The mist dispersed, revealing a violet moon and a field of meteors. Zhao Xing stood in awe.
What surprised him wasn't the scene itself but the realization that this wasn't an illusionary realm like the Enlightenment Domain. His feet were firmly grounded in reality.
This meant that Qing Yuzi had used his Dao Field to simulate a miniature Lunar Star and even recreate the vacuum of the void.
"As expected of a Shennong who specializes in the Heavenly Timing branch," Zhao Xing thought. "To simulate a miniature Lunar Star and a void environment, Qing Yuzi must be a Third Realm Origin expert. I wonder what sort of powerful enemies he had to face."
The ability to simulate a miniature Lunar Star and create a void-like environment was already a hallmark of a formidable Shennong.
"Qing Yuzi must hold a significant status in the Purple Divine Mansion within the Yuanhai Kingdom. Perhaps he's a core disciple or even an heir to its legacy," Zhao Xing speculated. He thought of Qing Yuzi's position in the Purple Divine Mansion as akin to Wang Tianzhi of the Xuantian Academy or Liu Tianning of Shangluo Academy during the Jingxin Era. Meng Kun of Kunyuan Academy also came to mind.
"Boom—"
Suddenly, countless meteors materialized, forming a vast meteor belt around the miniature purple moon, spread across eight distinct directions.
"Humm—"
The purple moon emitted a faint radiance, softly illuminating the meteors. Its glow was gentle and calming. As the transformation concluded, Zhao Xing had an inkling of the purpose behind this final trial.
"This is the Purple Light Dao Field, containing a small divine technique known as the Eight Epochs of Purple Light. It is the foundation of the grand divine technique, Purple Light."
"In this Dao Field, you will temporarily experience what it feels like to be at the Ascension Stage."
"If you can comprehend the first layer of the Eight Epochs of Purple Light, you'll meet the entry requirements of the Purple Divine Mansion. You might even qualify to become my disciple," Qing Yuzi's voice resonated.
Above ultimate laws lies divine techniques, further categorized into major and minor techniques.
Even minor divine techniques were beyond the grasp of those at the First or Second Origin Realm.
Qing Yuzi's Dao Field was an extraordinary simulation, capable of temporarily elevating participants to the Ascension Stage. Without such enhancements, it would be impossible for individuals from the Xuanhuang Realm to comprehend divine techniques successfully.
"The Eight Epochs of Purple Light that I mastered is an auxiliary-type minor divine technique," Qing Yuzi said with pride. "It's precisely because of this technique that I've received significant recognition in the Purple Divine Mansion, becoming the master of Qing Yu Star and earning the title of Qing Yuzi!"
Zhao Xing nodded slightly. Auxiliary-type divine techniques were even rarer than combat-oriented ones.
In the vast cosmos, where danger lurked everywhere, bizarre and extreme environments were the greatest obstacles for explorers.
If a Shennong proficient in auxiliary divine techniques joined a cosmic exploration team, the team's safety and survival chances would skyrocket. At the same cultivation stage, a Shennong with auxiliary divine techniques would see their value skyrocket.
In a past life, a saying among cosmic adventurers had been popular: "Armies are plentiful, but support is scarce." Combat specialists were common, but auxiliary talents were rare gems.
It was clear now that Qing Yuzi's final test was this auxiliary-type minor divine technique.
"Humm—"
Qing Yuzi's Dao Aspect vanished, leaving Zhao Xing alone on a meteor.
A faint purple light enveloped the meteor, shielding it from the vacuum simulation's damage. Zhao Xing himself was bathed in this light. Suddenly, his Yuan Soul left his body. Looking back, he saw his physical body still seated there.
But he had gained a new "body"—a Dao Aspect Body.
Qing Yuzi's Purple Light Dao Field had temporarily crafted this Dao Aspect Body for him.
Zhao Xing examined it. It wasn't a true physical body but a manifestation of the Dao Field's rules. Within this new body, he couldn't cast any spells or techniques.
However, his Dao comprehension had temporarily been elevated to the Ascension Stage.
"This heightened comprehension isn't mine; it's Qing Yuzi's."
"This process feels similar to spirit possession but is distinct. Spirit possession involves inviting a divine being to enhance one's own comprehension and temporarily gain their abilities. Here, it's reversed—my Yuan Soul has been influenced by this rule-bound body, temporarily achieving the Dao Establishment Stage."
The clarity of Dao surged within him. The essence of the world—the Five Elements, Yin and Yang—all seemed within his grasp at this moment.
"By eliminating all techniques, clearing my mind of distractions, and focusing solely on the pure comprehension of Dao, one can truly grasp divine techniques. Qing Yuzi may be unfortunate in other ways, but his methods are indeed remarkable."
"The Yuanhai Kingdom? The Purple Divine Mansion?" Zhao Xing mused. He hadn't heard of these places before, but now he found himself intrigued.
He moved his body briefly, suppressing the excitement surging in his heart, and began observing the Dao Field.
His meteor was the only one surrounded by a translucent protective barrier with a faint purple halo. The other meteors lacked such protection.
"My mobility depends on this meteor. I can control its movement to any part of the Dao Field to observe and comprehend from any angle."
"Additionally, I cannot leave this place."
"The final test, like the first, has a time limit."
"The maximum time allotted is one hundred years," Zhao Xing discerned from the rules left by Qing Yuzi.
The first rule stated he couldn't leave at will. If he wished to forfeit, his Yuan Soul could return to his physical body, ending the trial and triggering an automatic ejection.
The second rule was clear: if he failed to comprehend the first layer of Eight Epochs of Purple Light within one hundred years, he would also be ejected, failing the test.
"A century might seem long in the Xuanhuang Realm, but from Qing Yuzi's perspective, it's an extremely short time."
"To pass within a century would make one a genius in his eyes."
"No wonder Ji Si couldn't see what lay beyond the third trial. If he could, it would be truly strange." After understanding the rules, Zhao Xing decided to take a preliminary survey.
He intended to explore the entire arrangement of the Dao Field—a habit of his.
"Simulating a miniature Lunar Star, this purple moon is illusory," Zhao Xing said. Reaching the Dao Establishment Stage allowed him to see through the illusion instantly. Before, he wouldn't have noticed this difference, highlighting the gap in comprehension of the Dao.
"If it were real, it would be extraordinary. An artificial Lunar Star would break free of the Xuanhuang Realm's constraints and ascend directly."
"But the meteors are real," Zhao Xing noted, crouching to examine the ground. The soil was loose, cold to the touch as he scooped up a handful.
"Up!"
With a single thought, Zhao Xing commanded the meteor beneath him to rise. He aimed to leave the meteor belt and observe the entire Dao Field from a bird's-eye view.
On the Gulu Star, during Zhao Xing's final trial, the atmosphere was tense as the scene unfolded.
"Gulu!"
Liu Tianning swiftly dashed toward the direction where Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign had landed. Unlike others who might take to the skies, he opted for a more grounded approach, using the cover of trees and boulders to maneuver forward. Despite his Heavenly Gulu Beast form appearing chubby and sluggish, his movements were remarkably agile and precise.
"This is the perfect opportunity!"
Liu Tianning wasn't the only one who thought so. Ling Tianchen and Wang Tianzhi, who had been with Zhao Xing earlier, also had similar ideas.
When Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign charged ahead, they had already started forming plans. However, the restrictive rules of the trial made flight nearly impossible for anyone except Liu Tianning. As Zhao Xing's Gulu Form slammed Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign to the ground, they seized their chance.
"Boom!"
Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign crashed heavily onto the ground, his figure sprawling amidst the impact. His yellow-green fleshy hands trembled as he stared at them in confusion, his expression frozen in disbelief. A rare moment of vulnerability overtook him as self-doubt crept into his mind. And then—
"Pop~"
A pudgy hand suddenly pierced through his chest.
Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign turned his gaze downward, his eyes widening as the realization struck. Slowly, he turned his head to look behind him, only to meet the cold, expressionless face of a Heavenly Gulu Beast.
In that silent moment, the mocking disdain was clear in its gaze.
"Liu Tianning..."
Gripping the hand embedded in his chest, Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign let out a guttural growl, his voice devolving into incomprehensible gurgles as he struggled in vain. Seven consecutive grunts marked his desperation. On Liu Tianning's second strike, Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign's body abruptly vanished, whisked away by the trial's rules.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
In the next moment, Wang Tianzhi and Ling Tianchen appeared at Liu Tianning's side.
"Did we kill him?" Wang Tianzhi asked cautiously.
"No, I don't think so," Liu Tianning replied with a shake of his head.
In the second trial, being transported out signaled the release from Hou Transformation restrictions. Though Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign's injuries were significant, the trial's mechanics didn't allow for outright killing.
"Serves him right," Wang Tianzhi said with a satisfied grin.
That bully had chased them relentlessly earlier, humiliating them for a long time. Now Zhao Xing and Liu Tianning, as master and disciple, had collectively taken him down—a scene Wang Tianzhi found immensely gratifying.
"Such a shame," Ling Tianchen sighed. "If only we could've finished him off right here."
In the distance, a Mist Walker hurried over to assist Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign, only to realize his senior had already been transported out of the trial.
"This level of injury won't kill Senior Brother," the Mist Walker muttered, a tinge of regret in his voice.
Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign, with a combat power nearly equal to a Rule Domain expert, was a formidable figure. Even so, this defeat dealt a severe blow—not to his body but to his pride.
"That Zhao Heavenly Venerable is truly incredible."
"He came here more than a year after my Senior Brother, yet he's already surpassed him in the second trial."
Undeniably, Xuan Tian Divine Sovereign was the strongest individual on this star. His pride was evident in the messages he left after completing the first trial, making his current humiliation all the more pronounced.
The Hou Transformation Rule suppressed everyone's strength, creating a scenario where Zhao Xing could dominate the once-unbeatable Divine Sovereign with ease. Witnessing this scene in front of the many powerful Shennong cultivators of the Xuanhuang World was a catastrophic blow to the Divine Sovereign's reputation.
"This is worse than killing him," someone muttered.
"If Senior Brother had died, I could've taken over as interim sect leader. Then, by uniting with the other peaks, we'd have entered Zhongtu in adherence to the sect's ancestral teachings. Betrayal isn't an option—but what defines betrayal?"
The Mist Walker shook his head in frustration. With his thoughts unsettled, he abandoned further attempts at enlightenment and exited the trial grounds.
...
On a small hill not far away, Changsun Kui of the Corpse Puppet Sect was visibly shaken, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"This is bad! Xuantian Divine Venerable failed the second trial and was severely injured—this is going to cause major trouble."
Changsun Kui muttered as he observed the scene. "I relied on the Corpse God Flower to resist the Hou Transformation, and I'm still not halfway to breaking through. But Zhao Xing has already surpassed the Divine Venerable!"
Realizing the severity of the situation, he immediately made up his mind. "I need to get out of here and inform the sect master."
Without hesitation, Changsun Kui activated his escape technique, leaving Gulu Star in seven swift movements.
Elsewhere, Hua Bao Heavenly Venerable let out a deep breath, feeling a lingering fear. "Good thing I held back. If I had revealed my true strength, I would have been targeted even more."
He glanced around, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Now that Xuantian Divine Venerable is gravely wounded and Zhao Xing has entered the final inheritance trial, I'm the strongest one left on Gulu Star."
The fear faded, replaced by elation as he muttered, "Without any more concerns, I should speed up my comprehension here. Gulu!"
At the First Trial of the Tri-God Plaza, a loud coughing sound broke the silence.
"Cough!"
Xuantian Divine Venerable reverted to his human form, spitting out a mouthful of clotted blood. His face was pale as he clutched his chest tightly.
As the Mist Walker had predicted, the physical injuries weren't what troubled Xuantian Divine Venerable the most—it was the blow to his Dao Heart. The shame and frustration gnawed at him.
"I shouldn't have listened to my junior brother's advice and allowed him to comprehend the trial at his own pace," Xuantian murmured, his tone filled with regret. "But it's not over yet!"
"There's still a chance during the final competition. It won't be easy for him!" Xuantian sat cross-legged, beginning to regulate his breath and recover.
More importantly, he focused on adjusting his mindset. "I'll regain my composure and retake the lead during the final inheritance trial!"
On a distant glacier within the Mechanist's Palace, the moment Zhao Xing entered the final trial, Ji Si shuddered violently. His entire body trembled, his eyes rolling back as vivid images flashed through his mind.
Among those images was the exact scene of Zhao Xing successfully surpassing Xuantian Divine Venerable and entering the final trial.
"It's all coming true!" Ji Si whispered, a faint smile forming on his lips as clarity settled over him. This reaction was the unique sense he experienced when his calculations aligned with reality. "Zhao Xing has surpassed Xuantian Divine Venerable and entered the final trial. My predictions were correct."
Wasting no time, Ji Si immediately reported this to Ji Che.
With a hum, the Creation Disk lit up with a white beam of light, revealing Ji Che's figure.
"Your Majesty, Duke Zhao has successfully entered the final trial, overtaking Xuantian Divine Venerable."
Ji Che's face lit up with delight, his regal demeanor momentarily breaking into a hearty laugh. "Good, good, good! As expected of my elder brother—he never disappoints!"
Ji Si, however, remained calm and collected. "Your Majesty, while I've calculated the events of the second trial, I cannot foresee the outcome of the final trial. There's still a possibility that Qingyuzi's inheritance could fall into another's hands."
Ji Che, brimming with confidence, waved his concerns aside. "Impossible. A fast start ensures a fast finish. As long as my elder brother entered the final trial first, the inheritance is already his."
Ji Si was taken aback by the Emperor's unwavering confidence.
"Uncle, I can already feel the rise in our nation's Fortune." Ji Che smiled knowingly. "There's no need to waste effort on Qingyuzi's trial anymore. Instead, focus your attention on the inheritances of Puta and Su Xianzi."
"Understood," Ji Si replied respectfully.
The Mechanist's inheritance and the Soul Dao inheritance had been incredibly demanding, consuming significant time and effort. Even after five years, progress in the first trial remained elusive.
This was to be expected, as the Mechanist's trials were notoriously complex. Even within the Great Zhou's academic institutions, Mechanist trials were known to take the longest. The Soul Dao trials were even more challenging. Zhao Xing had spent considerable time learning the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit within the Star Palace, and even that required over a decade of effort.
Ji Che's tone turned serious. "If the Mechanist's and Soul Dao inheritances fall into foreign hands, they must not escape. Inform King Luohou of this. I will secretly send the Human Emperor Sword, the Five Emperors' War Chariot, and the remaining Dragon Elephant Divine Fruit to support him. Even the last remnants of Ji Shuang's true spirit will be preserved in the Heavenly Heart Temple."
"If the inheritances don't fall to our Great Zhou, he must immediately ascend to the Supreme First Grade realm."
Ji Si's heart trembled at the mention of Ji Shuang's Dragon Elephant Divine Form, renowned for its unparalleled ability to shatter all techniques. Coupled with the national treasures, the Human Emperor Sword and the Five Emperors' War Chariot, Ji Che was leaving no room for error.
Still, Ji Si hesitated. "Your Majesty, according to the ancestral teachings, these measures are only to be used in times of life and death. If King Luohou…"
Ji Che interrupted firmly. "Uncle, the times have changed. What applied then doesn't apply now. If the ancestor were alive in this era, he would undoubtedly support my decisions. There's no need to say more."
Ji Si could only bow in compliance. "Understood."
On the glacier above the Moonlit Divine Palace, a temporary base of the External Alliance, an unsettling occurrence unfolded.
Within the shrine, Fate Shaman Tian Gui suddenly stiffened. In his hand appeared a Time-Sealed Letter out of nowhere.
"Cough… cough, cough…" Tian Gui's body convulsed violently with each cough, visibly aging with each spasm. His hair turned white, his skin wrinkled at an alarming rate. Three coughs later, moonlight surged over his body, rejuvenating him. The process repeated three times before the anomaly ceased.
Tian Gui stared at the letter in silence, his expression grim. "A lifespan reduction of 150 years…"
Now, he knew everything. The Mechanist's inheritance wouldn't be broken so easily. While Xuantian Divine Venerable had been the first to enter the second trial, he was destined to fall behind.
"I expended great effort to unlock the Box of Fate, only to find it wasn't a divine revelation but a trap laid by Ji Si."
He paused, muttering under his breath, "To think Xuantian Divine Venerable would lose to Zhao Xing, even after entering the second trial first."
"Could this Zhao Xing truly be the Shennong Holy Son, born under the Fortune of the Era?"
Rumors of Zhao Xing had spread far and wide, even reaching the Fate Shaman's ears.
The tale of a Shennong priest using Zhao Xing's likeness to fend off an evil spirit by chanting his name had become an almost mythical anecdote. Tian Gui knew it was likely exaggerated, but its impact was undeniable.
Tian Gui sighed heavily. "So much effort, so many resources, and all I've unlocked is an empty box."
Yet, even he admitted that Xuantian Divine Venerable had been his best chance. If even he failed, there was little hope for others.
"At least there's a sliver of hope if we fight. If we don't fight, there's none."
Tian Gui shook his head. "Ji Si… even more cunning than the King Tianyan."
As he unraveled the full picture, Tian Gui couldn't help but feel a bitter sense of defeat. All his time and effort had led to this—a sealed letter that cost him 150 years of his life.
And the letter itself? Insultingly simple.
When he opened it, two words leapt off the page:
"Idiot Egg."
These two words, as if alive, twisted into a humanoid figure and echoed mockingly throughout the chamber.
"Idiot Egg! Idiot Egg!" The voice persisted, resonating endlessly in the room, as if mocking him for three whole days.
Tian Gui's face turned black, then red with fury. His entire body trembled as his emotions boiled over.
"Idiot Egg…" he muttered, his voice low and full of rage.
With that final echo, the humiliation lingered.
Tian Gui finally couldn't hold it in and spat out a mouthful of blood—purely out of rage.
Ji Si's maneuver wasn't just about defeating an opponent; it was about breaking their spirit. In a confrontation between top-level Fate Officers, Ji Si had chosen the simplest and most unpretentious way to mock Tian Gui. No camaraderie. No lofty show of superiority. Just two scrawled characters to insult him: "Idiot Egg."
"What happened, High Priest?"
Outside the chamber, Tuoba Gong hurried over. Hearing the strange voice echoing from within, he was momentarily stunned.
Why was the High Priest cursing in Great Zhou's tongue?
Could he also know what happened in the ruins below? Was this an insult directed at Xuantian Divine Venerable?
Honestly, Tuoba Gong had to admit that he was rather disappointed in the Divine Venerable.
Xuantian Divine Venerable could have taken a low-key approach to clear the trials, yet he had to leave clues after passing the first trial.
If he hadn't left those clues, subsequent challengers would have been forced to attempt each method, one by one, to figure out how to pass.
In the second trial, although he attacked the Great Zhou participants, he didn't go all out.
With his strength, Xuantian Divine Venerable could have easily maintained dominance over Gulu Star, ensuring no one else could comprehend the trials peacefully.
Yet, he chose to heed the Mist Walker's advice instead.
"I'm fine… idiot egg."
Tian Gui's voice merged with Ji Si's mocking tone as it resonated outward.
Tuoba Gong's lips twitched slightly. The whole exchange sounded far too bizarre.
"The Qingyuzi Inheritance trial has left the High Priest injured. Zhao Xing of Great Zhou has entered the third trial."
"I already know… idiot egg."
Tuoba Gong tried to suppress the discomfort and continued, "Now that the High Priest has suffered a mishap, many others, including the Great Serpent Divine Monarch, the Corpse Puppet Divine Venerable, the White Bone Divine Venerable, and the Lihuo Divine Venerable, are demanding an explanation from us."
Tuoba Gong was a prince of the Golden Feather Court and a key figure in the External Alliance's dealings.
Previously, they had offered many treasures to secure an exchange with Great Zhou.
At the time, there was substantial opposition, but Tuoba Gong had pushed through with the decision.
Unlike Great Zhou, where decisions in military campaigns and promotions were guided by consultations rather than directives, the Southern Barbarians operated differently. Tian Gui's opinions carried great weight in decision-making, especially since this mission had the direct endorsement of the Moon God. Tian Gui's status had risen considerably, equal to that of a king.
Now, however, his standing had increased even further. Many of Tuoba Gong's decisions were essentially Tian Gui's instructions.
But the current outcome wasn't ideal.
The resources they had invested weren't yielding proportional results, and many top sects were starting to complain.
Some, like the Divine Sect, were more direct, questioning Tuoba Gong outright.
"Idiot egg!"
Hearing this strange phrase yet again, Tuoba Gong could no longer hold his composure.
"Enough!"
"What's going on, High Priest? Should I enter to assist you?"
Ji Si's actions weren't just infuriating Tian Gui; they were also messing with Tuoba Gong's mindset.
This wasn't how people were supposed to talk!
He began to suspect that Tian Gui might be indirectly criticizing him. How could a High Priest of such stature allow strange voices to echo in his private chamber?
"There's no need."
Tian Gui finally managed to suppress the echoing voice.
"Then, please seek guidance from the Moon God on our next steps."
Tian Gui replied, "The situation hasn't reached its worst yet. Our people still have a chance to obtain Qingyuzi's inheritance."
"Additionally, the Mechanist inheritance of Puta and the Soul Dao inheritance of Fairy Su have yet to be claimed."
"Gong, I understand your anxiety, but there's still hope. You must pacify all sides and prevent the alliance from falling apart."
If the alliance continued to face setbacks, reuniting such forces in the future would be exceedingly difficult.
Tuoba Gong remained silent for a moment before reluctantly bowing and leaving.
Tian Gui might say not to worry, but how could he not? Still, since Tian Gui represented the will of the Moon God, Tuoba Gong could only suppress his irritation and focus on placating the alliance forces.
"What's this 'Eight Epochs Purple Light' all about?"
"Three or four months have passed, and I've got nothing."
On one of the meteor fragments, Zhao Xing grew increasingly anxious.
While he had indeed entered the third trial ahead of the others, as time dragged on, there was always the risk that others could catch up. If he failed to make progress during this lead time, wouldn't he just end up like Xuantian Divine Venerable?
"I'm already comparable to the Dao Establishment Realm, and the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact is no longer of use to me. I've stared at this for so long and still can't figure it out. All I can feel is the central violet moon essence influencing the surrounding meteorites to varying degrees."
"But how it's doing so, I have no clue."
Frowning deeply, Zhao Xing wished he could pull Qingyuzi out and demand an explanation. "Eight Epochs, or is it Eight Extremes? Did I hear it wrong?"
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Xing forced himself to calm down and revisited the theories he had studied in his past life. Since direct comprehension wasn't working, he decided to organize his knowledge of the underlying principles.
"The Solar Star, the Lunar Star—ubiquitous. The Theory of Heavenly Timing and Cosmic Cycles states that the four seasons form the foundation. A grand cycle consists of an epoch of four seasonal energies, explaining the climatic variations across the universe's territories."
"The desolate and frigid regions? Caused by the Great Winter Epoch. Worlds and stars struggle to survive under such conditions."
"The scorching and extreme heat regions? Those stem from the Great Summer Epoch, with similar survival challenges."
"The warm and suitable regions? Attributed to the Great Spring Epoch, flourishing with vitality, abundant life stars, and cultivators."
"The regions of abundant resources? Results of the Great Autumn Epoch."
"In the Theory of Heavenly Timing and Cosmic Cycles, the Eight Epochs correspond to the eight divisions within the four seasons."
"If the cosmos is divided this way, then directions naturally come into play."
"But isn't this a counterintuitive take from the Xuanhuang Realm? How can the vast cosmos have divisions like north, south, east, west, up, or down?"
"Turns out, it can. The debates between the Heaven School and the Earthly Advantage Sect over defining the cosmos' directional framework were pivotal."
"How do you split the Eight Extremes? One of the basic methods in the Heavenly Timing Theory involves dividing based on the original forces radiating from the Solar-Lunar dual stars in different directions."
"Oh, I see now."
Zhao Xing's eyes suddenly brightened.
He repositioned the meteorite he was standing on relative to the miniature violet moon.
"If this is an auxiliary-type divine ability, then the Eight Epochs Purple Light Divine Ability might be about using the original forces of the Solar-Lunar dual stars to modify the cosmic star systems."
"The combinations of the Eight Extremes and Eight Epochs are even more intricate within the Heavenly Timing Theory."
"But these meteor fragments are scattered randomly. How should I arrange them? Tsk, I'm such a fool…" Zhao Xing slapped his thigh in frustration.
"After staying in the Xuanhuang Realm for so long, my thinking's become too rigid. This problem is actually simple."
"Go!"
Channeling his intent, he enveloped the meteor fragment beneath his feet and sent it crashing toward another floating fragment.
"Bang!"
Instead of shattering, the fragments aligned into a new position.
"There's a change!"
"With each collision, the violet moon's radiating essence also shifts in intensity."
"By rearranging them like this, I can clarify the essence of the Lunar Violet Moon's original forces, making it easier to comprehend."
"You sly old fox, you've packed this trial with so many tricks. Instead of providing the correct method for the Eight Epochs Purple Light upfront, you make people figure it out themselves."
Cursing under his breath, Zhao Xing began using the meteor fragment beneath his feet as a cue ball, knocking the others into alignment.
A month later, he succeeded in moving nine thousand fragments into a specific region.
"Buzz~"
The Purple Light enveloped him, its rippling waves akin to water. All nine thousand fragments transformed.
"The essence now radiates across four star positions. This is the 'Great Tomb' position."
Zhao Xing grinned widely.
The beginning was always the hardest. Now that he had experience, his pace quickened.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
After another month of relentless effort:
"Buzz~"
The violet moonlight illuminated a specific area, where ten thousand meteor fragments formed a crescent bay.
"One Heavenly Pillar guards the southern gate. This is the 'Military South Gate' position!"
Carefully contemplating the changes, Zhao Xing confirmed his comprehension before moving the cue ball to the next position.
"The Heavenly Ship, Accumulated Waters, Great Mausoleum, and Upper Minister. Four star positions emerge. The northeastern boundary of the Taiyin Purple Moon's illumination has already been defined by one-third." Zhao Xing gazed at the star belt of meteors that appeared before him. Feeling the fluctuations of the primordial source energy stabilizing, he nodded in satisfaction. "Qing Yuzi, you've got some tricks up your sleeve, but I've got even more up mine."
"When the primordial source of the Purple Moon was first blocked, its energy scattered. If one were to comprehend it star by star, even after losing all their hair, they'd find it almost impossible to succeed."
"You assumed that any Shennong entering here is a peerless genius. Naturally, they would think to use the Heavenly Timing Star Position Method from the Xuanhuang Realm to address this problem, thereby reducing the difficulty of comprehension."
"I'll give you a proper star positioning method to broaden your horizons." Zhao Xing snapped his fingers and continued manipulating the meteors to collide with one another.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Two and a half years passed.
In the void, a star belt spanning east to west appeared.
"Junior Minister, Junior Guardian, Upper Guardian, Junior Attendant, Upper Attendant, Junior Steward, Upper Steward, Left Pivot..." Zhao Xing pointed eastward. "Celestial Canopy in place, let there be light!"
As the star belt aligned, a dense Purple Light emanated from the east, illuminating Zhao Xing's head. "Hahaha!"
Zhao Xing sensed the primordial power of the Taiyin Purple Moon becoming clearer. At the same time, an image appeared in his mind: "The Spring of Eight Epochs, infinite radiance, life perpetually reborn."
Beneath Zhao Xing's feet, the soil of the meteor began to churn, and tender shoots seemed to sprout, only to vanish in an instant.
"This glimmer of light..."
Zhao Xing meticulously captured the streak of inspiration that flashed through his mind like a shooting star.
He had mastered the Three Lights Divine Water Domain. Though it was a domain of water-based rules, its name inherently bore the concept of light, linking it naturally to the power of the Three Suns.
"The power of Taiyin originates from the power of the sun. Yang begets Yin. The Spring Radiance of Eight Epochs transforms barren lands into vibrant life."
"So that's it. Qing Yuzi's minor divine ability is meant to create ecosystems? No wonder he gave me a Seasonal Qi Grand Observation Field. I should have realized it sooner."
On barren planets, conjuring food from nothing or even creating a habitable environment for people to rest—though temporary—was undoubtedly a divine ability of the Heaven School!
Of course, Zhao Xing wasn't yet adept at controlling it. Thus, the tender shoots that sprouted earlier withered instantly, dispersing once more into primordial source energy.
In the blink of an eye, another two and a half years passed.
"King Liang builds roads, the Soaring Serpent raises its head, constructing carriages for transport: Pavilion, Path, Plan."
"The northern frontier of the universe is now set."
Zhao Xing observed the increasingly radiant Purple Moon with growing confidence. "Winter in the North, the cold light appears."
"All things perish, leaving no trace."
Looking at the grasslands beneath his feet, Zhao Xing watched as they rapidly withered and vanished, leaving no signs of life, as though it had never existed.
"The Winter of Eight Epochs extinguishes all vitality, returning the primordial source to the universe. This aligns with the Heavenly Timing Universe Theory's cycle of Yin-Yang balance." Zhao Xing murmured to himself.
This was, of course, the philosophy of the Heavenly Timing Universe Theory. Practically, however, it served to prevent pursuit. After resting, it was time to move on. One must erase their traces.
It was akin to mortals extinguishing campfires in the wilderness—not merely to avoid igniting the forest but also to protect themselves from the dangers lurking in the dark, perilous universe. Divine abilities are pathways; if one intends to avoid leaving karmic ties or being tracked through the remnants of the pathway, it's best to erase all traces.
"The North Star position has revealed another diagram. Combined with the illumination of the primordial radiance, it serves as a supplementary method for cultivation." Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the meteor, quietly contemplating.
This round of cultivation took him another two and a half years.
The swiftness of his progress was purely due to his initial cursory mastery. True cultivation was yet to come. Only when all Eight Epochs were complete would the genuine comprehension begin.
Naturally, it was only in this carefully crafted domain of Qing Yuzi that Zhao Xing could make such strides. Outside this domain, without reaching the Dao Establishment Realm, using divine abilities would have been impossible.
As time flowed, the year had already become the 36th of the Yuanshou Era.
The ruins had been discovered in the 3rd year of the Yuanshou Era. Zhao Xing spent five years clearing the first trial and two and a half years on the second.
Now, at the third trial, he had lingered for twenty-five years.
"Celestial Bed, Concourse, Right Pivot, Yin Virtue, Six Jia."
"Resting on the Celestial Bed and accompanied by Concourse, the Six Jia at the Right Pivot serves as guardians. With the primordial source achieving Yin-Yang balance, this is the phase when cultivation accelerates."
Zhao Xing lounged lazily on a bed of grass, his entire body brimming with vitality. His insights surged forward, and his body felt exceedingly comfortable, akin to embracing a divine beauty. The Yin Virtue Star Zone acted as a warning line for cultivators, cautioning against excessive indulgence that might disrupt the Yin-Yang balance.
Naturally, Zhao Xing dismissed this as nonsense.
"Everyone in the universe's cultivation world exhausts themselves drawing in primordial source energy. Who cares about accumulating Yin Virtue? Everyone just wants to enjoy themselves first."
"What? You say it disrupts the universe's Yin-Yang balance? That has nothing to do with me. I'm just a small fry in the grand scheme."
"It's about time. I'm cultivating in Qing Yuzi's Dao field, not actually in the universe itself. Staying here too long is meaningless."
"But this Eight Epochs of Purple Light is quite interesting, aligning with the Heavenly Timing Dao. No wonder the Yuanhai Kingdom and the Grain God Star are allied forces; their cultivation philosophies are remarkably similar."
Zhao Xing maneuvered the meteor into a nest-like accumulation of other meteors. "Heavenly Chef Position, nourishment indeed."
Nourishment from what? Naturally, from the primordial source of the universe.
The Eight Epochs Divine Ability could be used for recovery or cultivation. It wasn't merely about managing the sustenance and logistics of allies. "With mastery over the Eight Epochs Divine Ability, Qing Yuzi could be considered a healer."
"Even in hard times, he could find work within a stable territory to support himself."
"Ah, how unlucky you are, Qing Yuzi. With such a promising future, you were still brought down by the Xuanhuang Realm." The closer Zhao Xing came to mastering the divine ability, the more he sympathized with Qing Yuzi's plight.
"Rest assured, old master Zhao here will ensure your situation reaches the Purple Divine Mansion of the Yuanhai Kingdom. Whether they avenge you depends on how much money you bring to the table afterward."
In the universal version of events, karmic souls wandered freely, unbound by the strictures of the Xuanhuang Realm. The means to violate soul oaths were countless, making the universe a chaotic, dark place. Alliances sealed in blood today could lead to armies at your gates tomorrow.
"Still, his Eight Epochs Divine Ability is flawed. He has the Heavenly Chef Position but lacks the Internal Chef Position."
"Using the Taiyin Star for cultivation, he's missing key elements, likely due to his sect's unique methods." Qing Yuzi was, after all, a Shennong of the Heaven School. His secret arts and divine abilities bore the sect's distinct characteristics.
If it were a complete cultivation method, using the Taiyin Star for divine abilities or other techniques should include an inner world-nurturing component. "I'm asking for too much. It's already impressive to have this much."
Zhao Xing suddenly remembered that he was still in the Xuanhuang Realm. Encountering a primordial realm Shennong of the Heaven School here was already a stroke of luck. Expecting perfection was unreasonable.
Who knows how many intervals of two and a half years had passed?
At one moment, the Purple Moon abruptly dimmed, and all surrounding vitality vanished. Zhao Xing's primordial soul left his law-bound body and returned to his original form.
Zhao Xing felt the profound state retreat like a tide, leaving him in a state of clarity akin to entering a sage's time.
"Humm~"
In the next instant, Qing Yuzi's Dao Establishment avatar reappeared.
"Congratulations. In just fifty-three years, you've mastered the first layer of the Eight Epochs of Purple Light and passed the final trial."
Zhao Xing blinked in slight disbelief. Fifty-three years? This trial certainly stretched on. He wondered how the others had fared in their trials.
"To think the Xuanhuang Realm could produce a talent like you. Please proceed inside to receive the inheritance."
With a casual motion, Qing Yuzi drew a light-filled gate beside him. Beyond it lay the Water Mansion Zhao Xing had visited before.
"Understood." Zhao Xing clasped his hands in thanks and stepped into the Water Mansion.