"Traveling through countless arenas and facing countless strong opponents for twelve whole years, I finally comprehended the ultimate technique Cloud Heaven Dao through the top-tier technique Cloud Gate."
"It wasn't easy."
In the Ice Rock Forest, Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
The top-tier technique Cloud Gate had progressed smoothly from the Ninth Transformation to perfection within a year of intensive arena training. However, breaking into the ultimate level took him an additional eleven years.
"The Four Seasonal Techniques of Heavenly Timing—Thunder, Rain, Cloud, and Wind—are what I used most often in the arenas. I didn't expect that the first to break through would actually be the Cloud Technique."
"Indeed, the Cloud Technique is the foundation of the Shennong profession. It lives up to its name," Zhao Xing recalled the battles he fought.
In the arena, he rarely used Cloud Gate, even less so his A Step to Infinity technique. Yet, it was through the seemingly simple move Layered Cloud Realm that he gained enlightenment and stepped into the realm of the Cloud Heaven Dao, reaching the threshold of ultimate techniques.
"Sometimes the flowers you deliberately tend refuse to bloom, but the willows you plant carelessly grow into shade," Zhao Xing said as he ascended into the sky. As he soared upward, the Ice Rock Forest suddenly became engulfed in a sea of clouds.
Zhao Xing danced through the clouds, diving freely and occasionally gazing down from the summit of a cloud mountain.
As Zhao Xing continued to weave through the layers, the clouds transformed into various vivid scenes: towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, grand palaces, bustling cities, leisurely travelers, flying ships, and golden wheat fields...
Using the Cloud Heaven Dao, Zhao Xing constructed an entire world within the clouds!
Sitting cross-legged on a floating cloud, Zhao Xing arrived at the eastern outskirts of a city.
Below the golden wheat fields, a group of lively Shennong clerks was chasing after "grain-eating birds." Above them, on a flying ship, an official was releasing birds from a cage with a sinister grin.
"Damn those West Mountain guys," Zhao Xing chuckled as he looked down. "During the Minor Heat evaluation, they actually transported the West Mountain District's hawks to Gu City."
"They made a mess of me, Zong Shichang, Li Chengfeng, and everyone else."
Zhao Xing floated to another layer of the realm. Suddenly, three dazzling suns appeared in the sky.
Below was a fiery red cloud split open by a plain, with countless figures being blocked at the edge.
To the left was a Thunder Domain spanning ten thousand li; to the right, a mountain range filled with gale winds.
"Li Feng, and you say you can't use shadow winds!"
"Get him!"
"It's not me! I swear!"
"Ha ha ha!" Zhao Xing laughed aloud as he observed the scene at the edge of the Thunder Domain.
He continued soaring through the clouds, and the scenes around him transformed continuously.
"Cloud Heaven Dao, following the Heavenly dao, encompasses everything."
"Transforming into an ultimate technique has made my Layered Cloud Realm even more realistic."
"Any cloud-related technique, whether it's soldier clouds, blood clouds, thunder clouds, devouring clouds, or mountain clouds, I can perform them all."
"Using cloud techniques, I can create a perfect world. If used to assist cultivation, any Shennong entering the clouds will rapidly improve their understanding of cloud techniques!"
"From beginner levels to top-tier cloud techniques, it's all authentic."
"The effects are far stronger than the 'Transmission Paintings.'"
"And if used for combat? I'll have to test that on someone," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
In the cultivation world's definitions, every ultimate technique was comprehensive, flawless, and its power immeasurable. After all, ultimate techniques represented the pinnacle of their kind!
Yet another theory suggested that ultimate techniques could still vary in levels.
This distinction was attributed not to the techniques themselves but to the disparities among their users.
According to this theory, the first level of an ultimate technique signified the absolute perfection of the technique.
However, the power of the technique could continuously grow, endlessly advancing from one level to the next.
This was because, while techniques had limits, the Dao was infinite. As one's Dao realm advanced, the same technique could achieve new and varying levels of power.
"Every ultimate technique has had its moments of unmatched brilliance but has also been defeated."
"The ultimate Cloud Technique and ultimate Rain Technique have both defeated one another in the hands of different users. It's not the techniques that are superior or inferior—it's the people who wield them."
"There's endless debate about ultimate techniques in the cultivation world. Their power can't be judged through mere words."
"Having just comprehended this, I have no idea where my ultimate technique ranks in terms of power."
As Zhao Xing was deep in thought, someone approached.
The Ice Rock Forest, a critical inheritance ground for the Military Arts Academy, had drawn the immediate attention of the academy's dean, Chu Qianqiu, as well as its custodian, Lin Yuan, upon sensing the activation of an ultimate Cloud Technique.
"What's going on—an ultimate Cloud Technique?" Chu Qianqiu stared at the sky, stunned by the seemingly real scenery above.
"No one but Vice Dean Zhao has such a profound mastery of cloud techniques," Lin Yuan added, equally shocked.
Shangluo Academy wasn't short of practitioners skilled in top-tier Heavenly Timing Techniques. Despite the academy's divided focus on various Dao paths, practitioners freely used the most effective techniques available.
However, comprehending an ultimate technique signified a breakthrough in the Heavenly Timing Dao.
Apart from Zhao Xing, who else in the Ice Rock Forest had the capability to achieve this?
"Comprehending an ultimate technique at the Destiny Palace Realm while also grasping the Rules Domain... Zhao Xing is even more monstrous than Liu Tianning!" Chu Qianqiu couldn't help but exclaim.
It was well-known that even in the First-Grade Destiny Palace Realm, most practitioners merely perfected top-tier techniques and gained the ability to distort rules.
Not every first-grade practitioner could comprehend a Rules Domain and master ultimate techniques.
But Zhao Xing had done it at the second grade! How could this not be shocking?
"The manifestation of Dao, the ultimate of techniques..." Lin Yuan muttered enviously.
The Self School lacked ultimate techniques entirely. Even when wielding their treasured soldiers, those weren't considered "techniques."
Outsiders would merely attribute their power to the effects of Divine Wood Immortal Branches, dismissing the Self School's actual contributions.
Thus, every time the Self School witnessed an ultimate technique, all they could feel was envy.
"Dean Chu, please step into the clouds and test the technique," Zhao Xing's voice called out.
Chu Qianqiu, a practitioner in the Destiny Palace Realm, was a perfect candidate to test the technique.
"Very well!" Chu Qianqiu ascended without hesitation, entering the cloud realm.
The moment he entered, Chu Qianqiu felt a strange sensation.
He realized that his spiritual energy's efficiency was drastically diminishing!
For example, a technique like Wind Walking, which normally required only a sliver of energy to perform effortlessly, now demanded ten times the energy to maintain the same speed.
The higher he ascended, the more pronounced this effect became.
Even though he hadn't been struck by any visible technique, Chu Qianqiu was steadily losing the ability to use his techniques.
"Xun Wind Mist Form!"
Chu Qianqiu's body shone brightly, distorting the surrounding rules, allowing him to regain partial control. However, the effect hadn't entirely disappeared.
His spiritual energy efficiency remained halved compared to when he first entered the clouds.
This meant that no matter what he did, even something as simple as flying, his energy consumption would be doubled.
"I haven't even begun fighting, and I'm already forced to use my 'Rule Distortion' ability?" Chu Qianqiu marveled internally.
As expected of an ultimate technique.
Swish~
Chu Qianqiu exited the sea of clouds, finally seeing the sunlight again.
What he saw, however, was unusual—the sky had three suns, and not a trace of yin energy could be felt.
"Dean Chu," Zhao Xing stood atop a high platform, gazing at Chu Qianqiu as he approached.
"Vice Dean Zhao," Chu Qianqiu flew up and found himself standing firmly on what seemed to be solid ground. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was condensed cloud energy.
"You've already comprehended the ultimate cloud technique, the Cloud Heaven Dao?"
"Indeed, I just comprehended it," Zhao Xing replied with a smile. "Dean Chu, please test its power for me."
"Sure, how do you want me to proceed?" Chu Qianqiu asked.
"It's simple," Zhao Xing said, "From now on, resist all my spells and try to escape."
"Just escape?" Chu Qianqiu found the request a bit insulting.
Zhao Xing hadn't even mentioned counterattacking, as if implying that Chu Qianqiu couldn't hurt him at all. However, Chu Qianqiu didn't think Zhao Xing was being condescending.
"Alright, I'm ready. Bring it on!" Behind Chu Qianqiu, a pair of purple wings unfurled.
It was the ninth-ranked supreme companion species—Zixiao Cloud Vine!
This was one of the Twin Academy's pinnacle achievements. It was cultivated by combining the abilities of the Bihai Cloud Vine and the Floating Vine, using a segment of the treasured Zixiao Divine Tree as its base.
The resulting derivative species retained the parasitic traits of the Floating Vine, the cloud-absorbing ability of the Bihai Cloud Vine, and part of the Zixiao Divine Tree's defensive properties.
Of course, such a derivative had its limitations—it couldn't reproduce and was doomed to remain rare and unmass-producible.
Clearly, Chu Qianqiu was ready to go all out.
"Go!" Zhao Xing extended a finger, and Chu Qianqiu was instantly enveloped in a dense mist. The next moment, his body uncontrollably dropped three meters.
"What? A Step to Infinity?" Chu Qianqiu was startled again. He had heard of the secret art from Li Boqian but had never known that A Step to Infinity could teleport others out of thin air.
"Ha!" The Zixiao Cloud Vine around Chu Qianqiu vibrated rapidly. As the wings flapped, pores on the vine opened, quickly absorbing the surrounding mist to rebalance the cloud energy flow.
Chu Qianqiu narrowly stabilized himself above the sea of clouds, but he had already descended fifteen meters. It took three full breaths for him to break free entirely.
This single move left Chu Qianqiu drenched in sweat.
Terrifying. Within three breaths, his body had been completely beyond his control, plummeting downward. If Zhao Xing had wanted to kill him during that time, he could have done so dozens of times.
"The spell [Cloud Heaven Dao] encompasses all. Even A Step to Infinity has become a control spell," Zhao Xing reflected calmly.
"If I unleash the Heavenly Timing Rule Domain, he won't be able to resist at all." Within Zhao Xing's body, a Major Heat Seasonal Qi Command had transformed from pale green to pale gold.
The domain he had comprehended was the Major Heat Domain!
This Seasonal Qi Command had already reached the third stage, First Cycle level.
The Seasonal Qi Command has three stages: Knowledge, Stabilization, and Modification.
In theory, reaching the third stage could influence the entire Heavenly Timing Forces of the Xuanhuang Realm.
Of course, Zhao Xing's ability was merely at the First Rule Domain stage, and he only possessed the Major Heat Domain, meaning he could affect the Heavenly Timing forces of a single state at most.
To influence the entire Xuanhuang Realm, one would need to perfect all twenty-four Seasonal Qi Commands to the third stage.
"The third stage and the Rule Domain are not inherently connected. Even if the Seasonal Qi Command reaches the third stage, it may not create a Rule Domain due to the Dao Body's limitations," Zhao Xing mused.
"With an ordinary True Intent Dao Body, even if the Seasonal Qi Command reaches the third stage, it won't be enough to influence a state's Heavenly Timing forces, let alone form a Rule Domain."
"But with a First-Grade True Intent Dao Body, the likelihood is much higher. With my Five Elements aligned, achieving the third stage will inevitably result in a Rule Domain since a First-Grade True Intent is inherently part of the creation of heaven and earth," Zhao Xing contemplated.
Using Chu Qianqiu as a test subject had far exceeded his expectations. A Step to Infinity easily suppressed Chu Qianqiu.
"Dean Chu, I'm about to unleash my Rule Domain. Be careful," Zhao Xing warned.
Chu Qianqiu's expression turned solemn. His energy and spirit reached their peak as he fully activated the Divine Soldier Art, the Zixiao Cloud Vine completely encasing him.
But at that moment—
"Buzz—"
The three suns in the sky suddenly multiplied into ten!
The intense solar power instantly evaporated more than half of Chu Qianqiu's internal energy!
Chu Qianqiu struggled to breathe, feeling like he couldn't catch his breath.
If not for the Zixiao Cloud Vine absorbing part of the power, he might have been completely drained of energy.
This was the difference between having a Rule Domain and not having one!
At that moment, he could no longer resist A Step to Infinity's teleportation and fell straight into the sea of clouds.
Chu Qianqiu was dragged into the Layered Cloud Realm.
The first cloud layer began to rain.
As soon as a single raindrop touched him, the Zixiao Cloud Vine on Chu Qianqiu's body couldn't withstand the corrosion and was immediately pierced through.
"Ah—!"
Chu Qianqiu couldn't help but cry out in pain.
Although he quickly replaced it with another parasitic species, the raindrops didn't continue falling.
"Stop!"
Seeing this, Zhao Xing immediately froze the raindrops and reversed them, turning them back into part of the cloud layer. It was just a test, and he couldn't afford to destroy Chu Qianqiu's companion soldier.
"Once the Cloud Technique reaches its ultimate level, even Rain Techniques become terrifying. He couldn't even handle a single drop."
"But this is also because Chu Qianqiu belongs to the Self School," Zhao Xing assessed.
Chu Qianqiu was in the sky without any Void Species.
The only type of soldier he could use was a parasitic species.
"Testing the Cloud Technique on Chu Qianqiu offers limited reference value."
Zhao Xing teleported Chu Qianqiu out.
"My apologies, Dean Chu."
Chu Qianqiu's expression was complex. As a mid-stage Minggong Realm cultivator, he had been utterly powerless before Zhao Xing.
"It's fine. I'm just too weak," Chu Qianqiu said self-deprecatingly. "I'm not even qualified to help Vice Dean Zhao test his techniques."
"Please don't think that way," Zhao Xing replied. "The power of the Self School's Shennong lies on the ground. Your Pure Essence Projection can't perform well in the air, especially since I first drew you into the Cloud Technique."
This reassurance seemed to help a little.
Chu Qianqiu immediately said, "Then please, Vice Dean Zhao, let me try again on the ground."
"Alright," Zhao Xing nodded.
The subsequent exchanges revealed three scenarios:
Without deploying the Heavenly Timing Rule Domain or using Rain or Thunder Techniques, Chu Qianqiu's plant soldiers could form a team strong enough to withstand Zhao Xing's teleportation.
Zhao Xing lowered the cloud layer, completely enveloping Chu Qianqiu's Pure Essence Projection range. This essentially dragged Chu Qianqiu into the Cloud Technique.
However, Zhao Xing noticed the Cloud Technique weakened during this process.
When the Heavenly Timing Rule Domain was activated, Zhao Xing's clouds extended dozens of pathways downward.
Chu Qianqiu was effortlessly swept into the clouds, no matter how hard he resisted.
After repeatedly testing on Chu Qianqiu, Zhao Xing allowed him to rest and began summarizing his observations.
"Heaven rises, and earth falls. Cloud energy is Yang, representing an upward trend. Cloud Heaven Dao, as an ultimate technique, is more susceptible to interference from the earth's leyline rules as it approaches the ground."
"Once the cloud layer descends and nears the leylines, its power diminishes."
"The ultimate Cloud Law demonstrates its greatest power in the sky, without layering the Heavenly Timing Rule Domain. The higher the altitude, the stronger its effect," Zhao Xing thought, evaluating his earlier techniques.
"Once the Heavenly Timing Rule Domain is layered, the Major Heat Rule Domain suppresses the leyline rules, eliminating such natural interference. Chu Qianqiu would still be drawn into the sky," he continued to analyze.
"However, if the opponent comprehends Earth Rule or wields a seasonal domain like Liu Tianning's treasure-grade troop constructs, they can resist interference. Adaptability is key. If a real battle breaks out, the ultimate Rain Law must first erode the ground to gain an advantage," Zhao Xing mused as he reviewed the test's implications.
Below, Chu Qianqiu was lost in his own thoughts, reflecting on his predicament.
Zhao Xing's trial had left him doubting his own abilities.
No matter how he maneuvered, the end result was always the same: being pulled into the Layered Cloud Realm.
It was clear that Zhao Xing hadn't even gone all out, while Chu Qianqiu had expended his full strength.
"My Pure Essence Soil contains a treasure-grade 'Moon Birch,' yet I can't even project it. With just ninth-rank troop constructs, I stand no chance. This gap in power is insurmountable."
As the Dean of the Plant Soldiers Academy, Chu Qianqiu naturally possessed a treasure-grade asset. However, without a Rule Domain of his own, deploying the Moon Birch in battle was nearly impossible.
Having taken over the academy at the second rank and reaching mid-stage first rank in 140 years, Chu Qianqiu had achieved significant progress. But mastering a Rule Domain within such a timeframe? That was a tall order. His growth trajectory was promising, but far from immediate.
"Liu Tianning managed it, and now his disciple has too—much earlier than expected," Chu Qianqiu thought, recalling the time he had tried to block Liu Tianning's path. A sigh escaped him, "It's just ridiculously absurd."
Whether he was lamenting his past decision to hinder Liu Tianning or marveling at the absurd talent of the master-disciple pair, even Chu Qianqiu wasn't sure.
"Withdraw!" Zhao Xing retracted his spell and descended gracefully.
"Thank you, Dean Chu," he said, bowing slightly.
Chu Qianqiu returned to his senses and clasped his hands in acknowledgment, "Congratulations, Vice Dean Zhao."
"Congratulations, Vice Dean Zhao," echoed several voices from the surroundings.
Looking around, Zhao Xing saw that many powerful figures had gathered, including Lin Yuan, Zhuang Darong, the Dean of Shenmu Academy, and Yu Xia, the Dean of Twin Academy. All offered their congratulations.
"Greetings, everyone," Zhao Xing responded, bowing to the assembly.
"Let's disperse," Lin Yuan interjected. "We shouldn't disturb Vice Dean Zhao's enlightenment."
"If you wish to celebrate, wait until Vice Dean Zhao hosts his ultimate Dao Lecture."
It was customary for those who mastered an ultimate law to hold a public lecture, sharing their insights. Such events were significant occasions.
Unfortunately, Zhao Xing had no intention of hosting his Dao Lecture at Shangluo Academy. The first event for the Heavenly Timing Ultimate Law would undoubtedly take place at Xuantian Academy. Holding it at Shangluo Academy first would be improper.
"My apologies, everyone," Zhao Xing said courteously.
As the crowd dispersed, Zhao Xing resumed studying the Art of Plant Soldiers.
Meanwhile, in a distant Dao Field in Guangling Prefecture, one of Zhao Xing's avatars rested on a lecture platform.
Across from him sat a thin figure, also resting on the platform. When Zhao Xing opened his eyes, he rose and bowed, "Thank you, Lord Ji."
Hearing the voice, Ji Bochang, seated opposite him, opened his eyes and replied, "Why does the Marquis of Shenwei thank me?"
As the Grand Priest of Guangling Prefecture, Ji Bochang held the position of a second-ranked official, on par with a Shennong Minister, overseeing all ritual affairs in Guangling Cave-Heaven.
A disciple of the Great Priest Bu Guangheng, Ji Bochang had the potential to succeed his master, though Bu Guangheng was nearing the end of his life and had partially retired. Ji Bochang was only at the early-stage Minggong Realm, and competition was fierce among the twenty or thirty priests of his caliber. His advantages lay in his youth and prestigious Ji family lineage, giving him a chance at future succession.
"After sparring with you, I've comprehended the ultimate law," Zhao Xing explained. "Thank you."
"Ah, I see. Then I shall accept the Marquis's courtesy," Ji Bochang replied with a hearty laugh but refrained from returning the bow.
By not reciprocating, Ji Bochang avoided creating a karmic bond. Accepting Zhao Xing's gratitude sufficed.
Over his twelve years of battles, Zhao Xing had faced many opponents. Ji Bochang merely happened to be one of them—a matter Ji Bochang understood well.
"Lord Ji, farewell."
"Marquis of Shenwei, farewell."
Ji Bochang rose to see him off.
With that, Zhao Xing's avatars across the nation concluded their training and began returning to Daoyuan Continent. By August of the 92nd year of Eternal Governance, most of his external avatars had been recalled, leaving only a few in Daoyuan Continent and Pinghai Prefecture.
"The Heavenly Timing Rule Domain is born, and I've mastered the ultimate law, yet the road ahead remains long."
"Over these twelve years, Liu Tianning has also made great strides," Zhao Xing noted as he reviewed the records of past battles.
"In the 90th year of Eternal Governance, Liu Tianning completed his final round of regular sparring matches."
"The candidates from Xuantian Academy, including Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi, as well as Ji Yuanshan and Ji Youtang from Kunyuan Academy, along with sixteen others, faced Liu Tianning."
"The other sixteen weren't worth watching—they were eliminated as soon as they entered."
"By the ninth round, Liu Tianning had grown irritated."
"Those sixteen candidates, beaten in earlier rounds, stubbornly pushed through to the ninth round despite having no chance of victory. Did they think sheer persistence would win them a miracle?"
No longer holding back, Liu Tianning demolished all sixteen opponents with a single move, showing no mercy.
"He didn't even bother asking if they wished to debate the Dao afterward."
Who wouldn't grow annoyed? These candidates, defeated repeatedly, kept returning for more.
Liu Tianning dropped all pretense. "Not satisfied? Bold enough to try again? Then prepare for a Struggle of the Great Dao!"
"The defeated candidates eventually swallowed their pride and requested to debate the Dao with Liu Tianning, salvaging a shred of dignity."
"Shangluo Academy's dean vying for the Shennong Minister position is unprecedented, and resistance has been immense. Liu Tianning broke records by forcing these candidates to yield only after the ninth round," Zhao Xing thought.
"The final four opponents weren't so easily defeated, though. They gave Liu Tianning significant trouble."
Since the match in the 80th year, Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi had trained relentlessly, driven by enormous pressure. Remarkably, they advanced further, reaching the seventh level of the domain.
"Ling Tianchen addressed the shortcomings of his Ancestral Dragon Transformation."
"Wang Tianzhi even mastered two ultimate laws: Thunder and Rain," Zhao Xing observed in the battle records.
"But Liu Tianning had also reached the seventh domain level. With his dual domains of Life and Seasons, he utterly crushed them."
"Ling and Wang lasted no more than half a quarter-hour before falling."
"In contrast, Ji Yuanshan from the Earth School gave Liu Tianning significant difficulty."
Zhao Xing activated the Earth Mirror, replaying the final match.
It was the battle between Ji Yuanshan and Liu Tianning.
Before this, the Earth School's Deputy Dean, Ji Youtang, had already forfeited without fighting a single match. However, Ji Yuanshan, who had avoided combat for eight rounds, revealed extraordinary strength, holding out for half an hour before being defeated.
"Let's watch this match," Zhao Xing murmured as he activated multiple Earth Mirrors. Hundreds of images lit up the chamber simultaneously.
The surroundings rippled like flowing water, showcasing the Earth Mirror's highest functionality—Scene Recreation. Multiple angles of tracking and reconstruction combined seamlessly to recreate the battle.
In the sky ahead, Zhao Xing saw Liu Tianning, dressed in green robes, and Ji Yuanshan, clad in a gray ritual garment.
"The randomly chosen sparring ground is Qiushan Plain," Zhao Xing muttered, gazing at the barren land below. It was a desolate expanse of yellow earth with only two lonely mountains standing in isolation.
"Whoosh—"
As soon as the battle began, Ji Yuanshan launched himself into the ground like a cannonball, disappearing entirely.
"What a shameless tactic." Zhao Xing chuckled softly at the sight.
This was the classic strategy of the Earth School's Shennong—burrowing into the ground first.
Zhao Xing recalled his time at the Grand Dream Academy, where he relied on a burrowing technique to clear the challenges in the Heavenly Craft Hall, earning the reward of the Eight Heavenly Mechanized Puppets.
He only failed in the second tier against the "Ever-Changing Dao Soldier," which negated burrowing techniques entirely.
At that time, the Ever-Changing Dao Soldier was crafted from seventh-rank materials, while Zhao Xing was only at the fifth rank. It was clear just how formidable—and shameless—the Earth School's burrowing tactics could be.
"Boom! Boom!"
Ji Yuanshan was the first to strike, causing the earth to crack open. The entire Qiushan Plain fractured, revealing massive fissures.
"The Ultimate Earth-Fissuring Technique: 'Youming.'" Zhao Xing observed carefully. "Youming refers to the Underworld in ancient times. It's said that the Underworld lies deep within the Earth's veins. The largest Yin-Yang Passageway at Fengjing was formed by a massive tectonic shift in these veins."
"The Ultimate Earth-Fissuring Technique: 'Youming' can theoretically tear open a Yin-Yang Passage and revive the dead, though that's just a legend," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The 'Youming' technique could indeed create a Yin-Yang Passage, but it came with conditions. It could summon Underworld Winds, Underworld Waters, and even materials of the Yin Five Elements. It could even release wandering spirits.
However, what emerged would remain wandering spirits, unable to reconstruct physical bodies or return to life.
"Ji Yuanshan has hidden his abilities well," Zhao Xing murmured, looking down.
As the ground underwent rapid changes, seven bottomless pits appeared across the arena.
"Youming Yin Wind Cavern, Youming Fiend Thunder Cavern, Youming Bone Fire Cavern, Youming Xin Metal Cavern, Youming Kui Water Cavern, Youming Yellow Spring Cavern, Youming Earth Burial Cavern."
"Through the fissuring technique, these seven caverns became artificial forbidden zones, each corresponding to one of the seven attributes—metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, and thunder."
"He hid his cards well—three of these seven elements even hold first-rank Yin Five Element True Intent."
"The seven caverns form a Youming Rule Domain."
"Good thing this guy doesn't have mastery over all seven elements at the first rank. Otherwise, Old Liu might have really met his match in one of those dark pits." Although Zhao Xing knew the outcome of the match, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of nervousness for Liu Tianning as he observed this fight for the first time.
From the start, Ji Yuanshan revealed his trump card.
The arena's viable ground for Liu Tianning's Pure Essence Projections to take root shrank to only the small patches between the caverns.
"The placement of these seven caverns is deliberate."
"Old Liu's Four Seasons Rule Domain operates with spring to the east and summer to the south. The Heavenly Horn Bamboo and the Golden God Pillar must be positioned east and south to maximize their power."
"In spring, the Heavenly Horn Bamboo corresponds to the east and the Wood Element, so Ji Yuanshan placed the Youming Bone Fire Cavern directly in the east."
"In summer, the Golden God Pillar corresponds to the south and the Fire Element, so he placed the Youming Yin Wind Cavern in the south."
"Not making a move is fine, but when he does, it's a showstopper." Zhao Xing's current understanding of the Rule Domain allowed him to notice these intricacies in the battle.
"Whoo—"
Wind howled from the caverns like the mournful cries of countless ghosts.
The Yin Wind targeted the soul, which was particularly effective against Liu Tianning's projection forms.
Fiendish Thunder, Bone Fire, and Kui Water surged continuously from the caverns, assaulting Liu Tianning.
"If it were any other Shennong, their burrowing technique would be no match for Ji Yuanshan. Hidden deep underground, he's almost invincible."
"But Old Liu is different—he has seven specialized forms, perfectly suited to counter these seven caverns," Zhao Xing thought.
To counter the assault, Liu Tianning deployed his avatars into the caverns to locate Ji Yuanshan.
Since Ji Yuanshan had to stay within the seven caverns to control the Ultimate Earth-Fissuring Technique, he couldn't escape their boundaries.
Without any suppression, Liu Tianning sent tens of thousands of avatars diving into the caverns.
The Mystical Fire Form entered the Yin Fire Cavern, the Wu Earth Form delved into the Earth Burial Cavern, the Yellow Spring Form went into the Wood-Attribute Yellow Spring Cavern, while the Floating Form and the Sky-Walking Form each entered the Fiend Thunder and Kui Water Caverns.
"Boom!"
The seven caverns' power weakened significantly due to the overwhelming interference from the avatars, forcing Ji Yuanshan to divide his attention and fend them off.
He moved between the caverns, but with avatars present in all seven, he had to keep attacking to counter them.
"Whoosh—"
The caverns exhibited immense gravitational pull, with vortexes forming at their entrances.
Ji Yuanshan deliberately lured Liu Tianning's avatars into the caverns, swallowing them entirely.
"How dare he—wait, what? Seven Cavern Shift?" Zhao Xing was stunned.
After swallowing Liu Tianning's avatars, the attributes of the seven caverns changed.
The Wind Cavern turned into the Thunder Cavern, the Fire Cavern transformed into the Water Cavern…
Whatever form Liu Tianning sent in, Ji Yuanshan instantly countered with the opposing attribute.
"By channeling the Earth Veins' power, Ji Yuanshan ensures seamless elemental counterplay."
"He's spent over a century mastering the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe. It looks like he's truly figured something out." Zhao Xing murmured in admiration.
There was no doubt that Ji Yuanshan was far more troublesome to deal with than Ling Tianchen or Wang Tianzhi.
The main issue wasn't his offensive strength but his sheer tenacity.
Ji Yuanshan's strategy was all about attrition—he aimed to exhaust Liu Tianning completely, seeing who would run out of energy first.
"Boom!"
The caverns erupted, scattering countless "bodies" into the air.
These were the remnants of Liu Tianning's avatars.
The battlefield was filled with the wreckage of straw puppet avatars, a spectacularly chaotic sight.
Zhao Xing could only imagine the electrified atmosphere on the scene.
"The Heavenly Horn Bamboo and Golden God Pillar have taken root."
Thanks to the shifting caverns, Liu Tianning successfully anchored the Heavenly Horn Bamboo and the Golden God Pillar.
"With his seventh-rank Rule Domain, Old Liu can now fully deploy these two treasure-class plant soldiers."
"But their height is unusual… I see now—they're rooting themselves?"
"He's trying to collapse the caverns using the Foundation Reinforcement Technique?"
One of the Four Self Techniques, the Foundation Reinforcement Technique, specialized in strengthening plant roots.
Liu Tianning's plant soldiers were unusually short, only a hundred meters tall, and still sinking.
Clearly, he intended to use these two plant soldiers to crush the Earth Veins beneath.
"The Divine Soldier Art—he's progressing quickly!" Zhao Xing watched as the two divine-level soldiers disappeared underground, unable to suppress his awe.
Simultaneously, more avatars were deployed.
This time, Liu Tianning adjusted his strategy. The number and type of forms entering each cavern were evenly distributed. This ensured that no matter how Ji Yuanshan shifted the attributes, at least some of Liu Tianning's forms would reach the deepest parts of the caverns.
"Woo—"
Finally, only the canopies of the two treasure-class plant soldiers were visible above ground.
The battle on the surface had transitioned entirely to an underground contest.
The endless wave of avatars was depleted, but so was Ji Yuanshan's energy.
The tug-of-war dragged on for nearly two full hours.
"Buzz!"
As the Heavenly Horn Bamboo and the Golden God Pillar crossed and shifted positions, the first of the seven earth caverns was finally destroyed.
"Divine Radiance Constriction."
Zhao Xing, observed this move again, this time from a bird's-eye view.
Underground, the Divine Radiance Constriction moved agonizingly slowly. However, with Liu Tianning's seven primary avatars launching relentless attacks, Ji Yuanshan eventually could not hold out. All seven caverns were destroyed.
By the time they reached the Earth Burial Cavern, Ji Yuanshan was utterly powerless to turn the tide.
In the end, Ji Yuanshan conceded.
"Buzz—"
The scene froze, displaying multiple cross-sections of the battlefield beneath the earth.
Zhao Xing glanced at it. The underground network had been turned into a sieve, with countless tunnels crisscrossing each other. Of course, many "Liu Tianning" avatars lay buried there, fully interred.
"Impressive," Zhao Xing couldn't help but admire.
Who would have thought that Ji Yuanshan, whom Zhao Xing had considered timid in combat, would hold out for so long?
"After this battle, Ji Yuanshan's reputation skyrocketed. Previously, there were many voices of doubt about his succession as the Dean of Kunyuan Academy. Now, after this fight, those doubts have completely disappeared," Zhao Xing noted as he flipped through the records.
There was no denying it—wielding the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe for years of enlightenment had significantly bolstered Ji Yuanshan's strength.
"Even so, Liu Tianning has made tremendous progress over the past decade. By resolving lingering threats, his growth has become evident. Both of his domains have been enhanced."
"The Yellow Spring Cavern was supposed to isolate and drain life force, but it couldn't block Liu Tianning's Life Domain. His recovery speed outpaced Ji Yuanshan's attacks."
Zhao Xing eagerly sent Liu Tianning a message.
[Teacher, during your duel with Ji Yuanshan two years ago, did you go all out?]
Moments later, Liu Tianning replied:
[No. My Floating Vine has already reached the ninth stage, achieving a treasure-grade inferior rank.]
[I could have descended personally with the Floating Vine to cast spells. Additionally, there are two derivative species I could deploy. However, Ji Yuanshan is indeed a formidable opponent.]
"The Floating Vine has reached stage ten? What a wasteful spendthrift," Zhao Xing muttered under his breath.
In his opinion, investing spiritual energy into the Floating Vine wasn't worth it, especially with the Mo Yun Vine in play. The Floating Vine was more like a flashy yet disposable tool.
Zhao Xing was frugal, while Liu Tianning was extravagant.
"I really need to get Old Liu to step down; he's way too wasteful," Zhao Xing grumbled.
Of course, spiritual energy alone wasn't enough to elevate plant-based soldiers to break through their limits and reach treasure grade. Advancing a plant-based soldier, completing its metamorphosis, and unleashing its full potential was no easy feat.
The real factor was Liu Tianning's rapid cultivation pace. His mastery over the Four Self Techniques was already at the pinnacle, and his Heaven and Earth Plant Soldiers Canon had reached the third layer of major achievement.
"The faster you cultivate, the more wasteful you become," Zhao Xing lamented.
"Hahaha!" Li Boqian, hearing Zhao Xing's gripes about Liu Tianning, couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, the irony. You're the one calling Liu Tianning wasteful? Hahaha!"
This was truly a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Seeing Li Boqian laugh heartily, Zhao Xing allowed a faint smile to form.
He was deliberately trying to amuse the old man since Li Boqian didn't have much time left.
Li Boqian's lifespan would come to an end in the ninety-sixth year of Eternal Governance.
"Alright, let's not talk about him anymore," Li Boqian seemed to sense Zhao Xing's thoughts. "I don't have much time left. You need to master the four foundational secret techniques of the Primordial Sealing Method as quickly as possible."
"We're at a critical juncture of transition between the old and the new. With the new emperor ascending to the throne, the transfer of national fortune is bound to bring turbulence."
Zhao Xing nodded slightly. Emperor Wu was barely how old? He wasn't even fifty yet!
Under fifty years old, subtracting the first ten years of childhood and training, the remaining time for cultivation was limited.
After Emperor Jing's death, Ji Che would have to achieve a stable rank of transcendent first-grade in a very short period.
If human cultivation transitions were likened to seasonal changes, this would be an intensely abrupt transformation.
"Domestically, there are no major issues. The main concern lies at the borders, where many forces are already stirring and scheming," Li Boqian continued. "You met the prince of the Mos Kingdom ten years ago. You should know the Great Zhou borderlands are far from peaceful."
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. The Mos Kingdom had been resisting the Sis Kingdom for years. When the Mos Kingdom's Prince Jinke visited the capital, it was to offer tributes, report achievements, and request assistance.
"The Five God Symbols and the Burning Heaven Lock Yuan Formation—you must master them swiftly," Li Boqian urged. "Kid, you have to trust me on this. It's an incredibly powerful ultimate method!"
Zhao Xing chuckled wryly. "I really am putting in the effort."
Li Boqian still thought Zhao Xing was slacking?
"If you're really putting in the effort, why did you first comprehend the Ultimate Cloud Technique?"
"I—" Zhao Xing was at a loss for words.
Alright, truth be told, he was somewhat skeptical. Zhao Xing had his own cultivation plans and didn't prioritize the Primordial Sealing Method as his primary focus. At best, it was his third priority, ranking even below the Divine Soldier Art.
"From now on, I'll devote myself fully to its cultivation," Zhao Xing pledged.
"That's more like it," Li Boqian nodded in satisfaction. Once the Yin Spirit transformation occurred, teaching it would become much more difficult. He was genuinely afraid this method would be lost.
He had tried to teach it to Lu Chunhua and Wang Tianzhi, but neither had managed to learn even two of the four foundational secret techniques.
The gap was simply too large. The four foundational secret techniques combined aspects of transformation techniques, geomancy, talismans, and formations. Only Zhao Xing had the energy and talent to complete them.
After all, this method had no lower stage progression below the pinnacle of the seventh transformation.
However, Li Boqian could empathize with Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing was practicing techniques from three major schools simultaneously, juggling numerous spells, and still progressing swiftly. It was already a remarkable feat.
Having promised Li Boqian, Zhao Xing elevated the Primordial Sealing Method to his top priority.
Meanwhile, as Emperor Jing neared the end of his lifespan, the enemies of the Great Zhou became increasingly active.
In the summer of the ninety-third year of Eternal Governance, the Holy Light Royal Court of the Southern Barbarians, in collusion with the Xuantian Sect, orchestrated a rebellion in Guangling Cave-Heaven.
Seven third-rank cultivators and two second-rank cultivators launched suicide attacks.
Additionally, several thousand mid-tier cultivators caused calamities across four counties in Guangling Prefecture.
Reading the battle reports, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel a moment of disorientation.
"In my previous life, the Xuantian Sect rebellion occurred much earlier."
"That Daoist Chengfeng? Is it Li Chengfeng?"
"What a pity—"
As Zhao Xing browsed the battle report, he recognized a familiar face. It was Li Chengfeng, the talented civil servant who had been abducted from Gu City in Nanyang County over a hundred years ago. Now, he had reached the fifth rank of the Pure Essence stage and was known as "Daoist Chengfeng." He perished in Guangling County.
"Time flies. It's already been so long," Zhao Xing sighed as he set aside the information.
While the rebellion didn't cause extensive damage, it cast a shadow of psychological fear over the citizens of the Great Zhou.
By the ninety-fourth year of Eternal Governance, the aquatic tribes of the Eastern Sea frequently attacked maritime trade associations. Over seventy thousand incidents of attacks occurred throughout the year, more than ten times the usual frequency.
Of the forty-eight commercial routes, only six had sufficient patrol escorts to ensure absolute safety.
At the end of the year, envoys from ten nations, including the Mos Kingdom and the Buling Kingdom of the Western Sea, entered the capital to request support from the Great Zhou Dynasty in both resources and manpower to resist the invasion of the Xisi Kingdom.
In the ninety-fifth year of Eternal Governance, Zhao Xing successfully mastered the Five God Symbols, achieving the pinnacle of the seventh transformation.
This technique integrated the Heavenly Timing Dao of the Shennong Division. Being developed entirely from scratch, it encompassed the fusion of two distinct paths. It was the second most time-consuming advanced technique Zhao Xing had ever studied.
The first was the Burning Heaven Lock Yuan Array, which Zhao Xing still had yet to fully grasp.
In the ninety-sixth year of Eternal Governance, on April 16th, Li Boqian passed away.
As the seventh Grand Shennong of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a close friend of Emperor Jing, and a leader of the Heavenly Timing Sect, Li Boqian's death marked a significant event. Even Ji Mingjing, who had not appeared in public for years, attended the funeral personally, posthumously naming Li Boqian the thirty-seventh Shennong Sage.
Emperor Jing even opened the underworld passage of Fengjing to honor him, allowing the souls of many court officials to leave their bodies and escort him to the underworld to witness the reconstruction of Li Boqian's Yin Spirit body.
Li Boqian was one of the few high-ranking officials of the Jing Emperor era to hold office from beginning to end.
Others, such as the Grand Marshal, Grand Artisan, High Fate Officer, and Chancellor, had all seen changes in leadership.
"Hahaha! I live again!" Li Boqian laughed boisterously within the Heavenly Bureau of the underworld.
At this moment, only a few close individuals were present in the Heavenly Bureau.
Emerging from the Yin Spirit Pool of the Heavenly Soul Temple, Li Boqian laughed unrestrainedly.
His second statement was:
"Teacher, it's time for you to step down and let someone else take over."
Tianyang True Person, who was smoking at that moment, immediately turned dark-faced. He pointed at Li Boqian, so enraged that smoke practically came out of his seven orifices. "You ungrateful brat!"
Zhao Xing:
Everyone else:
After his death, Li Boqian seemed to have released all inhibitions. He grinned without a care and said, "The Heavenly Bureau rotates through its leaders; this year, it's my family's turn. Teacher, I'm letting you rest properly—how is that ungrateful?"
"This is the highest form of filial piety!"
After much arguing, Tianyang True Person handed over his authority in the underworld to Li Boqian, including the Shang Tang Edict, which was originally to be reclaimed.
However, when Li Boqian saw it in Zhao Xing's possession, he allowed Zhao Xing to keep it.
Tianyang True Person's main soul also underwent a transformation.
It gained a trace of divine essence while losing some of its human warmth.
"From today onward, aside from the main soul, the avatars of the ancestral teacher across various temples will become impersonal," Zhao Xing observed internally.
"They will only operate according to the rules of the court."
It was impossible to allow Yin Spirits to retain personal emotions indefinitely—this was a characteristic of the Yin Spirit system.
Especially after King Liang's rebellion, Emperor Jing further restricted the Yin Spirit system. Although Tianyang True Person was not originally meant to reach this stage so quickly, the rebellion had prompted a swift restructuring of the entire Yin Spirit framework. All new Yin Spirits took office with clear boundaries for soul authority.
"Teacher, what are you smoking? It smells amazing," Li Boqian asked gleefully, suddenly catching a delightful aroma. He drifted over with twitching nostrils.
"Scram!" Tianyang True Person kicked him away. "Don't mooch off my incense! If you want some, go ask Lu Chunhua yourself."
"No, teacher—"
"Scram, scram, scram!"
By the end of the ninety-sixth year of Eternal Governance, all large-scale activities in the country had ceased.
Due to the emperor's known lifespan limit, Emperor Jing had only three years left to live.
The disadvantage of knowing this limit was evident. At this point, officials across all provinces and prefectures had issued bans.
All large-scale entertainment activities were prohibited, and even brothels and pleasure quarters were directly shut down for rectification.
Promotions and appointments for lower third-rank officials continued, but mid- and upper third-rank appointments had been halted as early as the ninetieth year of Eternal Governance.
Within the military realm and its cave-heavens, as well as at the Great Zhou borders, troop deployments became increasingly frequent.
By the end of the ninety-seventh year of Eternal Governance, Zhao Xing, as the Marquis of Shenwei, even received orders to prepare his troops for war.
He personally traveled to Xier County to instruct Cao Qianyue, Li Muwan, Zhao Zheng, and Liao Rulong to prepare for battle.
Across the country, covert activities among officials showed no signs of slowing down. Key areas, such as the Waterfolk Command Division, the banks of the Canglan River, the coastal cities of the western extremes, Tianyong Prefecture, and Fengjing, were under heavy surveillance.
Time moved into the ninety-eighth year of Eternal Governance.
Shortly after the Spring Community Day, Zhao Xing sensed a phenomenon in the sky above.
"The fortunes of the nineteen prefectures are shifting drastically, though the change is gentle," Zhao Xing said, standing atop the peak of Qitian Mountain, gazing at the starry sky.
"As per tradition, the timing of Emperor Jing's death will not be disclosed to anyone. His passing will be announced by the new emperor to prevent any untoward actions."
Zhao Xing watched the unfolding changes, unable to discern their start or endpoint.
"For now, all we can do is wait."
"Let's hope Old Jing doesn't pull any surprises," Zhao Xing muttered to himself. "No breaking ancestral rules and summoning people to the capital for some last-minute instructions."
Everything that needed arranging had long since been handled. Knowing his lifespan, the emperor of a Fortune Dynasty wouldn't wait until the last moment for dramatic farewells.
By October of the ninety-eighth year of Jingxin, on the peak of Qitian Mountain in the Lingxu Blessed Land, Ji Si, a Fate Officer, suddenly appeared.
Zhao Xing turned around, his pupils contracting.
"Marquis of Shenwei, receive the imperial edict."
"Your servant receives the edict," Zhao Xing knelt, ready to accept the decree.
"The late emperor has passed."
"The Crown Prince, Ji Che, has assumed the divine artifact and succeeded the throne."
"Marquis of Shenwei Zhao Xing is ordered to proceed to the capital immediately for a secret audience with the new emperor."
After reciting the decree, Ji Si placed the imperial edict on Zhao Xing's head.
The golden edict shimmered with light as a golden dragon coiled around it. While its appearance was identical to the previous edict's Dharma aspect, this dragon was slightly smaller in size.
"Your servant Zhao Xing accepts the edict." He held the decree reverently, feeling a familiar yet strange force emanating from it. Simultaneously, a low voice entered his mind.
"Elder brother, Father passed away at three quarters past Mao hour. Please come to Fengjing quickly to meet me." This was Ji Che's voice.
A new era had arrived.