"No, wait!"

Inside Xu Xiaoshou’s body, a strange cry from Dao Qiong Cang suddenly erupted.

Before Xu Xia and the other could react, an extremely weak force began to spread right under their noses.

It linked itself to a fist-sized shard, which quickly began to transform, finally molding into the form of the Divine Elf Xiao Qi.

"No, please!"

Xiao Qi, a small chubby figure, was filled with terror.

Unable to speak freely before these two Zero Ancestral Gods, it seemed to have been forced into the role of a pleader, only able to plead:

"Xiao Qi wants to live, Dao Qiong Cang is very pitiful too."

"Within Dao Qiong Cang are a trillion Heavenly Mechanism Brains, which are the very foundation of its existence, but after Lord Bazhun’an’s slash, they too died along with Saint Xin."

"All that’s left is a memory branding attached to Lord Xu Xiaoshou, with nothing else but Xiao Qi’s will."

"Dao Qiong Cang is as desolate as only having Xiao Qi left. If the two lords keep it, it can’t stir up anything, but if Dao Qiong Cang lives, it can offer so much help to the two lords."

Again, Dao Qiong Cang’s voice spoke from within Xu Xiaoshou: "Yes, yes, the two lords should seriously consider Xiao Qi’s heartfelt words."

Lord Bazhun’an, always unimpressed by Dao Qiong Cang’s words, never allowing Xiao Qi to influence him, looked at Xu Xiaoshou and said:

"I don’t need Dao Qiong Cang; judge his words yourself."

Xiao Qi seemed to receive some message, its face turning bitter, but it could only speak again: "Lord Yue Gongnu suffered greatly in the cold prison, and in the end, Dao Qiong Cang brought her out."

Upon hearing this, Lord Bazhun’an’s face turned cold, his eyes filled not with gratitude but with killing intent.

Xiao Qi panicked: "It’s truly not a return for favor, Lord Bazhun’an, Xiao Qi is just speaking the truth."

Dao Qiong Cang was even more terrified, hurriedly speaking:

"I confess there was some scheming involved when bringing Yue Gongnu out, preparing both hands between Holy Servant and Demon Medicine, wavering between two sides, yet leaning slightly more to Holy Servant."

"You know, I’m just like this; I really can’t afford to stake everything as you do, as I lack that combat power and can’t afford the gamble."

"In my Sea of Memory, there are many of my friends like Yan Wuse and Ai Cangsheng who need to be resurrected. I can’t selfishly make premature decisions about their fate, so I can only always walk the most secure path."

"Lord Shou, you should understand what I’m trying to say."

Xu Xiaoshou showed no expression, as if he hadn’t heard these emotionally charged words.

Lord Bazhun’an was no more receptive, treating Dao Qiong Cang as a non-entity, indifferent to any emotional appeals Dao might make.

He was not Xu Xiaoshou; in the realm of scheming, even if Abyss Island had won a round, it was merely the only victory over the years.

Lord Bazhun’an acknowledged the superior strategizing ability of Dao Qiong Cang.

But if unable to fully control Dao Qiong Cang and still having a choice, he naturally chose Dao Qiong Cang’s death.

Lord Bazhun’an has always known he’s merely a sword, maybe a clever Godhood at best, never suited to truly lead or play the brain role, fundamentally different from Dao Qiong Cang.

Hence, establishing Holy Servant and becoming Chief, he still needed Sleeveless and Water Ghost’s assistance.

The two could handle Half-Saint Formation, but struggled with Ancestor God Formation.

Xu Xiaoshou was different!

His core was the same as Dao Qiong Cang’s, both tainted.

All he lacked was experience; given enough time to grow, he could balance Dao Qiong Cang, hence the current inquiry.

From Xu Xiaoshou’s hesitation at this inquiry, Lord Bazhun’an could discern at least a forty percent reluctance to kill Dao Qiong Cang in Xu Xiaoshou’s heart.

Specific reasons aside, Lord Bazhun’an did not intend to delve deeper into it, for he trusts Lord Shou.

But if Lord Shou asked for his opinion, he was absolute: kill, without reason.

"Lord Shou~~~"

"I’ve never taken things to the absolute!"

Dao Qiong Cang pleaded bitterly, with Xiao Qi’s eyes equally red, aware it too would accompany in death.

Xu Xiaoshou was never one to vacillate; asking for Lord Bazhun’an’s opinion was indeed an introspective inquiry.

The outlaid topic, Dao Qiong Cang’s lamentation, and Lord Bazhun’an’s unwavering certainty, had given Xu Xiaoshou considerable direction.

Kill and be quick about it; delightful!

Robbing path requires touching Dao Qiong Cang, detaining it in Venerable Extreme Slash Space, serving as a slave, also delightful!

Yet both options were "absolute"; fundamentally forcing a rebellion, perhaps post Dao’s death or detention, another "Dao Qiong Cang" could arise somewhere, silently growing, awaiting revenge.

Not mentioning Dao Qiong Cang, currently within Venerable Extreme Slash Space, Xu Xiaoshou confidently handled only Wu Bao and Hua Changdeng.

Cursed Yin seemed merely a baby, with rebellion nearly covering its whole being; how could Xu Xiaoshou not see it?

This kind of character, given enough time and opportunity, would inevitably seek to break free from the confines of Venerable Extreme Slash Space.

Cursed Yin, unlike War Ancestor and Hua Changdeng, its Phantom Swords Technique and understanding of spiritual techniques endowed it with the ability to escape Robbing Path’s confines—system not entirely invincible, merely auxiliary.

Such is Cursed Yin, and Dao Qiong Cang similarly!

One detained within Venerable Extreme Slash Space might be controllable for ten thousand, a hundred thousand years, but not a lifetime, necessitating day and night vigilance against thieves, preventing these characters and Cursed Yin from rebelling together.