Chapter 1354: Dayan Cavern Heaven Discusses the Mysterious, Apricot Realm Urgently Pursues Emperor Level

The meeting in Sheng Huan Dian had concluded.

The mess left by Shen Yi's punch in front of Gui Zhe Sheng Shan would naturally be handled by others.

Such minor matters didn't require Dao Qiong Cang's attention.

Crossing the sea of clouds, he moved from Sheng Shan to the mountainside at the rear, arriving at Tian Ji Ling and entering Da Yan Dong Tian. His heart felt like it was returning home, embracing a moment of peace.

"It's so good here..."

Da Yan Dong Tian was one of Dao Qiong Cang's spiritual sites on Sheng Shan.

Originally, it was merely a place for his Tian Ji cultivation, but because its effects were too extensive, it was separated and sealed into its own space, making it his personal domain.

Unlike other spiritual sites that needed servants for maintenance, Da Yan Dong Tian appeared vibrant with life yet remained utterly silent.

No one had visited for years; it was an unspoken convention.

Even with the bamboo forests teeming with birds and beasts, the first impression upon entering was one of pristine perfection.

The flying sand and stones on the ground seemed infused with the rhythms of the heavenly dao.

When the wind stirred, each grain of sand landed precisely where it should.

Dao Qiong Cang stepped into the bamboo forest.

The dense foliage rustled and swayed.

Bamboo, birds, beasts, stones, flowers, grass, clouds, qi, wind, light, color, sound... all the natural elements of heaven and earth shifted endlessly with each of his steps.

One step brought a myriad of changes, involving countless factors.

After ten steps, even a semi-saint might not recall the exact arrangements in Da Yan Dong Tian.

Dao Qiong Cang walked with relaxed ease.

An outsider, however, would have no idea what consequences a single misstep might bring.

Before long, he made his way from the forest to a position slightly south of the center.

The scenery of Da Yan Dong Tian had transformed from lush bamboo groves to a fragrant peach blossom paradise.

Though it wasn't late outside, this place had already fallen into night.

Dao Qiong Cang halted and stood still, silently counting for about ten breaths, then swiftly took three steps north.

The first step: one zhang.

The second step: one zhang two chi.

The third step: merely three chi three cun.

"Buzz!"

He was enveloped in absolute darkness, unable to see his hand in front of him, entering a sealed world.

"Gurgle..."

A sound like bubbles rising in water echoed, persisting for a long time.

Dao Qiong Cang paid it no mind.

In the darkness, he methodically removed his upper garments.

Though nothing was visible, relying on memory, a few steps forward allowed him to touch a medicinal tub.

Dao Qiong Cang climbed in, submerging himself in the non-sticky, non-thick medicinal liquid, slowly letting his entire body, including his head, sink in. He allowed the surging power to soothe his muscles and spirit.

"Gurgle..."

He too began to produce bubbles.

Only after about half an incense stick's worth of time did Dao Qiong Cang surface from the liquid.

As if his cultivation session was complete, he gently exhaled a long breath in the darkness.

"Hu, that feels good..."

"How is the outside world?" A low voice came from nearby.

"You're awake?" Dao Qiong Cang didn't turn his head, clearly accustomed to the presence of this voice. "Everything is fine."

"I heard that most of the five great Sheng Di families have entered the world, seizing the majority of seats in the ten-person council. Chaos is brewing— and you call that fine?"

"It's none of my concern."

"The Sheng Nu are troublesome. Without a doubt, Ba Zun An will bind Xu Xiao Shou with the position of second-in-command; he remains the biggest wildcard."

"Yes."

"I've calculated that Nan Yu's Xu Yue Hui Gong won't stay peaceful. Bai Zhou Gong Zhu should see through the Sheng Nu's ambitions. If he doesn't act now, he'll never get another chance to join the game."

"Your calculation is spot on."

"Ba Zun An and the others didn't dare cooperate in the past; they might not in the future either. Most likely, they'll need the new 'Shou Ye' to serve as a go-between, so the key still lies with him."

"Mm." Dao Qiong Cang's gaze pierced through the darkness. "Xu Xiao Shou has already arrived in Zhong Yu."

The voice in the darkness let out a silent chuckle.

"Then the storm is coming!"

The conversation lapsed into a brief silence.

All around was utter stillness, with not even the sounds of breathing or heartbeats detectable.

It was as if no living beings existed in this place.

Dao Qiong Cang spoke.

The voice resumed: "If I were you, Dong Yu could change at any moment. You need to secure Xiao Kong Dong soon. Delay a month, and by the time the seven Jian Xian list is finalized, they might all achieve sainthood."

"Qing Yuan Shan Chang De Zhen requires early defenses; you can't restrain a fierce bird with an eagle— once the opportunity arises, it'll be too late."

"Just the power of a Zhan Shen Guan from Ran Ming Yi Zhi would stir the hearts of the world, but Ba Zun An won't be moved; he must have other schemes." The voice jumped between topics with vast leaps.

Dao Qiong Cang remained completely unflustered.

"... It seems I've thought of everything you've considered. In that case, why continue? There's no need."

"What you said is indeed unremarkable; that's a regression." Dao Qiong Cang laughed.

The voice in the darkness fell silent once more.

"Then let's discuss progress." Dao Qiong Cang paused. "During your coma, you died."

"Oh?" The voice carried a hint of surprise. "How did I perform?"

"Full of emotion and righteousness, with desires and ambitions, petty schemes, and principles; altogether flawless. You've far surpassed me."

"I dare not." From the side of the tub came a splash of water, as if someone had fully emerged. "The design of number sixty-four still has obvious flaws."

"For example?"

"For example, he's good in every aspect, but not outstanding. Compared to you..."

"You're suggesting someone might suspect I'm too foolish to take a liking to such an ordinary genius?"

"Yes."

"But I'm Dao Qiong Cang; people always hold me in high regard, so they'll assume they're the ones mistaken. Maybe he has hidden excellences they haven't seen."

"Very reasonable, isn't it? That's the weight of 'name'." Dao Qiong Cang laughed as he stood up.

He slowly picked up the towel from the rack, wiped his body, stepped out of the tub, and while dressing, headed toward the exit, adding casually:

"The time has come; I need to leave."

"They are still watching me; I can't take action. Everything else has to be left to you."

"I will." The voice in the darkness was earnest, then added, "Besides that, are there other tasks? I want to go out for a walk."

Dao Qiong Cang reached the spot where he had entered this dark realm and extended his hand, his expression unseen.

"Then go to Nan Yu to spread the teachings!"

"Nan Yu is fertile soil that can grow the most enchanting Tian Ji flowers; that's the paradise we both yearn for!"

With a snap, he snapped his fingers and vanished.

In the darkness, a faint Tian Ji pattern light illuminated the space.

With a splash from the tub, the naked upper body of a man appeared.

His waist leaned against the tub's edge, his upper body limp and dangling outside, wet long hair hanging down and obscuring his face as he strained to lift it.

He reached out as if to grasp something, swiping at the air, but caught nothing.

He gave up in defeat, letting himself slump over the tub.

Finally, he kicked hard with his foot, tipping the tub over.

Water splashed out, and as the Tian Ji pattern light flickered, what was revealed wasn't liquid, but sheets of flowing paper.

The man lay completely naked amid the paper.

He picked up one sheet, and with a rustling sound, quickly folded it into a paper figure.

He raised his palm with force.

Tian Ji dao principles sketched themselves in the void, imprinting into the paper figure's body. Soon, it became animated and full of life.

He cradled the paper figure in his palm, lowering his head to examine it, as if gazing at a newborn infant.

After a long while, under the weak light, his lips curved slightly, and he muttered to himself:

"Hmm, what name should I give it this time?"

In You Gui Ge,

After sending away Xiang Yi, the second true body sat alone, frowning in deep thought at the table.

"A madman?"

"A scholar who'll use any means to achieve his goals?"

"If given the choice, he could even betray the entire world and accomplish something because of it?"

No matter how Xu Xiao Shou pondered, he couldn't connect these descriptions with that flamboyant old daoist— not even slightly.

In his impression, Dao Qiong Cang was just like that.

The world hailed him as unfathomable, but on Xu Kong Dao, he had still lost a move to Ba Zun An.

In terms of combat power, he wasn't the top...

In terms of strategy, he hadn't far outstripped Ba Zun An; at best, they were equals, or perhaps even slightly inferior?

Yet when Xu Xiao Shou had asked Xiang Yi, "Is Dao Dianzhu really that strong?"

Her response had been those very words.

Xu Xiao Shou was utterly baffled.

"How can there be someone who rises to the top just by shedding his clothes?"

"That's way too flamboyant; no wonder they call him the flamboyant old daoist..."

But recalling how Dao Qiong Cang had casually swatted away the chains of Shen Yu Qing Shi with one hand on Xu Kong Dao, Xu Xiao Shou hesitated, as if entertaining an absurd idea.

"Flesh is weak, Tian Ji ascends?"

This question clearly wouldn't yield an answer no matter how he mulled it over, so Xu Xiao Shou set aside his research and turned to the main issue.

Through his second true body, he had witnessed Shen Yi's appearance and disappearance, and naturally noticed the young man he had nearly crushed to death on Chang Le Jie.

"Gu Jian Xiu..."

"That aura is unmistakable; he even locked eyes with Liu Fu Yu— do they know each other?"

"And Ji Jian Pan?"

Xu Xiao Shou was familiar with that device.

It was a Tian Ji creation used to detect battle traces.

Back in Yun Lun Shan Mai, it was because of that pursuit that he had stumbled into Gu Yin Ya, met Ye Xiao Tian, and begun the trial beyond the refining level in the purgatory instance.

"Just after I collapsed the wall of You Gui Ge, someone showed up to search for battle traces— that's too fast!"

"From Shen Yi's attitude, are they from red clothes or white clothes?"

"No, red and white clothes rarely go undercover; this is Yu Jing Cheng, with Sheng Shen Dian Tang's Sheng Shan headquarters right above..."

"Perhaps from the other departments, or Sheng Shen Dian Tang's intelligence agencies?"

Xu Xiao Shou quickly pieced together some answers and gained a general grasp of the events.

The evolution of the Yuan Fu world into Xing Jie had generated spatial fluctuations, alerting those on Sheng Shan and prompting them to dispatch intelligence departments for investigation.

Right then, Kong Yu Hen had sensed the Shi Zu Ying Zhang and arrived... Hiss! How did that guy end up here? He must have been nearby beforehand, right?

What was he after?

Xu Xiao Shou couldn't figure it out, so he pressed on.

The rest was straightforward: Kong Yu Hen had terrified the once-killed Xiang Yi and was punched away by Shen Yi.

Along with the Sheng Shen Dian Tang intelligence personnel, they had all been dealt with by that massive beast.

"That should have nothing to do with me." At that point, Xu Xiao Shou relaxed.

"Shen Yi appeared right on time, surely deceiving Dao Qiong Cang and the others into thinking it was his fluctuation; at worst, they'd pin it on Kong Yu Hen. After all, when the sky falls, the tallest bear the weight; if they're not in trouble, who is?"

"Hiss, but thinking about it, I just skirted the gates of hell!"

"If Ji Jian Pan had recorded the battle traces, that flamboyant old daoist might have a way to deduce that I've come to Zhong Yu..."

At that thought, Xu Xiao Shou's mind sharpened, and his heart tightened once more.

When you realize a clever person is about to see through your disguise, you probably don't need to keep pretending.

"Have I already been exposed?"

Time suddenly felt incredibly urgent.

Even Shen Yi's power hadn't made Xu Xiao Shou this anxious; he couldn't wait to keep powering up.

"I can't mess around anymore; if I delay, more issues might crop up, and I won't even have time for upgrades."

"I'm a magnet for trouble!"

Xu Xiao Shou still had some self-awareness; this time, Xing Jie's emergence had been unexpected yet logical.

He quickly recalled his original purpose for entering Yuan Fu and checked his reserves.

Passive points: 4,562,552.

"Fifty thousand for one Sheng Di skill; I have seven left— five times seven is thirty-five..."

"Rebound, Transformation, Concealment, Sharpness, Toughness, Culinary Mastery, Painting Mastery; that's all that's left."

"All up would leave one million; or try something new?"

Xu Xiao Shou pondered; in Zhong Yu, his actions would likely involve facing a saint, and possibly many more.

"My output is already sufficient; I don't need that much— save the best for the blade."

"But escape and survival skills are lacking; that's the real priority."

"If it's a Sheng Di level 'Concealment' and 'Transformation' combination with 'Cang Jian Jue', could I turn into a stone in the blink of an eye that even Dao Qiong Cang would overlook?"

Sheng Di Lv.0— that is, semi-saint level— probably couldn't hide under the eyes of the fellow semi-saint Dao Qiong Cang... it's a long shot!

However, "Sheng Di Lv.0" had touched the "Sheng Di" threshold, not something like "semi-saint Lv.10." If concealment reached its peak, it might bring a touch of forgetfulness...

Passive points: 4,562,552.

Passive points: 3,562,552.

Xu Xiao Shou stopped overthinking and decided to go all in!

Life and death in a split second; as long as there was a chance, even one in ten thousand, he had to seize it. If not now, he wouldn't even deserve that slim possibility.

"Transformation (Wang Zuo Lv.2)."

"Transformation (Wang Zuo Lv.3)."

"Transformation (Sheng Di Lv.0)."

Xing Jie boomed with a resounding echo.

In that instant of qualitative change, Xu Xiao Shou deeply felt his essential form shifting, becoming chaos itself.

Infinite possibilities unfolded.

He could transform one-to-one into anything he cognized— people or objects.

And with the Sheng Di Lv.0 shackles broken, this passive skill seemed to have no restrictions at all.

I am unbound!

"Chi..."

With a thought, Xu Xiao Shou morphed into a strand of Hong Meng Purple Qi; its form and aura were identical to that in Xing Jie.

"Damn, if I'm eaten in this form, would it have the effect of Hong Meng Purple Qi?"

He thought and acted immediately!

Xu Xiao Shou split off half of the Hong Meng Purple Qi.

The other half reformed into his original human shape, then opened wide and swallowed the arm he had transformed into Hong Meng Purple Qi in one gulp.

"No reaction..."

"As expected, others can mimic it, but the core is still different..."

Xu Xiao Shou felt a pang of regret; after consuming the Hong Meng Purple Qi, the idea of regenerating an arm and swallowing more was dismissed.

"Concealment (Wang Zuo Lv.2)."

"Concealment (Wang Zuo Lv.3)."

"Concealment (Sheng Di Lv.0)."

Another thunderclap echoed through the nine heavens.

He had maxed out yet another passive skill; this time, as before, nothing unusual occurred.

Xu Xiao Shou pondered, embracing the mindset of "you can't see me, you can't see me," and boldly walked past the Tan Shen in the hundred thousand Dan Ding.

"Crunch! Crunch!"

Tan Shen clearly sensed something, lifted its cat head, then lowered it to keep eating the pills.

After two bites, it suddenly recalled something, tilted its head twice, and looked ahead in alarm.

"Meow?"

Did it just see its master?

In his invisible state, Xu Xiao Shou observed this and was fully convinced: unless seen with the naked eye, his presence in this world was essentially zero.

"So, with these passive skills at Sheng Di level, will Kuang Bao Ju Ren and Disappearance Technique also improve?" Xu Xiao Shou wondered.

After all, as he grew, his Disappearance Technique was becoming inadequate.

When Shen Yi had yanked him out earlier, he had realized this issue couldn't be ignored and needed direct addressing.

"Wait!" At that moment, Xu Xiao Shou's eyes lit up, recalling a special case from previous upgrades.

"I remember, it seems you can have a second awakening, right?"

(The end of this chapter)