The seemingly vanished portion of the stone pillar hadn't completely dissipated. Instead, the power of the Dao Net constantly replenished it, like regenerating flesh. However, the power within the Myriad Star Graves that digested flesh and blood clung to it like a leech, refusing to disperse.
Thus, a bizarre scene unfolded before everyone: a part of the giant pillar rapidly flickered between states of existence and non-existence, appearing as a shimmering, shadowy translucence.
Qian Ruochang carefully retrieved the pillar from the Myriad Star Graves. He then issued an order to the observing new recruits: "Create a localized Dao Origin array isolated from the Dao Net to serve as an incubator for cultivating 'World Demise' power."
Everyone froze, stunned. Such a complex Dao Origin command was beyond their capabilities. Since joining the Immortal Hunters, they had been constantly on missions or forced vacations, without any formal training.
Fortunately, Qian Ruochang hadn't blundered. As soon as he finished speaking, ripples emanated from the void beyond the Myriad Star Graves. A seven-colored ring of light, utilizing the Dao Net, rapidly approached from the Shuo Star Sea, radiating brilliantly and enveloping everyone.
Within the ring was an ocean of Dao Origin symbols. As if echoing Qian Ruochang's words, tens of millions of symbols surged towards the group like a tidal wave. The other Dao Origin symbols faded into transparency, as if they had never existed.
Caught off guard, everyone was drenched by this "tidal wave," each receiving an equal share. Simultaneously, the method for executing the "Dao Externalization" technique appeared in everyone's minds.
Dao Externalization: At the boundary of the Dao Net, create a new Dao Net domain. This domain is like a miniature version of the Dao Net, with reduced coverage and power, but otherwise identical. All existing commands within the Dao Net apply within this domain.
This new domain, if used for expansion, can greatly reduce the cost of the Dao Net extending its coverage. It can also be used for dangerous experiments, replicating the conditions within the Dao Net without jeopardizing the Net itself.
To ensure the absolute safety of the Dao Net, only the three chiefs of the Governing Council, working together, can connect a newly created Dao Externalization domain to the Dao Net. Before that, the new domain remains completely isolated.
…
Along with the instructions came a wealth of information regarding Dao Externalization domains. Despite the unprecedented complexity of the command, under the glow of the strange ring of light, everyone learned and mastered it instantly, bypassing the usual learning, memorization, and practice process.
Under Qian Ruochang's command, everyone worked together. As commands were constructed, a new Dao Net domain was "created." Although they had easily built this "mini Dao Net," the new Immortal Hunters didn't understand the profound process. They simply felt that, as always, they issued commands, and the Dao Net provided feedback.
Only Li Fan witnessed a scene invisible to others. The moment the Dao Externalization technique was executed, the entire Dao Net seemed to freeze, then dim, allowing light from beyond the Dao Net, from the true Great Dao of heaven and earth, to filter through. A shadow cast by the Dao Net.
"If the Dao Net is the paper for tracing and covering, then the domain we've created is the Dao Net's projection."
Everyone remained enveloped by the strange ring of light. The stone pillar, imbued with World Demise power, was placed within the new Dao Net. As the mini Dao Net continuously fed it with Great Dao laws, the formless World Demise power grew stronger.
Even outside the domain, everyone felt a sense of unease. At that moment, the half-eaten stone pillar within the domain suddenly transformed into a giant hand, manipulating the surrounding World Demise power. Although the hand constantly eroded and dissipated, it was replenished by the power of the mini Dao Net.
After repeated manipulations, the giant hand forged a black arrow. Once the first World Demise arrow was complete, the scene within the domain changed again, dividing into three distinct areas: one for cultivating World Demise power, one for forging black arrows, and one for storing them. A human face appeared on each arrow. Did they correspond to the new Immortal Hunters present?
"Are these… weapons for us?" Dao Yuan asked, astonished.
Qian Ruochang smiled. "Not yet. They will truly belong to you once you set the trap and the Nothingness Immortal is caught."
"Contact with World Demise power results in constant erosion. Without the support of the Dao Net, even I would be reduced to dust in an instant. Therefore, you must be connected to the Dao Net to use them."
"Let's go!"
Qian Ruochang glanced back at the boundless, desolate Myriad Star Graves and led the group away.
"This new domain will accompany us throughout the Immortal hunt. Regardless of success or failure, we must dissipate it. We cannot allow World Demise power to run rampant within the true Dao Net."
Back in the vibrant Shuo Star Sea, far from the dark graveyard, Qian Ruochang pointed at the ring of light surrounding them.
"This ring is a safeguard against unforeseen events. If we are all wiped out, it will retrieve everything we leave behind."
Everyone's expressions turned subtle.
"With Boss Qian leading us, and such powerful World Demise arrows, plus fighting on our home turf within the Dao Net, even if we lose, how could we be completely wiped out?" Jiang Yuming asked, frowning in disbelief.
The faint smile that Qian Ruochang usually wore vanished. "The roles of hunter and prey can switch in an instant."
"Although we have a greater chance of winning, our opponent is an Immortal."
"A True Immortal who has survived the ancient calamities and the hunts of the Immortal Hunters…"
Qian Ruochang gave Jiang Yuming a cold look. Jiang Yuming lowered his head and said repeatedly, "I understand."
"You know too little about Immortals. Next, I will take you to truly understand them."
"And find suitable bait along the way."
The light and shadows around them shifted rapidly. At this speed, they could have crossed the Shuo Star Sea several times over. Yet, they continued forward endlessly. The vibrant light dimmed once more, but didn't vanish. Instead, it seemed to float above them, like stars orbiting overhead. They were venturing deeper into the unknown.
"We are heading to the 'Deep Net.' That is where the Shuo Star Sea imprisons Immortals."
"The Deep Net is the core of the Dao Net." Qian Ruochang's explanation was brief, as if he was unwilling to elaborate.
"The Deep Net is top secret. Ordinary people don't know of its existence, let alone have the privilege of entering."
"Even I cannot enter or exit freely without the duty of hunting Immortals."
As they descended, countless tiny points of light flickered on Qian Ruochang and the new Immortal Hunters, seemingly verifying their identities.
Their journey finally stopped when the vibrant stars above completely disappeared. They seemed to have arrived in a dark void, surrounded by nothingness. Countless symbols surged before Qian Ruochang. A thread of light suddenly illuminated the darkness.
On either side of the thread were squares, resembling cages or miniature worlds. The borders of the squares were exceptionally thick, as if determined to completely isolate their contents from the outside world. And within these squares… were imprisoned figures! Or rather, Immortals!
Some were asleep. Others were awake, their cold, murderous eyes vigilantly scanning their surroundings, flitting through the void as if searching for an escape. Still others were completely insane, constantly unleashing immortal techniques, attacking everything around them, even though there was nothing else within their cages.
All these imprisoned True Immortals shared a common trait: their bodies were riddled with threads of various colors, extending outwards and connecting to the outside world, but not reaching the "boundaries" of the cages, instead vanishing into the void.
Clearly, these imprisoned Immortals couldn't see these threads. Only outsiders like Li Fan and the others could see them clearly.
"Are these… Immortals?"
After the initial shock, the reverence for Immortals in everyone's hearts dissipated completely. Seeing these legendary, once-imagined True Immortals in such a state inevitably changed their perspective.
"Looking at them through the Immortal Cages, you naturally can't comprehend the terror of a True Immortal."
"If I were to put you inside to experience it firsthand, you would understand what 'True Immortal might' truly means." Qian Ruochang, noticing the disdain in their eyes, sneered.
His gaze swept over the group, as if genuinely considering selecting someone. Everyone felt a jolt of fear, their expressions turning serious. They carefully observed the imprisoned figures, no longer daring to show any disrespect.
"Boss Qian, these True Immortals have been imprisoned for a long time, haven't they? Why do they all seem so energetic and healthy?"
"They don't appear weakened or颓废 by their prolonged confinement."
In the silence, someone suddenly spoke.
Qian Ruochang looked at the questioner, "Ma Tiande," and nodded approvingly. "I didn't expect you to grasp the core issue so quickly."
"You are quite impressive!"
"It's not that we provide them with energy after capturing them. It's that, as True Immortals, their energy is infinite!" Qian Ruochang declared emphatically.
Apparently, not everyone knew about the infinite nature of True Immortal power. Qian Ruochang's words startled most of the group.
"Infinite? How is that possible?"
The concept of infinity contradicted everything they had learned.
"The infinite immortal spiritual power of True Immortals comes from an unfathomable region called the 'Infinite Sea.'"
"It exists even beyond the Great Dao, so even the core power of the Dao Net cannot sever the connection between True Immortals and the Infinite Sea."
"The ability to freely draw upon the power of the Infinite Sea is what makes True Immortals truly terrifying."
Qian Ruochang pointed to a man sitting cross-legged with closed eyes within one of the squares.
"This Immortal was among the first we captured. He's been imprisoned for nearly fifty thousand years."
"Yet, his mind remains resolute, showing no weakness. Although the cages are places where the Dao is severed, preventing cultivation and advancement, this Immortal has been silently improving his strength through inner comprehension all these years. We no longer know the extent of his power." Qian Ruochang sighed, his tone a mixture of helplessness and admiration.
"Why not just kill them all?" Jin Changyue, who had mostly remained silent, suddenly spoke, her killing intent and eagerness undisguised.
"Hehe…" Qian Ruochang didn't answer, only chuckling cryptically.
Li Fan noticed that as Qian Ruochang laughed, his eyes glanced at the colorful threads connected to the True Immortals. Thinking of the four Unnamed True Immortals used as living pillars, Li Fan pondered: "Perhaps the establishment and stability of the Dao Net are inextricably linked to these imprisoned True Immortals."
Li Fan looked around. Clearly, what he saw wasn't all the imprisoned Immortals within the Dao Net. Countless more "squares" likely existed in the unseen darkness.
"We can't kill them, and we can't sever their energy supply…"
"So we just let them cultivate like this? What if they one day escape from these cages?" Dao Yuan frowned. A flicker of worry and fear appeared in the eyes of the others.
True Immortals had been hunted and captured one after another. If so many imprisoned True Immortals were to lose control simultaneously… it would be a terrifying scenario.
"That's not something you need to worry about."
"Even if they advance further, the Deep Net's prison isn't something they can leave as they please." Qian Ruochang was confident in the cages' strength.
"Although I can't actually put you inside, I can let you experience the might of a True Immortal more concretely."
"Now, who to choose…"
Qian Ruochang looked around, finally selecting a seemingly harmless True Immortal who appeared to be perpetually asleep. He beckoned gently, and colorful threads appeared before him, seemingly connected to the cage.
"Who wants to try?" Qian Ruochang looked at the group.
"Me," Dao Yuan said confidently.
Qian Ruochang silently connected the colorful threads to Dao Yuan. The next moment… the Shuo Star Sea prodigy trembled uncontrollably.
(End of Chapter)