Chapter 560: Jade Courtyard Dolls, Astonishing Speculation

Chapter 560: Jade Courtyard Dolls, Astonishing Speculation

"Xiaojie, quickly bring out all the delicious treats. I want to treat Xu Yan right!" Ming Yu instructed cheerfully.

"Yes, Sister Ming!" Xiaojie scurried off.

"Xu Yan, come, you can stay here with me. I'll make sure you're well taken care of!" Ming Yu led Xu Yan into the pavilion.

The pavilion, carved from exquisite jade, was aesthetically pleasing but somewhat monotonous.

However, Xu Yan didn't mind; he wasn't there to admire the scenery.

They had just sat down when Xiaojie arrived with a tray and carefully arranged the items on the table.

Xu Yan was bewildered by the sight before him.

Were these the delicacies that Ming Yu had mentioned?

Although the food varied in shape, everything on the table seemed to be made of jade, albeit with a more ethereal quality and an aura of special rules compared to ordinary jade.

"This is my favorite. Try it, Xu Yan," Ming Yu said, picking up a small bird-shaped jade piece and placing it on Xu Yan's plate. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if waiting for his praise.

"How do I eat this?" Xu Yan wondered silently.

He tossed the jade bird into his mouth, appearing to eat it, but instead, he used the rules of the heaven and earth to transfer it to the little world within the Primordial Turtle's Shell.

"How is it? Do you like it?" Ming Yu asked eagerly.

"This is my first time trying such unique and special food. It's fantastic!" Xu Yan replied with a smile.

"I knew you'd enjoy it, Xu Yan," Ming Yu said, delighted.

Xu Yan's attention was partly focused on the little world within the Primordial Turtle's Shell. To his surprise, the "food" he had ingested was melting, as if being digested.

Ming Yu also started eating, picking up a jade bird and biting into it. Her eyes narrowed with pleasure, clearly relishing the taste.

Xu Yan's mouth twitched. Since arriving in the Jade Courtyard, he had found everything increasingly bizarre.

Under Ming Yu's enthusiastic hospitality, the "delicacies" on the table were quickly devoured. Ming Yu enjoyed herself immensely, and Xu Yan expressed his satisfaction as well, stating that it was the first time in his life he had tasted such unique and delicious food.

Within the little world of the Primordial Turtle's Shell, the ingested "food" was melting, gradually turning into a cluster of ethereal energy that floated upwards, seemingly intending to merge with the rules of the small world within the shell.

Xu Yan prevented this cluster of ethereal energy from integrating with the rules of the small world. Instead, he isolated and analyzed it, curious if it would lead to an invasion if allowed to merge.

"This seems to be some kind of rule, a rule formed by ethereal energy. It can supplement or enhance certain rules, but the patterns and operating state are vastly different from anything I've encountered before," Xu Yan mused as he sensed the ethereal energy that resulted from the "food" melting. He concluded that it was a type of rule unlike any he knew.

Whether it was the rules of the Great Azure Martial Dao, the rules of the small world owners, or the rules of the Unchanging Divine Temple, they all differed significantly from what he was experiencing.

It's worth noting that, to a certain extent, one could usually find commonalities between the rules of the Great Azure Martial Dao and the Unchanging Divine Temple, despite their differences in cultivation.

After all, reaching such a level of cultivation meant that even if the refined rules varied, there would still be some shared aspects. However, the rules embodied in these "foods" were markedly different.

It was as if these rules weren't cultivated through personal practice but existed in another form within oneself.

Xu Yan slowly released the rule contained within the cluster of ethereal energy, allowing it to merge with the small world within the Primordial Turtle's Shell.

"The rules of the Primordial Turtle's Shell have been supplemented. It's almost like digesting food and making it a part of yourself," Xu Yan marveled.

He immediately integrated the entire cluster of ethereal energy into the rules of the Primordial Turtle's Shell, causing them to become more complete.

Although the Primordial Turtle had perished, its shell remained, and its small world had not collapsed. However, the turtle's rules had been damaged, leaving the shell's rules somewhat incomplete.

The "food," once digested, could compensate for these missing rules.

After the feast, Ming Yu took Xu Yan on a tour of her courtyard, introducing him to her small yard and showing him where he would stay.

"Ming Yu, may I ask if it's possible for me to pay my respects to the three seniors of the Jade Courtyard?" Xu Yan inquired after spending a day in Ming Yu's small courtyard.

"It seems like the three masters aren't here at the moment. I'll ask them about it when they return," Ming Yu replied, shaking her head.

"Thank you anyway," Xu Yan said, a little disappointed. He was curious about the three owners of the Jade Courtyard—their true nature and the extent of their power.

If they could make even the Unchanging Divine Master treat them with caution, their strength must surpass that of the Great Azure of old.

"Do these bamboo trees grow in the Jade Courtyard?

"Xu Yan, do you have that piece of Qingling Yuzhu?" He asked, taking it out.

One of his purposes for coming was to see if the master of the Qingling world was in the Jade Courtyard.

"I'll ask someone where the bamboo grows," Ming Yu offered.

After some thought, she instructed, "Xiaojie, entertain Xu Yan while I go look for the bamboo."

Following her instructions, Ming Yu set off to find the bamboo.

"Brother Xu Yan," Xiaojie greeted him cheerfully, seemingly delighted to have a guest in the small courtyard and to have made a new friend.

"Xiaojie, how about I teach you about array formations?" Xu Yan suggested with a thoughtful expression.

"Array formations? What are those?" Xiaojie asked curiously.

Xu Yan took out an array plate and activated it. Immediately, blades of wind and lightning appeared, followed by thick mist.

"This is an array formation," he explained.

Xiaojie instinctively activated her powers, entering a battle-ready state. She blinked, as if pondering something.

"I want to learn! Teach me, please!" she pleaded.

"Alright, Xiaojie. Let me explain the basics of array formations to you," Xu Yan said with a smile, taking out a piece of paper.

"Okay!" Xiaojie nodded, retracting her powers and widening her eyes with curiosity as she focused on the paper before her.

Xu Yan's fingers glided across the paper, and array patterns began to emerge, line by line. These were the most fundamental array patterns.

While Xu Yan's mastery of array formations wasn't as profound as Fang Hao's, he was still well-versed in the basics and could easily deploy them with a wave of his hand, except for some profound and unique formations.

After all, having cultivated the Sword Array, he had gained insight into various fundamental array formations, making it a effortless task for him.

"This is the Reversal Array, which can cause those who enter it to become disoriented, reversing their directions and attacks," Xu Yan explained as he drew the array patterns and elaborated on their functions.

Although Xiaojie's intellect wasn't as sharp as Ming Yu's, these abstruse array patterns were bound to stump her sooner or later.

And that was precisely Xu Yan's intention.

He wanted to test a hypothesis, and Xiaojie was the perfect subject—her weaker power and lower status as Ming Yu's handmaiden made her ideal.

Moreover, with his Little Heavenly Dao Eye, Xu Yan could perceive some clues about Xiaojie, although he couldn't discern her entirety.

Xiaojie listened intently, her eyes gleaming with silver light as they spun, as if her thoughts were spinning in circles due to the depth of her contemplation.

However, she soon snapped out of it, blinking as she said, "Brother Xu Yan, array formations are so complicated."

Xu Yan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully at her reaction. He observed that as long as one's soul wasn't affected, they would recover quickly from a mental block, and Xiaojie's simple mind seemed to make it even easier for her to bounce back.

It seemed that she simply deleted the incomprehensible parts from her thoughts and moved on.

Xu Yan reiterated the part that had stumped her earlier, and as expected, Xiaojie's mind froze once more.

"Xiaojie, try copying it. It'll be easier for you to understand that way," Xu Yan suggested, handing her a piece of paper after she recovered.

"I'll try," Xiaojie said excitedly, lifting her hand to copy the patterns. But after just one stroke, her mind froze again.

She blinked and tried again after recovering, only to hit another roadblock.

"This is so difficult!" Xiaojie pouted, intrigued by array formations but frustrated by their complexity.

"Here, let me guide you. Give me your hand," Xu Yan offered with a smile, reaching out his hand.

"Okay!" Xiaojie eagerly placed her hand in his.

Xu Yan held her hand gently. "For array patterns, you draw this stroke like so..." he instructed, demonstrating the strokes for her.

However, after just two strokes, Xiaojie entered a state of mental stagnation, resembling a frozen machine. Yet, with Xu Yan holding her hand, she made no resistance and seemed to have no consciousness, like a lifeless puppet.

Xu Yan carefully extended a wisp of the Heavenly Dao into Xiaojie's palm, using this connection as a bridge for his Little Heavenly Dao Eye to perceive the peculiarities of Xiaojie's powers.

Rules and laws enveloped Xiaojie's body, forming a unique mode of operation, even extending to her consciousness, which also seemed to be formed by a certain rule and operating in a fixed pattern.

When faced with a problem that was too profound, exceeding the scope of her rule-generated thoughts, her mind would freeze, requiring time to unblock before it could function again.

"So it's true!" Xu Yan exclaimed inwardly, his heart pounding with excitement as his hypothesis was proven correct.

"No wonder these rules are so unique. If I can comprehend them, it will greatly benefit my Heavenly Dao and bring me closer to achieving the Great Dao Manifestation realm," he thought, his heart pounding with anticipation. The Jade Courtyard could be the key to his rapid breakthrough.

However, the prerequisite was having the opportunity to study these rules further.

"Who exactly are the three masters of the Jade Courtyard? Are they also jade beings? If so, who is the true creator of the Jade Courtyard?" Xu Yan's curiosity and awe grew by the moment.

Upon meeting Ming Yu, Xu Yan had felt that there was something peculiar about her, especially when she was deep in thought; she gave off a dull impression.

As he got to know her better, especially after exchanging his array formations for her rules, Xu Yan's suspicion grew that Ming Yu was not a true living being.

Now, as he stood in the Jade Courtyard, surrounded by the jade figures, that suspicion intensified, and his initial guess seemed to be confirmed.

Dolls!

Both Ming Yu and Xiao Jie were, in fact, a type of doll—or more specifically, jade dolls!

Their bodies were crafted from a mysterious and unknown type of jade, sculpted with intricate detail.

Every jade figure in the Jade Courtyard was a doll, each possessing a certain degree of independent consciousness and thought.

Though they were dolls, they differed greatly from the typical understanding of what a doll should be.

This was what left Xu Yan in awe—a doll with such formidable power and a degree of autonomous thought and consciousness was simply unimaginable.

Each jade figure was governed by a unique doll rule, and even their thought processes were formed by a distinct doll rule.

These doll rules were exceptionally peculiar and profound, allowing the jade figures to behave just like sentient beings, especially in combat, where they showed no signs of being mere dolls.

"The puppets crafted by my fourth junior brother can fight, but they don't possess true intelligence or thought, and they rely on spirit crystals for their combat strength. In contrast, these jade figures fight like true warriors, needing no external power source..."

The key to the jade figures' capabilities lay in these doll rules—a special and bizarre set of rules that endowed them with such extraordinary abilities.

Moreover, it was difficult to refine puppets that surpassed the Realm Lord level, unless one could impart puppet rules to them, which was beyond Fang Hao's current abilities.

"There's something very off about these dolls. They don't seem to be crafted in the usual sense, and their doll rules are highly unusual. Calling them dolls doesn't quite fit."

Xu Yan released Xiao Jie's hand and fell into deep contemplation.

The Jade Courtyard was truly bizarre and, more importantly, terrifying.

If the three masters of the Jade Courtyard were also jade figures, then who was the creator behind all of this, and just how formidable were they?

"Is there something special about Ming Yu among these jade dolls that grants her such a high status?"

Xu Yan thought about Ming Yu's position within the Jade Courtyard.

Her strength wasn't particularly remarkable compared to the Heaven and Earth-level jade figures, yet her status far exceeded theirs.

It seemed that aside from the three masters of the Jade Courtyard, Ming Yu held the highest position.

"Ming Yu seems more human-like than the other jade figures, possessing human-like intelligence and thought processes. Moreover, her strength can be improved over time. Could she be a type of cultivatable jade doll?"

Xu Yan pondered this possibility.

"Brother Xu Yan?"

Xiao Jie had recovered from her daze, blinking her eyes in confusion.

"Xiao Jie, array formations are quite profound, and it might take some time for you to fully understand them. I'll have to teach you slowly, step by step, so don't try to rush it," Xu Yan said with a smile.

Even though they were jade dolls, they possessed a certain level of thought, generated by the doll rules. Xu Yan could gradually unravel the intricacies of these doll rules, understanding how their thought processes were formed.

"Okay, Brother Xu Yan!"

Xiao Jie nodded, a happy expression on her face.

"Xiao Jie, let's play a game of chess. I'll teach you," Xu Yan suggested, taking out a chessboard.

"Chess?"

Xiao Jie blinked in curiosity.

"Yes, it's a fun game," Xu Yan said as he began to teach her the basics of the game.

"In the grand scheme of creation, all things are given life. Could the jade figures' intelligence and thought be a result of some kind of creative force? The creator of the Jade Courtyard must possess strength comparable to the Transformation Realm!"

Xu Yan's mind raced with possibilities.

Though the jade figures were dolls, they had transcended the limitations of typical dolls, achieving a level of independence. The Heaven and Earth-level jade figures operated with their own set of rules, akin to having their own path.

Only someone with strength comparable to the Transformation Realm could bestow such rules upon the jade dolls.

"The paths of martial arts may differ, but they ultimately lead to the same destination—the path of the Dao. All things exist within the Great Dao..."

The creator of the Jade Courtyard must have gained insight into the Great Dao, at least to the level comparable to the Transformation Realm!

"If my fourth junior brother breaks through to the Transformation Realm, he should be able to craft similar puppets, imparting them with a certain level of consciousness and intelligence."

However, if the three masters of the Jade Courtyard were also jade figures, and their strength surpassed the Heaven and Earth-level, then the creator of the Jade Courtyard must be even more formidable than a Transformation Realm expert. Could they be comparable to the Primal Chaos Realm, or perhaps they had already achieved the Path of Dao?

This thought caused Xu Yan's heart to tremble with anticipation. Could he have the opportunity to meet a second Path of Dao practitioner, aside from his master?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end