With the direction confirmed, Zhao Xing flew towards the location, taking only half a month to arrive.
"Found you, Dragon Spirit Bamboo!"
"Hmm? It's this tall?"
Zhao Xing quickly estimated the height of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo by eye.
This Dragon Spirit Bamboo towered a full ten thousand zhang, three times taller than the Mount Qitian he cultivated!
"It's even larger than I expected. It seems the absence of players has indeed increased the overall spiritual energy levels in the Xuanhuang Realm, including this location, the Bright North Sea," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
In his previous life, during the Yuan Qi Tide accompanied by a small-scale spiritual energy surge, the Dragon Spirit Bamboo he saw only reached a height of ten thousand zhang.
But now, the Yuan Qi Tide hadn't even arrived, and it was already this tall?
"Better let my avatar check it out first."
Cautious as always, Zhao Xing did not immediately rush forward.
After all, this was no ordinary treasure; the Dragon Spirit Bamboo was powerful enough to serve as a military asset. Its strength was equivalent to that of a human cultivator in the Rule Stage!
From the perspective of life levels, the power of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo was remarkable even among Rule Stage beings.
The time required for its gestation and the nutrients it absorbed far surpassed those of other lifeforms.
Even without a self-consciousness, its self-protection mechanisms were terrifying.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—
Zhao Xing's avatar slowly advanced, maintaining a distance of twenty thousand meters while observing from multiple dimensions in the air.
The outer layer of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo was surrounded by a shimmering golden mist. Even from afar, one could feel a sharp stinging sensation.
"This isn't just a hint of Geng Metal True Intent; it's a full-fledged Geng Metal Rule Domain, akin to the Rule Domain humans cultivate."
"This is a naturally formed self-protection mechanism, not a deliberate attack."
As Zhao Xing observed, his avatar dived into the sea and discovered that the roots of the bamboo formed a thousand-meter-tall mountain under the ocean, which created a sprawling island around the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
Eight spiritual energy wells surrounded the island, emitting spiritual energy from within.
Both the island and the ocean beneath were locked by a faint golden barrier.
Instinct for survival had led the bamboo to seal the spiritual energy, creating a unique self-sustaining environment.
"Eight spiritual energy wells? There were only three in my previous life."
Seeing this, Zhao Xing further confirmed his speculation that the total spiritual energy in this life far exceeded expectations.
From the base of the bamboo, Zhao Xing observed peculiar patterns on its trunk. These were not mere marks or flaws but resembled small coiling dragons.
Upon closer examination, the patterns seemed alive—some raising their heads high, others slithering in curves, each uniquely vivid.
Every dragon-shaped pattern emitted a faint glow of various colors—blue, yellow, red—creating a flow of life within the bamboo that seemed to align with the natural rules of the Dragon Court.
"It's said to be one of the sacred woods of the Dragon Court. In ancient times, the Dragon Clan would come here to meditate. Over time, the bamboo absorbed their draconic energy, transforming into the Dragon Spirit Bamboo."
The ancient dragon patterns extended longitudinally, as if recounting the bamboo's extraordinary history of enduring lunar baptisms and nourishment from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
The colorful hues of its base added a sense of grandeur and mystery. This was not just a unique mark of its appearance but also a symbol of its close connection to the Dragon Clan.
The bamboo leaves were equally unique. From afar, they resembled sharp swords, their edges glinting faintly with a cold light that seemed capable of slicing through the void with a mere swing.
Golden markings covered the joints between the bamboo segments. Upon closer inspection, these markings resembled dragon scales.
Overall, each bamboo segment appeared like a piece of a dragon's skeleton, sturdy and powerful, as if containing infinite strength.
"Big, too big, beyond expectations," Zhao Xing muttered with a bitter smile.
Initially, he planned to transplant this treasure as a military resource. According to his calculations, the Dragon Spirit Bamboo should have only been equivalent to the initial Rule Stage of humans.
But now, it clearly possessed mid to even late Rule Stage strength.
"Transplanting this will be as difficult as moving an old oak."
"No, that comparison is unfair. The Dragon Spirit Bamboo lacks strong self-awareness and has only survival instincts. The old oak is far more powerful."
As Zhao Xing's avatar approached within ten thousand meters, he noticed that no other life forms were present in the vicinity, as nothing else could survive here.
A plant of this immense strength instinctively absorbed the nutrients of heaven and earth, leaving no chance for other life forms unless they were beneficial to it.
Perhaps there were once creatures here, but now, there were certainly none.
There was no guardian beast either, as the Dragon Spirit Bamboo itself was strong enough.
"However, I am no longer the same person who first entered the Dragon Court," Zhao Xing thought. "My Pure Essence Projection is vast enough, and with my Ninth-Grade Soil—dubbed the best in the world—transplanting a treasure of this caliber is no problem."
Shush, shush, shush—
After half a month of observation and careful planning, Zhao Xing recalled all his avatars.
Transplanting such a large treasure required his undivided attention.
It wasn't just about avoiding harm to himself but also about protecting the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
If it were removed from its spiritual energy environment too abruptly, it could sustain damage, which would be a great loss.
"Alright."
Standing ten thousand meters away, Zhao Xing exhaled deeply. After half a month of recuperation, his energy, spirit, and yuan qi were at their peak.
"Pure Essence Projection!"
With a low shout, Zhao Xing opened his eyes, and a vast shadow appeared in the seabed.
The light under the sea instantly dimmed.
"Translocation Illusion!"
The originally irregular Pure Essence Projection began to shift and transform.
Around the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, within a ten-thousand-meter radius, a larger circle formed.
The shadow began to creep forward.
To transplant it, Zhao Xing needed to penetrate the roots of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
"~"
As the Pure Essence Projection approached the golden mist, its speed slowed significantly.
This was the Dragon Spirit Bamboo's innate Rule Domain resisting instinctively.
Any change to its growth environment that threatened its survival would trigger its resistance.
Weaker plants adapted to their surroundings, while stronger plants altered them!
Zhao Xing's annotations in Theory of Self and Natural Harmony resonated with this reality.
This was why the Shennong Priests of the Sacred Wood Division often spent their entire lives cultivating and transferring treasures of this grade.
The resistance wasn't strong, but Zhao Xing had no intention of forcefully invading. Instead, he began analyzing and exploring the surrounding environment of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
This included the distribution of spiritual soil, water veins, and the strength of the earth veins.
He was conducting intricate and extensive calculations.
"Transform!"
Within Zhao Xing's Pure Essence Space, various elements began to manifest: Earth Veins, Spiritual Energy Springs, Wild Yuan qi, Flowing Fire, Pillars of Gold and Stone, Gale Winds, and Twin Thunder Pools.
As the high-level soil began to shift, Zhao Xing marveled at the advantage of having such abundant resources and space. The unique properties of his soil had all advanced to the second stage, allowing him to freely alter their distribution at will.
"A treasured inheritance of this caliber requires meticulous preparation for every transplantation," he mused, recalling the meticulous efforts of Shennong practitioners from the Self School. "The process involves adapting the Pure Essence Soil to closely mimic the original growth environment of the transplanted treasured plants."
"This prevents triggering the self-defense mechanisms of a Treasure-class Divine Tree or, at the very least, minimizes the strength of those mechanisms. Essentially, it's about creating an environment identical to the one where the Dragon Spirit Bamboo originally thrived, enabling the Pure Essence Projection to encapsulate it successfully."
"And then, you strike when it's unguarded, transplanting it swiftly into the Pure Essence Space."
Having studied texts like Theory of Self and Natural Harmony and The Canon of Heaven and Earth Plant Soldiers, Zhao Xing understood the nuances of this process. However, he also knew that the act of transplanting such treasures was not without risk. Many Shennong practitioners had been injured—or worse—by the defense mechanisms of these divine plants.
"Even triggering a passive defense mechanism could result in a single strike equivalent to a casual attack from a Rule Stage expert. A single mistake, and you're done for."
Keeping a steady mindset, Zhao Xing did not rush. Compared to taming spiritual beasts, transplanting spiritual plants was much less hazardous. Plants lacked strong self-awareness, so as long as the process was managed carefully, the risks were manageable. The key lay in perfect execution.
"Simulating the plant's original survival environment is a fundamental skill for Self School Shennong practitioners tasked with transplanting vegetation."
For Zhao Xing, the entire infiltration process took three painstaking years. After this extended period, his Pure Essence Projection finally enveloped the core roots of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
"It's only possible to encapsulate the main root system," Zhao Xing noted as he opened his eyes. "The sheer scope of its root spread is terrifying. Even with my abilities, covering everything is impossible."
He reflected on the scale: "A tree just twenty to thirty meters tall can have roots extending up to three kilometers underground. The Dragon Spirit Bamboo, towering over ten thousand meters, has roots sprawling beneath almost half the Bright North Sea! Covering it all? Even Ninth-Level Soil couldn't manage that—let alone Tenth-Level Soil."
Thus, the next step was clear—severing the extraneous roots.
"This is the critical moment," he whispered, breathing deeply as he meticulously planned for two and a half months. Only after finalizing an optimal plan did Zhao Xing proceed.
"Gather!" he shouted, unleashing his entire reservoir of yuan qi. His Pure Essence Projection began retracting, an arduous task that took three years and two and a half months to accomplish.
The instant the Dragon Spirit Bamboo was absorbed, its self-defense mechanism activated.
A brilliant golden shockwave, stretching over ten thousand meters, burst outward, accompanied by the manifestation of a dragon's shadow attempting to emerge from the bamboo's body.
"Boom!"
The shockwave obliterated Zhao Xing's original position, leaving only a cloud of mist, which was quickly torn apart and swept away by the expanding shockwave as it ravaged the Bright North Sea. Towering tsunamis surged, making the entire sea appear to boil.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Despite repeatedly using the "A Step to Infinity," the shockwave's speed defied conventional understanding. It was a pure Rule-impact shockwave, its velocity unbound by common sense.
"Divine Wood Leap!" Zhao Xing activated the pinnacle technique of the Self School, derived from its predecessor, "Jungle Leap." This evolved method, "Divine Wood Leap," enabled him to traverse his meticulously prepared escape path lined with Seventh-Rank control trees, known as Tong Trees. Spaced three hundred kilometers apart, they formed a continuous route.
Before entering the Dragon Court, Zhao Xing had planted two thousand such trees, leaving only a few saplings as spares after this escapade. Each leap inflicted the cost on the Tong Tree itself, rapidly withering it to ash.
"Buzz, buzz, buzz..." The chain of leaps spanned an incredible six hundred thousand kilometers, exhausting all the Tong Trees in his path. Turning back, Zhao Xing exhaled in relief.
"The Rule Stage is terrifyingly powerful," he muttered. "Thankfully, I came prepared."
Zhao Xing knew he was utterly defenseless against Rule Stage opponents. No matter how many clones he had, they couldn't bridge the dimensional gap in power.
Even Liu Tianning had only succeeded in inheriting the Four Great Divine Trees after reaching First Rank and manifesting a Rule Domain.
"This isn't over yet," Zhao Xing reminded himself, sitting cross-legged and immersing his mind into the Pure Essence Space.
Inside, the Pure Essence Soil pulsed with golden waves radiating from the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, which trembled unceasingly. Simply relocating it was only the first step; now, he needed to manage the triggered defense mechanism further.
"I'm not at the Rule Stage, not even at First Rank, but my Pure Essence Soil, imbued with seven unique properties, should be sufficient to suppress it."
Zhao Xing began meticulously manipulating the Earth Veins, channeling spiritual energy of fire, wind, wood, metal, and thunder attributes to pacify the trembling Dragon Spirit Bamboo. Despite his efforts, the bamboo's strength far exceeded expectations, and it remained restless for a long time.
"It's too strong. Thankfully, I didn't plant any other flora here; otherwise, they'd have been obliterated the moment it entered. That would have been a complete waste."
Such dominance was the nature of Treasure-class plants. Their survival instincts compelled them to reshape the surrounding environment into one suited exclusively for themselves.
"It doesn't look like it'll calm down anytime soon," Zhao Xing concluded, sparing a glance at the backup plants he'd moved into the corners earlier. These included tools like the remaining Tong Trees and Five Element Wood for straw puppet materials, which fortunately remained unaffected due to the ample space.
Just as Zhao Xing prepared to exit, the Dragon Spirit Bamboo suddenly stopped its chaotic movements, ceasing its attempts to monopolize the center's dense spiritual energy.
"Hmm?" Zhao Xing scrutinized the scene and noticed a faint glow emanating from a purple-black seed floating at the very heart of the Pure Essence Space, where the spiritual energy was richest.
Purple-black light radiated in strands, continuously clashing against the Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
"It's the tender leaves of the Mo Yun Vine emitting this light," Zhao Xing remarked, chuckling to himself.
The scene resembled a single green leaf from the Mo Yun Vine giving the Dragon Spirit Bamboo a metaphorical slap, forcing the unruly plant to behave. The Dragon Spirit Bamboo immediately ceased its attempts to absorb spiritual energy, settling down in quiet submission.
"Mo Yun Vine really knows how to command respect," Zhao Xing mused, laughing aloud.
Even though the Mo Yun Vine was still in its seedling phase while the Dragon Spirit Bamboo had already reached its peak, the latter's survival instincts were sharp. Sensing the overwhelming presence of a superior entity nearby, the Dragon Spirit Bamboo prudently abandoned any thoughts of resource competition. Bamboo life mattered most, after all.
"Impressive!" Zhao Xing exclaimed with genuine admiration.
The Mo Yun Vine, despite never competing for spiritual energy, merely sustaining its own life form over the years, had proven to be a reliable guardian for Zhao Xing's Pure Essence Space at critical moments.
"Void-class seeds have a broader perspective," Zhao Xing thought, feeling a wave of gratitude. "It understands I can't afford to cultivate it properly right now."
Turning his attention back to the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, Zhao Xing couldn't help but regard it with a mixture of appreciation and exasperation.
"Even though the Dragon Spirit Bamboo is a soldier-class plant, it holds significant medicinal value," he observed.
"It possesses the miraculous ability to nourish the soul. When placed nearby, it emits a unique spiritual energy that gradually permeates a cultivator's Sea of Consciousness, repairing subtle damages to the soul and strengthening mental resilience."
"Cultivating near the Dragon Spirit Bamboo for extended periods results in a soul as solid as a rock, making one highly resistant to illusions and mental attacks. It even aids in smoother breakthroughs by countering inner demons."
"Moreover, its branches are exceptional materials for crafting divine weapons. Artifacts made from these branches are not only extraordinarily resilient but also imbued with profound spiritual properties."
"For instance, crafting a flute from its segments enables soundwaves to take the form of dragons, producing powerful sonic attacks capable of shaking an enemy's spirit."
"Fashioning a sword from its branches would result in dragon-scale patterns adorning the blade. Swinging the weapon would unleash roars reminiscent of a real dragon, creating devastating power."
Zhao Xing's gaze lingered on the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, thoroughly satisfied.
"But its true value lies in its combat capabilities," he muttered.
"Much like true dragons, it can unleash breath attacks. Each segment of the bamboo serves as a point of release."
"Its dragon breath is pale gold, with searing temperatures that can instantly reduce nearby objects to ash."
"Then there's the Bamboo Shadow Phantom Dragon: having coexisted with ancient dragon species for countless years, its body and leaves have recorded many of their innate secret techniques. When the bamboo moves, the surrounding spiritual energy rapidly gathers to form lifelike dragon phantoms."
"These phantoms are formidable in both offense and defense, capable of engaging enemies in intense combat."
"Finally, there's the Bamboo Barrier Formation. The segments of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo interconnect to create a powerful barrier of rules."
"This barrier has a concealment effect. It remained hidden in the Bright North Sea for so many years thanks to this Bamboo Barrier Formation."
"Additionally, it automatically absorbs ambient spiritual energy to defend against enemy attacks while reflecting a portion of the offensive force."
Zhao Xing recalled his narrow escape earlier, where the Dragon Spirit Bamboo had unleashed its Geng Metal Rule Breath.
Though the bamboo possessed attributes from other elements, its core nature stemmed from Metal and Wood Rules. Its innate talents derived from these rules included the Geng Metal Breath and the Bamboo Barrier Formation.
After observing it for a while, Zhao Xing turned his attention away. For now, he lacked the means to command the Dragon Spirit Bamboo. It would require mastering an advanced version of the Mobilizing All Plants as Soldiers technique.
"Something like Liu Tianning's Heaven and Earth Plant Soldier Canon or the Divine General's Command would be necessary," Zhao Xing mused.
Only by combining these secret methods could he fully command plant soldiers in battle as he wished.
"I can't even project it into the real world at this point."
He thought of Liu Tianning's legendary use of the Four Seasons Divine Splendor technique, which only partially projected the Four Divine Trees into existence, leaving them in a state between illusion and reality.
To truly summon divine trees onto the Xuanhuang Realm, one would need to create a Four Seasons Divine Splendor Dao Field, not just a Four Seasons Divine Splendor Domain.
"Capturing the Dragon Spirit Bamboo took over four years," Zhao Xing muttered. "And all the adult Tong Trees were sacrificed."
"But it was entirely worth it. Using the Dragon Spirit Bamboo as the representation of spring in the Four Seasons Divine Splendor Dao Field will be vastly superior to Liu Tianning's Celestial Bamboo."
"Wait, not Liu Tianning—Little Liu would be more fitting by then, ha!" Zhao Xing chuckled at his daydreams.
Moments later, he transformed into a five-clawed golden dragon, soaring toward his next destination.
Meanwhile, in Guting Royal City, Xia Jing and Long Xiao stumbled out of a teleportation array, their disheveled appearances drawing stares.
"What happened to you two?" Chen Shijie, standing at the edge of the teleportation plaza, paused mid-conversation, lowering the Star Conch in his hand.
"Weren't you headed to Longyuan Valley just this morning?"
"Ugh, don't even bring it up," Xia Jing waved dismissively. "We teleported to True Dragon Royal City in the morning and flew toward Longyuan Valley, but we ran into a tsunami and a massive storm not long after."
"A tsunami and storm? In that direction?" Chen Shijie frowned, puzzled. Over the years, he had grown quite familiar with the Dragon Court's geography.
"Bright North Sea."
"That's impossible," Chen Shijie said, shaking his head. "It's over eighty thousand miles away. How could its weather affect your journey to Longyuan Valley?"
"It's true," Long Xiao interjected. "We were skeptical at first, too. But after waiting two hours in Royal City, we received a warning from Lin, a First Rank expert, through the Star Conch. He confirmed Longyuan Valley is gone—completely swallowed by the raging Bright North Sea."
"What?" Chen Shijie was stunned, finding it almost unbelievable.
Shennong practitioners were deeply attuned to the elements and environments. For Chen Shijie, such an event seemed entirely improbable.
The Bright North Sea was over two hundred fifty thousand miles away from Longyuan Valley. What kind of tsunami could possibly extend that far?
Yet, moments later, his own Star Conch buzzed with a similar report.
Numerous court officials emerged from the teleportation array, relaying urgent news.
"Not only is Longyuan Valley submerged, but a quarter of the Golden Desert north of the Bright North Sea has also turned into an ocean."
"Two territories of the neighboring Dragon Kingdom, Gu Pang, have suffered severe disasters."
"The court has issued warnings across sixty-three regions and one hundred fifty-two exploration sites. Those below Second Rank strength are forbidden to approach for any reason."
Xia Jing rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Do you think Zhao Xing had something to do with this? The Bright North Sea is known as the Dead Sea; why would it suddenly go berserk?"
"Why guess when we can ask?" Long Xiao suggested, pulling out his Star Conch. "Doesn't Zhao Xing have a stationed avatar in Xila Prefecture?"
Xila Prefecture was the former residence of Ji Mengjun, a Royal City official serving as a representative for the Great Zhou Dynasty in the Dragon Court.
Currently, Ji Si was inundated with inquiries, her Star Conch buzzing incessantly as officials sought clarification.
After finally addressing the flood of messages, Ji Si entered a secure chamber, looking toward the figure meditating within.
"Marquis Shenwei, the commotion this time is enormous," Ji Si said, her tone exasperated.
Zhao Xing, still seated, shook his head. "I didn't expect it to be this bad either."
He had issued warnings immediately after his escape, and Ji Si was one of the first to receive the alert. However, even Zhao Xing had underestimated the magnitude of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo's outburst.
"When it erupted as I relocated it, I barely had time to flee. It took over two thousand breaths before I could pause to send a message."
"How could I explain it clearly when I didn't even know the full extent myself?" he sighed.
Zhao Xing had already clarified everything, so why did the imperial court still need Fate Officers?
"Everyone, let's keep a low profile," Zhao Xing said calmly. "In the next few years, mid-tier officials should avoid wandering around the Central Dragon Court without purpose. Even third-rank officials should reduce their visits there."
"Again?" Ji Si blinked in surprise, then quickly caught on, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, is there progress?"
"Yes."
"How significant?"
"Very significant!" Zhao Xing replied. "I can't say for certain what's going on until I return, but it's a major breakthrough."
Currently, Zhao Xing wasn't even clear on which specific stage of the Rule Stage the Dragon Spirit Bamboo had reached. Only by cultivating with the Divine Soldier Art could he gain deeper insight.
"Alright." Ji Si nodded, prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment. Notify everyone near the 'Panghuo Desert' exploration area to retreat in advance," Zhao Xing instructed.
His next destination was precisely the Panghuo Desert.
Ji Si nodded. "Got it. I'll inform them."
The Panghuo Desert, a place seemingly cursed by the gods, was perpetually engulfed in endless flames. The scorching atmosphere permeated every inch of air, turning this desert into a forbidden zone for life.
"Whew~" Zhao Xing's massive dragon form stepped into the desert before he reverted to his human shape.
Before him, fiery tongues of flame danced wildly in the air like the outstretched hands of malevolent demons.
The blazing fire dyed the sky a crimson red, blending with the golden sands to form a scene straight out of a hellish nightmare.
The high temperatures distorted the air, making the desert's landscape appear to sway in the shimmering heat, as if trapped in an illusory dreamscape.
"Panghuo Desert, one of the forbidden zones of the Dragon Court's ancient lands," Zhao Xing muttered as he scanned the area ahead. "But forbidden zones often attract the most people. Many craftsmen skilled in illumination enjoy coming here to harvest sand."
"I'm here to find a second plant to represent summer. When establishing a Dao Field, I'll use it to govern the southern rules of heaven and earth."
Zhao Xing closed his eyes and focused, sensing an instinctive contradiction in his planned route.
"This is a hallmark of entering the Heavenly Luck Stage—aligning with the natural flow of the world and avoiding dangerous places."
"Blessings and disasters are interdependent. Sometimes, such instincts shouldn't always dictate actions."
In the past, many first-rank experts executed by Ji Mengjun had been led by destiny to defy imperial orders, resulting in their demise.
"Time to search for reference points."
Zhao Xing's clones spread out, soaring through the sky in search.
From time to time, massive whirlpools of fire appeared out of thin air in the sky. These fiery vortices resembled gateways to the netherworld, exuding suffocating heat and powerful suction. Anything that got too close was instantly sucked in and incinerated.
To a Shennong, however, these abnormal celestial phenomena were still guided by patterns.
Using a variety of methods for spatial positioning, Zhao Xing combined the exhaustive techniques he had learned in this life with his memories from a previous life to systematically explore.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Occasionally, his clones were struck by fiery projectiles launched from the vortexes.
Some clones even accidentally got pulled into the vortices, their forms disintegrating under the intense heat.
"Damn, it's so hot."
The difficulty of exploring the Panghuo Desert far exceeded that of the Bright North Sea.
The Bright North Sea was vast but unimpeded—flying was effortless there. But here, obstacles were everywhere.
It took Zhao Xing six long years to finally locate his target—an ancient volcano.
"The entire Panghuo Desert was born because of this volcano," Zhao Xing remarked, gazing into the distance.
The volcano towered into the clouds, its crater spewing out constant lava flows like an enraged beast unleashing its fury upon the world.
The molten rivers cascaded down the mountain, carving the desert into distinct zones.
Above, flickering fiery whirlpools blinked like ominous eyes.
"Retrieve!" Zhao Xing summoned his remaining clones back and cloaked himself in a colorful cape.
The Jinlan Cape—of mid-tier Treasure grade—was selected from the imperial palace's internal repository. Emperor Jing had once granted Zhao Xing three chances to exchange items, and one of those opportunities had been used to acquire this Jinlan Cape.
Its sole function: fire resistance.
Because it was specialized for a single purpose, it excelled at it.
The cape generated a powerful fireproof barrier.
However, its materials had an extraordinarily long growth cycle. From the time of the founding Emperor Taizu to the present, only four such capes had been crafted.
Of these, three were lower-grade Treasures, and the only mid-tier one had been claimed by Zhao Xing.
"Wait for the Dragon Court's Taiyin Night."
"When the Taiyin Night arrives, the temperature will drop slightly."
After donning the Jinlan Cape, Zhao Xing did not act immediately. He waited patiently until the arrival of the Dragon Court's Taiyin Night.
The Taiyin Night brought a shift in the world's rules, plunging the entire Dragon Court ancient land into a month-long night.
"The intensity has dropped by about 20%. That's good enough," Zhao Xing muttered, opening his eyes.
Even during the night, the Panghuo Desert remained unbearably hot. Though the temperature had decreased by 20%, it was still lethally scorching.
Without the Ancestral Dragon Transformation, the Dragon Emperor Codex's power, and the Jinlan Cape, Zhao Xing wouldn't have dared to venture here.
He had already lost many clones in this place, proof that its flames could even burn those at the Heavenly Luck Stage to death!
"Boom! Boom!"
The night resounded with deep rumbling—the sound of volcanic activity, like the earth's heartbeat.
Wrapped in his cape, Zhao Xing swiftly made his way to the volcano's thermal currents, spiraling down along the crater's rim.
"Boom!"
Each fiery stream extended over ten miles, crisscrossing and making Zhao Xing's heart race with apprehension.
"Like the Bright North Sea, the Panghuo Desert has grown stronger."
"Could it be even more formidable than the Dragon Spirit Bamboo?"
Zhao Xing searched relentlessly until, at the southern edge of the crater, he finally found the second rare treasure plant.
"Lihuo Divine Lotus!"
Situated in the southern position of summer, the second Treasure-grade plant Zhao Xing had prepared for his Four Seasons Dao Field was the Lihuo Divine Lotus.
"It's even larger than I anticipated!"
A trace of greed flickered in Zhao Xing's eyes.
The Lihuo Divine Lotus was magnificent, with its petals layered intricately. Each petal resembled a burning flame, glowing in vibrant shades of red, orange, and golden yellow.
These three colors represented the temperature of the flames.
The petal edges glimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, as if flames danced along their tips.
Even within the volcano, the brilliance of the Lihuo Divine Lotus could not be concealed.
When the flower of the Divine Lotus reached a diameter of three thousand meters!
Its lotus leaves were broad and thick, their shape smooth and rounded, as if carved from jade.
The deep, dark green leaves had a faintly visible pattern of flame on their surface, resembling veins. These veins seemed to pulse with mysterious energy, spreading across the leaves as if constantly nourishing them.
The edges of the leaves curved upwards slightly, forming an elegant arc that allowed the lotus to float steadily on the molten lava lake.
"Pure Essence Projection!"
Zhao Xing cautiously performed the Pure Essence Projection, extending its influence into the magma lake.
The roots and stems of the Divine Lotus were robust and resilient, dark red or reddish-brown in color, as if they had been scorched by flames for countless years. Fine patterns covered the stems, which were deeply embedded into the heart of the volcano.
Absorbing the energy of the entire volcano, Zhao Xing speculated that the volcanic eruptions were likely caused by the Divine Lotus itself.
"If I remove it, Mount Pangyuan will undoubtedly erupt."
"This desert makes it impossible to cultivate the phoenix tree, and even using the A Step to Infinity here is a struggle. Taking this lotus away will be even harder than dealing with the Dragon Spirit Bamboo," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The Nanming Departure Fire, being a first-grade profound intent, could incinerate him to ashes if unleashed.
"To survive in the Pangyuan Desert, at least an eighth-grade plant is required, and it must also be fire-attributed."
"The shortest escape route would still need at least a thousand plants to serve as my jump points."
Originally, Zhao Xing had only prepared seventh-grade [Nanhua Fire Glory Trees], but those were now entirely inadequate.
"Now, to push these seventh-grade Nanhua Fire Glory Trees into the eighth-grade level, I'll need to consume a large amount of spiritual liquid."
"That's too wasteful. Time to activate the backup plan."
And what was the backup plan? Naturally, calling for reinforcements!
At the Xila Mansion in the ancient city of Guting.
Zhao Xing approached Ji Si and said, "Lord Ji, please contact all first- and second-grade Shennong cultivators who have entered the Ancient Dragon Court, regardless of their faction, and send them a message."
"All of them?"
"All of them."
Ji Si hesitated. "To summon so many Shennong cultivators, even with a valid reason, cooperation might be difficult…"
For decades, the three factions had been competing for the position of Grand Shennong!
Now, in the seventieth year of the Eternal Governance Era, the candidates from each faction were already in their seventh round of competition.
Although it was a rivalry, tensions between the factions had grown over these rounds of trials.
Calling these powerful Shennong cultivators individually was one thing. But gathering them together for a collective task? Nearly impossible!
Zhao Xing smiled and said, "Lord Ji, just send the summon. Say that Zhao Xing has a matter that requires their presence at the outskirts of the Panghuo Desert."
"If it were any other profession, I might not be confident. But for Shennong cultivators—I believe they'll come."
"Alright." Ji Si nodded. Since Zhao Xing had spoken with such assurance, what else could he say?
"I'll send it out immediately."
Zhao Xing activated his full-network summoning. This approach quickly bore results.
The Xila Mansion in the ancient city of Guting soon saw a gathering of forty-two Shennong cultivators.
Among them, twenty-four were from the Heaven School, twelve from the Earth School, and six from the Self faction. Together, the first-grade Destiny Palace cultivators numbered six.
Shangluo Academy sent two representatives: Chu Qianqiu from the Military Arts Academy and Zhuang Darong, the Dean of the Divine Wood Academy.
Since Shangluo Academy only had Liu Tianning representing them in the arena, the danger in the Ancient Dragon Court had significantly decreased thanks to Zhao Xing. Naturally, Shangluo Academy also dispatched support.
After all, the Dragon Emperor was one of their own. How could they not come to assist?
After Old Liu became the dean, the two representatives inherited some of the academy's legacies and advanced to the Destiny Palace stage.
Zhuang Darong had only just entered the initial stage of the Destiny Palace realm, while Chu Qianqiu was stronger, having reached the mid-stage.
Among the first-grade Shennong cultivators from the Heaven School, one was named Jiao Anwang—not a titled king, just someone with that name.
Another was Min Qing, a woman with an aura of vigor. She wasn't old and was considered a second-generation powerhouse, akin to Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen.
The Earth School had two first-grade cultivators: Xiao Zhe, one of the Thirteen Saints, who controlled the Profound Earth Vessel, and Taisu Hun, the newly appointed Dean of Kunyuan Academy.
Taisu Hun was also a candidate for the Grand Shennong position but had withdrawn after six rounds of competition, declaring he would no longer contend for the title.
When the three factions' Shennong cultivators gathered at the Xila Mansion, the atmosphere immediately grew tense.
"Hmph!"
The two Heaven School members, Jiao Anwang and Min Qing, sneered as they saw Chu Qianqiu and Zhuang Darong from Shangluo Academy seated in the first and second guest seats on the left of the grand hall.
"When did low-ranking individuals dare to occupy the guest seats of honor?"
"Such a lack of self-awareness!"
Their disdain was evident and unrestrained.
"Jiao Anwang, what's with your sarcastic tone?" Zhuang Darong slammed the table as he stood.
"Isn't it true?" Jiao Anwang retorted sharply. "With your level of strength, you dare sit ahead of me?"
"And what are you so smug about?" Zhuang Darong shot back. "Didn't Liu Tianning beat all your Xuantian Academy deans into submission?"
"Liu Tianning's prowess is Liu Tianning's. What does that have to do with you?" Jiao Anwang's body crackled with lightning. "If you've got the guts, come and spar with me. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. Go on, stand up!"
Chu Qianqiu furrowed his brows and was about to intervene. Zhuang Darong's combat ability was lacking, so if it came down to a fight, it would have to be him, the Dean of the Military Arts Academy.
Although Jiao Anwang appeared to be targeting Zhuang Darong, his true aim was always Chu Qianqiu.
While they wouldn't fight to the death, testing each other's strength and establishing precedence seemed inevitable.
"Everyone, please calm down—" Ji Si started to interject but was immediately silenced by a gust of wind.
Min Qing glanced at Ji Si with a smile, making her meaning clear.
A mere Destiny Palace official wasn't qualified to speak.
Everyone wasn't here for her sake, so why would she try to interfere with their skirmish?
Ji Si helplessly looked to her right.
The Earth School members, Xiao Zhe and Taisu Hun, remained indifferent, feigning ignorance.
They, too, held some animosity toward Chu Qianqiu, Zhuang Darong, Jiao Anwang, and Min Qing but chose to maintain decorum.
At least they refrained from adding fuel to the fire. Who would bother to mediate?
They were content just to watch the drama unfold.
As the confrontation seemed unavoidable, a voice came from outside the hall.
"Zhao Xing greets the esteemed seniors and thanks everyone for their support."
The voice was like a spring breeze, soothing and warming the hearts of all present. The atmosphere in the hall instantly changed, and the tension dissipated.
Everyone stood, including Chu Qianqiu and Jiao Anwang, who reined in their aurae, stopping their argument.
Zhao Xing had arrived, and the pressing matters took precedence.
The voice came first, followed by the figure stepping through the outer hall.
"My Spirit Mountain envoy has arrived~"
"Zhao Xing, what's the matter?"
"Deputy Dean Zhao."
"It's Chen'an!"
"Hahaha, the Dragon Emperor is here."
The second-rank Shennong cultivators waiting outside all greeted Zhao Xing warmly.
Despite being dismissed from his official position by Emperor Jing, Zhao Xing still held honorary titles in all three factions, including Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy and the substantive title of Classics Doctor. Within Shangluo Academy, he wielded true authority as the acting Vice Dean.
Thus, everyone addressed him according to their habits, be it "Deputy Dean Zhao" or "Dragon Emperor." The sheer number of greetings from the crowd, even accompanied by cupped fists, demonstrated his undeniable influence—especially among members of Kunyuan Academy.
Zhao Xing returned the gestures with equal warmth.
In the distance, Ji Si watched this scene and couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.
"Such a grand display of unity—am I seeing things?" he mused.
Even someone as esteemed as Li Boqian might command surface-level respect, but such genuine warmth? Highly unlikely.
Ji Si knew Zhao Xing had contributed to the Heaven School through his writings on the classics, inheriting Li Boqian's profound knowledge. However, she was unaware of his periodic donations of True Dragon blood to the Houbian faction every twenty years—a far more practical contribution.
As for Kunyuan and Shangluo Academies, their support was a given.
"There's probably only one person in the world capable of such a feat," Ji Si thought.
As Zhao Xing entered the great hall, the boisterous crowd fell silent.
Though Zhao Xing was merely a second-rank Heavenly Luck cultivator, everyone knew his potential far exceeded theirs. His contributions to the three factions only enhanced his standing.
Standing at the center of the assembly, Zhao Xing refrained from asking anyone to sit, skillfully avoiding any disputes over rank and seating.
"Esteemed seniors," Zhao Xing began, cupping his hands respectfully. "I've summoned everyone here because I've encountered a predicament."
"In a hidden area, I discovered a treasure beneficial to Shennong cultivation. Retrieving it is simple, but retreating safely is a challenge."
Zhao Xing succinctly outlined his problem, bowing toward the assembled cultivators.
"I humbly request your assistance."
Xiao Zhe and Taisu Hun immediately stepped forward. "If the Holy Son asks, we are willing to face fire and water without hesitation!"
Chu Qianqiu and Zhuang Darong echoed their resolve, "We're here to solve problems."
Even Min Qing smiled and asked, "Chen'an, what sort of trouble are you in? Is this group sufficient?"
"It might not be," said Jiao Anwang confidently. "Summon reinforcements from the Xuantian Academy. Adding another hundred experts shouldn't be a problem."
Zhao Xing nodded and laid out his plan. Turning to Chu Qianqiu and Zhuang Darong first, he said, "I need a thousand eighth-rank fire-attributed plants placed along a specific route in the Panghuo Desert to enable my use of [Sacred Wood Leap]."
After a brief discussion, Chu Qianqiu and Zhuang Darong nodded. "Consider it done."
Zhao Xing then addressed Xiao Zhe and Taisu Hun. "I require the use of the Earth-Conquering Divine Ark to transport personnel swiftly. Additionally, the local terrain must be altered to accommodate the survival of Shangluo Academy's eighth-rank fire-attributed plants."
"Understood," Xiao Zhe and Taisu Hun agreed without hesitation.
Finally, Zhao Xing turned to Jiao Anwang and Min Qing. "I need you two to secure the transplantation sites, ensuring the plants survive as long as possible."
"How long are we talking?" Jiao Anwang asked.
"At least six years."
Transplanting the Lihuo Divine Lotus was far more time-consuming than moving Dragon Spirit Bamboo.
In the fire-laden desert, survival was already a daunting challenge. The real threat lay in the spontaneous flame whirlpools that could erupt without warning.
"No problem," Jiao Anwang said, waving dismissively. "As long as Chu and Zhuang deliver decent plants, I'll guarantee their survival."
"You—" Zhuang Darong's face flushed with anger, but Chu Qianqiu calmly held him back.
Zhao Xing's expression turned solemn. "Everyone, the escape route must not fail, or I won't survive."
"And when I signal the retreat, you must leave immediately; otherwise, your lives will also be in jeopardy!"
The crowd's expressions shifted. Even Jiao Anwang reined in his bravado, no longer making bold promises.
"Understood. We'll ensure your requirements are met," they assured him in unison.
"Chen'an, rest assured."
"Thank you all." Zhao Xing bowed deeply to the gathered experts.
The group of 42 high-ranking cultivators quickly mobilized under Zhao Xing's directives.
The operation began in the Panghuo Desert, with the primary objective of transplanting eighth-rank fire-attributed plants along the designated route. These plants needed to not only survive the harsh desert environment but also thrive without supervision for at least a month after their caretakers withdrew.
After years of meticulous preparation, Zhao Xing was finally ready.
"Retrieve!" he commanded, severing the roots of the Lihuo Divine Lotus. Its roots, along with magma and a torrent of fire-attributed spiritual energy, were swept into his Pure Essence Space.
"Boom!"
As with the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, the lotus's self-protection mechanism activated.
The Divine Lotus unleashed a burst of golden-red light as it entered the space.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Mount Pangyuan erupted instantly. The Southern Bright Flame surged into the sky like a fiery mushroom cloud, spreading outward in waves.
At that moment, Zhao Xing vanished.
He reappeared beneath an eighth-rank fire-attributed tree.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Tree after tree withered as Zhao Xing used [Sacred Wood Leap] to teleport rapidly away from the volcano.
The searing heat waves roared, threatening to consume everything.
Zhao Xing didn't dare to pause for even a moment.
Finally, after a thousand breaths, he emerged from the Panghuo Desert.
"I made it," he muttered, glancing back at the fiery red sky.
"Go!"
With a burst of speed, Zhao Xing transformed into a Peng and soared away.
For practitioners of fire-attribute cultivation, the Lihuo Divine Lotus was a treasure of unparalleled value—a dual-purpose gem for both weaponry and medicine.
In terms of medicinal value, cultivators could absorb the fire-attribute spiritual energy emitted by the Lihuo Divine Lotus or directly consume its petals and seeds to rapidly enhance their fire-attribute cultivation.
The Lihuo Divine Lotus's power was pure and formidable, capable of helping cultivators break through bottlenecks, advance their realms, and even comprehend higher-level fire-attribute techniques.
In the field of alchemy, the Lihuo Divine Lotus was also an exceptionally precious ingredient. Pills refined from the lotus possessed potent medicinal properties, such as enhancing the physique of cultivators, repairing damaged meridians, and boosting yuan qi.
Regarding its attributes as a troop plant, the Lihuo Divine Lotus possessed three innate talents:
Fire Resistance and Protection:
The lotus leaves had immense resistance to fire, even impervious to Nanming Lihuo. They were considered unparalleled in the realm of fire resistance.
Nine Leaves of Lihuo:
Each of the nine petals of the divine lotus could emit Nanming Lihuo. When all nine moved in unison, they formed the Nanming Lihuo Domain.
Reconstruction through the Lotus Rhizome:
The entire divine lotus could reconstruct a volcano. Its rhizome, or lotus root, was an excellent material for straw puppet techniques. Even without being utilized as a puppet, it could preserve life souls for an extended time.
"Lihuo Divine Lotus, strong in both offense and defense, can also be used as a material for creating avatars. When I reach the Rule Stage, making avatars at the same level will be much harder. The Lihuo Divine Lotus happens to be the perfect material," Zhao Xing murmured with a faint smile as he sat cross-legged underground.
Like the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, the Lihuo Divine Lotus had activated its self-protection mechanism upon entering the Pure Essence Soil. However, just as before, it calmed down after being struck by a purple-black light from the tender shoot of the Moyun Vine.
"With the treasures of spring and summer seasons secured, it's time to leave," Zhao Xing said, opening his eyes.
It was already the seventy-sixth year of the Eternal Governance era, and time was running short. The remaining treasures in the Dragon Court would have to wait for the next exploration. Yet, obtaining two wild treasure-class plants in just sixteen years was extraordinarily efficient.
Many Shennong officers might spend their entire lives without inheriting even one treasure-class plant, let alone two top-grade specimens like Zhao Xing had acquired.
At this tier, for the spring and summer seasons, there were no better treasure-class plant troops than the Lihuo Divine Lotus and Dragon Spirit Bamboo. Other divine woods of the Dragon Court for these seasons were inferior in comparison.
Another year passed, during which Zhao Xing scavenged common treasure-class materials such as Dragon Crystal Essence before leaving the ancient land of the Dragon Court.
"Shangtang Command!" he called out, summoning the ancient Yin warship to retrieve him.
Once again, he exited through the Yin realm, but this time, he chose not to return to Tianyong Prefecture. Instead, he emerged directly from the Eastern Sea.
The reason for his halt there was the premonition he felt of the millennium climate shift he had long foretold.
With a sharp whoosh, Zhao Xing appeared over an unfamiliar area of the Eastern Sea before heading toward his destination.
"From the Jingxin Calendar, it was in the twenties when I used the millennium-old turtle shell to divine the three mountains. Initially, I identified this as a hidden stronghold of the Xuantian Sect. It never emerged, though, and now the error has stretched over a hundred years."
"The art of fate divination truly isn't a hundred percent reliable," he muttered.
Flying over the target sea region, Zhao Xing quickly spotted the three peaks beneath the water through the sea's surface. At that moment, the three peaks were gradually rising. Previously submerged a thousand meters below, their tips now breached the surface, forming small islands.
"They grow taller with every moment. The changes in heaven and earth are gathering momentum," Zhao Xing remarked as he surveyed the vast surroundings.
With his Fortune Perception, he sensed that the energy within a thousand-mile radius was undergoing some kind of accumulation.
"A millennium climate shift, vast in scale and diverse in type," he pondered. "First, it's a chance to perfect the Ancestral Dragon Transformation. Second, I can attempt to push several plants through their metamorphosis."
"If I plant numerous seventh-tier plants, I won't regret their loss if they perish. And if a mutated strain emerges, that's pure profit!" Zhao Xing's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
A millennium climate shift was rare, occurring only once every thousand years. How could one afford to miss it? Even in Ten Thousand Transformations Cave-Heaven, where climate shifts could be controlled, a millennium-level event required waiting until the Martial Emperor's era.
"At this rate, it will take no more than a month to fully manifest." Zhao Xing dispatched avatars to begin sealing off the sea region.
Two weeks later, the three peaks had already risen a thousand meters above the surface and were still growing.
"It's reminiscent of the Mountain Nurturing Technique," Zhao Xing observed thoughtfully.
Humans nurtured mountains, and naturally, heaven and earth also gave rise to mountains. There was a commonality between the two. Zhao Xing's observations of the peaks' growth provided profound insights into breaking through to the Destiny Palace stage.
By nurturing his fortune through the Mountain Technique, few things could evoke inspiration anymore. However, this scene had done so.
Ten days passed, leaving only five days before the climate shift would take place.
The sea appeared calm and tranquil on the surface, but the three peaks now stood three thousand meters tall.
"Why does it seem like these peaks bear traces of deliberate cultivation?" Zhao Xing scrutinized them more closely, a peculiar feeling gnawing at him.
If they were nurtured by the Xuantian Sect's Blood Spirit Sovereign, that would make sense. After all, the Xuantian Sect was a splinter of the ancient Xuantian Divine Sect.
One part of it had joined the Great Zhou Dynasty, evolving into the Xuantian Academy. According to the female Shennong assassin Zhao Xing encountered in Mingyue Manor, during ancient times, Shennong officers of the Shangluo Academy were merely farming slaves. The Earth School likely held similar views of them.
For practitioners of the Xuantian Sect to wield mountain techniques was expected.
"But Blood Spirit Sovereign's cultivation isn't high. He's probably at the third grade, maybe second at most. Could he have engineered such an elaborate setup to trigger a millennium climate shift?"
A sense of strangeness and a faint foreboding of danger began to cloud Zhao Xing's mind.
As the countdown to the climate shift entered its third day, this ominous feeling intensified.
"Is someone spying on me?" Zhao Xing suddenly shivered and snapped his gaze toward a specific direction.
"Well, well. A little Heavenly Luck Stage cultivator, and you've got some insight," an ethereal voice echoed from all directions.
"What?!" Zhao Xing's heart clenched. "There really is someone?"
At that moment, flower petals floated past his eyes. More and more petals fell until it seemed like rain from the heavens. A woman, clad in vibrant robes, descended gracefully on a path of petals.
"What?! It's her! How has her faction emerged so early?!" Zhao Xing gasped inwardly upon seeing the woman's dramatic entrance.
"Who are you? Judging by your expression, you seem to recognize me," the mysterious girl asked, holding a basket while appraising Zhao Xing from head to toe.