Chapter 184: A New Transaction, Refused

"The Secret of All..."

Walking through the Heavenly Palace, Zhang Xuan silently contemplated the profound mysteries of the Secret of All.

It was a supreme secret technique created by the second generation of the Emperor in the Mythological Era; it was tyrannical and terrifying, capable of allowing a person to increase their combat power tenfold.

Whether it was the physical body, the primordial spirit, or speed, as long as it could be successfully triggered, one could leap to a tenfold increase in combat power; it was tyrannical and terrifying.

For a cultivator, this was the most supreme method for overwhelming others with sheer force, capable of allowing one to counter-slay those who were stronger.

When a person of a lower realm faced a person of a higher realm, mastering this technique would instead grant them a certain advantage.

However, Zhang Xuan only contemplated it silently and did not immediately use it, nor did he force himself to practice it.

He first returned to the inn in the Heavenly Palace, where God King Jiang Taixu was still refining the Strongest Bloodline Evolution Fluid; he had already reached the fourth turn and was currently attempting the fifth.

Zhang Xuan watched silently, without interfering too much.

At the same time, the God King also took out a small portion of the fourth-turn Strongest Bloodline Evolution Fluid and had Jiang Yifei take this portion of the evolution fluid to the Desolate Ancient Ji Family.

Using this portion as a reward, it was also intended to make the Desolate Ancient Ji Family take action and vigorously collect more Divine Substance.

Refining the Strongest Bloodline Evolution Fluid required not only the nine most top-tier types of Divine Substance, but also many top-tier ingredients, such as Fire God Stone, Wind Bone Wood, Purple Cloud Crystal...

The required ingredients were also massive in quantity; even a civilization like the Eternal Star Domain, which could travel through the void of the Universe, needed to spend long, arduous years collecting them across the boundless Universe.

It required blowing up one planet after another, and many times, they would return empty-handed.

Beidou was very special within the entire Universe; successive Great Emperors would move their races and descendants to this region. It could be said that it gathered the most essential parts of the entire Universe, and all kinds of Divine Substance and materials could be collected here.

Originally, the God King had prepared materials according to the refining of the fourth and fifth turns of the Strongest Bloodline Evolution Fluid, and the materials were still quite abundant.

After all, people from the Eternal Star System had never visited Beidou before, and many people were unaware of the original uses of many special materials, so they did not place too much importance on them.

If the Desolate Ancient Holy Lands and aristocratic families wanted to collect them, they could easily collect a large amount.

Now, Jiang Taixu wanted to collect more, and in order to give the Desolate Ancient Jiang Family more motivation, he took out a portion of the fourth-turn bloodline evolution fluid.

Zhang Xuan understood the intentions and plans of God King Jiang Taixu, and he did not interfere too much.

The disappearance of Qingdi gave him a certain sense of crisis; now, he was eager for the Strongest Bloodline Evolution Fluid to be refined to be even more powerful, so that he could reach a higher level of cultivation sooner.

After understanding part of the situation, Zhang Xuan also drew up a list and had figures within the Demon Race send it to Kongque Wang and Yan Ruyu, letting them also collect the relevant divine objects in large quantities, and then Zhang Xuan chose to go into seclusion again.

However, what he was going to do this time was not cultivation, but...

"It's time to continue what was left unfinished last time."

In the Shenmu World, within the Shenmo Lingyuan.

The thoughts of Gods and Demons, which wandered forever and would never be destroyed, roamed and walked within the mausoleum.

And at this moment, a peculiar shadow stood in the center of the Shenmo Lingyuan, without waiting for too long.

A moment later, a shadow flew out from beneath the ground of the Shenmo Lingyuan, condensing out of thin air to reveal a body that looked as if it were cast from copper and iron.

The bronze-colored skin displayed strength and beauty to the fullest.

"You've come!"

Dugu Baitian was still as cold and indifferent as before, but Zhang Xuan, who had also practiced the Eight-Nine Profound Art, could feel that the Dugu Baitian before him had become more solid compared to the illusory and drifting state of last time, and there seemed to be mysterious laws flashing and changing within his body.

"Damn!"

Zhang Xuan exclaimed in his heart; in a very short time, he judged that this was a level above the Dharma Aspect realm, which was exactly the bottleneck he was currently stuck in.

Clearly, he and Dugu Baitian had obtained the Eight-Nine Profound Art at the same time, and clearly, both he and Dugu Baitian possessed the specific mental cultivation methods explained by the Heavenly Venerable, but Dugu Baitian had already left him far behind, walking very far ahead.

"What a terrifying monster!"

Zhang Xuan exclaimed in his heart, while also feeling that it was a matter of course; with Dugu Baitian's comprehension and talent, it was reasonable for him to reach this step.

After all, he was the terrifying figure who had once been sealed by the Heavenly Dao for an entire era, causing all the history and past of that era to be inaccessible to outsiders—the number one taboo of the ancient times.

His talent and aptitude had long been proven by history; his talent and aptitude were absolutely among the top-tier figures of the first sequence in the world.

For a Grandmaster-level figure who founded his own school, it was difficult for even one such person to appear in an era, and for him to be a supreme existence on par with the Heavenly Venerable, it was reasonable for his cultivation speed to be extremely fast.

"I have always been here, and I have never left."

When Dugu Baitian spoke, he also glanced at the unique Plantation floating in the void, which was neither in this world nor on the Other Shore.

Zhang Xuan was completely certain that Dugu Baitian could perceive the existence of the Plantation, and Zhang Xuan even suspected that Dugu Baitian had the ability to break into it and pick some of the mature spiritual herbs—which was what the Plantation had previously mentioned about people stealing vegetables.

"I suppose Dugu Baitian considered that this Plantation has a certain connection to me, so he didn't take action or steal any vegetables, but instead waited here."

Raising the level of Dugu Baitian's strength even higher in his heart, Zhang Xuan did not show the slightest bit on his face, only looking back as if inadvertently, and said in a nonchalant tone.

"A small experiment, very interesting, isn't it?"

Dugu Baitian took a deep look at the many peculiar crops in the Plantation, feeling the rules that were different from this heaven and earth and world, as well as the complex and profound changes.

Ripples also arose in his heart; those were creations and rules completely different from this world, yet they had been easily moved to this place, and that piece of heaven and earth grew above the Shenmo Lingyuan, yet it seemed to have become the center of the entire world, and even unique Hun-tun Qi would gush out from within it.

This state was just like a peculiar Creation Spring Eye born from heaven and earth after the Heavenly Dao slaughtered all living beings.

Even he could not determine the location of such a unique creation of heaven and earth, and could only wait to secretly harvest it after the Heavenly Dao slaughtered all living beings.

Yet the person before him could do this by casually taking out a piece of flying land, and he didn't even care, merely treating it as a small experiment.

Planting some special crops in such a peculiar field, the crops growing within it had some auras that even made him feel peculiar.

As for the weaker creations, one could only say they were weak beyond belief.

"Indeed, very interesting!"

Also raising the level of this mysterious Chat Group Owner before him in his heart, Dugu Baitian remained calm on the surface, only secretly guessing in his heart.

"Could it be that he has practiced the Eight-Nine Profound Art to the level of the Other Shore, or has he truly touched that legendary level?"

But such a guess was ultimately just a guess, and he did not ask it out loud.

"I wonder why the Group Owner has come here?"

"A small matter!"

Seeing that Dugu Baitian had settled down and did not further pursue the matter of the Plantation, Zhang Xuan felt a sense of relief in his heart.

He said in a calm and steady tone: "It is still the same matter as last time; the Path of Taishang Forgetting Emotions cannot be considered a supreme method, but the method for creating an Inner Heaven and Earth within it is quite ingenious, and it received great praise from that exchange partner."

The corners of Dugu Baitian's mouth twitched; to him, the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Record certainly did not count as any supreme technique, and even the founder of the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Path, Taishang, was not an invincible figure in front of him, as he could easily suppress him.

But that was only after he had experienced that battle from eons ago and achieved a new breakthrough that he was able to reach such a level.

Eons ago, the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Record was indeed the most supreme technique under heaven, capable of being ranked alongside the Demon Summoning Scripture, and in every aspect, it could be considered a top-tier method.

Being evaluated this way by the other party did indeed cause ripples in his heart, but thinking of the unique mysteries and paths within the Eight-Nine Profound Art, Dugu Baitian merely remained silent and did not say much more.

"The other party's method is also somewhat interesting; the part about plundering the authority of heaven and earth is also quite meaningful."

Dugu Baitian also evaluated it in this way with very calm words.

Zhang Xuan was stunned for a moment and did not say more on this topic, only smiling: "The Inner Heaven and Earth has a small problem; the other party does not know which degree is the best, so there needs to be a standard, and there is no unique Inner Heaven and Earth Seed existing in that world, so I want you to give me a seed."

Dugu Baitian thought for a moment; now that they had reached this point, they needed to change their overall thinking and direction. With the Eight-Nine Profound Art, their win-loss ratio against the other party had reversed, and their win rate had increased significantly.

A perfect Inner Heaven and Earth Seed was no longer too special for him, but he still paused slightly.

"You know?"

"In this world, as long as I want, nothing can be hidden from me."

"Chen Nan's Inner Heaven and Earth Seed, he indeed has not used it yet, but I think everything must follow the principle of reciprocity, right? Since this is a transaction, then what can the other party give me?"

"A piece of concrete cultivation experience, involving every aspect."

Zhang Xuan spoke; this was his purpose for coming here.

A perfect Inner Heaven and Earth Seed; possessing such a seed allows one to refine a perfect Inner Heaven and Earth, which can eventually successfully grow into a powerful world.

The Heavenly Venerable of Dao might or might not need this, but Zhang Xuan needed an excuse.

Using this as a breakthrough point to exchange for the insights and experiences of the Eight-Nine Profound Art practiced by Sun Wukong and Yang Jian on the Heavenly Venerable of Dao's side.

"There is a certain problem."

Originally, Zhang Xuan thought the biggest problem should be on the Heavenly Venerable of Dao's side; he felt that the Heavenly Venerable of Dao might not necessarily need the insights and would not need an Inner Heaven and Earth Seed, but he did not expect to get stuck right here with Dugu Baitian.

"The Inner Heaven and Earth Seed is not a nebulous species; it has a certain connection with every person and cannot be directly taken for others to use. Moreover, the Inner Heaven and Earth belongs to the most essential part of a person's body and cannot be used for trading."

Zhang Xuan scratched his head, his heart turning half cold.

If it got stuck at this step, then there would be no need to work further; it was impossible to get something for nothing and go directly to ask the Heavenly Venerable of Dao for it, right?

With thoughts swirling in his mind, Zhang Xuan did not know how to speak, but he did not expect Dugu Baitian in front of him to speak first at this moment.

"The Inner Heaven and Earth Seed cannot be given to you directly, but I can give some cultivation insights, whether it is the Supreme Forgetting Emotion Record, the Demon Summoning Scripture, or other cultivation methods."

"If it is possible, I can provide the opening and growth of the Inner Heaven and Earth."

"But those should not be of much use to me."

Zhang Xuan shook his head; the most special thing in the Shenmu World is the cultivation methods, and if there are no cultivation methods, other items are a bit hollow.

"Are there no other methods to obtain an Inner Heaven and Earth Seed? Give me an Inner Heaven and Earth Seed that is good enough; this is basically my requirement."

Dugu Baitian thought carefully and shook his head: "Initially there were, but now there is no such possibility. The Human King's has already shattered into a broken world, and both my and the Demon Lord's Inner Heaven and Earth Seeds have been refined into the Taiji God and Demon Diagram. As for the Ghost Lord and other figures, their Inner Heaven and Earth are basically either shattered or have already been used, none of which meet the standard."

Zhang Xuan was silent; the other party was indeed not lying. If it were as the other party said, then everything at this step was actually basically the same.

He had read Shenmu and knew that a perfect Inner Heaven and Earth Seed basically only existed with Chen Nan, who had one that hadn't been used. Even Chen Nan's father, Chen Zhan, had reached the Heavenly Tier or even a more terrifying level at this time period, so that perfect Inner Heaven and Earth Seed must have been used.

"This is very troublesome. Without items enough to move people, others cannot give you cultivation insights out of thin air. I originally wanted to have the other party provide the cultivation insights of two figures about to reach the Other Shore Realm to exchange with you; now it seems this step is likely not going to work."

Zhang Xuan felt very troubled and found it hard to handle. He could not think of a solution himself, so he deliberately stated his doubts and difficulties in front of Dugu Baitian because he saw that Dugu Baitian was tempted.

Since he could not think of a solution, he could only let Dugu Baitian think of one. Sure enough, as soon as his words fell, he saw Dugu Baitian's expression fluctuate slightly.

After Dugu Baitian was silent for a long while, he looked up and said to Zhang Xuan: "Wait a moment; perhaps there are other ways. Do not move around here; I will be back immediately."

Zhang Xuan felt a joy in his heart, but it did not show on his face at all.

"I will not leave for the time being; you may depart first."

Dugu Baitian turned around in silence, then tore the void in front of him with his bare hands. The two-world passage that could trouble countless people was torn open just like that by Dugu Baitian; the barriers of the world were like a joke in front of him.

Then, without even stopping, Dugu Baitian stepped into it in one stride.

(End of this chapter)