"The most critical moment has arrived." Zhao Xing looked up at Emperor Chenjiu.
The selection of geniuses was complete. Now, according to different batches, they would meet powerful figures of the Primordial Realm for the apprenticeship stage.
"I won a match in the finals, so at the very least, I should be able to get a Reincarnation Realm teacher."
Only 160 contestants remained in the finals. Winning a match meant joining the top 80, making Zhao Xing one of the top 80 prodigies of the Primordial Assembly. The Primordial Realm rarely dispatched Self School Combat Military Shennongs to the competition, and there weren't many Emperors available to take in disciples. As a result, the number of disciples personally taught by Emperors was very limited.
According to past traditions, only 160 contestants would be accepted as disciples. The remaining 1,840 participants would have little chance of being chosen by a Reincarnation Emperor as a student.
"Whoosh—"
As soon as Emperor Chenjiu finished speaking, over 10,000 people emerged from Zhao Xing's temporary residence.
Due to different cultivation divisions—Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, and Self School—the Primordial Realm had selected a total of 18,572 Military Shennongs.
The Self School Combat Division alone had 2,000 representatives, while the rest belonged to different branches.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"
A total of 18,572 individuals assembled into various formations according to their division and ranking.
Zhao Xing's formation had the fewest people—only 160 contestants.
"He actually made it to the finals."
"When I first met him in the second round at the Manya Small World, he wasn't even at the Grand Divine Ability Realm. In just 200 years, he's reached the finals?"
Xiao Xuan, a mixed-blood turtle race cultivator, looked at Zhao Xing standing among the 160 with a strange sense of bitterness in his heart.
"That bastard." Xilin also spotted Zhao Xing, instinctively clenching her teeth. She still remembered when Zhao Xing's Void Mushrooms had blown her face apart. Though she had no memory of what happened afterward, just recalling it made her grind her teeth in hatred.
"Beast—"
"Hmph, scum!"
The muttered curses came from contestants whom Zhao Xing had eliminated.
These individuals had all been tormented by Zhao Xing's Void Mushrooms, suffering in the Void Star Arena at his hands.
"His reputation is no less than the top ten."
The Five Venom Emperor stood beside Zuo Qiyu, gazing at the gathering of elite Military Shennongs beneath the Thousand Star Vine.
"You call that a reputation?" Zuo Qiyu glanced at the Five Venom Emperor. "Well, I suppose. You were just as bad back in the day."
"The old bastard taking in a little bastard. Perfect match."
"And you think you're any better, Zuo Envoy?" The Five Venom Emperor sneered at Zuo Qiyu, his tone mocking. "In the Battle of the Three Bays River Region, I wasn't nearly as ruthless as you."
Zuo Qiyu replied indifferently, "It was all the straw puppets' doing. What does it have to do with me?"
Hearing this, the Five Venom Emperor sighed, "Your skin is even thicker than tree bark, Zuo Envoy."
As they conversed, the Military Shennong geniuses below began their transmission through the Thousand Star Vine.
"Even though the Thousand Star Vine is capable of spatial traversal, it can only cover 30% of the Primordial Realm's total area."
"However, most of the human activity within the Primordial Realm is concentrated in that 30%."
While leading the geniuses through the transport process, Emperor Chenjiu provided a brief introduction.
"Starting today, your Star Mirror will be bound to you personally, and its security level will be increased."
"You must be cautious. Any area that does not appear on your Star Mirror map is either a forbidden zone of the Primordial Realm or an imperial strategic treasure site."
"If you trespass into such areas, you could be injured—or even lose your life. Even if you survive, you will face severe punishment, including disqualification from further training and expulsion from the Primordial Realm. Remember this well."
"Understood." The group responded in unison, acknowledging the warning.
The Primordial Realm was both a sacred training ground for the empire's Military Shennongs and a hub for critical spell research and divine weapon forging.
For instance, the Three Thousand Dao Seeds region had strict access restrictions. Previously, Zhao Xing and the others had only been allowed into a few select locations.
Even now, they could access less than 10% of the total area.
Many of these restricted zones contained classified information, and those below the Reincarnation Realm had no right to know—let alone enter.
Zhao Xing was aware of several such locations. For example, in the eastern region of the Primordial Realm, there was a secret star system conducting life-mechanical research.
This project was reportedly overseen by the Red Star Emperor, a Godhood Realm master in mechanical cultivation.
Zhao Xing only knew about it because, in a future update—Star River Domain—the barrier between the Xuanling Star Domain and the Barren Domain would be breached, releasing some experimental subjects.
These creations, fusions of plant life and mechanized Dao soldiers, were known as Red Star Celestial Soldiers.
They possessed computational capabilities for Divine Weapon deduction, an instinct for combat strategy, and mastery over nearly all professional secret arts.
Each of them was a terrifying war machine, capable of analyzing enemy weaknesses in real-time.
Meanwhile, in the western region of the Primordial Realm, Shennongs from Ancient Hill had arrived to collaborate on establishing a Star River Ancient Road through the Barren Domain.
In the southern star system clusters, vast amounts of strategic resources were being cultivated, most of which were designed to supply warriors at the Life-and-Death Dao Domain Realm and above.
"The empire is actively preparing to explore the Barren Domain's outer regions. Right now, national resources are being concentrated toward this goal."
"I will train in the Primordial Realm for 2,486 years, while the next update's timeline is approximately 3,000 years from now."
"The desolation process of the Xuanling Star Domain will accelerate. Among these reincarnated Reincarnation Realm cultivators, barely 10% will be able to recover their past strength."
Zhao Xing gently rubbed his fingertips together, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding "geniuses."
There were many reincarnators, but as the Xuanling Star Domain's decline worsened, even reaching the Reincarnation Realm—let alone the Godhood Realm—would become increasingly difficult.
This wasn't an issue of talent, but of environment.
As the Barren Domain expanded, the Dao weakened, and Spirit Qi levels dropped, signs of extinction would appear in the Xuanling Star Domain.
"We must cherish our time in the Primordial Realm. At the very least, we must reach the Life-and-Death Dao Domain Realm to seize the opportunities in the Barren Domain's development."
"If I were to follow the trajectory of my past life, I would likely still fail to ascend to Godhood. But in this life, I have entered the Primordial Realm much earlier."
Many thoughts flashed through Zhao Xing's mind before he quickly reined them in.
One month later.
Emperor Chenjiu led the group, stopping and advancing along the way, as their numbers dwindled further.
By the time they reached their final destination, only 160 remained by Emperor Chenjiu's side.
This time, instead of using the Thousand Star Vine Transmission Passage, he summoned a small vessel for flight.
Before long, an astonishing sight unfolded before them.
Beneath the vast starry sky, a Nine-Leaf Ancient Tree floated in the void.
At its highest point, two leaves stretched out, with most of them submerged in the void, leaving only a small portion visible.
The leaves were vast beyond measure, their veins resembling ancient runes, woven together in an intricate pattern, emitting a soft and mysterious glow.
It was as if they whispered the secrets of the universe's birth.
One of the green leaves carried a Sun Star, burning like an immense furnace, radiating endless light and heat.
Blinding golden light surged outward like crashing waves, each ray containing enough energy to ignite an entire star system.
On the other leaf, a Moon Star rested, exuding a cold, silvery glow—a stark contrast to the scorching Sun Star.
Its light was serene and deep, like the reflection of the soul upon a still lake.
Craters and vast plains on its surface flickered beneath the moonlight, shrouded in mystery and solemnity.
One scorching hot, the other chillingly cold—one bright, one dark—both celestial bodies were held aloft by the two enormous green leaves of the tree.
They remained completely still as if embodying a profound balance of Dao.
Only the intertwining of their light formed a dreamlike luminescent veil, warping the surrounding space into strange, illusory shapes.
Aside from the two upper leaves, the seven lower leaves were surrounded by many smaller stars.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that cities and structures had been built on those stars.
Even the tiniest areas, no more than a speck of dust, were curled up green leaves, forming spatial gateways leading to unknown destinations.
"This is the Primordial Divine Tree, the very heart of the Primordial Realm." Zhao Xing, seeing it once more, still found himself in awe.
The other geniuses—Tuosen, Pu Guangrui, Han Qianye, Fairy Youling, and others—were all visibly shocked.
It didn't matter whether one was reincarnated or not.
Upon witnessing the Primordial Divine Tree for the first time, no one could suppress their heartfelt amazement.
"A divine tree… I always thought it was just a myth. I never expected it to actually exist in the Primordial Realm." Pu Tianrui, ranked second in the tournament, murmured in disbelief.
"The vast universe, the boundless Dao… To think that a plant could reach such heights." Fairy Youling, standing near Zhao Xing, marveled. "Humans are truly insignificant."
"To witness this in my lifetime—there are no regrets even in death." Han Qianye's face burned with fervor.
"So the sprawling Thousand Star Vine actually grows upon the Primordial Divine Tree as its main vine."
"Stars orbiting the tree, powerful beings living upon them… A perfect harmony between humanity, nature, and the universal Dao. What an awe-inspiring design."
"Incredible—"
The Primordial Divine Tree's existence left all the gathered geniuses in a state of stunned reverence, making them feel minuscule in comparison.
Emperor Chenjiu smiled faintly. He had deliberately chosen not to directly teleport them inside but instead approached the tree from the outside—just for this effect.
"This is merely the tip of the iceberg of the Primordial Realm. Sit tight—there will be plenty of time to admire it later."
With that brief reminder, Emperor Chenjiu guided the vessel through the endless void, descending onto the lowest leaf of the Primordial Divine Tree.
The leaf was an entire supercontinent, filled with numerous cities and structures, each with a distinct architectural style.
After landing, the initial overwhelming visual impact lessened, but curiosity still ran rampant among the crowd.
"Everyone," Emperor Chenjiu announced as he arrived in front of a blue, white, black, and green-colored city, "this is Seaweed City. You may enter freely."
"Seaweed City is named after a particular school of thought. Most of the powerful figures in the Primordial Realm believe that life originated from the primordial ocean."
"Additionally, seaweed plants are among the earliest known forms of plant-based life, and this city was built using an ancient seaweed species."
"Within Seaweed City, there are seventy-two powerful cultivators offering lectures on the Dao. You may listen, seek out a teacher, or—if you're lucky—be chosen by one of them directly."
"Regardless—each of you will have the chance to become a Reincarnation Emperor's disciple!"
After speaking, Emperor Chenjiu stowed away the flying vessel and allowed the 160 geniuses to enter.
"Many thanks to Emperor Chenjiu for leading the way." Zhao Xing was the first to clasp his hands in gratitude, instinctively making a favorable impression.
The other geniuses quickly followed suit. "Thank you, Emperor Chenjiu."
Emperor Chenjiu glanced at Zhao Xing, smiling faintly.
After returning their salute, he vanished from Seaweed City's entrance.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"
The 160 geniuses swiftly soared into the city, each searching for a teacher compatible with their path.
Before long, only five remained at the city gates.
Zhao Xing glanced around and saw that the ones who stayed behind included Tuosen, Fairy Youling, and Pu Guangrui.
Strangely, the more eager ones were those ranked lower, while those ranked higher appeared far more composed.
"Fairy Youling, my thanks." Now that it was private time, Zhao Xing took the opportunity to express his gratitude for her earlier guidance.
"Oh? Didn't you already thank me before? Why mention it again?" Fairy Youling had been examining the Seaweed City walls, but upon hearing Zhao Xing's words, she turned her head slightly.
"Our match helped me successfully grasp World Law Divine Ability," Zhao Xing explained. "But time was short, and I hadn't prepared a Dao Inscription Tablet."
"It's fine," Fairy Youling replied nonchalantly. "Good things are worth waiting for. You can deliver it whenever you're ready."
Seeing that she was intently studying the seaweed-etched walls, Zhao Xing didn't disturb her further.
As for the others, he had little prior interaction with them, so he simply strode into Seaweed City without further delay.
As soon as Zhao Xing stepped into the city, he hadn't even had a chance to look around before a dark green Dao Platform floated down from above.
A middle-aged man, clad in black and gold Daoist robes, sat cross-legged atop the platform, his expression profound as he chanted:
"The mind is the field, the Dao the crop; Spirit roots delve deep, unyielding to rot. At dawn, Five Qi nourish the sprout; By dusk, True Essence revives the leaves."
Zhao Xing glanced up and noticed large golden characters inscribed on the platform—Five Elements Emperor.
He knew that Five Venom Emperor was merely a nickname, while Five Elements Emperor was the title this man had chosen for himself.
Naturally, using the Five Elements Emperor name was more advantageous for recruiting disciples.
Zhao Xing gave a slight nod, clasped his hands in courtesy, and continued forward.
The poem was indeed a fine one, but he was well aware of Five Venom Emperor's reputation.
This man frequently invited his disciples to participate in "experiments," claiming to be conducting research—when in reality, his disciples often ended up poisoned, neither dead nor alive.
Their cultivation undoubtedly advanced significantly, but the process was pure torment.
Spending every day surrounded by toxic plants—who could endure such a thing?
For Zhao Xing, Five Venom Emperor was neither a primary nor a secondary choice—he never intended to become his disciple.
"Huh? He just walked away?" Five Venom Emperor was momentarily stunned. "Was my Daoist sermon not imposing enough?"
Still pondering this, he shifted his platform and vanished on the spot.
Half an hour later, as Zhao Xing flew through a narrow street, Five Venom Emperor reappeared at a corner, once again intercepting him.
"The Sun blazes, igniting true intent; The Moon frosts, reflecting the nature within."
"Six Qi nurtured within the body; The boundless Dao holds infinite wonders—Wait, he's leaving again?!"
This time, Five Venom Emperor unleashed a grand display of Dao resonance and celestial phenomena, drawing the attention of seven or eight other geniuses who eagerly approached to seek discipleship.
Yet Zhao Xing didn't even glance his way before walking off.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
A peal of unrestrained laughter rang out.
Sitting atop a rooftop, Zuo Qiyu drank beneath the moonlight, his amusement growing as he watched Five Venom Emperor repeatedly suffer rejections.
"Your ancestor's spirit! If you think it's so easy, why don't you try?!" Five Venom Emperor snapped in frustration.
Zuo Qiyu swung his legs lazily over the eaves, smirking. "Five Venom, don't provoke me. If I actually take him in, won't you hate me for it?"
"I suggest you just stop him outright and beg him. Say, 'I'm just a poor old poison master with a bad reputation, no skills, and no disciples—please, I beg you, be my apprentice!' Hahahaha!"
Before Five Venom Emperor could retaliate, Zuo Qiyu's form blurred, effortlessly dodging the incoming attack—but his wine bottle shattered into pieces.
Zuo Qiyu glanced at the broken fragments. Without hesitation, he jumped down in front of Zhao Xing.
"I am Zuo Qiyu, one of the Twelve Primordial Envoys, proficient in Straw Puppet Arts. I have never taken a disciple before. Are you willing to become my student?"
Zhao Xing was shocked.
"Zuo Qiyu?"
"The same Zuo Qiyu who can use the Primordial Clone Technique? He's personally seeking me out as a disciple?!"
Zuo Qiyu was Zhao Xing's top choice!
What more was there to say?
Zhao Xing immediately prepared to bow in apprenticeship.
Yet just as he bent forward, his entire body stiffened, unable to move.
"What's happening? Am I poisoned?"
Zhao Xing's hand had turned a dark reddish-brown, resembling a liver's hue.
Beside him, another figure materialized—Five Venom Emperor, for the third time.
"You're not allowed to accept him!" Five Venom Emperor scowled at Zuo Qiyu.
"This man is not without former disciples! His apprentice betrayed him! A master whose own student abandoned him—what does that say about his worth?!"
Zhao Xing was utterly confused, but he could sense that Five Venom Emperor had struck a nerve.
A terrifying wave of flames erupted around Zuo Qiyu, his energy distorting the surrounding space, surging toward Five Venom Emperor.
"Are you serious?! They're actually going to fight?!"
Zhao Xing was stunned.
He knew that members of the Self School had eccentric personalities, but this was the Primordial Realm—two Emperor-level figures were about to brawl over an apprentice?!
"City gates catch fire, and the fish in the moat suffer."
Zhao Xing now feared that he might end up collateral damage.
Unfortunately, with two Emperors clashing, there was nothing he could do.
Just as disaster loomed—
All terrifying energy fluctuations vanished instantly.
Zuo Qiyu's flames extinguished, while the six towering purple poison auras surrounding Five Venom Emperor receded.
Between them, a man in white Daoist robes appeared.
His robes bore the embroidery of a golden sprout, glowing faintly with mystical inscriptions, as though freezing time itself.
Zhao Xing turned his gaze and noticed that Tuosen, Fairy Youling, and Pu Guangrui—who had just entered the city—were moving at a crawl, their actions unnaturally slow, like turtles inching forward.
A Demi-God had arrived.
Gu Luohou.
The one who divided life into separate domains at the microscopic level.
"Five Venom, Zuo Qiyu, you've gone too far." Gu Luohou spoke calmly.
His voice was mild, but both Five Venom Emperor and Zuo Qiyu lowered their heads in acknowledgment.
"Take some time to cool off."
With a casual flick of his sleeve, both Emperors sank into the ground, disappearing into the city's depths.
The surrounding space returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.
Tuosen, Fairy Youling, and Pu Guangrui walked past, seemingly unaware of Zhao Xing and Gu Luohou standing in the middle of the street.
Zhao Xing's body returned to normal—as if time had reversed, his symptoms of poisoning were completely gone.
But Gu Luohou remained before him, proving that what had just transpired wasn't an illusion.
"A true Demi-God…" Zhao Xing felt a surge of admiration.
Zuo Qiyu and Five Venom Emperor's immediate submission was further proof—Gu Luohou was indisputably powerful.
"Zhao Xing." Gu Luohou turned to face him.
"Your time in the Primordial Realm will be under my guidance. Are you willing?"