"I don't know what you're talking about..." Marquis Heyin was slightly surprised, but his expression remained calm. He would never be intimidated by Zhao Xing's words alone.
While speaking with Zhao Xing, he had already ordered a frantic search to trace the origin of this secret communication channel.
Zhao Xing was just a Second Realm native—what could he possibly understand?
Suspecting that he had issued an assassination request through the Shadow Sanctuary, suspecting that he was working for the Dongyan Ancient Clan... These were definitely things told to him by the big figures of Purple Divine Mansion.
Perhaps it was the Lord of Tianyuan Mansion, or the Yuqing Fairy, or even the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion… Regardless, Zhao Xing was just a distraction, a pawn used to probe him.
Marquis Heyin didn't believe that Zhao Xing knew anything substantial, nor did he think Zhao Xing had any real authority.
"You'll know soon enough."
Zhao Xing responded indifferently before cutting off the transmission.
Marquis Heyin immediately rushed to his advisory office, where an extensive intelligence network was in operation. Before long, someone delivered a report.
"Sir, the entity that forcefully broke into Zhiluo Realm Star's defense and contacted you through the Zhoutian Boundary is most likely 'Sparks'."
"What?" Marquis Heyin was startled. "That's impossible!"
Sparks was the codename for the Red Star Empire's intelligence network within Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, though the Red Star Embassy would never openly acknowledge its existence.
How could the embassy possibly plant spies?
"There's no other explanation," his subordinate reported. "The intelligence techniques of Red Star are far too advanced. None of the other forces in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom are capable of this."
"Red Star Empire..." Marquis Heyin's mind raced, and then he suddenly shuddered.
How did Purple Divine Mansion get involved with the Sparks organization?
Even if they only borrowed the communication channel, that wasn't something just anyone could do.
"No, this is impossible. The Lord of Purple Moon Mansion couldn't possibly know anything. Even if that item was in his hands, he wouldn't be able to discern its significance…"
Marquis Heyin frowned deeply, realizing that he had stepped into a trap.
He didn't dare take any reckless action. Instead, he immediately set off for his hidden base to seek guidance from the pyramid.
However, just as he stepped outside, he encountered his subordinate commander—Mo'er, a Third Realm cultivator he had previously sent to capture Zhao Xing.
By now, Mo'er had fully recovered. Because of his past failure, he was no longer assigned to field operations but had been put on border patrol outside the realm star.
Mo'er reported something unusual:
"Sir, this morning while patrolling the outer perimeters of Zhiluo Realm Star, we discovered a low-tier Star Dao Weapon floating outside the boundary."
Marquis Heyin halted. He knew his subordinates wouldn't report something trivial.
Mo'er seemed uncertain as he chose his words carefully. "We don't know who left it there. Zhiluo Star's defense system didn't trigger any alarms, and we detected no unusual activity..."
"Get to the point!" Marquis Heyin interrupted. "You didn't bring it inside, did you?"
"No, sir. The object remains outside the realm star. We are currently scanning it. I didn't dare bring it in without permission."
Mo'er quickly added, "It appears to be a transparent box with the inscription: 'For Marquis Heyin's Eyes Only'."
A transparent box? Containing a low-tier Star Dao Weapon?
Mo'er continued, "I only used an external scanner without opening it, but since it's transparent, I could see inside."
"What did you see?" Marquis Heyin asked with a grave expression.
"A deck of cards," Mo'er said, looking puzzled. "Aside from that, nothing else."
"What?" Marquis Heyin was taken aback.
He pondered for a long moment before instructing, "Bring it back to me. Make sure no one opens it."
"Yes, sir."
Since it was just outside the realm star, it only took Mo'er a few minutes to retrieve it.
Marquis Heyin took the transparent box and confirmed that it was indeed just a low-tier Star Dao Weapon, nothing more.
Dismissing his subordinates, he opened the box.
Inside was a finely crafted deck of cards.
Marquis Heyin immediately noticed that while the deck was intricately designed, its grade was not high—there was nothing particularly dangerous about it.
However, he had never seen a card deck like this before.
He hesitated for a long time before finally picking up one of the cards.
"Buzz—"
The card emitted a glow, and an illusionary figure appeared on its surface.
It was Qing Yuzi's image. By sheer coincidence, he had drawn the trump card.
"All divine manifestations are mere ants. Only I reign supreme over heaven and earth."
"..."
Marquis Heyin was momentarily stunned.
Then, as he examined the card deck's description, he unconsciously began to immerse himself in studying it.
By the time he snapped out of it, he had already unknowingly arrived at the pyramid.
Marquis Heyin was disoriented.
The protective mechanisms within his soul had been triggered—he hadn't been playing alone but rather with another fragment of his own soul consciousness.
"Elder…" His voice was hoarse. "I…"
Before coming to Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Elder Ma of the Dongyan Ancient Clan had warned him: "I left a fragment of my consciousness within you. If I ever awaken, it means you are at a moment of life and death."
Marquis Heyin had no idea why this was happening.
He had done nothing out of the ordinary—he had merely answered a call, played a deck of cards, and suddenly, he was at the brink of life and death?
"Dongyan Zhen, you have failed your mission." The voice echoed in his mind. "A cycle ago, you failed once. I sent you to Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom for redemption, yet now, you have failed again."
"Elder, I don't understand." Marquis Heyin's eyes were filled with confusion. He did not fear death, but he refused to die without knowing why.
"There are many things I don't understand either," Elder Ma replied. "Why did someone conceal our plans within a mere joke?"
"This is a deck of unshuffled cards. Someone has already played half the game before sending it to us."
"They seem to know our secrets. I suspect they might even know more than I do."
"The sacred artifact's effects seem to have failed on him. A hidden game has now drawn in an unfathomable observer. This must be related to the failure from one epoch ago, and the implications are far greater than we ever imagined."
"Qing Yu Card… so that's what it is. Qing Yuzi is very likely a seasoned reincarnator, or perhaps…"
"The Elder Council must now adjust the plan..." Elder Ma muttered, his voice filled with confusion.
"But first, you must make a sacrifice."
Marquis Heyin couldn't believe his ears.
An unfathomable observer? Was he referring to Zhao Xing? Or Qing Yuzi? But wasn't Qing Yuzi already dead?
Elder Ma's words sent Marquis Heyin into complete shock. His thoughts were in disarray—he had no idea what was going on.
After all, as someone at the Dao Domain Realm, he was merely a small cog in the grand scheme of the ancient clan. He didn't have a full grasp of the bigger picture.
Even his breakthrough to the Dao Domain Realm was only possible due to the 'gift' of a preaching scholar.
However, he quickly accepted his fate.
Because Elder Ma's instructions for him were exactly as Zhao Xing had previously stated:
"Before you die, contact the Shadow Sanctuary and withdraw the assassination order against him."
"Understood," Marquis Heyin nodded respectfully. Death was not something he feared. As long as the ancient clan could regain its former glory, he believed there was a possibility of his resurrection in the future.
This whole matter had started because of him. The mistake made 1.2 million years ago—one epoch—had led to numerous unforeseen changes. Now, it was his responsibility to make amends.
After his conversation with Elder Ma, Marquis Heyin immediately contacted the Shadow Sanctuary and revoked the assassination order on Zhao Xing.
Then, he erased all traces of his presence on Zhiluo Realm Star, including the pyramid.
Marquis Heyin chose a common way to die—failing a breakthrough and falling into qi deviation.
To minimize any karmic repercussions, he first evacuated all major faction personnel stationed on the realm star under the guise of entering seclusion.
The forces from Tianxing Martial Academy, Yuanhai Hall, Taiyue Merchant Guild, and others were all sent away.
Once they had left, Marquis Heyin slaughtered all the inhabitants of Zhiluo Realm Star, including his trusted subordinates.
"Boom!"
Zhiluo Realm Star exploded, the entire small world engulfed in destruction.
The Dao Domain Realm marquis who had come to Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom an epoch ago perished just like that.
———
Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Purple Moon Star System.
"What? Marquis Heyin is dead?"
The Lord of Purple Moon Mansion had just stepped off his boundary-crossing vessel when he received the news.
"Yes, Martial Uncle," Mu Luo nodded. "He suffered qi deviation and self-destructed. Before he died, he even killed all his subordinates and the people under his rule—only someone in a state of complete madness would do such a thing."
"I had just found a clue and was about to make a move, and now he's dead?" The Lord of Purple Moon Mansion snorted coldly. "How very convenient."
For a thousand years, he had been investigating Marquis Heyin and the forces backing him.
Although he suspected that Marquis Heyin was connected to the Dongyan Ancient Clan, he had no concrete proof. He couldn't just kill a Dao Domain Realm marquis officially recognized by the ancient kingdom.
The Dongyan Ancient Clan had members living in every major ancient kingdom. Without determining how strong the forces behind Marquis Heyin were or which branch they belonged to, it was unwise to act recklessly.
After a thousand years of investigation, the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion had confirmed that Marquis Heyin was just a minor figure with no significant background. He was preparing to make his move—but unexpectedly, Marquis Heyin had suffered qi deviation and died!
No matter what, he couldn't have imagined that Zhao Xing was involved in this. In the eyes of the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion, Zhao Xing was just an innocent victim who had been caught up in events beyond his control.
"Su Qin," the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion said coldly, "find out if Marquis Heyin has any surviving relatives."
"Track them all down and eliminate them!"
The hatred in his heart toward Marquis Heyin had not faded despite his death. The marquis was gone, but his resentment still burned.
"Understood, Martial Uncle." Su Qin nodded. With Marquis Heyin dead, his backing was gone. If he had any surviving relatives, they would be easy to deal with.
———
Northern Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
The leader of the Sparks Unit, Ren Feng, sat cross-legged in an underground palace on a life-bearing star. He was a Dao Domain Realm cultivator and the designated handler for empire members requiring assistance.
Ren Feng practiced the Yin-Yang Dao Domain and had multiple Red Star Discs laid out before him. These linked to various star systems across Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, forming an intricate web of connections.
Suddenly, one of the refined star discs shifted forward, forcibly jumping the queue. Light flickered from it, condensing into a virtual projection.
"White Sheep, what is it?"
"Boss," White Sheep spoke up, "a few days ago, you authorized a royal family member to borrow a communication channel from Sparks. He used it to contact a Dao Domain Realm cultivator in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom. Not long after, that cultivator died."
"An unnatural death?" Ren Feng frowned.
"The official report from Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom ruled it as qi deviation and self-destruction," White Sheep explained. "But Marquis Heyin had a rather murky background—there's a chance this incident is tied to something bigger."
"I see." Ren Feng nodded. "Don't concern yourself with this any further."
"Understood." White Sheep nodded before vanishing.
Ren Feng calculated with his fingers, then initiated contact with Jing Yan.
"Leader Ren," Jing Yan's figure appeared within the star disc.
"Jing Yan, your Sparks privileges have been used up," Ren Feng stated flatly. "For the next ten thousand years, don't contact me again."
"Leader Ren!" Jing Yan shrieked. "But I paid for the service! I donated ten million Red Star Coins to Sparks! All I did was borrow an encrypted communication channel once—how does that justify revoking my privileges?"
"You used our channel to contact a Dao Domain Realm cultivator, and then that cultivator committed suicide not long after." Ren Feng's tone was impatient. "Fortunately, it was ruled as a normal death. But do you really think ten million is enough? Sparks cannot afford to be entangled in the local factions' schemes."
"What?" Jing Yan was stunned but quickly caught on. Ren Feng's words left some room for negotiation.
"Leader Ren, I've caused you trouble. I'll donate another ten million," Jing Yan said.
"This isn't about money."
"Twenty million!" Jing Yan gritted his teeth. If his Sparks privileges were frozen, he would struggle to operate around Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom without a backup plan.
"Transfer it within ten years," Ren Feng replied. "Next time, be more transparent."
"Alright, alright," Jing Yan forced a smile and nodded.
The moment the communication cut off, his expression darkened.
"What a load of nonsense!"
"They just want more money!"
Jing Yan cursed.
Due to imperial regulations, it wasn't easy for Ren Feng and his team to make money outside. If they wanted personal earnings, they had to resort to side deals—but those deals couldn't bring trouble to their organization.
But borrowing a communication channel? How could that possibly cause trouble? Sparks wasn't afraid of such things; they just wanted a bigger payout.
Thirty million Red Star Coins—Jing Yan obviously couldn't afford that.
But since Zhao Xing was paying, he wasn't worried. He knew Zhao Xing had made a fortune over the years.
"Brother, Sparks wants more money," Jing Yan said.
"How much?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Another twenty million," Jing Yan replied.
"I'll cover it," Zhao Xing nodded. He understood Sparks' rules.
Under normal circumstances, Sparks wouldn't even handle outside requests. It was only because of Jing Yan's privilege that he got access—paying a fee was expected.
Whether Sparks' job was easy or not didn't matter; borrowing a channel from them required significant spending.
And without using Red Star's network, Zhao Xing wouldn't have achieved the results he wanted.
Zhao Xing immediately transferred thirty-five million—an extra five million as a commission for Jing Yan.
"Marquis Heyin is dead," Jing Yan said while watching Zhao Xing.
The news of Marquis Heyin's death hadn't yet spread widely, but Sparks had received it first.
"He was the Dao Domain Realm cultivator you offended earlier?"
"That's right," Zhao Xing nodded.
"Brother," Jing Yan narrowed his eyes. "You play a little too wild, don't you?"
He had figured it out. Zhao Xing had been the one communicating with Marquis Heyin.
And then, Marquis Heyin had suddenly suffered qi deviation and died.
Jing Yan instinctively felt that Zhao Xing was involved.
But he couldn't figure out how Zhao Xing had done it.
"Are you really an ascender from the Desolate Domain? And have you really been to the Empire?"
The more he thought about it, the more mysterious Zhao Xing seemed.
"Don't ask, brother," Zhao Xing said. "I can't explain, and I don't want to make up some lie to fool you."
"No problem, if you can't say it, I won't ask," Jing Yan waved his hand. Everyone had their secrets. Since he wasn't from Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, he was only casually curious. He didn't really care about what had happened.
The universe was full of conflicts and vendettas every single day. He wasn't interested in getting involved.
"You have a solid connection with Sparks," Zhao Xing remarked.
"Of course. I've been roaming the universe alone—without some backing, I would've died a long time ago," Jing Yan chuckled. "All it takes is getting caught up in some random war, and I'd be gone."
"How many more times can you use this channel?"
"I have one more free use," Jing Yan held up a single finger. "Anything beyond that costs money. But Sparks isn't some underground syndicate—money alone isn't enough. Whatever you ask them to do must align with imperial interests. At the very least, it can't go against the empire's goals."
"As for what qualifies as 'beneficial to the empire,' that depends on the situation."
Zhao Xing nodded. If he planned to settle down somewhere in the future, Red Star Empire seemed like a solid option. Establishing this connection was useful. Spending money to maintain it was worth it.
———
"Marquis Heyin is dead," Du Yun frowned inside the Yellow Sand Mansion. "Qi deviation and self-destruction."
"Well, at least Purple Divine Mansion has one less enemy."
Marquis Heyin had been at odds with Qing Yuzi under the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion. That meant he was also an enemy of Purple Divine Mansion.
But Du Yun never would've guessed that Zhao Xing was connected to this. In his and the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion's eyes, Zhao Xing was just a victim who had been caught up in things beyond his control.
———
"Cancellation?"
In the public star sea region, Kui Jiu had been waiting for another opportunity to act. But unexpectedly, someone from the Shadow Sanctuary reached out to him, informing him that the mission was being revoked.
"Yes, this mission is terminated," a shadowy figure in a black robe said. "According to the contract, the client has withdrawn the request. However, the payment will not be refunded, and Shadow Sanctuary will still pay you in full."
The client had backed out, but the money remained.
That meant Kui Jiu had just received 150 billion for free—without even having to risk his security deposit.
"Good, good, good!" Kui Jiu was overjoyed.
After carefully analyzing the situation, he had realized that completing the mission within the timeframe would have been difficult.
After all, he had failed on the first attempt. Now that his target was on guard, a second strike would be significantly harder.
Kui Jiu had already prepared himself for the possibility of losing his security deposit to reduce the risk of failure.
But to his surprise, everything had turned around. The Shadow Sanctuary had actually withdrawn the mission.
"I must be blessed with great fortune," Kui Jiu grinned. "Looks like Phantom God Star System is my lucky place. I should stay here a while longer and see if I can catch another break."
———
With Marquis Heyin's death, everyone was satisfied.
Failing a breakthrough and suffering qi deviation wasn't uncommon in the universe. People quickly forgot about him, and the event barely caused a ripple.
The hottest topics in the ancient kingdoms remained the Phantom God Star System, Moonfall Mausoleum, and the Ling Domain Dharma Assembly.
Meanwhile, Zhao Xing had arrived at another base in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom—Tianji Star Continent.
"King Tianji is a Life-and-Death Dao Domain cultivator. He sits here, relying on the fortified Tianji Grand Array and the star fortress. His defense is unmatched—even a Reincarnation Realm expert wouldn't be able to kill him."
"This was already proven during the earlier conflicts among the eighteen ancient kingdoms."
Zhao Xing gazed into the distance at the magnificent Tianji Hall—the residence of King Tianji.
"I'll stay here and wait."
Marquis Heyin was dead, but Zhao Xing's karmic ties with the Dongyan Ancient Clan weren't fully severed yet.
Now, he was simply waiting for them to finalize the process.
One year after Marquis Heyin's death…
"Buzz—"
An invisible force rippled across the starry sky above Zhao Xing's head.
Zhao Xing sensed it immediately, and within his Three Divinities Destiny Palace, his soul opened its eyes.
Countless illusions unfolded before him. He saw an imposing and majestic figure standing tall upon an ancient star continent.
Between them, countless void rivers stretched across the vast expanse, separating them as they faced each other from a great distance.
"They're here."
Zhao Xing's three souls shone at the same time.
This was an advanced method of karmic transmission, a technique used by powerful figures to communicate across great distances.
It was a discreet form of communication—when conversing, a river always lay between the two parties.
Of course, this method could turn into an offensive technique at any moment.
However, if the opponent attempted to cross the river to attack, King Tianji would immediately be alerted.
The towering figure locked eyes with Zhao Xing. But their gaze was strange, as if they were not looking at Zhao Xing himself, but rather at something standing behind him.
A moment later, a vague message was transmitted:
"Qing Yuzi, your conflict with my clan originates from Shenluo. It was you who overstepped first."
The great distance made the transmission somewhat unclear, and Zhao Xing took a moment to fully grasp the meaning.
He remained silent for a long time. The other party, however, was patient.
The great figure of the Dongyan Ancient Clan knew they couldn't kill Zhao Xing. In their mind, Zhao Xing was the reincarnation of Qing Yuzi—a seasoned Reincarnation Realm cultivator.
What did it mean to be a seasoned Reincarnation Realm cultivator? It meant someone who had deliberately undergone reincarnation in pursuit of divinity.
Anyone who dared to reincarnate willingly must have confidence in rebuilding their cultivation and had likely succeeded before. Such a person was not to be underestimated.
"The Dongyan Ancient Clan has no intention of hindering your path."
"Now that Dongyan Zhen is dead, would you be willing to step aside and settle this karma once and for all?"
"If no one offends me, I won't offend them." Zhao Xing spoke at last, his voice devoid of emotion, like a machine. "I will leave Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom within a millennium."
Upon receiving this answer, the powerful figure from the Dongyan Ancient Clan nodded slightly.
As things stood, Qing Yuzi held leverage over the Dongyan Ancient Clan. However, he also understood that revealing their secret would mean facing their endless assassination attempts.
At the same time, the Dongyan Ancient Clan wished to avoid further complications.
Qing Yuzi was ultimately insignificant to them—so long as he did not interfere with their plans, there was no need to pursue him.
Originally, Marquis Heyin's actions had been entirely logical. If Qing Yuzi (Zhao Xing) had been just another talented individual, then capturing him, reclaiming their sacred artifact, and killing him would have been the most efficient solution.
But now, that was no longer an option—because Zhao Xing (Qing Yuzi) had something truly valuable.
From the remnants of the game they had yet to clear, the elders of the Dongyan Ancient Clan had gathered significant information. This information led them to believe that Qing Yuzi (Zhao Xing) was a seasoned Reincarnation Realm cultivator.
There had been no deep-seated enmity between them, and no direct conflicts of interest. Since both sides were on equal footing and willing to negotiate, a peaceful resolution was preferable.
"Would you be willing to return our clan's sacred artifact?" the powerful figure of the Dongyan Ancient Clan asked.
Though they had found a substitute after losing the original artifact in a past era, it was still inferior to the real thing.
"We can arrange a trade."
"You disrupted my cultivation for an entire lifetime, yet you still wish to reclaim it?" Zhao Xing chuckled.
In truth, he had no idea what the Dongyan Ancient Clan's sacred artifact even was.
He wasn't actually Qing Yuzi's reincarnation—their belief was merely a misunderstanding.
"You think I'm a fool?" Zhao Xing's smile faded. Since he had already assumed this identity, he had to see it through to the end.
"My current cultivation is merely at the Third Stage. If I return the artifact to you, my words will carry no weight, and I will have no evidence to back my claims."
"Then you can simply kill me under the pretense of silencing me… You think I, Qing Yuzi, am some naive newcomer to the universe?"
"Only by maintaining mutual deterrence can there be peace between us."
"The item in my possession is already disconnected from karma. Even if I keep it, the karmic ties will be severed."
The powerful figure of the Dongyan Ancient Clan fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
"As you say, my Dongyan Ancient Clan swears by our ancestors that from this day forth, we and Qing Yuzi shall have no further karma between us. We will not interfere with each other."
Zhao Xing replied, "I, Qing Yuzi, swear upon my Reincarnation Dao that from this day forth, I shall have no further karma with the Dongyan Ancient Clan, nor will I interfere with them. I will leave Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom within a millennium."
Oaths like these held little actual binding power—they were just a formality, a way to ensure both sides felt reassured.
If one party broke the oath, the only real consequence would be a slight karmic backlash. At most, they might have to pay with a high-grade Earth God Pill to resolve the issue.
The real deterrent was that Zhao Xing feared the Dongyan Ancient Clan's relentless pursuit, and the Dongyan Ancient Clan feared that Zhao Xing would expose their schemes.
The only real benefit of the oath was that if one side broke it, the other would immediately sense it—allowing them to prepare accordingly.
"Buzz—"
Inside Zhao Xing's Three Divinities Destiny Palace, a thread of karmic connection snapped.
The deal was sealed.
The illusions before him faded completely, and Zhao Xing opened his eyes.
He felt a slight sweat on his back. But thanks to his divine ability of willpower, he had remained completely steady throughout the exchange. His thoughts had been unwavering, making it impossible for the Dongyan Ancient Clan's elder to probe his mind through karmic communication.
With his Three Divinities Destiny Palace combined with his Slaughter Mind Blade, Zhao Xing could deeply conceal his true intentions. If the elder had been standing right in front of him, things might have been different.
"I have been in this universe for a thousand years. Judging by the timing of the great powers, the Dongyan Ancient Clan must be nearing the execution of their plan."
"Logically speaking, they wouldn't want any unforeseen complications right now," Zhao Xing thought. "But I still need to stay cautious. I must find out what this sacred artifact actually is."
Even now, Zhao Xing had no clue what he had supposedly taken from the Dongyan Ancient Clan. He was merely relying on his past life's understanding of events.
In reality, he had no concrete proof—what the Dongyan Ancient Clan was attempting was as outrageous as declaring the world's end back on Earth.
If he told anyone, no great figure would believe him unless he had undeniable evidence.
"The timeline of my past life is drawing close. There are only about thirteen hundred years left before I first entered the universe," Zhao Xing mused. "That means Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom's destruction is already inevitable."
"The farther I can go, the better."
In the depths of the cosmic void, a vast pyramid drifted along the dark currents of the void river. Affected by the surrounding void, its surface was dark and shadowy.
Beside this massive dark pyramid, countless smaller pyramids floated silently.
After concluding the conversation, the powerful figure from the Dongyan Ancient Clan gathered with Elder Ma and several others to discuss their next move.
"Although we have reached an agreement with Qing Yuzi, such a major shift in our plans means we must accelerate the execution of our strategy," Elder Ma said with a hint of worry. "Moreover, Qing Yuzi possesses the original sacred artifact. If he remains in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, he could cause unforeseen trouble. Even if we let him go, he remains a potential threat."
"Leave? He won't be able to leave," the powerful figure who had conversed with Zhao Xing said indifferently. He wore the robes of a Fate Officer, with stars above his head and the sun and moon beneath his feet.
"Qing Yuzi has indeed glimpsed some of our plans, but what he knows is nothing more than the tip of the iceberg."
"Our clan has spent countless eras constructing the Predestined Fate Formation. Do you think we would let him disrupt it?"
"He believes he is merely an observer, but the moment he became aware of it, he was already a part of the game."
"Exactly." Another imposing figure sat on a throne, his aura icy cold. Around him, countless shadowy figures seemed to flicker in and out of existence. "Everyone in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, including the kingdom's ruler, is destined to be a sacrifice. A mere Qing Yuzi, who has yet to fully restore his cultivation, could never escape the God Offering Parchment."
"His name is already inscribed upon the parchment. Right now, he is merely delaying the inevitable."
"Qing Yuzi is a minor issue. Our priority should be gathering the remaining fragments of the Xuanling Chronicles as soon as possible," another powerful figure of the Dongyan Ancient Clan said. His voice seemed to echo from the past, as if his presence was not entirely in the current timeline. Above his head, images from various historical events flashed chaotically.
"Once we have the Xuanling Chronicles, after the fall of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, it will be erased completely from existence—forgotten by all."
The elders of the Dongyan Ancient Clan quickly shifted their discussion to other matters.
Meanwhile...
After wrapping things up, Zhao Xing was ready to leave Tianji Star Continent and return to Tiger Head Star Continent.
"Zhao Xing, you're leaving already? You've only been here for a little over a year." Cen Qionghua, Fairy Leyao, and Yu Tianqing came to see him off.
Zhao Xing had come to Tianji Star Continent under the pretense of visiting friends.
Now, Cen Qionghua and Fairy Leyao had both reached the peak of the Second Stage, and Yu Tianqing had even stepped into the Third Stage.
Having been apart for several hundred years, the three had amassed vast fortunes in a short period by following the pattern of "Kill the Viper Centipede, the Tomb Formation Appears."
Their talents were exceptional, and with abundant resources, their progress had been rapid.
Of course, Yu Tianqing's growth was purely due to his natural talent. He hadn't even sought guidance from any scholarly mentors, yet he had managed to break through from the Second Stage to the Third Stage.
"I was just here for a brief visit," Zhao Xing said with a smile. "I have some things to take care of back home."
"What business could you possibly have? Other than cultivating, all you do is cultivate," Cen Qionghua grumbled. "I beg you, please stop training so much. Seeing you already at the Third Stage makes me feel miserable!"
"Hua Zi, you're too honest," Fairy Leyao teased. "Using a joke to express your real feelings?"
"Hahaha!"
Fairy Leyao turned back to Zhao Xing. "Zhao Xing, things are getting complicated in the Moonfall Mausoleum. The explorations are becoming increasingly dangerous. You should take some time to relax."
Even Yu Tianqing nodded. He wasn't agreeing with the idea of relaxing—rather, he acknowledged the increasing danger in the Moonfall Mausoleum. Many people were currently waiting at the logistics base, hoping for the situation to stabilize before entering.
"Alright," Zhao Xing said. "One day, let's visit Tianqing's homeland and bring our families along for a trip."
"That's a promise," Cen Qionghua said. "And don't sneak off to train in secret!"
"Of course!"
...
Upon returning to Tiger Gate Star Continent, Zhao Xing immediately began preparing for the relocation of the Grand Zhou Dynasty.
After paying off the fees for the Starfire Group, he still had over fifty billion Yuanhai Coins left.
Now that he had reached the Third Stage, both his strength and wealth were more than enough to relocate a small Star Continent-level dynasty like Grand Zhou.
"Chen Ju, starting this year, begin recalling all citizens of Grand Zhou and initiate the relocation plan," Zhao Xing instructed. "Then, have Liu Tianning accept a mission in the Phantom God Star System and bring you all over."
A thousand years had passed, and Liu Tianning had reached the Origin Realm. He had returned from Tianxing Continent thirty years ago.
Currently, Liu Tianning had reached the peak of the First Stage. Other than himself and Yun Tiandao, the only ones in Grand Zhou at the Origin Realm were Liu Tianning, Purple Bone, Xia Jing, and Ji Che.
Purple Bone had broken through one hundred eighty years ago, while Xia Jing had done so one hundred fifty years ago—back when Zhao Xing had been in South Luo.
Purple Bone had also been targeted and hunted by Marquis Heyin. As a result, after breaking through, he had gone to great lengths to hide in the Tianji Star System, refusing to take on any assignments, even if it meant barely scraping by with low-paying tasks.
"Big brother, do we really have to leave?" Ji Che hesitated. Grand Zhou had been developing for a thousand years and had finally stabilized.
The dynasty was no longer losing money. Profits now outweighed expenses, and with Liu Tianning's breakthrough to the Origin Realm, everything was moving in a positive direction.
Zhao Xing understood Ji Che's concerns. Just when things had finally settled down, they had to uproot everything again.
The memory of Starhail Pass still lingered. Back then, Ji Che and the others had been hiding on Hope Star and had been terrified beyond words.
"We have to leave," Zhao Xing said firmly.
"...Alright," Ji Che sighed. "I'll start making the arrangements."
Grand Zhou was currently renting the Qinglian Realm Star. They weren't citizens of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
Currently, only Xia Jing, Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning, and Yun Tiandao were considered citizens of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom. Even Ji Che had not obtained official citizenship.
After making the necessary arrangements, Zhao Xing remained on Tiger Head Star Continent, waiting quietly.
He converted all his Yuanhai Coins into Red Star Coins.
Even so, during the waiting period, he continued to receive a steady influx of Yuanhai Coins.
The intelligence he had submitted to Cang Yu more than thirty years ago was gradually being verified.
"Zhao Xing, you are now a third-class Marquis," Cang Yu, the envoy, appeared in Zhao Xing's rented residence. "You are entitled to a permanent residence on Tiger Head Star Continent, free of charge—you no longer need to rent a place."
"You also have the authority to mobilize a temporary guard force ranging from one thousand to ten thousand troops. These troops are at least at the Second Stage and have been trained in battle formations."
"Additionally, you now enjoy an 80% discount when purchasing from the Yuanhai Hall, along with certain tax reductions."
"I've become a Marquis?" Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected that the intelligence he reported would directly propel him to the rank of Marquis!
Glancing at his account, he was shocked to find that his balance had exceeded one trillion Yuanhai Coins! Even when converted into Red Star Coins, it amounted to 28 billion—a wealth comparable to that of a Five Elements Dao Domain cultivator!
"What is my title?" Zhao Xing asked. In Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Marquises were granted noble titles. Although he didn't particularly care, it was still useful to have while he remained here.
"Marquis of Wuling," Cang Yu said with a smile. "Because of the names you provided, we uncovered five royal tombs belonging to Third Stage Divine Ability experts. This was the most significant contribution in recent years."
Zhao Xing nodded. Royal mausoleums were exclusive to royalty, and Divine Ability Realm experts generally possessed wealth comparable to Dao Domain cultivators—let alone those of royal lineage.
Even if he only received a 10% share, the profits were terrifying.
Tales of overnight riches were common in the Phantom God Star System, and now, Zhao Xing had become one of them.
"Congratulations, Marquis of Wuling," Cang Yu congratulated him. Although Zhao Xing did not possess the strength of a Dao Domain expert, his contributions to Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom were equivalent to that of a Five Elements Dao Domain cultivator.
"You can now take on some relatively easy assignments," Cang Yu continued. "You could even recruit wandering cultivators from major dynasties and establish your own force. The wealth they generate under you would entitle you to a share."
"I have no plans for that at the moment," Zhao Xing shook his head. Recruiting wandering cultivators and forming an organization wasn't as simple as it seemed—there were too many complexities involved. Even training a group of subordinates properly was a challenge.
If he recruited carelessly and these wandering cultivators ended up with a high mortality rate while offering no real benefits, it would quickly tarnish his reputation—or worse, violate the kingdom's laws.
If it were a long-term plan, Zhao Xing certainly had ideas, such as encouraging Cen Qionghua, Fairy Leyao, and Yu Tianqing to make money instead of risking his own life.
Accumulating wealth over time was still a viable strategy, but he had no intention of establishing himself in Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
The only gratifying aspect was his growing fortune.
With 28 billion Red Star Coins, he could afford to hire an assassin to take out a Dao Domain expert—assuming he could contact the Shadow Sanctuary.
The cost of relocating Grand Zhou was insignificant compared to his total assets.
Zhao Xing had no major problems at the moment. If he wanted to move to the Red Star Empire, he only had to solve two issues.
First, leaving Purple Divine Mansion.
This should be relatively easy. He had no deep ties with the Lord of Purple Moon Mansion, nor had he inherited Qing Yuzi's wealth. With some money, they could part ways amicably—there was no need for them to cripple his Purple Light Eight Epoch Divine Ability.
Second, leaving Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
Being a Marquis of Wuling gave him privileges, but it also came with restrictions. This was slightly more troublesome.
But now that he had money, it wasn't an issue.
"Jing Yan, when are you returning to the Red Star Empire?" Zhao Xing asked. "I'll go with you."
"Me? I'll stay a while longer to see how things play out here," Jing Yan said. "The Moonfall Mausoleum is a rare opportunity."
"I plan to relocate my homeland's dynasty to the Red Star Empire," Zhao Xing said. "Do you know a way?"
"Contact the Starfire Group and become one of their external members—earn merit," Jing Yan replied. "It's not difficult, but it's not easy either. Just having money isn't enough. The Red Star Empire's permanent residency is far harder to obtain than it is in a place like Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom."
"If I can excavate a Prime God Weapon-class World Vessel from the Moonfall Mausoleum and deliver it to the Empire for research, would that be enough?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Hahaha!" Jing Yan burst out laughing. "No need to be that extreme! Even a Solar Dao Soldier-class vessel would suffice—but do you think that's realistic?"
Zhao Xing merely smiled, unfazed by Jing Yan's mockery.
A fully intact World Vessel at the level of Solar Dao Soldier or above was indeed a fantasy.
"You might as well dream bigger."
"Like King Tianji—who unearthed an Emperor-grade plant."
"Or maybe you could find a Dao Integration technique."
As he spoke, even Jing Yan found himself laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach.
Zhao Xing was about to scold him for being so dismissive.
However, at that moment, he received a message from Liu Tianning.
"Zhao Xing, I've arrived at Tiger Head Star Continent," Liu Tianning said.
"So soon?" Zhao Xing was slightly surprised.
"Yes. The Lord of Purple Moon Mansion and the Lord of Yuqing Mansion are here as well."