Chapter 1987: Explosive Juice

"Startled, Passive Point, 1." Xu Xiaoshou was genuinely shocked, but simultaneously, he abruptly lost the desire to delve deeper.

If even this could be changed…

Firstly, Dao Qiongcang’s mastery of the path of memory must be at its peak, undoubtedly just a hair’s breadth from apotheosis and becoming an ancestor. He might even be the next person to achieve perfect apotheosis after Eight-Armed Venerable.

Secondly, it couldn't be stopped!

Dao Qiongcang had chosen to reveal everything himself, and he had also preempted any "trouble-making" tactics Xu Xiaoshou could conceive. This showed that, according to his calculations, the timing was absolutely perfect. Even if Xu Xiaoshou’s own Path of Intent at the Extreme Realm allowed him to remain completely unaffected by Dao Qiongcang’s Path of Memory, the memories of people throughout the Five Domains had already been altered. This was one against the many, a single grain in the vast ocean. The tide of events was overwhelming, like the eternal river of memory flowing eastward, unstoppable by any single individual.

But if this wasn't memory alteration, and Dao Qiongcang was truly Luo Jing himself, as he claimed...

He didn't believe it!

Xu Xiaoshou could accept this "fact," regardless of whether the world’s collective memory had been altered after Eight-Armed Venerable’s departure. But after accepting it, what should he do? Could he truly consider Dao Qiongcang one of his own, confide in him, and even trust him with his back in a life-or-death situation?

Impossible!

Since that was the case, forcing a true outcome from the past would be pointless. It was better to ponder what kind of future Dao Qiongcang envisioned by doing all this.

Pulling his mind back from the storyteller’s soul memories, he returned to the crossroads. The empty street had inexplicably taken on an eerie and sinister atmosphere. In the deep pit, Beihuai’s pained groans had become incredibly intense, as if he would suddenly reanimate and spring up at any moment.

Xu Xiaoshou composed his thoughts, looked at Dao Qiongcang beside him, and suddenly smiled with a sense of release: "So, my Dao, what was the true purpose behind all this? Did you simply wish to deceive me?"

"Of course not!" Dao Qiongcang exclaimed, startled by Xu Xiaoshou’s sarcastic tone.

"But if not, there was no need to confess any of this to me. Since everything was already set in motion covertly, you could simply proceed with your plan against the demons, alchemists, and malevolent entities. Or, are you actually targeting me?"

"Certainly not!" Dao Qiongcang mumbled, "It's just that you suddenly wanted to ally with Sui Yin, which gave me quite a fright…"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and shook his head, unwilling to elaborate further. What he conveyed, both from his heart and through his body language, was profound rejection, disapproval, and disbelief.

"How should I put it…"

Dao Qiongcang’s expression turned slightly serious. He gesticulated with his hands, drawing out his words. "It's a kind of…" He seemed to struggle for a description, squinting and pondering absently for a long time. Finally, he looked over and stated firmly: "Romance!"

Xu Xiaoshou’s eyelids twitched violently.

"A romance rich in poetry and beauty, imbued with a sense of ritual!"

"Like that night on Mount Qingyuan, when we slept foot-to-foot and spoke joyfully arm-in-arm… If Sui Yin hadn't interfered, we should be raising our cups in a grand toast right now!" Dao Qiongcang exclaimed, raising his arm.

Xu Xiaoshou could barely tolerate it; a torrent of emotion was on the verge of erupting within him.

Seeing his reaction, Dao Qiongcang sighed deeply, pushing his hands forward as if to soothe Xu Xiaoshou’s rising anger: "No, no, no, my dear Xu, I am serious!"

"Do you understand that feeling? Immersed yet solitary, feeling exquisite yet confident of success, yet always having no one to share it with. Eight-Armed Venerable's approach is entirely different from mine. Old Sang and I simply don't see eye-to-eye. As for Yu Mo, if I hadn't indulged him, he wouldn't have succeeded with the Void Island situation. In short, the only one I, Dao Qiongcang, truly consider a kindred spirit, is you, my dear friend!"

Dao Qiongcang stepped back, gesturing with his hand from Xu Xiaoshou’s head to his feet, his tone utterly sincere: "The grand scheme is nearing completion, and my heart is filled with immense joy. And across the entire Five Domains, truly only you, Master Shou, are someone with whom I can share my happiness without any reservations!"

"Spare me the flattery," Xu Xiaoshou said, holding back his outburst. He couldn't hear another word. "Just tell me your intention."

Dao Qiongcang turned his head away, grimacing and rolling his eyes, muttering something about "lacking refinement" under his breath… Yet he quickly twisted back around, forcing a benevolent smile, and said: "Master Shou, please give me the Sui Yin puppet."

"I truly feel insecure with that item on you. What if you outwardly say you trust me, then turn around and ally with Sui Yin? What would I do then? I've laid my heart bare, showing you my true intentions. If you were to turn around and play games with me, I would be utterly disgraced, made to look worse than a dog."

The true intention was finally revealed!

Xu Xiaoshou finally understood, his eyes unperturbed, silently watching the man’s charade.

Dao Qiongcang put his hands together, pouting, knees pressed together, and bowed softly, "Please, I beg you, please…"

Xu Xiaoshou was dumbfounded. But he couldn't possibly be defeated by this tactic. He too took a step back, pressed his palms together, and bowed back to the flamboyant old Daoist: "Well then, I'm quite afraid of you now, my Dao."

"Could you not also, given my inner fear, first cripple your own cultivation, or perhaps imprison half your power within a ‘Heavenly Machine Puppet’ for me to control?"

Dao Qiongcang was stunned.

Xu Xiaoshou innocently raised an eyebrow.

Dao Qiongcang pondered, stroking his chin, feeling that Xu Xiaoshou’s point was valid. Indeed, anyone would be terrified by his actions, subsequently fearing him like a tiger.

Xu Xiaoshou also pressed his hand to his chin, head slightly bowed, feigning contemplation. However, his thoughts were veering towards extremes.

"Such meticulous planning implies a lack of raw power. The Path of Memory is indeed like this: much like Dao Qiongcang himself, it excels at long-term strategy but falls short in direct combat. Even accounting for variables, Dao Qiongcang might unleash the combat power of a Three Realms God in an instant, or even, given a higher limit, fully replicate Eight-Armed Venerable's combat prowess. However, he wouldn't be able to sustain it for long…"

What about himself? Under the Holy Palace Grand Array, he would unleash his full capabilities. Accounting for all his major Second Awakenings, forcibly activating the "Four Quarters" by consuming the Life Medicine Pool’s power, and on that foundation, single-handedly activating the Extreme Realm of the Path of Intent to enter a virtualized state, risking his Berserk Golden Body being forced out — could he forcefully erase all traces Dao Qiongcang had left in this world? Even if not, his endurance was unmatched. After his Berserk Golden Body erupted, he would still have a chance to start anew. This first engagement with Dao Qiongcang wouldn't be a waste.

What about Dao Qiongcang? If not dead, then severely injured. Even if he could make a comeback, his speed wouldn't match Xu Xiaoshou's. Therefore, he could likely bid farewell to any chance of apotheosis and becoming an ancestor.

This plan is feasible!

"Whoosh—"

On the empty street, a strange wind suddenly sprang up.

Xu Xiaoshou had clearly overestimated his ability to conceal his state, or perhaps he had underestimated Dao Qiongcang’s sensitivity to killing intent. This lightning-fast thought, in the eyes of the person opposite, was like a basin of cold water that had merely rippled moments ago, now abruptly igniting flames from within. It would inevitably intensify, expanding in an instant to resemble a scorching sun ready to explode at the slightest touch.

"Bang!"

Face to face, Dao Qiongcang’s body abruptly burst apart, dissolving into a cluster of ancient characters. He instantly retreated in an explosive burst, and when his body reformed, he was already pressed against the edge of the Heavenly Machine Grand Array, poised to step out at any moment.

"Xu! Xiao! Shou!"

Heavens above, Dao Qiongcang’s true intention with that cry was to make Xu Xiaoshou calm down. He was there to talk about cooperation, not to provoke. Who would have thought that such a "furious roar," falling upon the ears of the now "obsessed Xu Xiaoshou," would sound like an invitation to battle!

Dao Qiongcang had displayed his full intellect, employing both soft and hard tactics, overtly and covertly, all conveying a sense of threat. Xu Xiaoshou, feeling himself inferior, readily admitted defeat. After all, his verification had failed, leaving him no way to ascertain the full truth behind this "Six Paths Luo Jing." Yet, he suddenly came to a realization: Sometimes, the Path of Divinity itself reveals true wisdom!

Threatening him? Then there was no need to talk. As long as I don't overthink, you won't be able to intellectually suppress me. As long as I admit my intelligence is at its lowest point, the only way you can defeat me is through brute force.

"Dao Dog, give me your life!"

Xu Xiaoshou pointed a finger from a distance.

Dao Qiongcang’s pupils constricted violently. He dared not gamble, stepping outward without a second thought, directly exiting this space. Who would have thought that Xu Xiaoshou wasn't using the Extinction Finger at all? His fingertip merely needed to touch the void. With the aid of the Hyper-Daoized Path of Space, after a single thought, the entire crossroads space was compressed into a thin sheet of paper.

Bizarre Trick - Leaping onto Paper!

"Rip!"

Dao Qiongcang forcefully stepped out of the Heavenly Machine Grand Array space, yet the sound of tearing paper reached his ears. What met his eyes was still the crossroads, even after moving beyond the "crossroads," terrifying like an illusion.

"Path of Space, Path of Transformation, Path of Arts, Path of Intent, Guiding Force..."

The Heavenly Machine Brain spun frantically, instantly analyzing all the Dao Rhythms and energies contained within Xu Xiaoshou’s technique. What was despairing was that almost half of the Grand Dao contained within this technique were entirely composed of Hyper-Daoized energies.

I'm not here to fight you!

Dao Qiongcang wanted to cry but had no tears. He had long estimated Xu Xiaoshou’s combat power; otherwise, he wouldn't have been constantly on guard and reacted with such speed. Though anticipated, how was one to contend with so many "Hyper-Daoized" abilities concentrated within a single individual?

You are truly a defying-heaven existence!

Xu Defying-Heaven!

"Blade of the Bereaved Kingdom."

He had only just torn through the paper space, and was still but a thought’s distance from breaking through the Heavenly Machine Grand Array at the crossroads. But Beihuai had already demonstrated it earlier: What "a step away, yet a world apart" truly meant!

Dao Qiongcang didn't dare to turn his head, yet he could still feel an invisible blade of time cleaving from behind him. A single strike split his past self, present self, and future self, interrupting his thoughts. But he was Dao Qiongcang! He had already encountered this Blade of the Bereaved Kingdom in the Grey Palace of Xu Yue. How could he not have simulated it beforehand? Almost simultaneously with the "anomaly" trigger, the second Heavenly Machine Brain, located elsewhere in the Five Domains while Dao Qiongcang was at the crossroads, seized control of his body and issued an unequivocal command: "Escape!"

At this instant, missionaries scattered across the Five Domains of the Holy Divine Continent, clad in Heavenly Machine Star Robes, all simultaneously stiffened. Regardless of the importance of their current tasks, their brains were instantly commandeered by the main brain, which then deduced the optimal "escape" plan.

"Beep beep beep!""Warning! Warning! Warning!""...Unseal request successful... Identity confirmed..."

A cacophony of noises blared in his head, but Dao Qiongcang didn't turn back. No longer afraid of exposing his abilities, he conjured the long river of memories his conscious body had once traversed within the Blood World Orb. He launched himself into the air, spinning 360 degrees. As he spun, Dao Qiongcang’s hands seemed to grasp an invisible mass, which he then forcefully hurled downwards: "Memory Meltdown!" Yet before he could stop his technique, the target he intended to melt from memory suddenly vanished.

"Isolated from the World."

Behind him, Xu Xiaoshou gently tapped his glabella with two fingers, his eyes serene.

Dao Qiongcang had rehearsed countless scenarios involving Xu Xiaoshou’s abilities. Yet, hadn't Xu Xiaoshou himself trained in his mind day and night, strategizing how to fight if a true confrontation with Dao Qiongcang arose? Divine Sensitivity must never be deactivated. Calmness and composure were essential factors. Under that fellow's off-the-charts "calculation quotient," if he were to panic first, everything would fall apart. Thus, after performing Bizarre Trick with the gesture of Extinction Finger, followed by Blade of the Bereaved Kingdom, Xu Xiaoshou did not rush to pursue.

As expected, when the divine skill "Isolated from the World" took effect again, Dao Qiongcang's body, which was about to be launched high out of the Holy Palace Grand Array, inevitably trembled and froze in mid-air. Yes, just as imagined. Since even Sui Yin greatly feared this technique, Dao Qiongcang had evidently never managed to find a way to counter his "Isolated from the World." He simply packaged his fear well, relying on simple contingency plans that could be deployed very promptly at critical moments. But after all, he had only engaged in minor skirmishes with Xu Xiaoshou. In a true bloody battle, Xu Xiaoshou was confident he could seize a fleeting opportunity.

"Beep beep beep..."

An "anomaly" was triggered in his brain once more, this time directly displaying a result: Xu Xiaoshou. Furthermore, a memory scroll unfurled, instantly filling in the suddenly blank life story of Xu Xiaoshou. Forgotten. But then forcibly "remembered" back. Dao Qiongcang simultaneously received a command to "not think deeply," as the triggering of the "Xu Xiaoshou" memory restoration confirmed his current combat state. The top priority was only one task: "Escape!"

Thus, his body trembled in mid-air. Yet, he made no unnecessary movements, neither due to the failure of Memory Meltdown nor the disappearance and reappearance of "Xu Xiaoshou’s" memory. Dao Qiongcang regained control of his body, still leveraging the momentum of his high launch. With a Great Teleportation Art, he propelled himself out of the Holy Palace Grand Array.

"Tap!"

His foot touched the void. He no longer breathed the tense, stimulating air of the City of Dead Buddhas, but the rich, fragrant air of the Holy Divine Continent. At this point, the analysis from his second brain simultaneously returned a result: he was outside the Holy Palace Grand Array, and Xu Xiaoshou would no longer deliver a killing blow, as he dared not expose too many of his trump cards before the Demon Ancestor. Simultaneously, his body no longer registered any abnormal alerts, proving that Xu Xiaoshou’s will to continue the fight had broken, and he had dropped the matter.

"Exactly!""This is how it should be!""We could have discussed it properly all along…"

Dao Qiongcang exhaled deeply. Still shaken, he realized it wasn't Xu Xiaoshou’s fault. It was an ambiguous remark, made after a series of terrifying shocks, that had triggered all this trouble. This was nothing! This was all solvable! Friends, it's understandable to have occasional arguments and even come to blows. But of course, direct face-to-face communication to find solutions was no longer feasible. The Lingxi Art was the best communication channel. After just a few exchanged techniques, involving six or seven Hyper-Daoized Grand Dao energies, who would dare to communicate with him head-on?

"Heh."

Dao Qiongcang finished catching his breath, then suddenly realized something was amiss. Why was he panting here? While Beihuai and Sui Yin within these crossroads certainly held an attraction for him, making him reluctant to leave, that pull shouldn't have been so strong.

"Guidance!""No, Detour Guidance!"

The dart he had shot in the past had finally pierced his own glabella. Frightened, Dao Qiongcang forcefully took a step, intending to flee the area. Who would have thought that Xu Xiaoshou’s Detour Guidance was not only that, but even to avoid drawing Dao Qiongcang’s attention…

Dao Qiongcang didn't move. The entire City of Dead Buddhas suddenly shifted ten zhang to the right, enclosing the flamboyant old Daoist. Compared to the immense city, this distance was negligible. Compared to the grand war in the Ghost Buddha Realm, this slight anomaly drew no attention whatsoever, not even from those adjacent to the city.

"No..."

Dao Qiongcang’s pupils suddenly dilated as he stared at the gigantic eyeball abruptly dangling before him, utterly losing the ability to speak.

Extreme Giant! Sundering Shield!

The silver wall of light offered no chance, slamming into him with extreme violence — just as it had struck Beihuai before, it now struck Dao Qiongcang!

"Crack crack crack..."

The sounds of shattering bones and bursting orbs were incessant. Dao Qiongcang’s distinctly three-dimensional features were instantly flattened into a mere pancake. Even as the Dao patterns within his body activated, they couldn't withstand the utterly domineering power of the Sundering Shield combined with the Extreme Giant.

"Bang!"

A shockwave erupted. Dao Qiongcang was sent flying from the west side of the Holy Palace Grand Array all the way to the east of East Street in a single blow, causing the Heavenly Machine Brain to scream "anomaly." All his physical indicators plummeted below the red line. His icy skin and jade bones, crystalline viscera and porcelain organs, were utterly twisted and deformed under a force no less potent than a god’s. The delicate vase was finally shattered.

"He can still run!""One more chance!"

Dao Qiongcang desperately tried to turn his head, wanting to look east, but before he could complete his turn and escape from the east side of the Holy Palace Grand Array, a foot was already pressing into his back. To strike the 'Dao Dog', Xu Xiaoshou hadn’t moved an inch. He had merely transformed into an Extreme Giant, using that form to bat Dao Qiongcang back. After shrinking back to normal size, with Absolute Rejection activated and repulsive force countering, a single kick was enough to withstand the combined damage of the Extreme Giant and Sundering Shield, accumulating momentum and awaiting eruption.

"Bang!"

And even if Xu Xiaoshou ultimately didn't unleash the full power of Absolute Rejection into the flamboyant old Daoist’s body, Dao Qiongcang, caught between two forces, had his brain matter violently squeezed from the top of his head, while his intestines dangled and splattered across the ground below. He was reduced to a paper-thin figure, like a cicada’s wing.

At this moment, intense pain assailed his mind. All three paths—body, spirit, and intent—were assailed. The pain was so intense that even the Heavenly Machine Brains dispersed across various locations couldn't alleviate it. Dao Qiongcang’s mind went blank for a brief moment. A red glow suddenly flashed in the place of his eyes. His current state seemed to have triggered a pre-set contingency plan by Dao Qiongcang, and a mocking voice echoed in his mind: "Do you need me to intervene, Third Generation?"