Hearing Zhao Xing's words, Liu Tianning smiled faintly, "Are you ready?"
Zhao Xing sat down next to Liu Tianning and replied, "Yes, I'm only waiting for Teacher to give me the final push." Liu Tianning, of course, knew exactly what this "final push" meant.
He took out a document from his sleeve:
"I started from Taihe County, joined Shangluo Academy, later traveled to the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, achieved merit on the Pingman battlefield, and eventually became the Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy. I climbed all the way to the position of Grand Shennong, relying on the help of certain benefactors."
"At critical junctures in my life, they offered significant assistance. Without compromising the foundation of the nation, I had agreed that, should I succeed in the future, I would repay their support."
"Human relations are a web of cause and effect, and before I became Grand Shennong, this web reached its maximum extent."
"By the time I was appointed Grand Shennong, I was already the Prince of Taihe County and the Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy. With the support of my elder brother and the academy, I had already settled ninety percent of my debts."
"For those who wanted money, I used my personal funds. For those seeking recognition, I helped promote their reputation. For those who sought official positions, I provided them opportunities for recommendation." Zhao Xing listened intently as he accepted the list.
In his earlier years, Liu Tianning had received much help when he was weak, and once he grew strong, he repaid those debts.
For those seeking wealth, by the time Liu Tianning became the Prince of Taihe County and the Vice Dean of Shangluo Academy, his fortune had already reached astronomical levels. Giving away a portion was more than enough to settle old debts.
For those seeking official positions, the Grand Zhou had systems for recommendations and enfeoffments. Even if Liu Tianning didn't appoint them to the Shennong Division, he could recommend them for other positions.
Of course, the majority of these obligations didn't require Liu Tianning to personally intervene. It was enough to send members of the Liu family to handle the matter. Supporters also rarely made excessive demands; after all, their support had not been particularly significant to begin with.
"Now, the remaining names on this list fall into three categories."
"First, there are the three major academies: Shangluo, Lianhua, and Qingmu," Liu Tianning continued. Shangluo Academy naturally needed no introduction, as it was the sacred ground of the Self School Shennongs.
Lianhua Academy's former dean had been Liu Tianning's great-grandfather, while Qingmu Academy shared countless ties with the Liu family. These three academies formed the foundation of the Self School Shennongs, with Liu Tianning as both the Grand Shennong of the Great Zhou and the leader of the Self School.
His repayment to them involved prioritizing the Self School Shennongs, a continuous and inseparable obligation that couldn't be repaid in simple, quantifiable terms. In essence, Liu Tianning was akin to the sect master of these three factions, with their combined push securing his position as Grand Shennong.
"If you become Grand Shennong, I believe ninety percent of the branch deans, vice deans, and economics professors will support you. The remaining concerns are merely political worries, which can be easily addressed," Liu Tianning added.
Zhao Xing nodded. When it came to the Shennong side, he had little to worry about. The supporters behind Liu Tianning would naturally back Zhao Xing as well. "The second category includes the martial artists."
"Before I became Grand Shennong or even a third-rank cultivator, I was already connected to twelve ruling kings within the Military Realm," Liu Tianning explained.
"Twelve?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. He had only known of Lord Luohou and Lord Tianyan being Liu Tianning's supporters.
"Of course, some of them have already passed away without leaving direct heirs to entrust to me, such as Lord Tianyan and Lord Lingshuang. After the Jingxin and Dingxin periods, counting Lord Luohou, only five remain alive."
"Among them, three are hawks. As long as Lord Luohou supports you, the others will back you as they supported me," Liu Tianning explained.
Zhao Xing chuckled. "Their demands likely center around expansion and military supplies."
"Exactly." Liu Tianning nodded.
At the level of ruling kings, wealth and luxury were not lacking. Their pursuits revolved around territorial expansion. The larger the dynasty's territory, the stronger its fortune, and by extension, the stronger they became. The interests of the noble faction revolved around this.
If the Grand Shennong were a dove, consistently opposing war discussions in the Six Ministries, the Military Realm would find itself immobilized. Even maintaining neutrality was insufficient; distrust would lead to reluctance in entrusting military supplies.
A single misstep in this area could result in significant loss of life.
Dedication alone wasn't enough; exceptional execution was required.
On the other hand, if Zhao Xing wanted to implement new policies without the support of the military martial artists, it would be equally challenging. In this regard, earning their support would not be difficult for Zhao Xing.
His agricultural policies were bound to outperform Liu Tianning's.
Looking at Zhao Xing's rise, from the Dragon Court expeditions to the ruins ventures, each time, hadn't he filled the state treasury to overflowing? Among the five ruling kings, gaining the majority support of three would suffice.
"The third category includes certain scholars of rites and mechanists. Most of these individuals are not officials but are closely affiliated with the Shennong faction. Their demands vary, and I've outlined them in detail here."
Zhao Xing carefully examined the list, realizing the immense scope of Liu Tianning's vast and intricate network, built from his family's centuries-old legacy. The demands of the third category were particularly complex.
Aristocratic families and the Ji royal house had always been in a delicate balance of power. The former feared being treated as mere vassals, subject to life and death at the whim of the latter. Consequently, their demands were multifaceted and shifted with time.
For instance, during Emperor Jing's Eternal Rule and Grand Rule eras, many feared losing everything under the emperor's reforms.
To safeguard their family lineages, some strong cultivators sent branches of their families to serve in Shangluo Academy under Liu Tianning's protection, ensuring their family legacy wouldn't be entirely extinguished. Even if their main lineages fell, they hoped to retain a foothold for eventual resurgence.
As it turned out, these fears were not unfounded. Currently, Shangluo Academy housed several Dao teachers and economics professors from former enfeoffed families whose senior members had been executed during Emperor Jing's reign. It was Liu Tianning's intervention that had preserved the lives of these talents.
"Ordinarily, after Liu Tianning's death, I wouldn't need to inherit these obligations. However, if I want to secure their support now, I must take on these responsibilities," Zhao Xing mused internally.
"This alone might not fully reassure them. After all, there's still a degree of separation," he thought.
"I can persuade many, and even if I step down, I won't abandon them. However, to truly put their minds at ease, you and I must have a Dao debate," Liu Tianning declared.
"After all, we've only discussed my supporters thus far. There are also those who oppose this matter, not out of vested interest, but out of doubt over whether you can handle the responsibility. Such individuals will undoubtedly exist in significant numbers."
"Thus, you must demonstrate that your Dao is stronger and better than mine, capable of leading the Great Zhou further," Liu Tianning explained.
Zhao Xing bowed sincerely, "Thank you, Teacher, for your consideration. I…"
"I know you're not driven by a thirst for power," Liu Tianning interrupted. Years of mentorship had made him keenly aware of Zhao Xing's character.
"With your authority in the ancient Dragon Court and the inheritance you received from the guest beyond the heavens, and given your current cultivation level, if you truly sought power, founding your own nation in the uncharted territories would be no challenge."
"I've been prepared for this for a long time. Years ago, I said you would surpass me. I just didn't expect that day to come so soon," Liu Tianning said wistfully.
"His Majesty is determined to achieve the ascension feat of ancient divine dynasties. Over the years, he has repeatedly brought up such matters with us ministers. Changing personnel is a regular occurrence—even the Left and Right Chancellors have been replaced," he added.
"I've spent the last thirty years exploring the realms of the sects, and they too have tales of the heavens and earth undergoing tremendous changes, the revival of a grand era."
"Now, with the tides of vitality spreading outward and inward, Great Zhou, being the final beneficiary, faces immense challenges."
"I can no longer keep up with His Majesty's thoughts. Often, I hesitate—whether to fight or seek peace."
"From the early years of the Yuan Shou Era until now, there are many areas where I fell short. For instance, in Yuan Shou 29, when the Xingxu World experienced natural disasters, I paid it no mind. I dismissed it as a barren wasteland, unworthy of intervention, and even suggested withdrawing the stationed troops."
"Yet by Yuan Shou 70, the Xingxu World unexpectedly showed signs of revival, with indications of transforming into a blessed land."
"However, the entrance to the realm is not solely in our control. Due to forty years of neglect, much of the Xingxu World has been occupied by the sectarian realms…"
"In Yuan Shou 42, the Kun Yuan Academy submitted two proposals: one to construct a tunnel connecting Xiji Prefecture and Guyue Prefecture, and another to rebuild an ancient tunnel between Yuanpin Prefecture and Pinghai Prefecture."
"At the time, with limited resources, I prioritized the tunnel in Xiji Prefecture and Guyue Prefecture. In hindsight, Xiji Prefecture didn't require another tunnel for military logistics. Instead, the ancient tunnel in Yuanpin and Pinghai Prefectures would have been far more advantageous."
"In Yuan Shou 71, the year you emerged from seclusion, I was in the triangular region of Beichen Prefecture…"
Zhao Xing listened quietly as Liu Tianning summarized his successes and failures during his tenure as Grand Shennong.
Liu Tianning hadn't been a poor Grand Shennong, just not exemplary. In terms of timing and geographical advantages, he mastered top-tier techniques. Yet, with the emergence of the Qingyuzi Relic, over a hundred new ultimate methods related to heavenly timing appeared!
As a result, during battles across various regions, when enemies unleashed natural disaster strikes, Liu Tianning struggled to match their tempo, heavily relying on Wang and Ling.
Moreover, with the arrival of the Vitality Tides and the resulting upheavals, sharp judgment in matters of timing became essential. Compared to others, Liu's macro-level management of grand heavenly timing appeared somewhat lacking.
Adding to this was Emperor Wu's promotion of the ascension concept among high-ranking officials starting in Yuan Shou 15—a new development absent during Emperor Jing's era.
It's fair to say that being an effective Grand Shennong amidst such transformations wasn't easy. Even in past lives, Emperor Wu replaced his Six Ministries' officials multiple times. The Grand Shennong position changed hands no fewer than four times.
The first replacement stemmed partly from Liu Tianning's descent into madness. Later, Mi Fu was succeeded by Li Guiyuan, and the third transition to Peng Yurang wasn't due to uncontrollable factors but purely an inability to meet Emperor Wu's demands.
This time, the two conversed for a long while.
As Zhao Xing prepared to leave the area beneath the Myriad Dao Tree, Liu Tianning suddenly spoke, "When I broke through to the Destiny Palace Realm, I had a dream. I dreamt of a destiny entirely different from this one."
Zhao Xing paused mid-step, turning his head. "What kind of dream?"
"In the dream, before I became the Grand Shennong, I couldn't suppress the flaws of the Myriad Law Straw Puppet."
"In that dream world, I never met you in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven."
"During Emperor Jing's final years, when You Ruo was sent in marriage to seal an alliance, I missed the chance to bring her back…"
"Later, when I retrieved the princess from the Court of Blazing Light, she had already become someone I couldn't recognize. It was as if I had fallen into a fractured madness… That was the most vivid dream I've ever had."
Zhao Xing chuckled upon hearing this. "Teacher, no matter how vivid, it was still just a dream."
"They say the Destiny Palace Realm allows one to see their destiny, but as you can see, it's hardly accurate." Liu Tianning smiled faintly. "Indeed, it was only a dream."
The debate between Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing was set for autumn of Yuan Shou 81, at the Dao Field in Daoyuan Continent. The Grand Shennong, Liu Tianning, and the Chief of Shennong, Zhao Xing, were engaging in a rare public discourse.
This immediately attracted a massive audience.
One was the current Grand Shennong, the first from the Self School to hold the position.
The other was the youngest Chief of Shennong, hailed as the "Holy Son of the Shennong," proficient in the three schools and having inherited the Shennong legacy of a guest from beyond the heavens in the Western Extreme Glacier.
The debate garnered immense attention.
To most, this debate carried no political implications. However, a select few knew there was a deeper purpose behind this battle.
If Zhao Xing defeated Liu Tianning, he would lead the Shennong in pursuing the path of ascension.
With Emperor Wu's advocacy, the concept of ascension had become widespread among Great Zhou's civil and military officials.
Over time, numerous developments demonstrated that this wasn't mere rumor. By Yuan Shou 81, seven individuals had genuinely reached the Ascension Stage without relying on divine artifacts.
While the concept of ascension within divine dynasties was longstanding, no one knew how to traverse this path when it truly emerged.
However, after decades of promotion, one truth became evident to officials: this was a different era, where any transformation was possible! The emergence of the Purple Light Divine Relic, breakthroughs to Ascension Stages, the appointment of new Chancellors—all previously rare occurrences had become commonplace. Replacing a Grand Shennong was no longer surprising.
On the first island of the observation area in the Dao Field.
Ji Che reclined on a spacious bed-chair, casually flipping through reports from various regions. The Grand Ritual Official, Ji Wenchang, observing his posture, reflexively reminded him, "Your Majesty should maintain proper decorum."
Ji Che didn't lift his head. "Grand Ritual Official, I'm off-duty, dressed in casual attire to relax. Must you still harp on decorum?"
The Grand Ritual Official countered, "A ruler must not let their emotions show on their face. One's likes and dislikes should remain hidden; joy and sorrow should not be evident. Only then can life and death align with destiny."
"A ruler should maintain an air of mystery and authority, avoiding casual behavior…"
"Nonsense!" Ji Che turned over. "Does a true ruler need such contrivances to maintain mystery and authority?"
Ji Wenchang insisted, "During the late emperor's reign, the officials trembled in awe. His path as a monarch was unmatched…"
Ji Che retorted, "Such an approach merely instilled fear in his officials, creating a superficial sense of authority. Ultimately, it stemmed from his lack of combat strength and insufficient cultivation realm, necessitating such methods."
Ji Wenchang dared not respond to this heretical claim. Ji Che could say whatever he wished, but criticizing Emperor Jing was beyond his scope.
"My realm surpasses the late emperor's. Why should I rely on such pretenses to uphold authority? My strength and cultivation are authority enough! There's no need for ornate formalities."
"You only mention the late emperor. Why not acknowledge how Emperor Taizu mingled freely with his ministers?"
Ji Wenchang opened his mouth but couldn't form a rebuttal. He always lost arguments with Ji Che.
Perhaps this was precisely why he had remained in his position as the Grand Ritual Official for so long.
At that moment, the Internal Historian, Pang Chong, handed over a document—this was the list of invitees attending the debate. Ji Che casually flipped through it and asked, "Why isn't King Beichen, Qin Feng, attending?"
"Your Majesty," Pang Chong replied, "The officials under King Beichen reported that he is handling natural disasters in the Tuoluo Realm and cannot leave."
"Again, he's 'unable to leave.'" Ji Che snorted. "Forget it. If he doesn't want to come, so be it."
"Make sure the feast is well-prepared so that all the attendees can clearly witness the upcoming debate."
"Yes." Pang Chong obediently withdrew.
The debate was scheduled for the fifteenth day of the seventh month. Ji Che had invited numerous officials to witness the event. Even the Yin Officers were summoned for the occasion.
Statues of Li Boqian, Tianyang True Lord, and Xuanyuan Qingtian were specially arranged in the first-tier area of the Dao Field.
Below the statues, Zhao Xing burned incense and offerings as Li Boqian's voice echoed, "So, kid, are you saying that when I explored the Purple Light Divine Relic, I really encountered people, and all three celestial experts witnessed them?"
"Yes, you certainly weren't eliminated in the first round, but you don't remember the subsequent trials," Zhao Xing replied.
"Hear that? Hear that!" Li Boqian pointed his incense stick at the other two. "See, I wasn't as weak as you both claimed! How could I have failed the first round?"
Xuanyuan Qingtian played along, "Indeed, Boqian simply lacked a bit of luck."
Li Boqian grinned smugly, while Tianyang True Lord ignored him, glaring at Zhao Xing. "Grandson, is this true? Don't you dare comfort him just to make him happy. Did Li Boqian really reach the second trial?"
"It's absolutely true," Zhao Xing affirmed with a nod.
He wasn't lying. After receiving the inheritance, Zhao Xing gained access to many historical records of the Purple Light Divine Relic.
Li Boqian had indeed accidentally entered the Purple Light Divine Relic in the past. He had attempted three different paths of inheritance, all successfully passing the first trial.
From his hazy memories, Li Boqian described seeing three divine figures. In truth, these were the Dao bodies of Qingyuzi, Su Xianzi, and Puta, representing their respective paths.
Why did they appear together? It was primarily due to Li Boqian's muddled memory, which caused him to mistakenly think all three appeared simultaneously.
Moreover, not many individuals had explored the Purple Light Divine Relic throughout history.
Qingyuzi, known for his mastery of calculations, had designed the relic to appear only when the world's vitality reached a specific density.
Thus, over the past 20,000 years, only about twenty to thirty individuals had attempted the trials, with most concentrated within recent centuries.
"Once I left the relic, I suddenly thought of combining formation arrays, tunneling techniques, and transformative methods to create the Primordial Seal. It seems that, even though the inheritance memory was removed, I didn't leave empty-handed," Zhao Xing commented.
"How things have changed," Xuanyuan Qingtian sighed. "According to Qingyuzi's trial requirements, only a hundred or so years after my death, over a hundred new ultimate techniques emerged in the world—nearly one per year."
"And now, Zhao Xing has grown to such an extent that he can challenge Liu Tianning in a Dao discourse battle."
"Xuanyuan, it's fortunate we descended early," Li Boqian added. "If we'd lived another two hundred years, we might have been left in the dust by these juniors."
"Yes, lucky we didn't live too long," Xuanyuan Qingtian chuckled.
July 15th, at noon.
Inside the Dao Field, Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning stepped into the battle zone. The moment they entered, the observation area fell silent.
Wang Tianzhi, Ling Tianchen, Qiu Yuanshan, Meng Kun, Ji Youtang, Zhuang Darong, and Chu Qianqiu stretched their necks, their eyes glued to the battlefield.
"They're here, they're here!" Meng Kun exclaimed excitedly. "They've entered!"
"The battle between Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning," Qiu Yuanshan muttered, his gaze unwavering. "I wonder who will win."
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, Zhao Xing will win!" Meng Kun declared confidently. "If not, you can take my head and use it as a chamber pot!"
"Meng, don't make such bold claims," Qiu Yuanshan said softly. "Although His Majesty seems inclined toward Zhao Xing, if he loses this Dao discourse, he'll have to wait for another chance."
Over the past two years, discussions about Zhao Xing being more suited to the Grand Shennong position originated from none other than the capital itself!
Ultimately, Zhao Xing's promotion hinged on him defeating Liu Tianning fair and square. If Liu Tianning went easy on him, the discerning eyes of many ultra-high-rank cultivators in the Great Zhou would see right through it.
"Now Zhao Xing can challenge Liu Tianning," Wang Tianzhi said, sighing as he looked below. "This isn't my era anymore."
He understood the significance of this battle. If Zhao Xing won, Liu Tianning would voluntarily resign as Grand Shennong. Emperor Wu hadn't invited all these ministers to watch for no reason; many already knew what this battle symbolized.
"Zhao Xing hasn't had much time since obtaining the inheritance. Who knows if he's ready," Ling Tianchen remarked as he observed closely. "His progress has been significant, but Liu Tianning hasn't stopped improving either."
If forced to choose between Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning, he leaned toward Zhao Xing. However, in terms of raw strength, he felt Liu Tianning had the edge.
"This is a battle to decide destiny," Ji Si said, clutching her Star Fortune Planner tightly as she stared below. "Back then, when my brother led the divinations, he foresaw Zhao Xing amid the Vitality Tides. Now that Zhao Xing is challenging Liu Tianning, this might be the turning point for the Great Zhou."
"Destruction and rebirth. Back then, destruction seemed more likely; now, it's the opposite."
At the center of the Dao Field, atop the Wind Cavern.
Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning stood on opposite ends of the cavern.
"Teacher, during your previous Dao discourse battle, you mentioned how lonely you felt. Wang Tianzhi, Ling Tianchen, and Qiu Yuanshan couldn't give you any pressure. Do you still remember that?"
Zhao Xing locked his gaze on Liu Tianning.
"Haha, of course I remember!" Liu Tianning laughed heartily. "That was in Eternal Governance 79, just before my eighth round of Dao discourse battles. It's been a full hundred years."
"Well, I'm here now. Are you ready?"
"Bring it on! I've waited for this moment for a hundred years!" Liu Tianning's eyes sparkled. "Let me see how far you've come!"
Suddenly, fierce winds surged within the Wind Cavern, the green currents so dense they obscured vision. In that instant, the two moved simultaneously.
On the eastern side of the cavern, five Myriad Law Clones identical to Zhao Xing appeared. On the western side, seven clones of Liu Tianning materialized.
Each occupied their respective positions, and without hesitation, both unleashed their clones against each other. Seven versus five!
Liu Tianning's clone types included Soul-Devouring, Skyfall, Mystic Flame, Yellow Springs, Wu Earth, Floating, and Skywalker.
Zhao Xing's clone types were Soul-Devouring, Departure Fire, Dragon Spirit, Cangwu, and Wind Strider.
The clash began with a sharp whistle.
The clones darted across the Wind Cavern, unleashing their respective domains as they collided midair.
"Boom!!"
The domain clash forced Zhao Xing's five clones to stagger back instantly.
Liu Tianning, a dual-domain cultivator of the eighth stage, had perfected the third layer of the Yin-Yang Self Canon, achieving mastery in two domains aligned with the Yin-Yang Dao.
His Divine Radiance of Life Domain and Yellow Springs of Death Domain.
Zhao Xing's strongest domain, Lunar Purple Wind, was only at the seventh stage. In terms of domain clashes, Zhao Xing was immediately at a disadvantage.
"Age and experience win the day," someone muttered. "Old Liu focused solely on the Self Dao, achieving a life-death Yin-Yang balance. His domain is leagues ahead and overwhelmed Zhao Xing's clones in an instant."
Zhao Xing inspected his five clones and noticed issues in all but two.
The Dragon Spirit Clone had sprouted grass atop its head. The Departure Fire Clone had withered arms, and the Wind Strider Clone exhibited both growth and decay simultaneously.
"Useless," Zhao Xing muttered, retracting the three problematic clones, leaving only the Cangwu Clone and Soul-Devouring Clone.
The Cangwu Clone, fused with the Cangwu Divine Tree's apex leaf and possessing a life domain, held steady. Meanwhile, the Soul-Devouring Clone survived under the protection of the Cangwu Clone.
"To stand firm against a domain clash, clones must be robust. My advantage lies in the Soul-Devouring Clone."
Zhao Xing immediately adjusted his strategy, replacing all his clones with Soul-Devouring Clones and deploying them under the protection of the Cangwu Clone.
"Soul-Devouring Spear!" Zhao Xing commanded.
The Soul-Devouring Clones launched their assault, their attacks imbued with the power of Soul Rules, making their might unprecedented.
The Soul-Devouring Clones surged forward under the protection of the Cangwu Clone, each wielding black spears formed from condensed soul power.
"Shatter the Stars!" Liu Tianning's Soul-Devouring Clone countered, unleashing the second layer's strongest killing move of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit. A torrent of runed star projections descended like a meteor shower, crashing into the incoming black spears.
However, when the two forces collided, the starry torrent failed to halt the spears. Instead, the black spears pierced through the glowing projections effortlessly, striking down Liu Tianning's Soul-Devouring Clone. The defeated clone fell into the Wind Cavern and was swallowed by the raging winds below.
"That's effective," Zhao Xing observed with a satisfied smirk.
Liu Tianning, on the other hand, let out a frustrated sigh. "You're using the simplest method—relying on realm suppression."
Despite his vast experience and formidable techniques, Liu Tianning couldn't deny the reality before him. He had yet to master the third layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, and his soul cultivation had not reached the Soul Rules stage. Against Zhao Xing's overwhelming soul power and advanced techniques, he was at a disadvantage.
"Swish, swish, swish, swish!"
Black spears rained down in succession, targeting Liu Tianning's remaining clones. As the spears locked onto them, Liu Tianning activated his Floating Clone's ability. Ethereal wings unfurled behind the clone, carrying it away at high speed, zigzagging through the air to evade the deadly assault.
Zhao Xing wasn't one to relent. With a wave of his hand, he activated A Step to Infinity, using precise spatial shifts to close the distance between his clones and Liu Tianning's retreating figures.
The chase intensified as the combatants weaved through the Wind Cavern's turbulence. Liu Tianning's Floating Clone, aided by the wind domain, moved with remarkable agility. However, Zhao Xing's precise spatial manipulation and persistent pursuit ensured that no distance advantage lasted long.
No matter which clones Liu Tianning summoned, Zhao Xing countered with his Soul Devouring Form. In such a clash, Liu Tianning was entirely on the back foot.
"This is just bullying! Liu Tianning never mastered a soul-based ultimate technique, so Zhao Xing's spamming the same move over and over," remarked King Luohou, easily discerning Zhao Xing's soul-level strength. This was a classic case of "one supreme move dominates all." Zhao Xing's Soul Devouring Form now mirrored his former straw puppet techniques, becoming an unstoppable force in this internal battle.
The current situation was a complete rout—Zhao Xing's countless Soul Devouring Forms, led by his Cangwu Form, relentlessly chased and assaulted Liu Tianning. However, it wasn't simply a game of pursuit and evasion.
As Liu Tianning dodged, his Pure Essence Projection quietly spread across the ground, casting patches of shadow. Within the arts of the Self School, his Heaven and Earth Soldier Formation Canon far surpassed his Divine Soldier Art in technique level.
If Liu Tianning summoned divine trees to unleash a combined plant-army spell, it would force him into a passive state again. "Not a chance!" Zhao Xing shouted as he relentlessly pursued, simultaneously deploying his own Pure Essence Projection.
Wherever Liu Tianning projected, Zhao Xing immediately followed and overlaid his own.
A low humming sound arose as the shadows on the ground began to writhe wildly. Whenever anything tried to emerge from the earth, a mountainous shadow would immediately suppress it. In this battle of projections, Zhao Xing utterly dominated Liu Tianning!
"His Pure Essence Projection... it's even stronger than before?" Liu Tianning stared at the ground in disbelief. His scattered shadows writhed and struggled, unable to rise no matter how hard they tried.
In this Self School internal battle, Liu Tianning had lost in the Pure Essence Projection—lost completely and miserably!
"With the true intent of Spirit Mountain forming my Dao Body, the Pure Essence Soil within me is suppressed by a Spirit Mountain spanning ten thousand meters. I've nurtured my mountain throughout my Destiny Realm cultivation years. How could my projection, forged with such weight and depth, allow anyone to outdo me?" Zhao Xing declared. "Even if you're Liu Tianning, you'll be suppressed all the same!"
Shadows continuously fell from Zhao Xing's body, blanketing the area below. The speed of their confrontation was breathtaking, and within a mere moment, the entire battleground was enshrouded in shadow.
Seventy percent of it was Zhao Xing's projection, while Liu Tianning's shadow struggled to claim the remaining thirty percent, pinned tightly under pressure.
"Dragon Spirit Bamboo! Lihuo Lotus! Appear!" Zhao Xing bellowed.
Two incredibly mystical plants manifested in the arena.
"Hahaha! Liu Tianning couldn't summon plant troops before Zhao Xing! Instead, Zhao Xing summoned first!" Li Boqian burst into laughter.
"In Self School internal battles, excluding the use of external clones, the first to summon plant troops typically wins," commented Xuanyuan Qingtian, pointing toward the sky. "And Zhao Xing can still unleash the ultimate art of Heavenly Timing. Liu Tianning suffers because the Self School lacks ultimate techniques."
As Zhao Xing continued his pursuit, the skies filled with heavy clouds. The ultimate art Cloud Heaven Dao was ready to be unleashed.
"The Self School may lack an ultimate technique," Fu Tianyang interjected coolly, "but don't forget, Liu Tianning passed Qingyuzi's first trial. With an eighth-level Life-and-Death Domain combined with any ultimate art, his power becomes a devastating killing move. It's far too early to declare a victor."
After suppressing Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing immediately activated the Heavenly Timing ultimate technique to solidify his advantage. Cloud Heaven Dao and Winds of Destruction simultaneously consumed five hundred of Liu Tianning's clones.
But in that instant, a clone hidden in the Cloud-Layer Domain broke free, appearing above Zhao Xing's true body.
"You've grown careless!" Liu Tianning's long hair whipped wildly, his aura terrifying. "Did you think you were the only one with ultimate techniques? Even the third-transformation Cloud-Layer Domain couldn't hold me!"
From the clouds emerged five hundred clones, each enveloped in nine streams of astral wind—dragons of black and white.
Zhao Xing's Cloud Heaven Dao ruptured over a hundred holes in the clouds, which dimmed and appeared deflated.
"Old Liu has comprehended the Winds of the Void and derived an ultimate wind technique." Zhao Xing's heart sank. "This ultimate wind technique also has dual variations, Yin and Yang. Combined with his Life-and-Death Domain, its power reaches at least the fifth-transformation level and is even draining my cloud essence!"
A roar erupted as black winds, resembling a black dragon, tore through Zhao Xing's true body. The five hundred clones became five hundred black dragons, each executing an ultimate wind technique.
Initially, Liu Tianning only aimed to entrap Zhao Xing's true body, but to his shock, the true body shattered. "What?!" Liu Tianning was stunned, momentarily thinking he had killed Zhao Xing.
Both the clones and Liu Tianning's true form froze midair, hastily descending. But in the next moment, he sighed in relief.
He quickly realized that the shattered form was merely a common Wind Form clone.
"Teacher, this is the sixth top-tier straw puppet art I've created. It can withstand Rule Leap." Zhao Xing's voice echoed from the distance. "Unlike Divine Wood Leap, it achieves perfect jumps without the need for living plants."
"Substitute Straw Puppet?" Liu Tianning's eyes gleamed with admiration. "After me, the straw puppet techniques have finally undergone their eighth transformation. This move alone could qualify as the Self School's ultimate technique."
"My ultimate wind techniques are dual-based: Yang Wind manifests as Blazing Wheel, and Yin Wind as Soaring Spiral," Liu Tianning introduced his own unique arts.
"Their full power is realized when I summon the Four Divine Trees and activate the Four Seasons Divine Splendor Domain. I call them Yellow Springs Spiral and Divine Radiance Blazing Wheel."
Hearing this, Zhao Xing's mouth twitched.
One of Liu Tianning's divine trees, the Yellow Springs Guide, paired well with the poetic name Spiral. The Divine Radiance referred to his Four Seasons Divine Splendor, while the Blazing Wheel embodied the fiery image of the Yang Wind art, resembling a rolling windfire wheel.
Yellow Springs Spiral was an overpowering single-target attack created by the divine tree.
Divine Radiance Blazing Wheel, by contrast, was a massive area-of-effect attack.
No wonder Liu Tianning was popular with women—he even gave his techniques such artistic names.
Above the arena, Princess Ji Anlan sat with Ji Che, her eyes sparkling in admiration. To her, everything was Liu Tianning. Zhao Xing, meanwhile, was entirely overlooked.
"Teacher, let's unleash our true strength," Zhao Xing challenged. "Both of us have Life Domains—there's no need to fear harm. Injuries in the arena don't matter!"
The winds howled, drawing outward as a vortex formed, dispersing the clouds in the sky. Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing resumed their initial standoff.
"Fine!" Liu Tianning smiled. "Then let's begin!"
Heaven and Earth Soldier Formation, Yin-Yang Cycle!
Half of Liu Tianning's clones ascended, while the other half descended.
Suddenly, Zhao Xing's Pure Essence Projection, which had dominated the ground, vanished. The earth below turned translucent, and a massive phantom of land emerged above.
Through the Yin-Yang Cycle of Heaven and Earth Troop Formation Canon, Heaven's Qi and Earth's Qi exchanged positions. At that moment, Liu Tianning's Pure Essence Projection manifested in the sky.
The earth quaked as four divine trees materialized: Spring's Celestial Horn Bamboo, Summer's Golden Spirit Pillar, Autumn's Yellow Springs Guide, and Winter's Snowy Cangwu. Their towering phantoms stood in cardinal directions.
"This... is my true strength." Liu Tianning, surrounded by seven main clones near the four divine trees, appeared godlike. His voice resounded across the battlefield.
Suddenly, four blazing wheels rolled in from the south—Divine Radiance Blazing Wheels!
Though wind-based, they exuded the heat of summer's scorching sun. The fiery wheels crushed everything in their path, covering the entire Sky-Class Arena. Simultaneously, black tornadoes emanated from the direction of Yellow Springs Guide, annihilating Zhao Xing's clones.
Augmented by the eighth-level Life-and-Death Domain, the wind techniques placed all life and death within Liu Tianning's grasp. This was the culmination of nearly a century of study—his strongest move.
Explosions shattered the arena. Zhao Xing's clones were obliterated one by one until only his true form, Cangwu Form, and Soul Devouring Form remained in the arena's center.
"This is absurd." Zhao Xing gazed at the apocalyptic scene and sighed. "I healed Liu Tianning but inadvertently created a major obstacle for myself as the Grand Shennong."
"Without the Purpke Light Divine Relic, this battle would've been delayed much longer."
Watching his clones shatter one by one, Zhao Xing recalled both his Cangwu Form and Soul Devouring Form. Closing his eyes, the three souls within his Destiny Palace opened theirs simultaneously.
"Old Liu, you've pushed me to use my true soul divine abilities. That alone is worthy of pride!" Zhao Xing declared. "Three Divine Souls, gather!"
Within Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness, atop a golden mountain, the three souls—Heaven, Earth, and Life—coalesced into black holes.
In the distant palace, Ji Che's eyes widened as he gripped his wine. The liquid spilled as his physical body continued drinking, but his soul instantly vanished from the hall.
The next moment, Ji Che's soul appeared within the arena.
Everything around began to dissipate. Liu Tianning's Pure Essence Projection retracted into his main body, the four divine trees vanished, and all the clones fell from the sky.
All anomalies disappeared.
Ji Che instantly arrived before Zhao Xing, his expression serious. "What happened?" Zhao Xing's pupils were pitch black, but upon seeing Ji Che, they returned to normal. With a gesture, Liu Tianning's main body appeared in his arms.
A faint humming sound resonated.
Golden light radiated from Zhao Xing's eyes, and Liu Tianning's soul floated out, returning to his physical body.
"I forcibly drew his soul into my Destiny Palace using a divine technique," Zhao Xing explained, "but it's fine now. He's only unconscious."
Over the years spanning Yuan Shou 80 to 81, Zhao Xing hadn't been idle. He diligently cultivated the secret techniques left by Fairy Su. These included Heavenly Sight of the Soul and consolidating the minor divine ability of the Three Divinities Destiny Palace.
Back then, Zhao Xing had considered the terrifying amplifying capabilities of the Three Divinities Destiny Palace combined with his soul strength in the Rule Domain stage. If he fully activated his Soul-Devouring Technique, he might have killed Liu Tianning outright.
Thus, he only developed the soul-capturing ability of the Three Divinities Destiny Palace, using it to forcibly seize an opponent's soul. Such a capability was often possessed by reincarnation enforcers—those balancing the yin and yang of the universe—after cultivating the Three Divinities Destiny Palace for some time.
Ji Che glanced into Liu Tianning's body and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In that brief instant, he had sensed Liu Tianning's soul vanish completely.
It was as though Liu Tianning had been utterly erased, with even his Heavenly Soul, housed in the temple, and his Earth Soul, wandering in the heavens and earth, becoming untraceable.
As the emperor of a Fortune Dynasty, Ji Che was nearing the Ascension Stage. He could sense all his subjects, yet moments ago, that connection had disappeared. "For a moment, I thought you had killed Liu Tianning!" Ji Che remarked, visibly startled.
"Hiss~" Liu Tianning groaned as he awoke, clutching his head. "My head hurts... What just happened?"
"Liu Tianning, how do you feel?" Ji Che asked.
"Your Majesty?" Liu Tianning was startled and quickly rose to explain, "I remember standing atop a golden mountain and seeing Zhao Xing's figure. After that, everything went blank."
Listening to Liu Tianning's account and confirming he was truly unharmed, Ji Che finally relaxed. His soul then returned to his body.
A voice echoed across the heavens and earth.
"The victor of the Sky-Class Debate Battle: Zhao Xing!"
The arena instantly erupted in an uproar.
"He won! Master Zhao is invincible!"
"He actually won?! This is unprecedented!"
"Unprecedented? Wasn't it said that when Li Boqian was the Grand Shennong, he lost to Xu Xing?"
"Blasphemy! That's hearsay nonsense!"
"Who—who's speaking?"
Li Boqian's ghostly presence swept through the air, grumbling in dissatisfaction before returning to the grand hall. The two Shennong officials who had been chatting earlier were left utterly bewildered.
"Brother Wen, did you hear something just now?"
"I did, but it felt like I didn't."
"Truly strange."
Meanwhile, on the viewing platform, Ye Yukong and the King Shenluo sat together.
"Ye, can you be more refined?" King Shenluo gave him a disdainful look. "You're a Commandant of the Ministry of War, for goodness' sake."
"Oh, please. Stop pretending," Ye Yukong scoffed. "When you lost to the Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable during the Mechanist's inheritance trials, didn't you swear just as much?"
"..." King Shenluo was momentarily speechless.
"Zhao Xing is incredible!" Chen Shijie, Xia Jing, and Long Xiao were gathered on another platform, their faces filled with excitement.
"Liu Tianning's invincible status was shattered today," Long Xiao clenched his fists. "Since his debut, he's never lost in the arena, with his worst result being a draw. Yet today, he lost to Zhao Xing. Thrilling—absolutely thrilling!"
"Brother Chen, can you tell how Zhao Xing pulled it off?" Xia Jing asked.
"I couldn't," Chen Shijie admitted. Though he was now in the Heavenly Luck stage, he couldn't discern how Zhao Xing had achieved victory.
"Who cares how he did it? He's awesome, and that's what matters!" Long Xiao ruffled the hair of a young girl standing nearby. "Did you see that, little one? That's your Uncle Zhao!"
"Uncle Zhao is amazing!" the little girl, adorned with dainty dragon horns, waved her fists excitedly. She blinked her eyes and asked, "Father, between Uncle Zhao, Uncle Xia, Uncle Chen, and you, who's the strongest?"
"Uh... well..." Long Xiao hesitated. "Your father and Uncle Xia are martial artists, so we can't be compared to a Shennong."
"What about Uncle Chen?" the girl turned to Chen Shijie.
"Of course, your Uncle Zhao is better," Long Xiao replied, casting a glance at Chen Shijie.
"Why are you looking at me?" Chen Shijie laughed. "Do you think I'd get mad if you told the truth?"
Xia Jing remarked, "Brother Chen's mountain-nurturing has really cultivated some temperament. I bet he'll surpass me soon."
"I've only been nurturing my mountain for fifty years, Xia. You overestimate me," Chen Shijie said modestly.
Long Xiao leaned closer and whispered, "Have you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"That after this battle, Zhao Xing will become the Grand Shennong! Liu Tianning will step down and recommend him."
"What? The rumors in the capital are true?" Xia Jing was stunned. "Is this for real?"
"If it were just a baseless rumor, the court ritualists would've already shut it down. I think His Majesty truly intends this," Long Xiao speculated.
"Wow, if he's becoming Grand Shennong, I wonder when I'll surpass King Luohou and become Grand Marshal," Xia Jing said enviously.
"Wake up, Brother Xia. It's still broad daylight."
"Hahaha!"
Time passed swiftly, and soon it was the Spring Sacrifice of Yuan Shou 82.
At the Spring Banquet, Emperor Wu announced that Liu Tianning would marry by imperial decree, fulfilling the late emperor's dying wish.
The long-awaited union of Princess Ji Anlan and Liu Tianning finally took place. Ji Anlan, also known as Princess You Ruo, realized her dream of marrying him.
In April, the court underwent a personnel adjustment.
Emperor Wu removed Liu Tianning from his position as Grand Shennong, citing the need to focus on his marriage and securing an heir for the Liu family. Once Liu Tianning had children, new arrangements would be made.
Zhao Xing was appointed as the new Grand Shennong. Since there was no opposition within the Shennong Division, the decree was met without contention.
Both the Heaven and Earth Schools celebrated the news.
"Hahaha! Zhao Xing is finally Grand Shennong! Someone, bring music and dancers!" Meng Kun was elated, clapping his hands with glee. "Today, I'll celebrate properly!"
"Dean, isn't this a bit over the top?"
"I'm celebrating on my own turf! Who cares? Go and get them!"
"Yes, yes."
The news spread like wildfire. Zhao Xing's ascension to Grand Shennong soon reached the sectarian world, known formerly as the Realm of Slumber.
Within the grand halls of the Xuantian Divine Sect, Mist Walker was ecstatic upon hearing the news. "Zhao Xing has finally risen! My decision was the right one!"
"With him as Grand Shennong, my arguments carry even more weight!"
Since his return to the sect, Mist Walker had been serving as acting sect master. He had begun planning the sect's alliance with the Great Zhou Dynasty, but Zhao Xing's previous role as Director of the Shennong Division lacked the influence to make such an alliance persuasive.
"Now that he's Grand Shennong, it's undeniable that he can carry the Xuantian Divine Sect through this transition and ensure our future. I must accelerate unifying the sect's internal opinions and follow in his footsteps," Mist Walker resolved.
Southern Barbarian Lands, Golden Feather Court.
"Zhao Xing has become the Grand Shennong?" Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable muttered to himself upon receiving the news. "He's really doing well. I haven't even secured the position of National Advisor, yet he's already the Grand Shennong."
"Sigh, the restrictions of this inheritance cannot be lifted. It seems I'll truly have to sail on the same boat with him in the future."
Purple Bone Heavenly Venerable felt a bit melancholic. Before inheriting his legacy, he worked for the Southern Barbarians, and now, after obtaining it, he still found himself working under Zhao Xing.
"When will I no longer be subordinate to others and be able to roam freely as I wish?"
In the eighty-second year of Yuan Shou, Zhao Xing was appointed Grand Shennong and immediately became extremely busy.
At his peak, he maintained tens of thousands of clones, and even at the minimum, he kept over a thousand.
Liu Tianning was known to be a diligent person. When he held the same position, he often handled many tasks personally because he believed that others could not perform as well as he could.
"But only setting up nine Junior Chief of Shennong? That won't work."
"If you do everything yourself, where's the incentive for those below? Knowing and employing the right people is the key. I plan to implement the revival plan, and I certainly can't accomplish it alone."
The first thing Zhao Xing did upon taking office was to increase the positions of Junior Chief of Shennong.
"During Emperor Wu's reign, there were four Grand Shennongs: Liu Tianning, Mi Fu, Li Guiyuan, and Peng Yurang."
"Peng Yurang hasn't even been born yet. He was the last Grand Shennong during Emperor Wu's later years. But Li Guiyuan and Mi Fu are already among the senior officials. Wait, where's Mi Fu?"
Zhao Xing flipped through the registry and discovered that Mi Fu had disappeared from the ranks of high-ranking officials. "What's going on here?"
He immediately checked Mi Fu's personnel transfer records. What he found startled him.
Mi Fu had been demoted to a fifth-rank official!
"Who? Who did this?" Zhao Xing was instantly enraged, grabbing the registry as he stormed to find Meng Kun, who was waiting in the adjacent public office. "Lord Meng, who demoted Mi Fu? Was it the Right Chancellor of the Heavenly Bureaucracy, Tong Wenzhuo?"
"Does he not know that Mi Fu was recommended by me to the previous Grand Shennong?"
"Undermining one's superior and defaming the court—he dares to impose such charges? Who does he think he is?"
Meng Kun took the transfer order and carefully recalled, "Grand Shennong, calm down. While the order was indeed signed by Tong Wenzhuo, it followed the Emperor's decree."
"The Emperor?" Zhao Xing was taken aback.
"Mi Fu... Yes, I remember him," Meng Kun recalled. "He is indeed talented. Back when he accompanied you to the Western Extremes Province, he later participated in the war against the External Alliance, performing heroically. At one point, he was promoted to Shennong Officer of the Central Army in the Shensu Army."
"After the ceasefire, he was reassigned to Zhuling Cave-Heaven in the Western Extremes Province to oversee farming. He performed exceptionally there as well and was even granted the title of Honorary Senior Official of the Court by the Emperor, earning a one-rank promotion in nobility."
"And then?" Zhao Xing inquired.
"The trouble started with his promotion to Honorary Senior Official of the Court," Meng Kun explained. "With his new position, Mi Fu had opportunities to write directly to the Emperor, expressing his views freely. Every so often, he would urge the Emperor not to engage in large-scale military campaigns."
"He believed that since the External Alliance had already signed a peace treaty with the Great Zhou, there was no need for such a large military presence in the Western Extremes Province. He advocated for reducing military expenditures to save the national treasury."
Zhao Xing sighed, "..."
As expected, Mi Fu repeated the same mistakes as in his previous life.
Although the events leading up to it were different, the essence remained the same—trying to cut Emperor Wu's military budget. In the context of the Western Extremes Province at the time, Mi Fu's discordant voice was too grating.
I'm waging war here, and you keep talking about slashing the military budget? Do you think you're that important?
Frustrated, Emperor Wu instructed Tong Wenzhuo, the Right Chancellor responsible for official promotions, to demote Mi Fu to a fifth-rank official. Emperor Wu, who had briefly interacted with Mi Fu in the Star Ruins, decided to reassign him there again.
Hearing this, Zhao Xing found it rather peculiar.
After going around in circles, Mi Fu had ended up back in that dreadful place.
"Mi Fu really seems destined to be tied to that place," Zhao Xing remarked. "When was he demoted?"
"The fifty-ninth year of Yuan Shou," Meng Kun replied.
"That's over twenty years ago." Zhao Xing pondered. "Alright, I'll head to the palace to meet the Emperor."
"Grand Shennong, you seem to value this individual highly," Meng Kun remarked. "He does possess talent, but his ability to cause trouble isn't lacking either. Look at his list of offenses—he even assaulted Ji Xuanqing, the Prefect of Xichang Prefecture. And Ji Xuanqing is part of the royal family, the Emperor's nephew!"
"I'll first find out more," Zhao Xing replied.
Mi Fu was undoubtedly capable. Known as the "Ancestor of Commoner Shennong Players," such a title wasn't given lightly. His propensity to offend others yet still briefly hold the Grand Shennong position in his past life was a testament to his remarkable abilities. Who else could he rely on but a truly capable person? A mediocre official certainly wouldn't suffice.
"After over twenty years, I hope Mi Fu has gained some maturity. If he hasn't changed, he'll just need more time to settle."
Zhao Xing rushed to the palace. At this time, the imperial palace was adorned with festive decorations in preparation for the wedding of Princess You Ruo and Liu Tianning. After informing the inner palace attendants, he was ushered into Qian Palace to meet Emperor Ji Che.
Upon hearing Zhao Xing's account of Mi Fu, Emperor Ji Che recalled the man.
"Mi Fu, you say? I met him during my youth while traveling to study. Back then, I admired his fearless and upright character, always ready to offer advice."
Ji Che sighed. "But after becoming Emperor, I came to understand the frustrations of his former superiors. I now realize they were the true victims of his obstinate behavior."
"Over twenty years have passed. Mi Fu must have changed. Let's recall him to the central administration and observe. The Star Ruins is now part of the External Alliance's territory, so keeping him there might indeed be dangerous."
"Mi Fu is exceptional at farming, and I'll need his help to implement the agricultural reforms," Zhao Xing added. Now that he was the Grand Shennong, he needed to unite the three factions and strengthen their collective power.
Where to start? Naturally, with the Xuanhuang Essence Breaking Technique!
With the resurgence of the Yuan Qi tides, recalling Mi Fu to collaborate on the research of the Xuanhuang Essence Breaking Technique would be a monumental achievement. Releasing such findings would undoubtedly shake the world.
How many Shennong officials would benefit? It wouldn't just be those of the Self School; even those from the Heavenly Timing and Earth Advantage factions could attempt to cultivate pure essence soils. In a few decades, the Great Zhou's agricultural capabilities would multiply, and mobile granaries in the Military Realm would grow exponentially.
Of course, Zhao Xing's ultimate goal went beyond this. Using the Xuanhuang Essence Breaking Technique to reverse-engineer Yuan Qi back into Ling Qi was his final objective—an essential step in his grand revival plan.
"If you hold him in such high regard, let's bring him back to the capital," Emperor Ji Che nodded. "But Mi Fu is a minor matter. Right now, there's another issue that troubles me greatly."
Zhao Xing asked, "What concerns Your Majesty?"
"I wish to promote universal knowledge and enlighten the people. However, since the early years of Yuan Shou, the Ministry of Rites' results have been unsatisfactory."
"Though, to be fair, it's not entirely their fault. The prolonged war in the Western Extremes Province, followed by the impending Yuan Qi tides and frequent natural disasters, has caused a sharp decline in enrollment numbers across schools and academies."
"They want to improve but lack the means." Emperor Ji Che sighed, and Zhao Xing empathized deeply.
Promoting universal knowledge and enlightening the populace was the duty of every emperor.
For example, four of Emperor Jing's eight great achievements were considered staples of governance, directly tied to the growth of the empire's fortune and not to be overlooked.
After hearing this, Zhao Xing smiled. "Your Majesty, I might have a solution."
Emperor Ji Che straightened his posture and said formally, "What is your brilliant plan, my loyal subject?"
Zhao Xing replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard of an ancient sect among the ten great divine sects, known as the Dream God Sect. They possessed a treasure called 'One Dream to the World' and a cultivation technique named 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn'..."