"Be good, go inside and sleep."
"Cold? It's called an ice coffin, but it's not actually that cold—just a little cool."
Zhao Xing was inside a small slumber enchantment, coaxing his three spirit beasts: the Mountain Cat, Long Aotian; the Azure Luan Hound, Xiaotian; and the Spirit Illusion Goat, Huantian.
"If you don't go in...! I'll stew you all and eat you!" Zhao Xing scowled at them, his gaze sweeping over the three beasts. "I went through all that trouble to push you all to the Rule Domain Stage, and now you're just going to waste your lifespans on this journey? Get in there now!"
"Woof woof."
The Azure Luan Hound tucked its tail between its legs and obediently jumped into the ice coffin.
~
The Spirit Illusion Goat followed suit, mimicking Xiaotian as it lay down inside.
"Meow~" The Mountain Cat, on the other hand, rubbed itself against Zhao Xing, acting spoiled.
"How long? If everything goes smoothly, five hundred years. If not, a thousand years." Zhao Xing explained, "Your lifespans won't last that long if you stay awake. Sleep now—once you wake up, we can play together again."
Reluctantly, the Mountain Cat took slow steps toward the ice coffin, turning back to look at Zhao Xing every few steps. Seeing that Zhao Xing wasn't going to change his mind, it let out a soft meow before elegantly transforming into a streak of lightning and leaping inside, curling up into a ball.
"Sleep tight~"
With a wave of Zhao Xing's hand, nine streams of icy Spiritual Qi surged from the ice coffin, instantly freezing the three spirit beasts.
A countdown timer appeared above them—one thousand years.
"Done."
Sensing that the auras of his three spirit beasts had become extremely faint, Zhao Xing turned and walked away.
Inside the slumber enchantment, there were many other ice coffins. Of the twenty-one Dao Establishment Stage experts of the Great Zhou Dynasty (excluding Yun Tiandao), thirteen were already in slumber.
Aside from Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning, King Luohou, Lu Bang, Purple Bone, Wei Hong, and Ji Anlan, the others had all entered deep sleep.
Even Yun Tiandao had not gone into slumber. Zhao Xing had originally tried to persuade him, as Yun Tiandao's techniques had already reached their limits, leaving him with no room for further improvement.
But how could Yun Tiandao possibly sleep?
Instead, he planned to use this time to study formations.
In his own words: "One more skill means one more chance to save my loved ones."
Zhao Xing didn't try to stop him again, letting him be.
Liu Tianning, King Luohou, Wei Hong, and Lu Bang took on the responsibility of managing affairs within the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel. Even in this vast empire, there needed to be powerful figures maintaining order and ensuring its continued operation.
As for the emperor, he couldn't afford to sleep either. Ji Che was still diligently studying, but what he was learning was far more diverse.
Ji Anlan, a Fate Officer, had a simple reason for staying awake—Zhao Xing had once said that Fate Officers had a much harder time cultivating in the universe. Compared to other professions, they were inherently one level weaker. While others could experience varying degrees of enhancement, Fate Officers couldn't.
That was why Ji Anlan refused to go into slumber and clung tightly to the Fortune Strategies scroll, studying it relentlessly.
Zhao Xing stepped out of the Slumber Enchantment.
Long Xiao, Mi Fu, Chen Shijie, Xia Jing, King Shenluo, Ye Yukong, Dong Ze, Li Hao, Ji Ziyun, Princess You Ruo, and Ling Tianchen were all lying peacefully in their ice coffins, deep in slumber.
Each ice coffin displayed a countdown timer indicating the warning and safety thresholds for their slumber duration.
"Boom—"
The great door sealed shut, and the enchantment was fully locked.
Only in special circumstances or when the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel reached a spirit energy-rich region would they be awakened.
Since the Great Zhou Dynasty's ascension into the cosmic void, Emperor Wu had changed the era name to Taishi, signifying a new beginning for the dynasty.
In the first year of the Taishi Era, many significant events had taken place—the explosion of the Xuanhuang Realm, Zhao Xing's cosmic teachings, and the start of large-scale slumber among the dynasty's powerful figures.
In the second year, even more officials entered slumber. With the population of the Great Zhou Dynasty now concentrated in just a few major provinces, governance no longer required so many people.
By the third year, the dynasty implemented a rationing system.
That same year, the Spiritual Qi Law was enacted, mandating that all Spiritual Qi resources be gathered and allocated to cultivation zones.
The law imposed strict regulations on officials and cultivators alike. Those who were not government officials could only cultivate using their own vitality and were strictly forbidden from absorbing Spiritual Qi—or even trading in Spiritual Qi materials.
Initially, with the dawn of the Spiritual Qi Era, many had expected a surge in cultivators. However, during this wandering period of the dynasty's journey, every bit of Spiritual Qi had to be used efficiently.
Even the birthrate of high-bloodline individuals had to be strictly controlled. Anyone caught cultivating in secret faced severe punishment.
The implementation of this law caused quite an uproar. Many had assumed that entering the Spiritual Qi Era meant they would finally enjoy better lives. But now, it seemed as if nothing had changed. Had they ascended for nothing?
In the fourth year, unrest broke out across various regions. Dissatisfied individuals believed the Spiritual Qi Law had cut off their paths to advancement. Among the recently annexed sects that had joined the Great Zhou Dynasty, some even openly rebelled.
"Better to die than live without freedom!"
And then... they really did die.
By the fifth year, King Luohou led a brutal crackdown. Any province within the Realm Vessel that dared to rebel was mercilessly executed.
The uprising was crushed before it even gained momentum.
By the sixth year, peace was fully restored across the Great Zhou Dynasty.
For those without high cultivation, the transition had been little more than a change in location.
To them, whether the Spiritual Qi Law existed or not made little difference in their daily lives.
In reality, only future generations would benefit from the cosmic-level cultivation resources. After all, only a select few could truly rise through cultivation.
Taishi Year Six, after concluding his report on the suppression of the rebellion, King Luohou noticed that Ji Che seemed distracted.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" King Luohou called out twice.
"Hm? Hm?" Ji Che snapped back to reality. "Where were we?"
"Your Majesty, we were discussing the rebellion of the Four Extremes Sect in Ji Commandery. The ringleaders have been executed, but how should we handle the remaining members? Please issue your decree."
"Release those who were coerced into joining," Ji Che waved his hand. "To avoid causing widespread fear, only execute the main perpetrators."
"Understood."
After a brief pause, King Luohou hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty seems preoccupied. Is there something troubling you?"
Ji Che shook his head. "No."
In truth, he was thinking about Reincarnation Divine Palace that Zhao Xing had once mentioned.
"Even those in the Reincarnation Realm have no true freedom. They are constantly watched by Reincarnation Divine Palace—how similar this is to our situation today. I've enacted the Spiritual Qi Law, prohibiting sect elites from using Spiritual Qi to advance. Isn't it the same thing?"
"But I made this decision based on Brother Xing's advice—to consolidate our resources so that the Great Zhou Dynasty can establish itself in the universe. But as for Reincarnation Divine Palace and those superpowers, what is their reason?"
Ji Che shook his head again, discarding his far-fetched thoughts.
For now, even reaching the Yuanhai Kingdom remained uncertain for the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Taishi Year Seven, Zhao Xing arranged for his family to enter slumber—Zhao Ruide, Madam Cai, Zhao Zheng, and Zhao Chuanzong were all placed in suspended sleep. His two younger sisters had already followed their husbands into slumber back in Taishi Year Two.
Taishi Year Eight, Zhao Xing gathered the highest-ranking officials from the three Shennong Divisions to formulate the "Primordial Seed Plan." Ji Che, King Luohou, and the other senior officials attended the meeting as observers.
"Though our dynasty has accumulated some resources, if we simply consume them without replenishing, we will be left with nothing once we enter the Xuanling Star Domain."
"The Spiritual Qi Law serves as a means to regulate resource consumption, while the Primordial Seed Plan is our way of generating new resources."
Zhao Xing outlined his plan:
"Our Xuanhuang Realm possesses unique products not found elsewhere. Though their grade is not high, their rarity makes them valuable in trade. Some of these items can be sold for profit."
"While this won't make us wealthy, at the very least, it will serve as a source of livelihood for our dynasty."
Junior Chief of Shennong Chen Yu curiously asked, "My Lord, what exactly qualifies as the Xuanhuang Realm's specialty?"
The other attendees, including Ji Che and King Luohou, also turned their attention toward Zhao Xing.
Even now, with over five hundred thousand classified treasures within the Xuanhuang Realm, it was difficult to determine which were truly exclusive.
Zhao Xing explained, "There are two categories. The first is non-renewable resources—such as rare minerals. There is a particular gemstone known as Xuanhuang Primordial Spirit Stone, which originates from the Heavenly Realm."
"This crystal is a fusion of both vital energy and Spiritual Qi, existing in perfect duality—a highly unique structure."
"While its practical use is limited, it holds immense research value. If we sell it to artifact refining families or specialized research institutions, a single mine from the Heavenly Realm could be exchanged for a high-grade Star-tier Dao Weapon—or even a Supreme-tier one."
"Secondly, there's Dragon Origin Ore, which is unique to the Xuanhuang Realm and is found in the Ancient Dragon Court. This ore is linked to dragon lineage, containing trace amounts of a substance similar to dragon essence. It can enhance bloodlines up to the Rule Domain Stage."
"Though it's not exceedingly rare, it holds value for alchemy sects and beast-taming factions, making it worth more than its intrinsic properties."
"I collectively refer to these resources as 'Barren Domain Minerals.'"
"Many factions in the universe are interested in Barren Domain Minerals because, sometimes, what appears to be low-grade material can be synthesized into high-value treasures—whether through alchemy or artifact refinement."
"Though these materials may not seem high-quality at first glance, their research potential makes them one of the most valuable assets a newly ascended dynasty can possess."
"However, these resources are finite. Once depleted, they are gone, so they cannot be relied upon as our long-term source of income."
"That's where the second category comes in—renewable resources."
"The first type consists of Xuanhuang-exclusive plant species, and the second consists of native beast species."
Zhao Xing continued, "The principle is the same as with the first category, so I won't repeat myself."
"The implementation of the Spiritual Qi Law was also primarily to cultivate these primordial species, ensuring that during our journey through the void, the Great Zhou Dynasty can accumulate some wealth."
"Of course, if we reach the Yuanhai Kingdom and find that reality differs from our expectations—that these items are difficult to sell—we can always resort to selling condensed Spiritual Qi in the form of spirit liquid and spirit crystals. However, this is the least profitable option."
"The Xuanling Star Domain is abundant in Spiritual Qi. Converting it into spirit liquid or crystals merely makes it easier to transport, but the process itself lacks technological value—it's just manual labor. Naturally, there is little profit in it."
With a projected voyage lasting anywhere from five hundred to a thousand years, Zhao Xing could not afford to let the Great Zhou Dynasty remain idle in slumber, waiting until their arrival to seek a means of survival.
He had to fight for every possible advantage—especially for Old Yun. After all, it was due to Zhao Xing's foresight and prophecy that he had summoned Yun Tiandao in the first place.
"The Grand Shennong," Lu Ying spoke up. "Beast-rearing and farming are both low-cost, primary industries. Can't we invest in something more technological instead?"
"Lord Purple Bone, could you forge some divine weapons and artifacts for sale?"
At that, all eyes turned to Purple Bone.
Currently serving as the Junior Chief of Mechanist, Purple Bone had little interest in the position—he was merely going along for the ride.
He had no intention of contributing to the Great Zhou Dynasty. His decision would entirely depend on Zhao Xing's stance.
"If the Grand Shennong thinks I should do it, then I'll do it," Purple Bone stated, making his position clear.
Zhao Xing shook his head. "The techniques Purple Bone possesses originate from Puta, which in turn come from the Purple Divine Mansion. Unless Purple Bone formally acknowledges his heritage and returns to his ancestral roots, his current actions would be extremely dangerous."
"Moreover, during our time within the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel, many essential materials are unavailable. Even if Purple Bone were to forge artifacts, we lack key cosmic materials."
"In the time we remain within the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel, Purple Bone should not take action. We'll wait until we leave the Barren Domain before making any decisions."
"For now, let's focus on planning for our voyage through the void."
"Farming and raising beasts indeed have low profit margins. We are merely a newly ascended and weak dynasty—there is no way for us to access any high-profit industries."
"However, I will select certain specialty products for focused cultivation, which should allow us to accumulate some wealth."
The officials present could only sigh in resignation. If the Great Zhou Dynasty were seen as an individual, it would be akin to an ordinary person with some capital but lacking in both technical skills and raw strength.
Attempting to break into high-profit industries was akin to courting death—it would only result in being devoured whole, leaving not even bones behind.
Fortunately, with Zhao Xing as their guide, they could at least find a way to make money. Otherwise, Great Zhou would be feeling its way across a river, unsure of how many pitfalls lay ahead.
And in some cases, one misstep could lead to total annihilation.
"Chen Yu, Meng Kun, Ji Youtang, Yun Ze, Kan Qing, Lu Xia, Chu Qianqiu, Zhuang Darong—"
"You will be responsible for cultivating the plants listed for Daoyuan, Shangluo, Kunyuan, and other commanderies."
"Dragon Horse Directorate and Beast Taming Division—you will oversee the breeding of designated beast species in the Four Seas and Gaoyuan commanderies."
"From this moment onward, these two regions shall be classified as restricted zones. Entry and exit will require official authorization."
"Understood!"
From Taishi Year Eight, the Great Zhou Dynasty officially entered a stable agricultural development phase in accordance with Zhao Xing's plan.
With more time on his hands, Zhao Xing began refining his techniques. He apprenticed himself to Yun Tiandao, a grandmaster of spells, embarking on a new phase of learning.
For decades, nothing major occurred in the dynasty.
By Taishi Year Fifty, Zhao Xing completed his training.
This was because the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel was about to enter the Void River, initiating its first acceleration phase.
Taishi Year Fifty – Core Power Area of the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel.
Inside a towering mechanical mountain, five hundred meters tall, Purple Bone and Lu Ying were operating the power formation of the Realm Vessel.
Tiny crystalline light particles shimmered across their bodies, interweaving into countless threads—some extending upward, connecting to the heavens, while others stretched downward, merging with the earth.
Nearby, Ji Che, Zhao Xing, Yun Tiandao, and King Luohou observed in silence.
Though they could not fully comprehend the process, they understood that Great Zhou had reached a critical juncture.
"Your Majesty, esteemed officials," Zhao Xing gestured toward Purple Bone and Lu Ying in the core chamber. "The Xuanhuang Realm Vessel is about to enter the Void Turbulence of the Barren Domain."
"The void is not a fixed space—it flows, much like a river. When cultivators speak of 'traversing the void,' they are referring to entering the second layer of cosmic void and using its currents for acceleration."
"Is it similar to the Yin Currents of the Netherworld, which allow Yin Spirits to travel rapidly?" Wei Hong inquired.
"That's a good comparison." Zhao Xing nodded. "However, there is a crucial difference between the Barren Domain and the Spiritual Qi Domain. While void traversal is easy in the Spiritual Qi Domain, it is extremely dangerous in the Barren Domain."
"The Void Rivers of the Spiritual Qi Domain are stable and well-defined, whereas the Void Rivers in the Barren Domain are chaotic, unpredictable, and highly volatile—thus, they are called Void Turbulence."
"Fortunately, we have star charts. The river we are about to enter is one with a clear trajectory—albeit a violent one."
"Purple Bone and Lu Ying are currently adjusting the entry angle and direction of the Realm Vessel."
Zhao Xing's explanation helped clarify the mechanics of acceleration for the assembled officials.
"Zhao Xing, at the Second Origin Realm, can one use void traversal to accelerate travel?" King Luohou asked, more interested in the implications for cultivation.
"In the Spiritual Qi Domain, yes. But in the Barren Domain, no." Zhao Xing explained, "The chaotic void currents of the Barren Domain can tear apart even Divine Ability Realm cultivators."
"If the Void River is not stable, it generates Void Winds, which can either consume travelers outright or teleport them into deadly situations. Even Divine Ability Realm Grandmasters do not dare use this method for travel—it would be suicidal."
"King Luohou sighed. "No wonder the Barren Domain is so feared—just hearing about it is terrifying."
Autumn Historian Sima Yu was intrigued. "Grand Shennong, if we don't use the Void River, how long would it take to reach the exit? Two thousand years? Three thousand?"
Zhao Xing thought for a moment. "It depends on our route. If we avoid the Void River entirely, assuming no unforeseen dangers, it would take at least five thousand years for our Realm Vessel to reach the Yuanhai Kingdom."
"And without Qing Yuzi's Core Power Chamber, the journey would exceed ten thousand years."
"The longest possible route is to follow the Barren Domain Star Belt, flying straight through until we exit the Xuanling Star Domain."
"If we take that path, even flying for one hundred epochs wouldn't get us out."
Despite its name, the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel was not a true World Star Dao Weapon. It was merely an upgraded Supreme Star-tier Dao Weapon, reinforced over time with additional materials.
With Qing Yuzi's Core Power Chamber, it barely qualified as a Low-tier World Star Dao Weapon.
This alone had cut the journey's duration in half (without the Void River).
With the star chart and by utilizing the Void River, they could shorten the journey by tenfold to twentyfold.
Depending on how well Purple Bone and Lu Ying executed the maneuver, the voyage would take anywhere from five hundred to one thousand years.
"If Purple Bone and Lu Ying successfully align with every branching point of the Void River, we can complete the journey in five hundred years."
"But even a slight misalignment would extend that timeframe."
Upon hearing this, King Luohou asked, "Without a star chart, would we have to rely entirely on luck to find our way out?"
Everything Zhao Xing described was based on the assumption that Great Zhou already possessed Qing Yuzi's Star Chart.
Zhao Xing shook his head. "If we didn't have Qing Yuzi's Star Chart, we could still rely on the Dragon Court's Star Chart. However, the Dragon Court's version is ancient and incomplete. Over time, celestial markers have changed, reducing its accuracy."
"Even if we had no star chart at all, we wouldn't be flying completely blind. There are still ways to navigate."
"The Barren Domain is not a lifeless void. Though Spiritual Qi is scarce, it still exists—it's just fragmented and scattered."
"The closer we travel toward the Spiritual Qi Domain, the higher the Spiritual Qi index becomes."
Even newly ascended dynasties, as long as their people were skilled at summarizing patterns and recognizing the fluctuations of the Sun, Moon, and Spiritual Qi, could attempt to navigate out of the Barren Domain. If they combined their observations with their ability to sense celestial changes and measured the intensity of the Sun and Moon's radiance, they might stand a chance—provided their luck was good.
Of course, such an exploration was a journey with a nine-in-ten chance of death.
For later ascended dynasties, the probability of success was slightly higher. This was because they might come across wreckage along the way—remnants left behind by their predecessors. Some of those who came before had left behind markers on planets, or even supply stations.
Autumn Historian Sima Yu sighed with emotion. "I can almost see the countless sages who came before us, fearlessly carving a path through the dark void."
"Our predecessors did not have it easy," King Luohou murmured.
"Not at all." Zhao Xing recalled the experiences from his past life. As one of the first wave of pioneers, they had only a fragmented Dragon Court Map to guide them. It had taken them eight thousand years to finally escape the Barren Domain.
By comparison, Great Zhou had Qing Yuzi's complete star map, making their journey practically the easy mode.
Suddenly, a deep rumbling shook the heavens.
A strange, unsettling sound echoed from above, as if some colossal beast was scraping its claws against the Realm Vessel's exterior.
The next moment, darkness fell.
The entire Xuanhuang Realm Vessel was swallowed by shadows.
"It worked." Zhao Xing gazed up at the sky. "The Realm Vessel has successfully entered the Void River."
"Meng Kun, Chen Yu, relay my command to all Shennong Officials—immediately activate the Sky Illumination Project!"
"Yes!"
That day, the high-ranking Shennong Officials who had long been prepared for this moment rose into the sky, activating their Seasonal Qi Commands.
Within less than an hour, light was restored to all regions of the ship.
After confirming through reports that all districts were stable with no major disturbances, Zhao Xing descended and made his way to Ji Che to deliver his report.
By now, Ji Che had already led his ministers out of the Core Power Chamber, arriving at the Celestial Observation Platform.
"Your Majesty, all regions are stable. There is no sign of unrest," Zhao Xing reported.
Ji Che nodded, then sighed in awe. "Elder Brother, this is my first time witnessing such a sight. Who would have thought that even the Sun and Moon's power could be blocked during our voyage through the Void River."
At this moment, the Celestial Observation Platform was completely enveloped in twisted blackness—no matter which direction one looked, all was warped and dark.
"We entered the Void River from a shallow point, but the river's flow speed far surpasses the speed of the Sun's light," Zhao Xing explained.
"If even the Sun's radiance cannot keep up with us, then naturally, we cannot see anything outside."
"The most violent Void Rivers in the Barren Domain can reach speeds more than a hundred times faster than light itself."
"For cultivators who have reached the First Origin Realm, their grasp of Spiritual Qi strengthens, allowing them to comprehend the Dao of Yin and Yang. At this level, a cultivator can achieve light speed."
"Throughout the Origin Stage, cultivators typically move between one to ten times light speed. Those who reach the Divine Ability Realm with monstrous talent may even achieve speeds surpassing a hundred times light speed, though at that point, they are essentially comparable to Dao Domain cultivators."
Ji Che withdrew his gaze. "Elder Brother, how do you think you, I, and Yun Tiandao rank among geniuses?"
Zhao Xing did not respond immediately.
Seeing this, Ji Che chuckled bitterly. "When I was young, you used to tell me stories about the Journey to the West. Now that we've ascended, we're not about to become just another group of Heavenly Soldiers attacking Sun Wukong, are we?"
From an early age, Zhao Xing had told Ji Che stories related to ascension, helping him understand the concept of martial ascension.
"No, it won't be that bad," Zhao Xing smiled. "At the very least, we can be Heavenly Generals."
Years passed.
Inside the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel, within a cultivation arena, a fierce battle was unfolding.
Three figures engaged in a chaotic melee—Liu Tianning, Yun Tiandao, and Zhao Xing.
"Boom!" Yun Tiandao delivered a powerful punch, shattering Liu Tianning's clone. As the clone disintegrated, it transformed into nine long spears.
Seizing the moment, Yun Tiandao grabbed the nine spears and hurled them toward Liu Tianning's true form.
"Shua!" Realizing that his position had been exposed, Liu Tianning no longer bothered to disguise himself. He swiftly maneuvered through his remaining clones.
Yun Tiandao prepared to take off after him but suddenly felt a crushing weight on his body.
Unnoticed, a small hill had formed beneath his feet, pressing down on him.
At the same time, an itch spread across his skin. Strange, invisible threads of force seeped up from the ground, wriggling like worms, attempting to burrow into his body and drain his Spiritual Qi.
"A combination of Mountain Techniques and Earth Palace Techniques—using the same old strategy again," Yun Tiandao sneered. He turned toward another direction. "Zhao Xing, can't you try something new?"
"Brother Yun, when it comes to Heavenly Timing Techniques, I can't surpass you—the founder of the art. I can only counter you with Earth Techniques," Zhao Xing replied with a grin.
By now, Zhao Xing had reached Ultimate Perfection in Heavenly Timing Techniques, yet against their creator, there was still a significant power gap.
Realizing that they were working together, Yun Tiandao could easily guess their strategy.
"Hmph!" Yun Tiandao stepped onto a cloud, spreading layers of mist to weaken the effects of the Mountain and Earth Palace Techniques, then resumed his chase after Liu Tianning.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xing launched an assault using Earth Techniques, while Liu Tianning utilized Self Techniques to merge with floating forces, countering his opponent.
Just as Yun Tiandao leaped forward, a divine tree suddenly descended from above.
A golden-green bamboo loomed in the air, then slammed downward toward him.
"Expand! Expand! Expand!"
In response, Yun Tiandao's right hand abruptly swelled—growing to a hundred meters in length, thick as a massive pillar.
His golden fist caught the Heavenly Angle Bamboo in a powerful grip.
In that instant, the golden-green bamboo transformed—its surface suddenly sprouting scales.
Simultaneously, a storm vortex formed in the sky.
Within moments, the Pure Essence Projection was shredded apart and devoured by the whirling wind.
"Come down here!"
Yun Tiandao gave a fierce yank, and the Tianjiao Bamboo was forcibly pulled halfway out from the Pure Essence Soil of the Inverted Heaven Gang.
But at that moment, Yun Tiandao's vision blurred for an instant, and his grip involuntarily loosened.
The Tianjiao Bamboo swiftly retracted.
"Another soul attack." Yun Tiandao could only watch helplessly as Liu Tianning's Tianjiao Bamboo withdrew.
"Senior Yun," Liu Tianning said, "if you don't deal with Zhao Xing, you'll never be able to hurt me."
"No more fighting. Today's spar ends here." Yun Tiandao retracted his divine ability.
Dealing with Zhao Xing first? That was incredibly difficult.
Although Yun Tiandao had the advantage in the Dao of Heavenly Timing, Zhao Xing had the upper hand in soul techniques. With his Earthly Advantage Laws, he had even created his own ultimate technique, Mysterious Earth Divine Concealment Technique. This technique surpassed any of Yun Tiandao's Earthly Advantage Laws in evasion, making it extremely difficult for Yun Tiandao to capture Zhao Xing's true body.
Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing withdrew their clones and began their usual reflections and comprehension.
Since the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel entered the Void River, 401 years had passed. The three of them often sparred.
Occasionally, Mi Fu, Ling Tianchen, the Mist Walker, and Daoist Moon Ying would awaken and join the battle, teaming up to besiege Yun Tiandao.
Having honed his skills for hundreds of thousands of years, Yun Tiandao was a colossal presence in the Xuanhuang Realm. Whether in Daoist techniques, combat awareness, or comprehensive ability, he was like an insurmountable mountain.
In these 400 years, the only one who could challenge him in a one-on-one fight was Zhao Xing, who could apply some pressure. No one else could stand against Yun Tiandao alone. Most of the time, it took a two-on-one or even three-on-one battle to make Yun Tiandao exert his full strength.
"After four hundred years of refinement, Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing, you both have made tremendous progress," Yun Tiandao remarked. "Zhao Xing's Mysterious Earth Divine Concealment Technique has even surpassed my own Four Pillars Mysterious Gate, the ultimate earth technique."
There was little left for Yun Tiandao to teach Zhao Xing. Among all the Shennong, Zhao Xing was the closest to him in skill.
"Not at all, Brother Yun," Zhao Xing shook his head. "In these four hundred years, I haven't created a single divine ability. Even though Mysterious Earth Divine Concealment Technique is powerful, its effectiveness has limits."
He had to admit it!
Yun Tiandao already possessed four minor divine abilities, making him an unparalleled existence in the Ascension Stage.
Among them, Zhao Xing had managed to learn Yun Tiandao's Star Gaze Technique, since it was built on the foundation of the Three Divinities Destiny Palace, making it relatively easy to grasp.
However, Starry Cloud, the Wind Dao divine ability Sky Ripper, and the Fate minor divine ability Boundless Fortune of Mountains and Seas—no one had managed to learn any of them.
Just learning them was incredibly difficult, let alone creating something new. That was still a distant dream.
"I spent hundreds of thousands of years observing the endless starry sky to create those techniques, and you think you can create one in just four hundred years? You underestimate the difficulty of divine abilities." Yun Tiandao criticized, "Zhao Xing, your talent and comprehension are even higher than mine, but you're being too ambitious."
"You haven't even mastered my minor divine abilities, yet you're thinking about creating your own? What's the rush? Even if you're anxious, do you think you're more anxious than I was?"
"Brother Yun's lesson is well received," Zhao Xing humbly accepted the advice.
Since entering the Void Voyage, aside from his Self Techniques, Zhao Xing had maximized all his ultimate techniques and had even started attempting original creations.
However, Yun Tiandao noticed that Zhao Xing was becoming increasingly impatient, often displaying signs of wanting quick success.
"Senior Yun, don't blame him," Liu Tianning interjected. "The fate of the entire Great Zhou Dynasty rests on his shoulders.
"He has to consider the future and practice the three sects' techniques simultaneously. The burden on him is immense."
"Really? Teacher, don't make me sound so noble," Zhao Xing chuckled.
But seeing Liu Tianning staring at him, Zhao Xing's smile gradually faded.
"Fine, I suppose there is some truth to it."
Having a firm Dao Heart didn't mean he had no worries or anxieties.
In fact, Yun Tiandao, Liu Tianning, Ji Che… all of them had their own burdens.
The unknown bred fear. Drifting in the vast cosmos, confusion and hesitation were inevitable.
But Zhao Xing's anxiety was more severe! Because he had no one to share his burden with. The more he understood, the more he realized how cruel the cosmic landscape was.
His only way to relieve stress was through relentless cultivation.
Under such circumstances, in these four hundred years, his progress had been massive, and he had hidden his anxiety well. If even he became anxious, the people of Great Zhou would be even more anxious.
But Yun Tiandao and Liu Tianning, having sparred with him frequently, could still see glimpses of his true emotions.
"No one knows what the Ancient Kingdom of Yuanhai is like," Zhao Xing sighed. As their voyage neared its end, he still had a heavy weight in his heart.
If they were in the Xuanling Starfield, at least he would feel more secure.
"Take a break. If nothing else works, why don't you get married?" Yun Tiandao suggested. "Is cultivating the only way you know to relieve stress?"
"Please, no," Zhao Xing waved his hand. "Adding another person to my heart would only make me more anxious."
"Alright, I'll go rest for a bit."
As Zhao Xing left, Yun Tiandao looked at Liu Tianning. "Has he been heartbroken before?"
Liu Tianning thought for a moment. "Probably not."
"Then... does he like men?"
…
Liu Tianning was at a loss for words.
Thinking about Zhao Xing's journey so far, he had a lot of close brothers—Long Xiao, Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, Ye Yukong…—but there were hardly any women he was close with.
Perhaps Ji Anlan, the Morning Light Princess, could be considered one, but even then, their closeness wasn't particularly obvious.
"This…." Liu Tianning wasn't so sure anymore.
Could Zhao Xing actually like men?
Just as the two of them exchanged glances and their thoughts began to wander—
"Rumble—"
The sky trembled.
A heavenly phenomenon had appeared.
Zhao Xing looked up at the sky, his gaze focused on the changes in the celestial scenery.
A streak of brilliance illuminated the heavens, its radiance intensifying as if resonating with the world itself. As a Shennong, he could clearly perceive the shift in energy.
"The Xuanhuang Realm Vessel has emerged from the Void River!" Zhao Xing assessed.
"I can feel the power of the sun growing stronger." Yun Tiandao took a deep breath. "There's even faint Spiritual Qi accumulating on the realm vessel's barrier."
"Let's head to the core region and take a closer look," Liu Tianning suggested.
"Let's go!"
Before they could move, a report arrived.
"Your Majesty, Grand Shennong, the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel has sailed through the Void River for a total of 401 years."
"Under the guidance of Lord Purple Bone, we have successfully navigated through 20 branch nodes within the Void River."
"Each transition was executed flawlessly."
"According to the star chart, we are now at the edge of the Barren Domain. In just 50 more years, we will completely leave the Shenluo Barren Domain," Lu Ying reported.
The Xuanhuang Realm Vessel traveled through the Void River, sometimes moving at great speed, other times slowing down.
With Heavenly Venerable Purple Bone onboard, every node transition was executed with absolute precision.
Although the engine room was under Qing Yuzi's control, it ultimately belonged to Puta. As Puta's inheritor, Purple Bone was the one actually operating it. With Lu Ying assisting, there were no issues at all.
Thus, in the 451st year of the Taishi Era, the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel detached from the Void River for the first time, gradually slowing down.
"Just 50 more years before we leave the Shenluo Barren Domain?" Ji Che's heart filled with anticipation. The others around him had complex expressions—some were eager, while others were solemn.
"Quick, show me the star chart!"
"Yes!"
Lu Ying manipulated the star chart, projecting the image of a galactic system into the air.
"Big Brother, where are we now?" Ji Che turned to Zhao Xing for answers.
Zhao Xing compared the map and pinpointed their location. "We are at the border between Starhail Pass and the Shenluo Barren Domain, near the northern region of the Great Ye Dynasty."
"In reality, we're already quite close. However, since the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel is only at the Stellar Dao Soldier level, it will still take around 50 years before we can see Starhail Pass."
"Wait… Weren't we supposed to emerge near the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom?" A military officer questioned. "Why did we end up in the northern region of the Great Ye Dynasty?"
"The Great Ye Dynasty is technically a vassal of the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom," Zhao Xing explained. "If a war breaks out, the enemy would count them as part of Yuanhai. Ancient Kingdoms often have many vassals."
"The Great Ye Dynasty specifically exists to guard Starhail Pass."
"What's their military strength?" Ji Che inquired.
"In Qing Yuzi's records, the Great Ye Dynasty isn't particularly powerful—among the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom's vassals, it's considered one of the weaker ones."
"Weak?" The military officer was puzzled. "Shouldn't a border defense force be strong?"
Zhao Xing pointed at the map. "To the north, we have the Shenluo Barren Domain. What enemies could possibly be there?"
"Any ascended forces emerging from the Barren Domain are barely worth mentioning. They pose no real threat."
"The Ancient Kingdoms place vassal forces at the desolate border for one primary reason—to act as a buffer against the Barren Domain's expansion."
"Think of it like the way forests are planted at the edge of a desert to prevent its spread."
"The Great Ye Dynasty is one such forest."
"Compared to an Ancient Kingdom, the Great Ye Dynasty is indeed weak. They likely have only one or two Divine Ability Realm cultivators. Although they are not as strong as a Dao Domain Realm expert, who alone could halt the Desolate Expansion, having Divine Ability Realm powerhouses leading a nation-wide effort to resist the Barren Domain's spread still offers some effectiveness."
"So, guarding the desolate frontier is essentially a thankless job?" Lord Luo furrowed his brows. "There's no real danger, yet probably no significant rewards either."
"Exactly." Zhao Xing nodded. "For an individual at the Divine Ability Realm, a mission without life-threatening danger is hardly rewarding."
"But for a dynasty, obtaining immigration rights into an Ancient Kingdom, and becoming recognized as part of the kingdom, is already a huge benefit."
"Even though the Desolate Border's Spiritual Qi levels are low, it still provides an opportunity for development. Gaining a stable foothold is already a valuable prize."
"And what's the second benefit?" Lord Luo asked.
"The second benefit is that they can collect toll fees from exploration teams passing through the border."
"And the third benefit… is us." Zhao Xing's expression remained indifferent. "Over long periods, they devour emerging ascended forces from the Barren Domain, plunder resources, and adopt the talented, converting them into their own people."
"Given enough time, even a weak dynasty can gradually grow stronger."
"It may be slow, but it's steady."
The assembled officials fell silent.
"You mean to say that the Great Ye Dynasty actively targets and assimilates the natives emerging from the Barren Domain?" Lord Luo's brows furrowed tightly.
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded. "The Ancient Kingdoms don't accept the Desolate People because they already have enough of their own population."
"The Great Ye Dynasty annexes these Desolate Forces, but the Ancient Kingdom keeps them tributary, ensuring they remain under control—"
"A big fish eats a small fish, and a small fish eats shrimp."
"That's just how it is."
Grand Chancellor Tong Wenzhuo found his worldview conflicting with his own moral values. Frowning, he turned to Zhao Xing and said, "Grand Shennong, I have a few questions."
"Please, go ahead."
"First—do all Ancient Kingdoms reject the Desolate Ascendants who emerge from the Barren Domain? If someone can survive there and ascend to civilization, wouldn't they have great potential?"
"After much hardship, at least some talents should emerge. Wouldn't it be better to cultivate and absorb them instead?"
"I already said, the ancient nations themselves are overpopulated." Zhao Xing explained, "What the Prime Minister considers a genius is nothing in the eyes of the ancient nations. Even if they have a demand, they can easily absorb talent from the great dynasties."
"Besides, it's not like they won't take any. Take the Great Ye Dynasty, for example—they wouldn't go as far as exterminating all of us. If there are any truly valuable talents, they will brainwash them before absorbing and nurturing them. However, if we want to maintain the independence of 'Great Zhou,' that is absolutely impossible."
"In the universe, resources come first, and people come second. If you occupy a good place and have such long lifespans, why would you worry about producing talents? Why would they even care about a small ascending power like yours?"
"This has nothing to do with morality. Every dynasty and ancient nation follows the same process for survival."
Tong Wenzhuo was left speechless because, in the past, they had done the same thing to the Southern Barbarians. The Nuer Army was the best example. Now that Great Zhou had become the 'Nuer Army,' he suddenly felt that the Great Ye Dynasty was highly immoral.
In reality, it was just a matter of perspective. From the Great Ye Dynasty's viewpoint, dismantling ascending forces, killing their leaders, seizing their resources, brainwashing and absorbing their talents, and strengthening themselves—this was the best way to develop.
If we calculate based on the fact that each era produces one ascended force from a world star or small world, then there should be plenty of ascended forces emerging from the Barren Domain Territory. If the people of the Great Ye Dynasty live long enough, they can afford to wait for many of these 'small fries' to emerge and devour them.
Actually, the ancient nations' refusal to accept forces from the Barren Domain Territory also had deeper reasons, but Zhao Xing didn't need to explain too much. If they couldn't even get past this first hurdle, what was the point of discussing anything else?
Would the desolation of the Xuanling Star Domain really have anything to do with a small bandit gang in Great Zhou's Black Wind Fortress?
"The second question—how did the Great Ye Dynasty get here in the past?" Tong Wenzhuo initially wanted to ask something else, but the first question had already crushed his thoughts, so he directly asked the key question.
What he was really asking was—how should Great Zhou proceed now?
Zhao Xing gave a direct answer: "Hide the Realm Vessel and have those at the Dao Establishment Stage sneak across the border. The vast Starhail Pass—even the guarding dynasty cannot monitor every corner of space."
A small Dao Establishment cultivator flying through the void was like an ant crawling—completely unnoticeable.
But a Realm Vessel? That was an entire small world moving through space—how conspicuous would that be?
It would be captured instantly and refined on the spot.
"The edges of the Barren Domain Territory have an increasing Spiritual Qi index. If someone at the Dao Establishment Stage rides a small warship, they can still traverse the void. The only issue is that it will be extremely slow."
"If a powerful individual sneaks across the border, slowly develops, establishes a reputation, and then returns to retrieve the hidden Realm Vessel, the difficulty of entry will be significantly reduced."
"Of course, this option is only viable for dynasties or ascending forces with high vigilance."
"Naïve ascendants who encounter this situation for the first time don't realize this. They just blindly charge in and end up walking right into a trap."
Tong Wenzhuo's face turned red. It seemed like the term 'naïve' was referring to people like him—those who placed too much emphasis on morality.
"Even if they are highly vigilant and don't foolishly rush in, choosing the method I just described, there is still great uncertainty."
"The Great Ye Dynasty also arranges 'Star Patrollers' to search for hidden native Realm Vessels. If discovered, they are swallowed up."
"Before a powerful cultivator from that force can complete their cultivation and return, their homeland may already have been wiped out."
"Even if they succeed in cultivating, if they only reach Origin Realm Stage One or Two, they will still need to spend money and connections to bring their homeland's Realm Vessel inside. Whether or not they are granted passage depends entirely on how greedy the Great Ye Dynasty's powerhouses are."
Tong Wenzhuo muttered to himself after hearing all this, "Damn… that's insanely corrupt."
Of course, it was corrupt. How had players crossed over in his past life?
The first few batches of players were all slaughtered. After that, when they respawned, they simply started as cosmic inhabitants from the beginning.
As natives, there was no such option.
Ji Che didn't let this depressing atmosphere linger for long. He quickly said, "Great Zhou is fortunate. We have Qing Yuzi, Puta, and Immortal Su as our backers. Purple Divine Mansion holds status in Yuanhai Ancient Nation. Compared to other ascending forces, we are already in a much better position."
Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes, we are far better off."
Since the Realm Vessel had already left the Void River and only had fifty years left in its journey, Great Zhou now faced the decision of how to pass the first checkpoint.
"At present, Great Zhou has three paths to choose from."
"First, use the name of Purple Divine Mansion and directly take the Realm Vessel across."
"This option carries high risk.
"Because Purple Bone and I are not on the official clearance list. We only have token proofs, which will definitely be inspected."
"If the Great Ye Dynasty sees that we are only a group of Dao Establishment cultivators, they will surely be suspicious. If we were really traveling to the Barren Domain Territory for exploration, why wouldn't we have even a single Origin Realm elder with us? The moment they suspect we are natives, even if we miraculously obtained some inheritances from the Purple Divine Mansion, they might just wipe us out."
"If that happens, it's total annihilation. To keep Purple Divine Mansion from finding out, the Great Ye Dynasty likely won't leave a single survivor."
"Of course, there's also the possibility that Purple Divine Mansion's reputation is strong enough that we get a free pass. In that case, we could enter Yuanhai Ancient Nation as quickly as possible, make contact with Purple Divine Mansion, and smoothly settle in."
"The second option is to still use Purple Divine Mansion's name but not bring the Realm Vessel—only a select few strong individuals cross the border."
"This is the plan Qing Yuzi suggested. If we don't have an entire world's worth of wealth with us, and there's nothing valuable to seize, then even if we aren't on the clearance list, the Great Ye Dynasty's powerhouses will have little reason to make a move on us."
"A small number of powerful cultivators cross over, establish contact with Purple Divine Mansion, and then invite their experts to come and escort the rest."
"This option has a high safety factor and takes a relatively short time."
"The third option—trust no one and sneak across the border as natives. Even though Qing Yuzi described Purple Divine Mansion as extremely powerful, so much time has passed that no one can guarantee it hasn't encountered any unexpected setbacks."
"If Purple Divine Mansion has already fallen, declined, or worse, if it's actually hostile to the Great Ye Dynasty, then trying to cross the border like this could be a disaster."
With the proposal outlined, the discussions continued.
"In this plan, we will have someone with minor divine abilities conduct the passage, which is equivalent to an ant that can turn invisible. It offers the highest level of safety, though it takes the longest time."
The reason Zhao Xing proposed the third option was that, in his past life, it had already been verified through Yun Tiandao.
His "Starcloud Passage" had successfully smuggled the first batch of a small number of explorers. Those who were not carried by Yun Tiandao were discovered and killed.
That outcome had been tested at the border, where Origin Stage and Dao Establishment Stage cultivators patrolled.
Given that the Great Ye Dynasty claimed to be a dynasty, it was unlikely to surpass the eight great nations Zhao Xing had encountered in his previous life.
"Three options—what's the decision?" Ji Che looked at the gathered ministers.
The hall quickly erupted into rapid discussions.
In Year 451 of the Taishi Era, when the Great Zhou Dynasty was still fifty years away from Starhail Pass, its leadership made a crucial decision to venture into the cosmic territories.
Great Zhou chose the second plan to cross Starhail Pass—Zhao Xing and Purple Bone would leverage the reputation of the Purple Divine Mansion, leading a small group of powerful cultivators through the checkpoint.
The only uncertainty in this plan was the potential power gap between the Purple Divine Mansion and the Great Ye Dynasty.
However, those who braved the vast cosmos were never short of courage.
The first method, using Yun Tiandao, was too slow and carried its own risks. Rather than waiting indefinitely, it was better to take the initiative with the second plan.
If fate had already destined the fall of Great Zhou, then even a million plans would not be able to prevent its demise.
After navigating the Outer Wilderness for around twenty years, the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel halted its advance in Year 471 of the Taishi Era, shifting its focus to searching for a place to hide—whether it be a Star Continent or a Desolate Star.
Heaven favored Great Zhou—they had Zhao Xing.
When making yet another critical decision about their hiding spot, Zhao Xing firmly opposed the idea of using the Fragmented Star Belt, which the Great Ye Dynasty had deliberately left behind.
Although the Fragmented Star Belt appeared chaotic and difficult to search, it was a common tactic among Outer Wilderness forces, and its scattered debris contained a dense network of cosmic surveillance devices.
If any indigenous force tried to hide there, they would be walking straight into a trap.
In the end, Great Zhou avoided the "Fragmented Star Belt" trap and chose to settle on a desolate star.
"This is it. We can't go too far."
"If we move too far, we'll lose the mobility of the Realm Vessel, and just reaching Starhail Pass would take a long time, introducing unnecessary risks," Zhao Xing stated.
"Understood." At this point, Ji Che had completely entrusted Great Zhou's fate into Zhao Xing's hands.
Winter, Year 471 of the Taishi Era.
Great Zhou named the desolate planet "Hope Star."
They spent a full year selecting the ideal hiding location.
The second step was to dismantle the core power chamber of the Realm Vessel, which was the very ship piloted by Puta, Qing Yunzi, and Fairy Su.
Using it as the core, they constructed a warship that Zhao Xing and his group could use to traverse the remaining distance.
Once dismantled, the Xuanhuang Realm Vessel lost all mobility. Restoring it would take a hundred years, and even then, any replacement would be weak—effectively meaning that all hopes were now pinned on Zhao Xing, Purple Bone, and their group.
Ten years later, Year 482 of the Taishi Era.
The "Puta" Warship was repaired under Purple Bone's oversight.
Purple Bone focused entirely on external repairs.
From the outside, the Puta Warship looked just like a true Realm Vessel, but internally, it was extremely crude.
It was comparable to an unfinished, unfurnished shell.
Year 483 of the Taishi Era.
The list of adventurers who would attempt the crossing was finalized.
Zhao Xing and Purple Bone would lead negotiations.
They would be supported by Yun Tiandao, Lu Ying, Liu Tianning, Dong Ze, King Luohou, Qiu Yuanshan, Xia Jing, and Ye Yukong, who would act as local retainers.
The plan was further refined: Qing Yunzi, Puta, and Fairy Su discovered a small world in the Outer Wilderness, prompting them to send disciples back with the Realm Vessel to report the findings.
This explanation was meant to hold up under scrutiny if the Great Ye Dynasty conducted a checkpoint inspection.
If there was no inspection, and they didn't question why two unregistered Dao Establishment Stage cultivators from Purple Divine Mansion were returning with a Realm Vessel, then all the better.
Year 484 of the Taishi Era.
The Puta Warship set off from Hope Star.
The ten-person team carried the hopes of a hundred million citizens of Great Zhou, embarking on their first encounter with the powers of the cosmos.
"Boom—"
The Puta Warship, traveling light, cut the original thirty-year journey down to just ten years.
Year 494 of the Taishi Era.
A vast, continuous silver river emerged before them.
Starhail Pass was now within sight.
April 5, Year 494 of the Taishi Era.
Inside the Puta Warship, at the core control cabin.
"Beep—"
A smooth mirror-like surface suddenly displayed a signal indicator—an oscillating straight line representing an incoming transmission.
"Boss, someone's contacting us," Purple Bone tensed up, quickly turning to Zhao Xing.
Seeing the signal appear, Zhao Xing actually felt relieved.
Purple Bone had the illusion that Zhao Xing's entire aura had shifted in that instant.
"Stay calm. Accept the signal," Zhao Xing said, stepping in front of the mirror-like screen.
"Understood," Purple Bone nodded.
The water-like ripples shimmered, and soon, a silver-white figure appeared on the mirror's surface.