Southfall 185 was a high-tier star continent, its shape resembling a spinning top, surrounded by countless asteroid belts rotating around it.
A rift tore open in the void, space rippling like flowing water as Zhao Xing's small realm ship was ejected from the void currents.
"Whoosh—" The realm ship spun wildly, wobbling like a drunken giant, its trajectory erratic as it hurtled toward the dense asteroid belt.
"Buzz—" It took a while before the small realm ship stabilized, finally landing on a meteorite.
The cabin door opened, and Zhao Xing stepped out.
"Almost crashed... my piloting skills have deteriorated," Zhao Xing muttered.
The void route to Southfall 185 had an extremely high current speed. Since he wasn't a Mechanist, manually steering the realm ship was difficult.
"Not using an intelligent artifact spirit as an autopilot and relying purely on manual control is really inconvenient."
Zhao Xing glanced around, then waved his hand. His Star Dao Soldier, Grand Observation Realm, flew out.
On the barren meteorite, a small ecological zone instantly appeared, spanning about two million square kilometers.
Zhao Xing gazed into the void, where streaks of meteors flashed in the distance—other adventurers heading toward Southfall 185.
"I'll just wait here."
Zhao Xing sat down, unfolding his domain.
"Whoosh—"
Two streams of light swept through the asteroid belt, his domain enveloping over five billion small meteorites.
"—" One yin, one yang—two distinct forces began stripping away the surface layers of the meteorites, arranging them in accordance with the principles of the Eight Epochs of Purple Light.
Centered around Zhao Xing, the small meteorites emitted a radiant glow, their light echoing one another, forming an almost chaotic, self-contained world.
Three hundred million kilometers away, a tall man clad in a purple robe stood motionless, his presence seamlessly blending into the void.
Above his head, a coronal sun floated, its edges tinged with darkness, resembling a pair of watchful eyes.
Li observed Zhao Xing's location through his innate minor divine ability, nodding slightly.
"Qing Yuzi truly had a keen eye for disciples."
He recognized the imprint of Eight Epochs of Purple Light—though not a combat-focused technique, its applications far exceeded ordinary combat divine abilities.
To transform a barren asteroid belt into a thriving habitat—this was no small feat.
"If Eight Epochs of Purple Light could be cultivated to the level of Great Divine Ability, then even without reaching the Dao Domain Realm, at the Divine Ability Realm, it would already be capable of counteracting the effects of domain desolation!"
"No wonder the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion doted on Qing Yuzi so much."
Eight Epochs of Purple Light was a minor divine ability created by Qing Yuzi, derived from the Great Divine Ability Purple Light.
If Qing Yuzi had survived and further refined it to the Great Divine Ability level, then upon reaching the Third Stage, he would have gained the power of Anti-Domain Desolation, a capability typically exclusive to Dao Domain Realm cultivators.
Of course, the effect would be on a much smaller scale, but even so, it would be a formidable skill.
Li watched with great interest. He had initially assumed this mission would be dull and uneventful, but Zhao Xing had already exceeded his expectations.
"That should be enough." After casting his spell for some time, Zhao Xing felt himself growing fatigued.
He hadn't truly activated Eight Epochs of Purple Light yet—this was merely a rough framework.
"The emissary sent by Du Yun, that 'Li,' should have seen it by now." Zhao Xing sensed a stable yet powerful surveillance presence—his Three Divinities Destiny Palace provided him with an acute spiritual intuition.
Amidst the chaotic asteroid belt, an orderly region of meteorites emerged, forming a pattern reminiscent of crop circles.
However, passing adventurers, upon spotting the emblem of Purple Divine Mansion among the arranged meteorites, instinctively kept their distance.
Within just three days, Zhao Xing felt the presence of a second stable and powerful observer.
Unlike those who merely passed by and took a glance—
"They're here."
Zhao Xing looked in a certain direction. Though he couldn't see anything, the feeling grew increasingly intense.
At that moment, a force suddenly entered his sensory range.
It was Soul Heavenly Sight, a minor divine ability that allowed him to perceive without relying on his domain.
"One, fifteen, twenty-four—fifty-six forces in total have invaded my domain," Zhao Xing stood abruptly.
Though the asteroid belt obstructed his line of sight, preventing him from seeing any figures, he could sense fifty-six powerful cultivators approaching.
"They really value me, huh? Sending fifty-six Second Stage cultivators just to hunt me down?"
The enemy moved swiftly. Within ten breaths, they had already reached the edge of his domain.
Zhao Xing's soul perception range was larger than his domain range.
With both senses engaged, the enemy's presence became clear.
"Stop! This is my territory!"
"I am a member of Purple Divine Mansion—who are you?"
Zhao Xing's domain pulsed violently, creating an unstable environment, increasing the interference coefficient to slow down the invaders.
Yet, their speed remained unchanged.
With a flash of blue light, the next moment, all the surrounding meteorites were obliterated.
Zhao Xing's face paled—his domain was erased, the surrounding void now controlled by another cultivator.
The meteorites were cleared away, leaving Zhao Xing with an unobstructed view of his enemies.
"Not fifty-six… fifty-seven."
"There's one I didn't sense—is it a Third Stage cultivator?"
Zhao Xing's expression turned solemn.
A purple-haired, strikingly handsome young man floated in the void, surrounded by rippling blue light. Countless void currents extended from behind him, resembling cold, coiling whips.
With him as the focal point, the region where Zhao Xing had deployed his domain and Eight Epochs of Purple Light was now under his control.
Zhao Xing felt his breath stagnate. Most of his spells were unusable, and those he could cast were at least ninety percent weaker. The chaotic index of the surrounding space had risen to an astonishing level, exceeding 150! In such an environment, none of his Realm Star Dao Soldiers could take effect. This was the sheer crushing power of a Third Stage cultivator—absolute suppression!
Seeing Zhao Xing struggling on the meteorite, Mo Er raised an eyebrow. "Still able to move? Seems the Marquis was right to be cautious. If only Second Stage cultivators had been sent, he might have actually managed to turn the situation around."
"You... who exactly are you? I have no enmity with you—" Zhao Xing called out from the meteorite, his voice calm but filled with suppressed tension. Mo Er simply waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to capture Zhao Xing and take him aboard. A villain dies from talking too much—why would he waste time answering Zhao Xing's questions?
"Swish, swish, swish—"
Nine of Mo Er's men descended rapidly along the flowing blue light, landing on the meteorite where Zhao Xing stood. But the moment they reached him, Zhao Xing's body suddenly turned to ash.
"Suicide?" Mo Er was startled. His mission was to capture Zhao Xing alive, not kill him. But in the next instant, he realized something. "No… a clone?"
"We've been tricked!" Mo Er snapped his head toward a certain direction.
A streak of radiant light was rushing toward him at breakneck speed. Within that light was a figure with upturned horns, black wings on his back, a tiger-like humanoid head, and a body covered in bronze-red scales.
"A Martial Demon? A rare race—Jiuli?" Mo Er immediately understood—he had completely fallen into the enemy's trap.
"A Jiuli Martial Artist, and a Third Stage one at that… There's only one of them on Tiger Head Star Continent, and that's the demon servant subdued by Du Yun."
"Take any relevant items from the target and retreat!"
Mo Er made a decisive call. His subordinates swiftly moved, restraining Zhao Xing's burning remains, gathering his small realm ship, and then boarding their own vessel to withdraw.
However, Mo Er himself did not retreat. Instead, he rushed directly toward the Jiuli Martial Artist.
At that moment, the scene froze in time.
In Yuanhai Hall on Tiger Head Star Continent, Zhao Xing watched the confrontation between Mo Er and the Jiuli warrior reflected in his eyes.
"Something's not right… Old Qing has a problem," Zhao Xing murmured as he sat down with a deep frown.
"Back then, he was only a Second Stage cultivator. As his direct disciple, it was normal for me to inherit his grudges against certain members of the Dongyan Ancient Clan."
"But sending fifty-six Second Stage cultivators—and even a Third Stage cultivator—that's far from normal."
"What makes me so special? Why send so many people after me?"
"In their eyes, I'm merely a First Stage cultivator. They don't know I've already stepped into the Void Realm."
Zhao Xing contemplated.
Indeed, after nearly eighty years of accelerated cultivation, combined with the consumption of precious resource combinations, he had first mastered the Second Layer of the Yuanhai Realm. Using that as a foundation, he successfully resolved the Yin-Yang balance issue, breaking through to Second Stage Origin Realm.
Of course, all of it was purely due to Zhao Xing's personal efforts and had absolutely nothing to do with the 9.2 billion Yuanhai coins he had spent.
"Secondly, they didn't come to kill me; they wanted to capture me alive."
"But why capture me alive? I'm just a native." Zhao Xing frowned. "Are they planning to lock me up and torture me to vent their anger?"
After pondering for a while, Zhao Xing reached out to Ji Che for a conversation.
"Che, I have a friend," Zhao Xing began.
"One day, he was being hunted by his enemy, but the power level of the enemy's forces was excessive."
"The enemy was at the Dao Domain Realm, while my friend was only at Second Stage. And the enemy was secretly trying to kill him, avoiding drawing attention."
"One day, my friend was cornered, but the enemy didn't try to kill him outright—instead, they tried to capture him."
"Che, why do you think that is?"
Ji Che looked at Zhao Xing, his expression turning slightly panicked. "Big Brother, that 'friend' of yours… isn't you, right?"
Long ago, Zhao Xing frequently used this exact phrase. For example, he often said, "I have a friend… who wants to become the Grand Shennong."
"Just answer my question first."
Ji Che analyzed carefully, "It's highly likely that your friend has something the enemy wants."
"Something that can't be exposed—maybe stolen loot from internal infighting, or some kind of forbidden item."
"Big Brother… is Qing Yuzi's inheritance causing trouble?"
Ji Che was extraordinarily intelligent. With just a casual mention from Zhao Xing, he instantly made the connection.
They had arrived at the Ancient Kingdom of Yuanhai, and their only connection to this place was Qing Yuzi.
Ji Che knew exactly what kind of person Zhao Xing was—someone who never caused trouble without reason.
If Zhao Xing was being pursued, it had to be because of something related to Qing Yuzi and his companions.
"Che, gather every single relic related to Qing Yuzi and his two companions from the state treasury—including even the Star Dao Soldiers—and bring them together."
"Ignore anything we've already sold," Zhao Xing instructed.
The Dongyan Ancient Clan had surely considered the possibility that he might have sold some of the items.
Yet they still decided to send a large force after him. That meant the item they were after was something Zhao Xing definitely wouldn't sell.
"Che, tell Meng Kun to compile a complete record of every single trade the Great Zhou has conducted in the past few years. I want a detailed summary—who we traded with, what was exchanged, and the specific methods of transaction. Leave nothing out."
Ji Che listened silently, tilting his head slightly as if issuing orders.
After a moment, Ji Che hesitated before asking nervously, "Big Brother, what exactly is going on? Did we take something we shouldn't have?"
"That's exactly the issue," Zhao Xing sighed. "I don't know."
"When I met the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion, I let him examine everything first—just in case there were any potential issues."
"But now, with Dongyan Ancient Clan making such a big move… I really don't understand."
Zhao Xing still couldn't understand the true intention of the Dongyan Ancient Clan. He began to doubt his previous analysis. Could it be that Qing Yuzi's enemy was simply a deranged lunatic, harboring an extreme hatred toward Qing Yuzi, so much so that he wanted to capture his disciple just for the sake of tormenting him?
"Che, don't worry about me. I am temporarily safe," Zhao Xing said. "Keep a tight grip on domestic affairs. Instruct our nation's powerhouses to be cautious and avoid unnecessary interactions with strangers."
"I understand." Ji Che nodded seriously. "Big Brother, you must act carefully. I will have Meng Kun send the transaction records to you immediately."
Ji Che was not the type to sit and worry; he immediately took action.
After ending the communication, Zhao Xing fell into deep thought.
"The things I wouldn't sell… Qing Yuzi left behind the Cangwu Apex Leaf, Grand Domain Mirror, Star Fate Codex, and the Heavenly Gulu Beast. Su Wan left behind the Fate Soul Ring… No, this doesn't make sense."
"Even if the Star Fate Codex, a valuable treasure for Fate Masters, was incredibly rare, I would still sell it if I were desperate for money."
"So how are they so certain that I wouldn't sell it?"
"If it was hidden among the Star Dao Soldiers, then the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion had already inspected them. He is at the Dao Domain Realm—could he really not have noticed anything?"
"If it were on Purple Bone, I also had him submit everything for the Lord of Tianyuan Mansion to check later on."
"Let's assume there was a hidden treasure, one so precious that even Qing Yuzi and his two companions were unaware of its value, which is why they never mentioned it to me or to the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion."
"But someone in the Dongyan Ancient Clan knows about it."
Zhao Xing's mind worked rapidly. "Now, there are only two possibilities."
"One, the treasure is hidden inside those Star Dao Soldiers."
"Two, Qing Yuzi and his two companions left it in the Xuanhuang Realm."
"The first possibility is extremely small. The second is far more likely," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "A treasure that has been completely overlooked wouldn't have been given to a successor, nor would it have been taken back to their sect."
"Just like how I casually left the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe in the Xuanhuang Realm."
"Hiss—" Zhao Xing's brows twitched as he suddenly thought of something. "The Concealed Illusory Phenomenon of the Xuanhuang Realm completely eliminates the second possibility."
"The only ones who know that the Xuanhuang Realm is still intact are Yun Tiandao, Ji Che, and myself."
"Everyone else from Great Zhou would only remember that the Xuanhuang Realm was destroyed, and the coordinates could no longer be found."
"Even if the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion asked the people of Great Zhou, he wouldn't get any answers—"
Zhao Xing felt a chill run down his spine. After all the twists and turns, everything seemed to circle back to the Xuanhuang Realm.
"Could the edge of the universe really be the Xuanhuang Realm?"
"What exactly is sealed inside my Memory Palace? Why can't I even think about it?"
Zhao Xing sensed an enormous pitfall. He once again delved into the depths of his memory, arriving at the front of his Memory Palace. The rice mountain, flour mountain, chickens, dogs, and lanterns before the grand door gave off an eerie, ominous aura, as if concealing an unimaginable terror.
"I'm only at the Second Stage and still haven't met the conditions I set back then for opening it," Zhao Xing muttered as he stared at the grand doors. In the end, he abandoned the idea of investigating further.
"In this version of the universe, some things are not meant to be known by too many people. Knowing itself is a form of exposure. Knowing means becoming part of the game."
"But am I not already in the game? Why am I not allowed to know? Does this mean that even the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion and the powerhouses of Dongyan Ancient Clan are not considered players yet?"
Zhao Xing stepped away from the door and opened his eyes.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it."
"Maybe Qing Yuzi's enemy really is just a sick lunatic," Zhao Xing mused. "Maybe the Xuanhuang Realm has absolutely nothing to do with this, and I'm just fighting shadows in my mind."
"In any case, I'm still safe for now. Du Yun is watching over Tiger Head Star Continent, and the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion is no pushover."
"When it comes to the Concealed Illusory Phenomenon, I can't reveal the coordinates of the Xuanhuang Realm. If either the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion or Du Yun asks about it, I'll only state the facts I know. I won't reveal my theories or speculations."
Zhao Xing stopped worrying about how to explain things. Qing Yuzi and the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion didn't know anything. How could he, a mere messenger, possibly know more than them?
For the next few days, Zhao Xing remained in Yuanhai Hall, waiting quietly, not concerning himself with outside matters.
For now, he still had enough money on hand. With Yuanhai Hall as his refuge, under Du Yun's watchful eye, even enemies at the Dao Domain Realm could only stare helplessly. Let alone just Third Stage cultivators—he had nothing to fear.
A month later, Artifact Spirit Cangyu suddenly arrived at his doorstep.
"Lord Cangyu." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in greeting.
"Zhao Xing, the Lord of Purple Divine Mansion, Du Yun, summons you," Cangyu said. "If you agree, I will take you there now."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Cangyu." Zhao Xing naturally agreed. The Yuanhai Royal Family was indeed a safeguard, but they only handled matters strictly according to the ancient kingdom's laws.
Once he left the exploration base, the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom would not interfere with outside matters.
But the Purple Divine Mansion? That was different—they had authority.
"Buzz—" Cangyu grabbed Zhao Xing, and the surrounding space rippled.
The Void River manifested once more.
Cangyu carried Zhao Xing through the stable currents of the Void River. Two seconds later—
Cangyu threw Zhao Xing forward.
The next moment, Zhao Xing's vision blurred, and when he regained focus, he found himself above an endless ocean.
"Crash—" The waves roared. The dense spiritual energy of the sea intertwined with the broken fragments of the Void.
In the distance, a magnificent golden palace stood, surrounded by eight Void Rivers that coiled around it like an astral ring.
Zhao Xing's perspective suddenly shifted, bringing the palace into clearer view.
He realized he had unknowingly been pulled along a yellow Void River, bringing him right to the palace gates.
"The spiritual energy density is over 500—almost comparable to Twin Star Space. The Void is so chaotic, yet the spiritual sea below remains completely calm, without a single ripple."
"Order within chaos… is this the cultivation ground of Du Yun, Lord of Yellow Sand Mansion?"
As he pondered, the yellow guiding river beneath his feet dissipated, and Zhao Xing found himself standing firmly before the immense palace gates.
"Zhao Xing greets Lord of Yellow Sand Mansion."
Lord of Yellow Sand Mansion, Du Yun, was the eighth lord of Purple Divine Mansion, and also the only one who was not at the Dao Domain Realm. Normally, it would be expected that a Dao Domain expert would hold the position of mansion lord, but Du Yun's strength and achievements were enough to command respect.
Throughout the entire Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Du Yun was among the top-tier geniuses. He had mastered five minor divine abilities: Falling Stars of a Thousand, Void Severance, Obscure Purple Light, Wailing of the Lost Soul, and Shattering Drumbeat, and he was also a cultivator of the Golden Body of the Void Ancestor, a top-tier technique.
In addition, his Twilight Cloud Sword and Sunset Armor were renowned—both of which were crafted specifically for him by the Lord of Tianyuan Mansion, forged over the span of half an era. These two treasures possessed the potential to grow, reaching the level of Origin Divine Weapons.
His Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing was his grand divine ability, one that he had created himself. A cultivator who could create a grand divine ability while still at the Third Stage was exceedingly rare, even within the entire Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
Within Purple Divine Mansion, there was a well-known verse:
"Golden Body shines, stars plummet down, the Void severed, and purple light fades. The wails of lost souls echo, the war drums shatter hearts. As dusk falls and clouds recede, the sunset casts its glow upon the endless sea of yellow sand."
This verse was dedicated to praising Du Yun.
"Zhao Xing." Du Yun spoke. His body remained a hundred meters tall, a size he found most comfortable. His voice rumbled through the grand hall like rolling thunder. "The ones hunting you belong to Marquis He Yin."
Marquis He Yin? Zhao Xing committed the name to memory.
"Marquis He Yin is a cultivator at the Five Elements Dao Domain Realm." Du Yun continued, "He has no dealings with Purple Divine Mansion, nor did he previously have any enmity with you. Why he sent people after you is still under investigation."
A cultivator at the Dao Domain Realm, yet merely a Marquis? Zhao Xing was surprised. It seemed this Dao Domain expert had accomplished very little within the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
If a Dao Domain expert had any ambition at all, they would at least hold the title of Duke.
"The investigation falls under the jurisdiction of Purple Moon Mansion. However, the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion is currently out of the country. As for when they will summon you, that is beyond my control."
"I am only responsible for ensuring your safety."
"I have discussed this matter with the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion. You now have two choices."
"One, you immediately terminate your mission and return to Purple Moon Mansion's territory. Within its domain, you will be absolutely safe. You can take on other assignments within the territory and wait for the results of the investigation."
"Two, you continue your adventures here, and I will ensure your safety."
Zhao Xing didn't even hesitate. "Lord Yellow Sand Mansion, I want to know what guarantees I will receive if I choose the second option."
Du Yun waved his hand, and two objects appeared before Zhao Xing.
One was an arched bridge crafted from red crystal, with what looked like flowing blood coursing through its structure. As it approached, Zhao Xing could even hear the sound of a heartbeat.
The other was a strange talisman, covered in countless stars, yet devoid of any words.
"This is called Thousand Li Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing," Du Yun explained. "Drip a drop of your blood onto it to bind it. Its purpose is to shorten the distance between you and me."
"Within the Phantom God Star System, no matter where you are, if I move toward you, or you move toward me, the distance between us will always be no more than a thousand li."
Zhao Xing couldn't hide his surprise. This was a major treasure!
"However, this is not something you can use at will." Du Yun's voice remained indifferent. "Since you have chosen adventure, you must be prepared for the possibility of death."
"I will only intervene against opponents at the Grand Divine Ability Realm or higher."
"If I find that the danger you encountered was merely some small fry, I will take back this artifact and leave you to your fate."
"Understood." Zhao Xing cupped his hands.
Du Yun could not serve as his personal bodyguard. Even granting him this treasure was only because Marquis He Yin was trying to kill Zhao Xing, which had piqued Du Yun's interest.
He was eager to confront Marquis He Yin in person. If he wanted answers, the simplest way was to capture him directly.
Du Yun had no time to deal with weaklings. He typically did not concern himself with matters outside of his jurisdiction.
"The second treasure—Purple God Star Talisman." Du Yun introduced. "Even with Thousand Li Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing, there is still a chance you might not have time to activate it."
"The Purple God Star Talisman is a Grand Divine Ability Talisman that activates automatically. If a Grand Divine Ability expert or a Five Elements Dao Domain cultivator approaches you, it will protect you for an instant, allowing you the chance to activate the Thousand Li Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing."
"Remember its activation conditions." Du Yun warned. "You will not be able to use it to explore Moonfall Mausoleum."
"Understood, thank you, Lord." Zhao Xing nodded.
The Purple God Star Talisman would only trigger when a Third Stage Grand Divine Ability cultivator or a Dao Domain expert was nearby.
If he triggered a formation, the talisman would not activate.
With these two treasures combined, it was clear Du Yun's stance was firm.
He wouldn't interfere in normal adventures. However, if external powerhouses attempted to bully weaker cultivators, he, as the overseer of the Moonfall Mausoleum exploration, would take action.
In other words—attacking the weak is forbidden, unless you're prepared to face Du Yun himself.
If someone refused to abide by these rules, Du Yun would step in and settle it the old-fashioned way—fists first.
"I choose the second option." Zhao Xing made his decision without hesitation. Moonfall Mausoleum was his first real opportunity for wealth, and he had barely scratched the surface.
How could he leave now?
He wouldn't leave until he had dug out every last ounce of fortune.
Before coming here, he had already mentally prepared himself. If Du Yun hadn't provided any security measures, he would have sought the Yuanhai Royal Family's protection instead.
He possessed valuable intelligence, had significant talent, and could have offered certain information as leverage to secure safety.
Returning to Purple Moon Mansion? It was too competitive, with no real profits to be made. The few lucrative opportunities there carried just as much risk. Since there was danger either way, why not stick to his original plan?
Du Yun wasn't surprised by Zhao Xing's decision.
After just two centuries, Zhao Xing had already earned his first fortune, accumulating over 10 to 20 billion in assets.
Clearly, he was a man of great fortune.
It was natural to be reluctant to leave.
Just as Du Yun was about to send Zhao Xing off, Zhao Xing, after accepting the items and expressing his gratitude, suddenly spoke again. "Mansion Lord, if I make a significant discovery, may I use the Thousand Li Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing to invite you to explore together?"
Hearing this, Du Yun burst into laughter. "Hahaha—"
That laughter was enough to shake the palace to its core. The reverberating sound waves were so powerful that Zhao Xing felt like his ears were about to go deaf.
It was obvious that Du Yun found the idea laughable. It made sense. Zhao Xing's words were akin to someone worth a hundred thousand inviting a billionaire to start a business together.
"Alright, I'll be waiting for you to bring me fortune." Du Yun laughed heartily, clearly treating the suggestion as nothing more than a joke.
Zhao Xing understood. A figure like Du Yun didn't move for just any treasure. If he wanted to summon Du Yun, he had to make sure the discovery was truly worthwhile. Otherwise, the Yellow Sand Mansion Crossing would be taken back.
Leaving Du Yun's presence, Zhao Xing was once again sent back to Yuanhai Palace by the artifact spirit Cangyu. He remained there for a while, but no further news came, so he began planning his next move.
"Now that I've broken through to the Void Realm, I can finally move on my own." He murmured to himself. "With the trouble I'm in, it's best not to drag Hua Zi, Leyao, or Yu Tianqing into this."
Zhao Xing went to the rental district, where he sent messages to Cen Qionghua, Fairy Leyao, and Yu Tianqing, gathering them together before explaining his plan. "The three of you, I intend to move alone from here on."
Cen Qionghua was stunned. "Zhao Xing, why are we disbanding all of a sudden?"
"I've run into some trouble," Zhao Xing replied. "I don't want to get you all involved."
Fairy Leyao puffed out her chest and said, "What do you take me and Hua Zi for? Are we the type to enjoy the good times together but flee when things get tough?"
"Tell us, what exactly is the trouble? My family has some connections. If it's something we can handle, we'll solve it together."
"If it's money, we can pool it together. If it's connections, we'll find someone to help," Cen Qionghua added. "You expect us to stand by and watch you bear this alone?"
Yu Tianqing didn't say anything but nodded in agreement.
Zhao Xing felt a warmth in his heart, but he still shook his head. "I've offended a Dao Domain Realm cultivator."
Cen Qionghua: …
Fairy Leyao: …
That one sentence left the three of them in stunned silence.
"You... You're not joking?" Fairy Leyao cautiously asked as she studied Zhao Xing's expression.
Zhao Xing nodded.
"Brother, what the hell have you been up to all these years?" Cen Qionghua looked pained. "I told you not to wander around recklessly. Wouldn't it have been better to come with me to enjoy some fun, or with Leyao to check out the dungeons?"
Offending a Third Stage Grand Divine Ability cultivator was still manageable. They could spend some money, pull some strings, and smooth things over. As long as it wasn't a blood feud, there was room for negotiation.
But offending a Dao Domain Realm expert? There was no way to fix that.
"I can't say much about the details—it involves conflicts between greater powers," Zhao Xing explained. "The investigation is still ongoing. For now, I'm relatively safe, but don't ask too many questions beyond that."
"Yu Tianqing, Leyao, Hua Zi." Zhao Xing raised his cup. "After this drink, we part ways. If I make it through this ordeal, we'll reunite."
Fairy Leyao and Cen Qionghua exchanged a look before reluctantly raising their cups to drink with him.
When the three left, each of them transferred a sum of money to Zhao Xing.
"Zhao Xing, don't refuse. We may not be strong enough to help, but at least we can chip in for your escape funds." Cen Qionghua spoke with a drunken flush on his face.
Zhao Xing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Did Cen Qionghua really think he was running away?
To be fair, for most people, offending a Dao Domain expert meant immediate escape.
Within the great factions, First and Second Rank cultivators were plentiful. Stronger figures couldn't always provide constant protection. Zhao Xing was a unique case. Under normal circumstances, offending a Dao Domain Realm cultivator meant there was no way he'd receive two high-grade treasures from Du Yun.
Without those two options, he would have been immediately sent back home. Even then, returning home wouldn't have guaranteed safety—a Dao Domain cultivator had a thousand ways to kill a mere Void Realm cultivator. There was simply no way to defend against it entirely.
"Zhao Xing, I'll always remember you—wahhh!" Cen Qionghua suddenly hugged Zhao Xing and burst into tears.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Fairy Leyao immediately yanked Cen Qionghua away. "You're making it sound like Zhao Xing is about to die. Tianqing, hurry up and take him away—he's drunk."
Without a word, Yu Tianqing knocked Cen Qionghua unconscious and carried him out.
"Zhao Xing, take care." Fairy Leyao bit her lip. "If you really do plan to flee, my family has some connections. We can smuggle you into another ancient kingdom."
"Your family deals in that kind of business?" Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "No wonder you're rich. Alright, I'll keep it in mind. You take care too."
Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Luozhi Realm Star.
A projection appeared before Marquis He Yin, displaying a shattered Mo'er, floating inside a medical pod, immersed in a pool of green liquid.
"What happened?" Marquis He Yin asked indifferently.
"Marquis, we were discovered by Purple Divine Mansion," Mo'er's lieutenant reported. "Du Yun sent Jiuli warriors to set a trap for us."
"You were playing chess and still got countered? And Mo'er got beaten into this state?" Marquis He Yin clapped mockingly. "Impressive. Truly impressive."
His subordinates trembled under his gaze.
Only the lieutenant dared to speak. "Marquis, this must be the work of the Yuanhai Royal Family. Otherwise, our reconnaissance wouldn't have been exposed."
"Moreover, the target's fortune is simply too strong. His very first exploration, and in just two hundred years, he managed to unearth enough wealth to break through to the Second Stage."
"The target has reached the Second Stage?" Marquis He Yin's smile gradually faded.
"Yes, he has broken through to the Second Stage. What emerged was a Self Straw Puppet Clone from the Self School."
"Why didn't you notice earlier?"
"This—"
The lieutenant couldn't come up with an excuse.
Zhao Xing's breakthrough to the Second Stage meant that while his Straw Puppet Techniques were still relatively basic, due to the Three Divinities Destiny Palace, his soul fluctuations were indistinguishable from his main body.
Moreover, the Three Divinities Destiny Palace couldn't be deduced through causality calculations, at least not by their current team. That was the root of their failure—they had naturally assumed that Zhao Xing's clone was his true body.
But ultimately, it all came down to the Yuanhai Royal Family's artifact spirit, Cangyu, who had intervened, reporting the situation to Du Yun in advance.
"So, you're saying you didn't gain anything at all?" Marquis He Yin's tone was calm.
The calmer he sounded, the more fear the lieutenant felt.
"No, Marquis," the lieutenant quickly waved his hand, and a half-burnt Straw Puppet Clone appeared beside him.
It was frozen in place, still maintaining its burning state, but only half of its body remained.
"We retrieved half of the target's clone, as well as the Boundary Boat he used."
Marquis He Yin's expression finally improved—so they hadn't come back completely empty-handed.
With this half-clone, they could request a Fate Master to conduct a divination.
For a Dao Domain Realm expert, hiring a skilled Fate Master to track down a mere Second Stage cultivator was a simple matter.
"Bring it back immediately," Marquis He Yin ordered. "Don't disappoint me again."
"Yes, my lord."
With a wave of his hand, the projection disappeared.
Marquis He Yin opened his Star Mirror, scanning through multiple messages before sighing.
Since he hadn't resolved this issue, he now had to deal with Purple Moon Mansion.
"Every intelligence network has been cut off. Even the five hundred trading caravans that frequently did business with that indigenous dynasty have been severed."
"I can't send more people. It's time to execute the backup plan."
——
Moonfall Mausoleum.
Within the Void River, a small flying boat was speeding forward.
"It is now the Xuanyang Calendar, Year 609. The Cosmic Era has lasted for over six hundred years. It has been fifty years since I was last hunted down."
Because of Marquis He Yin's pursuit, Zhao Xing had to delay his Moonfall Mausoleum expedition.
After breaking through to the Void Realm, he had originally planned to start his treasure hunt immediately. However, circumstances forced him to wait.
"Now that I've reached the Void Realm, I can finally navigate the Void River freely."
"My control over Spiritual Qi Essence has reached a deeper level. Fifty years ago, I stopped focusing on cultivation techniques and prioritized spell mastery and enhancing plant-type soldiers. The next step after mastering Fundamental Techniques is Void Techniques—Purple Moon Mansion's techniques all have Void-level advancements."
"But my self-created techniques—Fetal Breath, Folded Clouds, Yin Thunder Star, and Golden Body Corrosion—still need refinement."
"So, I rented the Dao Comprehension Space at Yuanhai Palace. First, to refine my original techniques to the Void Technique level, and second, to follow in the footsteps of predecessors and upgrade Blood Cloud Domain, Yuan Magnetic Thunderstorm, Heavenly Tide, and Purple Wind to Void Technique level."
"Fifty years have passed. Now, all eight of my spells have reached Fourth-Tier Void Technique, Moyun Vine has reached mid-Second Stage, and... I am completely broke."
"For Fundamental Techniques and Void Techniques, money can accelerate progress. But for Lesser Divine Abilities and Greater Divine Abilities, throwing money at the problem won't work."
"At least, not with small amounts. If I want to study Greater Divine Abilities, I need to hire a Dao Domain Realm scholar for guidance!"
"As long as I earn enough to hire a Dao Domain scholar, I can consider returning and relocating Great Zhou. That won't be difficult."
In the ancient kingdoms, reaching the Third Stage meant one was considered an elite, primarily because advancing required an enormous amount of wealth and resources.
"A Third-Stage cultivator could go bankrupt and still fail to train another Third-Stage cultivator using money alone."
"I need to rob a few Greater Divine Ability tombs."
If he relied solely on personal cultivation, reaching the Third Stage could take an eternity. But to safely remove Great Zhou from Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, he needed absolute power.
To speed up his progress, he needed money—a lot of it!
"Small tombs aren't worth my time. Among the Third-Stage tombs, only the top 100 of the Moonfall Mausoleum matter."
"If I accumulate 500,000 merit points, I can become a First-Class Viscount of an ancient kingdom. Then, I will gain access to the top 100 tombs."
"For now, I'll grind merit points in the 101-200 range to gather some quick cash."
Determined, Zhao Xing began his grave-robbing spree, and the Stingfly became his unfortunate victims.
Second-Stage tombs were typically equipped with Guardian Spirits and Void Concealment Traps.
Since Year 609, Zhao Xing had focused on targeting Second-Stage tombs.
With the pressure mounting, his efficiency skyrocketed.
In the first decade, he raided Moonfall Mausoleum, Site 198, looting two Second-Stage tombs, slaying 757 Guardian Spirits, amassing 600 million in wealth, and earning 2,858 merit points.
In the second decade, still in Site 198, he raided three more tombs, slaying 925 Guardian Spirits, earning 900 million in wealth, and accumulating 4,213 merit points.
In the third decade, he moved to Site 173, where he looted three more tombs, slaying 1,245 Guardian Spirits, gaining 1.2 billion in wealth, and securing 5,314 merit points.
By the sixth decade, at Site 155, he slaughtered 3,905 Guardian Spirits, adding 2 billion to his wealth and increasing his merit points to 11,247.
Time passed, and as Zhao Xing stabilized his Second Stage foundation, he successfully advanced to mid-Second Stage.
His proficiency in Void Techniques grew, making his slaughtering efficiency soar, and his grave-robbing speed even faster.
After two hundred years, Zhao Xing finally returned to submit his mission.
Cangyu was astonished by Zhao Xing's efficiency.
"Two hundred years, and you've gathered this much wealth?"
"Hm? Why are there so many of these things?"
Cangyu watched as Zhao Xing continuously pulled Stingfly's poison sacs from his Qiankun Pouch, one after another, as if intending to fill the entire evaluation space.
One pouch emptied, and another followed...
Cangyu had no choice but to record and process them as they came, or else, if he waited for Zhao Xing to dump everything at once, even an entire Boundary Star wouldn't be enough to hold them all!
Once all the poison sacs had been counted and verified, Cangyu couldn't help but ask curiously, "Do you have a personal grudge against the Stingfly?"
He seriously suspected that Zhao Xing must have been bitten before.
"No."
Zhao Xing had no particular enmity toward the Stingfly, but to loot tombs, he had to clear out the Guardian Beasts in each region.
He typically avoided other Guardian Beasts, but he was most familiar with the Stingfly's burial methods and their defensive systems.
Because in his past life, players had initially relied on grave-robbing for wealth.
However, in his previous life, the Stingfly had already been reduced to 20,000 Yuanhai Coins per sac, even worse than now. At present, each still sold for 50,000 Yuanhai Coins.
"Just from the poison sacs alone, you made 2.1 billion."
Cangyu didn't even know what to say. That meant that over two hundred years, Zhao Xing had slain at least 40,000 Stingfly.
Most of them were First-Stage, but a few rare ones had reached Second-Stage.
For a Second-Stage cultivator, hunting them should have been troublesome. After all, they were burrowing creatures, and killing just one took considerable time.
But Zhao Xing's Tower Star Technique and Pillar of the Heavens Technique had both reached Void Technique level.
The Treasure Mountain Technique, which came with specialized Void Spells, was practically a Stingfly countermeasure.
The final tally showed that, over two hundred years, Zhao Xing had earned 16.2 billion, accumulated over 600,000 merit points, and had been promoted to First-Class Viscount.
Even Du Yun found it amusing.
After two centuries, he suddenly remembered Zhao Xing and checked his current status.
To his surprise, Zhao Xing had advanced from First-Class Baron to First-Class Viscount.
Although he couldn't see Zhao Xing's exact wealth, he could estimate it based on his merit points.
"Two hundred years, and he's already a First-Class Viscount. That means at least 15 billion in wealth… At this rate, does he plan to dig his way into becoming an Earl of an Ancient Kingdom?" Du Yun's expression turned strange.
It was the first time he had seen grave-robbing in the Moonfall Mausoleum lead to consistent, stable financial growth.
"He's killed over 40,000 Stingfly. That's… diligent." Du Yun shook his head.
At that moment, Zhao Xing had already restocked his supplies and set out again.
This time, he didn't return to the Southfall 101-200 Zone.
Instead, he headed for Southfall 88 Star Continent.
"Southfall 88 Star Continent has many Lesser Divine Ability cultivators, and Second-Stage beings roam freely. It's extremely dangerous for him."
Du Yun was about to warn him, but then he realized that Zhao Xing had already been there for five years.
"Forget it. He's on his own now." Du Yun shook his head and put the matter aside.
Southfall 88 Star Continent was a mountainous labyrinth, with peaks forming a natural maze.
Above the mountains, Void Currents surged like heavenly pillars.
Zhao Xing stood atop a mountain, glancing at his interface panel.
[You have entered Starwheel Labyrinth. Coordinates: Taiyin 8, Cang'er 32, Tianmen 15. Nanming Fire 7, Kui Water 4.]
Since Solar Stars were rare in the Phantom God Star System, the universal coordinates used Taiyin (Lunar Positions) as references.
The latter numbers indicated his specific location in Southfall 88, determined by Earth Vein's Five Elements.
"Even just from the coordinates, I can tell a lot. Taiyin 8 means an area deeply Yin-aligned."
"Nanming Fire is only 7, Kui Water is 4—same principle applies."
"This tomb isn't simple. Without an interface panel, even with my expertise in Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage Laws, I wouldn't be able to determine the exact location."
"Every time someone enters this zone, they appear in a random location." Zhao Xing analyzed.
This place, known as Starwheel Labyrinth, was public knowledge.
Most explorers visited it first when arriving at Southfall 88.
Many suspected there was a tomb hidden here, but every single expedition had returned empty-handed.
No one could find a pattern, let alone confirm an entrance.
"If I remember correctly, the Starwheel Labyrinth houses the tomb of a Third-Stage Self School Shennong."
"His tomb contains a Lesser Divine Ability from the Self School, called Essence Extraction Divine Ability."
"But his tomb is tough to enter. I don't know if my current strength can handle the Tomb Guardian Puppets."
Just as Zhao Xing was about to take action, he spotted a silver figure appear on a distant peak 10,000 miles away.
For Second-Stage cultivators, 10,000 miles was an extremely short distance.
Zhao Xing and the stranger immediately noticed each other.
The silver figure was obviously a Mechanist. His entire frame was bulky, with black and red cannon muzzles lined across his shoulders and waist.
Behind him, a floating array of Ghost God Weapons formed an arched bridge, capable of both attack and defense.
It was a classic Mechanist battle gear, just like the World-Law Arrows.
The silver figure glanced around Zhao Xing's surroundings and then grinned.
"Fellow Daoist, this mountain peak looks nice. Your Chaos Coefficient is only 58?"
Of course, it was low—this land had been personally adjusted by Zhao Xing.
"Scram," Zhao Xing replied with a single word.
The silver figure didn't leave. Instead, he cracked his neck and tossed a palm-sized coin into the air.
"This territory is mine now."
"If you can defeat me before this Star Fortune Coin lands, I'll leave."