Chapter 549: Storm and Hibernation

"Is this the 'You Si Jian'?"

Xu Xiaoshou gazed at the fierce sword hovering and trembling in the void. His "Perception" clearly saw the chains of heavenly mechanisms suspending it in mid-air. Just one glance made him feel the violent energy inside him stirring, so he quickly averted his eyes. In contrast, Mu Zixi at his side stared straight at it without any issues.

"Tsk, tsk."

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue and shifted his gaze downward. Below the You Si Jian, a group of red-clothed figures clustered together. The leader looked very familiar—it was Yu Zhiwen. "Indeed, this girl... has ultimately ended up in the place where she belongs." Xu Xiaoshou felt a pang of emotion in his heart. There was nothing more to say. Since they belonged to different factions, it was only natural they couldn't walk the same path. Behind Yu Zhiwen, he spotted a crowd of familiar red-clothed experts. These were the masters who had appeared when the teleportation array in the Eight Palaces was activated. Based on the information from Yu Zhiwen, the red-clothed woman controlling the spirit array was called Lan Ling. The bald one must be Xin. But this red-clothed figure fully armored... why was he so unfamiliar? Xu Xiaoshou's eyes fell on the third red-clothed person, whose aura was terrifyingly strong, and he hesitated slightly. It wasn't just him.

Among those present, there were ordinary red-clothed individuals, roughly no fewer than ten or twenty. And those with even more fearsome auras, like Xin and Lan Ling, were not few in number either. "Good heavens, if we're talking about Wang Zuo level and above, there are at least twenty here." "As for the hidden Zhan Dao experts, who knows how many there are..." Xu Xiaoshou was stunned by what he saw. Was this the true foundation of the Sheng Shen Dian Tang? Indeed, coming from a small place like the Ling Palace, his horizons had been too limited. In daily life, Wang Zuo experts were rare encounters, hard to come by in fights. But now, they were all laid out here, not even worthy of being named by him. And this was merely the force that the Sheng Shen Dian Tang had sent to this insignificant Bai Ku. There were countless secret realms like this on the Sheng Shen Continent. So, if this so-called top force on the continent were to combine all its strength...

"Wang Zuo everywhere, Zhan Dao as common as dogs?" Xu Xiaoshou shivered and didn't dare think further. After all, he was merely at the innate stage, just an upper spiritual level! And now, he had to snatch food from the tiger's mouth, trying to take the You Si Jian from all these Wang Zuo experts? "Wait for the right moment, wait for the right moment..." Xu Xiaoshou adjusted his strategy. "Snatching it outright is impossible; just cause as much chaos as I can." "As long as the You Si Jian doesn't end up in the hands of the Sheng Shen Dian Tang, everything will be fine." "After all, plenty of others are eyeing this thing, not just this group." Xu Xiaoshou scanned the area. His "Perception" revealed everything clearly. Across the entire Li Jian Grassland, like him, countless others were lying low, waiting for their chance.

With just a quick sweep, he spotted many familiar faces. Luo Qinglang, Rao Yinyin, Bu Le the little monk, Xin Gugu... Clearly, each of these individuals harbored ill intentions. Of course, the You Si Jian's reputation was too notorious. If anyone claimed they weren't tempted, that would be a lie. With so many people lurking and watching, even the red-clothed experts were temporarily overwhelmed. They were already struggling to keep the You Si Jian chained in the void; how could they have time to deal with these ants? Yet, this very chaos gave all the onlookers here a slim chance. Everyone was gambling. After all, something like the You Si Jian didn't necessarily go to the one with the most people or the strongest power. What if... What if the red-clothed experts couldn't hold the You Si Jian, and it flew out on its own to choose a master? And what if he was that chosen one, that "what if"? Xu Xiaoshou knew full well that, faced with so many red-clothed experts, even if he hit that "what if," he probably couldn't take the You Si Jian away. But, what if? What if the You Si Jian could carry him away as it flew? This was likely the sliver of hope in every bystander's heart.

"Hmm?"

Keeping an eye on everything, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly noticed a somewhat familiar yet strange figure. It was a woman in a black skirt with her shoulders exposed, her eye makeup dark and ominous, but her bright red lips stood out strikingly. Beside her was a man with sharp sword intent radiating from his body, his handsome face covered in demonic patterns. Xu Xiaoshou didn't recognize the man much, but this woman in black... "Lan Xinzai?" He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Wasn't Lan Xinzai the woman who used to be with Zhang Xin Xiong, one of the top figures among the Inner Court's Thirty-Three? He remembered that after defeating Zhang Xin Xiong, he had scared her half to death. But now, looking at her... "She's gone dark?" Xu Xiaoshou's mouth twitched slightly, and he recalled Sang Lao's warning. Indeed, if you don't uproot the grass, it will grow back with the spring wind... right?

Lan Xinzai wasn't particularly threatening. Though she had broken through to become a Zongshi, her aura suggested she was only slightly stronger than an average one. For Xu Xiaoshou, a Zongshi of that caliber could be wiped out with one hand. But the man next to her... "He's very strong!" Xu Xiaoshou actually sensed sword intent from him that was no less than that of the Three Swordsmen! Moreover, glancing at the demonic patterns on the man's face, he vaguely recognized traces of sword intent unique to the "Ji Luo Diao Pian"! "This guy must have gotten some iron scraps that fell from the You Si Jian." "And then, he successfully comprehended it?" Xu Xiaoshou was both shocked and doubtful. The strength of the "Ji Luo Diao Pian" was such that he didn't even dare to study it. Because just one look would make him unable to suppress the violence within, turning him into a "rampaging giant."

But that man... "Anyone who finds the 'Ji Luo Diao Pian' and successfully comprehends its sword intent has a high chance of making the You Si Jian acknowledge them as master?" Xu Xiaoshou recalled Yu Zhiwen's words. He was suddenly alarmed. Indeed, everyone who dared to eye the You Si Jian had come prepared!

"Buzz."

The spirit sword in his hand trembled, and He Yuxing alertly turned his head. But scanning around, all he saw were experts lurking well; nothing seemed amiss. "What's wrong?" Lan Xinzai asked quietly. "It seems like there's some movement. I feel like someone's watching us." He Yuxing didn't dare let his guard down. Snatching from the tiger's mouth right in front of the red-clothed experts, even with his sword cultivation surging due to the "Ji Luo Diao Pian," still made him uneasy. "Being watched? That's totally normal." Lan Xinzai saw his tension and gently took his hand. "With so many people here, we're all observing others, and they're observing us." "After all, we're all competitors." "Relax a bit." "Mm." He Yuxing nodded, furrowing his brow, but still couldn't fully relax. Lan Xinzai lowered his head and whispered, "Focus your attention."

"The red-clothed experts might not secure the You Si Jian. Even if they have the 'Ji Luo Diao Pian,' hardly anyone could comprehend the Eighth Sword Immortal's sword intent like you have." "Even if someone did, their comprehension probably wouldn't be as deep as yours." "You have to know, a fierce sword like the You Si Jian won't easily acknowledge a master, but once it does, it's hard to change its loyalty." "At this moment, right after its emergence, you just need to unleash your sword intent after it rampages a bit. Once the You Si Jian senses that intimate bond similar to the Eighth Sword Immortal, your chances of success will be the greatest." "As long as you get the You Si Jian, all the Wang Zuo experts here will be irrelevant." "One sword to cleave through the void, and we'll escape— no one can catch us." "In the worst case, by sacrificing some cost and borrowing the You Si Jian's power, we could even cut down everyone here!" Lan Xinzai comforted him.

"Mm." He Yuxing nodded silently, pausing for a long while before speaking, "But all of this is just speculation..." "Who isn't speculating?" Lan Xinzai chuckled lightly, interrupting him. "From ancient times, the only one who's truly made the You Si Jian acknowledge them is the Eighth Sword Immortal." "In this crowd, including the red-clothed experts, who has full confidence in claiming the You Si Jian?" "It's all speculation, all guesswork!" "Now, what everyone's competing on is just nerve and patience." She gripped He Yuxing's hand tightly, leaning in closer with a tender voice: "Don't be the first to stick your neck out. Wait until the You Si Jian is fully free, and only make your move at the critical moment— that way, you won't be doing the work for others." "Mm." He Yuxing nodded.

"We have to get the You Si Jian!" Lan Xinzai said solemnly. "Don't worry." "For us..." Lan Xinzai's voice suddenly dropped. He Yuxing froze, turning to look at the beautiful face beside him and her fervent eyes. He gripped Lan Xinzai's hand in return, his gaze firm. "Mm." "For us!"

"Lan Ling, they're almost at their limit!" In the red-clothed group, Xin watched as the red-clothed experts' faces grew strained and couldn't help but speak up: "Right now, everyone's using all their strength to bind the You Si Jian and completely suppress the demonic energy, but they can't hold out much longer!" "Once the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array' breaks, the demonic energy will rampage, and we're all done for." "Those pests..." He glanced at the ants crouching on the outskirts of Li Jian Grassland. "Don't bother with them." Lan Ling waved her hand. "I want to ignore them, but if those guys are blinded by greed, when the demonic energy explodes, they'll all die!" Xin said anxiously.

"Die?" Lan Ling smiled faintly: "Xin, don't underestimate the people who dare to come here. Each of them probably has some preparations." "We can't just dismiss them because they're weak. When the demonic energy bursts, they might even serve as our first layer of defense." "A defense?" Xin was taken aback. "Remember the plan I told you about?" Lan Ling glanced at Yu Zhiwen beside her and transmitted her voice: "Allowing these people into Bai Ku serves a purpose." Xin was dumbfounded. Only now did he fully confirm that Lan Ling was serious. She really intended to use these people as cannon fodder? "But..." "It's their own choice—who can they blame?" Before Xin could finish, Lan Ling cut him off: "Everyone has to take responsibility for their choices, even if the price is death." "All I'm doing is making their deaths a little more useful to the situation." "It's not for me, not for the red-clothed experts, but for the entire Bai Ku world." Xin took a deep breath.

"I get the reasoning..." "But you can't accept the methods, right?" Lan Ling turned back with a smile. Xin nodded woodenly. "Maybe that's why Xiao Ke is closer to you." Lan Ling smiled in resignation, patting his arm. "Go help at the rear; I'll handle things here." "You don't need my protection..." "The 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array' is already unlocked." Lan Ling pointed to the array below. "It will protect me." "Alright." Xin hesitated before turning and flying away silently. Xiao Ke, closeness... He thought back to the argument between him and Lu Ke at the red-clothed base in the Eight Palaces. Indeed, he was gradually accepting such methods. But passing this mindset to the next generation had predictably sparked strong resistance. Was it that children rebel because they don't understand, and adults accept because they've matured? Xin was confused. Everyone has their own consciousness. And everyone changes over time. But was this change for the better or worse?

"Can you still hold on?" As Xin left, Lan Ling composed herself and looked at Yu Zhiwen. The woman's hair was soaked with sweat. It was clear that, with her current strength, unraveling the final step of the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array" had exhausted all her energy. There was no way she could maintain the chains binding the You Si Jian. "I can't hold much longer." Yu Zhiwen struggled to speak: "I need to rest for a bit; then you can take over." "No need." Lan Ling's gaze fixed on the You Si Jian in the void, now completely suppressed and seemingly quiet. "When you can't hold it anymore, just let go." "Hah?" Yu Zhiwen turned back in shock.

As her hand trembled, there was a sudden "boom" in the void. The You Si Jian shook violently, and the demonic energy swelled, cracking the surrounding space. Everyone present jumped in fright, unsure of what had happened. "I said, when you can't hold it, that's about the right time to let go." Lan Ling said. "Let go?" Yu Zhiwen panicked. "But..." "We're just waiting—for all the stowaways, ghost beasts, and hidden 'Sheng Nu' to arrive." "Now..." Lan Ling gazed into the void. She couldn't see them coming, but her intuition told her they were here. No need to look; she could feel it becoming reality!

"Let go." "No..." "Tap." Lan Ling flicked her finger. Time seemed to freeze. A speck of light rose slowly, piercing into the heavenly mechanism array that Yu Zhiwen's trembling hands were still maintaining amid the ominous demonic energy. "Buzz!" The soft sound echoed across the fields. As a grandmaster of spirit arrays, Lan Ling still couldn't decipher Yu Zhiwen's heavenly mechanism array. But a spirit array was a spirit array—even if the heavenly mechanism array was more noble and inscrutable, breaking it was simply a matter of disrupting one path. The moment the light bead disrupted the array's paths, the chains formed by the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Seal Array" could no longer restrain the You Si Jian.

"Boom!" The cracks in the void shattered instantly. The surging demonic energy, like a rebound from extreme suppression, exploded in an instant, sweeping in all directions. "Charge, charge—!" Weeds flew wildly, and the ground was upheaved. The sword energy mixed with demonic energy brutally tore the surrounding dozens of li into pieces. For a moment, cries of agony filled the air, and screams echoed everywhere. "Damn, it's this terrifying?" As the demonic energy tore toward him, Xu Xiaoshou's heart tightened, and he immediately prepared to open his primordial mansion space to let his junior sister take shelter. "Master, don't be afraid. I'll protect you." But Mu Zixi took the lead, lifting her eyes and glaring fiercely ahead. Her divine demonic pupils absorbed the ferocious demonic energy!