In the fiftieth year of the Yuanding Era, in early spring, atop Mount Nanzhu, once revered as the Holy Mountain of the Southern Barbarians, but now transformed into the spiritual peak of the Great Zhou, two figures—Yun Tiandao and Zhao Xing—continued their arduous ascent.
Since the demise of the Moon Shaman God, the barrier severing the connection between Heaven and Earth had dissipated, allowing Mount Nanzhu to grow once more, stretching skyward, linking the terrestrial realm with the celestial boundary of the Xuanhuang World.
The mountain had pierced through the Xuanhuang World's boundary, forming a direct connection to the vast cosmos.
However, this ascent was treacherous—each step upward came with immense pressure, accompanied by an overwhelming chill and a crushing force from all directions.
By the time Yun Tiandao and Zhao Xing reached the summit, they found themselves suspended amidst the starry void, standing at the very peak of the mountain above the mountain, gazing at the cosmos overhead.
"The vast expanse of space, boundless in all directions, encapsulates the flow of time from past to present. The four cardinal directions stretch endlessly, encompassing the interplay of yin and yang, and within this boundless universe, the celestial bodies shine."
Zhao Xing surveyed the stars and remarked:
"The sun of the Xuanhuang World has dimmed, its radiance fading, and even the moon's power has weakened. The cosmic domain is now cold and desolate.
"The Dao of Yin and Yang is too weak within this territory, which is why cultivators here can only reach the Ascension Realm at best, unable to touch upon the fundamental origins of the Great Dao."
"Even if one escapes the Xuanhuang World, without finding a vibrant cosmic region brimming with life, cultivation within the Barren Domain remains an insurmountable challenge."
As Zhao Xing spoke, Yun Tiandao sighed in contemplation.
"Every time I gaze upon the universe, I feel an overwhelming fear—a momentary thought to abandon the pursuit, unwilling to step into the unknown. The past generations of Moon Shaman Gods stood atop this Holy Mountain, gazing into the cosmos, living in perpetual dread. No wonder he harbored such ideas."
Zhao Xing chuckled.
"Yun brother, with your unwavering resolve, are you actually afraid now?"
Yun Tiandao replied candidly:
"A newborn calf fears no tiger. When I ascended in the Great Xia Dynasty, I was only five hundred years old, just slightly older than you. Naturally, I was fearless back then."
"But after spending countless years in the Ruins of Return, occasionally observing the cosmic void, the more I learned, the more trepidation I felt."
Zhao Xing sighed.
"Ignorance is bliss, as they say. Some things are best left to the young."
"Are you praising the young or belittling them?"
After a brief exchange, Yun Tiandao and Zhao Xing turned their focus back to observing the cosmic regions surrounding the Xuanhuang World.
Both possessed minor divine abilities.
Yun Tiandao had developed the Star Gaze Technique, while Zhao Xing had cultivated Soul Heaven Vision to perfection, reaching the level of a minor divine ability.
Using their respective techniques, they scanned the cosmic void, quickly making several discoveries.
Zhao Xing pointed in a direction.
"Yun brother, what do you see?"
Yun Tiandao nodded.
"Indeed, just as you described."
Zhao Xing explained:
"The universe is vast and boundless. That patch of gray dust in the distance is the forming cosmic cloud, an early sign of an impending spiritual rain."
"A grand tempest is the precursor to such rain—it surges into the Xuanhuang World, triggering fluctuations in Primordial Qi Tides."
"For now, these clouds remain scattered across the cosmos. Only when they fully converge will the spiritual rain truly descend."
Yun Tiandao pondered for a moment.
"So this aligns with your Cosmic Four Seasons Theory? Is the Xuanhuang World about to enter Spring?"
Zhao Xing shook his head, then nodded.
"Yes and no."
"If we solely consider the Xuanhuang World, then yes, we can apply the Heavenly Timing Cosmology to predict the arrival of spiritual rain, signifying the approach of Cosmic Spring."
"However, reality is far more complex."
"Have you forgotten my mention of the Barren Domain Phenomenon?"
A realization struck Yun Tiandao.
"Ah, in the Barren Domain, there are no Four Seasons."
Zhao Xing nodded.
"Precisely. At least, within the Shenluo Barren Domain, the Cosmic Four Seasons Cycle does not function normally."
Yun Tiandao narrowed his eyes.
"Shenluo Barren Domain… Are you suggesting that this region of space is sinking?"
"The universe is boundless, with no defined up or down, left or right. Could my understanding be flawed?"
Zhao Xing glanced at Yun Tiandao with an amused expression.
"Brother Yun, your comprehension is remarkable. You deduced that much from just the name?"
"Indeed. This name was coined by the Earth School, and the term 'sink' inherently implies directional motion. This aligns with a fundamental theory in their Cosmic Geomancy Doctrine."
"According to the Earth School, the lower layers of the universe contain an infinitely high-ranked landmass!"
Zhao Xing's eyes gleamed.
"Brother Yun, do you understand what an infinitely high-ranked Earth Vein entails?"
Yun Tiandao mused aloud.
"It would mean that all matter is drawn toward it—worlds, small realms, cosmic winds, clouds, rain, and even spiritual energy—all of it would fall toward that Extreme Land."
Zhao Xing nodded.
"Exactly. This is the Earth School's explanation for the Barren Domain Phenomenon."
"They believe that the presence of the Extreme Land causes specific cosmic regions to sink. Since Qi is highly mobile, it is the first to be absorbed—hence why spiritual energy and Primordial Qi are rapidly drained."
"Meanwhile, celestial bodies and minor worlds descend more slowly, giving rise to what we perceive as a Barren Domain."
"Of course, this remains an unverified theory. It was merely proposed by the Earth School's Shennong, who first discovered the Shenluo Barren Domain—hence the name."
Yun Tiandao grew intrigued.
"Then how do the Heavenly Timing School and the Self School interpret the Barren Domain Phenomenon?"
Zhao Xing explained:
"The Heavenly Timing School holds two primary views.
"One states that the Barren Domain is merely a natural cosmic disaster, with no so-called Extreme Land—it is simply part of the universe's inherent evolution."
"The other suggests that the universe contains two massive celestial bodies—the Grand Sun and the Grand Moon. The Barren Domain is merely a result of the Cosmic Summer Era, where spiritual energy is evaporated into the upper cosmos."
"They argue that when the cosmic cycle shifts, spiritual energy will naturally return, but cultivators with low realms lack the ability to perceive this process."
Yun Tiandao smirked.
"Isn't that essentially an admission that the Earth School is correct in dividing the universe into upper and lower realms?"
Zhao Xing's gaze remained fixed on the vast, boundless cosmic expanse before him. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke, "From the perspective of the Self School, the theory of the Extreme Land and the Extreme Star both have merit, but they fail to explain everything. The phenomenon of barren domains is, in essence, the natural decline of all Solar Stars and Lunar Stars within a region. Their lifespans have simply reached their end."
Upon hearing this, Yun Tiandao frowned. As a Shennong from the Heavenly Timing lineage, he was naturally inclined toward the study of cosmic cycles and seasons. "Hmph! Why does the Self School always deny the existence of the Extreme Land and Extreme Star? Just because they haven't found definitive proof doesn't mean they don't exist."
"The situation in the Xuanhuang Realm at least provides some evidence for both the Cosmic Heavenly Timing Theory and the Cosmic Earthly Advantage Theory, but it does nothing to prove the Self School's perspective—"
As he was speaking, Yun Tiandao's expression suddenly turned serious, his gaze locking onto the dim Solar Star in the distance. "Zhao Xing, are you saying...?"
Zhao Xing nodded. "Indeed. There exist 'Death Domains' within the cosmic expanse."
"The Solar Stars and Lunar Stars of this Shenluo Territory have not yet completely died out. 'Luo' means a net, and this net of death has descended from the heavens, yet within its webbing remains a single thread of vitality. Some small regions are still capable of seasonal changes."
"In other words, much like the Xuanhuang Realm, once in a long while, they can experience a revival of spiritual fortune."
"But if, one day, all the Solar and Lunar Stars within a territory were to perish completely, it would truly become a Death Domain."
"When the Yin-Yang Dao ceases to exist, no life can be born—such a place becomes an absolute forbidden zone."
Zhao Xing continued, "It is precisely because this region remains a Barren Domain and not yet a Death Domain that beings like Qing Yunzi, an outsider, could accidentally land in the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Does a Barren Domain necessarily evolve into a Death Domain?" Yun Tiandao's voice grew heavy. After all, the Xuanhuang Realm was still his homeland.
"Not necessarily," Zhao Xing shook his head. "Even the theories of the Self School do not apply to all cases. That is why every school of thought has its own validity in certain circumstances, but none can explain everything."
"The divergence in theories is precisely what led to the formation of three distinct factions of Shennong. In a small realm like the Xuanhuang Realm, it was easy for these factions to be unified. But when expanded to the cosmic scale, their ideological differences became far more pronounced—"
"And much fiercer."
Yun Tiandao's eyes shone with eager anticipation. "I really want to fly out and see it all for myself. The world beyond must be incredible!"
"Don't be so excited. Take a good look at the universe before you. What is its underlying color?" Zhao Xing asked meaningfully.
Yun Tiandao fell silent. Was Zhao Xing implying that the universe was cold and dark?
Zhao Xing patted him on the shoulder. "Enough idle talk. Let's get to work."
He couldn't say any more—especially regarding the 'Hidden Shattering Illusions' within Barren Domains. He feared that Yun Tiandao would continue to press him for answers, so he only revealed what was safe to discuss.
"Are you doing it, or should I?" Yun Tiandao asked.
"I'll handle it," Zhao Xing replied.
"Alright," Zhao Xing raised a hand, and twenty-four Seasonal Qi Command divine weapons appeared.
These were the divine tools of Shennong in the Great Zhou Dynasty—the Twenty-Four Seasonal Qi Commands. With the strengthening of the national fortune, each one had become a precious treasure. When combined, they formed a Superior-Grade Star Dao Weapon—a Peerless Treasure.
Since Yun Tiandao had already stepped into the Establishing Dao Realm, his techniques were stronger than Zhao Xing's. This was a labor-intensive task, and with Yun Tiandao's proficiency, Zhao Xing naturally didn't need to exert himself.
"Collecting this is hard work. Brother Yun, I'll have to trouble you with it," Zhao Xing said.
Yun Tiandao let out a snort and took on the task. "Hah, my whole life, I've only ever worked for the Xia Emperor. Running into you is really just bad luck."
Zhao Xing laughed, clasped his hands in a half-bow, and handed all the spiritual energy pearls to Yun Tiandao before heading down the mountain.
He was confident that Yun Tiandao would put in the effort—after all, it was already the fiftieth year of the Yuan Ding era. Given the restrictions placed on Old Yun, he had only seventy years left before he would be forced to leave.
So, he would undoubtedly give it his all.
Gathering the cosmic clouds and preparing for the next spiritual rain was a monumental project—one expected to take around ten years.
Zhao Xing descended from the Holy Mountain, where the King Shenluo was already waiting with his warship.
As soon as Zhao Xing landed, Ye Yukong approached and asked, "Grand Shennong, how's it looking? When will we be able to enter the Establishing Dao Realm?"
The King Shenluo teased, "Brother Ye, it's called the Ascension Realm now. It's been standardized for a hundred years already—why do you still call it Establishing Dao? We're about to venture into the cosmic expanse, so don't sound like a country bumpkin."
Ye Yukong scowled. "Oh, so you're the trendy one, huh? Well, I don't care—I still call Star Dao Weapons 'Peerless Treasures!' You got a problem with that? Wanna fight?"
The King Shenluo shrugged. "Martial brute."
"You—!"
Zhao Xing laughed and intervened. "Alright, enough arguing. When the time is right, I'll naturally notify you both for your tribulation. King Shenluo, let's head back first and check on the progress of the Realm Vessel."
"Understood," the King Shenluo promptly activated the warship. "Grand Shennong, we'll be taking the ancient earth pathways to reach the Realm Vessel Division in the Heavenly Realm. The journey should take around fifteen days."
The Great Zhou Dynasty was constructing a Realm Vessel capable of traveling through the cosmic expanse. The required materials were extensive, and since the Heavenly Realm was one of the first places to come into contact with the Spiritual Qi Tides, its resources were abundant.
Several critical components of the Realm Vessel(Boundary Vessel) were being gathered at different locations, and the Heavenly Realm was one of the most important among them.
The Heavenly Realm, Qitian Hall.
At this moment, the Heavenly God Mountain had completely transformed into an industrial site. The entire mountain had been converted into a shipbuilding factory.
By the time Zhao Xing arrived, he was greeted by none other than the Vice Hall Master, Shengxian.
"Zhao Divine Venerable," Shengxian addressed him, following the traditions of the sectarian world.
Zhao Xing also followed the local customs. "Shengxian, you're on guard duty today?"
"Hm." Shengxian's expression remained indifferent—not out of any particular sentiment, but simply because his face was naturally cold and unreadable. He was a man of few words.
"Alright, let's go in and take a look."
"Wait." Shengxian blocked their way and pulled out three helmets. "Put these on."
"Brother, do we really need these?" Ye Yukong asked, stunned.
"Put them on," Shengxian said with no further explanation, his stance making it clear—without them, they weren't getting through.
"Just wear it," Zhao Xing chuckled as he accepted the helmet.
This rule had actually come about from a casual conversation he had with the Upper Immortal, who later ordered the Heavenly Realm to produce a batch of Adherence Helmets for safety.
What Zhao Xing hadn't expected was that Shengxian would be the one acting as the safety officer today.
"Why are they red, blue, and yellow? And why are they so round, like melons? They're ugly as hell," Ye Yukong grumbled as he reluctantly put on the helmet.
"Can you shut up for once?" King Shenluo scoffed. "My body is a mechanized puppet, and even I'm wearing one. What are you complaining about?"
"Fine, fine."
The group began their inspection of the Heavenly Realm.
The purpose of Qitian Hall was, of course, Ascension—or rather, it was Hall Master Qitian who wished to ascend. As for the other so-called 'immortals,' they honestly didn't care much.
The Hall Master had spent years recruiting experts and gathering materials for Ascension. The treasures here were vast.
In fact, there were already several warships originally intended to traverse the stars.
"Since 35,000 years ago, I've been piloting warships with puppets, breaking through the Heavenly Realm's barriers to fly into the cosmos." Qitian pointed to several dismantled warships. "But the largest one—Shangxian—only managed to travel 1.5 million li before reaching its limit."
"I placed numerous simulated humans inside, but when the ship returned, they were all dead."
"I tried many times, but after realizing there was no hope, I entered a deep slumber."
35,000 years ago?
This Hall Master sure was a long-lived monster.
That said, compared to some others, he was actually still considered young.
Zhao Xing listened quietly.
"I once thought that Ascension was beyond my reach in this lifetime. I never expected to see this kind of opportunity arise."
Unlike Shengxian, Qitian was much more outgoing, his face full of warmth as he smiled. "But the ship you're building is way too big. Even after using up nearly all of the Heavenly Realm's resources, we've barely managed to complete 0.3% of the parts."
Zhao Xing replied, "For a place like the Heavenly Realm, gathering even 0.1% of the required materials is already an incredible feat."
The Xuanhuang Realm was massive, filled with untold amounts of high-grade materials, yet the Heavenly Realm alone had provided 0.3% of what was needed.
"I may not be a subject of the Great Zhou Dynasty, but I truly respect you, Grand Shennong." Qitian looked Zhao Xing up and down. "According to the Fate Immortal's prophecies, we were supposed to wait a long time before reaching this era. I never imagined we could manually trigger a revival and bring forth an early rain of spiritual resurgence."
"You're too kind, Hall Master," Zhao Xing said. "Only by working together can we hope to travel further in the universe."
Qitian gave a slight nod. "Can you tell me how long we'll need to travel through the cosmos before finding a stable place to settle?"
Zhao Xing thought for a moment. "If Qing Yunzi's star map is accurate, and the Realm Vessel's construction proceeds smoothly, it will take between 500 to 1,000 years."
"That long?" Qitian was stunned.
"That's already quite short." Zhao Xing gestured toward the ship. "The Xuanhuang Realm doesn't have the capability to produce a Realm-Star-Class flying vessel. Our only option is to infinitely scale up the quality of our Superior-Grade Star Dao Weapons."
"If Qing Yunzi hadn't left behind parts of the Realm Vessel's power core, we would have needed around 2,500 years instead."
Qitian fell into deep thought. "I see... My previous assumptions were completely off."
Even with a star map, it would take centuries. Without one, it would take at least 10,000 years—and they still might not make it.
"Time is neither long nor short," Zhao Xing smiled. "A few cycles of hibernation, and we'll be there before we know it."
After completing his inspection of the Heavenly Realm, Zhao Xing headed toward his next destination—the Western Extreme Continent.
Qing Yunzi's ruins had also preserved materials for the Realm Vessel.
A shipbuilding division had been established here as well.
"Looks like you've already found a way to ascend."
A projection of Qing Yunzi's Establishing Dao Avatar appeared in a certain location, his expression calm.
"My Realm Vessel may only exist in fragments, but it still retains its most crucial core compartment. If you follow the star map I provided, your journey to the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom will be significantly shorter."
"Looks like you've already found a way to ascend—"
"Looks like you—"
The Establishing Dao Avatar of Qing Yunzi kept repeating this phrase across the plaza, its voice echoing again and again.
The artisans working below occasionally glanced at the holographic projection, their expressions filled with determination.
"Seventh Division of the Ministry of Works, Realm Ship Division. Grand Craftsman of the Core Chamber, Yue Lingzhi, greets the Grand Shennong."
A tall, bald middle-aged man stepped forward and respectfully cupped his hands toward Zhao Xing.
"Old Yue, why aren't you wearing a helmet?" Zhao Xing laughed as he helped Yue Lingzhi up. "You're the Grand Craftsman—if you're the first to break the safety rules, I'll have to dock your pay!"
"Heh, Grand Shennong, we're not in a dangerous work zone right now," Yue Lingzhi chuckled. "You wouldn't actually fine me, would you?"
At present, Yue Lingzhi had already reached the Minggong Realm and become a Master Mechanist.
However, his specialization lay in forging, not combat. His combat strength wasn't high, but his crafting abilities were unparalleled.
This field had become extremely sought-after, especially since the Great Zhou Dynasty had begun constructing a Realm Vessel.
Yue Lingzhi quickly rose through the ranks among the mechanists and now held the official Second Rank.
Being assigned to oversee the Core Chamber, one of the most vital parts of the Realm Vessel, spoke volumes about his potential.
"How's the progress?" Zhao Xing folded his sleeves as he began discussing the latest updates with Yue Lingzhi.
"Grand Shennong, the Seventh Division of the Realm Ship Bureau has completed the first phase of construction six months ahead of schedule, and the second phase is ahead by a full year. At this rate, the next phase will also be completed one year ahead of the planned deadline," Yue Lingzhi said with pride. "We're moving two and a half years ahead of the other departments!"
"That's quite the speed. You're not making your subordinates pull off any sacrificial rituals to rush progress, are you?" Zhao Xing joked. "The imperial court has been cracking down on those kinds of malicious competition tactics, you'd better not risk it."
"How could I?!" Yue Lingzhi immediately protested. "Grand Shennong, I stopped using those crooked methods a long time ago! If you don't believe me, you can ask Lord Nie yourself!"
Zhao Xing actually went to verify it.
Inside a sacred temple, a statue of the previous Grand Engineer, Nie Xiongying, stood tall.
The matter of Ascension was not only relevant to the living; the Netherworld deities also had a stake in it.
Since the Realm Vessel would include a Nether Chamber, many Netherworld deities would be transferred aboard.
Once Ascension was achieved, they could seek an opportunity for revival.
This meant the project was closely tied to their interests as well.
"Yue Lingzhi? That kid's quite capable, hardworking too—but he's also a bit of a smooth talker." Nie Xiongying's divine voice resonated from the statue. "He didn't force anyone into any blood sacrifices, but I won't lie—he's been making them work overtime like crazy."
"He treats overtime as a key factor for promotion and constantly poaches talents from other departments. Anyone willing to work overtime and deliver good results? He sweet-talks them into transferring to the Seventh Division."
"His department is working on the Core Chamber, which His Majesty values greatly, so the benefits there are the best. It's no wonder he's managed to poach so many people."
"But he's also made a lot of enemies. Plenty of his colleagues would love to beat him up. Just recently, someone even sent a little ghost to mess with him in revenge—"
Zhao Xing was taken aback. "That actually happened?"
Nie Xiongying sighed. "Yue Lingzhi knew he was in the wrong and asked me not to report it. The ghost wasn't trying to kill him or anything—it just wanted to punch him a few times. So I just fined the culprit a bit of money and let it slide."
"If you ask me, that kid really deserves it. No wonder people want to teach him a lesson."
Zhao Xing couldn't help but chuckle. Even ghosts found Yue Lingzhi unbearable—that said a lot.
"Keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't cross the line."
"Don't worry." Nie Xiongying bit into a burning incense stick and chuckled. "I'm watching him."
Ancient Dragon Court, Fuming Divine Temple.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
A group of massive dragons, shackled in heavy chains, were dragging a colossal mountain, slowly moving it toward the center of a sea of fire.
Their synchronized roars shook the air as they pulled, inch by inch, guiding the mountain to its designated position.
"Unlock the chains! Withdraw!"
A deep voice bellowed—Hog's command.
Clank! Clank!
The dragons swiftly unshackled themselves, breaking free from the chains.
"Boom!"
The mountain crashed into the center of the fiery sea, sending flames roaring into the sky.
The dragons quickly swam through the air, retreating from the inferno.
"Activate the Southern Sector of the Fuming Grand Formation!" Hog roared.
The Southern sector of the formation erupted—scorching flames surged upward, filling the air.
"Activate the Northern Sector!"
"Activate the Western Sector!"
"Activate the Eastern Sector!"
On all four sides of the sea of fire, towering furnaces—glowing red-hot—unleashed pillars of raging flames, engulfing the mountain in blazing heat.
The rock began to glow red, melting bit by bit.
"Drip!"
A drop of crimson essence fell from the base of the mountain, landing into a small furnace at the center.
Inside this small furnace, the flames took the shape of a dragon.
As soon as the essence entered, the dragon-flame's eyes snapped open—it devoured the essence instantly, beginning the second phase of refinement.
"Your Majesty, this is the Fuming Divine Temple's Grand Furnace Site." Yin Xiu accompanied Zhao Xing, overlooking the entire operation from the sky. "Since 130 years ago, this place has been refining the outer hull materials for the Realm Vessel. To date, it has produced 80% of the required materials."
Zhao Xing nodded in satisfaction.
Half of the Realm Vessel's materials came from the Dragon Court alone.
Among the treasures left behind by past Dragon Emperors, Zhao Xing had managed to gather an immense stockpile.
Thanks to ancient Dragon Clans who had once returned from the stars, this place held the largest reserve of usable materials—some were even ready-made, requiring no further processing.
"Yin Xiu, I trust your work." Zhao Xing first acknowledged Yin Xiu's efforts. "But I didn't just come here to inspect the project."
"How is the willingness survey progressing?"
Yin Xiu hesitated before answering. "Your Majesty, after years of investigation, I've found that 30% of the Dragon Clan refuses to leave, while 20% are undecided."
Zhao Xing nodded.
Not everyone wanted to venture into the unknown cosmos.
Intelligent beings had a curiosity for exploration but also a natural instinct for self-preservation.
If that weren't the case, the Moon God's teachings wouldn't have gained such widespread acceptance.
Even though Zhao Xing, as Dragon Emperor, had guaranteed them a path to survival, many still refused to leave their homeland.
This survey wasn't just a superficial questionnaire—it was conducted through the Great Dream Spring and Autumn Method, meaning these were their true thoughts.
Of course, public opinion could still change over time with proper guidance and persuasion.
"Your Majesty," a new voice cut in—Yin Li, another Dragon Clan elder. "If you ask me, their opinions don't matter."
"They're ignorant and short-sighted. They don't understand now, but once we're out there, they'll realize the truth."
Zhao Xing did not respond, simply shifting his gaze to another part of the construction site before returning to Great Zhou.
Great Zhou, Tianyong Province, Fengjing.
Zhao Xing slowly exhaled, standing in the heavy rain that drenched the entire Xuanhuang Realm.
At this moment, he could feel the spiritual energy thickening in the air. His Shangling Instrument displayed a continuously rising index, confirming the effectiveness of the rainfall.
"1.5... it's already jumped to 2."
"In the Nineteen Provinces, the index has already surged to 3. Over in Daoyuan Province, Luoshui County, and Kun Yuan County, the readings have even surpassed 5."
"And this is only the first day."
Zhao Xing clenched his fist, feeling the spiritual liquid within his body completely drained—all of it had been handed over to Yun Tiandao to facilitate this Revival Rain.
"Whether it works or not, that's now up to fate," he muttered to himself.
"If even this isn't enough, then it's a dead end. The entire Shenluo Wasteland will transform into a dead zone."
Thunder rumbled in the sky, and the downpour continued relentlessly.
Despite being drenched, Zhao Xing could sense the shift in the world—the long-sealed barrier had begun to loosen.
For a long time, Regulation Stage had been considered the peak limit for officials like him. But now, that bottleneck was starting to waver.
The transformation caused by the Spiritual Energy Rain wasn't violent like the chaotic Vital Energy Tides of the past. Instead, it was stable and evenly distributed—all thanks to Yun Tiandao's precise control.
Meanwhile, throughout Great Zhou, every Shennong Official had been deployed. Countless experts patrolled the land day and night, observing the changes.
Half a month passed.
"5! Nanyang County has reached 5!"
"5! Biyou County has also broken past 5!"
Reports flooded in from all regions.
"8.5! The latest data from Kunyuan Commandery!"
"This is amazing! My spells have gotten stronger!"
"Hahaha, watch me break into the Rule Stage today!"
"What's going on? Why is my hair turning black?"
"Why is my dog, Da Huang, barking non-stop in the middle of the night?"
"~"
"Awooo~~"
The entire region was in an uproar.
Zhao Xing, however, was quietly gathering intelligence from all over, patiently waiting.
A month later, on the Spring Equinox, the rain from beyond the heavens finally stopped.
Yet within the Xuanhuang Realm, clouds of spiritual energy had started to form.
Previously, it had been external energy pouring into the Xuanhuang Realm.
Now, it had entered a cycle of internal circulation.
This rain lasted for an entire year.
At the end of the 61st year of the Yuanding Era—
Yun Tiandao found Zhao Xing's true body in Daoyuan Prefecture.
"How is it?"
"The conditions have been met." Zhao Xing pointed at several commercial spirit instruments floating in midair, a slight smile appearing on his face. "Brother Yun, we've succeeded."
"Hahahaha!" Yun Tiandao couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Zhao Xing, you are by far the craziest person I've ever met!"
"Then I'm a successful madman!" Zhao Xing threw a punch at Yun Tiandao's chest. "Brother Yun, do you admit defeat now?"
"I do!" Yun Tiandao laughed toward the sky, as if trying to see through the thick clouds and the boundary wall of the realm, gazing deep into the endless starry sky.
He unfastened his robe, exposing his chest. "Come, hit me ninety-nine more times, and we'll call it even!"
Yuanding Era, Year 61, Second Month, Second Day—Dragon Raising Its Head.
Tribulation Day.
The Xuanhuang Realm's Fourfold Tribulation required a total of twenty people to withstand it, with the location set at Four Pillars Mountain. Each direction needed at least five people.
The chosen ones for North Pillar Mountain were: King Luohou, Purple Bone, Ji Si, Dong Ze, and Li Hao.
The chosen ones for West Pillar Mountain were: Lu Ying, Chen Ju, Liu Tianning, Ling Tianchen, and Qiu Mingyi.
The chosen ones for East Pillar Mountain were: Mi Fu, Wei Hong, Hong Yuanba (Royal Chief Mechanist), Yin Xiu, and Ji Chen (Emperor Wu's own brother).
The chosen ones for South Pillar Mountain were: Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ye Yukong.
Due to their significant contributions during the Absolute Realm-Sealing campaign, Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ye Yukong were all promoted from First Rank under the nation's Fortune to the pinnacle of the Rule Stage by Ji Che.
The first batch of tribulation-bearers would receive immense benefits. Originally, Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ye Yukong were slightly lacking in qualifications, but since Zhao Xing vouched for them, no one had any objections.
Xia Jing, Long Xiao, and Chen Shijie had fought alongside Zhao Xing, sharing life and death in the Absolute Realm-Sealing campaign. Ye Yukong, on the other hand, had been the key figure in rescuing Zhao Xing and bringing him back safely. His participation made sense as well.
In short, this matter was settled quickly, and all of them were on track to break through to the Dao Establishment Stage in the near future.
At South Pillar Mountain's summit—
"Brother Zhao, is that the tribulation lightning?" Xia Jing asked, gazing in awe at the sudden emergence of a violet thundercloud from the heavens.
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. "From Rule Stage to Ascension Stage, crossing tribulation isn't always necessary. This is one of the benefits of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"In the vast universe, when members of powerful clans want to enhance their innate talents and smooth out their cultivation paths, they deliberately choose world-stars or micro-worlds with tribulations for their breakthroughs."
"If they were to break through in the cosmic void, there would be no additional rewards."
These rewards came from the origin of the world-star or micro-world itself—something that did not exist in the cosmic void.
"I'm starting to feel a little scared," Ye Yukong admitted, gripping the hilt of his sword. "To be honest, I'm kind of panicking."
"You're only kind of panicking?" Long Xiao scoffed. "Look at Old Chen—his legs are so weak that he can't even stand up."
"You think you can look down on me?" Chen Shijie snorted, immediately standing up. "Do you think I'm just some waste who got here through national Fortune alone?"
"Old Chen, beat him up!" Xia Jing egged him on. "Plant him into the ground!"
"I've got no objections," Zhao Xing chuckled, enjoying the entertainment.
On this mountain, Long Xiao might not necessarily win against Chen Shijie, who had the terrain advantage.
Although Chen Shijie had relied on national Fortune to elevate his understanding of the Dao, his spellcasting was not to be underestimated.
Especially in Earth Palace techniques, where he had remained steadfastly dedicated. His attainments in this field were extraordinary.
In Yuanding Year 50, Old Chen had even created his own ultimate Earth Palace technique—"Flame God Earth Palace."
Although it wasn't as monstrous as Master Zhao, he had still cultivated it to the Seventh Transformation, an ultimate level.
Fighting on the mountain? Everyone present, aside from Zhao Xing, would likely end up buried in the ground.
Old Chen had served as Lesser Shennong Minister during the Yuanshuo period, and it wasn't because of favoritism from Zhao Xing—it was purely due to his own strength.
"This... the tribulation is about to begin. We can fight another day," Long Xiao backed down.
"Tch, the Wuji Sword Embryo must be feeling aggrieved to have chosen you as its master," Xia Jing mocked.
"Shut up, big-headed fool!" Long Xiao glared at Xia Jing. "You're a Qi Cultivator—what do you even know about swordsmanship? Want to have a match?"
"Bring it on!" Xia Jing didn't hesitate at all, throwing a punch straight at him.
"Alright, place your bets!" Ye Yukong drew a line on the ground. "I'm betting on Long Xiao to win. Anyone want to go against me?"
As a fellow Sword Cultivator, Ye Yukong naturally supported Long Xiao.
"I'll take that bet. I'm betting on Xia Jing," Zhao Xing grinned. He understood that everyone was a bit tense before the tribulation. Lightening the mood was a good idea.
"I'm done playing." Chen Shijie had been staring at the sky, his usual calm demeanor unshaken.
"Long, who are you insulting?!" Xia Jing punched a weapon away, cursing loudly. The reason? Long Xiao had pulled out a fishing hook.
"I've had enough of you heretics!" Long Xiao sneered. "Why did you get your title first? You're just riding on your ancestors' blessings!"
"And you act like you're not some lucky son-in-law of the East Sea? Die for me!" Xia Jing flashed forward, his Golden Body Dharma Aspect appearing behind him.
"Hm?" Zhao Xing noticed what was happening and immediately stepped between the two—one hand caught Xia Jing's fist while his other flicked away Long Xiao's Wuji Sword. "Wake up!"
A dragon's roar echoed in their minds, a clear and melodic sound that instantly snapped Xia Jing and Long Xiao out of their trance.
This...
Ye Yukong was shocked, while Xia Jing and Long Xiao immediately realized something was wrong. Their gazes lifted toward the sky.
At some unknown moment, the tribulation clouds had turned blood red.
The Ascension Tribulation had begun!
"Old Chen! Long Xiao, Ye Yukong, and Xia Jing—get to my side!" Zhao Xing shouted.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
The five of them moved immediately.
Chen Shijie stretched out a single finger, and a streak of fire rose from the ground, forming a circle, trapping Long Xiao inside it.
A phantom palace began to form.
Zhao Xing smashed Ye Yukong and Xia Jing into the mountainside, using Mountain Law to protect them.
The Ascension Tribulation was divided into two types:
Willpower Tribulation—which attacked the soul and spirit.
Physical Tribulation—which struck the flesh and seven mortal souls.
In terms of willpower, Chen Shijie and Zhao Xing were naturally stronger than the three martial artists.
First, their professions gave them an advantage—cultivators who specialized in spellcasting tended to have stronger souls. Even in Derivation of the Divine Spirit, spellcasters had an easier time progressing compared to martial artists.
Second, their personal strengths set them apart. Zhao Xing was beyond comparison—his Three Divinities Destiny Palace meant he had nothing to fear from a mere Ascension Tribulation.
As for Chen Shijie, he had always been resolute since his youth. He was the late-bloomer type, but after changing his fate during the Ten Suns Era, he was nurtured by Kunyuan Academy and built a rock-solid foundation.
Long Xiao and Xia Jing, on the other hand, both had periods of rapid advancement—one was a noble heir, and the other was a son-in-law of the East Sea.
But Chen Shijie? He had no such shortcuts.
He climbed step by step, grinding through every rank over the years. In that sense, he was very similar to Mi Fu—which was why Mi Fu had found him likable back then.
The difference was that Lord Mi was naturally gifted and more carefree, while Old Chen was steadfast and reliable.
"Why the hell did you bury me in the ground?" Ye Yukong muttered. "I admit I was feeling a little irritated, but it's not like I was about to lose control."
"Really?" Zhao Xing eyed him.
"You don't believe me? Punch me and see if I get mad," Ye Yukong said.
Boom!
Zhao Xing didn't hesitate—he punched Ye Yukong in the face. He used Cloud Heaven Dao's "Four Seasons Hou Transformation Fist", but with his own modifications.
A patch of pig-like bristles sprouted from Ye Yukong's cheek.
"Hiss—" Ye Yukong sucked in a cold breath. "Damn it, brother, I was just saying! You didn't have to actually hit me!"
But he just rubbed his face and didn't react otherwise.
Zhao Xing then turned to Xia Jing.
"Don't look at me!" Xia Jing quickly waved his hands. "I was tricked earlier, okay? I got caught up in the whole Qi Cultivator vs. Sword Cultivator debate, and then he pulled out that damn fishing hook to mock me. But I've snapped out of it now—I'm not falling for it again!"
"I don't believe you. Let me test with a punch."
"Zhao Xing, that won't work," Long Xiao cracked his knuckles. "Let me do it—my punches will be more effective."
"Screw you!" Xia Jing glared. "You really are the worst!"
Boom!
Chen Shijie took the opportunity to punch Long Xiao with a fist full of flames.
"Hiss—what the hell, Old Chen?!" Long Xiao was furious. "Even you don't believe me?"
"Hahaha, well done!" Xia Jing laughed so hard he could barely breathe. "Serves you right for looking down on Old Chen!"
Zhao Xing just sighed at this bunch of idiots.
But in the end, his worries were unnecessary.
The invisible mental tribulation from the lightning clouds was indeed powerful, but these guys weren't pushovers—they were just a little hotheaded.
Once they realized what was happening, they quickly regained their focus, preventing further disturbances.
But...
The next phase of the tribulation still left them in a miserable state.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Lightning poured down from the clouds, striking all five of them.
A powerful thunder tribulation, mixed with the willpower tribulation, bombarded them in cycles.
Electric arcs covered the entire mountaintop, causing everyone's hair to stand on end—even Zhao Xing was no exception.
Because the tribulation directed at him was even stronger.
"~"
Long Xiao and Ye Yukong screamed in pain.
Meanwhile, Xia Jing stood there grinning, looking at the two of them.
"This is what happens when you choose the Sword Cultivator path. Look at me—bathing in the tribulation, completely unbothered."
Zhao Xing sighed. "Brother Xia, stop pretending. Your hand under your sleeve is shaking."
Xia Jing froze. "Nonsense! That's not true!"
Even Chen Shijie, who had been completely silent the entire time, was clearly in pain—but he gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound.
Seven days later.
The tribulation for the other four had mostly ended.
Now, the lightning clouds only targeted Zhao Xing alone.
Because he was still going.
"Is this ever going to end? Why is it still striking Brother Zhao?"
The four of them stood to the side, spectating.
Ji Che's plan was to use Great Dream Spring and Autumn, allowing the vast majority of his subjects to enter a brief slumber, thereby reducing material consumption.
Of course, this technique would only be used after leaving Xuanhuang Realm.
In the 80th year of Yuan Ding, the Realm Vessel had been completely sealed.
Outside the massive flying vessel, Ji Che, Zhao Xing, and several high-ranking officials stood on top of the vessel. Below them was Ji Chen, the Crown Prince, who bore a striking resemblance to Ji Che, sharing at least seventy to eighty percent of his features.
"Your Majesty." Ji Chen knelt respectfully. "Do you have any final instructions for your humble brother?"
"Chen." Ji Che helped him up, his gaze solemn. "I don't know if leaving you behind is the right choice or not. But if anything happens to us, then you will be the last ember of Great Zhou's legacy."
"I will guard Great Zhou's lands with my life," Ji Chen vowed with unwavering determination.
Ji Che nodded, then raised his hand—the Human Emperor Sword and the Book of Heaven's Mandate appeared before him.
"I will leave them here."
"In future generations, only an emperor who treats his people with kindness may inherit the Human Emperor Sword and the Book of Heaven's Mandate!"
"May all under heaven rise like dragons!"
Ji Che's voice echoed across heaven and earth, and a phantom shadow emerged from his body, merging into the world itself. The Human Emperor Sword and the Book of Heaven's Mandate vanished alongside it.
This was Ji Che's final proclamation of Dao, ensuring that only benevolent emperors in the future could wield these sacred artifacts.
Ji Che repeated the decree three times, his face turning pale as the power left him.
He turned back to look at Zhao Xing. "Brother, do you have any aspirations to declare?"
Zhao Xing thought for a moment and then retrieved the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe.
"This artifact was born in response to the Heavenly Mandate, and it should also remain within the Xuanhuang Realm."
He pressed the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe to his lips and whispered, "If the Human Emperor Sword appears, then the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe shall follow. Only those with hearts devoted to the people may wield it."
With that, Zhao Xing tossed the divine hoe into the sky, where it too vanished.
Following his lead, King Luo also cast out his Heaven King Armor, Ji Du Arrow, and Abyss Bow.
"If the Moon God manifests, these three divine artifacts shall emerge once more!"
King Luo's decree was simple and direct, directly tying the artifacts to the Moon God's existence.
Liu Tianning followed suit, tossing a stone tablet containing his insights into Myriad Straw Puppet Techniques and the Doctrine of Heaven and Earth's Military Forces.
"If this technique is lost from Shangluo Academy for five hundred years, then the Heavenly Tome shall reappear!"
With such precedents set, the rest of the court had no choice but to contribute—one after another, they left behind artifacts and vowed aspirations.
In truth, Zhao Xing was certain they would return. However, it wasn't the right moment to spoil the sentiment. Besides, they hadn't abandoned anything truly irreplaceable—whether they brought the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe or not didn't really matter.
The Crown Prince and the remaining officials were deeply moved, many tearing up.
"Your Majesty!"
"May Your Majesty have a safe journey!"
Ji Chen sobbed uncontrollably.
"May Your Majesty have a safe journey!"
As Ji Chen knelt in farewell, the Realm Vessel let out a thunderous roar, activating its engines.
It quickly shifted form mid-air, transforming into the shape of a giant flying ark and heading toward the Southern Barbarian Holy Mountain.
In the 80th year of Yuan Ding, the Divine Court of Great Zhou ascended to the stars!
Six months later, in the vast expanse of the cosmos…
Zhao Xing suddenly felt a strong sensation—his thoughts stirred, and in an instant, he appeared in the Realm Vessel's observation deck.
This observatory was an immense celestial platform, spanning ten miles in radius. Only the six department heads and a select few individuals were permitted entry.
It was a dedicated area for observing Xuanhuang Realm.
At the same moment, Ji Che and others also sensed something, and they gathered at the observatory.
"Brother, you sensed it too?" Ji Che asked.
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.
Aside from Ji Che, those who arrived included Yun Tiandao, Liu Tianning, and Ling Tianchen—every individual who had reached Dao Establishment Realm had instinctively responded.
"Lu Ying, open the observation chamber facing Xuanhuang Realm," Ji Che commanded, his expression grave.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Ying nodded, and above their colossal celestial platform, the sky suddenly dimmed.
A fifty-mile radius of space transformed into a vast starry void.
Half an hour later.
Suddenly, a brilliant light emerged from the dark expanse of the cosmos.
Everyone felt as though they heard an earth-shattering explosion inside their minds.
"Boom!"
Before their very eyes, the Xuanhuang Realm, which had once appeared like a giant egg of chaotic energy, suddenly detonated.
The egg-like sphere shattered completely, and then… it began to collapse inward.
Within just three months, right under Great Zhou's highest officials' noses, it had completely vanished.
The Xuanhuang Realm's territory had become an empty void—an endless, desolate abyss.
"Hiss—!"
Seeing this scene, everyone involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air.