Chapter 1 A Single Blade Breaks Armor!

The second blade, shimmering like the sky and water blending into one, instantly paralyzed Grandmaster Wen Rui, his body trembling, utterly devoid of resistance.

Under Ye Chuxiao's blade, Wen Rui's mind had been shattered, making it difficult for him to muster any strong desire to resist in the short term.

As for that originally ferocious shadow, it also dissipated, returning to Grandmaster Wen Rui's feet, choosing to cower. The monstrous appearance it showed when facing its host was now completely gone, not a trace remained.

"Now we can continue our chat!" Ye Chuxiao sat comfortably in the chair Grandmaster Wen Rui had occupied, as if he were the master of the place.

Grandmaster Wen Rui continued to tremble, appearing utterly lost.

Tapping his finger on the table, Ye Chuxiao continued, "Let's talk about the Zhan Nian School."

"First, tell me, what kind of relationship do you... or rather, you all, have with the Zhan Nian School?" Ye Chuxiao asked.

Grandmaster Wen Rui's lips trembled. He opened his mouth, hesitated for a moment, but still responded in a low voice, "The Zhan Nian School is our only way out. That's not a lie."

"Whether we choose to release or subtly alter and conceal, once we recognize the true nature of 'obsession,' we can never truly accept it."

Pausing for a moment, Wen Rui continued, "They are demons, heart demons that manipulate us."

"Any obsession, whether good or bad, when its proportion exceeds our own mental warning line, it is no longer an obsession, but a demon."

Perhaps because his mind had been seized, Grandmaster Wen Rui's explanation wasn't very clear.

But Ye Chuxiao understood.

After summarizing and categorizing, it could be compared to the saying 'a small gamble is a pleasure, a big gamble ruins your life.'

Obsessions are like gambling; when they occupy only a small part of life, they are mild.

But if they occupy too much, exceeding the sum of everything else, seriously affecting normal life, then they are no longer obsessions, but complete and utter demons.

Even the best 'obsession' is not suitable in excess.

For example, some people like to be kind to others, which is certainly good, but when this 'kindness' even exceeds the usual concept of a saint, reaching a point where they excessively consume and harm themselves to satisfy all the needs of others, it will be extremely terrifying for the 'self.'

Unfortunately, in the academy world, the higher the cultivation level, the more obvious the impact of obsessions, and the more intense the interference with cultivators.

This forms a realistic vicious circle. The stronger the cultivators in this world, the more they crave to break free from the shackles of obsessions and gain mental freedom.

That's why Grandmaster Wen Rui said that the Zhan Nian School is the only way out.

Because among the three main schools currently circulating, the Zhan Nian School is the only one that completely cuts off obsessions.

Although this school produces either madmen or fools, it still retains hope and has not chosen to compromise with obsessions.

From the perspective of those high-level cultivators, suppressing the Zhan Nian School and protecting the Zhan Nian School are not contradictory.

"I understand the general idea!"

"Then hand over all the Zhan Nian School's methods that you know!"

"Don't even think about fooling me. You know very well that with my abilities, it's easy to distinguish between truth and falsehood," Ye Chuxiao said with complete confidence. Although his cultivation time wasn't long, his personal accumulation was not to be underestimated. In terms of knowledge reserves, he could definitely rival many millennia-old monsters.

After all, he had a cheat!

At this moment, Grandmaster Wen Rui finally managed to break free from Ye Chuxiao's blade a little, and his eyes regained clarity.

"You don't want to give up the cultivation you've gained in this world."

"Why? Did you advance to the Wisdom Realm in this world?"

"Then it's indeed a pity to give it up, but for you, once you cultivate the Zhan Nian method, it's actually not worth the loss. You can rebuild your cultivation if it declines, but once your soul is incomplete, there's no turning back."

"You are different from us, you have a choice!" Grandmaster Wen Rui said sincerely, as if he were really considering Ye Chuxiao's best interests.

Ye Chuxiao smiled and said, "Thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot."

"How do you solve the problem of soul incompleteness?"

"I don't believe that you haven't thought about solving this problem in all these years."

"Moreover, the Zhan Nian School is called the Demonic Sect, it must have something demonic about it! Come on... show me."

Ye Chuxiao stretched out his hand, signaling Grandmaster Wen Rui to continue.

Grandmaster Wen Rui glanced at the blade in Ye Chuxiao's hand, instinctively shrinking his neck.

Although unwilling, he still succumbed to the pressure and began to recite some basic Zhan Nian School methods.

After listening, Ye Chuxiao divided these methods into two aspects.

One aspect is 'self-examination,' finding the part of the soul where the obsession is hidden.

The other aspect is cutting, visualizing a soul-splitting blade or sword, severing this part of the soul and cutting off the obsession.

Of course, it's simple to summarize roughly, but there are many precautions to take when actually implementing it. The slightest difference can be extremely dangerous.

The methods that the Zhan Nian School has summarized over the years, after sacrificing countless predecessors, are not something that anyone can deduce by making up things in their mind.

Ye Chuxiao knew that what Grandmaster Wen Rui was saying at this time was just the basic content of the Zhan Nian School, which might still be a 'forbidden technique' in the academy world, but it wasn't too difficult to find.

A more thorough approach would be to directly give Grandmaster Wen Rui a wisp of Daoyun, and then kill him to seize his knowledge.

But Ye Chuxiao didn't plan to do that for the time being.

Wen Rui was still useful to him. Killing him now would be a waste.

Lost in thought, Ye Chuxiao listened to several methods, all of which were similar.

Only the techniques had slight differences, and the costs were also different.

He waved his hand and stopped Grandmaster Wen Rui.

"Alright! No need to continue reciting!"

"If there's nothing real anymore, I might think I've found the wrong person. You know, someone like me, a free-spirited outsider, often doesn't leave any room for maneuver when doing things. If you don't have greater value, it's hard for me to keep you alive and bothering me," Ye Chuxiao didn't threaten him with a blade, but when he said these words with a smile, every word carried a sharp blade aura.

Wen Rui hadn't recovered from Ye Chuxiao's Tianshui blade, and faced with Ye Chuxiao's sharp words, he could only lower his head and begin to recite more profound methods.

This time, it was a bit interesting!

These Zhan Nian methods were starting to become 'interesting.'

For example, there was a method of finding someone with the same obsession and transferring one's own obsession, along with a portion of one's power, to them, temporarily severing the connection with the obsession at a smaller cost.

The advantage of this method is that there is no need to split and cut the soul, preserving as much of one's own integrity as possible.

The disadvantage is also obvious, that the obsession cannot be truly eliminated, but only temporarily transferred, and will recover after a period of time.

However, this shortcoming is not a real shortcoming, because if you are in this world, even if the original obsession is eliminated, a new obsession will be born again.

So, theoretically, this method of transferring power is the safest and most complete method in the Zhan Nian School.

However, this method also has its drawbacks.

That is, it is not easy to find someone with truly similar obsessions, after all, the first rule of cultivators in this world is to keep their own obsessions secret and try not to tell anyone.

Secondly, the transfer of power cannot be aimed at one person, and a new carrier must be found each time.

Otherwise, there is a risk of backflow.

It is already extremely difficult to find someone with completely similar obsessions, but it is even more difficult to find many people.

Of course, there are always exceptions.

In his examples, Wen Rui also stated that in the past, some predecessors had safely cultivated to the Wuding Realm through multiple transfers of power.

Listening to the methods recited by Wen Rui, Ye Chuxiao's mind rapidly integrated these newly acquired knowledge.

When Wen Rui stopped speaking, Ye Chuxiao didn't force him to take out the things at the bottom of the box.

Instead, he said, "Very good! You're very cooperative, I'm very satisfied."

"Next, I need you to help me contact the Zhan Nian School... I mean the real Zhan Nian School cultivators, I want to discuss a cooperation with them."

"Of course, there will be benefits for you after it's done."

Saying that, Ye Chuxiao revealed a wisp of Daoyun, shook it in front of Wen Rui's eyes, and then calmly put it away in the other party's eager gaze.

"Whether things are done well or not, whether I'm satisfied or not, all depends on my personal judgment, but I assure you, as long as you do it well, I will definitely give you the Daoyun," Ye Chuxiao's tone was very sincere, and Wen Rui heard the frankness in it.

Involuntarily, the mentality of being forced to do something changed subtly, and he began to become active.

"Okay! I will help you find the real Zhan Nian School cultivators."

"However, how should I contact you?" Wen Rui asked.

Ye Chuxiao said, "I will take the initiative to contact you in seven days. Of course... you are also welcome to give me a surprise in advance."

Emphasizing the word 'surprise,' it was obviously a hint.

Wen Rui hurriedly shook his head, "No! No, you and I have no grievances, it's just mutual exchange, why would I do that?"

Ye Chuxiao laughed when he heard this, "That's right, we have no grievances, and I won't trick you."

The two showed expressions that reassured each other.

But how true it was in their hearts was hard to know.

Jumping out of the window, he stepped on the floating clouds and returned to the inn.

Ye Chuxiao sat cross-legged on the bed, continuing to monitor Duanmu Lin while sorting out his gains just now.

"The real Zhan Nian method is unusable."

"But, I can go around in circles and prevent these 'friends' of mine from causing me trouble."

"The key issue is that, starting with Duanmu Lin, friends have begun to appear with independent personalities and selves. If I become a cage that binds them, they will backlash against me at some point."

"Why don't I change direction, not restrain them, sever them, but give them freedom?"

Ye Chuxiao's train of thought stopped here.

Although he had such an idea, Ye Chuxiao still needed more information to prove and assist in how to operate and implement it specifically.

This is why Ye Chuxiao wanted to find the real Zhan Nian School.

Ye Chuxiao believed that in the past years, Zhan Nian School cultivators must have carried out many attempts around the core of 'Zhan Nian', and there must be methods and a series of experimental data that he needed.

It all depends on whether Grandmaster Wen Rui is helpful.

If there is no breakthrough here with Wen Rui, then Ye Chuxiao can only change direction and cooperate with some more capable people.

For example, Ye Chuyu's parents.

Of course, that's not a good choice. After all, the family behind Ye Chuyu is powerful and strong, and if Ye Chuxiao cooperates with them, he will definitely be at a disadvantage.

I'm afraid that when the time comes, he will be forcibly kicked out of the game before a large harvest, just like last time.

In the next seven days of waiting, in addition to continuing to accompany Duanmu Lin to stroll around Yun Chu City, Ye Chuxiao was also trying to create new friends.

Different from creating the clown.

This time, Ye Chuxiao was completely original.

But it was portrayed in incredible detail.

Not only set the superficial appearances such as appearance, personality, height, weight, etc.

He also specially set a series of details such as identity, origin, experience, as well as family and friends.

Ensuring everything a person needs from scratch.

But the strange thing is that such a deliberate effort to create a new 'friend'.

Ye Chuxiao's settings failed instead.

This friend he carefully constructed did not really appear.

Like his obsession, it became invalid.

"I'm afraid it's not invalidation, but loss of control!"

"I lost the initiative over 'friends', and everything turned into passive reception."

"In other words, every friend I appear with next will be random. They have their own independence. Except that only I can see them, they are almost the same as ordinary people."

Along with the attempt, Ye Chuxiao's mood became more and more gloomy.

In addition to trying to create new people, Ye Chuxiao also tried to introduce the clown, Xiong Maomao, and Duanmu Lin to each other.

But Duanmu Lin couldn't see Xiong Maomao and the clown.

But the clown and Xiong Maomao could see Duanmu Lin.

This further illustrates that the clown and Xiong Maomao are actually synchronized with Ye Chuxiao, while Duanmu Lin is more independent.

Although creating people failed, Ye Chuxiao did not give up trying.

Instead of strictly regulating the details of creating people, he turned to subconscious 'hints'.

Only prompting some basic concepts.

Such as gender, personality, etc.

This time, Ye Chuxiao's behavior received a certain response.

Vaguely, a burly and tall man seemed to greet Ye Chuxiao.

But he then disappeared, as if swallowed by something.

Ye Chuxiao didn't even see his face clearly.

Seven days passed in a flash.

Ye Chuxiao found Wen Rui again.

Wen Rui obviously didn't have the courage to set up an ambush to attack Ye Chuxiao, which made Ye Chuxiao a little disappointed.

After disappointment, there was a surprise.

Because Wen Rui helped him contact a big shot from the Zhan Nian School.

Ye Chuxiao had even heard his name.

"I didn't expect that the world-renowned first god cultivator is actually a master of the Zhan Nian School," Ye Chuxiao said, looking at the person introduced by Wen Rui.

God cultivators are a line of cultivators who mainly cultivate spiritual power and the art of inviting gods.

These types of cultivators are relatively rare among cultivator groups, and their strength upper and lower limits are extremely exaggerated.

Powerful god cultivators, fighting beyond their level, is a regular operation, weak god cultivators are not even considered Jianghu swindlers, and are terribly poor.