Chapter 291: Suppressing All Things

Xu Xiaoshou pushed open the window, letting sunlight flood in. He stretched, and his body crackled like popcorn.

It felt so good.

After two days of carefree relaxation, he felt happiness returning. He had encountered such terrible trouble right after descending the mountain, preventing him from properly executing his plans.

So Xu Xiaoshou decided to give himself another break. After this sleep, he felt that his cultivation in the Mid-Origin Court Realm had solidified!

The streets were bustling with hurried crowds. Clearly, even without him stirring up trouble, the world would continue its orderly progression.

"It's time to get down to business."

It was time to acquire the Alchemist's Badge. With it, he would at least have tangible proof of his identity. Whether for transactions or anything else, this item was incredibly useful. Alchemists on the Saint God Continent held extremely high status; if one's rank could be elevated further, they would be even more revered.

Xu Xiaoshou was curious to know how much passive value he would gain if he were to walk around with the badge affixed to his forehead.

He closed the window and turned back to look at the large bed.

"Little one, can you shrink?"

Greed God was a bit conspicuous. Although it was invisible, precisely because it was, if he were to encounter someone who could see it... that person would definitely be extraordinary! In such a situation, what would the other person think of him? He was certain it would attract unnecessary trouble.

"Meow."

In response to Xu Xiaoshou's question, Greed God let out a delicate cry and leaped into the young man's arms. After all, they had slept together for two days, so their relationship had naturally improved significantly.

Xu Xiaoshou had a headache. These creatures, always "Mama" or "Meow," were quite a handful.

"Can't you shrink?"

If the information he provided could elicit a response, Greed God usually gave a direct affirmative answer. This was something he had figured out over the past two days. For example, if he asked, "Do you want water?" Greed God wouldn't react. But if he asked, "Do you want milk?" The creature would definitely leap over and start sucking voraciously.

Since there was no reaction now, it probably couldn't shrink.

"True, not everyone is A-Jie, who can grow, shrink, or even transform at will." Xu Xiaoshou thought of Jiao Tangtang and her companion. If it was a parasitic ghost beast, could it enter his body? How it would enter, Xu Xiaoshou didn't know, but perhaps Greed God did?

So the young man opened his arms and invited the little cat nestled on his chest, "Do you want to come inside?"

Greed God paused, then surprise bloomed in its purple eyes, its face filled with disbelief, as if asking, "Are you sure?"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded with a smile. "Yes, you can."

Once granted permission, Greed God seemed afraid he would change his mind. It immediately pushed off with its paws, and the entire cat shot towards Xu Xiaoshou's forehead.

Xu Xiaoshou was startled. Before he could react, he felt as if his Spirit Palace had been forcibly pried open by something, causing him to grimace in pain.

"Hiss!"

He gasped, realizing Greed God's entry was not what he had imagined. "It entered my Spirit Palace?"

The Spirit Palace was a cultivator's most precious place. If it were injured, it would damage the very source of one's soul. A single mistake could lead to dementia at best, or instant death at worst.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly gathered his spiritual sense and entered his Spirit Palace. Inside was a realm of chaos and void, like a calm, waveless ocean. And on this ocean lay a seemingly lifeless cat.

"What's going on?" Xu Xiaoshou was surprised. Why wasn't Greed God as excited as before its entry? Why did it seem so listless after coming in? His spiritual sense probed, and he could see the cat's eyes rolled back, foam bubbling from its mouth.

This creature's foam was truly excessive; how could it keep foaming endlessly?

Wait, that's not the point! The point is, why was it like this?

The Spirit Palace was the source of a cultivator's life. The vitality here was absolutely superior to that of his physical body. In fact, its quality was even purer. Shouldn't Greed God be... more lively?

Soon, Xu Xiaoshou realized something was wrong. Something he took for granted might be a terrifying existence to others or other creatures. He looked up and saw the red interface standing atop the void.

He remembered that the last time, the Gray Fog Man's "Azure Dragon Seal" had also been a lot of hype with little substance, directly suppressed and killed after entering his Spirit Palace. It was like dicing vegetables, completely dismembered.

So, not just that dragon, but this cat... the same?

Xu Xiaoshou's mind became active. So, if that were the case, wouldn't all other external beings, if they truly entered his Spirit Palace, be unable to escape the fate of being suppressed and sealed?

This thing, capable of granting him such powerful strength, was naturally extremely mysterious. So, if he could master some "spirit summoning" technique, inviting someone's consciousness into his Spirit Palace for tea, and then sending them back, wouldn't they become an idiot? Or perhaps they wouldn't be able to return at all?

"My goodness, so *this* is the true powerhouse!" Xu Xiaoshou mused, but just like the name of this passive system, Xu Xiaoshou had never seen it actively invite anyone in. Perhaps the value of this red interface existing here was to guard the Spirit Palace and resist external demonic invasions!

"But what if someone tries to possess me, or forces someone else to possess me..." Xu Xiaoshou was naturally unwilling to accept this, but after thinking about it, he realized there was nothing he could do.

However, since he now knew about this, he would keep it in mind. What if he encountered powerful cultivators specializing in mental or spiritual energy in the future...?

"Completely countered?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled mischievously. Now, damage to his soul's origin was completely out of the question. Anyone who entered would have to kneel!

"Wuwu—"

A somewhat suppressed feline whimper sounded, but Xu Xiaoshou paid little attention. He still didn't fully trust ghost beasts deep down. Since it had to kneel here, then let it kneel! At least it wouldn't cause him any harm. Furthermore, the life essence here was extremely rich. Greed God would definitely evolve faster while here.

Yes, it was all for its own good!

"Little kitty, stay here obediently. Once you adapt in a few days, you'll be able to get up."

"Meow!"

Greed God looked up, its plaintive purple eyes clearly conveying "Let me out." It raised its pink paws and weakly waved them in the void.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and said to himself, "You can absorb the life essence here freely, but there's one condition: don't touch that thing." He pointed at his soul's origin, which had grown plump and healthy again from the nourishment, and advised, "Try not to even get close."

"It's probably uncomfortable being suppressed here, but bear with it. It will get better soon. But once you get close to this thing... ugh, contraption, it won't be a matter of comfort, but a matter of life or death!"

"The consequences are severe!" Xu Xiaoshou said sternly.

"Meow..."

Regret filled Greed God's eyes. Before it could utter another sound, Xu Xiaoshou exhaled, and it trembled, flipped over, and blissfully fainted.

"Develop well; maybe you'll truly evolve into a surprise for me!"

Xu Xiaoshou smiled as he exited his Spirit Palace. For him, Greed God's sole purpose was to serve as the communication jade slip that could contact Jiao Tangtang at critical moments. He had no interest in raising pets. However, if it was a ghost beast that could grow on its own without needing him to clean a litter box, Xu Xiaoshou found it quite acceptable.

"Alright then..."

Xu Xiaoshou walked to Mu Zixi's door and gently knocked.

"It's time for serious business."