"What did he say?"
"Bai Junlan is taking us to a place called the Fu Bone Territory. It's a gathering point with quite a few powerful White Bone lifeforms."
"That's all he told me." Wei Tianchen had a feeling that Zhao Xing and Bai Junlan had actually exchanged quite a bit more. "Just now, you both looked at me and Bamboo Sword."
"Oh, I just told him that you two are my seniors. With you protecting me, we don't need to fear any strong enemies at all. We can go grab Soul Crystals without worry."
Bamboo Sword held onto Bai Junlan while Wei Tianchen grabbed Zhao Xing. The four skeletons jumped into the fire pit, then traveled through the green flames.
Zhao Xing asked curiously, "Xiao Bai, can your flame formation break the 'Instant Thousand Miles' rule?"
"The formations of the God Fire Sect don't really violate the speed restriction of 'Instant Thousand Miles,'" Bai Junlan explained. "When we move through the fire pits, we still can't surpass that speed limit. But it greatly shortens the distance between two fire pits."
"Kind of like a technique that folds the earth?"
"Exactly."
"Xiao Bai, you also use fire. Have you heard of the Lihuo Divine Sect?" Zhao Xing asked. "That sect is also good at fire control. They've built fire pits around the world too and use the Lihuo Divine Altars for teleportation."
"Oh?" Bai Junlan lifted his head, the flame in his eye sockets flickering with visible confusion. "I've never heard of them. Are you sure such a sect exists?"
"Of all the fire-wielding sects on the Xuanhuang Continent, even if I don't know them all, there are only a few that specialize in fire. I'm an elder of the God Fire Sect, from the Lihuo Peak."
"Never heard of them?" Zhao Xing fell into thought. "Xiao Bai, do you know how many True Gods there are on the Xuanhuang Continent?"
Bai Junlan tilted his head. "I can't remember. I just know there are quite a few. But aside from the Fiery True God of our sect and the Dragon God, I can't recall the names of any others. Which True God do you worship, senior?"
"I follow the Dragon God," Zhao Xing replied casually.
"The Dragon God? Is the Dragon God still alive?" Bai Junlan seemed lost. "Rumor has it the Dragon God fell long ago, and the Dragon Court has been sealed off—"
Zhao Xing waved his hand, not intending to explain.
From this conversation, he confirmed that the Xuanhuang Realm's location hadn't changed, but its timeline definitely didn't match. It was highly likely that the Xuanhuang Realm had become a time-space replica—like how the Transmission Realm Tower worked.
"Yuan Three Forty-Two—if that's a space-time coordinate, then this makes sense."
"None of us—Wei Tianchen, Bamboo Sword, or myself—know exactly when we entered this place. It feels similar to stepping into the Transmission Realm Tower."
"Could we be trapped in a time loop?"
Zhao Xing didn't plan to share this speculation with Wei Tianchen or Bamboo Sword. It still needed verification.
Whoosh—
The green flames suddenly dimmed. The black earth came back into view.
Zhao Xing, Bai Junlan, Wei Tianchen, and Bamboo Sword stepped out of another fire pit.
There were no other White Bone creatures nearby. Above them was a mountain wall, and the fire pit was embedded deep inside a cave.
"Senior, this is another fire pit our God Fire Sect set up. It's only ten million li from Fu Bone Territory's 'Fu Bone Royal City.'"
"Fu Bone Royal City is the largest city in the Fu Bone Territory. It's ruled by a king named Zhuo Ying and houses seven Soul Wells."
"White Bone kings all have at least ninth-grade flame seeds—True Spirits—equivalent to demigod level by Xuanling Star Domain standards."
"Their White Bone Power is also ninth-grade, and they have incredibly strong bone bodies."
"Take me for example—I'm a Bone General, with a sixth-grade flame seed, but I acquired a set of Bone Spirit Fire Body. In terms of fire-based escape, even eighth-grade lifeforms can't catch me."
Zhao Xing was curious. "So, do you think my two subordinates can take on the king of Zhuo Ying City?"
Bai Junlan replied, "Without a doubt. Your two subordinates already surpass the king-level threshold in terms of True Spirit, but their bone bodies are still in the original state. They haven't undergone any enhancement through bone body techniques."
"If a fight breaks out, they could easily be at a disadvantage."
"There are bone body cultivation methods here?"
"Of course. Both bone bodies and flame seeds have cultivation methods. Ever since the Bone Yin Realm emerged, secret arts have been appearing now and then."
"I've heard that in the central southern continent, there's a Bone God Temple. It offers divine inheritances and methods for restoring flesh and blood."
Zhao Xing nodded, then passed part of Bai Junlan's explanation on to Wei Tianchen and Bamboo Sword.
"He said the ruler of Zhuo Ying City is a demigod. And in the core region of the Bone Yin Realm, there's a divine temple where you can receive godly inheritances and even a way to regain your flesh and blood."
"Only those who become powerful city lords are qualified for an audience." That last sentence Zhao Xing made up on the spot, seizing the chance to pull a fast one on Wei Tianchen.
"Bamboo Sword, we can kill Zhuo Ying and claim this territory for ourselves." Wei Tianchen thought this was a great opportunity. Taking over some land to operate from would help both in seeking the White Bone Divine Domain's fortunes and solving the seal left by Fan Qianrou.
"Agreed." Bamboo Sword Venerable nodded.
Zhao Xing pretended to advise caution. "We can't rush in and fight Zhuo Ying directly. We need to strengthen our bone bodies first."
"The bone body is extremely important here—it's the foundation for unleashing one's power."
"We're all just at the third-grade bone body level—"
"No need for all that trouble," Wei Tianchen interrupted. "Bamboo Sword and I both have divine artifacts. We'll just kill Zhuo Ying outright and take his resources. Our bone body levels will rise naturally."
Wei Tianchen was full of bravado, ready to take out the local king the moment he arrived.
He and Bamboo Sword Venerable flew off toward Fu Bone City.
Before leaving, Wei Tianchen recited a spell and pulled a dazzling violet-gold gourd from his ring. From it poured divine water that formed a shimmering gold-blue barrier. The barrier wrapped around Zhao Xing and Bai Junlan.
"The Bihai Gold Spirit Barrier will protect you two. Stay put—we'll be back soon."
"Wait—what about the Dao Enlightenment Headband?" Zhao Xing called out. Wei Tianchen shouldn't be able to go too far from him, right?
"The power of the Bihai Golden Divine Barrier overrides the Dao Enlightenment Headband —it won't activate for now."
Venerable Zhu Jian left Zhao Xing a bone sword, crafted from one of his own ribs. The sword contained half of his sword energy.
Once the two left, only Zhao Xing and Bai Lanjun remained in the cave.
"Senior, what is this?" Bai Lanjun curiously eyed the barrier.
"Oh, it's just something to protect me."
"And your subordinates—what are they off doing?"
"I told them to kill Zhuo Ying."
"Hiss~"
Bai Lanjun grew even more certain that Zhao Xing's origins were anything but ordinary—he was unfathomable. Remembering the earlier questions Zhao Xing had asked, Bai Lanjun grew more respectful and cautious.
"This senior's questions were all about gods."
"He even asked about the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty—who's currently bearing the Mandate of Heaven—and mentioned a sect called the Lihuo Divine Sect, saying it might be under the dynasty's jurisdiction. But he didn't show any reverence for the so-called Human Emperor."
"Could he be a manifestation of a godly realm expert?"
Bai Lanjun promptly shoved his skull into the dirt. He didn't even dare to think about fleeing, just praying this big shot would let him live once his goal was accomplished.
Zhao Xing had no idea Bai Lanjun's imagination had run so wild.
He was currently channeling the power of white bone, trying to activate his inner world.
"According to Wei Tianchen, divine artifacts overpower the Dao Enlightenment Headband ."
"Maybe I can use a divine artifact to erase the restraints of the Dao Enlightenment Headband ."
Zhao Xing had divine artifacts—two of them. One was the Hunyuan Dao Tower, the other was the Tianbian Divine Needle.
The Dao Enlightenment Headband was a fine item, but the constraints on it had to go.
But for now, he needed to first unlock his internal world.
"The world core is hidden inside the bone body. It's not sealed by bone force, but self-sealed," Zhao Xing tried, but the world core didn't budge. It seemed to be a self-preservation mechanism created by the Hunyuan Dao Tower and the Primordial Seed together.
"Xiao Bai, do you have any divine artifacts?"
Bai Lanjun didn't even bother answering. Do I look like I'd have one of those?
"Senior, I don't."
Zhao Xing gave it another try but found no progress. He could only sit cross-legged and cultivate.
"Now I just have to wait. If Wei Tianchen dies at Zhuo Ying's hand, the restraint will break."
"If my summoned divine artifact arrives, maybe I can break free then too."
Still, Zhao Xing couldn't figure it out—if this wasn't his original time and space, then his divine artifacts shouldn't be able to sense him.
So what was causing that summoning sensation?
He didn't have long to wonder. The green fire in the fire pond suddenly flared up.
"Hmm?" Zhao Xing immediately grew alert. He flipped open Bai Lanjun's skull and asked, "What's going on?"
"Senior, someone activated the fire pond. Should be one of my fellow disciples," said Bai Lanjun. "But I didn't inform them."
As they spoke, two skeletons emerged from the fire pond.
One was dark red all over, with golden star-like diamonds sparkling at its forehead and joints.
The other was bluish-green, its crystalline bones embedded with intricate runes and glittering gems.
Thanks to the Bihai Golden Divine Barrier's concealment effect—and the size of the cave—the newcomers didn't notice Zhao Xing and Bai Lanjun.
"They're also from the Shenhuo Sect?"
"Yes. One is Hu Qing, my senior brother. The other is Yan Yun, my senior sister."
Hu Qing held a bone blade. He was a Seven Tribulation True Spirit cultivator, with a seventh-tier golden flame body.
Yan Yun was a spirit illusionist at the same level, possessing the seventh-tier Xuanming Dao Bone.
"Where did Junior Brother Lanjun go? We were supposed to meet in the Yan Fang Domain, but he never showed up, and he's not here either," Hu Qing complained.
"Maybe he went ahead to Fugu City to do some trading," Yan Yun scanned the surroundings. "Judging by the heat of the fire formation, he left not long ago."
"Let's head to Fugu City too. We got a good haul this time—maybe we can get you an eighth-tier Dao Bone."
Still chatting, Hu Qing and Yan Yun flew out of the cave, completely unaware of the concealed barrier in the corner.
About three days later, the two returned near the fire pond.
Hu Qing was missing three ribs. The diamond-like glow on his forehead had faded. Yan Yun's skeleton was also battered.
They stumbled into the cave near the fire pond, looking like they'd just escaped a major battle.
"Never thought Zhuo Ying City would be in such chaos. Lucky we ran fast. You okay, Junior Sister?"
"The injuries aren't too bad. No idea who's challenging that white bone king—Zhuo Ying had a tenth-tier flame seed."
"Let's lay low for a while, then head back out and see if there's anything left to scavenge."
"Yeah..."
Zhao Xing overheard the whole exchange.
"Looks like Wei Tianchen and Zhu Jian made their move. Wonder how it's going. If Zhuo Ying's only a tenth-tier True Spirit, he shouldn't be their match... but still, what a waste."
After a few days, Hu Qing and Yan Yun headed out again, clearly hoping to scavenge something useful.
By this time, under the boost of the Dao Enlightenment Headband , Zhao Xing had already unlocked three major mana forces. Blue Flower Mana, Azure Abyss Mana, and Red Lotus Mana now coursed through his bone body, giving off an extraordinary aura.
Half a month later, the pair returned once more—but this time, they were being hunted.
Zhao Xing couldn't leave, but he could sense what was going on outside.
Just beyond the cave, Hu Qing swung his blade desperately, slashing through wave after wave of white bone creatures.
Though his strength wasn't weak, the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming.
The leader was a yellow-diamond skeleton that, to Zhao Xing's eyes, had reached the eighth-tier True Spirit Flame Seed level. Behind him trailed more than thirty Six Tribulation True Spirit Flame Seeds. Each bone body looked fierce enough to completely crush the two escapees.
"Your senior brother and sister tried to scavenge loot and ended up getting hunted instead?"
Bai Lanjun had no response. He didn't know what happened either, but things were clearly going downhill fast.
Hu Qing's bones were blasted away by a yellow-diamond skeleton wielding a crystal spear. Mid-air, a surge of force shattered his bone frame completely.
But before he hit the ground, flames burst from his skull, and his body quickly reassembled itself.
Yan Yun was using spirit illusion techniques to hold off the enemies. It was only thanks to her interference that the two of them were barely hanging on.
Still, Zhao Xing could clearly see their white bone power values steadily dropping. Even their true spirit flames were growing dim. "At this rate, your two sect mates won't last much longer."
Hu Qing's blade work was becoming sloppy. The yellow-diamond skeleton seized the opening and suddenly struck!
Whoosh!
The crystal spear shot through the air, directly impaling Hu Qing and pinning him to a massive boulder.
The spear pulsed with strange energy, slowly draining his flame.
"What kind of weapon is that? It can even absorb someone's true spirit?"
"Senior, that's a Bone Spirit Spear," Bai Lanjun explained. "It's a magical weapon forged from Bone Spirit Stones and Soul Crystals."
"It's specifically made to drain other people's flame power."
"If you're killed by a Bone Spirit Spear, you lose most of your true spirit strength. You might even forget spells and memories." Bai Lanjun spoke calmly.
Zhao Xing glanced at him with curiosity. "Why aren't you worried about them?"
"I can barely protect myself. Worrying doesn't help. Besides, they both know the Bone Dissolution Art."
The Bone Dissolution Art was similar to reincarnation. Wei Tianchen believed that the creator of the White Bone Divine Domain had merged with the Dao of Heaven and Earth and was running a unique replacement for the heavenly cycle. The Bone Dissolution Art was the domain's own secret cycle technique.
"As long as they activate it in time, my senior brother and sister will reincarnate in a secret Soul Well. The losses can be recovered later."
"I see."
"Senior," Bai Lanjun hesitated, "would you be willing to save them? They're actually decent folks…"
Zhao Xing didn't reply and kept watching. Bai Lanjun said no more.
Hu Qing detonated half of his bone body to cover Yan Yun's retreat into the cave and escape through the fire pond.
No one else could use the fire pond, but as long as he could buy her a few moments, his junior sister could get away.
Seeing Yan Yun fly into the cave, Hu Qing prepared to activate the Bone Dissolution Art and return to the Soul Well. He wouldn't fight anymore.
If he kept fighting and lost too much cultivation to the spear, he'd be weaker and have worse memory after reincarnation.
"Huh? Why am I not dead yet?" Hu Qing was hit again by the Bone Spirit Spear, but the final blow never came.
Instead, the spear suddenly pulled itself out and flew back into its master's hand.
Hu Qing stopped the Bone Dissolution Art and looked up. The once-imposing yellow-diamond bone general on the white bone war chariot was now skewered by dozens of ordinary-looking bone swords.
The rest of the underlings saw what happened and scattered in fear.
"D-Did I just get saved?"
Clack clack clack~
Sword energy rippled repeatedly from the bone swords, making a grating, tooth-aching noise across the bone general's body.
His flame was extinguished by the spiraling sword energy. Seeing no way to break free, the Eight Tribulation bone general let out a furious roar and activated the Bone Dissolution Art himself.
With a sharp crack, his body exploded into scattered pieces. The true spirit flame vanished. The golden bone imprint was wiped away, and he was completely gone.
"The Bone Dissolution Art... what a mysterious technique."
Zhao Xing stared at the scattered bones. They weren't shattered—just disassembled.
"So the Bone God Yuan created the White Bone Divine Domain, letting true spirits avoid tribulations and grow freely... and even made a reincarnation-like technique? Could he be some kind of alternative Martial God?" Zhao Xing wondered.
Among the Qi sects, there were extremists who gave up their flesh to cultivate nothing but golden bones. Flesh decays, but golden bones endure.
But Zhao Xing soon dismissed that thought. Yuan had merged with Heaven and Earth. His path of bone cultivation was complete. To equate him with those fringe Martial Cultivators would be too shallow.
"Which senior saved us? I am Hu Qing, elder of Shenhuo Sect's Wuhuo Peak. Please, reveal yourself."
Hu Qing and Yan Yun looked around. No one answered. Their eyes settled on the bone sword—it was this sword that had saved them.
Whoosh! The bone sword suddenly shrank, picked up a bone ring from the ground, and wrapped up the Eight Tribulation's scattered body before flying into the cave.
"It went into the cave?" Hu Qing and Yan Yun followed its path but only saw the sword vanish by the other side of the fire pond.
They searched, but couldn't find where it went. They couldn't break the Bihai Golden Divine Barrier, let alone touch it.
"Thank you, senior, for your help," Bai Lanjun said from inside the barrier.
"You're working for me. This was nothing." Zhao Xing replied, feigning seniority using the presence Zhu Jian had left behind. Then he picked up the bone ring left behind by the Eight Tribulation bone general.
"Hm? There's actually a lot of good stuff in here." Zhao Xing was pleased. "There are four complete bone bodies, ranging from low to high tier. And over a thousand Soul Crystals from tier four to tier eight. Looks like a full upgrade package."
Absorbing Soul Crystals helps evolve the true spirit, but having the right bone body is the prerequisite. Zhao Xing was a Three Tribulation True Spirit with a matching Three Tribulation bone body. Without the right bones, he couldn't absorb more Soul Crystals even if he had them.
Now, though, this bone ring had a full set of resources.
"Was this guy preparing to reincarnate from the Soul Well?"
Rebirth from the Soul Well usually meant starting with a low-tier bone body and a weakened true spirit.
But if you had resources ready beforehand, even an Eight Tribulation True Spirit could rebuild quickly.
"Well, guess it's all mine now," Zhao Xing grinned. "These treasures are enough to push my true spirit through multiple evolutions—like going through several tribulation leaps at once. Let's eat!"