Chapter 458: Medium Difficulty... White Cave, Open

Screams accompanied the rift in the Cang Qiong, echoing throughout Ba Gong Li.

In an instant, all the pre-prepared ling zhen in the inns activated fully, without any delay.

Some independent travelers nearby clung to the ground, exerting all their strength to avoid being pulled into the void crack.

Even so, Xu Xiaoshou looked up and saw chaos in the sky, filled with cries of terror.

Specks of black mist took the form of human figures and other debris.

But there was no doubt that anyone or anything entering that abyss would face total destruction.

Whoosh!

In the critical moment, a figure in red robes soared into the sky.

Like a savior, with a flick of the red sleeves, a pale golden energy barrier enveloped the entire void crack.

"Jie Yu?"

This method of using jie yu to seal a void crack was something Xu Xiaoshou had never seen before.

"Can it hold?"

Such terrifying heavenly might made Xu Xiaoshou realize that even a Wang Zuo might struggle to withstand the suction force at such close range with a jie yu.

Sure enough, the roaring sound of the void's rupture ceased for just one breath.

The next second—

Boom!

The jie yu was torn open with a massive gash.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyelids twitched.

"This suction..."

"If I transformed into a raging giant and went up there, it would still end in my demise!"

With that brief moment of calm, his "perception" barely pierced through the dusty sky to identify the true face of the figure in red.

A bald head!

High in the void.

Xin suddenly lifted his head, a disdainful look in his eyes.

"A different-dimensional rift?"

He murmured softly.

The opening time of Bai Ku had truly surprised him.

But that was all.

Heavenly Dao was still just Heavenly Dao; such a scene could intimidate everyone below.

Only he felt no fear.

As long as something could be solved with brute force, Xin would never back down.

"Heavenly Dao is, after all, just Heavenly Dao."

"And I have already succeeded in chopping the Dao!"

He puffed out his chest, clasped his hands behind his back, and exposed himself fully to the terrifying suction of the void crack.

Yet, he stood firm.

Heavenly Dao rhyme transformed into a massive light energy dozens of zhang wide, instantly enveloping Xin's hands behind him. Then, in the shocked gazes of all, his glowing hands plunged into the massive tear in the jie yu.

Boom!

With a closure, the rent in the jie yu was pulled shut by the glowing hands.

The explosive sound made Xu Xiaoshou's scalp tingle.

"Chopping the Dao?"

Using Dao rhyme and ling yuan, he could effortlessly counter such heavenly might.

If not chopping the Dao, what else could it be?

"Hmm."

Xin Gugu's face grew solemn as he nodded slightly.

This was the power of the red robes!

This was the greatest nemesis of gui shou and even gui shou hosts!

If growth was too slow and one encountered such an existence, the outcome would be nothing less than death and the dissipation of the Dao.

Mu Zixi, standing nearby, was equally awestruck.

One could say that this single scene made the whole trip worthwhile for anyone who witnessed it.

The might of chopping the Dao was terrifying indeed!

And this was merely the tip of the iceberg of the strength displayed by that figure in red robes above.

"Lord Xin..."

On the ground, a young man in red robes carrying a large long sword witnessed everything, his eyes filled with shock.

One person defying the Heavenly Dao.

What more could a true man ask for!

Though Lord Xin was indeed a bit simple-minded, once physical prowess reached a certain level, intellect became unnecessary.

Buzz—

Before the relieved crowd could finish marveling, another massive light barrier covered the area above.

This time, it wasn't enclosing the jie yu but protecting the entire Ba Gong Li.

"Everyone."

A clear female voice rang out in all directions.

Lan Ling flew into the sky, her flowing red robes completely concealing her ordinary figure, adding an air of mystery.

She gazed down at the crowd, her expression cold, and parted her red lips.

"Bai Ku is open."

"The dangers of the different-dimensional space are well-known to all."

"The presence of gui shou in a different-dimensional space makes the danger even more unpredictable."

"So, those who aren't prepared should reconsider entering."

Mu Zixi listened below, her face flushing slightly.

Was she one of those unprepared?

No... right?

It was just an accident.

The accident happened too quickly; she hadn't reacted in time to save herself with her little tree.

Without Xu Xiaoshou, she definitely could have managed.

"I'm already a mature Shang Ling realm practitioner," Mu Zixi reassured herself.

After Lan Ling finished speaking, she paused for a moment.

Normally, these words would have been heard by everyone already, so she didn't need to repeat them.

But seeing so many novices rushing toward danger stirred her sense of compassion, and she couldn't hold back.

Still, she kept it brief. Seeing that the crowd remained undeterred, she quickly moved to the main point.

"All those with Ling Long Shi, head immediately to the teleportation array beneath the light beam and prepare to enter!"

With a wave of her slender hand toward the ground below,

A purple light beam shot up from the earth at that very moment.

In an instant, everyone's attention was drawn away.

Xu Xiaoshou locked onto it with his "perception" and saw a massive ling zhen covered in dazzling, intricate patterns beneath the light beam.

The complexity of the ling wen there made him dizzy, even with his master-level foundation in "textile mastery."

"What a massive project."

Dealing with space, especially cross-dimensional teleportation that prioritized safety, was far from simple—like the ling zhen he could casually draw with hundreds of ling wen to gather spiritual energy.

Suddenly, he thought of Ye Xiaotian.

A man who, single-handedly, could tear open a different-dimensional space gate in chaos and construct an extremely stable spatial channel.

Coming back to his senses,

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the teleportation ling zhen below the light beam, which was as vast as a football field, and could see no fewer than tens of millions of ling wen.

"A ling zhen master?"

Xu Xiaoshou could spot various defensive ling zhen patterns all over the female red robe in the void.

Clearly, this person was very cautious.

Xu Xiaoshou pondered deeply.

"Why does this female red robe still have so much hair?"

"Yet..."

Xu Xiaoshou looked at the bald man, who had regained his composure and was guarding the female red robe's side.

This guy seemed more like a great ling zhen master!

But with another push of his "perception," Xu Xiaoshou saw the faint dark circles under the fair-skinned female red robe's eyes that she couldn't hide.

That eased his mind a bit.

"Another night owl..."

"Let's go?"

Xin Gugu turned his head and asked.

Without realizing it, even he, the strongest in the group, had come to see Xu Xiaoshou as the backbone.

After all, that earlier deal worth seventy million had probably taken a lifetime of effort for him to achieve without worry.

Brains really were a matter of fate!

"Hold on."

Xu Xiaoshou raised his hand to signal everyone to stop.

He had gone to great lengths to layer on so many clothes for this outing, even adding a straw hat.

Why?

To be a lone wolf!

In plain terms, Xu Xiaoshou didn't want to compete for the team leader spot.

Bai Ku had no rules!

It was a place where he could fully unleash his combat prowess.

If tied down by acquaintances, he might have to hold back again.

So, his identity could be recognized by irrelevant strangers, like Yu Zhi Wen or Cheng Xing Chu.

But Rao Yin Yin absolutely could not find out who he was.

Strictly speaking, accidentally seeing that girl bathing last time was a lifelong stain on Xu Xiaoshou.

Because he had been blackmailed for a Wang Zuo Dan.

Back then, he hadn't fully realized the value of a Wang Zuo Dan.

But now...

"Heh, a fourth-grade dan for Wang Zuo—she really had the nerve to ask!"

Xu Xiaoshou wondered why he hadn't haggled relentlessly to avoid that back then.

What a waste.

Guilt had gotten the better of him.

"If I go now, I'll definitely be held back."

"So, let them handle the kid's training."

"My mission..."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of the Four Swords, and his forehead throbbed faintly.

"Oh well, my mission is just for fun anyway."

"Plus, find a trial ground to earn passive points."

"The Four Swords aren't essential."

He waited quietly.

With his "perception," he saw many people finally emerge from the inns' barriers under the great heavenly ling zhen's protection and head toward the teleportation ling zhen.

Many familiar faces.

Luo Qing Lang and Yu Zhi Wen's team.

Rao Yin Yin and Zhou Tian Can's team.

"Hmm? Zhou Tian Can?"

Xu Xiaoshou was puzzled; how did that guy qualify?

Focusing intently, he was shocked to see that this one-track-minded fellow's aura was completely different from half a month ago.

After losing an arm, his saber intent had surged.

From barely breaking into the Xiantian at "Feng Yun Zheng Ba," he now showed a slightly complete state.

"This progress..."

Xu Xiaoshou was amazed.

"Was it due to that one-armed ling technique?"

Before getting A-Jie at Tian Xuan Gate, he had seen Zhou Tian Can honing his skills with one arm in the Killing Corner, nearly driving himself to qi deviation.

Now, thinking about it, someone with talent who put in double the effort wasn't growing fast without a reason.

Xu Xiaoshou turned his gaze away contentedly.

He would wait until Tian Sang Ling Gong's team had all entered before going himself.

Once in Bai Ku, if they faced any troubles he could help with, he wouldn't hesitate.

After all, they were his people.

"Su Qianqian."

Regaining his focus, a little girl carrying a large sword, followed by four tall figures, strode confidently into the array.

"You little rascal..."

A faint smile tugged at Xu Xiaoshou's lips.

But soon, his attention was diverted.

Three unremarkable individuals, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, blended peacefully into the crowd and silently stepped onto the teleportation ling zhen.

Yet, Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill.

"These three..."

He couldn't help but look at Xin Gugu. "How many of you came this time?"

"What do you mean, us?"

"Your organization."

Xu Xiaoshou said firmly.

Xin Gugu hesitated. "Two."

"And your sister?"

"Not my sister—just a title. We're not related; it's just Jiao Tang Tang."

"Oh."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent.

The feeling these three gave him was the same as when he first saw Mo Mo, and Xin Gugu and Jiao Tang Tang.

Not exactly identical.

These three were hidden a bit too well.

Almost perfectly.

But at least, that sense of unease couldn't fool Xu Xiaoshou.

Under the premise of complete trust in his "perception," he was certain—they were three gui shou hosts!

"Damn, what's going on with this Bai Ku?"

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Elder Qiao's mention of a medium-difficulty instance.

If this was still medium difficulty...

He didn't finish the thought.

He quietly noted the features of these three men, keeping a few thoughts in mind.

He was sure these guys weren't here for the Four Swords.

So, what kind of existence could draw so many gui shou hosts to risk a potential trap?

Xu Xiaoshou's gaze suddenly stopped.

In the slightly chaotic scene, a woman in white skirts moved gracefully and entered.

Her serene demeanor, unchanged since their first meeting, was accompanied by the faint sandalwood incense from a small bronze furnace, purifying everyone's minds.

"Mo Mo..."

Xu Xiaoshou recalled the finals of "Feng Yun Zheng Ba," where that girl had nearly completely sealed him.

What level of ability could suppress even passive skills?

In that moment, Xu Xiaoshou realized why those three suspected gui shou hosts had come.

Perhaps Mo Mo was exactly what they sought—a leader capable of countering their enemies...

"Seal?"

Xu Xiaoshou murmured unconsciously.

Other gui shou abilities might not suffice, but sealing... absolutely could!

Xin Gugu's eyes narrowed.

He lacked "perception," but as a Wang Zuo, his spiritual sense was far superior.

Even from such a distance across the teleportation array, he immediately focused on this striking white lotus.

"A controlled object."

From Xu Xiaoshou's question, he vaguely sensed something off.

But if there were other gui shou hosts...

At least, he hadn't detected any.

Yet, this "controlled object" was too obvious.

This special item, developed by "Xu Yue Hui Gong," and possessed by this unfamiliar girl?

"Is she the target?"

Xin Gugu thought of the mission info Jiao Tang Tang had shared upon arriving at Bai Ku.

First, find a suitable gui shou host for the Greed God.

That was optional; unexpectedly, Xu Xiaoshou had handled it.

Now, only the final ritual remained, and the two could merge.

No rush.

Second, find someone.

Someone even Xin Gugu had never heard of.

"Seal Qianjin..."

Xin Gugu frowned.

Though this girl had an average appearance, her pure demeanor didn't seem to match someone named "Seal Qianjin."

From what he'd heard, the target should be a white-haired old man.

After all, Jiao Tang Tang said the person had dominated the continent before he was even born!

"So, not this young girl..."

"A gui shou?"

Pondering this, Xin Gugu grew even more confused. "But a gui shou is a gui shou—how does that relate to Seal Qianjin?"

He silently noted the girl's features and aura, then let it go.

Since even he could notice her so easily, Jiao Tang Tang surely could too.

His role was just to execute combat orders.

The mission's target and progress weren't for someone as unpredictable as him to worry about.

"I see your sister."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly said.

Xin Gugu nodded; he'd spotted Jiao Tang Tang in the crowd.

Clearly, this time, she planned to enter Bai Ku through the official route.

With so many unexpected figures getting Bai Ku spots, Ba Gong Li must have been full of turmoil these past few days.

"How can you see even clearer than me?"

Xin Gugu hesitated, then couldn't suppress his curiosity and asked.

Xu Xiaoshou was too abnormal.

Aside from his cultivation level, which was a weak point,

Everything else—combat, intelligence gathering, scheming...

None of it was at the level of an ordinary young person.

Even some old foxes had fallen victim to his manipulations, like Zhang Tai Ying, whom Xin Gugu had witnessed from start to fall.

And now...

Xin Gugu eyed Xu Xiaoshou oddly.

"From our last meeting, this guy seems to have fixed even that last flaw."

"Perfected merits?"

"Suspected, passive points, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled but didn't answer.

"Perception" wasn't something he could explain.

Besides, it was just his spiritual sense being special.

No nutritional value in saying more.

Mu Zixi stretched her neck nearby, like a swan.

Just listening to Xu Xiaoshou and Xin Gugu's conversation made her heart itch like a cat's scratch.

"Xu Xiaoshou, why can you see it?"

"Xin Gugu is a Wang Zuo, that makes sense, but your realm is lower than mine—don't think I don't know—how are you seeing it?"

Xin Gugu, who had turned his head away, snapped it back again.

Xu Xiaoshou was helpless.

"You can't see it?"

"I thought that was standard."

Mu Zixi: "..."

She stomped her foot in frustration, regretting speaking up.

"Cursed, passive points, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

As Jiao Tang Tang stepped into the ling zhen, she glanced back slightly, and Xu Xiaoshou realized he had been spotted.

"Good one."

She was the first to counter his surveillance.

"Locked on, passive points, 1."

The information bar suddenly jumped.

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

Locked on?

Coming to find me after entering?

This...

Was perfect!

He looked at Xin Gugu.

"Two Wang Zuo-level fighters?"

"Heh, oh yeah, oh ho ho..."

"Observed, passive points, 1."

An inexplicable sense of great terror from the observation interrupted Xu Xiaoshou's fantasy.

He looked up.

The Three Swordsmen!

In front of the massive teleportation ling zhen under the purple light beam,

The sword-holding swordsman led the way, suddenly turning and looking directly toward Xu Xiaoshou.

"He's here."

The Nine Swordsman and the No Swordsman were stunned and turned as well, but saw nothing.

"Who?"

The sword-holding swordsman, Gu Qing Yi, said nothing, just gave his junior brothers a knowing smile.

The two immediately understood.

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

Gu Qing Er clenched his fist, his face annoyed.

I didn't notice...

Gu Qing San did the same, his eyes worried.

I didn't notice in time...

"Senior brother is still the most alert," the two said in unison.

This drew glances from those around.

Gu Qing Yi felt a headache.

But he didn't care anymore.

He was puzzled; after a few days, how had Xu Xiaoshou changed?

As a sword cultivator who had met and sparred with him, how could he almost deceive his senses?

"Take a look—what level of concealment ling technique is this? Can you figure it out?" Gu Qing Yi tested his junior brothers.

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

The two concentrated, but in the direction their senior brother was looking, they couldn't detect any familiar sword intent.

"Senior brother..."

"Senior brother..."

Their words were full of regret.

Gu Qing Yi was surprised.

He was shocked that his second junior brother couldn't see it.

But his youngest junior brother, with his Supreme Sword Dao Body, still couldn't see through it after so long?

"Don't use your eyes—use your heart," he said gravely.

"Any sword mark in the world leaves a trace."

"Even Heavenly Dao operates by set rules. Break free from that limitation, beyond the heavens beyond heavens, and you two can see the true... more!"

The two were still a bit confused, but the next second—

"I see it!" Gu Qing Er exclaimed joyfully.

"I see it too!"

Gu Qing San jumped with excitement, but his expression darkened immediately: "Still, second senior brother is better than me. I'm such a failure—it took me over a breath to understand senior brother's words."

Gu Qing Er laughed and patted his junior brother's head.

"Why else would I be your second senior brother?"

Gu Qing Yi comforted: "Keep developing your Supreme Sword Dao Body, and you'll eventually catch up to your second senior brother."

"Oh." Gu Qing San grew even more downcast. Eventually... barely...

"Remember, practicing the sword isn't just with the heart—it requires the mind, feelings, and the true essence of your No Sword Technique."

"Nothing!"

Gu Qing San's eyes lit up instantly.

But Gu Qing Er pouted.

"Senior brother is playing favorites, teaching junior brother alone."

Gu Qing Yi's head hurt again.

He looked once more toward Xu Xiaoshou.

"What did you sense?"

Gu Qing San snapped out of his epiphany state.

Senior brother was lecturing second senior brother?

Time to crash the class!

Epiphanies happened often, but senior brother lecturing was rare.

Yet, looking in that direction, Gu Qing San felt something odd but couldn't pinpoint it.

"A strange feeling..." Gu Qing Er hesitated and tried: "It's like heavenly mechanisms or Heavenly Dao, but not quite—like... something transcending Heavenly Dao's concealment."

"To put it boldly... I caught a whiff similar to Master's power."

Master?

Gu Qing San's eyes widened, about to retort, but suddenly thought his second senior brother might be right.

"You explained it well. Honestly, I can't tell what it is either," Gu Qing Yi praised.

The two: "..."

"But!"

Gu Qing Yi hugged his sword, his eyes seeming to pierce through the Cang Qiong rift.

"If you have the will of a king, any concealment that's too advanced but not thorough enough won't escape your sword heart."

"All swords return to the sect, converging from eight directions."

"A subject is a subject; no matter how concealed, if it's a sword, it's seen through at a glance!"

The two beside him were stunned, stepping back in awe and entering epiphany again.

"All swords return to the sect, converging from eight directions?"

Gu Qing Er murmured more and more, sensing something off.

The two ended their epiphany almost simultaneously and exclaimed in shock.

"Senior brother, have you reached that level?"

The sword-holding swordsman gently stroked the gray sword in his hand, recalling his master's solemn teachings on Dong Shan.

He paused, then recited: "It's possible, but unnecessary."