I Am Loaded with Passive Skills

"When encountering a breakthrough, reinforce the prison-seal constraint."

"When facing another breakthrough, once again fortify the prison-seal constraint."

"Cycle after cycle, those who externalize and refine Technique Seed Restraint stagnate in realm advancement for years."

"Within, the body bears the ever-growing burden, and as the limit is reached, the power becomes uncontainable. Externalization becomes mandatory, leading to the sacrifice of limbs—Ai Cangsheng chose his 'legs.'"

At this point, Xu Xiaoshou felt a tingling numbness spread across his scalp.

So, it wasn't some chronic leg ailment, nor was it a disability...

It was simply that the intrinsic power within was too overwhelming, too explosive, leaving no choice but to sink it into his legs, necessitating the use of a wheelchair for mobility in daily life.

Was this why Lord Cang Sheng had carried the image of a "disabled ruler" for nearly thirty years?

"'Technique·Technique Seed Restraint' represents power being internalized and contained within the body."

"'Forbidden·Technique Seed Restraint·Unsealing' allows external manifestation of power, dissolving its bodily containment—capable of multi-stage unsealing."

"In the early days of the Ten High Nobles, the Technique Seed Restraint of Ai Cangsheng was still bodily contained, allowing normal movement. During that time, he could at most achieve 'Third Rank Unsealing.'

"Unsealing refers to releasing the power accumulated within the Technique Seed Restraint, unleashing tremendous, incalculable strength in a short span."

Incalculable strength...

This was terminology from Hallmaster Dao Qiongcang!

Xu Xiaoshou felt a heavy weight settle in his chest as he continued reading.

At the conclusion of the "Technique Seed Restraint" documentation, he noticed Hallmaster Dao Qiongcang had thoughtfully provided an evaluation:

"'Forbidden·Technique Seed Restraint·Multi-stage Unsealing'—I speculate that in his present state, he could achieve at least Six-stage Unsealing. This is precisely why The Divine was only willing to engage him in battle within the Divine Relics."

"Because on the Shengshen Continent, restricted by its rules, The Divine is unable to utilize Four Sacrifice, tap into the Three Realms, or perform acupoint stimulation for greater augmentation."

"Yet the power of 'Third Rank Unsealing' alone cannot overcome the 'Six Paths,' forcing The Divine to bind themselves within the constraints of the City of the Dead Bodhisattva and the laws of Cross Corner Street."

Was the vast scope of ancient martial arts ironically limiting The Divine's combat effectiveness?

Because the unsealing of Technique Seed Restraint could be divided into smaller, segmented releases, did this mean that, as long as the battlefield was on Shengshen Continent, Ai Cangsheng had a slight advantage over The Divine—unless The Divine found a particular "battlefield" to gain the upper hand?

And yet, even with such capabilities, the combat evaluations of these two were still slightly inferior to Kui Leihan and Bazhun'an?

Xu Xiaoshou found himself momentarily unsure of how to assess these combat-type Ten High Nobles.

Indeed, from this perspective, Hallmaster Dao Qiongcang seemed to be exceptionally poor at warfare...

And this was only the Middle Three Changes!

Harboring tumultuous emotions, Xu Xiaoshou pressed on to study the battle analysis. However, the later entries became particularly succinct:

"The Upper Three Changes is an entirely different matter—price to be negotiated in person."

"Oh, my dear Xu, don't forget that you recently dealt me a heavy blow, yet here I am still so generous to you. I must be benevolence incarnate, don't you think?"

Damn it!

Xu Xiaoshou ground his teeth in frustration, wanting nothing more than to call down another divine descent on that flamboyant Elder Dao. Truly, that rascal knew only how to keep others on edge!

But even with the limited information provided...

Xu Xiaoshou realized that, at his current level of progress, he might indeed have reached a point where he could contend with the Ten High Nobles on certain fronts.

If he seized the initiative, he might even pose a threat to the lives of a few among them.

But to fully match them in every aspect? That still seemed up for discussion.

After all, any combat-type member of the Ten High Nobles, as long as they survived his initial assault, would surely be capable of delivering a deadly counterattack before their final breath.

With this in mind, Xu Xiaoshou turned his perspective back to Ai Cangsheng and realized, to his horror, that even during their time in the Divine Relics, Sui Yin must have been aware of Ai Cangsheng's existence.

But perhaps, unless absolutely necessary, in its freshly awakened state, it dared not use Ai Cangsheng as a focal point to descend upon the Shengshen Continent?

In simpler terms, even Sui Yin hesitated to leverage Ai Cangsheng?

Then...

Xu Xiaoshou exited the "briefing" and returned his focus to the main battlefield, his expression grim.

Under the torrents of arrow rain, the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, though undying, had been suppressed to the point where even a single technique could no longer be cast.

If Ai Cangsheng made another move, could the Five Decays of Heaven and Man truly resist?

Even as such thoughts flitted through his mind, he saw the wheelchair-bound Lord Cang Sheng slowly releasing his grip on the Evil Sin Bow and beginning to form seals.

Xu Xiaoshou could feel the situation spiraling into the extreme.

The presence of the Blood World Pearl seemed to have genuinely unhinged far too many people, pushing everyone to irrational extremes.

Sure enough, moments later, Ai Cangsheng began uttering words that sent chills down everyone's spine:

"Forbidden·Technique Seed Restraint..."

...

"Ai Cangsheng!"

Before Xu Xiaoshou could react, Zhong Yuanzi, who was even more concerned with the presence of the Blood World Pearl, shouted in alarm:

"Have you lost your mind?"

"It's just one Five Decays of Heaven and Man—what are you doing? Are you trying to destroy the entire Sacred Mountain Gui Zhe?"

The demi-saints of the Head-up and Chest-out Faction gathered on the plaza could only stare in shock, feeling as though they were seeing a new side of Zhong Yuanzi.

Just moments ago, this man had been cowering behind Fang Wenxin, but now he jumped forward and positioned himself between Ai Cangsheng and the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

He spread his arms wide, his face full of fury, as if he were some external member of Yama who had suddenly decided to turn traitor, determined to protect the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

"What's going on, internal strife?"

"Or could this be... Lord Shou secretly pulling the strings?"

Even Feng Zhongzui looked utterly dumbfounded, his voice lowering as he narrated the scene.

He knew nothing of Technique Seed Restraint. From his perspective, as well as that of the five regions, even if Lord Cang Sheng was forming seals, the intent could only be to use some technique targeting the Immortal Body of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man.

Perhaps suppression, perhaps sealing...

In any case, the "Forbidden Arrow Rain" had suppressed the Immortal Body's revival, pinning down the Five Decays' spirit and willpower.

Not pressing the advantage now would mean allowing a golden opportunity to slip away.

Few could comprehend Zhong Yuanzi's actions.

But undeniably, his intervention successfully stalled Ai Cangsheng—if only for a momentary pause.