Hearing this, Ye Xuan froze.
An Lanxiu was equally startled.
The bull-headed colossus repeated, “Just pass.”
Ye Xuan asked, puzzled, “Why?”
The colossus rumbled, “I’m only a gatekeeper. No need to die for a doorway.”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
The colossus added, “Go on.”
Ye Xuan hesitated, then asked, “Old Bull, once we’re past, will stronger foes wait?”
The colossus shook its head. “No idea.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “You don’t know?”
It nodded. “I guard this spot. Nothing else is my business.”
Ye Xuan pressed, “Why stay trapped here willingly?”
Old Bull glanced at him. “They pay me, of course.”
Ye Xuan blanked.
Pay?
Old Bull explained, “You thought they wouldn’t? I earn a million Void Truth Crystals every year. Even in the Void Truth World, I’m a local tycoon.”
Void Truth Crystals!
Ye Xuan hesitated, then asked, “Can I see one?”
Old Bull opened its palm. A single crystal drifted over.
Ye Xuan examined it. Fist-sized, purple-gold, brimming with terrifying energy.
Top-grade stuff!
Far purer than lower-world crystals, laced with refined Void Truth power.
Ye Xuan looked up. “Old Bull, a million every year?”
It nodded. “Yes.”
Ye Xuan stayed quiet.
Bloody hell!
He felt like applying for the job.
Real money-spinner!
Old Bull continued, “I just watch the road. No need to risk my life. Head back there, to the Void Truth Sea. That place is no joke. Of course, you two aren’t simple either. Go fight them. Old Bull needs a nap.”
With that, it lumbered aside.
Ye Xuan was speechless.
Naturally, they didn’t push the issue. Forcing a fight now would be excessive.
The pair pressed onward.
Along the way, Ye Xuan murmured, “The Void Truth World is no simple place.”
He now realised it might be one giant power, or a colossal faction ruling everything.
Bloody hell!
They even paid salaries. Huge ones!
Utterly absurd!
An Lanxiu whispered, “Indeed.”
She glanced at him. “Scared?”
Ye Xuan laughed. “Qing’er is already rampaging up there. What do I have to fear?”
Truth be told, he wasn’t afraid at all.
An Lanxiu smiled faintly. “Let’s go.”
They nodded.
Soon they reached a vast ocean.
Ye Xuan stared at the endless waters, brows knitted. Waves roared. Powerful creatures lurked in the depths.
He said softly, “Onward.”
With a thought, he summoned his sword and rose with An Lanxiu above the sea.
The next instant, waters parted. A colossal black dragon head burst forth, jaws wide, snapping at them!
Ye Xuan’s eyes narrowed. One sword slashed down.
HISS!
Sword-light cleaved ruthlessly.
BOOM!
The light shattered. The black dragon reeled thousands of zhang back.
It halted, roared in fury. Instantly, seawater surged into ten-thousand-zhang waves!
Ye Xuan remained calm. He pointed. Millions of Mortal Swords streaked out.
HISS…
The waves disintegrated under the barrage. At that moment, the dragon charged head-first!
BOOM!
Countless swords scattered!
Ferocity flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes. He trembled, becoming sword-light and vanishing.
HISS!
A ten-thousand-zhang sword-beam crashed from the heavens!
BOOM!
The dragon was hurled away. Its skull split. Dragon blood gushed!
“ROAR!”
It threw its head back, tail whipping skyward!
CRACK!
Space over the black sea exploded!
Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu vanished simultaneously.
HISS!
Sword-light and spear-light erupted across the dragon’s body!
Combined assault!
Under their onslaught, the colossal dragon steadily lost ground.
Its defences were monstrous, but Ye Xuan’s sword was more so.
Azure Abyss Sword!
Nothing it could not cut!
Soon the dragon shrieked in agony. Sword-gashes riddled its frame. Blood dyed the sea crimson.
After an unknown time, it bellowed, “Wait! Wait! No more!”
Ye Xuan and An Lanxiu paused.
Ye Xuan eyed the dragon. Dread filled its gaze. “Sword cultivator, truce!”
Ye Xuan’s face stayed calm, silent.
The dragon intoned, “Pass.”
Ye Xuan asked, “You get paid too?”
The dragon froze, then scowled. “Damn it! That old cow let you through on purpose! Bastard!”
Ye Xuan said evenly, “How much do you earn yearly?”
The dragon glanced at him. “One million five hundred thousand.”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Yet I sense you’re weaker than Old Bull. Why more pay?”
The dragon glared. “I haven’t resumed my true form!”
Ye Xuan asked, “Then why not?”
It replied coolly, “One point five million Void Truth Crystals a year, and you want me to risk my life? Dream on.”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
Bloody hell!
You lot really cherish your lives!
The dragon eyed him. “Human sword cultivator, without that sword, you’d be helpless against me.”
It still refused to yield fully.
That sword was too outrageous, shredding its defences effortlessly.
Ye Xuan glanced at it. “Not convinced? We can rematch. Honestly, I’ve been itching for a proper fight.”
The dragon rumbled, “Could you fight without the sword?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Sure. But could you shed those scales?”
The dragon stared, speechless.
Ye Xuan grinned. “I’m a sword cultivator. Asking me not to use my sword, are you serious?”
The dragon said flatly, “Pass.”
Clearly, it refused to stake its life.
Ye Xuan grew curious. “What lies beyond?”
The dragon glanced at him. “Go see for yourself.”
Ye Xuan thought, then said, “Fancy making some good karma?”
The dragon frowned. “Good karma?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Exactly.”
The dragon grew intrigued. “How?”
Ye Xuan said earnestly, “Lend me some Void Truth Crystals. My son will repay you later. Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’m telling you, my son will be incredible! I swear it!”
Son: “…”
