Chapter 291: Suppressing All Things

Uh, ah, um.

Xu Xiaoshou pushed open the window, and sunlight streamed in.

He stretched lazily, his body crackling like popping beans.

It felt so comfortable.

After lying around carefree for two days, he sensed happiness returning.

He had just come down from the mountain and run into that mess, which ruined his plans completely.

So, Xu Xiaoshou decided to give himself another break. After this long sleep, he felt his Yuan Court Realm mid-stage cultivation had become even more solid!

The streets were bustling with crowds, everyone hurrying along.

Clearly, even without him stirring up trouble, the world kept running smoothly.

"It's time to handle proper business."

The Lian Dan Shi badge— it was time to get that. With it, at least he'd have a legitimate identity.

Whether for trading or other matters, it would be incredibly useful.

On the Sheng Shen Continent, a Lian Dan Shi's status was extremely high, and if the rank was decent, it brought even more respect.

Xu Xiaoshou was curious: if he stuck the badge on his forehead and traveled, how much passive value would he gain along the way?

He closed the window and glanced back at the big bed.

"Little guy, can you shrink?"

Tan Shen was a bit too eye-catching.

He couldn't see it himself, but precisely because of that, if he encountered someone who could...

That person would definitely be no ordinary individual!

In that situation, it would surely lead to unnecessary trouble.

"Meow~"

In response to Xu Xiaoshou's question, Tan Shen let out a soft mew and leaped into the young man's arms.

After all, they'd slept together for two days, so their bond had grown stronger.

Xu Xiaoshou felt a bit of a headache— each one was either calling "Mama" or "Meow," which was really tricky to deal with.

"Can't you shrink?"

If there was an answer to his questions, Tan Shen usually responded directly.

That was something he'd figured out over the past two days.

For example, if he asked, "Do you want water?"

Tan Shen wouldn't react.

But if he asked, "Do you want milk?"

The creature would pounce and suck eagerly.

Since there was no reaction now, it probably couldn't shrink.

"True, after all, not everyone is A Jie, who can grow big or small, or even transform in an instant."

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Jiaotangtang and the other one. As a ghost beast parasite, could it enter his body?

He didn't know how, but maybe Tan Shen did?

So, the young man opened his chest and invited the little kitten on his clothes: "Do you want to come in?"

Tan Shen froze for a moment, then its purple eyes lit up with surprise, looking incredulous, as if asking, "Really?"

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and nodded.

"Yes."

Once permission was granted, Tan Shen seemed afraid he might change his mind and immediately kicked off, leaping straight to Xu Xiaoshou's forehead.

Xu Xiaoshou jumped in fright, and before he could react, he felt his Zi Fu being forcibly pried open, making him wince in pain.

"Hiss!"

He sucked in a breath through his teeth, realizing Tan Shen's entry was nothing like he'd imagined.

"Entered the Yuan Court?"

The Yuan Court was a spirit refiner's most precious space. If it was injured, it meant harm to the soul's core.

One slip-up could lead to mild dementia or even instant death.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly gathered his spiritual thoughts and entered the Yuan Court.

It was a vast expanse of chaos and emptiness, like a still ocean, with a limp cat lying on it.

"What's going on?"

Xu Xiaoshou was baffled— why was Tan Shen not as excited as before, but now lying there like a wilted rag?

Probing with his thoughts, he saw the cat with eyes rolled back and foam pouring from its mouth.

This thing's foam was endless— how did it keep coming?

Wait, that wasn't the point!

The point was, why was this happening?

The Yuan Court was the life source of a spirit refiner; the vitality here was even stronger than in his physical body, and purer in quality.

Tan Shen shouldn't be... less lively?

Soon, Xu Xiaoshou realized something was off.

What he took for granted might be a terrifying ordeal for others or other beings.

He looked up and saw the red interface towering at the top of the void.

He recalled the last time with the Gray Mist Person's "Cang Long Seal"— all bark and no bite, instantly suppressed and destroyed once it entered the Yuan Court.

Like slicing through vegetables, completely obliterated.

So, not just that dragon, but this cat...

The same fate?

Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced.

In that case, didn't that mean any external entities entering his Yuan Court were doomed to be sealed?

This power was incredibly mystical, giving him such strength.

If he could master some "summoning" technique to invite someone's thoughts into his Yuan Court for a chat and then release them, wouldn't they end up as fools?

Or, unable to return at all?

"Damn, so this is a real powerhouse!"

Xu Xiaoshou marveled, but as the passive system's name implied, he hadn't seen any way to actively invite others.

Perhaps the red interface's purpose here was to guard the Yuan Court and fend off external threats!

"But if someone tries to seize my body, or force me into possession..."

Xu Xiaoshou naturally wouldn't accept that, but after thinking it over, he had no solution.

Still, now that he knew about it, he'd stay vigilant. If he ever faced strong practitioners of mental or soul power...

"Total domination?"

Xu Xiaoshou grinned slyly; now, injuries to the soul's core were no longer a concern.

Whoever entered would have to kneel!

"Meow—"

A muffled mew echoed, but Xu Xiaoshou didn't pay it much mind.

For ghost beasts, he still harbored some distrust deep down. Since they had to kneel here, so be it.

At least, it wouldn't harm him.

Besides, the life energy here was incredibly abundant; Tan Shen could evolve much faster.

Yes, it was all for its own good!

"Little kitten, just stay put here. Once you adapt in a few days, you can get up."

"Meow!"

Tan Shen lifted its head, its aggrieved purple eyes pleading "let me out."

It raised its pink paw and waved it feebly in the void.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and said to himself, "Feel free to absorb the life energy here, but with one condition: don't touch that thing."

He pointed to his newly replenished, plump soul core and warned, "And try not to get too close."

"Being suppressed here is unpleasant, I get it, but endure it— it'll pass soon."

"But if you go near that thing... tsk, then it's not about discomfort, but life or death!"

"The consequences are serious!" Xu Xiaoshou said sternly.

"Meow..."

Tan Shen's eyes were filled with regret. Before it could mew again, Xu Xiaoshou exhaled, and it shuddered, flipped over, and blissfully passed out.

"Grow well— who knows, you might evolve something surprising for me!"

Xu Xiaoshou smiled and withdrew from the Zi Fu.

For him, Tan Shen's only real use was the communication jade slip that could contact Jiaotangtang in critical moments.

He had no interest in raising pets.

But if it was a ghost beast that could grow on its own without any hassle, Xu Xiaoshou figured that might be acceptable.

"So..."

Xu Xiaoshou walked to Mu Zixi's door and knocked gently.

"It's time to handle proper business."