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Chapter 1921: The Origin of the Ancient Sage's Power

"That's right!" Ancient Sage Yan Qing did not deny it; instead, he nodded. "When Master Kong discovered the Kunxu Realm, it was merely an ordinary passage. This power wasn't strong; if humans absorbed it, they would surely die. However, members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe might survive and even become more powerful! That's how extraordinary figures like 'Ruthless' came into existence!"

"To prevent humanity from being completely wiped out, Ancient Sage Zi Yuan voluntarily sacrificed his life to seal it, creating the Heaven Mending Array of Hanging Coffins that you see now!"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. He looked again, his tone inquisitive: "Then, the Green Sprout Wheat and the physiques of ordinary people..."

Knowing what he wanted to ask, Ancient Sage Yan Qing explained, "Through his research, Master Kong learned that there's only one way to refine this aura without dying: having a naturally strong physique. Modifying human physique is a long-term process; it cannot be achieved overnight. Ancient Sage Zi Chi and his descendants spent countless years researching before they finally cultivated the Green Sprout Wheat. When consumed, this plant continuously strengthens one's physique. After tens of thousands of years of nourishment, human bodies have indeed made a qualitative leap, though they are still some distance from the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe! They still cannot absorb it directly!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Everything he hadn't understood before now made perfect sense.

No wonder the Hundred Schools of Philosophers stayed in the Kunxu Realm, unwilling to leave. They were using their lives to guard the seal, preventing the mercury-like power from leaking out.

At the same time, they cultivated stronger humans to adapt to this power, allowing humanity to progress further.

Just like the Master Teacher Pavilion, although their methods differed, their goal was singular: for the sake of humanity!

Ancient Sage Yan Qing continued, "This is just a small world with limited resources. Furthermore, as human physiques continuously strengthen, their consumption of spiritual energy and treasures has also increased significantly. Therefore... not everyone is qualified to cultivate! Only true geniuses can advance further."

The Kunxu Realm cannot communicate with the Master Teacher Continent in order to properly cultivate the Green Sprout Wheat. Thus, even though this small world is vast, over time, with an increasing number of cultivators, its power will still dwindle.

It's like a sealed greenhouse; even if it's several kilometers in diameter and filled with many plants, it cannot be self-sufficient without external energy.

In his previous life, Zhang Xuan recalled scientists conducting an experiment where they set up a massive greenhouse, planted various vegetation, and raised countless animals. Yet, in less than a year, the ecosystem completely collapsed.

The Kunxu Realm is similar. Although its territory is immense, spanning over a million kilometers in diameter, it is still just a small world. When ordinary people reach adulthood and possess the strength of a Grandmaster, it consumes a tremendous amount from the entire world. Therefore, the number of cultivators must be restricted.

Otherwise, before humanity can even adapt to the mercury-like spiritual energy, this world might collapse first.

"In fact, it's not just the Kunxu Realm; the Master Teacher Continent is the same. With more and more powerful individuals emerging, it will eventually become unsustainable..." Ancient Sage Yan Qing added.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Every place, every environment, has an unbearable tipping point.

Humans absorbing spiritual energy from the environment to cultivate are like lice on a cow. A few, or even hundreds or thousands, are fine, but what about tens of thousands or hundreds of millions?

Even the strongest cow would die from that.

The Kunxu Realm faces this very problem. Therefore, cultivation methods and resources are strictly controlled, and only true top-tier geniuses are qualified to continue cultivating.

Without such restrictions, not only would humanity fail to grow stronger, but the ecosystem might collapse first, and the world would be ruined.

"In that case... could this also be why the Master Teacher Continent can no longer produce Ancient Sages?"

Realizing this, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke.

Both the Master Teacher Continent and the Kunxu Realm before him had been unable to produce Ancient Sages for ten thousand years. Could this be the reason?

"That's a contributing factor, but not the main reason!"

Shaking his head and seeing Zhang Xuan's puzzled expression, Ancient Sage Yan Qing explained, "To break through to Ancient Sage, one must possess Ancient Sage power! And Ancient Sage power cannot spontaneously be generated in either the Master Teacher Continent or the Kunxu Realm... This is a unique power found only in the Heavens above! With the mercury-like spiritual energy sealed away, this power cannot enter the continent. As it's absorbed less and less, eventually there's not even a trace left, making it impossible for new Ancient Sages to emerge!"

"Ancient Sage power is hidden within the mercury-like spiritual energy?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

When he was on the platform, he had absorbed a trace of it. As soon as it entered his body, it became incredibly heavy, almost shattering his meridians, and he immediately sealed his acupoints, not daring to absorb another bit.

Was Ancient Sage power here?

He tapped his finger, unable to resist absorbing another trace.

This power was still incredibly heavy. After a moment of investigation, he indeed sensed a faint trace of Ancient Sage power within it.

Although very little, if absorbed in large enough quantities, it could accumulate to allow someone to break through the final shackles and become the continent's most powerful expert.

However...

This power was simply too strong; even he couldn't absorb it, let alone others.

"If we don't seal the power from the Heavens, humanity will perish, and the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe will grow even stronger... If we seal it, at most, no new Ancient Sages will appear. The choice is obvious!"

Ancient Sage Yan Qing gave a wry smile.

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Humanity desired more Ancient Sages, but without addressing the mercury-like power, it would only benefit the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe. If they abandoned the seal, not only would "divine beings" arrive, but humanity would also face extinction.

"Are the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe truly descendants of gods, as the legends say?"

Feeling curious, Zhang Xuan asked again.

The Otherworldly Demonic Tribe could absorb this power, while humans could not. Was it truly just a matter of physique?

"I'm not entirely sure, but Master Kong once said that the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe seem to be exiled deities! Because the spiritual energy on the Master Teacher Continent was too weak, they transformed into their current appearance. If they are given more refined spiritual energy to absorb, they will immediately revert to their original state and become even more powerful!"

At this point, Ancient Sage Yan Qing looked at the two young men before him with a wry smile. "They are exactly like this! When they were captured, they were just ordinary members of the Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, with nothing special about them. But after absorbing the mercury spiritual energy from the Heavens, they transformed into this state in less than ten years, becoming incredibly powerful! They even surpassed human cultivators who endured bitter hardships, and their appearances became indistinguishable from normal humans..."

Humans cultivate painstakingly for decades or even centuries, relying on exceptional talent to achieve such strength. Yet, these individuals, by merely absorbing the mercury spiritual energy without dying and cultivating steadily, can reach the same level...

Comparing people truly drives one to despair.

"Since 'divine beings' can pass through behind the seal, and unique mercury spiritual energy from the Heavens leaks out, could it be... that behind the seal lies the Heavens? If one manages to get through, they could enter another world?"

A thought flashed through his mind. Suppressing his excitement, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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