Chapter 444: Waiting and Waiting and Waiting... The Family Head is Gone?

"Eighteen?"

Even with a rough estimate in mind, hearing Mu Zixi say "eighteen" still brought a smile to Xu Xiaoshou's lips.

"Eighteen Bai Ku spots..."

"Doesn't that mean I've really hit the jackpot?"

Xu Xiaoshou counted on his fingers.

If he remembered correctly, Tian Sang Ling Gong only had ten Bai Ku spots in total!

Tonight's harvest had inadvertently secured him almost double that amount.

More importantly, this was all achieved on top of his initial goal – killing Zhang Taiying.

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt a wave of accomplishment and relief.

"As for the Bai Ku spots, how are they claimed? Is it just a verbal confirmation?"

Ignoring the covetous looks around him, Xu Xiaoshou directed his gaze towards Fu Yinhong on the ruins of the high platform.

"Of course not."

Fu Yinhong rolled her eyes.

The city lord's mansion wouldn't use such a superficial method.

With a wave of her hand, an injured attendant brought over a jade tray covered with a green-yellow cloth.

"This is 'Linglong Stone.' It's embedded with a special array and is the only thing that can sense the Bai Ku spiritual array and the 'Induction Stone' within Hong Yi."

"Everyone knows how dangerous Bai Ku is. Should you encounter peril, crush the Linglong Stone to activate the embedded spiritual array for a direct teleportation escape."

"Can it get you out of Bai Ku?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.

"No."

Fu Yinhong's beautiful eyes flicked towards him.

"This item only allows for long-distance instant teleportation, but your landing spot might still be full of danger."

Xu Xiaoshou's expression froze.

Is it really that terrifying?

The onlookers were also somewhat taken aback.

After all, not everyone had prior information about the dangers of Bai Ku.

Most of them, like Xu Xiaoshou, were completely in the dark.

"So, it seems Bai Ku is genuinely dangerous? We need the Linglong Stone to escape death traps?"

"More than just a little – I heard the 'White Skeletons' inside can knock out a Wang Zuo with a single bone staff!"

"Are you serious?"

"I don't know, just heard it through the grapevine, hehe, hehe, don't hit me!"

The crowd below erupted in chatter.

With their lives on the line, people eagerly exchanged their limited information.

Of course, these smaller factions only possessed scattered intel.

Those who truly held the secrets wouldn't reveal them publicly.

Fu Yinhong motioned for everyone to quiet down before continuing.

"The Linglong Stone offers just one chance."

"Once you're inside Bai Ku, the only way out is to wait for the next opening of Hong Yi."

"Miss that, and you'll have to wait even longer."

"Opening... is it like activating a different-dimensional space?" Xu Xiaoshou murmured, then asked, "So, typically, how long do you need to stay in Bai Ku?"

Fu Yinhong replied, "As little as a few weeks, as much as one or two months, or even more."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded in understanding.

Clearly, even for Hong Yi, forcibly opening a large different-dimensional space like Bai Ku required tremendous effort.

Fu Yinhong lifted the cloth, revealing shining, emerald-green stones within.

With her slender jade fingers, she picked one up, and a ripple of spiritual energy created a faint glow.

"The Linglong Stone isn't just for one desperate escape in Bai Ku. As the sole credential for entry, it holds even greater significance."

Fu Yinhong's beautiful eyes swept across the crowd, and her red lips parted.

"You all know that Hong Yi of the Sheng Shen Hall deals with matters related to ghost beasts on the continent."

"And Bai Ku, as a large different-dimensional space that has given birth to ghost beasts, harbors extremely terrifying threats."

"But at the same time, such a vast small world and enormous treasury – does it truly mean only this small number of people can enter each time it opens?"

Fu Yinhong paused, leaving the crowd momentarily stunned, unsure of her point.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, had a thought.

After all, he had previously interacted with Xin Gugu and Jiao Tangtang.

"Smuggling?"

He blurted out the key term.

Fu Yinhong's pretty face stiffened.

Anyone trying to build suspense hates it when someone immediately ruins it.

"Cursed, passive value: 1."

"Excellent!"

In a flat tone, Fu Yinhong continued with disinterest.

"Every time a dimensional space opens, besides those entering through official channels, there are always some with ulterior motives who smuggle their way in."

"These people can evade Hong Yi's detection, so you can imagine their strength."

"If you enter Bai Ku, a significant portion of the danger won't come from the space itself, but from them."

"Why?"

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but speak up.

After all, shouldn't smugglers keep a low profile?

Wouldn't openly killing simply attract Hong Yi faster? Isn't that just asking for death?

Fu Yinhong knew what they were thinking and gently shook her head.

"I mentioned earlier that the Linglong Stone is the only proof of entry, and that has deeper meaning."

"Hong Yi has internal 'Induction Stones.' With them, they can detect every Linglong Stone specially crafted by Hong Yi."

"In other words..."

Fu Yinhong lightly tossed the Linglong Stone and smiled.

"Only with this can you prove you're not a smuggler!"

The crowd suddenly understood.

But immediately, another voice spoke up in a panic.

"What if you crush the Linglong Stone in Bai Ku because of danger?"

Fu Yinhong still smiled at the person. "Hong Yi only recognizes the Linglong Stone, not the person."

"Hiss."

The entire place gasped in shock.

Doesn't that mean that even if you enter Bai Ku with a Linglong Stone, if you lose it, you're still considered a smuggler?

"This is too..."

"Unfair?"

Fu Yinhong suppressed the rising murmurs.

Honestly, these controversial details should have been explained by Shou Ye.

But that old man had already left.

So, she had to play the villain.

"This world has no fairness."

"In your family or faction, someone sets the rules, creating what you call fairness."

"But outside, especially in a large different-dimensional space like Bai Ku, fairness?"

"Heh." Fu Yinhong sneered.

"If you want fairness, don't go in – just give your spot to someone else!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment.

Xu Xiaoshou felt nothing about such statements.

Is it cruel? Not really.

The ideas Old Sang had instilled in him were far more extreme by tenfold.

To Xu Xiaoshou, this didn't even reach the level of unfairness.

"So, you're saying that if those smugglers snatch our Linglong Stones, they become the legitimate ones?"

"And we switch places?"

Xu Xiaoshou was quite interested in this.

As soon as he spoke, the crowd felt a chill and turned to Fu Yinhong, awaiting a denial.

"Yes."

"Otherwise, why do you think they want to kill you?"

Fu Yinhong mercilessly shattered their illusions.

Everyone erupted in an uproar.

"This isn't just a trial – it's a death game!"

"This Bai Ku opening might not even be for the younger generation. I think even I, at the peak of Tian Xiang realm as an old master, would be risking my life."

"Master? Heh, anyone who can smuggle past Hong Yi is likely way beyond that."

"By the time we go in, the ones who come out might be completely different people."

"But this... this is far too terrifying. Does Hong Yi truly ignore this? Just let the smugglers run wild?"

"Who knows? Perhaps their responsibilities don't cover that!"

People sighed in unison, when a faint voice suddenly arose from the side:

"You're all thinking too optimistically. Maybe the ones who got the Linglong Stones now are one group, but by the time we enter, it's already been swapped."

Everyone was struck dumb.

What kind of person is this?

Already battered and unable to cope, and now hit with another blow – is this just to mess with us?

They turned around.

Xu Xiaoshou?

The crowd: "..."

"Cursed, passive value: 1211."

"Resented, passive value: 569."

Xu Xiaoshou sensed the panic in the crowd and smiled with interest.

"How intriguing!"

"Hong Yi, smugglers, legitimate entrants..."

"And ghost beasts, the Four Swords..."

"Who's the cannon fodder?"

Just from the description, he felt the dangers of Bai Ku were excessive.

But in such extreme conditions, why would Hong Yi still release these spots under the guise of training, sending so many young people to their deaths?

"That's a question."

Others likely heard it too, or already knew the downsides of Bai Ku.

But driven by self-interest, few could remain clear-headed.

Just the mention of "the Four Swords" had summoned sword cultivators from far and wide...

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the Nine Swordsmen and pondered internally.

Of course, a strong sense of crisis could make one anxious.

But he was the type who feared danger yet also craved adventure.

Since Old Sang had seemingly destined him for Bai Ku, he definitely needed to learn self-protection.

Those hidden threats were dangers, no doubt.

But after successfully killing Zhang Taiying and discovering A-Jie's new power, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt that perhaps it wasn't so terrifying.

With just himself and Xin Gugu, they might roam all of Bai Ku.

Add A-Jie...

"It's doable. Theoretically, no big problem." The fastest mobile updates at m.13⑧txt.

"Most importantly, in past fights, whether at Tian Xuan Gate or killing Zhang Taiying, I had to be sneaky to avoid being seen causing trouble."

"But in Bai Ku..."

"Ghost beasts appearing is normal, plus a rampaging giant wouldn't be out of place, and even A-Jie with explosive power would make sense."

"That's Bai Ku – no rules."

"Killing happens all the time."

Xu Xiaoshou felt he could relax and play a bit.

But then he thought, what if all this was already anticipated by Hong Yi, Old Sang, and other high-ups?

"Can't be careless, can't be careless."

"Everything still requires caution."

As a pawn, Xu Xiaoshou had thoroughly grasped Old Sang's pawn philosophy.

He had many hidden cards stashed away, with even more unexposed ones.

Even for his own combined card power, Xu Xiaoshou only had a vague idea.

But it wasn't enough!

One Shou Ye could probably take him down alone.

Let alone Bai Ku, a place that could bury many Hong Yi members.

After steadying his mindset, Xu Xiaoshou stopped overthinking the intricacies.

The boat would straighten at the bridge – go with the flow.

"Right."

He stared at the Linglong Stone in Fu Yinhong's hand and said, "Based on what you said, getting eighteen Linglong Stones does feel pretty good."

"But for those with just one, aren't they basically going in to die?"

As the one who got the lion's share, Xu Xiaoshou felt it was necessary to speak up for his comrades.

But as soon as he said it, the crowd glared at him angrily.

"What do you mean, is Xu Xiaoshou mocking us again?"

"Eighteen stones are impressive, huh? Although we only have one, but..."

"It does seem pretty impressive."

They wanted to retort, but couldn't, so they just shot daggers with their eyes at the obnoxious guy.

"Scrutinized, passive value: 895."

"Cursed, passive value: 686."

"Envied, passive value: 942."

"Oh, right, I forgot to mention."

Fu Yinhong slapped her forehead as if remembering. "The Linglong Stone has one last function: it can communicate with nearby Hong Yi at any time."

"If you encounter danger, theoretically, as long as it's not a sure-death situation, you can use the Linglong Stone to call Hong Yi for help."

"Of course, that's not without a cost."

"You must hand over half of your current gains in Bai Ku to Hong Yi."

Current gains – probably the treasures you find during the crisis.

But... half?

In the first second, Xu Xiaoshou thought Hong Yi had some conscience.

But no, their "help" was essentially just opening their mouths wide.

Wasn't this just using the legitimate entrants to help the understaffed Hong Yi hunt for treasures?

Everyone started cursing and complaining.

A few factions in the know had already dismissed these minor details.

If you could enter Bai Ku, find treasures, and survive... half of it?

That would outpace a major family's external efforts by at least ten years!

And in long-term impact, it was even more.

"Don't say more – just distribute the Linglong Stones!"

Xu Xiaoshou felt that if he listened longer, Hong Yi would become the embodiment of evil in his mind.

He'd never hand over half.

Well, because if something could kill him, calling Hong Yi might not help anyway.

Fu Yinhong nodded indifferently.

The attendants began carrying trays to the various factions that had won Bai Ku spots.

When the guard with the extra-large tray approached, even Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but feel excited.

"Eighteen stones – count them."

The crowd's eyes were glued to that big tray.

When had the number of Bai Ku spots ever reached the point of saying "count them"?

This Xu Xiaoshou was really something.

"Envied, passive value: 666."

"Admired, passive value: 232."

Xu Xiaoshou accepted the tray of Linglong Stones with a smile, then casually picked one and looked at Mu Zixi beside him.

"For you."

"Cursed, passive value: 899."

How hateful...

The crowd's eyes widened.

The Linglong Stone, which they begged for in vain, and he was giving it away so easily? Too annoying.

But!

Sigh, after all, she was his junior sister. Understandable.

Who asked us not to have such a strong senior brother?

Right?

Mu Zixi grabbed her twin tails, jumping with joy.

From Fu Yinhong's introduction, the preciousness of the Linglong Stone was clear.

But... Xu Xiaoshou still had a whole tray...

"Just one?" she asked.

Crack – the crowd's bodies swayed in unison.

Listen to that – is that even human talk?

"Envied, passive value: 1212."

Xu Xiaoshou paused.

Looking at the Linglong Stones in others' trays, he felt his own was so abundant he didn't know what to do with it.

"Well, one is a bit few – here, another one."

He picked up another Linglong Stone and handed it over.

Mu Zixi's eyes curved into crescents with laughter.

Holding one in each small hand, she couldn't put them down.

"Just two?" she asked again.

Click – the crowd froze stiffly.

"You want that many for what? When it's time to die, you'll still die," Xu Xiaoshou didn't indulge his junior sister.

Two was already good.

How many hands do you have?

Watch out, someone might snatch them!

The little girl pouted, but seeing others with empty hands, she cheered up.

Yeah, I have two, and they have none.

Hee hee.

"I can't watch this anymore – these senior-junior siblings are too infuriating."

The onlookers said they couldn't stand it.

One flaunting a tray of Linglong Stones, blinding everyone.

The other holding one in each hand and even starting to play with them.

Just too much!

"Why not divide the Linglong Stones privately? Why show off here? So naive – you don't even know not to flaunt wealth."

Some were indignant, others puzzled.

"Flaunt? Does it even need flaunting?"

"Everyone knows – eighteen stones."

"Even if they didn't, now that it's out, what can you do? Dare to rob him?"

"That's Xu Xiaoshou!"

At that, everyone quieted down.

Yeah, that's Xu Xiaoshou.

They had a vague idea why he got eighteen stones.

Rob him?

Who knew if Xu Xiaoshou could handle a Wang Zuo.

But looking at the direction he came from, he was with Shou Ye!

Plus the several Wang Zuo behind him.

And that earlier explosion – how could it not be related to him?

"Let's disperse."

The crowd forcibly held back their tears, turned away painfully, and stopped looking at that tray of shining treasures.

"Cursed, passive value: 1056."

"Envied, passive value: 588."

"Where's the family head?"

The Zhang family group huddled in a circle.

As one of Tian Sang County's four giants, they had brought quite a few people into the city lord's mansion – five in total.

But now, without their Wang Zuo leader Zhang Taiying, even with their five Linglong Stones, the four old masters felt lost.

"Why has the family head been out so long and not back?"

"It's this late – the Linglong Stones are distributed, and the banquet is almost over!"

"True, but that explosion earlier..."

They hesitated.

"That domain aura – if I saw right, it was the family head's, right?"

"It seems so..."

"But how could the family head dare fight in the city lord's mansion? Unless it's some secret plan?"

"Wasn't he going to deliver a gift?"

The four discussed and fell silent together.

Finally, one glanced at his old companions and spoke.

"Now that it's come to this, no need to hold back. The family head's other plans – one of you must know, so spill."

They looked at each other, none recalling any secret plans.

"What time is it, and you're still not talking?"

The one who spoke first got angry: "If none of you are saying, that means it was an accident? Could the family head have been assassinated in the city lord's mansion and died?"

They shook their heads.

"Impossible."

"But we can't contact him through the jade slip..."

In their ongoing confusion, they suddenly noticed a particularly wild, large savage among the crowd on stage, walking up to the ruins of the high platform.

He actually put a hand on Fu Yinhong's shoulder.

The crowd: ???

"Who is this guy?"

"Does he have a death wish, touching the little princess?"

"My goodness, has this guy gone mad from the explosion, daring such a move?"

"Wait, that face?"

Fu Zhi flung his hair.

After shaking his ragged clothes, he said softly, "I'm Fu Zhi."

The whole place went dead silent.

"Old Fu the city lord?"

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Fu Zhi knew his current appearance didn't match the city lord's image much, but if everyone else was a small savage, him as a big one was understandable.

"The banquet's fights are ending. Normally, everyone should sit and drink, but tonight's little incident means we'll skip that!"

The crowd's mouths twitched in unison.

They glanced at Xu Xiaoshou without a word.

"Awe-inspired, passive value: 1111."

Little incident.

As expected of Old Fu the city lord – such a steady mind!

Seeing Fu Yinhong's lack of resistance, everyone confirmed this was indeed the long-lost old city lord.

Fu Zhi continued, "Before we part, I have an important announcement."

Everyone perked up.

The Zhang family group did the same.

Just then, they saw Fu Zhi's gaze sweep over, his cold eyes locking onto the four of them.

Their hearts skipped a beat.

The Zhang family four vaguely smelled trouble.

Fu Zhi said gravely, "Zhang Taiying, head of the Zhang family, colluded with ghost beasts and was discovered in the city lord's mansion. He has been executed."

"Tonight's events stemmed from this."

"You all know the consequences of colluding with ghost beasts on the continent. Simply put, besides Hong Yi's follow-up investigation..."

Fu Zhi looked up at the moon on the horizon.

"After tonight, in Tian Sang City, there will be no Zhang family!"

Thud, thud!

Sounds of bodies hitting the ground echoed.

The Zhang family group collapsed, their faces full of disbelief.

"This is impossible..."

"How could the family head be dead?"

The old master who knew a bit about Zhang Taiying's motives suddenly looked at Xu Xiaoshou: "He wasn't – he wasn't going to kill..."

Wasn't he going to kill Xu Xiaoshou? How did he die!

The old master felt his already shattered world completely collapse.

Fu Zhi narrowed his eyes, thinking, as expected.

Xu Xiaoshou is innocent!

"Observed, passive value: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled nonchalantly.

"Kill me?"

He pointed at himself. "If you want to try, come on."