Chapter 463: Xu Xiaoshou, Enemy of Humanity

"Shh shh."

After the Bai Gu Ju Ren's skull was blown open, a stream of red-white viscous energy splashed out from inside its head.

"Brain matter?"

Xu Xiaoshou was momentarily dazed.

This thing was made entirely of bones, without any muscles—how could it have brain matter?

Soon, he realized something was off.

The energy contained within this splattered viscous liquid was extraordinarily abundant.

Xu Xiaoshou even felt that it surpassed something like Yuan Ting Dan.

If he could condense it into a core...

"Energy core?"

The words Yu Zhiwen had said earlier suddenly flashed through his mind.

"That's it—this must be the source of the Bai Gu Ju Ren's power, similar to a Ling Shi's Qi Hai."

With a wave of his hand, Xu Xiaoshou summoned his Ling Xian, and a simple absorption Ling Zhen appeared in an instant.

"Whoa!"

The air swirled, gathering all the red-white viscous liquid into his palm.

It was scorching hot, sticky, and emitted a charred, pungent smell.

"Chen Zhao aura..."

Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brow.

He actually sensed an aura from the same lineage in this liquid—faint, but undeniably present.

"Sang Lao said the Chen Zhao great fire seed appeared here, and now this stuff has a Chen Zhao aura too."

"Could it be that all those Chen Zhao fire seeds originated from here?"

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly had an epiphany.

If it's an "energy core"...

Then the core is the "Chen Zhao fire seed"?

That energy fire seed that had tormented him to the brink of death—was it obtained from the Bai Ku?

Or from the head of a more advanced Bai Gu Ju Ren than this one?

Realizing this, Xu Xiaoshou's expression darkened.

He had truly believed that the "Chen Zhao great fire seed" was a unique existence, producible only in some other-dimensional space.

But it turned out that the cultivation resources for the Chen Zhao lineage seemed to come directly from the Bai Ku.

Yet...

"Isn't the Bai Ku only opened a few years ago?"

"If the 'Chen Zhao fire seed' essential for Chen Zhao cultivation comes from here..."

"Then how did Sang Lao get started?"

Xu Xiaoshou knew that the probability of identical other-dimensional spaces in this world was almost zero.

But now, he felt his understanding of the world was slightly off.

"Something's wrong."

"Definitely something's wrong!"

He had already found Sang Lao's mission objectives quite strange.

Now, he was even more certain.

By sending him into the Bai Ku, Sang Lao must have some hidden agenda!

"Roar!"

A roar interrupted his thoughts.

Xu Xiaoshou leaped aside, easily dodging another giant axe attack from behind.

These Bai Gu Ju Ren might be nearly unbeatable in close combat for others.

But for him, whether in terms of attack, reaction, speed, or defense...

They were all child's play.

"Bam!"

He spun around with a sweeping kick, channeling tremendous force through his leg, smashing it directly into the Bai Gu Ju Ren's head in an intimate collision.

In an instant, another skull exploded.

Yu Zhiwen, watching from outside, was completely stunned.

If the earlier punch had been too fast for her to fully comprehend, this sweeping kick made her realize clearly.

Xu Xiaoshou could truly crush these creatures with his physical strength alone.

"Shh shh."

A subtle Ling Zhen aura emerged, and Yu Zhiwen frowned as she watched Xu Xiaoshou's back.

She could sense that he was secretly using some kind of Ling Zhen power.

Soon, the familiar scene unfolded.

The energy liquid that had splattered everywhere mysteriously gathered in front of him, even though his back was turned.

Though she couldn't see it directly, it didn't stop her curiosity.

"Open."

With a slight lift of her eyes, under her Xing Tong, the world seemed to transform into a web of array patterns.

Even Xu Xiaoshou appeared as a figure outlined by dense, interwoven lines.

"It's really a Ling Zhen?"

Yu Zhiwen spotted the small Ling Zhen in his hand at a glance.

It was a very simple "Hui Ling Zhen."

But even the simplest Ling Zhen was at least tenth grade.

The one Xu Xiaoshou used seemed of a higher grade; otherwise, it couldn't absorb such intense energy liquid.

Yet, he could cast a near-ninth-grade Ling Zhen instantly?

"Suspicion detected, passive value +1."

Yu Zhiwen was amazed.

Just who was this Xu Xiaoshou?

Even in the inner circles of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, geniuses like this were rare.

A Zong Shi body with Jian Zong intent was one thing, but he could also instantly cast a ninth-grade Ling Zhen?

"Could he be some runaway heir from a hidden family, like the Tai Xu family or a Ban Sheng family?"

Yu Zhiwen pondered.

"Xu..."

"I've never heard of that surname."

"Or is even the surname fake?"

"Suspicion detected, passive value +1."

After the kick, a rush of exhilarating release surged through Xu Xiaoshou's body, and he flashed to the right arm of the headless Bai Gu Ju Ren.

He had confirmed that the Chen Zhao energy liquid was indeed the energy source inside these Bai Gu Ju Ren.

Since one punch could take one down, and there were nearly fifty here, they probably all had it.

"Jackpot!"

At first glance, fifty portions of energy liquid seemed like a lot.

In reality, it was a huge haul!

Not everyone had the power to fight fifty at once. For fire-attribute Ling Shi, this energy was a priceless cultivation treasure, and getting even one portion might be extremely difficult for most.

Xu Xiaoshou was the exception.

He didn't dare use the "Breathing Method" yet. First, he tried swallowing one portion, and a scorching sensation immediately washed over his body.

Violent, destructive, rampaging...

All the expected effects occurred, but for a Zong Shi body, it was a piece of cake.

"I can handle it!"

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes lit up.

Realizing this stuff wasn't as harmful as the "Chen Zhao fire seed," he used the "Inhalation Method" to draw out the energy liquid and swallowed it back in one go.

"Hiss!"

His Qi Hai's Ling Yuan surged wildly, bringing in a massive wave of energy.

"So full, ahh."

Xu Xiaoshou groaned in satisfaction.

Perched on the Bai Gu Ju Ren's right arm, he nearly lost his balance from the pleasure.

After dodging a series of attacks, the delightful vibrations from his cells almost made him ascend on the spot.

"It's worth at least three or five Yuan Ting Dan..."

"For fire-attribute Ling Shi, it's an absolute treasure!"

Xu Xiaoshou quickly judged.

Yuan Ting Dan was already a seventh-grade pill. If he could get a pool, a lake, or even a sea of this Chen Zhao energy liquid...

"Tsk tsk."

Xu Xiaoshou's scalp tingled with excitement.

The Bai Ku was so vast, and as the most basic creatures here, there had to be many Bai Gu Ju Ren.

Greed flashed in his eyes.

The surrounding Bai Gu Ju Ren, under his frenzied assault, began to show signs of fear.

Unexpectedly, this tiny human was displaying the same predatory look they had when eyeing humans, and they roared in fury.

"Roar!"

"Roar!!"

They threw back their heads and bellowed.

But Xu Xiaoshou, having tested his combat prowess, had no interest in playing around anymore.

He flicked his fingers, infusing them with Jian Nian.

Xu Xiaoshou slightly narrowed his eyes, merging with the Dao in that moment.

Jian Yi soared, and gravel churned.

The ground within a hundred zhang cracked instantly.

"This is..."

Yu Zhiwen's pupils contracted.

This terrifying Jian Yi was the first time she had seen it from Xu Xiaoshou.

So, the display at the Ba Gong entrance was just the tip of the iceberg?

She held her breath, even from outside the fight, feeling as if the world had slowed down.

"No!"

"It's Xu Xiaoshou who's faster!"

Her Xing Tong was still active, so Yu Zhiwen could clearly see his exquisitely precise two fingers.

With a simple lean and sweep, the Bai Gu Ju Ren that were roaring with heads thrown back hadn't even lowered them when a sonic boom echoed across hundreds of zhang.

"Boom!"

As the roar subsided, under her Xing Tong, she saw a ring of white Jian Qi ripple out like threads, slicing in a circle and reaching the impact point...

The speed of this...

Yu Zhiwen felt a chill down her spine.

Without Xing Tong, she might not even have reacted to the Bai Gu Ju Ren's movements.

And Xu Xiaoshou's attack speed far exceeded their roars?

"Thud thud thud—"

There was no follow-up.

After the two-finger sweep, the Bai Gu Ju Ren were all dismembered.

Heads and bodies hit the ground one after another, the immense weight shaking the earth.

"Incredible."

Yu Zhiwen clenched her fists.

Just based on the physical combat and Jian Yi Xu Xiaoshou showed in this battle, he could probably sweep aside all the geniuses she'd seen in the East Domain.

Each aspect alone could finish off opponents.

Yet, he mastered multiple disciplines!

Could such skills really come from a place like Tian Sang Jun?

Yu Zhiwen's heart raced.

She suddenly had an idea.

Her master must know about her sneaking out, given her vast abilities and knowledge of everything under heaven.

Even if she was tacitly allowed to go, she'd face punishment upon return.

But if she brought back someone so young and talented to Sheng Shen Dian Tang...

"Good idea."

This was the first time Yu Zhiwen had the thought of recruiting talent.

It wasn't that the young prodigies she'd met before were weak.

Xu Xiaoshou was just too outstanding.

Apart from that chatty mouth, he was nearly perfect.

Such a person would surely have a place even at Sheng Shen Dian Tang headquarters.

Tian Sang Jun was too small!

It couldn't contain this hidden dragon.

One day, he'd venture out—so why not into Sheng Shen Dian Tang, on her side?

"But..."

Yu Zhiwen hesitated the next second, biting her lip tightly. "How do I bring it up?"

"Incredible!"

Xu Xiaoshou stared at the scattered Bai Gu Ju Ren corpses in shock.

His Tenth-Stage Sword Finger, after cultivating Zong Shi Jian Yi and the Jian Nian from "Guan Jian Dian," had power that could probably even rend domains.

"Not bad for the Eighth Sword Immortal's original technique—this level of power is unstoppable!"

Xu Xiaoshou knew that as his Jian Yi and Jian Nian improved, this spiritual skill had no upper limit.

This was true formless technique triumphing over form!

Those spiritual skills bound by grades would eventually become outdated.

His Tenth-Stage Sword Finger, however, could accompany him for life.

"So strong..."

After regaining his composure, Xu Xiaoshou shot out his fingers, sending sharp Ling Xian toward the fallen heads.

However.

"Clang clang..."

Even in death, the Bai Gu Ju Ren skulls weren't so easily destroyed by ordinary Ling Xian.

Xu Xiaoshou paused, not changing his approach, and shot out more Ling Xian.

This time, each one was enhanced with the threads of Jian Nian he had cultivated.

"Ssh ssh..."

Like cutting through tofu, the Ling Xian pierced the skulls effortlessly.

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned again.

"So easy?"

The hardness of these bones was extraordinary, yet they couldn't withstand his Jian Nian at all.

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated.

The stronger he became, the more he realized that the people and things around him were far from simple.

"Jian Nian..."

This kind of illogical, terrifying attack method couldn't be cultivated casually, even by the most genius ancient sword cultivators.

They might not even know how to start.

But "Guan Jian Dian" was like a perfect guide, from basics to mastery.

That uncle had just casually placed it in front of him back then?

It almost seemed like he had no choice but to learn it?

"So annoying."

Just like he couldn't figure out Sang Lao's intentions.

Xu Xiaoshou sometimes really didn't understand what these big shots were thinking.

But he just vented a bit and let it go.

The old man was right—until he qualified as a chess master, being a good pawn was his best effort.

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle."

With nearly fifty portions of Chen Zhao energy liquid in hand, Xu Xiaoshou was overjoyed again.

He specially allocated a small space in his ring to store this near-barrel amount, finally satisfied as he withdrew his gaze.

Whoosh!

Yu Zhiwen finally flew over, her face showing a mix of amazement and the quiet joy of a teammate looting after a total wipe.

Xu Xiaoshou naturally wouldn't share the Chen Zhao energy liquid.

Though they were on the same team, and this girl hadn't lifted a finger, she definitely wouldn't get the good stuff.

But he wasn't stingy, pointing to the massive corpses below and saying:

"Those energy liquids are all mine, but since we're teammates, these bodies are for you—they're pretty useful too."

Yu Zhiwen's joy froze.

She hadn't expected anything, but now that he mentioned it, she felt a bit frustrated.

He'd already taken all the good stuff—what value was left in the corpses?

Xu Xiaoshou seemed to read her thoughts.

He landed on the forearm of the earlier heavy hammer giant, squatted down, and tapped its wrist joint.

"Thud thud!"

"Tap tap!"

One sound was crisp, the other solid.

Clearly, the heavy hammer, though connected to the Bai Gu Ju Ren, had a density many times greater than its bones.

Xu Xiaoshou, who hadn't been hit once, found it hard to gauge, but from the moment he blocked that hammer and axe, he was sure.

If this landed on anyone who wasn't body-forged...

The effect would be devastating!

"This is a good thing."

Xu Xiaoshou flicked his finger, cutting at the separation between the arm and hammer handle, detaching the Bai Gu Ju Ren from its weapon.

"Boom!"

He slammed a heavy punch down, and the ground exploded.

Yet, the hammer, even at the handle, showed no cracks.

"This?"

Yu Zhiwen was about to comment, but she knew Xu Xiaoshou's physical strength.

One punch from him could shatter a spiritual artifact.

And this bone hammer withstood it?

Watching Xu Xiaoshou pick up the bone hammer and swing it freely in the void, the whistling wind made her hair flutter and clothes rustle, hinting at its fearsome attack power.

"It's definitely a good thing."

Yu Zhiwen's excitement lasted less than a second before fading.

This hammer was probably only something Xu Xiaoshou could wield so effortlessly.

"Envy detected, passive value +1."

"Want to try?"

In the void, Xu Xiaoshou grinned and tossed the hammer toward her.

"Huh?"

Yu Zhiwen saw the massive object hurtling toward her head and her pupils dilated.

"I..."

This sudden attack left her no time to dodge, even if she wanted to.

The hammer face was aimed right at her, like a collapsing pillar, shrouding the ground in darkness.

"Can she handle it?"

Xu Xiaoshou was a bit worried but held back from intervening.

He didn't believe Yu Zhiwen was so vulnerable as to be smashed to death by a hammer.

Sure enough.

Under his "Perception," she lifted her eyes, and her Xing Tong seemed to come alive, shimmering with flowing light and radiant stars.

A hidden star river in her pupils burst with endless energy in an instant, and Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt the void pause slightly.

"An illusion?"

"Restraint detected, passive value +1."

The info bar confirmed it wasn't an illusion.

The entire space-time had truly been halted!

This girl's eye power could affect space-time?

Xu Xiaoshou was deeply shocked.

The most advanced innate attribute he'd seen was Ye Xiao Tian's space attribute.

But Yu Zhiwen's casual reveal—without any other abilities—just opening her eyes froze space-time?

The hammer hit the ground, kicking up dust everywhere and cracking the earth.

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

Still in shock, Yu Zhiwen's angry shout came from below.

Xu Xiaoshou's eyes twinkled with amusement, and he burst out laughing.

Even though she'd dodged to the side, the dust had splattered all over her.

If she hadn't protected herself with Ling Yuan in time, even her clothes would be covered in dirt.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean it."

"Heh."

Xu Xiaoshou quickly landed, shifting his gaze to the bone hammer to change the subject: "Since you can't handle this thing... can I take it?"

"Hmph!"

As if ignoring her annoyed expression, Xu Xiaoshou took her "h mph" as agreement.

"Then that's awkward—I've already taken so much energy liquid, and now taking all the weapons too would be shameless!"

"We're teammates—you should take some."

Xu Xiaoshou lifted the bone hammer again, pretending to throw it.

Yu Zhiwen jumped in fright and hastily dodged, her Ling Yuan surging as if facing a great enemy.

"Ahem, just kidding, I wouldn't really throw it."

Yu Zhiwen: ...

Xu Xiaoshou, enemy of humanity!

"Really don't want it?"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit bad.

He genuinely wanted to share the fun.

"No need!"

Yu Zhiwen grumbled.

"Take one as a souvenir—consider it a gift from me."

"I don't want it!"

"You could sell it..."

"I have money!"

Good grief!

Xu Xiaoshou was amused by this sulky girl.

What was unyielding stubbornness?

This was it!

Even free treasure wasn't wanted—clearly, she had issues!

He chuckled and waved it off. "Fine, if you don't want it."

With that, he tossed the thing into his Yuan Fu and scampered off to another Bai Gu Ju Ren to continue harvesting.

Yu Zhiwen trembled with anger.

Why did accepting something from Xu Xiaoshou make her feel so stifled?

Not accepting it was just as frustrating?

"Yearning detected, passive value +1."

"Come help out?"

Xu Xiaoshou called from the side: "If you don't want any, at least lend a hand—help me cut some wrists? There are over forty here."

Yu Zhiwen suppressed her irritation and slowly relaxed.

Ignore him, ignore him...

Don't even respond.

"Come on!"

"Just standing there staring isn't great—get some exercise, right?"

Another heavy thud echoed as Xu Xiaoshou worked feverishly.

Yu Zhiwen had no desire to move.

If it were anyone else, she'd help even if she didn't want anything.

But Xu Xiaoshou...

Heh!

"You're missing out on the fun—came all the way to Bai Ku and just watching the whole time?"

"Not fighting, not looting, just using your eyes?"

"You know, that can lead to eye strain."

Eye strain?

Yu Zhiwen's eye twitched wildly.

She prided herself on her good temper, but this nearly made her turn and retort.

Yet, just as she held back, the next comment came.

"I'm telling you, abilities like yours shouldn't be used recklessly."

"I know a friend named Yu—his eyes have hooks, and they're powerful too."

"But overusing them causes bleeding, and in the end, blindness. Take it easy."

Yu Zhiwen couldn't hold back anymore.

Shaking with anger, she whipped around to say something, only to see Xu Xiaoshou staring at her in shock.

"What are you looking at?" She paused.

"Not at you."

Xu Xiaoshou pointed shakily behind her: "Behind you! Something's behind you..."

"Hah, trying to trick me again?"

Yu Zhiwen strode forward, but her foot caught, and she felt the ground shake violently.

This...

She tensed, steadying herself, and looked at Xu Xiaoshou's face—it didn't seem fake.

She spun around sharply.

Amid the towering dust storm that rose dozens of zhang, like an incoming sandstorm, what led the charge if not Bai Gu Ju Ren?

"The numbers..."

Yu Zhiwen was stunned.

Was it because of Xu Xiaoshou?

Hundreds, maybe thousands this time?

But when she truly saw what followed, the white emerging from the dust nearly covered the entire horizon.

Yu Zhiwen was terrified.

Hundreds or thousands? This was a beast tide!