Chapter 56

This is a weathered old face wearing a straw hat, with two large black circles under the eyes, struggling to force a gentle smile.

However, this distance of less than an inch could scare someone to death.

Muzi Xi didn’t even make a sound; her eyes rolled back, her body stiffened, and she fell straight backward.

Bang!

The old man pressed down his straw hat, watching her hit the floor, unmoved.

"Hmph, little girl, always learning the bad things, if you keep this up, you’ll be digging your own grave."

He took two ancient books from the little girl’s hand, patted them, and placed them on the bookshelf.

Kicking the girl lying on the ground to the side, the old man was about to deal with the next person but suddenly frowned.

He squatted down, grabbed Muzi Xi’s wrist, and his expression changed.

"What’s going on?"

"This massive life force..."

The old man was shocked; the life force emanating from this little girl was so strong that it almost overshadowed her wood attribute.

Not only that, the suppressed wood attribute was not weakening but was voraciously absorbing the life force, growing stronger.

This was what surprised him the most.

"What kind of rare constitution is this?"

"Can it enhance the wood attribute by absorbing life force?"

The old man seemed to see a rare treasure, his eyes glowing green.

However, the next moment, his gaze passed over the bookshelf, showing a struggle.

But it was just for a moment; his eyes returned to a firm resolve.

"Pity..." he sighed lightly, "If you had appeared before me earlier, I might have chosen you."

Having made his decision, the old man no longer hesitated and kicked the little girl to the side.

He squatted next to Zhou Tiancan, holding his straw hat, and looked at the parchment, his face instantly contorted.

"Cut me?"

"How did this sinister thing get dug up..."

"These few little brats, are they rats or what!"

The burly young man beside him seemed to be moving, and the old man immediately pressed his face closer.

Zhou Tiancan finally came to his senses from the parchment, his eyes full of excitement, and his hand holding the ancient map trembled uncontrollably.

"What, quite a revelation, huh?"

A faint voice seemed to come from his mind, and Zhou Tiancan nodded wildly, "Very revealing!"

"Xu Xiaoshou was right; this sword technique, if comprehended, can bring innate sword intent within reach!"

"Muzi..."

His mind was completely captivated by the ancient map, and he reached out to call Muzi Xi over, but he touched something.

It was warm, soft, yet rough...

Zhou Tiancan turned his head in confusion...

An old face!

A face right in front of him!

Those dark eyes were peering at him through the gaps in his fingers, like the gaze of death!

"Damn it!!"

Zhou Tiancan’s pupils instantly lost focus, and before his scream could escape his lips, his soul was already sent out of his head by the terrifying sight.

His body stiffened, and he fell straight back, hitting the wall with a thud.

"Ch!"

The old man wiped his face, kicked this boy to the corner, "One more left!"

...

Swish, swish, swish!

Swish, swish, swish!

Xu Xiaoshou was flipping through ancient books with one hand and holding a jade slip with the other, multitasking with remarkable efficiency.

Suddenly, his movements seemed to pause, but he didn’t stop.

The two items in his mind’s information bar had been silent for a while, but now a new message appeared.

"Being watched, passive value, +1."

Seeing this message, Xu Xiaoshou’s hair stood on end, and he almost turned around to slap the person.

But he forced himself to hold back!

He kept telling himself not to act impulsively; if he turned around, it would be over.

"Who’s watching me?"

Xu Xiaoshou was terrified, continuing his actions while screaming in his mind.

In this damn "perception," he didn’t see anyone around him!

No!

What about the spiritual energy fluctuations of Zhou Tiancan and Muzi Xi?

Why are they gone?

He shakily focused on where the two had been, only to see them lying unconscious on the ground.

Damn!

Were they taken out?

Did the scripture guardian come?

Xu Xiaoshou’s heart raced wildly. If this person appeared in front of him, it wouldn’t be so terrifying.

But he was watching him, and Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t see him!

This unknown fear was the most tormenting.

Xu Xiaoshou carefully blew on the ancient book, put it back, and muttered as if nonchalant:

"Wow, it’s been so long since anyone has cleaned this place; there’s so much dust, it really makes you want to shake the books to get rid of the dust!"

He stretched, not daring to turn around, "After doing so much work on the first floor without any reward, it’s time to go to the second floor to find the spirit techniques I want!"

Supporting himself on the bookshelf, Xu Xiaoshou tried to move his legs but found his body unresponsive.

Damn!

Move!

Xu Xiaoshou’s face turned black, but he quickly adjusted his state, patting his thigh.

"Really, standing for so long, my feet are numb; work is indeed tiring."

"Really, the scripture guardian here must be very hardworking, having to manage so many ancient books every day; I admire them greatly."

He lifted his foot and finally took a step, feeling a great relief, and was about to leave, supporting himself on the bookshelf.

"Hey, you actually noticed me, good progress!" a mocking voice came from behind.

"Ah!"

Xu Xiaoshou quickly covered his ears, "I must be too tired, feeling like I’m hearing things..."

His legs had recovered, and he took a big step, but felt as if his fate was choking him.

"Stop pretending!"

"Turn around for me!"

Xu Xiaoshou’s face fell as he was forcibly turned around, and he immediately saw an old face with a straw hat and black circles under the eyes.

"It’s you!"

The fear in his heart instantly dissipated, and Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

Isn’t this the old man who forced him to swallow the "Jinzhao Fire Seed" that day?

What was his name...

Old Sang?

A fire of unknown origin burned in his chest, and the pain from that day surged, making Xu Xiaoshou forget to think about the old man’s identity.

He had sworn that if he ever saw him again, he would cut him to pieces.

He took a step back, pulled out "Zangku" from his chest, and pointed it at the old man.

Life is short, and one should live with passion and resolve!

Facing this sword, Old Sang’s thin eyebrows rose, and his eyes returned to their original position, looking at Xu Xiaoshou without any emotion.

"Hmm?"

He only made a questioning sound, and Xu Xiaoshou instantly felt as if he had fallen into a deep, cold hell, his body freezing.

My God!

What am I doing?

Pointing a sword at the scripture guardian???

Am I crazy? Those two were taken out silently, and I’m looking for death?

He slowly raised the sword, made a few sword movements in the air, and put it back in his ring, smiling awkwardly.

"Hehe, after watching this sword technique for so long, it’s easy to have too many insights, always wanting to draw the sword and practice..."

"Hehe, hehe..."

"Sword technique?" Old Sang took off his straw hat, pulled out the ancient book he had just put down, "The Twelve Great Desolate Fists?"

"Uh!" Xu Xiaoshou’s smile froze instantly.

...

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