Chapter 663: The Nine Saints
Deep in the Endless Void, the Endless River grew more turbulent, just as Xiao Ze had anticipated.
After Xiao Ze easily shattered the water formed entities sent by the river, nine new figures emerged from its depths. These were no mere apparitions; each radiated immense power. Unlike the indistinct forms before, these figures had clear and vivid features. Were it not for their bodies being entirely composed of azure river water, they could have passed as ordinary humans.
Xiao Ze's gaze grew serious. The aura emanating from these nine figures was far beyond ordinary. None of them were below the late Dou Saint stage. The weakest among them was at the early Seven Star Dou Saint level, while the strongest had reached the early Nine Star Dou Saint level.
As the nine figures stepped out of the river, the glowing blue energy enveloping them receded, and the surrounding heavenly energy gathered to form human like appearances. Yet, Xiao Ze's sharp perception could tell that beneath their human forms, their bodies were still made of azure water.
The leader of the nine, a white robed youth, had a warm and gentle smile that seemed as refreshing as a spring breeze. However, Xiao Ze did not lower his guard. Despite the youth's harmless demeanor, his position at the forefront and the faint fear in the eyes of the others suggested he was not as innocent as he appeared.
The white robed youth clasped his hands respectfully toward Xiao Ze.
"Greetings, traveler. May I ask what brings you to the depths of the Endless Void?"
Xiao Ze's eyes flickered. The drop of water from the Endless River, now safeguarded within his Primordial Root, allowed him to sense the river's presence. Yet, it seemed that the Primordial Root also blocked the river's ability to sense the drop in return. Even these nine powerful figures had no awareness of it.
"Greetings," Xiao Ze replied calmly. "I've been struggling to break through, so I came to the Endless Void in search of opportunities."
"Ah, I see!" The white robed youth's eyes brightened, his tone growing more enthusiastic.
"Your strength is remarkable. That earlier wave of resistance was easily crushed by you. I would guess you're at the late Eight Star Dou Saint level?"
Xiao Ze remained silent. His true strength was difficult to gauge due to his unmatched concealment techniques, which made it nearly impossible for others to determine his exact level. The youth took his silence as confirmation and smiled.
"If you're seeking to break through to the Nine Star Dou Saint realm, then you've come to the right place. There's an opportunity here that can help you achieve that!"
Xiao Ze narrowed his eyes. The youth's eagerness was unmistakable, and it likely stemmed from the so called "opportunity" he mentioned.
"Could you elaborate?" Xiao Ze asked, feigning interest. "Regardless of the outcome, I'll ensure a generous reward for your help."
The white robed youth waved his hand dismissively.
"There's no need for that," he said, pointing to the Endless River beneath them.
"All you need to do is step into the river and let its waters cleanse you. With the power of the Void River, you'll naturally break through to the Nine Star Dou Saint realm."
Xiao Ze's expression darkened slightly.
"Are these nine individuals the result of such cleansing?" he wondered.
Unlike other beings consumed by the Endless River, who became indistinct water forms, these nine retained their clear features and human like appearances, suggesting they wielded far greater power.
As Xiao Ze continued speaking with the youth, he noticed something peculiar about the other eight figures. Though their expressions were blank, his imperial level soul sensed a faint trace of amusement in their eyes a predatory glee as if they were watching prey walk into a trap.
Feigning interest, Xiao Ze gradually revealed a look of excitement. His charade seemed to satisfy the youth, who eventually extended a formal invitation.
"Xiao Ze, step into the Void River and claim the opportunity that awaits you!" the youth said, gesturing grandly.
At this, Xiao Ze's feigned enthusiasm vanished, replaced by a calm and indifferent expression. He had gleaned all the information he could, and continuing to play along would yield no further insights.
"Enter the Endless River? I suspect that would leave me like you neither human nor ghost, reduced to nothing more than a water formed puppet," Xiao Ze said coldly.
The youth's smile faltered briefly but quickly returned to its placid state.
"So, you've figured us out. I suppose my earlier efforts to play along were wasted," he admitted, his tone unbothered.
"You must have one of the river's water droplets and have mastered the World Destroying Torrent," he continued. "I'm not sure how you've managed to block our connection to the droplet, but it's clear this is no place an ordinary Dou Saint could reach."
Xiao Ze nodded, now certain of several things. These nine had once been wielders of the heavenly tier Dou Technique World Destroying Torrent, likely granted by the Endless River. But the price of wielding such immense power had been their freedom they now served the river as its subordinates.
"Impressive," the youth said, his tone tinged with admiration. "You've managed to block the master's awareness and reach the depths of the Void. However, the master remains dormant and has yet to form new contracts. That leaves the task of dealing with you to us."
As the youth spoke, a terrifying aura erupted from his body, followed by similar surges from the eight figures behind him. The combined pressure of nine late stage Dou Saints bore down on Xiao Ze like a tidal wave.
"Resisting is futile," the youth said confidently. "Even if you're at the late Eight Star Dou Saint level, you cannot hope to defeat us. Joining our master's ranks isn't a punishment; it's an opportunity to ascend to greater heights. Under the master's power, even reaching the peak of the Nine Star Dou Saint level is possible."
"And besides," he added, "your strength is already far superior to ours before we accepted the master's blessings."
Xiao Ze shook his head.
"If it's a fight you want, then come," he said, his voice steady.
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