"Dean Wang, Wang Gulu, Gulu Gulu?"
As Zhao Xing chased after the figure, he realized his voice was starting to distort, his perspective lowering as his body felt heavier, and his speed slowed. Glancing at his pale, soft hands, Zhao Xing couldn't help but pinch the little belly now protruding from his form.
Great, he'd transformed into a Heavenly Gulu Beast too. Plop—
His foot splashed into a puddle, and Zhao Xing lowered his head to look at his reflection in the water.
"No wonder Old Wang ran away. He's a dashing, elegant gentleman, suddenly turned into this adorable little pet. This is just too socially humiliating." He stopped chasing. Better to spare Old Wang some dignity.
"Gulu Gulu."
While Zhao Xing was adjusting to this new form, a slightly larger Heavenly Gulu Beast appeared in front of him. The creature wore a miniature robe adorned with dragon patterns, pointed its stubby little hand at Zhao Xing, then at itself.
Zhao Xing immediately understood. This was Ling Tianchen. "Gulu Gulu?"
"Gulu."
"Gulu Gulu?"
"Gulu."
It took a while for Zhao Xing to become familiar with his new body and adapt to the Heavenly Gulu language. Soon, he and Ling Tianchen huddled together, gulu-ing away.
"Dean Ling, when did you enter here?"
"Spring of Year Five in the Yuanshou Era, I was the fourth to come in."
"You're incredible. You've been here for half a year already—truly worthy of being a dean."
"You're quick yourself. Which ultimate technique did you create?"
"An ultimate wind technique, planning to name it Winds of Destruction. And you?"
"An ultimate rain technique, Water Dragon Song."
"You didn't use Ancestral Dragon Transformation?"
"Ancestral Dragon Transformation Second Ultimate Form doesn't count for this. I created one form of it long ago, but it doesn't fall under self-created techniques unless it's the third form."
"Ah, I see."
Just as Zhao Xing was about to ask more questions, he noticed Ling Tianchen's pupils suddenly dilate. One of Ling's hands abruptly reverted to its original form, transforming into a dragon claw, which lashed out behind Zhao Xing.
Boom!
A human hand clashed with Ling Tianchen's dragon claw, sending a wave of powerful energy that knocked Zhao Xing to the ground. He rolled several times like a rubber ball before coming to a stop. When he looked up, he saw two Heavenly Gulu Beasts fighting each other.
One was, of course, Ling Tianchen.
The other was peculiar—it had the body of a Heavenly Gulu Beast but a human head. Its hands had completely reverted to human form, resembling a mismatched toy. The creature looked bizarre.
Draped in golden robes adorned with cloud, rain, dragon, mountain, and heaven motifs, it wore an arrogant expression as if it alone stood above heaven and earth.
"Xuantian Divine Venerable."
At a glance, Zhao Xing recognized this Heavenly Gulu Beast as none other than the current master of the Xuantian Sect.
"Ling Tianchen and Xuantian Divine Venerable have already regained partial strength. Judging by appearances, Ling Tianchen hasn't recovered as quickly."
All inheritors who entered Gulu Star were subjected to the transformation into Heavenly Gulu Beasts.
For someone like Zhao Xing, who had just entered, spells and techniques were completely unusable.
The Heavenly Gulu Beast itself lacked offensive capabilities, and its innate divine abilities were also restricted here.
After all, Qing Yuzi didn't have the power to fully force someone into a Heavenly Gulu Beast form, and the suppression of the Xuanhuang Realm ensured such heaven-defying creatures, even as auxiliary pets, wouldn't manifest.
"Breaking free from the constraints of the transformation allows for partial recovery of strength. Xuantian Divine Venerable was the first to enter and seems to be recovering much faster than Ling Tianchen."
Zhao Xing could only watch, unable to offer any help.
However, just then, Wang Tianzhi returned. His middle finger had also reverted to its original form, allowing him to perform spells. With a two-on-one situation, they barely managed to hold their own against Xuantian Divine Venerable.
"That's enough for today. Training's over. You may withdraw."
Xuantian Divine Venerable unleashed a palm strike infused with thunder, blasting Wang Tianzhi until his hair was singed and his face blackened. His right leg transformed into a qilin leg, which he used to kick Ling Tianchen away. Glancing at the sprawled Zhao Xing, he sneered.
"You're Zhao Xing?"
"You truly are remarkable. Born with no roots or backing, rising to such a high position at only three hundred years old."
Xuantian Divine Venerable looked down at Zhao Xing with an air of superiority. "You're far stronger than the rest of them."
Zhao Xing kept silent, pretending he hadn't yet adapted to his new form, letting out random gulu sounds. For now, feigning weakness was the best option.
Xuantian Divine Venerable smirked. "We share the same lineage. If that puppet emperor ever makes things difficult for you, the Xuantian Sect will welcome you back. The sect's myriad secret techniques will be at your disposal."
Wang Tianzhi quickly stepped in front of Zhao Xing, sneering. "To serve as your lackey? Stop pretending to be magnanimous and trying to deceive people!"
Xuantian Divine Venerable cast a disdainful glance at Wang Tianzhi. "Ignorant child. I wouldn't even bother killing you. The once-grand Xuantian Sect can't even secure the Grand Shennong position anymore. Pathetic!"
"You!"
Wang Tianzhi's face flushed with anger. Losing the Grand Shennong position to Liu Tianning of the Self School had always been a sore point.
For eight generations, the Grand Shennong position had been held firmly by the Xuantian Sect, only to be lost in this generation. Wang Tianzhi had been seen as a promising candidate, and his failure had led to widespread criticism. While he respected Liu Tianning's abilities, being mocked by Xuantian Divine Venerable still struck a nerve.
"Enough," Ling Tianchen intervened, calming him down. "Don't fall for his provocations."
"Ling Tianchen, your mastery of the transformation technique is lackluster. Ten Thousand Transformations Cave-Heaven is wasted in your hands," Xuantian Divine Venerable said mockingly. "The Shangluo Academy was just a menial offshoot of our sect in ancient times. That you allowed Liu Tianning to become the Grand Shennong speaks volumes of your inadequacy."
"Utter nonsense!" Wang Tianzhi wanted nothing more than to stomp on Xuantian Divine Venerable's face. His arrogant demeanor and caustic remarks were infuriating.
With a dismissive chuckle, Xuantian Divine Venerable vanished.
Both Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi, having been thoroughly criticized, were left feeling frustrated.
Zhao Xing had no idea how to console them. After all, in ancient times, Shangluo Academy truly had been a subsidiary of the Xuantian Sect, barely worth mentioning.
During the Spirit Qi Era, the Self School had been at the bottom of the hierarchy, overshadowed by the powerful Heaven and Earth Schools of the Xuantian Sect.
It wasn't until Shangluo and Shangheng revolutionized the field with their theories on natural laws and created groundbreaking techniques like the myriad straw puppet system that the Self School rose to prominence, finally shedding its menial status.
"Deans, let's not dwell on him. What's the situation with the transformation cycles here?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Twelve days for a minor cycle, one hundred and twenty days for a major cycle," Ling Tianchen explained. "To complete Qing Yuzi's trial, one must break free of the transformation during the peak of a major cycle."
"Dean, even with the ultimate second form of Ancestral Dragon Transformation, you can't escape it?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Difficult," Ling Tianchen admitted with a shake of his head. "Qing Yuzi's trial is exceptionally challenging. The life structure of this body is unlike anything I've ever seen. It doesn't resemble any known creature of the Xuanhuang Realm."
"The key issue lies in its exceptionally high life level. I've been studying it for a long time but still can't fully comprehend it."
"However, during the weakest phase of the transformation cycle, I can barely manage to regain my human form."
Zhao Xing nodded. The second trial's difficulty stemmed from three key challenges.
First, the transformation force on Gulu Star was extraordinarily potent. As a controlled transformation zone empowered by the planet itself and Qing Yuzi's Dao, its power was beyond measure.
Second, the Heavenly Gulu Beast was an entirely unprecedented life form.
Even someone like Ling Tianchen, proficient in transformation techniques, had never encountered anything similar. Its life structure was unique, with no comparable existence.
Third, the Heavenly Gulu Beast's life level was inherently high.
Despite its harmless appearance and lack of combat abilities, its auxiliary talents bordered on divine. Such advanced life structures involving innate abilities made it even harder to analyze and overcome.
"These are the three major difficulties of the second trial."
"Many can't fully regain their human form even during the weakest phase of the cycle. They're forced to leave, revert to human form outside, and then try again." Ling Tianchen's tone was heavy.
If one couldn't return to human form within a certain timeframe after the transformation, the new form would become permanent.
Hence, Zhao Xing only saw Ling Tianchen, Wang Tianzhi, and Xuantian Divine Venerable on this planet. No other participants were in sight.
"Has Grand Shennong Liu entered here yet?" Zhao Xing asked, recalling that Liu Tianning had entered six months ago to tackle the trials.
"Haven't seen him," Wang Tianzhi replied with a shake of his head.
"He probably hasn't passed the first trial yet," Ling Tianchen added.
Liu Tianning entered the challenge six months ago, about two years later than most others.
Even though his comprehension of the Dao had reached the seventh stage, creating an ultimate technique in a short time was difficult.
Moreover, Qing Yuzi was a practitioner of the Heaven School, so the trials he left behind naturally leaned toward Heavenly Timing methods. It was no surprise that Liu Tianning hadn't passed the first trial yet. "There are six people ahead of me. Have either of you deans encountered other inheritors?"
"We've seen three," Ling Tianchen replied. "Besides Xuantian Divine Venerable, there's someone called Mist Walker and another who calls himself Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable."
Wang Tianzhi added, "I saw one too, but they retreated as soon as they noticed someone approaching."
"Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable," Zhao Xing mused over the name. Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable was a shennong official from the Great Serpent Kingdom, holding a position equivalent to the Grand Shennong in Great Zhou. Zhao Xing recalled this person because, in his past life, they clashed over the Dragon Elephant Divine Tree. Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable was a formidable figure.
Of course, this time there was no such mission, as the Dragon Elephant Divine Tree had already been returned to its homeland. The Great Serpent Kingdom claimed to have unearthed it in the depths of the Eastern Wilderness. Since the thief's identity remained unknown, the return was framed as a standard transaction rather than a restitution.
"For the second trial, there's me, Dean Ling, Dean Wang, Xuantian Divine Venerable, Mist Walker, Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable, and one unidentified individual. That's seven in total. Among them, Xuantian Divine Venerable entered first, is the most familiar with the area, and has partially recovered his strength to use his full capabilities."
"The second and third entrants were Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen. However, even though Wang Tianzhi entered before Ling Tianchen, he's slower in the second trial because he's not proficient in the Hou Transformation technique. Compared to his other techniques, Hou Transformation is his weakest."
"The fourth was Mist Walker, the fifth is unknown, the sixth is Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable, and I'm the seventh."
"As for the fourth, fifth, and sixth entrants, Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi haven't crossed paths with them yet, so their strength is unknown." Zhao Xing analyzed the situation.
It was normal not to have encountered them yet. Those who entered late could teleport away immediately if a confrontation arose.
"The second trial might involve fatalities. Right now, recovery is slow, and the Heavenly Gulu Beast's natural defenses are formidable. However, over time, once someone regains enough strength, they'll be able to eliminate the other candidates."
"If people keep teleporting away, there's no way to progress through the second trial. Staying on Gulu Star to experience the Hou Transformation is crucial for breaking free of the constraints. The trial area is quite limited; Gulu Star has a diameter of only twenty kilometers, which feels cramped for such powerful individuals."
"We must restore our strength as quickly as possible."
Currently, Xuantian Divine Venerable remained aloof, unwilling to act against the other inheritors. Even if he did, Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi together could hold him off. But Zhao Xing knew better than to rely on others not attacking—falling behind would only invite aggression. If they weren't attacking now, it was simply because their focus was on the trial.
"Zhao Xing, we'll guard you while you cultivate. Quickly regain your ability to protect yourself." Ling Tianchen led Zhao Xing to a bare tree. "As time passes, more people will enter the second trial, and conflicts will inevitably arise."
"Understood."
Leaning against the tree, Zhao Xing began his cultivation. The cycle of cause and effect was relentless.
He once transformed others into pigs, chickens, and dogs. Now he was finally tasting what it was like to be transformed.
"Becoming a Heavenly Gulu Beast is extremely uncomfortable. He couldn't walk fast or even fly."
"This passive transformation was entirely different from active Hou Transformation techniques. It felt as though one's soul was trapped in a confined, disgusting space. Nothing about it felt natural."
Among the three of them, Zhao Xing wasn't suffering the most—it was Wang Tianzhi. Ling Tianchen and Zhao Xing both had well-practiced Hou Transformation techniques, while Wang Tianzhi's Hou Transformation was initially only at the level of the top-tier third transformation.
By relying on his Wind and Thunder techniques, Wang Tianzhi barely managed to restore one middle finger.
Even now, under Ling Tianchen's guidance, his progress was slow. After a year, he had only reached the top-tier fifth transformation with the "Ji Meng Transformation."
"Roar—"
As soon as Zhao Xing sat down, dragon-like sounds began emanating from his radish-like body.
"There are many ways to counter Hou Transformation. On Gulu Star, it's akin to being struck by external Hou Transformation. The most effective method is using internal Hou Transformation techniques to counteract it. This trial also tests the most critical aspect of Heavenly Timing methods—Hou Transformation."
Zhao Xing hadn't practiced the Ancestral Dragon Transformation in a long time. He had been busy with other techniques, like Primordial Seal, Divine Soldier Art, and comprehending the Rule Domain. The Ancestral Dragon Transformation's priority had been pushed back.
With Ling Tianchen leading the way, Zhao Xing could afford to focus on it later.
"Roar—"
Zhao Xing's Ancestral Dragon Transformation was at the peak of perfection. As soon as he sat down, changes immediately began. His body swelled, growing noticeably larger. A faint golden light emanated from his radish-like form, accompanied by layers of fine scales.
"Shhh—"
His body underwent profound changes. "Adjust!"
"Observe the inner world, the Five Elements particles, and examine the foundational structure of life."
"If anomalies appear, adjust them quickly; otherwise, the body might collapse."
Ling Tianchen glanced over and reminded him, "If you notice any signs of collapse, call out and teleport away immediately. Everything will return to normal. Don't force it."
Before Ling Tianchen could finish, Zhao Xing's scales rapidly disappeared. Ling Tianchen was surprised, while Wang Tianzhi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhao Xing's previously swollen body had returned to its normal size, and the scales had completely vanished. His body now appeared smooth and pristine. Simultaneously, his right hand, from the wrist down, had fully recovered, becoming a human hand.
"You…" Wang Tianzhi was at a loss for words.
After a year, Wang Tianzhi had only managed to restore a middle finger for spellcasting. Yet Zhao Xing had completely restored his hand on his first day. "What kind of monstrous talent…" Wang Tianzhi muttered to himself. Ling Tianchen shared a similar sentiment.
"Only Zhao Xing's Ancestral Dragon Transformation feels authentic."
Ling Tianchen noticed the scales Zhao Xing produced. While perhaps not as powerful as other Ancestral Dragon Transformations, their bloodline origin was far purer.
"Roar—"
The sounds from Zhao Xing's body grew quieter and eventually faded after half an hour.
"Internal Hou Transformation, refined and controlled at the level of Five Elements particles, leaving no external traces. This showcases extraordinary mastery."
"In terms of Dao comprehension, he's already on par with Wang Tianzhi and me," Ling Tianchen observed.
During Zhao Xing's rest and reflections, Wang Tianzhi couldn't resist asking, "Zhao Xing, what conditions did you meet to pass the first trial?"
"Seventh-stage domain, first transformation of an ultimate technique," Zhao Xing answered candidly.
"Gulu!!" Wang Tianzhi exclaimed in amazement.
The first trial had multiple thresholds, but he hadn't expected Zhao Xing to pass with a seventh-stage domain and the first transformation of an ultimate technique. Comprehending Dao was far more challenging than comprehending techniques.
The trial's threshold made this clear. A seventh-stage domain combined with a first transformation of an ultimate technique sufficed. But a sixth-stage domain required at least the third transformation of an ultimate technique.
Seventh-stage domains were rare, even among individuals like Ling Tianchen and himself!
"I was born in the wrong era," Wang Tianzhi lamented. He envied his senior brother, Li Boqian, who, at Wang's age, had been far weaker.
When Li Boqian became the Grand Shennong, he wielded a third-stage domain and the third transformation of an ultimate technique, crushing his opponents. Only Xu Xing posed a challenge, but he was dismissed by Emperor Jing for his extreme methods.
In Wang's generation, the final round of the Dao Discourse saw him mastering dual sixth-stage domains with two ultimate techniques. Even then, it wasn't enough, and he lost.
In this era, the flaws of the Myriad Law Straw Puppet suddenly vanished!
Fine, losing to Liu Tianning was one thing. Now Zhao Xing was catching up. Whenever he thought of these two, Wang Tianzhi felt unlucky to be born in this time.
"Stop staring," Ling Tianchen said, patting Wang Tianzhi's rounded belly. "You wouldn't understand even if you tried."
Wang Tianzhi: "…"
…
With Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen standing guard, Zhao Xing focused entirely on his cultivation.
"To gain combat ability, I must first understand the life structure of the Heavenly Gulu Beast."
"There are three challenges, with the most critical being the mastery of its life structure diagram."
"Among all my domains, the Cangwu Domain is the most helpful in understanding the Heavenly Gulu Beast's life structure diagram."
Boom—
A surge of vitality burst from Zhao Xing's surroundings. The energy expanded to five meters before contracting to a one-meter radius.
"Buzz—"
Through his inner observation, Zhao Xing's vision revealed a microscopic galaxy.
In this inner microscopic world, countless light points wandered while hazy gray mist swirled like cosmic dust. The gray mist twisted into chains, binding most of the stars with interwoven links.
"From afar, obscured by dust; up close, the nodes of life are shackled," Zhao Xing observed.
"It is precisely these obstructions that make it difficult for inheritors to grasp the life structure of the Heavenly Gulu Beast."
Countless stars, resembling life particles, formed shapes akin to organs within a galaxy. The occasional light emitted between these stars connected them like neural pathways transmitting thoughts.
"Qing Yuzi really knew what he was doing," Zhao Xing muttered. "He must have reached at least the second stage of the Origin Stage, or perhaps even the third."
In the Heaven School, the foundation of a Shennong was judged by their mastery of cloud techniques. Their true strength, however, was measured by their expertise in the Hou Transformation technique.
"Directional Hou Transformation, cyclical in nature, while ensuring that inheritors' foundations remain unharmed. Once they leave Gulu Star, their condition is restored. His mastery of Hou Transformation is truly profound."
Deciding not to take shortcuts, Zhao Xing focused earnestly on solving the intricate challenges left behind by Qing Yuzi. The process of deciphering these trials was cultivation in itself.
Zhao Xing locked onto the first star within his vision, representing a life particle.
"Buzz—"
Chains of gray mist that bound the star began to shift under Zhao Xing's mental focus. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Zhao Xing started solving the problem from the smallest and most localized point.
Above the icy peaks, within the temporary base of the External Alliance, stood the Moonlit Witch Shrine, an imposing structure. Deep within the shrine was a high-status temple known as the Moonlit Witch Temple.
Access to the temple was restricted to Fate Shaman, led by the esteemed "Tian Gui," an envoy of the Moonlit Witch.
Outside the temple gates, Tuoba Gong of the Golden Feather Court respectfully bowed. "Destiny Witch, I have come to receive the Moonlit Witch's guidance."
From within the temple, Tian Gui's calm voice resonated, "Gong, you mustn't visit too frequently."
Tuoba Gong replied with a trace of helplessness, "Destiny Witch, the internal factions of the alliance are numerous. Sect leaders and the King of the Great Serpent Kingdom alike desire uplifting news. After all, they've made considerable investments..."
"Pacifying them is your task," Tian Gui interjected in a tranquil tone. "To eliminate the interference of heavenly phenomena, I can only share limited knowledge with you."
"The Grandmaster of the Golden Feather Court has already entered the second trial ahead of everyone else. What are you worried about?"
"They are anxious about the specifics of the second trial, especially since many participants from the Great Zhou have entered as well," Tuoba Gong explained.
"There is no need to worry. Xuantian Divine Venerable is the strongest Shennong of this era. He will return with good news. Gong, have patience," Tian Gui reassured.
"Understood," Tuoba Gong replied respectfully.
"Focus your energy on the other two inheritances," Tian Gui advised. "The inheritance of Puta will be pivotal in changing the tide, and Su Fairy's legacy is equally critical. We have never obtained the Divine Derivation Stele, and now we have the opportunity to cultivate it. We cannot miss this chance."
"I understand," Tuoba Gong responded with a deep voice. "I will inform the descendants of the Nine Nether God."
The Nine Nether God was the progenitor of the royal family of the Sacred Spirit Court, just as the Flame Light Court traced its lineage to the Fire God, and the Purple Dragon Court hailed from the Purple Dragon God. Among them, the Moonlit Witch remained their singular divine faith.
In the competition for these inheritances, only the Golden Feather Court and Sacred Spirit Court had a chance to participate. The Golden Feather Court's knowledge of mechanism techniques rivaled that of the Great Zhou, giving them hope of securing Puta's inheritance. Meanwhile, the Sacred Spirit Court pursued Su Fairy's legacy of soul techniques.
However, Tian Gui had already cautioned Tuoba Gong that their chances of claiming the final inheritance in either path were slim. Yet even securing minor trial rewards, such as the Divine Derivation Stele, Mechanism Stele, Void Stele, or the Purple Moon Origin, would be highly beneficial.
"The Great Zhou will not sit idly by and watch their Grandmaster claim the ultimate inheritance. But until the dust settles, ensure that conflicts are minimized," Tian Gui instructed.
"Understood," Tuoba Gong affirmed.
With the Xuantian Divine Venerable leading, the alliance considered their venture highly profitable. But Tuoba Gong knew that once the Great Zhou realized the significance of these developments, tensions would escalate. A clash seemed inevitable.
Within the Star Hall of the Matrix's Palace.
"Ji Si, how are things progressing?"
Before Ji Si stood a holographic projection of Ji Che, bathed in a column of white light.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Integrity has reached the second trial," Ji Si reported respectfully.
"Oh? He truly made it. It seems your arrangement has already borne half its fruit," Ji Che remarked. "Has there been any movement from the External Alliance?"
"They believe they've gained the upper hand. To avoid giving us an excuse for war, they've restrained their actions. Even when minor skirmishes occur, they focus on controlling their own factions," Ji Si explained.
Ji Che nodded. "Uncle, your efforts are commendable. Once the other half is fulfilled, I can rest easy for now."
The "other half" was clear: Liu Tianning also needed to enter the second trial within the set timeframe. Only then would Ji Si's strategy prove effective, confirming that events were proceeding as predicted.
After a pause, Ji Si's eyes turned white. Moments later, he bowed again. "Your Majesty, I have glimpsed the approximate date. Liu Tianning will enter the second trial in three months."
Ji Si spoke with confidence, certain of his prediction.
A smile finally appeared on Ji Che's face. "Uncle, you have done exceptionally well. I will find a way to extend your lifespan."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ji Si replied gratefully.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Under an unnamed tree on Gulu Star, Zhao Xing had fully restored one of his arms.
"Whoosh—"
Zhao Xing glanced at his shoulder. His field of vision showed the constellation on his shoulder completely unlocked, its energy now extending into a new area.
"Three months to restore one arm. I've recovered about ten percent of my combat strength," Zhao Xing calculated. "And that's without considering the Pure Essence Space."
"If I included the rare plants in the Pure Essence Space, my recovery would barely exceed one percent."
With his seventh-stage domain, Zhao Xing could now utilize about thirty percent of the combat strength of the Dragon Spirit Bamboo and the Divine Fire Lotus. Even thirty percent of their power was overwhelming, rivaling the upper echelon of first-tier capabilities.
"Wait, Liu Tianning has entered?"
Zhao Xing suddenly looked up in a specific direction.
In the sky, Liu Tianning's body rapidly descended and landed on Gulu Star. Zhao Xing immediately headed toward him.
Liu Tianning, upon arrival, appeared momentarily stunned.
What greeted him were several adorable creatures rushing toward him, their mouths emitting "gu lu gu lu" sounds.
He had initially assumed the Heavenly Gulu Beast to be some kind of ferocious creature, not expecting it to be so cute. "Transformed into this…" Liu Tianning's expression twitched.
Zhao Xing, Wang Tianzhi, and Ling Tianchen rushed over immediately, unwilling to miss this amusing scene.
"You all are…"
Before Liu Tianning could finish his sentence, his words turned into a series of "gu lu gu lu" noises.
"Hahaha!"
The sight of Liu Tianning transformed into a Heavenly Gulu Beast, complete with a bewildered expression, sent the three into fits of laughter. Seeing such an absurd scene from Liu Tianning, known for his stoicism, was a rare treat.
Even Ling Tianchen, who rarely smiled, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Gu lu!"
Liu Tianning's skin flushed red as he tried to resist the Hou Transformation's binding rules.
"I, gu lu…"
Attempting to force out the word "I," Liu Tianning failed again, his voice reverting to the Heavenly Gulu Beast's signature sound.
Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi's laughter froze mid-air.
They could no longer laugh.
Liu Tianning, on his first entry into Gulu Star, had managed to resist the rules momentarily and uttered a single syllable.
"This is astonishing," Wang Tianzhi thought, sighing internally.
Ling Tianchen shared a similar sentiment, noting the growing gap between them and Liu Tianning.
"Teacher, don't struggle," Zhao Xing advised. "It's not so easy to break free."
Liu Tianning nodded, choosing not to speak further.
Just then, a figure approached swiftly.
Zhao Xing, Ling Tianchen, and Wang Tianzhi immediately formed a triangular formation, surrounding Liu Tianning in the center. "Don't panic."
Xuantian Divine Venerable and Mist Walker slowly flew over together. At this moment, his body had fully recovered to its original state. Apart from the faint remnants of his tail, his torso and limbs were completely healed, making him appear no different from a normal person, except for the white radish-like armor covering him.
"This is your Grand Shennong, Liu Tianning?" Xuantian Divine Venerable's gaze bore down coldly. The three remained silent, staring at him without response.
It was Mist Walker who stepped forward to maintain the dignity of his sect master. "Yes, Sect Master. This is him. Known as the number one in the world with the Straw Puppet Technique, he is said to possess an exceptional talent rarely seen in ten thousand years."
Xuantian Divine Venerable nodded faintly, his gaze turning to Liu Tianning. "Having seen the Divine Venerable, why do you not kneel? The founders of your Shangluo Academy were once mere servants in my sect."
Liu Tianning felt inexplicably baffled. However, upon hearing this, he immediately understood the intruder's identity.
"Enough of your nonsense!" Wang Tianzhi barked. "Do you think you're something special?!"
"Xuantian Sect Master, you are a person of status," Ling Tianchen added with a steady tone. "Why humiliate the Grand Shennong of our court during this time of peace?"
"If you don't kneel, you die," Xuantian Divine Venerable declared.
With a clap of his hands, a thundercloud abruptly materialized above the four of them, forming a giant palm that bore down with crushing force. The four exchanged startled glances and quickly moved to counter.
Three streaks of lightning surged upwards, clashing fiercely with the descending thundercloud. "Boom!"
The thundercloud's condensed palm instantly dissipated.
"Hm?" Xuantian Divine Venerable narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze shifting to Zhao Xing.
His strength had already recovered by half, giving him ample confidence to deal with the combined efforts of Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi. In truth, this was indeed the case. If he had the opportunity to eliminate the Grand Shennong of Great Zhou and remove a competitor, he would certainly seize it. However, with the unexpected addition of Zhao Xing, his secret technique was disrupted.
"Mist Walker, deal with Zhao Xing."
"Yes," Mist Walker responded with a nod before joining the battle.
"Gulugulugulu…"
Seeing this, Liu Tianning quickly withdrew to avoid becoming a liability. He promptly left the Gulu Star, returning to the first stage. "Boom!"
A larger thundercloud palm descended from above. At the same time, Mist Walker conjured a strange black mist that enveloped the area. "Nine Heavens Divine Thunder!"
Hovering in mid-air, Xuantian Divine Venerable unleashed a terrifying thundercloud, accompanied by massive bolts of lightning, as if heralding the apocalypse.
"Scorching Heaven Thunder!" Wang Tianzhi roared, countering with his own lightning technique. Intense sunlight-like lightning surged upwards, resembling a blazing sun rising to meet the heavens.
"Ancestral Dragon Roar!" Ling Tianchen's head suddenly transformed into a dragon's, emitting a profound sound. This was one of the Ancestral Dragon's innate secret techniques, capable of disrupting opposing techniques through sonic waves. At this peak moment for Great Zhou, domain techniques could not be activated, forcing everyone to rely solely on spells to fight.
Zhao Xing simultaneously cast two spells.
The first spell, despite being cast later, reached the thundercloud above before Wang and Ling's spells did. "Whoosh, whoosh~"
Beneath the thundercloud, a faint black hurricane vortex appeared out of nowhere, with no prior warning. In the blink of an eye, Xuantian Divine Venerable's thundercloud diminished, drawn smaller by the vortex.
Even though this newly comprehended ultimate technique, the "Winds of Destruction," was close to the intent of the Void Wind, and coupled with its association with the Taiyin Purple Wind, it disrupted Xuantian Divine Venerable's thundercloud spell immensely. The lack of domain casting did not hinder Zhao Xing's profound understanding, which still allowed him to cause significant interference.
The second spell targeted Mist Walker directly: Morning Crow Yellow-Ear Transformation.
Focusing on Mist Walker, Zhao Xing utilized an external cultivation technique. In a controlled transformation field, everyone was resisting the directed effects of the Heavenly Gulu Transformation, attempting to maintain balance like walking on a tightrope.
Zhao Xing's precise application of Morning Crow Yellow-Ear Transformation disrupted Mist Walker's equilibrium entirely. By breaking this balance, he forced Mist Walker into subjection under the Heavenly Gulu Transformation, causing his power to plummet rapidly.
This insight came from three months of studying the Gulu Star and the life structure of the Heavenly Gulu Beast. "Chichichichi~"
Mist Walker's right arm suddenly sprouted a patch of fur. "Huh?"
His face was full of confusion, which quickly turned to alarm. The gray mist chains binding his life structure re-sealed the previously broken nodes. In an instant, he lost nearly half of his power.
The surrounding black mist slowed drastically, teetering on the brink of collapse before failing to materialize any effect. "Transform!"
Mist Walker's right hand disintegrated into gas form, taking two breaths before reforming as a solid limb. "Boom~"
Above, the thundercloud had dwindled to a thin layer. Mist Walker remained stationary, with his mist barely advancing.
For the second time, the three-man formation emerged unscathed.
"Mist Walker, what's going on?" Xuantian Divine Venerable frowned, sending a telepathic message to his subordinate.
"Sect Master, it's Zhao Xing," Mist Walker replied. "One of his transformation techniques disrupted my balance precisely. It takes me two breaths to regain equilibrium, giving him enough time to cast another spell."
Xuantian Divine Venerable was taken aback. So, Zhao Xing was not only helping Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi fend him off but was also countering Mist Walker?
"A silent wolf bites hardest." Xuantian Divine Venerable fixed his gaze on Zhao Xing below. He had not spoken a word throughout but displayed astonishing combat prowess and rich tactical experience. Meanwhile, the three below were communicating telepathically.
"Xuantian Divine Venerable's spell power is approximately at the third transformation of the ultimate level. My thunder technique is only at the second transformation," Wang Tianzhi conveyed.
"My Ancestral Dragon Roar is also at the second transformation," Ling Tianchen added.
"How is it possible that we couldn't resist his thundercloud even with our combined efforts?"
"Zhao Xing, your wind technique…"
"The Winds of Destruction barely reaches the second transformation and can only interfere with the trajectory of the lightning," Zhao Xing said solemnly.
Despite their joint efforts, they failed to fully nullify Xuantian Divine Venerable's spell. This was due to the massive power increase between transformations at the ultimate level.
Xuantian Divine Venerable, having entered earlier, had more time to familiarize himself with the second stage. As a peerless genius, his ability to dominate was not surprising. If he couldn't maintain an advantage despite entering early, he wouldn't have become sect master in the cutthroat, survival-of-the-fittest system of the Divine Sect.
"No need to fight anymore," Ling Tianchen said. "Let's leave first."
"Agreed," Zhao Xing nodded. Gulu Star allowed free entry and exit to random locations, and Xuantian Divine Venerable couldn't possibly keep an eye on them all the time without focusing on his own cultivation.
Even if Xuantian Divine Venerable wanted to try, the increasing number of Great Zhou individuals entering the second stage would make it impossible for him to keep up.
"Gulugulugulu…"
Seizing the moment of Xuantian Divine Venerable's hesitation, Zhao Xing and the other two disappeared from Gulu Star.
Xuantian Divine Venerable stared at the vanished trio, lost in thought.
He had entered early, but for that very reason, his progress had reached a plateau. Consequently, he began targeting others, forcing them out of Gulu Star to hinder their growth.
But this attempt had revealed something new.
"Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen aren't the biggest threats. It's Zhao Xing… his progress is too rapid. In just three months, he's achieved this level of strength."
For the first time, Xuantian Divine Venerable regarded Zhao Xing with genuine seriousness. Although there was still a significant gap between them, Zhao Xing's alarming rate of improvement planted a seed of unease in Xuantian Divine Venerable's heart.
"Senior Brother is getting anxious. He didn't even notice I was holding back," Mist Walker mused internally. "Having spent so long with him in the sect, I can tell every time his mindset falters… Truly, Zhao Heavenly Venerable is extraordinary. To have written those theories on techniques, he is indeed a monster destined to found his own sect."
Although Mist Walker had grown up with Senior Brother Xuantian Zong, the survival-based structure of their sect left no room for genuine feelings. Their upbringing taught them only one thing: how to eliminate every competitor around them to be the last one standing.
If not for the binding Life Soul Oath, Mist Walker might have already considered eliminating Xuantian Divine Venerable. On an emotional level, he felt no closeness toward his senior brother. Instead, having read Zhao Xing's writings, he found himself reluctant to oppose Zhao Xing.
"This isn't considered betraying the sect," Mist Walker thought to himself. "With spiritual fortune about to revive, the Divine Sect is destined to compete for a foothold in Zhongtu Divine Land. It doesn't matter who the sect master is. If my senior brother is eventually killed and Zhao Xing takes over the Divine Sect, it might actually benefit the sect in the long run."
"Hopefully, my senior brother dies sooner rather than later."
Xuantian Divine Venerable had no idea his junior harbored such thoughts. After reflecting on the recent confrontation, he noticed that no one had arrived on Gulu Star at the moment and returned to focusing on breaking through the challenges.
As Ling Tianchen had analyzed, Xuantian Divine Venerable lacked the energy to keep chasing them away repeatedly. Without the ability to kill them instantly, such pursuits became futile.
After three more months, even Mist Walker suggested to Xuantian Divine Venerable, "Senior Brother, the priority now should be obtaining the inheritance of the Outworlder, Qing Yuzi. If we keep chasing them off, aren't we just handing the advantage to Hua Bao Divine Venerable, that snake-country upstart?"
"If he ultimately gains the inheritance, all our efforts will have been wasted."
Xuantian Divine Venerable acknowledged the rationale and accepted Mist Walker's advice.
When Liu Tianning restored part of his strength on Gulu Star, it became even more challenging to drive others away. At this point, Xuantian Divine Venerable fully abandoned such pursuits, concentrating solely on the trials ahead.
Of course, he still sparred occasionally to test his cultivation progress. In this cycle, time flew by, and two and a half years passed in the blink of an eye.
On the grassy plains of Gulu Star, Hua Bao Divine Venerable, with his portly frame and bushy beard, collapsed heavily onto the ground.
His hair, disheveled and almost gone, fluttered in the wind.
"Lord Zhao," Hua Bao Divine Venerable scrambled up hastily, wearing a forced smile as he addressed the young man standing before him. "I merely wish to study the Outworld techniques. I have no intention of claiming the final inheritance. Please, Lord Zhao, show mercy. Our two nations are allies—"
Hua Bao Divine Venerable endured his mounting rage, nodding repeatedly. "Yes, your reprimand is justified."
"Enough chatter. I'm using you as practice; save your breath," Zhao Xing interrupted. "Fight seriously. Stop holding back like a coward."
Faced with no other choice, Hua Bao Divine Venerable bowed his head.
The Snake Nation was the first to establish trade with Great Zhou, even though the entire Outworld Alliance followed suit later. Still, the Snake Nation remained despised within the alliance for their early capitulation—a blatant betrayal.
Now, though the Gulu Star was bustling with 'allies,' no one lifted a finger to help Hua Bao Divine Venerable as he was beaten. Instead, they watched gleefully from the sidelines. With Liu Tianning, Wang Tianzhi, and Ling Tianchen monitoring the area, Hua Bao Divine Venerable dared not show defiance.
"Patience. I must endure this humiliation for the empire's future," he thought bitterly, forcing a smile while bowing repeatedly. "Boom!"
Zhao Xing clapped his hands, and two torrents of wind spiraled toward Hua Bao Divine Venerable like deadly blades.
Zhao Xing often sparred with Hua Bao Divine Venerable, the Shennong of the Snake Nation, on Gulu Star. It was the only time the Outworld Alliance refrained from intervening, making him an ideal practice target. After delivering a solid thrashing, Zhao Xing retreated to the shade of a tree, reflecting on the experience.
"Now, I've broken through the gray chains and uncovered 90% of the Heavenly Gulu Beast's life structure diagram."
"Collaborating with Old Liu, Old Wang, and Old Ling to cross-verify our findings has significantly accelerated our progress. In just two and a half years, we've regained 90% of our strength."
Currently, Zhao Xing's body had fully transformed back to a humanoid form, except for a tail and slight puffiness around his head. Even at the peak intensity of Hou Transformation, he could maintain this state.
In truth, he could remove the tail entirely but chose to keep it as a psychological ploy against competitors.
"It's now the beginning of the Yuanshou Year Eight. There are already fifty-two participants on Gulu Star," Zhao Xing surveyed his surroundings. "Nearly all the Shennong prodigies of the Xuanhuang Realm are gathered here."
"The only real threat is Xuantian Divine Venerable."
"However, those two lunatics from the Heavenly Realm are progressing rapidly—almost on par with Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen."
His gaze shifted toward two figures not far away, one the Wind Immortal and the other the Rain Immortal of the Heavenly Realm.
The pair sprawled on the ground, bubbling with childlike laughter, as if playing a game rather than participating in a high-stakes contest. "Currently, the fastest contenders are Xuantian Divine Venerable and me."
"Next is Liu Tianning. Although he doesn't cultivate Hou Transformation techniques, his approach of unraveling the Hou Transformation effects through his life domain is equally astounding. Then there's the mysterious individual ranked fifth to enter."
"In the third tier are Mist Walker, Wang Tianzhi, Ling Tianchen, the Wind and Rain Immortals, and the deceptively weak Hua Bao Divine Venerable."
Zhao Xing's gaze turned toward a woman clad in a sea-blue robe and veil, standing atop a distant peak.
"Where does she come from? The court has no records of her origins, nor do the sectarian realms, Southern Barbarians, or Snake Nation." Zhao Xing pondered. For five years, all anyone knew was that this Shennong woman was called 'Lingdie Fairy.'
She never engaged in battles. Whenever challenged, she left Gulu Star, once disappearing for an entire year.
Yet Zhao Xing could sense her progress wasn't slow.
After some thought, Zhao Xing raised his hand, sending a gentle breeze toward the mountaintop. "Lingdie Fairy, could you hail from the Ruins of Gui Xu?"
Lingdie's soft voice replied, "Lord Zhao, you've asked this question five times already. Why are you so convinced?"
Zhao Xing did not answer directly but instead spoke a prophecy. "When all the waters of the Four Seas flow in one direction, it heralds the era of spiritual fortune's arrival."
Lingdie Fairy's tone carried a hint of weariness. "A mere rumor, not to be taken seriously."
Zhao Xing pressed on. "And the prophecy, 'When the boulder soars through the sky, I shall be reborn,' is that false too?"
Lingdie Fairy fell silent. After a moment, she responded, somewhat curiously, "How do you know this?"
Zhao Xing smiled faintly, confident he had uncovered her identity. "Fairy, when this trial concludes, I welcome you to Fengjing of Great Zhou. I will provide answers."
Lingdie Fairy hesitated briefly, then nodded slightly. "Very well."
Satisfied with her response, Zhao Xing prepared to continue his cultivation. Yet, Lingdie Fairy's voice interrupted once more. "Lord Zhao, would you care to spar with me?"
Surprised but intrigued, Zhao Xing nodded. "Certainly."
Lingdie Fairy glided gracefully toward him, and Zhao Xing rose into the air to meet her.
With a lift of her slender fingers, clouds enveloped Zhao Xing. Layered Cloud Realm.
Trapped within the clouded space, Zhao Xing recognized the technique immediately, confirming her origins from the Ruins of Gui Xu.
"Hmm—" Zhao Xing waved his hand, seizing control of part of the clouds to form a sub-realm within the Layered Cloud Realm.
Lingdie Fairy mirrored his movements.
Both seemed to share an unspoken understanding, refraining from using any other techniques.
In this endless cycle of practice, Zhao Xing's mastery over his body grew increasingly precise.
Below, Liu Tianning opened his eyes and gazed at the sky.
Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi, who were locked in a fierce duel of precision, paused their actions.
"What is Zhao Xing doing?"
"No idea. Practicing, maybe?"
"Why is he using Cloud Law for practice?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Probably not."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, the Xuan Tian Divine Venerable seemed to sense something and flew over swiftly, staring at a specific patch of clouds.
"What's going on? Why do I feel like he's about to break through...?"
"No way, he arrived two and a half years after me. There's no reason for him to progress this quickly..." Xuan Tian Divine Venerable muttered to himself.
Without hesitation, he acted, surging towards the clouds. However, just as he was about to breach the cloud layer, the layered Cloud Realm suddenly vanished.
Zhao Xing and Lingdie Immortal also disappeared.
Xuan Tian Divine Venerable's expression shifted unpredictably. Confirming that the two had indeed left Gulu Star, he reluctantly withdrew.
The Tri-God Plaza, First Trial.
Zhao Xing appeared in front of a stone tablet and began quietly comprehending its contents. Time passed, and he remained still before the stone tablet.
Suddenly—
His body began to transform rapidly. He grew larger, his originally tan skin turned pale and smooth, his eyelids and eyelashes vanished, a tail sprouted from his back, and his feet developed webbing.
"Heavenly Gulu Transformation." Zhao Xing had turned into a Heavenly Gulu Beast, his large eyes carrying a hint of amusement. "Although it's only a pseudo-Heavenly Gulu form, it has already reached the Hou Transformation level of Gulu Star. The difference lies only in strength."
Indeed, after his battle with Lingdie Immortal, Zhao Xing had pieced together the final part of the puzzle.
Lingdie Immortal, who never sparred with others, had comprehended the essence of the most critical area. While others tackled it from the simple to the complex, she approached it from the complex to the simple. Her unique method had to be acknowledged.
"No wonder she never sparred with anyone. Transform!"
Zhao Xing reverted to human form and calculated something with his fingers.
"Half a month remains before Gulu Star reaches the peak of its Hou Transformation energy."
The following day.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xing used the Wind of Destruction to break through a wall and entered the second trial. "Whoosh~"
He descended rapidly.
Landing on Gulu Star, the impact caused a resounding boom.
The winds howled, and clouds churned across the planet. At that moment, all 52 inheritors on Gulu Star were heavily suppressed, forced into their initial Heavenly Gulu Beast forms.
"Roar!"
"Ha!"
The crowd struggled to return to their human forms, attempting to break free from the constraint. Yet, under this intense suppression, few succeeded.
Even the closest contender, Xuan Tian Divine Venerable, retained traces of his Heavenly Gulu Beast form within 10% of his body.
"Gulu!!!"
Suddenly, a Heavenly Gulu Beast roared and leaped skyward. Mid-air, its form rapidly shifted back into a human state.
All the Heavenly Gulu Beasts turned their gaze. "Zhao Xing?!"
"It's Zhao Xing!"
"Did he succeed?"
"What kind of talent is this?"
"Am I seeing things? Zhao Xing? Isn't he just a Chief of Shennong?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Xuan Tian Divine Venerable's eyes flickered with disbelief. "How can he surpass me?"
"Gulu!" He, too, surged upward, ascending into the skies.
The most potent Hou Transformation zone seemed to have become a proving ground. Both Xuan Tian Divine Venerable and Zhao Xing were breaking through the second trial.
From the outside, it appeared both had reverted to human form. "Could they both have succeeded?"
"Divine Venerable is incredible!"
"Our National Adviser! That's the National Adviser of our Golden Feather Court!" A chorus of Gulu voices echoed from below.
In this moment of intense suppression, no one truly understood the exchange, but that didn't stop them from expressing their emotions. At this moment, Zhao Xing, having completely broken free from his constraints, pointed downward.
"Heavenly! Gulu! Transformation!"
With the clear utterance of three words, the heavens dimmed.
At Zhao Xing's fingertip, a streak of light, a blend of vibrant yellow and green, appeared and shot straight toward the airborne Xuan Tian Divine Venerable.
"What?!"
Xuan Tian Divine Venerable desperately tried to evade, but the fused light was unavoidable. This was a Hou Transformation technique performed under Gulu Star's unique environment. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't escape unscathed.
"Gulu!!!!"
Suddenly, Xuan Tian Divine Venerable's perspective dropped. Where he had once stood almost at Zhao Xing's height, he now plummeted until he could only see Zhao Xing's soles. His enraged roar came out as an adorable Gulu sound.
At this moment, he had transformed into a yellow-green Heavenly Gulu Beast.
"Boom!"
Xuan Tian Divine Venerable crashed heavily onto the ground.
He was shocked to discover that the structure within his body, which had reached 90% completion, had been sealed again. Although originating from the same source as Qing Yuzi's Hou Transformation method, this was an entirely different variation.
Xuan Tian Divine Venerable was completely locked in his transformation. "I see."
Zhao Xing had an epiphany.
"No wonder Ji Si fell behind me and Liu Tianning. Turns out he was hit by this very move."
Judging from the progress yesterday, Xuan Tian Divine Venerable's advancement was nearly on par with his own, surpassing Liu Tianning. By rights, he should have maintained a lead over Liu Tianning. Yet, in the end, he lagged behind.
"Sending messages to the Divine Venerable is quite something," Zhao Xing couldn't help but admire Ji Si.
As he broke free from the Hou Transformation suppression, Qing Yuzi's Dao embodiment appeared.
"Congratulations on passing the second trial."
"Please proceed to the final trial."
With a wave of Qing Yuzi's hand, a portal of light appeared. Zhao Xing cupped his hands in thanks and stepped into the portal.
With a single step, he vanished from Gulu Star.
The next moment, he stood on a mist-shrouded land. "Buzz~"
Qing Yuzi's Dao embodiment reappeared.
"As the inheritor who has passed the second trial, you will receive a true 'Heavenly Gulu Beast.'" Qing Yuzi gestured, and a small ice coffin floated out of the mist.
Inside the coffin, filled with an unknown liquid, a tiny, radish-shaped creature with a chubby, round face floated peacefully—an infant Heavenly Gulu Beast!
Its eyes were closed as if in a deep sleep.
"It is in hibernation. Once you leave this realm, it will become your valuable companion." Receiving the small coffin, Zhao Xing felt a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected Qing Yuzi to preserve such a youngling.
"Of course, you may awaken it in the Xuanhuang Realm. However, awakening it there will greatly shorten its lifespan. As a lifeform from beyond the stars, its life will be reduced to just about five thousand years. Additionally, its abilities will suffer due to incomplete development. The choice is yours."
Awaken it? Only a fool would awaken it in the Xuanhuang Realm. That would be a tremendous waste.
A pure-blooded Heavenly Gulu Beast was exceedingly rare and incredibly expensive.
Judging by the appearance of this youngling Qing Yuzi provided, it was of excellent quality. Selling it to a Shennong division could easily fetch ten Stellar Dao Weapons.
After Zhao Xing stowed it away, Qing Yuzi continued, "The third trial is the final test. Whoever completes it first will inherit my full legacy."
Zhao Xing listened quietly.
With a wave of Qing Yuzi's hand, the surrounding mist dissipated.
Looking up, Zhao Xing saw a violet moon appear in the sky, while the ground beneath his feet turned out to be a giant meteorite.