Chapter 1769: Ancestral God Power Immeasurably Devours, Shadowy Solitude and Evil Yin Possesses the Body

"Huh?"

In the Divine Remains, Feng Yujin’s eyes suddenly widened. The Forbidden Dust-Sealing Gate… This forbidden art felt eerily similar to his own “Six Paths Dust-Sealing Gate.”

However, Xu Xiaoshou’s technique was based on the Six Paths Unfettered Sword, balanced by the sword array principles of the Nine Swordsmanship, and ultimately manifested through the art of Malevolent Yin. This single technique alone revealed a terrifying depth of understanding of fundamental laws, seemingly surpassing even his own as the Heaven-Sealing Saint Emperor.

"Sealing attribute?""A sealing sword array!"

Before the main Scrying Mirror, Feng Zhongzui also seemed to grasp something, finishing his thought with even greater shock on his face:"Is it Spirit Sword Art again?""Lord Shou's Spirit Sword Art has advanced yet again!"

"The Nine Swordsmanship's sword array principles, which originally commanded wind and rain and summoned lightning, were already top-tier. After all, the Nine Swordsmanship primarily focuses not on attributes, but on array formations to aid in comprehending space and time..." He paused, then shifted his focus, no longer explaining these basic concepts: "It wasn't long ago that Lord Shou, above Jade Capital City, under Sword Immortal Liu Fuyu's Netherworld Sword, unleashed the dazzling 'Spirit Sword Art: Mountains and Seas as Witness'! At that time, he demonstrated a fusion of Spirit Cultivation and Ancient Sword Dao at the second realm, which was a breakthrough of the era. And now, he's incorporated the sealing attribute of Spirit Cultivation into a sword array, presenting it as a technique? What kind of path is this now?"

Feng Zhongzui, in reality, couldn't fully comprehend it; he had simply become a parrot for the old patriarch. After speaking, he himself didn't quite grasp what he was saying. Outsiders across the Five Domains, conversely, could see everything clearly, yet felt even more awe-struck. Undoubtedly...

Lord Shou had evolved again! If one were to count, he now seemed to have added "technique" to his foundation of Spirit Cultivation, Swordsmanship, and Ancient Martial Arts? "Spirit, Sword, Martial, Technique..." "With this method, has he replicated the Sealing Body, one of the Five Great Extreme Physiques?"

What sort of unfathomable power was this? Even Dao Qiongcang fell silent upon witnessing this technique. He thought further, realizing that if even Feng Yujin's abilities could be partially replicated... Could Xu Xiaoshou not fully replicate the powers of the other four Great Extreme Physiques? How distorted had his path become?

" 'None are peerless save Xu Xiaoshou; those who cannot clone are not Lord Shou.' "" 'One person begets thousands of children, making it hard to discern if his arts are righteous or evil.' "

Previously, the first line meant that Lord Shou was both himself and could transform into Young Master Xu or Xu Deyie. Others couldn't be unrivaled, but he could. Others struggled to clone, but Lord Shou was skilled in it! Thus, after Lord Shou's fame spread across the Five Domains, given his past identities, some felt that "one person begets thousands of children" was the most fitting description for him. Now, everyone realized that "one person begets thousands of children" seemed to only describe Lord Shou's earlier life. After he gained profound insights and mastery of the Great Dao, "making it hard to discern if his arts are righteous or evil" seemed to be the most apt description?

And thinking of this... Not only Feng Zhongzui, but everyone in the Five Domains was in a daze. Because at the time, these things were all considered jokes and amusing anecdotes. Now, the jokes had actually come true? Lord Shou, mastering both righteous and evil arts?

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Amidst the chaotic thoughts of the Five Domains, the six Unfettered Swords, closing in like gates, slammed into the very center, unleashing an earth-shattering roar. Mountains and rivers trembled.

The last image captured by the Scrying Mirror showed: Emperor Ai Cangsheng had apparently fallen into the sealing formation. It seemed he was facing such a tricky problem for the first time... And it wasn't a sealing attribute! Instead, it was a "Sealing Sword Array" derived from the intertwining of "Spirit," "Sword," and "Technique"! Such a sword array was appearing for the first time. Ai Cangsheng had no reference for a counter-strategy, his saint power firmly suppressed within his spiritual sea. The evil god power protecting his body was torn, invaded, and damaged under the "true damage" profound intent of the Unfettered Sword.

"Blood!" The six sword qi blasts tore the surrounding tens of thousands of miles into a black hole. Most people caught in the battle zone were protectively transferred beforehand with Zhong Yuanzi's help. Those who didn't get on the Elemental Divine Envoy's 'ride' clearly experienced the sensation of their bodies exploding under the protection of the Ancient War God Platform. And right in the center of the battle, as Feng Zhongzui had just said: At the moment of impact, everyone saw blood spurt from six points on Emperor Ai Cangsheng's body. His expression instantly twisted in pain. The splattered blood vanished in a flash.

"He's injured!""Emperor Ai Cangsheng was wounded in a single blow!" Feng Zhongzui, however, zoomed in on the Scrying Mirror, rewinding to show Emperor Ai Cangsheng's pained expression from just moments before. In that small image, Ai Cangsheng's Great Dao Eyes were distorted by the strike, and his entire body seemed about to shatter upon initial contact with the sword qi. But then...

"A formation?!" The Scrying Mirror still couldn't fully capture it, only a residual image. Just as he was about to perish, that eerie purple Dao pattern formation flickered under Ai Cangsheng's feet again. "Is that a Profound Diagram?" Feng Zhongzui dared not give a definitive explanation. The old patriarch on the other side didn't pay attention to this small detail. Instead, he shifted the main view to Lord Shou's side, where something clearly more important was happening. His attention shifted, and Feng Zhongzui was moved again:"Lord Shou was hit too!""Emperor Ai Cangsheng didn't cease his attack even as he faced death... Forbidden Malevolent Weight Art!"

Malevolent Weight Art? This was a somewhat unfamiliar art name. In truth, every technique unleashed by Lord Shou and Emperor Ai Cangsheng in their divine battle was a brand new interpretation of the "Dao" to the world. But not having heard of it didn't matter. From its name, phenomena, and functional effects, one could generally infer what it was. Just like now! As Ai Cangsheng was struck by the sword, Lord Shou, in his three-headed, six-armed form, leisurely reclined on the spatial throne. Originally, he had wounded Ai Cangsheng with a single move. This strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao" had succeeded. However, Ai Cangsheng refused to let him go. The eighty-one Malevolent Yin Eyes, encircling him above and below, which were in fact eighty-one arrowheads, lit up. Golden light! Blinding, dazzling, brilliant!

"Malevolent Yin, with its corrupt nature, can actually emit such golden radiance?" This thought instantly arose in the minds of the spectators across the Five Domains. It was absurd; in the midst of a grand battle, for people to be concerned with the color of light seemed utterly disproportionate. Yet, it was this very thought that, at the moment Ai Cangsheng was struck, replaced all of Xu Xiaoshou's own thoughts.

"Guidance!" Feng Zhongzui and others of lower standing couldn't understand this. However, all those at the Half-Saint realm and above, after a brief daze, collectively came to their senses, but when they looked again... It was precisely at the moment their thoughts had paused... Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt! Zzzzt! The golden radiance shot from the eighty-one arrowheads of the formation had already completely pierced through Lord Shou, who was still artfully posing on the throne!

"Killed by the shot?""No, that doesn't seem right..." Feng Zhongzui was bewildered once more. Because there was no splatter of blood. But the golden light had indeed pierced through Lord Shou's body—from his head, to his torso, to his limbs, nothing was left unperforated.

Boom! The next instant, the Five Domains witnessed. Within the arrow formation's range, space sank, and everything disintegrated. At the same time, Lord Shou's muscles were violently pulled downwards. His facial skin seemed to sag. His eyeballs looked as if they were being forcibly pulled out. His entire body seemed to be plummeting downwards, yet it was firmly pinned in place by the golden light rays, unable to move.

"Malevolent Weight Art...""Weight?" Feng Zhongzui seemed to grasp something. He used the Scrying Mirror to analyze the Dao principles around Lord Shou and reached a conclusion: Within the arrow formation's range, not only was Lord Shou trapped in a quagmire, but even Dao spells seemed to have an immense weight added to them. Each invocation required an effort no less than ten thousand times greater than before. Each time he cast a technique, the time and energy Lord Shou had to expend were increased infinitely compared to before.

"I understand!" Hearing the old patriarch's voice in his ear, Feng Zhongzui suddenly shrieked: "Lord Shou used the Unfettered Sword against Emperor Ai Cangsheng, a one-time damage attack aiming for blood and injury. But Emperor Ai Cangsheng shot a weakening arrow at Lord Shou. It looks like Lord Shou isn't hurt now, but every subsequent action will cost him dearly!" Which of these two fighting styles was superior? Feng Zhongzui simply couldn't evaluate, feeling he wasn't qualified to do so. Because if the combatants were swapped... An ordinary person would be sliced to death by the Unfettered Sword before the weakening effect on Lord Shou could take hold. Ai Cangsheng daring to do this also inversely proved his immense confidence; he intended to chip away at Lord Shou's passive defenses layer by layer, ultimately impaling his opponent with a single arrow. "Will it work?"

Arrow light pierced his body, golden radiance perforated his form. In mid-air, Lord Shou let out a pained 'ho-ho' shriek, making the hearts of all his admirers across the Five Domains clench. Suddenly, everyone saw. Lord Shou's lips curved slightly; he was actually smiling. Feng Zhongzui's pupils contracted: "Lord Shou's faking it? He's not affected?"

"Is that all?" His three-headed, six-armed form receded. Amidst the golden light's blockade, Xu Xiaoshou swiftly reverted to his original form. "Hiss... Hee-hee..." "Chirp... Chirp..." In places unseen by the Five Domains, atop Xu Xiaoshou's spiritual will, numerous "Malevolent Yin spirits" were falling heavily, grimacing and wailing eerily. They resembled clay statues or golden effigies, but were impossibly heavy. After landing, they straddled Xu Xiaoshou's neck, shoulders, and head. Like... No, they *were* body-binding spirits, shoulder-riding ghosts, and head-pressing malevolence!

"Faking it?" Xu Xiaoshou's previous suffering was not faked. These creatures were the truly terrifying aspect of the Forbidden Malevolent Weight Art. Yet, even though all his strength, spiritual essence, Dao spells, and even his Ancestral Source power were restricted and suppressed... Some things, Ai Cangsheng couldn't suppress.

"This technique is decent.""But next..." Stretching his body with effort, Xu Xiaoshou expressed himself before the Scrying Mirror with an even more relaxed and leisurely posture. He squinted slightly, and after comprehending the profound mysteries of the technique, his eyes suddenly snapped open: "Boundless Serene Child, manifest!"

Buzz— A ripple surged through the void. Originally trapped by the Malevolent Weight Art, in a place where even Dao principles were difficult to invoke, suddenly, at Lord Shou's command, nine images of a Celestial Dog Devouring the Moon appeared behind him. "It's that!" Feng Zhongzui raised his eyebrows and voice, remembering this thing, which he seemed to have caught a fleeting glimpse of during Lord Shou's tribulation. But its specific function wasn't clearly seen by anyone at the time. Under the Malevolent Weight Art, Lord Shou could still cast a technique, and it was this "Spirit Skill" he had comprehended back then?

"Celestial Dog Devouring the Moon..." Nine black moons, arranged in a three-quarter circular formation, with only the central, uppermost moon faintly shimmering at the moment. Very faint. Very shallow. It was like a nascent Spirit Cultivation, everything barely beginning, and it shouldn't have been able to exert much effect. Yet... Buzz! Cosmic ripples surged. When everyone realized this subtle sound wasn't an auditory hallucination but real, their vision blurred.

"Did I just see things?" Feng Zhongzui's pupils trembled, staring forward in disbelief, as if his beliefs had been shattered. "Where's the light?!" Indeed! Where was the light? The golden light that had pierced Lord Shou, the arrowheads that had locked him in place. After Lord Shou manifested that... that Boundless Serene Child, they seemed to be swallowed whole, disappearing instantly. At the same time, the black moon behind Lord Shou seemed to brighten, as if it had transitioned from post-natal Spirit Cultivation to the pre-natal realm. "Swallowed?"

Feng Zhongzui's face was filled with shock. The story of getting fat in one bite was known to be impossible throughout the Five Domains, let alone swallowing such a terrifying quantity of Ancestral God power in one gulp. Looking at Lord Shou's situation, it seemed he had even digested it? "Lord Shou previously had a 'Feast' technique that could devour spiritual essence attacks, but that had a limit; it couldn't seem to swallow Ancestral God power. And where was his red Taotie beast head? It didn't appear this time either!" Feng Zhongzui really wanted to find comparative diagrams for the Five Domains, but unfortunately, his preparations weren't that comprehensive. Was Lord Shou... transforming? Had he made another qualitative leap in this path?

"Just a drizzle, a mere tickle!""Ai Cangsheng, what else can you do besides cover me in Malevolent Yin stench?" In the Scrying Mirror's view, Lord Shou spat twice and flexed his limbs—a clear sign that the Malevolent Weight Art had been perfectly broken. He sneered. Smiling, he cast his gaze eastward. The Scrying Mirror couldn't locate Ai Cangsheng, but Lord Shou, seemingly possessing the Great Dao Eye, instantly saw through the trick of the feigned death escape technique: "Substitute Death Transfer Art?" "The technique I just used was nothing more than showing off my meager skill before an expert!"

Screech— A wave of dizziness hit his mind, and the Malevolent Yin shrieked piercingly. Ai Cangsheng burst out from beneath the earth in the eastern domain, his injuries already healed by the evil god's power. But under his Great Dao Eye, the world was split into two parts. In one part, he clearly saw that the Malevolent Weight Art had been easily broken by Xu Xiaoshou. Did his technique seem to devour all energy attacks? Did this mean that at least half of his own techniques couldn't be used from now on? In the other part, Ai Cangsheng was still in that cave. He saw Lei Xiaoxiao with extreme clarity. Under the torment of the Malevolent Yin qi, Lei Xiaoxiao gradually transformed, acquiring a green face and fangs, seemingly on the verge of turning into a demon!

"Running away?""Senior Brother Ai, you're unrivaled in the world, why are you running?!" Lei Xiaoxiao roared savagely, her eyes bloodshot, her voice sharp and piercing: "Xu Xiaoshou only used a second-realm sword technique, yet you fear him like a tiger, not daring to face him directly, even feigning death to escape and flee to the eastern domain. You're afraid! You're terrified! You even brought out the Ancient War God Platform, yet you're afraid of direct combat... What kind of Dao heart do you have? Why not simply descend into Malevolent Yin?" Ai Cangsheng gently exhaled a turbid breath. The malevolent qi around Lei Xiaoxiao disappeared, and she reverted to her gentle and lovable appearance. She stepped forward, reaching out apologetically to wipe the sweat from Ai Cangsheng's brow: "I'm sorry, Xiaoxiao, I..."

Suddenly, Lei Xiaoxiao transformed. Before she could finish her sentence, she changed into a slender-waisted, lithe, three-headed and six-armed Malevolent Yin human form, stroking her black hair and smiling with subtle charm. The Malevolent Yin was incredibly tall, easily a zhang (about 3.3 meters) in height. Before it, Ai Cangsheng barely reached its waist.

"Emperor Ai Cangsheng," it spoke in Lei Xiaoxiao's voice, then, seemingly bored, reverted to its own voice: "You should know... You should know that with just the Malevolent Sound permeating your ears, the Five Domains will all know of your battle with Xu Xiaoshou, and in this battle, you are destined to lose to me. Still, the same old phrase: you cannot refuse me!" The Malevolent Yin smiled, looking into the distance, towards the direction from which Xu Xiaoshou was rapidly approaching. Its six slender hands rose in the void, as if embracing the entire world within the dark cave, its voice filled with temptation: "Embrace me, merge with me, nourish me... Love and evil as one, the Malevolent Ancestor's path is true!"