Chapter 1569: Openly Bestowing the Shelter, No One in Yusheng Assembly Knows

"Four Sacrifices?"

Xu Xiaoshou instinctively turned his gaze to Elder Sang, looking momentarily bewildered, much like most of the onlookers. "What are the Four Sacrifices?"

"Is it an ancient martial arts method of opening orifices and piercing acupoints?""But I've only heard of the Eight Gates and Seven Mansions. The strongest, it seems, is the Six Paths of Ancient Martial Arts, right?""No! I heard the Six Paths isn't the strongest. Ancient Martial Arts goes beyond the Six Paths; it's just that Shen Yi has only demonstrated up to the Six Paths...""Why?""Because it's enough."The people around discussed animatedly, but no one could offer any information related to the Four Sacrifices.

Ancient Sword Dao still has its legacy on the current Saint God Continent. Ancient Martial Arts, however, is almost a single lineage transmission. It's said that Shen Yi himself had to deduce the limits of the Great Dao. Even the Body Department of the Saint God Hall couldn't figure it out, so naturally, these Spirit Refiners who focused their energy on the Spirit Refining Dao knew little about it.

Elder Sang knew a little more. He muttered in a low voice, as if chanting a spell: "Nine Palaces, Eight Gates, Seven Mansions, Six Paths; Four Sacrifices, Three Realms, Two Poles, One Venerate. This is Ancient Martial Arts!"

Xu Xiaoshou was startled. He had heard of and witnessed what came with Nine, Eight, Seven, Six. But he had always thought that even if the Six Paths wasn't the pinnacle, it was an extremely high realm, especially since the Six Paths Shen Yi could fight the Primordial Infant Holy Tree alone. He never imagined there was such a long list after it. Nine, Eight, Seven, Six only completed half of Ancient Martial Arts. After finishing half, there's another half?

"Are you kidding me?" Xu Xiaoshou responded in a low voice, a hint of alarm in his tone. "The Six Paths can fight low-level Holy Emperors. Four Sacrifices, Three Realms—wouldn't that make one a god or an ancestor? And the remaining Two Poles, One Venerate—does that mean beating even the Ancestral Gods? Also, according to this sequence... where's Five? Did you eat it?"

Elder Sang shook his head silently. Clearly, that was all he knew. He directed his gaze towards Shen Yi.

"You don't know Ancient Martial Arts?" Shen Yi spoke. After all this, he had thought Xu Xiaoshou was a natural prodigy for Ancient Martial Arts, possessing extensive foundational training. Otherwise, the boy's physique wouldn't be this strong. He never expected Xu Xiaoshou to be so ignorant as to not even know the basic incantations of Ancient Martial Arts. What difference was there between this and a Sword Immortal not knowing what the Nine Great Sword Arts, Eighteen Sword Streams, or Three Thousand Sword Dao were?

Without waiting for Xu Xiaoshou to ask more questions, Shen Yi continued as he walked forward: "Wuxiu misspoke. A miss by a millimetre leads to a thousand li deviation. Nine Palaces, Eight Gates, Seven Mansions, Six Paths; Four Sacrifices, Three Realms, Two Poles, One Venerate, with the missing Five Extremes—this is Ancient Martial Arts!"

Missing Five... Extremes...Xu Xiaoshou was impressed but didn't quite understand. So there were two more? Give others a chance to live!

"'Missing Five' is a boxing technique, originally named 'Five into Deficiency Fist,' and it's the only ancient boxing technique in this lineage that can be learned only after mastering Ancient Martial Arts. You should have some impression of it." After a moment, Xu Xiaoshou still looked confused. Shen Yi shook his head slightly and said: "'God-tier Shattering Fist.'"

This Xu Xiaoshou had an impression of. Back when Jade City was still Jade City, Shen Yi's phantom appeared, opened the Six Paths, attacked Holy Mountain, and almost punched through the Suspended Mountain. During that time, the only named boxing technique he used was the "God-tier Shattering Fist."

"I remember now," Xu Xiaoshou said thoughtfully."That is a simplified version of Missing Five, considered the first step of entry..." Shen Yi nodded, "...or perhaps the 'Zeroth Fist'."Wait! What did you say?! Let me process this...Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts came to a halt. The Zeroth Fist, not even an introductory move? Yi-baby, with your big, bushy eyebrows, have you learned to joke too?

Shen Yi clearly didn't joke. After calmly explaining Missing Five, he then brought up Extremes: "Extremes, you don't need to think about it for a while; it's a bit distant. Even I haven't fully comprehended it yet. Perhaps Extremes doesn't even exist."

Oh, my Yi-baby, I don't care about Extremes right now. I just want to know how strong you really are... Xu Xiaoshou hesitated before asking: "So, you've mastered everything except Extremes?"Shen Yi was silent. After a long moment, he glanced sideways, sweeping his gaze across the astonished onlookers. A hint of disdain appeared on his calm face, his eyes seemingly asking: Are you brainless? With so many people watching, how can you ask such a direct question?

Soon, the low murmurs around them boiled over, impossible to suppress: "No way! I knew Shen Yi was strong, but this strong?""Do the Ten Venerates have no upper limit? 'The Gate of Hell, God Called God' was already absurd back then, and now you're telling me this isn't even half of Shen Yi's power?""With such a person, why do the Holy Slaves need to be secretive? They could just directly attack Holy Mountain, attack the Five Great Holy Emperor Clans...""Cough, cough! Old Zhao, mind your words!"Instantly, everyone fell silent.

Everyone's gaze collectively turned towards Yue Gongli, who had retreated far, far away. Yue Gongli's hands were constrained, pressed against his thighs, and his back was slightly hunched, as if this would reduce his presence. It was useless! After being stared at by everyone, he awkwardly forced a smile and chuckled twice, as if saying: I'm just a weakling, don't look at me, you guys carry on. And that was impossible!

Shen Yi followed the crowd's gaze and looked at the handsome young man. The young man quickly plastered a smile on his face, chuckling as he waved in greeting: "Long time no see! We've met several times back then."

Shen Yi watched.Huang Quan quietly stepped back half a pace, his feet making no sound on the ground.Yue Gongli immediately stomped his foot, turned his head, and cursed loudly: "What are you doing?! We are allies! Allies!"Huang Quan retreated another half step, seemingly ready to abandon his ally instantly if Shen Yi decided to act.

"Her brother," Shen Yi said after a moment of thought."Ah, yes, yes!" Yue Gongli brightened. "I'm also familiar with Xiang Yaoyao. We even went fishing for shrimp together at the Cold Palace Imperial Realm's Cold Water Pool... My sister was there too! The three of us!"

Low discussions resumed around them. Vaguely, some fearless voices could be heard: "Isn't he the new Red-clothed Dao Master? He's too timid, isn't he? And supposedly a Holy Emperor's successor?""Dao Xuanji is a hundred times stronger than him!""Is this the pressure from the Ten Venerates? Shen Yi... But, Yue Gongli knows Xiang Yaoyao too?""His sister is Yue Gongnu, right? The number one on the Beauty Rankings?""I knew Aunt Xiang wasn't simple..."The discussions were varied, with all sorts of comments.

Xu Xiaoshou clutched his forehead, feeling a buzzing dizziness. He dared say that at least ninety percent of Yue Gongli's cowardly admission was an act. But one thing was undeniable: he truly didn't want to start a fight with Shen Yi here.

In reality, who would want that? The same would be true on the Saint God Continent! Xu Xiaoshou did have a mind to command Shen Yi once, telling him to stop chasing the Primordial Infant Holy Tree and just completely finish off Yue Gongli here, as that was more important. But seeing Shen Yi calmly shift his gaze back after Yue Gongli's crude attempt to curry favor, it was clear he didn't intend to fight him. Xu Xiaoshou found it hard to speak up again. It was a joke; could anyone command Shen Yi? Didn't Elder Sang and Water Ghost, among others, stay completely silent? He still wanted to learn the Four Sacrifices!

But with the words stuck in his throat, he felt terribly stifled and uncomfortable. Consequently, Xu Xiaoshou even began to feel a bit disgusted with Aunt Xiang. Ah! Yi-baby, I'm willing to abandon all treasures inside and outside the Apricot Realm just for you. Could you obey my commands from now on? Ah! I can't take it anymore, my Yi-addiction is acting up! I want to scream, twist, squirm, crawl in the shadows... Ah! Xiang Yaoyao, we are irreconcilable!

"What's wrong with you?" Shen Yi frowned, looking at Xu Xiaoshou, who was suddenly clutching his head and convulsing slightly.Elder Sang quickly stepped forward and casually interjected: "He's having a fit."He probably knew what his unruly disciple was thinking at the moment. But as for the way to control Shen Yi, no one else, except Xiang Yaoyao, had truly figured it out so far, not even Ba Zun'an. Some things were better just thought about, kept to oneself, and absolutely not spoken aloud.

"What are the Four Sacrifices?" Elder Sang asked on his behalf.Xu Xiaoshou jolted, no longer grinding his legs, and looked at Shen Yi with solemn seriousness, his entire being eager to learn. This didn't seem like a topic that could be directly discussed in front of everyone... Xu Xiaoshou's face hardened, and he wanted to clear everyone from the scene, including Yue Gongli.

Shen Yi showed no hesitation and spoke calmly: "Humans are like renowned swords, born to be obscure, opening orifices and piercing acupoints to peel back layers of heavenly revelation. The Nine Palaces, Eight Gates, Seven Mansions, and Six Paths cultivate the external, externalized combat power. The Four Sacrifices, Three Realms, Two Poles, and One Venerate cultivate the internal, focusing on the comprehension of artistic conception and transcendence. The externalized parts are already few. These latter four, compared to the former four, are actually not important for most people, as they are difficult to achieve in a lifetime. Therefore, there's no concept that one only completes the path of Ancient Martial Arts after mastering them all. On the contrary, having learned the Six Paths means you've grasped 90% of Ancient Martial Arts." Shen Yi gazed steadily at Xu Xiaoshou, first correcting a common misconception a novice might have.

In that case... Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood. According to his previous thinking, after mastering the Four Sacrifices and Three Realms, one might indeed be comparable to an Ancestral God. Two Poles, One Venerate? What a joke! They'd be dominating the Five Regions, ascending to the Divine Realm! The surrounding onlookers also nodded, pondering thoughtfully, noting what needed to be noted, learning what needed to be learned, but all waiting for the main point.

So, what about the Four Sacrifices... Yue Gongli also looked on with anticipation. Like most people, he now had only one thought: "Perhaps I also possess the potential for Ancient Martial Arts, like Shen Yi?"

Shen Yi naturally took in the gazes of the surrounding crowd, but only sighed inwardly with resignation. He didn't know how many times he had said similar things, how much he had taught, in the past. During the Ten Venerates era, some people, under the guise of seeking battle, were actually seeking guidance, and he never held back, teaching everything he could. But... Ancient Martial Arts, the threshold is truly too high!

"The Four Sacrifices means 'abandonment'. This realm touches upon the enlightenment of 'discerning oneself, transcending Dao-transformation', namely: abandoning the body, abandoning the spirit, abandoning intent, and abandoning self. Body, spirit, intent, self—all four are gone. In the midst of Dao-transformation, one returns to simplicity and truth." He paused then, amidst everyone's expectant gazes, Shen Yi stopped there.

Yue Gongli was even afraid he would forget it, guided or forgotten by some power. He didn't even take out his jade slip, instead pulling out an ancient bamboo scroll to record. When Shen Yi paused, he looked up quietly, like the most diligent student in a classroom.

Xu Xiaoshou also waited for a moment. Shen Yi looked at him, with nothing further to say. It was as if he understood something, and the corner of his mouth twitched as he said: "That's it?"Shen Yi nodded. "That's it."Xu Xiaoshou's face immediately fell. He knew Shen Yi wasn't a good teacher. But during the Human Path and Hungry Ghost Path, he had said quite a lot. Even incantations would be fine; at least after listening and contemplating on my own, I could gain some insight! And now? The harder it gets, the briefer you are? You just explained the concept of "Four Sacrifices" and finished teaching?

"Things related to intent are hard to convey through words; they can only be shown by example," Shen Yi said, a hint of apology in his tone."Please." Xu Xiaoshou, without further ado, extended his hand forward, signaling for a demonstration.

Shen Yi didn't proceed immediately. Instead, his expression became more solemn as he said: "Reaching the Six Paths is the limit; this is not a joke. At least on the Saint God Continent, the Six Paths can be considered the peak of Ancient Martial Arts. You must remember not to touch anything beyond that. Because the Four Sacrifices, Three Realms, Two Poles, and One Venerate—each one, without exception—can be understood as sacrificial techniques like 'blood sacrifice' or 'blood escape.' To use them is certain death!"

*Clatter, clatter, clatter...* The onlookers collectively threw their jade slips and bamboo scrolls onto the ground, looking as if they had been teased, their faces filled with indignation. What the hell! After all that, it turns out activating the "Four Sacrifices" means death? You should have said so earlier! If you had said so earlier, why would I bother learning this? Am I learning this because I want to reincarnate sooner, die faster, and accelerate my demise?

Yue Gongli's jaw also dropped, but he still tightly clutched his bamboo scroll. After all, he had a higher perspective. Sacrifice, essentially, just means a high cost, one's life. As long as one is wealthy, they can always find equivalent replacements.

"Certain death?" Xu Xiaoshou questioned directly, with doubt."Yes, don't hold onto any hope. On the Saint God Continent, using it means certain death—the Four Sacrifices abandon everything you have!"Xu Xiaoshou keenly caught the key point: "Here, however, it won't lead to death?""Correct!"

As soon as he said this, all the jade slips and bamboo scrolls that had just been thrown on the ground were picked up again.Yue Gongli chuckled. "I told you, it's just a cost; there's nothing to fear."

Shen Yi raised his hand, touching the void: "You should be able to feel that the rules of the Divine Relic are more than just one level higher than those of the Saint God Continent."Yes! Xu Xiaoshou had already experienced this point. At the same time, he understood what Shen Yi was talking about: As soon as he entered the Divine Relic, Xu Xiaoshou sensed that the rule level here was very high. Renowned swords needed to conceal their brilliance and actively release their heavenly powers on the Saint God Continent, but perhaps not here. Spirit herbs and holy medicines needed to conceal their brilliance there, but here they could thrive. Even profound truths had a limit of 80 in the Five Regions; to delve deeper would risk assimilation by the Great Dao. Here, it seemed one could push a bit further before encountering that "taboo."

"It's good that you understand." Seeing Xu Xiaoshou understand, Shen Yi simultaneously unfurled the Ancient Martial Arts profound truth array diagram beneath his feet, which had appeared when he learned the Six Paths. With a slight smile, he skipped his least favorite part—the explanation—and abruptly raised both arms, letting out a low shout: "Four Sacrifices: Abandon Body!"

In an instant, Shen Yi's body seemed to ignite with invisible flames, "burning" intensely. From feet, to knees, to hips, to abdomen, to hands, to chest, to shoulders, to head... Everything rapidly vanished! A public sacrifice!"Huh?" Not to mention Yue Gongli, who was dumbfounded. All the surrounding onlookers, clutching their jade slips and bamboo scrolls, were also dumbfounded. Wait, I didn't even blink. Did I miss a step here? I haven't even understood it yet, and you're already sacrificing yourself? Weren't we just talking about "rules"...

In that brief flash of thought, Shen Yi had already completely abandoned his body, exchanging it for other powers. Another voice quickly emerged from the void: "Four Sacrifices: Abandon Spirit!"Instantly, everyone fully deployed their soul techniques. Xu Xiaoshou, in particular, saw shadowy small swords condense in his eyes, and through Ghost Sword Art, he clearly saw Shen Yi's soul body rapidly "self-immolating" in the same manner. It was terrifying! Truly a complete abandonment, without a shred of reluctance! It was as if he had been struck by a passive fist and then pierced by a Finger of Annihilation; at this moment, Shen Yi, body and soul, very decisively "died" before everyone's eyes!

"That's it?""This is some damn evil art, isn't it?!""I'm not learning this! Let whoever wants to learn this Ancient Martial Arts Four Sacrifices learn it!"Countless people again threw down their jade slips and bamboo scrolls. Indeed, it looked no different from self-sacrifice. Shen Yi said it would lead to death; originally, everyone had a bit of disbelief, at least thinking, "If I do it, I definitely won't die." Now it seemed... His wording was too cautious, wasn't it? This wasn't "will die"; this was clearly "committing suicide"!

"Four Sacrifices: Abandon Intent!"By now, the voice had become extremely faint. Only a few who had deeply cultivated the path of will could see Shen Yi's illusory, formless, abstract will form being abandoned. Xu Xiaoshou had activated his Falling Petal Realm, with the Non-existent Sword Flow, swapping between real and void states, to witness this scene.

While he was still pondering whether he should learn these "Four Sacrifices"... A thunderclap in silence. Suddenly, divine light descended in front, guiding a blurred silhouette to ascend—to the Eighteenth Heaven! Everyone present saw it. Yet, everyone, clutching their jade slips and bamboo scrolls, was momentarily bewildered, feeling as if something had gone missing.

"Who stole my memory?!" A startled cry suddenly rose from the back. When people turned around, they saw an old man pointing at the Reincarnation Heaven Ascension Pillar and then at the battlefield nearby... "Someone! Someone was just fighting that Ancestral Tree! How can I not remember? And this pillar, we were gathered here, someone was speaking..." He suddenly paused, staring at the blank jade slip in his hand, his pupils contracting as if he had seen a ghost: "It's empty! I clearly recorded something just now..."

Yue Gongli also felt a sudden chill down his spine. He frowned in deep thought, unable to recall what had just happened. Everyone's jade slips and bamboo scrolls were blank. Everyone's memories seemed to have had a segment stolen. Only he stared blankly at the sixteen ancient characters preserved by special power on the ancient bamboo scroll in his hand, falling into thought: "Body, spirit, intent, self, all four are gone. (Little Turtle)" "In Dao-transformation, return to simplicity and truth. (Little Goldfish)" What was I recording? *Hiss!* Are these two small animals drawn on it also necessary?

Xu Xiaoshou was also stunned, looking in the direction where no one stood in front of him, forgetting what he had just been doing. After a long silence, he looked up, just about to curse. Suddenly, he noticed a figure squatting on the ground in the ascending area ahead, where everyone was looking, yet no one seemed to perceive it.

"Anxiety Bro?" Xu Xiaoshou stepped forward in surprise and doubt.Yue Gongli's body suddenly trembled. He quickly rubbed his eyes and looked in Xu Xiaoshou's direction. No one! Damn it, damn it, damn it... Why can't I still see him? Kong Yuhen! Anxiety Bro must be Kong Yuhen, right? I traveled with him for a while before, I remember him!

Yue Gongli felt frustrated, while everyone else felt a chill run down their spines. Losing memories was terrifying enough, but now Master Shou was looking at a nonexistent "person," talking with a mix of surprise and excitement: "Why are you here? Tell me, what just happened?"*Rustle, rustle,* the wind responded."Me? What 'abandon self'? What are the Four Sacrifices?"*Whoosh, whoosh,* fear spread."No way, you're saying he ascended? The one who enlightened 'discerning oneself, transcending Dao-transformation'? Then he can see Ran Ming, right?"

Uh... everyone's minds flashed with the image of the person who had just successfully ascended, and they suddenly felt that this place had become terribly frightening."I'm feeling a bit unwell, I'll withdraw first.""The spirit herbs in my valley have matured; I'll go pick them.""If you all are leaving, then so will this old man.""Lord Li, perhaps we should too?""You shut your mouth!" Yue Gongli snapped back irritably. As if remembering something else, he looked around and asked in surprise: "Where's Huang Quan?"