Chapter 1681: A Single Stone Stirs a Thousand Waves, One Sword Pierces the Hearts of Five Realms

"What's happening?"

"Killing God Weifong... is swimming?"

Everyone expected a thrilling, blood-pumping battle, but the scene suddenly transmitted by the Path-Spreading Mirror became both irritating and comical.

They saw that Master Xu's incarnated Limit Giant remained motionless, while Weifong, surprisingly, began doing sit-ups in front of the giant's thigh.

Sometimes he was clear-headed, other times he was in a daze. This cycle repeated endlessly. Aside from uttering a few threats, Weifong couldn't move an inch.

The spectators in front of the Five Domains Path-Spreading Mirror, after a long moment of stunned silence, burst into uproar simultaneously.

"Seriously, does he really like swimming that much?"

"If he likes it, he should find somewhere with water to swim! We want to see a fight! A FIGHT!"

"Weifong, and everyone else, are they being restricted by something? Even Sword Immortal Wuyue isn't moving... Is it a rule set by the Gray Palace of Xu Yue that you have to take two strokes before a major battle?"

"Draw your sword, Senior Weifong, I beg you! Stop swimming, I'm scared..."

"Look! Sword Immortal Wuyue must be confused by Weifong... Good, his eyes are sharp! He's about to make a move! He's looking over there! Let's see what Sword Immortal Wuyue can do at the feet of Master Xu's giant..."

"Huh? Gou Wuyue started swimming too?"

It was too funny! Both hilarious and incredibly awkward!

Feng Tiantian witnessed this scene firsthand and even forgot to provide commentary.

She couldn't believe that Sword Immortal Wuyue, whom she had steadfastly admired for so many years, also bowed down to Xu Xiaoshou.

"I admit, my Xu Xiaoshou is very charming. But you are a senior, you are Gou Wuyue of the Mo Sword Art, the former White-Clothed Path Dominator. How could you prostrate yourself like this before my Xu Xiaoshou? He... he doesn't deserve such an honor!"

"Is it just my imagination?" Feng Tiantian rubbed her eyes, offering her observations and judgments from close to the battlefield: "Perhaps you watching through the Path-Spreading Mirror are completely baffled right now, and to be honest, so am I! But I think it's probably because Master Xu's giant and the others' power exceeded a limit, violating some 'restriction' of the Gray Palace of Xu Yue, which is why no one can move. You see, my Xu Xiao... erm, Master Xu's giant also didn't move. He couldn't attack either, he just wasn't swimming... Mmph!"

Feng Tiantian suddenly covered her mouth, stopping her commentary. As the Path-Spreading Mirror's view zoomed out to provide a semi-panoramic shot, everyone could easily see... The Limit Giant moved!

Not only was it unaffected by the invisible 'restriction' that prevented others from acting, but its speed was also incredibly fast. Catching Weifong during the brief moment he started swimming again, the giant's massive hand swept across the sky, scooping him, sword and all, into its palm.

"Boom!"

A howling wind roared from the cliff side of Mount Huitian, sweeping across most of the Misty Forest, and even causing the Path-Spreading Mirror's image to wildly distort. It was clear just how terrifying the giant's power was!

Because the Path-Spreading Mirror couldn't fully encompass the Limit Giant's body, the visual impact of this grab was immense. It was as if a gigantic hand had swept past the heads of all the spectators in the Five Domains. Everyone instinctively ducked, covering their heads, causing their field of vision in the Five Domains to dramatically widen.

"Caught him!" Feng Tiantian jumped up excitedly: "So Master Xu's giant *could* move after all! He even captured Third Emperor Weifong, along with his King of Hell's Feast blade, in his hand! How incredible! But in my opinion, as a Half-Saint, and known as the 'Killing God,' Third Emperor Weifong surely has more abilities than this. Perhaps his... Void Treading Water technique earlier was just to confuse Master Xu? Weifong should still have a way to escape... from the giant's grasp... right?"

Before she could finish her sentence, the giant's massive hand clenched tightly, making the air crackle. The hopes of the Five Domains spectators, like Feng Tiantian's voice, were instantly dashed by the giant.

"What a jinx!"

"But still quite sweet? 'Void Treading Water technique'... Hilarious!"

Everyone in front of the Path-Spreading Mirror fell silent, mouths agape, wide enough to fit an egg, completely dumbfounded by Feng Tiantian's 'jinxed' commentary.

"Crushed... crushed to death?!" Feng Tiantian, unaware of the situation, clenched her sleeves and cried out in alarm. She quickly zoomed the Path-Spreading Mirror in, showing the giant's now open left hand, while a thrill ran through her heart: "He really... didn't say a word. Even as a giant, crushing an insignificant ant felt so casual, so dominant, so charming... Uh, perhaps that's exactly what happened?"

Feng Tiantian dared not let her mind wander, fearing she might accidentally broadcast her thoughts. She had already been warned once by Feng Zhongzui. One warning was fine, but three would mean being banned and replaced, which she couldn't allow!

Like the spectators in the Five Domains, Feng Tiantian couldn't clearly see the battlefield with her naked eye; she could only view it through the Path-Spreading Mirror. As the image zoomed in, the giant's open palm revealed only a small pool of blood and the broadsword, King of Hell's Feast, embedded in what looked like flesh.

Weifong was nowhere to be seen.

"He's dead!" Feng Tiantian cried out in astonishment, filled with shock: "Isn't he a Half-Saint? Isn't he a powerful Half-Saint? Could this Weifong be fake, impersonated by some evil spirit master? But that's impossible. He pushed my... um, he pushed Master Xu to transform into this giant form, which means Xu Xiaoshou was still under some pressure and couldn't relax. But as soon as he transformed..."

Feng Tiantian stopped abruptly, not daring to continue her commentary. What could she say? That as soon as my Xu Xiaoshou transformed, Killing God Weifong was so terrified he went insane, started swimming in the void, and then got swatted like a mosquito? She did want to say it, but the problem was, the Feng family couldn't bear the repercussions of such words. After all, Weifong was still a former Third Emperor. Even if he was now on a wanted list, some respect should be shown, right?

"Right! A Half-Saint! He's a Half-Saint!" Feng Tiantian finally found a point to comment on, speaking rapidly and switching to an inner monologue for herself: "As everyone knows, even if a Half-Saint's physical body is destroyed, they won't truly die as long as their spiritual will remains intact. Which means, Senior Weifong, as long as he preserves his soul and consciousness, still has a chance to survive, a chance to turn the tables and... possibly...?"

Feng Tiantian let out a muffled sound and quickly covered her mouth with both hands. Everyone in the Five Domains, hearing that last sentence and seeing the Path-Spreading Mirror's image, felt their vision go black simultaneously: "Has her mouth been blessed with prophetic powers?"

The Path-Spreading Mirror's image showed that Master Xu had indeed acted accordingly! Evidently, what was common knowledge to all was also known to Master Xu – the moment Feng Tiantian's words fell, a brilliant soul profound array disk unfurled beneath the Limit Giant's feet.

The Gate of Hell descended from the sky!

It didn't even need to replicate the thrilling sight of Shen Yi "Underworld's Fury, Nine Nether Fists" brutally beating Bei Huai in the Four Symbols Secret Realm. The Gate of Hell alone, descending from above, suppressed Weifong's desperately struggling and furiously roaring soul body on the edge of Mount Huitian's cliff.

The Gates of Hell reopened in the high heavens! Through the manifestation of the Path-Spreading Mirror, the Five Domains spectators could clearly perceive: As two eerie green skull gates slowly opened, a monstrously large and terrifying Fengdu Sword, as if solely pulled by gravity, accelerated its descent from the sky.

With that single descent, Weifong's life was extinguished. Eerie green ripples spread out, engulfing everything for miles. The Fengdu Sword directly impaled and shattered the screaming, struggling wraith beneath the Gate of Hell. The cliff served as its sheath, the sword's return was like coming home.

Deadly silence! The silent annihilation was more shocking than any blood-pumping, fist-to-fist battle!

Those in front of the Path-Spreading Mirror exchanged bewildered glances, not quite daring to believe that the Gate of Hell was the Ancient Martial Hungry Ghost Path, nor that the Fengdu Sword could be deployed with such casualness. Yet the damage... was horrifying!

"Although I can't see his face clearly, I somehow feel that Master Xu is enraged?"

"He usually says a few words..."

Feng Tiantian herself felt her heart pound just watching that one sword stroke. But as one of Master Xu's people, her greater concern was for her own Master Xu. After murmuring softly, Feng Tiantian quickly returned to her commentary, though with some uncertainty: "There should still be a way out, right? Third Emperor Weifong should still have consciousness..."

Master Xu had silenced the Five Domains. But a single sentence from Feng Tiantian brought everyone in front of the Path-Spreading Mirror back to life: "Seriously, are you doing this again?"

Hiss!!

A crazy, tearing roar pierced the clouds, and the Path-Spreading Mirror changed again, manifesting as a spiritual form. They saw a blurry, distorted, bloody mass of killing intent, like a wild horse gone mad and unbridled, desperately fleeing into the distance... Killing God Weifong! He was fleeing in the opposite direction from Master Xu!

Without a doubt, Weifong was panicked, terrified. He just wanted to escape the battlefield alive. But... The Limit Giant, standing tall on Mount Huitian, moved in response to Feng Tiantian's words. It gently pushed its left palm upwards, tossing the small King of Hell's Feast blade from its palm high into the air. Its right hand seemed to grasp something at its waist; as it drew it out, its foot pivoted on the cliff, and it turned around.

The Path-Spreading Mirror's image showed no hesitation or distortion. Yet, before the eyes of all in the Five Domains, the Limit Giant gradually transformed and vanished with incredible fluidity. In its place stood a young man, clad in black, his clothes dancing with his movements, his black hair fluttering in the wind, and his black sword extending with his turn, as he stood in the void above the cliff's edge.

He spun, brandishing Cang Ku. The sword light swept across the sky.

"Spirit Kingdom's Blessing, Prajna-lessness."

As the words settled, the Path-Spreading Mirror faded the side profile of Master Xu, who had returned from his giant form, his brows still etched with a hint of anger. Immediately after, the scene followed the silver sword light for thousands of miles, chasing after the bloody mass of killing intent.

"No!!!"

A desperate cry echoed throughout the Five Domains. Everyone held their breath, their hearts pounding. For the first time, they witnessed the imagery of Prajna-lessness with such clarity: Nine Swords Cleaving Paths, Imaginary Blessed Kingdom, seizing the fleeing mass of bloody killing intent, eradicating all chaotic thoughts, and trapping the calm within the void-world constructed by the second realm of this Heart Sword Art.

Then, the tangible sword light of Prajna-lessness transformed into an intangible force, sweeping through, and the Spirit Kingdom shattered. Weifong's lingering will vanished like smoke. He no longer existed in the world, not even stirring the slightest ripple.

"What was that?!"

Like a stone stirring a thousand waves, that single sword strike pierced the hearts of the Five Domains. Weifong had passed away quietly, but the Five Domains could no longer contain the uproar that followed this sword strike. In an instant, countless spectators in front of the Path-Spreading Mirror stood up, clutching their tingling scalps.

Everyone knew this was Prajna-lessness, a technique Master Xu had learned from Mr. Siyi: "A single thought distinguishes gods and Buddhas, a single thought is Prajna-lessness." But... "This was simply too fluid!"

From the giant shrinking, Master Xu returning; the giant touching his waist, Master Xu drawing his sword; the giant turning, Master Xu striking with his sword... To the cliff's side, sword light following; Master Xu fading, Weifong manifesting; Spirit Kingdom formed, Prajna-lessness extinguishing... In between, there wasn't even the slightest hint of a pause or interruption.

And compared to the legendary "Yun Lun's One Sword, slicing through demons," Master Xu's Prajna-lessness this time was effortless to an extreme degree. Like high mountains and flowing water, or clouds drifting among cranes. A naturally attained state, executed with casual grace.

"This is the second realm?" Everyone was stunned. "Is this the second realm that Beibei has to exert himself for half a day, activating Emperor Sword Sky Dissolution, drawing strength from thousands of swords, and turning red from effort just to achieve?"

"Master Xu's sword strike was smoother than my diarrhea!"

Undoubtedly, Master Xu had evolved. Just from this single, ethereal strike of Prajna-lessness, anyone could see... The title of "First Sword Immortal" was truly well-deserved! This guy had not just pulled ahead of his peers by a street, but by a whole city! He could take down even Half-Saint Weifong in the blink of an eye, instantly severing body, spirit, and will, ensuring eternal damnation. Who could stand against this man?

"Wait, is no one going to praise Feng Tiantian?"

Some also snapped out of their awe from the Prajna-lessness strike, temporarily forgetting Weifong, feeling that Feng Tiantian and the Path-Spreading Mirror deserved great credit for the fluidity of that sword move.

"What level of Path-Spreading artistry is this?"

"Are the Feng family born with such mastery of transitions? In the art of Path-Spreading, I declare the Feng family the strongest!"

"Exactly, when the giant shrunk and Master Xu's side profile was revealed... forget Feng Tiantian, even I almost fell for it! Gotta say, Master Xu has some looks!"

More than just a little! In front of the Path-Spreading Mirror, Feng Tiantian, rooted in the Misty Forest, felt as if she had been forcibly frozen in place. She unconsciously held her breath, only her heart pounding like a startled deer. Her mind at that moment was filled only with that fleeting glimpse of his handsome face. No embellishment needed; it was pure heart-fluttering infatuation!

From knowing Xu Xiaoshou, to wanting to get closer to him, to deeply understanding him, to falling in love with him... From his fame in Yunlun, to the shocking events in the Eight Palaces, to his hard-won growth in the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace, to his ridiculous yet adorable Reverse Sword Control Art... Feng Tiantian had actively delved into the past of her Xu Xiaoshou.

She also knew that in the Five Domains, there were many other young girls just like her who, after Xu Xiaoshou's rise to fame, unconsciously wanted to approach him, understand him, and even revered the Heavenly Sang Spirit Palace where he grew up as a sacred place. Compared to them, how fortunate was she? Because of a mission, she encountered Sword Immortal Wuyue, and by a twist of fate, wanted to broadcast Sword Immortal Wuyue, but ended up personally broadcasting Master Xu...

In truth, Feng Tiantian had no mastery over the art of Path-Spreading. Ever since Master Xu returned from his giant transformation, she had been staring at his face, forgetting to comment, and even forgetting to operate the Path-Spreading Mirror. The rest was the mirror operating automatically.

Feng Tiantian now only regretted why the Path-Spreading Mirror had only shown that one shot of Master Xu after he returned to human form, and even then, it was blurred and fading. Yet she also thanked the mirror for that one shot; just that brief, hazy glimpse was enough to satisfy her.

"This is the closest I've ever been to Xu Xiaoshou..." Feng Tiantian pressed a small hand to her chest, taking several deep breaths to calm the turmoil in her heart. She used to disbelieve those romantic stories, fabricated by who-knew-who, about the "Eighth Sword Immortal" being famous throughout the world, adored by young girls across the Five Domains, and revered as a myth. She had seen portraits of Eighth Venerable during the Eight Palaces era; he was unkempt and quite slovenly, making one feel at a glance that Moon Palace Slave shouldn't be following him — even though she had yet to see what the legendary number one beauty, Moon Palace Slave, looked like.

Now! Just that one glance right now! Feng Tiantian understood. She felt that even if Xu Xiaoshou were to lose two fingers and his eyes grew cloudy in the future, she would still love him, eternally faithful.

"No! My Master Xu wouldn't be that slovenly. He's always been a very, very good and perfectly perfect person..." Feng Tiantian yearned to express her recent feelings to the mirror, to praise Xu Xiaoshou more, so that everyone in the Five Domains would know his strength and goodness. She thought this, and she was about to speak. But who knew, Feng Zhongzui seemed to have anticipated her, sending a second warning directly: "Mind your surroundings."

"Hmph!" Feng Tiantian pouted, suppressing the urge to grumble about Feng Zhongzui. After adopting a neutral stance, she announced: "What a beautiful Prajna-lessness, and such an effortless second realm! First Sword Immortal Xu Xiaoshou, I fear, has no equal among his peers."

After her formulaic commentary, Feng Tiantian still couldn't resist adding some emotion: "Indeed! In front of my Xu Xiaoshou, even a Half-Saint won't fare well, no matter if your surname is Qin... erm, surnamed Wei... erm, no surname, no surname, I said nothing!"

Feng Tiantian "Pfft, pfft, pfft-ed," realizing she had misspoken, and hastily changed the topic: "Actually, even if his body, spirit, and will have all been severed, Third Emperor Weifong is still very powerful. It's not out of the question that he might revive. After all, as everyone knows, Half-Saints all possess Half-Saint avatars as a trump card..."

"Huh?" Before Feng Tiantian could finish speaking, her eyes widened. Because Xu Xiaoshou, dressed in black on the distant Mount Huitian, suddenly turned his gaze and looked over.

He... He! Was! Looking! At! Me!

Feng Tiantian nearly shrieked and covered her head, yet she didn't want to hide and miss Xu Xiaoshou's attention. Looking closer, she found Xu Xiaoshou's expression seemed... odd? At the same time, a chill ran down her spine, as if not only Xu Xiaoshou but many other terrifying gazes were fixed on her. Feng Tiantian froze. "What's wrong? Why are they looking at me? Did I say something wrong again?"

In front of the Five Domains Path-Spreading Mirror, when they saw Master Xu's gaze directed towards the mirror, everyone burst into hysterical laughter. As the saying goes, "The onlookers see more than the players." Everyone more or less understood Master Xu's gaze, which seemed to be looking at a demon.

"You said he killed Weifong's body, but he still needed a soul..."

"You said he killed Weifong's soul, but he still needed a consciousness..."

"Now his body, spirit, and will are all gone, and you say a Half-Saint still has a Half-Saint avatar..."

"Feng Tiantian, your mouth is truly 'sweet'! Why didn't you say Half-Saint avatars usually come in threes? In my opinion, you shouldn't be called Feng Tiantian anymore. You should change your name to Feng Yama! You can already manipulate Master Xu from afar, and your words become law, verbally executing Half-Saints!"

Feng Tiantian: "But I am neutral! Weifong is on the left, Gou Wuyue is on the right, and I only stand with my neutral Xu Xiaoshou. Is there anything wrong with that?"

And truthfully, Xu Xiaoshou's glance after eliminating Weifong was indeed "judging a gentleman's heart by a villain's standards." After playing around with Dao Qiongcang in the Divine Remains for so long, his first reaction, like those around him and the people of the Five Domains, was: Could this young Feng family girl intensely resent Weifong for some reason, and is trying to subtly hint at me to finish him off completely?

"What a sin..."

"She must have been unintentional."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head and turned his gaze away. He merely sought to vent his anger and further test the strength of the Blade Wielder of Tribulation, but he had no intention of completely falling out with Dao Qiongcang. With the battle against Ai Cangsheng imminent, it would be unwise to create more powerful enemies in the Southern Domain, given the broader situation. But his internal thoughts were his own. Whether they would be friends or foes next actually depended on Dao Qiongcang, especially since Momo was still with him. It's just that...

"Kill me? Ha, what a fool's dream!"

The Blade Wielder of Tribulation consumed too much. After the test, his spiritual energy was almost depleted, and he had used a significant amount of Heavenly Ancestor's power. Gou Wuyue seemed to have noticed, as the duration of his control was progressively shortening. He seemed to have great insight into domain-type and rule-based abilities? Plus, Dao Qiongcang, a super brain, was right by his side... Therefore, after a forceful strike to eliminate Weifong, Xu Xiaoshou quickly deactivated this second awakening, planning to use it again only when appropriate.

This was a divine skill! Before it could be deciphered, one activation meant one opportunity to instantly kill someone!

He withdrew his gaze from Gou Wuyue, who had precisely positioned himself a mile away, using No-Sword Art to retreat from the chaotic battlefield. Xu Xiaoshou merely let out a soft "heh," a cold chuckle that spoke volumes, leaving Gou Wuyue to ponder its meaning himself.

He extended his hand... The King of Hell's Feast, which had been tossed high into the air in his giant form, now tumbled down slowly after Weifong's demise. Xu Xiaoshou spun the sword in his right hand, Cang Ku resting against his elbow, raised obliquely. As he turned his body, his raised left hand, with fingers together, struck. The King of Hell's Feast, plummeting from the sky, suddenly veered at a sharp right angle, directly plunging into Mount Huitian.

"Thud!"

Rocks scattered. The Gray Palace of Xu Yue, conveniently visible in the mirror, slowly expanded before the world's eyes. The attention of the Five Domains' people was also drawn to Master Xu's action of impaling the blade into the cliff after his cold chuckle.

"What does this mean? Where's Sword Immortal Wuyue? Why isn't he fighting anymore?"

Before everyone could comprehend the meaning behind Master Xu's actions, on the Path-Spreading Mirror's image of the Gray Palace of Xu Yue, a bloody, distorted figure in front of the King of Hell's Feast blade gradually solidified.

A little familiar? Before they could see clearly, Master Xu's cold, disdainful voice, which made one's hair stand on end, was remotely captured by the Path-Spreading Mirror: "Leaving the Divine Remains, you've forgotten about us from the past... Is this your attitude? Dao Qiongcang!"