Chapter 1667: In the Ruins, Blaming the Land; Returning Openly to the Central Domain

From the moment Xu Xiaoshou handed him the external avatar, Dao Qiongcang had a faint feeling that the young man wanted to test something.

He hadn't forgotten his deduction:

Xu Xiaoshou's comprehension of the Great Path of Intent was not inferior to his own, though his application of it was slightly less refined.

Therefore, Dao Qiongcang sealed the spatial ring.

He truly hadn't touched Xu Xiaoshou's external avatar, let alone researched it; or rather...

He hadn't had the chance to yet!

He never expected that a pseudo-dead body, which should have required his life force to restart, would break free from the ring's seal and emerge alive on its own?

When he saw the paper-thin figure float out of the spatial vortex and quickly inflate, even Dao Qiongcang couldn't help but feel the panic of being caught red-handed while subtly undermining someone.

But who was he?

Having been the Hall Master of Dao for thirty years, Dao Qiongcang’s skin was thicker than a city wall. He quickly steadied his retreating steps and decided to confront the situation head-on.

At the same time, a trace of doubt flashed through his mind:

"He also possesses the profundity of life, the profundity of space, and has mastered an exceptionally unique heavenly secret art..."

"With just a 'pseudo-death,' why would I think a simple seal from a heavenly secret array could trap him?"

This seemed like an insignificant detail. If it were anyone else, they might have simply dismissed it.

After all, they were all friends now, and friends didn't need to be wary of each other.

Yet, Dao Qiongcang raised his guard immediately.

He meticulously checked his "Great Memory Art" and "Great Anomaly Art" and found no errors.

He hadn't been guided.

They were still functioning normally.

"There's a problem!"

Dao Qiongcang frowned in thought, realizing it wasn't just a problem, but a major one!

If Xu Xiaoshou had comprehended the Great Path of Intent to the Transcendent-Dao level in the Divine Relic, and had made further progress after witnessing his Path of Memory, learning some "applications"...

Then everything would have an answer.

In the Four Symbols Secret Realm, Changde Town, and Qingyuan Mountain, the reason he could manipulate Xu Xiaoshou was because Xu Xiaoshou's comprehension of the Great Path of Intent at that time couldn't keep up with his own Path of Memory, and he would always be guided.

Even Xu Xiaoshou's unique "Great Forgetting Art" could be deciphered by him—how powerful was "Memory"?

But now, the situation was no longer one where the enemy was obvious and he was hidden.

Xu Xiaoshou was already aware of the Path of Memory he had mastered, a path unknown even to the five great Saint Emperor families.

And, by a strange coincidence, Xu Xiaoshou had comprehended the Great Path of Intent, even transcending it to the Dao, making it impossible for him to sever this memory concerning his secrets.

So, if their two paths had reached a parallel level, it was highly likely that he would find it difficult to guide Xu Xiaoshou from now on.

This was precisely the case:

All of Xu Xiaoshou's actions in the latter half of the Divine Relic showed that no one, including Su Yin and himself, could guide him.

While his caution against him was a factor, it wasn't the fundamental reason—his abilities had improved, and that was the core!

"Caution" plus "ability" rendered his guidance ineffective.

What about the reverse?

What if the roles were reversed?

What if Xu Xiaoshou wanted to guide him?

As Dao Qiongcang's thoughts reached this point, his pupils suddenly dilated, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

He had the "passive reminder" ability formed by the combination of "Great Memory Art" and "Great Anomaly Art," but it was likely on par with the "ability" Xu Xiaoshou possessed.

So what about his own "caution" against Xu Xiaoshou?

Even if he had some, it was certainly not to the degree of vigilance, almost bordering on fear, that Xu Xiaoshou showed towards him!

With this in mind, and recalling his simple sealing of the spatial ring and his failure to promptly research Xu Xiaoshou's external avatar after taking it out...

Dao Qiongcang looked at Xu Xiaoshou, who had already restored his human form, put on his clothes, tied his belt, and was respectfully bowing to those around him, like a humble gentleman. He suddenly woke up as if from a dream.

The combination of "Great Memory Art" and "Great Anomaly Art" hadn't given him a warning, meaning this set of abilities had been circumvented by Xu Xiaoshou in some way. In other words...

"I've been guided?!"

"Hello."

As Jinyin appeared, he first nodded to Xiao Wanfeng.

Xiao Wanfeng was stunned. The terrifying scene had instantly transformed into Young Master Xu?

And Young Master Xu had become so polite?

Had the world finally gone mad?

Was he still dreaming, or had the sun truly risen from the west?

Xu Deyan of the First Heavenly Pavilion, known for his arrogance, though kind to his own, would never bow to someone who merely served tea and water.

"Young Master Xu?"

Xiao Wanfeng still couldn't believe it. After rubbing his eyes, he decided to trust him for now: "Greetings, Young Master Xu..."

His subconscious reaction was to bend at the waist and reach into his embrace for a full set of tea ware, including a tea tray, teapot, and teacups.

Young Master Xu had traveled a long way and must be thirsty.

Even if he wasn't thirsty, with so many people present, it would surely trigger his passive skill—he'd drink a few cups just to make a spectacle!

After fumbling empty-handed, Xiao Wanfeng realized he no longer received a salary from the First Heavenly Pavilion.

Moreover, Young Master Xu was no longer the same Young Master Xu who needed to impersonate a half-saint successor; he was Master Shou, who had even slain a Sword Saint!

Times had changed. It was uncertain whether Master Shou would still look upon him, a mere mortal, with favor.

"Did he bully you?"

While his mind was still racing, Young Master Xu spoke up, his tone slightly displeased.

"Uh..."

Xiao Wanfeng glanced behind Young Master Xu, hesitating, unsure whether to say yes or no.

After all, the Hall Master of Dao hadn't actually done anything to him; instead, he had bestowed a great opportunity—the Star-Patterned Ring.

"What's this thing?"

As he hesitated, Young Master Xu had already reached for his hand, pulled off the Star-Patterned Ring, and crushed it with a snap.

"Don't wear these dirty things anymore."

Xiao Wanfeng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly glanced at the Hall Master of Dao.

Dao Qiongcang frowned. He didn't say a word?

Had Young Master Xu reached the point where he could openly challenge the Hall Master of Dao, one of the Ten Venerables?

Amidst his shock, Xiao Wanfeng saw Young Master Xu reach into his pocket and pull out two rings, offering them to him.

He simply held them out, without needing to say or do anything more.

Xiao Wanfeng subconsciously reached out and took them.

Seeing this, Dao Qiongcang's eyes narrowed slightly.

Annoyed!

Very annoyed!

Too much differential treatment.

I offered you something, and you resisted so much.

He's also a 'dirty' person, so why do you accept his gifts so readily?

Is it just because you'd met before?

Is the order of events really that important?

"These are..."

Xiao Wanfeng truly had no defenses against Young Master Xu.

What defenses could he set up? If Young Master Xu had treated him badly, he would have lost his life long ago!

Back then, when he entered the Cloud-Gathering Mountain Range, Young Master Xu specifically named himself "Xiao Wanfeng, quickly come to the east to find this Young Master." What was the purpose? Wasn't it out of fear that he, a mere mortal, would die in Yunlun without a powerful backer?

Among all the people in the First Heavenly Pavilion, he didn't even write down Granny Mu's name, only his own. Could it be that his importance in Young Master Xu's heart was truly more than just a servant?

Thinking this, Xiao Wanfeng felt ashamed of his previous thought that "Young Master Xu becoming Master Shou meant there would be a distance between them."

At that time, he hadn't even earned Xuan Cang's respect, yet Young Master Xu didn't disdain him. What could he disdain now?

A country can change, but character is hard to alter. Young Master Xu's feelings for him had never changed!

"You must not accept anything he gives you. Keep these two rings safe; I am giving you two worlds," Young Master Xu said.

Two worlds?

That Star-Patterned Space was already astonishing enough; comprehending the Dao within it would surely lead to rapid progress.

Young Master Xu was certainly generous, but now he wasn't "giving space," but "giving worlds"?

More generous than the Hall Master of Dao?

Xiao Wanfeng opened his mouth, wanting to say many things, but not a single word came out.

He lowered his head for a closer look: two rings, one engraved with a tree, the other with an axe.

"They can be activated without spiritual essence or spiritual power; simply think 'enter' with your mind."

"One leads to the Apricot Realm, the other to the Divine Relic."

"In the Apricot Realm, I've moved a Jade Capital City inside – the one he used to govern. It's very extravagant; you can go play there when you have nothing to do, and return to the Sacred God Continent anytime you're tired."

"The Divine Relic, on the other hand, is a good place for comprehending the Dao. The spatial ring he just gave you contains ownerless sacred power and a high level of Dao principles, right?"

"M-hm..." Xiao Wanfeng nodded absently.

"It's just a corner of the Divine Relic's space that was intercepted, stolen from me," Young Master Xu said indifferently.

Xiao Wanfeng staggered.

Reuniting after so long, his demeanor remained undiminished.

How could this way of speaking, like throwing money around, delivered in such a humble tone, make him seem even more detestable?

"Xu Xiaoshou, watch your words. What do you mean 'stolen'?"

Dao Qiongcang finally couldn't hold back.

If he let this fellow spout nonsense in front of Xiao Wanfeng, what would become of his reputation?

"I'm also half owner of the Divine Relic; you and I share it!"

"I offered you the Heaven Realm Core, but you didn't take it..." Jinyin replied calmly, "Yes, you have half."

"You!"

Dao Qiongcang was even angrier.

How did this fellow manage to make a perfectly normal statement sound like he was "granting him half"?

Jinyin ignored Dao Qiongcang and turned to scrutinize Xiao Wanfeng:

"He touched you just now?"

"Is there a problem?" Xiao Wanfeng thought to himself that it wasn't just a touch; there were various pats, pinches, and caresses—everything.

"Anyone he touches can be possessed at any time. You've witnessed the 'Great Divine Descent Art,' haven't you?"

"What!"

Xiao Wanfeng's expression jolted, and he recalled the middle-aged man who had knelt, sacrificed himself, and summoned the evil god.

Would he also become like that?

He frantically searched around for the flesh-and-blood lump that had been thrown at him, but found no trace of it, making him even more horrified.

Discarded after use?

Nothing left of the body after being discarded?

"Xu Xiaoshou, I advise you to speak properly. What do you mean 'possession'? That's not possession," Dao Qiongcang couldn't help but step forward.

Jinyin: "Then tell me, did you or did you not leave a mark on Xiao Wanfeng?"

Dao Qiongcang's steps halted, and he was speechless.

Something he casually branded just by looking—was that intentional? It was subconscious... No, unconscious!

"See?"

Jinyin looked at Xiao Wanfeng, whose face was pale.

Although he didn't quite understand what an "imprint" was, he assumed it was a prerequisite for the "Great Divine Descent Art," right?

He touched his shoulder and hand...

Xiao Wanfeng felt he couldn't keep these clothes, and even his very skin had been defiled; he desperately needed a new one.

"Don't worry, he wouldn't dare use the Divine Descent Art on you. If you're ever in danger, just call my name, and I will come," Jinyin said with a smile, signaling him to relax, assuring him that he had everything under control.

Calling his true name...

Xiao Wanfeng's pupils constricted.

Young Master Xu had only been gone for a few months, and he had already reached this level?

"You... a Semi-Saint now?"

Jinyin gently shook his head, humbly replying, "Just some basic applications of the Great Path of Intent."

Semi-Saint?

He had already fought a Progenitor God.

Jinyin looked up with a touch of emotion at the blue sky and white clouds of the Sacred God Continent, thinking it was truly a low-level plane.

Upon returning here, the sense of danger rapidly decreased, almost to zero.

Of course, this was just an illusion.

There were still many of the Ten Venerables here, who could shatter the newly revived body of a Progenitor God with a single strike.

Rao Wangze, the treasure-bearer who couldn't fully exert his power until his death, actually had the Sacred God Continent as his Saint Emperor family's home ground, but he died too hastily.

He had rushed to the Divine Relic, was invited for tea by Kong Yuhen, was collectively attacked by three Dao Qiongcangs and the main body, and finally was finished off by Su Yin as a troop supplement.

And Su Yin, despite his clearly immense power upon revival, chose a conservative approach against the Sacred God Continent and was ultimately beaten homeless in his own stronghold.

It could only be said that the Sacred God Continent was a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers resided.

Dao Qiongcang was immersed in the phrase "basic applications of the Great Path of Intent," secretly pondering that his suspicions were likely correct: Xu Xiaoshou had indeed comprehended it.

Opposite him, Jinyin had slightly leaned in and quietly instructed Xiao Wanfeng:

"Go to another location, hide well in the Apricot Realm, and then find someone named 'Lord Li.' Have him send a trustworthy person from the Apricot Realm or elsewhere into the Divine Relic."

Dao Qiongcang's ear twitched, eavesdropping on such undisguised words, and he instantly understood Xu Xiaoshou's intention.

Since the "pseudo-death" path was viable, this fellow had decided to send one of his own into the relic to retrieve his main body.

"Brilliant!"

Seeing Xiao Wanfeng depart with the order, Dao Qiongcang immediately praised, "Master Shou's move is truly brilliant; I concede defeat!"

Jinyin smiled without speaking.

He turned his head, looking at the bustling First Spectator Stand. After watching the sword immortals squabble for a long time, he concluded that Beibei's face indeed had a bit of baby fat.

Only then, with his back turned and hands clasped behind him, did he chuckle softly:

"Brother Dao, you flatter me."

"If it were truly brilliant, you wouldn't have seen through my plan so easily."

Divine Relic.

Xu Xiaoshou's Intent Dao Disc retracted beneath his feet, his eyes slowly opened, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"It's done."

Jinyin had escaped through pseudo-death, and his escape route was secured.

The Transcendent-Dao Intent Dao Disc, under the absolute focus of "unity of heaven and man," successfully withstood Dao Qiongcang's abnormal level of insight.

People grow through combat.

Having spent so much time with that flamboyant old Daoist, Xu Xiaoshou had, through osmosis, learned a dirtier form of guidance—indirect guidance!

He tried not to apply mental guidance directly to Dao Qiongcang, but instead applied it to Jinyin, who was in a pseudo-death state.

The first layer of guidance used "concealment" as its foundation, reducing Jinyin's presence and thereby lowering the attention of surrounding people and objects on him.

The second layer of guidance started with "Jinyin" and, through the Path of Space, permeated the barrier of the spatial ring, amplifying the "attraction" of the space Jinyin was in—which was the Sacred God Continent.

All people and objects on the continent, except Dao Qiongcang, were influenced by the "field" of mental guidance, making them appear more "vivid."

The moment Dao Qiongcang returned to the Sacred God Continent, the "field" was triggered, and indeed, he fell for it.

His first concern wasn't Jinyin, but rather being drawn by the aura of the Profound Firmament Divine Sword.

Xiao and the sword—these were all beyond his plan.

Indeed, as the flamboyant old Daoist had said, coincidences did exist.

Dao Qiongcang was already very interested in the whereabouts of the Profound Firmament Divine Sword. When this interest was amplified, his focus naturally diverted.

He caught up with Xiao Wanfeng.

Xu Xiaoshou had specifically ordered Jinyin not to appear immediately, just to see how long Dao Qiongcang could resist the influence of his Intent Dao Disc and if he would quickly realize his indirect guidance.

He was a little disappointed.

So, the unpredictable Dao Qiongcang was, at times, merely ordinary.

Lurking from Jinyin's perspective, Xu Xiaoshou found it amusing to watch the flamboyant old Daoist's antics for an entire show.

Unfortunately, the fellow was indeed quite astute.

The moment Jinyin appeared, he immediately sensed something, and his soul was boiling intensely at that time.

Even if he tried to hide...

Heh, under the Transcendent-Dao Spirit Dao Disc, your shock had nowhere to hide!

"I've become stronger, and dirtier."

Xu Xiaoshou stood up and clenched his fists, feeling power surge through them, a truly exhilarating sensation.

The feeling of having tricked the flamboyant old Daoist was no less satisfying than toying with Su Yin.

He pieced together the soul bodies of Elder Sang and others, then planted a few sacred herbs from Shieldy, imbuing them with his most potent life force.

He had done all he could.

As for the rest, they could slowly recover!

He glanced at Cao Erzhui again. The fellow was still cultivating, truly unsuspecting of anything, unaware that even those beside him had awakened...

"If I'm not here and he wakes up, there might be trouble. It would be problematic if I returned first."

"But Jinyin is already outside, and I can't birth a second true body."

Xu Xiaoshou paused, then chuckled.

While there could only be one second true body, could there only be two "mes"?

Not at all!

The Intent Dao Disc unfurled once more.

Xu Xiaoshou casually drew a spiritual energy clone and then cast a wisp of consciousness into it.

Soon, without even being a Semi-Saint, he had created a simplified version of an "Intent Avatar."

"Hello, Master Shou."

"Hm."

"You created me, you are truly great."

"Don't flatter me."

"An Intent Clone doesn't lie; I only speak the truth, Master Shou."

"Very good. You stay here and watch over them. If anyone wakes up, inform me."

"Understood, great Ancestor Shou."

The Intent Clone was very respectful, even fearing him like a tiger. Of course, since he had created it, such sycophantic behavior was understandable.

Xu Xiaoshou played for a while, but quickly lost interest in this self-deception.

It couldn't even contribute a single passive point—what a useless Intent Avatar!

He actually had many things to do.

He wanted to sit down and, relying on the Divine Relic's exceptionally high rule-level, deeply comprehend his various profundities and the Transcendent-Dao Great Path Disc.

With just a Transcendent-Dao Memory Path, Dao Qiongcang could play so many tricks, even pulling off disgusting methods like the Great Divine Descent Art.

Given time, Xu Xiaoshou believed his collection of passive skills could be combined to play even more flamboyantly.

For example, the "Intent · Great Divine Descent Art";

Or perhaps creating a "third true body" by splitting himself using the Body Dao Disc, splitting his soul using the Spirit Dao Disc, and imbuing intent using the Intent Dao Disc;

And also, by aggressively leveling up Painting Mastery, drawing many Dao Qiongcangs and many Ba Zun'ans, then granting them "reality" with the Body, Spirit, and Intent Dao Discs, and the Profundity of Life.

He wanted to create an army of Ba Zun'ans and an army of Dao Qiongcangs—one primarily cultivating ancient sword arts, the other textile arts—and let them spread branches and leaves across the Sacred God Continent and the Apricot Realm. While shocking others, this would also achieve the same "immortality" as Dao Qiongcang.

"Kill me, and I can resurrect from another 'Heavenly Secret Puppet,' while my true body remains hidden forever."

But these were all too flamboyant.

After careful consideration, Xu Xiaoshou felt that Dao Qiongcang taking such a path was fundamentally because his direct offensive output couldn't compare to that of the Eight Gods and Cao.

His "tech tree" skill points were mostly invested in intellect and calculation, so other aspects were naturally a bit weaker.

He was different.

He only had one passive system, which was on his true body. The true body was meant to go out, cause a stir, and make a spectacle.

"Moreover, his path is his path. While it's good, there's no need to copy it entirely."

Xu Xiaoshou felt that the flamboyant old Daoist was too "covertly flamboyant," which was why he would envy Ba Zun'an's "overt flamboyance."

He could be directly flamboyant himself, so why bother with sneakiness?

"Time to go out..."

Xu Xiaoshou squeezed the Heaven Realm Core, a look of anticipation on his face.

"Passive Points: 2,668,435."

"Passive Fist."

"Finger of Illusion and Destruction."

The passive points were too few.

Currently, apart from the two special passive skills saved as ultimate moves, the others might not necessarily threaten Ai Cangsheng.

He urgently needed a spectacle that would attract worldwide attention!

Therefore, the plan Jinyin revealed to Dao Qiongcang was not Xu Xiaoshou's real plan at all.

What he intended to do was to pull a fast one, sending his true body out directly, and having Jinyin stay in the Divine Relic to help him cultivate!

And since the plan was fake, Xu Xiaoshou naturally didn't need to wait for Xiao Wanfeng to send Li Fugui's people to pick him up.

So what should he do?

He already had a plan!

"To leave, of course, I'll 'walk' out—simple and direct."

Xu Xiaoshou grasped the Heaven Realm Core, summoned the Tree Gate, and after casting a disgusted look at the Intent Avatar that was picking at its foot skin, he shook his head and stepped into the glowing portal.

Independent Existence, activated!