The term "Dao Domain", this was the first time Chen Kuang had heard it, and it came from none other than the Firebrand Sect's Bai Luoyan.
Previously, although he had received all kinds of experience and instruction from Huo Hengxuan, it had never touched upon anything deeper related to the Upper Third Rank cultivation realms.
Although Huo Hengxuan had only been at the Master Realm before reaching his status as a pseudo-saint, Chen Kuang would never believe that the old bastard didn't know about the Divine Abilities of Upper Third Rank cultivators.
He probably just hadn't expected Chen Kuang to encounter such matters so soon, and so, simply chose not to pass them on.
Looking down on people a little too much, aren't we?
Chen "Master of Digging His Own Grave" Kuang was very displeased.
Fortunately, right now he had a real freshly advanced Upper Third Rank powerhouse by his side, one who had lived for countless years and would undoubtedly be able to answer his questions.
Wen Si lived up to expectations. After pushing the bamboo pole once, the boat drifted away from the shore and continued downstream. Then he nodded and began in a low voice:
"To affirm the Dao through one's heart is the essence of profundity."
"To put it simply, once one affirms their Dao, it means that the heavens and earth have recognized your Dao, and have granted you temporary usage rights over a certain natural law."
Usage rights?
So the Dao laws are just... on lease?
Chen Kuang looked up at the sky speechlessly. The heavens, which had always seemed so abstract and majestic to him, suddenly felt more down-to-earth and bureaucratically realistic.
Wen Si smiled and said:
"The Dao is the rule by which all things in the universe operate, how could it possibly be something a cultivator can truly control? If someone could do that, wouldn't they already be on equal footing with the heavens themselves? Naturally, that's impossible. Even saints cannot accomplish such a thing."
He sighed:
"The longer one lives, the more they understand how insignificant they are in the grand cosmos. And the more one understands, the more humility one learns."
Chen Kuang internally muttered,
"That's probably just you, Senior Brother. All the ancient monsters I've met who've lived for thousands of years are arrogant to the bone, each one thinks they can defy the heavens, strive for supremacy, and become the eternal number one."
"Those who've lived thousands of years want to live ten thousand more. Those who've seized control of a country want to be the ruler of the entire Cangyuan. Their ambition and desire are limitless."
"By comparison, Senior Brother, you're the only one who really seems like an actual cultivator."
Wen Si continued:
"However, even though cultivators of the Profound Realm only gain usage rights to a law, it still means they are imitating the way heaven and earth govern the Dao."
"As such, a Profound Realm cultivator can, with just a single thought, cause the world around them to become a small and unique domain governed solely by their own Dao."
"Within this small world, the laws no longer belong to the heavens and earth, they answer only to the cultivator."
"That, is what we call a 'Dao Domain.'"
"So that's how it is," Chen Kuang murmured in realization. "Then the time Senior Brother handed over the Wujian Demon Sword to me... you must've activated your own Dao Domain."
So that strange vision he had seen in the room that day had, in fact, been Wen Si's Dao Domain.
Wen Si nodded solemnly.
"This is the most important Divine Ability of the Profound Realm."
Then, turning to Chen Kuang, he asked in a low voice:
"Junior Brother... is this question because you're worried about that Martial Saint?"
That hit the nail on the head, Chen Kuang grinned bitterly.
"If I were in the Profound Realm like you, I wouldn't be worrying right now."
He shrugged helplessly.
"But unfortunately, I'm just a lowly Tower Ascension Realm cultivator. Saying I'm not worried would be a lie. According to the Shen brothers from Jiangning, that Martial Saint, who knows what means he used, has already possessed a body and is coming personally to kill me."
He sighed again, feigning despair.
"I fear I won't escape this calamity."
Wen Si chuckled. After all the insane things he had seen his Junior Brother pull off, he didn't believe a single word of this nonsense.
The way Chen Kuang was talking now was clearly just him playing weak, testing the waters to see if his Senior Brother could be persuaded to lend even more support...
After all, if Xi Mengquan had planned everything from the start, then all these so-called dangers felt more like tests, and Wen Si, without a doubt, was the proctor outside the examination room.
However, this probing from Chen Kuang was actually unnecessary.
Because at this point, Wen Si had already stepped beyond the bounds of his original "examiner" role.
Wen Si thought to himself, then spoke seriously:
"Junior Brother, this journey I've undertaken with you, it wasn't arranged by that old bastard."
"You helped me in a great way. I must reciprocate. Escorting you out of Liang is the least I can do."
"Even if the Martial Saint descends, I will still try my best to help you."
Chen Kuang froze.
His Senior Brother... was actually a good person, no, a good fish.
Unfortunately, in this ever-changing and sinister world, true "good people" were few and far between.
If he wanted to keep this good fish from being stranded on land... he'd have to be the greedy, scheming villain himself.
Chen Kuang sighed and said solemnly:
"Senior Brother, when you say 'try your best', what does that entail? Would you go so far as to risk your life?"
"I've killed the personal disciple of a Martial Saint. That's basically no different than killing his own daughter. This is true blood-feud hatred. Anyone who tries to stop him... unless it's another saint, I doubt even the heavens can help."
To be honest, even if another saint did show up, there'd probably still be a fight.
Chen Kuang took a deep breath and laid his cards on the table:
"So, Senior Brother, if you're going to help me, does that mean you're prepared to die alongside me at the hands of a Martial Saint?"
"If your help only extends to getting me across the Liang Kingdom's borders, then I might as well just go do it alone. Whether you're with me or not doesn't actually make much difference."
Wen Si thought for a moment, then unexpectedly gave a carefree laugh:
"Life and death, what of it?"
He said:
"I once imposed a restriction on myself for 2,160 years. I never set foot on land, and cultivated in solitude beneath the Eastern Court Lake. All for the sake of a single word, 'Dao.'"
"Now, my Dao is achieved. I have no regrets. If I can clash with the Martial Saint now, and help Junior Brother achieve renown throughout the world, it wouldn't be a bad end."
...
Senior Brother, you're seriously impossible to talk down.
Chen Kuang glanced at him helplessly, then shook his head and said:
"However, I have no intention of having Senior Brother die for me."
He had finally realized, his cheap Senior Brother's Dao of ferrying was "Deliverance." Deliver others, deliver oneself.
Now that he had finished delivering himself, all his focus was on delivering others.
Chen Kuang had intended to dissuade him, but somehow ended up motivating him even more.
"If my goal was just to escape Liang's borders and make a bit of a name for myself, then I'd rather just die in Liang outright."
Chen Kuang exhaled and took out the box Shen Liangcai had given him, opening it:
"Senior Brother, what do you think of this?"
Inside the box, a rounded pearl no larger than a fingernail shimmered brilliantly with flowing light.
This was the Mermaid's Tear.
The Method of Demon Shedding hidden in the false bottom was triggered the moment the box was opened. It turned into a gentle stream of light that, at Chen Kuang's will, flowed into his brow. The knowledge contained within was instantly absorbed into his mind.
Inside were not only the complete steps of the Demon Shedding Method, but even clues on how to reform a physical body.
The Demon Shedding Method required three materials:
First, the remains of a demon.
The Mermaid's Tear was a special case. Though not a full corpse, it was a mystical object formed at the exact moment of a mermaid's death and in the mermaid race, reproduction occurred through these tears.
With the proper ritual, this pearl could even become a new mermaid embryo.
Ordinary corpses might be deemed unworthy, but the Mermaid's Tear represented rebirth itself. It was the perfect material.
Second, a curse-bearing medium.
Since this technique was derived from the South Barbarian Blood Affliction Sect, it required an object to anchor the soul.
This object had to be intimately connected to the user, something they had carried for many years, preferably imbued with deep emotional attachment.
Third, the simplest: a piece of the user's own flesh and blood.
This was likely the most intricate spell technique Chen Kuang had encountered so far. To him, it already seemed impossibly complex.
It made him wonder just how much effort and energy large-scale ritual magic must take.
In such a case, the fact that Shen Liangcai even gave him this method... must mean he was gambling on something.
After all, Shen Liangcai couldn't be certain whether Chen Kuang could gather all the materials, or whether he'd even be able to perform the ritual beneath the Martial Saint's very nose.
Fortunately, Chen Kuang just so happened to have an item on him that could serve as the perfect anchor medium.
It was because of this that he had accepted the favor.
And just then, Wen Si furrowed his brow, realizing instantly what Chen Kuang intended to do.
"Are you truly planning to use this method? If your original body cannot be preserved, or you fail to remold a new physical form, then you will likely be trapped in an artificial demonic body from here on out."
Wen Si's voice was low and solemn.
Though he himself was a demon, he had seen more than enough of the struggles of demonkind. What's more, Chen Kuang was born human, he would likely have an even harder time adapting to such a transformation.
Moreover, this Demon Shedding Method was, after all, a shortcut, an unorthodox and sinister art. It might well cause damage to his future cultivation path...
Before reaching the Moon-Embracing Realm, one's soul could not move freely from their physical body, nor could one wield a divided divine consciousness like Shen Xingzhu.
If he chose this path.. then Chen Kuang might have to live for a long time thereafter as a demon.
Chen Kuang blinked and said, "Senior Brother, have you forgotten? I was able to enter the Demon Sword Great Void Illusion Realm before while maintaining my full awareness."
That was the very reason he dared to use the Demon Shedding Method, he was relying on the space known as the Wujian Between.
That mysterious domain still held a projection of his consciousness.
And most importantly, the "One-Split Mind" passive that produced this duplicate of his consciousness was not the same as a typical divine soul split.
A split soul was just that, a division of one's true divine soul, and if it could not be reclaimed, it would damage the whole.
But "One-Split Mind" was his own consciousness, indistinguishable from the original!
Even if the consciousness outside in the physical world were extinguished, he would still exist within the "Wujian Between", and moreover, he could influence the real world, just as the Demon Sword once had.
Wen Si remained silent for a while, then sighed, "I suppose I was just overthinking it. So long as you're clear in your own heart."
Chen Kuang cupped his hands in thanks: "Senior Brother, I only ask one thing of you, please see the mother and daughter safely through this. It's something I promised someone I would do."
Wen Si nodded solemnly, "The mountains are high and the waters long. Take care of yourself, Junior Brother."
With a wave of his hand, Wen Si withdrew his Dao Domain and turned his gaze outward.
The Jade Wave River narrowed through a pair of towering gorges, the cliffs rising nearly a hundred zhang high, piercing straight into the heavens. It almost formed a "Sky-Slit" path, and across the center of this gorge, a horizontal checkpoint had been constructed.
There were once stationed troops on both sides, Liang Kingdom's soldiers. But now, not a single one remained. Bits of armor and weaponry were strewn across the ground, already faintly rusting. A chaotic, post-battle desolation hung in the air.
Chen Kuang jumped off the side of the boat and called back toward the cabin, "Madam, Your Highness, we've arrived!"
Chu Wenruo lifted the curtain and stepped out of the cabin. Her face had grown visibly thinner.
The hardships of this journey had ground down what was once a pampered, well-fed palace consort, she now appeared somewhat frail and worn.
She looked up at the towering gorge ahead, stunned. Her chest rose and fell with emotion as her beautiful eyes gradually lit up, filled with boundless hope.
"It's true... We've made it! We're really here!"
Chu Wenruo clutched the little Su Huaiying in her arms and exclaimed, "Ying'er, we're finally about to leave Liang! Once we reach the Yang Kingdom, we'll find a place and live out the rest of our lives in peace."
Yang and Zhou were not on good terms. And Yang Kingdom, with its far greater national power and a Saint in residence, was not a place where Zhou dared to act recklessly.
At least for a time, they would be safe there.
"Mmmf... Mother, let me go, I can't breathe!"
The little princess's muffled protest sounded out. Only then did Chu Wenruo realize she had pressed her daughter too tightly against her chest and quickly let her go.
"Hoo..."
Su Huaiying let out a great breath of relief, but then furrowed her brows. Deep down, she did not fully trust the Yang Kingdom.
Because in the illusion realm, she had once allied with Yang... only to be stabbed in the back by them..
Still, there were indeed many cultivators and organizations in Yang Kingdom that could be used. And if events mirrored the illusion, a major rebellion would soon erupt there, its cause being the emergence of an ancient treasure...
To plan for the future starting in Yang would not be a bad idea.
Qing Cuo stood nearby and looked toward the smiling Chen Kuang..
She hesitated, then walked over to his side and said, "I didn't follow you just because of Madam or Her Highness... I... I followed you for you."
It was something she had wanted to say for a long time.
But perhaps because she was nervous, her words came out jumbled.
Chen Kuang blinked in surprise, then chuckled awkwardly, "I know."
"But following me won't lead to any great future. You shouldn't always live for others... try to live for yourself at least once."
Qing Cuo opened her mouth again, as if to speak.
But in that instant, her expression suddenly changed, her entire body tensed, hair standing on end!
"Whoosh-"
The river suddenly surged with a towering wave, nearly overtaking the side of the small boat.
The boat rocked violently.
Chu Wenruo nearly fell but was caught by Chen Kuang.
She looked up to thank him, but froze when she saw Chen Kuang's face, it was drenched in sweat, his expression grim, and his whole body slightly trembling.
He whipped his head toward the far end of the gorge.
Wen Si's voice was heavy as he exhaled.
"The Martial Saint..."
At the far end of the Sky-Slit Gorge, where the horizon should have been cloaked in shadow, suddenly, blinding brilliance erupted, as if a great sun had risen!
It lit the night as bright as day!
Within that dazzling radiance, a lone figure slowly emerged.
"Boom! Boom! Rumble!"
Each step he took pressed the surrounding waves down flat, rendering the river's surface like a mirror. The remaining waves could only crash backward, slamming against the cliffs on either side. Rock and soil tumbled down into the water below.
The small boat that had just been jostled, that had been caused by this residual force alone.
The figure halted at the mouth of the gorge and bellowed:
"Chen Kuang! COME AND DIE!!!"
His thunderous voice echoed across the waters like a hurricane, shaking the heavens!
The river surged and the wind howled. Wen Si stepped forward, pressing down with his foot, stabilizing the entire boat so it barely held still.
Howling gales tore past on either side, whipping their clothes and hair into the air.
Chen Kuang staggered back two steps. His heart pounded violently, nearly choking him. A crushing pressure suddenly descended, focused entirely on him.
Every bone in his body creaked, especially in his legs, and his knees.
He sucked in a deep breath, veins bulging on his forehead, and forced himself to straighten his spine.
The figure in the light sneered, raised both fists, then swung them outward with explosive force!
It looked like two simple punches.
But when those fists slammed into the gorge walls-
"BOOM!!!"
Both cliff faces of the Sky-Slit Gorge thundered violently.
Then, they collapsed backward like doors being blasted open!
Thunder clove the sky, mountains crumbled.
Celestial stone gates were shattered apart.
The Hundred-Zhang Gorge on both sides was split open and apart like twin gates by his fists.