The Treasure Secured, Chen Xuan and Yue Nv

When Zhao Xing spoke the four words, "Marquis Ming, please wait," in the language of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom, the dark guard holding a Fire Tipped Spear raised his hand and called off his subordinates' attack.

Yu Tianqing's face was still full of regret. He had just learned that he had awakened a talented Major Divine Ability and was about to soar to greatness, only to face death. How could he not regret it?

Jing Yan nudged Yu Tianqing with his elbow and winked. "Look, Brother Zhao is about to start showing off again." Knowing a lot was useful. Jing Yan did not know what language Zhao Xing was speaking, but since it could stop that Book Puppet, Zhao Xing must have had some confidence.

"Who are you?" Marquis Ming repeated the question he had asked the first time.

"We are Grand Tutor's people." Zhao Xing spoke one word at a time. The pronunciation of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom was very peculiar. To touch upon the power of origin, one had to follow a certain rhythm of the Great Dao.

When Marquis Ming had spoken his three sentences, Zhao Xing had also been rapidly adjusting his pronunciation, making the rules of his speech fundamentally closer to the Yue Luo True Words from history.

He would not normally have learned it so quickly, but people were forced to bring out their potential.

Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing's lives, as well as half his fortune, were on the line here. Zhao Xing's potential had exploded.

He had forcibly managed to do it.

"Why would Grand Tutor's people force their way into the imperial palace?" Marquis Ming continued questioning him.

Hearing that response, Zhao Xing's confidence surged, and his words became smoother. "The monarch has listened to slander, and Grand Tutor is about to be executed. If Grand Tutor dies, the kingdom will fall into turmoil and face the danger of collapse."

"I have heard that Marquis Ming is loyal, brave, righteous, and renowned far and wide. I ask Marquis Ming to uphold justice and save the kingdom from fire and water."

Zhao Xing's impassioned voice echoed through the empty imperial palace, followed by silence.

Jing Yan felt that Zhao Xing was radiating light at that moment. He admired him beyond measure and almost cried out in excitement.

This powerful Book Puppet had actually fallen silent and stopped moving.

Was being cultured really this incredible?

Zhao Xing stared intently at the other party, because in the materials he had obtained from Du Yun, he had heard this man's name, title, rank, and deeds.

The patterns and ancient characters Yu Tianqing had described also matched this man.

In other words, this inner court guard commander named Jun Yichen, who had been granted the title Marquis Ming, was a figure from the Biographies of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom.

His heroic spirit had been recorded in history.

So how had Jun Yichen earned his place in the history books?

Du Yun's materials contained little more than one brief line: Forced his way into the palace to remonstrate, slew treacherous enemies, and proved his resolve through death.

His righteousness was unparalleled.

As for what he had remonstrated about and whom he had killed, Zhao Xing did not know. He guessed that someone who received a positive evaluation in the Official History was probably not a villain in the Grand Tutor execution incident.

A man in charge of the imperial palace's defenses had forced his way into the palace. If he had possessed even a shred of selfish intent, he would have been branded a regicide. He could not possibly have received such an evaluation.

Combining Jun Yichen's actions and words, Zhao Xing realized that Jun Yichen had kept asking who they were and discerning their identities rather than simply killing them.

Zhao Xing therefore guessed that Jun Yichen was a positive figure in the "Grand Tutor Execution," perhaps even someone who could help them clear this trial. A Grand Tutor with outstanding achievements was about to be executed—there should have been people pleading for him, perhaps even helping him break out of prison.

"I am insignificant and weak in the Dao. I am not qualified to see His Majesty, nor am I capable of doing such a thing." Jun Yichen said heavily, "You have come to the wrong person."

"Marquis Ming, does the righteousness in your heart change according to the extent of your abilities?"

"Are your loyalty, bravery, and righteousness measured according to the height of your position?"

The consecutive questions left Jun Yichen standing there, unable to find an answer.

He could have crushed the three of them with a wave of his hand, yet he simply could not bring down his Fire Tipped Spear.

Zhao Xing did not dare delay for too long. He immediately declared solemnly, "I will now seek a way to do my modest part for the kingdom I love and fulfill the righteousness in my heart. If Marquis Ming wishes to kill us, we will not blame you."

"We are willing to die beneath Marquis Ming's spear of loyalty and righteousness."

With that, Zhao Xing strode past Jun Yichen.

Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing had no idea what was happening, but they followed Zhao Xing's example. Both put on impassioned expressions, lowered their weapons, and walked toward the powerful Book Puppet.

They could not beat him anyway, so they simply followed Zhao Xing.

The three brushed past Jun Yichen's spear tip without looking sideways and headed toward the Yue Luo Supreme Hall.

They quickly walked out of the encirclement.

Seeing that the other party truly did not attack, Yu Tianqing was deeply shaken.

What had happened? How had they simply gotten through?

Jing Yan, meanwhile, could only marvel inwardly at how amazing Old Zhao was. He was genuinely impressed by Zhao Xing's display.

Zhao Xing also sighed in relief. He could not keep suffering losses just because he lacked knowledge. It had to come in handy eventually.

Just as the three thought they had escaped disaster, Jun Yichen suddenly spoke. "Wait!"

Their hearts trembled, and their moods sank to the bottom once more.

Zhao Xing did not turn around. He merely tilted his head to the side as his mind raced, searching for another way to save Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing.

However, Jun Yichen did not attack.

"If you three go to the Yue Luo Supreme Hall, not only will you fail to remonstrate, you will only make matters worse."

Jun Yichen held his spear and walked over step by step.

Zhao Xing was slightly stunned.

"Marquis Ming, you—"

Jun Yichen said nothing. Yet with every step he took, his aura became twice as powerful.

Yu Tianqing trembled as he transmitted, "Z-Zhao Xing, his origin fluctuations have reached a level I can no longer confirm. The paper showed the Yin Star and Sun Star, and they have risen up from the page."

Zhao Xing did not know what was happening, but Jun Yichen's aura had definitely surpassed the Third Realm and reached the Dao Domain Realm.

By the time Jun Yichen reached his side, this man already felt stronger than even Great Scholar Zhuo En.

And Zhuo En was in the Yin Yang Dao Domain Realm!

When Jun Yichen moved past Zhao Xing, he stopped and turned sideways. "My righteousness has never changed. I simply did not dare confirm whether Grand Tutor was truly about to be executed."

"Do you have a token belonging to Grand Tutor?"

Zhao Xing's heart sank. He did not have such a thing.

But Yu Tianqing understood that sentence now.

He had not studied the language of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom before, yet during this brief exchange, relying on his talented Major Divine Ability—

he had actually become able to understand it.

"Yes." Yu Tianqing reached into his robes and took out something.

It was a crown sash and three ancient coins.

Jun Yichen beckoned, and the three items appeared in his hand.

"Correct. They do indeed bear Grand Tutor's aura."

After saying that, Jun Yichen flew toward the Yue Luo Supreme Hall.

He vanished from the three men's sight in the blink of an eye.

"Huff... huff..."

Only after ten breaths did Jing Yan begin panting.

Yu Tianqing also began shaking belatedly.

"Brother Zhao, are we... alive?"

"Yes."

Zhao Xing nodded.

He looked at Yu Tianqing in surprise. "Brother, where did you get that just now?"

Yu Tianqing was sweating. "You said that Aries had been possessed by Grand Tutor's heroic spirit, and I once saw Aries after he was possessed."

"He threw away some things that belonged to Aries. I thought they looked useful, so after he left, I picked them up."

"I-I was just desperately trying anything. I thought they might be useful."

"Being thrifty is truly a virtue." Zhao Xing could not help sighing. "Good thing you thought these scraps were worth keeping and picked them up."

The clash between Aries and Ruan Chang had to end with a winner.

For Ruan Chang's heroic spirit to dismantle Aries's resistance, it first had to remove some of the equipment on him.

That equipment would inevitably be contaminated with Ruan Chang's aura, which meant it could be used as a token.

Zhao Xing guessed that Jun Yichen would sooner or later make a trip to the Yue Luo Supreme Hall. The difference was that Jun Yichen could not be fooled by Zhao Xing and the others with just a few words.

They had to prove that they truly were Grand Tutor's people.

"If I am currently inside a historian's instance world, then entering the imperial palace requires a thorough understanding of Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom history."

"Besides that, one also needs mission items related to the event—in other words, a token from Grand Tutor Ruan Chang—"

"Damn it, I hate this kind of instance the most. It's too damn mentally exhausting." Zhao Xing cursed.

"Stop cursing, brother. Hurry and move somewhere else. I really don't feel safe right now," Jing Yan said quietly.

He was terrified that whoever it was might return again.

"You can be afraid too?" Zhao Xing mocked.

"Brother, my life is still a life." Jing Yan snapped. "I have the courage to face death, but that does not mean I am not afraid of dying. Who wants to die if they can live? What kind of stupid question is that?"

Zhao Xing was furious.

Having escaped disaster, the three quickly relocated.

The Han Luo Army had been transferred away, and Jun Yichen, the imperial guard commander, had also left.

The safety of Zhao Xing's group greatly increased.

However, they still encountered many Book Puppets blocking their path as they searched for the Historian's Three Treasures.

Fortunately, with Yu Tianqing's Eye of Insight, they rarely encountered those flawless Book Puppets afterward. With Zhao Xing guiding them as well, they encountered battles but made it through without serious danger.

"Brother Zhao, how did you know that that four-patterned Book Puppet could not leave the palace within a thousand-li radius? That once it left, another imperial guard would pursue it?" Jing Yan asked.

"Even if this tomb's owner belongs to the Void History School, he still has to set things up based on existing historical records."

"Only by mixing truth with falsehood and falsehood with truth can he achieve the goal of confusion."

"Besides, why would he waste the Realm Repairing Brush fabricating things for minor characters?"

Jing Yan spread his hands. "We have been too lucky, haven't we? Aside from Jun Yichen, we have not even seen many powerful heroic spirits."

"The skies have cleared and the rain has stopped, so now you think you are amazing again?" Zhao Xing said disdainfully. "Who was it that was trembling and saying he did not feel safe just now?"

"Was there? Who?" Jing Yan pretended to have forgotten everything.

Zhao Xing could not be bothered with this shameless man. He explained to the two of them, "It seems neither of you has visited many historians' Transmission Realms."

"Let me put it this way. A historian's Transmission Realm determines the 'protagonists,' 'supporting characters,' the main story, and the background framework."

"Other than free agents like Yu Tianqing, both you and I have already been marked."

"You mean that we have identities in the Transmission Realm?" Jing Yan asked.

"Yes. Minor characters."

"People like Jun Yichen count as important supporting characters."

"Aries has it worse. He came in well prepared, so after entering, he took on the role of Grand Tutor.

The Realm Repairing Brush has focused its ink on Ruan Chang. The dangers he faces are therefore much greater than ours."

"The entire world will target Aries, the 'protagonist,' rather than us."

"Starfire has big plans this time. I think they came for the Yue Luo Grand Historian Crown, the Realm Repairing Brush, and the Preaching Book."

Zhao Xing picked up two divine ability Dao papers and waved them. "They definitely did not come for such petty gains."

Yu Tianqing felt that his worldview had been refreshed. Minor Divine Ability Dao papers counted as petty gains?

"Brother Zhao, have you ever entered a Transmission Realm as the protagonist?" Yu Tianqing asked curiously.

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded. "It was extremely dangerous."

"How dangerous? Tell us." Jing Yan looked determined to get to the bottom of it. They had just gone through a battle and were resting inside the concealment barrier of the Twelve Wandering Deities, the Wandering God Realm.

"I once entered a Transmission Realm to clear a trial," Zhao Xing began. "I cannot reveal that great being's honorific title, nor do I dare speak too specifically about the details. From here on, I will use aliases."

Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing indicated that they understood.

"A long time ago, there was an ancient kingdom called Qing, and an emperor named Fu Lin. There was a disciple named Xing Sen."

"This ancient kingdom's lord did not handle proper affairs. He liked cultivating unorthodox paths and came to know Xing Sen."

"One day, his beloved consort died. Lord Fu Lin was heartbroken and was further beguiled by Xing Sen, so he made a decision: to abandon his kingdom and become an ascetic practitioner who cared nothing for worldly affairs."

"At that time, the Qing Ancient Kingdom's internal and external troubles had not been settled, and the kingdom's fortune had not stabilized. If that bastard left, it would definitely lead to the ancient kingdom's decline and perhaps even invasion by foreign races."

"In that Transmission Realm, some people played Xing Sen, some played Xing Sen's teacher, some played Lord Fu Lin's ministers, and others played his son—"

"The different factions each had two kinds of missions. One was to stop the lord from abandoning the world, and the other was to entice the lord into abandoning the world."

"If you belonged to the abandonment faction, you had to brainwash a lord every day while facing the entire world's obstruction and assassinations. Your only supporter was that lord."

"If you belonged to the salvation faction, you could receive the support of everyone except the lord, but you might also pay with your life. For example, Xing Sen's teacher failed to stop him and ultimately destroyed himself on the Sun Star."

"No matter which side you chose, it was extremely dangerous and fraught with difficulties."

Jing Yan found it strange. "What kind of idiot was that? He had a perfectly good kingdom to rule, yet he insisted on abandoning the world? How much did he love that woman?"

Yu Tianqing asked, "Brother Zhao, what was the final outcome? Which side won?"

Zhao Xing shook his head. "The abandonment faction won. That ancient kingdom's lord ultimately truly gave up all his cultivation—

and joined an ancient sect. But the abandonment faction had no winners either. 'Xing Sen' died, and his teacher died too."

"Can I play the prince?" Jing Yan asked. "Wouldn't playing the prince mean an easy win?"

"You can. Once you enter, you will contract smallpox, neither alive nor dead. You will have plenty to suffer through."

"What is smallpox?" Yu Tianqing asked.

"A powerful disease. Even those in the Dao Domain Realm cannot withstand it."

"At the time, a plague called 'smallpox' ravaged the star domain. Many trial challengers could not survive that stage."

"They died the moment they entered."

"The salvation faction also lost many characters. A great many imperial physicians died because they failed to treat that beloved consort."

Jing Yan always felt that Zhao Xing was making things up. Zhao Xing was merely in the Source Origin Realm, while according to his description, that history world had been at the level of the Emperor's Chronicles.

But he had no proof, so he treated it as an amusing story.

"Anyway, we have been lucky. Aries is the one drawing the thunder, and we also ran into Tianqing to help us." Zhao Xing smiled. "The owner of this tomb is only in the Dao Domain Realm and wants his records passed down through the ages, so our chances of survival are high."

"Some Starry Sky Historians do not handle Human Affairs at all. They deliberately fabricate myths and legends to trap people. The missions are impossible to complete, and the trials cannot be cleared."

"You die the moment you enter. Even nine lives would not be enough."

"This path deserves to be banned," Jing Yan agreed wholeheartedly.

That profession deserved to be weakened. It was too damn treacherous.

"Tianqing, have you rested enough?" Zhao Xing asked.

Yu Tianqing opened his eyes. "Barely."

Jing Yan hurriedly took out a bright red spirit fruit and said with great sincerity, "Brother, do not force yourself. If it is not enough, there is more. We can wait."

Although he did not know why, Jing Yan could tell that Yu Tianqing was special. Without him and Zhao Xing, he would not have been able to get out.

Barely enough? How could that do?

"Eat as much as you want. Zhao Xing and I may not have much else, but we brought plenty of survival supplies," Jing Yan said. "Make sure you get proper rest, Brother Yu."

Yu Tianqing was amused by Jing Yan's antics. Somewhat embarrassed, he accepted the fruit. "Then I'll recuperate for another three to five months."

"Good, good."

Yu Tianqing's innate Major Divine Ability consumed an enormous amount when used.

He was the most exhausted of the three.

Zhao Xing was tough as nails. In battle, he barely consumed any of his own origin power.

What was a Giant Sun?

Jing Yan had already recovered more than ten times, yet Zhao Xing's Giant Yang Clone had not even used up half its spiritual power.

And he had not made fewer moves than Jing Yan.

"Qi Sect Martial Practitioners are fucking useful," Zhao Xing could not help but sigh.

Especially their ability to survive in dangerous situations—they were several tiers above spellcasters.

To put it plainly, if Zhao Xing did not need to save Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing, he could have simply found a corner and waited here.

Until one day, when someone from the Source Origin Heavenly Palace opened this tomb.

He would not need to worry about starving or being trapped to death at all.

But Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing could not do that.

If Zhao Xing's true body had not cultivated the Origin Sea World, he would not have been able to either.

Half a year later, Yu Tianqing finally recovered to full condition. His strength had also improved dramatically.

Before entering the ancient tomb, he had been at the initial stage of the Minor Mystic Power Realm. Now, he was already at the late stage.

"Just over two years, and he's broken through several minor realms in a row." Even Zhao Xing felt a little jealous.

When Old Yu takes off in the future, I'll have him make a copy for me. By then, the price he has to pay won't be too great, so he should agree, Zhao Xing thought.

Investing in the future Lord of the Kingdom was definitely not a losing deal. How much had he even spent?

When he had redeemed Yu Tianqing, he had only paid ten million. Later, taking Yu Tianqing monster hunting, including borrowing money to buy equipment this time, had not cost much either.

Le Yao really is a talent. I should visit prisons more often in the future, Zhao Xing thought. Like that Wu Tian—the Great Divine Power Five Finger Mountain is good stuff too.

The twelve arched bridges flew back onto Jing Yan's body, and the surrounding view gradually faded.

They once again saw the palace outside.

The three of them set off again, beginning their search for the Historian's Three Treasures.

"Brother Zhao, I think I found the place." Yu Tianqing suddenly looked in a certain direction.

"What did you see?" Zhao Xing asked.

"A book. It has a black cover, with thirty-six Sun Stars on the front and seventy-two Yin Stars on the back."

"I can't see through the cover to find out what's inside. A powerful force is blocking my investigation."

"But many rays of light are emerging from it. Some enter the sky, while others sink into the ground."

"That should be the Preaching Book," Zhao Xing said. "It is the foundation of the entire Transmission Realm system. Every spell—Book Puppets, memory alteration, See Nothing, Hear Nothing, Zhang Guan Li Dai, and other divine abilities—draws its core power from it."

"It is like the core chamber of a Realm Boat. If we take it away, we can lower the Risk Factor of the entire Transmission Realm."

"Brother Zhao, what grade is it?" Jing Yan asked.

"It should be a Solar Dao Soldier." Zhao Xing pondered. "If this were a realm from the current era, it would need Source Origin Divine Weapon-level power to support it."

"A Solar Dao Soldier?!" Greed appeared on Jing Yan's face.

"Brother Yu, can you see where the Grand Historian Crown is?" Zhao Xing asked.

"A hat?" Yu Tianqing said. "I see many hats in all kinds of styles. I don't know which one is the Grand Historian Crown."

"The crown is topped with a Sun Star, surrounded by twelve stars. Their radiance passes from one to the next, symbolizing time and light."

"The crown is square, with Dharma eyes embroidered on its front. The ribbons on both sides pass over the ears and hang to the shoulders, representing upright sight and hearing."

"It is the Supreme Beginning Crown of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom. There should also be jade ornaments on the crown ribbons on both sides, collectively called luo. A Grand Historian should wear seven luo."

"There are many accounts of what patterns they took. These are roughly the eighty-nine forms of luo ornaments." Zhao Xing waved his hand and depicted the forms he knew.

After Yu Tianqing looked them over, he continued gazing into the distance. In his eyes, the palaces gradually became illusory, leaving only crowns floating in the air.

"Brother Zhao, following your method, I still found three palaces with identical Supreme Beginning Crowns. All are of the seven-luo grade."

Zhao Xing said helplessly, "The tomb owner is trying to confuse us. I'm afraid only one is real."

"What's so hard about choosing one out of three?" Jing Yan said carelessly. "We just make three trips. I'll send Mechanism Puppets in."

"Give it a try," Zhao Xing said. He did not think it would be that simple.

After Jing Yan confirmed the directions with Yu Tianqing, he sent out three Mechanism Puppets, charging straight toward the three ancient halls.

However, as soon as his Mechanism Puppets reached the plazas before the halls, Book Puppets blocked their path.

The blue bricks of the plazas suddenly seemed to come alive, condensing from the ground into three thousand Book Puppets.

Every Book Puppet possessed Minor Mystic Power Realm strength, and all of them had the abilities of Twinborn Book Puppets.

Wanting to test their strength, Jing Yan controlled three Mechanism Puppets to engage them.

Boom!

One close-combat puppet charged forward with a spear, aiming directly at the Book Puppets' weak point—their navels.

Clang clang clang clang clang~

With a rapid succession of thrusts, a rhinoceros-like beast seemed to roar amid the afterimages. Blazing solar origin power carried violent impact force, knocking aside the Book Puppets' broadswords.

Pfft~

Light pierced through their bodies, punching through the Book Puppets.

"Jing Yan's Source Origin Dispersal and Advanced Tactics Optimization are really powerful." Yu Tianqing praised him. "He didn't even deploy the Twelve Wandering Deities, yet their combat power is already this strong."

Advanced Tactics referred to the combat instincts and techniques of Mechanism Puppets.

Optimization further raised the Upper Limit of Mechanism Puppets.

Source Origin Dispersal was also a classic secret technique among Imperial Mechanism Masters, capable of weakening an opponent's origin power.

Only after meeting Jing Yan did Yu Tianqing learn that Advanced Tactics could be optimized. As for such exquisite combat techniques as Source Origin Dispersal, this was his first time hearing of them.

"The tactics are good, but they're useless," Zhao Xing said, shaking his head. "They're all Symbiosis Puppets. The more you fight them, the stronger the enemy becomes."

"When only the last one remains, its combat power will be unimaginably strong."

"Besides, he can't kill many of them."

Before he had finished speaking, Jing Yan's Mechanism Puppets were smashed apart, reduced to piles of components.

Still, they had killed seven Book Puppets, which was not bad.

"Can't do it." Jing Yan shook his head. "If I can't destroy them all at the same time, these Book Puppets just keep getting stronger."

"Don't look at me." Zhao Xing shook his head. "My Giant Yang Clone can't possibly deal with a thousand Third Realm Book Puppets at once either."

A Dao Domain Realm tomb was not so easy to open. Even if a Historian's tomb was not designed to kill intruders, it was not something Minor Mystic Power cultivators could easily crack.

"Don't you know a lot?" Jing Yan asked.

"What good is knowing? What can I do if we can't meet the hard requirements to clear it?"

"The method for obtaining the Supreme Beginning Crown is right there. Kill a thousand Book Puppets in one move, and you clear the trial."

"The problem is that even the three of us combined don't have that kind of strength."

Zhao Xing quickly determined that the three of them could not pass this trial.

"Let's first see where the Realm Repairing Brush is and what its trial requires," Zhao Xing said. "There's no need to look at the Preaching Book. Without the Supreme Beginning Crown and Realm Repairing Brush, that trial will only be stronger."

Yu Tianqing said, "The Realm Repairing Brush is in the twenty-ninth domed palace from the east."

"It has been moving constantly, as if using the void as paper to write something."

"Every time it moves, countless characters spread outward along with the light."

Zhao Xing nodded. "Jing Yan, you're up."

His Giant Yang Clone was not suited to taking the lead in scouting work right now.

For that, Jing Yan, a Mechanism Master of the Dao Soldier Stream, was more reliable.

The Giant Yang Clone was not easily injured, but once it was hurt, it would be hard to recover, because Zhao Xing had not brought extra Void Ancestor materials.

Yu Tianqing was a Mech Martial Practitioner and had no ability to fight with clones. Jing Yan, however, had plenty of Mechanism Puppets in his pocket.

"Me again." Jing Yan muttered, "A dignified prince like me has become cannon fodder for scouting the Dao—"

"What are you muttering about? Brother Yu is still a Lord of the Kingdom, and I'm still the Grand Agriculture Official. Which of us isn't more valuable than an heir ranked over thirty thousand?"

"Twenty thousand! There are only a little over twenty thousand heirs ahead of me now!" Jing Yan argued.

"Fine, fine. Twenty thousand, then." Zhao Xing said disdainfully, "Prince Number Twenty Thousand, please take the field."

Cursing under his breath, Jing Yan flew eastward.

Yu Tianqing activated the Eye of Insight and watched him.

Less than thirty seconds later, Jing Yan returned.

"How was it?"

"How was what?" Jing Yan asked blankly. "Didn't we just fail the Supreme Beginning Crown trial? I'm waiting for you to think of something."

"What happened to him?" Zhao Xing asked with a frown.

"When Jing Yan went there, a ray of light from the Realm Repairing Brush passed through him," Yu Tianqing said. "Then he came back. No battle took place."

"Looks like he lost his memory." Zhao Xing nodded. "That means the Realm Repairing Brush trial involves divine abilities related to memory alteration or memory erasure."

"Should I try?" Yu Tianqing asked. "Forgetting techniques don't affect me. Maybe I can do it."

"I'll go first," Zhao Xing said. "If I can't do it, then you go."

Yu Tianqing was their last hope. He could not afford to let anything happen to him.

"Alright," Yu Tianqing said. "Be careful."

"Jing Yan, watch me."

Jing Yan now understood that he had probably attempted the trial just now, but did not remember it.

"Looks like I need to go back and cultivate properly." Jing Yan deeply felt his lack of strength.

The places he had visited before were not of a high level. Now, facing a Dao Domain Realm site, he felt utterly powerless.

Jing Yan took out the Twelve Wandering Deities and had them circle Zhao Xing.

The two flew together toward the Realm Repairing Brush.

Yu Tianqing waited anxiously for good news.

Yet two days later, Jing Yan had lost his memory, while Zhao Xing returned with Jing Yan, his face pale.

"What happened?" Yu Tianqing asked.

Zhao Xing ate a fruit to restore his spiritual power.

"What happened to him?" Jing Yan had forgotten the process again, even forgetting his vow to cultivate diligently.

"Besides erasing my memories, the Realm Repairing Brush showed me bloody, dark scenes," Zhao Xing said, shaking his head. "I knew they were fake, but when the enemies in those scenes charged at me, I still instinctively felt fear and terror."

"This trial also tests willpower. Even with my Minor Divine Ability, I couldn't withstand it."

"When I failed to hold on, my soul was injured." Zhao Xing sighed. "Illusion became reality. Those heroic spirits truly attacked me."

There was no helping it. Although the Slaughter Thought Blade had already reached the seventh order of Minor Divine Ability,

The difficulty of this trial was even greater.

The Realm Repairing Brush was not something they were meant to take. It should have been claimed by Starfire's three Major Divine Ability cultivators.

The problem was that Aries was finished. If they wanted to get out, the supporting cast had no choice but to do the protagonist's work.

"I'll give it a try," Yu Tianqing said. "You and Jing Yan both came back safely. At worst, I should be able to retreat intact."

"Alright." Zhao Xing nodded.

Their hope now rested on Yu Tianqing.

If he could not do it either, then all they could do was cling to life and wait for rescue. There were too many uncertainties in that, and they did not know whether rescue would ever come.

Whoosh~

Yu Tianqing immediately flew eastward.

Outside the distant imperial palace was a Purgatory Execution Grounds.

Powerful heroic spirits surrounded the sea of flames.

Aries was covered in spikes, nearly pierced through from head to toe.

He looked expressionlessly at his surroundings, silently waiting for death.

"Ruan Chang, do you really want to die that badly?" A voice questioned him from within Aries's body. "The Lord of the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom is incompetent and foolish, listening to the slander of a demon consort. Why not rebel against him?"

Aries was frantic. His body had now been completely taken over by Ruan Chang.

The key was that after taking control of him, this heroic spirit did not resist the Yue Luo Lord of the Kingdom's persecution at all!

Ruan Chang wanted to die, but Yang Baihe did not.

He possessed two Major Divine Abilities and had a bright future. After returning to the Empire this time, his record would gain a bold new entry. With talent and aptitude, Yang Baihe possessed limitless potential!

How could he be willing to die here?

"I see him as my own child," another voice sounded from within Aries. "If a child wants to take something from me, how could a parent refuse? Even if it is my life, I am willing."

"Even if history repeats itself countless times, I would still make the same choice."

"Yang Baihe, you are not from my era, nor are you me. You will never understand how I feel."

"Bastard, this is blind loyalty!" Yang Baihe cursed loudly. "Do you know he got you killed? And the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom rapidly fell after your death, yet you still want to conceal this part of history for him!"

"If my death can awaken the wise and mighty child he once was, then everything is worth it."

"After he and I revive, we will surely be able to restore the Yue Luo Ancient Kingdom."

"Madman! That dog emperor is a madman, and you're a madman too! You want to court death first and live afterward? Dream on—"

Yang Baihe roared and twisted, but eventually fell silent.

His body and soul were both burned to ashes.

After Ruan Chang died, a group of heroic spirits began slaughtering one another.

And a force headed toward the place where the Grand Historian Crown, Preaching Book, and Realm Repairing Brush were stored.

Rustle, rustle, rustle~

The Realm Repairing Brush trembled continuously before Yu Tianqing, lines of ancient characters flashing rapidly through the void.

---Ruan Chang willingly went to his death. After he was condemned to death by the foolish monarch,

Jun Yichen broke through three realms in a single day, leaping from the Grand Mystic Power Realm directly into the Life and Death Dao Domain Realm. He sought to slay the demon consort and remonstrate with the king unto death.

Two days later, he died in the Extreme Dao Hall.

The demon empress and foolish monarch issued a secret order: kill all who knew of the matter, force the Grand Historians to erase all unofficial histories, and rewrite the imperial annals.

Yu Tianqing and Zhao Xing watched the words written by the Realm Repairing Brush, their expressions darkening.

"What's wrong with you two?" Jing Yan asked in confusion. "Didn't we already get the Realm Repairing Brush? Why do you still look so depressed?"

2

Yu Tianqing had obtained the Realm Repairing Brush without any effort. Memory loss and tests of will seemed to have completely failed before him.

Once it was taken out, the Realm Repairing Brush automatically formed words in the void.

Zhao Xing and Yu Tianqing both understood it immediately. The translation might not have been entirely complete, but they could grasp the general meaning.

Unfortunately, the information they had received was far from encouraging.

"Whatever the Realm Repairing Brush writes will definitely happen. Once Jun Yichen and Ruan Chang die, this city will be purged," Zhao Xing said.

Jing Yan said, "Now that we have the Realm Repairing Brush, can we leave?"

"Obtaining the Realm Repairing Brush only allows us to learn what happens next. None of the three of us are historians, so we can't use it," Zhao Xing said.

"We don't know when Jun Yichen's battle will take place, nor how long after that powerful heroic spirits will arrive to conduct the purge."

"In short, we'll probably be in great danger from here on out. We have to act as quickly as possible."

Zhao Xing rose to his feet and looked toward the other side.

"Tian Qing, now that you possess the Realm Repairing Brush, you may not be able to use it, but the fact that you can hold it means you can enter and leave the Proclamation Palace and Grand Historian Palace."

"Let's quickly retrieve those other two treasures."

"Alright." Yu Tianqing wasted no words and immediately began moving.

The three of them headed at once toward the other two palaces.

The Realm Repairing Brush continued writing and drawing.

Zhao Xing kept his eyes fixed tightly on it.

It could write about events that were about to happen. If anything went wrong, they could notice it in advance.

It's already too late to call for help. We can only rely on ourselves to find an exit. Zhao Xing thought. The purge is about to begin. Even if we risk offending Starfire, distant water cannot put out a nearby fire.

With Yu Tianqing leading the way, Zhao Xing's group quickly entered the Grand Historian Palace and obtained the Supreme Beginning Crown.

Yu Tianqing then put on the Supreme Beginning Crown and headed for the Proclamation Palace.

Rumble—

After the Preaching Book was removed, even heaven and earth seemed to shake.

Zhao Xing stared at the Realm Repairing Brush.

A line of text appeared in the void: Ruan Chang was beheaded at the Purgatory Execution Grounds. The powerful origin of the Dao caused heaven and earth to tremble, seemingly affecting Grand Tutor Yuan Dao.

The realms of all cultivators were affected as a result.

"After the Preaching Book was moved, these Book Puppets have grown weaker as well." Zhao Xing looked at the aimlessly wandering Book Puppets outside the palace.

"The Symbiosis Puppets that were originally in the Minor Mystic Power Realm have dropped by two minor realms. They're only at the late Second Realm now."

"What a pity I can't use it." Yu Tianqing sounded regretful.

Of the three treasures, only the Supreme Beginning Crown could be worn by him, providing protection.

But he could not use either the Realm Repairing Brush or the Preaching Book.

The two Dao weapons were profession-exclusive. Without cultivating a history book, one could not use them and could only look at them.

"This is already very good," Zhao Xing said. "After being moved, they have at least weakened the Book Puppets."

"The Supreme Beginning Crown can ensure that we deal with all sorts of mystic power formations in the Transmission Realm. Jing Yan and I no longer have to worry about losing our memories. Ordinary Book Puppets won't even be able to see us."

With the Seven-Luo Supreme Beginning Crown, the situation for the three of them improved considerably.

To those Book Puppets, it was as though they had been struck by the divine ability See Nothing, Hear Nothing. They simply acted as if Zhao Xing's group did not exist.

"Now we wait for the Realm Repairing Brush to advance the plot and see where the tomb owner left an exit and a path to survival—first, let's leave the imperial palace!"

Zhao Xing's group swiftly left the imperial palace.

Not long after they departed,

two groups arrived within the palace.

Swish—

There were two Grand Mystic Power Realm cultivators. One wore silver armor and held a Fiery Red battle saber. His skin was crimson, as though he had been bathed in Solar Yang origin for years.

Chen Xuan, another Grand Mystic Power Realm martial artist from Starfire.

The other was a long-haired woman in black-and-white robes, with one purple eye and one blue eye.

Her codename was Yue Nv, a Grand Mystic Power Realm cultivator of the soul path.

"Yue Nv, how is the situation?"

"Aries is dead." Yue Nv closed her eyes and sensed the surroundings.

"We entered first and drew away a large number of Book Puppets, creating a relatively safe exploration route for him.

And he still died?" Chen Xuan drew in a sharp breath. "This place is far too cursed."

"Activate the backup plan." Yue Nv did not hesitate for even a second. "I'm the team leader now. You follow my command."

"Yes." Chen Xuan nodded.

"A disturbance of heroic spirits has broken out outside the imperial palace. You will lead the others and stop neither the Han Luo Army nor the various heroic spirits from invading," Yue Nv ordered. "I'll go in and search for the Historian's Three Treasures until I say we can retreat."

"Understood." Chen Xuan nodded.

The two teams, totaling more than forty people, began acting separately.

Yue Nv went to search for the Historian's Three Treasures, while Chen Xuan served as the rear guard.

"Damn, there are so many Book Puppets." Jing Yan looked at the heroic spirits filling the skies and earth like a tidal wave, swarming throughout the city like ants.

"Even after being weakened, there are still over ten thousand in the Third Realm. There are quite a few Grand Mystic Power Realm ones too, and even Five Elements Dao Domain Realm ones?"

"I never want to rob a historian's tomb again. This is fucking terrifying."

Protected by the three treasures, the three of them remained completely unharmed amid the disturbance and purge.

Even Dao Domain Realm Book Puppets could not see them.

"I think so too." It was Yu Tianqing's first time seeing such a scene. Though they had merely brushed past it, he was still frightened.

It was too exhilarating!

A group of experts passed right by them, many of whom could have crushed them with ease.

Yu Tianqing had never experienced as much danger and excitement in his life as he had on this journey.

The calmest among the three was Zhao Xing.

He faced no real danger to his life, only a crisis concerning wealth.

"Don't just stand there later," Zhao Xing said. "See if you can pick up a few Mystic Power Edicts dropped by Grand Mystic Power Realm cultivators."

"Don't pick up too many. Three to five each is enough."

"Why?" Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing both asked.

"Mystic Power Edicts and Dao Commands are the cores that make up those Book Puppets, and they are also another foundation of this Transmission Realm."

"If we take too many away, we'll affect the operation of the Transmission Realm and be targeted by the entire realm," Zhao Xing said. "In other words, we outsiders will have affected the plot, and the Realm Repairing Brush will correct it."

"It will kill us outsiders to ensure the Transmission Realm continues operating normally."

Zhao Xing pointed at the Realm Repairing Brush. "If we pick up too many, this thing might write something like, 'Zhao Xing, Jing Yan, and Yu Tianqing, three Grand Tutor guards, also tragically died in this disaster.'"

"How unjust would that be? We can already survive and make a fortune. Don't die at the very end because of greed."

Yu Tianqing took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the greed in his heart.

Honestly, leaving so many Mystic Power Edicts lying there without picking them up took tremendous willpower.

Every single one recorded a divine ability technique or martial skill. Even if they were incomplete pages, they could still sell for a huge price!

If Zhao Xing had not stopped him, he would have gone down to pick them up already.

Yu Tianqing had never seen so much money in his life!

"Brother, you really have too much experience with this," Jing Yan sighed. "I truly believe you've gone adventuring in other Transmission Realms before."

Thinking back now, every single step Zhao Xing had taken from the beginning until now could be called the right choice.

That included crossing the moat, entering the city, later finding him, and figuring out a way to contact Yu Tianqing—

Although Yu Tianqing had played a major role, without Zhao Xing, even if Yu Tianqing possessed some special ability, he probably would not have escaped. One wrong step and he would have been finished.

Someone as powerful as Aries had entered the imperial palace only to be directly executed upon coming out.

A genius-level Grand Mystic Power Realm cultivator had lost his life in this ancient tomb without even causing a ripple.

"Brother Zhao, we should thank you," Yu Tianqing said.

"No." Zhao Xing waved his hand. "It won't be too late to thank me after we get out."

Why celebrate at halftime?

"When picking up treasures later, if incomplete chapters cannot make up a full set, throw them away immediately."

"If Tian Qing feels that the origin fluctuations are weak, that proves it isn't powerful. Throw it away too."

"Pick up only the ones dropped by Grand Mystic Power Realm and Dao Domain Realm cultivators."

"Five is the Upper Limit. No more than that. Don't let greed make you secretly stash any away."

"We've already been incredibly fortunate to obtain the Historian's Three Treasures. We need to be grateful."

"Understood. Tian Qing, is this Mystic Power Edict of mine powerful?" Jing Yan picked up a scroll bearing a drawing of a short sword.

"Average." Yu Tianqing answered by instinct.

"Throwing it away." Jing Yan casually tossed it onto the ground.

"What about this one?"

"Not bad."

"I'm keeping it!"

Zhao Xing smiled as he watched the two of them sort through their choices.

"I have to say, once you get out, you two can brag about this for the rest of your lives."

"Throwing away divine ability techniques like they're nothing—even spoiled young masters aren't as lavish as you."

"Hahaha!" Jing Yan said. "Once I return to the Empire, I'm definitely going to brag about this everywhere!"

"My friends will probably think I'm talking in my sleep," Yu Tianqing said with a laugh.

He had never been one to smile much, but now his grin was nearly splitting his face.

While Zhao Xing's group happily collected treasures, Yue Nv and Chen Xuan's two teams were having a miserable time.

The purge and disturbance written by the Realm Repairing Brush quickly spread into the imperial palace.

Yue Nv led her people in searching for a long time but found no trace of the Historian's Three Treasures. They did find a few fakes instead.

"What's going on? They aren't here?" Yue Nv muttered. "How could they not be here?"

"Yue Nv, I can barely hold on over here!" Chen Xuan's voice was anxious.

He stood atop the palace wall, his massive body resembling a giant sun as he held a flaming sword.

The Book Puppets surged around him like a tide, their frenzied attacks resembling meteors crashing into a star continent.

Chen Xuan was a true Qi Sect Grand Mystic Power Realm cultivator. Even Five Elements Dao Domain Realm Book Puppets found it difficult to shake him.

But there were simply more and more of them. Enough ants could bite an elephant to death!

His "sun" was nearly being extinguished.

"You have to hold on even if you can't!" Yue Nv screamed. "Starfire prepared for this plan for over seven thousand years! We can only leave after obtaining the items!"

Chen Xuan groaned inwardly, cursing Aries and Yue Nv as useless trash.

He had held out for so long. Why had they still not found them?

I really am going to die here. What a pity I haven't returned to the Empire in so long—hm? Who's that? Chen Xuan's peripheral vision suddenly turned toward the distance.

A figure flashed past atop the dome of a towering spherical palace.

Then the figure furtively glanced around before quickly hiding back in the void.

"Is that—Jing Yan?" Chen Xuan nearly thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

The Supreme Beginning Crown worked on Book Puppets, but Chen Xuan was alive, so it had no effect on him. Chen Xuan was currently at the peak of his condition, enormously tall. As the saying went, standing high gave one a distant view, and he immediately caught sight of the scene.

"The Twelve Wandering Gods Barrier? He's still alive?" "That kid is picking up Mystic Power Edicts?"

"Wait, why aren't those Book Puppets pursuing him?"

Chen Xuan immediately realized something.

"Fuck! Yue Nv and I are fighting for our lives over here, while he got the Supreme Beginning Crown and is collecting treasures outside?"