Chapter 538: Red Clothes? Ghost Beast

"Xu Xiaoshou?"

Rao Yinyin, standing behind Xu Xiaoshou, was completely stunned.

She had previously suspected that Xu Xiaoshou had some hidden connection with Sang Lao, which was why she had boldly asked him for the Wang Zuo Dan.

But to call it a master-disciple relationship...

Rao Yinyin didn't believe it!

Given the vice dean's eccentric personality, anyone who became his disciple would likely be tormented to death, with no chance of growing stronger.

Yet, when the distinctive Bai Yan from Sang Lao ignited on Lu Ke, Rao Yinyin was utterly convinced.

It wasn't possible otherwise.

Xu Xiaoshou was indeed Sang Lao's disciple!

If it had only been the "Jin Zhao Tian Yan" from before, one could argue that Xu Xiaoshou was just one of the vice dean's experimental subjects.

But the power of Bai Yan was something only those who had stayed in the inner academy for a long time had witnessed.

With a single glance, it could incinerate half of the tallest peak in Tian Sang Ling Gong, Yun Chu Feng, turning it into Yun Chu Tai—a capability not just anyone could master.

"Received fear, passive value, 1."

Earlier, she had some ulterior motives in her mind.

But now, Rao Yinyin truly didn't dare to act recklessly.

The terrifying nature of Jin Zhao Tian Yan was already enough to threaten all Ling Lian Shi.

As for Bai Yan, even if you achieved enlightenment and became a Zong Shi, it could still directly burn away the Tian Dao.

It had no fixed target.

But to put it bluntly, everyone present—whether Jian Xiu, Ti Xiu, or Ling Xiu—was targeted by Xu Xiaoshou.

That was the sheer terror of Bai Yan!

"Retract!"

Xu Xiaoshou stood in the void, seeing that the entire scene was suppressed, and without further hesitation, he waved his hand to transfer the "Dao Wen Chu Shi" along with the Tian Ji Zhen into his Yuan Fu.

Delaying would only invite complications, especially since more people were arriving continuously.

"Puff... puff..."

"Puff... puff..."

The eerie sound of flames echoed in the silent scene.

The people underground were completely helpless.

Even as they watched Xu Xiaoshou pocket the coveted "Dao Wen Chu Shi," they could do nothing.

At that moment, their only remaining hope shifted from seeking the treasure to praying that Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't turn his anger on them.

After all, no one in the entire gathering could withstand that fury.

Not even Lu Ke!

"Hiss! Ah!"

"What the hell is this thing?!"

Lu Ke screamed.

His cry carried three parts panic, three parts pain, and nine hundred ninety-four parts despair.

He had no way to dispel the damage from Xu Xiaoshou's single glance of Bai Yan!

Derived from "Jin Zhao Tian Yan," the Bai Yan had made a qualitative leap in burning speed.

In the past, it would take half a day to completely burn away the Ling Yuan of an innate expert.

But now, Lu Ke couldn't even hold out for twenty breaths before his Qi Hai was nearly depleted.

He knew that using Ling Yuan to stall was just a temporary fix, not a real solution.

Once his Qi Hai was truly empty, the Bai Yan would shift from burning Ling Yuan to his actual physical body.

And judging by the temperature...

In just a few breaths, Lu Ke would be reduced to ashes!

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

Lu Ke looked up in terror, his eyes full of plea.

But the young man was stubborn to a fault, clinging to his pride even in agony.

Even though he could barely hold on, he only mumbled with his lips, unable to utter any words of begging.

"Little guy, I told you not to mess with me."

"You just wouldn't listen."

"Why bother?"

Xu Xiaoshou sighed helplessly: "Killing isn't my intention, and besides, you're from Hong Yi. I have some connection with Shou Ye Qianbei, so I really don't want to see you die miserably."

"Then quickly put out this flame on me!" Lu Ke was frantic.

His Qi Hai was completely empty now.

Without the Ling Yuan shield, under such high heat, he wasn't a Zong Shi body, not even an innate physical form—how could he resist?

"Seal!"

Xu Xiaoshou clenched his virtual palm, controlling the Bai Yan just right.

It didn't invade Lu Ke's body, but the lingering heat continued to slowly roast him.

A foul smell of scorched flesh spread.

Lu Ke was dumbfounded.

This half-extinguished, half-burning torment...

"What the hell are you trying to do?!" He was losing it.

This was worse than death, pure agony.

Lu Ke never imagined that one day he would become a piece of meat on someone else's barbecue spit.

It would be better to just die honorably!

"I won't kill you."

Xu Xiaoshou said slowly: "Just like what you said when you arrived, I want to make a deal with you. After all, I'm a businessman."

"Received curse, passive value, 1."

Lu Ke was sweating profusely—cold sweat and hot sweat mixing—only to have it evaporate instantly.

"What deal?"

"A very simple one."

Lu Ke: "..."

He clenched his fists tightly, but found his hands empty.

Glancing down, in just this short time, even with Xu Xiaoshou controlling the temperature, the flesh on his hands had shriveled completely.

In some places, even the charred bones were exposed.

"Demon..."

Everyone underground trembled in unison.

This guy, whether called Tan Ji or Xu Xiaoshou, was nothing short of a demon.

A true great demon crawled from the abyss!

He was roasting someone into a dried corpse and still casually chatting nonsense...

This was intentional, right?

Absolutely intentional!

He was getting revenge!

"Received fear, passive value, 162."

Lu Ke felt his mind starting to blur.

He no longer had the energy to complain about Xu Xiaoshou's methods.

"What simple deal... you, you say it quickly..."

"Very simple."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and pointed at the long sword on his back.

That was probably the only divine object on Lu Ke untouched by the Bai Yan.

Even in this extreme heat, that "Qing Lin Ji" remained completely still, not even a hint of charring.

"You want my sword?"

Lu Ke's mind cleared suddenly, as if doused with ice water.

Then, he erupted in fury: "Impossible! Even if you burn me alive or roast me to death, I, Lu Ke, won't hand over my Qing Lin Ji!"

"Then go ahead and die."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't hesitate at all, clenching his palm.

"Puff."

"Urgh, ah!"

Lu Ke's face twisted into a mask of pain, his wail echoing loudly, evoking pity.

"Xu Xiaoshou, this isn't right, is it?"

Mu Zixi quietly approached in mid-air and poked Xu Xiaoshou's waist with her little hand.

"He's a disciple of the Seven Sword Immortals. If you burn him to death in front of everyone, the fallout will be unstoppable."

In her Yuan Fu, Yu Zhiwen had heard the legends about the Ten Zun Seats and the Seven Sword Immortals.

Naturally, she knew that Lu Ke's background was extraordinary.

"Received dissuasion, passive value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced back at Lu Ke.

He knew that even though Mu Zixi had spoken softly, with Lu Ke's strength, eavesdropping with Ling Nian wouldn't be hard.

But even in this situation, Lu Ke was just enduring bitterly, not uttering a word like "That's right, my master is Wu Yue Sword Immortal, you can't kill me."

This made Xu Xiaoshou look at him with new respect.

He had to admit, this young man was incredibly stubborn.

Of course, that also made him hard to handle.

Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brow and turned back.

In that case, let's put on a show!

His junior sister had arrived just in time—one playing the bad cop, the other the good cop—to force the guy to submit.

A famous sword was right in front of him.

Such a great opportunity, obtained through a deal.

Even if a bit of coercion was involved, it was still a transaction.

Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't let this chance slip away.

He looked at Mu Zixi, raised an eyebrow, rolled his eyes suggestively, and said seriously:

"You're right, but now I'm on Hong Yi's blacklist too. If I don't kill him, I'll lose face. If I do, I get a famous sword—what's there to lose?

"Besides, a cornered dog will jump over the wall!

"Even if this guy has a huge background, I've killed plenty of people with great origins as Tan Ji. If they want revenge, let them line up and wait their turn!"

The crowd below shuddered instantly.

Lu Ke, enveloped in Bai Yan, trembled, his face filling with despair.

"Received fear, passive value, 121."

Mu Zixi was clearly startled.

She didn't understand what Xu Xiaoshou's earlier winks and gestures meant, nor how this senior brother, who was usually a bit cowardly, had suddenly become so ruthless.

But...

"Then you can't kill him openly, right?"

"Oh?" Xu Xiaoshou followed her lead and asked, "So, what do you suggest?"

"Um..."

Mu Zixi hesitated, seemingly thinking of a plan.

After a moment, she pointed to the crowd below and whispered: "It's too late for a secret kill now, since so many people saw you burn him.

"If Lu Ke dies, everyone will know it was you—Tan Ji—who did it."

"So..."

She paused, her eyes turning fierce: "I suggest we silence them all, so no information leaks out!"

The crowd below: ???

Where did this little girl come from? Are you here to stir up trouble?

Just watching for excitement, huh?

Those who had been holding onto a sliver of hope now panicked completely.

"Girl, that's not right!"

"We have no grudges against you—why be so heartless?"

"This matter, we didn't see anything... hey, wait, why is it getting dark?"

"Hmm? What's happening to you... oh oh, yes, yes, why is it getting dark! Damn it, I can't hear anything—why can't I hear a thing?!"

The whole scene froze for a second.

Then, chaos erupted.

"Damn, it's real! Did someone cast a spell? I haven't been able to see anything since just now—my Ling Nian is blocked too, what the hell..."

"Help! Someone save me—I can't hear any sounds!"

"The hell are you yelling for? My ears are about to burst—no, wait, I can't hear either, so get lost and yell somewhere else."

"I'm blind, I'm blind—where are my eyeballs? I can't even feel them anymore!"

"Received fright, passive value, 1."

"Received plea for help, passive value, 86."

"Received fear, passive value, 155."

The situation was completely out of control.

Wails and shouts rose one after another, even startling Xu Xiaoshou.

What the...

Are these people a bunch of drama queens?

But Mu Zixi, what are you up to?

Xu Xiaoshou looked at his junior sister in disbelief.

I asked you to play the good cop, so how did you turn into such a fierce demon?

You're the real black-hearted big villain—I, Xu Xiaoshou, never even thought of wiping out everyone...

"Xu, Xiao, Shou!"

"Received call, passive value, 1."

A voice, distorted by scorching, rang out behind him.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat, and he whipped around.

He saw Lu Ke, still burning in the Bai Yan, with strands of black mist seeping from his body.

The eerie, chilling black mist emerged, making the air temperature seem to drop.

"Xu Xiaoshou, did you really think I was completely helpless?!"

Lu Ke's face was utterly twisted.

Pain, resistance, discontent...

A mix of emotions swirled, as if the demon inside him was about to break free and unleash its evil power.

"What the heck is this?"

Xu Xiaoshou's pupils shrank.

He actually sensed on Lu Ke the same kind of extreme yin power he had felt from ghost beast hosts before.

But how was that possible?

His mind raced in confusion.

Xu Xiaoshou thought he might be seeing things.

But when he focused his "Perception" entirely on Lu Ke, he realized it was the truth!

"Impossible!"

He exclaimed inwardly. Lu Ke was from Hong Yi!

He was a disciple of one of the Seven Sword Immortals, Wu Yue Sword Immortal!

With backgrounds from both Hong Yi and Bai Yi, the two supreme organizations on the continent, how could he be mixed up with ghost beasts?

And looking at the increasingly sinister black mist, it was clear he wasn't just brushing against it.

He had to be a ghost beast host!

"But something's off..."

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts tangled. For someone like Lu Ke with such a major background to become a ghost beast host—this couldn't be a coincidence!

This was a massive secret!

Xu Xiaoshou understood that digging into this could lead to consequences he couldn't handle.

Not just possibly—definitely!

"Ah!"

A heart-wrenching roar interrupted Xu Xiaoshou's swirling thoughts, snapping him back.

He saw that after the black mist rose from Lu Ke, it was as if an invisible maw had opened on his back.

The terrifying Bai Yan was swallowed whole in one gulp, vanishing completely.

"Buzz!"

After that, Lu Ke suddenly looked up.

His pair of blood-red eyes pierced through the void like swords, stabbing straight into Xu Xiaoshou's mind.

"Ghost beast!"

Now, Xu Xiaoshou was absolutely certain.

Just from those signature red eyes, Lu Ke was confirmed as a ghost beast host!

"Brother, calm down."

Xu Xiaoshou pulled Mu Zixi back a step.

Mu Zixi was startled. "Xu Xiaoshou, you..."

"Don't speak, something's wrong."

Xu Xiaoshou cut off his junior sister's question; he had no time to explain.

Based on the previous situation, if Lu Ke released the ghost beast inside him, Xu Xiaoshou's current strength wouldn't stand a chance.

The last narrow escape was only because Shou Ye had cleaned up the mess.

Ghost beasts weren't something ordinary people could handle.

They started at Wang Zuo level and went up from there—who could deal with that?

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

Lu Ke muttered unconsciously, his bony fists clenched tightly, but his eyes were shut, as if fighting something internally.

"Calm down."

"Calm down!"

Xu Xiaoshou retreated again. Without overthinking, he switched hands and grabbed Yu Zhiwen's wrist.

"Teleportation array—do you know it? Get ready, use it for self-defense if needed!"

"Received curse, passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

Yu Zhiwen didn't respond.

As Xu Xiaoshou was about to ask more, his "Perception" caught her expression.

Worry.

Pure worry.

But in Yu Zhiwen's eyes, besides that worry, there was nothing else unusual.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank.

This doesn't make sense!

As someone from Sheng Shen Dian Hall—perhaps a Sheng Nu or something similar—she couldn't be like those ignorant folks from remote corners who had never heard of ghost beasts.

And earlier, when the "Yan Python" appeared, she had seen one!

In this situation, facing a Hong Yi member with ghost beast energy, her first reaction shouldn't just be worry—wasn't it?

Xu Xiaoshou shivered involuntarily and let go of Yu Zhiwen's hand.

This girl definitely knew something!

In fact, not just knew—it seemed like...

Xu Xiaoshou pulled Mu Zixi back a few more steps.

At that moment, he fully felt the malice of this world toward ordinary people like him.

Perhaps, among the higher powers, information like this was common knowledge?

But why was everything so different from the ghost beast rumors circulating in the world?

Hong Yi's actions, Sheng Shen Dian Hall's existence, the ghost beasts' plight...

Was all of this as simple as he thought?

Unbidden, Sang Lao's face flashed in Xu Xiaoshou's mind.

In the pitch-black background, that old man with the straw hat and withered form suddenly seemed towering and unfathomable.

"Before you have absolute power, just be a good pawn."

He spoke again, the words the same as before.

But to Xu Xiaoshou, the meaning had completely changed.

"Pawns, those controlling the board?"

Xu Xiaoshou realized that to find a breakthrough, Sang Lao was probably the most informed person on his side.

After all, almost everything that old man had said in the past verified the true nature of this world that Xu Xiaoshou was discovering!

"So... what's going on?"

Turning his head, Xu Xiaoshou asked Yu Zhiwen.

Yu Zhiwen hesitated before saying, "What you're seeing."

"What I'm seeing, and what I know..."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, unable to continue.

Yu Zhiwen fell silent.

"You know something."

Xu Xiaoshou gripped Mu Zixi's hand tightly.

If possible, he hoped to get an explanation from Yu Zhiwen rather than seeking verification from Sang Lao afterward.

And deep down, there was a small hope.

Did this shared life-and-death experience mean Yu Zhiwen would share what he wanted to know?

Beside him, Mu Zixi winced in pain but, sensing the atmosphere, swallowed her cry.

Her gaze darted between the two, and she pouted.

"Received curse, passive value, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

She shook her head.

After waiting a moment, Yu Zhiwen still said nothing.

Xu Xiaoshou understood.

He closed his eyes deeply.

"Let's go!"

Without further hesitation, seeing that Lu Ke seemed about to lose control, Xu Xiaoshou scooped up Mu Zixi and turned to flee.

At that moment, the only person he could hold onto was this clueless junior sister.

As for Yu Zhiwen...

Forget it.

Some beautiful memories were destined to end with just two words: regret.

"If you don't want to die, get the hell out of here!"

He shouted far into the distance, retracting all his aura and lifting the restraints on everyone.

The only thing he left was a shadow falling from the sky.

He had promised someone, and even if he couldn't fulfill it in the end, he had to try.

"Thud."

The shadow landed in her palm, and Yu Zhiwen caught it, her eyes dimming.

It was the Hei Luo Jian Qiao!

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

She murmured, watching the young man's retreating figure, her eyes full of complexity.

Once, she had indeed wanted this sword sheath with its four swords, which was why she chose to team up with him.

But now...

She had the sword sheath, yet why couldn't she feel any joy?

"Ah!"

A cry of pain interrupted everyone's thoughts.

The underground crowd, now free, along with the Ling Gong team, sensed the wrong atmosphere and began scattering in all directions.

"Run!"

"Run fast—the big demon is gone, the crisis is over."

"But what's with Lu Ke? I feel like..."

"Who cares what you feel? He looks like he's going berserk. That famous sword—can you handle it?"

"Hmm, you're right."

When a great calamity strikes, everyone flies apart.

In this space, only Yu Zhiwen and Lu Ke remained.

"Xiao Ke..."

"Did you see that?"

In the distance, two figures sped away as Fu Hang whispered.

Fu Yin Hong was baffled. "What happened? Why did Xu Xiaoshou suddenly give up the famous sword? He..."

"Ghost beast!"

Two words cut her off.

She froze, her brows furrowing. "Are you saying Lu Ke?"

"Yes."

"Impossible!" Fu Yin Hong exclaimed. "He's from Hong Yi!"

"Yes..."

Fu Hang sighed softly, recalling that night in the study when his father had warned him repeatedly.

If not for knowing a bit of the inside story, why would his father not even hint about Xu Xiaoshou possibly being a ghost beast to Shou Ye Shu from Hong Yi?

"You don't need to think about anything. Just remember one thing."

Fu Hang snapped back and said gravely, "Stay far away from anything related to ghost beasts from now on. Don't touch it at all!"