Published at 2nd of March 2026 7:28 am

Chapter 4293: Stay (Part 3)

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Could it be, that my expectations for Him were too high, and in reality, Hua Changdeng’s cultivation was not achieved on his own, but rather like Yue Gong Han, attained through forced growth?

No...

With a shift in thoughts, Xu Xiaoshou immediately switched perspectives.

He no longer observed Hua Changdeng from the angle of the real physical world, but activated Phantom Swords Technique, switching to a soul perspective, viewing Heaven and Earth through the soul.

"Boom!"

At this glance.

The imagery previously witnessed, molded from War Ancestor’s Dharma Form, now explosively imprinted in his mind.

In the perpetual darkness of Phantom City, where wailing resentment souls cried, amidst a procession of ghost elders, floating in the bizarre scenery of eighteen layers of purgatory, and above all, a black-robed god of death that covered half the sky hung long in the air.

His sleeves hung low, and the countless souls of Phantom City were like puppets on strings, their ghostly faces shapeless, while the positions of their pupils housed eerie will-o-wisps—one ghostly white, one dingy gray, shaped like a cold moon, exuding an aloof and unruly aura.

Upon viewing, the black-robed god of death suddenly tilted its head upward, the strange scene of Phantom City shattered, and from the eighteen-layer purgatory rose the heavenly Sword Demon Three Swords, slashing straight down.

"Ha!!!"

Xu Xiaoshou’s hair stood on end, yet he remained unmoved, as a thunderous roaring sound exploded by his ear, jolting him awake.

This awakening dispelled the nightmare.

The ghostly scenery of Phantom City was after all an illusion, and Hua Changdeng remained the fallen swordsman of the Land of Screen and Candles, never having moved from the start.

Meanwhile, the War Ancestor’s Dharma Form had already jumped out from Venerable Extreme Slash Space, standing before Xu Xiaoshou, guarding him with wings spread like a mother hen protecting her chicks.

"No harm."

Xiaoshou’s will was perfectly intact, how could he not discern such an illusion, merely taking three of Hua Changdeng’s swords?

Just a little startled.

Unexpectedly, this guy, at first glance, braved the master-slave contract of robbing path, forcibly controlling, also attempting to strike three swords upon triggering spiritual illusions.

"This, is Hua Changdeng!"

The only chance to inflict harm on me, and you failed too.

In reality, this is Venerable Extreme Slash Space, you can’t kill your owner, me, it’s all in vain.

But the stronger you are, the more excited I become... Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, signaling Wu Bao not to worry, to step aside, as he was capable of handling Hua Changdeng.

"Heh..."

The fallen swordsman in the Land of Screen and Candles finally made a move.

He slightly lifted his head, looking at the old small table not far away, reaching to touch the Ghost Hunter, the sword, the lamp, and the table imagery, yet slightly twisted, carrying a strong sense of unrealness.

Fake...

Of course it’s fake!

The home’s environment in Venerable Extreme Slash Space is merely condensed from what’s most memorable in Venerable Dharma Form’s prior life.

How could a famed sword, Ghost Hunter, be generated out of thin air?

Hua Changdeng sighed silently, then turned his head to look not at Xu Xiaoshou, but at the majestic War Ancestor Dharma Form.

After a brief thought, his voice became husky and audible:

"War Ancestor?"

War Ancestor Wu lightly nodded.

Hua Changdeng was observing Him, and He too had discerned what path this guy had cultivated, although extraordinary, somewhat similar to the one in memory.

Evidently, this is no coincidence.

War Ancestor chuckled lightly and said, "If I am not mistaken, you fell to the scheming of Divine Farmer Hundred Grass?"

"I suppose..."

The fallen swordsman under the broken willow did not elaborate further, "Hua Changdeng."

After introducing himself, he skipped over that one of the Ten Ancestors from legend, not bothering to look again, finally turning to Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou puffed his chest, tilted his chin, and had his hands behind his back.

Heh, finally willing to look at me, SSR.

I’m the one who summoned you!

Hua Changdeng naturally saw Xu Xiaoshou, still maintaining that arrogant and provocative demeanor, his lips parted...

Xu Xiaoshou quietly waited.

Masters, never speak first.

Such as Hua Changdeng, scarce with words upon arrival, from start to finish not exceeding ten words, acting as if he were a peerless master.

Old Lamp being this way, how could I, Lord Shou, speak first?

Hua Changdeng merely glanced twice at Xu Xiaoshou, showing no sign of conversing, eventually shaking his head with a sizzle before lowering his head again, as if going back to rest.

Grass!

Xu Xiaoshou was furious, how dare he ignore me?

He immediately turned to War Ancestor, pointing at that rude trash swordsman, loudly stating:

"This guy wasn’t killed by Divine Farmer Hundred Grass, but at that time when Divine Farmer Hundred Grass sealed Godhood and became Ancestor, enduring interference from Demon Ancestor, Medicine Ancestor, Cursed Yin, battle strength nearly returning to zero, almost exploding God of War Continent, being the first Ancestor of Spiritual Cultivation Era..."

Hearing this, flames of fury ignited in War Ancestor’s eyes.

Indeed, as strong as evidently shown!

Xu Xiaoshou, however, shifted his tone, turning abruptly:

"When Bazhun’an entered the scene, reducing it to zero in one step, casually picking up a broken sword, merely receiving two or three strikes, Hua Changdeng imploded on the spot, Origin True Stele being extracted at once, with such a tragic death... Tsk, I can only say, unbearably tragic."

Uh.

Wu Bao stood frozen in place.

Is that really how it was?

Under the broken willow, the breathing of Hua Changdeng, who was supposed to rest quietly, noticeably intensified, gradually growing heavy.

One breath...

Two breaths...

Three breaths...

He ultimately couldn’t hold back, raising his head, glaring angrily at that despicable rascal:

"Can’t compare to a certain thief, even stealing my Yunshan Ancestor Stele, resorting to all means!"

Xu Xiaoshou was taken aback, then laughed heartily with hands on his hips, tears almost spilling out.

This is your attack power, Hua Changdeng?

My evaluation is, you’re too graceful!

"What?"

"Hua Ancestor, is your cultivation of composure so lacking, actually stooping to argue with me, a junior? But wasn’t I forced by you lot!"

"Bazhun’an is nothing like this, Bazhun’an has a high level of cultivation, Bazhun’an is magnanimous, capable of accommodating people, calling me ’Lord Shou!’"

Xu Xiaoshou said, tilting his head to one side, puckering his lips, murmuring softly: "Maybe that’s why he can win~"

Hua Changdeng’s face turned iron-gray, nearly standing up.

After a long, deep breath, he sighed, shook his head, closed his eyes, and simply chose to ignore, cleansing his ears of disturbances.

"Alright then, wasted."

"An absolute waste of my Venerable Kan Position, now treated as reviving a dog, slowly nurturing."

Xu Xiaoshou turned and held Wu Bao’s hand as they walked, with no intention of lingering.

Still dissatisfied, he kept patting the back of Wu Bao’s hand as they left, quietly saying in frustration:

"Isn’t it ridiculous, Bazhun’an before entering the Temporal Realm even told me, Demon Medicine Cursed has plans but no courage, timid as a mouse, Hua Changdeng was the only adversary he respected his whole life, bar none."

"If I could start over, remove all scruples and shackles, exert myself in a battle, actually his confidence, is less than fifty percent."

"In hindsight, resurrecting this hardest task, I have managed, but making a soulless individual battle Bazhun’an thrice is like a naive child wielding a sword, not killing anyone, or maybe providing a laugh."

"But thinking about it, with a height of eight feet, Bazhun-an, even I dare not say challenging him thrice, Hua Changdeng’s battle record at most a tie and loss, even dying by his own hand before, fearing him like a tiger, how could he dare battle thrice?"

Xu Xiaoshou continued patting Wu Bao’s hand, meanwhile controlling Wu Bao’s mouth, leaving Wu Bao with many words to say, none of which he could utter, only listening to his endless complaints.

One step...

Two steps...

Three steps...

Xu Xiaoshou did not slow down, murmuring as he walked, the sound not loud, Hua Changdeng if not deaf should hear a little.

But after seven or eight steps, he and War Ancestor’s Dharma Form were about to exit Venerable Extreme Slash Space.

At this moment, behind them in Land of Screen and Candles, finally a suppressed ’calm’ voice, faintly transmitted—a voice accommodating in demeanor, at first listen sounded cultured.

"Lord Shou, stay a moment."

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