Back during the Primordial Assembly, Zhao Xing had received quite a bit of help from the Lord of Northern River. Even his mastery of world laws had come from Scholars Qiao Song and Yang Zhuo.
Several territories currently under his command had also been granted by the Lord of Northern River.
A favor owed must be repaid—and besides, Great Zhou's roots lay in the Wuye Constellation of the Northern River Star System. That was practically their second homeland.
"Northern River Star System is my home, and the Northern River Army is my own army."
"Whatever the Lord commands—so long as it's within my power—I will do my utmost."
The Lord of Northern River immediately sent over a star chart Zhao Xing didn't recognize.
"Qiao Song and Yang Zhuo's Frontier Expansion Army is currently on a mission in the Langping Path and Wangliang Star Region of the Si Yue Barren Domain."
"The military command wants us to establish garrisons in the region. But that place is crawling with demon race forces—they're constantly under attack."
"I've already dispatched the rest of the Northern River Army to provide support. But after crossing the Thirteenth Pass of Shenchen, there are only two routes available."
"One is to fly directly through the forty-six constellations, including Shilong, Jiyi-Four, Yin-Xiao-Nine, Gong-Four, and so on."
"The other is to make use of the eight skybridge isles of the Haitong Ancient Path, using the Shift and Mirror Transfer formations for teleportation."
"But the Haitong Ancient Path isn't something just anyone can use. The Northern River Army has no access. So we're stuck with the first route." The Lord of Northern River sounded a little helpless.
Zhao Xing compared the star chart and immediately understood the issue.
The first route required direct boundary vessel travel. Since it passed through areas affected by the barren domain, it was difficult to construct long-distance teleportation arrays along the way. Even if some existed, they weren't for the Northern River Army's use.
Zhao Xing looked through the list of departments managing the route—Transport Division, Formation Division, Dao Soldier Division, and so on. Most were from the Empire's Southern Frontier, and each department operated independently.
If the Lord of Northern River wanted to use this as a logistics line, there wasn't much issue—except it was too slow.
It was a public route, and like all public-use infrastructure, efficiency couldn't be expected.
Whether moving troops or supplies, the time required was significant. If something happened en route, they wouldn't reach Qiao Song and Yang Zhuo at Langping Path any sooner than fifteen years later.
In contrast, if they could use the Haitong Ancient Path and transfer through its large formations, the whole journey would take only three months—a true high-level VIP route!
The Haitong Ancient Path was mainly controlled by the Taigu Hill faction. The person in charge was Emperor Hongshan, with supporting agents like the Haitong Envoys dispatched from the Primordial Realm.
It was not open to anyone outside the authorized personnel list.
And the Northern River Army wasn't considered a formal "imperial force" under the central government. In this exploratory campaign, they were more akin to a "private force."
Without connections, the Lord of Northern River would never get permission to use the path!
Even if he were leading the army himself, there'd be a slim chance. But currently, he was operating alone in a Reincarnation Realm-only area known as [Blue Butterfly Path].
That's why he had come to Zhao Xing for help.
"I'll get to it right away. Please wait a moment, my lord."
Seeing Zhao Xing agree so readily, the Lord of Northern River smiled. "Zhao Xing, thank you. I'll await your good news."
Zhao Xing had agreed so quickly because he was a First-Class Haitong Envoy and had some flexibility in how he could operate.
He also had some sway with Emperor Hongshan.
"If they don't allow non-listed personnel or forces to use the route—then just add the Northern River Army to the list. Make it seem like they're helping with official duties. Then everything will be legitimate."
"And while I'm at it, I'll slip in Great Zhou's exploration team as well. Might as well get some perks out of it," Zhao Xing thought.
He first notified the people of Great Zhou, asking Ji Che to assemble personnel and temporarily attach them under the Northern River Army's name. On paper, they'd be under that army's banner—but not subject to its control.
Next, he would have the Northern River Army added to the Haitong Ancient Path's auxiliary defense force registry.
That way, not only would it solve the Lord of Northern River's issue, but it would also benefit Great Zhou.
The only hiccup: Zhao Xing hadn't yet officially arrived on-site, so his role as Haitong Envoy hadn't taken effect in that area.
"This doesn't even require troubling Emperor Hongshan. I can just speak to Yuan Qiusheng," Zhao Xing mused.
The Haitong Ancient Path had many Haitong Envoys dispatched from the Primordial Realm—each at different ranks. Yuan Qiusheng was also a First-Class Haitong Envoy and a support-type Shennong from the Self School. His authority in the barren domain exploration was high.
His teacher, the "Emperor Bisu," was actually the lead of the [Radiant Spirit] Plan along the Haitong Ancient Path. His responsibility was to establish seed cultivation bases along the route to stabilize its spiritual environment. He and Emperor Hongshan were the two main overseers of the path.
One led the way with excavation, the other followed behind to plant and stabilize.
Originally, there should have been a third responsible party—a combat-focused powerhouse to manage military logistics. But since Emperor Hongshan himself was powerful enough, and Taigu Hill disliked involving too many factions in infrastructure work, he had simply taken on that role as well.
After a flurry of static, the image on the Star Mirror cleared to show Yuan Qiusheng working in a multicolored field of crops.
"Qiusheng, busy as ever."
"Just some busywork," Yuan Qiusheng replied with a big, honest grin. "Chen'an, how about you? I heard you've set out—shouldn't you still be en route?"
"Just passed the Triangle Constellation of the Manya Star System. Still another three years before I arrive," Zhao Xing said directly. "Qiusheng, I need your help with something."
Yuan Qiusheng agreed without hesitation after listening. "It's nothing, just put them under my name first. Actually, I could use the manpower."
"You're short on people?" Zhao Xing was surprised. "Didn't Emperor Bisu assign anyone to you?"
"Not enough." Yuan Qiusheng pointed to the fields behind him. "Look."
Zhao Xing glanced at the dense vegetation behind him and couldn't help but ask, "There are so many seedlings—I don't recognize most of them. Are they all derivative species?"
"Nope, they're original species!" Yuan Qiusheng said excitedly. "Unbelievable, right? I've only been here for seven years, and I've already discovered three hundred twenty thousand unknown original species. The Frontier Expansion Armies send new ones over daily—I can't keep up."
"Check this pale-blue thorn-type plant out. It actually causes arousal in the demon race, but has no effect on humans. Its potency is ten times that of standard aphrodisiac pills!"
"And this sapling, it already starts splitting during the seedling phase—don't you think that's perfect material for straw puppet techniques?"
"And look at this one—"
Once Yuan Qiusheng got started talking about new plants, he couldn't stop. It was like he could talk for years without tiring.
Zhao Xing and Yuan Qiusheng chatted through the Star Mirror for several hours. In the end, Yuan Qiusheng had to leave for a new assignment and reluctantly said, "Brother Zhao, hurry over. I've saved a bunch of original species for you—you'll definitely be interested!"
"Alright, I'll get there as soon as I can."
After closing the Star Mirror, Zhao Xing immediately sent the good news to the Lord of Northern River—Yang Lin.
On the other end, upon receiving the message, the Lord of Northern River couldn't help but sigh, "The Primordial Realm's top genius really does carry weight. I couldn't even get through, but he handled it with a single word."
Closing the Star Mirror, the Lord of Northern River stared into the twisted passage of spacetime in the distance and silently made a decision. "I've got to give it everything I've got too. My true spirit's potential is exhausted. If I don't push through this lifetime, I won't survive the next tribulation."
Those in the Reincarnation Realm would eventually face a Tribulation Era. The longer they delayed their ascension, the more terrifying the tribulation became.
The Tribulation Era was a common hurdle all Reincarnation cultivators had to face—and the Lord of Northern River was someone without the confidence to make it through.
After that, Zhao Xing focused on studying the secret Reincarnation technique left behind by Qing Yuzi aboard the boundary vessel.
As a soul technique from the Reincarnation Divine Palace, the Reincarnation Grand Divine Ability ranked first among the "Three Thousand Divine Abilities."
According to Qing Yuzi, there was even more to the technique. Once Zhao Xing mastered the Reincarnation Grand Divine Ability, he could seek him out again.
"I don't know what Old Qing's thinking, handing the Reincarnation Grand Divine Ability to me without permission." After a routine study session, Zhao Xing couldn't help but wonder about Qing Yuzi's motive. "There are multiple factions in the Reincarnation Divine Palace, and it seems there's a split at the top. Are they each building up forces, getting ready for a power struggle?"
Zhao Xing could only assume that Old Qing saw promise in him during the last divine assembly and wanted to continue grooming him as a pawn.
"Well, no matter what, it's not a bad thing. Better to get familiar with the Divine Realm than to be left in the dark."
"If something unexpected happens and I die, at least Old Qing might help pull me out for a few rounds."
With that in mind, Zhao Xing increased his focus on cultivating the Reincarnation Grand Divine Ability, followed by studies in the Demon God Earth Palace, Five Finger Mountain, and his Hunyuan Realm cultivation.
The boundary vessel quickly traversed through imperial territory, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
[You have entered the Northern Cang System. Coordinates: Taiyang-14, Taiyin-14, Tianmen-15.]
As the panel displayed the new coordinates, Zhao Xing awakened from his cultivation.
At the same time, the artifact spirit aboard the Mountain Cat vessel spoke up, "Master, we're nearing the Fourteenth Pass of Shenchen."
"Alright." Zhao Xing stepped up to the porthole.
Ahead in the starry sky stretched a silver river of boundary stars and ring-shaped sky isles, aligned in precise order.
Each boundary star and star isle was both habitable and a foundation for formations.
An endless silver river formed a starry wall, a galactic Great Wall that extended beyond sight.
"So beautiful," Zhao Xing remarked.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Very beautiful," Thousand Illusions Tree echoed.
"Then tell me, Thousand Illusions Tree—what exactly makes the Jiachen Pass beautiful?"
"Uh—this…" Thousand Illusions Tree couldn't answer for a moment. "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."
Zhao Xing didn't make it difficult for him. He explained, "In the heavenly stems and earthly branches, Jia belongs to yang wood, and Chen to yang earth. The Jiachen Fortress forms a structure where wood suppresses earth—a cover formation. It's designed to counter the invasion of barren domain corruption."
"According to the Earthly Advantage School, every boundary star, star isle, even the Taiyang and Taiyin stars, all split from the original piece of Extreme Land at the beginning of the universe."
"That's why Earthly Advantage methods can apply across the endless cosmic expanse."
"The barren domain's expansion is essentially the decline of the cosmic earth veins. The design of Shenchen Pass aligns perfectly with Earthly Advantage School theories."
"As for the various sky fortresses, they're based on the Self School classic Material Theory. The ring-shaped sky isles and countless void flora integrate the star fortress into the void seamlessly."
"In Jiachen Pass, even the void rivers are completely severed—there's no way to sneak across."
"With such a vast and magnificent man-made fortress, of course it's breathtakingly beautiful."
Thousand Illusions Tree chimed in flatteringly, "Your Majesty has keen insight. Just a few words from you and I feel completely enlightened."
"Get outta here. Where'd you learn to flatter like that?"
"Your Majesty, you wrong me! Every word is sincere!"
Zhao Xing finally understood why emperors favored close ministers and were easily swayed by flattery.
Even knowing Thousand Illusions Tree was buttering him up, it still felt good to hear.
Jiachen Fourteenth Pass — Crystal Island.
Crystal Island was a striking sight within Jiachen Pass. It was built from a mined crystal vein sourced from an original realm.
The island was vast, comparable in size to even the top-tier boundary stars. On it stood rows of undulating crystal palaces, each one infused with different sources of Dao origin.
The most eye-catching was the towering central amethyst palace, stretching over ten thousand kilometers high.
Crystal Island was the official headquarters of the Primordial Realm stationed at Jiachen Fourteenth Pass in the Northern Cang System.
"—What? A newly appointed Haitong Envoy from the Primordial Realm is taking post, and the higher-ups instructed that the three of us must personally receive him?"
"Damn, who is this Zhao Xing to deserve such treatment?"
Inside a towering silver hall, a huge round table stood at the center. Around it were three imposing thrones, each occupied.
The speaker was a man with demonic horns, staring at Zhao Xing's profile.
"Others didn't get this treatment because they didn't deserve it," said the golden-haired woman with cat ears, putting down her crimson wine glass.
"He beat Du Yun, who was already in the Life-Death Dao Domain. He's also the disciple of that strongest demigod, Gu Luohe. On top of that, he was taught by two emperors, and one of those techniques is a legendary supreme art—"
"Well damn, no wonder we have to greet him in person. So this guy's the current generation's Primordial Saint Child? A first-tier Haitong Envoy too... yeah, that kind of figure deserves a personal welcome," said a silver-haired Reincarnation Realm lord who was flipping through Zhao Xing's info on the Star Mirror.
He exaggerated, "Look at the titles he's been granted. Took me a few pages to read through them. He's got more titles than I have hair on my body!"
"Lord Peng Ao, let's cut the crap and focus on how to receive him," said another lord named Niu Hong. "Don't forget, Zhao Xing is also serving as the inspector for the Three-Pass Treasury."
"You're right," said the cat-eared woman, now more serious. "This kid's young, proud, and a peerless genius. If he decides to look into something and finds an issue, we're all screwed."
Mistakes always pile up in administration. Over the course of thousands of years, all kinds of small problems accumulated. They wouldn't matter if ignored, but the moment someone with power decided to dig in...
"We need to go all out on this reception. Zhao Xing already passed Xingyue Port. He'll be here in just a few days."
"Understood!"
The three Reincarnation Realm lords quickly began preparations.
"Hm? Why are there so few ships and people on this route?" Zhao Xing noticed the change as he piloted the boundary vessel into Jiachen Fourteenth Pass.
A quick scan from the Mountain Cat's detection system confirmed it—the entire passage he was on was cleared of other boundary vessels.
"Master, three days ago, Lords Peng Ao, Niu Hong, and Yin Er of Jiachen Fourteenth Pass issued a restricted directive to clear all other traffic on your route," the artifact spirit reported.
"They cleared the way for me?" Zhao Xing looked puzzled.
"Yes. They sent the message through the Boundless Formation Network, inviting you to a banquet hosted by the three lords at Crystal Island, to welcome and honor you."
"Then let's speed up and get there already," Zhao Xing said with a helpless shake of his head. "If we don't, people will start cursing me behind my back."
Who knew how many clans were rushing urgent business through Jiachen Pass? Blocking an entire lane just for him surely caused more than a few complaints.
"Understood. Accelerating now."
The three lords even prepared a private manor for Zhao Xing on Crystal Island. They remembered that during his time in Coral City, Zhao Xing preferred living in estate-style buildings.
They also summoned all the notable officials and nobles of Jiachen Fourteenth Pass to inflate the reception's prestige.
The banquet itself was lavish beyond comparison. Being close to the frontier meant they had easy access to captured demon race girls.
Even the maids serving Zhao Xing's dishes were curvy and stunning demon beauties.
The ones attending to him personally were even more outstanding. Zhao Xing used the panel to check them—they were all dancers or musicians, and all had reached the Dao Domain Realm.
Gorgeous and talented.
"Three lords, with such a warm reception, you're making it hard for me to ever want to leave," Zhao Xing said, enjoying the company on both sides and the music playing in the center hall.
"Hahaha, Envoy, after all that cultivation, you deserve a bit of relaxation," Lord Peng Ao laughed.
"Indeed. We've long heard of your name, Zhao Xing—even Du Yun couldn't stand against you. How could we not show proper hospitality?" Lord Yin Er added with a smile.
"Now that I've met you, it's clear you're truly extraordinary," said Lord Niu Hong, raising his glass. "Zhao Xing, if you ever need anything at Jiachen Pass, just say the word!"
"No problem at all." Zhao Xing clinked cups with the three Reincarnation Realm lords, toasting back and forth. He clearly understood their meaning.
As long as he didn't do anything reckless—like suddenly initiating an official inspection—everyone would get along just fine.
He had no conflicting interests with the three lords in the first place, so naturally, he wouldn't randomly stir up trouble.
The Primordial Realm hadn't assigned him any mission here. Since they were showing hospitality, there was no need for him to act like a watchdog sticking his nose where it didn't belong.
Seeing that Zhao Xing was easygoing, the atmosphere relaxed even more.
"Come, let me introduce you—this is Marquis of Destiny, a very well-known figure at Jiachen Fourteenth Pass. Many people look for him before heading out of the pass, hoping to get their fortune read."
A tall, thin man covered in silver runes stood and raised his glass. His hair was coiled up, looking like tangled threads of fate.
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. He immediately raised his cup in respect. "I've long heard of Mister Yuan's name. It should be me toasting you—pardon my impudence."
Marquis of Destiny, Yuan Xin, was a bit surprised. "Oh? The Saint Child knows of me?"
"Of course. Sir used just three brocade sachets to help a friend avoid an entire lifetime's calamity. With a reputation like that, how could I not have heard?"
Yuan Xin was genuinely caught off guard. Zhao Xing cultivated in the Primordial Realm and was only six thousand years old—yet he knew about him?
His own feat—resolving someone's lifetime tribulation using just three sachets and stepping into the Reincarnation Realm—was something from before even the Arid Era.
Hidden in his sleeves, Yuan Xin's fingers moved slightly as he instinctively tried to divine something, but got nothing.
So, he simply assumed Zhao Xing was just a well-informed admirer.
"I've always been interested in the Way of Divination. I hope sir won't hesitate to instruct me in the future."
"I wouldn't dare. If the Saint Child is curious about the path of destiny, feel free to visit me at Haihu Manor anytime," Yuan Xin replied before sitting back down after finishing his wine.
"Here, Zhao Xing, let me introduce another—this is the demon historian, Marquis Li Qing."
"So it's Marquis Li Qing. I've heard your name for a long time! I heard you're quite versed in the history of the demon clans from the Mesozoic period, and can even summon ancient great demons! To reach such mastery... it's truly admirable!"
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Saint Child."
"And this is—"
"A pleasure to meet you."
The three lords continued introducing people one by one. Zhao Xing quickly realized—this trip wasn't a waste.
Many of the guests at this banquet were figures whose names he remembered even from his past life.
And once again, Old Master Zhao's old habit kicked in. In this kind of setting, it was easy to rack up goodwill points, so he made sure to be enthusiastic and cordial.
Of course, for those whose names he couldn't recall, he simply responded politely and moved on.
By the midpoint of the banquet, the conversations had started to deepen.
Since Zhao Xing was the Haitong Envoy, it didn't take long for the discussion to shift to the Haitong Ancient Path.
"The overlapped realm mountains on Haitong Ancient Path... tough to excavate. I heard quite a few people died again last year, and even strange phenomena started spreading. Folks stationed at the Tianma outpost outside the pass even witnessed it firsthand."
Zhao Xing turned toward the speaker—it was none other than the fate master, Yuan Xin.
"Where did sir hear such news? How come I haven't heard anything?"
"Of course the authorities wouldn't report anything ominous," Yuan Xin said. "They don't want to cause panic. I happened to be at the Tianma outpost and saw a few things myself... but I'd better stop there, lest I speak out of turn."
"Marquis of Destiny, it's just the few of us here. What's there to keep secret?" said Lord Peng Ao, displeased. "You brought it up but won't explain—it's just teasing us. Zhao here is the Haitong Envoy, no less. At least finish what you started."
They had moved to a private salon, and the number of people present was small. Seeing the curious look on Zhao Xing's face, Yuan Xin relented and continued more openly.
"Alright, then let me ramble a bit. Saint Child, just take it as a bit of amusement. Once we leave this room, I never said a thing."
"Please, speak freely." Zhao Xing raised his wine cup slightly and nodded.
"Around one hundred seventy-eight years ago, I started hearing rumors that the Overlapped Realm Mountains along Haitong Ancient Path were often turning up corpses, and strange weapons too—then slaughter would erupt out of nowhere," Yuan Xin said quietly.
"Some said, in the midst of excavation, strange gases would suddenly leak out, killing people en masse. Even Reincarnation Realm physicians couldn't save them in time."
"The most recent incident was three years ago. A sudden blood rain fell, mixed with fragments of some unknown lifeforms. After that, even the people of Primordial Hill halted all work. They couldn't even plant boundary-setting weapons—each time they drove one in, it either snapped or vanished entirely."
Zhao Xing's expression darkened.
Boundary-setting weapons used by the Earthly Bureaucrat Shennong were like foundational stakes driven into the land. The placement, depth—all had to be precise.
Mess it up, and not only would the spiritual veins collapse, but it could trigger landslides or shatter the surrounding void.
If the stakes couldn't even be planted, then it was definitely cause for halting operations.
"Some claim the Suyue Arid Domain buries great figures from the ancient era. That the Haitong Ancient Path is a tomb ground. Now that the empire wants to open up the Arid Domain, it's disturbing those who lie sleeping," Yuan Xin said in a hushed voice.
Everyone in the room listened intently—you could hear a pin drop.
"...Ahem. I'm drunk now. Really can't say more." Suddenly, Yuan Xin cut off his own words, laid down, and pretended to sleep, no matter what anyone said, refusing to wake up.
Zhao Xing fell silent, deep in thought.
So Overlapped Realm Mountains were really that cursed?
Could it be that Primordial Hill's excavation had already reached... that place?