Unexpected Gains: The Grand Minister of Agriculture's Secret Art and Emperor Jing! (A Major Chapter)
"He's already reached two levels? That's fast." Heaven Derivation King once again marveled at Zhao Xing's talent for cultivation.
"Whether it's enough or not depends on who the opponent is."
"The Soul Extinguishing Bell is a soul-attack technique. If an enemy collects your items, it's because they intend to use a 'curse-type spell.' This type of spell is extremely strange, and only high-level experts can cast it."
Heaven Derivation King pondered, "This matter still needs careful planning. We've been keeping an eye on this line for some time, but some big fish haven't been caught yet."
"May I ask if Your Highness could reveal a little something? I'm a bit uneasy," Zhao Xing said.
After all, his family was from Dongyang County, and he needed to know the extent to which the Heavenly Mystery Hall had accomplished this.
"For example, Yin Qiquan, the maritime inspector of Chongming Prefecture, a Fourth Grade official, has been swapping the archives of the official documents you signed over the past few years and has collected quite a few copies."
"Compared to that, what those ordinary spies collected is nothing."
Zhao Xing was slightly startled. The official document stated that such items were the best mediums for curse spells.
Why? Because official approval documents contain not only the author's handwriting but also their opinions on how to handle the matter.
As the saying goes, when one writes, one's pen moves as if guided by a god. When one approves official documents, one's eyes, hands, and heart are all in perfect harmony. Compared to other things, this is on a completely different level.
A used bowl or a handmade toy cannot be imbued with the same strong spiritual will as an official document.
Zhao Xing was the head of the Community God Hall. His official documents were always issued in triplicate: one copy for his signature, which was then sent to lower-level government offices; another copy for submission to his superiors.
Thirdly, it serves as an archive, facilitating review and retrieval. This way, even if the superior and subordinate officials have changed, it's still possible to find out what decisions a particular official made in what year and month. Furthermore, this is also an important basis for evaluating and selecting officials!
"This matter is also due to your cultivation in the Military Realm," Heaven Derivation King. "Originally, it wouldn't have been so easy to switch the bodies, but you've Community God Hall for the past two years..."
Chen Shijie handled most of the official business, and he even used your seal and signed it on your behalf.
"I see," Zhao Xing said, suddenly understanding.
If Chen Shijie had handled the whole thing, then that would have been fine.
The archives are all signed by Chen Shijie, and even if they use his own official seal, they cannot serve as a medium.
The problem is that, in order to make Chen Shijie less tired and give him time to cultivate, Zhao Xing went to handle official business himself.
Therefore, the archives originally contained two types of official documents: one signed by Zhao Xing Xingzhen and the other signed by Chen Shijie.
Yin Qiquan found an opportunity to switch some of the real ones, allowing more to be signed by proxy.
Whether or not the archiving is signed by someone else is irrelevant; it's a very minor matter.
But in the eyes of the Fate Officials, there is a difference, because this can be used to cast curse-type spells.
Yin Qiquan never imagined that Zhao Xing, a mere Fifth Grade, was so important. He had been cautious enough, yet Fate Officials was specifically assigned to oversee such a trivial matter.
"Wait for me to return the day after tomorrow, and do not act rashly."
"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.
These spies are currently under the surveillance of Heaven Derivation King. If I kill them, the other side will probably send out even more secretive spies, making it much harder to find them again.
After ending his conversation with Heaven Derivation King, Zhao Xing returned to the Community God Hall. Although the Heavenly Mystery Hall had already taken strong protective measures to safeguard the geniuses who were about to enter the Dragon Court Ancient Land.
However, Zhao Xing was still cautious, believing that one should not place all one's hopes on others.
So he practiced the Dream Walking Art every day, covering the entire Dongyang County, carefully observing everyone's every move.
Two days later, Heaven Derivation King returned to the Star Palace and summoned Zhao Xing.
February 7th, 33rd year of the Jingxin Calendar.
The two spies deployed in Dongyang County began their retreat.
On the same day, Zhao Xing, in his capacity as the head of the Community God Hall, set sail for "Dragon Stone Island" to inspect the sacrificial affairs of Dragon Stone County.
That very night, overjoyed Yin Qiquan went to the secret underground altar and burned the message into the messenger brazier.
Deep in the distant East Sea, three sword-like underground mountains stand tall, and beneath them lies a hidden Crystal Palace.
Four blood-red incense candles suddenly ignited, emitting wisps of fragrant smoke, and a roaring flame erupted from the brazier beneath the Blood Spirit Venerable.
"Zhao Xing, the head of the Community God Hall, departed at dawn today to preside over the Spring Community Sacrifice on Dragon Stone Island, and is expected to arrive at noon on the 8th."
The Blood Spirit Venerable looked at the letter and nodded.
"After waiting so long, I've finally found an opportunity."
As Zhao Xing has been targeting him for three years, but a suitable opportunity has not yet been found.
Because Zhao Xing has both a true body and an avatar, most assassination methods become ineffective.
It's impossible for Blood Spirit Venerable to mobilize a large amount of manpower and resources to kill a clone.
If we were to actually do that, we'd be the laughingstock of our industry peers.
Physical attacks are basically ineffective.
That leaves only soul-type spells.
As a result, Zhao Xing was promoted to the Community God Hall in Chongming Prefecture in the thirtieth year of the Jingxin Calendar.
This results in a very low success rate for soul-based assassination schemes as well.
Because the Community God Hall belongs to the temple's subordinate institutions.
Even with the support of the Liang King Faction, the Southern Wilderness Royal Court, Profound Heaven Sect, it was impossible for Blood Spirit Venerable to kill a Fifth Grade official who was staying at the temple in the prefectural city.
He's not even good enough for a first-rank official!
Unless there is internal strife within the Great Zhou Dynasty, the prefecture-level temples within the Great Zhou territory are absolutely forbidden zones for Outer Sects!
This has nothing to do with Zhao Xing's rank. As long as he stays in a prefecture-level temple, even an ordinary person like Blood Spirit Venerable cannot kill him.
The only chance is if Zhao Xing's true form leaves the city and heads to another place, or even better, goes out to sea!
"The Spring Festival is an important sacrificial ceremony of the Great Zhou, and it is unlikely that Zhao Xing could go in a separate person."
"This is the best opportunity yet," the Blood Spirit Venerable pondered.
He subconsciously calculated with his fingers, and after a moment, he came to a conclusion:
"I'm about 80% sure it'll work."
Blood Spirit Venerable nodded, then walked to a section of the Crystal Palace called the [Spirit Sealing Hall].
"Boom!"
The gate opened, and a wisp of blue light flickered, seemingly about to tumble out of the gate.
However, they were blocked by the barrier of the two doors.
The Blood Spirit Venerable looked over and saw one hundred [Profound Ice Coffin] inside.
Each coffin was transparent.
Ninety of the coffins were empty.
Only ten coffins contained the sleeping naked bodies.
Some people have an old almanac pasted on the outside of their coffins.
Some almanacs are very thick, while others are just a few thin sheets of paper.
"I need to cast the Blood Word Curse Kill Art. I have gathered the mediums, but it still requires a considerable price. I wonder which senior is willing to sacrifice himself?" The Blood Spirit Venerable bowed towards the group of coffins.
No one responded. The Blood Spirit Venerable smiled slightly, "It seems everyone is willing. Then I shall take the liberty of saying so."
He walked toward the group of coffins.
In reality, the people inside these coffins couldn't respond either.
It's purely because the Blood Spirit Venerable has been lonely for too long, so he created this ritual for himself.
He looked left and right, ignoring those thick old almanacs.
"You guys are so lucky, sleeping so soundly."
"Unlike me, I'm neither human nor ghost, I can't even sleep when I want to."
"When will it be my turn to sleep?"
"Oh, I don't think I sleep here. Where do I sleep again?" Blood Spirit Venerable muttered to himself, a look of confusion in his eyes.
He came to a coffin containing the body of a burly middle-aged man, who was at least four meters tall.
Blood Spirit Venerable glanced at the almanac. "Zhang Yao, the Mountain Chief of the Xuan Tian Profound Heaven Divine Sect, has been asleep for 789,400 years since the Eighth Era, and it has been 7,645 years since then."
"According to the Profound Heaven Almanac, you will reach the limit of your sleep in just twenty-five years."
"Over seven thousand years, in this era, your chances of waking up are less than ten percent, and you're close to the limit of slumber—"
"You're the one."
"I will send you back to the Mystic Heaven," the Blood Spirit Venerable muttered to himself.
He tore off the last two pages of the almanac from the coffin.
Metaphor
The coffin trembled slightly, and the chill inside began to dissipate slowly.
The Blood Spirit Venerable rolled up the coffin and walked out.
Spirit Sealing Hall, he quickly closed the door.
The Blood Spirit Venerable brought the coffin to the altar.
Besides him, there are two other statues here.
"Senior Brother, please bless me, Martial Uncle."
The Blood Spirit Venerable cupped his hands in greeting, then carried the coffin to the side of the blood pool, quietly waiting for the sealing effect of the coffin to dissipate.
Inside a Tower Ship on the East Sea.
Zhao Xing's true form is currently resting with his eyes closed on the Scenic Outlook Platform of the Tower Ship.
This is the official boat of the Community God Hall. The boat mainly contains statues of Sheshen, but of course, it has no great power and is just a symbol.
Bringing it to the island for worship is just a formality.
"Your Highness, I've set sail now. Have you noticed anything unusual?"
Zhao Xing appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, as still as a mountain, but in reality he was in a panic and sent a telepathic message to Heaven Derivation King on the lower deck of the ship.
Curse spells are too bizarre, and only high-level spellcasters can cast them. These spells are usually mastered by shamans in the Southern Wilderness or clergy in sects.
Even facing a high-ranking priest, Old Master Zhao was still somewhat flustered.
Especially now, he is truly going to sea in person.
"What are you afraid of? It's not you who's being carried." The Heaven Derivation King's voice reached my ears. "Before I came, I cast the ' Soul Transfer Substitute Death Art ' on you. Any Fate Soul -related spells aimed at you will instead affect me."
"You will never die before I do."
"With Your Highness here, what do I have to fear? I'm just asking how big a fish I can catch with this net."
"You don't need to worry about that. Knowing too much about the secrets of the Fate Officials won't do you any good, unless you also want to become Fate Officials," Heaven Derivation King.
"Then forget it." Zhao Xing shook his head.
Although Fate Officials hold a superior position, they are destined not to appear publicly in front of the world.
These low-profile and mysterious Fate Officials only reveal their deeds after their death.
The top-secret files may not be declassified for many years.
Zhao Xing was mainly worried that Heaven Derivation King wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Because of the increasing number of conflicts between high-ranking individuals in the Southern Barbarians region, a large-scale high-ranking war could break out at any time this year.
Since the East Sea side is scheming against them with high-level skills, then it's hard to say how high-level their opponents might be.
"Encountering Third Grade is no problem, encountering Second Rank is also not a big deal, but encountering a first-rank official is life-threatening."
Heaven Derivation King is also at the Second Rank rank. If he can't withstand it, then I certainly can't.
Of course, the chance of encountering a first-class being casting a soul curse spell on oneself is extremely low.
Everything has to be considered in terms of cost; spells like soul curses always come at a price.
This is its magical nature.
Void-targeting curses that ignore distance mostly consume a person's lifespan.
The chances of a first-rank official wasting their lifespan to kill a Fifth Grade official like themselves are very low.
"Ugh~"
Just then, Zhao Xing suddenly heard a low, mournful sound.
He shuddered and immediately activated his Heaven's Eye Art, scanning his surroundings.
But they found that nothing had happened, and the sound came from nowhere.
"Waaah~"
The sound became clearer, but Zhao Xing still couldn't find the source of it.
He tried to send a telepathic message to Heaven Derivation King, but Heaven Derivation King did not respond.
When Zhao Xing looked again, he found that there was no one left on the boat!
"They're here!"
Zhao Xing's heart sank, knowing that the mastermind behind the scenes had already activated the spell.
I just don't know what kind of curse spell it is.
"Pfft~"
As if something had ignited, Zhao Xing shrank back and moved away from his spot.
I found that the spot where I had just been standing was now covered in ashes.
Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Xuanhua paper, the official paper commonly used in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
His name was faintly visible on it.
"It's Blood Word Curse Kill Art," Zhao Xing immediately recognized it. "This is a top-tier soul-type curse spell."
His expression became tense.
Of all spells, this one is the hardest to defend against.
Just like his [Yin Wind] spell, which was difficult for enemies to defend against.
Curse-type spells are even more bizarre.
"Mouth~"
The sky appeared normal, but suddenly it started raining paper scraps.
The words leaped from the paper, like blood, and then twisted and transformed.
Some resemble human figures, some are the outline of a single eye, and some are a combination of human and animal.
"Puff puff puff puff puff puff puff~"
However, these blood-red words spontaneously combusted as they descended.
By the time it reached Zhao Xing's feet, it was already a pile of ashes.
"Boy, prepare to unleash the Soul Extinguishing Bell. I'm going to release some cursed beings to trap our opponent deeper and deeper."
This was the voice of the Heaven Derivation King, and Zhao Xing also seemed to come from nowhere.
"Okay, let's go!"
Zhao Xing took a deep breath, his Fate Soul supporting a large golden bell, ready to ring it at any moment.
As soon as the words were spoken, four characters appeared in the sky: "Decline," "glory," and "splendid."
"God"
The word "Ai" took the lead in transforming into shape, and rushed towards Zhao Xing below,
Soul-type spells can only be blocked by other soul-type spells or treasures.
The Heavenly Mystery Magic Robe Zhao Xing was wearing emitted bursts of white light.
At the same time, a bell rang from within his body.
"Clang!"
The transformed body of Shanzi was immediately blocked twenty meters away.
The remaining three characters remained a hundred meters in the air.
"The Blood-Character Incantation, Yuan Xianxing, followed by Qi, Hua, and Shen. If the first character misses, the rest will be greatly diminished."
"Now it's a power struggle between the two sides, and Heaven Derivation King wants to make the other side pay a higher price."
With a thought, Zhao Xing made the Soul Extinguishing Bell ring only once.
Buzz~
Yuan Zi entered within fifteen meters.
Meanwhile, inside the Crystal Palace, at the Three Undersea Mountains.
The Blood Spirit Venerable looked at the blood pool below with a puzzled expression.
Zhao Xing's figure was reflected in the blood pool. His robes shone brightly, but he could not hear the bell.
"As expected, they took precautions and received protection from officials of higher rank than Fifth Grade official." The Blood Spirit Venerable was also making deductions based on the information he had gathered. "It's very likely that he was secretly chosen by the Heavenly Mystery Hall."
"Then we absolutely cannot let him live."
Splash!
Rolls of official documents flew up from the surrounding area; these were the documents Yin Qiquan had collected over the years.
Files kept burning, turning into streaks of light that entered the blood pool.
"Go!"
Correspondingly, the price he paid also increased.
Beside the pool of blood lay a corpse, its body cut open, revealing many bloody holes.
"Gurgle~"
Blood flowed into the pool.
In the blink of an eye, his flesh and blood dried up, leaving him almost skin and bones.
The character "Yuan" immediately closed to within ten meters of Zhao Xing.
"What kind of demon dares to plot against me?!"
In the video, Zhao Xing is both shocked and furious, his hands trembling as if he will be unable to withstand the attack at any moment.
The Blood Spirit Venerable smiled slightly; he had read the lips and cast the spell again.
The bones of the mummified corpse were also scattered into powder, and the entire body was thrown into the blood pool.
"Even if I die today, I will haunt you as a vengeful ghost!!"
Zhao Xing looked at the bad character less than three meters in front of him, his face was ferocious, and his veins popped out.
The Blood Spirit Venerable was slightly different.
Because the blood pool had dried up more than halfway, the blood-colored characters "decaying" still hadn't completely entered Zhao Xing's body.
Blood Spirit Venerable pointed again, and five characters for "decay" appeared in the sky.
At the same time, the blood pool also ran dry.
"You think I can't take down a mere Third Grade official?"
The Blood Spirit Venerable watched coldly.
On the boat, the five characters for "sorrow" had already entered within a meter of Zhao Xing.
But then it stopped again.
Not only did it not advance, but it also showed signs of being pushed away.
"Aaaaaaah!"
Zhao Xing roared, as if he were struggling in his death throes.
The Blood Spirit Venerable was taken aback upon seeing this.
"Why can't you kill him yet?"
At that moment, he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.
But he also felt that if he put in a little more effort, he could kill Zhao Xing.
"Boom!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable chopped off one of his fingers and threw it into the blood pool.
"The Five Signs of Decay, depart!"
The blood-red light intensified, and it immediately advanced another one-ninth of a meter.
"Ugh! Who's trying to kill me?!"
"I'm about to die, I'm so unwilling to accept it—"
"Bang bang bang bang bang!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable lost nine fingers in a row.
At this point, the five-character shape had traveled 90 centimeters.
There were only 10 centimeters left between them and Zhao Xing.
When the Blood Spirit Venerable cut off his tenth finger.
He discovered the Blood Curse Killer was nine centimeters away from being completed.
Blood Spirit Venerable:
Looking at Zhao Xing's exclamation on the screen, he felt that this scene was somewhat familiar.
At this moment, Blood Spirit Venerable seemed to have fallen into the trap of some unscrupulous merchant.
After ninety-nine cuts, it was almost done, but then it was discovered that the final cut had been broken down into ten smaller cuts—
Although he had a feeling something was wrong the moment the Third Grade corpses were exhausted.
However, the sunk costs and the allure of achieving success with just a tiny bit of profit have led Blood Spirit Venerable to this point.
His arms and legs were completely broken, yet Zhao Xing was still screaming:
"Damn it! That bastard!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable was furious.
He remembered that he had been tricked by this kid back in Gucheng.
However, compared to last time, his tactics this time are more sophisticated.
Anger!
Blood Spirit Venerable's blood pressure spiked instantly.
He was somewhat on the defensive, having been manipulated twice by the same person using similar methods!
"Such a disgrace is unprecedented in a thousand years!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable was so angry he felt like vomiting blood.
At this point, his rationality finally returned.
"Oh no, I've fallen for their trap!"
"How could I lose my mind? I've been completely fooled by that brat Tianyan!"
"This is all a trap; Zhao Xing is just bait!"
Blood Spirit Venerable turned his head to look at the blood pool.
A golden Flying Dragon rose from the pool of blood.
A bronze mirror with Bagua symbols was pasted on the forehead of the dragon's head.
Upon seeing the Blood Spirit Venerable, the dragon head immediately opened its mouth.
However, his mouth was empty; instead, a beam of light shot out from the Bagua bronze mirror on his head, heading straight for the Blood Spirit Venerable.
"Heaven Derivation King? You're quite the schemer! You actually managed to influence my Divine Soul!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable's mangled body flew up, but was still struck by the light.
"Meow~"
He was engulfed in flames and couldn't help but scream in agony.
"Ahhh—"
He struggled to run to the two statues.
He crashed headfirst into one of the statues.
The flames remained on the statue and continued to burn.
Blood Spirit Venerable actually walked out from behind the statue completely unharmed.
"Boom!"
The statue collapsed with a crash.
Without saying a word, Blood Spirit Venerable picked up his Martial Uncle's statue again and smashed it into the blood pool.
"Blood Origin Mystic Seal, go!"
"Boom boom boom!"
The golden dragon and the statue perished together.
Watching the vanished golden dragon, Blood Spirit Venerable gasped for breath, "Senior Brother, Martial Uncle, I'm sorry, the enemy is too cunning. I can only borrow two of your lives."
Having caught his breath, the Blood Spirit Venerable surveyed his surroundings.
"This outpost is no longer usable."
Blood Spirit Venerable quickly entered the [Spirit Sealing Hall].
Swish swish "
He quickly tore open the almanac on one of the coffins and opened all the coffin lids.
"Blood Origin Great Method!"
"Gurgle~ Gurgle~"
The sleeping person quickly turned into a mummified corpse.
If he wants to escape, he'll need to replenish his forces.
"That's enough!"
The Blood Spirit Venerable looked up in a certain direction.
"Withdraw!"
He grabbed the remaining coffins and flew away immediately.
At the same time, he packed up the remaining items related to Zhao Xing and immediately began to flee.
at the same time.
On the Tower Ship.
"Disappeared."
Zhao Xing looked at the sky.
He smashed the blood-red words with the sound of a bell, picked up the fragments, and immediately used the Five Finger Heavenly Mandate to expose the mastermind behind the scenes.
"Buzz~"
Scenes flashed before Zhao Xing's eyes.
Three mountains at the bottom of the sea: the Crystal Palace, the Spirit Sealing Hall, and the Crystal Coffin—as well as the fleeing figure of the Blood Spirit Venerable.
"What? This place?" Zhao Xing was taken aback.
When he saw the three mountains, he was stunned.
Because this was the location of the millennium- Millennial Climate Shift that he had calculated for more than ten years using the shell of a ten-thousand-year- Ten Thousand Year Mysterious Turtle!
He searched for this place on the high seas but couldn't find it.
He even asked Long Xiao to help him search within the Azure Dragon Army.
But there has been no news since.
"It's here, still in the sea? Is it still unborn?"
"Wait, is this the Profound Heaven Sect's Profound Ice Spirit Coffin? The Spirit Sealing Hall?"
"This place is actually a dormant site of the Profound Heaven Sect!"
Zhao Xing was extremely surprised.
It's not just the Millennial Climate Shift, but more importantly, the [Profound Ice Spirit Coffin].
In his plans for the future, how to survive until the Spiritual Energy Revival was one of the options he had.
"We must find this place quickly!"
Zhao Xing had already escaped the effects of the Blood Word Curse Kill Art.
Everything around them was normal, and the rest of the people on the ship did not notice anything unusual, as if nothing had happened.
Zhao Xing appeared at the bottom of the cabin with a whoosh.
"You're quite something, kid." Heaven Derivation King laughed when he saw Zhao Xing appear. "I asked you to cooperate, and you cooperated too well."
Zhao Xing's bait was surprisingly effective.
They managed to trick the Blood Spirit Venerable step by step, causing him to pay a price far exceeding the cost of casting a spell once.
If he had been willing to pay these prices from the beginning, he probably could have killed even Third Grade.
"However, you took too many risks. That Blood Word Curse Kill Art was almost in your face. Don't do such extreme things in the future."
"Yes."
After a pause, Zhao Xing asked again, "Your Highness, have you found the sorcerer's hideout?"
"We've determined the approximate location," Heaven Derivation King nodded. "And some people have gone to pursue them."
"However, the remaining rebels should be too late to catch up."
Heaven Derivation King could sense that many high-ranking officials had died.
But some escaped.
The gains from this trip have already been substantial; continuing to pursue them would likely not yield any further results.
After all, the two sides were some distance apart.
"Your Highness, please allow me to join the search for the hideout as well," Zhao Xing said.
"Oh? You know the location too?"
"One more person means one more source of strength," Zhao Xing said.
"Very well," Heaven Derivation King. "Let's go together, but don't stray too far during the search."
Main V1/E
Immediately order a flying Tower Ship!
The clone sat on the Tower Ship and continued to Dragon Stone Island to participate in the Spring Festival, while the main body and Heaven Derivation King headed towards the target area together.
Zhao Xing was the direct target of the curse, while Heaven Derivation King was the indirect one who resisted it.
Therefore, when Zhao Xing deduced the person's location, he obtained a more detailed location.
When he and Heaven Derivation King arrived at a sea area, Heaven Derivation King said, "Zhao Xing, it's up to you now."
"Yes." Zhao Xing immediately created several clones, which flew off in different directions.
"Your true form should not stray too far from me," Heaven Derivation King, "To lest any unforeseen events occur."
After saying that, Heaven Derivation King jumped into the sea and began searching.
Zhao Xing's Ten Thousand Laws Clone were remarkably effective in searching.
He found the Three Mountains Crystal Palace in less than a quarter of an hour.
"It is indeed the location predicted in the Divination of Climate Art, but it should not have been born yet. I wonder how long it will take," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"Heaven Derivation King and the others still need to search further, so I need to go down first."
He is currently here in his true form, alternating between his true form and his clone. Even the Heaven Derivation King cannot tell the difference. Why?
Because of the distance, Heaven Derivation King could only sense it by relying on the strength of his soul.
Zhao Xing's Derivation God Art has Seven-Soul Body with no distinction of strength, making it difficult to identify which is the clone.
Why do that?
The main focus is on the [Spirit Sealing Hall]!
"The Spirit Sealing Hall of the Profound Heaven Sect was inherited from the Spiritual Energy Era. Combined with the Profound Ice Spirit Coffin, it can remain dormant for thousands of years and survive the changing of the years."
"However, in the Vital Energy Era, the success rate of this method has been greatly reduced."
"The success rate is low, and even if they wake up, there will be significant aftereffects, such as madness or mental impairment." Zhao Xing entered the Crystal Palace and searched quickly.
The Profound Heaven Ice Coffin was one of his backup plans because it had significant side effects, and it was a method that should only be used as a last resort.
Of course, his insistence on coming this time was not for the ice coffin.
The Profound Heaven Ice Coffin alone is useless.
They also need to learn specialized magic, build the Spirit Sealing Hall, and prepare many precious treasures.
He came mainly because of the [Spirit Sealing Hall].
"As long as it's still effective, there must still be spiritual energy inside. Even a tiny bit would be extremely precious to me."
"We can use the Profound Yellow Origin-Analysis Technique to absorb it."
Zhao Xing searched quickly inside the Crystal Palace.
Although the Crystal Palace was complex and even had hidden mechanisms and secret doors, Old Master Zhao knew such places like the back of his hand. He used his clone to scout the way and quickly found the place.
"At this moment, the gate of the Spirit Sealing Hall opened, revealing the chaotic floating crystal coffins inside."
"The Blood Spirit Venerable fled too hastily; I'm afraid what he has here is an important fragment of his soul, or even his original self," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"I wonder if it still has any spiritual energy."
He quickly went inside.
The barrier has been destroyed, and the Magic Array has lost its original effect.
After Zhao Xing went inside, he carefully sensed the surroundings.
"Ninety percent of the ice coffins have been empty for who knows how many years."
"The spiritual energy has long been exhausted, and with the erosion of time, these Magic Array can no longer last."
To ensure a state of deep sleep, the ice coffin also needs to contain many spiritual items.
In addition, the Spirit Sealing Hall itself also requires spiritual energy to exist.
"A changing era."
Zhao Xing looked at the broken walls and the ancient Magic Array, many of which had been eroded.
"Looks like there's been no success—hmm?"
Zhao Xing had already planned to give up, but suddenly his brows twitched, and his figure flashed, instantly arriving inside an ice coffin.
The ice coffin seemed to have been opened recently, as the chill inside had not yet completely dissipated.
Inside lay seven jade bricks, placed in different locations within the ice coffin.
"A top-grade Cold Spirit Jade, I wonder if it still contains any spiritual energy."
Zhao Xing immediately activated the Profound Yellow Origin-Analysis Technique on the seven pieces of Cold Spirit Jade.
"Boom!" "Boom!" "!" "!" "!" "!" "!"
Six of the Cold Spirit Jade exploded and turned to ash upon encountering the influence of Yuan Qi magic.
But the seventh piece lit up with a light.
Although the light was faint, Zhao Xing was overjoyed.
"Yes, the amount of spiritual energy in this piece is about half that of that withered branch from before!" Zhao Xing immediately extracted it.
Simultaneously, the Pure Yuan Projection is executed.
"Metaphor~"
The yellowish-brown ball of light instantly disappeared into the Pure Origin Soil.
"It's Earth Elemental Spiritual Qi."
Zhao Xing waited with great anticipation.
Upon breaking through to the Fourth Grade rank, his Pure Origin Soil reached level four!
The total area is approximately 314,000 square meters.
The radius of the Pure Origin Soil is approximately 316 meters.
Now the transformation begins, Pure Origin Soil starts to grow further.
"Boom!"
After obtaining this Earth Elemental Spiritual Qi, the radius of the Pure Origin Soil increased to 420 meters.
The total area has been expanded to 550,000 square meters.
"It's still level four soil, no qualitative change has occurred, but the area has increased significantly," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "If we relied on spiritual energy resources to build it up, I don't know how much money and time it would cost."
After searching for a while, Zhao Xing found no more items related to spiritual energy.
"There are many valuable or important items inside, but they can't possibly belong to me; taking them would just cause trouble."
"However, this unexpected joy is already quite good."
Zhao Xing quietly withdrew and began calling for Heaven Derivation King.
Officials gradually arrived at this sea area.
Since what followed was not suitable for Zhao Xing to participate in, Heaven Derivation King accompanied Zhao Xing's true form back to Chongming Prefecture.
On the same day, the operation to close in on the Chongming Prefecture also began.
"When!"
Suddenly, the gates of the Yin Residence were flung open, and a group of soldiers entered without warning.
The two sets of Magic Array, Yu Tianluodiwang and Yu Tianluodiwang, immediately sealed off the Yin Residence.
Yin Qiquan sat up in shock from the bed.
"Damn it, who dares to trespass on the residence of the Inspector General of the Sea!"
The leading official, dressed in a black robe with a bird-shaped ornament, held a compass and a command arrow. With a flick of his finger, he tore Yin Qiquan's official robes apart.
Along with this, Yin Qiquan's official position and fortune were also torn apart.
"Sea Inspector? You're not anymore."
"Arrest them all! Not a single one can die!"
"You are... Fate Officials." Yin Qiquan's face turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the ground.
At the same time, screams could be heard throughout Chongming Prefecture.
"Run!"
"Ah, Father!"
"It's over, everything is over!"
Within Dongyang County alone, a total of 532 officials and civilians were executed.
The total number of civil and military officials involved in Chongming Prefecture, including the military, was over 5,000 people from seven different factions.
Including Yin Qiquan, a total of 25 civil Civil Official of the Fourth Grade were executed, their families were wiped out.
One military officer and one Civil Official of the Third Grade were accused of treason for colluding with outsiders, a crime punishable by death. Even with special privileges, they could not escape execution.
However, these two Third Grade were not immediately executed, but were secretly imprisoned and put on trial.
Because they were talents recommended by the Liang King, their backgrounds needed to be thoroughly investigated before they could be killed.
Before revealing all the secrets, even the thought of dying is a luxury.
All officials of the Third Grade rank were arrested, and Chongming Prefecture and the East Sea Legion launched a new purge and investigation campaign.
As a result of this earthquake, the entire East Sea became much calmer.
However, after looking at the list, Zhao Xing knew that this achievement was nothing at all.
"The calm before the storm," Zhao Xing thought. "If the campaign against the barbarians fails, those who are not rebellious now will eventually develop rebellious intentions."
Hong Yuanba is the best example. He originally didn't want to rebel, but he was dragged into it by his foolish younger brother.
"Once the atmosphere in Pinghai Province falters, even those without ulterior motives will develop disloyalty." Zhao Xing gazed at the sky.
Now that he has cultivated the Derivation God Art and his soul is powerful, he can see a thick layer of aura above Pinghai Province by Observe Heaven heavens with the Great Evolution Qi Observation Art.
It was this protective shield that prevented the fortune of Pinghai Province from leaking out.
"Once the Liang King splits the fortunes of Pinghai Province, officials will only have two paths: either rebel or be exonerated. There's no escape," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "If they flee, they will lose their positions. Some officials who rose to power through the dynasty's fortunes will die young. I'm in this situation now."
Zhao Xing could feel that his Karma Soul was Entanglement by many invisible threads, which was the change after he made his previous decision.
Now, by fishing for Blood Spirit Venerable, he has caused the execution of many officials, completely participating in the future changes.
"I don't have much time left to prepare." Zhao Xing withdrew his gaze. "I should also go find Li Boqian and learn his secret techniques."
Li Boqian once said that he would give him six opportunities to ask for advice.
To date, Zhao Xing has never used it even once.
However, starting in March of the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Calendar, Zhao Xing decided to use up these six opportunities.
"The Cloud Gate Art and the Profound Heaven Thunder Law: Suppression Prison Chapter, I use the main body to Third-Turn and the clone to perform First-Turn."
"There's no need to learn attack techniques now. In the future, we should try to learn one or two ways to save our lives."
"Even if I encounter an extremely powerful high-level expert, I must be able to escape."
"Li Boqian possessed three extraordinary skills: the Kunpeng Transformation, the Chitianya (Ruler of the Horizon), and the Yuan Seal)."
"To learn this ultimate technique, and to master it deeply, my true form must make a trip to the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch."
Derivation God Art, even the Soul Extinguishing Bell has reached the second level.
In terms of spiritual methods, the learning time was three years ahead of schedule.
In other words, it was Heaven Derivation King who asked him to study and summarize the first level of his experience, as well as the discovery he made while cultivating the Dream Walking Art, which caused him to waste some more time. "It is now March of the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Calendar. If I go to Tianyuan Prefecture now, I can use the teleportation of the Li Fire Dao Academy to get there in as little as Heavenly Timing."
"It's far to the Kunyuan Academy headquarters; it would take more than a month just to get there."
"If I learn quickly under Li Boqian, I'll go to the Kunyuan Academy again," Zhao Xing planned.
His first choice was, of course, the Mystic Heaven Academy, because it was located in Pinghai Province.
Furthermore, the Kunpeng Transformation is a method of internal cultivation Transformation of Seasons Art!
This method can only be learned by the deity himself.
Of course, the first choice is to go to the Mystic Heaven Academy.
March 15th, the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Calendar.
Zhao Xing and Heaven Derivation King asked for leave and left the Star Palace to go to the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch of the Mystic Heaven Academy.
On March 23, Zhao Xing arrived at the Tianyuan Prefecture Branch.
At this time, no one knew that his true self had come here.
Except for Li Boqian.
"You want to learn my unique skills?" Li Boqian looked at Zhao Xing with great interest. "I have many unique skills. Which one do you want to learn?"
"Kunpeng Transformation, Tears Scale Horizon, Yuan Seal," Zhao Xing said respectfully.
"Hahaha, you certainly have quite the appetite," Li Boqian laughed loudly. "Although your true form is here, my three ultimate techniques..."
It's not something you can learn so easily.
"Whether it's the Profound Heaven Thunder Law: Suppression Prison Chapter that you've studied or the Cloud Gate, they are both complete paths that progress from low to high, and countless sages have summarized a great deal of experience."
"However, of my three ultimate techniques, only the top-level method remains. The difficulty of entering it is comparable to the minor mastery of the other top-level techniques, and I haven't created any higher-level methods as stepping stones for further comprehension."
"Among them, the Yuan Seal technique is completely unsupported, because it starts at the top level of the Seventh-Turn from the very beginning. No one but myself can use it."
"Why don't you use your six chances on other methods?" Li Boqian said. "You haven't mastered wind, rain, thunder, and clouds yet. If you're willing to focus on these, you might be able to fully enter the minor mastery stage."
"My mind is made up," Zhao Xing bowed again. "I will not regret it. Please, Grand Minister of Agriculture, grant my request."
"Fine," Li Boqian chuckled and waved his hand. "Since you're so determined, then give it a try."
"Transformation of Seasons Art, one needs to prepare the essence blood of the Kunpeng. This item must be transferred from the main academy. The threshold for Yuan Seal is even higher, so let's start by learning from the Tears Scale Horizon."
Li Boqian, carrying Zhao Xing's true form, jumped upwards.
Clouds rose beneath his feet, and in the next moment, Zhao Xing found himself 10,000 meters in the air.
Zhao Xing looked down and was secretly amazed.
Similar spells also exist in the True Self Faction school of magic.
He had learned a technique called "Jungle Leap," but it had limitations: it had to be based on living plants and trees, and once the escape was complete, the plants and trees it relied on would die.
The distance is still limited; so far, he can only travel four thousand meters. In other words, he can only use this technique under limited conditions.
But Li Boqian's method is clearly much more profound.
"The Tears Scale Horizon is the Cloud Method." Li Boqian stretched out his hand and gestured in the sky, and immediately a group of clouds were arranged according to his will.
"What does this look like to you?"
"Like cloud tunnels." Zhao Xing looked at the extensive network of cloud tunnels. "Cloud tunnels are used for warship flight and combat guidance."
"Indeed, warships flying in the sky are prone to encountering Astral Wind winds in most environments, generating enormous drag."
"The higher you go, the greater the resistance becomes, but it's different when you're traveling through the clouds. This resistance can be eliminated or even utilized."
"Therefore, if you want to travel at high speeds, you usually use cloud ships. For example, the ship that Wang Tianzhi brought you here is Wind Breath Cloud Ship."
"Not only can it ignore the Astral Wind layer, but it can also use it to accelerate. Speaking of warships alone, the Cloud Ship series is the third fastest in the world."
"Because it's not just moving on its own, the cloud path is also pulling it forward."
"However, the cloud path cannot be reused repeatedly. Once the cloud ship has passed, the resulting fluctuations in the cloud path will become a form of interference, and over a very large area."
"It will take a long time to recover."
"My Tears Scale Horizon was created based on the principle of the cloud ship," Li Boqian said. "Compared to the enormous cloud ship, the fluctuations caused by spells cast by humans are much smaller."
"Although we still can't travel back and forth along the same route in a straight line, these minor fluctuations are now negligible."
Zhao Xing listened quietly. The Cloud Method that Li Boqian was talking about already involved the Dao of Space.
The so-called cloud-based navigation can be roughly understood as Cloud Method version of "warp drive".
As the contemporary Grand Minister of Agriculture, Li Boqian's understanding of the Time Law is already at the pinnacle level of the Profound Yellow World.
If he were in Dynasty of Fate Spiritual Energy Era energy, he would also be a figure capable of breaking through the void and ascending to immortality.
"The top-tier Dharma Cloud Gate and the Ultimate Law Yun Tian Dao ultimately aim to use Cloud Method to Heavenly Traversal. However, this is ultimately a wishful thinking. The limit of Cloud Method is that it can temporarily change the rules of heaven and earth, but it can never replace them."
Li Boqian waved his hand again, and the 10,000-meter-high cloud layer, which covered the intricate network of cloud channels, rapidly shrank.
Finally, a miniature version of the cloud path diagram appeared in Li Boqian's palm.
"Go!"
Li Boqian pulled with both hands, and the miniature cloud map changed shape again, covering Zhao Xing.
"Try taking a step forward."
"Which foot should the junior lift first?"
"Casual."
Zhao Xing did as instructed.
Then I found myself 10,000 meters away.
"Buzz~" As soon as he stood firm, clouds of mist appeared beside him. The clouds vanished in a flash, and Li Boqian appeared next to him.
"How are you feeling?"
"Soon."
"Think about it again."
"I only took one step."
Li Boqian smiled but remained silent.
"I didn't actually leave; it was the clouds that led me away?"
Li Boqian nodded. "Not bad."
"Now that you have learned Cloud Gate and have a foundation in Cloud Method, begin by learning the ninety-nine types of cloud paths."
"If you can comprehend all ninety-nine types of cloud principles, then you will have entered the Ruler of the Horizon."
"If you gain any insight here, you may come down to find me. I will use my power to travel the Ruler of the Horizon and let you experience it firsthand to confirm your understanding."
Li Boqian waved his hand, and the miniature cloud map quickly expanded again, eventually becoming a circular cloud layer with a diameter of 10,000 meters.
"Yes." Zhao Xing chose one of the cloud paths, went inside, and began his comprehension and cultivation.
Li Boqian then leaped down and landed in the Qianqing Garden below.
There is a waterside pavilion in the garden, with a chessboard placed in the middle.
Beside the chessboard stood a figure, his imposing stature resembling a towering Gao Shan, radiating an irresistible majesty.
He wore a long, purple-gold robe, embroidered with mysterious runes and ancient totems; every line flowed with powerful energy, shimmering with light.
Like stars adorning the sky.
His face was resolute and stern, like marble sculpted by time, with distinct features.
His eyes were deep and unfathomable, seemingly containing boundless wisdom and an all-seeing keenness. The occasional glint in his eyes seemed to pierce through the mists of time and space, making one afraid to look directly at him.
He wore a dazzling crown with nineteen sparkling gems, each gem carrying immense power, their light intertwining to form a mysterious radiance that enveloped his body.
When Li Boqian came down, he remained motionless, his back to the contemporary Grand Minister of Agriculture.
Despite such rude behavior, Li Boqian showed no impatience. Instead, he respectfully stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am half an hour late. Please punish me."
Ji Mingjing stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky. "Boqian, what's so special about him?"
Li Boqian said, "He has extraordinary ambitions and exceptional talent, showing the potential to become the Grand Minister of Agriculture."
"Oh?" Ji Mingjing's tone was slightly strange. "You never said anything like this when you commented on your junior brother Wang Tianzhi, yet you think highly of him?"
Li Boqian smiled and said, "I only said that he has the potential, but Your Majesty has the ambition to rule the world. Whether you can succeed depends on Your Majesty."
"He is too young; even if he is a talented man, he can only be entrusted to future rulers."
Ji Mingjing withdrew his gaze, turned around and sat down. With a wave of his hand, the chessboard rippled like water and in the blink of an eye transformed into a military sand table displaying the topography and clouds of the Nineteen Provinces. Among them, Pinghai Province was covered by Dark Clouds.
"Today we're playing Chinese chess. You're being punished by having the white pieces, giving you a two-move head start, and you must win."
Li Boqian's eyes twitched slightly, because Ji Mingjing, holding the black pieces, was standing at the other end of the sand table, south of the Canglan River.
He ruled over Nineteen Provinces north of the Canglan River.
The flags bore the names of armies, individuals, and factions, and Emperor Jing was the first to place a flag.
The first move was for the Black Dragon Army to retreat, withdrawing from south of the Canglan River back to Pinghai Province. "Boom!" Dark Clouds gathered, the Luck Golden Dragon over Pinghai Province split in two, large areas of government buildings and cities collapsed, and the celestial phenomena were extremely chaotic.
Emperor Jing pointed with one hand and then with the other towards the East Sea.
The Sky Sea surged from the East Sea, rushing towards the eastern defense line of the Great Zhou. The chieftains of the four tribes rebelled in unison, and countless ships with flags landed, instantly encroaching on the area east of Pinghai Province.
As the two pieces were placed, it felt as if two thunderbolts had struck Li Boqian's heart.
Ji Mingjing calmly stared at him. "Boqian, it's your turn."