity, and now two famous swords had shown up here.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't think this guy was strong enough to fend off the masked man with a single sword.

He kindly warned, "Be careful. Tian Sang County might be a small place, but it has its hidden dragons and crouching tigers—I've met a few."

"It's not peaceful here. Keep your sword safe."

"Don't let it be that next time we meet, you're empty-handed— I'd feel bad drawing my sword then!"

Gu Qingyi's mouth twitched.

Before he could respond, Xu Xiaoshou turned to Jiu Jian Ke.

More precisely, to the massive wheel on his back holding nine spiritual swords.

"The same goes for you."

"That thing you're carrying is like advertising 'nothing to see here'— it might attract trouble."

Gu Qing'er: ...

"You brat!"

He looked at Gu Qingyi approaching from the side. "Senior brother, I'll go avenge our junior brother!"

"No."

Gu Qingyi stopped him. "Not now."

"You don't believe in me?"

Gu Qing'er's brow furrowed.

Gu Qingyi shook his head and glanced back.

The banquet hall was originally split: half for feasting, half for the arena.

But after Xu Xiaoshou's rampage, it was a total mess.

The feasting area was compressed to a third, and the rest was churned-up earth, full of craters—like a disaster zone.

"Do you think this place suits your style?"

"Aside from that, even if Xu Xiaoshou's full strength isn't clear, this arena definitely isn't big enough to draw it out."

"Besides, if you're going to draw your sword..."

His gaze fell on the elegant red sword on Gu Qing'er's back.

"Master said, when we're out having fun, don't harm the innocent."

Gu Qing'er pursed his lips.

He looked at the crowd near the feast and thought to himself how ridiculous it was.

In the end, because of these bystanders, he couldn't avenge their junior brother?

Vengeance was secondary...

He was itching to fight Xu Xiaoshou!

"There will be opportunities."

Gu Qingyi patted his shoulder. "Stay here for now. After Xu Xiaoshou's done, go get those five spots too. We still need to enter White Ku."

"What about you?"

Gu Qing'er sensed there was more to his senior brother's words.

"I'm taking our junior brother back to study things a bit." Gu Qingyi said.

"You're studying sword intent? I want to go too! I don't want to stay here; I want to learn sword intent!"

"Be good; stay here."

"No, I want to learn!"

Gu Qingyi was getting a headache.

"I know sword intent; it's just that this guy's way of using it is different from mine. I need to figure it out first."

"Then I'll teach you both later, okay?"

"Besides, would you even be useful there?"

"Have you mastered sword intent yourself?"

"Uh." That hit Gu Qing'er hard, leaving him speechless.

His expression darkened.

"Fine."

"Stay put and don't act impulsively."

Gu Qingyi picked up their junior brother, formed a sword seal with his fingers, and thrust it into the unconscious man's chest.

He then ground the blood into a pattern, temporarily sealing the unusual sword intent.

"Xiao Fu City Lord, I need to take my leave. Apologies."

"No problem."

Fu Xing smiled and gestured for him to go.

Only then did he turn his attention to the distant Xu Xiaoshou.

Even if he tried to ignore it, the wreckage in his peripheral vision was unavoidable.

"As expected, I knew it..."

"Thankfully, no one died."

"If someone from 'Zang Jian Zong' had died here, the city lord's residence... maybe even Tian Sang County would cease to exist."

He signaled, and without needing prompting, the referee pulled out a half-incense stick.

"Anyone else want to challenge?"

Earlier, for the spiritual path, some had been tempted.

But now, this question drew laughter.

"The referee must be joking."

"Or how about you go up?"

Referee: ...

His face turned green, and he nearly threw the speaker onto the stage.

But thinking it through, even with his spiritual energy covering his hand, that sword intent had pierced right through.

He looked at the ruined Xu Xiaoshou.

The guy was clearly a bloodied mess, appearing weak.

Yet, deep down, the referee couldn't help doubting.

"A sword sect master couldn't beat this guy."

"What chance does a pure grandmaster like me have if I go up?"

For the first time, the referee felt out of place in this banquet hall—underqualified, even superfluous.

Cough, cough.

Xu Xiaoshou spat blood and said weakly, "Is no one going to challenge me?"

Crowd: ...

"Received doubt, passive value, 1212."

"Xu Xiaoshou, stop pretending!"

"You were just chatting and challenging Gu Qingsan's senior brother. Now what's wrong? The aftermath hitting you, injuries acting up?"

Ha, ha, ha...

The crowd burst into laughter.

This guy was faking it too obviously.

With the body of a grandmaster and super recovery, yet acting like a weakling.

How could there be such a jerk? Why not just win gracefully instead of picking on weaker opponents?

"What's your name?"

Xu Xiaoshou, seeing his ploy exposed, felt annoyed and suddenly turned to the one laughing loudest.

The room fell silent.

Mouths that were open a second ago shut tight, even suppressing coughs.

Damn!

They'd forgotten this was a guy who could drag someone up and beat them senseless!

"Received curses, passive value, 1221."

"I-I... it doesn't matter who I am!"

"What's important is, there's no arena here anymore. You can't just grab me and go wild!"

The person being stared at panicked.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up. "Oh, right, no arena means everywhere's the arena?"

He stepped forward.

The crowd scattered in panic.

"Damn, don't come over!"

"Xu Xiaoshou, spare me! I'm just at upper spiritual realm; I'm not worthy to fight you!"

Xu Xiaoshou laughed. "Look at me—I'm even weaker. I'm just a mere Yuan Court."

That made everyone feel mocked.

"Received curses, passive value, 1240."

"What a pain in the ass."

Jiu Jian Ke Gu Qing'er sat at the table, and if not for his senior brother's strict orders, he'd have jumped in by now.

Shou Ye was enjoying the show from the main table.

He'd figured it out.

Xu Xiaoshou was arrogant, sure, but his arrogance stemmed from real strength, unlike others' baseless disdain.

The guy fully exploited his power to bully the weak.

But on stage, he was cautious, with all sorts of tricks for different enemies.

"Spot on!"

Shou Ye nodded to himself.

If it was just a quirk of deriving joy from others' panic, it was totally acceptable for the Hong Yi organization.

In fact, this was practically a perfect fit!

After all, the folks in Hong Yi...

Tsk, best not to think about it.

"The gray fog people..."

Shou Ye recalled Xu Xiaoshou's earlier words and watched the chaos, his eyes growing somber.

"Xu Xiaoshou, how much do you really know about the ghost beasts?"

When the last bit of incense burned out, Xu Xiaoshou shook his head and left with a bitter smile, not forgetting to mock on the way.

"You weaklings really don't know how to show respect."

"What a great opportunity for sword path exchange—I said I wouldn't kill you, but you just wouldn't seize it. Really..."

Really, couldn't I earn more passive value?

Damn it!

The crowd parted for Xu Xiaoshou, thinking, Like hell we believe you!

Gu Qingsan's fate was right there.

How could we trust that your "exchange" means the same as ours?

"Hey, back already?"

Mu Zixi smiled as Xu Xiaoshou returned; she was one of the few in the hall genuinely happy about his wins.

"You got another five spots!"

"Five?"

Xu Xiaoshou paused, feeling a pang like his account had shrunk, and quickly turned back.

"Fu Xing, this round was for ten spots, right!"

Everyone was stunned, but Fu Xing nodded helplessly.

"So that means, adding the previous ones, I have fifteen spots now?"

Fu Xing said nothing, just nodded again.

"Damn..."

"Received curses, passive value, 1240."

Everyone felt attacked again.

How could one person hog fifteen spots?

This was blatant disregard for others!

Even Tian Sang County's five great families only had five each; he alone equaled half of them?

"Hold back."

"Don't lose it."

"Let him have the last laugh."

"Fifteen spots it is—just think of it as being robbed by a... thief. Get this plague out, and then it's our turn!"

"Yeah, the body of a grandmaster, grandmaster in spiritual path, grandmaster in sword path... so what? No one can master everything in life. Xu Xiaoshou's done enough; I respect that."

"There's no way he took all the spots in spiritual path and sword path and is still a grandmaster alchemist or grandmaster array master, right?"

"Ha, you're exaggerating, brother."

"If he is, I won't call him Xu Xiaoshou anymore—I'll call him Xu Dad and bow down!"

"Not impossible; maybe he has more tricks?"

"Have some? I'd stand on my head and shit!"

"Received disdain, passive value, 123."

Sitting back down, Xu Xiaoshou let out a light breath.

The fight with Gu Qingsan had really drained him.

Mainly because he'd been careless at the start and taken a beating.

Luckily, "Sheng Sheng Bu Xi" not only restored his body but also forcefully revitalized his energy and spirit.

"Can't relax!"

Xu Xiaoshou slapped his cheeks and glanced secretly at Zhang Taiying.

Then he noticed the guy had been staring at him?

"Hi there?"

"Second time meeting?"

Xu Xiaoshou grinned.

Zhang Taiying: ...

"Received curses, passive value, 1."

He looked away and whispered instructions to someone beside him.

"Planning something against me?"

Xu Xiaoshou smirked but didn't dwell on it, turning his attention to the stage.

The stage... well, it was gone.

In the ruins, after Xu Xiaoshou left, the next one up was Jiu Jian Ke Gu Qing'er.

Everyone's faces stiffened as they watched him.

A famous sword, plus eight high-grade spiritual swords, and Gu Qingsan's senior brother...

No one would underestimate him just because Gu Qingsan had fallen.

Sword sect, plus "Void Condensation Sword Technique," "Wujian Technique," "Wuyou Sword Style," "Dian Dao"...

They could only say Gu Qingsan's defeat was due to facing a more freakish opponent, not because he wasn't a freak himself.

And as the senior brother of such a freak, Gu Qing'er's strength...

Finally, someone stepped up to challenge.

Yet, Gu Qing'er didn't even draw his weapons; he just used a sword finger technique and, amid the crowd's exclamations, shattered the opponent's spiritual sword and stopped at their throat.

The room fell silent again.

A few more tried, unconvinced, but everyone eventually quieted down.

This year's sword path competition, because of White Ku's opening, was terrifying!

This wasn't even in the same league.

Even Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit disappointed.

He'd hoped for some dark horse to force Gu Qing'er to draw his sword, maybe even reveal that famous one.

But as expected, no one had that level.

"Gu Qing'er wins!"

As someone who demonstrated restraint in battle, the crowd didn't hold back and filled in the ten dummy names to send him off the stage.

Now, with only five spots left, the remaining crowd could compete for them.

Hundreds of sword cultivators fighting for just twenty spots, and now down to five...

The battles were so intense that even Xu Xiaoshou found them hard to watch.

After a bloody frenzy, the fights finally ended.

The victors were four with innate sword intent.

And among them, only one was from Tian Sang County.

"White Ku has drawn so many strong fighters..."

Xu Xiaoshou sighed, then straightened his clothes and looked at Fu Xing.

"The sword path competition is over."

"The alchemy path competition begins!"

A group of refined, white-haired elders, who had been waiting backstage, finally stepped forward.

"Here they come!"

"The younger generation's events are done; now it's the elders' turn."

"After sending off the big demons of spiritual path and sword path, are we finally getting the refreshing alchemy path battles?"

Refreshing...

Fu Xing listened to the comments and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

You youngsters must still be in your nightmares.

You have no idea that when I invited Xu Xiaoshou, it was just for the alchemy path!

Everyone watched eagerly, hoping to bid high on the top works from Tian Sang County's master alchemists tonight.

Suddenly, they noticed a younger figure mixed in among the elders.

"What is..."

The crowd rubbed their eyes and looked again in disbelief.

The next second, everyone's faces turned to shock.

"Xu... Xu Xiaoshou?"