Chapter 698: The Eighth Sword Immortal, Absolute Suppression

Honestly,

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill in his heart the moment he used the "Small World Tree" to enter the room and heard Jiang Qi's words.

This world was not short of intelligent people… He reaffirmed this point once again.

Perhaps Jiang Qi's judgment about Tian Shang Di Yi Lou was slightly off due to incomplete information.

But fundamentally, she was correct in guessing that Xu De Yan was a pawn of the Saint Woman.

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou was grateful he had come.

If he had delayed any longer, the Jiang family's actions against Tian Shang Di Yi Lou might have truly begun. Whether that exposed him was one thing.

If they became targets, it would clearly be a major hindrance to his own plans.

Since he was already here, their scheme was impossible to succeed.

No matter how accurate their judgment, Xu Xiaoshou would confuse them to the point of doubting their lives.

Just like now…

As the Jiang family trio were chatting about Ba Zun An, Ba Zun An suddenly appeared in the room, his sudden appearance startling the three so much their souls nearly fled.

"Don't panic, I'm not here to kill."

The black-robed Xu Xiaoshou lowered his hand, his tone steady, calm, and composed.

He was quite skilled at this role.

Ever since obtaining Sword Will, and constantly hearing about Ba Zun An's various legends, Xu Xiaoshou had been preparing for this scene for a long time.

Was he afraid?

To say he wasn't would be a lie.

But because he had "Stealth," "Transformation," Sword Will, and experience from face-to-face encounters with Ba Zun An, he had grasped the other's most essential mannerisms.

So, Xu Xiaoshou was confident that his portrayal of the Eighth Sword Immortal would make even the real Ba Zun An pause in surprise.

The people in front of him might be tense and uneasy, but facing the leader of the world's most notorious evil organization…

Would they dare to act?

At least, Xu Xiaoshou was certain that below the Grand Void level, no one would dare strike at the Eighth Sword Immortal!

Just as he finished speaking, he said nothing more, merely fixing his gaze on the two Sword Sovereigns who had drawn their swords opposite him.

The latter began to panic.

"In this world, no one has yet dared to point a sword at me."

Though the black-robed figure hadn't spoken, almost simultaneously, in the minds of Jiang Si and Jiang Qi, along with his gaze, those domineering words over all Sword Cultivators echoed.

Their hearts faltered.

The two of them simultaneously lowered their sword tips, then held them diagonally in front, adopting a defensive stance.

Only then did the black-robed figure shift his gaze, focusing it on Jiang Qi.

This small detail made Jiang Qi even more tense.

She knew that in this world, there were too many fanatic followers of the Eighth Sword Immortal, and every time they appeared, they used all sorts of similar but completely different methods to eagerly prove to the world:

"I am the Eighth Sword Immortal!"

But this person in front of her…

He hadn't said anything, yet it felt like he had done everything!

Even though she still had a slight doubt in her heart, Jiang Qi didn't dare speak again.

Say too much and risk mistakes.

In legends, the real Eighth Sword Immortal was so untamed that a single wrong tone could issue a death warrant.

The four people were tense, afraid to speak.

In the room, only heavy breathing remained.

Unlike the Jiang family trio, Xu Xiaoshou was deliberately building this atmosphere.

This was "momentum."

It was also his way to control the dominance in the upcoming conversation.

The scene remained silent for over ten breaths.

Once the "Eighth Sword Immortal's" gaze had scanned the three and seemed to memorize their appearances and auras, he finally spoke: "You, go out."

This was directed at Jiang Si.

Jiang Si was stunned, his expression growing even more tense.

In this situation, he had almost completely lost his ability to think.

But because "Eighth Sword Immortal" was speaking to Jiang Si, Jiang Xian, standing behind, felt a slight release of pressure.

After gathering his thoughts, he quickly understood the "Eighth Sword Immortal's" intention.

The other must have been here for a while and had heard Jiang Qi's words.

Perhaps his target was only Jiang Xian at first, but Jiang Qi's remarks had sparked an interest in talking, since smart people only wanted to speak with smart people… Jiang Xian's mind raced wildly.

Thinking this, he immediately waved at Jiang Si: "Go out."

"But…"

Jiang Si was flustered.

He couldn't just leave Young Master Jiang to die; he wouldn't survive afterward either.

"I don't kill."

Xu Xiaoshou spoke up.

Jiang Xian had been about to say something, but as soon as the other spoke, he swallowed his words.

The three from the Jiang family—all three heads—turned toward the "Eighth Sword Immortal" at the same frequency, in perfect unison, as if after rigorous training.

Xu Xiaoshou leaned back against the chair, legs and arms spread wide open, exposing his vital points, adopting a posture of complete openness, looking down from a high vantage point.

"I don't want to kill, but in this room, I only speak with those who can talk. You, go out and tell the others not to come in."

"Here, only three living people can exist. You understand what I mean, right?"

Xu Xiaoshou said softly to Jiang Si.

But how could Jiang Si understand the "Eighth Sword Immortal's" meaning?

His mind was a complete mess right now.

The one confused was the bystander who saw clearly.

Jiang Xian understood.

The other didn't want to kill, but that didn't mean he wouldn't.

As he had expected, the Eighth Sword Immortal only wanted to talk with smart people, and in the face of absolute power, a Sword Sovereign was useless.

What use was a Slaughter Dao realm expert?

"Go out!"

Jiang Xian immediately shouted sternly: "Clear everyone from the estate. Give you and Chao Tian Qian a break. Go outside the estate—anywhere today, just don't come back!"

Chao Tian Qian, the Slaughter Dao realm guard.

Clearly, the Eighth Sword Immortal not only didn't want to see too many people but also declared that only three living people could be in this room.

That meant even if a Slaughter Dao expert entered, he would be cut down on the spot!

Jiang Qi, on the side, could hear this implication.

But she hadn't expected Jiang Xian to still have such clear thinking at this moment, so she quickly turned her head and gave him a small look of approval.

This was exactly the mindset needed!

With such composure in the face of change and the ability to still think, Jiang Xian had already surpassed his peers by far.

She wasn't afraid the Eighth Sword Immortal would break his word.

Because just as they were wary of him, Jiang Xian's identity as a Half Saint successor meant the other wouldn't take it lightly either.

Without reason, the Eighth Sword Immortal probably didn't want to make enemies with the Jiang family, which was why he mentioned keeping others out.

Jiang Si was still hesitating.

He couldn't hear any implied meaning; he was only thinking that if he left, Chao Tian Qian couldn't come in either.

Then, facing the Eighth Sword Immortal directly, there would only be Young Master Jiang and Jiang Qi.

—Who could handle that?

That was the Eighth Sword Immortal!

"Get out."

Jiang Xian was angry.

This guy was still not reacting; he was more trouble than he was worth.

"Three people, you have three breaths."

At this point, Xu Xiaoshou held up four fingers toward Jiang Si.

Seeing that straight thumb, Jiang Si's mind suddenly cleared, and he realized what would happen to the fourth person in the room.

He clenched his fist, gritted his teeth, gave Jiang Qi a "take care" look, and with a snap, went out the door, locking it behind him.

"Go!"

"Alright."

From outside the room came Jiang Si's gritted teeth and a response that sounded old and resigned.

Xu Xiaoshou relaxed.

The Slaughter Dao expert opposite was smart; he knew entering the room would be pointless, and that was enough.

With "momentum" established, everything was proceeding as planned. Clearing the room to leave only three people had gone more smoothly than expected.

Xu Xiaoshou casually picked up the documents on the table, flipped through a few pages, and put them down, smiling: "Looks like no introduction is needed."

The slightly wrinkled cover of the documents had a portrait that matched his disguise perfectly, even the expression in the eyes.

—So, what more introduction was required?

The only thing Xu Xiaoshou was curious about was how the Jiang family had obtained such an accurate portrait of the Eighth Sword Immortal, down to the lifelike eyes.

He didn't dwell on it and turned his gaze first to Jiang Qi, letting it fall on her sword, speaking as if chatting casually:

"Originally, I wasn't here for you."

"But you've been a bit too clever, guessing quite a few things accurately, though not entirely right. I don't want your conclusions to disrupt my original plan, so I kept you here."

"You don't mind, do you?"

Jiang Qi could only force a smile.

What else could she say?

Perhaps she should respond like this?

"Of course…"

"Hiss!" Before she finished, Jiang Qi felt a pain in her palm, and the spirit sword in her hand buzzed and flew toward the other under the Eighth Sword Immortal's gaze.

Jiang Xian, behind her, narrowed his pupils.

Outsiders might not know, but he understood this was "Sword Observation Technique"!

With Sword Observation Technique, not only could the user cultivate Sword Will, but it also greatly benefited the spirit sword itself.

Duan Jian Qing Ju had gone from an obscure spirit sword to a famous one through this nurturing.

That's why spirit swords across the world revered the Eighth Sword Immortal.

Those summoned felt as if favored by the sword god.

Even if not their master, they rejoiced.

Jiang Qi, who also knew the legends of Sword Observation Technique, was no exception.

Though she didn't know all the inside details, the tales of "Eighth Sword Immortal cherishing swords, swords loving Ba Zun An" had worn her ears out.

Now, experiencing it herself, she was nothing but shocked.

This was her sword, and the other hadn't even moved— just a look, and the sword was gone?

If it came to a fight, how could any Sword Cultivator in the world beat this man?

"Good sword."

Xu Xiaoshou stroked the sword's blade sincerely.

Under Sword Observation Technique, this top-tier third-grade spirit sword among Sword Sovereign levels trembled incessantly, like someone on a drug.

The first time was always intense and wild…

The sword's hum echoed for over ten breaths until Xu Xiaoshou stopped, and the spirit sword ceased its spasms.

Xu Xiaoshou placed the sword on the table.

The spirit sword buzzed again, as if craving more, trying to fly back.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, gripped the spirit sword, and tossed it to Jiang Qi, saying: "Control it."

Jiang Qi caught the sword.

But it seemed unwilling to recognize its master, struggling to return to Xu Xiaoshou's embrace.

Jiang Qi's face paled.

She gripped it tightly, sheathed it, and held the connection between the sheath and guard, finally suppressing the spirit sword's frenzy.

"This is real!"

Jiang Qi was horrified in her heart. This was the true Eighth Sword Immortal!

This small, unintentional detail—perhaps deliberately shown or out of his love for swords—left no doubt.

When the spirit sword returned to her hand, Jiang Qi could feel its spirituality had changed.

So excited, so intense…

In the world, only that man and Sword Observation Technique could alter a spirit sword like this; there was no second possibility!

"Let's get to the point."

A faint voice pulled the two back from the edge of their turbulent thoughts.

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at the chaotic information panel and knew these two wouldn't cause any more waves, so he got straight to the topic, looking at Jiang Qi.

"You're very clever, so guess again—what's my plan?"

"I…" Jiang Qi was instantly covered in sweat, soaking her back. "I wouldn't dare speculate."

Xu Xiaoshou toyed with the teapot on the table, not pouring any, just playing with it.

He waved his sleeve casually, and two chairs flew out, as he said: "Don't be tense. Sit down, think it through, and then answer."

Jiang Qi's face was as pale as paper.

To her ears, this was no different from: "You have one last chance to speak, answer carefully!"

Now, she went all out. Whether death or life, it was the same, so she wasn't afraid of offending him.

"I guess that Senior wants to stir up Dong Tian Wang City, spreading the intelligence about the Saint Secret Place."

"After all, the 'Feng Sheng Dao Scripture' of the Saint Secret Place is too enticing. As long as outsiders are drawn in, you can set up another trap and profit from the chaos… uh, from it."

Xu Xiaoshou was surprised, thinking to himself that this woman's mind was incredibly sharp.

Comparing people was infuriating; comparing goods was throwing them away!

How had she thought of that?

He asked further: "How to profit?"

Sweat beads slid from Jiang Qi's forehead into her eye socket, but she didn't notice, her body tense as she rapidly organized her words: "Rumors say Senior once went to the Saint Secret Place, so when it's in chaos, you'll have your own ideas—I wouldn't dare probe."

"You dare!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded, pointing to the chair, and said without room for refusal: "Sit down, then continue."

Jiang Qi sat up straight with a snap.

Xu Xiaoshou then looked at Jiang Xian, who said nothing and directly moved his buttocks onto the chair, though his upper body remained as straight as if standing, his whole person in a dazed state.

Quite the act… Xu Xiaoshou immediately saw through Jiang Xian's thoughts.

Jiang Xian wasn't stupid.

Xu Xiaoshou had seen that from their earlier encounter at the Duo Jin Merchant Guild.

And indeed, his performance now just needed to amplify the tension of facing a senior; if he messed up, he could excuse it as being too nervous.

"Interesting."

Xu Xiaoshou smiled inwardly, ignoring him, and looked back at Jiang Qi: "Go on then. Why would I profit from the Void Dao?"

Void Dao… Jiang Qi closed her heavy eyelids.

She was best at inferring from subtle clues.

Saint Secret Place was ultimately just an outsider's name for the Void Dao; true insiders rarely used that term.

And the Eighth Sword Immortal's unintentional slip…

When he fell, he was indeed imprisoned in the Void Dao!

Jiang Qi gave up all hope of survival.

Not to mention death.