Chapter 1446: Deep Web Immortal Captives

The seemingly vanished part of the stone pillar had not completely dissipated. Instead, power from the Dao Web continuously replenished it, like flesh regenerating. However, the flesh-devouring power within the Myriad Star Graveyard clung to it stubbornly, like a gangrene, refusing to dissipate.

Thus, an extremely bizarre scene appeared before everyone: a section of the giant pillar rapidly alternated between states of "existence" and "non-existence," appearing as a shadowy, transparent form.

Qian Ruochang carefully retrieved the pillar from the Myriad Star Graveyard.

At the same time, he issued an order to the new Immortal Hunters who were observing: "Create a local Dao Essence Array isolated from the Dao Web to serve as a breeding ground for World-Ending Power."

Upon hearing this, everyone collectively froze.

Clearly, a Dao Essence instruction of this complexity was beyond their capabilities. After all, since joining the Immortal Hunters, they had either been on missions or forced vacations and hadn't received any formal training yet.

Fortunately, Qian Ruochang wasn't confused. Before he even finished speaking, waves of fluctuation emanated from the void beyond the Myriad Star Graveyard.

A seven-colored aura, utilizing the Dao Web, rapidly traveled from the Soaring Star Sea. It shone brightly, enveloping everyone.

Inside the aura was an ocean composed entirely of Dao Essence symbols. As if echoing Qian Ruochang's previous words, tens of millions of these symbols surged like a powerful tide towards the people in the center. The other Dao Essence symbols, however, suddenly faded into transparency, as if they had never existed.

Caught off guard, everyone was drenched by this "tide," each person receiving an equal share.

At the same time, the methods for performing the Dao Beyond Dao Transformation Art appeared in everyone's minds.

**Dao Beyond Dao Transformation:** This art involves establishing a new Dao Web domain at the boundary of the existing Dao Web. This domain resembles a miniature version of the Dao Web; except for reduced coverage and power, everything else is the same as the main Dao Web, and all its existing instructions are applicable within it.This new domain can be used for:* Territorial expansion, greatly reducing the cost for the Dao Web to establish new covered areas.* Conducting extremely dangerous experiments under conditions identical to those within the Dao Web, without threatening the Dao Web itself.To ensure the absolute safety of the Dao Web, these newly established Dao Beyond Dao Transformation areas can only be connected to the main Dao Web if the three chiefs of the Governance Council work together. Until then, the new domain will remain in absolute isolation.

Along with the instructions came a wealth of information regarding Dao Beyond Dao Transformation areas.

Even though the complexity of the instructions was rarely seen in their lives, under the illumination of the strange aura, everyone grasped it immediately, understanding it perfectly. There was no actual process of learning, memorizing, or mastering the procedures.

Under Qian Ruochang's command, everyone worked together. As instructions were constructed one after another, a new Dao Web domain was thus "created."

Although the "mini Dao Web" was constructed with such ease, this group of new Immortal Hunters could not comprehend the incredibly profound process. They simply felt it was like before: instructions were generated, and the Dao Web provided all the feedback.

Only Li Fan witnessed a scene that others could not see.

The moment the Dao Beyond Dao Transformation Art was cast, the entire Dao Web seemed to enter a state of stillness and then dim. This allowed light from beyond the Dao Web—from the true Great Dao of Heaven and Earth—to pass through, projecting the Dao Web's shadow.

"If the Dao Web is like tracing paper covering something, then the new domain we just created is its projection."

Everyone remained enveloped in the strange aura.

The stone pillar, imbued with World-Ending Power, was cast into the new Dao Web.

As the mini Dao Web continuously "fed" it with the Great Dao's laws, the invisible World-Ending Power was cultivated more and more.

Even from outside the domain, everyone inexplicably felt a surge of unease.

Just then, the stone pillar within the domain, which had been nearly consumed and only half-remained, suddenly transformed into a giant hand. It began manipulating the surrounding World-Ending Power.

Although the giant hand was constantly being corroded and disappearing, it was also being replenished by the power of the mini Dao Web. Therefore, after extended manipulation, a black, sharp arrow was forged by this giant hand.

Once the first World-Ending Black Arrow was forged, the scene within the domain suddenly changed again. It divided into three distinct areas.

One was for cultivating World-Ending Power, another for forging black arrows, and the third for storing them.

On each black arrow, a human face emerged.

And these faces corresponded exactly to the new Immortal Hunters present!

"Is this a weapon for us?" Dao Yuan asked, quite surprised.

Qian Ruochang smiled: "Not yet. Only when you've truly set up the trap and an immortal enters the net will it truly belong to you."

"World-Ending Power, upon contact, will constantly erode. Without the support of Dao Web power, even I would instantly be drained into dust. Therefore, you must only use it while connected to the Dao Web."

"Let's go!"

Qian Ruochang looked back once more at the boundless, desolate Myriad Star Graveyard, then swept away with the others.

"This new domain will accompany us throughout this immortal-hunting process. Regardless of whether the mission succeeds or fails, we must dissipate this domain to prevent World-Ending Power from rampaging within the true Dao Web."

Moving away from the dark graveyard, they returned to the vibrant lands of the Soaring Star Sea. Pointing to the aura around them, Qian Ruochang said:

"This aura is here to prevent accidents. If we are completely wiped out, it will be responsible for recovering all our remaining assets."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions became somewhat subtle.

"With you, Boss Qian, leading us, and the World-Ending Black Arrows as such potent weapons, plus operating within the Dao Web on home ground, even if we lose, can we really be completely wiped out?" Jiang Yuming asked with a frown, somewhat disbelieving.

The faint smile that had always been on Qian Ruochang's face immediately vanished: "The roles of hunter and hunted can be swapped in an instant. Although our chances of winning are high, our opponent is an immortal after all. And a True Immortal who has survived ancient catastrophes and Immortal Hunter pursuits until now..."

Qian Ruochang gave Jiang Yuming a cold glance.

Jiang Yuming involuntarily lowered his head and repeatedly said, "This junior has been taught a valuable lesson."

"Your understanding of immortals is still too limited. Next, I will take you to truly understand True Immortals. And find a suitable lure while we're at it."

The light and shadows around everyone rapidly changed.

At this speed, they could have crossed the Soaring Star Sea several times over. Yet for some reason, they continued forward without end.

The vibrant light that had surrounded them became dim again.

It didn't disappear but seemed to slowly drift above them, circling and hanging overhead like stars.

They were continuously delving deeper into the unknown.

"Where we are going is where the Deep Web resides. The place where the Soaring Star Sea imprisons various immortals is also there."

"The Deep Web is the core depth of the Dao Web." Qian Ruochang offered only this simple introduction, seeming unwilling to say much more.

"The Deep Web is a top secret. Ordinary people don't know of its existence, let alone have the fortune to enter it."

"Even I, if not for this duty to hunt True Immortals, cannot freely enter or exit."

As they descended, countless tiny specks of light continuously flickered on Qian Ruochang and the new Immortal Hunters, seemingly verifying their identities.

When the vibrant stars overhead completely vanished, their movement finally ceased.

They seemed to have arrived in a vast, dark cavern, surrounded by nothingness.

Before Qian Ruochang, countless symbols seemed to surge simultaneously.

A single thread of light suddenly illuminated the darkness.

To the left and right of the thread, one square after another was distributed.

Like cages, yet also like worlds.

The borders of these squares were unusually thick, as if vowing to completely isolate whatever was confined within from the outside world.

And within these squares...

What was imprisoned were unmistakably individuals!

Or rather, Immortals!

Some were in a state of slumber.

Others remained awake, their cold, murderous eyes constantly scanning their surroundings warily. They darted through the void, seemingly searching for a way to escape.

Still others were in a state of complete madness, continuously casting immortal arts and bombarding everything in existence, even though there was nothing else in their cages besides themselves.

All these imprisoned True Immortals shared one common trait.

That was, their bodies were riddled with threads of various colors, which extended from them and connected to the outside world.

But they did not touch the "boundaries" of the cages; instead, they vanished directly into the void midway.

Clearly, these imprisoned True Immortals could not see the existence of these threads on their bodies; only Li Fan and the other observers could see them clearly.

"These... are Immortals?"

After the initial shock, the awe everyone felt for immortals completely dissipated.

After all, anyone seeing True Immortals—who had previously only existed in legends and imagination—appear like this in reality would probably have a drastic change in attitude.

"Of course, from behind the immortal cages, you cannot truly grasp the terror of True Immortals," Qian Ruochang said with a cold laugh, discerning the contempt rising in their hearts. "If I were to put you in there to experience it, you would know what true immortal might is."

His gaze then swept over everyone, as if he were truly about to select someone.

Everyone was inwardly alarmed and immediately composed themselves, observing seriously and daring not to show any unusual expressions.

Instead, they began to observe with great solemnity.

"Boss Qian, these True Immortals must have been imprisoned for a very long time, right? Why do they all still look so energetic and healthy, with no signs of the decadence or weakness that comes from long-term imprisonment?"

In the profound silence, someone suddenly spoke up and asked.

Qian Ruochang looked towards the questioner, Ma Tiande, and couldn't help but nod in admiration: "I didn't expect you to grasp the core of the problem so quickly. You are very good!"

"It's not that we provide energy replenishment for these True Immortals after imprisoning them. Rather, as True Immortals, their own energy is inherently inexhaustible!" Qian Ruochang stated firmly.

Clearly, not everyone was aware of the infinite nature of True Immortal power.

As soon as Qian Ruochang said this, eight or nine out of ten people were greatly astonished.

"Infinite? How is that possible?"

Clearly, the concept of infinity completely contradicted everything they had learned and known since childhood.

"The True Immortals' infinite Immortal Spirit Power originates from an immeasurable region called the Infinite Sea. It even exists beyond the Great Dao, which is why even the core power of the Dao Web cannot sever the connection between True Immortals and the Infinite Sea."

"Being able to freely call upon the power of the Infinite Sea—that is the truly terrifying aspect of True Immortals."

Qian Ruochang pointed to a man who was always sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed within one of the squares.

"This immortal was among the very first we captured. He has been imprisoned for nearly fifty thousand years."

"Yet he remains steadfast in mind, showing no flaws. Although these cages are places cut off from the Dao, where one cannot cultivate or improve one's realm, this immortal, solely through inner comprehension, has been silently increasing his strength over the years. Now, it is unknown what level he has reached." Qian Ruochang sighed faintly, his tone holding both helplessness and admiration.

"Why not just kill them all!" Jin Changyue, who had mostly remained silent, suddenly spoke, her killing intent and eagerness undisguised.

"Hehe..." Qian Ruochang did not answer, merely letting out a cryptic laugh.

Li Fan, however, noticed that as Qian Ruochang laughed, his eyes inadvertently glanced at the various colored threads impaled in the True Immortals.

Recalling the four nameless True Immortals used as living stakes, Li Fan mused: "Perhaps the establishment and stability of the Dao Web are inextricably linked to these imprisoned True Immortals."

Li Fan turned his head to look around.

Clearly, what he saw before him at this moment was by no means the entirety of True Immortals imprisoned within the Dao Web.

In the unseen darkness, there were countless more "squares" whose existence was unknown.

"We can't kill them. And we can't cut off their energy supply..."

"So we just let them cultivate like this? What if one day they manage to escape from these cages?" Dao Yuan's brow furrowed.

A trace of worry and fear also flashed in the eyes of the others.

The True Immortals had been hunted and captured one by one, in succession.

If so many imprisoned True Immortals were to lose control simultaneously...

That would be a truly unimaginable and terrifying scene.

"You don't need to worry about that. Even if they advance further, the Deep Web's prison is not something they can just leave at will." Qian Ruochang was very confident about the cages' robustness.

"Although I cannot truly put you in there, I can allow you to more concretely and personally experience the might of a True Immortal."

"Who should I choose..."

Qian Ruochang looked around and finally chose an imprisoned True Immortal who appeared to be completely harmless, merely sleeping soundly all day.

With a gentle wave of his hand, various colorful threads materialized before Qian Ruochang, seemingly connecting to something within the cage.

"Who wants to try?" Qian Ruochang looked at everyone.

"Me," Dao Yuan said confidently.

Qian Ruochang said nothing, merely silently connected the various colored threads to Dao Yuan's body.

The next moment...

This prodigy of the Soaring Star Sea began to tremble violently and uncontrollably.