Chapter 1714: Up Prisoner Lower Bound World as Cage, The Way Also Contends People Are Empty

The Cold Moon Imperial Palace had no problems, but the Divine Continent faced a very serious situation.

A question concerning "self-imprisonment" had just left Xu Xiaoshou's lips, and A'si was still struggling, unable to answer.

"Boom!"

The sky thundered violently, and a bolt of tribulation lightning struck down.

The lightning came without warning, startling everyone in the Five Domains.

For Feng Zhongzui, it was truly a bolt from the blue, as it was striking him directly!

Or, more precisely, it was the Dao Transmission Mirror in his hand!

"Xu..."

Before the cry for help could fully escape, Xu Xiaoshou, who had long been wary of his surroundings, casually launched a move.

The bucket-thick tribulation lightning grazed past Feng Zhongzui's scalp, and just as it was about to strike the Dao Transmission Mirror, it was intercepted by the Spatial Mystery.

With a thud, the tribulation lightning finally struck Xu Xiaoshou, but nothing happened.

"Is this some kind of weak lightning?"

Feng Zhongzui looked at Xu Xiaoshou, who didn't even flinch, and for the first time, he felt how insignificant "tribulation" truly was.

Soon, Feng Zhongzui, who had seen past the lightning to the essence of the tribulation, cried out in alarm:

"Why would lightning strike for no reason?"

"The question Xu Xiaoshou asked must be extraordinary. Did it touch upon the continent's rules, leading heaven and earth to naturally generate lightning tribulation as punishment?"

"But this lightning wasn't aimed at him, nor at me, but at the Dao Transmission Mirror... Uh, which means..."

A flash of alarm flickered in Feng Zhongzui's eyes, and he hesitated to continue speaking.

But at that moment, Xu Xiaoshou cast a glance his way, and the coercion in his eyes was too intense, forcing him to speak with difficulty:

"The purpose of this tribulation lightning isn't to strike anyone dead, but to 'prevent everyone from knowing'?"

What was to be known?

Feng Zhongzui didn't need to say it; the spectators in the Five Domains also understood.

It must be to prevent the world from knowing the secret A'si was about to reveal.

But was the secret concerning "self-imprisonment" truly so unspeakable that, without even beginning to unfold, even the continent's rules were automatically resisting it?

"Old Daoist Show-off, didn't you say you'd help as much as you could?"

Xu Xiaoshou was also surprised; a single lightning bolt was nothing to him.

But what if many more lightning bolts, or even other anomalies, were to occur next?

The spiritual communication spell quickly received a response. Old Daoist Show-off's tone was excited yet restrained, carrying a nervous thrill, as if he were sneaking a forbidden pleasure:

"I can temporarily help you intercept external-to-internal and upper-to-lower interventions on the Divine Continent, but this is only temporary; they will still find out later."

"Over the years, the rules that have naturally evolved within the Divine Continent, or rather, the rules they've 'trained', are now structured to reject the exposure of secrets."

"I cannot intercept this, nor do I know what you will encounter next, so be careful."

"Remember: This is destiny; everything will be obstructed."

Destiny...

Can this also be considered destiny?

In other words, if I insist on asking, would the continent's rules alone, by not allowing it, doom my next steps to be arduous?

Xu Xiaoshou, however, became even more interested.

He was someone who, once a decision was made, would strive to see it through to the end.

What's more, he knew that this decision itself had no inherent pros or cons to discuss; it was neither good nor bad, existing in a gray area.

Which side the ultimate outcome would lean towards—"good" or "bad"—depended entirely on human effort.

And humans...

Humans shall conquer destiny!

At this point, if one could not maintain such a belief, "Destiny" would become a god in one's heart, an unshakable faith, and one would forever be unable to surpass it.

"Give up resisting, A'si."

"You are tired, you should rest well. Isn't this what you've longed for most?"

The Spatial Dao Plate beneath his feet shifted, turning into an Intent Dao Plate.

The Super-Dao-Transformed Intent Dao Plate directly applied guidance, even though Xu Xiaoshou knew A'si couldn't resist the Three Aversions Pupils by himself.

What was likely struggling against him was most likely the various protective measures within A'si's body, originating from the Cold Moon Imperial Palace regarding "secrets," or possibly even the Cold Moon Saint Emperor's direct contingency plan!

Guiding A'si to let go, to release his attachment to the Dao and his loyalty to the Cold Moon Imperial Palace, thereby diluting the influence of the Cold Moon Imperial Palace and even the Cold Moon Saint Emperor, and allowing A'si to answer the Three Aversions Pupils' question—this was the "circuitous approach."

It proved that, in the cultivation of the Great Dao of Intent, regardless of how much the Cold Moon Saint Emperor had achieved, Xu Xiaoshou's proficiency was indeed extremely high.

Super-Dao-Transformation truly lived up to its reputation as a realm that could only be cultivated in the God's Remains.

As soon as the circuitous guidance was issued, A'si's body quickly stopped convulsing, and his entire face was filled with blankness.

The spectators in the Five Domains were horrified to witness this.

With just two sentences, he told someone to drop their butcher's knife, and they did. This was practically "words become law."

Xu Xiaoshou, was he that powerful?

"Self-imprisonment..."

A'si murmured softly, his words not very coherent, only vaguely conveying meaning.

Moreover, his words sounded like he was relaying someone else's statements, but who they originally came from remained unknown.

"Those above the Heavenly Ladder are masters, those below are slaves; slaves are self-imprisoned..."

"Renowned artifacts are slaves, thus Chaos Divine Tools self-imprison, Peerless Divine Tools self-imprison, Anomalous Weapons self-imprison, famous swords self-imprison..."

This led to Heavenly Release, and even the Eighth Sword Immortal's multi-stage Heavenly Release?

Some found it strange, yet also reasonable, because, in their impression, famous swords and similar items had always "hidden their brilliance" due to their excessive power.

A'si merely stated a fact everyone already knew; there probably wasn't much more content to follow, so it seemed unnecessary to waste time asking further.

Before the Dao Transmission Mirror, everyone felt Xu Xiaoshou was making an unnecessary effort; why not just kill A'si with a single sword stroke?

Some didn't want to listen anymore and chose to leave, grumbling.

But Xu Xiaoshou's guidance resistance was extremely high; he could even resist Sui Yin's guidance, so he naturally wouldn't be interrupted.

At the same time, the Spatial Mystery transmitted a "Memorization" guidance to the Five Domains, forcibly pulling people back.

Don't want to listen?

You'll listen to me!

Sit down if you're here; no one is allowed to leave today!

Everyone could only listen as A'si continued to explain the so-called "self-imprisonment."

"Spiritual plants are slaves, thus Ancestral Trees self-imprison, spiritual medicines self-imprison, spiritual pills self-imprison, and those who consume them self-imprison..."

As soon as these words were uttered, the spectators in the Five Domains felt as if they had been struck by lightning.

Even Ancestral Trees had to self-imprison?

So the World Tree Dragon Apricot, Nine Sacrificial Osmanthus, and others, in this world, had performances far inferior to the magnificent tales of the Nine Great Ancestral Trees passed down through generations?

After generations, they had unknowingly had much of their power sealed; from innate trees, they had been cultivated into... slaves?

Xu Xiaoshou was equally shocked.

But his shock was subtle, like the stinging sensation of a needle prick.

"Pill poison..."

He murmured softly, Xu Xiaoshou seemingly having an epiphany.

He had never quite understood what "pill poison" or "medicine poison" was; it seemed like a term only used by mortals.

Because high-level Spirit Refiners could reconstruct their physical bodies even if they exploded, how could they be affected by mere pill toxicity and harm their Dao foundation?

Wasn't this something that could be expelled or refined away easily?

The truth was, the Spirit Refining world also followed this principle.

Now he understood the true meaning of "pill poison."

The subtle power of "self-imprisonment"—that was the true pill poison!

"The power of self-imprisonment—it doesn't change with form, nor does it end with consumption and refinement. It can be inherited and accumulated, a slow-acting poison that causes fatal effects at the moment one becomes a Saint?" Feng Zhongzui gasped in astonishment.

His words also caused the Spirit Refiners in the Five Domains who hadn't yet paid attention to this detail to turn pale with fright.

"Becoming a Saint..."

Xu Xiaoshou, however, noticed the stereotype in Feng Zhongzui's words.

For himself, this layer of guidance was now almost useless.

But for lower-level cultivators like Feng Zhongzui, Half-Saint was still the pinnacle of this world.

He didn't say anything more, because A'si would speak for him.

After describing the self-imprisonment of most semi-living entities, A'si, with a trembling voice, spoke of Spirit Refiners:

"Slaves are slaves, thus ancient sword cultivators self-imprison, ancient martial artists self-imprison, Spirit Refiners self-imprison..."

When it came to Spirit Refiners, his words became extremely vague.

It seemed that more than one layer of shackles had been set here. After A'si tried to gloss over it with a few evasive remarks, he attempted to muddle through, even though he was still under the control of the Three Aversions Pupils.

Useless!

The spectators in the Five Domains might have been fooled, thinking that was probably enough.

Xu Xiaoshou, with his Super-Dao-Transformed Intent Dao Plate, would not be fooled. His will was resolute; he was determined to reach the other shore, so he immediately interrupted decisively:

"What is the upper limit of Spirit Refiners' self-imprisonment?"

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone seemed to wake from a dream.

The sky trembled once more, and then bolts of tribulation lightning poured down, nearly submerging the void into a sea of lightning.

But without exception, with just a single confrontation, all were extinguished by Xu Xiaoshou's casual wave.

The Dao Transmission Mirror remained completely unharmed!

"He's hit the crucial point again..."

Feng Zhongzui was stunned. The tribulation lightning's attempt to stop Xu Xiaoshou, who was determined to defy heaven, not only failed.

Instead, it became a hint.

"I don't strike what's unimportant; I strike what's important. And you should listen carefully?"

"I don't want to broadcast this, Xu Xiaoshou, please don't ask anymore..." Yet he dared not voice his thoughts, because he too couldn't stop Xu Xiaoshou.

What could stop him?

Even destiny couldn't stop him from seeking the truth. On this continent, no one could stop Xu Xiaoshou anymore!

"Spirit Refiner... self-imprisonment... upper limit..."

A'si's body began to tremble slightly again. Whenever he repeated a question instead of answering instantly, the spectators in the Five Domains knew what followed would be important.

But this time, before A'si could speak, Xu Xiaoshou himself had a problem!

"Buzz—"

After a large swath of lightning tribulation dissipated, the void's Dao rhythm rippled.

Feng Zhongzui sharply noticed that Xu Xiaoshou's body also began to convulse.

A feeling of uncontrollable pleasure, though he didn't know what it was stemming from, arose on his face. Even with his teeth clenched, he still...

"Mmnh!"

He groaned!

What are you groaning about?!

Feng Zhongzui's hand twitched in fright. The lightning sea tribulation hadn't numbed him, but Xu Xiaoshou's groan had.

A bit disgusting!

Just ask the question; what's with you suddenly feeling good?

The attention of the Five Domains' spectators was also drawn by Xu Xiaoshou's damnable little commotion, and soon someone spotted the crucial point:

"Xu Xiaoshou, it seems he's about to break through?"

Indeed, Xu Xiaoshou's Qi Sea surged suddenly, and he felt an uncontrollable sensation of overflowing.

Since his Dao Slaying in Jade City and the subsequent great battle in God's Remains, the power accumulated within him had long since become full, and his foundation was incredibly solid.

Fighting an Ancestral God, how could his foundation not be solid?

But he still had no intention of breaking through, because he planned a grand breakthrough—before entering the Dead Sea, under the gaze of the Five Domains!

This was far more impactful than shouting "I am a Heaven-Born Master" among a crowd of thousands.

It should be known that passive value acquisition tires out, because a person's divine soul won't boil multiple times in a short period.

Just like now.

In fact, due to the great distance, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't gain passive points from the Spirit Refiners watching through the Dao Transmission Mirror.

But the number of people in Jade City was sufficient, and by relying on Jade City's broadcast, he could also make a big haul.

However, as the battle intensified, the crowd's expectation threshold for Xu Xiaoshou repeatedly rose.

The amount of passive value acquired was decreasing proportionally.

In short, money wasn't easy to earn.

His breakthrough to the Void Realm would inevitably be grand, and even if he passed all nine deathly lightning tribulations in one go, it would take time. All of this could be a great opportunity to gain passive points, and he had to seize it.

Currently, the Five Domains were collectively paying attention, and millions of Spirit Refiners in Jade City were eagerly watching; it was actually a good time.

Yet, he was asking A'si a question right now!

The lightning tribulation here had intervened, like the straw that broke the camel's back, bringing forth the opportunity for a breakthrough, and was about to draw out the Nine Deathly Lightning Tribulations...

"This is destiny; everything will be obstructed."

Dao Qiongcang's warning flashed through his mind, and Xu Xiaoshou was even more alarmed, secretly exclaiming, "This too?"

If they couldn't attack from the outside, they would dismantle him from within?

"Conceal!"

Xu Xiaoshou calmed himself and activated the Concealment Art of Eight Venerable An.

This Concealment Art had previously hidden all the power of the Heavenly Ancestor from the sickly young master Xu Gusheng, so concealing a Spirit Refining Dao-Slaying breakthrough opportunity now was naturally easy.

"Hiss..."

Taking a deep breath, Xu Xiaoshou suppressed the urge to release.

He would absolutely not allow any external or internal forces to interrupt the Three Aversions Pupils' control rhythm at this moment, thereby creating various variables that would allow A'si to escape this tribulation.

Even if the Heavenly King himself came today, you would still speak!

Speak for the Heavenly King to hear!

A'si's face was filled with pain. Once again unable to endure the control of the Three Aversions Pupils and the guidance of Super-Dao-Transformation, he spoke tremblingly:

"Spirit Refiners' self-imprisonment... ends with the Void Realm..."

"Anyone whose talent surpasses this... is limited by... by... rank..."

Rank?

What the world didn't understand, Xu Xiaoshou knew more about.

Among the "Thirteen Unspeakables" given by Dao Qiongcang, there was one that said "do not speak of rank."

And if this "rank" referred only to the Half-Saint rank, and was also given the title "limited by"...

This easily reminded Xu Xiaoshou of Eight Venerable An's admonition: Do not become a Saint using a Half-Saint rank!

"Speak."

"Speak slowly, you have plenty of time."

Xu Xiaoshou said calmly, like a tempting devil.

A'si's voice became low and powerful, as if it wasn't him speaking, but someone else:

"Using the Dao of the Sacred Ancestor as an obstruction, and the power of divinity to create a prison, anyone who contracts a Half-Saint rank will ultimately only reach Half-Saint."

"If one wishes to advance further, they can only continue on the Dao of the Sacred Ancestor, contracting a Saint Emperor rank."

"For those who advance even further, it's the Ancestral God's fate rank."

"Thus, with 108 Half-Saint ranks, 18 Saint Emperor ranks, and controlling one Ancestral God's fate rank..."

"Then, the path above is sealed!"

"Slaves, are slaves for life!"

The Saint Mountain Saints' refugee group was stunned.

Fang Wenxin listened blankly to A'si's words; what A'si said afterward could no longer register in his ears.

"The path above is sealed..."

"Slaves for life..."

Only these two sentences now echoed in his mind.

The end of the Dao was a cage. The Half-Saint rank, which people desperately scrambled for, was merely grain thrown by those outside the cage.

Wasn't this just feeding chickens?

What, then, was the meaning of the struggle for the Great Dao?

What was the meaning of the belief they fought for their entire lives?

Was it just to eat this grain of rice, stand out among the chickens, then eat a fatter grain, and still be among the chickens—destined never to become a crane soaring freely in the clouds?

"It shouldn't be like this..." Fang Wenxin murmured in a daze.

Turning to look, the Half-Saints from various domains around him now had their eyes devoid of light, each with a deep shadow, looking terrifyingly solemn.

A frog at the bottom of a well can live happily.

But it should also have the chance to jump out of the well and perceive the vastness of heaven and earth, shouldn't it?

If the path above is blocked...

What is the meaning of blocking it?

And why was it done, and when did this path of "self-imprisonment" begin?

Fang Wenxin had no answers.

He looked at Xu Xiaoshou, who was seeking answers.

He realized that at this moment, his heart was with Xu Xiaoshou.

He looked at the expressions of all the Half-Saints around him and knew they likely felt the same as he did.

He finally understood...

What Xu Xiaoshou sought, despite defying convention, was for the Saint Slaves to stand up; while what he himself had upheld his entire life was for him, a Saint Slave, to continue kneeling!

"But is the Holy Divine Palace wrong?"

Fang Wenxin didn't even dare to use the word "wrong."

He feared that denying the Holy Divine Palace's stance would be tantamount to denying all the Holy Divine Palace's efforts over the years.

It would also deny the Red Cloaks, the White Cloaks, deny light, deny the continent, and deny himself.

"Crack!"

A cracking sound came from beside his ear.

The blind alley that Fang Wenxin dared not venture into, someone had clearly stuck their head into, and it was pitch black inside.

Everyone looked back in shock, towards that Half-Saint.

His name was Yuan Huan, the Old Ancestor of the Yuan family in the Central Domain.

His Dao heart shattered!

"Xu Xiaoshou..."

East of the Azure Sea, Heavenly Human Five Blight knelt on a reef, his knees against his chest, his arms hanging limply. He barely gripped the King of Hell mask he had worn for half his life, as if only then could he catch his breath.

He didn't look like a supreme Half-Saint who had just consumed two Half-Saint ranks.

Instead, he resembled a mad dog that had been running wildly and suddenly stopped, feeling utterly exhausted.

The world resisted him, only the sea breeze embraced him.

But Heavenly Human Five Blight felt no warmth, because the sea breeze was salty and damp, and when it hit his face, it only brought icy pain.

Heavenly Human Five Blight naturally knew that what he had failed to seek, and what Ai Cangsen dared not voice, Xu Xiaoshou had helped him obtain in another way.

But he was even more bewildered.

He gazed at the boundless sea, as the light of dusk cast from afar adorned the sea's surface with a thick layer of orange-yellow scales.

That wasn't a mask.

It had grown into his flesh, embedded itself, and couldn't be removed!

Heavenly Human Five Blight lowered his head and couldn't even find his shattered self on the sea's surface.

Dusk had no shadow, and the great sea could not contain him.

He put down the King of Hell mask, hugged his knees, and powerlessly leaned back onto the reef. Finally, his entire body slumped down like water, as if dead.

Tears brightened the corners of his eyes, and like the sea's surface, they were tinged orange-yellow by the sunlight. To this day, Heavenly Human Five Blight didn't know if he should have said those words.

Just as he had swallowed two Half-Saint ranks, still feeling contradictory within himself, the Blood World Pearl and the Corpse of Decay had permanently stripped him of certain things, such as gratitude.

These things were small.

To talk about such things in the Spirit Refining world was also laughable.

But it was precisely these things that maintained humanity!

Humanity... Heavenly Human Five Blight no longer possessed it. He actually wanted to tell Xu Xiaoshou to his face, "Xu Xiaoshou, thank you," but he couldn't, nor was he allowed to.

With tears on the verge of spilling, this lonely old man sat up and could only sob in solitude on the sea reef. This was all he could do.

He didn't even dare to speak aloud; just thinking about it made him laugh at himself:

"Xu Xiaoshou, should I thank you...?"

This was too ridiculous!

Heavenly Human Five Blight laughed uncontrollably.

He battered his head, but couldn't stop such absurd thoughts from spiraling.

"Thank you..."

"Heh heh heh, or rather, should I curse you, and that would count as thanking you? Ah ha ha ha! Hahahaha!"

A wave crashed, submerging the reef, and Heavenly Human Five Blight fell silent.