Chapter 466: Fear's Guidance

Chapter 467: Xu Fly

“Someone is coming.”

As Xu Xiaoshou pondered, at the edge of his “perception” range, he suddenly detected a figure speeding toward them at incredible speed.

He gritted his teeth and chose not to rush forward and seize the famous sword.

Instead, he grabbed Yu Zhiwen’s hand and quickly retreated.

“You’re not taking the sword?”

Yu Zhiwen lowered her head then lifted it again, asking in surprise.

She struggled a bit but found she couldn’t break free, so she said immediately, “Let go.”

“Oh.”

“Not taking it.”

As Xu Xiaoshou retreated at lightning speed, he had already flung out the patterns for a spirit array.

He paused abruptly and glanced at the woman beside him.

“Set up the array, let’s hide first.”

Though his own spirit array skills were mediocre—his theoretical knowledge could surpass most spirit array grandmasters—in practice, the entry-level threshold was the Tianji Art of a grandmaster, and the arrays they set up were undoubtedly far superior to his.

Yu Zhiwen had also spotted the approaching person.

With a wave of her hand, no spirit array patterns appeared visibly, but in an instant, Xu Xiaoshou was amazed to find that he and his surroundings had merged seamlessly with the world.

Unless someone deliberately scrutinized this space, even if people passed right by, they might not notice the two hidden there.

“This technique is so advanced?”

Xu Xiaoshou exclaimed in surprise.

If this Tianji Array were combined with his own “concealment,” it would be perfect for invisibility!

“It’s not that advanced, just a little trick that borrows from the secrets of heaven,” Yu Zhiwen replied. Now that the other had let go, she rubbed her wrist and shifted her beautiful eyes toward the trembling Yanmang in the void.

“This is a famous sword, are you sure you want to let it go?”

She found it hard to believe.

Just a second ago, Xu Xiaoshou had told her the famous sword was his, yet now he was being so generous, leaving such a treasure behind and choosing to hide.

“When did I say I was letting it go?”

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes.

“Ever heard of the fisherman’s strategy?”

“The famous sword has appeared now, with such a strong aura. Even if we hid it in a ring, anyone who arrives could instantly figure out who it belongs to.”

“At a time like this, the one who sticks their neck out first is the one who gets shot first.”

Except for me… Xu Xiaoshou added silently in his mind.

He had the Yuanfu.

As soon as he grabbed the famous sword, he could toss it inside.

As a small world born from the fall of a different-dimensional space, the Yuanfu was on a completely different level from a spatial ring.

A powerful expert might sense faint traces of the sword’s aura through a ring, but through a small world, even someone at the Zhandao or Taixu level probably couldn’t detect anything unusual.

Of course, there were real reasons not to take it.

“Under some influence…”

If someone was deliberately manipulating all this behind the scenes, the first person to take the sword would definitely trigger a special reaction.

Xu Xiaoshou was curious to see what kind of mystery lay hidden in this famous sword, which had already emerged and wanted to fly freely but was trapped by an unknown force.

“The fisherman’s strategy?”

Yu Zhiwen glanced stealthily at Xu Xiaoshou, seeing the extremely serious expression on his face.

This didn’t look like the posture of a fisherman waiting patiently at all.

It was clearly just that he didn’t dare to take it…

She rolled her eyes subtly and turned her gaze back to the famous sword.

If anyone else was this cautious, she could understand, but now she couldn’t figure out why a sword like this would make this fearless guy beside her hesitate to act.

“Is it really that strange?”

A black, corrosive mark streaked across the sky, distorting the surrounding void as if it were about to melt.

Zhong Qu landed in front of the famous sword, which was trapped by the forces of heaven and earth.

“Is this it?”

He stopped, as if asking himself.

No one answered.

But the abyss-like depression in the ground and the single dark-red sword in the void were silently confirming it.

This was the famous sword!

He scanned the area—no one around.

That meant he was the first to arrive.

As expected, in the Bai Ku, aside from the Hong Yi, no one was his match.

Zhong Qu smirked coldly and stepped forward.

“Wait, there’s someone!”

A low voice echoed from within his chest.

Zhong Qu halted, expanding his spiritual sense further.

Though he disliked this presence, its warnings were never wrong.

But after scanning again, he still found nothing.

“How well hidden?”

Zhong Qu’s face darkened.

Was this someone he couldn’t detect at all?

That meant their strength might be on par with his.

“That way.”

A direction appeared in his mind.

Zhong Qu snorted coldly and turned to look.

His line of sight showed nothing, but that didn’t stop him from speaking.

“You don’t need to hide anymore. Isn’t it tiring to skulk around like a mouse?”

“Discovered?”

Yu Zhiwen turned her head in surprise, her big eyes full of shock. “My Tianji Array shouldn’t be…”

No matter how unlikely, it had been seen through.

A hint of embarrassment crossed her face as she realized her hesitation had disrupted Xu Xiaoshou’s fishing plan.

“I’m sorry, I…”

“It’s not your fault.”

Xu Xiaoshou waved it off, interrupting her.

As a spirit array master himself, he knew how formidable Yu Zhiwen’s Tianji Array was.

But even that wasn’t enough against the person in front of them.

“A ghost beast host…”

Xu Xiaoshou felt utterly helpless inside.

This guy was one of the three ordinary men he had seen at the teleportation spirit array entrance in the Eight Palaces.

Each of them carried an aura similar to Mo Mo’s.

Sure enough, as soon as this one approached, Xu Xiaoshou confirmed it completely.

A ghost beast host!

No doubt about it!

He never expected the first one to come for the sword would be a legendary ghost beast host.

Xu Xiaoshou felt his entire plan had been derailed.

If it were anyone else, he’d be confident in reclaiming the sword even if it was taken, or even harvesting some passive points.

But with a ghost beast host…

This guy appeared to be only at the Zongshi Yin Yang Realm, but thinking of Xin Gugu, who could transform into a ghost beast and overpower even a Wangzuo, made him wary.

Xu Xiaoshou would hesitate facing a Wangzuo alone, let alone now, with A Jie and Xin Gugu nowhere nearby. What could he do?

“You stay put, I’ll be right back.”

Xu Xiaoshou pressed down on Yu Zhiwen as she tried to stand and walked out.

He knew if it was a ghost beast, it could detect them both.

But whether this fight would even happen was another story.

“Hello.”

Stepping out of the Tianji Array, Xu Xiaoshou’s figure became visible.

“What should I call you?”

He put on a warm, spring-like smile and greeted amicably.

“Zhong Qu.”

The man replied coldly, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

This guy…

He didn’t look like the fierce hunter Zhong Qu had imagined.

How could he seem so harmless?

“And there’s another one.”

The voice from his chest warned urgently, as if afraid Zhong Qu would be tricked.

Zhong Qu’s face darkened.

People really couldn’t be judged by appearances.

“Come out. I said you don’t need to hide. Sneaking around like rats?”

Rats…

Xu Xiaoshou thought, Isn’t that you?

The newcomer was hostile.

Xu Xiaoshou finally understood that phrase.

There was no deep grudge between them, but he was certain that if given the chance, this guy would kill him without hesitation.

“Maybe this is the norm in this world, and for ghost beast hosts…”

Xu Xiaoshou realized he’d been spoiled by the mildness of Xin Gugu and Jiaotangtang.

Facing a ghost beast host with no goodwill, his first reaction was surprise, not acceptance.

“One of my friends is a bit shy, so no need for them to come out.”

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and continued before the other could speak, “After all, this is business. Seller and buyer are enough. One more or one less doesn’t matter, right, brother?”

Zhong Qu was stunned.

“Business?”

He only wanted to kill Xu Xiaoshou and take the sword. What business?

Talking business in front of a famous sword? Did he think Zhong Qu was a fool, or was he the fool?

Zhong Qu snorted coldly and said nothing.

“Scorned, passive points +1.”

“Of course.”

Xu Xiaoshou smiled cheerfully, ignoring the other’s reaction, and went on, “I was the first to get here, but I know I don’t have the strength to take the sword, so I’m thinking of lending it and selling some treasures to clear out my stock.”

He casually pulled out two Linglong Stones.

“You should know how dangerous the Bai Ku is. One Linglong Stone is just one chance to escape death.”

“But with three, it’s different.”

Xu Xiaoshou’s face lit up with excitement as he held up three fingers and declared, “That’s three chances to escape death!”

Zhong Qu froze, his expression twitching.

He felt the awkwardness thickening in the air.

Even the faint breathing from his chest seemed to stop.

It was as if both were incredulous that someone was here selling goods in front of a famous sword.

“Selling Linglong Stones?”

Zhong Qu finally processed it.

“How will you manage without them? If you’re this weak, you need them more. I don’t believe you’d sell them to me.”

“Trying to trick me?” He sneered, as if he’d seen through the scheme.

“Mocked, passive points +1.”

“You’ve got it wrong, sir.”

Xu Xiaoshou’s chin dropped in an exaggerated expression of innocence. “Zhong brother, that’s going too far. Why would I trick you? I’m seriously selling!”

He pulled out two more Linglong Stones, nearly dropping the four in his hands.

“Enough?”

“Not enough? I have more.”

“One for two million spirit crystals. Since we’ve met by fate, I’ll sell it to you for 1.5 million each. Let’s be friends?”

Zhong Qu’s eyelid twitched.

Now he wasn’t so sure.

Was this guy crazy?

Was he really here to sell in front of a famous sword?

“What’s going on?”

He asked in his mind, but it took a while for a response.

“A fool. Ignore him, take the famous sword first.”

Zhong Qu: “…”

He was shocked.

How had such a blockhead made it into the Bai Ku?

If he didn’t need Linglong Stones, anyone normal seeing four of them would fight for them.

And he wants to sell? What a fool!

“Despised, passive points +1.”

Xu Xiaoshou saw the message and knew Zhong Qu believed him completely.

He perked up and watched as Zhong Qu flew toward the famous sword, then called out temptingly, “Brother, really not considering it?”

“Four of them!”

“Not just four teleports, but enough to summon four Hong Yi!”

“Don’t miss this chance; it won’t come again!”

Zhong Qu’s flying form staggered.

Hong Yi…

A wave of fear rose in his heart.

He almost turned back and slapped the young man dead.

How could he summon that? He was already hiding from them!

And four times? Did he want him dead?

“Forget him, take the sword first. Don’t delay and cause problems!”

The low voice stopped Zhong Qu, and he gritted his teeth, suppressing his hatred, and flew forward, pressing his hand on the famous sword.

Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes locked on, afraid the duck he had in hand might fly away due to his possibly unfounded guess.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths…

Unexpectedly, nothing happened.

“Can’t pull it out?”

Xu Xiaoshou was puzzled.

The famous sword was still trembling on its own.

But he could see Zhong Qu’s veins bulging even on his neck—yet not a single reaction.

“Like Thor’s hammer?”

He shifted his gaze to Zhong Qu with a smirk, but the guy seemed to sense the mockery and turned his head away.

If it were anyone else, they might have backed down.

Not Xu Xiaoshou.

He chuckled mockingly.

“Brother, you’re not up to it, huh?”

“Now you see why I’m selling here?”

“If I could pull this thing out, you probably wouldn’t even see me.”

Zhong Qu felt like his heart was being stung by flies—utterly irritating.

This guy was so noisy!

He snarled fiercely, “Shut up.”

“Mhm.”

Xu Xiaoshou zipped his mouth, then quickly unzipped it: “Really not considering the Linglong Stones? Maybe you could summon a Hong Yi to help pull the sword?”

“Four chances…”

“Shut up!”

Zhong Qu’s face turned green.

Summon a damn Hong Yi? Go to hell!

He suppressed his anger and focused on pulling the sword.

But no matter how hard he tried, it was as if the sword was glued to the space—completely immobile!

“What’s going on?”

He asked in his mind.

“The famous sword… Yanmang?” The low voice was also uncertain. “Not sure…”

“Heh, there’s something you don’t know? Aren’t you the all-powerful god?”

Zhong Qu mocked.

“Who told you I’m an all-powerful god?”

“Heh, you always act like one. Now a mere famous sword has you stumped?”

“It’s a bit strange, don’t move. Let me focus and study it.”

“Hurry up.”

“Don’t rush!”

“Really not buying?”

“Not buying.”

“Four chances, though?”

“Four… Hmm?”

Xu Xiaoshou’s sudden interjection left Zhong Qu momentarily confused, and he replied absentmindedly.

Realizing this, Zhong Qu nearly lost it.

“Shut up, you bastard!”

He roared while gripping the sword, turning his head with a ferocious expression. “Believe I’ll kill you?”

“Brother, why so temperamental?”

Xu Xiaoshou patted his chest, hesitated, then pulled out a bottle of pills from his ring.

“I don’t just have Linglong Stones; I have Calming Pills too.”

“It’s a ninth-grade pill, handmade and non-toxic. Materials plus labor—two million, but as friends, one million spirit crystals?”

His voice trailed off.

Because Zhong Qu’s body was trembling, and black mist was seeping from his head.

“You shut up!!!”

Zhong Qu bared his teeth, black spots appearing on his face as he roared.

Xu Xiaoshou jumped, startled.

Seriously?

He’s transforming already?

You’re too easy to provoke!

As expected of a ghost beast host—mentally unstable…

“Stay calm.”

The voice in his chest sounded impatient. “He’s just said a couple of words, and you’re annoyed? If you transform yourself, don’t blame me for not pulling you back!”

“We haven’t even gotten the sword yet. What’s the rush!”

Zhong Qu took a deep breath to suppress his anger, but he was on edge.

His lips quivered, and his fingers on the sword trembled slightly.

“This guy’s so noisy and annoying. Let me kill him first, then get the sword.”

“Don’t move!”

The low voice denied him. “More people are coming soon. It’ll be quick, just hold your temper.”

“Huff.”

Zhong Qu exhaled deeply and looked away.

But then…

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated, mustered his courage, and walked over.

“Brother, I see your forehead’s darkened. Want to detox? I have ‘Wuhui Dan,’ specially for clearing heat and toxins, ninth-grade.”

Zhong Qu was shocked.

He stared at Xu Xiaoshou approaching from behind. Didn’t he know how irritating he was?

This could get you killed! Do you even realize?

If not for the one holding me back, protecting you…

You’d have met the Meng Po, drunk the soup, and toured the eighteen levels of hell by now! Do you get it?

Zhong Qu’s eyes bulged, veins popping.

A surge of irritation, like being bitten by mosquitoes for three hours straight without catching them, turned into pure destructive desire, ready to burst.

Yet the young man remained oblivious, stepping closer.

“One million spirit crystals for it?”

He coaxed, holding up the pill. “If you buy, I’ll throw in a Calming Pill.”

“You look like the type who easily goes berserk while cultivating. I think this suits you perfectly.”

“Give it a shot—one million, let’s be friends?”

“I…” Zhong Qu’s eyes rolled back repeatedly, his neck twitching, and his hand unconsciously released the sword.

“Resisted, passive points +1, +1, +1, +1…”

“Damn, hold it!”

The voice in his chest hadn’t expected things to escalate so fast.

Sensing the contract with the sword was half-formed but now broken, it raged, “Zhong Qu, hold it! Get the sword first!”

“Screw you!”

“I’ll be your friend, all right!”

Zhong Qu exploded!

Roar—

Black mist surged around him in front of Xu Xiaoshou.

With a roar, a shockwave of black energy swept out.

The void boomed, and the world distorted.

But even this earth-shattering wave only ruffled Xu Xiaoshou’s hair.

He dug at his ear with a look of distaste, then covered his mouth and nose with the back of his hand.

“What bad breath.”

“Resented, passive points +1, +1, +1, +1…”

“Zhong Qu, hold it!”

The ghost beast in his chest panicked. “Have you lost it? Transforming into ghost beast form here—if a Hong Yi shows up, how will you…”

“Ugh.”

Clearly, its power was being drained.

“Roar!!!”

A stronger wave erupted, sending rocks flying and the ground cracking.

The scene, already like an abyssal hell, erupted again in dust and debris.

Xu Xiaoshou merely leaned back slightly.

Though his chest churned with blood, he only showed a hint of distaste on the surface.

Once he realized this guy was easily provoked and mentally unstable, he’d given up on selling.

Not all ghost beasts in this world were organized, disciplined, or reasonable.

Clearly, Xu Xiaoshou had met one that seemed chaotic, disregarding human life.

Xu Xiaoshou wasn’t a saint.

But this guy’s attitude had gotten under his skin.

Zhong Qu was unhappy.

Truth be told, Xu Xiaoshou was even more unhappy!

“It’s gotten worse.”

With a slight shake, Xu Xiaoshou looked at Zhong Qu, whose consciousness was fading, and struck swiftly.

He lightly placed his hand on Zhong Qu’s swollen right arm and pressed down slightly.

Crack!

It broke instantly.

“Ugh!”

Zhong Qu’s eyes bulged, never expecting his half-transformed ghost beast form to lose so easily in physical strength to this human.

But it wasn’t over.

Xu Xiaoshou grabbed his elbow, leaned back, and used the rebound to send Zhong Qu’s massive body flying.

Then, with full force, he flipped forward, swung the large figure in a circle, and slammed it into the ground.

Boom!

A deafening explosion.

The sheer physical clash made Yu Zhiwen, watching from the side, feel her scalp tingle.

It didn’t end there.

As Zhong Qu tried to resist upon landing, an inexplicable internal force exploded inside him, perfectly timed with his ground contact, maximizing the damage before launching him back into the air.

“Damn…”

The ghost beast in his chest was stunned.

They’d met a real tough one!

Of course, anyone lurking near the famous sword couldn’t be an ordinary seller!

But complaints were useless.

Zhong Qu’s uncontrolled body shot straight up, fast enough to leave afterimages.

Xu Xiaoshou flipped back, then delivered a powerful whip kick downward.

“Stop it.”

Boom—

The fierce upward momentum met the kick’s force, neutralizing inside Zhong Qu and exploding outward. Blood and energy sprayed everywhere, staining the surroundings!

Xu Xiaoshou’s control of the two forces was exquisite.

Zhong Qu’s body halted mid-air, frozen for a second, unable to move.

Seizing the moment, Xu Xiaoshou extended his five fingers and thrust them into the other’s head.

Then he lifted his foot.

Golden light points danced around his foot.

—Explosive Stance!

“Goal!”

Xu Xiaoshou focused, unleashing full power.

Boom!

The afterimage under his foot shattered.

By the time Zhong Qu’s body reappeared, it had crashed into a pile of rubble hundreds of meters away, embedding deep into the earth.

Beep.