"Zhao Clan's Eight Earth Epoch Transformations: First, Qi Meridian; second, Void Passage; third, Amber Boiling; fourth, Water Conversion; fifth, Ascension Drive; sixth, Earth Recognition; seventh, Displacement; eighth, Wall Opening."
"Qi Meridian focuses on harmonizing creation—this is the most fundamental method for conquering the Boundary Mountains. It controls the meridians through fortune, enabling cultivators of the Extreme Land to adapt to the mountain's influence. It supplements the existing cultivation methods of the Extreme Land."
"Void Passage is for navigating the void. The boundary mountains extend deep into the void, hundreds of ledges in. Cultivators traverse not only the mountain bodies but also layers of the void, boosting mobility within the Boundary Mountains."
"Amber Boiling is a method of repelling evil. The Triassic-era metals and stones differ from those of today. They conceal dangerous entities. By boiling them with the fire of the earth meridians, you can return them to their true nature—dissipating both the strange matter and the evil within."
"Water Conversion is also a way to deal with danger. While Amber Boiling targets solid threats, Water Conversion deals with flowing phenomena. It's also a support technique for Wall Opening."
"Ascension Drive is a power-boosting method that amplifies the previous four transformations—but using it places immense strain on the body. It cannot be employed repeatedly."
"Earth Recognition is the method of connecting to the terrain. It helps locate oneself across the overlapping layers and understand the cycle of regeneration among the boundary ranges."
"Displacement and Wall Opening are fusion techniques of Earth Splitting, Mysterious Earth, and Mountain Methods—three combined into one."
"I developed these eight transformations based on the classics of the Earth Epoch School during my time within the Boundary Mountains. There are still many flaws. I humbly ask all fellow Daoists to critique and correct them."
Zhao Xing sat atop a high platform. In the distance stretched a dense sea of people, and above them, the Xuannuo Star Mirror reflected his image.
It was now the fifth year since the end of the rescue operation.
This was a Dao Assembly jointly organized by Primordial Hill and the Original Realm, held at the Fourteenth Jiachen Pass.
A Dao Assembly exclusively for Zhao Xing!
It was open to all cultivators participating in the development of the Siyue Barren Domain.
Though hastily prepared, the venue wasn't particularly extravagant.
But the scale and level of attendees were exceptionally high. From the Reincarnation Realm to the Origin Realm, the total number of cultivators had already surpassed hundreds of millions—and more kept arriving. It was absolutely packed!
"An Origin Realm cultivator giving a Dao lecture to Emperors? Never heard of anything like this!"
"To witness such a grand scene in this lifetime—worth it!"
"That's Zhao Chen'an! I know him! We were both part of the Original Realm!"
"Shut it! Stop yelling and disturbing the order! I'm from Northern River, same hometown as Zhao Xing!"
…
Since Zhao Xing and Emperor Hongshan returned and the Boundary Mountain issue was resolved, the entire Xuanling Star Domain had been shaken.
Major factions, especially those of the Shennong path, pleaded fervently for Zhao Xing to hold a Dao Assembly.
Primordial Hill and the Original Realm joined forces to make this happen.
One, to spread Zhao Xing's name far and wide.
Two, to educate the frontier cultivators about Earth Epoch Transformations and the Boundary Mountains, dispelling superstition and stopping all those weird rumors.
"I have a question, may Daoist Zhao answer it?"
A giant earthen pillar rumbled upward from within the venue, forming a sky-reaching platform. A lone figure stood atop it—Emperor Yushu from the Origin Heaven Palace.
According to tradition, the first person to ask a question at the Dao Assembly was usually of significant status. To avoid the appearance of a publicity stunt, members of Primordial Hill and the Original Realm were excluded from going first.
No one expected that it would actually be an Emperor from the Origin Heaven Palace.
"Are you serious? Even a Reincarnation Realm Emperor is here to seek answers?"
"This isn't just a Dao lecture—it's practically worthy of being compiled into a sacred scripture!"
"If this were just for show, getting a Reincarnation Realm Emperor to fake it? That would be a costly performance."
"What kind of nonsense is that? The top factions may cooperate, but they compete even more fiercely. Why would they flatter others without reason?"
"Exactly. Scholar City's Nine Classic Pavilion already listed Zhao Chen'an's theories. They've been certified—no room for fakery."
Many were watching through the Star Mirror. The sight of a Reincarnation Realm Emperor consulting someone from the Primordial Realm became the hottest topic across the second era of the Barren Domain!
At the Dao Assembly site, atop the high platform, Emperor Yushu cupped his hands toward Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing immediately stood up and returned the greeting. After all, this was a Reincarnation Realm Emperor asking a question. He couldn't be so arrogant as to remain seated.
"Please speak, fellow Daoist. I will answer whatever I know."
At a Dao Assembly, there was no hierarchy—all addressed each other as "Daoist."
Countless people below were mad with envy. Just standing there, calling a Reincarnation Realm Emperor "fellow Daoist"—that was something you could brag about for several lifetimes.
And even more so when it was Zhao Xing giving the lecture and Emperor Yushu asking questions.
This kind of scene usually only happened when a demigod lectured.
After Zhao Xing returned the greeting, Emperor Yushu spoke.
"There are rumors that inside the Boundary Mountains dwell malevolent beings. They can pierce through Dao weapons, ignore spells, consume the soul essence of humans, and destroy their golden bodies."
"May I ask Daoist Zhao to explain—what exactly are these malevolent entities within the Boundary Mountains? And how can they be dealt with?"
Zhao Xing quietly listened to the question.
All of the questions had been reviewed in advance. This was, after all, a public presentation. Emperor Yushu, along with the other speakers to follow, had their questions screened and approved by Lu Shan, Emperor Hongshan, the Five Venom Emperor, and others before being allowed to go on stage.
Once he finished listening, Zhao Xing cupped his hands. "Thank you for your question, Daoist."
Then he pointed downward, and a towering earthen pillar shot upward, piercing the clouds.
Atop the high mountain platform was… another mountain.
But this was a miniature Boundary Mountain.
It had been cut from the actual Boundary Mountains. Its shape was narrow below and wide above, and the whole thing was a dull grayish yellow, resembling amber.
Within it, a faintly visible monster was sealed—something like a fusion of bull, horse, snake, and eagle features.
"~" Countless Eight-Gate Star Mirrors zoomed in on this 'sample,' recording every detail.
Zhao Xing spoke slowly. "There exists a beast in the Boundary Mountains, named Kuangge. It originated in the early Triassic era and went extinct at the beginning of the Baigou epoch, during the expansion of the Barren Domain."
"It was innately at the Origin Realm and, upon maturity, reached the Life-and-Death Dao Domain Realm."
"This Kuangge accidentally entered the Boundary Mountains while alive. Just as the mountain collapsed, it became trapped and perished inside."
"The Boundary Mountains absorbed the power of the void and perfectly preserved the Kuangge's bloodline and Dao resonance."
"Over countless years, through void shifts and erosion by earth meridians, it transformed into its current state."
"When Earth Epoch Transformations occur, the Kuangge of the Boundary Mountains is released. Neither truly alive nor truly dead, it is immune to modern techniques and extremely difficult to handle—thus earning the title of 'malevolent spirit.'"
After explaining what the so-called malevolent spirits were and how they came to be, Zhao Xing moved on to the next step.
He raised a hand and pointed at the sample Boundary Mountain.
"Boom!"
The mountain cracked open.
The Kuangge was released.
It was lifeless, with no spiritual consciousness or soul detectable by divine sense. Even its bloodline was dried up. Yet it pulsed with dense void energy, laced with earthly force, and began to move.
"Swish~"
In the blink of an eye, the massive body of the Kuangge appeared directly above Zhao Xing's head.
Its gray scales, blood-red feathers, and twisted black horns exuded no beauty—just nausea. A single glance at it was enough to make one recoil.
"Now, this special Kuangge has been released."
Zhao Xing's tone was relaxed as he sat calmly on the stone platform, unmoving. The protective barrier shielded him completely. The Kuangge couldn't hurt him.
"The Boundary Mountain Kuangge is only at the Origin Realm level. But since most techniques don't work on it, even someone at the Life-and-Death Dao Domain Realm would find it a hassle to deal with."
Zhao Xing let the Kuangge attack for a while. Then he raised a finger.
Displacement, one of the Earth Epoch Transformations, instantly activated.
The Kuangge's skin and feathers began to petrify rapidly, and then its body shattered into four or five large pieces.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Chunks of its body slammed against the barrier, making heavy thuds.
"Displacement disassembles attacks and causes them to break apart. That's how you deal with the Boundary Mountain Kuangge—and it works on other types too."
"In essence, it's not a living thing. It's a combination of mountain matter, Kuangge flesh and blood, Dao resonance, void force, and earth meridian erosion—a geological phenomenon of the Boundary Mountains."
"The Earth Epoch Transformation is what triggers its appearance."
"When the Displacement technique breaks its internal balance, that 'phenomenon' ceases to be so phenomenal."
Zhao Xing paused, then waved his hand again.
A second pillar shot upward.
Another malevolent spirit fused within mountain stone appeared.
"If the Earth Epoch Transformation hasn't occurred yet, then you can use Amber Boiling to deal with it early and prevent disaster."
Zhao Xing's body released a wave of grayish-yellow qi, like a slowly burning flame, gently wrapping around the mountain.
Because he had cultivated Extreme Land Seed Mountain, when he used Earth Epoch School techniques, they carried a delicate, graceful beauty.
Amber Boiling lasted for less than ten breaths before the mountain began to change.
The malevolent spirit inside lost all its soul-shaking power and seemed to be completely refined into a harmless specimen.
"Boom!"
Zhao Xing smashed the mountain open. The refined specimen inside instantly crumbled like ancient, rotted wood.
"This is Amber Boiling. Using the fire of earth meridians to refine the ancient metals and stones of the Boundary Mountains, converting them to modern Dao nature."
"In doing so, the evil within vanishes."
"As long as it remains sealed, even Origin Realm cultivators can neutralize Reincarnation Realm-level 'Boundary Mountain Phenomena.'"
After finishing, Zhao Xing turned and saluted Emperor Yushu. "These are my humble views on the Boundary Mountain Phenomena. Please correct me if I am mistaken."
Emperor Yushu smiled and returned the gesture. "Your insights are enlightening, truly refreshing. I thank you for dispelling my doubts, Daoist Zhao."
Following that, Zhao Xing continued demonstrating the remaining techniques.
Like Water Conversion, which could prevent a future Golden Body Corrosion Rain beneath the Boundary Mountains.
Like Earth Recognition, which could track void layer fluctuations to determine directional force within the mountains.
This Dao Assembly at the Fourteenth Jiachen Pass lasted just over a month, but the impact it caused was massive.
Countless people came from afar because of its reputation. It even sparked a new wave of exploration into the Barren Domain.
At this point, Zhao Xing's fame had already surpassed many Emperors.
"We demand that Shennong Zhao host more Dao Assemblies! Our Yunjia Palace just arrived and missed it!"
"Agreed! The Siyue Barren Domain is too remote—by the time I got here, it was already over!"
"Way too short! Shouldn't a proper Dao Assembly last at least a hundred years? How come this one was just a little over a month!"
"Is Primordial Hill and the Primordial Realm treating Shennong Zhao like he doesn't matter? This is outrageous! Just because he's only at the Origin Realm, they think they can brush him off?! My Heavenly Provisions Bureau formally invites Shennong Zhao to join us!"
"Oh? Even the Heavenly Provisions Bureau, one of the top powers in the Xuanling Star Domain, came to join the buzz?"
"The Heavenly Timing Faction is popping up too. Zhao Xing really lives up to the name of 'Holy Son'!"
Xu Youling watched the heated debates across the Star Mirrors and couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
"Even our Sanbao Dao Sect is asking if Zhao Xing can come visit the sect. Even if it's just a clone, that would be enough."
Pu Tianrui laughed. "Whose territory isn't next to the Barren Domain? And where there's Barren Domain, there are Boundary Mountain problems. Zhao Xing's current system of methods may not be perfect yet, but it's enough to tempt everyone."
"Tuo Sen, why are you just drinking and saying nothing?"
Tuo Sen put down his wine cup and muttered gloomily, "In past Origin Conferences, I was always first place. Now Zhao Xing's stolen the title. What else is there for me to say?"
Xu Youling, instead of comforting him, burst out laughing. "Hahaha, come on now. You can just stick a label to your forehead: 'Former Champion of a Past Origin Conference.'"
Tuo Sen: "…"
While the outside world buzzed with noise, Zhao Xing had already decided to enter seclusion.
Aside from hosting the first few Dao Assemblies himself, all remaining events were handled by the people of Primordial Hill.
At most, he'd send a clone to attend. He was no longer the center of the stage. That role had passed to Lord Ji Shan, Qiuzi Shan, and others who had mastered the Zhao Clan's Eight Techniques.
Preaching and transmitting methods—these responsibilities would no longer fall on Zhao Xing himself. This was a demand made strongly by the Five Venom Emperor.
"When a tree stands out in the forest, the wind will break it."
"Zhao Xing, in the end, you're still at the Origin Realm. Too much fame isn't always a good thing."
"You've gotten the recognition you deserve, and the formalities have all been completed. It's best you now lay low and settle down."
"As for spreading the methods and preaching the Dao, let the folks at Primordial Hill take care of it. They've already learned your Eight Divine Techniques, and you'll benefit regardless."
It was rare for the Five Venom Emperor to speak so earnestly. He was usually so upright that it made Zhao Xing feel a little off.
Still, what he said aligned perfectly with Zhao Xing's own thoughts.
He hadn't written his theory for fame. He'd done it to earn enough resources to elevate himself.
After the rescue mission, and a few cooperative Dao Assemblies with the Empire and Primordial Hill, that goal had basically been met.
"Yes, Master. I'll return to the Haitong Ancient Path and carry out my duties."
"Now that the Boundary Mountain issue at Haitong has been resolved, I don't expect many problems to arise for a while. I'll focus on cultivating quietly."
Zhao Xing's attitude made the Five Venom Emperor very pleased.
He knew this disciple of his didn't need constant reminders in this area.
Just looking at Zhao Xing's past—how driven he'd been when cultivating in the Primordial Realm—was enough to know he'd be fine.
"There's one more thing I have to remind you of."
"I went to see someone yesterday… and had them perform a divination for you."
Zhao Xing froze.
His master had someone do a divination for him?
"Master, what was the result?"
"The Celestial Master said your fate and karma are like a tangled mess." The Five Venom Emperor's brow furrowed slightly with worry. "Your future… and your life and death… all of it is unclear."
Zhao Xing's expression changed.
Under normal circumstances, with his Derivation Thirteen Fortune and support from both the Primordial Realm and Primordial Hill, his future should be very bright. His life and death aside, his path of cultivation should be clearly visible.
And yet now… it was all a mess?
"The Celestial Master said it might be that your fate is naturally like this… or someone is scheming against you… or maybe it's simply because you've attracted too much attention lately—either way, this is a warning to stay cautious and keep a low profile."
The Five Venom Emperor added, "While you're on the Haitong Ancient Path, make sure your true self stays close to Old Man Hongshan. Don't even let your clones wander around too freely."
"Of course, fate at the Primordial Realm is unstable. The reading might change. Once you reach the Dao Domain Realm, everything may become clear."
Zhao Xing nodded. "Understood, Master. I'll remember this."
After ending the communication, Zhao Xing remained silent for a long while.
"The theory of Earth Epoch Transformations and the Eight Techniques were all my original creations. They came from my knowledge and questing experience in my previous life. Creating them in this life was just natural. It's definitely not some theft of a future expert's invention."
"That can't be the reason."
"Then what exactly is causing my fate to be so murky?" Zhao Xing's brows twitched in concern.
Just then, a knock came from the gate to the solitary space.
"Grand Shennong, urgent matter."
It was Ji Si's voice.
"Come in."
Zhao Xing put away his thoughts and opened the gate, inviting Ji Si inside.
Ji Si was dressed formally. He wore a Taishi Crown, held a Fate Star Disk in his left hand, and a Star Fortune Scroll in his right. His eyes were tightly shut.
"Ji Si, what's the emergency?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Grand Shennong, there's a letter… from home." Ji Si's voice trembled slightly with excitement.
Home? Wang Tianzhi?
Zhao Xing's heart leapt with joy.
"Quick, let me see it!"