Like a lotus emerging from murky water, Dao Qiongcang rose from a pool of blood. After combing the viscous liquid from his body, he greedily inhaled the long-missed air of the Holy Divine Continent, his face filled with an intoxicating bliss.
"Ah!"
"What a delicious scent!"
With a flick of his wrist, he condensed the spent and decaying Heavenly Secret Puppet behind him, crushing it into a blood-soaked cloth ball, and hurled it forward.
"Hey, kid, stop right there!"
Xiao Wanfeng was scared out of his wits.
He swore he wasn't a coward.
But when the blood-soaked flesh ball from behind was hurled at him by that evil god, he still stumbled, nearly collapsing to the ground.
"Please, let me go!"
Xiao Wanfeng was on the verge of tears; he genuinely had nothing valuable to offer.
Simultaneously, he inwardly pleaded, "Xuan Cang, save me!"
The "flesh ball" struck Xiao Wanfeng's backside, though the sensation wasn't actually fleshy.
Xiao Wanfeng, as if bitten by a leopard hot on his heels, yelped and sprang up, clutching his backside.
"Don't you dare!"
His chest felt constricted, and his neck was being squeezed.
Xiao Wanfeng, who had leaped high, couldn't clear the alley entrance and disappear into the bustling street crowd.
Before his feet even touched the ground, he found himself suspended in mid-air.
He gazed at the sunlight spilling just beyond his reach, while he remained trapped in the alley's deep shadow.
This profound sense of loss, being merely a half-step away from freedom, severely assailed Xiao Wanfeng's spirit.
"Senior..."
With slumped shoulders, he tremblingly turned his head.
To his surprise, the "evil god" behind him, now free of the viscous liquid, actually exuded an air of approachability.
He wasn't fierce at all; on the contrary, his eyes were bright, his skin was clean, and he possessed a distinctly noble appearance.
"I feel like I've seen him somewhere before..."
Xiao Wanfeng paused, then quickly remembered: Young Master Xu's spiritual crystal card featured a simplified portrait of this very person!
The Dao Hall Master!
"'Esteemed Dao Hall Master,' Xiao Wanfeng sighed deeply, 'we have no past grievances or recent enmities. Why are you detaining a mere mortal like me?'"
The Southern Region is terrible in every way, but what makes it truly unbearable is everyone's penchant for impersonating others.
But the Dao Hall Master is already a thing of the past. Even his sister's trend has faded; now, it's the "Great Emperor of the Common People" who's popular.
The Love Hall Master is the Southern Region's newest craze!
The Southern Region, truly wonderful!
Dao Qiongcang absolutely adored this place.
The Southern Region was good for many reasons, but its best quality was this: if he revealed his true identity here, no one would recognize him as Dao Qiongcang.
This was impossible in any of the other four regions; the Southern Region possessed a unique charm.
Now, gazing at this unexpected "surprise" on his first return to the continent, Dao Qiongcang first sank into thought.
In the past, he would have merely given the boy a fleeting glance before immediately questioning Xuan Cang about why he had left home and not returned.
Ultimately, no matter what tactics he employed, it would be impossible to bring Xuan Cang back to the Holy Divine Hall; he would have to be diverted to the Heavenly Secret Divine Sect instead.
Now, however, things were different.
The circumstances were entirely new.
With the precedents of Xu Xiaoshou and Cao Erzhu in mind, Dao Qiongcang meticulously and thoroughly observed the young man from head to toe.
"'He's quite handsome, though his clothes are a bit thin, and he's a little on the skinny side…'"
"'Sixteen years old, no spiritual energy, yet held in high regard by Xuan Cang…'"
He glanced behind him; the crowd was bustling, yet no one seemed to notice them. Only the first observation platform remained lively.
He understood.
Dao Qiongcang set the boy down, smoothed his clothes, patted him lightly, then leaned in slightly and smiled gently:
"'What's your name?'"
"'Zhou Yong.'"
"'Are you an ancient sword cultivator?'"
"'A mortal.'"
"'I have a mortal certificate too.' Dao Qiongcang casually produced an identical red leather-bound certificate. 'Do I look like a mortal to you?'"
You look more like a criminal to me... Xiao Wanfeng silently shook his head.
"'What's your name?'"
"'Xiao Wanfeng.'"
"'You are an ancient sword cultivator.'"
"'Yes.'"
"'You mustn't lie in the future; children shouldn't pick up such habits.' Dao Qiongcang produced a folded piece of paper from seemingly nowhere, tucked it into Xiao Wanfeng's hand, then gestured behind him."
Xiao Wanfeng clutched the paper, hesitated for a moment, then obediently handed over the sword case.
A little terrifying...
Not because of any specific ability or spiritual technique this person had used.
Instead, it was the intangible pressure he exerted, simply by repeating two sentences without using any overt power, that left people terrified to even breathe.
Xiao Wanfeng even suspected this person might be the *real* Dao Hall Master!
Click.
When the wooden case opened, it was indeed empty of any sword.
There were no hidden mechanisms either, like a button to conceal a sword or formations designed to evade the spiritual perception of Spirit Refiners.
Dao Qiongcang was an expert in such matters; he wouldn't be fooled by a mere child.
"'Look, you look too.'"
"'No need to be nervous, I'm a good person.'"
He gestured for Xiao Wanfeng to open the paper and take a look.
Dao Qiongcang re-examined the sword case six times, and after imprinting it, he didn't return it. Instead, he placed it into his spatial ring—what he could perceive, others might also; since this sword case had once contained Xuan Cang, it could not be allowed to reappear in the world.
With a flick of his wrist, he produced a brand new, identical wooden case, weathered and even scratched in exactly the same way as the previous one, and set it beside Xiao Wanfeng.
"'What kind of trickery is this...'"
Xiao Wanfeng's eyes widened in horror.
He had never seen anyone like this.
Surely this person didn't carry a whole collection of identical sword cases, just in case he needed one?
Since that was impossible, it meant he had merely glanced at it and then replicated an identical one...
That was even stranger!
What respectable person carries so much ordinary wood around with them?
With the paper half-unfolded, his mind completely distracted, Xiao Wanfeng couldn't help but ask:
"'Are you a carpenter?'"
"'Is it not normal for a Heavenly Secret Sorcerer to possess some craftsmanship?' Dao Qiongcang smiled. 'Your deliberate questioning won't make me think you're a fool.'"
Xiao Wanfeng opened his mouth, speechless.
He did possess some worldly experience and had indeed intended to be "deliberate," knowing that people often let their guard down when dealing with perceived fools.
Unfortunately, the person before him didn't fall for it...
"'Of course, I also won't consider this a display of your cunning,' Dao Qiongcang chuckled. 'You seem to be a quick-witted, flexible ancient sword cultivator who will likely live a long life with few obstacles, entirely unlike the truly stagnant individuals I've encountered.'"
The paper opened, and a gust of wind instantly whisked it away.
Xiao Wanfeng suddenly shivered, snapped back to reality, and quickly bent down to snatch the paper before it touched the ground.
He had indeed entertained the thought that if this small trick were seen through, the other party would likely look down on someone who resorted to such petty ploys—yet, surprisingly, this tactic also failed to land.
Clutching the paper, Xiao Wanfeng sheepishly drew back his head. "I'm sorry... uh, Senior, you flatter me..."
Dao Qiongcang's gaze tracked the paper's brief flight and return:
"'Your subconscious reaction is quite good. If you practice, your combat awareness will be excellent.'"
Xiao Wanfeng's eyelids twitched several times.
From the moment the paper was folded until it was opened, he hadn't managed to glimpse its contents even once.
He felt as if he was being forcibly immobilized, stripped bare, and meticulously scrutinized from every angle.
Who exactly was this person?
Xiao Wanfeng even felt that the other party could clearly see through him, perceiving the Xuan Cang Divine Sword—one of the Five Chaos Divine Artifacts—lodged within his body!
"'Look, why are you panicking?'"
Dao Qiongcang gestured with his eyes towards the paper in Xiao Wanfeng's hand. "'If you're going to play little tricks, you must be prepared to be exposed. Practice more, and you won't panic. In this regard, you've already lost to a certain 'good wood' I've encountered.'"
Xiao Wanfeng opened his mouth to speak, then closed it, finally taking a deep breath.
He arrived at a conclusion: the more you say, the more mistakes you make; the less you say, the fewer mistakes; say nothing, make no mistakes.
He lowered his gaze to look.
On the paper was a black, white, and gray drawing, depicting what looked like many people, but it was held upside down.
Xiao Wanfeng turned it right side up...
"Damn!"
With just one glance, he recoiled in fright, almost dropping the item in his hand.
He swore he wasn't a foul-mouthed person, yet since encountering this Heavenly Secret Sorcerer, he had cursed twice already.
—The paper depicted "Lord Shou"!
No, strictly speaking, it was "Xu De Ye" (a pun on Xu Xiaoshou's name), a depiction of the Sky Net Battle from East Heaven King City.
What was the Sky Net Battle?
It was a minor competition to gain qualification for the King City trial. Others might forget, but Xiao Wanfeng never would.
Because in that battle, he had suppressed and broken through Grandmaster Sword Intent, and also secured his first championship ever, even though Young Master Xu had yielded it to him.
"'What is going on?'"
Xiao Wanfeng's mind was reeling.
No one would deliberately remember such minor competitions.
What's more, the largest figure in the drawing was Young Master Xu, grinning widely and mischievously, his face dominating the entire image. Xiao Wanfeng, despite being the champion, was merely background.
His own portrait was only the size of a mung bean, very blurry, and his features barely discernible even with careful examination.
"'This person...'"
Xiao Wanfeng hesitated, looking at the middle-aged man before him, cunning thoughts swirling in his mind.
He clutched the paper, not even daring to glimpse himself on it, for fear that this detail-oriented man might perceive something more.
"'Do you know him?'"
Dao Qiongcang had just asked.
Before Xiao Wanfeng could answer, he heard a barrage of questions:
"'Who is he?'"
"'Who are you?'"
"'What's your relationship like?'"
"'And who am I, and why do I possess this drawing?'"
"'If you hesitate, will I act aggressively? And if I act aggressively, will you retaliate?'"
"'Blah, blah, blah, too trivial... These are all meaningless questions, and any answers would be useless chatter.'"
"'Xiao Wanfeng, let's skip the pleasantries, your wishful thinking, and the process of us opening up to each other. Let's just become good friends right away!'"
Dao Qiongcang spread his arms, as if embracing a rapidly accelerating good life, and declared straightforwardly:
"'I only have two questions: Is Xuan Cang's choice of you related to Xu Xiaoshou?'"
This single day was more shocking to Xiao Wanfeng than all sixteen years of his life combined.
He couldn't help but swallow, his eyes wide in astonishment; he had never encountered such a person before—one who walked an extreme path both similar to and yet completely opposite to Lord Shou's!
"'No.'"
He no longer dared to resist anything.
He would say whatever was true, hoping that after this man finished his questions, he would release him as he had implied.
Well, he hadn't actually *said* he would let him go, but his demeanor suggested it...
"'You mustn't lie, you know.'"
Dao Qiongcang pointed to himself. He said nothing, yet Xiao Wanfeng understood his meaning:
I haven't resorted to torture, so you should be honest and kind.
"'Absolutely no lies!' Xiao Wanfeng, terrified, raised his hand to swear an oath."
"'That means there's no trust then...'"
Dao Qiongcang smiled, gently pushed down his hand, embraced the sky, and said with a hopeful glint in his eyes, "A truly beautiful world is a utopian world where people trust one another."
He's so insane...
Xiao Wanfeng grew even more nervous.
He wasn't afraid of villains or evildoers. But this kind of person, with their severe mental issues, would be utterly terrifying once they snapped!
"'Second question.'"
Dao Qiongcang's demeanor shifted effortlessly. He swiftly extended two fingers, his face expressionless. "'Do you know Ba Zun'an?'"
Xiao Wanfeng was about to shake his head.
"'Think carefully before you answer.'"
Xiao Wanfeng shook his head firmly:
"'I know *of* him, but he doesn't know me. I've never met the Eighth Sword Immortal, only heard stories about him. I've never had any direct contact with him...'"
He rambled on and on, seemingly without end.
Dao Qiongcang simply smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched the young man's red lips open and close.
He didn't hear a word of what came next, but the flesh on his face seemed to accumulate, as if pushing "benevolence" from the deepest parts of his heart.
The world suddenly brightened. Gentle, warm sunlight gradually crept in from outside the alley, lazily settling on the young man's shoulders and head, like a small orange kitten.
Perfect!
Apt!
Absolutely fitting!
Xiao Wanfeng realized he had no idea when he'd stopped rambling, suddenly aware that he had fallen into the self-proving trap of "I don't know Ba Zun'an."
Yet, while the trap had ensnared him, it held no hidden blades. Instead, the man opposite him wore a strangely benevolent, almost maternal smile that unsettled Xiao Wanfeng deeply.
"'Why are you staring at me like that?' Xiao Wanfeng felt a sudden wave of apprehension."
Dao Qiongcang suppressed his smile, acknowledging that his gaze had been overly intense. As if to compensate, he pulled a ring from his finger.
"'I don't want it!'"
Xiao Wanfeng was utterly aghast.
He had already refused spatial rings, gold rings.
Now he was pulling out a Heavenly Secret Star-patterned ring—what did that mean?
"'Take it, it's a good thing.'"
Dao Qiongcang's cheeks bunched as he shoved the ring into Xiao Wanfeng's hand.
Xiao Wanfeng wanted to push it back, but didn't dare; wanted to throw it away, but didn't dare; wanted to cry, but also didn't dare.
"'Put it on, it'll look good.'"
Dao Qiongcang, still smiling, took the ring and placed it on the middle finger of a dejected Xiao Wanfeng.
He whimpered inwardly.
Thank goodness, it was only his middle finger!
Wh-wh-what on earth did he want? Young Master Xu, save me!
Xiao Wanfeng truly wanted to cry. He felt that only Lord Shou could handle such a person; he himself was utterly helpless against him.
"'This is a Heavenly Secret Ring,' Dao Qiongcang said, raising his eyebrows and gesturing for him to try. 'It doesn't require spiritual energy; I crafted it specifically for you and linked it to your consciousness... Just think about it, and it will open.'"
But I don't want to open it...
Xiao Wanfeng, tears welling in his eyes, thought about it and instantly felt a new space appear in his mind.
It was a square, grayish-black space, roughly large enough to accommodate a large bed, a wardrobe, and a dressing table.
However, at this moment, it was completely empty.
Except for the ceiling...
The ceiling, a starry expanse, shimmered with countless stars in the darkness, utterly magnificent.
For a moment, Xiao Wanfeng even forgot his fear.
"So beautiful!"
It wasn't merely beautiful in the conventional sense.
Even if Xiao Wanfeng was experiencing spatial equipment for the first time and was somewhat awestruck, a mere starry ceiling wouldn't have captivated him so completely.
The beauty he perceived was the inexplicable tranquility that enveloped him the moment his consciousness entered this space.
All his chaotic thoughts quieted, unclaimed sacred energy nourished him, and the surrounding Dao rhythm surged, nearly sending him into a state of enlightenment.
"'What kind of power is this?!'"
Xiao Wanfeng was terrified.
This was clearly a peerless blessed land, refined and gifted to him within this star-patterned ring!
Why would he do something like this?
What does he want from me? I can change!
I'd rather die than marry you, okay? A ring means nothing; I already have someone I love!
Countless excuses raced through Xiao Wanfeng's mind, but before he could voice any of them, the crazed middle-aged man had already squatted down, drawing many large circles on the ground.
"'The Sword Division, do you like it?'"
"'You could become the head of the Sword Division, immerse yourself in the cultivation world you love most without any need for concealment, and I will provide you with all the resources you need.'"
"'Let's treat the world as one giant Sword Division, and together, we'll become ancient sword cultivators, cultivating until we're the strongest, crushing Ba Zun'an and Xu Xiaoshou underfoot!'"
"'And them…'"
This man, seemingly driven by untold life experiences, spoke and gestured, pointing towards the first observation platform:
"'What Sword Immortals?'"
"'They're all nonsense!'"
"'Once we join hands and achieve success in our cultivation, we'll directly reshape a beautiful ancient sword cultivator world!'"
The ancient sword cultivator world isn't beautiful; your mental state, however, is... Xiao Wanfeng stared, dumbfounded, as the crazed middle-aged man finished speaking, excitedly rose, pressed his hands onto Xiao Wanfeng's shoulders, and bellowed:
"'Xuan Cang, pull it out!'"
Xiao Wanfeng, startled, instinctively pulled out the Xuan Cang Divine Sword and swung it, aiming to catch the man off guard.
Just then, a golden light flashed, and the middle-aged man also produced a large golden sword, crossing it with Xuan Cang's.
He turned, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Wanfeng, then faced away from the world, towards the alley, and shouted loudly:
"'Two swords united, invincible under heaven!'"
Sunlight poured down, casting the silhouettes of two figures, one tall and one short.
The young Xiao Wanfeng's mouth twitched as he silently retracted the Xuan Cang Divine Sword into his body, his mind overwhelmed with shock.
First, by the man's sheer madness!
Second, by the fact that this lunatic had produced the Rage Immortal Buddha Sword!
Third, by the revelation within the man's recent words: he was truly the unfathomable Dao Hall Master!
"'But...'"
Xiao Wanfeng's perception of reality shattered, yet he still couldn't believe it.
How could the majestic figure he'd envisioned—profound and unfathomable, seated above the clouds, capable of shaping the world with a mere flick of his wrist—be like *this*?
"'This isn't right.'"
"'I must be dreaming.'"
"'I must be insane!'"
Meeting the Dao Hall Master on the road, having him give me a ring, then standing back-to-back with swords raised, shouting "invincible under heaven"—Xiao Wanfeng wouldn't dare to have such a wild dream, yet reality was truly this insane?
"'My apologies, I startled you.'"
Without Xiao Wanfeng realizing how, the Dao Hall Master had returned to his dignified demeanor, calmly retracting the Rage Immortal Buddha Sword.
Xiao Wanfeng had a thousand unspoken words swirling in his mind.
The unfathomable, eccentric Dao Master raised a finger to his lips:
"'You don't need to agree to my mad ramblings about becoming the head of the Sword Division.'"
"'Nor do you need to concern yourself with the nonsense I just spouted about trampling Ba Zun'an, Xu Xiaoshou, and the others.'"
"'I won't seize your Xuan Cang Divine Sword either. You can also forget about our meeting today.'"
"'As for the ring...'"
He shook his head. "'And there's no need to refuse my goodwill. This ring can help you grow more effectively, and at the very least, it can store some of your daily necessities, right?'"
Xiao Wanfeng desperately wanted to refuse!
What he hated most at that moment was why, after sixteen years of life, he still hadn't learned how to refuse people!
Dao Qiongcang continued to shake his head. "'Just consider yourself a thoroughbred, and I am merely an ordinary horse connoisseur.'"
"'Forget about today's events. I expect no repayment from you, as this ring is utterly insignificant to me.'"
He paused, then the middle-aged man became intensely passionate, vigorously swinging his clenched fist:
"'Go do your destiny, young man!'"
"'What Rao Yaoyao failed to achieve even in death, you have accomplished. Your future is bright!'"
Xiao Wanfeng fell into complete silence.
He seemed to have lost the power of speech, even the desire to speak had been extinguished.
Suddenly, Dao Qiongcang's expression changed. He cried out, "Oh no!", and turned to flee.
But just as he moved, a spatial ring popped from his embrace and shattered with a sharp *crack*.
Immediately, a collapsing vortex formed, from which something strange began to emerge...
A shriveled human skin emerged!
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