Chapter 1981: Dissecting the Heart

The Path of Memory...

Within the Lamenting Imperial Realm, the Medicine Ancestor, enveloped in a life cocoon like a white sun, couldn't help but ponder. He had long been aware of Dao Qiongcang. When Bei Huai first began his life research, everyone was greatly alarmed, some extremely resistant. Only that young man from the Qian Shi Imperial Realm had an undeniable madness in his eyes. Undoubtedly, Dao Qiongcang was also an extreme seeker of the Path.

He was very interested in Bei Huai's research. The two once considered each other kindred spirits, and Dao Qiongcang was one of the few individuals from another clan invited to visit Bei Huai's laboratory. However, in essence, there were still some differences between Bei and Dao. Bei Huai could abandon everything for his research, even human ethics. After being forbidden, he continued his work in secret, and by the time he was rediscovered, things had become uncontrollable. Dao Qiongcang, however, had his limits. Although he also researched new life forms using inanimate objects (Heavenly Secret Puppets), and continued secretly after being prohibited, he eventually dedicated most of his energy to the mundane affairs of the Spirit Refinement World. In comparison, his research into the Path naturally lagged considerably.

The Medicine Ancestor then shifted his focus from both Bei and Dao to Bei Huai alone, diligently nurturing this "kinsman" of his.

Had Dao Qiongcang's experiments failed? In fact, no. From the perspective of the Dao Department and the higher echelons of Sacred Mountain, he had indeed completed his research on creating life from inanimate objects, effectively stepping through the gateway to combining the Path of Life with the Path of Reincarnation. However, his success was built upon Bei Huai's foundation, using others' insights to refine his own, benefiting from the research into ghost-beast possession. Overall, Dao Qiongcang's research indeed lacked intensity, and his combat power ceiling only managed to produce Half-Saint No. 2. Compared to Bei Huai, who had long used the original Six Xu as experimental subjects and unleashed figures like Night Watch and Grand Tutor Ci into the Five Domains, Dao Qiongcang truly paled in comparison.

Numerous similar realities abounded. Based on these practical examples, while the Ten Revered Seat Dao Qiongcang was highly regarded by the people of the Five Domains, in the Medicine Ancestor's eyes, he was merely a typical example of someone gradually "fading into obscurity." His glory was already a thing of the past. At present, he only had two noteworthy aspects... originally, perhaps just one: his "calculations" were quite decent. However, the Medicine Ancestor was equally skilled in stratagem, with calculations spanning multiple eras, involving numerous hidden layers, and reaching the Ancestor God level. Thus, at most, he would merely praise it as "not bad," certainly not considering Dao Qiongcang's so-called "schemes" of a mere few decades as significant.

"The Path of Memory surpassing the Dao, but when did he achieve this Path?"

The Medicine Ancestor had been completely unaware of this second advantage until Bei Huai revealed it today, which was somewhat surprising. On second thought, it made sense; after all, the current Ten Revered Seats were indeed all exceptionally talented. Perhaps Dao Qiongcang had realized early on that the peak of the Path of Life was already occupied, and he lacked Bei Huai's stubbornness to confront it directly. Being as intelligent as Cao, he might have perceived this and secretly switched to cultivating the Path of Memory in advance—a truly clever choice. Viewed this way, his glory wasn't short-lived; he had merely been biding his time.

However, human experience is finite. The Path of Memory surpassing the Dao, the Medicine Ancestor could accept. Yet these two were openly scheming to ambush him, even boastfully claiming that the Path of Memory had reached the Extreme Realm...

"Heh." The Medicine Ancestor couldn't help but chuckle. How many people in the current world had achieved an Extreme Realm Path? And those capable of solidifying an Extreme Realm Path into Extreme Realm combat power were even fewer!

The Sacred Path encompassed all, making it difficult to reach the Extreme Realm. Yet, the Demonic Path, through its inherent fanaticism, could achieve such extremes. The Art Path was similar; after the Art Ancestor's Corruption, Cui Yin's single word, "Forbidden," pushed the Art Path's destructive power to its extreme. The Eight Revered Anomaly, for now, need not be mentioned. Cao Yihan's Path of Thought was conceptually too lofty, showing signs of the grand Dao of both Sacred and Art Paths. He lacked time, though that "Mask" could, perhaps, briefly achieve Extreme Realm combat power through a glimpse. As for Shen Yi, there was even less to say. His Path, achieved with the aid of resentment, was like a fleeting fireworks display—brilliant for a moment, then gone, inevitably followed by decay.

Dao Qiongcang... Absolutely impossible!

Firstly, given Dao Qiongcang's cunning, he wouldn't completely reveal his plans to Bei Huai, whose Path diverged from his own and with whom he fundamentally disagreed. Secondly, even if he had comprehended the Extreme Realm of the Path of Memory in such a short time, an insight-based Path like that differed from the Path of the Sword; it would take far longer to solidify into combat power. He knew that even the Medicine Ancestor, who had pushed the Path of Life to its extreme, then the Path of Reincarnation to its extreme, still spent untold tens of thousands of years to merge them into practical combat power. And even that required some external assistance.

Could Dao Qiongcang, in mere decades, have developed the Path of Memory to the point where he could directly withstand a blow from the Hegemon of the Three Realms, Shen Yi? Of course not! So, that "Extreme Realm" he spoke of was just to fool Bei Huai. Perhaps the fellow was shrewd, having long realized that Bei Huai had no chance against him, and merely offered a verbal comfort.

"It's time to sleep..." The Medicine Ancestor's thoughts gradually slowed. He vaguely felt something was still amiss, likely due to someone's guiding force causing "sleep paralysis," but he was too tired to resist further. Of course, many things were still amiss: for instance, the Demon Ancestor still had numerous backup plans; Cui Yin would likely cause more trouble; and even Kui Leihan, though suppressed, hadn't truly concealed his life patterns, meaning he still had a chance to fight back... Too many!

The Medicine Ancestor withdrew his gaze from Dao Qiongcang. One power breaks all laws. After Zeroing, all doubts would be resolved. As for Bei Huai beside Dao Qiongcang, he hadn't even considered him worth his attention from beginning to end. His final glance before falling into slumber, however, fell upon the grand formation at the Crossroads, which he still couldn't fully comprehend, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"The inheritor of the Name Ancestor... who would have thought he'd be defeated by my own pawn? Bei Huai has little combat power left..."

"So, in the end, that young man named Xu merely scratched the surface, not investing much effort, did he..."

"But then again, he did bet on the Eight Revered Anomaly; given his condition, he's probably already completely drained..."

With these scattered thoughts, the Medicine Ancestor fell into a deep slumber. This sleep was incredibly peaceful, for when the cocoon broke, it would be time for metamorphosis.

Xu, to Name, was like Dao, to Medicine—all were pawns. After Zeroing, the only opponent left would be the Saint-Demon Unity, still lacking a half-step. How could the outcome not be clear?

"My dream, at peace."

Emerging from the Life Medicine Pool space and returning to the White Mist Restricted Zone, Xu Xiaoshou's left eyelid twitched involuntarily the moment his foot touched the stone ground. It was a strange sensation, as if an eye that had constantly been watching his back had finally closed. He felt a lightness throughout his body!

Ever since he reached the Extreme Realm of the Path of Intent, his intuitive urges had shown signs of transforming into foresight. Xu Xiaoshou had always respected his sixth sense. For instance, just now, his words had hit the mark, accurately pinpointing Dao Qiongcang's "him." This time, he didn't ignore the sensation either.

At the Crossroads, his hair clone, holding Greed God, immediately changed the subject and asked a different question:

"When Ah Yao undergoes Zeroing, will he, like you, enter a 'weakness period' during which you can do whatever you want without being observed?"

"Yes..."

"What does that mean?"

"Cocooning period... means... imminent... Zeroing..."

"How long will it take?"

"As long as... a month... as short as... half a day..."

That's certainly short! But given how thoroughly the Medicine Ancestor prepared, it's understandable. However, Bei Huai might not fully grasp the Medicine Ancestor's intentions, so interpreting his "half a day" judgment as "half an hour" might not be an exaggeration.

"During this period, even if you call Ah Yao by his true name, he won't respond?"

"No..."

"How can he be made to respond?"

"Invade... the Lamenting... Imperial Realm..."

No wonder then that the Medicine Ancestor had prepared so thoroughly, even intending to use the Grand World Tree to envelop the entire Lamenting Imperial Realm and begin wandering the starry void. It truly takes one to know one! Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself that Bei Huai had indeed contributed significantly this time. If their plan against the Medicine Ancestor succeeded, Bei Huai would deserve the primary credit.

He turned back to see that Dao Qiongcang, while he was questioning Bei Huai, hadn't been idle either. Dao Qiongcang had taken out three copper coins and tossed them six times on a jade plate. After a brief, trance-like contemplation, he secretly hid his fingers within his sleeves and performed some calculations, emitting numerous golden lights. Xu Xiaoshou watched in silence. This fortune-teller's ritual was now completely undisguised, truly unnerving to witness. As soon as Dao Qiongcang's series of actions ceased, Xu Xiaoshou immediately asked, "What did you deduce?"

Dao Qiongcang's lips curved slightly. He didn't answer directly, but instead countered, "You were also distracted just now. What were you thinking about?"

"I asked first," Xu Xiaoshou retorted, yielding no ground.

Dao Qiongcang didn't bother arguing with the petty young man. He blinked his left eye and smiled, "One eye open, one eye closed."

"What do you mean?"

"If my calculations are correct, Cui is about to awaken, and Medicine has fallen asleep."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly broke out in goosebumps. Could it be that the Bei Huai he captured was a fake, or had Greed God been marked by Dao Qiongcang long ago, and he knew what was happening at the Crossroads? No, that's not right... The Intent Dao Plate had already been thoroughly swept clean. There wasn't a single "trace" of Dao Qiongcang on himself or Greed God; he wouldn't dare mess with Xu Xiaoshou's close associates now.

Given the flamboyant old Daoist's frankness, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't afraid of having his thoughts read. He asked, "How do you know that Ah Yao has fallen asleep?"

Dao Qiongcang stretched out his hand and made elaborate gestures of calculation in front of Xu Xiaoshou, as if asking, "Were you blind just now? Didn't you see me calculating?"

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, not believing this could be deduced through such means. Dao Qiongcang's left eyelid suddenly twitched, and he chuckled, "You just felt very... relieved."

What was that supposed to mean? Xu Xiaoshou stared at him, speechless. Dao Qiongcang continued, "Coincidentally, I felt the same way—a sense of relief."

You also have an Intent Dao Plate? Could it be that your Extreme Realm of the Path of Memory truly wasn't just an idle boast?

"That's not how you arrived at this conclusion," Xu Xiaoshou insisted, feeling he had to get to the bottom of it. No one could accept that a potential enemy could discover a truth simply by tossing a few coins and wiggling his fingers—"Do you have a Heavenly Secret System?" That would be a bit too terrifying. If he were to use this system to divine Xu Xiaoshou's fate later, how would Xu Xiaoshou counter it? Would he have to isolate himself from the world to avoid being divined?

"You're overthinking it," Dao Qiongcang said with a wry smile. "In the current Five Domains, the predetermined threats to me are only a few individuals. Once destiny changes, 'predetermined' becomes 'variable.' Currently, only Cui and Medicine can make a move." He then wore a strange expression. "Plus your reaction, it's not hard to reach a definitive conclusion... The fact is, Bei Huai fell into your hands, and your cat also has the Three Aversion Eyes... And if there wasn't a 'weakness period,' the Lamenting Imperial Realm wouldn't need to wander aimlessly."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent once more. Being able to calculate isn't terrifying, nor is being able to deduce. What was terrifying was that this man's calculations and deductions were always logical and well-founded. How could a human brain process information so quickly? From just a mutual sense of "relief," could he really glean such certain and crucial information about Ancestor Gods?

"Time is pressing, no more idle chat," Dao Qiongcang said. He was clearly more anxious than Xu Xiaoshou. "Let me ask you, if you had to choose one person among Demon, Medicine, Cui, and me, who would you choose?"

So direct all of a sudden? Xu Xiaoshou felt a little awkward, taking half a step back. Though he seemed hesitant, he spoke frankly, "Actually, I don't like any of them..."

"How about choosing me?"

Dao Qiongcang, are you out of your mind? Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but lose his composure. He retorted exasperatedly, "What are you saying? Are you serious? Because if so, I might actually choose!"

"I'm serious. Make your choice."

"If you're serious, then why aren't Cao and Shen among the options?"

Dao Qiongcang parted his lips. Dao Qiongcang shook his head slightly. Dao Qiongcang then took out a Heavenly Secret Compass, staring at the mysterious changes in the starlight on its surface, his voice as calm as ever: "Four options, choose one."

Xu Xiaoshou's heart sank inexplicably. What did the flamboyant old Daoist mean by this? Was it that, in his calculations, Kui Leihan and Shen Yi never had the potential to achieve their Paths, or could they only shine fleetingly, like Hua Changdeng?

If that were the case... following the "four options, choose one" question, Xu Xiaoshou's gaze involuntarily drifted to the curled-up Bei Huai at the Crossroads, and the Blood World Bead that had rolled into a dark corner, unnoticed.

He smiled and said, "My Path—do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"The truth."

"Of course I choose you."

"So the lie would be choosing Cui Yin?"

Dao Qiongcang's expression showed a hint of hurt, yet his tone remained calm. "So, after we experienced life and death together, and chatted through the night about trivialities on Mount Qingyuan, and so on... ultimately, even all that wasn't enough to win your heart, compared to Cui Yin giving up Moon Palace Li just once?"

Xu Xiaoshou's jaw dropped, and he was greatly astonished. His hair clone immediately began re-sweeping the entire Crossroads area under the Heavenly Secret Grand Formation, confirming that it was indeed clean. There were absolutely no "traces" of Dao Qiongcang! In other words, this guy wasn't asking a question; he already knew the answer?

Amidst the vast white mist, only two figures remained on the barren ground, looking somewhat desolate. Dao Qiongcang turned and paced away, letting out a deep sigh:

"I've always known that I'm an anomaly, not someone people like."

"Indeed, at heart, I don't enjoy befriending those who scheme and grovel. On the contrary, I prefer honest individuals like Shen Yi and the Eight Revered Anomaly."

"Even if Cui Yin is ruthless and arrogant, he is essentially trustworthy, worthy of a final entrustment during the ultimate battle for the Path."

"Furthermore, his willingness to let Moon Palace Li achieve his Path and then devour him proves that Cui Yin has a strategy for Zeroing. And with his consciousness puppet in your hand, and his weakened state replenished by the massive energy you just obtained from the Life Space... Cui Yin can be controlled."

"Thus, using Cui Yin's Zeroing to tie down either the Demon Ancestor or the Medicine Ancestor is indeed your best option."

This time, Xu Xiaoshou didn't need to sweep the Crossroads. Dao Qiongcang had completely read his mind, and his own intentions were pure, his decision clear, requiring no "sweeping clean."

Dao Qiongcang turned back, his gaze burning as he stared at the black-haired young man:

"I also know your true thoughts are not entirely due to Cui Yin."

"Even after numerous attempts, while I find it difficult to fully calculate 'emotions,' I can understand and respect their existence."

"The Body of Five Heavenly Decays involves significant implications. Not only Bei Huai and the Medicine Ancestor, but Cui Yin has also planned ahead, scheming with the Blood World Bead, which allows him to somewhat restrain the consciousness within... And you, you intend to make a deal with Cui Yin to retrieve Night Watch's consciousness, with the cost being your joint Zeroing with Cui Yin to eliminate both Demon and Medicine Ancestors, is that not right?"

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't help but laugh aloud, looking at Dao Qiongcang as if he were a monster. Finally, he nodded heavily, no longer treating it as a joke:

"Yes!"

"I still want to contend for it once more," Dao Qiongcang suddenly stepped forward, with deep affection, about to hold Xu Xiaoshou's hand.

"What are you doing?" Xu Xiaoshou jumped in alarm, retreating repeatedly, pointing at him. "Back off!"

Dao Qiongcang, surprisingly unflustered, chuckled and reached in to pluck out his own heart, holding it in his hand, pulsating:

"This is my true heart."

"Let's be direct. With this true heart as witness, let's talk frankly, and I will calculate a few more things for you."

"If you choose Cui Yin, even if your grand plan succeeds and Cui Yin blocks 'Medicine' for you, you will still have to face 'Demon' alone..."

Xu Xiaoshou remained unperturbed. He had already calculated everything clearly; he just couldn't guess what other trump cards Dao Qiongcang might have. Dao Qiongcang didn't stop: "And a Dao Ancestor, a Thought Ancestor, and a Yi Ancestor. Can you face four Ancestors alone?"

Xu Xiaoshou's expression remained calm, but his heart sank. It wasn't that Kui Leihan and Shen Yi had no chance of achieving their Paths; it was that Dao Qiongcang could, with a single thought, make them serve him? Is he bluffing me? Is this a threat? Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, not answering, awaiting the flamboyant old Daoist's next words.

Seeing his silence, Dao Qiongcang paused slightly, then spoke passionately, his emotions overflowing:

"But if you choose me!" He stepped forward, again attempting to grasp Xu Xiaoshou's hand, only for the latter to quickly dodge.

"If you choose me!"

"Medicine, Cui — I will help you resolve them."

"Cao, Shen — they won't pose a threat."

"The only Ancestor you'll need to face, even if he fully undergoes Zeroing, is just one Ancestor... Demon!"

Xu Xiaoshou remained motionless. Anyone could make such promises. Given Dao Qiongcang's demonstrated combat power, if Xu Xiaoshou truly went all out, Dao Qiongcang wouldn't even be able to withstand a single blow from his Broken Monarch Shield.

Just then, Dao Qiongcang produced a Purified Demon Bottle from his hand and earnestly said:

"Even the Extreme Realm of the Path of Intent is powerless; after all, intent is merely intent, it cannot save people."

"As long as Cui Yin reads your thoughts and grasps this point, it will be enough to shatter all cooperation with you."

"But Night Watch, with my Path of Memory, I can help you protect him."

These words, however, made Xu Xiaoshou's eyes flicker. Dao Qiongcang, evidently keenly sensing this, held his heart in his palm with disbelief, his lips trembling, looking greatly hurt:

"All my promises, yet they mean nothing? Are you telling me that between us, between you and me, there is truly only one thing standing... Night... Night Watch?"

Two streams of clear tears flowed down Dao Qiongcang's face as he knelt, still holding his heart, truly a pitiful sight. Xu Xiaoshou watched his lips twitching and his over-the-top acting, feeling numb, but he didn't take the bait. Instead, he asked seriously:

"If you have all these backup plans, why do you choose me?"

He truly couldn't understand. If Dao Qiongcang had ways to control Medicine and Cui, and neutralize Cao and Shen, then if he truly became an Ancestor, the only one he would need to directly contend with would be the Demon Ancestor. So why had Dao Qiongcang always wanted to ally with him, from being a "fake friend" in the God's Remains, to the "fake alliance" with Yan Sheng and Jiang Nayu in the Northern Domain, and now, this "offering of a true heart"?

With a sweep, Dao Qiongcang stood up, placed his heart back into his chest, covered it with his flesh, and sighed softly:

"My Xu, do you remember what I just told you, that I wanted to confide something in you of my own accord?"

"Mmhmm," Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

"Everything I just said came from the bottom of my heart; it was all that I wanted to say."

"I don't believe you."

Dao Qiongcang froze, then somewhat irritably scratched his head. Finally, he lowered his head and sighed deeply again, then raised his gaze, a hint of hesitation in his eyes, as if he could no longer discern the subtle mysteries of heavenly secrets:

"I've seen through everything else, but only you remain unclear to me."

"Even the Eight Revered Anomaly cannot face four Ancestors alone; his strength is surely insufficient. But I truly don't know if you can or cannot."

He took a step forward, no longer intending to shake hands, but extending a sincere invitation:

"Our Paths will not interfere with each other."

"You might not fear the worst, but I do."

"If Young Master Xu has the ability to bring people to the Heavenly Realm, rather than benefiting Cui Yin, it would be better to benefit me, Dao... After all, I, your old friend, am willing to pluck out my heart for you. Can Cui Yin do that?"