Chapter 1980: Extreme Realm

"Divine Descent Art!"

Dragon Cave, Profound Restricted Zone.

A spotted female leopard suddenly sprang to its feet, letting out a mournful cry. Soon, its abdomen split open, and from it stepped out the figure of a middle-aged man in a starry robe. He held a jade comb in one hand and a bronze mirror in the other. As he emerged, he was combing his long hair, wet with blood. He quickly shook off all the filth from his body, presenting a truly dashing appearance.

The leopard behind him groaned miserably. He then flicked a stream of starlight with a backhand motion. The leopard's injuries healed, and it ran away in fright.

"It's the Dragon Cave..." Dao Qiongcang's lips twitched slightly. He thoughtfully surveyed the surrounding environment of the long-unseen Profound Restricted Zone, a look of considerable surprise on his face.

He tucked the jade comb and bronze mirror into his chest. He then freed his fingers to do a quick calculation, and only then did the worry in his brows ease slightly.

"This is the thirty-seventh time I've come, yet I've never found anything unusual before. This, in itself, is quite telling..."

"If there truly were no anomalies, there would be no need for me to come here so many times against the flow..."

His self-talk was audible, as if he were speaking to someone invisible and intangible.

After a brief moment of further thought, he turned his gaze in another direction, slowly extended his hand, and murmured:

"White Mist Restricted Zone..."

With one step, he was out of the Profound Restricted Zone. With the second step, his hands touched the white mist. When the third step followed, he had already arrived at Xu Xiaoshou's last known location within the White Mist Restricted Zone.

"I'm coming in." Dao Qiongcang chuckled softly, his right hand touching the space. There was no fluctuation of holy power from his body, yet faint sounds of flowing water could be heard all around.

Instantly, Dao Qiongcang's figure faded away in the White Mist Restricted Zone. Inside the Life Medicine Pool, a phantom figure gradually solidified.

"Memory..." Xu Xiaoshou watched with great astonishment as Dao Qiongcang entered as if performing a "wall-piercing technique."

At first, he couldn't comprehend it. He then tried to understand this "wall-piercing technique" from the perspective of an art, gaining some insight:

"Using the touched space as the main body, and the past memories carried by this body as a medium for communication, he found the weakest point in the memories to infiltrate?"

"Or perhaps, he simply came in at the very moment this space was created, essentially being both always present and never present? But if so, wouldn't the Medicine Ancestor discover him in a space created by the Medicine Ancestor?"

"Also, space isn't a sentient entity like a human, nor does it actively remember anything. How could he find the memories of space, and the past within those memories?"

Dao Qiongcang was actively exposing himself! He should have had other ways to enter, or at the very least, he could have just asked for his help. But he deliberately chose to expose his strange ability in the Way of Memory. Why?

Xu Xiaoshou suppressed the turmoil within him. Feigning complete incomprehension, he frowned and asked, "How did you do that?"

He was observing Dao Qiongcang, and Dao Qiongcang was also observing "Bei Huai." After an initial stunned moment, he chuckled, replying nonchalantly:

"Memory."

"Space can have memories?"

"No."

"Then why did you..."

"Under normal circumstances, no."

"What about abnormal circumstances?"

Dao Qiongcang chuckled at the question. His gaze shifted from Bei Huai, sweeping over the empty space devoid of any energy. It settled on the gray-white shadow not far away, and as he scrutinized it, he said:

"Under normal circumstances, the Sword Stele in the Feng Family's Sword Pavilion in the Southern Domain is just a broken stone. Later generations looking at it wouldn't perceive the grace left by the Feng Family ancestors, nor would they grasp the ineffable sword dao insights contained within."

"Under normal circumstances, Qingju is merely an ordinary iron sword, unable to remember its master's name, nor knowing whether what truly transformed it was the subsequent re-forging by later wielders or the nourishment of an intangible reputation."

"Under normal circumstances, space is also an inanimate object."

This guy... It has to be said, the flamboyant old Daoist's speech was sometimes truly convoluted. Xu Xiaoshou genuinely spent a lot of brainpower, sifting through his basic knowledge of the Way of Intent, before finally grasping the underlying meaning of this guy's words.

From a normal person's perspective: Humans are living beings; humans have memories. Stones are not living beings; stones do not have memories.

From Dao Qiongcang's perspective: Humans are living beings; humans have memories, and through soul-searching, memories that were originally invisible can be obtained. Stones are not living beings, but they don't necessarily lack memories. It's just that the means of living beings generally cannot read the memories of non-living entities.

So... Either by transforming a stone into a quasi-living entity, thus creating a Heavenly Secret Puppet, allowing its memories to be read. Or by going to another extreme, exploring the inverse side of the Way of Memory, finding its backside, and reading memories that normal people cannot?

"The inverse of memory..." Xu Xiaoshou murmured softly, feeling this was a bit too abstract.

Who would have thought that Dao Qiongcang, who had just been so nonchalant, hearing this, his pupils suddenly dilated, and he incredulously looked up: "What did you say?"

"Huh?" Xu Xiaoshou was stunned. "Just a little insight..."

Dao Qiongcang regained his composure, looking "Bei Huai" up and down, and calmly said: "I just said it casually. Don't overthink it; it's easy to go to extremes. Just understand it as the ordinary Way of Life you mentioned to me."

If you say that... A strange feeling arose in Xu Xiaoshou's heart. Had he perhaps stumbled upon Dao Qiongcang's "true essence"?

Upon closer thought, he had indeed had a conjecture before. Dao Qiongcang's method of cultivation was an extreme opposite to the Ancestor Nuo's "self." It could be called "other" or "reliance."

He was adept at defining himself through others, whether it was the tens of millions of Heavenly Secret Puppets outside the starry sky of the Divine Ruins, or the Dao Sect, Sacred Mountain high-ranking officials, and others scattered across the Southern Domain. This might be his way of clarifying himself.

Now it seemed, it wasn't just "humans" or "humanoids" that he could control through reliance. Even "objects" and "non-objects" like stones and space could be connected by him through "memory" to serve as a means of reliance or to clarify himself.

Was his thought from back then truly validated? Was Dao Qiongcang truly cultivating the Way of "Other"?

Xu Xiaoshou maintained an expression of continued thought, then, as if by chance, he softly uttered a single word:

"Other..."

Dao Qiongcang, however, showed no reaction. He thoroughly examined the Grey Veil of Xu, and with a frown, seemed to have completed his mental confirmation and summary of the object. Without even turning his head, he casually replied:

"What 'other'? Didn't you ask me to come see this Grey Veil of Xu?"

Wow, that was too casual! Flamboyant old Daoist, you're not usually like this. If you truly didn't care about this question, you'd be willing to waste precious time discussing such a meaningless topic with me. This avoidance shows that my thoughts are very meaningful!

Dao Qiongcang intended to expose himself, but he never imagined that his operation of the Way of Memory could be reverse-engineered so thoroughly by his Extreme Way of Intent? This time, Xu Xiaoshou actually dared to affirm the existence of the Way of "Other."

And if he walks a path diametrically opposed to "self," would every split-off Dao Qiongcang, every "other," be required to yield gains when recalled by Dao Qiongcang?

The Way of Heavenly Secrets, the Way of Stars... The Sky Scroll, the Profound Meaning of Spirit Refinement... Heavenly Secret Grand Array patterns, Life patterns...

Yes, it then becomes easy to understand how Dao Peipei and Dao Qiongcang, at the higher levels, clearly felt like the same person, yet there was also a subtle sense of them being two truly independent entities.

The various members of the Dao Sect at the lower levels, the Sacred Mountain high-ranking officials, and the sudden blossoming of Heavenly Secret mages across the Southern Domain, indeed all seemed to be experiencing "a hundred forms of life" that people had once lived.

And those like Situ Yongren, Number Two, Yan Sheng, who were neither high nor low, were they also fragments of the Way of "Other," some dispensable attempts?

So in reality, Dao Qiongcang primarily cultivated the Way of Memory while also practicing other ways. As he walked his main path, he also harbored the ambition to have it all regarding the ways of different factions.

At the same time, by using the "other" method, he dispersed his influence, thereby avoiding the attention of other peak existences of the Great Dao, such as the Ancestors of Demon and Medicine, on his main body?

As he thought, a sudden chill ran down Xu Xiaoshou's spine. He had never given up on speculating about Dao Qiongcang's ultimate goal, nor on researching what he truly sought deep down.

And Dao Qiongcang, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, still gave him a chilling sensation upon renewed contact—what he concealed was unfathomable.

"Brother Bei Huai, what are you thinking about?" Dao Qiongcang finally turned his gaze back, looking straight at him, his eyes deep, seeming to flicker with light, no longer avoiding him.

Xu Xiaoshou, however, showed no fear. He stared at him for a long time, then slowly said, "I was thinking that you once told me that our Ways are completely different."

Dao Qiongcang's lips curved into a smile: "Of course, that's why we are friends."

Friends... How long can this relationship last? When you decide to turn the tables, will you act against the Demon and Medicine Ancestors, or will you move against me?

Xu Xiaoshou stopped pondering further, discarding distracting thoughts. He looked at the Grey Veil of Xu: "Friend, tell me about this; I'm very curious."

In fact, Xu Xiaoshou was also curious how Dao Qiongcang dared to enter the Life Medicine Pool space with his true face. He had initially thought the flamboyant old Daoist would either transform into himself or into someone else, entering in a roundabout way. One should know that being seen by "Bei Huai" was no different from being exposed to the Medicine Ancestor's gaze.

Yet, there was no such thing. In reality, Dao Qiongcang even dared to expose himself deliberately. Perhaps this was also a signal, indicating it was nearly time for Dao Qiongcang to enter the game?

"The Grey Veil of Xu, as far as I know, possesses the ability of 'mental corruption,' specializing in attacking people's spirits and intents."

"Whether it has been divided or not, I'm not sure, but the Grey Veil of Xu here is quite strong."

Dao Qiongcang was not communicating via spiritual sense. In fact, when Xu and Dao met, the spiritual sense communication had already ceased. What they said, perhaps the Medicine Ancestor was hearing every word of it at this moment, yet Dao Qiongcang was very unrestrained, saying whatever came to mind.

"Brother Bei Huai, if you really take this thing, I'm afraid the Medicine Ancestor will settle scores with you later." Dao Qiongcang said with a beaming smile.

"Settling scores later is a matter for later." Xu Xiaoshou, wearing Bei Huai's face, was fearless, but then he suddenly thought...

Dammit, Dao Qiongcang! His coming here with his true body to this Life Medicine Pool means that if it's discovered that the person behind Bei Huai's face is someone else, it can no longer be Dao Qiongcang, right?

It's not like Dao Qiongcang is chatting with Dao Qiongcang, is it? This guy's presence here with his true body is tantamount to telling the Medicine Ancestor exactly who the real Bei Huai fought at the crossroads, and who set up the Heavenly Secret Grand Array—the person's identity is sealed!

Good, good, good... Dao Qiongcang, you're truly dirty... Xu Xiaoshou, who had secretly been played, quietly noted this score in his little notebook and decided to retaliate later.

But at this moment, he still needed Dao Qiongcang's help as a friend, so he naturally couldn't lose his temper. He gestured towards the Grey Veil of Xu:

"Please."

Dao Qiongcang had originally come for the Grey Veil of Xu. Sometimes, concealing for the sake of concealing, and giving up opportunities within reach, is absolutely unwise. You can't have your cake and eat it too. While the Medicine Ancestor was resetting, even if it meant exposing some things, they had to make a move against Her. Not only did Xu Xiaoshou think this way, but Dao Qiongcang did too.

He unhesitatingly took out two jade bottles from his bosom, tossing one to Xu Xiaoshou. He then formed hand seals, and simultaneously said:

"This is a 'Pure Refining Demonic Bottle,' used to refine the power of the Six Xu. You can also make them."

There was no extra explanation, nor any other implications. Xu Xiaoshou took the jade bottle, and with a swift sweep of his perception, he discerned its secrets.

It wasn't some ancient relic or divine artifact, but merely a Heavenly Secret creation. However, what it contained was transcendent Dao Law power—the Way of Memory.

In other words, anyone proficient in the Way of Heavenly Secrets/Weaving and the Way of Memory/Intent could create it. The principle was simple: use the power of laws to condense it into the Great Way of Memory and Intent.

Afterward, the Pure Refining Demonic Bottle's holder could use it as they pleased, whether by consuming it or releasing it.

Xu Xiaoshou, in a trance, also discerned an extremely potent "self" aura from the array engraved on the jade bottle, as if it could capture and crush a person's mind.

Before he could ask, a voice came through his spiritual sense: "Don't ask; this is hard to explain. It's a replica of the jade bottle given by 'Nuo' to 'Saint.'"

Is it really related to Mad Nuo? Has Dao Qiongcang also met Mad Nuo? Oh, or perhaps, he saw it in the memory of the Scaly White Witch?

"Form!" As he made a hand seal, the prepared Dao Qiongcang activated the Pure Refining Demonic Bottle, remotely drawing in the gray-white mist from a distance.

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoshou no longer hesitated. The Grey Veil of Xu indeed seemed to possess sentience, as it dodged in fright after sensing the drawing power of the Pure Refining Demonic Bottle.

But it was useless. If Dao Qiongcang didn't absorb it, the Medicine Ancestor would come and absorb it later. If he didn't take it, he would have even less understanding of this object.

Xu Xiaoshou never wanted to absorb the Grey Veil of Xu and integrate it into himself; he guessed that Dao Qiongcang might have the same idea. However, regarding the previous "attack," he had to be on guard. If the Medicine Ancestor were to later display the abilities of the Grey Veil of Xu and control him with a single strike, the kindness shown today would become cruelty against him tomorrow.

"Form!" Xu Xiaoshou activated his Pure Refining Demonic Bottle, also beginning to absorb. Before long, the gray-white mist split into two, equally divided between Xu and Dao.

The Life Medicine Pool space immediately fell silent. Xu Xiaoshou looked at Dao Qiongcang, and Dao Qiongcang also looked at "Bei Huai"; clearly, both had something to say.

Under the potential constant scrutiny of the Medicine Ancestor, Xu Xiaoshou, while studying the power within the bottle, cut straight to the chase: "I want to make a move against A-Yao."

"I can see that," Dao Qiongcang nodded.

"And you?"

"I support you morally, my friend."

Xu Xiaoshou was amused and annoyed. It had come to this, and he was still hiding? Could he truly hide?

"Dao Qiongcang, what exactly do you want?"

"To research the power of the Grey Veil of Xu." Dao Qiongcang shook the jade bottle in his hand, but his gaze drifted outwards; he wanted to leave.

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoshou stopped beating around the bush: "Dao Qiongcang, is your Way of Memory just slightly transcendent, or is it at the extreme realm?"

This sudden, direct question stunned Dao Qiongcang. He widened his eyes, glaring at Xu Xiaoshou, then involuntarily raised his eyelids slightly, gesturing upwards. His expression seemed to say: "Such a private matter, and you just blurted it out so openly? Can't you use spiritual sense for communication?"

"Can't you say?" Xu Xiaoshou had an innocent expression. His expression seemed to say that he didn't know that newly transcending the Dao meant the possibility of being deified and becoming an Ancestor; and that reaching the extreme realm meant having the foundation to clarify himself and revert to zero at any time.

Dao Qiongcang was speechless. Xu Xiaoshou, without blushing or a quickened heartbeat, defended himself: "I thought that your unfathomable display of the Way of Memory just now meant you wanted to show your cards; and your true body arriving here meant you had nothing to fear, at least not of the Medicine Ancestor Shennong Hundred Herbs who is currently resetting."

Dao Qiongcang: ???

You're shouting to people here! Why don't you shout even louder?

Xu Xiaoshou tilted his head, just like Bei Huai liked to: "A-Yao, stop eavesdropping. I know you're watching me."

And indeed, being direct had immediate benefits. For a long time, even when he felt he was being watched, there was no unusual activity in his info bar. This time, a glaring "Attention Received" notification popped up, proving that the Medicine Ancestor was indeed looking directly at him.

Dao Qiongcang's mind was also ringing with alarm. He stared at "Bei Huai" in front of him for a long time, then shook his head with a wry smile: "Actually, yes, I can tell you."

"How so?" Xu Xiaoshou still had his head tilted.

Dao Qiongcang's expression, demeanor, and tone ceased being startled and instead regained their tranquility. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, and that subtle, insincere smile reappeared on his face as he calmly stated:

"Extreme realm."