Old, second one?
Xu Xiaoshou's heart skipped a beat.
Who was speaking to me?
Who was the second one?
And why was this person approaching me?
A string of questions flashed through his mind in an instant.
Glancing down, Xu Xiaoshou immediately realized he was in his "transformed" state.
In other words, he was now equivalent to Sang Lao.
With the passive skill "Transformation" maxed out, even as Sang Lao's closest disciples, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't find any flaws, and Mu Zixi felt the same.
So, this sudden voice was probably from one of Sang Lao's friends?
"Smuggler?"
Xu Xiaoshou became alert at once.
Anyone who could be Sang Lao's friend had to be at least at the level of Wang Zuo or Zhan Dao.
Such a person appearing in Bai Ku must be a smuggler.
And their goal was undoubtedly the "You Si Jian"!
"What to do, what to do?"
Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced with panic.
He had thought turning into Sang Lao would let him slip past the Hong Yi unnoticed among the wanted targets.
But before he could even act, another unknown presence had spotted him.
Moreover, he was hiding so deeply, with the passive skill "Concealment."
Yet that person could still find him...
"This has to be an absolute top-tier boss!"
"Under observation, passive points: 1."
"Under waiting, passive points: 1."
Xu Xiaoshou's heart pounded, but a surge of "Dong Jie Force" from his energy sea instantly cooled him down, making him calm as ice.
He didn't speak.
Instead, he slowly reached out and patted Mu Zixi's head in front of him.
"Hmm?"
Mu Zixi turned back, a bit puzzled. "Master?"
Xu Xiaoshou's eyelids twitched wildly.
He was truly afraid that his junior sister might say something like, "Xu Xiaoshou, what's wrong with you now?"
The consequences would be disastrous...
"It's nothing. You don't need to watch so closely."
Xu Xiaoshou said casually.
In that moment, even his pupils were acting. His slightly narrowed eyes concealed his emotions, showing no ripples at all.
His tone was exactly like Sang Lao's, with a touch of deliberate concern:
"Remember, Hong Yi is very perceptive. Don't easily reveal your abilities."
"And don't move around recklessly."
"We're hidden inside this great array, so Hong Yi must already know everyone's positions. This place is probably exposed too."
He extended his index finger and lightly tapped Mu Zixi's forehead, pausing before adding: "Don't make any mistakes!"
"Hah?"
Mu Zixi tilted her head, sensing something keenly...
Xu Xiaoshou was different!
Why had he suddenly gotten so deeply into character?
Weren't the Hong Yi people not supposed to have noticed us yet?
"Tap."
Her forehead was tapped lightly again.
A slight sting made Mu Zixi instinctively frown, about to say something, when her heart suddenly fluttered.
Of course!
Xu Xiaoshou had been targeted!
Waves of unease surged in her heart.
Her senior brother was acting so unusually, using these double meanings to warn her—it had to mean something serious.
"Don't make any mistakes..."
Mu Zixi repeated inwardly, nodded obediently, and said, "Okay."
Her trembling hands clenched her skirt tightly. Turning away, the anxiety and fear inside her drove Mu Zixi to want to see more clearly in this dark pit.
She instinctively wanted to activate her "Shen Mo Pupils" again.
But she stopped herself abruptly.
"It's nothing. You don't need to watch so closely..."
Her senior brother's earlier words, which seemed casual, echoed in her mind again.
Had he been warning her not to expose her "Shen Mo Pupils" from that very moment?
"Ah!"
Mu Zixi suddenly wrapped her arms around herself and squatted down, sounding bored. "But Master, it's so dull just waiting here. When can we go out?"
"Whew."
Hearing that coquettish tone, Xu Xiaoshou finally relaxed a bit.
His junior sister... understood.
Understanding is everything!
"No rush. Take it slow. There will be light eventually."
As he spoke, he stroked Mu Zixi's head with his withered old hand.
Distracted by his thoughts, he didn't even notice messing up her hair.
"This one knows that already!"
That unfamiliar voice rang out again, now with a hint of playfulness.
Xu Xiaoshou's heart trembled at the sound.
Though the transmission was unfamiliar, he could clearly sense it came from a man!
But a man's voice saying...
"This one..."
Xu Xiaoshou felt a vague sense of unease.
Before he could think deeper, the voice continued:
"Hong Yi has definitely detected all of us, which is why they activated the 'Feng Tian Great Array'."
"But right now, they probably don't know the exact positions of most people..."
"So relax, our side is well hidden and won't be exposed."
Xu Xiaoshou's face stiffened.
The other person had clearly overheard his words.
From the response, the situation on Li Jian Grassland matched his deductions almost perfectly!
But...
Where was this voice coming from?
How should he reply?
Even if he'd been studying "Sound Transmission" techniques lately and wanted to test them, how could he without knowing the target?
Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare stay silent too long. In the pit, he just nodded slightly and made a nasal sound.
"Hmm."
The transmitting man didn't suspect anything and went on: "Hey, second one, you still haven't answered me. Why did you come here yourself?"
"Wasn't it said that you wouldn't join this operation?"
"Uh, why aren't you speaking? Is something wrong?"
The voice fell silent immediately.
After a while.
"Under suspicion, passive points: 1."
Seeing that "suspicion," Xu Xiaoshou's heart nearly leaped out of his throat.
Forcing himself to calm down, he heard the other person continue: "Nothing's wrong, then..."
Xu Xiaoshou extended his perception and gaze outward.
The "You Si Jian" was still flying around, and people were still catching it, but the outcome was the same—exploding on the spot.
Indeed.
For now, there was nothing unusual outside...
But my situation is driving me crazy!!!
Xu Xiaoshou was on the verge of breaking down.
Whispering in the dark with some unknown big shot—he really couldn't handle it.
He should never have transformed into Sang Lao.
Even turning into a masked figure would have been better!
At least, the situation wouldn't be this awkward...
"Hey!" The voice suddenly took on a teasing tone. "I heard you were injured. Did you escape here..."
Injured?
Xu Xiaoshou's mind spun in confusion.
Sang Lao was injured?
I had no idea about that!
If you keep asking like this, I won't get the "You Si Jian"—I'll just die here underground!
"Smack!"
Xu Xiaoshou had a sudden inspiration and slapped the pit wall beside him in irritation.
"Master?"
Mu Zixi jumped in fright and turned back. "What happened?"
"It's fine."
Xu Xiaoshou shook his hand, caught the falling dirt from above, and crushed it into powder. "Just a mosquito buzzing around—annoying as hell."
A mosquito?
Underground, and you're talking about a mosquito?
Mu Zixi shrank back, not daring to respond further. Better to say less and avoid mistakes.
"Under curse, passive points: 1."
"Under fear, passive points: 1."
"Hee-hee, hee-hee."
The transmission returned, sounding a bit sheepish. "Just a joke, just a joke. Don't get angry, hee-hee..."
Xu Xiaoshou felt relieved.
As expected, Sang Lao was the kind of person who, once angry, made others back down immediately.
That slap was the right move!
"My disciple, if you were facing this situation alone, how would you handle it?" Xu Xiaoshou suddenly asked.
Mu Zixi turned back, her big eyes blinking, instantly understanding that Xu Xiaoshou had ulterior motives.
"You can't speak freely?"
The person on the other end seemed to catch on too. "Alright, then let's communicate this way. If you have any questions, just ask your little female disciple."
Mu Zixi was still speaking, but Xu Xiaoshou wasn't listening at all—his focus was entirely on the transmission.
Missing any key detail now would mean exposure for sure.
And exposure equaled death!
"Uh..."
The other end hadn't started explaining yet, just pausing for a moment before exclaiming in surprise:
"Wait, second one, that dead ghost Gou Wuyue didn't leave any mark on you, did he? Is it okay for me to talk to you like this?"
"You're not saying anything, and it's making me a bit scared..."
Gou Wuyue?
Xu Xiaoshou's heart clenched sharply, nearly suffering a heart attack.
Damn!
Gou Wuyue... the Wuyue Sword Immortal, how did he get dragged into this?
Did this transmitter know him?
From that "dead ghost" nickname, they were definitely very familiar!
Was he also at Gou Wuyue's level?
No!
This transmitter had mentioned his injury earlier—that meant Sang Lao was injured.
And now bringing up Gou Wuyue...
Did Sang Lao fight Gou Wuyue just outside Bai Ku?
Xu Xiaoshou's pupils contracted, and he lowered his head, suppressing all his emotions.
Why?
—No answer.
Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare ask.
Even if he wanted to, he didn't know how or whom to ask.
"Master, are you alright?" Mu Zixi noticed Xu Xiaoshou's strangeness and asked with concern.
"No problem." Xu Xiaoshou replied: "Keep going."
"Oh."
Mu Zixi nodded slightly.
Like hell there's no problem!
I asked "are you alright," and you say "no problem"...
That screams trouble!
Mu Zixi suddenly realized—someone was communicating with Xu Xiaoshou...
That meant someone had recognized the master.
After all, Xu Xiaoshou was currently in the master's form.
And if even she, as the close disciple, couldn't tell, outsiders definitely couldn't spot any issues.
So, the person talking to Xu Xiaoshou had to be at the master's level.
Thus, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't respond directly!
He was only at the innate level...
So, he was using layered meanings... no, triple meanings.
Answering her questions while responding to that unknown person.
And constantly counter-questioning!
Thinking of this, Mu Zixi looked up at the figure in the straw hat, her eyes filling with a mix of heartache and admiration.
Even in this situation, Xu Xiaoshou was handling it smoothly.
And so far, without making any mistakes that she could see.
He's so strong...
If it were me, I'd probably collapse right away.
Mu Zixi's eyes sparkled.
"Under admiration, passive points: 1."
"Under affection, passive points: 1."
"No problem, then I'm relieved." The other end also sighed in relief.
"Say something useful. Don't keep talking about trivial things. It doesn't help the situation at all." Xu Xiaoshou suddenly spoke, his expression serious.
He pressed his hand on Mu Zixi's head, his tone stern: "From your petty analyses, you're underestimating Hong Yi too much!"
"Uh..."
Mu Zixi's eyelid twitched.
Xu Xiaoshou, oh Xu Xiaoshou, even now, you're still teasing me?
"Under curse, passive points: 1."
She wanted to retort, but considering it again, Xu Xiaoshou was probably countering that unknown person.
Someone as terrifying as the master...
And yet, he dared to counter back!
"Under admiration, passive points: 1."
"Okay." Mu Zixi lowered her head pitifully. "It's my limitation. Should I talk about something else?"
"Go on!"
Xu Xiaoshou said sternly.
The other end fell silent for a moment.
After a while.
"Under curse, passive points: 1."
"Second one, I was just trying to show some concern..."
"Cough!"
Xu Xiaoshou coughed, and Mu Zixi's words halted.
She looked up.
Seeing no further reaction from her senior brother, she continued analyzing the situation. "Blah-blah-blah..."
"No chit-chat, no chit-chat."
The transmitter was also startled, his tone turning serious.
"Second one, you just fought that old Gou, so even if you made it here, you probably didn't coordinate with big brother and the others beforehand?"
Big brother...
Who was that now?
What other identities did Sang Lao have, that his friends sounded so unreliable?
Xu Xiaoshou shook his head imperceptibly.
"Good, then I'll fill you in on the situation first."
"First, big brother and the others have lost contact. They must have found the 'Xu Kong Dao' rift, where Sheng Di power is interfering, so losing contact is normal."
Xu Kong Dao rift, Sheng Di power...
Xu Xiaoshou's heart raced.
It was that ragged saint!
These people were also after him?
And they'd already reached the rift?
Xu Xiaoshou was incredibly grateful he hadn't charged straight into that dimensional space rift deep in Bai Ku's map.
If he had, it would've been a dead end for sure!
"Continue." He said indifferently to the paused Mu Zixi.
"Okay."
The transmission went on: "Then, that ghost beast big brother mentioned earlier—I have it now, but don't tell him yet."
"Hee-hee, I plan to surprise him."
Ghost beast?
Xu Xiaoshou frowned.
What ghost beast?
There were so many in Bai Ku—which one?
Or was it from outside Bai Ku?
Before he could think more, the next words came.
"About Gou Wuyue that dead ghost watching outside Bai Ku, I don't need to say more."
"On Li Jian Grassland, there's not much we need to watch out for."
"I'll make the first move, capture that Hong Yi Wang Zuo controlling the spirit array, and once the array falls, we can break through quickly."
"It's worth noting that there might be people from 'Xu Yue Hui Gong' here."
The transmitter paused.
Xu Xiaoshou's heart had already turned ice-cold.
Not much to watch out for...
Listen to that nonsense!
These people weren't taking Hong Yi seriously at all!
Instead, "Xu Yue Hui Gong"—Jiao Tangtang's group—was the potential threat?
Oh my god...
If he could escape now, Xu Xiaoshou would grab Mu Zixi and vanish from Li Jian Grassland without a second thought.
But trapped in this mess, he had no way out!
"What are these people's backgrounds?"
"Could they be..."
Xu Xiaoshou was well aware of the supreme forces in Bai Ku.
He had a vague guess about this transmitter.
But if his guess was right...
Then Sang Lao was also...
Suppressing his shock, Xu Xiaoshou didn't dare say more, just nodded silently.
The transmission continued: "That's roughly it."
"Oh, right, there's also a little monk you probably know. He's the disciple of someone you have a grudge with."
"Whether to help or not is up to you. I don't know that You Yuan Buddha well, but big brother does, so handle it as you see fit!"
You Yuan Buddha... Xu Xiaoshou closed his eyes weakly.
Mom, I want to leave this place...
"The rest isn't much. Let the little ones tell you. They've been dying to chat."
The transmitter laughed.
Xu Xiaoshou sensed some changes in his communication channel with the other person.
It felt like others had joined in.
From private chat to group chat?
This sound transmission technique was being used so flexibly!
Xu Xiaoshou smirked inwardly, not having time to complain.
The next second, the transmitter spoke again.
The voice was no longer casual among peers but carried a noble air.
"Young Lei fellow and Luo girl, you've always wondered who saved you two back at Tian Sang Spirit Palace, right?"
"Now's your chance. Meet Senior Wu Xiu!"
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