"You've already mastered the second layer? That's quite fast," Lord Tianyan remarked with a mix of amazement and admiration for Zhao Xing's cultivation aptitude.
"However, whether it's enough will depend on who your opponent is."
"The Soul-Crushing Bell is a soul-based offensive technique. If the enemy is collecting items linked to you, they are most likely planning to use some form of 'curse-based sorcery.' Such methods are incredibly bizarre and can only be performed by high-ranking experts."
Lord Tianyan considered this for a moment before continuing, "This matter requires a comprehensive plan. We've been monitoring this lead for some time now, and there are still some big fish that haven't taken the bait yet."
"Could you provide a bit more detail, my lord? I can't help but feel uneasy," Zhao Xing requested cautiously.
After all, his family resided in Dongyang County, and he needed to know to what extent the Heavenly Secret Hall had taken precautions.
"For example, Yin Qiquan, a Fourth Rank Overseer of the Sea Surveillance Bureau in Chongming Prefecture," Lord Tianyan began. "This individual has swapped out archived versions of documents you signed over the years, collecting quite a number of authentic copies."
"Compared to that, the items gathered by ordinary spies are relatively insignificant."
Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat. Official documents, especially those containing handwritten notes and decisions, were the perfect mediums for curse-based sorcery.
Why? Because such documents bore not only Zhao Xing's handwriting but also his mental focus and intent when issuing orders.
It was often said that writing carried a piece of the writer's spirit. When drafting and annotating official documents, one's eyes, hands, and mind worked in unison. This process imbued the documents with far more personal energy than mundane items like used bowls or hastily crafted trinkets.
As the Palace of the Earth Gods Supervisor, Zhao Xing's documents followed strict protocol: each decision he made was archived in triplicate. One copy was sent to subordinate offices, another to higher authorities for review, and the third kept in the archives for future reference and audits. This ensured that, even if officials changed, records of decisions would remain intact for evaluations and inquiries.
"This situation arose because of your cultivation in the Military Realm," Lord Tianyan explained. "It wouldn't have been so easy to swap the documents otherwise. For the past two years, most of the administrative duties at the Palace of the Earth Gods have been handled by Chen Shijie, who used your official seal and signed your name on your behalf."
"I see," Zhao Xing replied, realization dawning on him.
Had Chen Shijie managed all these affairs from the start, the archived documents would have borne only his signature, even if Zhao Xing's seal was used. In that case, the documents would lack Zhao Xing's personal energy and wouldn't serve as viable mediums for sorcery.
The issue was that Zhao Xing had occasionally stepped in to handle administrative tasks himself to give Chen Shijie time for cultivation. This meant some archived documents contained Zhao Xing's genuine signature, alongside others bearing Chen Shijie's forged signature.
Yin Qiquan had exploited this inconsistency, swapping out authentic documents to increase the number of forgeries.
Ordinarily, the difference between genuine and proxy signatures wouldn't matter for archival purposes—it was a minor issue at best. However, for a Fate Officer or curse practitioner, the distinction was critical. Genuine documents were potent mediums for curse-based sorcery.
What Yin Qiquan failed to anticipate was Zhao Xing's significance. Even though he was a Fifth Rank official, Yin Qiquan never imagined that his actions would be closely monitored by high-ranking Fate Officers.
"Wait until I return the day after tomorrow. Do not act rashly in the meantime," Lord Tianyan instructed.
"Understood," Zhao Xing replied with a nod.
With the current network of spies under Lord Tianyan's surveillance, prematurely eliminating them might only prompt the enemy to send in more covert agents, making them harder to trace in the future.
After his conversation with Lord Tianyan, Zhao Xing returned to the Palace of the Earth Gods.
Although the Heavenly Secret Hall had implemented robust protective measures to safeguard prodigious talents entering the Dragon Court Ruins, Zhao Xing remained cautious. He couldn't entrust his safety entirely to others.
Thus, he diligently practiced the Dreamwalking Technique, extending his surveillance across Dongyang County to observe everyone's actions meticulously.
Two days later, on the seventh day of the second month of the Jingxin Era's 33rd year, Lord Tianyan returned to the Star Palace and summoned Zhao Xing.
The same day, two spies deployed in Dongyang County began their retreat.
That evening, Zhao Xing, in his capacity as the Palace of the Earth Gods Supervisor, departed for Dragon Stone Island to oversee the preparations for the Spring Festival.
Excited by this development, Yin Qiquan hurried to a secret underground altar, where he burned the news in a message fire basin.
Far away in the depths of the Eastern Sea, three sword-like underground peaks rose from the seabed. Beneath these peaks lay a hidden crystal palace.
"Puff—"
Four blood-red incense sticks flared to life, releasing a thick, fragrant mist. Flames roared in the fire basin before the Blood Spirit Sovereign.
"Zhao Xing, Supervisor of the Palace of the Earth Gods, departed for Dragon Stone Island at dawn today to oversee the Spring Festival. He is expected to arrive at noon on the eighth day," the message read.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign nodded with satisfaction.
"After all this time, we finally have an opportunity," he muttered.
As the seventh-ranked target on the "Must-Kill List" of prodigies, assassination attempts against Zhao Xing had been underway for three years. However, no suitable opportunity had arisen.
Zhao Xing's use of multiple soul clones rendered most assassination methods ineffective. Moreover, targeting a clone would be a waste of resources and a source of ridicule among peers.
Physical assaults were practically useless. The only viable option was a soul-based attack.
However, Zhao Xing's appointment to Chongming Prefecture's Palace of the Earth Gods in the Jingxin Era's 30th year had rendered even this method ineffective. As an institution under the God Temple's jurisdiction, the Palace offered unparalleled protection.
Even with the support of the Liang King's faction, the Southern Wilderness Court, and the Xuantian Sect's resources, the Blood Spirit Sovereign couldn't risk attacking a Fifth Rank official residing in a prefectural temple. Not even a First Rank expert would dare violate such a sanctuary without sparking a major conflict.
Unless chaos erupted within the Great Zhou Dynasty, prefectural temples were absolute no-go zones for sects from outside the dynasty. Zhao Xing's rank was irrelevant—his mere presence in such a location rendered him untouchable.
The only viable chance was when Zhao Xing's main body left the prefectural city, especially for a remote location like the sea.
"The Spring Festival is a major ritual. It's unlikely that Zhao Xing would send a clone in his place," the Blood Spirit Sovereign deduced.
"This is the perfect opportunity," he mused.
Performing a quick divination, the Blood Spirit Sovereign calculated his odds. "Eighty percent success rate," he concluded with confidence.
He stepped toward the Spirit Sealing Hall within the crystal palace.
"Boom—"
The massive gates of the Spirit Sealing Hall swung open, revealing a flickering green glow that seemed eager to spill out, only to be restrained by the hall's protective barriers.
Inside, rows of frost-sealed coffins lined the walls. Each coffin was transparent, the frozen air within forming crystalline patterns across their surfaces.
Out of the hundred coffins present, only ten remained occupied. The others lay empty, their frosty enchantments long faded.
Each occupied coffin bore an old almanac pasted to its exterior. Some of these almanacs were thick with countless pages, while others were reduced to a few tattered sheets.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign surveyed the coffins with a satisfied smile. "I will need to perform the Blood Script Curse Technique. The mediums are ready, but the process demands a significant cost. Let's see… who among you will volunteer?"
Of course, none of the slumbering occupants could respond. The Blood Spirit Sovereign's remark was nothing more than a twisted attempt to add a sense of ceremony to his otherwise macabre preparations.
"Well then," he chuckled. "I'll take the liberty of choosing for you."
Moving among the coffins, the Blood Spirit Sovereign ignored those with almanacs still thickly layered with pages, muttering to himself. "Too early for you lot. Sleep soundly a little longer."
He soon approached a coffin housing a burly middle-aged man, nearly four meters tall, his massive frame coiled into the frost-sealed chamber. The almanac on this coffin was down to its last two pages.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign read the inscription on the almanac aloud. "Zhang Yao, Mountain Elder of the Xuantian Sect. Entered slumber in the 789,400th year of the Eighth Epoch. Has been dormant for 7,645 years."
He paused, his tone tinged with amusement. "The Xuantian Almanac indicates that you're nearing your slumber limit—only twenty-five years remain before you reach the absolute threshold."
Shaking his head, the Blood Spirit Sovereign smirked. "At this rate, your odds of ever waking again are less than ten percent. So why not let me send you off properly?"
With a quick motion, he tore the final two pages off the almanac.
"Buzz—"
The frost-sealed coffin trembled as icy vapor began dissipating, the centuries-old enchantments breaking apart. The Blood Spirit Sovereign casually rolled up the coffin in a spell scroll, carrying it effortlessly out of the Spirit Sealing Hall.
Once outside, he quickly closed the heavy gates behind him. He then carried the coffin to the central Blood Altar.
The altar was flanked by two stone statues, both bearing solemn expressions. One represented the Blood Spirit Sovereign's elder martial brother, the other his master's uncle.
Placing the coffin carefully on the altar, the Blood Spirit Sovereign bowed to the statues. "Senior Brother, Martial Uncle, watch over me."
After his brief ritual, he positioned the coffin above a bubbling blood pool and began chanting. The frosty aura surrounding the coffin gradually melted away, exposing the colossal figure of Zhang Yao, who remained in deep slumber.
Above the Eastern Sea, aboard a towering tower ship.
Zhao Xing's true body sat cross-legged on the Scenic Observation Deck, his eyes shut as though resting. This ship, the official vessel of the Shennong Division, bore a solemn Shennong Statue as its figurehead. Of course, the statue held no real power—it was purely ceremonial, a symbolic item to be brought to the island for the Spring Festival.
"Your Highness, I'm now at sea. Any unusual movements detected?" Zhao Xing's calm appearance belied his inner unease as he transmitted his question to Lord Tianyan, stationed in the ship's lower deck.
The unpredictability of curse-based spells unnerved him. Such spells, capable of targeting their victims across vast distances, were typically wielded by high-ranking priests or cultivators from Southern Barbarian factions or secret sects.
Considering his current predicament—venturing out with his true body—Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
"What's there to fear? You're not even the one taking the hit," Lord Tianyan's voice echoed reassuringly in his mind. "Before we departed, I cast the Soul Displacement Substitution Spell on you. Any curse aimed at your soul will land on mine instead."
"As long as I live, you won't die."
"With you here, what's there to worry about, Your Highness?" Zhao Xing replied lightly, masking his tension. "I'm just curious—how big a fish are we hoping to net this time?"
"That's none of your concern," Lord Tianyan replied curtly. "Knowing too much about Fate Officer operations won't do you any good, unless you're planning to become one yourself."
"I'll pass," Zhao Xing muttered.
While Fate Officers held unparalleled authority and mystique, their lives were shrouded in secrecy. Their deeds would only be revealed to the world posthumously, with classified records often unsealed decades later.
Zhao Xing's primary worry was whether Lord Tianyan could withstand the potential onslaught. Conflicts involving high-ranking cultivators from the Southern Barbarians had been escalating, and a large-scale war seemed increasingly likely this year. If his opponent was truly high-ranking, the situation could spiral out of control.
"Against a Third Rank, I'll hold firm. Second Rank? Manageable. First Rank? Now that's a risk to my life," Lord Tianyan's voice resonated again, calm but firm.
"You'd better hold your ground, Your Highness," Zhao Xing thought anxiously. Though Lord Tianyan was at the Second Rank, even he might falter against a true First Rank.
Thankfully, the odds of such a powerful adversary targeting Zhao Xing—a mere Fifth Rank official—were slim. Curse spells required steep costs to cast, often at the expense of the caster's lifespan.
It seemed unlikely that a First Rank cultivator would willingly pay such a price to eliminate someone of his standing.
As Zhao Xing pondered, a low, mournful sound echoed across the sea.
"Ooooo~"
His body tensed as he instinctively activated the Heavenly Eye Technique, scanning the area.
Yet, nothing seemed amiss. The origin of the eerie sound remained elusive.
"Ooooo~"
The sound grew clearer, reverberating around him, yet Zhao Xing could not pinpoint its source. He attempted to transmit his concerns to Lord Tianyan, only to be met with silence.
Alarmed, Zhao Xing looked around and realized the ship was eerily deserted—there was no one else aboard.
"They've made their move!" he thought grimly, recognizing the onset of a curse-based spell. However, the exact nature of the spell remained unclear.
A faint, burning sensation brushed against his neck. Instinctively, Zhao Xing leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a searing heat that scorched the deck where he had stood moments earlier.
As he glanced down, he noticed ashes—fine remnants of burnt Xuanzhua paper, commonly used for official Great Zhou documents. His name was faintly discernible among the smoldering debris.
"It's the Blood Script Curse Technique," Zhao Xing muttered, his expression turning grave. "A high-tier soul curse spell."
Of all the techniques in existence, curse-based spells were notoriously difficult to counter. Much like Zhao Xing's own Yin Wind Technique, their insidious nature made them particularly challenging to defend against.
Suddenly, the clear skies above began to rain down fragments of paper. Each scrap bore characters written in crimson ink, resembling drops of blood. The characters twisted and morphed into various grotesque shapes—some resembling humanoid forms, others taking on monstrous configurations like the fusion of man and beast, or a single, glaring eye.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Before these ominous forms could descend fully, they spontaneously ignited, reduced to ash before reaching the deck.
"Kid, get ready to deploy the Soul-Crushing Bell," Lord Tianyan's voice suddenly echoed. "I'm about to unleash some curse avatars. Let's trap the enemy deeper into their own spell."
"Understood!" Zhao Xing steadied himself, his Life Soul manifesting a large golden bell, prepared to ring it at a moment's notice.
Moments later, four massive characters materialized in the sky: Decay, Vitality, Aura, and Spirit.
The character Decay moved first, transforming into a spectral entity that hurtled toward Zhao Xing.
Curses of this nature could only be countered with equally potent soul-based techniques or specialized artifacts.
Zhao Xing's Heavenly Secret Robe began radiating waves of white light, reinforcing his defense. At the same time, the golden bell within his spiritual domain tolled loudly.
"Dong—!"
The spectral Decay entity was halted twenty meters away, unable to advance further. The remaining characters hovered ominously a hundred meters above, their energies fluctuating.
"The Blood Script Curse Technique moves with Decay leading, followed by Vitality, Aura, and Spirit. If the first fails to hit, the others will weaken considerably," Zhao Xing thought, his focus razor-sharp.
"This is now a battle of attrition between both sides," Lord Tianyan's voice echoed faintly. "I'm working to increase the cost on their end."
Zhao Xing concentrated, allowing the Soul-Crushing Bell to toll only once.
Dong—!
The spectral Decay character crept closer, now within fifteen meters.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the sea, at the Crystal Palace of the Three Undersea Mountains.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign stared at the crimson pool before him, his expression marked by doubt. The surface of the blood pool reflected Zhao Xing's figure, clad in glowing Heavenly Secret Robes. However, the tolling of the Soul-Crushing Bell remained inaudible.
"As expected, he's protected by a force beyond a Fifth Rank official," the Blood Spirit Sovereign murmured, analyzing the reflection. "It seems likely he's been secretly chosen by the Heavenly Fate Hall."
"That makes him all the more unacceptable."
With a wave of his hand, years of records collected by Yin Qiquan floated into the air. Scrolls ignited in quick succession, each disintegrating into streams of light that merged with the blood pool.
"Go!" the Blood Spirit Sovereign commanded, amplifying the curse's intensity.
The price, however, escalated equally for him. Beside the pool lay a corpse, its body dissected with numerous bloody apertures.
Gulp—
Fresh blood flowed into the pool. Within moments, the corpse shriveled, leaving only skeletal remains.
The spectral Decay character pressed closer to within ten meters of Zhao Xing.
"Who dares target this official?!" Zhao Xing's reflection roared, equal parts anger and fear. His hands trembled as though he was on the verge of collapse.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign smirked, having discerned Zhao Xing's lip movements. He raised his hand to cast another spell.
Boom—
The skeletal remains disintegrated into powder, all consumed by the blood pool.
"If I die today, even as a vengeful spirit, I won't let you off!!" Zhao Xing snarled at the Decay symbol, now a mere three meters from his body. His face twisted in fury, veins bulging on his temples.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign paused, surprised. The blood pool had already diminished by half, yet the crimson Decay symbol still hadn't fully embedded itself into Zhao Xing's body.
With a grim expression, he extended his hand again, conjuring five more Decay characters in the air. Simultaneously, the blood pool ran dry.
"Can the life of a Third Rank still fail to end you?" the Blood Spirit Sovereign muttered coldly.
On the ship, five Decay characters closed in on Zhao Xing, stopping just one meter away from his figure. Oddly, they began to retreat as though repelled by an unseen force.
"Argh!" Zhao Xing roared, appearing to struggle desperately, his body writhing as though in his final moments.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign hesitated.
"Why isn't he dead yet?"
Something felt amiss, but the allure of finishing Zhao Xing with just one final push kept him going.
Slash—
The Blood Spirit Sovereign severed one of his own fingers and tossed it into the pool. "Five Decays of Heaven and Man, go!"
Crimson light surged, and the curse inched closer, now within nine centimeters of Zhao Xing.
"Who is it?! Who wants me dead?!" Zhao Xing bellowed, his voice laced with anguish. "I won't die without knowing!"
Crack, crack, crack—
Nine more of the Blood Spirit Sovereign's fingers followed, each severed and sacrificed in rapid succession. With every offering, the Decay symbols edged closer.
Finally, they were within one centimeter.
Yet as the Blood Spirit Sovereign severed his last remaining digit, he realized the curse still hadn't completed its work. It stopped, nine millimeters shy of its target.
"…"
Staring at Zhao Xing's exaggerated wails and frantic demeanor, the Blood Spirit Sovereign felt a peculiar sense of déjà vu.
It hit him suddenly—this scenario was painfully familiar. He had fallen for this same ploy before, orchestrated by this very man!
The realization hit the Blood Spirit Sovereign like a thunderclap. Back in Gucheng, Zhao Xing had ensnared him with a similarly convoluted scheme. This time, however, the trap had been layered with even greater subtlety.
"Such humiliation hasn't been seen in a thousand years!" The Blood Spirit Sovereign's rage boiled over, his spiritual pressure rising dangerously.
"No… I've been tricked! This is all a setup. Zhao Xing is nothing more than bait!"
The Sovereign turned toward the blood pool, watching as it dried completely. From its depths emerged a golden dragon, its head adorned with a Bagua Copper Mirror.
As the dragon's gaze fell upon the Blood Spirit Sovereign, its maw opened wide. But instead of unleashing a torrent of power, the mirror emitted a blinding beam of light.
"Lord Tianyan! You've interfered with my soul perception!" the Blood Spirit Sovereign screamed as his body ignited with spectral flames. He howled in agony, his charred form staggering toward two statues at the chamber's edge.
With his last strength, he slammed into one of the statues, seeking refuge within its hollowed frame. Flames engulfed the idol as the Sovereign's silhouette emerged, unharmed but weakened.
Boom!
The statue crumbled into rubble.
Panting heavily, the Blood Spirit Sovereign seized another statue and hurled it into the dried blood pool. "Blood Seal Technique, activate!"
Boom, boom, boom—
The golden dragon collided with the statue, both obliterated in the ensuing explosion.
Glaring at the wreckage, the Blood Spirit Sovereign muttered, "Forgive me, elders, for borrowing your lives in this dire moment."
The Blood Spirit Sovereign glanced around his lair. "This location can no longer be used."
He retreated swiftly into the Spirit-Sealing Hall, where rows of coffins lay in eerie stillness. Tearing apart protective talismans, he pried open the lids.
"Blood Origin Technique!" he chanted.
Gurgle, gurgle—
The slumbering figures inside were reduced to mummified husks as the Blood Spirit Sovereign siphoned their energy.
"Enough," he murmured, his vitality replenished. Gazing toward a distant point, he whispered, "Retreat."
Grabbing the remaining materials linked to Zhao Xing, he vanished into the shadows.
Back aboard the tower ship.
"It's over," Zhao Xing muttered, scanning the sky. The Soul-Crushing Bell shattered the Blood Script Curse, its remnants scattered like dust. Gathering the fragments, he activated the Five-Finger Fate Technique, tracing the spell's origin.
Buzz—
Visions unfolded before him: the Crystal Palace, the Spirit-Sealing Hall, the coffins, and the Blood Spirit Sovereign's retreating silhouette.
"This place..." Zhao Xing gasped, recognizing the scene. "It's the same location I calculated using the Millennium Turtle Shell Divination—the site of an impending Millennial Phenomenon!"
This was the very place Zhao Xing had scoured the seas for years to locate, even enlisting Long Xiao and the Azure Dragon Army in his search.
"And it's still submerged? Hasn't awakened yet?" His thoughts raced. "That's the Xuantian Sect's Ice Spirit Coffin and their Spirit-Sealing Hall. A Xuantian Sect hibernation site!"
Zhao Xing's excitement soared. The Ice Spirit Coffin, long a backup plan for weathering spiritual energy revivals, now lay within his grasp.
"I must find this place immediately!" Zhao Xing resolved.
Having freed himself from the curse, Zhao Xing noticed the ship returning to normal. None of the other crew members seemed aware of the recent events, as though nothing had occurred.
Zhao Xing wasted no time. With a swift motion, he descended into the lower deck of the ship.
"You handled that remarkably well," Lord Tianyan remarked with a faint smile as Zhao Xing appeared. "I instructed you to cooperate, but your performance exceeded expectations."
Zhao Xing, playing the bait, had achieved extraordinary results. The Blood Spirit Sovereign had been led step by step into the trap, expending far more resources than a single casting of the curse would have required. Had the Blood Spirit Sovereign been willing to pay this steep price from the outset, even a Third Rank expert could have fallen.
"That said," Lord Tianyan continued, his tone turning serious, "you pushed things too far. That Blood Script Curse Technique came far too close for comfort. In the future, avoid taking such extreme risks."
"Understood," Zhao Xing replied solemnly. After a pause, he added, "Lord Tianyan, were you able to determine the exact location of the enemy's lair?"
"A general vicinity," Lord Tianyan nodded. "I've already dispatched people to pursue the remnants."
"But," he sighed, "it's likely some of them managed to escape."
The pursuit had claimed several high-rank enemies, but others had slipped through. Any further attempts to expand the gains would likely be futile, given the distance between the sides.
"Lord Tianyan," Zhao Xing said, bowing slightly, "allow me to assist in the search for their lair."
"Oh?" Lord Tianyan arched a brow. "You've determined the location as well?"
"Every additional person is another source of strength," Zhao Xing replied earnestly.
"Very well," Lord Tianyan conceded. "Join the search, but stay close to the main group during the operation."
"Yes," Zhao Xing affirmed, wasting no time. He ordered the tower ship to deploy a smaller flying vessel.
Zhao Xing's duplicate remained aboard the main ship, continuing its journey to Longshi Island for the spring festival rituals. His true form joined Lord Tianyan, heading toward the target location.
Zhao Xing was the direct target of the curse, while Lord Tianyan bore the brunt indirectly.
Because of this, Zhao Xing's reverse-tracking provided much more detailed coordinates.
When Zhao Xing and Lord Tianyan arrived at a specific section of the sea, Lord Tianyan turned to him and said, "Zhao Xing, it's up to you now."
"Understood," Zhao Xing replied firmly, immediately splitting into several avatars, which dispersed in different directions.
"Keep your true self close to me," Lord Tianyan advised. "We can't afford any unexpected accidents."
After speaking, Lord Tianyan leapt into the depths of the ocean, starting his search.
Zhao Xing's Myriad Techniques Avatars displayed their effectiveness in exploration.
Within less than two incense sticks of time, one avatar discovered the location of the Three Undersea Mountains and the Crystal Palace.
"As predicted by the Zhanhou Divination, this is indeed the place. However, it seems the site has not yet fully emerged. Who knows how much longer it will take?" Zhao Xing mused to himself.
"Lord Tianyan and the others will continue their search. I should head down for an advance look."
This was Zhao Xing's true body at work. Through his seamless swapping between avatars, even Lord Tianyan couldn't tell the difference. Why?
Because the distance limited Lord Tianyan to sensing soul strength. Zhao Xing's cultivation in the Derivation of Divine Spirit Canon ensured uniform power across all his seven souls, making it nearly impossible to distinguish between his avatars and his true body.
Why such caution?
The primary reason was Spirit-Sealing Hall!
"The Xuantian Sect's Spirit-Sealing Hall, a relic of the Spirit Qi Era, paired with the Ice Spirit Coffin, allows one to hibernate for millennia and endure the erosion of time," Zhao Xing thought.
"However, during the current Era of Vital Qi, the success rate of such methods has greatly diminished."
"Even if awakening is achieved, severe aftereffects such as madness or idiocy often occur." Zhao Xing entered the Crystal Palace quickly, searching its vast halls.
The Ice Spirit Coffin was one of Zhao Xing's contingency plans—a last resort. Its significant drawbacks made it a method of desperation. However, his current visit wasn't for the coffins themselves.
An ice coffin alone was insufficient.
It required specific spells, the construction of Spirit-Sealing Hall, and the preparation of countless rare treasures.
What Zhao Xing sought was the Spirit-Sealing Hall itself.
"As long as it's functional, there must be remnants of Spirit Qi within. Even a single trace would be immensely valuable to me."
"I can use the Xuanhuang Essence Breaking Technique to absorb it."
Zhao Xing moved rapidly within the Crystal Palace.
Despite its labyrinthine structure, with traps and hidden doors, Zhao Xing, adept at navigating such environments, used his avatars to scout efficiently. Before long, he located his destination.
"Found it!"
The grand doors of the Spirit-Sealing Hall swung open, revealing a chaotic scene inside with crystal coffins floating erratically.
"The Blood Spirit Sovereign must have fled in a hurry. This location likely housed a critical fragment of his soul—possibly even his true body," Zhao Xing surmised.
"Now, to see if any Spirit Qi remains."
He proceeded cautiously into the hall.
The protective barriers had been destroyed, and the formations had lost their original effectiveness. Zhao Xing advanced with care, scanning his surroundings.
"Most of the ice coffins here have been empty for countless years," Zhao Xing noted. "Their Spirit Qi has long since been exhausted, and time has eroded the remaining formations."
For successful hibernation, the ice coffins required Spirit Qi-infused items, and Spirit-Sealing Hall itself needed a constant flow of Spirit Qi.
"An era's transformation…" Zhao Xing observed the crumbling walls and corroded formations. "It seems there's nothing to gain here... Wait."
Just as Zhao Xing was about to leave, his senses sharpened. In a flash, he arrived beside one of the ice coffins.
This particular coffin seemed to have been opened recently, with residual cold still lingering within.
Inside lay seven jade bricks, arranged at different positions within the coffin.
"Supreme Cold Spirit Jade. Let's see if any Spirit Qi remains," Zhao Xing murmured.
Activating the Xuanhuang Essence Breaking Technique, he directed its power at the jade bricks.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Six of the jade bricks shattered upon contact with the technique, disintegrating into dust. However, the seventh emitted a faint glow.
Although the light was dim, Zhao Xing was ecstatic.
"There is still Spirit Qi! This amount is about half of what I extracted from that withered branch!" Zhao Xing exclaimed, quickly extracting it.
Simultaneously, he activated his Pure Essence Projection technique.
"Buzz~"
A golden-brown light enveloped the extracted Spirit Qi, merging it into Zhao Xing's Pure Essence Soil.
"It's Earth-element Spirit Qi," Zhao Xing confirmed with excitement.
He eagerly watched as his Pure Essence Soil began to transform.
At Fourth Rank, his Pure Essence Soil covered an area of approximately 314,000 square meters with a radius of about 316 meters.
Now, as the Earth-element Spirit Qi infused the soil, its radius expanded significantly.
"Boom—"
The radius increased to 420 meters, and the total area grew to 550,000 square meters.
"It's still Fourth Rank soil, with no qualitative breakthrough, but the range has increased substantially," Zhao Xing thought. "If I relied solely on Vital Qi resources, who knows how much time and money this would have taken?"
After further searching, Zhao Xing found no additional Spirit Qi-related items.
"There are still valuable and important items here, but claiming them would bring unnecessary trouble."
"Still, this unexpected reward is already a pleasant surprise," Zhao Xing concluded, quietly retreating from the hall.
He contacted Lord Tianyan shortly after.
Gradually, officials began arriving at the sea region.
With the following matters unsuited for Zhao Xing's involvement, Lord Tianyan accompanied Zhao Xing's true body back to Chongming Prefecture.
That same day, a massive crackdown began within Chongming Prefecture.
"Bang!"
The gates of the Yin Residence were suddenly kicked open as a group of soldiers stormed inside.
"Buzz—"
Two layered formations, the Heavenly Net Formation and the Earthly Web Formation, activated, sealing the residence completely.
Yin Qiquan jolted awake in his bed.
"You scoundrels! Who dares break into the residence of the Overseer of Maritime Surveillance?!" he roared.
Leading the charge was an official dressed in black, wearing the insignia of a predatory bird. Holding a command seal, the official pointed casually, tearing Yin Qiquan's official robes apart.
Simultaneously, the official's Fortune of Office dissipated.
"Overseer of Maritime Surveillance? You're not anymore."
"Arrest everyone! I want them alive!" the official barked.
"You… you're Mandate Officials?" Yin Qiquan's face turned ashen as he collapsed to the floor.
Across Chongming Prefecture, cries of despair echoed.
"Run!"
"Father, save me!"
"It's over—everything is over!"
Within Dongyang County alone, 532 officials and civilians were executed.
Across Chongming Prefecture, over 75,000 civil and military officials, including soldiers, were implicated.
Yin Qiquan and 25 Fourth-Rank civil and military officers were sentenced to death and had their families wiped out.
Additionally, two Third-Rank officials—one civil and one military—were apprehended for colluding with external forces, a crime deemed unpardonable treason.
Though possessing privileges, even they couldn't escape death. However, their executions were delayed for interrogation.
Both Third-Rank officials had been recommended by King Liang. Extracting their secrets first was necessary before sentencing.
Until every detail was exposed, even death was a luxury.
With the arrests of these Third-Rank officials, Chongming Prefecture and the Eastern Sea Corps launched a new wave of purges.
This crackdown brought temporary peace to the Eastern Sea.
However, as Zhao Xing reviewed the reports, he realized this was merely a prelude.
"The calm before the storm," Zhao Xing thought. "If the Southern Barbarian Campaign fails, even those without rebellious thoughts now will surely develop them later."
Figures like Hong Yuanba served as prime examples. Initially unwilling to rebel, he was dragged into treason by his foolish brother.
"If the fortunes of Pinghai Province falter, even the loyal will grow disloyal," Zhao Xing pondered, gazing at the sky.
With his cultivation of the Derivation of Divine Spirit Canon, Zhao Xing's powerful soul enabled him to use the Grand Derivation Qi Observation Technique to gaze at the heavens. He saw a thick Qi Fortune Barrier over Pinghai Province.
This barrier locked the province's fortunes in place, preventing them from leaking.
"If King Liang fractures Pinghai's fortune, officials will have only two choices: rebellion or allegiance. Escape will not be an option," Zhao Xing reflected. "Those tied to the court's Qi Fortune will lose their positions and their lives upon fleeing. I'm also caught in this grand scheme now."
Zhao Xing could feel countless invisible threads entangling his karmic soul—a consequence of his decisions thus far.
By luring the Blood Spirit Sovereign and triggering the execution of countless officials, Zhao Xing was now fully enmeshed in the upheaval to come.
"The time left for me to prepare is dwindling," Zhao Xing murmured, withdrawing his gaze. "It's time to find Li Boqian and learn his secret techniques."
Li Boqian once said he could grant six opportunities for guidance.
To date, Zhao Xing had not used a single one.
However, beginning in March of the 33rd year of the Jingxin Era, Zhao Xing decided it was time to exhaust all six opportunities.
"I've advanced to Third Transformation in both the Cloud Gate Method and the Thunder Prison Chapter of the Xuantian Thunder Method, while my avatars have reached First Transformation."
"At this stage, learning additional offensive techniques is unnecessary. The priority now is to acquire one or two life-saving methods."
"If I encounter a formidable high-rank expert, I must ensure I have a means to escape."
"Li Boqian has three ultimate techniques: Kunpeng Transformation, A Step to Infinity, and Primordial Seal."
"To master one of these, and to delve deeper into its intricacies, I must personally travel to the Tianyuan Branch of the Xuantian Academy."
The first layer of the Derivation of Divine Spirit Canon had been fully cultivated, elevating even his Soul-Crushing Bell technique to the Second Transformation level.
This progress in soul-related techniques meant Zhao Xing's training schedule had accelerated by three years compared to initial estimates.
The delay, however, was due to Lord Tianyan's suggestion to thoroughly analyze his first-layer insights and the additional time spent on mastering the Dreamwalking Technique.
"Now it's March of the 33rd year of the Jingxin Era. If I head to Tianyuan Prefecture and use the teleportation facilities at the Lihuo Dao Academy, it will take only seven days at best."
"Traveling to the headquarters of Kunyuan Academy, however, would require over a month."
"If I progress quickly under Li Boqian's guidance, I might consider a subsequent trip to Kunyuan Academy," Zhao Xing planned.
His first choice, naturally, was the Xuantian Academy branch within Pinghai Prefecture.
Moreover, the Kunpeng Transformation required internal cultivation under the Hou Transformation Method. Such a technique could only be learned by his true body.
Thus, heading to the Xuantian Academy took precedence.
On March 15th of the 33rd year, Zhao Xing, after requesting leave from Lord Tianyan, departed the Star Palace and headed toward the Tianyuan Branch of the Xuantian Academy.
On March 23rd, Zhao Xing arrived at the branch.
His presence remained unknown to anyone except Li Boqian.
"You want to learn my ultimate techniques?" Li Boqian asked, intrigued as he studied Zhao Xing. "I have many. Which one do you intend to master?"
"Kunpeng Transformation, A Step to Infinity, and Primordial Seal," Zhao Xing replied respectfully.
"Hahaha, your appetite is certainly not small," Li Boqian laughed. "Even though your true body is here, these three ultimate techniques are far from simple to master."
"The Xuantian Thunder Method's Thunder Prison Chapter and the Cloud Gate Method you've studied so far follow a complete path, refined over countless generations of wisdom."
"But my three ultimate techniques are a different matter. Since their creation, they've remained peak-level methods. Even entry-level comprehension rivals the small mastery of other top-tier techniques, and they lack intermediate stepping-stone methods to aid understanding."
"Of these, Primordial Seal is especially challenging. It begins at the level of a top-tier Seventh Transformation technique, and no one but me has successfully utilized it."
"Why not use your six opportunities on other methods?" Li Boqian suggested. "You've yet to fully master Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud techniques. If you focus there, you might achieve comprehensive small mastery."
"My decision is final," Zhao Xing insisted with a deep bow. "I will not regret it. I ask for your guidance, Grand Shennong."
"Very well," Li Boqian smiled faintly, waving his hand dismissively. "Since you've made up your mind, let's give it a try."
"The Hou Transformation Method requires Kunpeng Essence Blood for internal cultivation. This will have to be requisitioned from the main academy. Primordial Seal has even higher prerequisites, so we'll start with A Step to Infinity."
With that, Li Boqian leapt upward, beckoning Zhao Xing to follow.
A cloud formed beneath Li Boqian's feet. In the next moment, Zhao Xing found himself at an altitude of ten thousand meters.
He gazed at the ground below, silently marveling.
Similar techniques existed within the Self School, which Zhao Xing had studied.
One such technique was Jungle Leaping, but it had strict limitations: it required living vegetation as a foundation, and the plants used as anchors perished after the technique was deployed.
The range was also restricted. To date, Zhao Xing could only traverse a maximum of 4,000 meters, meaning the technique could only be used in specific environments.
Li Boqian's method, however, was clearly far more advanced.
"A Step to Infinity belongs to the Cloud Techniques," Li Boqian explained as he gestured to the sky, causing layers of clouds to arrange themselves into intricate pathways.
"What does this resemble to you?" he asked.
"It looks like a Cloud Pathway," Zhao Xing replied, observing the interconnected network of cloud structures. "Used for warship navigation and tactical guidance."
"Exactly. When warships navigate the sky, they often encounter gale layers, which create tremendous resistance," Li Boqian explained.
"The higher the altitude, the greater the resistance. But when traveling through Cloud Pathways, the resistance can be mitigated—or even harnessed."
"Thus, for high-altitude rapid navigation, cloud ships are commonly deployed. For example, the Wind Resting Cloudship that brought you here with Wang Tianzhi uses this principle."
"Not only does it bypass the gale layers, but it also uses them to accelerate. Among all warships, the Cloudship series ranks third in speed worldwide."
"This is because it doesn't merely propel itself; the Cloud Pathway actively pulls it forward."
"However, Cloud Pathways cannot be reused. Once a cloud ship passes through, the resulting disturbances render the pathway unusable for a significant period."
"My A Step to Infinity draws inspiration from the Cloudship principle," Li Boqian continued. "Unlike massive cloud ships, the disturbances caused by a human deploying this technique are minimal."
"While it still cannot support direct return trips or perfectly linear navigation, the slight disturbances it causes are negligible."
Zhao Xing listened intently. Li Boqian's Cloud Techniques already touched upon the principles of spatial manipulation.
The concept of traveling via Cloud Pathways was essentially a Cloud Technique equivalent of "curvature flight."
As the contemporary Grand Shennong, Li Boqian's understanding of Temporal and Heavenly Techniques placed him at the pinnacle of the Xuanhuang Realm's hierarchy.
Had he lived during the Spirit Qi Era's Fortune Dynasties, Li Boqian would undoubtedly have ascended through the skies to a higher plane of existence.
"Top-tier techniques like Cloud Gate lead to the ultimate method Cloud Heaven Dao, which aims to emulate the heavens themselves. Yet, such aspirations remain distant. At its limit, Cloud Techniques can temporarily alter the rules of the world, but they can never fully replace them."
Li Boqian waved his hand again, causing the expansive Cloud Pathway network to shrink rapidly.
Ultimately, it coalesced into a miniature Cloud Diagram within his palm.
"Take this," he instructed, manipulating the compressed Cloud Diagram into a new form before overlaying it onto Zhao Xing's body.
"Now, try taking a single step forward."
"Which foot should I move first?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Whichever you prefer."
Following Li Boqian's instructions, Zhao Xing moved forward. Instantly, he found himself ten thousand meters away from his original position.
"Buzz—"
As he steadied himself, a wisp of cloud appeared beside him, vanishing just as quickly. Li Boqian materialized in its place.
"How did that feel?" Li Boqian asked.
"Incredibly fast," Zhao Xing admitted.
"Think further," Li Boqian prompted.
"I only took a single step," Zhao Xing murmured, realization dawning. "In truth, I didn't move—did the cloud carry me instead?"
Li Boqian nodded. "Precisely."
"Since you've already mastered Cloud Gate and have a foundation in Cloud Techniques, you'll begin with the ninety-nine fundamental Cloud Pathways."
"If you can fully comprehend all ninety-nine, you will have officially entered the first stage of A Step to Infinity."
"You may study here. Should you achieve insights, come find me. I'll personally demonstrate A Step to Infinity to validate your understanding."
With another wave, the compressed Cloud Diagram rapidly expanded, forming a massive circular Cloud Pathway spanning ten thousand meters in diameter.
"Understood," Zhao Xing replied, choosing a specific Cloud Pathway to begin his cultivation and comprehension.
Li Boqian, meanwhile, descended to the Qianqing Garden below.
In the Qianqing Garden, a tranquil yet authoritative space, Li Boqian descended gracefully.
The garden featured a waterside pavilion, with a chess table at its center. Standing beside the table was a towering figure whose presence radiated an almost overwhelming aura of authority. His posture was erect and steady, exuding the majesty of an immovable mountain.
The figure wore a regal purple-gold robe embroidered with intricate patterns of ancient symbols and totems. Each line shimmered with immense energy, pulsating with an ethereal brilliance akin to stars illuminating the night sky.
His chiseled face, as though sculpted by time, bore sharp, defined features. His deep-set eyes seemed to hold the mysteries of the universe, capable of seeing through layers of reality itself. Occasionally, a spark of light flickered within his gaze, seemingly piercing through the fog of time, making one hesitant to meet his eyes.
On his head rested a magnificent crown adorned with nineteen radiant gemstones. Each gem shimmered with incredible power, forming an intricate web of light that enveloped his entire being. The sight alone was enough to inspire awe and reverence.
When Li Boqian landed, the man didn't turn to acknowledge him, his attention seemingly fixed on the distant skies.
Despite the lack of response, Li Boqian showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he approached respectfully and knelt, bowing low.
"Your Majesty, I beg forgiveness for my tardiness. I was delayed by half an hour. Please punish me as you see fit."
The man, Emperor Jing, known as Ji Mingjing, remained silent for a moment before speaking in a measured tone, his gaze unwavering from the heavens.
"Boqian, what is so remarkable about this youth?"
Li Boqian raised his head slightly, replying with calm certainty. "His ambitions are extraordinary, his talent unmatched. He carries the bearing of a future Grand Shennong."
"Is that so?" Ji Mingjing's tone carried a trace of intrigue. "You've never made such claims about your own junior apprentice, Wang Tianzhi, and yet you speak so highly of this one?"
Li Boqian allowed a faint smile to grace his face. "Your Majesty, I merely say he possesses the potential. As for whether he will achieve greatness, that depends on Your Majesty's guidance."
"He is too young," Ji Mingjing remarked, his voice steady but resolute. "Even if he is a talent worthy of recognition, he will serve only future rulers. His time is not now."
The emperor finally turned away from the sky and moved toward the chess table. With a wave of his hand, the board shimmered, transforming into a three-dimensional military sand table.
It vividly displayed the geography and atmosphere of the nineteen prefectures under the Great Zhou Dynasty's rule. Among these regions, Pinghai Prefecture was shrouded in dense black clouds, an ominous sign.
"Today, we play military chess," Ji Mingjing declared. "You will play with the white pieces, but you are penalized two moves and must still claim victory."
Li Boqian's expression tightened for an instant. The sand table's layout clearly showed Ji Mingjing holding the black pieces and starting from the south of the Canglan River. Meanwhile, Li Boqian's forces were positioned in the north, spanning the entirety of the nineteen prefectures.
Ji Mingjing placed his first piece: the Black Dragon Army shifted southward from the Canglan River, retreating back to Pinghai Prefecture.
"Boom—"
The ominous black clouds over Pinghai Prefecture thickened further. The golden dragon of fortune, representing the region's fate, split into two. Cities across the prefecture collapsed under the growing chaos, and the heavens reflected the turmoil below.
With his second move, Ji Mingjing pointed toward the Eastern Sea.
The sand table's display shifted as massive waves surged from the Eastern Sea, crashing against the Zhou Dynasty's eastern defenses. In tandem, banners of rebellious tribal chieftains rose as the four great clans defected en masse. Their forces landed rapidly, swallowing the eastern territories of Pinghai Prefecture.
Two moves. That was all it took for the sand table to echo with metaphorical thunder in Li Boqian's mind.
Ji Mingjing's expression remained calm, his eyes locked onto Li Boqian. "Your move, Boqian."