Passing through the barrier and entering the ruins, Zhao Xing found himself surrounded by an intricate collection of ancient structures. Some rose skyward like sharp swords piercing the heavens, their spires gleaming in the faint light, while others were humble and weathered, appearing like timeless treasures steeped in the sediment of countless years. Each structure bore a distinct style, yet they all radiated an overwhelming aura of age and mystery.
Zhao Xing hadn't flown far before he noticed a man and a woman, both wearing ancient crowns and dressed in ceremonial robes emblazoned with the patterns of the Seven Phases. Each carried a large box on their back and held ancient books in one hand while inspecting the ruins with peculiar instruments in the other.
These two were diligently probing the base of one of the buildings, using their instruments to scan the walls.
"They must be the Spring and Autumn Historians of Great Zhou: Zhou Yueming and Sima Yu," Zhao Xing mused.
Among the seventeen members of the initial exploration team, there were individuals like Zhou Yueming and Sima Yu, specialized historians responsible for cataloging and deciphering ancient records. They were even more essential in ruins where every discovery could rewrite history.
Whoosh—
With a single thought, Zhao Xing descended toward the two.
"Greetings, esteemed Historians."
"Lord Zhao," Sima Yu responded with a polite bow, while Zhou Yueming, busy calibrating an intricate instrument, could only nod in acknowledgment.
"Have you found anything of interest?" Zhao Xing inquired.
As officials of the Spring and Autumn Historians, their rank was typically a mere First Pin (Ninth Rank). However, compared to other professions, historians consumed relatively little of the nation's Fortune. This allowed many to achieve longevity far beyond four centuries.
Sima Yu and Zhou Yueming, having long surpassed the four-hundred-year limit, were only able to enter this ruin because of the Purple Light Divine Command.
"We've used the Yuan Chronometer to collect sixteen samples," Sima Yu began. "By analyzing the inherent Yuan Qi decay patterns of these materials, we've reached a preliminary conclusion."
"The earliest structures here date back over a million years."
"Around one grand epoch," Zhao Xing muttered as he nodded slightly. He suspected that these ruins were created by a being from beyond the heavens. The vast timespan made perfect sense.
That said, there was still a faint possibility that this site was a relic left by the ancient Divine Court of the Xuanhuang Realm. After all, even the Li Dynasty had managed to obtain the legendary Moyun Vine seeds. Nothing could be entirely ruled out.
"The most recent structures, on the other hand, appear to be from approximately 150,000 years ago," Sima Yu continued, rubbing a handful of sandy soil between his fingers. "The exploration is ongoing, so it's possible we may find structures from even earlier or later periods."
"Lord Zhao," Sima Yu added, "do you understand the significance of this? If we can uncover some preserved records or writings here, we may be able to significantly expand the depth of our historical archives."
"I hope you find what you're looking for," Zhao Xing replied with a smile. Currently, the most accurate historical records compiled by the historians of the court only spanned around 500,000 years. Beyond that, most entries were conjectures and assumptions, falling outside the scope of verified history.
Time erodes all things. Even treasures of extraordinary rarity could scarcely withstand the passage of a million years.
Only items of unparalleled, world-defying value could endure such changes in Yuan Qi and spiritual essence, surviving for over 1.2 million years without decay.
The last grand epoch—associated with the ascension of the Xia Divine Court—was also estimated to have ended around 1.2 million years ago.
"Regarding the structures from more recent periods," Zhao Xing asked, "can you discern any unique architectural styles? Are there any places that seem distinctly different from the rest?"
Among the various professions in the Xuanhuang Realm, none were better suited to identifying architectural nuances than historians.
"Other than the ancient temple at the city center, the architectural styles across the site bear traces of regional characteristics from all corners of the Xuanhuang Realm," Zhou Yueming answered, standing up with a thoughtful expression. "We hypothesize that this place once served as the capital of a flourishing dynasty or the dominion of a powerful tribe."
"It seems the Western Extreme Glacier wasn't always a frozen wasteland," she added wistfully. "It may not have even been an ocean in the distant past."
"Excavating such a vast subterranean space beneath a glacier, sinking an ancient city into it, and preserving it for over a million years... This will undoubtedly shake the field of history."
Zhao Xing briefly scanned the historians' notes before clasping his hands in a polite farewell and continuing his journey deeper into the ruins.
"A million years at its earliest... and still inhabited as recently as 150,000 years ago?" Zhao Xing muttered, his vigilance sharpening.
"Was this continuity sustained through generations of inhabitants, or could it be that a singular powerful entity lived here for tens of thousands of years?"
If it were beings from beyond the heavens, their lifespan would far surpass the natural limits of the Xuanhuang Realm. To live for tens of thousands—or even millions—of years would be conceivable, though the implications were staggering.
In the Xuanhuang Realm, even those who reached the Ascension Stage (Path-Binding Stage) and departed the realm would struggle to achieve lifespans exceeding ten thousand years. A lifespan spanning tens or hundreds of thousands of years would require a cultivation realm unimaginably advanced.
Whoosh—
After flying for nearly an hour, Zhao Xing suddenly noticed a massive mechanized figure being flung backward. It crashed into the ground with a thunderous impact.
"Isn't that King Shenluo? His Giant God Weapon was thrown aside?" Zhao Xing, passing by, naturally decided to investigate.
The King Shenluo, Luo Tian, had advanced to First Pin (Destiny Palace Stage) during the Eternal Governance Era and had since reached the late stage of the Destiny Palace realm.
Zhao Xing himself had already attained Heavenly Luck Perfection, so it was no surprise that his contemporaries had made significant progress as well.
"King Shenluo! Are you alright?" he called out.
Standing atop the colossal sword-like figure of the Giant God Weapon, Zhao Xing tried to discern the situation. This weapon housed the King Shenluo's core operations chamber.
Not far away lay another towering construct: the [Shenluo Pangyuan]. It appeared sluggish and unwieldy compared to the Giant God Weapon.
The [Shenluo Pangyuan], originally a Ninth-Rank inferior mechanism puppet, had been upgraded to a Ninth-Rank superior masterpiece. It was the King Shenluo's life-bound mechanism, crafted during his Third Pin cultivation. Meanwhile, the Giant God Weapon—an extraordinary treasure Zhao Xing had retrieved from the Dragon Court—had become his second life-bound mechanism. The former excelled in control, while the latter specialized in offense.
For someone to hurl even the Giant God Weapon so far...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhao Xing pounded on the metallic surface, attempting to rouse the King Shenluo.
The massive blade lay flat on the ground, its protective mechanisms preventing Zhao Xing from accessing the interior. He couldn't even ascertain whether the King Shenluo was alive.
Click—
Suddenly, a seam appeared in the seemingly impenetrable metal surface, forming a doorway three meters tall and two meters wide. Warm air billowed out.
"Cough... I'm fine," came a hoarse voice.
The King Shenluo emerged in a disheveled state. "Zhao Xing? What brings you here?"
This location was still largely unexplored, its dangers unknown. It was surprising that someone of Zhao Xing's caliber would risk entering so early. After all, the site's rules prohibited the use of avatars, meaning Zhao Xing's true self had to enter. Should anything happen to him, the damage to the Shennong Division—and even Emperor Ji Che—would be immeasurable.
"Let's not talk about me for now," Zhao Xing said, retrieving a Geosphere Fruit from his Pure Origin Space and handing it to the King Shenluo. "What happened to you? Why were you suddenly sent flying?"
There was no sign of anything unusual in the vicinity. After all, this was a city. Even if it were once the residence of a powerful entity, not every corner would be laden with treasures. There should be many ordinary residential or living areas.
"I was struck by an attack from the central temple," the King Shenluo explained. "That so-called Purple Light Temple, where Wu Yuan retrieved treasures."
"You were sent flying from that far?" Zhao Xing asked incredulously. Even though he was hovering at a height of over a thousand meters, he couldn't see the central plaza of the city.
"Indeed, it's absurd. My Giant God Weapon is a superior-grade treasure-class mechanism, equipped with five Rule Domains. I've personally mastered dual domains, covering all six elements—gold, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning. Yet I was still blasted back hundreds of li... cough," the King Shenluo said bitterly.
"What exactly were you trying to do?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I attempted to crack the temple's barrier," the King Shenluo admitted.
"..." Zhao Xing was momentarily speechless. The man had clearly aimed too high, attempting to devour the moon with a snake's maw.
Still, upon reflection, his actions were somewhat understandable. A Mechanist like the King Shenluo, when confronted with a novel barrier or mechanism, would naturally test its defenses. After all, Mechanists were here precisely for such endeavors.
Great Zhou prided itself on being the best in the world, and its Mechanists carried that confidence in spades.
Faced with such ruins, who would bother following the rules? They would all try to seize whatever they could. The outcome, however, was evident: the King Shenluo's attempt had ended in failure, leaving him battered and bruised.
Rise!
With a thought, the King Shenluo activated the Giant God Weapon. Its metallic arms extended like mechanical tentacles, lifting the massive construct upright. It resembled a tripod, atop which rested the colossal sword.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Mechanisms whirred, and beams of light shot out like ropes, tethering to the King Shenluo.
"What are you doing?" Zhao Xing asked.
"The War Soul needs to be reset; it shifted due to the earlier impact," Luo Tian admitted awkwardly. "You know how it is—every mechanism relies on its War Soul. My method, the Shenluo Stream, merges the War Soul, my Life Soul, and the Central Shenluo into one entity."
"If it's not reset, I can't fully unleash the power of the Shenluo Pangyuan."
Zhao Xing suddenly understood. The Central Shenluo and the Infinite Matrix represented two distinct cultivation paths for Mechanists. Just like the Seasonal Qi Commands and Pure Essence Soil inside the Shennong, the Central Shenluo was the unique core for the Shenluo Stream.
For Mechanists who practiced the Shenluo Stream, their Shenluo resided in their Central Spirit, thus earning the name Central Shenluo.
In contrast, the Infinite Matrix of the Dao Soldier Stream spread throughout the Mechanist's body, functioning like elemental particles of the Five Elements. While the Shenluo Stream delivered immense power and grandiose forms, its drawback lay in the time required to repair any damage sustained.
Meanwhile, the Infinite Matrix of the Dao Soldier Stream concealed its strength in subtlety. If the Shenluo Pangyuan following this path were thrown off balance, its practitioner could instantly stand up and continue the fight without issue.
"This feels so refreshing!" Luo Tian exclaimed, waving his hand as the tendrils of his War Soul retracted from the Shenluo Pangyuan. Zhao Xing noticed an immediate transformation—Luo Tian's energy seemed completely revitalized.
Even the Shenluo Pangyuan itself regained its luminous brilliance, dispelling the dullness that had previously cloaked it.
"Zhao Xing, let's head over together."
"Alright." Zhao Xing climbed aboard Luo Tian's Shenluo Pangyuan, saving himself the effort of expending his own energy. With a deafening roar, the Shenluo Pangyuan ascended alongside the towering Yuan Mechanism, their imposing presence cutting an awe-inspiring figure.
Zhao Xing observed the unique movement of the Shenluo Pangyuan during its flight.
It didn't simply glide through the air; rather, it seemed to wriggle. The blade tip of the weapon extended forward, while the rear contracted. This rhythmic motion propelled it across more than ten li in an instant.
"You know, my core can be placed anywhere; it doesn't have to be in the middle," Luo Tian explained proudly, clearly eager to discuss the intricacies of his prized Shenluo Pangyuan. "It can be positioned at the blade tip, the hilt, or even the center—though I prefer the center."
"Achieving mastery over seven domains is truly impressive," Zhao Xing praised.
"Heh, I owe it to your guidance," Luo Tian chuckled. "That said, my current mastery of rule domains varies. My personal domain is at the third level, while the rule domain derived from my Shenluo Pangyuan reaches only the fourth."
"Luo Tian, your ambitions are boundless," Zhao Xing remarked, genuinely impressed.
If Luo Tian were to focus his efforts on a single rule domain, the power of the rule domain tied to his Shenluo Pangyuan could easily rise two more levels. However, his goal was to grasp all domains, and he had already made significant progress in each.
"Mechanists following the Shenluo Stream often develop personalities shaped by their craft. We prefer to go big—leaving out even a single rule domain feels incomplete. Besides, as our Shenluo Pangyuans grow larger, even a single missing domain could limit their potential."
Within moments, Zhao Xing and Luo Tian arrived at the Tri-God Plaza of the Purple Light Relic. The Shenluo Pangyuan descended with a resounding boom.
Nearby, Chen Ju cast them a sidelong glance, his brow furrowing. "Could you make a little less noise?"
Luo Tian pursed his lips but refrained from retorting. In terms of strength, seniority, and status, Chen Ju, the esteemed Dean of the Moshou Academy, outranked him. Though their paths differed, the respect was implicit.
Currently serving as the Deputy Chief Mechanist, Chen Ju clearly had his own tasks to handle.
Zhao Xing noticed Chen Ju meticulously retrieving a series of small black spheres hovering in the air. These spheres neither emitted light nor reflected it.
Only those with spiritually enhanced vision could see them.
As Chen Ju absorbed each black sphere into his body, he knelt on the icy ground, sketching an updated map of the relic's layout. The data he collected served as critical reference points for constructing the formation.
After all, the vast expanse beneath the glacial terrain left little room for error—any miscalculation could allow enemies to infiltrate from unforeseen directions.
"Lord Chen," Zhao Xing greeted with a polite bow. Given that their rank as second-grade officials was equivalent, and past conflicts over personal matters, Zhao Xing opted for a formal address.
"Lord Zhao," Chen Ju returned the gesture warmly, showing no lingering animosity from their prior disputes. "This is the latest map. Please have a look."
"Thank you." Zhao Xing scanned the map, which marked seven gray regions amid a sea of luminous zones.
"The gray areas indicate regions shrouded in barriers, making them inaccessible—even their appearance remains unknown. These are likely critical zones," Chen Ju explained. "The illuminated regions are accessible, though they vary in difficulty."
Zhao Xing nodded in understanding.
The black spheres Chen Ju had been collecting, known as Eightfold Palace Instruments and Boundary Matrixes, were small but capable of penetrating most barriers and mechanisms. However, while these tools could bypass defenses, they didn't guarantee human entry, hence the varying levels of exploration difficulty.
"Thank you for your efforts, Lord Chen."
After committing the map to memory, Zhao Xing returned it to Chen Ju. His gaze then shifted toward the Tri-God Plaza and the ancient shrine beyond it. "What's the situation here?"
"It's... peculiar," Chen Ju replied, shaking his head.
"All individuals can enter the shrine and view the murals within," Chen Ju continued, his tone laced with intrigue. "We've already identified two key murals—'Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact Diagram' and the 'Void Divine Prison.' However, the experiences of the nine individuals who entered the shrine fall into three distinct scenarios."
Zhao Xing stood quietly, listening attentively.
"The first scenario involves those holding a Purple Light Divine Command. The token's bearer can remember the murals they have comprehended but cannot reproduce or take imprints of murals they haven't learned."
"As for those brought into the shrine by the token bearer, they forget everything upon leaving the shrine. They retain only the knowledge they've gained but lose all memory of how they entered, comprehended, or exited."
"The second scenario involves individuals without a Purple Light Divine Command. Upon entering the shrine, they encounter a corridor displaying three murals, with a limited time for observation. The rules governing these murals are strict—'viewed once, then burned.' While they can comprehend the murals and even create secret arts inspired by them, they can't articulate or describe what they've seen."
"Interestingly, all three individuals who experienced this scenario managed to develop unique secret arts after their time inside."
"What triggers the self-creation of secret arts, and what rules govern the murals? These remain mysteries. Furthermore, when their observation time is up, they're automatically ejected from the shrine."
"The third scenario is for those holding a Purple Light Divine Command, who can remember their experiences inside without any time restrictions. However, even they cannot disclose anything about what happens within the shrine."
Chen Ju took a deep breath before continuing. "We've also uncovered a way to enter the shrine without a Purple Light Divine Command."
"What method is that?" Zhao Xing asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Beneath the glacial terrain lies a phenomenon known as a 'storm vortex eye.' These randomly appear over the ancient city's corresponding sea regions and can pull individuals into the depths."
"Of course, not every storm vortex eye leads here. Only those accompanied by the 'Death Ice Column' phenomenon can directly connect to the ancient city beneath the glacier."
Luo Tian frowned. "If that's the case, isn't building a formation on the surface unnecessary?"
Chen Ju nodded thoughtfully. "You're correct. Given the randomness of the storm vortex eyes, one might question the need for surface formations. However, consider this: if only those with the Purple Light Divine Command could enter initially, how did the first person acquire the token?"
"That's why the creators likely accounted for this issue. Otherwise, the relic would have remained sealed indefinitely. Originally, our mission only required us to secure the glacial region within a 200,000-li radius—a much smaller area."
"But now, with the storm vortex eyes occurring randomly over a vast sea region, the scope of our defense has increased exponentially."
Zhao Xing's gaze deepened. "This suggests that Li Boqian must have stumbled upon this place by sheer chance."
"It's likely he failed some sort of trial, which resulted in his ejection and memory loss of the relic's interior. However, he retained the knowledge of the murals he comprehended and the secret art he created—'Primordial Seal.'"
"It seems the Purple Light Relic was designed as a selection mechanism," Zhao Xing mused. "If it's a screening process, then no single power can monopolize access or benefits."
"The Great Zhou Dynasty's advantage lies in its possession of the Purple Light Divine Command, allowing repeated access," Zhao Xing thought. "Even if someone fails the initial screening and is ejected, the token grants them another chance to enter."
"That explains why those without the token only get one shot inside."
"I'll head in and take a look," Zhao Xing said decisively.
"Be careful," Chen Ju warned. "Although the ejected individuals only experienced memory loss, there could be other, unknown dangers. This place is shrouded in mystery."
From their current exploration, it was clear that while ordinary living quarters held little value, the core areas were protected by defenses they had yet to decipher.
Heavenly Realm, Edge of the World
A terrifying storm suddenly erupted at the edge of the Heavenly Realm. In the dim void, four colossal tornadoes, each towering tens of thousands of li, appeared without warning. Their speed was astonishing, devouring a massive swath of the northern Heavenly Realm in mere moments.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
More than a dozen figures materialized in the northern region of the Heavenly Realm, gazing at the catastrophic storms from a distance.
"Here we go again, each time bigger than the last. If it weren't for the Fate Immortal's prediction, the entire Heavenly Realm would have been destroyed by now," said the Flower Immortal, her eyes full of worry. She turned to a cold-faced man carrying three swords on his back. "Wind Immortal, I'm counting on you to handle this. Quickly deal with it."
"I think we should all just die and get it over with," a thin man surrounded by faint green light muttered dismissively, not moving a muscle. His shocking words surprisingly received nods of agreement from a few others.
"Exactly. We came to the Heavenly Realm to become immortals, yet we're working like beasts every day to fix these disasters. What's the point?"
"The Palace Lord tricked us into coming here and then went into slumber himself. What grand secrets? He must be fooling us."
"Yeah, just let me die. I've had enough!"
The group bickered and loafed about in the face of the hurricane.
The cold-faced man with three swords clenched his fists as veins bulged on his forehead, his killing intent surging outward. "You want to die? Fine, I'll help you out! But before that, how about you experience my Threefold Sword Array!"
"Alright, stop it! Don't fight," the Flower Immortal interjected, stepping between them. A fragrant aura wafted from her body as petals emerged from her sleeves, forming colorful ribbons to pacify the group.
However, her efforts had little effect.
The man brimming with murderous intent and his three bloodstained swords faced four or five others who, despite the threat, appeared indifferent. Some even mocked him.
"What kind of Sword Immortal are you? You kill a few tens of thousands of beasts and think you deserve the title?"
"Your sword is limp, just like what's below your belt. Go ahead, cut me down."
"Hold on a second. Let them fight it out. I'm not ready to die just yet."
At that moment—whoosh—
A shadow carrying a golden staff and clad in a high-collared battle robe appeared above them. As he arrived, a golden light illuminated the land, forcing the Sword Immortal to sheath his blade.
"Sword Immortal, I have a more important task for you. Leave this matter alone and return," the shadow said in a calm but commanding voice.
"Understood," the cold-faced man replied with a begrudging grunt. He cast one last glare at the green-lit figure, suppressing his killing intent as he reluctantly stepped back. "The Palace Lord is about to awaken," he muttered before departing with the golden-robed figure.
"The Palace Lord is waking up?" The previously lackadaisical immortals were suddenly revitalized.
"Quick, finish up here and go meet the Palace Lord."
"He always has something exciting for us to do!"
"Let's get to work!"
Passing through the Tri-God Plaza and entering the great hall, Zhao Xing felt the space around him shift mysteriously. In the next moment, he found himself at the entrance to a long corridor lined with murals.
Strange sounds echoed all around.
Zhao Xing listened intently as he cautiously advanced.
The murals depicted a variety of scenes: stars, floating continents, suspended trees, and even levitating cubes. "Why does this feel less like a legacy and more like a record of events?" he wondered.
Inspecting closely, Zhao Xing sensed an immense power emanating from the murals, but he focused on the content they seemed to convey rather than rushing to comprehend their profundity. The corridor twisted and turned, and before long, he arrived at the murals labeled Heavenly Qi Soul Diagram and Void Divine Prison.
Yet Zhao Xing refrained from analyzing them immediately, instead taking his time to study the murals themselves. Meanwhile, the ambient sounds continued to shift as he walked.
"The frequencies rise and fall, almost as if they're cycling through multiple languages," Zhao Xing observed. The sound felt vaguely familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint it yet.
Slowing his pace even further, Zhao Xing continued exploring.
"Many of these murals surpass the intricacy of the Primordial Dragon Chant painting I once studied. If I were to delve into them, I could likely grasp some powerful techniques quickly." Yet he resisted the urge.
With his extraordinary vision, he knew better than to rush.
If comprehension led to him being transported away, he would rather take his time to observe everything first.
Aside from the strange sounds and enigmatic murals, Zhao Xing noted no immediate dangers. After roughly half an hour, his body suddenly tensed, and he halted.
The resonating sounds in the corridor finally shifted to a language he understood.
"...Primordial Hills, Grain God Star, Scarlet Star Dynasty, Origin Celestial Palace, Wasteland Alliance..."
Zhao Xing stood still, carefully parsing the words.
"This is the language of the Grain God Star under the Primordial Hills' influence. But why would it appear here?" He was stunned, his perception of the situation shattered.
Could the tiny Xuanyang Realm truly be connected to such formidable cosmic powers? This felt like it belonged to a later epoch entirely.
Quickly regaining composure, Zhao Xing focused on the keywords from his initial impression. He could vaguely identify it as the Grain God Star's language, understanding only bits and pieces.
But on the second repetition, the sound adjusted fully, transitioning entirely into the Grain God Star's dialect. Now Zhao Xing could grasp its meaning more clearly.
By the third repetition, the resonance of the Grain God Star's language in the mural corridor had become impeccable.
"Primordial Hills, Grain God Star, Scarlet Star Dynasty, Origin Celestial Palace, Wasteland Ancient Alliance... Any fellow Daoist from the aforementioned forces, please respond," the voice said.
Understanding this, Zhao Xing knew he could reply in the same tongue.
After all, human languages across the cosmos prioritized communication efficiency rather than complexity, unlike the Dragon Tongue, which intertwined with its power system. With his past life's knowledge, Zhao Xing had no trouble responding. "May I know which Daoist is calling?" he replied in the Grain God language.
Since he had entered this place, heard and understood the voice, and possibly already been noticed by whatever was observing, it seemed wiser to respond candidly rather than feign ignorance.
The moment Zhao Xing replied, the entire corridor lit up. Buzz—
The murals on the walls cracked open, revealing a hidden passage. "Please enter, Daoist friend," a voice called from within. Zhao Xing walked in confidently, his pace calm and measured.
A flash of light enveloped him.
He now stood inside what appeared to be an underwater palace, the entire structure encased in water. Everything about its decor clashed with the Xuanyang Realm's aesthetic.
The tables shimmered with light, reflecting mysterious images. Transparent columns flanking the space were inscribed with symbols scrolling like calculations. Neatly arranged chairs filled the hall, some with fruit baskets atop them, creating the impression of a banquet hall.
On the main seat sat a figure draped in starry robes, leaning on a staff. Though the figure seemed lost in thought, the steps leading up to it were flanked by four crystalline skeletons in a seated position.
As Zhao Xing studied the star-robed figure, he realized it, too, was a skeleton. "All dead?"
He paused, perplexed.
"Then who was speaking just now...?"
As he considered this, the starry robe emitted radiant starlight. Streams of green energy began to condense into a human-like form.
Zhao Xing instantly understood.
"A Dao-Establishing Dharma Body!"
The Dao-Establishment Stage not only allowed the manipulation of world rules but also created a Dharma Body capable of persisting post-mortem. However, over time, the Dharma Body's power would gradually weaken.
Subject to the erosion of eras, dwindling spiritual energy, and drastic changes to the world, even a Dharma Body would eventually dissipate. As the figure's Dharma Body solidified, it offered Zhao Xing a polite bow.
"Daoist friend, I am Qing Yuzi," the figure introduced itself.
"I am the master of Qingyu Star and a member of the Yuanhai Kingdom, part of the Wasteland Ancient Alliance."
Zhao Xing listened quietly, realizing that Qing Yuzi had long since passed.
A Dao-Establishing Dharma Body existed solely to convey the last wishes of its creator.
"Qingyu Star? Never heard of it. The Wasteland Ancient Alliance is familiar, but does it include the Yuanhai Kingdom?" Zhao Xing furrowed his brows. What exactly was a "star world"?
In the cosmos, star worlds, akin to small worlds like the Xuanyang Realm, shared a common trait: restrictive laws.
To leave such a place required specific conditions and considerable power.
Generally, only cultivators at the Ascension Stage had the strength to leave star worlds or small worlds.
"If Qing Yuzi claims to be the master of Qingyu Star, his strength must exceed the Dao-Establishment Stage, likely reaching the Origin Stage. But I wonder which phase of the three Origin Stages he has attained," Zhao Xing speculated.
The Origin Stage was hierarchical. Traversing the cosmos unaided was difficult for the first and second phases, requiring specialized tools. Only those in the third phase could travel interstellar distances using their own power.
Of course, with tools, even earlier phases could venture into the universe.
Qing Yuzi continued, "My two companions and I accepted a mission from the Wasteland Ancient Alliance to explore a cosmic secret realm. We were ambushed by enemy forces."
"We were gravely injured and had no choice but to retreat to the Xuanyang Realm for recovery. Our intention was to heal and leave without disturbing this world."
"Unfortunately, we encountered the extinction cycle of the Xuanyang Realm, where spiritual energy rapidly dwindled within a brief period. Simultaneously, the world's foundational rules grew alarmingly robust."
"Our injuries were severe, and we couldn't break free of these constraints. My two companions passed away over the span of 200,000 years."
"I managed to recover to the initial stage of the Origin Realm but still could not leave the Xuanyang Realm. The ascension rules here are extraordinarily harsh, requiring a group to ascend together. As spiritual energy faded, the world's core even began draining my energy!"
Hearing this, Zhao Xing could only shake his head sympathetically. Qing Yuzi and his companions were incredibly unfortunate.
Ambushed and forced to flee, they sought temporary refuge in a world named Xuanyang. But after just a short stay, they realized their sanctuary was collapsing.
To make matters worse, Xuanyang drained Qing Yuzi's energy, and its restrictive rules barred him from leaving alone.
The only way out was to meet the conditions for ascension as a group—a feat requiring the collective strength of Ascension Stage cultivators. Without surpassing the Origin Stage himself, Qing Yuzi was stuck in a cruel loop.
"I had no choice but to wait here for the spiritual energy of this world to recover," Qing Yuzi's Dharma Body admitted, a trace of helplessness in its tone.
"Understanding the rules of escape in the Xuanyang Realm, I founded a kingdom to bide my time. That kingdom, known as the Yu Dynasty, is part of this world's Central Domain history."
Zhao Xing couldn't help but smirk. The Yu Dynasty came after the Xia Dynasty.
In other words, shortly after the Xia Dynasty's ascension marked the end of the spiritual revival era, Qing Yuzi arrived to heal his injuries. "Truly, three pitiful individuals," Zhao Xing mused, silently mourning Qing Yuzi and his companions.