Chapter 1899: The Origin of the Power of the Ancient Sages

"Exactly!" Yan Qing, the Ancient Sage, did not deny it but nodded. "When Master Kong discovered the Kunxu Realm, it was just an ordinary passage. This power was not strong either. Humans who absorbed it would surely die, but the alien spirit race might survive and become even stronger! That is how a figure as extraordinary as Henren came to be!"

"To prevent the complete annihilation of humanity, Ziyuan, the Ancient Sage, voluntarily sealed it with his life, giving rise to this suspended-coffin heaven-mending formation!"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. He looked again and asked with a tone of inquiry, "Then what about the Green Sprout Wheat and the physique of ordinary people..."

Knowing what he wanted to ask, Yan Qing, the Ancient Sage, said, "Through research, Master Kong discovered that there was only one way to refine this aura without dying: having an innately strong physique. But altering the human physique is a long-term process that cannot be accomplished overnight. Zichi, the Ancient Sage, and his descendants, after countless years of research, finally cultivated the Green Sprout Wheat. After consuming this plant, one's physique continuously strengthens. After tens of thousands of years of nourishment, the human body has indeed undergone a qualitative leap, but it still falls short of the alien spirit race! They still cannot absorb it directly!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The things he had not understood before were now all clear.

No wonder the Hundred Schools of Thought had to stay in this Kunxu Realm and not come out. They were guarding the seal with their lives, preventing the mercury-like power from leaking out.

At the same time, they cultivated stronger humans to adapt to this power, allowing humanity to go further.

Like the Master Teacher Hall, although the methods differed, the purpose was the same... for the human race!

Yan Qing, the Ancient Sage, continued, "This is only a small world with limited resources. Moreover, as the human physique continuously strengthens, the demand for spiritual energy and treasures also increases significantly. So... not everyone is qualified to cultivate! Only true geniuses can go further and further."

The Kunxu Realm, in order to sustain the Green Sprout Wheat, could not communicate with the Master Teacher Continent. Therefore, even though this small world was vast, over time, as more and more cultivators emerged, the power would still wither.

It was like a sealed greenhouse. Even if it were several kilometers in diameter, no matter how many plants were grown, it could not achieve self-sufficiency without external power.

In his previous life, scientists had specifically conducted experiments, building a huge greenhouse, planting various plants, and raising countless animals. Yet within less than a year, the ecosystem completely collapsed.

The same was true for the Kunxu Realm. Although its territory was vast, spanning over a million kilometers, it was still just a small world. Ordinary people reaching adulthood possessed the strength of the Grandmaster realm, which placed a tremendous drain on the entire world. Therefore, the number of cultivators had to be curbed.

Otherwise, before humanity could adapt to the mercury-like spiritual energy, this world might collapse first.

"In fact, it's not just the Kunxu Realm. The same goes for the Master Teacher Continent. As more and more powerful individuals emerge, it will eventually be unable to bear the burden..." Yan Qing, the Ancient Sage, continued.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Every place and environment has an unbearable critical point.

Humans absorb spiritual energy from the environment to cultivate, much like lice on a cow. One or two, or even hundreds, are nothing... but tens of thousands, or hundreds of millions?

No matter how strong the cow, it would die from that.

The Kunxu Realm faced this very problem. Hence, it strictly controlled techniques and resources, allowing only truly exceptional geniuses to continue cultivating.

Without such restrictions, not only would the human race fail to grow stronger, but the ecosystem might collapse first, and the world would be finished.

"So... could it be that the Master Teacher Continent cannot produce Ancient Sages for this very reason?"

Understanding this, Zhang Xuan suddenly spoke.

Whether it was the Master Teacher Continent or this Kunxu Realm, ten thousand years ago, it was no longer possible to give birth to an Ancient Sage. Could it also be because of this?

"That's one reason, but it's not that significant!"

Shaking his head, seeing Zhang Xuan's confusion, Yan Qing Ancient Sage explained: "To break through to Ancient Sage, one must possess Ancient Sage power! And Ancient Sage power, whether in the Master Teacher Continent or the Kunxu Realm, cannot arise on its own... It is a special power exclusive to the heavens! With the mercury-like spiritual energy sealed, this power cannot enter the continent. As it is absorbed and diminishes, eventually there is none left, and thus no more Ancient Sages can be born!"

"Ancient Sage power is hidden within the mercury-like spiritual energy?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

On the high platform, he had absorbed a trace of it. As soon as it entered his body, it became extremely heavy, nearly shattering his meridians. He then sealed his acupoints, not daring to absorb any more.

There was Ancient Sage power here?

Pointing a finger, he couldn't help but absorb another trace.

This power was still heavy. After examining it for a moment, he indeed sensed a faint trace of Ancient Sage power within it.

Although it was very little, if absorbed in large quantities, accumulated over time, it could still allow one to break through the final shackles and become the strongest expert on the continent.

However...

This power was simply too strong. Even he could not absorb it, let alone others.

"If we do not seal the power that descends from the heavens, humanity will perish, and the alien spirit race will grow ever stronger... Sealing it means, at most, no ancient sages will appear. The choice is clear—no need for further words!"

Yan Qing, the ancient sage, gave a bitter smile.

Zhang Xuan was speechless.

Humanity desired more ancient sages, but failing to resolve the mercury-like power would only benefit the alien spirit race. Once the seal was abandoned, not only would the 'gods' come, but humanity would also be wiped out.

"Are the alien spirits truly descendants of the divine race, as the legends say?"

Puzzled, Zhang Xuan asked again.

The alien spirits could absorb this power, but they could not—was it merely a matter of physique?

"I'm not sure either. Back then, Master Kong once said that the alien spirits seem to be a banished divine race! Because the spiritual energy in the Master Teacher Continent is too weak, they became what they are now. If given purer spiritual energy to absorb, they would immediately revert to their original state and grow even stronger!"

Saying this, Yan Qing looked at the two young men before him, his smile full of bitterness: "That's exactly what happened to them! When we captured them, they were ordinary alien spirits, nothing special. But after absorbing the heavenly mercury spiritual energy, they transformed into this state in less than ten years, becoming so powerful! They even surpassed human ascetics, and their appearances became indistinguishable from normal humans..."

Humans, after decades or centuries of arduous cultivation, coupled with exceptional talent, could only achieve such strength. Yet these others, merely by absorbing the mercury spiritual energy without dying and cultivating steadily, could reach the same level...

Comparing people only brings frustration.

"Since behind the seal, 'gods' can pass through, and it leaks the heavens' unique mercury spiritual energy, could it be... that behind the seal lies the heavens themselves? If we break through, can we enter another world?"

His heart stirred, suppressing his excitement, Zhang Xuan looked over.