Chapter 1481: Half-Sage Opens Class at the City Gate, Questioning the Dao, Refining Spirit, Xu Xiaoshou

"Rumble, rumble..."

Sounds of massive, muffled explosions soon echoed from all around, as if trapped inside a drum.

This change happened too quickly.

It came right after Zhong Yuanzi smashed the city wall plaque.

Everyone stared in shock. The Second True Body abruptly turned around and saw the source of the noise: the out-of-control Tan Shen...

It was from inside Tan Shen!

Tan Shen had briefly broken free from the Blood Shadow Copper Coin's restraints, but now explosions were erupting continuously within its body, distorting its form.

Huge bulges rapidly formed on its neck, abdomen, and back, then burst out of its body.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—"

Blood splattered everywhere as Tan Shen was blown apart from the inside, riddled with wounds.

Emerging from its body amid the explosions were various body parts that belonged to a "person"—limbs, organs, bones, and even a cute head with a puffy, explosive hairstyle...

It was Zhong Yuanzi!

The scattered parts of Zhong Yuanzi's body pieced themselves together in mid-air, quickly forming a damaged version of his true form: one-armed and one-legged.

The Second True Body was stunned.

What kind of ability was this?

Before he could think more, the Zhong Yuanzi under the south city gate plaque melted into a pool of blood, then rapidly transformed into an arm and merged with the reformed body.

Meanwhile, the bit of blood that the Second True Body had just touched, which he intended to feed to the imitator to learn the full attributes' usage, began to writhe. It turned into a hairy leg and zipped away, inserting itself into the damaged Zhong Yuanzi's body to complete a full human form.

"Good!"

Zhong Yuanzi shouted in mid-air, though no one knew what he was praising. Under the cover of holy power, he quickly equipped himself with another set of explosion-resistant clothing.

He returned as if he had never been injured at all!

"Ah, this..."

The Second True Body looked down at his hand; the Semi-Saint blood had vanished.

He glanced back at the south city gate; the figure he had kicked away was indeed gone.

Was this new one the real Zhong Yuanzi?

"That doesn't make sense?"

In that instant, the Second True Body's mind flashed with an image of Xin Gugu, and he suddenly realized something.

"Blood attribute?!"

He was certain that what he had fought earlier was Zhong Yuanzi's true body, and the latter had indeed been injured.

But at the critical moment, Zhong Yuanzi used the Semi-Saint blood that burst out to inject all his power into it.

After being divided between Tan Shen and himself, and before it could be fully digested, it evolved quickly and fused back together in a bizarre "lizard tail regeneration" style, achieving "rebirth"?

"How do you even kill someone like this?"

The Second True Body finally realized how terrifying a Semi-Saint level full-attribute spirit refiner was, especially one who had studied every path.

If you couldn't instantly obliterate his spirit, flesh, and will, he wouldn't even need to use Semi-Saint transformation—his existence alone was like half an immortal body!

And to wipe out Zhong Yuanzi in one strike...

Who in the world could be confident enough to do that?

Even Yan Wuse's death required the entire Void Island setup, dragging out a long battle line and gradually wearing him down.

It only succeeded because Yan Wuse had given up on living!

So, to kill this man, did they have to replicate the Void Island scenario right here at the south city gate and slowly exhaust Zhong Yuanzi?

The Second True Body immediately dismissed such a ridiculous idea.

He switched tactics, putting on a curious expression and looking at Zhong Yuanzi, who still showed little hostility toward him, with a gaze full of respect:

"Senior Zhong, you're incredible!"

"I, as a junior, gave it a little try, and I didn't expect you to block my strike so easily... Oh, right, what was your question earlier?"

The onlookers were completely thrown off by this attitude.

Can't win, so starting to butter him up?

Even Ye Xiaotian and Mei Siyi were caught off guard by Xu Xiaoshou's smooth change.

"Restrain!"

Only Fang Wenxin acted swiftly.

He first restrained the severely injured Tan Shen, which was rapidly repairing itself, then fixed his gaze on Zhong Yuanzi:

"Zhong, come back!"

"We'll ask all questions after we take this person down."

Zhong Yuanzi immediately became unhappy and waved his hand back:

"Hold on!"

He turned back to the young man who had just clashed with him, full of curiosity and without holding a grudge: "Tell me straight—was that something you figured out yourself, or did someone teach you?"

As he spoke, Zhong Yuanzi spun his foot, summoning a dim Great Dao Diagram for the fire attribute, which was far inferior to the Second True Body's.

"Ox Demon..."

Seeing this, the Second True Body was almost speechless.

How did he know that?

Did he have a system too?

That was impossible!

The battle at the south city gate seemed to hit pause.

The spectators outside widened their eyes in shock, Ye Xiaotian in the field was dumbfounded, and even Zhong Yuanzi's companions...

Fang Wenxin and Yu Lao showed surprised expressions, staring at the "mystical array" under Zhong Yuanzi's feet in a daze.

At that moment, everyone could confirm one thing:

Whether it was Zhong Yuanzi's or Xu Xiaoshou's array, neither was a true Ouyi Array Diagram—it was a prototype of one.

Prototype!

That was the key!

But another question arose...

Before Xu Xiaoshou, and before Zhong Yuanzi revealed this, no one else on the continent had shown such an ability.

Were all these damn "research scholars" hiding it?

If not forced into this, even the Holy Mountain might not have known that Zhong Lao had this skill after ten years?

Fang Wenxin thought even deeper.

He realized this meant the spirit refining world had opened a new path!

Attribute mysteries were no longer just zero or one—they could be 0.5, 0.7...

They could grow!

Even he momentarily held back from acting.

Compared to a ghost beast, changing the big picture of the spirit refining world seemed more important.

This was like back in the Ten Honored Ones War, when Kui Lei Han first comprehended divine thought, something no one expected—and now it was happening again.

Back then, no one paid attention.

Now, it was different.

Now, the world had the right view of geniuses and knew one person could truly change the world.

And from Zhong Lao's reaction, this was clearly a matter bigger than the heavens—everyone else had to wait in line!

Fang Wenxin glanced at Tan Shen and restrained himself from attacking.

In the center of the battlefield, Zhong Yuanzi couldn't stop slapping his palm against his hand as he circled the youthful young man, his demeanor excited and muttering to himself:

"I've been researching this for over a hundred years!"

"I've always believed that nothing happens overnight."

"Or rather, between zero and one, even we as spirit refiners can't know how far the process has progressed."

"This must be some kind of 'mistake'!"

"The error isn't in spirit refiners or the spirit refining path—it's that no one has discovered this secret yet. Young friend, am I right or wrong?"

"Ah, yes, yes!"

The Second True Body nodded in agreement, now understanding this person's character—he was a true research scholar in every sense.

Zhong Yuanzi suddenly placed his hand on the young man's shoulder again, not even noticing that his palm was bleeding.

This time, the Second True Body didn't dare resist and inwardly trembled as he desperately called out his true name.

"You holy slaves have a Water Ghost—he was one of our Spirit Division's Yu Mo before. I did this experiment with him."

"He told me it's impossible; he doesn't even know how far he is from the water attribute mystery."

"I asked, 'On your own path, you should have some sense—maybe 30 percent, maybe 70 percent; you can at least summarize a rough idea.'"

"He said, 'No, I always feel like I'm just one step away, but when I take that step, it feels like I'm still half a step short, and I can never reach it...'"

He paused and pressed down on the unmoving young man, looking at the white-haired boy beside him:

"Is that what you feel?"

Ye Xiaotian wiped the sweat from his forehead, glanced at Xu Xiaoshou's expressionless face, and raised his voice slightly:

"Yes?"

What on earth was this?

So, what was the situation now?

Fight or not fight?

Deal with the ghost beast, save the ghost beast, or is your question the most important?

If the question's important, should I answer honestly or bend the truth a little... Xu Xiaoshou, give me a signal!

The Second True Body couldn't give a signal right now.

He was interested in Zhong Yuanzi's research and knew the situation was strangely balanced.

But he had experience.

In battles, when had the style not shifted suddenly?

As long as things could still move forward, it wasn't the worst, so their first principle was: don't disrupt this balance!

"He said yes, Zhong Lao, snap out of it?"

The Second True Body spoke for the dean and patted Zhong Yuanzi's shoulder, who had frozen mid-sentence in the wind and snow.

Perhaps triggered by this, Zhong Yuanzi, who had glitched for a good ten breaths, rebooted his mind abruptly:

"I call it the Great Dao Diagram, a 'middle process' between the Ouyi Array Diagram and innate attributes."

"Since it's still in research, I haven't shown it before; the Holy Divine Hall doesn't know... I feel they might disrupt my personal research, well, just a feeling..."

Zhong Yuanzi squatted down, pointing at the slowly rotating fire attribute Great Dao Diagram under his feet, as if lecturing the spirit refiners lurking on the city wall or in the distant mountains:

"Grandmasters touch the Dao, Thrones comprehend the Dao."

"The complexity and brilliance of the Dao patterns in the Great Dao Diagram, to a certain extent, reflect our progress in understanding the heavenly Dao as spirit refiners."

"For example, mine—I personally don't care much for the fire attribute, so I've probably comprehended about 70 or 80 percent, at most 10 percent. My main exploration is in temperature and yin-yang; I'm more interested in the coldness of fire..."

"Hmm, off topic. Basically, a person's life energy is limited; even with full attributes, you have to make choices..."

Unknowingly, people from the mountains and city walls drew closer.

Even if Zhong Yuanzi casually mentioned something extra, like elements or exploration directions, it was a treasure to outsiders.

Some were already enveloped in Dao rhythms, clearly entering a state of epiphany.

A Semi-Saint lecturing, an element envoy teaching!

This opportunity was rarer for most than the emergence of the Dyeing Tea ruins.

After all, the ruins had life-and-death dangers, but Zhong Yuanzi was like a spring breeze; he was guiding them like an immortal!

Even Fang Wenxin and Yu Lao inched closer.

They were spirit refiners too, and they valued this elemental treasure just as much.

Ye Xiaotian and Mei Siyi followed suit, like the other spirit refiners, studying the so-called "Great Dao Diagram" under Zhong Yuanzi's feet.

The scene suddenly became harmonious.

"Show yours."

Zhong Yuanzi suddenly pointed at the white-haired boy, as if calling on an important class representative.

Ye Xiaotian was dumbfounded. He looked up at Fang Wenxin, just a few steps away, and nearly had a heart attack.

When did he get here?

Ye Xiaotian glanced sidelong at Xu Xiaoshou, who gave an imperceptible nod, so he summoned the space Ouyi Array Diagram under his feet.

"Everyone, come take a look!"

Zhong Yuanzi pointed at what was under Ye Xiaotian's feet.

Fang Wenxin held his breath and leaned in closer; it was so vivid and brilliant...

And terrifying!

Ye Xiaotian turned his eyes and could even see the nose hairs peeking out from Fang Lao's red robe!

From the distant mountains, Zhan Dao and Tai Xu, who had been hesitant, rushed over upon hearing this, forming a huge encirclement.

There were dozens of people, with more shadows flying in from afar...

Except for the roaring, frenzied Tan Shen, who was left out, even the sword-cultivating Mei Siyi felt a bit out of place.

The spirit refiners gathered at the south city gate, turning it into a bustling marketplace!

Ye Xiaotian felt like he was the prime cut of meat in the bunch, pierced by all those eager gazes, making him uncomfortable all over!

"This Dao pattern—got it? It's the concept of transmission. I remember the first space attribute spirit array master researched space rings from this pattern."

"This overall... look at this white-haired one; he's mastered a full 100 percent Ouyi Array Diagram—perfect!"

"Now look at mine; mine's no good, dim and lifeless..."

Zhong Yuanzi went on at length, then spun his foot to switch to the space attribute Great Dao Diagram.

But his was even dimmer than Xu Xiaoshou's, clearly not his main focus.

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Zhong Lao is right; it can't be just zero or one. There should be this visible process in between. I get it!"

"Zhong Lao, I have a question. How do you cultivate this Great Dao Diagram?"

Some eager learners started asking questions.

Zhong Yuanzi paused at the sound, then frowned and scratched his head: "It's easy."

"Hmm?"

Everyone waited expectantly.

"How to put it... Gather, circulate, feel... When you need it, it comes out. My way is to refer to the normal Ouyi Array Diagram and let the power flow under my feet..."

"Oh? I'll try flowing it too. Hmm."

"If you can't pull it out, let me try. Hah!"

"You guys can't do it; watch me!"

The marketplace grew lively again.

At the south city gate, ghosts and spirits manifested one after another.

Xi was stunned for a moment.

When he saw Fang Lao standing shoulder to shoulder with Ye Xiaotian, Yu Lao pushing someone else while saying "don't crowd" and climbing onto someone's neck, and the rest of the dozens making unbearable noises around the explosive-haired one...

"This must be a nightmare!"

Xi shook his head and slapped himself hard, wanting to end this horrific scene.

"No!"

"It's not a dream!"

His gaze sharpened, and as the pain hit his face, Xi realized this wasn't a dream or an illusion sword technique.

The people from the Holy Divine Hall and the holy slaves were really gathering with scattered cultivators from inside and outside Jade Capital City at the south city gate, collectively... well, doing their thing!

"In broad daylight, under the clear sky..."

"What are you all doing!"

Even more absurdly, no one noticed his approach as he squeezed into the crowd, only to see a group of spirit refiners studying the Ouyi Array Diagram.

Oh, so they were researching this. Okay, okay...

"Get out of here! Scram!"

"Hey, aren't you that Heterodox Division leader... the ancient sword cultivator? Get lost!"

"Move! This is my spot!"

Xi pushed his way in, only to be shoved out by the crowd.

He looked around in shock, then glanced at Mei Siyi, who was standing on the outskirts and couldn't get a word in.

"Siyi..."

Xi subconsciously wanted to greet him.

But he quickly remembered—this was someone from the First Heaven Tower, an enemy!

Heavens, what had happened in this world?

How could everyone gather like this and discuss so heatedly?

Had he fallen behind, or had you all betrayed the Holy Mountain behind my back, following the Dao Hall Master's guidance?

Feeling abandoned by the Dao Hall Master and pitifully joining the Xuanji Hall Master's side, Xi was about to ask for clarification.

He saw the bitter smile on Mei Siyi's face.

The other man spread his hands, indicating that as an ancient sword cultivator, he didn't need to say more because he simply didn't belong to this group.

Xi felt like his ears had gone deaf.

All sounds faded from his mind.

He couldn't wrap his head around how it had come to this, until he suddenly spotted Xu Xiaoshou in the crowd—his presence was almost nonexistent...

Xu Xiaoshou!

Yes, he was here too!

That explained it; it must be his doing!

Xi noticed Xu Xiaoshou only because the guy suddenly stepped forward and spoke:

"I disagree with Zhong Yuanzi's view!"

His firm words cut through the noisy marketplace like a clear stream.

Because amid all the "hmm"s and "ahh"s, no one else was speaking with such absolute certainty—not even Zhong Yuanzi sounded that confident.

"Who are you to disagree... Uh, Master Xu?"

"What insights do you have, Master Xu? Spill it! We're all ears!"

"This! This! Look here, I've got my little stool ready. Master Xu, stand a bit higher..."

"I can fly, damn it!" The Second True Body was amused and annoyed.

Everyone turned skepticism into anticipation.

If the element envoy was the teacher, whose words could lead to enlightenment,

Then Master Xu was the assistant; in any case, he wasn't just one of the students below—he could summon a Great Dao Diagram too.

He and Zhong Yuanzi were the same kind—research scholars!

"Young friend, go ahead." Zhong Yuanzi chuckled, his face full of goodwill; he really approved of this intergenerational friend.

"Dean... I mean, Ye Semi-Saint's one is at most 70 or 80 percent, absolutely not 100 percent, not perfect!" The Second True Body pointed at the space Ouyi Array Diagram, dropping a bombshell.

Ye Xiaotian frowned at the words.

In an instant, he turned his back to Fang Wenxin and even nudged him away with his butt, glaring at Xu Xiaoshou.

They were all geniuses.

All eager learners.

All top-tier standouts in their fields—who could tolerate such an insult?

"You kid, how dare you spout nonsense? Do you know how hard it was for me as your dean to cultivate this space Ouyi?"

Ye Xiaotian had been unhappy with Xu Xiaoshou for a while.

Behind him, Fang Wenxin was momentarily dazed by the butt shove.

He looked at Ye Xiaotian cursing openly, then at Zhong Yuanzi and Xu Xiaoshou, and seemed to snap back to reality.

Then, like Xi, he fell into a daze of shock.

How dare he...

What was happening here...

Yu Lao, loving the drama, fully immersed himself, riding on someone's neck and excitedly saying, "Xu Xiaoshou, go for it!"

The Second True Body spun his foot, and his space Dao Diagram pushed aside the person next to him while pulling Mei Siyi in.

Mei Siyi was stunned; he suddenly became the center of everyone's attention!

A lab rat?

"This is the ancient sword saint, an expert in Heart Sword Technique and the master of Prajna Wu..."

The Second True Body first introduced Mei Siyi thoroughly before continuing:

"My teacher also has an Ouyi Array Diagram, though it's for ancient sword techniques, which shares similarities with spirit refining."

"The spirit refining path has no end, but ancient sword techniques do have an end—Sword God Gu Louying, for example, right?"

Everyone nodded vigorously.

Even Fang Wenxin was drawn back in by this example.

After all, he was a spirit refiner; reaching Semi-Saint meant he was a lifelong learner, a genius, and deeply interested in the Great Dao Diagram.

Xi watched Mei Siyi become the test subject and shifted his gaze back, observing Xu Xiaoshou from afar.

This was his first time observing this peer so closely and without hostility.

He had to admit, Xu Xiaoshou was more charismatic than him!

Freely chatting with a group of Semi-Saints and even daring to question Zhong Yuanzi...

"My teacher is a genius, but would you dare say that once he cultivates Heart Sword Technique's Prajna Wu, he's reached the end of Heart Sword Technique? No!"

"An ancient sword technique has eighteen sword streams; the fact that only Emotion Sword Technique has a third realm isn't because the others shouldn't—it's not!"

"You're all idiots for thinking that cultivating an Ouyi Array Diagram means you've walked the full 100 percent of the spirit refining path!"

Xi watched Xu Xiaoshou lecturing from on high, scolding the crowd, and for the first time felt the strong mental impact this peer could deliver:

"The reason Emotion Sword Technique has a third realm is because the Sword God cultivated the nine great sword techniques and used that one to ascend and establish his legacy!"

"But that doesn't mean the other sword techniques lack a third realm—because if my teacher could ascend and establish his legacy, then beyond Prajna Wu, there should be another name, another sword stream!"

Xi's body trembled.

Mei Siyi's pupils also contracted, and Dao rhythms began to flow around him.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't stop; his resounding words were enlightening:

"Once the space Ouyi is cultivated, if it's 100 percent, then Ye Semi-Saint here would already be a Saint Emperor and have ascended!"

"From this, even the Water Ghost, even my predecessor Ye, hasn't reached the end of the spirit refining path."

"So, Zhong Yuanzi, you're wrong!"

"The Great Dao Diagram might become universal in the spirit refining world, but your concept is flawed, and the whole world will be wrong because of it!"

"If you haven't even walked your path clearly and dare to make baseless conclusions, then you're the sinner of the Holy Divine Continent in the future!"