The Sixth Layer, Bai Han Venerable's Final Trial
The reason why Chixiao Emperor Lord came to the Profound Spirit Assembly in the ancient Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom was because Tianning Zi gave him half of the Time Faction's Theory of Law.
Therefore, after reading the Theory of Law presented by Zhao Xing, Chixiao Emperor Lord completely forgot about what had happened before.
In his view, although Tianning Zi hadn't kept his promise and had almost put him in danger at the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom's Dharma assembly, it couldn't be entirely blamed on him. If anyone should be blamed, it was the Dongyan Ancient Clan for causing trouble!
Tianning Zi later changed his name to Zhao Xing and wrote the Dao Manifestation Universe Theory of Earth Epoch Cataclysm, which solved the problem of the Layered World Mountain. He later wrote the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory, and Dao Tree Writing Books.
If reputation had levels, Zhao Xing's reputation among the Agricultural Official would be as high as that of Demigod. Therefore, the Chixiao Emperor Lord had no intention of killing Zhao Xing at all; on the contrary, he greatly admired him.
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
"Brother Tianning, your Theory of Law could easily propel a certain faction of the Time Faction School to the top tier..."
After reading it, Chixiao Emperor Lord carefully closed the book and reluctantly handed it back.
"Brother Chixiao, please keep this book safe." Zhao Xing pushed it back. "The Bai Han Realm is full of unpredictable dangers. I am trapped in this realm and may not have a chance to get out. Assuming I die in the Bai Han Realm, I would like to ask you to perfect this treatise and pass it down to future generations."
Chixiao Emperor Lord's expression was solemn, and he was deeply moved, just like a minister entrusted with a dying emperor's will. He accepted the "imperial edict" with great solemnity.
"I will certainly live up to your expectations."
"However, I believe that you, fellow Daoist, are destined by Heaven and will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."
Chixiao Emperor Lord bowed with the book in his hands, then carefully kept the Dao Book close to his body. This was the original; he was the first person to have ever seen it.
Zhao Xing returned the bow across the table, feeling relieved.
His ability to pass the test of the Chixiao Emperor Lord was not entirely due to his Theory of Law.
"When a person is insignificant, their words carry little weight. If I remain as weak as before, merely at the Source Origin Realm, no matter how astonishing my Theory of Law be, I will inevitably be looked down upon."
"However, the fact that I can now reach the fifth level and sit down to discuss the Dao with Chixiao Emperor Lord is itself a testament to my strength," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
After a while, Daoist Chixiao talked to him about the secret realm.
"Now that there are nine floating islands on the fifth level, quite a few people have come up, and four people have been occupying them for a long time. Brother Tianning, who do you think will be able to pass Bai Han Venerable's final test?"
Zhao Xing pondered, "Hu An of Luo Island has refined a Primal Chaos Innate Qi, which allows him to ignore the Hou Transformation in the fifth-level floating island. He has also seized many magical artifacts, so his chances are very high."
Chixiao Emperor Lord sneered, "Although Hu An has survived five True Spirit Tribulation and his Primal Chaos Innate Qi is quite exquisite, he is nothing more than a Martial Man and is not worth fearing at all."
"Sword Lord Ye Liuxin of North Island, has superb swordsmanship. He has mastered the Great Dao Origin of Swords and uses the Dao of Swords to replace the Dao of Heaven. He can even suppress the Emperor Tianwu has undergone an anomaly on Li Island. He also has a chance to reach the sixth level."
Chixiao Emperor Lord shook his head. "I've fought him before. He's also a Six Tribulation Emperor Lord Realm, and it's true that he only lost by half a move. As for using the sword to replace the Heavenly Dao? That's utter nonsense!"
Zhao Xing asked, "Does this fellow Daoist know the origins of the mysterious person?"
The Chixiao Emperor Lord said, "Although I do not know his origins, this person is secretive and does not even dare to reveal his identity. How can he be considered a righteous person?"
"I think only you and I can pass Bai Han Venerable's test."
Zhao Xing smiled inwardly.
Emperor Chixiao was a typical Minister of Agriculture of the Heavenly Timing faction. He looked down on everyone except the noble Minister of Agriculture of the Heavenly Timing faction.
However, Chixiao Emperor Lord is indeed very strong. As a man who has survived six True Spirit Tribulation, Chixiao Emperor Lord has mastered all his secret techniques to the limit.
In other words, apart from favorable Celestial Timing Mana, this person has nothing left to improve.
Assuming he possesses super techniques like "Extreme Land" and "Primal Chaos World," he would likely be at the level of a Nine Tribulations Emperor Lord Realm.
In the words of Chixiao Emperor Lord, "Besides the True Spirit Tribulation and the Hou Bian Method, which can also improve oneself, I have reached the highest level that the Great Dao of Time can achieve in the Xuanling Star Domain's Time Faction Sect."
"If I wanted to, passing the seventh True Spirit Tribulation would be a sure thing, and the eighth tribulation wouldn't be difficult either. The weak fear tribulations, while the strong actively seek them out in pursuit of breakthroughs."
"However, the Timing Cultivation Method are flawed. Even after passing the eighth tribulation, it will still be difficult to perfect. Therefore, there is no rush."
"Brother Dao, to what extent do you think Hou Bian Method can be improved?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Theoretically speaking, one can reach the divine realm through Hou Bianfa. This is Heaven's compensation to the Tianshi Sect," said Emperor Chixiao. "Assuming that one can comprehend the life Dao diagrams of those born gods, our Tianshi Sect's Minister of Agriculture can be considered to have indirectly reached the divine realm and possess divine power."
"However, this is ultimately just a means to an end, and it is still not a perfect path to godhood."
Zhao Xing nodded in agreement, saying that Hou Bian Method were the most promising way for the Time Faction to achieve godhood at present.
As long as one obtains the Life Dao Diagram, essence blood, etc. of Innate God, and creates the corresponding Hou Bian Method, one can transform into the Divine Realm.
The imperfection that Chixiao Emperor Lord believed was that even if it were truly achieved, after the transformation was dispelled, the human form would still be in a non -Divine Realm.
He believed that the true Divine Realm should be Human Race body, with Human Race bloodline becoming a god.
Of course, even this imperfect path to godhood is extremely difficult and unattainable.
The Life Dao Diagram of Innate God is equivalent to capturing the life of a race of Heavenly God; acquired ones are not acceptable. This is even more difficult than becoming a god in itself.
"The Life Dao Diagram left by Bai Han Venerable on the fifth floating island is the source test subject for the Life Dao Diagram of the lower four layers."
Chixiao Emperor Lord waved his hand, and a Dao diagram appeared in front of the pavilion. Below the clouds, a fleshy monster with countless horns and eyes appeared.
After Zhao Xing comprehended the many Life Dao Diagram in the first four levels, he immediately deduced that this species was not Original Seed, but Derived Seed.
Hybridization of life is not limited to plants; it also occurs in animals, although mammalian life forms are more complex and uncontrollable.
In the medical field, there is also the concept of Original Seed and Derived Seed. When Chixiao Emperor Lord mentioned the words "tracing the origin experimental body", Zhao Xing understood Bai Han Venerable's intention.
"Does he intend to use this method to restore the bloodline of a Innate God race, and then achieve Divine Realm through the Hou Bian Method?"
"Indeed," said Chixiao Emperor Lord. "You should have seen the Life Dao Diagram of the lower levels, including the Divine Feather Life Dao Diagram, the Rock God Life Dao Diagram, Jialun God Life Dao Diagram... Their test specimens are all descendants of the Divine Realm."
"By meticulously unraveling the mystery and tracing back to the source, we can ultimately obtain the God-Level Hou Bian Method. The ambition of Bai Han Venerable can be glimpsed from the Extreme Star Floating Island challenge."
Zhao Xing looked at this Dao diagram, and his mind was affected just by looking at it. Although the tiger was dead, its power remained. He could sense that the ferocious beast in this Life Dao Diagram was definitely at the Emperor Lord Level in life.
"No wonder Emperor Tianwu became even more powerful after transforming into a beast."
Although Emperor Tianwu is strong, he is not strong enough to defeat everyone.
However, even now, the fifth level of Li Island is considered taboo, and few dare to live there for long, precisely because the Emperor Tianwu has become even more terrifying after the mutation. He can be called a forbidden life form.
"The path of Bai Han Venerable is bound to fail. Hou Bian Method cannot simply rely on studying the bloodlines of powerful life forms."
"He used medicine to assist in his research on the Celestial Timing Marquis Transformation, which was not a problem in itself. However, as I made my way to the fifth level, I discovered that he had gradually deviated from his original intention and was now focusing on medicine instead, unable to distinguish between primary and secondary matters."
The Chixiao Emperor Lord said, "The Marquis Transformation Formation he left behind is not as profound as the Life Dao Diagram, and this is clear proof."
At this moment, Zhao Xing also greatly admired Emperor Chixiao. Excluding Qingyuzi, his vision, theories, and magical arts were the strongest among the Tianshi faction's agricultural officials he had ever seen.
Whether Lao Qing is truly the orthodox God of Heavenly Timing is debatable, as Zhao Xing learned Soul Secret Technique from him and witnessed him using the Dao of Destiny. Qing Yuzi also gifted him the World Opening Divine Stone, yet he never used any of the Time Faction's divine spells.
"Brother Tianning, you can study this Dao diagram, but don't get too immersed in it," Chixiao Emperor Lord reminded him. "Although Bai Han Venerable is Demigod, his Dao may not be applicable to you and me."
"Use it for its purpose, but do not delve into its underlying principles."
Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist."
Next, Zhao Xing went to Chixiao Island to study the Dao diagram called "Nine Marsh God".
As Zhao Xing continued his comprehension, he discovered that it was indeed as the Chixiao Emperor Lord had described.
The Nine Marsh God Dao Diagram provides a more profound understanding of the aspects of life's bloodline, structure, innate secrets, and the manifestation of the Dao in living beings.
However, an important factor has been overlooked – the Hou Transformation of the inner environment.
"Magic power is the foundation that supports Hou Transformation, it is the root. Life bloodline, Dao body and magic body structure, innate secret techniques, and the manifestation of the magic body and Dao are the trunk and branches of the tree for advancement."
"Without this point, Hou Bian Method would have gone completely astray."
Using medical principles to study Derived Seed does indeed make it easier to obtain a powerful individual.
Its beauty lies in the fact that a weak physician might very well obtain a mutated life form beyond his capabilities, and mistakenly believe it to be his own creation.
In fact, some variants are beyond the control of doctors themselves, and cannot be replicated.
However, after seven or eight years of contemplation, Zhao Xing's views changed somewhat.
Because he obtained several profound methods of cultivating magical power from the [Nine Marsh God] Dao Diagram.
It can be called the "Marquis Transformation Mana," which is the power specifically supporting the Hou Bian Method.
Zhao Xing tried it out and found that the amplification effect was not as good as that of Azure Flower Mana and Red Lotus Mana, and in terms of the level of secret techniques, it was inferior to these two.
"Perhaps Bai Han Venerable knew he had gone down the wrong path, but he was helpless. He could not create a foundation sufficient to support his research on the Hou Transformation, namely the Mana Chapter."
After deepening his understanding, Zhao Xing discovered 108 types of Mana Chapter, corresponding to 108 divine treasure acupoints of the Human Race.
He seemed to see a cold and ruthless figure in front of a prison, cruelly dissecting powerful life forms, while he grew increasingly impatient and conflicted.
The final Dao diagram of the Nine Marsh God is also strangely shaped, completely lacking the beauty of the first four Dao diagrams.
"Boom!"
Twenty-seven years later, a clap of thunder startled the Chixiao Emperor Lord, who was meditating and contemplating enlightenment, awakening him.
He turned his head and saw that the thunder was coming from Zhao Xing's stomach.
"Hmm?" Chixiao Emperor Lord appeared in front of Zhao Xing in a flash.
They discovered that he was now quite formidable, with two tentacles covered in mysterious patterns, his skin was crystal, and the internal organs inside his abdomen were brewing a series of storms.
"This..." Chixiao Emperor Lord was somewhat surprised.
He comprehended the Dao Diagram of the Nine Marsh God many years earlier than Zhao Xing.
But Zhao Xing's current appearance is completely different from what he comprehended.
"When I first used the Nine Marsh Transformation, my body was covered with countless horns; this is a side effect of the technique."
"After two hundred years of contemplation, combined with my own cultivation insights, I finally managed to suppress the nine horn spikes."
"He only has two spikes left?"
"Could it be that his understanding of the Nine Marsh God has yielded greater results than mine?"
Chixiao Emperor Lord looked at Zhao Xing with hopeful eyes.
He sat down next to Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing stared at the Nine Marsh God Dao Diagram, and he stared at Zhao Xing.
The Great Dao of Time is like a hidden river with unknown risks.
At this moment, Zhao Xing was feeling his way across the river, just as Chixiao Emperor Lord was feeling his Zhao Xing across the river.
Eight more years passed. In the thirty-fifth year since Zhao Xing entered Chixiao Island, his two remaining horns had become one large and one small.
Chixiao Emperor Lord also reduced his single horn to five, which reduced the aftereffects by almost half!
"As expected of Tianning Zi, he is a pioneer who can pave the way for the Time Faction!" Chixiao Emperor Lord thought with endless emotion.
"But he can manage to have only two horns left, while I still have five horns hindering the Hou Transformation in my inner world, and the probability of mutation is still very high. Why is that?"
After Zhao Xing finished his comprehension, Chixiao Emperor Lord asked him this question.
"Firstly, there are individual differences; perhaps my physique is more compatible with the [Nine Marsh God] Dao Diagram."
"Secondly, it's about the foundation. I actually entered earlier than you, but I've already seen almost all of the tens of thousands of floating islands in the lower four levels, and I've completely understood at least 70% to 80% of them."
"You've seen it all? You've completely comprehended seven or eight tenths of the Dao diagrams?" Chixiao Emperor Lord was taken aback. "How did you manage to do that in such a short time... Oh, I see."
He recalled that Zhao Xing had Great Beginning Clone, which could simultaneously ascend to the island and comprehend its secrets. Ordinary magical avatars, on the other hand, were simply unable to ascend to the island to comprehend its secrets.
Even after landing on the island, the focus of the Great Beginning Clone was on tearing apart the Soul Body, and the comprehension and talent of each individual were roughly the same.
Even if he knew the method, Chixiao Emperor Lord couldn't imitate it.
This is an advantage unique to the Great Beginning Clone.
"I see. It seems I should also go down to the lower levels and take a look." Chixiao Emperor Lord sighed. "I was saying that Bai Han Venerable didn't pay attention to the basic Mana Chapter. I made the same mistake myself. It's true that those involved are often blinded, while bystanders see things clearly."
Actually, there was a third reason that Zhao Xing couldn't explain in detail.
That was the Mana Chapter of the Seven Apertures Heart Sealing Method, which played a decisive role.
He was able to reduce the aftereffects of the [Nine Marsh God] to only two horns because he did not use the Mana Chapter provided by Bai Han Venerable to support Hou Transformation, but used the Azure Flower Mana!
The Azure Flower Mana possesses all-encompassing magical power. Using it to learn magic can also reduce many risks of mutations, after all, Fan Qianrou is the Physician God.
"Brother Tianning, I plan to leave the island to seek enlightenment in the lower levels. I'll leave this Chixiao Island to you."
A month later, Chixiao Emperor Lord left Chixiao Island, intending to replicate Zhao Xing's footsteps and visit all the islands.
He didn't seek complete comprehension; using his true spirit, which had survived the sixth True Spirit Tribulation, to comprehend the lower-level Life Dao Diagram, his comprehension speed was still quite fast.
" With Chixiao Emperor Lord gone, I'm the only one left on the floating island." Zhao Xing glanced at the panel.
[Azure Flower Mana: 2858/10000]
[Red Lotus Mana: 1750/10000]
"During my comprehension at the fifth level, both my Red Lotus Mana and Azure Flower Mana have greatly improved, especially my Azure Flower Mana. After breaking through two thousand points, my magic power is no longer as thin as silk and has reached one world yuan."
"The Red Lotus Mana is still calculated in strands."
Two thousand points is a threshold; before that, there were only a few streaks of upward movement.
Once it broke through 2,000 points, it immediately surged, as if it had broken through some kind of limit.
"I use Hou Bian Method to unleash the Nine Marsh God. My skin is crystal, and my lower body is covered with scales. It contains nine Great Daos. My single horn can unleash innate secret techniques, but it does not prevent me from using Human Race magic as a human."
"This new Hou Bian Method still has room for improvement."
"However, I need to comprehend the third or even the fourth of my Seven-Colored Mana."
The new Hou Bian Method [Nine Marsh God] is significantly different from the one created by Bai Han Venerable. It is closer to Bai Han Venerable's 'idealized' setting than the monster body in the Dao diagram.
To distinguish it, Zhao Xing called the self-improved version "Azure Flower Nine Marsh God".
The Chixiao Emperor Lord also referred to his Hou Bian Method as the "Chixiao Nine Marsh God".
"Can I try going to the sixth floor now?" Zhao Xing felt a surge of impulse.
He felt an attraction to one of the three floating islands on the sixth level. It was an instinctive desire that arose after he cultivated the [Azure Flower Nine Marsh God].
"All paths lead to one. According to my and Chixiao Emperor Lord's deductions, the last three floating islands on the sixth level should correspond to the three forms of the strongest Hou Bian Method."
"The fifth level has nine floating islands, three of which correspond to the Nine Marsh God, three to the Rock Star God, and three to the Pu Luo God."
"Besides Chixiao Island, the fifth level also includes Li Xing Island and Mi River Island, which share the same origin as the Nine Marsh God Marquis Transformation Art."
"Mi River Island is unoccupied, and there is a mutated version of the Emperor Tianwu on Li Xing Island. I'd better go check out Mi River Island first."
Not long after Chixiao Emperor Lord left, Zhao Xing also left Chixiao Island, leaving only his clone to guard it.
There is Magic Array created by the Chixiao Emperor Lord on Chixiao Island, and given the Chixiao Emperor Lord's prestige, there is no need to worry about your home being robbed.
"Holy crap!!"
With a thought, Zhao Xing immediately activated the [Azure Flower Nine Marsh God] technique, and two demon horns, one large and one small, appeared on his head. The smaller one was hidden in his hair and was not very noticeable.
The skin and flesh of the upper body are crystallized, with specks of blue and white flowers floating in them, while the lower body is covered with layers of blue and white scales.
"Cloud Qi Method!"
Zhao Xing was still able to use spells in human form, and immediately began to traverse the void.
It only took Heavenly Timing to catch up with Mi River Island, which was operating according to the rules of the Dharma Realm.
"Splash!"
The environment of Mi River Island is different from other floating islands. It is surrounded by tens of thousands of surging Void River. To enter, one can only squeeze through the gaps. Each river rubs against the other to form whirlpools, which are like eyes that can easily crush early-stage Emperor Lord Realm and some mid-grade Reincarnation Dao Soldier.
Entering Mi River Island is inherently dangerous. The island is not suitable for survival. Among the fifth-level floating islands, it has the harshest environment. Therefore, Juan, Ye Liuxin, the mysterious man, Chixiao Emperor Lord did not choose to stay on this island for long.
"Nine Marsh Stabilizes Heaven and Earth!"
The blue-and-white scales on Zhao Xing's lower body shimmered, and the innate power in his bloodline naturally drew upon the Yin -Yin-Yang Great Dao of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Thunder, forming nine rivers of Qi.
Pulled by the nine Qi Rivers, the high-speed Mi River Island seemed to slow down, and the roaring Void River also weakened considerably.
"Whoosh~"
Zhao Xing quickly crawled inside.
Just as Zhao Xing entered the Mi River Island.
On the summit of Gao Shan in the center of Spirit Roaming Island, one of the nine islands, a swordsman observes the countless floating islands below, surrounded by four small Bamboo Sword.
The Bamboo Sword swam around me like a nimble fish. As the Bamboo Sword moved, the rules of the entire floating island seemed to change, Hou Transformation came to a standstill.
He was none other than the Bamboo Sword Venerable had entered the ruins after accepting the capture mission from the Shadow Sanctum.
After arriving at Extreme Star Floating Island, the Bamboo Sword Venerable occupied Spirit Roaming Island and never allowed anyone to come to the island. Anyone who approached was inexplicably repelled. Because of his powerful methods and his refusal to show his face, no one knew his identity.
Originally, the Bamboo Sword Venerable intended to search for Zhao Xing's whereabouts immediately after entering, capture him, and take him away.
However, plans can't keep up with changes, and the Bamboo Sword Venerable chose to wait on the fifth floor.
"Buzz~"
Right in front of the Bamboo Sword Venerable, a dim phantom appeared, and the Hou Transformation within the floating island accelerated its operation once again.
His hair was gray and his figure was hunched; he looked exactly like Bai Han Venerable.
"Fellow Daoist, you have been in my cave for over three hundred years, neither comprehending my teachings nor leaving. What exactly are you plotting?"
One of the reasons why Bamboo Sword Venerable has been here all this time is because Bai Han Venerable is still alive and has been keeping him in check.
As a fellow Demigod, the Bamboo Sword Venerable was somewhat wary of the Bai Han Venerable, who had cultivated both the path of medicine and the Agricultural Official, even though he was fighting away from home.
"Fellow Daoist is unwilling to speak, but I can guess what's going on." Bai Han Venerable looked at the other party. "My cave does not allow Demigod to enter, but you forcibly entered using the method of stealing the sky and changing the sun. The depth of your methods must not be just for my little bit of inheritance. So you have a grudge against someone."
"But those who come here are all Emperor Lord Level, who would dare to offend you and make you wait here for hundreds of years?"
Bamboo Sword Venerable remained silent, as if he were treating Bai Han Venerable as if he didn't exist.
"I understand. Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. Once you tell me, your scheme will likely fail," Bai Han Venerable said to himself.
"Since you refuse to leave or speak, then let us continue our duel. I also wish to experience the power of the Dao Venerable of this era."
It has been 375 years since we entered the Extreme Star Floating Island.
When Zhao Xing emerged from Mi River Island, the smaller of the two single horns on his head had completely disappeared.
The scales on its lower body have faded further, revealing crystal skin with flowing blue patterns.
"Whoosh~"
After leaving Mi River Island, Zhao Xing quickly chased after Li Xing Island.
"Boom!"
The sky and earth were dark and gray, and the earth was almost boiling like a sea of fire.
Green and purple rain fell above the floating island, and the rising water vapor formed a layer of poisonous barrier.
Black lightning flashed across the north and south of the island, forming mountain ranges that appeared to be real.
Only a very small area in the center provided a place to stand.
However, this small area is both a meditation area and the habitat of the monster-like Emperor Tianwu.
"To comprehend it, one must confront the mutated form of the Emperor Tianwu."
Zhao Xing traversed the Thunder Pool Mountains, then passed through layers of corrosive medicinal rain, and crossed countless seas of fire before descending upon the central site where the Dao diagram manifested.
"Whoosh~"
As soon as it landed, a fleshy monster covered in spikes and compound eyes opened its eyes, its scarlet gaze fixed on Zhao Xing.
"Roar!!"
The monster's entire body shone with Golden Light, Golden Light spread and covered its entire body.
Zhao Xing tentatively used the Five Finger Mountain technique.
He drew fire veins from the sea of fire, gathered them into a mountain, and the Great Five-Finger Mountain, carrying flames, pressed down on Emperor Tianwu.
"Bang!"
With just a slight tremor, Emperor Tianwu shattered three of the fingers of the Great Five-Finger Mountain.
"This is outrageous. In its monster form, it even possesses a defense similar to the Reincarnation Golden Body."
"He inherited some of the characteristics of Emperor Tianwu."
"The Chixiao Emperor Lord said that its defense was comparable to that of a Seven Tribulation Emperor Lord Realm, and it was indeed true."
Zhao Xing's attack enraged Emperor Tianwu.
"Boom boom boom!"
Spikes pierced the ground, and the lump of flesh rolled and lunged at Zhao Xing.
As the golden, spiked mass of flesh rolled, Zhao Xing felt as if the entire universe was pressing down on him, as if the sky had collapsed.
"Whoosh!"
Zhao Xing turned and ran.
When he lured the Emperor Tianwu to the fiery sea layer, he immediately cast a spell.
"The Earth Core Rifting Soil Art!"
"The Five-Finger Demon God Earth Palace!"
In a direct confrontation, he would still find it difficult to defeat the mutated Emperor Tianwu.
However, the harsh environment of Lixing Floating Island also became a place where Zhao Xing could take advantage.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"
The sea of fire split open further, and streams of fire erupted forth, striking the Emperor Tianwu like chains while pulling him down into the sea of fire.
At the same time, a mountain formed above the lump of flesh and pressed down on it.
Pressing down from above and dragging down from below, they immediately forced Emperor Tianwu into the Earth Palace amidst the sea of fire.
Glug glug~~
The behemoth continued to struggle, its spikes triggering layers of the Great Dao Origin, quickly piercing several holes in the Earth Palace.
"It won't be trapped like this for long," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "At most three days, it will have to break free, and that's the only way."
"I'm sorry, Emperor Tianwu."
Tentacles extended from Zhao Xing's internal organs as he activated the Five Elements Sprout Art.
The Five Elements Sprout Art was created by the Five Poisons Emperor Lord.
It primarily cultivates flesh-and-blood Parasitic Seeds, nurturing five Emperor-Grade Vine within the Dharma Body, rather than cultivating them in the Internal World.
Zhao Xing used it not to attack, but to prepare for the next spell.
"The Spirit Extraction Transformation Art!"
Clang clang clang!!
Five thorny vines spun and drilled into the body of Emperor Tianwu, immediately producing a metallic clanging sound.
"Smack!"
Two buds broke off directly, while the other three burrowed into the surface.
"It's terrifying. It burrowed into the wound and still corroded two of my Dharma Body buds. Now I can only exert 70% of my power. I don't know how long I can hold on."
After Emperor Tianwu turned into a monster, his spirit became extremely chaotic. Zhao Xing wanted to remove his spirit to reduce Emperor Tianwu's combat power.
The Five-Finger Demon God Earth Palace, combined with the Spirit Extraction Transformation Art, is the Demon Minister of Agriculture's battle strategy: planting people in the ground and draining them dry.
"Consider it!"
Seeing that the Emperor Tianwu was trapped, Zhao Xing immediately went to try to understand.
About a month later, Emperor Tianwu broke free of his predicament and roared as he chased after Zhao Xing.
"Whoosh!"
Zhao Xing had no choice but to abandon his comprehension and continue his escape.
Then they lured Emperor Tianwu to the sea of fire and used the same trick again.
The second siege trapped Emperor Tianwu for another month and a half.
The third time, they were trapped for two months.
Repeated actions, taking advantage of the gaps to contemplate and understand—this was the plan Zhao Xing devised.
He was also under immense mental stress.
Because if Emperor Tianwu were to touch him even once, he would be seriously injured or even die.
Emperor Tianwu can make countless mistakes, but if he makes one mistake, he's doomed.
"Roar!"
"Hooray~"
On Li Xing Island, Emperor Tianwu roared for a full fourteen years.
As Zhao Xing's comprehension progressed, the horn on his head grew shorter and shorter, his crystal skin became more and more abundant, and his scales became fewer and fewer.
"Roar!!"
Just as the mass of flesh, carrying the weight of time and space, came crashing down, Zhao Xing instinctively ran towards the sea of fire; it had almost become his instinct.
But this time, things are a little different.
When the monster version of Emperor Tianwu was trapped in the Five-Finger Demon God Earth Palace again, he seemed to have undergone some kind of change.
The sharp spikes all over its body began to retract into its body, and the fleshy mass seemed to shrink a size, like a meaty egg, and began to rotate in the sea of fire in the Earth Palace.
"Hmm?" Zhao Xing noticed that the mass of flesh was becoming faintly ethereal, with human-shaped outlines appearing within it. "What's going on?"
Zhao Xing activated the Five Elements Sprout Art, continuously stabbing at the golden fleshy egg.
I want to stop it from spinning.
At this moment, a faint thought emanated from the meat and egg.
"Zhao, Zhao Xing..."
"Whoa!"
Zhao Xing leaped back a great distance, his expression one of surprise and uncertainty, a thick blue-green mist rising from his crystal-clear skin.
"What the hell is this?!"
"Stop hitting me, I am the Emperor Tianwu!"
The voice from the meatball became clearer, and it sounded somewhat angry.
"Emperor Tianwu?"
Zhao Xing was taken aback. He focused his gaze and discovered that the figure inside the golden fleshy egg was gradually taking shape, resembling the aura of the Emperor Tianwu, but with significant changes.
"You're not dead yet?"
The golden meat egg continued to rotate, and the Golden Light began to recede inward. From the outside in, the outer skin began to collapse, shattering like crystal, and the entire body shrank more and more.
"I was about to die, but you saved me." The Emperor Tianwu's thoughts gradually became clear. "Now, my Reincarnation Golden Body is undergoing its final reconstruction."
"What?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "How could this be? You've clearly been a monster for many years..."
"Bai Han Venerable's Marquis Transformation Dharma Realm is indeed formidable; I can say I've died once," Emperor Tianwu remarked. "My physical body underwent Hou Transformation first, my Reincarnation Golden Body, and then the monstrous form affected my true spirit, turning me into a dazed and confused monster..."
"If you hadn't attacked me, I'm afraid I would have truly fallen into complete ruin."
"I attacked you, and then I saved you?" Zhao Xing vaguely realized something. "Could it be because of the Demonic Seed Method?"
"Yes, it's the Five Poisons Emperor Lord's Spirit Extraction Transformation Art," said the Emperor Tianwu. "When you used the Five Elements Sprout Art to absorb my 'spirit,' you actually drew away my mutated true spirit, giving my last remaining bit of clear consciousness a chance to catch my breath."
"Is that so?" Zhao Xing's eyes widened.
"Don't you realize that for the past fourteen years, I've followed your schemes every time, obediently falling into your trap? Hahaha! There's no such thing as a free lunch!" Emperor Tianwu laughed.
"I've become a monster, but my monster fighting instincts remain. How can I fall for their tricks every time?"
"It's just that I'm using my gradually clearing mind to cooperate with you."
Zhao Xing suddenly realized, "I was wondering why the time I could suppress you had been getting longer each time. I thought it was because I had gotten stronger, but I didn't expect it was you..."
Emperor Tianwu: "I am a Seventh Tribulation Emperor Lord Realm, and after transforming into a monster, I am comparable to Eight Tribulation Emperor Lord. How could you possibly suppress me so easily? I have hinted to you many times not to run away, but you didn't understand, and every time you ran away without saying a word..."
Zhao Xing was speechless. Of course he had to run away. After the Emperor Tianwu turned into a monster, even a slight touch from him would cause serious injury. That was no joke.
"You extracted my mutated true spirit, which ironically allowed me to be reborn."
"The Reincarnation Golden Body I have cultivated is about to complete its eighth transformation."
"After this, I only need to overcome one more tribulation to reach the Demigod Realm!"
"Zhao Xing, I have to thank you."
Qi Sect Martial Practitioner are truly hard to kill. Zhao Xing never expected that the Emperor Tianwu could actually survive Death Trap experience. The Reincarnation Golden Body truly lives up to its reputation as the strongest path for Qi Sect Martial Practitioner.
"The true spirit was affected by Hou Transformation's body and was in complete chaos, yet it was still able to recover through the Demonic Seed Method. There are truly no bad techniques, only people who don't know how to use them." Zhao Xing sighed.
After the incident with Emperor Tianwu, Zhao Xing gained a deeper understanding of Hou Bian Method and the transformation of the true spirit.
In the 401st year since entering the ruins, the two horns, one large and one small, were eventually reduced to just one.
Zhao Xing has fully digested the three Dao diagrams about the Nine Marsh God on the five floating islands.
"As the physical Hou Transformation, the true spirit also changes accordingly."
"Just like a wild beast in heat, whose mind is filled with thoughts of reproduction and mating, even a docile Pet Beast can become irritable."
"I'm still unable to erase the last bit of it; it must be the test of the sixth level."
"It should be closely related to the strength of the true spirit and the will of the mind."
If the physical body influences the true spirit, it becomes a monster; if the true spirit controls the physical body, then the Hou Bian Method accomplished!
Zhao Xing glanced at the panel.
[Azure Flower Mana: 3124/10000]
[Red Lotus Mana: 2101/10000]
[Vast Ocean Mana: 1042/10000]
In the year that he fully comprehended the Nine Marsh God Dao Diagram, he finally comprehended the third type of magical power in the Heart Sealing Art.
Through the two seven-colored torrents of blue and red lotus, tracing back to the source, they comprehended the Vast Ocean Mana.
The Vast Ocean Mana is primarily water-based; however, within the Heart Sealing Art, its function is to enhance mental will and can significantly improve mental and spiritual practices.
"Boom~~"
Just then, Emperor Tianwu was also reborn. His golden bones shone brightly, and the oppressive feeling of his body was like the might of heaven.
Zhao Xing stood up and congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, senior, on your new life."
Emperor Tianwu bowed in return. "Zhao Xing, I owe you a favor. If you ever need my help in the future, I will risk my life to assist you."
His Reincarnation Golden Body was reshaped by reincarnation, a blessing akin to being reborn. If Zhao Xing hadn't used the Demonic Seed Method, his true spirit would have been completely annihilated in another hundred years.
Therefore, Emperor Tianwu said that if Zhao Xing needed it, he could give his life, or even Reincarnation once.
"You flatter me, senior. I just stumbled upon this by chance," Zhao Xing said.
"Haha, well done, you knocked me down to this realm." Emperor Tianwu laughed loudly.
"Alright, let's not talk about anything else for now. Give me a set of robes to wear. My storage ring is broken, and I can't go around naked."
Zhao Xing smiled and quickly took out a set of supplies from his storage ring and gave them to Emperor Tianwu.
"It's been hundreds of years since we last met. Zhao Xing, you actually managed to ascend to Li Xing Island and suppress me after my transformation. Your strength has also greatly improved." Emperor Tianwu stared at Zhao Xing. "Your current strength should be comparable to that of a peak Emperor Lord Realm who has survived six True Spirit Tribulation."
"I don't know either," Zhao Xing shook his head and said, "Hou Bian Method couldn't last long, and even if he did, I only temporarily gained that kind of power."
After Zhao Xing had fully comprehended the Nine Marsh God Dao Diagram of the three floating islands, he found that his mana was insufficient.
Even if all the power of Azure Flower Mana, Red Lotus Mana, Vast Ocean Mana were used, it would only be enough to maintain the complete Jiuze form for two and a half hours.
Two and a half hours would deplete all his magical power, and in reality, it was impossible for him to maintain that limit; exhaustion of magical power was a very serious injury. Therefore, one hour was the optimal duration for a battle.
Of course, if the previous two-horned state is maintained, the mana can last for decades or even centuries.
Zhao Xing didn't know exactly what kind of strength they possessed, since he had never fought anyone before.
"What do you plan to do next?" Emperor Tianwu asked.
"I plan to go to the sixth level," Zhao Xing said. "I have already fully comprehended the three Dao diagrams of the Nine Marsh God on the fifth level, so there is no point in staying on the fifth level."
While somewhat surprised, Emperor Tianwu warned, "Zhao Xing, you'd better think this through. The sixth level is not so simple. You know my lesson well; even the fifth level was this difficult..."
"I know," Zhao Xing said, but he had no intention of changing his mind.
Ultimately, Bai Han Venerable is Demigod of Agricultural Official. The same test would be more difficult for other professions, but easier for his own profession.
Back in the Lingluo Realm, Emperor Lord Fuzhi was questioned based on this very understanding.
"Alright, I won't go to the sixth level then," said Emperor Tianwu. "I'll just wait for one of you to succeed."
If someone succeeds in passing the test, the others might be released.
"Senior, farewell." After saying this, Zhao Xing was about to rush towards the sixth floor.
"Wait a minute." Emperor Tianwu suddenly called out to Zhao Xing, "I almost forgot about this."
"What instructions did you give me, senior?" Zhao Xing turned around.
"Pfft!" Suddenly, Emperor Tianwu pierced his own chest with one hand, pulling out a golden bone and a lump of golden flesh.
"This is one of my tribulation bones and the essence of my Reincarnation," said Emperor Tianwu. "I see that your true spirit is about to undergo tribulation. If the sixth level triggers your True Spirit Tribulation, it will be troublesome."
"The Tribulation Bone can help you withstand the first and second True Spirit Tribulation, Reincarnation Essence Blood can instantly restore your magical power, reshape your physical body, and even replenish the lifespan lost in special circumstances."
"Don't tell anyone, this is a secret of my Origin Heavenly Palace."
"Thank you very much, senior..."
Zhao Xing was certainly aware of this secret: the higher one cultivated the Reincarnation Golden Body, the more it would develop qualities similar to the flesh of Tang Sanzang, becoming a treasure from head to toe.
However, this requires the cultivator of the Reincarnation Golden Body to make a voluntary offering. With the Fate Soul merging with the physical body, the Emperor Tianwu can also make this trait disappear with a single thought.
"Senior, I'm off."
After Zhao Xing accepted it, he immediately jumped from the fifth level of Li Xing Island and rushed to the fifth level of the floating island.
Between the fifth and sixth levels, there are three Void River connecting them.
As Zhao Xing went against the current, he immediately felt immense pressure.
However, despite his explosive aura, he still rapidly approached the three floating islands on the sixth level.
"Huh? Someone actually dares to challenge the sixth floor?"
Juan looked at the sixth-level floating island space and saw a wisp of white energy flowing upstream in the dark Void River, heading straight for the sixth-level floating island.
"Only four hundred years ago, someone dared to attempt the sixth level?" On Sword Island, Ye Liuxin also stared at the Void River of the sixth and fifth levels. "I can't tell who it is, but they seem to be cultivators of the Nine Marsh God."
"However, this form is somewhat different."
"Someone has made it to the sixth level." Zhong Qi, the physician of the Great Purity Hall, also looked up from the fourth level. "I hope he can make it so we can leave this place."
"In the four hundred years that have passed, Ancient Cultivation Artifact have become increasingly rare, and spiritual energy has been greatly depleted. If we don't leave soon, we will all be forced to reincarnate before we can leave."
"It is extremely difficult to pass through the sixth level. Even the four strongest experts are not absolutely confident. This person does not seem to be one of the four strongest experts."
"I hope he dies!"
"..."
Four hundred years ago, some powerful individuals had already established communication between the floating islands, and news of someone attempting to break into the sixth level of the floating island spread rapidly.
At that moment, the Bamboo Sword Venerable of Spirit Roaming Island also looked at the white light streaking across the night sky.
"Buzz~"
Suddenly, a sharp light flashed in the eyes of the Bamboo Sword Venerable, and four Bamboo Sword shot towards the illusory figure of the Bai Han Venerable not far away.
He himself bent his fingers into a sword, which actually tore apart the rules of the Dharma Realm and opened a spatial passage!
"So you were looking for him. How dare you break my rules! You're dreaming!" The illusory figure of Bai Han Venerable also disappeared.
Zhao Xing had no idea that another Demigod had appeared on the Extreme Star Floating Island, and that he was there to capture him.
After three hours of traveling upstream, he had reached the middle island of the three floating islands on the sixth level.
"Um?"
Just as Zhao Xing reached the edge of the floating island, he discovered that the island was an illusion.
The soil suddenly transformed into a soft river, which quickly formed a whirlpool that pulled Zhao Xing into it.
"Damn, what level of Hou Transformation is this? It can even turn Earth Vein into rivers out of thin air?"
Zhao Xing was shocked. He discovered that the wind, clouds, thunder, Shuitu undergone abstract changes, and everything was twisting with the whirlpool beneath his feet.
This force was completely overwhelming, and his body involuntarily plummeted into the vortex.
Just a second before Zhao Xing was completely engulfed in the vortex, a wooden sword suddenly pierced through the abstract vision and passed right through him.
"A sword? Where did this sword come from?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. Then a sharp pain shot through his head, and the next moment everything went black. All around him fell into dead silence.
When Zhao Xing regained his sight, he found himself on a brightly lit platform, and felt a faint tingling sensation in various parts of his body. However, this sensation quickly disappeared.
Zhao Xing found himself on a platform that looked like Cyan Jade Stone Slab, with mysterious patterns flowing beneath his feet and a starry sky above him.
Above the starry sky appeared a middle-aged man dressed in magnificent clothes with a ruddy complexion and a head of blue hair. He was none other than Bai Han Venerable.
"Junior Zhao Xing greets Bai Han Venerable." Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.
Bai Han Venerable waved his hand, and nine enormous bone spikes floated over from the starry sky. The spikes were thick at the top and thin at the bottom, with concentric patterns and Dao runes rotating and echoing each other.
After examining it, Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow; this was actually the power of a divine object!
"It is called the Heaven-Changing Divine Needle. When separated, it is nine top-grade magical artifacts; when combined, it is a divine object," Bai Han Venerable said calmly.
"The Dao Diagrams [Nine Marsh God], [Pu Luo God], and [Rock Star God] are all secret methods for controlling it. If you can master one of them, you can obtain this set of divine artifacts."
"I am nearing the end of my life. My true spirit has long since withered; I am now merely a living dead."
"The Second Stage, sixth floor, is the final test. You performed the best in both levels. If you can master this artifact of the Marquis Transformation Faction, you will become my successor."
The magic weapon of the Marquis Transformation Faction, the Heaven-Changing Divine Needle?
Zhao Xing was taken aback. Nine such large bone spurs were called needles?
"You don't have much time left." Seeing Zhao Xing in a daze, Bai Han Venerable urged, "I don't know who you've offended, but someone outside wants to kill you. It's a Dao Venerable. I can hold him off for a while, but I can't hold him off forever."
"Demigod of swordsmanship wants to kill me?" Zhao Xing recalled the sword light, and his head throbbed slightly. He dared not delay and immediately began to study the Heaven-Changing Divine Needle.