Chapter 1879: Genius

“Dao Ancestor?”

Ba Zun’an was slightly taken aback. His first thought went back decades, to Dao Qiongcang’s frequent sayings: “Dao Ancestor bless” and “Dao Ancestor above.” But he knew those were just playful remarks. Dao Qiongcang truly disregarded gods and buddhas; his immense ambition meant he showed no reverence to ancestral spirits. His “Dao Ancestor bless” usually implied a hope that no unforeseen changes would occur, or that he would become stronger, enough to protect himself.

His second reaction linked to the ancestral spirit phantoms he and Xu Xiaoshou saw on Lingyu Mountain. Besides the Demon Ancestor, the Malevolent Yin, and the Medicine Ancestor, there was also the Pavilion of Ancient and Modern Tranquility, and the Turtle and Child. Intuitively, the latter seemed more relevant. And this one still pointed back to Dao Qiongcang… Beyond that, among the Ten Ancestors, after much thought, there truly was no entity known as the Dao Ancestor.

Ba Zun’an finished racking his brain. He thought either his memory was flawed and he’d forgotten something important, or the “Dao Ancestor” Xu Xiaoshou mentioned was different from his understanding, merely a designation. Of course, there was a final possibility: since Xu Xiaoshou had just returned from the River of Time, it made sense if he had met a “Dao Ancestor” in the past or future and was now seeking vague answers.

“I don’t know them,” Kong Yuhen replied, shaking his head after serious consideration, then looked towards Ba Zun’an.

“Which ‘Dao’?” Ba Zun’an didn’t immediately deny it. He stared at Xu Xiaoshou, knowing that Xu Xiaoshou wouldn’t have asked if the question wasn’t important.

“Dao Qiongcang’s Dao.” A predictable answer… Ba Zun’an looked thoughtful. This was very interesting. Could it be that in the future, Xu Xiaoshou saw Dao Qiongcang cultivate to become the Dao Ancestor?

“To my knowledge, there is no such entity as the Dao Ancestor…” Ba Zun’an was very meticulous, and after careful consideration, decided to reveal everything he knew and thought: “However, in the past, Dao Qiongcang often spoke of ‘Dao Ancestor,’ seeking blessings or other things, almost like a spiritual totem, not a physical entity. Of course, it’s not impossible that he was deliberately guiding us even then, but what would be his motive?”

Ba Zun’an had always struggled to understand Dao Qiongcang. If it were a direct confrontation, like the chess match on Void Island where each move countered the last, then he could still fight. On his home ground, he might even win. But with such extremely subtle hidden maneuvers, even if he called Wuxiu and Shuigui and tied them together, the three of them combined wouldn’t understand what Dao Qiongcang was plotting in his mind.

Xu Xiaoshou was different. Xu Xiaoshou was also cunning. Sharing similar dispositions, the two might actually understand each other. Thus, Ba Zun’an looked at Xu Xiaoshou with a hint of expectation.

“I haven’t seen the Dao Ancestor either; I just had a sudden thought and asked,” Xu Xiaoshou said, realizing Ba Zun’an had misunderstood. He brought up the Dao Ancestor because at the very end, the Nuo Ancestor, in his admonition about the “Way of Self,” had mentioned, “The Way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way; the name that can be named is not the constant name.”

Of course, this was merely a preamble, used to illustrate that the “Way of Self” could only be intuitively grasped, not spoken. At the time, after hearing the Nuo Ancestor’s explanation of the “Way of Self,” Xu Xiaoshou felt as if nothing had truly been said. Now, recalling it calmly, he realized it wasn’t the case at all. The Nuo Ancestor had given too much information! He had said that the “Way of Self” he cultivated was not the only way to resist the great catastrophe; Name and Time also could. So, what about the “Way of Dao”?

The origin of the Way of Dao would be put aside for now; the Name and Time Ancestors… The Name Ancestor sought to name the Way of Name but failed to transcend, instead falling into ruin. The Time Ancestor sought to control the Way of Time, taking countless forms, only to confine himself. To put it plainly, both were overly confident in their cultivated Ways, wanting to grasp the Grand Dao, but in the end, they were grasped by it instead.

Although the Mad Nuo was mad, he wasn’t obsessive about cultivation; instead, he handled it with ease, understanding himself too well. Xu Xiaoshou actually knew someone similar, though at another extreme—not physically, but mentally! Dao Qiongcang! This was why Xu Xiaoshou suddenly thought of the origin of the “Way of Dao.”

Dao Qiongcang cultivated the Way of Heavenly Secrets, but he was never confined by them. Instead, he embraced various schools of thought, advocating pragmatism—as if he intended to cultivate all three thousand Grand Daos. Until a crucial moment, he could resolve everything through calculation. When a crucial moment arrived, he could grit his teeth and unleash the Six Paths Qiongcang and Three Venerables Qiongcang, incorporating ancient sword techniques, ancient martial arts, spirits, and even seeming to have some comprehension of divine thoughts. Such a Way was certainly complex and could never surpass specialists like Ba Zun’an in ancient sword cultivation or Shen Yi in ancient martial arts in specific details. But was this Way entirely undesirable? It’s debatable!

Just as one shouldn’t dismiss the Ten Ancestors because of the Nuo Ancestor, even though the Mad Nuo was the only ancestral god who clearly understood “Self,” Xu Xiaoshou had never looked down on the Demon Ancestor, Medicine Ancestor, Malevolent Yin, or others by even half a bit—even if he immediately pierced the Malevolent Yin with a sword upon his return. Similarly, he didn’t underestimate the Ten Venerable Seats just because the Ten Ancestors were now ancestors and none of the Ten Venerable Seats had yet been deified or acclaimed as ancestors. Among the Venerable Seats with potential to reach ancestral godhood, such as the Eight Divine Chaos, their horizons had greatly expanded upon his return, and Xu Xiaoshou could roughly see their limits. At most, with full power, they could reach the height of the Ten Ancestors, but whether they could clearly understand “Self” was still uncertain. After all, the Nuo Ancestor had experienced countless time loops and found so many helpers, yet he was still the only one who clearly understood “Self” and survived.

Only Dao Qiongcang… Xu Xiaoshou really had to put a question mark on this guy! Looking at the essence from his studies of Heavenly Secret Puppets, spiritual intelligence, the Dao Division, the countless “him”s across the Five Domains, and the all-encompassing Way of Heavenly Secrets—it seemed Dao Qiongcang was studying “Self”!

“The Way that can be spoken of is not the constant Way; the name that can be named is not the constant name.”

“If ‘name’ in this context is understood as ‘Name Ancestor,’ then could ‘Dao’ also be distilled and organized into a ‘Dao Ancestor’?” What was initially just a whimsical, fleeting idea, after the 99 Intent Dao Plate, made Xu Xiaoshou abruptly realize something when he tried to dismiss the thought. Especially after returning and re-experiencing mortal enlightenment, and retrieving the memories from Jin Ren, Xu Xiaoshou discovered that in the Ganshi Imperial Realm, there truly was an “Ah Jie” who called himself “Dao Ancestor”! This could no longer be dismissed with self-deceiving excuses like “child’s play” or “coincidence.” The spontaneous guidance of the Intent Dao Plate must have a reason. Ah Jie, who called himself Dao Ancestor, certainly wasn’t a coincidence either. Xu Xiaoshou’s additional question genuinely revealed from Ba Zun’an that this “Dao Ancestor” indeed had some seemingly informal “connection” with Dao Qiongcang.

“The less serious it seems, the more amiss it is…”

“What exactly is the relationship between the Ganshi Holy Emperor and Dao Qiongcang? Are they also father and son?” He decided not to delve into their relationship for now, focusing instead on Dao Qiongcang’s current actions and movements. After the Divine Ruins, Dao Qiongcang only appeared once, when Xu Xiaoshou fought Ai Cangsheng, assisting Malevolent Yin. Since then, there had been no news of him. Was that flamboyant old Daoist the type to settle for mediocrity? As soon as the ancestral gods appeared, he became so frightened that he retreated beneath the surface, deciding never to reappear for eternity? Absolutely impossible! After much thought, Xu Xiaoshou still felt it was necessary to mention:

“In the Ganshi Imperial Realm, there’s a Turtle and Child, the one seen after the ancestral apparitions on Lingyu Mountain, who calls himself ‘Dao Ancestor.’ He captured my avatar but showed little malice, instead continuously imparting mortal insights to me…” Xu Xiaoshou paused his words here. Indeed, what was the Ganshi Holy Emperor’s motive? Did he want to befriend Xu Xiaoshou, but from his perspective, was Xu Xiaoshou worthy? Or was it that, like the Demon Ancestor, he also knew of the existence of “Name,” or the “Turntable,” and believed that befriending Xu Xiaoshou was akin to befriending the “Fallen Body of the Name Ancestor”?

Ba Zun’an didn’t think that far. As soon as Xu Xiaoshou spoke, he immediately recalled why Xu Xiaoshou had been carried up Lingyu Mountain by Li Fugui at that time. Seeing that Xu Xiaoshou didn’t easily drop the term “Dao Ancestor,” he knew there was more to come, and it was certainly important:

“Dao Qiongcang colluded with Malevolent Yin; his schemes must be very grand. It’s possible that after Hua Changdeng, the Three Ancestors will descend, and after the Three Ancestors, they will turn against each other because of this villain. In short, Dao Qiongcang must be guarded against. I don’t believe he will remain dormant; if he doesn’t act, fine, but when he does, he will undoubtedly strike at the heart of the matter.”

It’s possible, the aim is the Dao Ancestor! The aim is the “Way that can be spoken of, the Name that can be named,” an entity on par with Name, or even with the Name Ancestor who hadn’t fallen but transcended, meaning a Dao Ancestor on par with the Nuo Ancestor! This was Xu Xiaoshou’s thought. Unfortunately, these were all conjectures; he didn’t even know what Way the Dao Ancestor specifically cultivated… He suddenly looked at Kong Yuhen. Kong Yuhen was nodding, seemingly in thought, his hand subtly fiddling with his wooden door pendant. But clearly, he knew it wasn’t a good time to interject or change the subject, so he remained silent.

“What do you want to say?” Ba Zun’an was much more direct. He greatly respected Xu Xiaoshou’s intellect and ideas, taking all his questions seriously. Xu Xiaoshou withdrew his gaze from Kong Yuhen, having pondered fruitlessly himself and unable to foresee Dao Qiongcang’s intentions. He sighed: “If he acts, it will be a long time from now. Even if we try to defend against it now, no matter how much we plan, we might not be able to stop him… But I still have one more question!”

Xu Xiaoshou forcibly pulled his thoughts back and asked Ba Zun’an: “The Three Ancestors are all outside the Time Realm Rift, not seeking each other’s Ways, yet they all want to descend upon the Holy Divine Continent. Why?”

Before his transcendence into Dao Transformation and facing the Ancestor, Xu Xiaoshou’s consciousness had followed the River of Time and visited the square-shaped Time Realm Rift. He didn’t quite know what that place was at the time, but now he largely understood it: it was likely a place similar to the Divine Ruins, left behind after the Time Ancestor deconstructed the Time Realm, though on a lower level. He knew the Demon Ancestor wanted to collect all of Kong Yuhen. How the Medicine Ancestor and Malevolent Yin became one and returned to zero, he didn’t know. But shouldn’t it be more appealing to seize the Demon Ancestor’s Way? Yet they collaborated?

Ba Zun’an twirled the wine cup in his hand. He understood Xu Xiaoshou’s question: “They came for me.” Xu Xiaoshou was astonished. Ba Zun’an used wine to draw a large circle on the tea table and said softly: “The Holy Divine Continent is a cage, ostensibly the backyard of the Five Great Holy Emperor Families, but in reality, it’s a place where the various Ancestors raise their pigs. The path to deification and ancestral acclaim is not the limit. They all seek further advancement, and when they find no other way, they must draw upon the experiences of later deified and acclaimed ancestors, attempting to extrapolate.”

If anyone else had used such a metaphor, Xu Xiaoshou would have slapped them. Who were they to enlighten ancestral gods? After Ba Zun’an finished speaking, Xu Xiaoshou fell into thought, his finger lightly tapping the tea table, implying something: “So, you’re the fattest pig in this pigsty, pushed to the forefront by the era and grand trends, and fattened by the ancestral gods?”

“Uh.” Ba Zun’an was momentarily speechless. The logic was correct, but could Xu Xiaoshou’s wording be a bit more subtle? He didn’t dwell on the wording, continuing: “Not just me; Shen Yi and Cao Yihan are also like that. Ai Cangsheng was originally, too. He saw things clearly, but due to Little Tear’s matters, his final choice was to willingly become a whetstone.”

“Emperor Cangsheng, what a pity…” Mentioning this person, Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t help but sigh, echoing, “To hone a pig that can break out of the encirclement.”

Ba Zun’an nodded helplessly: “Right.”

“They want to seize your Way?” Xu Xiaoshou looked at Old Eight, returning to serious matters.

Ba Zun’an shook his head: “Ancestral gods are high above; they wouldn’t do that. Their idea is merely ‘reference’—they won’t let me deify and ascend to ancestorhood step-by-step, but will force me down the most extreme path, so they can summarize experience after my failure.”

“What if you succeed?” Xu Xiaoshou always considered contingencies.

“Then they’d have to seize it,” Ba Zun’an smiled. “Although they wouldn’t think that way from the start, if I prove my Way is stronger than theirs, the Demon Ancestor would abandon spirit refinement, the Medicine Ancestor would abandon life, and Malevolent Yin would abandon spellcraft—they’d all have to seize my Way.”

All sly old schemers, taking calculated steps! This pigsty, truly as Elder Sang had said by Swan Lake on the night Xu Xiaoshou became his disciple, had a heaven beneath the lake, and a heaven beyond that heaven—breaking out was harder than ascending to the heavens!

“What Way do you cultivate?” Standing on the shoulders of a giant like the Nuo Ancestor, Xu Xiaoshou intended to offer some guidance to Little Ba upon his return. Merely becoming deified and acclaimed as an ancestor wasn’t enough. Even if one merged into two or returned to zero, in the end, one would inevitably be shattered under the great catastrophe, or cycle through reincarnation, and then fall. Others thought deification and ancestral acclaim were the ultimate achievements, unaware that this wouldn’t even earn them the title of “Nuo Ancestor’s helper.” Only by clearly understanding “Self” was the correct solution! And only by clearly understanding “Self” was there a tiny chance to break free and survive amidst the encirclement of numerous ancestral gods! Of course, this also depended on the Demon Ancestor, Medicine Ancestor, and Malevolent Yin not suddenly extrapolating and also understanding “Self”—after all, they were all geniuses, only half a step away.

“Sword Self.” Ba Zun’an looked on in confusion; Xu Xiaoshou already knew his Way.

“I mean, what Way does ‘Sword Self’ cultivate?” Xu Xiaoshou wanted more detail. Before the battle between Hua and Ba, he wanted to help his Little Ba assess if the Way of Sword Self had the potential to reach the levels of Time, Name, or Nuo. The Nuo Ancestor still needed helpers…

Ba Zun’an stared at Xu Xiaoshou, whose thoughts had clearly drifted far away, and also pondered slightly. Ba Zun’an had already told Xu Xiaoshou what Sword Self cultivated. Xu Xiaoshou had even extrapolated from it, comprehending Name and cultivating the famous Sword Arts. So, what was Xu Xiaoshou asking? Was it a question, or was he trying to tell him something? A genius needed no elaborate explanation. Ba Zun’an thought for a moment and knew that Xu Xiaoshou had gained much from the River of Time. Since what he asked was not something he already knew, or even something Ba Zun’an himself knew, then the remaining possibility was that he was asking about something even Ba Zun’an found confusing.

Ba Zun’an rubbed the wine cup in his hand, then quickly raised it high, drank it all, and said: “Lord Shou, I actually have a few questions I’d like to ask…”

“Ahaha, ‘Lord Shou,’ really? Given our relationship, if not sworn brothers, we could at least be called cronies... Oh, no!” Xu Xiaoshou could barely suppress the bright smile on his face. Little Ba was truly on the right track. He slightly raised his chin: “Speak.”

Ba Zun’an put down his wine cup, his expression serious, and asked with clear emphasis: “What is ‘Self’?”

With one sentence, the Pavilion of Ancient and Modern Tranquility fell into dead silence. The smile on Xu Xiaoshou’s face froze; he inexplicably felt a chill creep up his spine. They had just begun discussing the Way, and you’re already elevating to “Self”? Even someone as strong as Xu Xiaoshou had to meet the Mad Nuo three times on the River of Time, wander in a time predicament for ten epochs, and fully cultivate “Intent” before discussing “Self” with the Mad Nuo… Ba Zun’an, you haven’t even learned to walk, and you’re already thinking of reaching the heavens in a single step?

“Listen, my friend…” Xu Xiaoshou solemnly put down his teacup and said with an air of aged wisdom: “I advise you not to aim too high prematurely. To cultivate ‘Self,’ you can first cultivate ‘Intent.’ Ponder my words carefully, don’t rush, just ponder.”

“Intent?” Ba Zun’an lowered his gaze in thought. After about ten breaths, he smiled and stated firmly: “Intent is not Self.”

Xu Xiaoshou tightened his grip, almost crushing the teacup. Why did that sound so familiar? Ba Zun’an continued: “I cultivated Intent only to a sufficient degree; I didn’t want them to guide me arbitrarily, so I stopped cultivating it. This isn’t the path I want to take. I don’t have that much time to waste.” Was he hinting at him? Did he have time to waste? Oh, he actually did; time wasted in the time predicament didn’t count as time.

“Intent is not Self…” Xu Xiaoshou savored these familiar words, which had also come from the Mad Nuo’s mouth, and fell silent, lowering his head. He shifted on the wooden stool, trying to find a comfortable position, but still couldn’t quite get comfortable. Why did this stool feel like it had needles in it? This was a genius? This was the capability of the fattest pig, nurtured by the ancestral gods with a scheme spanning countless years in this chaotic era, pushed to the forefront by grand trends, capable of offering “reference” and “enlightenment” to the ancestral gods? The so-called comprehension of “innate in three breaths, Sword Immortal in three years,” now seemed merely limited by the world’s perception. On a hundred-point test, some scored a hundred by giving their all, while others scored a hundred because the maximum was only a hundred!

“Interesting, interesting…”

“My friend, you’ve piqued my interest. I truly want to throw you to the Taoyao Mountain in the Ancestral Court…” Ba Zun’an didn’t know what kind of madness Xu Xiaoshou was experiencing, only seeing his chest rise and fall with deep breaths. But Xu Xiaoshou’s madness was normal; he was used to it. Xu Xiaoshou felt it was abnormal! Only he, the “Returner,” knew how valuable Ba Zun’an’s questions and answers were. If the “Dao Ancestor” succeeded in cultivation and in clearly understanding “Self,” there was hope of earning the title of “Nuo Ancestor’s Helper.” Ba Zun’an might very well possess the ability to rely on himself, break all perceptions, surpass the limits of Sword Self, and reach the highest peak. And if given a choice between the “Dao Ancestor” and “Ba Ancestor” to bring to Taoyao Mountain in the Ancestral Court to see the Mad Nuo, without a doubt, Xu Xiaoshou would choose the latter!

Too far… A bit too far… Perhaps after leaving the Pavilion of Ancient and Modern Tranquility, Hua Changdeng would decapitate Ba Zun’an with a single sword, after all, that guy was also an unreasonable ancient sword cultivator… Xu Xiaoshou controlled his excited heart. However, seeing a transcendent genius of the same caliber, he was also extremely appreciative. He squinted his eyes, looking down at Ba Zun’an with the gaze of an enlightened master, yet with a hint of expectation, he asked: “What do you think yourself? First, tell me, what is ‘Self’ as you currently understand it?”