Chapter 1250

The process was extremely perilous, like walking a tightrope over a ten‑thousand‑foot abyss. They had to precisely control that strand of the "I Desire" source, preventing it from truly eroding themselves, while also deceiving the perception of the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal.

Time passed bit by bit, and Han Wuxian's forehead seeped with fine beads of sweat, the golden seal at their brow flickered faintly, as if continuously performing a complex assessment.

Finally, after countless failed attempts, at a certain moment, when they, using a specific frequency and structure, combined that strand of "I Desire" aura with the most primal Returning to Void Qi within themselves, simulating a connotation akin to "the natural end of material existence", the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal's flicker ceased! It recognized the "compliance" of this state!

Although the power they could wield remained minuscule, in that instant Han Wuxian sensed a slight difference! The Returning to Void Qi encased by the "I Desire" shell seemed to undergo an exceedingly subtle transformation in its Existence, becoming more obscure, more attuned to the world's background noise, and even… faintly capable of drawing in the surrounding drifting Silence Extinction qi to sustain its effect!

"It worked!" Han Wuxian felt a jolt in their heart, immediately halted the experiment, and carefully dispersed that strand of mixed energy. They dared not continue for long, lest they provoke a deep scan by the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal.

Even though it was only a fleeting success, it opened a new door for them!

"Borrowing a shell to go public… no, perhaps it should be called 'disguise' or 'simulation'." Han Wuxian's eyes glittered with the light of wisdom, "By exploiting the characteristics of other powers that also belong to the 'Termination' category, we can simulate a 'Returning to Void' manifestation that better aligns with the natural cycles of Heaven and Earth, thereby partially bypassing the strict limits of the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal, and even… using it to slowly recover or enhance!"

Undoubtedly this is a treacherous path, requiring an extremely deep understanding of the nature of many forces and extraordinary control; a slight misstep could set one ablaze or directly trigger a Heavenly Dao judgment. Yet, for now, it appears to be the only method that could break the stalemate within a century.

They need more "samples", a deeper comprehension of the differences among various "Termination" side forces, and must deduce more "simulation" models that can deceive the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal.

In Zhong Tian Zhi Yu, beneath the undercurrents, certain existences also took notice of Han Wuxian's move that night.

Within an ancient palace perpetually shrouded in gloom, a hoarse voice sounded: "Able, under the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal, to lightly seize three Refinement Void with the foundation of a Transcendent God… This one's understanding of the essence of power is almost at the level of the Dao. His value far exceeds his own strength. Continue observation, and if necessary… perhaps 'invest'."

In another realm, rich with spiritual energy yet hiding lethal intent, someone sneered: "Ingenious theft of heavenly craftsmanship? In the end it's a fringe path, hard to enter the refined halls. Toying with such tricks under the gaze of the Heavenly Dao is no different from playing with fire and self‑destruction. Let's see how long they can keep hopping around."

On the Five Great Vehicles front, they naturally also received more detailed information.

The Elder of Heavenly Mechanisms deliberated for a long while and sighed: "This one's heart and nature are steadfast, their comprehension is excellent—truly rare. Yet this method walks on the edge of the rules; its blessings and calamities are hard to predict."

The Sovereign of Star‑Weaving was even more intrigued: "They are attempting to 'dialogue' with the Heavenly Dao rules? Fascinating, truly fascinating! Perhaps they can reveal more mysteries of the order for us."

Upon learning this, the Blood‑Cursed Ancestor burst into a hearty laugh: "I knew this kid wouldn't go down so easily! That's got guts!"

Han Wuxian paid no heed to external evaluations. They closed their eyes again, and their mind began frantic deductions. Yan Buji's "I Desire" source is a starting point, but that is far from enough. In this world, what other forces involve "Termination"? The law of death? Decay curses? End‑law qi? Even extreme energies in certain specific environments?

Their divine consciousness began to extend outward in a manner that was more covert, emphasizing "information gathering" rather than "force interference". They no longer confined themselves to the Ten Thousand Souls Mountain range, but started to "read" the distant deathly silence carried by the wind, to "listen" to the decay emanating from the earth's depths, and to "observe" the eternal cold in certain corners under starlight…

The Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal still hung high, restricting their power.

But the wings of thought have begun to attempt to soar beyond this invisible cage.

A deeper and more perilous game, played within the shackles against Heaven and Earth, against the rules, and against oneself, quietly began. Han Wuxian's path, under extreme restriction, instead headed toward a broader and unknown direction.

Han Wuxian still sat gaunt in the cave dwelling, their figure growing ever leaner, their aura more restrained and profound. The Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal at their brow still emitted a faint golden glimmer, like an eternal overseer. Yet the eight years of confinement and exploration have etched an indescribable mark upon them. Within the depths of their chaotic eyes, there is no longer the heaviness of the first confinement, nor the sharpness of the insight three years ago, but a profundity akin to a still ancient well, as if it could reflect the deepest laws governing all things.

These five years, they did not rush to raise their power tier—under the strict surveillance of the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal that was almost impossible. They devoted all their energy to exploring the essence of "Termination" and to analyzing the operational logic of the Heavenly Dao rules.

They used their own body as the experimental field, taking that strand of Yan Buji's "I Desire" source as the initial template, continuously attempting to simulate and dissect various force connotations related to "Termination". Through divine consciousness they captured the murderous death intent lingering from distant ancient battlefields carried by the wind, analyzing its difference from pure Silence Extinction; they stirred a faint decay qi deep within the Deep Earth Vein, observing its slow corrosive traits; they even, by observing the life‑death cycles of insects within the cave dwelling, grasped the fundamental laws embedded in the most basic natural termination of life.

The process was extremely perilous. Repeated simulation failures triggered warning backlashes from the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal, their spirit pierced by countless ice needles, agony beyond endurance. Yet, relying on unyielding will and the excavation of the core potential of the source star, they repeatedly pulled themselves back from the brink of collapse, extracting valuable "data" in the process.

Gradually, within their sea of knowledge they constructed a complex "Termination lineage" model. Different termination forces, due to differing origins, natures, and intents, occupy distinct "positions" and face varying "regulatory intensities" within the Heavenly Dao order. Powers like "Natural End" that align with the great cycles of Heaven and Earth are virtually unrestricted; whereas Yan Buji's kind of predatory, desire‑amplifying "Active Silence Extinction" falls under strict regulation; their own "Returning to Void Cycle", by attempting to define and guide termination, touches the authority of the order and is therefore heavily flagged.

"So that's it… the Heavenly Dao order preserves not Existence itself, but a particular 'dynamic equilibrium pattern of Existence and extinction'…" Han Wuxian's insight deepened.

Then, if their actions, on the surface, conform to this balance pattern, and perhaps even strengthen it?

A more subtle plan took shape in their mind.

They no longer merely satisfied themselves with simulating external termination forces to disguise themselves. They began to attempt to inject their own constrained Returning to Void power, in an exceedingly subtle and dispersed manner, into the natural cycles of the surrounding environment.

For example, they would guide a strand of Returning to Void intent into the flow of a mountain spring, accelerating the natural decomposition of certain impurities and rotting matter, making the water purer. This process is slow and natural, almost indistinguishable from the world's own purification; the Heavenly Dao Forbidden Seal shows no response, and even, because it promotes local "order", a faint, almost imperceptible "approval" ripple can be sensed.

Similarly, they would disperse a strand of Silence Extinction intent into the wind, helping it blow away accumulated gloom and filth. This likewise conforms to the self‑purifying law of Heaven and Earth.

What they do is not creation, but "catalysis" and "assistance" to the inherent termination processes of nature that trend toward "order" or "purification". They break their own power into fragments, assuming the role of a modest yet genuinely existing "scavenger" within the environmental cycle.

Doing so, the power they can wield remains minuscule, and the boost to their own cultivation is almost negligible. Yet the benefits are unexpected.