Chapter 1824: Giant

"What exactly is the Ancestor of Medicine?"

Xu Xiao Shou was a bit confused by the "answer" he received from the Ancestor of Ghosts. This overturned his past understanding. But to say that what the Ancestor of Ghosts said must be true—that required a question mark.

"Wait, there's something else about the Ancestor of Medicine..."

Xu Xiao Shou vaguely remembered that when he was wandering the Sea of Death half a year ago, he saw a "monster" on the sixth level of the Sea of Death. It was a fellow with a sunflower head who called himself Kong Yu Hen, claiming to have lived from ancient times to the present, so old that he had seen several Ancestor Gods.

Each generation had a Kong Yu Hen. Each generation of Kong Yu Hen seemed to have its own mission. The sunflower-headed Kong Yu Hen's mission was to eat the "Flower of Life" of the Ancestor of Medicine, thereby gaining "immortality." The price was his human face turning into a sunflower face, and for fear of being pursued by the Ancestor of Medicine, he imprisoned himself in the Sea of Death, where all laws, spirits, and doctrines were forbidden.

That was the first time Xu Xiao Shou learned that the Ancestor of Medicine, Shen Nong Bai Cao, was still alive. At that time, after hearing what the sunflower-headed Kong Yu Hen said, he only felt it was absurd. But there was no way to verify those things, and Ai Cang Sheng was following closely, eyeing him. In the end, the matter was left unsettled.

Now that he thought about it, if the Ancestor of Medicine was alive and truly wanted to pursue the sunflower-headed Kong Yu Hen, could a mere forbidden barrier in the Sea of Death stop Him?

The Ancestor of Medicine and the Ancestor of Ghosts coexist. People now see His other self, the Ancestor of Ghosts. If he didn't investigate the matter of the Ancestor of Medicine, Shen Nong Bai Cao, wouldn't it be a waste of this excellent opportunity?

Within the gray space, Jin Ren secretly cursed his true self's bad nature while helplessly continuing to ask: "I still have doubts. You said Shen Nong Yaoyuan was His backup plan, but I am so strong, after obtaining His Yaoyuan, why didn't He activate this backup plan?"

Jin Ren was very confident. Several Ancestor Gods had already chosen to bet on his true self, either actively or passively. This was evident from him possessing the power of several great Ancestor Sources, even more than Yue Gong Li.

Is the Ancestor of Medicine so aloof? If He wanted to advance further or had other intentions, why wouldn't the true self, chosen by multiple Ancestor Gods, be the first choice instead of a spare tire?

Ancestor of Ghosts: "Naturally, there is a better choice."

Oh no! Your true self has really become a spare tire! Jin Ren secretly grumbled, then quickly asked, "I want to know what other backup plans He has, and where He is most likely to lean, if it's possible to know."

The Ancestor of Ghosts nodded, indicating that what could be said, naturally could be said. He listed them like a treasured family heirloom: "Shen Nong Yaoyuan, Flower of Life, Sheng Futu Zhi Cheng, Dragon Cave, Dragon Apricot, Di Ying Sheng Zhu, Da Luo Jiu Tian Sheng Xuan Jian, Liu Fang Zhi Sha..."

When this list of things came out, Xu Xiao Shou was stunned. Why were so many of them related to him? But upon closer thought, he could understand...

Shen Nong Yaoyuan naturally went without saying.

Dragon Apricot came from Shen Nong Yaoyuan, so it must be contaminated. Before Dragon Apricot was in Shen Nong Yaoyuan, it was in the Dragon Cave. If Dragon Apricot was contaminated, the Dragon Cave must also be affected. Di Ying Sheng Zhu itself already contained remnants of the Ancestor of Medicine's power, so there was no need to elaborate, and the rest...

"Sheng Futu Zhi Cheng, why? Because of the word 'Sheng'?"

"Da Luo Jiu Tian Sheng Xuan Jian, the 'Sheng Jian' among the twenty-one famous swords, is this also related?"

"Liu Fang Zhi Sha..."

This one didn't have "Sheng," but Xu Xiao Shou remembered that this was one of the original Liu Xu, the culprit behind the desertification of the Western Regions.

When misfortune reaches its extreme, good fortune follows. When life reaches its extreme, death follows. Does the entire Great Desert of the Western Regions have the influence of the Ancestor of Medicine?

In that case, the Ancestor of Medicine, whom the sunflower-headed Kong Yu Hen feared, if truly on the Sheng Shen Continent, would most likely be in the Western Regions? But aren't the Western Regions Hua Wei Yang's territory? He heard that the Great Sword Saint Hua Wei Yang was in an unknown place in the Western Regions, and he was also a protector of the Sheng Shen Continent...

How could he allow others to snore beside his bed?

Jin Ren was equally thunderstruck. After hearing this long list of "backup plans," his doubts didn't diminish but rather increased: "Hua Wei Yang, do you know him?"

The Ancestor of Ghosts nodded: "The greatest disciple of the Sword Ancestor, the most promising person after the Sword Ancestor to achieve godhood and become an ancestor through the path of 'Illusion.' But he was constrained by it and later willingly Dao-ized to protect the continent."

He paused, and His voice became a bit more playful: "Just now, when your Path of Life super-Dao-ized, it should have awakened Him as well. This Ancestor and Hua Wei Yang worked together to suppress the anomaly."

Xu Xiao Shou's heart raced, filled with lingering fear. When he super-Dao-ized earlier, he hadn't considered the existence of the Ancestor of Medicine among those he needed to guard against. His mind was entirely focused on how to fight to the death with the Ancestor of Ghosts and how to use Jin Ren's death to achieve his golden cicada shedding its shell plan.

The Ancestor of Ghosts' words had a deeper meaning. "Awaken..." From this word, Xu Xiao Shou easily understood that the Ancestor of Medicine's current state could not even be described as "not good." It should be difficult for Him to even materialize a physical form like the Ancestor of Ghosts.

Is He still sleeping? But His existence is feared even by the Ancestor of Ghosts. Why?

Jin Ren proceeded step by step: "Before my Path of Life super-Dao-ized, there was another instance where my skill was almost at the level of Dao. At that time, I almost touched the realm of super-Dao-ization of the Path of Life, and thus I received a 'focus'..."

He was referring to the time when he awakened the "grotesque trick." At that time, he felt as if someone was watching him, but nothing happened in the end, so he thought Hua Wei Yang had helped him avert disaster.

After the Great Sword Saint Hua Wei Yang Dao-ized and became a true protector of the continent, he had the right to help shield spirit refiners from seeing ancestors before they super-Dao-ized. Of course, this worked against sleeping Ancestor Gods. But against awakened and wanton ones like Chui Yin, it was impossible to guard against—those who were meant to be invaded would still be invaded, just slightly delayed.

"This Ancestor's doing." The Ancestor of Ghosts explained: "A mere skill close to Dao cannot awaken Him, but it was also at that time that Sheng Di Bei Ming noticed that this Ancestor had begun to pay attention to you."

Xu Xiao Shou's hair stood on end. Why, from the Ancestor of Ghosts' perspective, were Bei Huai and the Ancestor of Medicine almost equally terrifying? This made their meeting feel like an underground rendezvous, completely hidden from sight...

Jin Ren reorganized his thoughts; the questions simply wouldn't stop: "You mentioned so many backup plans. Did He not choose any of them?"

"Yes."

As soon as this "yes" came out, Xu Xiao Shou wished he could go there himself, so he would have a passive system to verify the credibility of His words. Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."

The Ancestor of Ghosts gently nodded: "What was said just now were all secondary choices... Hmm, Hua Wei Yang is constrained, so among the secondary choices, 'Hua Xiang Gu Li' should be added."

Xu Xiao Shou immediately thought of Hai Tang Er, the ninth seat among the Sheng Nu, whom he had only met once. His domain was Qi Duan Jin Hua Xiang Gu Li. He heard that he was also in the Northern Regions, residing in Qi Duan Jin, and was responsible for all matters of the Sheng Nu in the Northern Regions, with a cultivation base of Tai Xu.

Hiss, Tai Xu, how could he possibly withstand the influence of the Ancestor of Medicine? Xu Xiao Shou quickly patted his head, restraining himself from letting his thoughts wander further, after all, a mere Tai Xu wouldn't attract too much attention from the Ancestor of Medicine.

"Hua Wei Yang cultivates swords and illusions, so why would he be 'constrained' by Him?" Jin Ren continued to weave questions; he had become a curious child.

The Ancestor of Ghosts sighed: "Hua Wei Yang held the Da Luo Jiu Tian Sheng Xuan Jian, and with one sword strike, he once created Hua Xiang Gu Li. This was originally a good story, but only before achieving ancestorhood did he realize he was deeply influenced by it, and had no choice but to give up his self and completely Dao-ize."

Xu Xiao Shou was dumbfounded. So he walked a path, lived a life, and only at the very last step did he discover that the "gu" had been planted in his body since childhood, deeply rooted and inseparable? If he hadn't given up his self, even if he achieved godhood and ancestorhood, he would only end up as the Ancestor of Medicine's puppet?

"Cage theory..." Jin Ren was at a loss for words, murmuring silently.

"Shen Nong plants a hundred herbs, and the hundred herbs plant human hearts." The Ancestor of Ghosts spoke to Himself: "What was said just now were all secondary choices. Beyond the secondary choices, there are tertiary choices, all His backup plans."

Still more? Jin Ren was numb. The Ancestor of Medicine was too omnipresent. He asked, "What are the tertiary choices?"

Ancestor of Ghosts: "All those who cultivate the Path of Life, all those who cultivate Daos connected to the Path of Life, all those who consume life-sustaining elixirs and spiritual pills to aid their cultivation, all life forms, all living beings, all undead beings... and those who have made achievements in the above, are all included in the tertiary choices. This also has a sequential order."

Jin Ren: "?"

Xu Xiao Shou: "..."

Doesn't this mean that all who are alive and wish to improve must pass the "Ancestor of Medicine" test? Is the end of the Dao called "Medicine"?

The Ancestor of Ghosts seemed to know what he was thinking and chuckled: "After all, for the tertiary choices, those who consciously avoid them beforehand can escape disaster."

This made people breathe a slight sigh of relief. But it's also ridiculous, isn't it? Even a powerful figure like Hua Wei Yang fell victim; who can guarantee that they can avoid the influence and guidance of the Ancestor of Medicine in the early and mid-stages of cultivation? Frankly speaking, Xu Xiao Shou himself didn't avoid it. His Life Dao Disk even super-Dao-ized, making him among the top of the tertiary choices.

Sheng Lao's "cage theory" made him realize today that he was not himself. Xu Xiao Shou didn't know whether to lament his fortune or misfortune. Perhaps he didn't become the Ancestor of Medicine's sole choice because he also had other Ancestor Gods "betting" on him. But were these "bets" also backup plans for other Ancestor Gods?

"Brother Ghost, you're putting a lot of pressure on me..." After Jin Ren sighed with emotion, he thoughtfully asked what he felt was the most profound question he had ever asked in his life: "So, for all cultivators, if they don't seek transcendence and just proceed step by step, if there are obstacles above, they are bound to perish?"

The Ancestor of Ghosts looked slightly surprised. This time, He was silent for a long time, the ghost fire in His eyes flickering, before nodding: "Good."

This single word completely shattered the last shred of luck in Xu Xiao Shou's heart. He understood many things in an instant. He understood why Ba Zun An didn't follow the old path of the Sword God, insisting on relying on his Sword Dao to achieve godhood and ancestorhood, even if the Sword Ancestor might have already fallen. He understood why Dao Qiong Cang sought to achieve godhood through Heavenly Secrets. Although Heavenly Secrets techniques originated from the Path of Stars and Chui Yin's sorcery, he insisted on completely distancing himself from these things, wanting to be unique. He understood why Kui Lei Han stopped at Tai Xu. He comprehended Che Shen Nian thirty years ago, and thirty years later, he was still cultivating Che Shen Nian, because on the path of his spirit refining, the Sheng Zu stood on his left shoulder, and the Mo Zu stood on his right shoulder.

Everyone seeks the Dao on the shoulders of giants, and thus, giants stand on everyone's shoulders.

But Xu Xiao Shou didn't understand again. He could understand that crude fellows like Shen Yi might not grasp this principle, but Ba Zun An should have told Shen Yi that there were obstacles at the end of the Ancient Martial Dao, perhaps the Battle Ancestor possessing a body and reviving. But Shen Yi still pressed forward without hesitation, why? He also didn't understand. Although they were born into Sheng Di families and cultivated to the Sheng Di realm themselves, figures like Yue Gong Han and Hua Chang Deng should know that there were obstacles on the path of spirit refining and the Path of Soul. They also pressed forward without hesitation, why?

Recalling the Ancestor of Ghosts' silence before answering, Jin Ren seemed to gain something: "Are there any special circumstances?"

"Yes." The Ancestor of Ghosts was direct this time, as if waiting for Xu Xiao Shou to ask. He said: "Achieving godhood and ancestorhood is a Dao; slaying gods and destroying ancestors is also a Dao. The former expands the Dao, the latter seizes the Dao."

Xu Xiao Shou's heart tightened. After carefully chewing on this sentence, he could only sigh with emotion: the brutes in this world are truly brutal! He thought of the Ancestor of Ghosts' previous evaluation of Hua Chang Deng's "Ancestor God potential"...

The Ancestor of Ghosts, known as the God of Death, the Lord of Feng Du. Hua Chang Deng, in charge of the Ancestor of Ghosts' divine court, the true Lord of Feng Du.

Jin Ren asked in a daze, "So Sheng Di Yun Shan's Dao..."

The Ancestor of Ghosts chuckled: "This Ancestor's Dao gave birth to Sheng Di Yun Shan. He will also borrow his three Ghost Sword strikes to slay gods and destroy ancestors, only then completing the final step."

Xu Xiao Shou took a sharp breath. Is this for real? Is it going to be all divine wars from now on?

"Are you afraid?" Jin Ren could feel the pressure from the Ancestor of Ghosts' understated voice, because He had to face far more than just one Hua Chang Deng. There was also the Ancestor of Medicine, and Bei Huai, and His divine court was stolen, His state was weaker than Chui Yin's...

Then he understood. Xu Xiao Shou finally understood why the Ancestor of Ghosts took the risk of being caught by Bei Huai to "meet" him as soon as Jin Ren reached the Bei Ming Emperor realm.

This time, without waiting for the Ancestor of Ghosts to answer, Jin Ren burst into laughter: "Brother Ghost, don't panic. Just for your sincerity today, I will definitely call for people in the future to help you solve your urgent problems and rescue you from dire straits."

The Ancestor of Ghosts was rendered speechless by these words. But surprisingly, He offered no rebuttal, no mockery, no disdain, as if in His heart, what He had been waiting for was precisely this sentence from Xu Xiao Shou.

The gray space was silent. Both fell into the cool-down period after their heated conversation, facing each other without words. Soon, Jin Ren's eyes darted, and his gaze fell on the Ancestor of Ghosts' long-handled, long-bladed black scythe.

"Brother Ghost, your scythe is so beautiful..."

Brother Ghost is so reliable! He said so much, stating His current predicament, and expressing absolute goodwill. Although Xu Xiao Shou was still wary in his heart, these words should be seventy percent credible. If he still wanted to verify the rest, he would have to wait until he saw the Ancestor of Medicine and determined His state of evil or not.

And why would the dignified Ancestor of Ghosts, if not necessary, talk so much with a junior in such a heated manner? His straightforwardness, His directness, His stance... He had already thrown a straight pitch; if Xu Xiao Shou still couldn't see His intention, that He also wanted to bet on himself, then he would truly be blind.

So Jin Ren took the initiative to speak, openly revealing his greed... no, admiration for the Scythe of Death. It contained such pure, full power of the God of Death; it was simply the essence of the Ancestor of Ghosts' life's work.

Ancestor of Ghosts: "It's for you."

So straightforward! He actually handed over the Scythe of Death in His hand directly. This terrifying scythe, when it was first taken out, Jin Ren thought it was going to greet his neck. He had even imagined himself not dying from the scythe, his soul being taken by the God of Death, falling into eternal perdition, suffering inhumane torment. He hadn't expected such a turn of events; the Ancestor of Ghosts turned out to be a good person.

"How can I accept this..." Jin Ren rubbed his hands, his posture awkward, wanting to take it but not daring to, his expression quite ugly. In truth, he was seeking his true self's opinion. Even though he and his true self were of one mind, on such an important matter that might involve being "given a backup plan," he had to get a definite answer before daring to take a step forward. Overstepping his bounds was a capital offense! And his true self, that demon, would never be soft-hearted when it came to killing, even if it meant killing himself!

Xu Xiao Shou was indeed hesitant. But after thinking about it, if the Ancestor of Ghosts truly wanted to set up a backup plan on him, there would be countless ways. He didn't even need to say it explicitly, much less beat around the bush. Just based on the fact that his spiritual Dao Disk among his spirit, body, and will Dao Disks had super-Dao-ized, He should be able to do something tricky with the "Dao" just like the Ancestor of Medicine, right?

Above the gray mist, it was chillingly abnormal. The Ancestor of Ghosts held the scythe in both hands, several zhang tall. It wasn't until He was right in front of him that Jin Ren felt how unattainable, how awe-inspiring, how superior He was.

"This object is called the 'Scythe of Death.' It was refined with this Ancestor's lifelong effort, containing the essence of the Ancestor Source power of the Path of Death, and the refined insights of the Path of Reincarnation. It may assist you in your cultivation. Now I bestow it upon you, also seeking a return."

Hehe, Brother Ghost, you are really direct, saying such impolite words. You truly are a bad ghost who takes advantage of others' kindness... Jin Ren chuckled: "Then this junior will not be modest. If you do not fail me, I will not fail you!"

With that, he took the Scythe of Death. The long-handled, long-bladed black scythe had dark red blood patterns etched on both its blade and handle. Its power was contained, yet it was exquisite, truly the most magnificent work of art in the world. Upon taking it, the Scythe of Death transformed into a black light, extracting the red character ghost sign from Jin Ren's brow, and instantly merged into it.

"It's gone." Jin Ren felt a sense of loss. His true self's red character ghost sign already had the Void General Red, a tremendously powerful half-saint spirit, which he had always envied. Now, his own red character ghost sign had contracted the Scythe of Death. This was the first time Jin Ren had surpassed his true self on the "treasure" level. But it was only for a moment, and then it became empty again. He gazed into the distant sky, tears in his eyes, filled with melancholy.

Was this brief possession a reward or a punishment?

"Got it." In the Ghost Buddha Realm, Xu Xiao Shou's eyes flashed with a faint ghostly light, and the red character ghost sign in his purple mansion glowed. In his hand, there was a long-handled, long-bladed black scythe, heavy in weight. He treasured it greatly, playing with it admiringly, and the more he looked, the more he felt how beautiful this scythe was.

"I'm like a transfer station..." Jin Ren didn't want to say anything else. His desire to live even diminished, yet he could only dutifully ask on his behalf: "If I wish to see you next time, and encounter difficulties on the path of cultivation, can I summon a wisp of you... even a remnant consciousness, through the Scythe of Death?"

A persistent person... The Ancestor of Ghosts smiled and shook His head. He had already given this answer, but Xu Xiao Shou was stubborn, so He could only phrase it differently: "Next time we meet, I may not be myself."