Chapter 542: Shocking Truth Ghosts, Beasts, and Humans?

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"Received sneak attack, Beidong Value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou jumped in fright and quickly turned around.

Behind him, there was a loud "bang." A Jie blocked it with one arm, repelling Jiao Tangtang's powerful whip kick and sending her body flying high into the air.

"Mama..."

After blocking the attack, A Jie's eyes glowed red as he prepared to leap out and continue fighting.

"Hold on."

Xu Xiaoshou hurriedly held him back and looked up at the hesitant Jiao Tangtang in the sky, saying, "What's there to fight? You didn't attack earlier, but now you show up?"

Jiao Tangtang's eyes flashed with anger. "Xu Xiaoshou, I agreed to play that boring game with you. And what about you? You haven't even fulfilled your own words, and now you're trying to leave?"

"What did I say?"

Xu Xiaoshou stared wide-eyed. "I only said we'd play the game first and talk about the rest later. Think carefully—did I ever promise that after finishing the game, I would definitely sign the Gui Shou contract?"

"No!" He answered his own question.

"You!"

Jiao Tangtang thought back carefully and realized this guy had been vague from the start.

But, they had played that idiotic game...

Is that it?

"So, you're trying to back out and waste my time?" Her gaze turned dangerous.

No matter how strong the people around Xu Xiaoshou were, if she really wanted a fight, she could make this boy regret it.

"Back out?"

Xu Xiaoshou snorted. "There was never anything to back out of, so how could I be backing out?"

"Then you're asking for death!"

Jiao Tangtang shouted angrily, and black mist surged around her again.

"Received threat, Beidong Value, 1."

"Mama..."

"Roar!"

"Whoa."

Before Xu Xiaoshou could move, the three bodyguards around him reacted in unison, causing Jiao Tangtang's figure in midair to freeze.

"Think twice before you act."

Xu Xiaoshou advised earnestly, "Not to mention, a battle at the Wang Zuo level or above could attract Hong Yi in no time. And just based on your identity as a Gui Shou host, can you handle the consequences of exposure?"

"I'll drag you down with me!" Jiao Tangtang's eyes turned red.

"I'm not a Gui Shou, and you won't do that."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head. "Nothing is more important to you than your mission. If you were really determined to die, why bother talking to me so much just now?"

Oh, you Xu Xiaoshou, so you know it was all pointless talk!

"Xu Xiaoshou, you're very clever."

"Received praise, Beidong Value, 1."

In the blink of an eye, Jiao Tangtang suppressed her anger and chuckled. "Indeed, Xin Gugu was right. Your ability to analyze situations far exceeds your combat strength."

"You're correct. I didn't come here for a fight to the death."

As she spoke, she tossed the beast skin scroll in her hand.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly caught it.

"I'm giving you the contract first. Whether you sign it is up to you, but let's make a bet. I bet that even if you don't sign now, you'll do it later."

"I don't want it."

Xu Xiaoshou reacted as if it were a hot potato and threw the contract—and Tan Shen—away without thinking.

"Meow."

In midair, Tan Shen snatched the contract with its mouth and zipped back to land on Xu Xiaoshou's head.

Then, it dropped the beast skin scroll into Xu Xiaoshou's stunned hand and licked his cheek.

"Meow, meow."

"Received licking, Beidong Value, 1."

"Xu Xiaoshou, you can't escape."

A smile appeared on Jiao Tangtang's face.

She could see clearly that Tan Shen had already taken a liking to Xu Xiaoshou.

In this situation, no matter what Xu Xiaoshou did, he couldn't abandon it.

With that bond in place, signing the contract was just a matter of time.

Besides, she had come to find Xu Xiaoshou because his current strength wasn't enough—he needed Tan Shen's help to turn things around.

Now, looking at it...

One A Jie, plus two super-large white skeletons.

This level of power completely surpassed that of an ordinary Wang Zuo.

In fact...

Three Wang Zuo levels!

Or higher!

"Keep the contract for now. You don't need it right away anyway."

Jiao Tangtang said, noticing Xu Xiaoshou about to throw it away again, she quickly added, "If you don't sign it, it's just like an ordinary treasure map in your possession."

"The Hong Yi won't track you through the contract, so relax."

"I still won't take it."

Xu Xiaoshou knew better. Once he had it on him, he might sign it unconsciously or out of desperation someday.

Then, he'd truly become a Gui Shou host.

Jiao Tangtang seemed to read his thoughts. "If you ever find yourself in a desperate situation you can't handle, would you choose to die on the spot or become a Gui Shou host and live?"

"Die."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't hesitate.

What kind of person was she? From their interactions, she had learned to ignore Xu Xiaoshou's nonsense and continued, "Don't think your hidden cards mean you'll never need the contract."

"When you link up with Gui Shou, your life will be a constant battle against the Hong Yi—that's no ordinary force!"

She pointed at A Jie and the two white skeletons. "All of this you have now is nothing to the Hong Yi."

"If you're in real trouble, they might die even before you do. Your only real reliance is your innate cultivation."

"Hah."

Jiao Tangtang scoffed. "Innate... Before you grow strong, if they catch you, even if you're just suspected of being a Gui Shou, you're as good as dead."

"So, without Tan Shen's help, there's no way you'd escape."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent for a long moment before saying, "Are you trying to talk me into it?"

She was momentarily speechless.

This was so annoying!

Was Xu Xiaoshou toxic?

The atmosphere grew quiet.

Surrounded by the three bodyguards, Xu Xiaoshou was actually listening.

He couldn't deny that Jiao Tangtang made a lot of sense.

But he still didn't want to hold onto that hot potato.

If he became a Gui Shou host, he feared he'd be forced onto someone else's ship and completely controlled.

"Xu Xiaoshou, don't hesitate."

"Gui Shou isn't as bad as you think."

Jiao Tangtang saw a hint of temptation in him and pressed on, "Creatures like Gui Shou, born from other dimensions, can be seen as spirit beasts or spirit pets."

"Signing a contract with them has only benefits, no downsides, as long as you're not dealing with those..."

"Those what?" Xu Xiaoshou asked casually.

Jiao Tangtang stopped herself and shook her head. "I told you, I can't reveal more information unless you sign the Gui Shou contract."

"If you won't reveal it, I won't sign."

Xu Xiaoshou's stubbornness kicked in.

"Suit yourself."

Jiao Tangtang didn't care anymore. "These rules aren't something I can bend. It's the arrangement from above, and I can't..."

"Then I'll just kill it." Xu Xiaoshou grabbed Tan Shen by the neck.

"Meow!"

Tan Shen bristled instantly.

"Received fear, Beidong Value, 1."

Jiao Tangtang was furious. "Xu Xiaoshou, do you really think I won't kill you?"

"Um."

"Xu. Xiao. Shou!"

"Received calling, Beidong Value, 1."

"Here."

Xu Xiaoshou tightened his grip, and Tan Shen's meow turned into a miserable cry.

"Meow—hiss—"

"Meow—hiss—"

"Fine!"

Jiao Tangtang took a deep breath. "I'll give you a bit of information."

"Go ahead."

Xu Xiaoshou listened attentively.

Jiao Tangtang said, "True Gui Shou, like Tan Shen on your hand, is a power that every major force craves."

"This power isn't evil—it's all about how it's used."

"It's like a weapon; it's innocent in itself, but the user..."

"I get the point. Keep going, no digressions." Xu Xiaoshou interrupted.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

Xu Xiaoshou, you better not fall into my hands!

Jiao Tangtang composed herself and continued, "This power isn't just used by us at Xu Yue Hui Gong—others use it too."

"Who?" Xu Xiaoshou already had an idea.

"Sheng Shen Dian Tang!"

"You're not lying? Is that the truth?"

"Yes!"

The information bar showed no fluctuation.

Xu Xiaoshou closed his eyes heavily.

No deception.

That meant it was all real.

He believed Jiao Tangtang wouldn't mistakenly say "Hong Yi" as "Sheng Shen Dian Tang."

Even if it were a slip, the information bar would detect it.

So, this implied that Lu Ke, as a Hong Yi and Gui Shou host, wasn't an isolated case.

There might be many such situations in Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

That's why Yu Zhiwen only worried about the Gui Shou aura on Lu Ke without being shocked.

"So, Sheng Shen Dian Tang waves the banner of justice, claiming to eradicate Gui Shou,"

"While secretly using Gui Shou power and keeping it hidden."

"What are they really after?"

"Is this just the work of some rats in the mainland's top force?"

Xu Xiaoshou pondered, starting to doubt his earlier judgment.

He felt the truth might not be as simple as "some rats."

But without becoming a Gui Shou host, there seemed to be an insurmountable gap, and no one would truly share this information with him.

"Fine."

Thinking this through, Xu Xiaoshou nodded and stored Tan Shen and the beast skin scroll in his Yuan Fu.

He chose to accept it.

Though he wanted to uncover the world's truth his own way, if that failed, he might have to resort to necessary measures.

"That's a wise choice."

Jiao Tangtang smiled brightly as she descended from the air, keeping a distance from A Jie. "Once you've figured it out and signed the Gui Shou contract, come find me in Nan Yu."

"Then, I'll answer any questions you have."

"And whatever you need, Xu Yue Hui Gong can fulfill it!"

"Um."

Xu Xiaoshou responded absentmindedly, then suddenly realized something was off.

"What do you mean?"

"Any need can be fulfilled?"

He couldn't believe it and scanned the woman in front of him with a frivolous look, his eyes full of inquiry.

"That's right."

Jiao Tangtang nodded with a smile, without any embarrassment. "Any condition, including turning you into a man."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

That exaggerated?

Instead of arguing verbally, he was shocked by the woman's words.

I'm just Xu Xiaoshou—what have I done to deserve this...

His thoughts shifted quickly, and Xu Xiaoshou soon recalled how Jiao Tangtang and Xin Gugu referred to the little fat cat... Tan Shen, the adult!

Adult!

"Is it because of it, Tan Shen?" he asked, turning his head.

"Hmph, not for it—could it be for you?" Jiao Tangtang rolled her eyes.

"Tan Shen has a high status?" Xu Xiaoshou didn't believe it.

Just a little fat cat—how could it have more clout than me, Xu Xiaoshou?

Jiao Tangtang lightly covered her red lips and chuckled. "Xu Xiaoshou, you just need to know that if Tan Shen dies in your hands, even Sheng Shen Dian Tang couldn't protect you."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

Without another word, he pulled the little fat cat out of his Yuan Fu and threw it over.

"Sorry, I can't handle this—I'd rather avoid the trouble!"

"Meow."

Tan Shen looked utterly wronged.

It didn't understand why this human kept rejecting it— it hadn't done anything wrong or been greedy at all...

"Xu Xiaoshou!"

Watching the little white cat fly back on its own, Jiao Tangtang's eye twitched in irritation. "You better treat it with respect. This is a bond you can't shake off."

"I'll kill..."

Xu Xiaoshou wanted to say, "I'll kill it, and the bond will be broken," but when he grabbed the fat cat's neck fur again, he suddenly couldn't go through with it.

Damn it!

So, you have such a big background?

Even Sheng Shen Dian Tang couldn't save me?

I don't believe it, Xu Xiaoshou!

"You can kill it if you want."

Jiao Tangtang didn't care anymore. She had seen through him—Xu Xiaoshou didn't respond to soft approaches, and even hard ones only worked if they were extreme.

But now...

"I don't want it anymore, okay? I really can't handle this. I'm just a mere innate cultivator..." Xu Xiaoshou said with a mournful face.

Yeah!

Jiao Tangtang fell silent too.

You're just a mere innate, but I've never met an innate as bizarre as you!

This little boy, those two white skeletons, and your own strength that completely surpasses innate...

Possibly even beyond Zong Shi level!

Tan Shen came all the way from Nan Yu, putting in so much effort, and in the end, it only chose you for a reason.

"Xu Xiaoshou, let's drop this. That's how it is."

Jiao Tangtang sighed, not wanting to discuss it further.

She glanced at the sky, knowing she had delayed too much time, and asked, "I have one last thing to ask you."

"You can't not tell me, right? If you do..."

"Xu Xiaoshou, be serious. Your situation is dangerous, and this concerns your life and safety!" Jiao Tangtang had mastered how to talk to him.

"Received fright, Beidong Value, 1."

Xu Xiaoshou snapped to attention. "Are you threatening me again?"

Jiao Tangtang ignored him and continued, "I should have told you that Xin Gugu and I came here for a mission more important than getting the 'You Si Jian'."

"Uh-huh." Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare mess around anymore and looked more serious, saying gravely, "Can you tell me about your mission?"

If it weren't related to you, do you think I'd want to find you?

She roared in her mind, but didn't say it out loud.

Otherwise, who knew where Xu Xiaoshou would take the conversation!

Jiao Tangtang got straight to the point: "Feng Yu Jin, Senior Feng—do you know him?"

"No."

Xu Xiaoshou felt a wave of relief.

"Okay, let me put it another way. Have you seen a Gui Shou with sealing attributes?"

Thump!

Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat.

The gray mist figure?

How is this connected to you?

"No." He shook his head vigorously.

"You do know."

Jiao Tangtang gave him a cold look. "I entered Bai Ku and followed the sealing aura leaked by Senior Feng all the way to 'Ling Rong Ze'."

"The explosion there was obviously your doing!"

"The sealing aura's last trace disappeared near 'Ling Rong Ze'."

"And there, I also picked up your aura..." She pointed to the ice-blue white skeleton behind Xu Xiaoshou. "Or rather, your auras."

Freezing power?

Xu Xiaoshou realized instantly.

So, Jiao Tangtang had been tracking him since entering Bai Ku and finally intercepted him here?

"Fine, I admit I had a brief encounter with that sealing Gui Shou, but what's that got to do with you?" Xu Xiaoshou decided not to hide it.

"Senior Feng really contacted you?" Jiao Tangtang's eyes lit up with joy.

"Don't get too excited."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, about to recount the scene, but suddenly stopped.

"You first tell me about Senior Feng, the sealing Gui Shou, and your mission."

Jiao Tangtang's joy faded.

Xu Xiaoshou: "If you don't tell me, I won't tell you."

Jiao Tangtang felt as awful as if she'd swallowed a fly.

Wasn't this exactly what she had said to him earlier?

"I'll tell you."

She said helplessly, "I came from Nan Yu on a mission from above to find Senior Feng—that is, the sealing Gui Shou you mentioned."

"Hold on."

Xu Xiaoshou was puzzled. "How are you so sure that the sealing Gui Shou I mentioned is the same as your mission target?"

"The sealing attribute is extremely rare. Even if I got it wrong, any sealing Gui Shou born in Bai Ku is something I have to bring back." Jiao Tangtang replied.

"Okay, go on." Xu Xiaoshou nodded noncommittally.

"That's it."

Jiao Tangtang spread her hands. "That's my entire mission. What else is there? Now it's your turn."

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

Just that?

You're done so quickly?

I haven't gotten any intel, and you say that's it?

Forget it!

"Then let me ask a question..."

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment, not dwelling on it, and asked, "Is Senior Feng a person?"

Jiao Tangtang narrowed her eyes.

"Sorry, that involves internal information. I can only tell you after you sign the Gui Shou contract."

"Okay." Xu Xiaoshou raised a finger. "In that case, let's play a game..."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Jiao Tangtang was instantly impatient and snapped, "He's a person, okay? I don't have time to play those stupid games with a kid like you who hasn't even grown up. Spill it now!"

He's a person...

Normally, Xu Xiaoshou would argue about whether he had grown up or not.

But now, he just stared at the information bar in silence.

"Received urging, Beidong Value, 1."

No "Received deception"...

Xu Xiaoshou was going crazy!

That meant everything in Jiao Tangtang's seemingly annoyed response was true.

So, that Feng Yu Jin was indeed a person!

But he was also a Gui Shou!

Then, weren't there two types of Gui Shou?

Could a person be a Gui Shou?

Connecting the dots, Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill down his spine, and in that instant, his scalp tingled.

This couldn't be!

How was that possible?

There was another possible explanation.

The gray mist figure and Jiao Tangtang's "Feng Yu Jin" weren't the same at all.

That could perfectly resolve his misunderstanding—and that secret Jiao Tangtang refused to reveal.

But...

Was that plausible?

Xu Xiaoshou felt defeated.

The sealing attribute was extremely rare. This self-deceptive idea was probably just because he couldn't accept it, so he forced out an answer.

The chances of it being true were less than one in ten thousand.

"Gui Shou can also be people..."

Xu Xiaoshou closed his eyes in pain.

He suddenly felt the world was so ridiculous and absurd.

On one side, Hong Yi frantically hunted down human-like Gui Shou.

On the other, they were using that power.

And keeping it secret...

No, it wasn't "keeping it secret"!

The information from Sheng Shen Dian Tang was simply not the truth!

To the world, Gui Shou had long become synonyms for evil, cruelty, and demons.

And not just the world—even within Hong Yi, Shou Ye thought the same.

One could imagine how vast the scope of this brainwashing was.

Under such prejudice, how could the real conflict be resolved? And how could he, caught in this vortex, stay out of it?

"No, this is still just a speculation."

Xu Xiaoshou calmed down. No matter how terrifying the speculation, it was just that until proven— it couldn't be fact.

Moreover, based on this tip of the iceberg, there might be another side he hadn't touched yet.

What was the truth?

"You might be disappointed..."

Sighing, Xu Xiaoshou had no mood to play games and said straightforwardly, "The last time I contacted that sealing Gui Shou, there wasn't just me there."

"Hmm?" Jiao Tangtang was anxious and didn't notice Xu Xiaoshou's earlier mood shift.

"Who else?" she asked.

"Hong Yi Shou Ye, and..."

Xu Xiaoshou felt the situation was getting serious and said with difficulty, "'Sheng Nu' Number Seven, the Storyteller!"

With a "boom," Jiao Tangtang's mind went blank, as if struck by lightning.

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated, stepped back, and tried to comfort her. "Take it easy..."

"Shut up!"

Jiao Tangtang clutched her forehead and yelled, her thoughts in chaos.

"The Storyteller?"

"How could he be there? That's impossible!"

"That's reality." Xu Xiaoshou stepped back again, pulling A Jie in front of him. "There's an old saying, not sure if I should say it..."

"Shut up!"

"Like, ideals are plentiful, but reality..."

"Xu Xiaoshou, shut up!"

"Received scolding, Beidong Value, 1."

"Oh."

The atmosphere suddenly turned dead silent.

After keeping her mouth shut for a while, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't hold back. "You said earlier that Gui Shou power is desired by almost every major force."

"So, with such a rare sealing attribute, 'Sheng Nu'..."

With a "buzz," the purple chains on Jiao Tangtang shattered, black mist enveloped her, and she roared like a lion, shaking the void.

"Xu Xiaoshou, can you just shut your damn mouth? Do you believe..."

"There's good news, not sure if I should say it." Xu Xiaoshou finished that sentence and immediately sealed his own lips.

"Say it!"

Jiao Tangtang regained her calm and swept a cold glance, making the air temperature drop sharply—it felt more terrifying than the "Three Days Frozen Calamity."

"Say it!" Her mouth twitched.

"Xu. Xiao. Shou!" Jiao Tangtang was really losing it.

"Received calling, Beidong Value, 1."

"Wasn't it you who told me to shut up?" Xu Xiaoshou laughed, finally getting his revenge.

You bitch, for not sharing secrets with me.

I'll piss you off!

"Received sneak attack, Beidong Value, 1."

The information bar flashed.

Xu Xiaoshou was shocked and instantly used "One Step to Heaven" to soar high into the sky.

Below, there was a "boom."

Clearly, A Jie and Jiao Tangtang had clashed again.

"Received sneak attack, Beidong Value, 1."

This time, Xu Xiaoshou almost didn't react in time.

"Don't fight, I'll talk!"

He blurted out rapidly, like a machine gun: "When I escaped earlier, the Storyteller was sealed in ice, so the sealing Gui Shou might not have fallen into 'Sheng Nu's hands."

"And, just one Hong Yi—I don't think he could take down the gray mist figure."

"Don't believe me? If you don't, you can rush over and ask the Hong Yi—he's called Shou Ye... Ouch!"

"Damn! I said don't fight!"