Chapter 797: Youthful Spirit Roams the Four Directions, While the Semi-Sage Imprisons Himself in a Corner

Inside Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, in a cultivation room.

"Rao Jianxian left so quickly?" At the tea table, Xu Xiaoshou carefully poured tea for Mr. Mei Siyi while asking curiously.

The night was deep.

But this time, it wasn't Xu Xiaoshou disturbing Mr. Mei Siyi's rest. Instead, after his night conversation with Rao Yaoyao, Mei Siyi had immediately come over.

"You could hear our conversation?" Mei Siyi asked, somewhat absentmindedly, with a hint of surprise.

"Mm." Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

The old Jianxian saw that the young man before him had no intention of explaining further, so he didn't press. Assuming it was some special technique that wasn't meant for discussion, he said, "This old one has already touched the threshold of the Sheng Dao. Rao Yaoyao couldn't probe deeply. Besides, under the interference of Sheng Li, she probably couldn't even muster the desire to pursue it."

Sheng Li interfering with people's thoughts?

Xu Xiaoshou had a sudden realization, recalling how he had been blocked by the Tian Dao in Bai Ku and couldn't find Yu Ling Di.

Even a perfected Dao realm Yu Ling Di could do something like that to him.

So, for Mei Siyi, who had touched the Sheng Dao threshold, to slightly influence Rao Yaoyao's thoughts in a non-combat situation and force her to retreat— that seemed reasonable.

"Among the Seven Jianxian, who else has touched the Sheng Dao?" Xu Xiaoshou pressed on.

Mei Siyi fanned himself with his folding fan and counted thoughtfully: "You Tu, Feng Ting Chen, and this old one... I suppose. But we're all from the older generation, so this achievement isn't anything special."

After a pause, he sighed with some emotion: "As for the younger generation, Hua Jianxian has already reached the Ban Sheng level, Wen Ting is just one step away, and the other two are still a bit short."

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow.

He had heard the rumors before and wasn't entirely sure, but now that it came from Mei Siyi's mouth, Hua Chang Deng reaching Ban Sheng was confirmed.

And there were rumors of another Dao hall master in Gui Zhe Sheng Shan whose name couldn't be spoken aloud. Adding this, that made two Ban Sheng figures.

Terrifying!

What was even more terrifying was that, to the people of the world, the "Ban Sheng" realm was almost unattainably distant.

Yet for the Seven Jianxian, it seemed like just a matter of time?

No wonder the title "Seven Jianxian" held such revered status on the continent.

It was equivalent to seven confirmed Ban Sheng figures!

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou thought of the figure he had glimpsed from afar in the Eight Palaces, sitting in a wheelchair and holding a bow and arrow, so he hesitated before speaking: "That disabled person sitting on Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, holding a bow and arrow..."

Mei Siyi took a moment to react, then laughed. "He's also a Ban Sheng."

"Hiss."

Xu Xiaoshou drew in a sharp breath. He hadn't been entirely sure before, but now it was confirmed.

Gui Zhe Sheng Shan had three Ban Sheng figures out in the open?

No wonder it was the continent's top power!

"Your way of putting it..." Mei Siyi shook his head, clearly exasperated by Xu Xiaoshou's description of the "bow-and-arrow-wielding disabled person."

"You can't speak a Sheng's name directly, right?" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled awkwardly.

But soon, he couldn't laugh anymore.

He remembered in the Tai Xu Illusion Realm, how he had boldly told Sang Lao something like, "Wait for me to ascend the Wang Zuo, and I'll dare to climb Gui Zhe Sheng Shan."

Now, thinking about it, the difficulty was as immense as scaling the heavens.

Xu Xiaoshou clicked his tongue, not willing to let go of this walking encyclopedia in front of him, and continued: "In the current world, besides those who've touched the Sheng Dao threshold or already entered the Ban Sheng realm, who else is there?"

Who else... Mei Siyi's mouth twitched, and he nearly smacked his folding fan down in annoyance. "The various hidden Ban Sheng forces across the Five Domains, passed down from ancient times, who don't enter the mortal world and aren't counted...

"The Gui Shou parasites on Kong Xu Island that contain Sheng Li, and those that have emerged and wandered the continent...

"Plus the current peak powers and those involved in the struggles for worldly authority...

"Do you want this old one to list them all out for you?"

Mei Siyi's brows furrowed, his expression turning stern.

"Uh!"

Xu Xiaoshou felt a shiver run down his spine.

Not counting them was one thing, but now that Mei Siyi mentioned it, he realized he had been thoroughly influenced by Sang Lao's perspective.

There was always a higher sky beyond!

These Ban Sheng figures— it seemed there were quite a few?

"Not many," Mei Siyi said, knowing what he was thinking, and sighed. "The ones this old one listed don't count, at least. For various reasons, they can't display Sheng Li on the continent, or they'd face Sheng Jie punishment, with extremely severe consequences."

Xu Xiaoshou sensed he'd hit on a key point: "What reasons?"

Mei Siyi shook his head and said nothing.

"Oh."

Xu Xiaoshou felt disappointed. Another secret he couldn't discuss... How frustrating.

"What consequences? Would they die?" he asked, thinking this at least should be answerable.

Mei Siyi shook his head: "They wouldn't die, but the price would be devastating— they could even fall out of the Sheng realm. Under the rules' power, achieving Sheng is equivalent to..."

He suddenly stopped.

"Equivalent to what?" Xu Xiaoshou pressed, his curiosity piqued by the old Jianxian's teasing.

Mei Siyi sighed: "Youthful spirit wanders the four directions, but a Ban Sheng confines himself to a corner— figure it out yourself!"

What did that mean?

Xu Xiaoshou nearly got lost in the twists and turns.

He understood the first half— in one's youth, full of vigor, traveling far and wide.

But the second half...

A Ban Sheng confining himself to a corner?

That was terrifying to think about!

Did that mean, after becoming a Ban Sheng, one couldn't freely walk the continent like a young person?

"Have you ever seen a Ban Sheng?" Mei Siyi asked with a smile.

"No..."

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head instinctively, then his pupils shrank as realization hit.

"Wait, is it really what I'm thinking?"

Mei Siyi explained playfully: "Ban Sheng battles could destroy the world, so they can't act recklessly."

I'm not a child anymore... Xu Xiaoshou screamed inwardly.

In the past, he might have found Mei Siyi's explanation reasonable.

But now, he saw these rules as illusions.

The continent explicitly forbade Wang Zuo from fighting, requiring them to battle in the air or open domains.

Yet, after the Wang Cheng night war, Xu Xiaoshou understood.

In the heat of battle, who cared about domains?

The quickest way to eliminate an enemy without causing destruction was the right path.

And yet, the continent still had these strange restrictions...

Xu Xiaoshou thought that if even Wang Zuo had limits, then Dao Zhan and Tai Xu's were even greater.

So, following that logic, a Ban Sheng confining himself made sense?

"Something's off."

Xu Xiaoshou felt like he was on the verge of grasping something if he thought deeper.

But he always felt just short, like there was one last barrier to the truth.

And yet, he couldn't pinpoint what that barrier was or where it lay.

"Don't bother thinking about it. You're only at Zong Shi level, and even Wang Zuo can interfere with your thoughts. Do you really think you can figure it out?" Mei Siyi picked up his teacup, shaking his head with a smile, and took a sip.

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill run through him.

But after the shock, he couldn't quite recall the great terror he had just sensed.

He had no choice but to let it go.

"Mr. Mei Siyi, what I want to ask is, excluding those who can't act, in the Five Domains, how many can truly be considered to have touched the Sheng Dao, or are Ban Sheng... are there many?"

Mei Siyi saw through the hidden meaning in the young man's words: "You're asking about the enemies you might face in the future, right?"

"Heh heh..." Xu Xiaoshou scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

The "you" that Mei Siyi referred to naturally included not just Xu Xiaoshou, but also the Sheng Nu.

Clearly, the old Jianxian, knowing his stance, understood what he was getting at.

"Actually, you already have the answer. Basically, it's just those you know..." Mei Siyi said, setting down his teacup and lightly tapping the rim with his fingers, sighing. "Of the world's Ban Sheng, eight or nine out of ten are in Sheng Shen Dian Tang and Sheng Gong. The remaining one or two are scattered outside, but they're all under watch, so they can't make a move."

Xu Xiaoshou fell silent upon hearing this.

By now, he fully understood that Sheng Shen Dian Tang and Sheng Gong were, on the surface, the only two powers of equal standing on the continent.

The former was the top power, focused on warfare and managing the world.

The latter was a training ground for Ban Sheng, mostly detached from worldly affairs— a pure academy.

The Ban Sheng on this continent might not be as few as the rumors suggested.

Or rather, the rumors couldn't even confirm if Ban Sheng truly existed.

But for most people— or rather, nearly all— the Ban Sheng level was something they could never touch.

So, in legends, Ban Sheng were the highest force in the world, like unseen gods— that was partly false.

But in a certain sense, it could also be true.

Xu Xiaoshou was different.

He felt trapped in a quagmire, having fallen into the Sheng Nu pit, and might one day face Ban Sheng-level opponents.

Yet, trying to learn more, even from Mr. Mei Siyi, seemed off-limits...

At that, Mei Siyi chuckled: "Don't borrow trouble. You're just a Zong Shi junior— why think so far ahead? Your mind... tsk tsk."

Xu Xiaoshou laughed too.

He thought, yeah, right!

He'd gotten ahead of himself. How could a Ban Sheng bother with someone like him?

Even when Rao Jianxian came to Tian Shang Di Yi Lou, it wasn't to find him, but just to visit a fellow Seven Jianxian, Mr. Mei Siyi.

He was worrying about nothing, like an anxious eunuch when the emperor wasn't.

Such concerns were probably for the Ba Zun An to handle.

Sang Lao was right— as a pawn, just play your role. Why bother with the player's worries? So self-important?

Along his journey, Xu Xiaoshou had seen every genius on this continent growing like protagonists in their own stories.

Whether young or middle-aged, the famous ones all had their legends.

He no longer dared to think he was special just because of his passive system.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Xu Xiaoshou's mind, and he looked up at the old man: "Mr. Mei Siyi, when did you master Sheng Li?"

Mei Siyi stared at the young man, and a smile spread across his face.

He had thought this boy, who shuttled between two identities in the Wang Cheng night war, was clever, and here he was, already probing deeper with a few questions.

Xu Xiaoshou grinned: "Mr. Mei Siyi must be a genius! Otherwise, how did you earn the Seven Jianxian title? And among the Seven Jianxian, the younger ones already have someone who's become Ban Sheng..."

"Stop." Mei Siyi waved his hand, clearly not wanting to discuss it further, and shook his head with a helpless smile.

Xu Xiaoshou quickly fell silent.

Gazing at Mei Siyi's warm, spring-like smile, for some reason, Xu Xiaoshou glimpsed the great terror hidden behind it.

After a long pause, Xu Xiaoshou asked: "On this continent, besides Sheng Shen Dian Tang and Sheng Gong, is there anyone who 'dares' to break through and become Ban Sheng?"

Mei Siyi's eyes narrowed slightly, and he laughed scoldingly: "Put away your little schemes. There's no such thing as 'dare' or 'not dare.'"

"Then, is there?"

"Yes."

"Who?" Xu Xiaoshou leaned forward eagerly.

Mei Siyi burst into laughter: "The boldest person on this vast land— You Tu!"

Xu Xiaoshou was startled.

The boldest person on this continent?

What kind of description was that?

You Tu... Xu Xiaoshou knew the name.

When the Seven Jianxian were first listed, there was no ranking of strength— just seven people.

At that time, they were all at Tai Xu level, none Ban Sheng.

Yet, one among them was always honored as the foremost of the Seven Jianxian, seemingly without basis— that was You Tu, the elder.

Xu Xiaoshou thought carefully.

As far as he knew, besides Sheng Shen Dian Tang, Sheng Gong, and certain Gui Shou, there wasn't even one person who had achieved Ban Sheng on their own.

Not even the Eighth Jianxian!

Only this one that Mei Siyi mentioned...

"You Tu?"

Xu Xiaoshou murmured absentmindedly, then quickly caught himself.

He realized that if the other had already become Ban Sheng, calling the name directly would be a grave disrespect— he might be detected and killed!

"It's fine. Everyone calls him that, and he doesn't mind." Mei Siyi waved it off.

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood. When people mentioned You Tu of the Seven Jianxian, they always used the full name, and nothing ever happened.

So, subconsciously, he had always thought You Tu was still just a Jianxian.

"Does that mean he's already a Jian Sheng..."

"He has been for a long time." Speaking of You Tu, admiration filled Mei Siyi's eyes.

Xu Xiaoshou watched all this and suddenly recalled what the old man had said earlier: "the boldest person on this continent."

So, he asked: "Are the legends about You Tu true or false?"

The legends said You Tu used seven swords to behead the previous master of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, forcing Dao Qiong Cang to hurriedly take the position.

At Tian Sang Ling Palace, the "White Cloud Sword Technique" that Xu Xiaoshou had studied for three years was derived from You Tu's "Xing Tian Seven Swords"— just a super-simplified spiritual skill version after dozens of reductions.

In the past, Xu Xiaoshou had dismissed these legends as mere stories.

Now, he realized how much truth they might hold.

Even if You Tu was Ban Sheng back then, Gui Zhe Sheng Shan probably had more than one, right?

And besides, the previous master of Sheng Shen Dian Tang couldn't have been...

Seven swords!

No chance to fight back, just ended like that?!

But Mei Siyi smiled: "It's true."

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts ground to a halt, and he stared in stunned silence: "Huh?"

Mei Siyi took another sip of tea and, like a wandering bard recounting a firsthand tale, said:

"That day, Ba Zun An emerged from the crossroads, spending three years to become a Jianxian. But with only seven Jianxian spots, in his youthful boldness, he challenged one outside Si Fu Tu City..."

Hua Chang Deng!

Xu Xiaoshou's breathing quickened: "And then?"

Mei Siyi: "Hua Jianxian had to respond, of course. The title of the strongest sword dao talent in Ba Zun An history wasn't for nothing. But when the duel began, just as everyone thought the Jianxian title would change hands, Ba Zun An's sword Qing Ju was shattered on the spot. Hua Jianxian ended the legend of the Eighth Jianxian with three swords."

That's it?

Xu Xiaoshou waited a while for more, his neck aching from anticipation. Is that all you're giving me?

What about the details?

Others might summarize briefly, but you just skipped everything?

Seeing Mei Siyi's silently amused expression, Xu Xiaoshou suddenly realized— oh, this couldn't be spoken of either?

Total silence on the matter?

Mei Siyi changed the subject.

"Ba Zun An was already under You Tu's wing by then."

"After that battle, You Tu achieved Sheng on the spot, went alone to Gui Zhe Sheng Shan, used seven swords to behead the previous master of Sheng Shen Dian Tang, and then vanished without a trace."

"Since then, he has never reentered the mortal world."