Liu Tianning and Ling Tianchen's duel drew widespread attention.
This was Ling Tianchen's first battle against Liu Tianning, and after it concluded, Liu Tianning would also face Wang Tianzhi in their debut match.
Ling Tianchen was renowned within the high-ranking circles, particularly due to his ventures into treacherous cave-heavens, returning with rare treasures that only Shennong practitioners of the Transformative Path dared to retrieve.
Meanwhile, Wang Tianzhi's fame transcended all stages of cultivation. As a disciple of the previous Grand Shennong and the junior of the current one, his reputation was deeply rooted.
Liu Tianning, similarly, had long been a household name. Since the late Jingxin Era, his name had spread far and wide. At the Fourth Rank, he had defeated a Third-Rank powerhouse, Pang Xianyun, who was so impressed that he later changed his name to Pang Yuanzhen.
As a Military Shennong, Liu Tianning served as a field inspector in the Military Realm, eliminating countless strong foes. After becoming the dean of Shangluo Academy, he elevated the Self School's techniques—particularly the Myriad Straw Puppet—to the unprecedented "Seven Techniques Body" level. Across seven rounds of combat spanning dozens of matches, he remained undefeated.
Upon hearing that their match was about to commence, Ji Che immediately ordered the floating island to move toward Heaven No. 1 Dao Field.
"As per the ancestral agreement with the three schools," Ji Che began, "the candidates can engage in up to ten rounds, at which point the final victor will be determined."
"The ultimate winner will receive the Emperor's appointment as Grand Shennong of the Great Zhou Dynasty."
As they traveled, Ji Wenchang explained the situation to the Mos Kingdom prince.
"The competition began in the first year of the Eternal Governance Era. It's now Year 80, making this the penultimate round according to the ancestral rules."
"In the history of Great Zhou's Grand Shennongs, the victor is usually decided after seven or eight rounds."
"Why? Wasn't it supposed to be ten rounds?" Prince Para Jinco asked, puzzled.
"Because the opponents concede," Ji Wenchang replied. "When the gap is too wide, no other candidates dare to challenge them."
"The shortest selection only lasted one round—when Wu Cheng, the founding Grand Shennong, was appointed."
"I see." Para Jinco nodded in understanding, though a hint of envy crossed his face. "Even the path of Shennong produces countless powerhouses. With such a long history and deep foundation, it truly deserves to be called a celestial dynasty."
Para Jinco felt he had broadened his horizons.
In his Mos Kingdom, such a civilized selection process was unheard of. Their first round of competition usually devolved into life-or-death battles.
Moreover, they lacked the rich traditions of Great Zhou. Thousands of years ago, the Mos Kingdom didn't even have the concept of Shennong practitioners; they relied on hunting and fishing for survival, with no farming culture.
Their city governors were directly appointed by the king and merely managed finances. Any noble could serve as a governor, regardless of profession.
"Lord Ji, does Great Zhou have similar grand selection events for other positions, like the Grand Commandant or the Grand Engineer?" Prince Bingtu of the Mos Kingdom asked curiously.
Ji Wenchang, ever patient, replied, "Each division holds its own selection ceremonies, but the vast majority of senior officials in our dynasty are directly appointed by the Emperor. For example, the current Grand Commandant was appointed by His Majesty, as was Grand Engineer Nie Xiongying—"
Zhao Xing listened to Ji Wenchang's historical explanations.
The root of such practices lay in the origins of Great Zhou's Taizu Emperor, who hailed from a mechanist family during the Warring States period.
Taizu mastered the paths of numerous schools, including martial arts, mechanist techniques, sorcery, and fate arts. Before uniting the Warring States, he apprenticed with various sects and obtained their core inheritances. His younger brother, Ji Shuang, was known as the God of War and became the first dean of the Divine Martial Academy.
After centuries of development, the Ji family held many high-ranking positions across the Seventy-Two Dao Academies. Prominent academies like Lotus Academy and Qingmu Academy were also controlled by the Ji family.
Even among the three sacred Shennong sites, several Ji family members held senior positions. For instance, Kunyuan Academy's two remaining candidates, Ji Yuanshan and Ji Youtang, both bore the Ji name.
However, while the Ji royal family held vast fortunes, they rarely produced individuals who could dominate a single profession. One exception was the previous King Liang, who served as the former dean of the Divine Martial Academy. His tenure ended during the late Dingxin Era, leaving the position vacant for decades until King Luo assumed the role.
In recent decades, many senior officials across various professions were nearing the end of their lifespans. Simultaneously, a new generation of powerful individuals was emerging at the Dao Field, eager to showcase their abilities.
This period of transition between old and new generations was the most vibrant time for elites. Many hoped to catch the attention of the next Emperor by demonstrating their capabilities.
Political achievements, moral character, and reputation required time to build, whereas rankings in the Dao Field were the fastest way to prove oneself.
Thus, regardless of profession, academy, or faction, the Dao Field rankings played a central role in their internal selections.
"Liu Tianning's rise broke many records," Zhao Xing noted as he reviewed the Dao Field rankings.
"Excluding his dormant Fifth Rank phase, at the Fourth Rank Primordial Soul Realm, he ranked first in the Dao Field.' He maintained his first-place standing through the Third Rank and Second Rank phases, all while remaining undefeated."
The Nine-Section Dao Field specifically tracked rankings for Shennong practitioners.
Zhao Xing analyzed Liu Tianning's points and victories within the Nine-Section Dao Field. Cross-profession comparisons were challenging due to fundamental differences.
For example, musicians and dancers relied on group formations to maximize their skills' power. A solo duel within their profession was possible, but cross-profession battles were incomparable.
Take Ji Mengjun, for instance. She was the top-ranked performer in the Ritual Music Dao Field at the Second Rank, yet she couldn't defeat even the thirtieth-ranked martial artist in the Nine-Section Dao Field.
However, when paired with fifteen musicians and dancers, her team could suppress a group of the top fifteen martial artists from the Nine-Section Dao Field.
Hence, Dao Field rankings were meaningful only within the same profession.
"Liu Tianning's dominance within his profession is truly remarkable. Since Jingxin Era Year 28, he's achieved a 99% win rate in Dao Field matches, with the remaining 1% being draws."
Beyond his stellar record, Liu Tianning broke several records, such as being the youngest dean of Shangluo Academy and setting new milestones for the number and variety of top-tier Straw Puppet techniques.
"Even this Grand Shennong competition has set a new record for the number of rounds."
"In the past, most Grand Shennongs secured their positions after six or seven rounds. Only Wu Cheng's special case stands out."
"But now, this is already the eighth round, and many from Xuantian Academy and Kunyuan Academy are still unwilling to concede, potentially leading to a ninth or even tenth round," Zhao Xing mused.
This was largely because there was no precedent for a Shangluo Academy dean becoming Grand Shennong.
The Self School traditionally held low status and few members. Though it had grown under Zhao Xing's influence, its numbers were still far fewer than the other two schools.
"While Liu Tianning's current life is different, so are Ling Tianchen's and Wang Tianzhi's," Zhao Xing thought. "I wonder if there will be any unexpected twists."
Liu Tianning's stable state of mind didn't necessarily mean he was stronger than in his past life. The time spent retraining counted against him, benefiting his future but not significantly altering his current combat power.
Ling Tianchen, however, had obtained the Ancestral Dragon Transformation technique and a wealth of true dragon blood. While Liu Tianning had been refining his Derivation of the Divine Spirit, Ling Tianchen transitioned from the Wen Transformation to the Ancestral Dragon Transformation with minimal effort—being a dragon's descendant by nature.
Wang Tianzhi's life trajectory also changed. Previously serving as a Second-Rank Minor Shennong Officer, he now resigned early and was sent to the Western Sea for special training under Li Boqian.
Even Kunyuan Academy's Ji Yuanshan, whom Zhao Xing barely remembered in his past life, had spent over a century researching the Kunyuan Divine Hoe in the Ancestral Hall. His inclusion in comparisons with Liu Tianning indicated substantial ability.
"They'll likely give Liu Tianning some trouble," Zhao Xing thought. "But the odds of them defeating him remain slim."
The floating island quickly arrived at the Heaven Arena No. 1 Dao Discourse Platform, where his island merged with Princess You Ruo's island to form one.
The number of people on the island increased.
Princess You Ruo, Ji Zi, King Luo, Nie Xiongying, Lu Ying, King Shenluo, the Lord of Longyuan, Ye Yukong, Duke Wei, Duke Yang, Bai Yunwu, Xuanyuan Qingtian, Meng Kun, Gu Changqing, Li Boqian, and others—all renowned figures—had gathered at this prime location to observe.
"With the Grand Shennong, the Grand Artisan, and the Grand Commander all here, you could practically start a rebellion," Zhao Xing mused internally.
Ji Che arranged three special seats, inviting Li Boqian, Xuanyuan Qingtian, and Zhao Xing to sit and explain the upcoming battle to the audience.
Zhao Xing was reluctant to be in the spotlight. "Your Highness, how can this be appropriate? I am merely a Spiritual Mountain envoy and unworthy to sit with these two seniors. Besides, I am only in the Heacenly Luck Realm and may not understand everything."
However, Ji Che forcefully pushed him into a seat. "Why wouldn't it be appropriate? Who here would object?"
Ji Che surveyed the surroundings with an intimidating gaze, paying no mind to anyone but the ceremonial officials.
Ji Wenchang, feigning ignorance, sat upright and avoided eye contact.
Seeing this, Ji Che raised an eyebrow at Zhao Xing. "See? No one objects. Brother, you are the Deputy Dean of Shangluo Academy. In the absence of the Dean, you're essentially in charge. This seat is yours."
Left without a choice, Zhao Xing sat between Li Boqian and Xuanyuan Qingtian.
If any other heir dared to arrange seats like this, Li Boqian and Xuanyuan Qingtian would have surely objected. Seating a Self-School Deputy Dean in the place of honor? How incompetent!
But since it was Zhao Xing, the two elders simply smiled as Ji Che and Zhao Xing exchanged pleasantries.
"Master Lu," Ji Che turned to Lu Ying, the Vice Grand Artisan. "The quality of this competition depends on you."
"Rest assured, Your Highness." Lu Ying straightened his back and immediately summoned eight-sided mirrors, combining them into a cube.
From any angle in the hall, the audience could clearly see the mirrored images.
Simultaneously, thousands of similar cubes floated outside the island, forming small formations that disappeared into various sections of the platform.
This was a military-grade live broadcast!
After all, Lu Ying was a Military Shennong, and such techniques were originally developed to monitor battlefields.
Seeing these devices, Zhao Xing recalled his internship days.
While soaking in a hot spring in Yuncheng and watching a cat-eared maiden dance… he wondered if someone might have observed the scene as clearly as this broadcast.
"It's starting," Li Boqian's voice echoed through the hall. "According to the rules established by the Founding Emperor and the first Grand Shennong Wu Cheng, no divine weapons are allowed in the Three-School Dao Discourse Battle."
"This includes Heaven School's artifacts such as the Twenty-Four Seasonal Qi Commands, the Seventy-Two Heavenly Timing Seals, and the Lingxi Star Plate."
Li Boqian listed examples of Heaven School's artifacts.
"Earth School's artifacts like the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe and the Earth Sovereign Cauldron are also forbidden."
"For the Self School, no supreme-grade divine trees may be used, but there are no other restrictions."
This rule left many outsiders puzzled.
Xuanyuan Qingtian seized the opportunity to let Zhao Xing shine. "Dean Zhao, why is it that only the supreme-grade tree units are restricted?"
Zhao Xing explained, "The Self School may lack divine artifacts, but it possesses plant units equivalent to divine artifacts."
"The restriction on supreme-grade tree units is due to their immense combat strength."
"Cultivating tree-based units takes far longer than nurturing any other lifeform. Once fully grown, their power is unparalleled."
"However, completely banning the use of supreme-grade plant units would significantly diminish the Self School Shennongs' capabilities. It would be akin to forbidding a Beastmaster from bringing their battle pets."
There was another reason Zhao Xing left unsaid: supreme-grade trees were usually cultivated through the combined efforts of the entire academy.
The Dean of Shangluo Academy could inherit these trees and even had a secret method to fully manifest the divine tree. However, such a method came with a hefty price. Not only would the Shennong suffer, but the divine tree would also be severely damaged, often leading to its death.
Such matters had little to do with individual strength.
Given this, the Dao Discourse Battle focused solely on the mastery of Dao techniques.
If all three schools were unrestricted, what would the outcome be?
The Earth School would bring the Divine Hoe, the Heaven School would summon the Seasonal Qi Commands, and the Self School would summon their divine tree at great cost.
Under those conditions, the Shennong's personal strength would be negligible—it would simply be a battle of divine artifacts and divine trees.
"Liu Tianning, Self School Shennong, First Grade Destiny Palace Realm, Fifth Stage Rule Domain." Zhao Xing announced Liu Tianning's official data.
"Ling Tianchen, Heaven School Shennong, First Grade Destiny Palace Realm, Sixth Stage Rule Domain," Li Boqian added Ling Tianchen's data.
Zhao Xing's eyes narrowed. Ling Tianchen had grown stronger.
In terms of Rule Domain, Ling Tianchen surpassed Liu Tianning.
However, this was merely theoretical data. Zhao Xing examined the records; both had defeated opponents with similar Rule Domain stages.
The Rule Domain represented one's comprehension of Dao, but unless the gap was substantial, the decisive factors in battle remained techniques and martial arts.
Wu Cheng, for instance, never practiced the myriad straw puppet techniques yet still created the Wu Compendium of Straw Puppet Techniques.
Even Xu Xing, two stages below Li Boqian in the Rule Domain, was said to completely overpower him due to superior techniques and application.
Beyond the island, numerous fixed locations such as floating ships and stone platforms hovered in the observation area.
Crowds of spectators, densely packed, focused their gaze on the Heaven Arena No. 1 Dao Discourse Platform.
"Liu Wanfa is unbeatable! He's never lost a single match in the Dao Discourse. Betting on him is a guaranteed win!"
"The Great Zhou has never had a Self School Grand Shennong. Ling Tianchen has yet to appear, likely saving a trump card. His betting odds are high. Trust me, betting on him will earn you big money!"
"You have a point. I've sold my eight manors to bet everything on Ling Tianchen. After today, it'll be impossible for me to be poor!"
"You're insane—"
The excitement was unprecedented!
Statistics from the mirror devices revealed that over a million people were physically present to witness this battle!
Attendance was restricted based on qualifications and social standing. Such a high-level battle was incomprehensible to those with low cultivation levels, even with explanations.
As for the official betting pools, they also primarily targeted the wealthy; the average person couldn't even participate.
"It's beginning." Zhao Xing focused his gaze below.
At this moment, Liu Tianning, clad in green robes, and Ling Tianchen, in white, stood opposite each other. The protective golden light surrounding their bodies gradually dissipated.
Finally, it completely vanished.
Boom!
As the golden light faded, a dense surge of golden energy erupted from Ling Tianchen.
Roar—
A dragon's roar echoed across the heavens. A ten-thousand-meter-long, five-clawed golden dragon appeared in the sky.
The intricate secret patterns on its golden scales shimmered, illuminating the earth below. The dragon opened its massive jaws and spewed a golden cloud.
The cloud rapidly spread across the sky, and Ling Tianchen, in his transformed state, even managed to support a cloud-based spell.
"Majestic, magnificent, massive!!!"
Ling Tianchen didn't directly attack Liu Tianning; instead, his dragon form roiled within the golden cloud layers, expanding continuously.
He intended to use the overwhelming presence of his Seasonal Qi Transformation form and Cloud Law to physically force Liu Tianning out of the platform.
The golden clouds churned as the weather around Ling Tianchen underwent intense transformations. The ground beneath, which was originally dark soil, began to crystallize into a translucent, glittering sand.
In an instant, fertile soil turned to crystalline sands!
The crystalline sands below surged and expanded wildly.
This was the Sixth Stage of the Seasonal Qi Transformation Domain!
At this moment, the area around Ling Tianchen was undergoing a chaotic Seasonal Qi Transformation on a scale reaching a "century-level" magnitude.
With the fusion of internal and external transformations, anyone daring to approach would find themselves entirely crystallized!
"You want to push me out?!" Liu Tianning sneered coldly, quickly descending to the ground. "Heavenly Horn Bamboo, manifest!"
His Primordial Projection unfolded, and a vast bamboo forest materialized across the ground.
Among the bamboo grove stood a single Heavenly Horn Bamboo, towering over a thousand meters tall, with the rest numbering in the hundreds, each reaching Ninth Rank in grade.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunder surged and crackled within the bamboo forest, each bolt as thick as a water barrel.
Eventually, all the thunderbolts converged onto the ethereal Heavenly Horn Bamboo, a treasure-class plant unit.
Boom!
Spring thunder roared as a lightning pillar shot skyward, instantly scattering Ling Tianchen's golden cloud layers.
Using the Heavenly Horn Bamboo Forest as a foundation, a Thunder Domain began to spread uncontrollably.
Interestingly, as the thunder passed, bamboo shoots sprouted in its wake.
The thriving vitality took root directly in Ling Tianchen's crystalline sands, and in the blink of an eye, half of the platform transformed into a vibrant, thunder-illuminated bamboo sea!
This was Fifth Stage Vitality Domain!
Both combatants unveiled their domains at the very start.
Each claimed a portion of the battlefield, vying to overpower the other's domain.
It was a clash between the Seasonal Qi Rule Domain and the Self Rule Domain!
On the floating island, within the observation hall—
"This is ridiculous! He can still grow larger?" Xuanyuan Qingtian said in astonishment. "Brother Boqian, what technique is Tianchen using? As far as I know, this isn't supposed to be the form of a 'Dragon Wen,' right?"
Xuanyuan Qingtian, who had been in semi-retirement, was no longer privy to such secrets. However, his discerning eye told him this wasn't the usual Dragon Wen form.
"You should ask Dean Zhao," Li Boqian transmitted via sound, as this information was confidential and couldn't be publicly explained. The three formed a private sound barrier. "Zhao Xing handled this well."
"Uh—" Zhao Xing's voice echoed within the barrier, slightly hesitant. "The technique Dean Ling is displaying is called Ancestral Dragon Transformation. It's something I happened to create during my study of the Dragon Emperor Codex in the Dragon Court."
"This Seasonal Qi Transformation form emulates the Ancestral Dragon. Every twenty years, I deliver a batch of True Blood to Xuantian Academy for Dean Ling."
Xuanyuan Qingtian was stunned. "You created this? And you even taught it to Ling Tianchen?"
"Yes."
"Hahaha!" Xuanyuan Qingtian couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Why is the Dean laughing?" someone inquired.
"Not sure, probably something amusing came to mind."
"They seem to be whispering about something."
"Hahaha, I know what he's laughing at."
"Oh? Care to share?"
"Sorry, it's classified!"
Among the audience, a few individuals privy to this secret, including Ji Che, also chuckled. Though most didn't understand the reason behind the laughter, they laughed along anyway—it was contagious.
Soon, the observation hall was filled with laughter for reasons unknown.
Xuanyuan Qingtian finally composed himself. "You're really making it hard for Liu Tianning."
Using a technique created by Zhao Xing, enhanced with True Blood provided by Zhao Xing, to suppress Liu Tianning with such overwhelming power—how could Xuanyuan Qingtian not find it hilarious?
"I used to think Ji Yuanshan was benefiting the most from studying the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe in the Seraph Temple. Who would've thought Xuantian Academy also had this ace up their sleeve."
Back on the platform, Liu Tianning indeed found himself in a predicament.
Already at a disadvantage in the Rule Domain clash, Ling Tianchen's Ancestral Dragon Transformation further restricted his movements.
This limited Liu Tianning's ability to deploy his signature deceptive attacks, which relied on straw puppet techniques combined with plant units and his true body.
Now, he was left with no choice but to engage in direct confrontation.
"Split!"
From the bamboo forest emerged countless duplicates of Liu Tianning.
In an instant, over a thousand clones materialized.
But he stopped at just over a thousand, as there was simply no more space.
"Explode!"
Liu Tianning had no choice but to use Falling Sky Avatar and Soul Explosion Technique to carve out more room for himself.
The clones swarmed toward Ling Tianchen, who hovered amidst the golden clouds.
"Hm? He's still growing larger? This doesn't look like the Dragon Wen Transformation; it's more like Zhao Xing's Ancestral Dragon Transformation," Liu Tianning murmured in confusion.
Though he was the dean of Shangluo Academy, he wasn't privy to Xuantian Academy's secrets and had no knowledge of Zhao Xing's delivery of True Blood.
Yet, the more he observed, the more familiar it seemed.
"Has Ling Tianchen been saving this trump card for decades? And it's from Zhao Xing?" Liu Tianning found himself at a loss.
Ling Tianchen's fusion of internal and external transformations within the Seasonal Qi Rule Domain created an immense challenge for Liu Tianning.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Most of Liu Tianning's Falling Sky Avatars detonated mid-air, unable to reach the golden clouds.
Out of the thousand clones, fewer than twenty managed to strike Ling Tianchen's true body.
Yet, for the Ancestral Dragon Form, the attacks were negligible.
Not a single scale was damaged.
Only the Soul Explosion effects had a slightly noticeable impact, slowing Ling Tianchen's expansion.
"Liu Tianning, becoming the Grand Shennong is still a long way off!" Ling Tianchen roared internally.
Golden Scale Heaven!
As the Rule Domain clash slowed, Liu Tianning resorted to techniques, and Ling Tianchen followed suit.
The battle transitioned from a clash of Rules to a contest of techniques.
Swish—
Tens of thousands of dragon scales shed from Ling Tianchen's body. Each scale, as large as a plaza, was flawlessly smooth and reflective, resembling immense mirrors.
Whoosh—
The scaled surface that blocked the sky swiftly flew over the bamboo forest, its mirrored arrangement forming an intricate, mysterious pattern.
"Boom!"
The dragon's breath erupted, and the mirrored scales above magnified the beam of light.
The light beam refracted through the middle and lower layers of the dragon scales, directly targeting Liu Tianning's Heavenly Horn Bamboo Grove.
"Zzzzz~"
The scorching airflow immediately incinerated swathes of bamboo below.
The Thunder Domain was dispersed in large sections, and the violent airflow struck the protective barrier of the observation islands surrounding the arena.
The massive vibrations even caused several small islands to shift positions.
"Reinforce the formation immediately!" Nie Xiongying shouted. "Do not let it strike His Highness!"
"Yes!" Lu Yinghan, drenched in sweat, replied hastily. He hadn't anticipated the battle between these two to escalate to such intensity.
Other observation zones were situated far from the duel area, but the floating island where Ji Che resided was directly within the conflict zone. "Hahaha, great! What a fight!" Ji Che exclaimed, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
"Who's fighting well?" Princess You Ruo cast a glance at Ji Che.
"Of course, it's Ling—"
"Hm?"
"Of course, it's Ling Tianchen's opponent, Liu Tianning, who's fighting splendidly," Ji Che replied solemnly.
"You're the crown prince. How can you behave so recklessly?" Princess You Ruo glared at him. "Sit properly."
"Elder sister's admonishment is correct." Ji Che, who held great respect for Princess You Ruo, immediately adjusted his posture.
To avoid further reprimand, he quickly shifted the topic. "Grand Shennong, esteemed deans, can you discern the outcome of this battle?"
Li Boqian studied the scene closely and then gently shook his head.
"Your Highness, within sixty breaths, Ling Tianchen will start to show signs of defeat. Another sixty breaths, and he'll be forced to concede."
Xuanyuan Qingtian nodded in agreement. "The Grand Shennong is accurate. Though it currently appears as though Ling Tianchen is dominating, every time he destroys a section of bamboo, Liu Tianning replenishes it immediately. His Profound Flame Dharma Body significantly weakens Ling Tianchen's self-created Golden Scale Sky technique."
"Liu Tianning hasn't even deployed his Golden Divine Pillar yet. With only the Heavenly Horn Bamboo Grove, he has stabilized the situation. Furthermore, his Falling Star Dharma Body hinders Ling Tianchen's mental processes, causing delays in his casting and flaws in his otherwise flawless spells."
"Soon, the tide of attack and defense will reverse."
Zhao Xing couldn't quite grasp the evaluations of the two experts.
He only felt that Ling Tianchen was overwhelmingly powerful and clearly held the upper hand.
But after their explanations, Zhao Xing began to reflect.
"Old Liu's seven Dharma Bodies: Soul Devourer, Falling Star, Profound Flame, Yellow Spring, Drift, Sky Traveler."
"The remaining four Dharma Bodies aren't effective against the Ancestral Dragon Transformation, but Falling Star, Soul Devourer, and Yellow Spring all have significant effects."
"Soul Devourer and Falling Star can attack the divine soul, while Yellow Spring Dharma Body can drain vitality."
"Even without employing the Four Seasons Divine Splendor, once he activates the Spring and Summer Seasons, he could easily turn the tables."
Liu Tianning possessed two domains.
One was the life-rule domain he had comprehended himself, while the other was manifested through the Heaven and Earth Seed Soldier Canon, enabling him to wield treasure-grade plants to create a domain.
The life-rule domain ensured that plant-based soldiers could spread and regenerate smoothly.
Meanwhile, the Four Seasons Domain and his Dharma Bodies served as his offense.
Even though treasure-grade divine trees were unusable, the Golden Divine Pillar and Heavenly Horn Bamboo were not classified as trees.
Thus, Liu Tianning could still utilize the Dual Seasons Domain and unleash the Divine Splendor Strangulation.
"Ling Tianchen's Ancestral Dragon Transformation differs from the ancestral dragon innate secret techniques I've comprehended. I wonder what other abilities it possesses," Zhao Xing mused silently.
However, with the experts' reminders, he could see the weaknesses in Ling's Ancestral Dragon Transformation—specifically in terms of his soul and vitality.
Ling Tianchen couldn't withstand the vitality absorption of the Yellow Spring Dharma Body, nor could he block the soul detonation caused by the Falling Star Dharma Body's self-destruction.
Meanwhile, Liu Tianning's Derivation of the Divine Spirit had reached its second layer, giving him a clear advantage over Ling Tianchen in the soul path.
Sure enough, after sixty breaths, Ling Tianchen began to display visible signs of defeat.
Even those with lower cultivation could discern the outcome just by observing the colors of the two domains.
The radiant golden hues of Ling Tianchen's Hou Transformation Domain were shrinking, while Liu Tianning's Self Domain was steadily expanding.
"Damn, is he about to lose?"
"Scam! Scam!"
"Boohoo, I'm quitting! Give me my money back!"
"Hold on, Ling Tianchen!"
"I bet on Ling Tianchen. Can someone tell me the least painful way to die?"
The observation area buzzed with heated discussions.
Before long, Ling Tianchen found himself in dire straits.
As his vitality continued to drain, his massive form shrank further and further. Ultimately, when Liu Tianning executed the Divine Splendor Strangulation, Ling Tianchen couldn't maintain his Hou Transformation and reverted to his human form.
"I... lost?" Ling Tianchen murmured, his gaze dazed. He didn't even realize he was standing stark naked.
Leaves rustled.
It was Liu Tianning who plucked a few leaves and wrapped them around Ling Tianchen, saving him from further embarrassment.
At that moment, Ling Tianchen snapped out of his daze and accepted his defeat.
"After years of rigorous practice, I thought I had perfected the Ancestral Dragon Transformation, reaching the ultimate level. But it's still flawed."
With a wave of his hand, Ling Tianchen brushed away the leaves, cloaking himself in a veil of mist to serve as clothing. He then looked toward Liu Tianning.
"Dean Ling," Liu Tianning addressed him, "would you care to sit down and discuss the Dao?"
Ling Tianchen shook his head. "My Heavenly Timing Rule Domain has no overlap with your Self Domain."
"Liu Tianning, let's fight again in ten years!"
With that, he flew off.
Liu Tianning furrowed his brows. Ling Tianchen's reaction made it clear he was dissatisfied with the result.
However, it was understandable. Ling Tianchen was still ahead in Dao comprehension, yet he had lost in technique to Liu Tianning.
Obviously, Ling Tianchen believed their strengths were evenly matched.
Ten years was ample time for Ling Tianchen to refine his skills further.
It might even lead to the ultimate showdown—the Battle of the Grand Dao!
Whoosh—
Liu Tianning also left the arena.
He needed to summarize the battle's progression. This fight hadn't given him an overwhelming advantage over Ling Tianchen.
If he had, Ling Tianchen might have stayed to discuss the Dao.
"He lost!"
"It's over."
"Damn, wasn't the Hou Transformation technique supposed to be unbeatable? How did this happen?"
"A Domain Six expert lost to a Domain Five? Liu Wanfa is truly incredible."
Many were left stunned by the outcome. To them, the initially dominant and fierce Ling Tianchen, who had transformed into a formidable golden dragon, seemed to have been overturned by Liu Tianning.
In terms of presence and ferocity, Ling Tianchen's Hou Transformation Technique had a more intense visual impact.
Inside the grand hall, Wang Tianzhi silently stared at the Earth Mirror. "Even Ling Tianchen has lost."
The pressure on him instantly doubled!
Everyone was striving to improve. While he was undergoing rigorous training in the Western Seas, both Liu Tianning and Ling Tianchen were also diligently cultivating.
When Wang Tianzhi had first emerged from seclusion, he had been full of confidence. However, after watching this battle, he realized that his optimism had been premature.
Li Boqian, who had been observing Wang Tianzhi's expression closely, saw him silently fixated on the Earth Mirror and shook his head. "Junior Brother is truly unfortunate to be born in the same era as Liu Tianning."
During the intense training in the Western Seas, Wang Tianzhi had made significant progress under the personal guidance of Li Boqian.
Yet, even from Li Boqian's perspective, Wang Tianzhi's chances of defeating Liu Tianning were slim.
A day later, Wang Tianzhi faced Liu Tianning and lost.
Two days later, Ji Yuanshan, who was supposed to battle next, forfeited and postponed the duel for another ten years.
With two victories and one retreat, Liu Tianning's undefeated reputation was further solidified!
Zhao Xing, having watched both matches, felt an immense pressure.
"Wang Tianzhi is also at the sixth level of the Rules Realm and has mastered the Xuantian Thunder Technique to its ultimate stage."
"He entered the ultimate stage through the Scorching Heaven Thunder and commands the Summer Heat Lightning Domain!"
"In addition to the Hou Transformation Technique, Wang Tianzhi excels in four techniques: Thunder, Cloud, Wind, and Rain."
"And yet, he couldn't last long."
Zhao Xing repeatedly reviewed the battle between Wang Tianzhi and Liu Tianning.
"He started with an aggressive attack, swallowing five thousand of Liu Tianning's clones at once using his Cloud-Layer Domain."
"Five thousand clones, all contained within the Cloud-Layer Domain."
"But when the number of clones exceeded ten thousand, the Cloud-Layer Domain spell was broken."
"Wang Tianzhi tried evading with the A Step to Infinity,' but Liu Tianning's Pure Essence Projection kept expanding. Under the assault of the Golden Pillars and Heavenly Horn Bamboo, even the Cloud Technique couldn't hold up, leaving him with nowhere to escape."
After watching, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel awed.
Liu Tianning truly defied the heavens. No wonder that in his previous life, no matter how many times people tried to kill him, he couldn't be destroyed. Despite offending countless powerful figures and being relentlessly hunted by that old witch, he lived out his life until the very end.
In this reincarnation, Liu Tianning had grown so proficient that distinguishing his true body from his clones was nearly impossible!
Even attempting a decapitation strategy would prove futile.
"If they can't defeat him this decade, it'll only become harder in the next," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
As for Ji Yuanshan of the Earth Sect, his retreat made it even less likely for him to pose a threat in Zhao Xing's eyes.
"Old Liu really wasn't bluffing."
"Even with enhanced versions of Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi, they still couldn't force him to reveal his full strength."
In the arena, Liu Tianning had refrained from using the sacrificial killing move from the second layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit.
That particular move required him to sacrifice half his soul force to have his original soul leave his body and attack the opponent directly in a mutually destructive assault.
Moreover, due to restrictions imposed by the Rules Realm, he was unable to unleash the complete Four Seasons Domain, utilizing only the Spring and Summer aspects.
If it had been an unrestricted wilderness battle, Liu Tianning's victory would have been even faster!
"Could Old Li be exaggerating? Did his Primordial Seal really crush Xu Xing?" After watching Liu Tianning's fight, Zhao Xing began to doubt whether Li Boqian had been boasting.
"To surpass Old Liu is truly a monumental challenge," Zhao Xing murmured with a hint of excitement.
"Only a Shennong who masters techniques from all three factions can possibly defeat Liu Tianning. Otherwise, the best they can achieve is a draw."
"To defeat Liu Tianning… who else but me?"
"I'll start with a small goal—comprehend a Rules Domain in the arena!"
In the 80th year of the Eternal Governance Era, the competition among the three Shennong faction candidates came to an end, but the Dao Arena of Daoyuan Continent remained crowded with spectators.
Zhao Xing initiated a rigorous training plan within the arena.
His true body returned to the Shangluo Academy, continuing to study the "Divine Soldier Art", while his clones engaged in intense sparring.
"Marquis Shenwei Zhao Xing, 'Liang Yu' has accepted your duel request. Please proceed to Combat Zone No. 106."
Zhao Xing immediately headed toward the designated area.
The arena was bustling with activity. His duels were primarily against Shennong practitioners, and Liang Yu, in particular, hailed from the prestigious Tianyi Academy, being of the second-grade realm as well.
In Combat Zone No. 106.
On the vast grassland, Zhao Xing and Liang Yu appeared simultaneously in mid-air.
"Marquis Shenwei." Liang Yu cupped his hands in respect. His appearance was that of an elderly man, and indeed, Liang Yu was quite advanced in age.
Originally, he had been nurturing his fortune in a blessed land, but with his lifespan nearing its limit, breaking through on his own was no longer feasible.
He had no choice but to enter the arena to improve his ranking and attract the attention of the next emperor.
Typically, when a new emperor ascended the throne, they needed capable personnel, and arena rankings often served as a reliable reference.
If he caught the eye of the new emperor, there was a chance he might receive an extension of his lifespan!
"Lord Yu." Zhao Xing nodded and returned the greeting.
"Marquis Shenwei, I won't hold back," Liang Yu said with a faint smile. "Ranking points are incredibly important to me."
"Lord Yu, there's no need for mercy." Zhao Xing's gaze was steady as he replied, "If you can defeat me, perhaps I might even speak a few good words for you."
"Excellent!" Liang Yu's eyes lit up. "Pardon my offense!"
"Go!"
With a wave of his hand, Liang Yu summoned a massive waterfall from the sky. The cascading water enveloped Zhao Xing in an instant.
Following the waterfall's descent, dark, ethereal clouds materialized above it, exuding a shadowy and illusory aura.
"The Profound Nether Intent? Rain precedes the clouds? Impressive," Zhao Xing remarked as he immediately activated the A Step to Infinity technique to retreat.
"Where do you think you're going?!" Liang Yu's figure became indistinct, seemingly merging with the rainwater as he pursued Zhao Xing relentlessly.
"Fine, I won't run!" Zhao Xing suddenly remembered that his purpose here was to hone his skills, and evasion would defeat the purpose. He halted abruptly.
"Take this!" Zhao Xing pointed a finger, summoning a Prison Thunder Cage. Dense bolts of lightning shimmered and crackled, forming a massive pillar of purple light that connected heaven and earth.
The rainwater passed through the lightning cage, significantly slowing down, forcing Liang Yu to reveal himself.
"Boom!"
Liang Yu attempted to escape the cage, but the seemingly open spaces within the lightning net were interwoven with an intricate layer of fine threads.
"Sizzle, sizzle~" The moment Liang Yu's body touched the threads, a golden glow erupted around him.
"A Yin Thunder technique?" Liang Yu's expression froze as he was instantly transported out of the combat zone by the arena's protective rules.
[Marquis Shenwei Zhao Xing, victory. You have earned 100 arena points.]
"Liang Yu's strength was still a bit lacking, but this 'Rain Precedes Clouds' technique? The way he utilized it was rather unique," Zhao Xing mused for a moment, contemplating the insights he had gained.
Within just a few breaths, he had already processed the lessons from their duel. He was now only a step away from comprehending a Rules Domain. For someone like Liang Yu, whose potential had been exhausted as a second-grade Shennong, there wasn't much more inspiration to offer.
"Onto the next match."
Time passed, and Zhao Xing immersed himself in a series of arena duels, quickly racking up consecutive victories.
Ten victories, fifty victories, eighty victories—within a few months, Zhao Xing had achieved an astonishing two hundred consecutive wins in the Nini Section Dao Field!
Gradually, Zhao Xing grew dissatisfied with limiting himself to duels against fellow Shennong practitioners. He began selecting opponents from a variety of professions, aiming for indiscriminate challenges.
The high-intensity battles, combined with the experience gained from facing strong opponents from different fields, became invaluable nourishment for his growth.
Within the arena, Zhao Xing's ranking climbed rapidly.
Meanwhile, under the tutelage of King Shenluo and You Xuanfeng, Zhao Xing's progress in his studies was steadily advancing as well.
By the 83rd year of the Eternal Governance Era, Zhao Xing had challenged nearly every strong practitioner in the Daoyuan Continent's arena.
In the 85th year, Zhao Xing's clones began traveling the world, seeking out stronger opponents in arenas across other continents.
By the 87th year, King Shenluo and You Xuanfeng departed, leaving Li Boqian in charge of teaching Zhao Xing the intricacies of the "Heaven-Burning Yuan-Sealing Array " and the "Five God Symbols."
In the 88th year, Xuanyuan Qingtian passed away at the age of 800. His successors, Ji Yuanshan, Meng Kun, and Ji Youtang, took over as the new deans of their respective factions.
Zhao Xing's true body briefly emerged from seclusion to attend Xuanyuan Qingtian's funeral.
This leader of the Earth Sect had cultivated a prominent spiritual mountain during his lifetime and lived to see the return of the Kun Yuan Divine Hoe.
Xuanyuan Qingtian passed with a smile, transitioning peacefully into the Yin Spirit Realm.
By the 92nd year of the Eternal Governance Era, at the Shangluo Academy's Icy Rock Forest.
As his true body continued to comprehend the mysteries of his path, Zhao Xing opened his eyes, a vast image of a sea of clouds manifesting in his mind.
"The Heavenly Timing Rules Domain has been born. My first ultimate technique—Cloud Heaven Dao."
"Breakthroughs are rare, but when they happen, they transcend both Dao and technique," Zhao Xing murmured with a satisfied smile.