At this moment, Dao Qiongcang appeared less like Hallmaster Dao and more like a mischievous schemer, intent on some nefarious deed.
He chuckled softly, saying, "To be precise, Bazhun'an and Yue Gongnu once had a child. If that child had grown up smoothly, by now… hmm, wouldn't he or she be as big as Xiao Kongtong?"
Once?
Jin Ren caught onto this crucial word. If this child belonged to the Eighth Sword Deity and the Holy Emperor of the Yue Clan, how gifted would he or she be? And if this child were roughly around the same age as Xiao Kongtong, why had no one heard of him or her in the Five Regions? Had this child faded into the background?
So...
"Was there an accident?" Jin Ren asked.
"Ugh, ugh…" Zhu Yike struggled briefly, realizing he couldn't get up, so he gave up resisting, resigned to listen passively, knowing there was little choice.
"Not just one, but many." Dao Qiongcang shrugged indifferently, gazing into the night sky, lost in thought.
"The Five Great Holy Emperor aristocratic families place immense value on bloodlines. Within their… hmm, within our ranks, there exists a special way to preserve these bloodlines."
"The goal is for descendants with the greatest talents to inherit the Holy Emperor's position, ensuring perpetual succession… forever."
"However, human nature doesn't conform to such rigid structures; the desire for freedom persists even within the Holy Emperor families."
"Every generation sees a few who attempt to defy these 'rules,' most of whom are exiled and abandoned by their families."
"Do you know what we call such individuals within our ranks?" Dao Qiongcang turned his head.
"What?" Jin Ren asked. Intrigued, Zhu Yike stopped his restless gaze and swallowed the blood at his lips.
Dao Qiongcang chuckled softly, "Saint Servant!"
At these words, both Jin Ren and Zhu Yike shuddered.
Saint Servant? This Saint Servant, and that Saint Servant...
"Not the same kind of Saint Servant. But strictly speaking, their significance, to some extent, aligns."
Dao Qiongcang sighed as he looked at the moon halo on the mountain, lamenting, "The injustice faced by those of lower status, driven by the desire for freedom to defy fate… it's symbolic."
Jin Ren pondered. So, even the Saint Servants within the Holy Emperor families rebelled?
"No one wishes to be labeled 'servant' for any reason; this term inherently carries derogation."
"Even within the Holy Emperor families, these 'Saint Servants' have rebelled, not just in one generation but across many."
"What do you think the outcome was?" Dao Qiongcang asked.
Forget Jin Ren—even Zhu Yike now knew the answer. After all, the fact that the "Saint Servant" of the Holy Emperor's aristocratic family was unknown or obscure meant that they had never won.
"Yes, they have always failed."
"Even those with extraordinary talent, comparable to Bazhun'an, faced the same fate."
"Including Yue Gongnu, in our generation…"
Dao Qiongcang's gaze flickered, lost in thought, and he sighed. "Regardless of how one deduces or speculates, I believe her fate, too, will end in failure."
"But Bazhun'an succeeded," Jin Ren interjected.
"What defines success?" Dao Qiongcang chuckled. "Is it achieving fame, becoming renowned by all, or is it completely overturning fate to attain freedom?"
"…" Jin Ren fell silent.
"If it's the former, then yes, he has succeeded. If it's the latter, he has only taken a significant step forward!"
Even Lord Shou was speechless. Zhu Yike trembled even more violently.
He had a sinking feeling that after tonight, his fate might take a chilling turn. After all, did he deserve to hear these things? Was he worthy?
"Returning to the issue of the child…" Dao Qiongcang quickly brought the conversation back to its seemingly irrelevant core.
"Many can see Bazhun'an, but few have glimpsed Yue Gongnu."
"Within the Holy Emperor families, we are more concerned about her and her child."
"This child was not supposed to be born?" Jin Ren picked up the conversation.
"Correct," Dao Qiongcang blinked.
"Once the bloodline of the Holy Emperor mixes with outsiders, their powers are severely diminished. Not to mention, Yue Gongnu is the designated successor of the Yue Clan."
"And after this child was born, it would trigger a series of troublesome 'issues.'"
"Even if this generation dismisses it and views the Holy Emperor families as insignificant, trouble would arise in the next, and the one after that…"
"When their talents falter, trouble will arise."
Dao Qiongcang sighed heavily. "Human nature is always like this."
"So, was the child aborted?" Jin Ren felt the conclusion shouldn't be so straightforward, otherwise Dao Qiongcang wouldn't have broached such a topic.
"Many believed so when Yue Gongnu was captured by the Yue Clan and thrown into cold prison."
"But in reality?" Jin Ren could milk a conversation for all it was worth.
"I also mentioned that the Holy Emperor families had their own unique ways of preserving bloodlines, each clan vastly different." Dao Qiongcang added before continuing:
"It wasn't until recently that I discovered Yue Gongnu likely concealed the truth in a way even I didn't know at that time, deceiving even the elites of the Yue Clan."
"Afterward, she gave birth to the child and somehow managed to send it outside under the watchful eye of the Holy Emperor families."
Jin Ren had never been to any of the Holy Emperor families, so he naturally didn't understand the difficulty of such an act. But upon further thought, deceiving and escaping under the eyes of the Holy Emperor, who excelled in these arts of "forgetting" and "deception," was no small feat.
Until now, if Dao Qiongcang hadn't mentioned it, few people on the continent would know that Bazhun'an had a child.
This was simply absurd!
"Isn't it great?" Jin Ren didn't need to speculate; just imagining it, he knew how terrifyingly talented that child must be. "Old Eighth's talent, combined with the bloodline of the Holy Emperor—perhaps that child could break new ground, carve out a new path, and avenge his parents? Just thinking about it, it sounds like a legendary tale!"
"Kui Leihan also has a son. Has he broken new ground? Has Kui Leihan become obsolete?" Dao Qiongcang retorted with a question instead of an answer.
"Uh…" Jin Ren had never seen Cao Erzhu, but the answer seemed negative.
"Actually, I share the same thought as you," Dao Qiongcang suddenly continued:
"The Holy Emperor's aristocratic family practices a unique method of internal bloodline continuation. With each generation, the power diminishes, even if it seems negligible."
"But over time, even if they still hold the position of Holy Emperor, the abilities of their descendants are far inferior to their ancestors."
"Therefore, it's impossible to perfectly inherit the power, which is the essential reason why high-level Holy Emperors have become increasingly rare."
"This method of continuation itself has flaws. Unless, once every few generations, there appears a prodigy with talent comparable to the Ten High Nobles, who can reverse fate and restore the bloodline…"
Dao Qiongcang smiled mysteriously, "Do you know why the War of the Ten High Nobles ended after the previous generation?"
Jin Ren was startled.
Zhu Yike's pupils dilated.
"Why?"
The two spoke simultaneously, one with surprise, the other with a weak voice.
Dao Qiongcang glanced at the cushion beneath him, his lips quirking up. "Divine secrets must not be revealed."
Damn! Jin Ren had always wanted to kill Elder Dao the Flamboyant, and now more than ever. But at this moment, he was powerless to resist. It was strange that Dao Qiongcang was telling him all this.
He couldn't let himself fall into the rhythm of Elder Dao the Flamboyant, so he abruptly asked:
"Dao Qiongcang, what about you? How old is your child?"
Zhu Yike's pupils focused again, and he strained his abdomen, nearly sending the person on top of him flying.
Curiosity piqued…
Dao Qiongcang gazed at the night sky, murmuring, "Ten years old, I suppose."
"What?" Jin Ren was dumbfounded. "You really have a child?"
"No."
"Then where did you get ten years…"
"You asked, so I answered. Wouldn't it be rude not to?" Dao Qiongcang chuckled.
"…" Jin Ren was speechless. Elder Dao was too cheeky.
"Alright, you've asked, now it's my turn." Dao Qiongcang lay back, arms behind his head, and turned to Jin Ren.
Jin Ren became vigilant.
Dao Qiongcang: "Xu Xiaoshou, do you want a child?"
Zhu Yike's eyes lit up instantly, twisting his head so sharply that he nearly broke his neck, looking toward Lord Shou.
Lord Shou: "…"
Why did Elder Dao suddenly remind him of Aunt Xiang?
"Don't want one? You don't like children? Or you haven't thought about having a descendant?" Dao Qiongcang pressed.
"…Not exactly."
"So, you do want children. Who do you want them with?"
Didn't this question seem overly direct?
Jin Ren didn't know how to respond, how to counter such bluntness with equal wit.
"Let's start with a fundamental question!" Dao Qiongcang was very serious, "Do you like men or women?"
"…"
Jin Ren's spiritual senses scanned the surroundings, confirming they were indeed on Qingyuan Mountain, not in a dream. How did such a topic come up?
The highest leaders of the First Pavilion in the Sky and the Holy Divine Palace, discussing such frivolous matters on Qingyuan Mountain?
If this spread…
The Night Battle at Qingyuan, fighting to the death over these trivial things?
"Even Senior Dao doesn't have children. I'm still young, so I haven't considered it yet." Jin Ren chuckled.
"You and I are different," Dao Qiongcang snorted disdainfully, saying with a haughty air:
"I am a noble descendant of the Holy Emperor, my bloodline determined by fate."
"You are a lowly ant, with ordinary blood flowing in your veins… If you don't find a good sacred physique to continue your bloodline, your children will likely achieve far less than you."
"Under your reputation, anything ordinary would be a sin. They would probably die young."
Jin Ren was furious. He didn't even have children yet! And he was cursing them to die young?
"You idiot!" he cursed outright.
Dao Qiongcang didn't mind, his eyes darting around, "But if you could pair with a Holy Emperor's bloodline, even if it's a lesser one, though not as pure as the Holy Emperor's bloodline but still an extraordinary sacred physique… your descendants would definitely be exceptional!"
"What nonsense are you spewing?" Jin Ren sensed that Dao Qiongcang had some ulterior motive.
Dao Qiongcang rose with a smile.
"Sigh." Zhu Yike felt a weight lifted off him and was eager to rise. Lord Shou's future was of interest to everyone.
"Bang!"
Elder Dao's fist slammed down.
Under the weapon prohibition order, Zhu Yike's eyes rolled back as he fainted in anger.
Dao Qiongcang leaned down, his expression amiable, staring at the Divine Puppet with a chuckle.
"What do you think of Little Yu?"
Jin Ren's mind went blank momentarily.
"?"
So that's what Dao Qiongcang was getting at?!
"Little Yu? Which Little Yu?"
"Which other Little Yu could it be? Do you have many Little Yus? Isn't there only Yu Zhiwen who treats you well?" Dao Qiongcang sneered.
"…"
"What, she doesn't treat you well?" Dao Qiongcang seemed surprised, pulling out numerous reports:
"In the White Cave, surrounded by the red-clothed people, she called out and saved your life, right?"
"..."
"At Yunlun Mountain Range, she was the controller of the Cloud Mirror World. She helped conceal your whereabouts many times. To withhold is to betray—did you not know?"
"..."
"In the Four Symbols Secret Realm, during the incident at the Vermilion Bird's Golden Tower, she discovered your movements. When questioned by me, she said nothing. Everything about you was speculated upon but never reported. It all leaned towards you—tantamount to treason. Did you not know, or are you pretending to be ignorant?"
"..."
"Not to mention later, when you encountered Holy Emperor Bei, who was the first to risk her life to help you break free? If I hadn't stopped her, she'd be dead by now!"
"..."
Jin Ren was nearly overwhelmed by the barrage, but suddenly found a point to refute, "Would Holy Emperor Qilin and that person surnamed Bei have shown up if not for you?"
Dao Qiongcang chuckled, "If it weren't Yu Zhiwen guarding the Vermilion Bird's Golden Tower but me instead, would you have had a chance for what followed?"
"... Yes!"
"Don't change the subject. We're discussing children now, not Qilin." Dao Qiongcang's eyes gleamed. "Oh, are you worried about something regarding 'Qilin'?"
Jin Ren's mind was once again befuddled. What about Qilin?
"Don't worry. Little Yu might have a sacred physique, but isn't the Herb Garden of the Divine Farmer in your possession? Eat more Dragon Apricots and gain the power of the Dragon Ancestor..." Dao Qiongcang clapped his hands. "Dragons and fish—a match made in heaven!"
"..." Jin Ren remained silent.
"Oh? You're not interested in her? She's a descendant of the Kun Peng God's bloodline. She's only revealed a glimpse of her Divine Secret, but that doesn't mean she has nothing else to offer. Do you know how powerful the Kun Peng bloodline is? How strong Elder Yu is?" Dao Qiongcang sneered. "If it were another Holy Emperor's descendant, it would be a whole heap of trouble. But the Kun Peng bloodline? Just right!"
"N-no, that's not it..."
"Oh, are you worried about Elder Yu opposing this?" Dao Qiongcang anticipated Jin Ren's thoughts. "Leave Elder Yu to me! I often fish with him. I've praised you to him for so long; I've prepared plenty of bait."
"..."
"Are you concerned about her Supreme Master? Don't worry, Xu Xiaoshou! That's my sister. As long as I'm here, she won't turn over in a day."
"..."
"What? Are you worried about me?" Dao Qiongcang chuckled to himself.
"I'm not like the Yue Clan, meddling in relationships and breaking up marriages."
"If you two get along well, I wholeheartedly approve and will sit at the main table to celebrate your happiness."
"And even if you want to leave the Saint Servant and forcefully join the Holy Divine Palace..."
Dao Qiongcang paused and then laughed. "I've said it before, the doors of the Holy Divine Palace are always open to you. Come and go as you please. I'm very fond of you."
"..."
In the ruins of Ran Ming, Jin Ren felt a hint of vitality reviving in his true form. His spirits stirred, and his thoughts began to race.
What if...
If he hadn't joined the Saint Servant, hadn't reluctantly accepted Bazhun'an's half-coerced invitation, and hadn't dealt with the subsequent troubles...
If he had agreed to be a Night Guardian, joined the red-clothed people, and become part of the Holy Divine Palace, would the outcome have been vastly different?
"Bazhun'an wasn't as good to you as I am, right?" Dao Qiongcang jovially remarked, like an old matchmaker who loved to bring hearts together. "If his child were a daughter, she'd have been secretly born over a decade ago, maybe younger than you, barely reaching your age."
"But he'd never marry his daughter to you. Think about it—you troublemaker."
"But I'm different!"
Dao Qiongcang patted his chest with vigor. "Who am I? The unpredictable Dao Qiongcang!"
"If you agree now, it's a simple matter. I control fate and decide destiny."
"You and Little Yu will definitely end up together. Even if the Holy Emperor himself comes, he won't change the outcome—mark my words!"
Dao Qiongcang leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, almost conspiratorial tone. "Do you trust Bazhun'an to use Abyss Island to save you, or do you trust me?"
Jin Ren's head was spinning. His residual spiritual senses scanned the blurry surroundings once more.
Was this really Qingyuan Mountain?
This wasn't a dream!
The highest powers of the Saint Servant and the Holy Divine Palace discussing such trivial matters during a night battle at Qingyuan... If Zhu Yike were to wake up and spread this news, no one would believe it!
"I..."
"Don't rush to refuse," Dao Qiongcang said, waving a hand dismissively. "Think carefully about Little Yu and yourself. I'm not asking you to betray the Saint Servant, I just want you to... follow your heart."
Jin Ren wanted to point out that such monumental decisions shouldn't fall to his second true body. He wasn't the original—he couldn't afford to think about such things.
But Dao Qiongcang wasn't finished. After his lengthy monologue, he pulled out several portraits from his robe.
Without exception, they were portraits of remarkable women, each one more beautiful than the next.
Jin Ren scanned them with his spiritual senses and was astonished to recognize almost all of them.
Su Qianqian, Rao Yinyin, Mu Zixi, Mo Mo, Luo Leilei, Hong, Caramel, Lei Xi'er, Ah Yao...
From Xiaolian of the Plenty Gold Company to Aunt Xiang—even the fallen Rao Yaoyao was among them!
Dao Qiongcang flipped through the portraits before setting them aside, except for the last one.
It depicted a woman with fair skin like jade, starry eyes filled with wonder, and a shy smile.
Dao Qiongcang held up the portrait, speaking earnestly, "You don't know this yet, do you? The first time I practiced the Divine Secret, I was on the roadside, arranging marital unions."
"The results were accurate! Absolutely accurate!"
"Now, I'm revisiting my old skills to determine marital connections for you. If others have an eighty-eight percent compatibility with you..."
He tapped the portrait of the woman, his eyes gleaming.
"Yu Zhiwen—one hundred percent!"
"Don't wait until it's too late. Imagine how wonderful it would be if you could have her..."
Jin Ren was stunned. He stared in disbelief at Dao Qiongcang, who seemed more like an old prankster than the solemn Hallmaster who governed the world.
Suddenly, Dao Qiongcang looked up at the sky, his eager expression replaced by unparalleled seriousness.
"They're here..."
He quickly stashed away the portraits, stood up, and spoke gravely, "Alright, enough romance. It's time to discuss the Struggle for the Great Path."