In the city of Mingyue Prefecture, at the Lihuo Dao Academy, Zhao Xing's true self sat in absolute stillness, his mind empty of emotions or stray thoughts. At the same time, one of his split souls was still fleeing for its life in Dang County.
If this avatar were to be destroyed, he would lose one-seventh of his soul power. Such a loss would not only impair his ability to manifest the 49,999 divine senses but would also severely weaken his soul-based offensive techniques. Even consuming a dose of the Soul-Origin Liquid wouldn't restore him instantly—it would take at least a month to recover fully.
"Shouldn't I have shaken off the pursuers by now?" Zhao Xing muttered, glancing back as he landed in the dense forest.
By this point, he had already escaped beyond Dang County's borders. Ye Yukong had failed to catch up with him!
Using the techniques A Step to Infinity and Jungle Leaping Relay, Zhao Xing had slipped away unnoticed. The chase had been so intense that he hadn't dared to distinguish between allies and enemies in the chaos behind him.
Though he had heard Ye Yukong calling out, Zhao Xing's survival instincts ruled his actions. What if the call was a trick? What if he mistook an enemy for an ally? It was better to rely solely on his own abilities to escape.
"Running away is my best contribution to the battle," Zhao Xing thought wryly. He landed briefly to regain his strength. "Until I receive a signal from Lord Tianyan that the mission is complete, I'll keep moving."
He quickly set off again, heading toward the forested regions of the prefecture. The lush foliage provided the perfect cover, amplifying the advantages of his Jungle Leaping Relay.
Unlike the A Step to Infinity technique, which drained his vitality at a significant rate, the forest allowed him to utilize plants as an energy medium to recover his strength. Every leap through the dense canopy revitalized him.
"Only Lord Tianyan's message is trustworthy. Everything else might just be an illusion," Zhao Xing reminded himself as he pushed forward, fully channeling the experiences of his previous life to outmaneuver his pursuers.
Ye Yukong, unable to track Zhao Xing's movements further, reluctantly returned to assist Lord Shenluo and the others.
At the same time, in the assassin group, only one individual remained: Yushan Priest, a single body with dual souls. He was now surrounded by Lord Shenluo, Dragon Abyss Prefect, and the Master of the Heavens' Feast Palace.
When Ye Yukong arrived at the scene, he was taken aback by what he saw.
"Dragon Abyss Prefect and the Master of the Heavens' Feast Palace are trapped mid-air. Are they caught in some kind of spectral maze?" Ye Yukong muttered.
Drawing his sword, Ye Yukong channeled his Bright Moon Sword Technique. "Bright Moon Shines Upon My Heart, Activate!"
A soft glow emanated from his blade, and a silvery moonlight flickered in his eyes.
"Whooo… whooo…"
The entire area seemed engulfed in a ghostly domain.
Dragon Abyss Prefect and the Master of the Heavens' Feast Palace appeared to be thrashing aimlessly in mid-air, seemingly fighting against invisible enemies. In reality, they were surrounded by countless malevolent spirits that barred them from aiding Lord Shenluo.
"Bright Moon Sets Behind the Western Hills, Illuminate All Hearts," Yushan Priest's eerie voice echoed in Ye Yukong's ears. Suddenly, the moonlight in Ye Yukong's eyes vanished.
"This… is this the Command of Rites?!" Ye Yukong's heart clenched as the surrounding sky grew darker. His unease deepened.
As a priest, Yushan Priest's abilities were already formidable. Adding the Command of Rites, a divine ability that could manipulate laws, elevated his strength to terrifying levels.
"The Command of Rites can affect rules themselves. Yushan Priest has reached a level where his Dao can fundamentally influence reality. His strength is beyond the grasp of Five Elements Truth alone," Ye Yukong thought grimly.
Realizing the peril, Ye Yukong resumed the Bright Moon Shines Upon My Heart technique. As the silvery glow reappeared, it was snuffed out almost immediately.
"Illuminate again!"
Another faint light appeared but was extinguished just as quickly.
"Then I'll shine again!"
Ye Yukong relentlessly activated the same technique, forcing Yushan Priest to divide his attention. Though it was a repetitive strategy, it proved effective. Yushan Priest was trapped within the Shenluo Formation, unable to break free, while Dragon Abyss Prefect and the Master of the Heavens' Feast Palace were isolated within the spectral maze.
Even with his dual souls, Yushan Priest could barely maintain his advantage. His enhanced powers, bolstered by the Command of Rites, were still insufficient to overpower the Shenluo Formation.
"Ahaha! You're scared of me, aren't you?" Ye Yukong taunted, sensing Yushan Priest's faltering momentum.
"Brother Ye, don't stop!" Dragon Abyss Prefect and the Master of the Heavens' Feast Palace called out. "Keep the moonlight coming!"
"Don't worry—I've got this!" Ye Yukong responded, continuing his relentless technique. Years of mindlessly stamping documents had honed his patience for repetitive tasks.
"This ghost domain isn't nearly as terrifying as government paperwork," Ye Yukong muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xing's fleeing avatar had no means to participate in such a high-level battle. His current role was limited to delivering messages.
Initially, Zhao Xing had considered seeking help from Li Boqian or Tianyang True Lord, but he dismissed the idea. Li Boqian was nowhere to be found, and Tianyang True Lord, a deity of the underworld, was unsuited for interfering in the affairs of the living. Such interference would overstep the authority of Li Boqian, a Shennong of the mortal realm.
"The Earth School may be indifferent, but the Heaven and Self Schools won't stay idle," Zhao Xing speculated.
Still, his contributions to the Earth School had been minimal. His treatise, On Self and Natural Objects: Earthly Resources, provided some benefits to the Earth School, but its primary advantages aligned with the Self School.
Thus, Zhao Xing's avatar at Kunyuan Academy only briefly mentioned his plight.
"Meng Kun and Gu Changqing likely won't be able to do much," Zhao Xing thought.
However, Zhao Xing's assessment was entirely wrong.
Meng Kun and Gu Changqing were, in fact, the first to take action.
At Kunyuan Academy, atop the world's first spiritual mountain, Ling Mountain, within the Hai Mountain Mausoleum:
The mausoleum housed the remains of the fourth-generation Grand Shennong, Meng Haishan, the grandfather of Meng Kun.
Meng Kun rushed into the Hai Mountain True Lord Hall, his urgency palpable.
"Grandfather! I beg for your divine intervention!" Meng Kun's voice echoed loudly, startling the guardian priest.
"Who dares make such a commotion?!" the priest shouted, only to retreat hastily upon recognizing the intruder. "Ah, it's the eldest brother. Never mind then."
Meng Kun knelt before the shrine, lighting an incense stick as thick as his arm. The incense flared to life, illuminating the statue of Hai Mountain True Lord, which suddenly animated and gazed down at him.
"Why such haste? Compose yourself!" Hai Mountain True Lord's booming voice reverberated.
"Grandfather, your eldest grandson has a request!" Meng Kun kowtowed twice before looking up at the animated figure.
"Speak!"
"Grandfather, one of our academy's students, Zhao Xing, is currently missing in Pinghai Prefecture. His life is in grave danger. Please, command the earth deities under your jurisdiction to search for his whereabouts!"
Meng Kun's desperate plea highlighted his respect for Zhao Xing's unparalleled talent.
"Zhao Xing? Who is he that you seek my intervention?" Hai Mountain True Lord's voice was stern.
"Grandfather," Meng Kun implored, "Zhao Xing is nothing short of a saint for the Earth School—a once-in-ten-thousand-years prodigy of Kunyuan Academy!"
To persuade his grandfather, Meng Kun spared no effort in extolling Zhao Xing's virtues.
Meng Kun's urgency stemmed from one simple reason: Zhao Xing had yet to complete the scholarly thesis he had promised him.
"Is he really that talented?" asked Hai Mountain True Lord, narrowing his eyes.
"Absolutely, without a doubt!" Meng Kun responded passionately. "Throughout history, there have been countless individuals with extraordinary aptitude in the Dao of techniques. But how many have managed to leave behind a legacy of scholarly works? Zhao Xing already has two such theses to his name, and he's still young!"
"He's a rare prodigy, equally skilled in combat, healing, and academic writing! Grandfather, stop asking questions and act quickly! If we delay, he might join you in the netherworld before long!"
"You insolent brat—" Hai Mountain True Lord reprimanded Meng Kun with a couple of harsh words. Despite his annoyance, the deity began to act without hesitation.
This was the very locus of Hai Mountain True Lord's divine essence. With a single deep breath, he inhaled all the incense offerings around him. The massive two-meter-tall incense stick, thick as an arm, burned out instantly, crumbling into a pile of ash.
"Hum!"
In that instant, across the 45 prefectures of Pinghai Province, over 30,000 counties, and countless villages and towns—wherever temples bearing the likeness of Hai Mountain True Lord stood—statues began to tremble.
In Dang County, a statue of Hai Mountain True Lord opened its eyes, stepped down from its pedestal, and crouched low as though listening carefully.
The divine technique, Earth Listening Method, activated.
"Catch him, if you can."
"Run? Do you think you can escape from me?"
"No wonder you're a disciple of Liu Tianning."
"Flee, then!"
"Block this? Can you withstand the force of a sword with three centuries of power behind it?"
"Mingyue Prefectural Lord?"
"Yushan Priest, to think you've become a mere puppet of another."
Moments later, the statue returned to its original position as though nothing had occurred.
Back at the Kunyuan Earth Palace, within the Hai Mountain Mausoleum:
"Zhao Xing is indeed being pursued," Hai Mountain True Lord confirmed. "The location is Pinghai Province, Mingyue Prefecture, Dang County."
"Several powerful individuals are involved, ranging from the Third Rank to the Second Rank," he continued. "Some are intent on killing him, while others seek to save him."
"One of them is named Yushan Priest."
Meng Kun's face darkened instantly upon hearing this name. "I knew it!"
"King Liang, you despicable scoundrel!" Meng Kun cursed aloud. Rage surged within him as he recognized the connection. Without hesitation, he dashed out of the temple, leaving behind the god who had answered his summons.
"Insolent descendant!" Hai Mountain True Lord grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.
Meng Li, a junior priest standing nearby, stepped forward from the side chamber. Setting down a tray of ceremonial offerings and sacrificial items, he completed the rituals that Meng Kun had carelessly abandoned. "Grandfather, please don't be angry," Meng Li offered with a placating smile as he respectfully sent the deity back.
Outside the mausoleum, Meng Kun immediately contacted Gu Changqing.
"Changqing, I've got it all figured out!"
"What's the situation?" asked Gu Changqing with urgency.
"It's King Liang's men! Zhao Xing is being hunted by not only several Third Rank experts but even some Second Rank ones!"
"What?! That's shameless!"
"King Liang's actions are an affront to both gods and men!" Meng Kun declared angrily. "Right now, the priority is to rescue Zhao Xing! I'll organize a thousand-man rescue team immediately. You go find reinforcements, while I petition for the Sacred Academy's divine weaponry!"
"Wait!" Gu Changqing interjected.
"What now? We don't have time to waste!"
"Sending a team directly to Pinghai Province will take too long," Gu Changqing replied calmly.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Strike Luliang Prefecture—hit King Liang's stronghold. Force him to recall his assassins," Gu Changqing proposed.
"But even reaching Luliang Prefecture would take time," Meng Kun argued.
"Old Meng, have you forgotten?" Gu Changqing's tone turned sharp. "In Year 192 of the Dingxin Era, we excavated that ancient passageway, remember?"
"Which one?" Meng Kun asked, frowning in thought.
"The Tongming Ancient Passage. We only completed three-quarters of it back then because the shifting earth veins forced us to halt the project. Later, the emperor shifted priorities to the Pacification Campaign, so the work was suspended."
"Oh! I remember now!" Meng Kun exclaimed as realization dawned. "The Tongming Ancient Passage!"
"I've calculated it," Gu Changqing explained. "If you request the aid of the Sage Xiao Zhe and deploy the Profound Earth Vessel alongside fifty Ninth-Rank Earth Dragon Drilling Ships, the ancient passageway can be completed."
"With the Kuntong Passage and the Tongming Passage fully operational, we could reach King Ming's Prefectural City. From there, we'd be just an hour away from King Liang's capital!"
"Plus, the Ming Prefecture Branch of the academy has sufficient heavy equipment and manpower for us to mobilize effectively."
"Brilliant!" Meng Kun's eyes lit up. "You're as sharp as ever, Old Gu!"
"Head to the Earth Palace to assemble a team and wait for me at the Kuntong Passage. I'll head to the Earth Repository to request the aid of the Sage Xiao Zhe. Let's split up!"
"Understood!"
As the Dean of the Earth Repository, Meng Kun held significant authority, even though his personal cultivation was only at the Third Rank. His position made him second only to Kunyuan Academy's Principal, Xuan Yuan Qingtian, the leader of the Earth School and a personal mentor to Meng Kun's deceased father.
Without wasting time, Meng Kun flew toward one of Kunyuan Academy's sacred peaks, known as Earth Vessel Mountain.
This mountain was a marvel of mechanical engineering, resembling an enormous flying ship embedded vertically in the ground. From afar, it appeared to pierce the earth like a spear.
At the peak of Earth Vessel Mountain resided one of the academy's most powerful figures, Sage Xiao Zhe, a Second Rank cultivator at the pinnacle of his stage. He possessed a Peerless Treasure, the Profound Earth Vessel, a weapon of immense destructive power.
Although Xiao Zhe held no official position or noble title, his status as a "Sage" and his mastery over this divine weapon granted him immense influence.
The mountain's barriers and restrictions posed no obstacle to Meng Kun, who flew straight to the palace at its summit.
"Sage Xiao! Sage Xiao!" Meng Kun called out loudly.
The floor of the palace split open, and a figure slowly rose from beneath.
"Why are you shouting so loudly? I can hear you just fine," said the elderly Xiao Zhe, his hair a stark white. He rubbed his ears in mock irritation. "Dean Meng, what brings you here?"
Without wasting a moment, Meng Kun pulled out a token engraved with the words "Earth Repository" and presented it to the sage.
"Sage, in my capacity as Dean of the Earth Repository, I formally request your assistance with a classified mission."
Xiao Zhe's playful demeanor immediately vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. He cupped his hands in respect and said, "Please, Dean Meng, give your instructions."
"The classified mission is to open the Tongming Ancient Passage and transport a batch of heavy equipment," Meng Kun stated decisively.
"Opening an ancient pathway? When does it start?" Sage Xiao Zhe asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Now," Meng Kun replied firmly. "We must act immediately. I've already mobilized fifty Ninth-Rank Earth Dragon Drilling Ships, waiting at the Kuntong Passage for your arrival."
"Understood," Sage Xiao Zhe responded with a nod.
Within a quarter of an hour, Earth Vessel Mountain began to descend.
The entire mountain, a mechanical marvel that doubled as a divine weapon, began its transformation.
"Rumble—"
A deep abyss appeared where the mountain once stood, thick with dense earth energy. The Profound Earth Vessel, a peerless treasure beyond the Ninth Rank, was fully activated, its power humming as it moved swiftly toward the Kuntong Passage, ready to stand by.
Meanwhile, Meng Kun, tireless and efficient, retrieved the Earth Mirror to contact his allies. Despite still being at the academy's headquarters, he refused to abandon the idea of entering Pinghai Province directly to rescue Zhao Xing.
The Earth Mirror displayed a list of names, one after another. Meng Kun began selecting individuals methodically, reaching out to martial artists, priests, and sorcerers—an impressive network built over years of camaraderie and shared purpose.
He planned to assemble a formidable rescue team to infiltrate Pinghai Province.
"Zhao Xing, you must hold on," Meng Kun muttered under his breath. "You still owe me that thesis."
The Earth Mirror buzzed with its first response.
"Dean Meng, this is Su Chen," a middle-aged man with a sword strapped to his back appeared on the screen.
"Brother Su, I have an urgent request. Here's the situation—"
"No problem," Su Chen interrupted before Meng Kun could finish. "Back then, you granted me access to the First Mountain of All Under Heaven, allowing me to comprehend the Heavenly Sword Technique. Without your help, I wouldn't have achieved mastery. I'll head out immediately."
"Many thanks."
As the call ended, another figure appeared in the Earth Mirror.
"Brother Meng, what's the matter?"
"Brother Song, I need your help—"
Meng Kun moved quickly, contacting one ally after another. By the time he arrived at the Kuntong Passage entrance, over a hundred elite cultivators had responded to his call.
These were all independent cultivators with no official titles or ranks. Some had inherited noble titles; others had gained unique cultivation privileges. Many of them were so loyal to Meng Kun that they would march to their deaths without hesitation.
"Old Meng, everything's ready," Gu Changqing announced as Meng Kun arrived.
Meng Kun glanced at the assembled team, the array of cultivators behind Gu Changqing, and the fifty Earth Dragon Drilling Ships. He nodded with determination. "Let's move out!"
Luliang Prefecture, Youyou County
Youyou County was one of the fiefdoms under King Liang's control. It housed a royal palace—not for King Liang himself but for his fourth son, Prince Ningle, Ji Han.
Ji Han, having no older brothers, was the eldest among his siblings. He had followed King Liang in numerous campaigns during the Dingxin Era, earning his title of Prince Ningle. Tasked with defending King Liang's stronghold, Ji Han was originally at the Third Rank. However, after King Liang's split fortune, Ji Han benefited from the infusion of Black Dragon Fortune, elevating him to the Second Rank Fortune Realm.
Unlike Pinghai Province, rebellion in Luliang Prefecture was far less severe. Even so, Ji Han struggled to rally enough high-ranking experts to his cause. Most of his so-called elites were originally of middling rank, boosted artificially by consuming Black Dragon Fortune.
In his royal residence, Ji Han sat deep in thought, frustrated over his lack of progress in recruiting true experts. Despite the activation of the Hidden Fortune Dragon Ranking by his father, the results were underwhelming.
Ji Han's advisor, Li Yang, stood nearby. The man had been tirelessly trying to persuade influential figures to join their side, but the results were minimal. The rebellious factions they approached were either lone operators unwilling to submit or opportunists demanding outrageous rewards—some even brazenly asking for princely titles.
"Sigh," Ji Han rubbed his temples in irritation. "Li Yang, why are there so many shameless people? They have no real abilities yet dare to make such unreasonable demands."
Li Yang cupped his hands and replied respectfully, "Your Highness, this is the nature of noble families and wealthy clans. Most of those sent to us are illegitimate or lesser heirs. They join not for loyalty but to hedge their bets."
"However," Li Yang continued, "not all among them lack potential. During the Era of the Great Ancestor, Wu Cheng was merely a Seventh-Rank Agrarian Officer in the Wu Kingdom. Yet, by following the Great Ancestor, he rose step by step to the First Rank."
"In chaotic times, one cannot predict the outcome. Your Highness should exercise more patience."
Ji Han nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Li Yang. Talent must be nurtured, and I must show greater patience in discovering it."
"Your Highness is wise," Li Yang praised.
At that moment, an urgent report arrived. A guard rushed to the palace gates and shouted, "Your Highness!"
"Speak," Ji Han commanded.
"Within the borders of Ming King Prefecture, General Xie Changlin of the Yaoguang Army has led a large force into the Tianhai Plains and is attacking the camp of Young Master Xi. An urgent message has been sent back!"
"Xie Changlin?" Ji Han's expression darkened. "How bold of him. Summon my 500 Xiaolong Guards immediately. Prepare to move!"
Before he could depart, another report arrived.
"Your Highness, news has just come in—Young Master Xi has been captured, and the Wilderness Camp has fallen!"
"What? How could it happen so quickly?" Ji Han exclaimed, stunned.
Young Master Xi was his most trusted son, stationed at the Wilderness County's military base, which housed 500,000 elite troops. With his own cultivation at the Third Rank, supported by over a hundred Third-Rank experts, how could he be defeated so easily?
Ji Han ripped open the report. Inside, he found a Mirlit Bead and an Echo Snail, tools for relaying battlefield events.
"Hum—"
Ji Han activated the tools and witnessed the battle at Tianhai Plains replayed before his eyes.
The battlefield came to life. On the vast, open plains, two forces clashed violently. From the horizon, two armies emerged, each with a presence that shook the heavens.
A hundred thousand Yaoguang soldiers in azure battle armor surged across the boundary marker, charging directly toward the defensive line controlled by Ji Xi.
"Only this many people?" Ji Tao frowned, his face betraying confusion.
At the time, Ji Tao assumed Ji Xi must have made some egregious error. However, everything on the battlefield appeared perfectly normal.
Ji Xi had made no mistakes as Ji Tao suspected. He adhered to defensive strategies, utilizing formations, mechanisms, and fortifications to repel the enemy. With fifty defending his position against ten Yaoguang soldiers, Ji Xi's tactics could even be considered conservative.
Xie Changlin's Yaoguang Army had no chance of breaching the heavily fortified Wilderness Pass. The intricate defenses rendered a direct assault almost impossible.
But then—
"Boom!"
The earth trembled violently. The soil of the Tianhai Plains began undulating like waves on the ocean. Moments later, a massive sinkhole opened in the ground, its gaping maw exhaling dense earth energy.
From within the swirling energy, a mountain peak slowly ascended. It rose higher and higher until it towered over a thousand feet tall.
"What is this…?" Ji Tao's eyes widened in disbelief.
"The Profound Earth Vessel! How can it appear here?"
Ji Tao stared in utter shock as the unthinkable unfolded before him. The arrival of the Profound Earth Vessel shattered the previously unyielding barrier of Wilderness Pass. The defensive formations crumbled, collapsing like bubbles.
From the vessel, fifteen figures emerged. At the front of the group was a man who made Ji Tao's heart skip a beat.
"Meng Kun?!"
What followed left Ji Tao completely dumbfounded.
Meng Kun, leading fifteen Shennong Priests from the Kunyuan Earth School, began unloading small mountains from the Profound Earth Vessel. Each of these mountains was no ordinary rock; they were the legendary Myriad Weight Mountains, Ninth-Rank Supreme Treasures. And there were fifteen of them.
Ji Tao was utterly stunned. His confusion dissipated into clarity as he realized why Ji Xi's defenses had failed so swiftly. The truth was overwhelming.
When five Myriad Weight Mountains were airborne above Wilderness Pass, they expanded rapidly, growing dozens of times their initial size. Soon, the entire defensive line was overshadowed by their sheer size.
Then, they came crashing down.
"Boom!"
The five mountains smashed into the five military camps within Wilderness Pass, annihilating them completely. A radiant yellow light emanated from the mountains, sealing the surrounding earth and preventing any attempt at escape.
The power required to control even a single Myriad Weight Mountain demanded mastery of the Supreme Mountain Shifting Technique, at least at the Fourth Transformation. The fifteen individuals wielding these mountains were undoubtedly elite Shennong Priests, masters of their craft.
In mere moments, the fifty thousand-strong army stationed at Wilderness Pass vanished without a trace. Ji Xi, leading his high-ranking experts, had no choice but to flee.
However, before he could escape, ten more Myriad Weight Mountains descended from the heavens. A dense yellow mist spread between the mountains, creating an inescapable domain.
"Whoosh—"
Even the airborne experts found themselves retreating involuntarily. The domain's gravitational pull was immense, dragging many back toward the ground.
The Reversed Earth Palace, a deadly formation concealed within the Myriad Weight Mountains, activated. As a signature weapon of the Kunyuan Earth School, the formation incorporated every Earth-based technique the school had perfected.
Within moments, the retreating experts slowed to a crawl. Some were even pulled back entirely, unable to resist the domain's force.
In the blink of an eye, the mountains came crashing down again.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
Over a hundred high-ranking experts were crushed instantly. Ji Xi himself found his body pinned beneath one of the Myriad Weight Mountains, a faint golden hue radiating from its surface. Only his head remained exposed.
"Whoosh—"
The image zoomed in, the perspective shifting as though controlled by an unseen hand. The focus tightened on Meng Kun, who reached out and grabbed the Mirlit Bead, speaking directly into it.
"Ji Tao, your son is now trapped under this golden mountain," Meng Kun declared with a cold voice.
"Relay this message to your father, King Liang."
"If Zhao Xing dies, you'll be next."
"You have two quarters of an hour to convey this message after receiving the Mirlit Bead."
"If I don't hear from Zhao Xing within that time—"
Meng Kun didn't finish his sentence. The Mirlit Bead shattered in his hand, its fragments scattering like sparks. The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.
Ji Tao's shock turned into a mix of rage and terror. The Kunyuan Earth School was supposed to remain in Daoyuan Continent. How had they appeared here without any warning? And with such overwhelming force?
He could scarcely comprehend how his actions had provoked such a formidable deployment of Shennong Priests, including the legendary Profound Earth Vessel and the devastating Myriad Weight Mountains.
What had he, Ji Tao, done to deserve this?
Yet amid his shock, Ji Tao remembered a pressing question.
"Sir," he turned to his advisor, his voice trembling. "Who is Zhao Xing?"
Meanwhile, Zhao Xing, unaware of the monumental events unfolding in the distant Luliang Prefecture, continued his journey. He could not have imagined the sheer scale of Meng Kun's rescue efforts or the havoc it had unleashed.
At the same time, in Daoyuan Continent, Shangluo Academy's Original Dao Courtyard, deep within a dense primeval forest, a shadowy figure emerged from the towering ancient trees.
The figure moved swiftly, flying through the forest with urgency. Around them, the ancient trees bore intricate carvings of runes and mysterious patterns. Faint, otherworldly glows emanated from the symbols, casting a kaleidoscope of light onto the forest floor. The branches stretched in all directions, creating a canopy like an immense umbrella, while the leaves shimmered with prismatic hues.
Every leaf seemed to carry infinite magical power.
Quickly, the figure flew out of the forest and reached an open plain.
The plain was barren except for a single, massive divine tree. No other vegetation surrounded it. The tree's leaves alone spanned over ten meters, while its trunk resembled a towering mountain.
Beneath the divine tree was a peculiar garden of exotic flowers and plants. Among them were blue flowers with crystalline petals, their stamens glimmering like stars, emitting an intoxicating fragrance. Numerous vines coiled around the divine tree, adorned with delicate fruits that exuded an alluring aroma.
Pang Yuanren, mesmerized by the scene, couldn't help but feel tempted. Yet he reminded himself of his purpose and continued forward without delay.
"Shhh…"
He quickly approached the divine tree.
Beneath it lay a finely crafted courtyard.
The courtyard teemed with strange and marvelous plants. Their slender leaves glowed faintly, and a soft aura of spiritual energy surrounded them. These spirit herbs seemed almost sentient, swaying gently as if communicating with the environment.
"A legendary divine tree," Pang Yuanren muttered, his heart overwhelmed. This was his first time seeing such a sight.
Of course, his current presence was not his true self but a Self Straw Puppet (a puppet used for reconnaissance, not the Myriad Law Clone).
At the courtyard's center was a small fountain. The water in the fountain was crystal clear, exuding an enigmatic aura. Bubbles occasionally surfaced, releasing strands of pure spiritual energy as they popped.
An elderly man clad in a robe with intricate patterns stood beside the fountain, nodding repeatedly at a flower that resembled a trumpet.
"Alright, I understand," the elder said softly. "Be careful there as well. The assassinations you face will only be more dangerous than those targeting your disciple."
"Don't worry; I'll make arrangements. At this point, what does Shangluo Academy have left to fear?"
"Focus on your tasks. I'll handle everything—"
"Ah, Pang Yuanren is here. I'll ask him in detail."
As he finished speaking, a Self Straw Puppet floated into the courtyard.
"Greetings, Dean," Pang Yuanren said, bowing deeply.
The elder was none other than Xu Xing, the Dean of Shangluo Academy and the leader of the Self School.
"Yuanren, I already know why you've come. Tell me—how is Zhao Xing doing?" Xu Xing inquired.
"Yes." Pang Yuanren immediately recounted everything in detail. He mimicked the tone and demeanor of his conversations with Zhao Xing, ensuring accuracy.
Once he finished, he retrieved two books from his robe and handed them to Xu Xing.
"Dean, these are Zhao Xing's works: The New Treatise on the Theory of Self and Natural Harmony."
Xu Xing took the books, his smile widening as he glanced through them.
"These two volumes alone, if written in ancient times, would be enough to establish a new sect."
"You mentioned he seemed unsatisfied during his discussions. What did you mean by that?"
Pang Yuanren replied, "During his discourse, Zhao Xing mentioned using plant-based formations to transform cave-heavens and blessed lands, but it's not discussed in these books."
"Even when conversing with Wei Zhao and Yang Song, we often couldn't fully grasp what he was saying."
Xu Xing chuckled, tucking the books into his robe. "It seems his talent is truly extraordinary."
"Dean, what should we do next?" Pang Yuanren asked earnestly.
"With your current strength, there's nothing you can do," Xu Xing said, his smile fading. "Others will handle it."
Pang Yuanren's heart sank. As someone at the pinnacle of the Third Rank, being told he couldn't participate was shocking. Did this mean the Dean planned to mobilize Second Rank—or even First Rank—experts?
It seemed King Liang had thoroughly provoked the Self School this time.
After Pang Yuanren's Self Straw Puppet left, Xu Xing sat down beside the fountain.
"Attempting back-to-back assassinations of the two most promising talents of the Self School… King Liang, I may be old, but I'm not dead."
He closed his eyes and lowered his head.
In the distant regions of Luliang Prefecture and Pinghai Province, over a thousand instances of Xu Xing opened their crimson eyes.
Some remained hidden in the safety houses set up by the Inspectorate, their presence dormant.
Others were concealed in secret residences within the Shangluo Academy branches.
Some lay buried underground, resembling lifeless branches.
Among these instances, one of Xu Xing's clones arrived in the Youyou Commandery.
His arrival was only a moment later than Meng Kun's.
Meng Kun had conceived the strategy of Encircling Wei to Rescue Zhao, and Xu Xing had naturally thought of the same. However, Xu Xing had not entered King Liang's territory via the Yaoguang Commandery's border.
His goal extended beyond merely capturing one of King Liang's direct descendants.
"Sir, who is Zhao Xing?" Ji Tao asked, his voice steady as he turned to Li Yang for an answer.
But when he looked up again, Ji Tao, who had been standing before him just moments ago, had vanished without a trace.
"Your Highness! Your Highness?!" Li Yang's voice quivered in fear.
The surroundings of the Spring Palace were eerily quiet. Li Yang cast multiple spell arts of Ritual Cultivation to search, but he found no anomalies.
In the exact spot where Ji Tao had disappeared, a strange flower shaped like a trumpet had suddenly sprouted. Its petals bore two words, seemingly formed naturally.
Xu Xing.
Li Yang collapsed to the ground before the Spring Palace.
"Quickly, notify King Liang!"
Elsewhere.
Ji Tao felt his vision blur as he suddenly found himself in an entirely different location.
He took a careful look around, realizing he was in a sealed lotus-shaped space.
"This is…?" Ji Tao was dumbstruck.
As a Second Rank cultivator, he could not fathom who might have the ability to silently relocate him.
Cold sweat dripped down Ji Tao's back as dread consumed him.
One moment, he had been asking, "Sir, who is Zhao Xing?"
The next, he was here.
How could he not be afraid?
"Who… who might this senior be?" Ji Tao stammered, his voice trembling.
"There's no need for questions," Xu Xing's voice echoed within the lotus space. "If Zhao Xing remains unharmed, you might still have a chance to live."
Zhao Xing. It was Zhao Xing again.
Why was everyone after Zhao Xing?
Upon hearing Xu Xing's words, Ji Tao felt like crying but couldn't shed tears. He lamented internally, "I don't even know who Zhao Xing is!"
Pinghai Province, Mingyue Prefecture, Li Huo Dao Academy.
From the shadows, the figure of King Tianyan emerged.
"Zhao Xing, it's over," he declared coldly.
The original body beside him stirred at these words, his thoughts quickening.
"Your Highness, it's over?" the figure asked.
"Yes. Four assassins are dead. I left one alive to serve as evidence," King Tianyan replied with a nod.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Zhao Xing let out a long breath of relief. He could now call his clones back.
As for why one assassin was spared, he fully understood. From a higher vantage, King Liang's actions, in the eyes of many feudal lords, could rival those of the Great Ancestor. After all, King Liang had once led troops to conquer Yin You Mountain!
The vast territories of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture and the southern wilderness were carved out by the Southern Barbarian Corps under King Liang's command.
However, Emperor Jing's reforms over the past centuries had shaken the interests of many feudal lords and noble families.
As a result, King Liang still had many supporters.
The root of King Liang's proclamation against traitors wasn't rebellion against the Great Zhou but rather opposition to Liu Si's reforms.
At present, King Liang's main forces had not even started large-scale massacres or sieges. Instead, various vassals and nobles were shouldering the brunt of the conflict. But the more mistakes King Liang made, the less legitimate his claims to loyalty would seem.
The erosion of public trust and prestige would weaken his foundation.
At that point, King Liang would lose the support of Yin Gods, and the Black Dragon Fortune would be diminished.
This would also limit the harm to the Tianzhou dynasty.
"That so many high-ranking cultivators came to assassinate a mere Shennong officer will make people question King Liang. This is a significant blow to him," King Tianyan said.
"Once public trust is lost, fortune declines. This applies even to the dynasty itself. If the emperor falters, the fortune of officials and soldiers across the land will diminish, and their strength will greatly decrease," he explained further.
Zhao Xing nodded. "Thank you, King Tianyan."
Pinghai Province, Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.
The former administrative mansion had been transformed into a royal palace.
King Liang, Ji Mingxian, resided within. While much of his army had retreated into Great Zhou territory, Ji Mingxian's original body remained stationed in the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture.
At this moment, he stood before the Wei Shenluo, an artifact displaying the general map of Pinghai Province. Unlike a simple sand table, the artifact showed intermingling streams of golden and black energy, locked in constant battle.
Above the Wei Shenluo floated a scroll: the Hidden Fortune Dragon Ranking, aiding King Liang in tracking the movements of powerful figures within Pinghai Province.
Behind him stood over a dozen statues.
These statues depicted various deities of the Great Zhou.
After a brief glance at the statues, King Liang exited the room.
Outside, a Ritual Cultivator dressed in a scholar's robe knelt respectfully.
"Sir Gu, what is the meaning of this?" Ji Mingxian asked.
"Your Highness," Sir Gu prostrated himself. "This humble servant is guilty. The assassination attempt failed. Daoist Tianjue was captured alive, and the others were killed."
King Liang's tone remained calm. "No matter. Please rise."
Yet Sir Gu remained kneeling and delivered another grave report.
"An hour ago, Original Military City fell."
"Meng Kun, the Dean of the Earth Repository Academy at Kunyuan Academy, appeared suddenly in Yaoguang Commandery. He and Xie Changlin launched an assault."
"The Sage Xiao Zhe piloted the Profound Earth Vessel, while Meng Kun and his forces carried the heavy artifact Ten Thousand Mountains, crushing five hundred thousand troops. Ji Xi was captured alive. They announced that if Zhao Xing is not released within two hours, Ji Xi will be executed."
"The eldest prince, who was preparing to mount a rescue, disappeared en route. In his place, a fully bloomed Divine Thunder Flower was left behind, inscribed with the words 'Xu Xing.'"
"Simultaneously, forty-nine senior generals across our forces have vanished."
Hearing this, King Liang's eyes flickered with a trace of surprise.
That Shangluo Academy had acted was no shock; after all, he had long been at odds with them. One of the key reasons for his proclamation of loyalty was the negligence of the Transport Division, which led to shortages in military supplies.
Liu Tianning, as Transport Commissioner of Pinghai Province, had been his prime target for removal.
Shangluo Academy's involvement was within his calculations.
But Zhao Xing was the target. Why was Kunyuan Academy interfering?
And not only interfering, but deploying the Profound Earth Vessel and Ten Thousand Mountains?
Even so, King Liang maintained his composure. "Sir Gu, please rise. This is not your fault."
Still, Sir Gu remained prostrated and delivered yet another devastating report.
"The Houbian Sect, led by Ling Tianchen, has dispatched fifty-nine cultivators to the Weak Water Path, one of the Military Realm's critical gateways. They claim their sect's disciple, Zhao Xing, was unjustly attacked by rebels."
"The Purple Feather King and Black Boot King, the two vassals guarding the Weak Water Path, have been heavily injured—whether they are alive remains unknown. The path has fallen into imperial hands."
Sir Gu's voice trembled as he spoke.
After all, the Weak Water Path was located in the western frontier, a region where ordinary humans could not defend it; only physically robust non-human warriors could maintain control.
The Weak Water Path was a pivotal element of King Liang's military strategy.
The Houbian Sect's Shennong officers specialized in transformation techniques and excelled in the aquatic environments of the Weak Water Path.
In other words, King Liang might be able to lose a son, but he could not afford to lose the Weak Water Path.
Its loss was more catastrophic than the death of ten sons.
After finishing his report, Sir Gu lay flat on the ground.
He couldn't comprehend how a single Zhao Xing had provoked such a vehement response from three major sects.
Wasn't Zhao Xing merely a genius of the Self School?
Why, then, did it feel as though he were a Holy Son to all three sects, each willing to protect him at any cost?
"Weak Water Path… lost." King Liang murmured the words, his eyes stormy as a ghostly light flashed, locking onto the prone strategist.
This time, he did not ask Sir Gu to rise.