Chapter 460: 哥哥~

"I bid!"

These five shocking words reverberated directly in everyone's ears. The entire venue erupted. Suddenly, those who had been mere spectators, those wearing expressions of regret, those who had missed a crucial step, and those who were still hesitating, all looked up, trying to identify the daring individual who had spoken first.

Xu Xiaoshou, equally surprised, shifted his gaze. He had genuinely given up hope.

He clearly understood the difference in concept between 998 and 1000. Similarly, the slogan "one hundred million"—a figure that sounded like a dream just hearing it—was something Xu Xiaoshou had shouted out merely to fulfill a fantasy.

He never imagined that not only did people exist who could manifest dreams, but that such a person would appear before him, even helping him fulfill his own?

However, once his gaze settled, Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. The one who had spoken was a young man of average height and build, leaning on a walking stick, appearing to be only a few years older than Xu Xiaoshou.

Beside him stood a woman in a white robe, more than half a head shorter. Both individuals wore spiritual artifacts designed to prevent detection; their spiritual senses couldn't discern anything, and even their faces were blurred.

Yet, Xu Xiaoshou's "perception" brought with it an extremely familiar feeling. His gaze fixed on the man's walking stick.

Even though the item had been disguised once more, altered beyond recognition, as a true ancient sword cultivator, how could Xu Xiaoshou fail to detect the unique, ancient, and unchanging aura of a famous sword?

"Lei Shuangxing?" Xu Xiaoshou's heart tightened.

Famous swords recognize their masters. What's more, the Lei Shuangxing he had previously encountered, despite only having Sword Sect cultivation, was capable of confronting a Spiritual Palace giant like Ye Xiaotian head-on by relying on various treasures.

It was impossible for such a person to have a famous sword change hands so quickly. Therefore, he must be Lei Shuangxing, affiliated with the "Holy Slave"!

If that were the case, who was the woman beside him? Xu Xiaoshou could easily guess.

"Luo Leilei!" "These two guys..." Xu Xiaoshou felt a surge of discomfort.

The White Cave was already terrifyingly difficult; if these two also got involved, it would undoubtedly make things even worse!

Others might be said to be here for trials. But for members of the "Holy Slave" to appear here, claiming they were here for self-training... who would believe that?

If they didn't turn the White Cave upside down, would that even align with the "Holy Slave" personality? And considering the scene where Lei Shuangxing forcibly tore open a spatial rift, escaping with Luo Leilei...

If they went in and completed their mission, would there be no one to pick them up when they came out? Xu Xiaoshou's heart immediately sank to rock bottom.

At that time, Lei Shuangxing had come to pick up the undercover Luo Leilei. Now that the White Cave was open, and these two were on a mission, who else would eventually appear to meet them?

"The Masked Man!" "Or Cen Qiaofu!" Xu Xiaoshou felt utterly exhausted. The White Cave hadn't even begun, yet he already foresaw the arrival of a world war?

"Brother, do you truly mean that?" If it were anyone else, Xu Xiaoshou would absolutely not have asked this question. After all, offering the other party an out might mean his one hundred million would go to waste.

But Lei Shuangxing was different. Xu Xiaoshou pondered whether it would be worth truly refusing one hundred million if it meant keeping these two unstable elements out... it seemed like a good idea?

But then he considered, if they didn't have this Exquisite Stone, would they truly be unable to enter? It was an insoluble problem!

"Truly," Lei Shuangxing replied without the slightest hesitation.

As his voice fell, a golden light flew out from his sleeve without the slightest discernible movement, heading directly towards Xu Xiaoshou. "Click!" Xu Xiaoshou caught it between two fingers.

It was a card. Xin Gugu leaned in for a look, but after his pupils constricted, he abruptly recoiled. Seeing this, Mu Zixi couldn't help but stand on her tiptoes, then hesitated.

"Passive Value of Curse Received, 1." She had to use her spiritual energy protective hand to press down on Xu Xiaoshou's shoulder, signaling him to lower his height before she could glimpse the card's contents.

Her heart skipped a beat. Mu Zixi silently withdrew her foot and exchanged a glance with Xin Gugu, both their eyes filled with shock. Nine digits!

"Passive Value of Envy Received, 2." "Mama?" From behind, Ah Jie turned its head, also stood on tiptoes, then gazed at the back of Xu Xiaoshou's head before obediently resuming its stance with folded arms. It didn't understand what the two beside it were looking at.

"Mama..." Xu Xiaoshou, clutching another Golden Merchants Bank card, felt a wave of anxiety.

He had expected that truly acquiring one hundred million would fill him with soaring happiness. Yet, at this moment, he felt no joy whatsoever. Still, it wasn't as if he would return the card.

Silently putting away the golden card, Xu Xiaoshou pulled out two Exquisite Stones from his chest, held them up for a moment, then withdrew them.

"Brother, do you sell your walking stick?" This abrupt question startled everyone.

Involuntarily, everyone's gaze fixed on Lei Shuangxing's unremarkable walking stick. Lan Ling and Xin, in the void above, did the same.

Unlike the onlookers below who couldn't discern anything, the two of them, with just one glance, sensed that something was amiss.

But neither of them were sword cultivators, so even if they sensed something was amiss, they couldn't immediately tell what it was. "A sword?" Xin scratched his bald head.

Having slain many, he, for the first time, surprisingly felt a faint sword intent emanating from this walking stick. It was ridiculous. How could a walking stick and a sword be the same thing?

Lan Ling, however, suddenly had a look of realization. She had been somewhat puzzled, but Xin's remark truly opened up her thoughts.

"A famous sword!" "If I'm not mistaken, it's the famous sword, the God-Drawing Staff!"

Xin paused, then relaxed. "It seems... yes, it is!" he said. "I have indeed heard the legend of the 'God-Drawing Staff.' It looks less like a sword and more like a thin awl, extremely sharp."

"But ironically, its most terrifying aspect isn't for stabbing, but for lashing. It's said that the previous wielder and the God-Drawing Staff had a perfect synergy; after their Heavenly Dissolution, a single lash could even disperse completely solidified Void Power!"

Xin mused, "So, the walking stick is just an outer shell, and the true mystery lies within?" Lan Ling nodded.

Although it was merely a guess, with her experience of having seen many famous swords, it would have been fine if Xu Xiaoshou hadn't said anything. But his one remark drew her attention. Even if only a trace of the walking stick's aura remained, she could still discern a hint of its true nature.

Lan Ling was somewhat amazed. "How many is this now?" she wondered. "The previous two undisguised famous swords likely belong to the people of the Buried Sword Tomb, which is understandable."

"I still haven't seen anyone from the Xuyue Gray Palace; they probably aren't coming. If they were, they'd undoubtedly be preparing to smuggle themselves in. But this one..."

Lan Ling frowned. "Which family holds the God-Drawing Staff?" Xin pondered for a moment, then hesitated, "The previous wielder, if I'm not mistaken, was from the Lei family, a Tai Xu clan in the Central Region?"

"The Lei family?" Lan Ling's heart skipped a beat. Xin nodded, uncertainly, "But wasn't the Lei family... destroyed?"

"Shh!" Lan Ling instantly silenced Xin with her spiritual energy.

Xin was startled and turned to look, but Lan Ling merely shook her head slowly, saying nothing. He was somewhat surprised.

He had long heard that the Lei family's downfall held some mystery; otherwise, the entire continent wouldn't have been so tight-lipped about it. Did Lan Ling know something? Xin didn't ask.

Since she had gone to such lengths, he figured some matters truly couldn't be spoken of. "Perhaps it has changed hands," he speculated.

He speculated, "After all, famous swords choose their wielder. If... there's no one in that family to inherit it, it's understandable if the famous sword circulates." Lan Ling nodded but did not reply.

She dared not discuss it further. Lei Shuangxing's grizzled face, hidden beneath the concealing spiritual artifact, was extremely hideous, like a vengeful ghost escaped from the abyss, even his facial features were blurred.

Others couldn't discern any expression, but Luo Leilei, who was beside him, felt this brief silence. Something was amiss.

Luo Leilei's delicate brows furrowed. The two Red Robes above seemed to be communicating with spiritual perception; she couldn't hear anything.

But that masked figure in the straw hat opposite... how did this guy discern Brother Shuangxing's God-Drawing Staff?

That was something personally consecrated by the Chief; it should only be exposed when encountering a pure sword cultivator in Red Robes, at the very least. Theoretically, it definitely shouldn't attract attention before entering the White Cave.

But this guy, judging by his voice, didn't seem old, and his cultivation surely wasn't at the Throne or Dao Severing level; how could he be so perceptive? Even if he was perceptive...

"Was it intentional?" Luo Leilei didn't use spiritual perception, but her eyes subtly glanced up at the two Red Robes above.

"Is he trying to warn the two of them?" Although she didn't know why Brother Shuangxing suddenly fell silent—it was just that his famous sword was recognized, which wasn't a big deal.

But Luo Leilei lightly touched Lei Shuangxing's arm, signaling that he should respond. Any further pause would turn a non-issue into an issue.

Lei Shuangxing's ears twitched slightly, and he regained his composure. "Not for sale," he replied.

His words remained flat, almost emotionless. "I see, that's a shame," Xu Xiaoshou sighed lightly, a hint of envy in his voice. "I just feel that walking with a stick like that gives you such presence. I'll get one too next time, haha."

"Passive Value of Curse Received, 2." "Passive Value of Disdain Received, 1310." "Passive Value of Slander Received, 2118."

Regardless of the other party's reaction, Xu Xiaoshou tossed over the two Exquisite Stones in his hand. The purpose of the warning had been achieved, and that was sufficient.

At least the Red Robes now knew this guy possessed a famous sword, understanding that he was a strong contender for the "Four Swords." The attention placed on these two would definitely increase.

Thus, firstly, it could effectively suppress any unknown actions these two might undertake after entering the White Cave. Secondly, it would relatively reduce the attention placed on himself.

"Really not selling?" Xu Xiaoshou watched the other party receive the Exquisite Stone, feeling a bit unfulfilled. "I have a lot of money, you know."

"At worst, if you want to trade for Exquisite Stones, I still have some..." "Passive Value of Curse Received, 2."

Lei Shuangxing led Luo Leilei directly into the teleportation spiritual array without looking back. "There's more?" The onlookers were instantly surprised.

He had already sold three Exquisite Stones, and with news of the recent battle at the Eight Palaces' town gate spreading through this small area, everyone now knew that this "straw-hatted" organization was undeniably a genuine vendor of Exquisite Stones.

"He's already sold six, and there's more?" "Are you kidding me?!" "Passive Value of Doubt Received, 2480."

But no matter how much they doubted inwardly, those who had just regretted not acquiring an Exquisite Stone couldn't help but look on with hope. "Passive Value of Expectation Received, 2261."

As expected, the information bar scrolled frantically. Xu Xiaoshou was not in a hurry. Once the commotion in everyone's hearts subsided, he slowly continued to pull out two more Exquisite Stones from his robe.

"Holy cow!" This time, even Xin, floating in the void, nearly had his eyeballs pop out.

Lan Ling, suspended in the air, suddenly swayed, almost questioning reality. Were these Exquisite Stones sent out by the Red Robes? Which person sent them? Could it be that connections were being pulled?

Needless to say, the reaction from the people below was even stronger. "Passive Value of Amazement Received, 2666." "Passive Value of Envy Received, 2410." "Passive Value of Jealousy Received, 2298."

"Everyone..." Xu Xiaoshou began with a smile, but before he could speak, a cold, elegant voice descended from above. "There's no time for you to trade. Enter the array quickly; the teleportation spiritual array is closing soon!"

Xu Xiaoshou's face soured, and he looked up. "Can't you wait a little longer?" At this, even the surrounding people looked over with hopeful expressions.

One wanted to sell, and a group wanted to buy. How perfect that would be for everyone! "No," came the reply.

Lan Ling suddenly felt like a sinner; those resentful gazes almost dismembered her on the spot. However, rules were rules. Even if the masked straw-hatted figure below produced ten Exquisite Stones at that moment, it would be impossible to break them.

"Get in quickly!" she urged, then shifted her gaze to the other groups of people.

"The rest of you, as long as you are spiritual array masters at the Grandmaster level or above, immediately follow me to a new location. Remember, you may also enter, but until the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Sealing Array' is unsealed, you are not permitted to leave the Red Robe team or move around freely. Follow!"

With that, Lan Ling soared away, and the attention of those below immediately shifted. Instantly, a large wave of unknown spirit refiners from all corners of the world, eager to participate and hoping to gain freedom by breaking the array, followed her.

Xin remained in place, picking up an array token. His gaze fell on Xu Xiaoshou. Only this time-wasting individual remained.

"Let's go!" Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand helplessly. It was over. This wave of "leeks" could only be harvested here.

As his foot moved, a cold voice from above immediately rang out. "With two Exquisite Stones, you can only bring one more person!"

Xu Xiaoshou immediately stopped and glanced behind him. Indeed, he had only brought Mu Zixi; there was nothing wrong with that!

But such a terrifying truth couldn't be revealed directly. Without another word, he nonchalantly tossed out four Exquisite Stones, then led everyone from the entire "Straw-Hatted" organization into the spiritual array entrance, disappearing from sight.

"Holy cow, what did I just see?" Although it was only for an instant, those four beads flying up were as dazzling as if four blazing suns had suddenly risen before their eyes.

Everyone was dumbfounded. "Four?" "How many did he sell just now?" "Three?" "Yes, he also sold three at the town gate earlier." "So that means this guy alone has at least ten Exquisite Stones?" "Oh my God..."

With a few thumps, those still stuck at the spiritual array entrance, unable to enter, helplessly fell to their knees. "What the hell is going on? Is this even possible?"

"One person, ten White Cave slots?" "Is that even humanly possible?" "Who exactly is this guy?"

The entire venue fell silent. Suddenly, a discordant voice of rebuttal echoed through the arena.

"Actually, this guy isn't the most outrageous one," someone said. "Do you know? I heard that in Tiansang County, Tiansang City, there's an even more terrifying freak."

"What happened?" someone asked. The person swallowed, then said uncertainly, "He alone got eighteen White Cave slots!" "Hiss!"

Feeling the chill in the air, Xin rolled his eyes skyward, squeezed the array token in his hand, and the teleportation spiritual array instantly closed. His figure vanished in an instant.

"Eighteen White Cave slots?" "Who are you trying to fool?" "Even the Eighth Sword Immortal wouldn't dare be that amazing!"

From an uninhabited, unknown, abandoned city gate, three figures slowly emerged.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell, faintly revealing scattered bloodstains on the three figures. Leading them was a masked individual, heavily wrapped as if afraid of being cold.

This person even walked with squinted eyes, seemingly gravely ill. The dull yellow of their eyes was like that of a dying person.

"I really didn't expect this desolate place could hide people!" "And this famous sword, its name is quite something." "Mad Carving Sword, giggle giggle..."

Following closely was someone holding an ancient book, lightly laughing behind their hand, and holding a sword while curiously observing their surroundings... A man? This person wore a long red gauze dress, and even their slender, bent fingers had distinct knuckles, appearing very delicate.

Their makeup was very elegant: willow-leaf eyebrows and eyes like flowing water. Looking further down, their chest was shapely and their figure graceful. Even their manner of speaking was like that of a well-bred young lady.

If not for the unusually prominent Adam's apple on their jade-like neck, which couldn't be concealed, everyone would likely have the wrong gender perception of them.

"Storyteller, can you please shut up? Every time I hear you speak, I get the creeps," a voice growled. "Why did you come back? Wasn't the Central Region fun enough for you? Did you have to come and meddle? Isn't it enough with just me here?"

Beside them, roaring with goosebumps all over, was an old man with a small axe tucked at his waist. This old man looked very ordinary, nothing special to say. Woodcutters on the mountain all looked like him.

"You dead woodcutter, what do you know?" The man in the red dress, holding the ancient book, slightly tilted his head and glared at the old man before speaking in a delicate voice:

"Isn't it because I'm worried about Big Brother's safety?" "If Gou Wuyue hadn't also come to the Eastern Region, would I need to work so hard and suffer like this?"

As he spoke, he moved a little closer to the masked man, gently placing his slender hand on him, and exhaling softly as if scented: "Brother, isn't that right?" "Cough, cough, cough!"

The masked man coughed violently a few times, and a bloody scent immediately diffused into the air. The two beside him instantly panicked.

The old man cursed angrily, "Storyteller, take your dirty hands off him!" The man in the red dress instantly flew into a rage, pointing a finger at the old man and raising his voice.

"Cen Qiaofu, you old geezer, what did you say?!" "Where am I dirty?" "I bathed after killing just now; it's fine if Big Brother didn't join, I don't mind. You old fossil, you didn't wash yourself, and you're calling *me* dirty?"

Even when angry, his eyes were like autumn waters, glistening with tears. No matter how high his pitch, his volume wasn't loud at all; instead, it seemed as if he was being bullied, and he was about to lean onto the masked man.

"Brother, the old woodcutter is bullying me..." The masked man, despite his grave illness, quickened his pace.

The man in the red dress, who trusted his "brother" implicitly, had no defenses whatsoever. He intended to lean his entire weight on the latter, but miscalculated due to lack of preparation, and he crashed directly to the ground.

Cen Qiaofu looked straight ahead, as if he hadn't seen the person at all, and directly stepped onto his chest. "Hmm? What's this, a rock? So uncomfortable?"

"You!" The man in the red dress's face flushed crimson with anger, and he panted, "You old geezer, I'll fight you!"

With that, he opened the ancient book in his hand. With a roar, the void shattered, and the vast, surging spiritual energy of heaven and earth was instantly drained.

In an instant, countless gleaming golden hieroglyphs gathered within the book pages. "Roar!" Accompanied by a roar, the characters merged, transforming into a shadowy dragon head that passed through the book's boundaries and whistled towards Cen Qiaofu.

For a moment, the heavens and earth were obscured, the setting sun faded, and night fell. "A mere worm dares to be so arrogant?"

Cen Qiaofu snorted coldly, not daring to hesitate. He immediately retreated several steps and drew the small axe tucked at his waist. However, just as he raised it, the tens of thousands of feet large dragon head in the void directly exploded, scattering into endless specks of light.

Cen Qiaofu's old face didn't even have time to register surprise. All that was heard was a "pfft" sound, and the man in the red dress, still lying on the ground, spat out a mouthful of blood.

He pointed at the old man in front of him with a disbelieving orchid finger. "You, you actually ambushed me?" Before he finished speaking, the collar of the man in the red dress's clothing over his heart split open, and he suddenly clutched his chest.

"Brother, help!" The masked man, walking ahead, had his face twitching even through his mask.

A flicker of gloom flashed in his eyes, then was replaced by helplessness. "Stop this nonsense," he said weakly.

Cen Qiaofu shivered, his body trembling, and silently put his axe back, then strode away from the two.

"Brother," the man in the red dress said as the masked man turned back, his pretty face twisting in pain. Clasping his chest, he cried, "It hurts so much..." "Get up."

"I can't get up." "Get up!" "I need to be pulled to get up."

He extended his hand. The masked man took a deep breath, stepped forward, and slowly reached out.

Only then did the man in the red dress break into a smile through his tears, carefully avoiding the thumb and gripping the masked man's hand. That intoxicating warmth spread through him, and all his pores relaxed.

"Mm." "Get up!" "I need to be pulled to get up... Ugh!"

The masked man suddenly yanked, and the man in the red dress nearly felt his wrist snap; even his breathing became disjointed. "Brother, you," he gasped, then suddenly smiled sweetly, "You're truly strong."

The masked man was silent. He left without looking back.

"Hey, wait for me!" The man in the red dress picked up the ancient book, rubbed his aching wrist, and huffed, "Hmph, you old geezer!"

Seeing that the one ahead had no intention of stopping, he then tucked his elbows to his chest and jogged unevenly to catch up.

"Brother, it's so far from here to the White Cave. Do you want me to carry you and fly?" "No need." "But it will take a long time to walk!" "No hurry." "I'll get tired!" "That's your business." "Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Less than a second later, seeing the masked man walking step by step, he felt heartache and spoke again. "Brother's injury still hasn't healed? You've fallen to Spirit Refinement Stage Eight."

"It won't heal." "Later, I'll treat you, Brother. It should stop your decline, and at least if you return to the Innate stage, we can fly together!" He chirped excitedly.

"No need." The masked man shook his head. "Walking there, by the time we reach the White Cave, it'll be just about time to pick people up."