The Great Dao's Trial

Wei Tianchen once said that the day the Red Jade Thumb Ring is unsealed will be the day he dies and his life ends.

Zhao Xing took out the bone body that preserved Wei Tianchen's fire seed and found that the other party's True Spirit Fire Seed had indeed been extinguished.

The flames in the Bamboo Sword Venerable's eye sockets contracted like pupils, and he immediately realized something. "I never expected him to perish here..."

Zhao Xing also fell silent. Wei Tianchen was dead, but he felt no joy.

To be honest, he didn't hate Wei Tianchen.

In this life, I met Wei Tianchen because I was the one who first approached him. At the Dharma assembly in the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, I was the one who planted the seed of this cause. That's why Wei Tianchen later captured me to meet him.

On the contrary, he admired Wei Tianchen's courage in putting his ideals into practice and his unwavering determination to attain enlightenment. He had also learned a great deal from Wei Tianchen. Even his current Eight Tribulation Emperor Lord realm was inseparable from Wei Tianchen's help.

"Boom!"

Zhao Xing used his Earth Splitting Art to tear apart the green grass, then took out a fine coffin from his Red Jade Thumb Ring, inlaid with many seven-star coins, and placed Wei Tianchen's remaining bones inside.

"Old Imperial Physician, I don't know where your hometown is, or perhaps you don't have a home anymore."

"But someone like you probably doesn't care about returning to your roots."

"I'll bury you here."

Zhao Xing wanted to erect a monument for Wei Tianchen, but he didn't know much about Wei Tianchen's past.

Before capturing him, Wei Tianchen was a renowned Ancient Physician on Profound Yellow Star Region, known throughout the world for his benevolent heart. Even the Demigod of Ancient Hill of Antiquity respected him.

After he arrested himself, he became a pariah, a wanted fugitive by the Xuanling Star Domain.

Zhao Xing really didn't know how to write his epitaph.

"He doesn't care," said the Bamboo Sword Venerable, standing to the side. "Let's go."

"Um."

Zhao Xing nodded, flew up, and then closed the earth.

Wei Tianchen left behind a substantial legacy!

Besides the Eight Directions Divine Mirror, Fate Master Divine Item, there are also barrier-type divine artifacts such as the Azure Water Golden Divine Gourd, the Primal Wheel, a hidden divine artifact, and the White Jade Five Tombs Ship, a historical divine artifact, among others.

Based on his senses, Zhao Xing roughly deduced that there were a total of twenty-one divine objects inside the Red Jade Thumb Ring.

Some of these divine items were ones that even Wei Tianchen himself wouldn't use, and they were stored away in different categories.

For example, the Seven Stars Li Fire Divine Sword he once owned was used as a bounty. Among them, there are five divine artifacts that do not require a corresponding class core, do not have a strength threshold, and can be activated unconditionally.

The most precious item is undoubtedly the White Jade Five Tombs Ship, which is a divine object in itself and contains a vast collection of rare ancient books.

Knowledge is the most valuable asset.

When Zhao Xing obtained these divine objects, he didn't feel much excitement; instead, he felt a sense of crisis.

If Wei Tianchen dies, it will prove that Dan Ye, Free God is indeed problematic, and he may use methods to obtain Wei Tianchen's memories.

He even learned that the Seven-Star Dipper Cabinet and the divine artifact for proving one's Dao prepared by Wei Tianchen were both in his hands.

Even though he had Bai Lanjun and the others set up many confusing routes in the past few years, and had Bamboo Sword Venerable and another king fake their deaths to escape.

However, Zhao Xing would not underestimate the abilities of a Divine Realm. Since Dan Ye, Free God had taken a liking to Wei Tianchen's Dao, he would certainly not let him go after he understood the situation.

The Bamboo Sword Venerable also realized this, and he said somewhat helplessly, "Zhao Xing, I really regret taking this job from you."

In order to ensure the safe return of Zhao Xing to the Ten Directions Mountain Red Star Empire, he agreed.

I never expected things to develop to this point.

Before he could even hope to become a god, he had already offended a Free God.

He couldn't go against his own Heart Sword, so he could only endure it.

"Brother Bamboo Sword, I can terminate our contract," Zhao Xing said. "If I take the initiative to resolve this, it shouldn't be considered a betrayal of your Heart Sword."

"That doesn't violate your principles of swordsmanship, does it?"

Swordsmen like the Bamboo Sword Venerable are extremely rare, even with a lantern.

Over the years, Zhao Xing had been able to climb from the One Tribulation True Spirit to the Eight Tribulation True Spirit. Even if Bamboo Sword Venerable had no merit, he had certainly worked hard, and Zhao Xing was unwilling to continue owing him a favor.

Facing someone of Dan Ye, Free God's level, whether there is one more Bamboo Sword Venerable or one less Bamboo Sword Venerable makes no difference.

Zhao Xing wasn't the kind of person who couldn't stand seeing others do well and insisted on keeping the Bamboo Sword by his side.

"Are you serious?" Bamboo Sword Venerable asked solemnly. "I was just joking casually; I didn't really have that thought."

"I'm serious," Zhao Xing said. "You've made good progress these past few years, and now we've reached a relatively safe area. With your talent and abilities, you're bound to make a name for yourself. There's no need for you to get involved."

"To put it bluntly, I also think you're not of any help in the current situation. In front of that Free God, you're no different from a Skeleton Soldiers."

The Bamboo Sword Venerable chuckled and sighed, "It really does sound quite awful."

"So, I've thought it through. You've protected me until now, which means you've fulfilled your promise. Now you can leave on your own." The Bamboo Sword Venerable paused for a moment, then nodded. "Live on. I'll wait for you to take me to Ten Directions Mountain."

It's a deal.

Having said that, the Bamboo Sword Venerable transformed into a beam of sword light and disappeared into the sky.

After delivering the Bamboo Sword and leaving, Zhao Xing withdrew his sword with some emotion.

Swordsmen as pure as Bamboo Sword are rare even in the entire Xuanling Star Domain.

Will we have another chance to meet again?

"I hope he survives."

"My lord, why did Senior Bamboo Sword leave?" Bai Lanjun asked with some confusion.

"Okay, I'm leaving." Zhao Xing didn't explain further.

Bai Lanjun immediately understood and stopped asking questions.

After Bamboo Sword left, Zhao Xing, along with Fu Mengzhen, Bai Lanjun, Hu Qing, Yan Jun, continued their journey.

Many of Wei Tianchen's treasures require him to begin cultivating the Dao of Medicine before they can be used, so they will be set aside for now.

Now is not the time. Who knows if this will make it easier for Dan Ye, Free God to find him? Besides, he hasn't even figured out the path of Agricultural Official, so what's the point of practicing medicine?

"Fu Mengzhen, have you ever been to Yumo State?"

"Your Majesty, I have been here once," Fu Mengzhen replied somewhat mechanically. "My Fire Seed Ring was not obtained in Moon God State, but in Yumo State."

"The Fire Source Temple has set up various trials on the Great Dao in the two states. Those who pass the trials will receive benefits, and may even obtain the 'Dao'."

Fu Mengzhen introduced, "Fifty-one years ago, I passed the test of the Music Dao and obtained First Tier Fire Seed Ring."

"This gives me two advantages: first, I can ignore the many mysteries of the Southern Continent."

"The fog that troubles the rest of us is nothing to me."

Bai Lanjun was somewhat surprised. "Is that so? Could it be that the mist isn't a physical entity, but some kind of 'obstacle'?"

Fu Mengzhen: "I don't know what it is, but once I have First Tier Fire Seed Ring, I'll be able to see it clearly."

Zhao Xing was deep in thought.

"Those who pass the test will be granted the right to explore the Bone Netherworld by the Fire Source Temple."

"The Fire Source Temple's assessment is open to all professions, but it is quite difficult."

"Even Fu Mengzhen, who excels in both dance and music, only passed the first level of the test."

"Let's assume that the actual controller of the Fire Source Temple is Yuan."

"So, will the Dao demonstrated by the participants in this assessment process complete the world Yuan created?"

"Fu Mengzhen, how many years ago did you come here?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Your Majesty, it was 175 years ago."

"Compared to now, what differences do you see between the environment of the Southern Continent back then and now?"

"Environment?" Fu Mengzhen tilted her head, seemingly having not considered this question, or perhaps still under the influence of Wei Tianchen's medication.

Some people think slowly.

"It's probably because there was no Yu Emperor State before, and there weren't so many mountains and rivers."

"My spells are not as powerful as they used to be."

"Have you noticed that there's more life in the area? For example, there are more flowers, plants, and trees, and their quality is higher," Zhao Xing asked again.

"It seems so, but it also seems so," Fu Mengzhen said. "I haven't noticed."

According to Fu Mengzhen's description, it seems that as the number of cultivators increases, the Dao they manifest becomes more numerous and advanced, and the Tribulation-Free White Bone God Domain also becomes stronger and more complete.

However, Fu Mengzhen's words suggest that she doesn't seem to have much awareness of the changes in the environment. Does this mean that the Agriculture Dao the White Bone Divine Domain hasn't seen much growth in recent years?

Based on the information about God Yu establishing his Dao in the panel, if we assume that Yuan also allows other powerful individuals to establish their own Dao in this world, is there Shennong God here? And can I establish my own Dao here?

"Go on." Zhao Xing glanced at Bai Lanjun, who was bursting with curiosity, and didn't hesitate to share this information with his capable subordinate. "Tell them too."

"Yes," Fu Mengzhen said. "In the 175 years I've been here, I've heard of two assessments."

"The first time was forty-five years before my arrival, in the Moon God State."

"I'm not too sure about the specifics, but I heard that even Fourth-Tier Bone Lifeform can participate."

"The second time was in Yumo State, but the requirements were much higher. Most of the assessments required participants to be at least Seventh-Tier Bone Lifeform."

"After obtaining the First Tier Fire Seed Ring, the first benefit was seeing through the fog, and the second benefit was being able to accept quests from the Fire Source Temple, exchange for treasures, and get to know some other Fire Seed members."

"What is the higher reward?" Bai Lanjun asked.

"I didn't know, it's not public knowledge." Fu Mengzhen shook her head. "But after this Great Dao Trial, the God Yu appeared out of nowhere, occupied Yumo State, and established a Grotto-Heaven."

"You mean someone passed the test and became a god?"

"I don't know, this is just a guess. Perhaps Yu God Moyuan himself is Divine Realm," Bai Lanjun said.

"Xiao Bai, Hu Qing, Yan Jun, have you ever heard of the title of God Yu in the mortal world?" Zhao Xing asked.

"No." The three shook their heads in unison. "Perhaps it exists, but our memories are incomplete and cannot be used as a reference for adults."

"It seems I still need to see it for myself," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

From a timeline perspective, Yuan has now been in seizing the Heavenly Secrets for 382 years.

When I entered, the panel displayed "Bone God Yuan seized the heavenly secrets for 342 years", meaning I had spent more than half of the forty years in Fugu City.

The Great Dao Trial of the Fire Source Temple does not have a clear time pattern; after all, Fu Mengzhen said that it only happened twice in total.

The first one happened 220 years ago, and the second one happened 55 years ago.

After the second Great Trial, Yumo State appeared.

As for the appearance of the Moon God State, whether it is related to the first Great Dao Trial, Fu Mengzhen not sure, as there is too little known information.

There is no pattern to the estimation of the two tests.

"In any case, this kind of access is very valuable," Zhao Xing pondered. "First Tier Fire Seed Ring can see through the Misty Dao Obstacle of the Bone Netherworld and can be exchanged for treasures and cultivation methods. Higher-tier rewards might even allow one to reach the Divine Realm."

One point, perhaps, can be seen as a pattern.

That is, the trials of the Great Dao will become more and more difficult each time.

For the first time, the minimum entry requirement was only Fourth-Tier Bone Power and Four Tribulation True Spirit.

On the second attempt, he climbed to the Seventh Order!

Based on the information gathered from the panel and his discussions with Wei Tianchen, Zhao Xing deduced that Bone God Yuan was completing the Divine Realm.

As time goes by, his needs will increase, because the Tao is constantly being perfected.

The earlier you get in, the greater the potential benefits; the later you get in, the more difficult it becomes.

"The Divine Fire Sect only sent an expired elder like Bai Lanjun proves that in the early stages of the Bone Netherworld's formation, powerful Divine Realm were still very cautious and rarely participated personally."

"The further we go, the greater the temptation becomes, and the higher the threshold gets. Even those at the Divine Realm might get involved." Zhao Xing thought about it more and more and felt that this was a high-level game.

Assuming this is a time-space replica, then Yuan must have failed.

If they fail, what will become of the White Bone Divine Domain? What will become of the lives within?

"Even if I participate, I must resist the temptation and not get too involved. Escaping as soon as possible is the King's Way." Zhao Xing took a deep breath. "I've already gained enough; I can't be greedy."

If Zhao Xing were given a chance to leave now, he would definitely leave without hesitation.

Unfortunately, there is no such opportunity now, so he can only settle down in Yumo State first, avoid the pursuit of Dan Ye, Free God, and then find a way to escape the White Bone Divine Domain.

"Fu Mengzhen, to gain the protection of the God Yu, is there any way—"

"Yes, but... oh la la la~~"

Fu Mengzhen was speaking, she suddenly started dancing, her bones twitching and her flesh trembling.

However, her spark suddenly became stronger, turning from murky to clear.

"My lord, what's wrong with her?" Bai Lanjun and Hu Qing were both puzzled. Their lord's newly recruited subordinate seemed a bit abnormal.

"It's nothing, she's just having a relapse and needs to take her medicine." Zhao Xing took out a medicine box from the Red Jade Thumb Ring and sprinkled a bit of green powder on Fu Mengzhen's head.

"~" Fu Mengzhen's True Spirit Fire Seed suddenly turned into a strange light green color again.

"Woof~, Master, what just happened?" Fu Mengzhen asked, somewhat bewildered, as her True Spirit Fire Seed transformed into the shape of a puppy.

In Fu Mengzhen's self-perception, she is now a dog, and Zhao Xing is her master.

The last change was different; Fu Mengzhen saw herself as a concubine, while Zhao Xing was her emperor.

"Nothing."

"Oh." Fu Mengzhen snuggled against Zhao Xing's skeletal frame and then hopped around in circles.

"Old Wei's medicine is too miraculous." Zhao Xing looked at Fu Mengzhen, speechless. No wonder Dan Ye, Free God was attracted to it when he passed by. "Sometimes being outstanding is also a sin."

After walking for about half a month, some hills finally appeared on the boundless green grassland.

The environment is no longer monotonous; more matter and life have appeared: Gao Shan, forests, streams, and even some ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures!

"Woof." Fu Mengzhen suddenly growled in a low voice towards the front, issuing a warning.

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Xing saw a massive White Bone Power emerging from the clouds on the mountaintop, approaching from afar.

"Hmm? Dragon horns?"