Three Palaces and Six Courtyards; mortal Emperors are never lacking in them.
At this moment, Yang Shao's accusation was like a fabulously wealthy merchant being accused of stealing a chicken raised at home. How utterly absurd and laughable.
Yang Shao hadn't said this yet. But once he did, Kuimen Daoist Lord and the others found their hearts leaning towards Xu Xing.
Accustomed to leveraging power to oppress others and seize benefits... The Sect's evaluation of Xu Xing isn't wrong. This is where he differs from Song Knife. Song Knife likes to make friends widely and bestow favors upon those below him, whereas Xu Xing possesses more of an edge.
The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch greatly admired Xu Xing's approach. He couldn't help but compare Xu Xing to the recent Human King physique, Song Knife.
If Song Knife were in the Sealed Demon Pan Palace, he would likely have befriended the Aristocratic Young Masters of the Punishing Law Bureau and had them deal with Yang Shao, rather than personally leveraging his influence to intervene.
One must be decisive; indecision leads to chaos.
Kuimen Daoist Lord nodded. Song Knife appears decisive, but in reality, he's indecisive, with too many considerations when handling matters. If Xu Xing hadn't intervened this time, and Yang Shao had become my disciple—even just an Unofficial Disciple—I would have protected Yang Shao to save my own face, even if he had truly erred...
He stated this bluntly.
If Yang Shao entered his tutelage, even as an Unofficial Disciple, he would still barely be considered part of the master-disciple lineage. And how did another genius like Xu Xing concern him? On the contrary, he would have to be wary of Xu Xing holding a grudge against him over this matter. In that scenario, Xu Xing would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage when acting. This was all predictable.
As for the so-called Sect disciplinary laws, such things had always been used to restrain Bottom-level Cultivators. Handling Commoner Families on behalf of kinsmen was not rare in the Mundane World, nor in the Cultivation World.
"This time, his severing of Yang Shao's opportunity was excellently done!"
The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch nodded in approval.
In the Cultivation World, although aptitude was important, one's disposition was even more so. Sometimes, a single misstep in decision-making could affect one's Immortal Path for a lifetime.
「...」
「Heavenly Gate Palace.」
Beneath the Illusion Heart Formation.
Under Xu Xing's inducement, Yang Shao confessed his crime of hiring an assassin.
For a moment, all the True Monarchs and Dao Lords whose Divine Senses were attached to this place couldn't help but sigh with regret.
A mere momentary lapse in judgment had led to such severe consequences.
If Yang Shao hadn't committed this wicked act, then with Xu Xing's help, he might genuinely have had a chance to breach the 36 Layer Heavenly Gate Array and become a disciple of Kuimen Daoist Lord. Considering Yang Shao's Array Talent and attainments at this time, he truly wasn't bad. He just lacked a benefactor to give him a hand.
"Junior Brother Xu..." Yang Shao began, "The Immortal Path is long. My meager Array Talent, my entire life's effort, has been exhausted here. Your Array Talent is too strong; all Pan Palace disciples know of Kuimen Daoist Lord's 36 Layer Heavenly Gate Array."
"If you become the Dao Lord's True Disciple, how could there be any chance for me, your Senior Brother?"
When the Illusion Heart Formation ceased, Yang Shao didn't bother trying to exonerate himself. He sat cross-legged on the ground, tidied his plain white robe and hair bun, smoothed his sleeves, and composedly awaited death.
At this moment, he did not regret it. With his aptitude, relying on his Array Talent and the Yan Shen Art, he might still have gained Kuimen Daoist Lord's favor and been accepted as a disciple. But if there was a better Xu Xing, none of that was certain. On the Immortal Path, it's all about vying and seizing. Is camaraderie among fellow disciples important?
"Senior Brother Yang," Xu Xing began, glancing at him indifferently. Since Yang Shao was about to die, Xu Xing didn't hesitate to voice his thoughts. "You are wrong. Utterly wrong. Kuimen Daoist Lord... though Xu Xing admires him, I am not yet willing to compete with you, Senior Brother, for this single path."
"Senior Brother Yang, you are a wise man. You know your cultivation aptitude is limited, so you specialize in array techniques, hoping to gain the favor of Sect Seniors, be granted pills, and succeed in Returning Core. And while Xu Xing studies array techniques, for Xu Xing, in the Immortal Foundation Realm, they are merely a secondary skill. What I seek is the matter of cultivation itself..."
"Senior Brother, you saw yourself clearly, but you failed to see others clearly."
"Regarding the exchange for the Withered Wood Dao Scripture, I believe I didn't hide it from you, Senior Brother."
As Xu Xing spoke these words, a trace of sorrow touched Yang Shao's calm face.
He shook his head. "The Immortal Path is one of contention; relying on charity won't get you far. Junior Brother, your aptitude today surpasses mine, so you can certainly speak this way. If, one day, you were in the same situation as I was eight years ago, I imagine you would handle matters much more ruthlessly than I. However, the one point where you surpass me is that you would ensure no future troubles remain."
If he had killed Xu Xing, in the future, he would be a respected figure, reclining upon the Ninefold Cloud, admired by all. Perhaps one day, when instructing his own disciples, he would recount the tale of 'hiring an assassin,' and his disciples would surely admire his decisiveness, never thinking their Master had done wrong. Ultimately, he was just one step short. Luck was not on his side.
"This Junior Brother humbly accepts your teachings!"
Xu Xing did not argue, merely nodding in acknowledgment of Yang Shao's words. He cupped his fist towards Yang Shao, a gesture of thanks for the guidance he had received. Had it not been for Yang Shao's lapse in judgment, he would indeed have been a good teacher, instructing him well in the Dao of array techniques.
"Second-class prospective True Disciple... Xu Xing..." he declared. "Today, I set up the Illusion Heart Formation to covertly harm Senior Brother Yang Shao, and I willingly accept the punishment. However, Xu Xing has one request: Yang Shao is Xu Xing's nemesis, a mortal enemy. Unless I see him perish, this disciple's heart cannot be at ease."
"I implore all esteemed teachers to grant Xu Xing the right to carry out the execution!"
Xu Xing's mouth opened slightly, and a Withered Wood Flying Sword emerged. Initially three inches long, it swelled in the wind, transforming into a three-foot, deep green long sword.