Chapter 561: The Person Chosen by Fate

Xu Xiaoshou was equally stunned, gazing in awe at Xin Gugu, who had transformed into a blood-soaked minotaur.

After exchanging a powerful blow with Bald Xin and forcing him back, the creature showed no hesitation. As it retreated, it began to breathe deeply.

Then, it inhaled sharply.

Whoosh!!!

The darkness was torn apart.

The vast blood sea seeping from the fractured space hadn't even receded far before Xin Gugu drew it back.

In less than a breath's time, the blood sea that blanketed the entire Li Jian Grassland was completely absorbed into the minotaur's body.

Boom!

The surge of immense energy entered its body, and the aura radiating from Xin Gugu alone was enough to make the space shatter under the strain.

Having done this, the minotaur's body swelled even more. Cracks began to appear on its powerfully muscled form.

Self-destruct?

Xu Xiaoshou could hardly believe it. How could the power of this entire blood sea be absorbed into the body in such a short time? Yet, this astonishing event was unfolding right before his eyes. One could only imagine the terrifying force now contained within Xin Gugu's body.

The boundary domain has shattered!

The darkness boundary domain hastily erected by Shou Ye only held for a moment before vanishing. Fortunately, Lan Ling had already reinforced the space above Li Jian Grassland with the Seal Heaven Great Array.

Even so, the survivors could no longer hide their terror.

This... this...

Is this the kind of contest that should happen for "You Si Jian"? The earlier fights among those grandmaster-level youngsters were nothing but a joke!

My heavens, what on earth is happening? How did the scene turn into this so suddenly?

How could that blood sea be swallowed up in the blink of an eye?

These people must have been building up their power in secret all along! I knew it—that sudden blood sea couldn't have appeared without some buildup...

But how did Hong Yi not notice?

No one answered.

Those who had survived the blood sea using various means had hoped to watch the battle and perhaps become one of the lucky few. But now that the true thrones were clashing, they realized they were courting death.

If this were on Sheng Shen Continent, the space collapse wouldn't be so extreme. But in this fragile Bai Ku, even a slight seriousness from the thrones could shatter the space, leaving them with no escape!

Master, is this the "ghost beast" you spoke of?

Bu Le Xiao Heshang had been flung to the edge of Li Jian Grassland by the battle's aftermath. Staring at the ever-expanding blood-soaked minotaur, he couldn't help but swallow hard.

He felt an urge to purify it, but Bu Le understood that this power was far beyond his current ability to handle.

That's right, You Si Jian!

Where is You Si Jian?

Lei Shuangxing had tumbled back from the spatial fragments. Yet, You Si Jian, which had been kicked away by the minotaur, was nowhere to be seen.

Though Hong Yi was also watching for You Si Jian, with the blood-soaked minotaur's power so overwhelming, Hong Yi couldn't spare any attention for it.

Sure enough, as Shou Ye and Hei Ming lunged toward the minotaur, Bu Le scanned the surroundings, searching for You Si Jian.

It had to be said that among the younger generation still lingering above Li Jian Grassland, their strength was considerable, and their intellect was no less sharp. Many shared Bu Le's thoughts.

In a certain direction, Cheng Xingchu had survived thanks only to the jade pendants on his body. At that moment, he had completely lost any desire to compete for the vicious sword.

Cowering at the edge of the Seal Heaven Great Array, he focused solely on staying far from the battle's center, but then he discovered... This array lets you in but not out?

Cheng Xingchu nearly burst into tears. He spotted Zhi Wen among the Hong Yi crowd and wanted to seek help—he didn't want to die.

But...

His feet wouldn't move!

Who... who will save me?

Cheng Xingchu fled in tears. He had never imagined, and no one had ever told him, that the struggle for You Si Jian would be this brutal. Even thrones struggled to survive it—what could he achieve with his level of cultivation? In that blood sea, he couldn't even make a single splash!

Buzz!

Just then, space cracked open nearby.

Cheng Xingchu paid it no mind. In the skies above Li Jian Grassland, spatial ruptures were commonplace.

But suddenly, a surging sword intent emerged from the crack.

You Si Jian?

Cheng Xingchu froze. Had You Si Jian fallen here?

His eyes widened as he scanned around, realizing there were no other refugees nearby.

Just me?

Gulp. Cheng Xingchu swallowed hard, his heart pounding wildly. In that instant, he felt a surge of strength course through his body.

I can do this!

Color flushed back into his pale face as he channeled his spiritual energy and flew toward the spatial crack. The vicious demonic sword intent grew clearer. You Si Jian is inside, not far away!

Cheng Xingchu's eyes burned with greed. He reached out to grab it from the crack, but suddenly came to his senses.

Damn it, how could my spiritual energy withstand the power of a spatial rift? The jade pendant's protective force shielded him from the black hole's pull, nearly making him lose himself.

Once he calmed down, he remembered he was a sword cultivator.

Sword—use the sword!

He drew an ice-blue spiritual sword from his ring. Cheng Xingchu didn't even need to think; he simply thrust it toward the spatial crack in a challenging manner.

Bang!

A black shadow shot out, and the fifth-grade spiritual sword was severed.

Hiss.

Cheng Xingchu's heart ached. But seeing You Si Jian emerge from the crack and embed itself quietly in the Seal Heaven Great Array, he thought, I've profited!

Ecstatic, he rushed over, eager to grasp the sword's hilt. But then, images of bodies exploding flashed through his mind, and Cheng Xingchu froze.

A treasure right in front of me, yet I can't pick it up? Cheng Xingchu knew his own limits. He wasn't an ancient sword cultivator, his cultivation had only just reached grandmaster level, and he lacked any artifacts to counter You Si Jian's effects. One touch, and he'd be dead for sure!

What to do, what to do?

He glanced around—still no one nearby. But Cheng Xingchu didn't dare. He resorted to self-deception, using his body to block You Si Jian from view, yet not touching it at all.

Damn it, why did you have to appear in front of me?

Cheng Xingchu's eyes turned bloodshot, and he was on the verge of madness. He didn't realize that merely approaching it had allowed You Si Jian's vicious demonic power to seep through the jade pendant's protection and influence him.

I don't want to take it... I already gave up on you, so why appear before me?

Why!!!

Cheng Xingchu clenched his fists tightly, his last shred of sanity keeping him from turning back to draw the sword.

But leave? Impossible! No one could resist such temptation. Especially when it was his lifelong dream. The sword hadn't shown up earlier—that was fine—but on this vast Li Jian Grassland... why me?

Pull it out, and maybe I'm that one in ten thousand! The Seal Heaven Great Array is right beside me—one swing of You Si Jian could break through it. Then, with Hong Yi and the ghost beasts locked in battle, I, Cheng Xingchu, could escape into the Bai Ku space. At worst, I'd hide there.

Once I get You Si Jian, I can claim the inheritance of the Eighth Sword Immortal!

I...

He suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of clarity returning to them. To his horror, he realized he had unknowingly turned around.

And the sword was right there, just an inch from his hands!

Damn it!

Get away from me!

Cheng Xingchu collapsed to the ground in fright, gasping for breath. If I'd touched it, I'd be dead. That damned You Si Jian...

Reason finally triumphed, and Cheng Xingchu forced his weakened legs to move, determined to run sideways.

Is this really giving up?

A teasing voice suddenly came from behind him.

Cheng Xingchu's steps halted. Instinct told him not to turn back—he should run for his life. After all, he'd checked earlier, and no one was around. This sudden voice was definitely trouble.

But a hidden desire made him turn around stiffly.

It was a woman with an incredibly voluptuous figure; her tattered gray robe couldn't conceal her curves. Even more alluring were the thick purple chains wrapped around her body in impossible ways.

Gulp.

Cheng Xingchu felt his eyes might pop out. He wasn't usually impulsive, but now, desire raged in his heart, nearly clouding his mind.

You... who are you?

Jiao Tang Tang.

The woman smiled charmingly.

You... you...

No more "you, you, you"—do you want You Si Jian?

Jiao Tang Tang pointed to the vicious sword beside her.

No, I don't!

Cheng Xingchu screamed in panic. He sensed something was wrong. Clutching his head, he turned and bolted.

But as he turned, the scene had completely changed. Before him, nude women appeared in a haze of pink mist, their seductive moans echoing and teasing his senses.

Where was this Li Jian Grassland?

This was paradise!

Heh... hehehe...

Cheng Xingchu's mouth twitched as he let out a strange laugh. Suddenly, he clutched his head.

Ah—

With a cry of pain, the illusion shattered. What reappeared was a small spherical space.

A boundary domain—a throne's boundary domain!

Cheng Xingchu whipped around in terror, staring at Jiao Tang Tang. This woman was a throne? She had trapped them both in this small space?

Jiao Tang Tang raised an eyebrow, surprised. This guy had unusually strong willpower—he could break free from You Si Jian's demonic desires?

Little one, you really don't want You Si Jian?

She leaned in, her voice full of seduction.

I don't!

Cheng Xingchu hugged his head and shouted hoarsely: I don't! I'm selfish, I want everything, but no one can force me!

Get away from me!!!

He tried to roar her away, just as he had shattered the illusion. But this woman was real. A roar alone couldn't dispel her.

Pfft, how interesting.

Jiao Tang Tang chuckled lightly, stepping gracefully to his side and whispering in his ear: You keep saying no, but what are your hands doing?

My hands?

Cheng Xingchu froze, then looked down. To his shock, he saw that You Si Jian's hilt was already fully gripped in his hands.

Ah—

He screamed and jerked back. Impossible, I didn't grab it—I couldn't have grabbed it! It's fake, all fake! This is all your illusion—get out of... mmph.

Jiao Tang Tang covered his mouth with her hand and turned his head to look behind him. The scene that appeared was familiar to Cheng Xingchu.

Hei Ming and Shou Ye, along with over a dozen Hong Yi who had struggled up from the ground, were flying toward the minotaur, now swollen to dozens of zhang high.

But...

They were so slow!

It was as if the scene had been slowed tenfold. His thoughts were racing, and time had passed, yet why hadn't they stopped the minotaur?

See that? The one in the minotaur's body is called Xin Gugu.

Jiao Tang Tang whispered softly in Cheng Xingchu's ear, her breath warm: Draw the sword, kill those Hong Yi. If it's you, you can do it.

I can't!

Cheng Xingchu went mad, yelling: How could I listen to you? How could I beat them? I'm just...

Wait!

He stopped abruptly, stunned: You... you're with the ghost beasts?

Jiao Tang Tang tilted her head, smiling slyly: That's right!

Hiss!

Cheng Xingchu's heart constricted, and his whole body stiffened. He wanted to move, but in Jiao Tang Tang's embrace, he couldn't budge an inch.

Get away, leave me alone!

He roared in fury: I'm from Sheng Shen Hall—you ghost beasts can't control me!

Oh, from Sheng Shen Hall? That's perfect.

Jiao Tang Tang said with a grin: Sheng Shen Hall is all about justice, but Hong Yi are like madmen—they're the opposite of justice. Their existence is a mistake.

Draw the sword and kill them.

Get out!

Cheng Xingchu bellowed.

You're the chosen one, able to resist You Si Jian's demonic aura with your will—I've never seen that before. Draw the sword and kill them.

Get out, I won't draw it—I won't even touch it! Your illusions can't affect me!

Cheng Xingchu screamed desperately.

Is that really true?

Jiao Tang Tang suddenly released him, waving her hand to dispel the boundary domain.

The isolated scene rushed back into view.

Boom!!!

A massive explosion erupted in the distance—the blood energy from the minotaur blasted away over a dozen Hong Yi, including Shou Ye and Hei Ming. The void turned into a huge black hole, reducing everything to nothingness.

Crack, crack, crack—

The Seal Heaven Great Array fractured, unable to withstand the battle's aftermath any longer.

I...

Cheng Xingchu suddenly felt all strength drain from his body. He lowered his gaze and saw his own back and heels.

What's wrong with my neck...

Fate chose you—you're unique, able to keep your sanity under You Si Jian's demonic power.

Jiao Tang Tang turned his head back and sighed: But in this world, some things are beyond your control.

Cheng Xingchu felt a sharp pain in his neck, as if liquid was spilling out. In disbelief, he looked at You Si Jian in his hands.

So, from the beginning, I had already grasped it?

All of this—was it not just her doing, but also my own desires manifesting?

You're already dead.

Jiao Tang Tang gently patted his shoulder.

Impossible!

Cheng Xingchu's eyes bulged, but his voice only echoed in his mind as a muffled "mmmph" from his throat.

Face reality—in the moment You Si Jian chose you, I chose you too. The game is set; you have no choices left.

Jiao Tang Tang waved her hand, turning the space into a mirror.

Cheng Xingchu's pupils shrank violently. He saw demonic patterns on his face. Those dark, inky blotches were nearly turning his entire face black.

This isn't me!!!

A heart-wrenching roar resounded in his mind. Blood spurted from Cheng Xingchu's neck, and his face split open.

Yes, this isn't you—you shouldn't die unnoticed.

Jiao Tang Tang looked to the other side. There, Hong Yi were rising again, charging madly at Xin Gugu.

He's in pain...

Jiao Tang Tang could see that Xin Gugu was in pain. With one person alone, he was holding back the three main forces: Shou Ye, Hei Ming, and Xin...

He won't last much longer.

He's clearly terrified...

This full liberation of the ghost beast form—if he keeps fighting, Xin Gugu might not return. But only by doing this could he draw all of Hong Yi's attention away. Giving her the time to find You Si Jian and this young man with unyielding willpower as a temporary vessel.

Fate was decided long ago...

Jiao Tang Tang gazed up at the sky. Everything in sight was shattered, dark. Not a glimmer of hope. Just like the future she foresaw.

But...

Jiao Tang Tang's eyes hardened with resolve. A mission is a mission; death is death. For both me and Xin Gugu.

Then, her gaze turned to fierce hatred!

Jiao Tang Tang clenched her fists. The root of all this is Hong Yi, is Sheng Shen Hall! Destruction? Racial extinction?

Then, so be it!

She reached into her chest.

Mmph.

The "Ji Luo Diao Pian" was stuffed into Cheng Xingchu's mouth. Jiao Tang Tang then drew out a bead thick with ghost beast energy and pressed it into his forehead.

Go.

Become a ghost beast, wield You Si Jian, and slaughter those damned ones.

Your final glory will blossom in the skies above Li Jian Grassland!