"Dao Manifestation Era Earth Change Theory," the Minister of Agriculture's Ambition, Changing Heaven and Earth!

The banquet Peng Ao, Niu Hong, and Yin Er had arranged for Zhao Xing was originally meant to last a year, but Zhao Xing had no intention of staying that long.

He was worried about Great Zhou and the North River Army. How could he keep enjoying himself here?

After getting acquainted with Lord Buming Yuan Xin, the historical scholar Lord Liqing, and the others, he made an appearance at the department where he held a concurrent post, then left.

Outside Shenchen Fourteenth Pass, aboard the Wildcat Realm Boat.

"Grand Agriculture Official, our Great Zhou has dispatched a total of 5,265 Third Realm cultivators and three Dao Domain Realm cultivators this time."

"We will operate under the name of the North River Army's Wuye Fengdu Army. Led by the Grand Commandant, Ji Si, and the Luo Hou King, we will head to the Wangliang Upper Star Region of Langping Dao."

"There are three primary objectives."

"First, explore life-bearing realm stars with spiritual energy indexes above 10 and below 100, then occupy them or bring them back for sale."

"Second, excavate valuable mineral regions."

"Third, the Agriculture Ministry Outer Office and the Shipping Office will jointly establish the Great Zhou Commerce Association. Ling Tianchen and Meng Kun will be responsible for it, mainly cooperating with the North River Army's Wuye Military Market Office, though the specific charter has yet to be finalized."

"Additionally, the Grand Commandant wishes to add more combat missions, but His Majesty rejected it and sent me to ask for your opinion."

After Lesser Agriculture Decree Chen Yu finished his report, he waited off to the side.

Zhao Xing sat in his chair and lightly raised a finger, signaling the junior clerk beside him to record. "Great Zhou is acting alongside the North River Army. The spiritual energy regions in the Si Yue Desolate Territory are scattered everywhere, and there are not many places where life-bearing realm stars appear. If we set our sights too high, we will inevitably clash with the other divisions of the North River Army. We cannot act as though we are owed favors."

"Lower the target in the exploration strategy. Life-bearing realm stars with spiritual energy indexes between 10 and 50 will do."

"If the North River Army eats meat, we can at least drink some soup. And if danger arises, Great Zhou will not be crippled."

"Development has only just begun. There are dangers everywhere and few opportunities. Prudence comes first—pass those words on to the Luo Hou King."

Zhao Xing gestured to Chen Yu.

"Yes." Chen Yu understood that the Grand Agriculture Official was trying to dissuade the Luo Hou King from expanding the combat missions.

"As for trade, Great Zhou will take whatever work the Wuye Military Market Office gives us. We will not be picky. As long as there is work to do and money to earn, that is enough."

There was little else to say about excavating valuable mineral veins. In the early stages of the Si Yue Desolate Territory, there was simply not much worth digging up.

Furthermore, under many circumstances in the Desolate Territory, items could not be stored in an Inner World or ordinary storage Dao soldiers.

Therefore, Great Zhou only intended to act as a middleman. The mechanism formations and puppet battle spirits Lu Ying had prepared were all geared toward transportation.

Great Zhou currently possessed three special and precious Realm Boats: the Vast Domain, the Limitless, and the Immeasurable. All three were enormous Realm Boats designed to enhance transport capacity.

Seeing that Zhao Xing had no further instructions, Chen Yu withdrew and began arranging the specific matters.

Once they passed the checkpoint and entered the Si Yue Desolate Territory, the Star Mirror's functions were greatly diminished. Formation signals came and went, and delays were severe, so Zhao Xing headed to the Realm Boat's archive room.

"Sea Trade Envoys hold great authority, but they also bear great responsibility. Something bizarre has happened at Layered World Mountain. Before long, this mission will appear on the merit list."

"Complete the mission, and you can obtain merit points to exchange for resources."

"These merit points are accepted by multiple factions. They are worth far more than the merit points from my previous life."

In his previous life, only the Red Star Empire and Ancient Hill of Antiquity had cooperated, so merit points were accepted only by Ancient Hill of Antiquity and the Red Star Empire.

Members of Ancient Hill of Antiquity could exchange for divine weapons, cultivation resources, or even territory and nobility titles that they themselves did not possess but the Red Star Empire did, and vice versa.

Now, the superpowers involved were not limited to the empire and Ancient Hill of Antiquity. The Wildlands Ancient Kingdoms Alliance, the Reincarnation Divine Palace, the Source Origin Heavenly Palace, and Academy City had all joined in.

A single type of merit could be exchanged for the good things of every faction!

Naturally, Zhao Xing could not let such a fine opportunity slip away.

"According to the calendar established by the Celestial Timing Faction and followed by the Profound Spirit Star Region."

"It is now the 1,194th Solar Year of the second Desolate Territory Era. In another six Solar Years, it will be the third Desolate Territory Era."

"By World Star Years, the Profound Yellow Calendar, there are still 5,985 years remaining."

"When the Sea Passage Ancient Road was being opened, many difficult problems arose. The earth-change incident at Layered World Mountain was the one that left the deepest impression on me."

"The Layered World Mountain earth-change problem should originally have appeared only in the 1,195th Solar Year. But with so many factions joining in and speeding up the project, we may encounter it ahead of schedule."

Zhao Xing simultaneously opened ten thousand Dao books, then took out a blank Dao book and placed it before him.

"As expected, Ancient Hill of Antiquity likely did not encounter any bizarre incident. They encountered an Earth Epoch Cataclysm."

Heavenly disasters and earth changes were both calamities and mutations that occurred in heaven and earth.

In common terms, they were natural disasters.

When Ministers of Agriculture governed environments, the wind disasters and insect disasters they often encountered were both types of heavenly disasters.

Earthquakes, chaotic earth energy, shifting mountains and rivers, and the like were earth changes.

In the cosmic version, disasters had not vanished. They had merely become more complex.

Even mountains grew in the void now. As environments became more complex, disasters naturally became more complex as well.

"An Earth Epoch Cataclysm is a relatively rare kind of disaster. In current Earthly Advantage Faction theory, very few Dao books explain the essence of Earth Epoch Cataclysms, and there are even fewer effective solutions."

"Before leaving the Primordial Beginning Realm, I copied quite a few books, but I still have only a little over seven million."

Rustle—rustle—

Pages flipped rapidly.

Theoretical Dao books did not increase combat power, but Zhao Xing had enjoyed reading such Dao books in both his previous and current lives.

First, because he liked them; second, because they made missions go more smoothly.

Right now, he was reviewing knowledge he had learned in his previous life.

Something as enjoyable as studying naturally had to be shared with a good brother.

Before long, Chen Shijie appeared in the archive room as well.

"Chen Shijie pays respects to the Grand Agriculture Official."

Zhao Xing opened his eyes, a smile at the corner of his lips. "Chen Shijie, you only cup your hands when meeting the Grand Agriculture Official instead of bowing? You have quite the nerve!"

Chen Shijie gathered his sleeves and rolled his eyes. "That is enough. Why not tell me to kneel and kowtow too?"

"Hahaha, come in, come in." Zhao Xing laughed heartily and waved him over.

"What did you call me here for?"

"To invite you to enjoy a feast of knowledge!"

Chen Shijie glanced over the Dao books floating in midair.

Treatise on Earth Eras, History of Middle Antiquity Earth-Vein Changes, Grand Survey of Star Continents, Classic of World Mountains—one Earthly Advantage Faction Dao book after another flashed before his eyes.

"Hm? So many?" Chen Shijie's eyes lit up. "So many—none of these are books I have read before!"

"Hahaha, I knew you would like them." Zhao Xing was very pleased by Little Chen's expression.

"Where did you get these?" Chen Shijie grabbed a book, his gaze intoxicated, though his movements remained gentle.

"Of course, from the Primordial Beginning Realm."

"It is just a pity that there are not many Dao books recording principles and laws. The obscure, unpopular ones are even harder to find. I only found a few million."

"You have not seen them because the Star Territory does not collect them."

"Why?" Chen Shijie asked instinctively.

"First, obscure and unpopular Dao books are not easy to gather."

"Second, it is factional prejudice."

Zhao Xing pointed at the books.

"The Primordial Beginning Realm has collected quite a few specific spells of the Earthly Advantage Faction. But it has far fewer Dao books that record principles and laws."

"When it comes to conflicts of theoretical thought, both Ancient Hill of Antiquity and the Primordial Beginning Realm take the same stance: use your spells, but do not learn your ideas."

Chen Shijie came to a realization, then added, "To be fair, the Primordial Beginning Realm is still fairly open-minded. At least you were able to find this many."

"The Great Dao Contention is a struggle over the right to interpret the Dao."

Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes. The various Minister of Agriculture factions each have their own way of explaining the universe."

"The True Self Faction divides the universe, realms, and domains into four periods: Primordial Beginning, Source Origin, Myriad Phenomena, and Silent Extinction. Through observing the universe, they demonstrate the manifestations of the Great Dao in different periods."

"From there came their True Self cultivation system: cultivate Pure Origin Soil—nurture Source Origin Space—open an Inner World."

"In the eyes of many, a cultivation method like the Inner World is heresy."

"You are putting it too mildly. It is outright heterodoxy." Chen Shijie said with a smile, "They seek neither heaven nor earth, instead forming an Inner World of their own. Where does that leave the dignity of the Celestial Timing and Earthly Advantage Factions?"

Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "By your logic, was my unification of the three factions back home all for nothing?"

Chen Shijie did not even raise his head. "Not entirely for nothing. I still respect the Primordial Beginning Realm and admire those accomplished seniors."

"Of course, in my heart, the principles and laws of the Earthly Advantage Faction are the true Great Dao that explains the essence of the universe."

"Celestial Timing and True Self? They are merely side paths!"

Zhao Xing multitasked, reading as he casually asked, "Then tell me, how does the Earthly Advantage Faction explain the Great Dao of the universe?"

Chen Shijie closed his book and answered solemnly, "Using stratigraphic units, the Earthly Advantage Faction divides the universe into three great periods: the Archean Eon, the Proterozoic Era, and the Dao Manifestation Era."

"Below them are realms, eras, periods, ages, and stages."

"Ancient Hill of Antiquity got its name from the Archean Eon theory."

"Legend has it that Ancient Hill of Antiquity possesses the oldest minor world. Within it is an earth vein believed to have existed from the birth of the universe, known as the Archean Earth Vein."

"That Taigu Vein contains the boundless profundities of the Great Dao of the universe."

"Thus, it gave rise to multiple spell systems, including the Earth Splitting Art, mountain arts, Mystic Earth Art, Earth Palace Art, Earth Passage Art, and Earth Treasury Art."

"The Extreme Land Method was created by the great powers of Ancient Hill of Antiquity based on that Taigu Vein. Therefore, the first level of the Extreme Land Method is to draw the vein into the body."

At this point, Chen Shijie said regretfully, "Unfortunately, my talent is dull. I have already reached the perfection of the Third Realm, yet I still have not mastered the first level of the Extreme Land Method. I cannot personally go to Ancient Hill of Antiquity to see it."

"Do not regret it. You will master it eventually." Zhao Xing smiled. "Look, I mastered it in just a few years."

Chen Shijie was momentarily at a loss as to whether he should feel happy or sad. Somehow, he did not feel comforted at all!

"For the sake of all these books, I will let it slide." Chen Shijie said, "Do not make any more noise. Let me read in peace for a while."

"Yes, Lord Chen!"

Movements in earth veins could cause mountains and rivers to shift, seas to turn into fields, and the six energies to become unstable.

If earth-vein changes that would ordinarily take an age, an era, or even a period to complete slowly were completed in a short span of time, the resulting earth change was called an Earth Epoch Cataclysm.

Any tiny variable, multiplied by endless time, became terrifying.

Once an Earth Epoch Cataclysm occurred, even the Great Dao would be affected.

Cultivators of the Cenozoic Era could not adapt to the Dao of older eras. Upon entering certain regions, they would discover that many of the spells they cultivated produced extremely severe deviations in effect, or even backlash!

An Earth Epoch Cataclysm could trigger a stellar-system-scale "marquis change"!

It could also release earth energy that assaulted the mind, or even poisonous gas!

From Yuan Xin's description, Layered World Mountain along the Sea Passage Ancient Road had seen blood rain falling from the sky, cultivators going mad, corpses emerging, and other phenomena. It was highly likely that they had encountered an Earth Epoch Cataclysm.

Layered World Mountain itself was a special existence. Its roots extended deep into the Dao Ancient Layer of the void, and it could transform void energy into condensed mountain rock.

It therefore possessed the conditions necessary to produce an Earth Epoch Cataclysm.

However, people of this time still understood earth changes only at a relatively shallow level.

What they could not understand naturally became mysterious and supernatural.

"Most research on earth-change theory remains in the Mesozoic Era, which is the third earth-vein era of the Dao Manifestation Era."

"There are few response methods, and before that, there are simply none."

After spending several months reading all the books, Zhao Xing organized what he had learned.

The reason for this was quite simple. First, it was rarely useful. Even Earthly Advantage Faction Ministers of Agriculture at the Reincarnation Realm seldom encountered an Earth Epoch Cataclysm even once.

Within Star Territories, such intense earth-vein transitions were rare.

Without demand, there was no motivation. Since the problem was rarely encountered, naturally no one studied it.

If all else failed, they could simply take a detour and designate the area a forbidden zone.

After all, Ministers of Agriculture might not excel at much else, but they knew how to open up territory and create new habitable environments. Why bother with a forbidden zone?

"Lao Qing once said that the Desolate Territory was the graveyard of Reincarnation Realm cultivators. Add this factor, and it is no surprise that the whole matter became known as a bizarre incident."

"Now that the problem has been identified, it is time to study how to solve it."

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Xing first wrote several large words in the blank Dao book:

"Dao Manifestation Era Earth Change Theory"

They had not even reached the location yet, so why could he determine that it was the Dao Manifestation Era rather than the Proterozoic Era or Archean Eon?

The reason was that the Si Yue Desolate Territory had not existed for very long.

"The Si Yue Desolate Territory was formerly a Star Territory, and its earth-vein changes were mild and gradual."

"Based on this, it can be determined that the stratigraphic era of this Earth Epoch Cataclysm lies between the late Mesozoic Era and the early Cenozoic Era."

"As for exactly which periods in between, we will need to inspect the site."

The Mesozoic Era was one of the earth-vein eras of the Dao Manifestation Era. It had three periods. The first was the Triassic Period, when Threefold World Mountains appeared in great numbers, giving the period its distinguishing name.

The second period was the Chaotic River Period. Vast numbers of world mountains appeared, turning the primordial void ocean into rivers, hence the name Chaotic River Period.

The third period was the Baiwei Period, named by a man called Baiwei.

That time was already near the end of the Five Emperors Era. The Five Emperors Era spanned three periods and could even be traced back to the Paleozoic Era before the Mesozoic Era.

Sorting out these chronological orders was rather troublesome. Era units were 1.2 million World Star Years, but earth-vein periods were measured in hundreds of millions of World Star Years. A single Baiwei Period lasted several hundred million World Star Years.

As he wrote, Zhao Xing suddenly remembered Fan Daoyou, whom he had met in Ice Star Prison.

"He specialized in deciphering ancient formations from the Baiwei Period. I wonder if he will be released earlier in this life."

Zhao Xing had chosen Fan Daoyou to practice with precisely because the man possessed a unique skill.

However, the Sea Passage Ancient Road's problem had now come ahead of schedule. That fellow needed to get out of prison early as well, or it would be too late.

"Forget it. I will not think about him for now. Without Butcher Zhang, can I not still eat a hairy pig?"

"This master is now a first-rank Sea Trade Envoy. My status is no longer what it used to be."

"I should be directing things from a thousand miles away, not handling every bit of grunt work myself."

Zhao Xing hummed lightly as he continued inscribing the Dao book.

Time passed. Three months had gone by since the Wildcat Realm Boat left Shenchen Fourteenth Pass.

Because Ancient Hill of Antiquity had established astral ring routes along the way, allowing them to teleport after flying for a period of time, after three months—

The Wildcat Realm Boat and the North River Army's Realm Boat fleet had already reached the second forward base on the Sea Passage Ancient Road, Taoyang Star Continent.

It had been named after Tao Yangzi, the disciple of Emperor Hongshan.

"Zhao Xing, the North River Army has arrived at Taoyang Star Continent. On behalf of the entire North River Army, I offer you our heartfelt thanks." The speaker was Duan Ye, the commanding general of the North River Army.

Duan Ye was a veteran Reincarnation Realm cultivator, one rank below a lord-level elite, but his combat strength was formidable as well.

Zhao Xing looked over Duan Ye's comprehensive data on the detection panel and quickly concluded that this man definitely possessed lord-level combat power.

He was also the Beihe Star System's second-in-command.

"Senior Duan, you're too courteous." Zhao Xing clasped his hands. "It is my honor to do something however insignificant for my homeland."

Duan Ye was clearly not one to beat around the bush. His second sentence was, "Once Great Zhou's troops join the Wuye Army, I certainly won't mistreat them. Please rest assured."

"The battle situation ahead is urgent, so we'll be leaving first."

"May you win a swift victory, Senior."

As soon as the North River Army's realm boats arrived at Taoyang Star Continent, they immediately used the Star Shifting Formation to transport every realm boat to another dojo on Langping Dao. From there, Wangliang Star Region was close at hand.

Qiao Song and Yang Zhuo's hidden concerns could be resolved, and Great Zhou could catch a favorable ride to begin its own development.

Great Zhou's delegation included Liu Tianning and Cloud Heaven Dao, both Dao Domain Realm cultivators. Those at the third Source Origin Realm included Luo Hou King, Ling Tianchen, Long Xiao, Xia Jing, Lu Ying, and the great physician Cui Chengzhi.

Ji Che remained behind at Jia Chen Fourteenth Pass, serving as the link between Great Zhou's internal and external affairs.

Ji Si, Chen Shijie, and some of the others stayed at Taoyang Base with Zhao Xing.

After landing at Taoyang Base, the only one who came to receive them was Miao Song Dao Ren—and even he had sent only a Straw Man Clone.

A dignified first-rank Sea Trade Envoy held a position higher than many posts occupied by Reincarnation Realm cultivators, yet only Miao Song Dao Ren, a second-rank Sea Trade Envoy, had come to welcome him?

They can't be looking down on me this much, can they?

"Brother Zhao, please don't take offense. The chief officers of every division are currently discussing matters in Central Pole Hall and cannot get away." Miao Song Dao Ren immediately offered an explanation.

"It's fine. Then I came at just the right time. Take me to Central Pole Hall for a look," Zhao Xing said.

They had traveled and teleported through the Desolate Territory, where Star Mirror communications were not timely. Zhao Xing might arrive early or late, and with no fixed schedule, there was naturally no way to arrange a punctual reception.

Otherwise, Tao Yangzi would at least have shown some courtesy and come out to greet Zhao Xing himself.

Zhao Xing's authority had officially taken effect at Jia Chen Fourteenth Pass. Once he landed at Taoyang Base, he encountered no obstruction along the way and soon arrived at Central Pole Hall.

Miao Song Dao Ren led Zhao Xing into the hall. They casually selected an empty floating platform and sat down, still drawing no attention.

Because a fierce argument was currently taking place inside the hall.

"Hold the line? How are we supposed to hold it? Qiu Zishan, your Earthly Advantage Faction's Ministers of Agriculture can't even drive down a single stake, yet now you want our Profound Mystery Division to hold the line?"

A bald man slapped the table in agitation. His voice boomed like thunder, making even the space within Central Pole Hall tremble.

"If the Earth Passage Division sends one person, the Profound Mystery Division sends ten. Will you do it?"

"Gu Ming, what nonsense are you talking about? Did I ask you to risk your lives? I only asked you to reinforce the pass at Seventh World Mountain for fifteen days. What are you slamming the table for?!" On another floating platform, Qiu Zishan, a brown-haired young man in a Void-Crossing robe, rose to his feet and angrily waved his arms. However, his momentum seemed somewhat lacking.

"If the five mountain passages of Seventh World Mountain are sealed off, my people will be trapped to death over there."

"Oh, so you're asking me for help." Gu Ming's tone carried a hint of mockery. "You want the people of our Profound Mystery Division to risk their lives and enter those cursed mountain paths to bring back your Earth Passage Division personnel. Is that it?"

Qiu Zishan was furious, yet he also felt pathetic having to beg others for help. After weighing his options, he chose to swallow his humiliation and anger. "Gu Ming, you're right! Consider this my plea. Will you go save them or not?!"

Zhao Xing glanced at Miao Song Dao Ren beside him and quietly transmitted, "Brother, I know Qiu Zishan. He is Tao Yang's disciple and the person in charge of the Star Continent's Earth Passage Division. But who is that other man?"

Having just arrived, Zhao Xing was still unfamiliar with everything here. Looking at the Star Mirror would not help much either, because personnel changes at the forward base were frequent.

For example, Zhao Xing's Star Mirror listed Tao Yangzi as the person in charge of Taoyang Base's overall command, but Tao Yangzi was no longer stationed at the base.

Like Emperor Hongshan and Emperor Bisui, he was currently at First Pioneer Base.

"Gu Ming is a Mechanism Master from Heavenly Citadel Island of the Source Origin Heavenly Palace. He is also the chief officer of the Profound Mystery Division."

"Oh, no wonder his temper is so bad." Zhao Xing understood at once. The Mechanism Masters trained by Heavenly Citadel Island of the Source Origin Heavenly Palace were extremely renowned.

Many areas of Yue Luo Mausoleum in the Illusory God Star System had now been taken over by the Source Origin Heavenly Palace, gradually becoming the form Zhao Xing remembered.

The repairs to those formations had all been carried out by the Mechanism Masters of Heavenly Citadel Island.

Had Zhao Xing not appeared, the realm-crossing tomb containing the Time Page of the Profound Spirit History Book would ultimately have been suppressed by people from Heavenly Citadel Island.

Zhao Xing also knew another Mechanism Master from Heavenly Citadel Island: Zhan Ze, Du Yun's friend.

"So what exactly are they arguing about? It seems to concern Seventh World Mountain?"

Miao Song Dao Ren's expression turned grave. "Brother Zhao, you must have heard some rumors along the way, right? Rumors about Layered World Mountain."

"I heard some." Zhao Xing nodded. "But nothing has been announced on the Star Territory. Street rumors are bound to be exaggerated."

"They are not exaggerated." Miao Song Dao Ren shook his head. "The real situation is even worse than the rumors."

"Whether soldiers stationed at the first, second, and third dojos or noncombat personnel, all have suffered casualties."

"The Earthly Advantage Faction's Ministers of Agriculture cannot cut through the Layered World Mountain stone at all. They cannot even drive down a single foundation stake."

"Some time ago, a rain of blood fell at the first dojo, and demon race bones emerged from the ground. It is said that even Emperor Hongshan was injured." Miao Song Dao Ren lowered his voice. "And he has remained at the first World Mountain without returning. He says he is searching for the root cause, but many people claim that even Emperor Hongshan has been trapped..."

Zhao Xing was slightly startled. Even Emperor Hongshan had been injured and trapped? That rumor was rather frightening.

"The first dojo is the advance unit currently carrying out excavation. It would be understandable if Layered World Mountain had not yet been opened up, but why have even the already opened second and third bases suffered casualties?"

Miao Song Dao Ren shook his head. "That is precisely the cause of the argument."

"The Layered World Mountains between the first and second dojos suddenly began sealing themselves shut at an accelerated rate."

"Then the same strange phenomena appeared."

"Because no one knows which part went wrong, tens of thousands of people are now trapped within Seventh World Mountain. They can't get through, and they can't come back."

Chen Shijie and Ji Si were completely confused, but Zhao Xing quickly understood what Miao Song Dao Ren meant.

The defining characteristic of Layered World Mountain was that once excavated, it grew back, always returning to its original state. As time passed, it would even grow slightly larger and taller.

Second, the mountain itself existed within a layer of void.

Those two traits were why it blocked the way.

If one stood before Layered World Mountain, it was a wall when looking up or down, and a wall when looking left or right, extending without end.

To get through, one either had to excavate a passage and reinforce it, or take a detour.

But if they detoured, there was no telling how far they would have to go.

Multiple World Mountains arranged together were like train cars, while the bases were where people lived inside those cars.

If the passages through the World Mountains could not be stabilized, then it would be impossible to travel between the train cars.

Even more terrifyingly, if the World Mountains rebounded and grew too quickly, it would be equivalent to the train cars beginning to crush together!

The explorers living between World Mountains would either be trapped to death or crushed to death!

The reason problems had appeared at the first three bases along the Sea Passage Ancient Road was that construction had been carried out in batches, with different levels of progress.

Because excavation at the front had gone smoothly and there had been ample manpower, once the first mountain was opened, a group of people would immediately pass through to establish a base. At the same time, another group would remain behind at the first World Mountain to reinforce the passage, like guards stationed at the entrance of every train car.

As bases linked together one after another and expanded into the cosmic starry sky, they formed the Sea Passage Ancient Road.

"Yes, Zhao Xing, your train car analogy is very apt." Miao Song Dao Ren took a deep breath. "The current situation is that not only is the space between the train cars being squeezed, but poisonous gas, demonic creatures, and blood rain capable of corroding one's golden body and Dharma body have also appeared."

"Originally, Emperor Hongshan and Emperor Bisui were there to stabilize morale, so no one paid much attention. But now that even Emperor Hongshan has been injured, people are beginning to panic."

"Gu Ming is unwilling to risk his life to save anyone because, as a Mechanism Master, he is not responsible for combat missions. Meanwhile, more and more voices are calling for a change of route."

"I estimate this matter is about to become impossible to suppress—"

"Damn it all, I've only been here a few years and already ran into something like this!" Miao Song Dao Ren could not help cursing.

Power and responsibility were equal. If the Sea Passage Ancient Road had to change course or was simply abandoned, what purpose would Sea Trade Envoys like them have left?

Demotion and loss of merit were secondary concerns. Miao Song Dao Ren only prayed that he would not be thrown into prison.

"The situation is actually this serious?" Zhao Xing felt that he had been somewhat too idealistic.

I understand now. When I came to the Sea Passage Ancient Road in my previous life, the power of the Earth Epoch Cataclysm had already been suppressed to its lowest point by formations. Even when outbreaks occurred, they did not trigger chain reactions. That gave me the impression that this would be easy to handle, Zhao Xing silently analyzed.

"Brother Miao Song, share with me all the information and materials you know."

Miao Song Dao Ren tapped his Star Mirror against Zhao Xing's, completing the connection.

Then, looking at the pensive Zhao Xing, he could not help asking, "Brother Zhao, you aren't thinking of wading into this mess, are you?"

"I think that while no mission has been assigned to you yet, you should quickly find an excuse with Emperor Hongshan and leave. Aren't you also serving as a Star Annihilation Envoy?"

"If you request a transfer now, the Emperor probably will not make things difficult for you."

"I can't do that. I've already worked here for more than ten years. Sigh..."

Miao Song Dao Ren was speaking from the heart. From his perspective, Zhao Xing's best choice was to leave now.

"I'm not leaving." Zhao Xing shook his head. "Retreating in the face of difficulty is not my style."

"You really intend to stay?" Miao Song Dao Ren was somewhat bewildered. He had already made the stakes perfectly clear to Zhao Xing, so why would he not listen?

"Even if no punishment falls on you, you should not remain here. Who knows how long it will take to solve the Sea Passage Ancient Road's problems?"

"Rather than waste time here, you might as well—"

"Brother Miao Song, there is no need to persuade me further." Zhao Xing smiled. "The ambition of a Minister of Agriculture is to transform heaven and earth. Now is precisely the time to put my ideals into practice and fulfill that ambition."

At some unknown point, the argument inside Central Pole Hall had ended. The silence was so complete that a needle dropping could be heard.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Zhao Xing in unison, drawn by his words.

"Well said!" Qiu Zishan exclaimed excitedly. "The ambition of a Minister of Agriculture is to transform heaven and earth. This is exactly the time to put our ideals into practice!"

"That's right! The people of Ancient Hill of Antiquity have never been defeated by a single mountain!"

"If the Profound Mystery Division will not help, then forget them. We never expected anything from this bunch of trash anyway!"

"Those Martial Men only know how to eat rice porridge. They can't even carry a World Mountain Corner Peak on their backs—"

Quite a few people echoed Qiu Zishan, though many others remained silent.

Gu Ming looked at Zhao Xing, compared him to the information in his Star Mirror, then let out a cold laugh. "I wondered who it was. So the famed Primordial Holy Son has arrived."

Zhao Xing ignored the mockery. Rising to his feet, he clasped his hands and said, "Primordial Holy Son is merely an empty reputation. I am Zhao Xing, a first-rank Sea Trade Envoy. Greetings, Chief Gu. I hope you will discuss the rescue operation with us."

Gu Ming came from the Source Origin Heavenly Palace and instinctively disliked Zhao Xing for defeating Du Yun.

He had no patience for Zhao Xing's polite words. "Don't try to pressure me. This matter is a failure on the part of your Ministers of Agriculture. It has nothing whatsoever to do with our Profound Mystery Division."

"You want to save people? Fine!" Gu Ming pointed at Zhao Xing, his smile full of amusement. "Your Great Void Straw Man and your true body will go first. Do you dare?"

He believed a combat-focused Minister of Agriculture like Zhao Xing knew nothing about opening mountains and digging roads. Wasn't he merely dressing up his words and using others as weapons?

Gu Ming was no fool either. In a single move, he turned the pressure back on Zhao Xing.

Wasn't Zhao Xing speaking so righteously? Then did this first-rank Sea Trade Envoy dare to charge in first?

Gu Ming was certain Zhao Xing would not dare agree. He had intended to end this meaningless quarrel and turn to leave.

Instead, he saw Zhao Xing bow in salute and say firmly, "I can. I will be the first to enter this rescue operation. I ask that you lend us your aid, fellow Daoist."