Chapter 964: Huh? Isn't This My Ye... Grand Uncle-Master?

Gu Qing Er, jumped off the cliff and committed suicide?

In his invisible state, Xu Xiao Shou was almost stunned by the absurd scene unfolding before him.

He could tell that the golden sword intent that had pierced into his and Rao Yao Yao's battle earlier truly came from Gu Qing Er.

But why had this guy appeared, why had he become so powerful, why had he saved him, and why, after saving him, had he been so ashamed and angry as to take his own life...

Xu Xiao Shou had no idea about any of these things.

He was completely unaware of the outside events and could only sense a hint of "social death" from Gu Qing Er's expression moments ago.

However, he didn't have much time to speculate about what had triggered Gu Qing Er's extreme reaction.

Lei Xi Er's condition was too poor.

By using the power of Wangzuo Daojing to forcibly control Rao Yao Yao and Wang Da Chui, she had exhausted far too much of her strength.

After assessing the chaos in the battle situation, Xu Xiao Shou quickly moved to Lei Xi Er's side. While everyone was still reeling from Gu Qing Er's bizarre actions, he waved his hand and pulled her into the Yuanfu World.

Lei Xi Er, with her Tunsheng Mutai unsealed into a supreme life demon body, would likely recover her combat ability quickly once back in the Yuanfu World, simply by sitting under the Life Spirit Seal for a while.

Xu Xiao Shou had now witnessed the full extent of the Shenmo Tong's power.

Faced with enemies on all sides, he felt that he might truly need to release Lei Xi Er later to lend him a hand.

As for Tan Shen...

This little white cat had been quietly taken away when Xu Xiao Shou transformed into his altered state.

Xu Xiao Shou wasn't sure if Rao Yao Yao had realized that Tan Shen was actually a genuine ghost beast, but he figured she probably had and just didn't care.

After all, what did the connection between Yanwang Huangquan and the ghost beasts have to do with him, a Shengnu like Xu Xiao Shou?

"Dean, we should look for a chance to leave."

After retrieving Lei Xi Er, Xu Xiao Shou, with only a bit of his facial skin visible, leaned close to Ye Xiao Tian and whispered softly.

He had no intention of pulling the dean into the Yuanfu World, as that would require the latter to fully lower his guard and accept it.

In the earlier battle, his portrayal of the "Huangquan" role had been highly successful, but the dean still harbored some wariness toward him and wouldn't easily relax.

Moreover, Xu Xiao Shou believed that with the dean's Wangzuo Daojing strength combined with mastery of spatial essence, he could go anywhere in the vast world once free from the earlier constraints of the storyteller's ancient archive space.

Ye Xiao Tian tensed up at the words, then relaxed slightly, though his mind remained filled with shock and doubt.

"Xu Xiao Shou, it's still Xu Xiao Shou! He really transformed into Huangquan and pulled off this deception...

"No, maybe this is just another of Huangquan's schemes, and he's still trying to capture me?"

Ye Xiao Tian had already detected the fleeting spatial passage power from earlier—Lei Xi Er had vanished in an instant because of it.

The only thing he was grateful for was that this figure, whether Huangquan or Xu Xiao Shou, hadn't used that ability on him.

Compared to placing his hopes of escaping the battle on someone who might be a former outer court disciple under him, Ye Xiao Tian preferred to rely on self-preservation.

What's more, whether the real Xu Xiao Shou was alive or dead, or if he had been replaced by Huangquan long ago, remained an uncertain question.

"Take care."

Ye Xiao Tian murmured softly to the unseen "Xu Xiao Shou or Huangquan," as spatial power gathered around him, preparing to flee.

"Thinking of running?!"

Just then, Rao Yao Yao's cold gaze swept over, and a burst of sword energy shot out, tearing through the mountainside and interrupting Ye Xiao Tian's movement, nearly blasting him into the cliff bottom.

For her, the most hateful one who had broken through the inner world of Tianji World had already jumped off the cliff, his whereabouts unknown.

So, amid the current chaos, even with miscellaneous intruders, she had to return to the fight as it was.

Because the key figure, Huangquan, had vanished amid the earlier confusion.

But the silver-haired woman with Shenmo Tong had disappeared in the next instant, meaning Huangquan was still here.

And Ye Xiao Tian, the white-haired boy, had been with Huangquan from the start. As long as she could capture him, she might force Huangquan to show himself.

With that in mind, Rao Yao Yao charged forward with her sword, no questions asked.

At the same time, everyone on Guyin Cliff snapped to attention. The only exposed intruder left was this white-haired boy.

In an instant, hundreds of gazes locked onto Ye Xiao Tian, and the crowd quickly moved, following Rao Yao Yao's lead.

The Shisan Taixu under Teng Shan Hai's command did not act, as this wasn't the credit promised to them. Forcing their way in could lead to mishaps, like letting him escape, and they might even be accused of favoritism.

Bai Lin and Mu Lin remained indifferent, their eyes wandering as they searched for something. With no results, they had no desire to interfere in Shengshen Diantang's internal affairs.

In his invisible state, Xu Xiao Shou grew anxious.

He was glad he hadn't acted greedily by opening a spatial passage for the dean into the Yuanfu World.

Because if the dean had hesitated, Rao Yao Yao's quick reaction might have traced the spatial remnants, exposing everything.

Yet, at the same time, Xu Xiao Shou worried about the dean's safety.

In his invisible state, he could escape now, but he had entered this situation precisely to save the dean.

Fleeing now would make him seem like a stray dog or a opportunistic fence-sitter.

More importantly, on principle, Xu Xiao Shou couldn't abandon his comrade.

"You go first. Leave the rest to me."

Ye Xiao Tian appeared quite composed, speaking lightly to the air.

He wasn't sure if "Xu Xiao Shou or Huangquan" was still there, but since the other had shown goodwill without any force, Ye Xiao Tian figured it was probably Xu Xiao Shou.

In that case, as the former dean of Tian Sang Ling Palace, how could he let a former disciple sacrifice everything to protect him?

The other had done enough already!

Thus, facing the charging group of over a hundred trial officials, Ye Xiao Tian stepped forward illusionarily, gently extending his hands. A spatial essence array diagram spun open beneath his feet, instantly enveloping the entire Guyin Cliff.

"Zhichi Tianya!"

He murmured softly.

In that moment, he exuded an aura of one man holding the pass against ten thousand.

With those words, his qi sea spiritual energy erupted, and the surrounding space intertwined and folded.

Though the distance was merely a dozen or so yards, when Rao Yao Yao and the others rushed forward, it was as if countless dimensional spaces lay between them.

They saw the "mountain" that was Ye Xiao Tian right before them.

Yet, like chasing a mirage, after rushing for over ten breaths—what outsiders saw was the trial officials barely advancing a few inches while seemingly running in place.

" Spatial essence..."

The Shisan Taixu watching from behind felt envious.

Indeed, enemies drawn into the inner world of Tianji World were formidable!

Nearby, Mu Lin and Bai Lin, who were still searching for any trace of Xu Xiao Shou, had no interest in the fight at first, only in their own target.

Now, however, they were drawn to the spatial essence array diagram under the white-haired boy's feet.

Mu Lin's gaze shifted back, landing on the boy with Wangzuo Daojing cultivation who had trapped over a hundred trial officials, including Rao Yao Yao and Wang Da Chui, with his technique.

One breath, two breaths...

Suddenly, Mu Lin's brows lifted slightly, though his eyelids lowered.

In this subtle concealment, his eyes grew deeper, hiding his surprise.

"Ye... Xiao... Tian?" Mu Lin murmured silently.

He had thought that on this trip, besides Xu Xiao Shou's unexpected actions, no one else could surprise him.

Little did he know, without even seeing Xu Xiao Shou, he had spotted an unforeseen old acquaintance—the spatial attribute one among the four sons of Sheng Palace, Ye Xiao Tian!

Memories of their youth flashed through Mu Lin's mind.

Back then, the four sons of Sheng Palace were inseparable. As the junior brother of Sang Qi Ye from the Jin Zhao lineage, Mu Lin naturally knew Ye Xiao Tian.

Mu Lin didn't have much interaction with the four sons, as he disliked Sang Qi Ye's temperament and thus had little regard for his circle of friends.

However, Sheng Palace had missions.

On several missions, Mu Lin had fought alongside Ye Xiao Tian.

Their shared life-and-death experiences meant they weren't exactly "close friends," but the term "friends" could encompass their relationship.

"Prepare to act."

Mu Lin decided without hesitation, sending a message to Bai Lin.

In that moment, he formulated a complete plan.

Ye Xiao Tian, unlike Sang Qi Ye who directly defected to Shengnu, had merely left Sheng Palace to cultivate alone and was still considered one of its people.

Mu Lin vaguely recalled that Ye Xiao Tian hadn't committed any major offenses in the past.

So, whatever issues arose with someone from Sheng Palace should be handled by Sheng Palace itself, not by someone like Rao Yao Yao from Shengshen Diantang, who might take him for interrogation.

Bai Lin was startled, glancing at the spatial essence array diagram, and quickly understood what his master was thinking.

"Ye... Shishu?"

While feeling a headache, Bai Lin knew that with Mu Lin's status, he couldn't directly snatch someone from under Rao Yao Yao's sword.

But as Mu Lin's "wayward disciple," if he acted out of "sudden emotion" upon recognizing Ye Xiao Tian as a Sheng Palace senior, that excuse would give Rao Yao Yao no choice but to show some face and accept it.

" This is going to put a lot on my plate..."

Bai Lin sighed, no longer dwelling on the consequences. He flipped his palm, and Jin Zhao white flames ignited in his hand.

Just then, both of them noticed Ye Xiao Tian, who had temporarily trapped Rao Yao Yao and the others with "Zhichi Tianya," suddenly lift his gaze and give them an almost imperceptible shake of his head.

Mu Lin and Bai Lin had recognized Ye Xiao Tian.

How could Ye Xiao Tian not recognize them?

For him, the moment he broke out of the inner world of Tianji World, seeing "eyebrowless Mu Lin" here was incredibly abrupt, demanding a second look.

And precisely because the other was a genuine Sheng Palace disciple, while he himself was labeled a "smuggler" and suspected of being Huangquan's accomplice, Ye Xiao Tian wouldn't sacrifice the future of Sang Qi Ye's junior brother and his descendants to save himself.

Mu Lin might be willing to risk some of Bai Lin's interests for this, but Ye Xiao Tian didn't think that way.

Bai Lin was already one of Sheng Palace's five great authorities.

Such a high-ranking figure, entangled in complexities, was often constrained by circumstances.

"I only acted for Elder Sang—why drag others into it?"

Ye Xiao Tian thought to himself, using his eyes to reject Mu Lin and Bai Lin's intentions.

At that moment, Rao Yao Yao and Wang Da Chui, struggling through the spatial folds, had broken free from "Zhichi Tianya" and were charging forward explosively.

"Fight?"

Ye Xiao Tian halted his movements, facing a difficult choice.

Suddenly, he didn't want to fight anymore.

He knew that even if he unleashed his full power and adopted a do-or-die stance, he could at most end up in a mutual defeat with Rao Yao Yao and Wang Da Chui.

But what would that achieve?

Why go that far?

"I'm just a minor smuggler who came for the 'Shengyuan Crystal Stone,' and now the crystal stone is gone. I only have A Jie with me—if I hide, they won't find me.

"Truth be told, besides the smuggler stigma, I haven't really associated with Huangquan. They can investigate that as they like.

"So, why not just surrender?"

Ye Xiao Tian felt his conscience was clear and had nothing to fear.

A mere smuggling mark might justify execution for others, but as a former Sheng Palace disciple, Rao Yao Yao couldn't touch him lightly.

As for fleeing...

Ye Xiao Tian wanted to flee, but he knew Rao Yao Yao and Wang Da Chui were fully focused on him.

He could escape, but what then? Wouldn't that make him look guilty?

What if Shengshen Diantang pinned charges like "Yanwang's accomplice" or "Shengnu associate" on him? That would be even worse.

With that in mind, Ye Xiao Tian raised his hands and forced a bitter smile. "I surrender..."

The word "surrender" hadn't fully left his lips when he suddenly stopped.

Because he saw the utter ruthlessness in Rao Yao Yao's eyes!

She had seen through his plan and, the instant he spoke, raised her Xuan Cang Divine Sword high...

"Hongchen Jian!"

Her sharp cry completely overpowered Ye Xiao Tian's words of surrender, making him realize she had no intention of letting him go!

"I can accept the normal red or white robe interrogation process, but Rao Yao Yao won't give me that chance—she knows I have issues.

"Through 'Hongchen Jian refining the heart,' at worst, she could extract information about Huangquan... no, about Xu Xiao Shou. That doesn't matter, since I don't know where he went.

"But I absolutely cannot undergo 'Hongchen Jian refining the heart'!

"Because I still have A Jie, and Qiao Qian is researching the secrets of Tianji Puppets—if that's exposed..."

Ye Xiao Tian's thoughts raced in a flash, grasping Rao Yao Yao's intent.

Smart people on opposing sides had guessed each other's thoughts—how could they give the other any opportunity?

"Let's do this!"

Ye Xiao Tian's raised hands clenched tightly, slamming down as the spatial essence array diagram beneath his feet blazed with light. The surrounding space cracked with a sudden "crack."

At that critical moment,

Just as Ye Xiao Tian was about to forcefully resist Rao Yao Yao's "Hongchen Jian," a strange, powerful girl carrying a large cauldron flew in from the sky above.

Dressed in a trial official's black robe, she seemed to pass by coincidentally, glancing down.

"Huh? Isn't that my Ye... Shizuzu?"

Pretending to have just noticed the impending clash, she dove down sharply, flipping her hand to raise her cauldron and block it between Rao Yao Yao and Ye Xiao Tian.

"Rao Jianxian, stop! This is my Ye predecessor—he's from Sheng Palace!"