A Web of Doubts, the Saint Minister of Agriculture and the Devil Dao Scholar

The Carlos Family is one of the founding families of the Red Star Empire. The first Lord Carlos was a founding hero who fought alongside the first Red Star Great Emperor to conquer the world.

The current Lord Carlos is a powerful Reincarnation Emperor Lord. In terms of personal strength, as a Reincarnation Emperor Lord, he possesses multiple ancestral divine artifacts.

In terms of imperial authority, Lord Carlos managed the Northern Fortress of the empire and could be considered the King of the North.

The descendants of the Carlos Family are also very outstanding. In selections like the Primordial Convention, the Carlos Family has people entering every year.

Zhao Xing remembered that among the top ten finalists in the Primordial Convention Tournament, there was a genius named Carlos.

The giant families are all very low-key and don't deliberately promote themselves, but Zhao Xing is well aware of this.

In his previous life, he had worked short-term jobs for the Carlos Family and had taken on many exploration missions issued by the Carlos Family.

Zhao Xing couldn't understand how such a weak force as the Great Zhou could provoke the Carlos Family.

Compared to the Carlos Family, the Great Zhou was not even an ant; at most, it was a microorganism.

"Brother, back then you were in the Illusory God Star System, working for the development of the Great Zhou. We went ahead and followed the people of Starfire to the Red Star Empire. In the end, with Jing Yan's help, we settled in the Beihe Star System, Fengdu World Star in the Wuye Constellation." Ji Che began to recount the past.

"Jing Yan has helped my Great Zhou a lot. We quickly gained a foothold in Fengdu World Star, and at least we no longer have to worry about basic survival."

"However, if the Great Zhou wants to develop, it ultimately depends on ourselves."

Zhao Xing nodded.

Jing Yan couldn't act like a nanny and arrange everything for Great Zhou. Even if Jing Yan wanted to, he wouldn't be able to do it when Great Zhou's needs increased; after all, Da Zhou was just a prince with a population of over ten thousand.

"No country has ever become strong with the help of others. So, when you were about to return, in the 127th year of the Gengshi, I led people west out of Jiachen Pass to seek development for the Great Zhou. Later, when you returned, we also discussed it."

"That's right." Zhao Xing also remembered that because the northwest of the empire was to be developed and a lifeline to the Si Yue Desolate Territory was to be opened up, there would naturally be more opportunities there.

Therefore, he strongly agreed that Ji Che and Ji Si should lead people out to look for opportunities, since the commerce, agriculture, and industry in the Red Star Empire were already quite saturated.

It's okay if you don't have funds on Great Zhou or Tuesday; you'll soon hit a bottleneck in your development.

Outward expansion is inevitable, and venturing beyond the borders of the empire to explore the unknown territories of the universe, much like the Age of Exploration, is full of opportunities.

Over the years, Zhao Xing has focused on cultivation and is unaware of the extent to which the Great Zhou has achieved its goals.

"—About three hundred years Gengshi, my elder brother has already passed the third round of the Primordial Convention."

"At that time, outside the Great Zhou, my elder brother made a name for himself in the Primordial Beginning Realm. Inside, Liu Tianning became the Lord Qianhua and reached the Dao Domain Realm."

"Including Ji Si and me, the Great Zhou now has three Dao Domain Realm and more than three thousand Third Realm."

"My elder brother has gained the favor of Yang Lin, the Lord Beihe, and he has also given us some conveniences."

"So, in the year 380 of Gengshi, about twenty years before my elder brother was about to participate in the fourth final assessment, we conquered a sizable territory in a place called ' Annihilating Star Corridor ' outside the pass."

"The Annihilating Star Corridor?" Zhao Xing knew what this place was as soon as he heard the name.

The Annihilating Star Corridor, nestled alongside the Si Yue Desolate Territory, is a popular map in the "Star River Myriad Realms" version.

When the Red Star Empire was expanding westward, it encountered the obstruction of the Si Yue Desolate Territory. Since the empire had decided to explore westward, it would naturally not only open up one star path.

If you find yourself on a dead end halfway through the journey, or encounter dangerous obstacles, wouldn't that waste your time?

Therefore, the exploration and construction of the Starry Sky Road involved simultaneous exploration of multiple locations.

Based on the course of events in the previous life, the Star Corridor was not chosen as the entrance point for the empire to open up the Desolate Territory.

It wasn't until the star paths of the third, ninth, forty-sixth, and eighty-fifth levels of Jia Chen were three-quarters complete that...

The Agricultural Official of the Ancient Hill of Antiquity gathered more information and, upon analysis, discovered that building another star road from the Annihilating Star Corridor would be more convenient and save a lot of costs.

The Star Corridor is a collection of ruins formed after the collapse of top-tier Realm Star, which also created many spacetime tunnels.

Being able to travel across space might save some time and effort.

Thus began the exploration using the Annihilating Star Corridor as a starting point.

Zhao Xing clearly remembered that the corridor route was opened up in less than five hundred years.

The people of Ancient Hill of Antiquity not only did not lose money, but actually made a fortune before the site was even opened up.

Because if you travel another 450 million astronomical units northwest of the Annihilating Star Corridor, several small ' Source Origin World ' will appear.

Within the Source Origin World, there are a large number of 'non-renewable' materials, which can be used as ' Source Origin Divine Weapon ' and ' Reincarnation Divine Soldier '!

"Brother, do you know this place?" Wu Emperor looked at Zhao Xing's reaction with some confusion. He rarely discussed these specific matters with his brother Zhao. The name Annihilating Star Corridor was chosen 120 years ago, when Zhao Xing should have been in seclusion.

"I've heard a little about it," Zhao Xing said. "Go on, tell me how the conflict with the Carlos Family happened."

Ji Che shook his head and said, "Actually, we didn't have a direct conflict with the Carlos Family, but rather with their agents."

"The western constellation of the Annihilating Star Corridor is rich in ' Emperor Star Stone,' and there exists a local power there called the Rainbow Moon Dynasty. Our expansion angered the Rainbow Moon Dynasty, and we only later learned that the Rainbow Moon Dynasty was backed by the Carlos Family."

Zhao Xing asked, "What about the casualties?"

Ji Che sent over the list of casualties, then sighed and said, "I sent 2,135 Third Realm abroad."

More than 800 people died this time. A few dozen escaped, but they were all seriously injured, and the territory was lost.

Zhao Xing's expression was somewhat grim; many of the names on the death list were familiar to him.

The list of injured, including those from the Shangluo Academy, Chu Qianqiu, Zhuang Danian, Dean Qin of the Kunyuan Academy, Priest Wei Hong, Ji Bochang, is also not optimistic. Old Chen, Xia Jing, and Ji Si are all seriously injured.

Because the Rainbow Moon Dynasty is not part of the Empire, poisonous items that are prohibited by the Empire can be found everywhere outside.

Smaller nations often act more recklessly, resulting in many of the wounded in the Great Zhou still being in critical condition. However, given that the forces controlled by the Carlos Family were intent on attacking a small power like the Great Zhou, it's unlikely there would be any survivors.

That's already pretty good.

It was Ji Si broke through to the Dao Domain Realm during the crisis, thus pointing out a way out for everyone and escaping a certain death situation.

"Che, are you worried that this conflict will extend to the country?" Zhao Xing keenly sensed Ji Che's intention to ask for help.

"Yes." Ji Che nodded.

Zhao Xing sighed inwardly.

As the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Great Zhou, after clarifying the situation, he discovered that the Great Zhou Dynasty's situation was not just about deaths and land loss.

Even if the Carlos Family doesn't pursue the matter further, the Great Zhou still suffered heavy losses this time.

The loss of face and territory in the Annihilating Star Corridor not only resulted in the complete loss of the industries that the Great Zhou had invested there, but also put it at risk of facing hefty breach of contract penalties, since some of the Great Zhou's business orders were related to the output of the Annihilating Star Corridor.

"That's how it is with small forces; they have too little ability to withstand risks. If something unexpected happens, they could collapse."

It's like walking on thin ice.

However, Zhao Xing quickly regained his composure; now, he was the last trump card of the Great Zhou.

In any case, he couldn't show any negative emotions.

Zhao Xing immediately said, "I will find a way to handle the breach of contract penalty in China. I still have some savings, and the territory that the Lord Beihe originally granted me can also be pledged to solve my immediate problem."

"As for the threat from the Carlos Family, leave that to me."

"All activities of the Great Zhou outside the pass shall be suspended for the time being. Return to the pass and await my message."

Ji Che's eyes lit up. "Big brother, will this really work? Won't it affect your development in the Primordial Beginning Realm —... If it does, Great Zhou can hide in the Realm Boat again, and we—."

"Of course not," Zhao Xing reassured him with a smile. "Don't worry, I'm Demigod who personally takes on disciples."

"Che, you need to pull yourself together. I can't leave the Primordial Beginning Realm right now, and the whole country depends on you."

Ji Che's expression brightened noticeably. He was walking on thin ice, filled with anxiety, torn between the future of the Great Zhou and the fact that Zhao Xing was also unable to resolve the situation.

Zhao Xing's words finally gave him a sense of support.

"By the way, don't trouble Lord Qianhua. Let the teacher cultivate in peace," Zhao Xing added. "If there really is a problem with Fengdu World Star, we should seek Lord Beihe."

"Alright, elder brother, I understand."

Go ahead.

As Zhao Xing turned off the Star Mirror, the smile on his face slowly disappeared.

The boast was made, but putting it into practice was not as easy as expected.

On the surface, he was a disciple of the Gu Luo River, but Gu Luo River made it very clear from the beginning that he was only there to teach and would not concern himself with personal matters.

Even if he did accept a disciple, he had only just entered the Primordial Beginning Realm. How much master-disciple bond could there be?

"I should first find out who's in charge of running the Rainbow Moon Dynasty," Zhao Xing thought to himself. To understand the ins and outs, it would be best to find Jing Yan and Starfire's people.

Jing Yan understands the internal situation of the empire, while Starfire is familiar with the external situation.

Half a day later, at Locust Willow Courtyard.

Jing Yan, riding on his Wandering Divine Soldiers, hurried over.

"Zhao Xing, what happened? Why did you call me here in such a hurry?"

"I've run into some trouble."

Zhao Xing briefly recounted what had happened outside the Great Wall.

Jing Yan listened quietly, and after Zhao Xing finished speaking, he said, "Wait for me a moment. I'll ask the elders in my family. You contact Starfire and find out what kind of business that Rainbow Moon Dynasty is in, and what the real reason is for attacking the Great Zhou."

"The real reason?" Zhao Xing pondered. "You don't think it's just a simple conflict?"

Jing Yan shook his head and said, "Of course not. What kind of barren land is the Star Corridor? The Carlos Family is involved in interstellar navigation, but they don't get involved in just any business."

"Furthermore, don't you think there's something wrong with the battle report? When Ji Si invoked Teacher Liu Tianning's name, they didn't intend to kill her completely, but when she invoked your name, they started to strike mercilessly."

"Think about it, why did this happen?"

Zhao Xing quickly realized. "Is this ruthless extermination an attempt to conceal something, something shady?"

Jing Yan nodded. "You're too close to the situation to see clearly. Isn't it obvious? The nobles of the empire are doing business outside, and they're doing this to show their status in order to make money. There's nothing wrong with that; there's profit to be made."

Zhao Xing frowned. "But the territory of Great Zhou is very small, and our people haven't found anything special."

"Either the people sent by the Great Zhou didn't know about it themselves, or the other side was unsure whether it would lead to a leak, so they did this just in case—in any case, let's stop guessing and contact Starfire."

"Let's see what's going on. If—"

"If what?" Zhao Xing was taken aback. "Go on."

"If Starfire doesn't find anything, then we'll have to find someone to mediate. If the Carlos Family is pushing too hard, then this matter will become a bit troublesome," Jing Yan said.

Zhao Xing's expression also turned ugly.

Believe it or not, the Star Corridor has secrets, and it also holds significant benefits.

As a member of the royal family, Jing Yan was more perceptive in this regard, and Zhao Xing immediately made many connections after hearing what he said.

"Don't think about it," Jing Yan comforted him. "It could just be a common skirmish. They might think Ji Si is lying. After all, the Rainbow Moon Dynasty is overseas, so it's normal that they don't know your name."

"Major families cherish their reputation and engage in proxy wars for the sake of appearances. You are the one who suffered losses in this matter, which is the Great Zhou. It is unlikely that they will continue to pursue the matter. It is also rare for major families to be so ruthless."

"Secondly, the Carlos Family is also very large. This matter is being handled by the direct descendant Cheng San and members of the collateral branches, so the concepts are different."

"Back when I was in that ancient kingdom, I'd claim to be royalty whenever I needed to get involved, but who knew I was just one of the 30,000th in line to the throne?"

"To put it bluntly, even if you were promoted by the Great Zhou, you still wouldn't have reached the point of offending the entire Carlos Family."

"That's really awful." Zhao Xing pursed his lips, but he felt a little relieved.

Fuxing Starfire: Instead of using the Star Mirror of his original body in the Primeval Realm, Zhao Xing created a clone that left the Primeval Realm and arrived at a nearby star system.

They contacted the Starfire branch, obtained a special Starfire Mirror, and then, through distributed encrypted communication, reconnected with Starfire Chengsan "Yang Baihe" in Tianning.

Then he sent out the communication code that Yang Baihe had set up. "Aries, Aries, this is Mushroom."

After waiting for about six hours, flames ignited within the Starfire Mirror, and Yang Baihe's figure appeared inside.

With a slight smile, Hui Tao replied, "Mushroom, Mushroom, Aries received this. Your communication channels are secure. Please speak if you need anything."

Zhao Xing immediately told Yang Baihe about the matter.

"Give me Heavenly Timing." After hearing this, Aries cut off the communication.

Zhao Xing waited patiently for two and a half days.

News of Yang Baihe came back.

"According to internal investigations by Starfire, although the business conducted by the Rainbow Moon Dynasty violated the laws of the Empire, it was not uncommon."

"Aside from the common human trafficking and the production of Dao Xuan Pill, there's nothing particularly special about it."

"If the Rainbow Moon Dynasty doesn't bring these things into the country, the Empire won't interfere."

"However, it's worth noting that the advanced cultivator of the Rainbow Moon Dynasty is a 'Senior Reincarnation Realm ' who calls himself ' Lord Fuwei,' but his strength is far from reaching the level of a lord."

"There are also two other Reincarnation Realm at the Candlelight Level, one of whom is the scholar ' Earl Xihe,' who is said to have come from the Academy City."

"The second is ' Beins,' Starry Sky Historian, and the Sangqing Remnant Elder."

"As for your claim that the Carlos Family is the supporter behind the scenes, there are currently no such files within Starfire to prove that the Carlos Family is connected to the Rainbow Moon Dynasty."

"Your Lord Fuwei, Sangqing Remnant Elder Beins, the scholar ' Earl Xihe '?" Upon hearing these three titles combined, Zhao Xing immediately shuddered.

"What's wrong with you?" Yang Baihe keenly noticed Zhao Xing's expression.

"It's nothing, probably just a normal skirmish," Zhao Xing shook his head.

"No more fishing rods?"

"There is none left."

Aries in the Starfire Mirror immediately waved. "Remember to call me if you need anything. If you don't call me, Yue Nv and Chen Xuan are on vacation in the country."

"Okay, thank you, Captain."

After hanging up the communication, Zhao Xing's clone stood there in a daze.

"The Devil Dao Scholar Xi He Bo from the ' Scholar Divine Descent ' version has actually appeared in Eryuan of the Empire."

"My Lord Fuwei, you are the Holy Agricultural Official. Which Shennong God does he worship?"

"In comparison, Beins, the last father of the Sangqing Ancient Kingdom, is actually a minor figure."

"Wait a minute, the Carlos Family's records at Starfire are all spotless, so how did Ji Si find out?"

Memories surged through his mind at breakneck speed, giving Zhao Xing a sudden headache. It took him a while to recover.

At that very moment, in the Cheng Chu Realm, in the Seaweed City, Locust Willow Courtyard, Jing Yan quickly returned.

"Zhao Xing, I asked around at home, and I haven't heard of the Carlos Family having any business in the Annihilating Star Corridor. Are you mistaken?"