Chapter 472: Famous Sword Suppresses Famous Sword, Sword Ranks One Higher

Bang!

A tremendous explosion echoed as the air currents burst outward.

That famous sword, as unyielding as a rock, bent under the sideways impact force, visibly curving...

By one millimeter!

Bi Kong's entire body seemed frozen in mid-air, his face bulging with veins.

The intense pain from his instep wasn't enough to suppress the madness in his heart.

He exerted even more force, trying to yank the sword straight out of its suspended state and fling it away.

If that strike had landed on the blade, Bi Kong's leg would surely have been ruined.

But the hilt...

As long as it could budge, there was hope!

While everyone looked on in despair, a flicker of hope appeared in their eyes.

"Can it work?"

Only Xu Xiaoshou remained completely relaxed at that moment.

"Just like that!"

As long as the sword wasn't directly knocked away, an attack that built up momentum only to fade and weaken couldn't compare to Shou Ye's sustained bursts.

"Two!"

He called out leisurely.

Sure enough, Bi Kong had played his trump card, even exposing his Ling Ti, but still couldn't gain any advantage over the sword.

The scene stalled, and Xu Xiaoshou's countdown sealed it.

"One!"

"Game over, thanks for playing, friend."

"Ah—" Bi Kong was furious.

He changed direction, somersaulted through the air, and kicked out again.

The sword bent slightly once more, and in the rebound's gap, Bi Kong exploded with another whip kick from the other side.

Bang!

This time, the sword bent even more, by a full...

Two millimeters!

"Friend, your time's up. Do I need to step in?"

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened.

This guy was a repeat offender.

Indeed, people like him who didn't play by the rules shouldn't be allowed to keep competing.

Bi Kong was desperate.

He stopped his attacks.

In terms of single-target output, this was already his maximum damage.

Even so, he hadn't triggered any of the sword's unknown restrictions.

This...

What a waste of time!

"You're tricking me."

He turned back, glaring angrily at Xu Xiaoshou.

"I didn't force you to pay, did I?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled in exasperation: "Not only did I not force you, I even gave you extra time to output. I offered the chance, but you couldn't pull the sword, and now you're blaming me?"

"This sword has been claimed by you as its master!"

"Claimed as master?"

"You think it's claimed just because you say so?"

"If it really was, why did you pay? Are you an idiot?"

Xu Xiaoshou pressed on aggressively.

"I..."

Bi Kong was at a loss for words. "I don't believe it. This sword must have been tampered with by you, otherwise..."

"You're really an idiot, aren't you?"

Xu Xiaoshou cut him off, rolling his eyes: "If I hadn't tampered with this sword, would I be confident enough to sell its ownership for just a million?"

"This deal is based on consent. I tampered with it, and now it's up to you all to see if you can crack it."

"Hong Yi's senior was a witness earlier. You joined the event yourself, and now that it's over, you're making a fuss and blaming me?"

Xu Xiaoshou turned to look at the long line behind.

"Is anyone else here with such naive thoughts, thinking I just put a famous sword here for you to pull without any tampering?"

"Get out of here before I have to clear you out!"

"If your martial skills are lacking, that's understandable, but if your brain doesn't work, you're beyond help."

Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand dismissively, fuming.

"Received fear, passive value, 168."

Bi Kong: "..."

He had no words to retort.

Of course—who would think Xu Xiaoshou hadn't tampered with it?

Everyone joined because they believed they could succeed and were willing to pay that rare million for a shot at it!

No one in the line moved; in fact, some even mocked.

"Brother, if you can't do it, step aside. We're waiting."

"Run out of money?"

"No surprise. Another pull would cost ten billion!"

"Ten billion isn't much for a famous sword, but who carries that kind of cash? And it might just end in failure..."

Bi Kong fell silent.

He actually had ten billion with him.

But the sword was too stubborn.

With his current methods, he could only make it budge a tiny bit.

Was the first one to try always the one who suffers the most?

"Step down. Don't embarrass yourself."

Xu Xiaoshou waved his sleeve indifferently: "Next."

Step down?

If he did, that meant losing over a billion for nothing.

Bi Kong felt like he'd swallowed something foul; he struggled: "I'm not convinced. You pull the sword for me to see."

"Me pull it?"

Xu Xiaoshou laughed again: "You want me to prove it's mine? Prove it? Are you sure?"

Bi Kong: "..."

Xu Xiaoshou's "proof argument" hadn't been cracked by anyone yet.

He felt a headache coming on.

Before he could speak, Xu Xiaoshou continued his barrage.

"Even if I pull it out, that just proves it's mine."

"Just because it's mine, I can choose to pull it or not."

"If I don't, then it's not mine, which means I didn't lie, and you can keep trying."

"If I do, it's still mine... So why would I need to prove it?"

"In short, whether I pull it or not doesn't matter to you."

"You asking that..."

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue and shook his head, mocking: "You're clearly someone without half a brain."

Bi Kong was completely baffled.

He thought Xu Xiaoshou's words were nonsense.

But thinking it through...

It sort of made sense?

Since pulling or not pulling the sword didn't prove anything—or at most proved it was Xu Xiaoshou's—then what was he even asking for?

Bi Kong's eyes widened, speechless for a long time.

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Honestly, others in the line had thought about asking Xu Xiaoshou to try pulling it.

But after his speech, no one could refute it on the spot.

Plus, he was nominally the original owner of the sword.

"Damn it."

"Can't argue with him at all..."

"Received curse, passive value, 241."

"Received admiration, passive value, 110."

"Next."

Xu Xiaoshou dismissed Bi Kong outright.

The latter tried to protest again, but Shou Ye's glance made him deflate.

"Alright, a billion down the drain."

He stepped back, growing angrier, and shouted loudly: "Don't let him fool you! This sword is weird. That Xu guy is just scamming for money. Don't fall for it!"

Xu Xiaoshou glanced back at him but didn't kick him out.

He smiled and turned to the person at the front of the line.

"Are you listening to him, or do you want to play?"

The man at the front respectfully handed over a gold card, completed the transaction with Xu Xiaoshou, and flattered: "Bro, I'll give it a try first."

Bi Kong: "..."

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

"Ignorance, pure ignorance!"

He cursed bitterly, feeling heartbroken.

Deep down, he truly admired Xu Xiaoshou's business savvy.

This guy could talk people into it—even with a warning and seeing the whole process—they still got blinded by that million.

Xu Xiaoshou was ruthless.

If he'd set the price at ten million or a billion, some might have backed out.

But a million...

Compared to a famous sword or a chance to change fate, it was nothing!

Once they started, who could guarantee they wouldn't get hooked?

"Impressive. Where did this Xu guy come from?"

"I thought he was an idiot for saying a million back then. Now I see, I'm the real fool!"

Bi Kong teared up as he watched the two complete the transaction and another person eagerly step toward the sword, feeling endless admiration.

The Bi family started with business, after all.

Xu Xiaoshou's move seemed straightforward but was layered—more than three levels deep!

"Received admiration, passive value, 1."

"Timer starts."

"Timer ends."

Xu Xiaoshou emotionlessly ended the second person's game.

This guy was also a Zongshi, but his cultivation was clearly lower than Bi Kong's, and he didn't have anything like a Ling Ti.

The only objective advantage he had was being half a sword practitioner.

But trying to sway a famous sword with peak acquired sword intent?

What a joke!

"Want to continue?"

Xu Xiaoshou smiled mischievously, which was infuriating.

"Continue!"

The person excitedly swiped another card and stepped toward the sword again.

Bi Kong was in despair.

Xu Xiaoshou had succeeded!

This wave of his fishing scheme was a massive win.

Even if everyone here only did two rounds, with over two hundred people, Xu Xiaoshou would net over twenty billion.

And if a few rich kids got excited, that number could double.

"Received admiration, passive value, 1."

"Received reverence, passive value, 1."

"Received envy, passive value, 1."

"Timer ends."

"Timer starts."

Yu Zhiwen stared blankly at Xu Xiaoshou, who welcomed money and sent guests away like a host.

For the first time, she realized that even "hosting" could have different effects depending on the person.

Xu Xiaoshou was terrifying.

He didn't need to lift a finger.

Just say three numbers—a million!

Instantly, a million!

Ten million...

Instantly, ten million!

A billion...

Still, a billion!

After over a dozen people, four had spent over a billion each.

Yu Zhiwen was stunned.

"Is this the difference between using your brain and using force?"

"Received envy, passive value, 1."

Shou Ye stared in a daze at this bizarre scene.

Everyone knew they might end up empty-handed against the sword.

Yet, in front of Xu Xiaoshou, this dreamlike money-giving act was happening for real.

And in a different dimensional space, no less!

Who could say what tiny probability made this possible in such a life-or-death situation with no rules?

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

"This guy seems to be a Ling Array Master too, right?"

"No, I can't let Lan Ling find out, or my spot as successor might be gone."

Shou Ye felt like he'd picked up a gem.

He used to think it was a rough gem that needed polishing for the battlefield.

Only then could it shine in Hong Yi's team without being overshadowed.

But now, he realized he was wrong.

Totally wrong!

Xu Xiaoshou's gem was a black-hearted one!

If he became a teammate, it was a blessing.

If an enemy, just that natural black heart was enough to be everyone's nightmare!

"Incredible."

"Thank goodness..."

Shou Ye thought to himself that he'd caught on early—this guy wouldn't slip away.

"One."

"Timer ends."

Xu Xiaoshou was extremely sensitive to numbers now.

He remembered sending off twenty-eight people.

Eleven had chosen three tries.

No doubt, all were "thanks for playing."

Xu Xiaoshou now understood why his wheel had "thanks for playing."

Turns out, the creator of that option was having this much fun?

He looked up cheerfully.

"Next."

Gu Qing Er handed over a card with a grave expression.

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised.

"It's you."

"Yes."

Gu Qing Er's gaze didn't waver, fixed dead on the famous sword worth billions.

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated.

"For ancient sword cultivators, it's a billion minimum."

He said flatly.

"Huh?"

Gu Qing Er was stunned, focusing on Xu Xiaoshou: "Why?"

"Why?"

Xu Xiaoshou laughed: "You're asking me why?"

Gu Qing Er saw Xu Xiaoshou take a deep breath, about to launch into another tirade, and his head started aching.

"Stop."

"Don't say anything."

"Hmm?" Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

"Little junior brother."

Gu Qing Er turned back; behind him was Gu Qing San.

"What?"

The junior brother instinctively shrank, sensing trouble.

"Money!"

"I don't have any."

"You do!"

"I don't."

"I saw it. You have three billion. After I pull, you can still try once." Gu Qing Er glared.

"I..."

Gu Qing San's eyes welled up with tears: "Senior brother, that's my money—it's a billion!"

"No, it's not your money, and it's not a billion."

Gu Qing Er placed his hands firmly on his junior brother's shoulders, declaring solemnly: "It's senior brother's opportunity!"

Xu Xiaoshou almost burst out laughing.

These two were hilarious.

But remembering their uniqueness, he felt a bit uneasy.

Still, the transaction was already underway; backing out now might incite a riot and get him beaten to death.

For now, he had to trust the sword...

Xu Xiaoshou completed the deal with Gu Qing Er nervously, pocketing a billion but feeling only worry, not joy.

"Think it'll work?"

He turned to Shou Ye.

"It might."

Shou Ye nodded seriously, but before Xu Xiaoshou could react, he added: "But it's a long shot."

"Oh?"

Xu Xiaoshou perked up: "Why? You tried it earlier—what did the sword feel like, senior?"

Shou Ye's face showed discomfort.

As a Dao Cutter, failing like everyone else was embarrassing.

But thinking of the sword's strangeness, he asked: "That tampering—was it really you?"

Xu Xiaoshou didn't answer directly, ambiguously replying: "What do you think?"

"It's odd."

Shou Ye couldn't quite describe it; he just vaguely felt that force didn't seem like something Xu Xiaoshou could produce.

But Xu Xiaoshou was different.

Dan Dao, array Dao, sword Dao, body Dao—which of those seemed like his?

Pushing it, even the sword intent that had wounded him earlier didn't seem like Xu Xiaoshou's.

Yet, with him, the impossible became possible.

So, why couldn't the sword's restriction be his doing?

"I sensed a holy Dao power."

"At least Tai Xu level."

"You kid—could you be from some Tai Xu family, carrying all these trump cards?" Shou Ye eyed him suspiciously.

Tai Xu?

Xu Xiaoshou was shocked.

Anyone could think the sword was his tampering.

But he knew the truth.

He hadn't even touched the sword since it appeared, to avoid any potential massive karma.

But now, it seemed he was right?

A famous sword couldn't just have holy Dao or Tai Xu power out of nowhere...

"Man-made manipulation?"

"Did someone draw the sword out?"

Xu Xiaoshou pondered: "If so, why didn't they take it?"

Maybe they couldn't take it.

Or something like internal transfer but no withdrawal?

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped.

But then he felt it didn't add up.

Could this sword be part of some great one's scheme?

Shocked, Xu Xiaoshou didn't show it, just smiled: "Just Tai Xu power?"

Shou Ye's pupils shrank.

This phrasing...

Did that mean the person behind Xu Xiaoshou was beyond Tai Xu?

Half Saint? Saint Emperor?

Was he kidding?

"It's starting."

Shou Ye didn't respond, turning to Gu Qing Er, who was now before the sword.

Xu Xiaoshou snapped out of his thoughts.

He couldn't let an ancient sword cultivator build momentum in front of another famous sword.

Who knew what might happen?

"Timer starts—three!"

No pause, but he deliberately sped up the rhythm, unlike with others, not disrupting Gu Qing Er's focus.

Gu Qing Er held his breath and closed his eyes, not attacking, with no sword intent rising.

This unexpected approach made Xu Xiaoshou even more anxious.

Even Shou Ye held his breath, watching closely what this youth—who had nearly injured him—would do.

"Two!"

Xu Xiaoshou wanted to speed up, but the countdown felt painfully slow.

Gu Qing Er didn't move.

"One!"

"Timer..."

Just before "ends" could be said, Gu Qing Er's eyes snapped open.

Buzz—

Every sword cultivator's sword in the area unsheathed itself.

Dozens of differently shaped spiritual swords hummed in unison, drawn by the overwhelming sword momentum, their tips pointing at Gu Qing Er.

Ten thousand swords converging!

But that wasn't all—after converging, the swords bowed slightly to Gu Qing Er.

This bow made Gu Qing San's face change drastically.

"Senior brother has reached this level of comprehension?"

"How is that possible?"

"Even for senior brother, it's just a word away. How did he grasp it so fast? Who's the true ultimate sword Dao body?"

"Whimper..."

Shou Ye was equally surprised.

"Eight directions paying homage?"

Xu Xiaoshou felt the "ends" he was about to say suddenly stick in his throat.

He tensed up, realizing Gu Qing Er had used his strange "time" attribute again.

This guy...

Was too strong!

"Ends..."

As he struggled with the word, Gu Qing Er, like a sword Dao throne, commanded the world's sword momentum and stared down the famous sword.

This provoked Yanmang easily.

Buzz!

The sword shook violently, making the invisible heavenly chains around it visible.

Xu Xiaoshou panicked.

He couldn't get the last word out.

Gu Qing Er was overwhelmingly powerful.

Though he'd only seen him fight once, facing him now, even without a clash, Xu Xiaoshou knew his sword Dao cultivation would be utterly crushed.

A complete defeat, possibly instant.

Gu Qing Er looked at the trembling sword, smirked, and slowly drew the "Jue Se Yao Ji" from his back, pressing it lightly on the hilt.

This supremely arrogant pose was clear to all.

Jue Se Yao Ji was a full rank above Yanmang!

Bang!

The void exploded.

Flames and fog burst forth.

Yanmang went from cooled to scorching hot.

The serpent on its hilt seemed to come alive, inch by inch materializing.

A searing light ran from the snake's mouth along the blade, and under the sky, the intense sword intent boiled.

Boom!

The void shattered again; the invisible chains on the sword's body exploded.

Yanmang hummed and instantly knocked Jue Se Yao Ji away, soaring into the sky!

Gu Qing Er casually summoned his sword back.

With a light smile, he turned to Xu Xiaoshou and said casually:

"I win."

"Ends!"

Only now did Xu Xiaoshou finish the word.

He was speechless.

In the end, he lost because of the sword's own rivalry.

Of course!

How could a spiritual sword like this tolerate another of its kind dominating it?

Even Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't allow someone to be above him, unless it was part of a plan.

But now...

"It's over."

"This is bad."

"I shouldn't have let him try. Selling a famous sword for over ten billion is a huge loss."

"I should have..."

Hindsight was useless.

The one involved regretted it deeply!

Gu Qing Er, with the victor's smile, beckoned to the void.

"Sword, come."

Buzz—

The still-frolicking sword halted, shaking.

But a newly born famous sword couldn't resist Gu Qing Er, who had just suppressed one.

Whoosh!

It shot straight to Gu Qing Er and stopped before him.

"Senior brother is mighty!"

Gu Qing San cheered excitedly.

What a steal!

Just a billion, and it bankrupted Xu Xiaoshou.

With this famous sword in senior brother's hands, his combat power would more than double!

He might even stand a chance against senior brother.

"Xu Xiaoshou, the sword is mine now?"

Gu Qing Er smiled back.

"I..."

Xu Xiaoshou finally felt the pain of being speechless.

He looked at the sword in despair, about to nod.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a faint flame light shot from Yanmang's body—most people didn't even notice.

The trembling Yanmang cooled instantly, returning to its petrified state.

After another buzz, it was locked back in place.

Gu Qing Er froze.

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

Everyone was baffled.

"This..."

Only Shou Ye, sensing that sudden power and feeling his back drenched in sweat, shouted in his mind:

"Holy power?"