Chapter 1868: New Dao

"He retreated!""The Ghost Sword Immortal was forced back!"Even though it was only half a step, the spectators on Spirit Elm Mountain erupted in an instant.

This was a Sage Emperor, and his true self had arrived. Not to mention, with both the Ghost Hunter and Intent Ghost simultaneously deployed, he was still forced back half a step.

Crucially, the Intent Ghost's distant block was utterly useless. After the Hundred Ghost Altar was unleashed, it failed to isolate any attacks from beginning to end.

All defenses were rendered meaningless by the shifting, deceptive ancient sword techniques of Ba Zun'an.

—He even got a slap in the face!

"Is this a setup?""The Ghost Sword Immortal fought the Eighth Sword Immortal. Although the first round was a long-distance engagement, he retreated half a step! What comes next?""I don't think so! The Ghost Sword Immortal was just careless, not expecting Ba Zun'an to risk so much at the very end. He probably just relied on the fact that he was using Xiao Kongdong's body and wouldn't get hurt himself, right?""If they were to face each other directly, even if his Ten-Stage Sword Finger had been nullified of substantial damage, the Ghost Sword Immortal's counterattack would certainly be enough to give Ba Zun'an a hard time!"

"But I believe there are no 'ifs.' Half a step is still a step, and winning by half a point is still a point... Oh, it's still a win.""Heh heh, well, I think Ba Zun'an has three losses: he still hasn't dared to reveal his true form, that's one loss; he successfully provoked the Ghost Sword Immortal's rage, that's two losses; with these two, he's already lost three times!"

"Alright, alright, you win, you never lose, your whole family's perfect!""I'm just stating facts, why are you Ba-obsessed fanatics getting so worked up?""You're infuriating!"

There were many spectators on Spirit Elm Mountain. Their opinions on this round of engagement varied greatly.

It seemed Ba Zun'an, in his combined form with Xiao Kongdong, had won by half a step, but it was just half a step—far from the myth created by the "Eighth Sword Immortal" back then.

The higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

What most people wanted to see was the Eighth Sword Immortal, if he truly appeared, instantly killing a Sage Emperor with one sword, showcasing extraordinary prowess and brilliance!

Reality, however, seemed quite stark.

If winning by half a step still counts as a win, then it's hard not to recall that Ba Zun'an's previous battle ended in a crushing defeat. A crushing defeat is still a defeat. Once defeated, it's inherently difficult to turn the tables and win again!

The myth itself was already stained; it hadn't met expectations to this day, which suggested a problem with the myth itself.

"If the youthful Ba Zun'an was a phantom sword technique, then the older Ba Zun'an looks quite frail. Could it be that he truly doesn't dare to show himself and fight?""Over at the Time Rift, Kui Leihan's performance has been mediocre, all thunder and no rain—no god-slaying feats yet?""The three Ancestral Gods also seem to have retreated and stopped fighting, just like Sage Emperor Hua. It doesn't look like fear, but more like they're... building momentum?"

Some people, considering Hua Changdeng's overall performance since arriving in the Five Domains, and the battle situation at the Time Rift, had begun to waver in their stance and re-align themselves. Being humiliated or retreating half a step was insignificant.

In the grand scheme of things, the Holy Slaves' actions after Hua Changdeng's arrival seemed to be more like adding fuel to the fire.

What others discussed or thought had no bearing on the battle.

The hot tears in Hua Changdeng's eyes had already dried, leaving only a slightly reddened nose. He noticed Xiao Kongdong's gaze but paid no mind to it. He was not one to fuss over minor details, much less to wallow in self-pity over retreating half a step.

After half a step, he simply took another half step back. Then, touching his nose, he lightly summoned the bronze lamp. With a pull of his hand, two fragmented divine souls flew out.

One sword, one soul; anything more was a bonus. Even if the opponent was no longer Xiao Kongdong, and he hadn't agreed to any terms, since Ba Zun'an had shown himself, what harm was there in giving him some face?

Sizzle...

After his fight, Xiao Kongdong was like a wooden stake, his body permeated by sizzling sword intent, which kept him from collapsing. He had no strength left to move.

Mei Siren quickly stepped forward to retrieve the residual souls, sighing with emotion. He hadn't expected that Li Fugui would still be a person before entering the building, but after leaving, Li Fugui was completely gone, leaving only soul fragments.

"You've regressed." It was clearly Hua Changdeng who had regressed, yet he stared at the shattered Xiao Kongdong, and after retracting the Hundred Ghost Altar, spoke again: "You were lucky to win by half a point, but you revealed your trump card. This isn't like you. And if this is truly all you have left, I'm very disappointed."

Xiao Kongdong's lips twitched. After a long pause, he was finally able to respond—this time, everyone clearly heard that it wasn't him, but Ba Zun'an's voice: "I am in the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower."

Hua Changdeng had certainly seen it, not only in the phantom sword technique but also in Li Fugui's soul memories. He didn't care about any of that; his only focus at that moment was the fleeting, half-real, half-illusory youthful Ba Zun'an that had appeared at the very end: "What was that?"

If that was real, its power, born from sword intent, far surpassed sword intent, giving a sufficient sense of threat, and Ba Zun'an might still have the strength to fight. If it was merely an illusion, a risky venture using a phantom sword technique, then Hua Changdeng's burning desire for a battle thirty years later would become completely diminished.

"Sword Self." Ba Zun'an's words were concise but lacked detailed explanation, and he had no intention of offering more.

Hua Changdeng savored the two words, feeling a slight urge to laugh. Was 'Sword Self' created specifically to counter his 'Sword Ghost'? Even the name was so targeted!

But Ba Zun'an was still clever enough to know that the intensity of sword intent alone couldn't withstand even one of the Sword Ghost's three swords after his mastery.

However... what path did this 'Sword Self' follow?

While Ba Zun'an's talent was indeed outstanding and his ability to comprehend paths was first-rate, often surpassing his predecessors, that was all there was to it. Legends are for mortals. From Hua Changdeng's perspective, Ba Zun'an was merely ordinary.

His sword techniques followed the path of Sword God Gu Louying. His sword intent stood on the shoulders of Kui Leihan's God Punishment and Tribulation.

Many geniuses in this world possess the talent to 'take the essence and discard the dross,' but when it comes to 'creating something from nothing and forging a new path,' most people actually struggle greatly. Aside from Kui Leihan and himself, Hua Changdeng could hardly see a third true genius in all the Five Domains!

What was the concept behind 'Sword Self'? What form did it take? What path did it integrate? Was it a hodgepodge or a culmination of various strengths? Was it an innovation or a creation from nothing?

These were all still questions. To be outstanding in even one aspect was already exceptional talent; to reach the pinnacle in all of them was as difficult as ascending to heaven! After all, 'In three breaths, a born expert; in three years, a Sword Immortal'—over centuries and millennia, a few such individuals would always emerge. But as for those who forged new paths, haven't you seen how some of the Ten Ancestors struggled for millions of years, unable to even take half a step forward?

"Since you're here, why not show yourself?" Hua Changdeng didn't want to wait; he wanted to experience 'Sword Self' now, to see if it was mere posturing or truly substantial.

Ba Zun'an, however, did not directly accept the challenge. Hua Changdeng's impatience clearly had other considerations, not unrelated to the designs of the three Ancestors. And he had already waited thirty years; he wasn't in a hurry for a moment now. Amidst a thousand different matters, how could anything be as important as Xu Xiaoshou?

"I am in the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower. If you can enter, I'll fight you. If not, then wait." With that single statement, he no longer lingered.

The sword intent on Xiao Kongdong's body ceased intertwining. With a spurt of blood, he collapsed, twitching repeatedly on the ground, his injuries extremely severe.

He's... gone?

Such a sudden arrival, such a graceful departure, completely disregarding any variables and putting no one in his eyes... Why else would he be called the Eighth Sword Immortal?

Everyone looked at Sage Emperor Hua, uncertain of how he would respond. Would he continue his rampage to force Ba Zun'an to show himself again, or would he truly, as the latter said, wait patiently if he couldn't enter?

Hua Changdeng frowned, staring at Xiao Kongdong's shattered body for a long time. His ear twitched slightly, as if receiving a sound transmission, but he merely shook his head to himself, finally looking at Mei Siren. Even though he had just fought Xiao Kongdong in the past, he was still aware of the present situation on Spirit Elm Mountain, knowing that Mei Siren had come from the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower.

"I'll give you one hour." Hua Changdeng spoke after a deep breath. This was a concession after his half-step retreat, and also his expectation and respect for 'Sword Self'.

All eyes in the audience turned towards Sir Siren. Mei Siren looked at his former student, now the Sage Emperor, opened his mouth, and finally raised his eyebrows high, but said nothing. In reality, this old man doesn't have the ability to relay messages on his behalf... Just as you cannot enter the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower, neither can I.

Of course, such a demeaning statement would never escape his lips. Before the thousands of people on Spirit Elm Mountain, Mei Siren smartly flicked open a new paper fan, fanning it gently, making the ink characters flutter and snowflakes swirl—it was quite chilly in the icy world!

"Impressive, impressive." Everyone present was stunned. Was this sarcasm? Mei Siren immediately realized something. Without lowering his head, he calmly but discreetly turned the fan to its other side: "It's nothing. Mr. Ba Zun'an won."

In the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower, Kong Yuhen had already gained the secondary entrance, so he could still offer a few polite words. Just now, Ba Zun'an had merely said to open a window. The windows of the Ancient and Modern Forget-Worry Tower could indeed be opened. Ba Zun'an's intention, of course, wasn't to admire the scenery outside, but to rush to the battlefield and slightly ease the situation.

Kong Yuhen naturally understood. Having obtained the secondary entrance, he could naturally provide this convenience, so he complied.

After a round of engagement, it was a narrow victory by half a move, but still a victory. Kong Yuhen certainly wouldn't pour cold water on it, but he also wanted to hear Ba Zun'an's personal assessment of Hua Changdeng.

"It was merely a trick." Ba Zun'an didn't take this small victory to heart. "After so many years, he still maintains the airs of a Yunshan successor. If he had deployed Intent Ghost earlier, it wouldn't have been so complicated; I would have been the one to retreat.""Mr. Ba Zun'an, that 'Sword Self'..." Kong Yuhen probed slightly.

"Do you want to try it?" Seeing the other party's half-smile, Kong Yuhen immediately shook his head and changed the topic: "It was a preliminary exchange, so, Mr. Ba Zun'an, do you have confidence in the situation going forward?"

This was, of course, not truly asking about the situation, but essentially about Hua Changdeng. Yet, with the battle not yet truly begun, who knew what variables might still arise? Fifty-fifty? A gamble?

Ba Zun'an never spoke such meaningless words. He smiled, staring at Kong Yuhen: "You have the right to turn back at any time. Stand with them if you wish; I don't care. How is Xu Xiaoshou, by the way?""Of course, that wasn't what I meant..." Kong Yuhen stopped asking. It was indeed prone to misunderstanding. Shifting his thoughts, he murmured to himself:

"By my reckoning, it should be about time.""Passive System..."

On the sickbed, Xu Xiaoshou clutched the Source of Time and Space, staring at the red interface before him and the Gate of Reincarnation, not daring to hesitate further. The unknown was the real bomb, liable to detonate at any moment.

Since the Ancestor of Time had given him the orb that could reverse everything, what needed to be explored had to be explored, and what risks needed to be taken had to be taken. Some secrets, hidden until today, were finally ready to be revealed.

"Here we go!" Clutching the golden orb in his hand, and wriggling his paralyzed body, Xu Xiaoshou aimed the Source of Time and Space at the passive system's red interface.

It was divided into several large passive ability sections, each listing numerous passive ability names. But at this moment, none of them were the focus. The essence of the passive system itself was!

Buzz.

As the golden orb pressed onto the red interface, the power of time and space within it circulated on its own, transforming into swirling golden mist that slowly infused into the interface. Fluctuations, distortions... The entire hospital room space began to twist as a result.

Xu Xiaoshou was nervous yet expectant, watching the red interface representing the passive system gradually wrinkle and collapse towards the center. He greatly doubted whether, if the Source of Time and Space made the passive system disappear, all his passive abilities would also vanish into thin air.

Yet, his will was resolute! If what was granted could be taken away at any time, then everything itself was meaningless. In that case, starting over from scratch could also be considered a blessing in disguise.

—At least he realized it early!

"If this is the case, I might as well change my name to Xu Dazhu. I'll start taking initiative!""Hmm, that doesn't sound good. Xu Dazu? Ancestor Xu? Why not just declare myself a god or an ancestor?""That's also strange, quite self-deceiving. Ah, how annoying, it's not as pleasant as 'Xu Gusheng'..."

The reversal power of the Source of Time and Space continued. The golden mist filled the entire hospital room, a terrifying sight. Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced, though he didn't want everything to develop in the most extreme direction.

But as he took this step, he also made the worst-case scenario plan: if his lifelong cultivation were to dissipate, he would still have the Path of Name to accompany him! This was the enlightenment he had cultivated entirely on his own.

He wasn't the Xu Xiaoshou who had only cultivated a single 'White Clouds Drifting' sword technique in three years in the outer courtyard, reaching the three-stage Spirit Refining realm. He was Xu Tianjiao, who could integrate all insights and forge a new path in half a year! Throughout his journey, he had long proven that his comprehension was actually quite good, and he had fostered the confidence to cultivate a new path.

Name, born from sword intent, rooted in the populace, starting from 'cognition,' and achieving enlightenment through 'passivity,' yet unlike the illusory passive system, it offered a sense of grounded security.

"At worst, I can rely on Name to return to my peak! Then, I will reclaim everything that belongs to me and everything that doesn't, and I'll also see if that 'Ancestor of Name' is real or fake!"

Xu Xiaoshou smirked wickedly, clenching his fist fiercely, as if this could scare away the unknown fear. In truth, he knew he didn't have much time left. Cultivating Name was easy, but growing again under the pressure from Hua Changdeng and the three Ancestors—it seemed no one would give him time.

"Time..."

The thought of still being in the River of Time, needing a significant amount of time to cultivate again, made Xu Xiaoshou's head throb. But suddenly, from somewhere within the cold, golden mist filling the hospital room, a low cry echoed: "Meow."

Xu Xiaoshou's body jerked. Greedy God!

He immediately looked around. But after Greedy God merged with him through a contract, it seemed unable to enter this hospital room world behind the second door.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart, however, steadied. "Yes, I still have Greedy God, I still have the power of devouring..."

Time? The Devouring Body, once it starts growing again, doesn't need time at all!

"If truly pushed, I can just start devouring everything. I have the entire Apricot Realm, I have the Four Ancestral Trees, I have all resources from zero to Ancestral God, I have friends, family..."

"I am no longer without anything. What am I afraid of?" In the same white hospital room, with drastically different life circumstances, Xu Xiaoshou stared blankly at the scene before him, then suddenly laughed with relief.

And at that very moment, as his heart settled, the reversal power of the Source of Time and Space before him concluded.

"It's here!"

In mid-air, the passive system's red interface vanished. In its place appeared a very simple-looking black dial with a long, thin pointer that looked as if it would break if flicked.