The Xuanhuang Realm had been "destroyed", and among those present, only three people truly understood what had happened—Zhao Xing, Ji Che, and Yun Tiandao.
Everyone else was utterly shocked.
"The Xuanhuang Realm... exploded?" Lu Ying's face turned pale. "This... how could this have happened—?"
"It... it was because we took too much of its material." Chen Ju trembled, his face full of guilt.
"We... can't go back anymore." Mi Fu murmured, seemingly in disbelief.
"Our homeland... is gone." Liu Tianning's expression darkened.
"I was supposed to be the one to die... Heaven knows—" Ling Tianchen closed his eyes in pain.
"Ugh—"
Every single person reacted with grief, guilt, and disbelief, each in their own way.
Even Yun Tiandao and Ji Che, who knew the truth, were somewhat shaken.
They had heard Zhao Xing mention the concept of "Hidden Shattering Illusions" before, but they never expected it to be confirmed so soon—only half a year after leaving.
"Your Majesty, as officials of Great Zhou, we cannot afford to grieve excessively. We have many responsibilities ahead of us. For the sake of the people aboard the Realm Vessel, we must compose ourselves quickly." Zhao Xing spoke firmly.
"...Mm." Ji Che took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions. "Lu Ying, close the observation deck. Everyone else, return to your posts."
"Yes."
"We take our leave, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself and do not dwell on sorrow for too long."
The gathered officials slowly dispersed, with many offering words of comfort to Ji Che before departing.
Once most of them had left, Ji Che and Yun Tiandao simultaneously teleported to a private location with Zhao Xing.
"Brother Zhao! What you said before... has been proven true!" Ji Che looked visibly shaken. "The Xuanhuang Realm was not actually destroyed!"
Zhao Xing nodded.
"Why?" Yun Tiandao pressed. "Why did such a phenomenon occur?"
"Don't ask too much." Zhao Xing gestured toward the sky. "This matter involves deep secrets. Qing Yunzi was hunted down because of this very issue. His enemies may still be alive, and if I reveal too much, I might attract unwanted attention."
"...I see."
"Honestly, the Three Divinities Destiny Palace I cultivated is the only reason I dare to tell you even this much. But from today onward, it's best that you bury this matter in your hearts. Do not speak of it to anyone."
In reality, the final message Qing Yunzi left behind never actually mentioned this at all.
Zhao Xing had simply used his name as a scapegoat.
But considering all the burdens Qing Yunzi had already carried, one more wouldn't make a difference.
Ji Che and Yun Tiandao exchanged a glance before nodding solemnly.
"We won't mention it again."
"Brother Zhao," Ji Che's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "I have to ask... how powerful are the strongest cultivators in the universe?"
Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then lifted his hand—
A three-dimensional star map appeared above them.
"In order to understand cultivation realms, we first need to know where we are in the universe."
"This is the map Qing Yunzi left behind."
"The Xuanhuang Realm was located in the Shenluo Barren Domain."
"The Shenluo Barren Domain is one of many barren star systems within the Xuanling Star Domain, which is part of the Ancient River Domain."
Yun Tiandao's eyes narrowed. "A barren domain... does that mean there are also Spiritual Qi-rich domains? Does the term Xuanling Star Domain refer to an area full of Spiritual Qi?"
"Exactly." Zhao Xing nodded. "The Ancient River Domain contains countless Spiritual Qi-rich star regions, and the Xuanling Star Domain is just one of them."
"A domain is essentially a cluster of star regions—it represents the current known boundaries of the universe."
"But in truth, this boundary is still expanding. Qing Yunzi once heard rumors that the Ancient River Domain is just one domain within an even larger cosmic structure called the 'Universal Domain.'"
If Qing Yunzi were alive to hear this conversation, he would have felt proud—if Zhao Xing kept talking at this rate, he might end up knowing everything about the universe!
Zhao Xing continued explaining:
"Within the Ancient River Domain, there are countless Spiritual Qi-rich star regions, each home to vast interstellar factions—for example:
The Ancient Kingdom Alliance of the Barren Domain
Primordial Hill
The Red Star Empire
The Origin Heaven Palace
Reincarnation Divine Palace"
"However, traveling between star regions is extremely difficult due to vast barren spaces and even dead zones in between. We are far too weak right now, so there's no need to consider interstellar travel beyond our own star region."
"Even just within the Xuanling Star Domain, civilization is immeasurable. The number of races, star systems, and planets is beyond counting. To this day, many areas remain unexplored."
"In fact, the territory of the Ancient Kingdom Alliance of the Barren Domain alone is already incomprehensibly vast. The Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, where Qing Yunzi came from, controls an unknown number of planets and smaller worlds—similar to the Xuanhuang Realm."
"In the Xuanling Star Domain, the power balance between human forces and other races is roughly 40 to 60."
Zhao Xing paused for a moment before adding:
"According to Qing Yunzi, his homeland—the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom—was considered mid-tier among the Ancient Kingdoms. It wasn't even at the level of a top-tier superpower."
Ji Che took a deep breath. "Brother Zhao, does that mean our homeland is part of the following structure?"
"Ancient River Domain → Xuanling Star Domain → Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom → Shenluo Barren Domain → Xuanhuang Star System → Xuanhuang Realm?"
Zhao Xing shook his head.
"Not quite. The Shenluo Barren Domain is not actually part of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom. It is simply a random, ownerless barren domain within the Xuanling Star Domain."
"However, based on our current course, we will eventually enter the territory of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom."
"...There are multiple routes?" Yun Tiandao asked.
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.
In fact, the route he was currently taking through the cosmos was different from the one in his previous life.
Back then, Zhao Xing had chosen a different path within the Shenluo Barren Domain—one that led to entirely different outcomes.
After approximately eight thousand years of slumber, it finally emerged in the Spirit Qi Domain. The route that led outward belonged to the borderlands of the Red Star Empire.
Of course, after more ascensions, players gradually discovered numerous Star Paths.
As long as one avoided the Path of Death Stars, they would eventually arrive within the territories of one of the eight major factions: the Red Star Empire, the Lingyan Ancient Kingdom, the Tianfeng Ancient Kingdom, the Cangyue Demon Kingdom, the Hailuo Dynasty, the Tianyuan Star Alliance, the Blue Sea Dynasty, and the Earth God Palace.
However, if one ventured into the Path of Death Stars, the only outcome was a dead end, forcing them to start over. This was because this Barren Domain extended beyond the territories of the eight major factions and reached into the Xuanling Star Domain.
"In the Xuanling Star Domain, any so-called dynasty generally has limited territory and has only appeared in the domain for a short period. They have yet to establish a stable foothold and are typically quite weak," Zhao Xing explained.
"Like our Great Zhou?" Ji Che asked.
"No," Zhao Xing was momentarily embarrassed. "Weakness is relative. Any faction listed among the Xuanling Star Domain's forces must have achieved a certain level of fame. At the very least, they must occupy tens of thousands of World Stars or Small Worlds.
"As for our Great Zhou, at best, it can only be considered a World Star-level faction."
"So, basically, we're no different from a backwater mountain stronghold?" Yun Tiandao added with a jab.
"?"
Ji Che was at a loss for words. How had he gone from being an emperor to a mere bandit king in the vast universe?
"No matter. I believe that in the near future, Great Zhou will stand at the pinnacle of the Xuanling Star Domain!"
"That's right! As long as we have faith, we will succeed," Zhao Xing responded enthusiastically.
"Then, does the title 'Ancient Kingdom' mean a faction that has existed for a long time and is also incredibly powerful?" Yun Tiandao continued to ask.
"Yes. The term 'Ancient Kingdom' distinguishes these enduring superpowers from fleeting dynasties," Zhao Xing explained. "To qualify as an Ancient Kingdom, a faction must have existed for at least ten Epochs and must control at least an entire star system, with a minimum of one million Life-Bearing Stars. Only those who meet these two criteria can be considered Ancient Kingdoms."
Ji Che's eyes widened as he finally grasped the magnitude of what Zhao Xing had said.
A minimum of one million Life-Bearing Stars was the bare threshold for being classified as an Ancient Kingdom?
And in the Xuanling Star Domain, such an entity was probably among the weakest?
"The road to building a great empire is long and arduous," Ji Che mused. However, the vast stage of the Xuanling Star Domain only strengthened his resolve. "I must work hard to make Great Zhou an Ancient Kingdom!"
"There are about a hundred Ancient Kingdoms in the Xuanling Star Domain," Zhao Xing continued. "As for dynasties, there are countless. However, only those dynasties that control more than ten thousand World Stars can be considered relatively strong. Even then, their foundations are still lacking."
"Now, returning to our main topic—Red Star Empire, Reincarnation Divine Palace, Primordial Hill, and Origin Heaven Palace—these are all superpowers that transcend star domains. They are detached from worldly struggles, wielding influence not only in the Xuanling Star Domain but also across other Spirit Qi Star Domains."
"Of course, if we consider the Ancient Kingdom Alliance of the Barren Domain as a single entity, it too qualifies as a cross-star-domain superpower."
"Wait a minute," Yun Tiandao interjected. "Why call it the Ancient Kingdom Alliance of the Barren Domain instead of just Ancient Kingdom Alliance? Or why not the Xuanling Ancient Kingdom Alliance?"
Zhao Xing explained, "That has to do with the Xuanling Star Domain's environment."
"Around thirty epochs ago, the Red Star Empire, the Reincarnation Divine Palace, the Primordial Hill, and the Origin Heaven Palace discovered that the Xuanling Star Domain was undergoing a phenomenon known as 'Barren Domain Transformation.'"
"Due to ongoing wars within the Xuanling Star Domain, this situation has worsened over time. As a result, these superpowers began referring to these Ancient Kingdoms as part of the Barren Domain and even issued a prophecy:
'In less than one hundred epochs, the Barren Domain will spread across the entire Xuanling Star Domain.
In one thousand epochs, the entire Xuanling Star Domain will no longer be suitable for any major power to survive.'"
Ji Che suddenly understood. "So, in essence, they've given the Xuanling Star Domain a death sentence?"
Zhao Xing nodded. "Precisely. Thus, the Ancient Kingdom Alliance of the Barren Domain was established, shifting part of its focus toward the environmental issues of the Xuanling Star Domain."
"However, despite this, wars continue as usual. Yesterday, two factions might have sworn a blood alliance, yet today, one might be laying siege to the other's capital."
"It is only when facing foreign invaders or intrusions from other Spirit Qi Star Domains that they temporarily cease hostilities and unite against a common enemy."
Peace? That's impossible.
Environmental issues? Who cares?
As a citizen of a dynasty, I can't even afford food. I'm trapped in my own home, unable to explore the universe—why should I care about something that might happen a thousand epochs from now?
Zhao Xing had never heard of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom in his past life, leading him to suspect that it had likely been destroyed by war.
Of course, there was no need to discuss this with Ji Che and the others just yet. It was better to go out, gather intelligence, and verify the situation firsthand.
Hearing Zhao Xing's explanation, Yun Tiandao's brows furrowed with deep concern.
For a faction at the World Star level, surviving in this environment was already a challenge.
What about the Great Xia Dynasty?
It ascended an entire epoch ago—how is it faring now? Is it still struggling to survive in the depths of despair?
Just as he was about to ask, Zhao Xing spoke up again:
"Alright, that's enough on that topic. Let's now discuss cultivation realms in the universe."
"Above the Ascension Realm is the Origin Realm."
"The Origin Realm is divided into three major realms."
"The first stage is the Nascent Realm," Zhao Xing said calmly. "To explain the mysteries of the Origin Realm, we must consider two perspectives."
"First, those who focus on techniques—they emphasize spells, the soul, and comprehension of the universe's mysteries through the path of magic."
"Second, those who focus on martial arts—they emphasize physical strength, body refinement, and constantly pushing the limits of their flesh."
"At the Dao Establishment Realm, these two paths diverge significantly. Their advancement methods and power systems become vastly different."
"For instance, in the martial path, the soul and body become one. The body is the soul, and the soul is the body. To kill a martial artist, one only needs to destroy their body—that alone is enough to completely erase them."
"Accordingly, for a martial artist, upgrading their physical body is equivalent to advancing their cultivation realm."
"In contrast, the magical path requires both the soul and the body to advance. However, the body's advancement conditions are much easier—it simply needs to be able to accommodate the corresponding level of Spirit Qi."
Ji Che nodded. "I understand. If we compare the body to a house, then a martial artist's house is sturdier, capable of withstanding wind and rain."
"A mage's house, on the other hand, only needs to be habitable. It doesn't have to be solid."
"That's right." Zhao Xing nodded. "Mages frequently change houses. Their focus is on the soul and the comprehension of Daoist arts, so there's no need for their houses to be particularly durable."
"The ones who change houses the most frequently would be the puppet masters among the mechanists."
"Of course, regardless of the path taken, the essence is always the utilization of Spiritual Qi. The difference lies in how it's used, with each having its own focus."
"A martial artist at the Nascent Origin Realm has a body as tough as a Star Dao Soldier. Even among sword sect cultivators, their bodies are incredibly durable," Zhao Xing explained. "If it's a Qi sect cultivator, then it's even more exaggerated. A mage's spell attacks them a hundred times, yet they might still survive."
"But if a martial artist punches a mage, their body could be destroyed, and their soul captured."
"It could then be used for refining artifacts or even sold for money."
"Sold?" Yun Tiandao was taken aback. "You can sell that?"
"Of course," Zhao Xing replied. "Soul-seizing banners exist in the universe. Besides, artifact refiners love using the souls of the strong. Doesn't the sacrificial flow have drawbacks? But if you sacrifice someone else's soul, then there's no problem."
Ji Che was puzzled. "Doesn't that mean magic-based professions suffer a huge disadvantage? One mistake and they're completely done for."
Zhao Xing shook his head. "Quite the opposite. The number of martial artists far exceeds that of mages. The path of magic isn't something just anyone can walk—it requires talent."
"Moreover, there are numerous ways for mages to protect themselves. Even if their bodies are destroyed, their souls aren't that easy to capture. Even if caught, in most cases, it's just a soul fragment. The chances of the main soul being captured are relatively low."
"In the universe, it's widely recognized that, generally, mages have stronger offensive capabilities than martial artists, but in terms of survival ability, martial artists have the upper hand."
"If both are placed in desperate situations, martial artists can endure much longer thanks to their strong bodies, while mages are more likely to perish."
"In terms of resistance to poison, disease, and tribulations, martial artists also hold an advantage."
At this point, Zhao Xing summarized, "The first stage of the Origin Realm, the Nascent Origin Realm, allows mages to further expand their domain. Their casting range and spell coverage increase, allowing them to comprehend the mysteries of the universe from within."
"For martial artists, their physical bodies continue to strengthen, while their domains shrink. However, their bodies grow larger and more powerful. Their vitality becomes increasingly resilient, with the ultimate goal of compressing their 'domain' into their body. This is the next step after fusing the soul essence into the body."
Yun Tiandao asked, "Then what are the characteristics of the second stage of the Origin Realm?"
"The second stage of the Origin Realm is called the Void Realm."
Zhao Xing manipulated the star map, revealing endless darkness.
"The cosmic environment is harsh. Whether following the magic path or the martial path, the goal is survival—adapting to the environment of the universe."
"In the Nascent Origin Realm, cultivators are still very weak. Their transformation through Spiritual Qi is not yet complete—either their spells aren't strong enough, or their bodies aren't durable enough. Simply put, surviving in the void is still extremely difficult, and they must rely on tools."
"Attempting to traverse the stars alone is basically a death sentence."
"The cosmic void is filled with various disasters and unknown dangers."
"In the Nascent Origin Realm, whether a mage or a martial artist, encountering a Void Wind could mean instant death."
"From an external perspective, the first stage cannot withstand the pressure of the void."
"From an internal perspective, during long interstellar journeys, cultivators in the first stage cannot sustain themselves without eating or drinking. They still need to replenish Spiritual Qi and recover their stamina."
"I mentioned before that the cosmic territories are divided into Spiritual Qi regions and Barren Domain."
"Even in a Spiritual Qi region, cultivators in the first stage cannot directly absorb the Spiritual Qi of the void because it is violent, chaotic, and often toxic."
"The Spiritual Qi within a cultivator's body must be stable and docile."
"As for Barren Domain, there's no Spiritual Qi at all, and the pressure and disasters in the void are even more intense."
Ji Che pondered, "So the second stage of the Origin Realm, the Void Realm, requires cultivators to be able to absorb the chaotic Spiritual Qi of the universe. Whether through magic or physical endurance, they must be able to withstand the pressure of the void, resist the chaos of the void currents, and survive unexpected hazards?"
"Not entirely precise," Yun Tiandao added. "You have to exclude the Barren Domain. Even in the second stage, one cannot survive in the Barren Domain without relying on tools."
"Exactly." Zhao Xing concluded, "The second stage, the Origin Void Realm, allows Daoist cultivators to begin grasping the mysteries of void Spiritual Qi, enabling them to resist the pressures of the void."
"They can remain within their domain, fly through the void, and absorb the chaotic Spiritual Qi around them."
"For martial artists, their bodies grow even larger and stronger. With vast amounts of stored Spiritual Qi, their bodies become comparable to mid-grade or even high-grade Star Dao Soldiers, allowing them to absorb chaotic Spiritual Qi as well."
"But flying while enduring this pressure is far slower than in planetary worlds or small realms."
"Even if one can, they wouldn't be foolish enough to rely on themselves—they would still use tools for flight."
"Of course, theoretically speaking, if they're not afraid of sudden accidents, they can indeed survive in the void now."
"That's why the second stage is called the Void Realm."
"What about the experts of the third stage?" Yun Tiandao asked.
"The third stage is the Divine Ability Realm," Zhao Xing answered. "At this point, regardless of whether one follows the magic path or the martial path—"
"They have fully grasped the essence of Spiritual Qi."
"Be it the gentle and orderly Spiritual Qi found in planetary realms, small worlds, or star continents, or the chaotic, violent, and toxic Spiritual Qi in the void and danger zones—they have complete mastery over it."
"The deeper their control, the more profound their application."
"For mages, their spell divine abilities, such as 'Eight Epochs of Purple Light,' can temporarily rejuvenate barren planets, turning them into makeshift supply points. This is the power to turn decay into miracles."
"For martial artists, their body divine abilities, like the famous martial technique from the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, 'Great Sun Divine Stride,' allow them to walk on solar stars. If they escape onto the surface of a sun, even mages can do nothing but stare in frustration."
Ji Che and Yun Tiandao were filled with doubt. "Wait a moment. The third stage is when one supposedly masters divine abilities. But my elder brother, myself, and even Mister Yun have already mastered divine abilities. What's going on?"
Zhao Xing laughed. "That's because the three of us are the strongest in this world. Our talent far exceeds that of ordinary people."
Li nodded. "The second reason is that the environment is different."
"We are in the Xuanhuang Realm, where we use stable and gentle Spiritual Qi to perform techniques."
"What I just mentioned about divine abilities refers to those performed in the void."
"Shooting an arrow in a windless environment and hitting the target every time is already difficult. But if you can hit the target in the midst of a raging storm, that is true skill."
"Moreover, divine abilities have different levels. What we have mastered are only minor divine abilities."
"At the third realm, most cultivators can perform minor divine abilities, while true geniuses can perform great divine abilities. This evaluation standard is based on the void environment."
Ji Che joked, "So even if we get caught, we won't be reduced to mining labor."
"Those in the Ascension Realm can already master minor divine abilities, and that's impressive even within a stable Spiritual Qi environment."
Zhao Xing also laughed.
Indeed, they wouldn't end up mining. Unless the ones who captured them were fools, they would be sold off immediately for a good price.
Yun Tiandao sighed, "I never imagined that the universe held so many towering mountains."
Ji Che, however, focused on a different point. "So, the third realm should be where the true powerhouses of the ancient kingdoms are, right?"
"Powerhouses?" Zhao Xing shook his head. "While those in the third realm can traverse the void with their physical bodies and wield immense strength, they are still not considered true powerhouses in an ancient kingdom. They are merely elites."
"Of course, within an imperial dynasty, they would be regarded as powerhouses. With a few cultivators of the Divine Ability Realm, they could even establish their own dynasty and gain a foothold."
Ji Che asked curiously, "Then what does it take to be considered a true powerhouse?"
"The Dao Domain Realm!" Zhao Xing said. "Only those who reach the Dao Domain Realm can be considered true powerhouses in an ancient kingdom."
"What exactly is the Dao Domain Realm?"
"For those on the path of magic, their domain undergoes a massive expansion at this realm. At the very least, their domain can encompass an entire star system, and in some cases, even more."
"For martial artists, their strength reaches a level where they can effortlessly move suns and moons, carrying them through the void."
Ji Che and Yun Tiandao both sucked in a breath.
A domain that spans an entire star system? Wouldn't that mean influencing billions of stars?
Moving the sun and moon?
It was simply unimaginable!
"Reaching the Dao Domain Realm makes one a highly honored guest in any ancient kingdom," Zhao Xing explained. "This is because those at the Dao Domain Realm can resist the spread of Barren Domain in the star domains."
"Especially for magic cultivators. If an area near the borders has a Dao Domain Realm cultivator stationed there, the spread of Barren Domain can be greatly delayed or even completely halted."
"For martial artists, their role is slightly different. They move suns and moons to the borders to create a belt of life," Zhao Xing explained.
"So for martial artists, isn't that similar to planting trees and afforesting barren lands?" Yun Tiandao made an analogy.
"Haha, you could put it that way," Zhao Xing laughed. "Their bodies are massive, they absorb immense amounts of Spiritual Qi, and then they release it into a star system. They move suns and moons, whereas magic cultivators do not have to struggle with such physical labor."
"That's why I said earlier that magic cultivation requires talent—not just anyone can walk this path."
"At the same Dao Domain Realm, magic cultivators are generally given more privileges in the ancient kingdoms of the Xuanling Star Domain."
Ji Che imagined such a grand scene and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. "That's truly invincible."
"Invincible? Hardly." Zhao Xing shook his head. "Above the Dao Domain Realm is the Reincarnation Realm."
"There's more?" Ji Che was stunned.
"The Dao Domain Realm has not yet comprehended the Great Dao of Yin-Yang and Life and Death. Their lifespan is still limited," Zhao Xing said. "If they die, they cannot resurrect themselves, nor can they revive others."
"Only those in the Reincarnation Realm can resurrect after death and possess the ability to revive others."
"Of course, the Reincarnation Realm is exceedingly rare."
"The Reincarnation Divine Palace keeps a close eye on all Reincarnation Realm cultivators, forbidding them from resurrecting others at will, and even restricting their own resurrection through certain rituals."
Ji Che murmured, "Even the Reincarnation Realm is not truly free. Even after mastering life and death, there's a powerful force overseeing them—the Reincarnation Divine Palace."
Yun Tiandao also sighed. "Now I finally understand how vast the universe truly is."
After hearing Zhao Xing's explanation, both of them felt an overwhelming sense of insignificance.
"Big brother, what comes after the Reincarnation Realm?" Ji Che asked.
"Godhood," Zhao Xing replied after a moment of thought. "That realm is purely legendary. Qing Yuzi's master once told him that beyond the Reincarnation Realm are the gods—beings who look down upon all living creatures and watch the cycle of reincarnation."
"As for what abilities gods possess and how they cultivate, no one knows."
"Transcending reincarnation and gazing down on all living things?" Yun Tiandao and Ji Che were no longer particularly surprised.
It was too distant a concept for them to even hope for.
And was there something beyond godhood?
Zhao Xing was certain there was, but he couldn't remember. In his past life, he had failed in his attempt to reach godhood, and the memories from that time were blurry. Even the prophets only knew up to that point, though he vaguely felt that godhood was not the final destination.
"The path of ascension is now clear," Zhao Xing said. "The Origin Nascent Realm, the Origin Void Realm, the Origin Divine Ability Realm, the Dao Domain Realm, the Reincarnation Realm, and the legendary Godhood Realm."
"Star-level powers, small and large imperial dynasties, ancient kingdoms, and interstellar overlords."
"Star Dao Soldiers, Planetary Dao Soldiers, Lunar Dao Soldiers, Solar Dao Soldiers, and Origin Divine Soldiers."
"Ji Che, once we reach the human territories, we will inevitably come into contact with external forces."
"I plan to spread the knowledge taught by Qing Yuzi to the high-ranking officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty because they will inevitably have to interact with the outside world sooner or later," Zhao Xing stated.
Ji Che asked, "Big brother, since you said the universe is dark and cruel, shouldn't we be more cautious when interacting with external forces?"
"Of course, we have to be cautious. That's why the first step is to spread basic knowledge about the universe. We can't let others realize that our dynasty has just ascended." Zhao Xing raised a finger.
"Because newly ascended dynasties are the best targets for plundering!"
"Think about it. How many Star Dao Weapons do we have now? We even possess a few World Dao Weapons, which are extremely tempting even to cultivators at the Divine Ability Realm."
"Some World Dao Weapons are even desirable to those at the Dao Domain Realm."
"We're like a child walking down the main street of the universe carrying a pile of gold, with absolutely no ability to protect ourselves. That's why we have to stay hidden and endure for now!"
"By spreading knowledge and making ourselves appear experienced in cosmic cultivation—perhaps even the descendants of a major power—we can significantly reduce the risk of being robbed."
Zhao Xing had chosen the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom as their destination because the Purple Divine Mansion there was Qing Yuzi's home base. This connection could somewhat mitigate the risks they would face.
In his past life, players who brought treasures from the Xuanhuang Realm into the outside world suffered disastrous losses. The moment they left the Barren Domain, they were robbed clean.
"The second step is to sell the treasures we have and exchange them for personal strength." Zhao Xing extended a second finger. "World Dao Weapons are hard to sell. If we, as newly ascended cultivators, try to sell World Dao Weapons, the risk would be enormous. But Star Dao Weapons can be sold. So can spiritual materials, such as Spirit Liquid and Spirit Crystals—both of which are universal currencies that can be exchanged for the official currency of a particular ancient kingdom. Wherever we decide to settle, we should obtain some of their currency."
"The third step: When the time is right, at least one of us must reach the Divine Ability Realm. Then, we can choose a relatively powerful yet peaceful force to establish the foundation of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
"In the early stages, purchasing a Life Star as a foothold will suffice. We must do this as soon as possible, though, because our Realm Vessel cannot sustain circulation indefinitely. At the very latest, within three thousand years, we must relocate all our people."
"Moreover, we have to move the unique resources of the Xuanhuang Realm out. Otherwise, many items will automatically degrade due to the Realm Vessel's incomplete foundational source—just like how food goes bad if left for too long, or how weapons rust over time."
Ji Che nodded repeatedly, while Yun Tiandao listened in silence. Zhao Xing was explaining the survival strategies for a newly ascended dynasty.
He found this knowledge incredibly valuable—perhaps, one day, it could help the Xia Dynasty.
"The fourth step: Once we move out, we will undoubtedly face challenges. At that time, we must be fully prepared."
"The Xuanling Star Domain may be vast, but after countless ages, it has become densely populated. Suitable territories are scarce, and we will have to fight for them."
"The fifth—"
On the day the Xuanhuang Realm 'exploded,' Zhao Xing explained many things to Ji Che and Yun Tiandao.
There was no choice—the universe was too brutal. The Xuanhuang Realm had brought up an immense number of treasures, yet there were no powerful beings to protect them. At this moment, just one slightly formidable cultivator at the Origin Realm could easily wipe out the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The local powers had no regard for rules or etiquette. If they noticed the slightest weakness, they would immediately seize the opportunity.
Killing a newly ascended force with no foundation—what consequences would there be?
None.
But the benefits were enormous. Everyone knew that newly ascended dynasties were the ripest for plundering! Robbing them was a business with guaranteed profit!
If Zhao Xing hadn't brought this up, the Great Zhou Dynasty would have stumbled into countless pitfalls, possibly even leading to its destruction.
Most ascended dynasties from the Xuanhuang Realm perished for precisely this reason.
Of course, Zhao Xing wasn't doing this solely for the Great Zhou Dynasty. He also relied on them for resources. Making money in the cosmic era was far from easy.
The legitimate opportunities weren't accessible to him, and he lacked the strength for illicit ventures. Moreover, this was neither the timeline of his past ascension nor a familiar region—he had never even heard of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom before!
Thus, the Great Zhou Dynasty was the foundation of his early-stage development. He had to ensure their survival.
"Ji Che, that's all for today," Zhao Xing concluded his explanation. "I believe this information will be enough to keep you occupied for the next five hundred years."
"Alright, I understand," Ji Che nodded. He had already noticed Yun Tian's eager expression. The fact that he had held back from asking questions for so long was a testament to his patience.
Now that he had learned about the cruelty of the universe and witnessed the Xuanhuang Realm's explosion firsthand, of course, he wanted to know about the Xia Dynasty's current state.
"I'll take my leave first. You two talk," Ji Che said, exiting Tian Tan Square, leaving only Yun Tiandao and Zhao Xing behind.
"Brother Yun, if you have any questions, just ask," Zhao Xing said. "I promised you that I wouldn't hold anything back."
Yun Tiandao remained silent for a while.
After learning so much, he suddenly hesitated. He was afraid of receiving a bad answer.
Finally, he sighed and asked, "What's meant to come will come. Zhao Xing, tell me—did the Xia Dynasty survive, or was it destroyed?"
"It survived," Zhao Xing nodded. "But the situation is dire."
"How dire? What about the Xia Emperor? My family—are they still alive?" Yun Tiandao stared intently at Zhao Xing.
"You just mentioned that cultivators at the Origin Divine Ability Realm can, through slumber, lifespan extension, and various other methods, live for at most three eras—that's 3.6 million years. I stayed in the Xuanhuang Realm for 1,128,000 years. Even if you tell me that the Xia Emperor is gone, I can accept it. But don't lie to me—don't give me false hope."
Zhao Xing nodded. The lifespan limits for cultivators at the First to Third Origin Realms, including lifespan extension through slumber and various treasures, ranged from 1.2 million years to 3.6 million years.
The fact that Yun Tiandao had lived 1,128,000 years was largely due to the Epoch House, a rare treasure—it wasn't something he could achieve on his own.
"The Xia Emperor is still alive."
"Your wife, Fairy Nifeng, is also alive."
Yun Tian's eyes lit up. His emperor was still alive, and his wife was still alive—this was undoubtedly great news.
"But… everyone else is dead."
"Even your master, your senior and junior disciples, and the important ministers of the Xia Dynasty—very few of them are still alive. At most, only two or three remain, and even they are scattered across the universe."
Yun Tiandao's heart trembled. "Why? What exactly happened?"
Zhao Xing sighed. "Right now, all the citizens of the Xia Dynasty have been taken captive by a certain demon noble of the Cangyue Demon Kingdom."
Yun Tiandao's expression remained calm, but a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes.
Zhao Xing felt somewhat uneasy as well. In the events of his previous life, Yun Tiandao had played the role of a guide.
Of course, Yun Tiandao didn't know everything, but he had at least more experience than the people of the Xuanhuang Realm.
During his journey into the vast cosmos, he had taught many people—giving everything he knew without reservation, passing down his knowledge to newly ascended players.
Perhaps fate was playing tricks. The cruel reality of the cosmic version was reflected through the Xia Dynasty, where Yun Tiandao had tirelessly searched for his empire, only to finally reunite with the Xia Emperor and find that neither he nor Fairy Nifeng remembered him at all.
Zhao Xing spoke in a deep voice. "After its ascension, the Xia Dynasty encountered a malicious force in the star domain, and all their treasures were plundered."
"Though they barely managed to escape destruction, many important ministers died or were gravely injured. But the worst part was that the Xia Dynasty's status as a newly ascended empire was exposed by their plunderers, making them a prime target for more cosmic bandits."
"Thus, in the first hundred thousand years, the Xia Dynasty was either on the run or preparing to flee."
"With their wealth seized and many of them injured in battle, their cultivation progress slowed down significantly. They could only rely on prolonged slumber and constant evasion to survive."
"Under such dire circumstances, it took the Xia Dynasty nearly a hundred thousand years before they produced their first Origin Nascent Realm cultivator. And that person was none other than Fairy Nifeng—your wife."
Yun Tiandao clenched his fists. He could completely imagine the hardships his family and country had endured.
"The Origin Nascent Realm was barely enough for self-preservation. Even after breaking through, the crisis remained unresolved, as the region they occupied was chaotic and lawless."
"Thus, the Xia Dynasty had no choice but to hide on underdeveloped Life Stars and stellar continents, with only a handful of strong individuals daring to venture outside."
"Fortunately, in the second hundred thousand years, the Xia Dynasty gradually regained some of its strength, with over a hundred individuals reaching the Origin Nascent Realm."
"The Xia Emperor and Fairy Nifeng also advanced to the Origin Void Realm."
"But even then, the Xia Dynasty was still incredibly weak," Zhao Xing continued. "At this point, they relocated to a Yuan Cavern Star System under the Falan Dynasty, intending to develop further before eventually migrating to the nearby Xingyao Ancient Kingdom."
"However, settling in an ancient kingdom wasn't easy. Every ancient kingdom strictly controlled the number of foreign races and population growth."
"An Origin Realm cultivator could apply for citizenship, but bringing an entire dynasty was impossible. Moreover, after spending two hundred thousand years in turmoil, the Xia Dynasty's cultivators seemed unimpressive to the ancient kingdom's major forces."
"After all, taking two hundred thousand years just to reach the Origin Void Realm—such talent was considered rather mediocre."
"The third hundred thousand years became a period of economic growth for the Xia Dynasty."
"The Yuan Cavern Star System was more stable than their previous locations. The Falan Dynasty was a major power, boasting forty-five cultivators at the Origin Divine Ability Realm, over ten thousand at the Origin Void Realm, and more than ten thousand Life Stars under its rule."
"But just as the Xia Dynasty began seeing some progress, the Falan Dynasty was dragged into war."
"Shortly afterward, the Falan Dynasty was annihilated by another mighty empire—the Yate Dynasty. All of its powerhouses were either killed, fled, or captured. The citizens were enslaved, and the territory was absorbed."
"The Xia Dynasty's strongest cultivators were conscripted into battle. Their Origin Realm numbers were reduced to single digits, and even the Xia Emperor and Fairy Nifeng suffered severe injuries, falling back to the Origin Nascent Realm."
Zhao Xing sighed. "Fleeing and struggling for survival—this cycle went on for three hundred thousand years. After that devastating war, everything had to start over from scratch."
"The Xia Dynasty was labeled as part of the Falan Dynasty and became a target for the Yate Dynasty's purge."
Upon hearing this, Yun Tiandao's heart sank to the bottom.
After enduring so much hardship and finally seeing a glimmer of hope, another catastrophe struck.
"The previous star pirate raids were nothing compared to this. The Yate Dynasty was overwhelmingly powerful, making escape nearly impossible."
"This time, in order to survive, the Xia Dynasty paid a tremendous price and was forced to retreat into the outskirts of the Barren Domain."
"For the next two hundred thousand years, they could only barely hold on in the desolate regions."
As always, their mobility was too weak.
The Xia Dynasty couldn't just jump from one star system to another instantly.
At this point, the Xia Dynasty was like a group of war refugees who had fled into the deep mountains, turning into wilderness dwellers.
"Over these two hundred thousand years, the Xia Dynasty occasionally tried to re-enter civilization. In the first fifty thousand years, the Yate Dynasty called off their purge and even announced that they would accept refugees from the Falan Dynasty."
"But just as they emerged, the Yate Dynasty itself declined. Within ten thousand years, it fragmented into sixteen different factions."
"From then on, chaos ensued, and the Xia Dynasty was forced into a cycle of fleeing, hiding, and trying to rebuild over the course of two hundred thousand years."
"The Xia Emperor and Fairy Nifeng managed to return to the Origin Void Realm, and more cultivators reached the Origin Nascent Realm over time."
"Ultimately, the Xia Dynasty decided to embark on a major migration—a cross-system relocation—completely abandoning this war-torn region. There was no hope of peace in that area."
"Their plan was to smuggle into the Chixing Empire, a desperate gamble," Zhao Xing recalled. "Because this meant passing through chaotic war zones, hostile alien territories, and even the outer fringes of the Barren Domain."
"And it was precisely this gamble that led to their downfall."
"While traversing the Cangyue Demon Kingdom's territory, their Realm Vessel was captured by a Divine Ability Realm demon cultivator."
"From that moment on, the Xia Dynasty has been imprisoned within the Cangyue Demon Kingdom."
"For demons, human cultivators have uses that demon cultivators lack—such as farming and cultivation fortune refinement."
"In the demon hierarchy, enslaving human cultivators is a status symbol. The more slaves one possesses, the higher their rank—just like how human cultivators keep demon pets."
"The Xia Dynasty has been imprisoned for nearly six hundred thousand years."
"And that Divine Ability Realm demon cultivator from back then… has already advanced to the Dao Domain Realm."
Zhao Xing's expression was calm, but his tone carried a trace of solemnity. "The destruction of the Xia Dynasty is an established fact. It has completely fallen under the control of the demon race and has become nothing more than a vassal state."
"The ministers of the Xia Dynasty, those who were once the pillars of their empire, have been sold off like commodities. Many of them have long forgotten their own identities."
Upon hearing these words, Yun Tiandao's face turned ashen, his breathing turning rapid. "Are you saying... the Xia Emperor and my wife… they no longer remember who they are? Have they truly fallen and become part of the demon race?"
"No," Zhao Xing shook his head. "The Xia Emperor and Fairy Nifeng have both reached the Divine Ability Realm. They have not been demonized—after all, keeping them as humans in appearance is what allows that demon powerhouse to show off his trophies."
"However, through continuous brainwashing, they have indeed forgotten everything from their past. They now firmly believe that they are part of the Cangyue Demon Kingdom."
Everything Zhao Xing said came from the knowledge he had gained in his past life when he undertook this mission involving Yun Tiandao. The storyline had remained unchanged, and the history of the Xia Dynasty over the past million years followed this same trajectory.
After hearing this, Yun Tiandao fell into complete silence.
The enemy was at the Dao Domain Stage, still within the territory of humanity's rival factions. The fate of the Xia Dynasty was nothing short of despair-inducing.
Zhao Xing continued, "Brother Yun, I called you out early because, in the future, the Cangyue Demon Kingdom will go to war with the Dao Xuan Ancient Kingdom. If you arrive two thousand years later, that great demon will die in battle, and the Xia Emperor and Fairy Nifeng will also perish."
"But now, you have arrived over two thousand years earlier—there is still time!"
Yun Tiandao let out a bitter laugh. "Two thousand years… the Dao Domain Stage… No matter how highly I regard myself, I don't have the confidence to achieve that in such a short time. Even if I do reach the Dao Domain Stage, will that really be enough to rescue them?"
"It definitely will!" Zhao Xing grabbed Yun Tiandao's hand firmly. "You have to trust me."
"Give me some time alone," Yun Tiandao said, pulling his hand away before disappearing from the Tian Altar Plaza.
Watching Yun Tiandao's departing figure, Zhao Xing didn't know what else to say. He had kept his promise and told Yun Tiandao everything, but whether this would change Yun Tiandao's course was still uncertain.
"Yun Tiandao shouldn't fall into despair, should he?"
"Whether this is right or wrong, I can't say." Zhao Xing sighed and returned to his residence.
It wasn't until a month later that Zhao Xing saw Yun Tiandao again.
At that moment, Zhao Xing was in the grand hall conducting a lecture on knowledge dissemination.
The lectures had been ongoing for several days now, but this was the first time Yun Tiandao had attended.
From his expression, he seemed to have regained his usual composure, as if nothing had happened.
"Grand Shennong, I have a question!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out, drawing Zhao Xing's attention.
"General Ye, what is your question?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Grand Shennong, you just mentioned that for martial artists, breaking through to the Origin Realm requires compressing one's Dao Field back into their body," Ye Yukong scratched his head. "But martial artists are divided into Qi Sect and Sword Sect. For Qi Sect, it makes sense, but for Sword Sect, our Dao Field is meant to expand outward. Does that mean we have to retract it? Wouldn't that contradict our cultivation path? Does that mean, in the cosmic version of martial arts, there is only the Qi Sect path?"
Ye Yukong's question sparked a wave of discussion among the Sword Sect martial artists. His confusion was shared by many of them.
Take Long Xiao, for example. He was also from the Sword Sect. His sword control techniques relied on sending his sword flying far away. After breaking through to the Dao Establishment Stage, he had been expanding his Dao Field to maximize the speed and lethality of his sword.
If they had to retract everything, wouldn't that go against their entire cultivation direction?
Did this mean that in the cosmic version of martial arts, the Sword Sect had declined?
Zhao Xing replied, "In the vast universe, it is true that the mainstream martial path is the Qi Sect."
"However, that is not because the Sword Sect is weak, but rather because this path is too strong. The top factions in the universe strictly control its secret techniques, and the ones available for purchase are usually incomplete or weak methods."
"From what I know, the Sword Sect does not need to compress its Dao Field into the body, but rather, it is compressed into one's Life-bound Divine Weapon."
"Of course, I am only explaining the concept. I do not have the corresponding cultivation techniques, so do not attempt this on your own—Long Xiao! Stop immediately!"
"...Grand Shennong, please forgive me," Long Xiao quickly cupped his hands in embarrassment. As soon as Zhao Xing started explaining, he had already begun trying it out, but Zhao Xing had caught him instantly.
"Cultivating within the Realm Vessel, the Dao you comprehend is incomplete. The Dao in the Barren Domain is also obscure and fragmented. At most, you can refine your martial techniques and spells, but you cannot comprehend the Dao itself," Zhao Xing warned. "You must not attempt to cultivate recklessly here, or you will risk going berserk."
The internal world of the Realm Vessel was never meant for true cultivation. Otherwise, the Xia Dynasty wouldn't have spent so many years hiding, longing for a chance to migrate to a spirit energy-rich star region. It was precisely because the Barren Domain couldn't support further cultivation breakthroughs.
For those who had already reached the Dao Establishment Stage, they would have to leave the Barren Domain and find a Spiritual Qi-rich domain to continue their cultivation. Otherwise, they would be stuck like Yun Tiandao, where his spells could improve, but his Dao comprehension was completely halted.
"Did everyone hear Grand Shennong's words?" Ji Che shouted. "Remember, this is a strict prohibition!"
"Yes!" The crowd responded in unison, affirming that they understood.
After the lecture, Zhao Xing had a small meeting with Ji Che and the six division heads.
"Your Majesty, the current state within the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel does not require too many experts to remain awake. I believe it would be best to let some of them enter the Realm of Slumber to pass through this long interstellar journey," Zhao Xing suggested.
"Grand Shennong's words make sense." Ji Che nodded. Since Dao comprehension was impossible here, keeping too many experts awake would only waste Spiritual Qi. Even after five hundred years, they might not make much progress in refining their techniques.
"Everyone should draft a schedule—rotating every hundred years. The six division heads and their subordinates will take turns waking and sleeping," Ji Che instructed. "Officials who are not essential for day-to-day governance will enter slumber for a minimum of five hundred years."
"Understood!"
The six divisions worked efficiently, and within seven days, they produced a concrete implementation plan.
The plan was publicly announced at court, though it primarily targeted high-ranking ministers. Lower-ranking officials were not affected, as their consumption of resources was minimal.
After the assembly was dismissed, Zhao Xing cupped his hands toward the gathered officials and said,
"Everyone, we shall meet again in five hundred years."