Chapter 1454: Prisoners of the Deep Web
Chapter 1454: Prisoners of the Deep Web
The part of the stone pillar that appeared to have vanished had not, in fact, been completely destroyed.
Instead, power from the Dao Net continually replenished it, like flesh regenerating. Yet, the corrosive force of the Limitless Star Tomb clung to it like a festering poison, refusing to dissipate.
This created an unnerving spectacle for the onlookers: a section of the massive pillar flickered rapidly between states of "existence" and "non-existence," taking on a shadowy, translucent appearance.
Qian Ruochang cautiously retrieved the pillar from the Limitless Star Tomb.
He then issued a directive to the new Immortal Hunt members, who had been watching the spectacle: "Construct a localized Dao Yuan array, isolated from the main Dao Net. It will serve as an incubator to cultivate the power of Annihilation."
The group stared back, momentarily stunned.
Clearly, a Dao Yuan directive of such complexity was beyond their capabilities. Since joining the Immortal Hunt, their time had been consumed by missions or forced leave; they had yet to receive any formal training.
But Qian Ruochang hadn't made a mistake.
A seven-colored halo of light, traveling via the Dao Net, shot across the void from Shuo Xinghai. It flared with brilliant light, enveloping the entire group.
Within the halo was a veritable ocean of Dao Yuan symbols. As if in response to Qian Ruochang's command, tens of millions of these symbols surged like a ferocious tide, crashing down upon the cultivators at its center.
The remaining Dao Yuan symbols abruptly faded into transparency, vanishing as if they had never existed at all.
Caught completely by surprise, the new recruits were drenched by this "tide" of information.
Not a single one of them was missed.
Simultaneously, the complete methodology for the [Dao Extrapolation] technique flooded their minds.
Dao Extrapolation: A technique to create a new, nascent domain at the very edge of the Dao Net. This domain functions as a miniature replica of the Dao Net itself; aside from its reduced scope and power, it is identical in every other way. All existing directives within the Dao Net are applicable within this new domain.
This nascent domain, when used for territorial expansion, can significantly reduce the cost of extending the Dao Net's reach into new regions.
Alternatively, it can be used to conduct experiments of an extremely hazardous nature, perfectly replicating the conditions within the main Dao Net without posing any threat to the network itself.
To guarantee the absolute security of the Dao Net, a newly created domain via Dao Extrapolation can only be integrated into the main network through the joint effort of the three chief councilors of the Administrative Council. Until then, the nascent domain remains in a state of absolute [ISOLATION].
...
Along with the directives came a wealth of information pertaining to these [Dao Extrapolation] domains.
Despite the unprecedented complexity of the directives, the strange halo of light allowed them to grasp everything instantly, completely bypassing the normal process of learning, memorization, and practice.
At Qian Ruochang's command, they worked in unison. As they constructed one directive after another, a nascent Dao Net domain was "created" into existence.
Though they had constructed this "mini Dao Net" with such ease, the new members of the Immortal Hunt could not comprehend the profound and mystical process behind it.
To them, it felt no different from their past experiences: they generated a directive, and the Dao Net provided the corresponding feedback.
Only Li Fan perceived a scene that was hidden from the others.
The very instant the [Dao Extrapolation] technique was executed, the entire Dao Net seemed to freeze. Then, its light appeared to dim.
This allowed the light from beyond the Dao Net—the light of the true Great Dao of Heaven and Earth—to pierce through its fabric.
It cast a projection: a shadow of the Dao Net itself.
"If the Dao Net is the tracing paper that overlays reality," Li Fan mused, "then the nascent domain we just created is its shadow, its projection."
The group remained enveloped within the peculiar halo of light.
The stone pillar, now suffused with the power of Annihilation, was cast into the nascent Dao Net.
The miniature Dao Net began to "feed" it a continuous stream of the Great Dao's laws.
The intangible power of Annihilation, in turn, was cultivated, growing stronger and more abundant.
Even from outside the domain, the cultivators felt a prickle of inexplicable dread.
Just then, the half-devoured stone pillar within the domain suddenly morphed into a colossal hand.
It began to manipulate the surrounding power of Annihilation.
Though the hand was constantly being corroded and dissolving, it was just as constantly being replenished by the power of the miniature Dao Net.
And so, after a long period of careful manipulation, the giant hand forged a sharp, black arrow.
Once the first Annihilation Arrow was forged, the scene within the domain shifted again, dividing into three distinct zones.
One for cultivating the power of Annihilation, a second for forging the black arrows, and a third for storing the finished weapons.
On the surface of each black arrow, a human face materialized.
They corresponded to the faces of the new Immortal Hunt members present!
"Are these... weapons for us?" Dao Yuan asked, his voice laced with astonishment.
Qian Ruochang smiled. "Not yet. When you have truly set your trap and your quarry is in the net, only then will they truly belong to you."
"The power of Annihilation is relentlessly corrosive," Qian Ruochang warned. "Without the constant support of the Dao Net, even I would be drained to dust in an instant. Therefore, you must *only* use these while connected to the Dao Net."
"Let's go."
With a final glance back at the boundless, deathly silent expanse of the Limitless Star Tomb, Qian Ruochang led the group away at high speed.
"This nascent domain will accompany us for the duration of this hunt. Whether the mission succeeds or fails, we must ensure the domain is dissipated afterward. We cannot allow the power of Annihilation to run rampant in the true Dao Net."
Leaving the dark necropolis behind and returning to the vibrant space of Shuo Xinghai, Qian Ruochang gestured to the halo still surrounding them.
"This halo is a failsafe," he explained. "If we are all wiped out, it will be responsible for recovering everything we leave behind."
A subtle, uneasy shift passed through the group's expressions upon hearing this.
"But with you leading us, Elder Qian, and with potent weapons like the Annihilation Arrows... not to mention we're operating within the Dao Net, on our home ground. Even if we were to fail, could we really be completely annihilated?" Jiang Yuming asked with a skeptical frown.
The faint, easy smile that had been on Qian Ruochang's face vanished. "The line between hunter and prey," he said coolly, "can be redrawn in the blink of an eye."
"Our chances of success may be high, but never forget that our opponent is a [True Immortal]."
"Furthermore, this is a True Immortal who has survived the ancient calamity and eluded the Immortal Hunt ever since..."
Qian Ruochang shot Jiang Yuming a cold, sharp glance.
Jiang Yuming instinctively lowered his gaze. "I stand corrected, Elder," he said quickly.
"Your understanding of True Immortals is far too shallow. Now, I'm going to take you somewhere you can truly get to know them."
"And while we're there, we'll find some suitable bait."
The light and shadows around the group began to shift and blur with incredible speed.
At this velocity, they could have traversed the entire Shuo Xinghai several times over, yet their journey seemed to stretch on endlessly, always forward into the unknown.
The vibrant light of their surroundings began to dim once more, fading into obscurity.
It did not vanish completely, but instead seemed to drift slowly above them, coalescing into points of light that hung overhead like distant, orbiting stars.
They were plunging ever deeper into an unknown realm.
"The place we are going," Qian Ruochang announced, "is the [Deep Web]. It is also where Shuo Xinghai keeps its immortal prisoners."
"The Deep Web, simply put, is the very core of the Dao Net." This was the entirety of Qian Ruochang's explanation; he seemed reluctant to elaborate further.
"The existence of the Deep Web is a closely guarded secret. The uninitiated are not even aware of it, much less granted access."
"Even I would not be permitted to enter and exit at will were it not for my duties related to this hunt."
As they continued their descent, countless tiny points of light flickered incessantly across the bodies of Qian Ruochang and the new recruits.
It was as if their very identities were being scanned and verified.
Finally, the last of the starlike motes of light above them vanished completely.
Their descent came to a halt.
They found themselves in what felt like a vast, dark cavern, surrounded on all sides by absolute nothingness.
Innumerable symbols surged into existence before Qian Ruochang.
A single thread of light suddenly cut through the darkness.
To its left and right, a series of rectangular frames materialized.
Each one resembled a cage, yet also a self-contained world.
The borders of these frames were unusually thick, as if designed to utterly isolate their contents from the outside world.
And within these frames...
...were figures, imprisoned.
Or rather, True Immortals.
Some were deep in slumber.
Others remained awake, their cold, murderous eyes constantly scanning their surroundings with vigilance. They drifted through the void within their cells, as if searching for some method of escape.
Still others had descended into utter madness, endlessly unleashing their immortal arts, bombarding everything and nothing. In their cages, there was nothing but themselves to strike.
All of these imprisoned True Immortals shared one common trait.
Their bodies were pierced by countless threads of various colors, which extended outward from their flesh and connected to the void beyond.
These threads didn't reach the "borders" of the cages, but instead simply vanished into the void partway.
It was obvious that the imprisoned True Immortals could not perceive these threads on their own bodies. Only Li Fan and the other observers could see them clearly.
"These... are the True Immortals?"
After the initial shock wore off, the profound reverence they held for True Immortals utterly evaporated.
After all, who could maintain such reverence after seeing the beings of legend and myth reduced to this state?
The sight was enough to shatter anyone's preconceptions.
"From the other side of these cages, you can't possibly appreciate the terror of a True Immortal," Qian Ruochang remarked.
"If I were to place you inside one for just a moment, you would quickly learn the meaning of [a True Immortal's might]," he added with a cold smirk, sensing the disdain growing in their hearts.
His gaze swept over the recruits, as if he were genuinely considering whom to select.
Horrified, the new members quickly composed themselves, adopting serious expressions and daring not to reveal any hint of their previous thoughts.
They turned their attention back to the prisoners, observing them with newfound gravity.
"Elder Qian, these True Immortals must have been imprisoned for a very long time. Why is it that they all still appear so vigorous and healthy?"
"There's no sign of the decay or weakness one would expect from a long confinement."
The question cut through the silence.
Qian Ruochang looked toward the speaker, Ma Tiande, and nodded in approval. "I'm impressed you were able to identify the core of the issue so quickly."
"You have a sharp eye."
"It's not because we provide them with sustenance after their capture," Qian Ruochang declared, his voice resonant. "It is because as True Immortals, their own energy is, by its very nature, infinite!"
Clearly, the fact that a True Immortal's power was limitless was not common knowledge.
Qian Ruochang's statement sent a wave of shock through the group; nearly all of them were stunned.
"Infinite? How is that possible?"
The very concept of infinity contradicted everything they had ever learned or known.
"A True Immortal's infinite spiritual power is drawn from an inscrutable domain known as the [Infinite Sea]."
"It exists beyond even the Great Dao, which is why not even the core power of the Dao Net can sever the connection between a True Immortal and the Infinite Sea."
"The ability to draw upon the power of the Infinite Sea at will—that is what makes a True Immortal truly terrifying."
Qian Ruochang pointed to one of the frames, indicating a man who sat cross-legged with his eyes perpetually closed.
"This immortal was among the first batch we ever captured. He has been imprisoned here for nearly fifty thousand years."
"Yet his will remains unshakable; he has not shown the slightest crack in his composure. These cages are anathema to the Dao, making it impossible to cultivate or advance one's realm. But this immortal, relying solely on internal enlightenment, has been silently increasing his strength over the millennia. I cannot even guess at the heights he has reached by now," Qian Ruochang said with a faint sigh.
His tone was a mixture of resignation and admiration.
"Then why not simply kill them all?" The question came from Jin Changyue, who had remained silent until now. Her voice was sharp, her killing intent and desire unconcealed.
"Heh..." Qian Ruochang did not answer, offering only an enigmatic smile.
Li Fan, however, noticed that as Qian Ruochang smiled, his eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward the multicolored threads piercing the True Immortal's body.
Recalling the four Nameless True Immortals who had been used as living anchors, a thought occurred to Li Fan. *Perhaps the very establishment and stability of the Dao Net itself are inextricably linked to these imprisoned True Immortals.*
Li Fan glanced around.
It was obvious that what he saw before him was not the full extent of the True Immortals imprisoned within the Dao Net.
In the unseen darkness beyond, who knew how many more of these "frames" existed.
"So you can't kill them, and you can't cut off their power supply..."
"And you just let them continue to cultivate like this? Won't they eventually find a way to escape these cages?" Dao Yuan asked, his brow deeply furrowed.
A flicker of apprehension and fear passed through the eyes of the other recruits.
"That is not your concern."
"Even if they were to advance another step, this prison is not one they can simply leave at will." Qian Ruochang seemed supremely confident in the strength of the cages.
"While I can't actually put you inside one of the cells, I can give you a more... tangible, personal sense of a True Immortal's power."
"Now, which one to choose..."
Qian Ruochang scanned the cells and finally selected an imprisoned True Immortal who appeared utterly harmless, lost in a perpetual, deep slumber.
With a light gesture, a cluster of multicolored threads materialized from the void before him.
They appeared to be connected to the prisoner's cage.
"Who would like to try?" Qian Ruochang asked, his gaze falling upon the recruits.
"I will," Dao Yuan volunteered, his voice full of confidence.
Qian Ruochang said nothing, simply connecting the multicolored threads to Dao Yuan.
The next moment...
...this prodigy of Shuo Xinghai began to tremble violently, completely unable to control the convulsions wracking his body.
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