Chapter 1889: Unpredictable

"Name?"

From beyond the time rift, in the starry sky, a blurry human face on the crown of the illusory Grand Huai tree emitted a hesitant sound.

Regarding the single word uttered by the Demonic Ancestor so abruptly, the first reaction of the Medicine Ancestor was that it was not as simple as its literal meaning suggested.

The battle at Lingyu Mountain was observed by all three Ancestors.

Even though the time rift was more than a hundred thousand li away from the Central Domain, and even now, they hadn't fully infiltrated the Saint God Continent.

However, each had backup plans and could monitor the main battlefield.

"Indeed, Name..."

From the coffin beneath the tower, the Demonic Ancestor's voice also took on an unusual tone.

When he first saw Xu Xiaoshou on the River of Time, he had thought that the "Name" of previous generations, after countless twists and turns, had fallen upon that young man.

Unexpectedly, Ba Zun'an's cultivation of the Sword Will of Name had advanced further, and he too had borrowed "Name," using it with such proficiency.

Judging solely from this, if one were to discuss the attainment of the Way of Name, did Ba Zun'an seem to surpass Xu Xiaoshou?

"A misjudgment?"

The Demonic Ancestor rarely doubted himself.

However, based on his sole direct combat encounter with Xu Xiaoshou—when Yue Gongli made a move from afar through time and space—

That young man was indeed only "slightly familiar" with Name, far from "reaching the pinnacle."

So, the opportunity of Name was not with Xu Xiaoshou after all, but with Ba Zun'an?

Had Xu Xiaoshou's previous grandstanding and pursuit of fame in the Five Domains merely been a bluff by Ba Zun'an, used to divert the attention of many gods from his cultivation of Name?

If that were the case...

The Demonic Ancestor truly held Ba Zun'an in higher regard, because he had succeeded!

"Name?"

The Medicine Ancestor waited for a moment, and still no one replied. He grew a little displeased. "What Name?"

A light chuckle immediately came from the coffin beneath the tower: "Shennong, you cannot truly understand the Great Dao by working behind closed doors."

Upon hearing this, the crown of the illusory Grand Huai tree rustled, and a similar sneer echoed: "You all speak plainly; has this 'mountain' ever been overcome?"

The starry sky fell silent.

The Demonic Ancestor was momentarily speechless.

Indeed, the Medicine Ancestor had been studying the Way of Life behind closed doors, largely ignoring external affairs.

Was his Way a minor path?

All realms have living beings, and any sentient being can be called "life."

The Way of Life is the supreme Great Dao!

And as the Medicine Ancestor said, whether the Demonic Ancestor or Guiyin, though they had opened the door to convenience and embraced the Three Thousand Ways, at this moment, they had only completed the Two-in-One.

Two-in-One, One-to-Zero—the path ahead was long.

In the midst of this, who could be certain that the Medicine Ancestor would not suddenly attain enlightenment, accelerate the completion of the Two-in-One, and directly finish the One-to-Zero path?

Ancestor Gods must not be underestimated!

The Demonic Ancestor then spoke, taking the initiative to explain a little to the Medicine Ancestor:

"The Grand Thousand is strange and colorful; the Great Dao manifests everywhere."

"Just one Saint God Continent, over several eras, through successive evolutions, has produced the Ways of Ten Ancestors. It cannot be said to be a place lacking in spiritual essence."

"And in other planes, although the Dao methods may be inferior, there is no shortage of fated individuals who defy destiny and ascend to the venerable pinnacle."

Venerable Pinnacle...

The Medicine Ancestor murmured silently, a slight strangeness in his tone.

This term, even he, while working behind closed doors, had heard of.

The Demonic Ancestor continued: "In this plane, we are sealed as gods and called Ancestors; in other places, they are the Supreme Pinnacle. The two are equivalent."

"And as for 'Name'—this Ancestor often fishes on the River of Time, and occasionally hears that among the venerable pinnacles of other realms, there is such a title, similar to you and me."

Now the Medicine Ancestor nodded, indicating he understood.

There was such a "Name Ancestor," who achieved enlightenment in a plane outside the Saint God Continent and was also sealed as a god and called Ancestor... oh, over there they called it:

Supreme Pinnacle!

"So what?"

Finally, the Grand Huai rustled, and the Medicine Ancestor sneered:

"Observing the River of Time earlier, this world is already the place with the most complete Dao methods below the Heavenly Realm. Otherwise, why would this Ancestor bother to research 'Life' here?"

"This so-called 'Name Ancestor' may have been a venerable pinnacle for a time, but the Heavenly Realm has no place for him, whether in the past or the future, he is bound to sink into oblivion!"

The Medicine Ancestor spoke with absolute certainty, stemming from the deepest confidence within him.

He had been to the Heavenly Realm.

His contribution was even part of the Heavenly Realm's collapse.

Who could be called venerable and supreme there, everyone knew. As for Ancestor Gods cultivated in barbaric lands...

Name Ancestor?

Just a useless being.

The Way of Name?

Just the Way of the useless.

The Demonic Ancestor and Guiyin thought of using the stones of other mountains to polish their jade, while the Medicine Ancestor had always firmly pursued his own Great Dao, unmoved by external things.

He was extremely disdainful, not only of the two Ancestors but also of the Name Ancestor.

However, the last few lines of mockery in his heart were not directly spoken—why is life called a Dao? Miracles lie within it!

If he spoke them out, and was proven wrong, it would be awkward!

The Demonic Ancestor naturally knew the Medicine Ancestor's temperament; one who worked behind closed doors and cultivated wholeheartedly was naturally eccentric.

And just as the Medicine Ancestor asserted, Name had indeed sunk into oblivion, a fact the Demonic Ancestor could confirm.

His gaze pierced through the restrictions, landing on the blurry Lingyu Mountain lake view in the distance, falling upon that person:

"Poor and remote places cannot raise geniuses, but occasionally they can produce monstrous talents."

After a pause, having already regarded Xu Xiaoshou as his possession, but now realizing he had cherished the wrong object before, he frankly spoke to the two Ancestors in the starry sky:

"Previously, this Ancestor thought that after the Way of Name sank, the opportunity fell upon Xu Xiaoshou. I even met and conversed with him a little on the River of Time."

"Now it seems that this Name might have fallen upon Ba Zun'an. What do you two think?"

Although he said "you two," his intention was directed at Guiyin.

The Medicine Ancestor was inward-focused, researching life, deaf to outside affairs, which everyone knew.

Guiyin's Way, however, was like his, outward-focused.

While fishing on the River of Time, even during the period of Guiyin's oblivion, the Demonic Ancestor occasionally saw the avatar of this old fishing companion.

But they both understood each other tacitly, knowing that the other had backup plans to awaken, so if you came, I would move.

If you caught a fish there, at most I would offer congratulations, and wouldn't snatch the results.

The Medicine Ancestor might not know Name, but Guiyin must know!

"It's here..."

Seeing the topic thrown his way, the purple giant eyeball in the starry sky blinked, silently thinking: "Indeed, it's starting to be activated."

What he was thinking about, however, was not the Demonic Ancestor, but...

Xu Xiaoshou!

The reversal of forgotten memories had just ended!

His Way of Oblivion and Way of Concealment, which had been forbidden for so long, had just been torn away. Had Xu Xiaoshou already cleaned himself so thoroughly?

Even the Demonic Ancestor had begun to ignore his existence?

Had the invisible guidance of this Intent Dao Extreme Realm penetrated to such an extent that Ancestor Gods didn't even notice?

"Name..."

Guiyin's thoughts were not on this at all. He constantly reminded himself that he must pay more attention to Xu Xiaoshou's Way of Intent in the future, and casually replied:

"In my humble opinion, Name lies with Xu Xiaoshou, not with Ba Zun'an."

Even casually, Guiyin was extremely astute.

Since the Demonic Ancestor had already "let go," he naturally wouldn't intentionally bring up Xu Xiaoshou again.

And previously, he had valued Xu Xiaoshou more and Ba Zun'an less, so he couldn't change his words now because of a few words from the Demonic Ancestor, which would only draw attention.

In short, it was enough to continue betting on Xu Xiaoshou; anyway, they wouldn't believe it.

Indeed, a humble opinion!

The Demonic Ancestor chuckled inwardly, but asked: "How so?"

"The situation is shrouded in mist, I cannot see clearly. Perhaps it's half and half, Name divided into two." Guiyin's stance swayed, like a blade of grass on a wall, changing his words in a few sentences, just as he had always demonstrated.

Cannot see clearly... The Medicine Ancestor even laughed, staring at the purple giant eye in the starry sky, sarcastically saying in plain language: "What a waste of your big eyeball!"

Waste your hybrid Ancestor!

Don't let this Ancestor catch an opportunity, otherwise, the Medicine Ghost and Beihuai, I'll devour them all!

Guiyin was furious. Before he could speak, a message from Lingxi Arts happened to arrive:

"Nuo, who is it?"

Guiyin's pupils widened slightly.

He reconfirmed who asked the question, but besides Dao Qiongcang, who else could it be from Lingxi Arts?

"Dao Qiongcang..."

This unassuming fellow, Guiyin used him but had never truly looked at him.

But how could a mere mortal suddenly utter this word in this situation and come to ask about "Nuo"'s identity?

"I see Dao Qiongcang as a firefly..."

Guiyin felt a hint of warning, silently glancing at the coffin beneath the tower in the distance. He knew that the Demonic Ancestor also saw him as a firefly, so it couldn't be...

Could it be that this fellow named Dao also wants to be sealed as a god and an Ancestor, to be called the Dao Ancestor?

Then whose Dao would he seize—his own, the Medicine Ghost's, or the Demonic Ancestor's?

"Unlikely..."

Soon, Guiyin lowered his guard.

Whether it was Xu Xiaoshou, Ba Zun'an, or Shen Yi, Kuilei Han, he could see a glimmer of hope for them to either establish their own Great Dao or successfully seize one.

Dao Qiongcang?

Just a petty schemer.

Not enough heat, even if he burned harder, he could only burn the Ancestor God's backside—this tiny flame, the Ten Ancestors could extinguish with a flip of their hand!

And since Dao Qiongcang had this question, it also proved that he only knew the word "Nuo" and was completely unaware of the fundamental truth.

Also, why suddenly ask this...

Guiyin did not answer. Of course, he only knew a little about Nuo, so his mind again leaned towards the Demonic Ancestor:

"I did think of a theory, concerning Name, and in exchange, I wonder if the Demonic Ancestor could alleviate a confusion of mine afterwards?"

The Demonic Ancestor pondered slightly:

"Good."

The illusory Grand Huai tree then looked left and right at the two, not knowing what they wanted to talk about, and grew a little impatient.

How could external Ancestor's opportunities be as important as the present?

Guiyin paused briefly, knowing that the Demonic Ancestor could not be easily deceived. Speaking without substance was equivalent to playing tricks. He spoke with extreme caution, also carrying some of his own conjectures:

"Time has long since fallen, past and future overturned."

"The Demonic Ancestor is entangled in whether 'Name' will fall to Ba or Xu. Why not think from a different angle? Is it truly 'falling'?"

"Hmm?" The Demonic Ancestor showed slight interest.

Guiyin spoke in a deep voice, startling: "Could this Ba or Xu not be the original Name Ancestor?"

In the starry sky, the coffin beneath the tower instantly lost its movement.

The Demonic Ancestor evidently took it in, even though it sounded mysterious and absurd, but all of this was built upon a "fact":

Time had long since fallen!

Guiyin finished speaking but did not immediately stop.

Guidance was never about reaching out and covering someone's eyes.

Instead, it was about cleverly using methods to lead someone from one dead end into another:

"Time is reversed, and Dao methods are not constant. One cannot view worldly affairs with ordinary eyes at present."

"You know Name is the Name of later generations, but when Name first appeared, could it not have been the current lives of Ba or Xu—or their achievements, influencing the present and past from the future?"

"And whether the Demonic Ancestor wants to borrow the Way of Name to advance himself, or to seize the Way of Name and replace it; or whether my conjecture is true, or if Name helping Ba or Xu is true..."

Guiyin pointed the way like an immortal, his gaze distantly directed towards the location of the Lingyu Mountain lake view: "The Dao is with Ba and Xu. The Demonic Ancestor can simply choose these two. This aligns perfectly with what we are currently planning."

After a pause, Guiyin's guiding power slowly spread:

"Of course, the Demonic Ancestor eats the meat, and it's enough for us to just have a share of the soup..."

The coffin beneath the tower vibrated, and gurgling black demonic liquid surged out. An undeniable voice emerged from within:

"Ba and Xu, this Ancestor wants both."

May you be stuffed to death!

Guiyin huffed: "That's a bit overbearing..."

"Medicine Ancestor, state your conditions. As for Guiyin, one for one, ask away." The Demonic Ancestor settled the matter in a few words, giving no room for further negotiation.

Eat!

Eat it all!

After you've eaten and digested it, lie obediently on this Ancestor's plate, and I'll eat you!

Guiyin cursed inwardly, but on the surface, he did not retort. Instead, he increased his chips and asked for Dao Qiongcang and himself: "Nuo, who is it?"

"Nuo?"

"Yes, Nuo! The Demonic Ancestor knows who I'm asking about, no need to be vague or evasive." Guiyin's tone stiffened slightly; after all, he had made a great contribution by sacrificing Ba and Xu.

The Demonic Ancestor naturally knew what Guiyin wanted to ask. After a long pause, he concisely said:

"Nuo is a demon."

Guiyin waited for a moment...

That's it!

That's all there is!

Are you trying to fool the foolish Ancestor of Arts? I am Guiyin! His tone was displeased: "Not enough."

"When this Ancestor still displayed divinity, I once met a person who called himself 'Master Xihe,' a Body Cultivator, a low-level Saint Emperor, inferior to the War Ancestor."

"This person descended to this plane from outside the realm, seeking someone to help him. When asked what he needed help with, he couldn't explain, clearly lost and mentally disturbed."

"I slew him and obtained six bottles, which were also external demonic creatures."

"I searched his soul, but found nothing. His intentions were muddled, unable to discern his true self, truly cultivating unorthodox ways."

"The demon of the six bottles was called Liuxu. Upon searching its soul, I found the name 'Nuo,' but only this name, with no other related memories.

"I hid the six bottles and emerged into this world."

"That's all."

The Demonic Ancestor said more this time.

He seemed to value the spirit of the contract and transaction quite a bit. Since he said Ba and Xu were his, he told everything about the word "Nuo."

Finally, his thoughts tapped the Medicine Ancestor.

The Medicine Ancestor had also researched the original Liuxu quite a bit, which greatly benefited the Way of Life.

Working behind closed doors was one thing; even if he didn't know "Name," the Demonic Ancestor didn't believe the Medicine Ancestor didn't know "Nuo."

Medicine Ancestor: "Good."

Guiyin then understood roughly what the two understood about "Nuo."

Of course, he wouldn't be so kind to Dao Qiongcang as to give him all the answers at once.

Not only did he not give a single answer, but he also asked back through Lingxi Arts:

"What do you think?"

"Nuo, who is it?"

Lingxi Arts went silent for a moment, indicating it had met its match.

Finally, a faint, pitiful voice came from the other side: "Lord Guiyin, I asked you first!"

"Then now, it's this Ancestor asking you, Nuo, who is it?"

"Ancestor Nuo?" Dao Qiongcang's voice was full of uncertainty. "I don't know either. When I was looking through ancient books, I suddenly noticed this word. I don't think I've ever seen it before!"

Guiyin sneered.

Still looking through ancient books?

Do you really think this Ancestor doesn't know your crooked ways and the petty tricks you spend all day scheming and tinkering with?

"Divine Ruins, Linbai Witch, Way of Memory, Yue Gongli."

Guiyin was too lazy to directly expose him, only uttering four words. From the other side of Lingxi Arts, the wailing of the secretive fellow who had been caught red-handed came:

"I've been wronged, Lord Guiyin, I didn't mean to deceive you... So Yue Gongli is truly one of your backup plans? Lord Guiyin is powerful!"

"Indeed, I read about Nuo in the memories of the Linbai Witch, which is why I asked."

Guiyin was indeed not adept at the Way of Memory.

He also knew that the Demonic Ancestor was not good at this Way either.

And indeed, with Dao Qiongcang's petty mind, he wouldn't dare tamper with the Great Dao that the Ten Ancestors had studied, immediately becoming a backup!

What Guiyin asked was exactly what Dao Qiongcang had read in the memories of the Linbai Witch. Perhaps the Way of Memory, being beyond Dao transformation, could yield different insights?

He remained silent; the one panicking was definitely the other side.

Lingxi Arts was quiet for a while, as if the other side went to confirm the memory again. Finally, a helpless sigh came, adding:

"Lord Guiyin, there really is only Nuo. It seems the original Liuxu is related to this Nuo?"

"But Liuxu is at most a Half-Saint, with only bizarre abilities. What I want to ask is..."

"Is this Nuo a Saint Emperor, or an Ancestor Nuo?"

What a waste of your Way of Memory beyond Dao transformation!

Guiyin knew he couldn't pry anything out of this useless fellow, so he brushed him off with a single sentence:

"A low-level Saint Emperor, inferior to the War Ancestor."

Lingxi Arts paused, and Dao Qiongcang's voice came:

"Oh, okay, thank you Lord Guiyin for the explanation, much appreciated."

Deep in Nanming.

Dao Qiongcang emerged from his memory space, rubbing his temples with one hand, and squinted into thought:

"The Ten Ancestors don't know 'Nuo'?"

"They're playing me, aren't they!"

The starry sky was silent.

Guiyin's memory, however, retreated to the past.

On that vast River of Time, he was still fishing, his avatar entering myriad realms, seeking those who had achieved success in Dao methods.

At some unknown time, a person wearing a Nuo robe and a Nuo mask walked out of the River of Time and directly faced him:

"I am Xihe. Can you help me?"

"If you wish, I will give you six bottles to help you discern yourself; if not, do not force yourself."

Guiyin naturally refused the stranger's candy.

Who would dare eat such a pie falling from the sky?

And it appeared with the purpose of helping one "discern oneself," which was exactly what he wanted most.

How great would the matter needing help be?

How strong was that person's ability, was it truly not a joke?

He didn't know...

When he refused, the person turned and left, without any lingering attachment.

But Guiyin clearly saw that the one who called himself "Xihe" was an Ancestor God, not some low-level Saint Emperor at all!

"Thank you, Demonic Ancestor."

Guiyin stopped his questioning, choosing to leave it at that.

After a brief thought, he dismissed the possibility of the Demonic Ancestor deceiving him.

There was no need for that.

It was merely a mere Nuo, even if he was an Ancestor God, on par with the three Ancestors in the current starry sky.

Given the Demonic Ancestor's temperament, he wouldn't fabricate such a long explanation to fool him for the sake of someone he had only met once.

And those six bottles, if they were truly obtained because he agreed to help Ancestor Nuo—since they were for his own discernment, how could they be thrown into the Saint God Continent for a mere small scheme?

The Demonic Ancestor's brain must have been kicked by the Medicine Ancestor to do such a foolish thing!

"It seems that the Nuo everyone encountered is not exactly the same."

"Dao Qiongcang and the Demonic Ancestor are the same; they both saw a Saint Emperor. Only I am different; I saw an Ancestor God..."

Guiyin slightly closed his eyes, a subtle feeling in his heart: "Am I more special?"

He certainly knew how strong he was! How special he was!

After all, he was the first supreme existence to achieve Two-in-One, so it was not unreasonable to see a stronger side of Nuo.

But then again...

How strong was Nuo?

"Alright!"

Just then, the Medicine Ancestor shook the crown of the illusory Grand Huai tree, his head rustling:

"Whether past or future."

"The Dao is not elsewhere; the Dao is beneath our feet. You two may fish on the River of Time, but don't forget the main point..."

He looked at Lingyu, clearly having no interest in Nuo whatsoever.

At this moment, the two Ancestors in the starry sky also turned their attention back to the main battlefield. There were no lingering echoes, only the calm voice of the Medicine Ancestor:

"Let's see the present."