Chapter 577: Inhuman, The Second Holy Slave

"Angry glare?"

Xu Xiaoshou felt Shou Ye's gaze, sharp as a killer's, and couldn't help but feel both amused and a little moved.

Indeed, Lan Ling's mind was completely shattered.

Among everyone present, no one could wrap their heads around it.

Even Xu Xiaoshou himself was nearly getting tangled up in his own thoughts, let alone the others.

Earlier, when Yu Zhiwen betrayed him, he had thought it was a sure death trap.

At the very least, with the intelligence shared by Yu Zhiwen, the Hong Yi group could easily expose his identity.

But now...

Seeing the reactions of Shou Ye, Lan Ling, and the others, Xu Xiaoshou realized something.

Yu Zhiwen had indeed guessed his identity and, from the perspective of the Hong Yi faction, had chosen to expose it directly.

However, her exposure was vague—she only said that Xu Xiaoshou might be here.

Yet, that "here" could imply two meanings.

One, that there was another person named Xu Xiaoshou hiding in this place.

Two, that it was him.

"But she didn't elaborate..."

Xu Xiaoshou silently thanked himself for not killing her in a fit of rage and instead sealing her away in his Yuan Fu.

Otherwise, the misunderstanding would have been massive!

From Lan Ling's reaction, it was easy to guess that Yu Zhiwen wasn't the only one who had suspected his identity earlier.

In fact, Lan Ling might have had even more speculations about him than Yu Zhiwen did.

In such a situation, if they had followed the normal approach, Yu Zhiwen revealing his identity step by step might have kept his secret safe.

But more likely, Lan Ling might not believe it fully or might take a chance and test him directly.

In that case... Xu Xiaoshou knew he definitely couldn't handle the test.

Yet, Yu Zhiwen did the opposite.

She steered the Hong Yi group's thoughts directly toward the idea that he was the real Xu Xiaoshou.

This approach could easily provoke him to lash out in anger and nip the problem in the bud.

But she dared to do it!

She held out until the very last moment, when that word "run" was uttered, completely collapsing Lan Ling's entire mindset and stripping away even her courage to verify his identity.

It had to be said, that was brilliantly ruthless.

But...

"Why did she protect me?" Xu Xiaoshou wondered.

That single word "run" was something even Xu Xiaoshou had only thought of at the final moment.

By using his "Bian Hua" to mimic Yu Zhiwen's voice, within the Bai Yan barrier that could block Ling Nian, he could burn everyone away and, with that one word, shatter Lan Ling's sanity, causing her entire line of thinking to collapse.

This was also Xu Xiaoshou's last-ditch method of self-preservation.

There was no other option.

But he never expected that before he could even use "Bian Hua" to speak, Yu Zhiwen had already shouldered the immense pressure and shouted it for him.

One word "run" turned the tide and resolved the deadly situation.

"But..."

"Why protect me?"

Xu Xiaoshou could see Yu Zhiwen's stance.

She was a typical member of the Sheng Shen Hall, unlikely to show any favoritism to her opponents, even if they had traveled together for a few days.

Yet, just because of that, she gave up revealing the truth to Hong Yi and chose to save him?

It didn't make sense...

Oh well, no point dwelling on it!

Xu Xiaoshou didn't have more time to waste on Yu Zhiwen's actions right now.

Faced with so many powerful enemies, he had to stay fully alert.

After all, the act wasn't over yet!

"I never thought that by burning the Sheng Shen Hall's Sheng Nu, you lot would be so scared you wouldn't even dare to make a move."

Xu Xiaoshou only dared to mock them silently in his mind.

In his plan, the Hong Yi group was supposed to erupt in fury over Yu Zhiwen's death and break open the ancient text space.

But clearly, that word "run" not only turned the tables but also made the Hong Yi members hesitate even more.

So...

Xu Xiaoshou scanned the crowd around him, his gaze settling on Shou Ye, who was burning with rage, and he smiled indifferently.

"As for Xu Xiaoshou, I won't say more."

"But!"

He changed his tone, his voice turning mocking, "The bet we made earlier won't change just because that little girl died."

"After all, I've only collected half of that debt."

"You dare?!" Shou Ye exploded in anger on the spot, but strangely, he didn't advance—he just stood there, yelling.

"Then... shall we try?"

Xu Xiaoshou showed no fear.

He didn't really want to provoke the Hong Yi group further at this point—it was basically suicide.

But the performance had reached this stage...

He had no choice but to keep going!

With a sweep of his gaze over the Hong Yi crowd, everyone felt a chill run through their hearts.

In the final moment, Xu Xiaoshou's eyes locked onto the unassuming young man in the group, who always lingered at the back of the Hong Yi, almost invisible.

Yu Zhiwen's death wouldn't stir much anger since she wasn't closely connected to them.

But this guy should do the trick, right?

The one harboring the secret of the Hong Yi ghost beast and also the disciple of Wu Yue Jian Xian—Lu Ke!

"Lan Ling, it's Xiao Ke!"

Xin noticed the Sheng Nu's second-in-command focusing his gaze and froze completely.

Is this guy cursed or something?

Why target the one with the biggest background?

Luckily, the fact that Xiao Ke is Wu Yue Jian Xian's disciple is unknown to outsiders.

Otherwise, this Sheng Nu second-in-command would definitely have made him his primary target!

"Protect Xiao Ke!"

Xin roared, his injuries already mostly healed by the pills.

As long as it wasn't another surprise like before, he still had some fighting strength left.

"Little guy, are you here for some training?"

Xu Xiaoshou ignored everything else and just stared at Lu Ke with a smile.

He could see that Hong Yi might have a plan, or they wouldn't let him stare like this.

But having a plan was perfect!

The best outcome would be if they helped him blow up this ancient text space, letting everyone escape—that would be a true success.

"Buzz—"

The famous sword Qing Lin Ji trembled wildly, as if sensing immense pressure.

Yet, even as Lu Ke raised the sword in his hand like a fearless swordsman,

He was already trembling so much he couldn't even speak.

This was a powerhouse on the same level as his master—one who had fought his master!

If it were anyone else, no matter how strong, Lu Ke might have remained unfazed.

But this contrast was just too stark.

In his mind, his unreachable master had an opponent who was now targeting him!

"The mighty Sheng Nu second-in-command has no sense of a strong warrior's dignity? Only targeting the weakest one to kill?"

Lu Ke's forehead was drenched in sweat.

He didn't know whether to call this old man lacking in grace or just too sharp-eyed.

Whoosh.

A void clear wind swept through.

For the third time, the old man in the straw hat vanished into thin air.

The storyteller narrowed his eyes.

This was the third time he had witnessed this Ling Ji.

Yet, with his current realm, he still couldn't see how the second-in-command did it.

Not a trace of Tian Dao fluctuation.

Not even a hint of Sheng Dao aura had the storyteller sensed.

What exactly was this skill of the second-in-command?

"Lan Ling!"

Shou Ye shouted loudly, unable to hold back any longer, abandoning any hope in their plan. "Teleportation array, follow me!"

As soon as he spoke,

He kicked through the void, and when he reappeared, he had emerged from a space rift, directly grabbing Lu Ke's stiff left shoulder.

Slap.

At the same time, the straw hat old man's figure materialized on Lu Ke's other side, his hand landing on Lu Ke's right shoulder.

The two turned their heads simultaneously, their eyes meeting above Lu Ke's head.

Shou Ye hadn't even moved yet.

Xu Xiaoshou had already withdrawn his surprised gaze from the space rift and laughed, "So fast? You want this kid too?"

He paused, then added, "Then, one half each?"

Crack. Shou Ye froze completely.

This blatant provocation...

For a moment, he even felt like he was facing not the legendary Sheng Nu second-in-command, but that despicable Xu Xiaoshou!

But his mind only wavered for an instant.

Shou Ye realized he was too late.

A soft sound echoed in his ear.

The Sheng Nu second-in-command had already turned sideways, raising his You Si Jian and slashing fiercely toward him.

The tremendous force from Lu Ke's body warned that if Shou Ye used force, it would only tear Lu Ke apart, splitting him in half.

What was even more desperate was that this dark-eyed old man's You Si Jian wasn't aimed at him directly.

It was aimed at Lu Ke's left shoulder!

He was trying to pull Lu Ke over...

Never mind if Lu Ke couldn't withstand the tearing force.

Even if he could, that slight shift in position would give You Si Jian enough time to reach Lu Ke's right shoulder.

"Utterly shameless!"

Shou Ye was furious.

With no way out, he had to gently shake Lu Ke, sending him toward the Sheng Nu second-in-command.

At the same time, he quickly dodged, evading the vicious slash of You Si Jian filled with demonic energy.

The black blade tore through the void.

The Sheng Nu second-in-command's slightly upturned, smug lips were infuriating at that moment.

At the same time, Lu Ke's eyes, filled with deep despair and fear, were cast toward him.

"Failed..."

Shou Ye watched Lu Ke being pulled away, his heart breaking.

In that moment, he desperately wished the Sheng Nu second-in-command would die on the spot.

But he was powerless to do anything.

"Your senior just abandoned you, you know."

Xu Xiaoshou leaned down toward the completely rigid Lu Ke and said, "He pushed you over himself. Did you feel it? Remember his face?"

"Hate him! Resent him! In your despair..."

"I'll kill you!!!"

Lu Ke couldn't take the relentless taunting anymore. Rage surged in his heart, restoring strength to his body. He raised his famous sword and slashed horizontally at the ugly, withered old face.

"Good sword."

Xu Xiaoshou casually parried, using only a light force with his hand to flip the undefended Lu Ke, sending his sword slicing down from the sky.

At the same time, a thunderous roar came from behind.

"You old ghost, die!"

Xin kicked through the air, exploding it with force.

But Xu Xiaoshou seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, aware of everything around him.

How could he not know that when Shou Ye moved, Xin had already charged at him?

He chuckled and turned, using Lu Ke's sword to meet Xin's incoming kick.

"Damn it!"

Xin cursed on the spot.

He never imagined someone could be this shameless!

Not a shred of a warrior's dignity could be found in this Sheng Nu second-in-command—it was practically negative!

At the critical moment, he forcefully retracted his kick, pulling back all his energy and Ling Yuan.

Even though it made his Qi Hai tremble wildly, Xin absolutely couldn't kick toward Lu Ke's face.

Blowing off his own ally's head was unthinkable.

However, while Xin could hold back and control himself,

The furious Lu Ke, who had slashed out with his sword, had no such restraint.

Under the frenzied infusion of sword intent, Qing Lin Ji even split the void with black fissures.

Swoosh!

Without any suspense, the sword struck.

Half a foot flew out, slamming heavily into Lu Ke's left cheek, splattering blood before flying off.

The air fell silent.

"Ah—"

Lu Ke completely broke down!

Bright red blood slid from his nose into his gaping mouth. His pupils shook, and he couldn't even hold his sword steady as it dropped uselessly.

"Xin... Xin-ge?"

He had swung at the Sheng Nu second-in-command.

How did Xin get hurt?!

Lu Ke clutched his head, his lips trembling as he tried to ask, but the words dissolved into mist before they could form.

"Xiao Ke..."

Xin smiled bitterly.

He didn't blame Lu Ke for not holding back.

If anything, it was this famous sword Qing Lin Ji that was too sharp.

Combined with being manipulated by this heartless old man, Lu Ke had basically become a perfect weapon in the enemy's hands!

"That's right, just like that."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled as he pulled the completely broken-willed young man closer and said in a devilish tone,

"Hong Yi abandoned you, and your sword turned on them. That's the most natural, the most correct choice."

"You did great!"

"Hate, betrayal, resentment... they're truly the best fuel for growth."

"Look, you've already wounded a Dao cultivator. That's impressive." Xu Xiaoshou praised sincerely.

"Shut up!!!"

Lu Ke suddenly covered his ears and screamed hysterically, his eyes full of regretful bloodshot veins.

Xu Xiaoshou pointed with a laugh at the famous sword that had clattered to the ground.

"Don't want it anymore? That's a good thing."

Lu Ke snapped back to reality.

He curled his hand, summoning the famous sword Qing Lin Ji back.

Xu Xiaoshou nodded with a smile.

He had tested it before—such a bonded sword couldn't even be sealed in Yuan Fu.

He wouldn't stoop so low as to pick it up and then have it summoned away—that would be too embarrassing for the Sheng Nu second-in-command.

As Qing Lin Ji returned to Lu Ke's hand, the void grew quieter.

Shou Ye and Xin didn't dare approach.

They didn't know what the Sheng Nu second-in-command might do with Lu Ke in his grasp.

And Xu Xiaoshou...

"Good job."

Xu Xiaoshou watched the young man pick up the sword and said, "It's a famous sword, after all. We can't let those heartless Hong Yi get their hands on it."

"You hold onto it for me first. If anyone tries to attack you, just slash them. Don't hold back."

The whole scene fell deathly silent.

Lu Ke's face turned ashen, his lips twitching as a sobbing sound escaped his nose.

He had no idea what to do.

If he dropped the sword, he feared the Sheng Nu would take it.

If he kept it, the sword might hurt his own people in Hong Yi.

Hiss.

The distant storyteller witnessed everything and couldn't help but shudder.

"Demon, the second-in-command is the real demon."

"Who can handle this? He's the real freak..."

"You gain a curse passive value: 16."

"You gain a fear passive value: 19."

"Lan Ling!!!"

Shou Ye, standing back and unable to advance, finally couldn't hold it in and roared.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh...

As his voice fell, several beams of light suddenly descended from the void, enveloping the Hong Yi.

Whoosh.

When one beam tried to encompass Lu Ke, Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward, taking the young man's place.

Lan Ling's face twisted completely.

With a wave of his hand, the light bent sharply in midair, shooting into the ground and vanishing.

Even if he couldn't take Lu Ke, there was no choice now.

The ancient text space had to be broken.

This was their only path to salvation after all this preparation.

Otherwise, in this space, the Sheng Nu would be the blade, and Hong Yi the meat on the chopping block.

Easy prey!

Lan Ling clasped his hands together and shouted explosively, "Feng Tian Great Array, shatter the heavens!"