Chapter 227: Intercepting the Opportunity A Shocking Secret

The teacher wanted Zhao Xing to take Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue. Zhao Xing also took the opportunity to inquire about their backgrounds.

Ji Zixuan was a woman of the imperial clan. Logically, her background should have been easy to trace by simply checking the royal family tree.

In reality, it was quite difficult because Ji Zixuan held no title, not even that of an unranked princess. And the Great Zhou imperial clan was vast; it took Zhao Xing half an hour to find her lineage in the Earth Mirror.

Ji Zixuan was the granddaughter of 'King Chenglan' from Cuixian Commandery, Pinghai Province, and she was not a direct descendant. King Chenglan was Emperor Jing's cousin, but their relationship was ordinary; they only shared a common great-grandfather.

Counting only King Chenglan's lineage, Ji Zixuan had over two thousand living siblings and cousins.

In her eighteen years of life, Ji Zixuan had only met her grandfather three times before she turned sixteen.

The first time was for her full moon celebration, but he hadn't come specifically for her; seven siblings and cousins had been born around the same time, and he attended their joint celebration.

The second time was for her coming-of-age ceremony, which again was not solely for her, but for many sisters together.

The third time, however, was specifically for Ji Zixuan, because of her exceptional performance. Through her own efforts, she stood out among her numerous siblings and cousins, and before her sixteenth birthday, she successfully entered the Azure Water Academy.

Consequently, she also received a share of royal destiny.

After entering the Azure Water Academy, Ji Zixuan then met Princess Youruo—yes, met. She had never seen this aunt before.

At the time, Princess Youruo happened to be bored and came to the academy to teach students. Upon discovering that Ji Zixuan was a promising talent and related by blood, she took an interest, even bringing her to the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven.

Ji Zixuan didn't introduce herself by her royal lineage but by the Azure Water Academy because, within the royal family, she was insignificant, but she was the most outstanding student of her generation at the Azure Water Academy.

Just by observing Ji Zixuan's family background and her performance at the academy, Zhao Xing knew she was not simple.

"To fight her way out of the royal household, which is no easier than becoming an official, and then become the top graduate at Azure Water Academy—I wonder how much effort and dedication she put in," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Ji Zixuan appeared innocent and well-behaved, and upon meeting Zhao Xing, she greeted him enthusiastically as "Senior Brother" multiple times.

"Senior Brother," she said, "I heard that Fire Dragon Pass is the most formidable pass in the Fire Demon clan's territory?"

"Yes," he replied.

"So many armies couldn't conquer it. Senior Brother is truly impressive."

"It wasn't my achievement alone."

"Teacher said that the Earth Fire Lotus is only a Tier 4 plant, but Senior Brother can cultivate it to Tier 5. Breaking life's shackles, your Dao technique is simply masterful. I truly admire you."

She seemed to be asking questions, but in reality, she was finding ways to praise Zhao Xing.

Old Master Zhao found it a bit unbearable and pretended to "lose connection." "Oh, Junior Sister, w-what did you just say? My straw effigy technique isn't very proficient... I tend to make mistakes when distracted."

"No problem," Ji Zixuan said with a bright smile. "Senior Brother is busy; I won't disturb you anymore."

Murong Xue frowned at the sight of the lively and enthusiastic Ji Zixuan.

She decided that once they arrived, she would find an excuse to leave and not stay with this person.

However, hearing that Zhao Xing could cultivate a Tier 5 Earth Fire Lotus and mentioning the straw effigy technique greatly surprised Murong Xue.

As she was also a Sishong (an official related to agriculture/cultivation), she fully understood the value of this skill.

"The Earth Fire Lotus is a Tier 5 marvel, and the Myriad Law Straw Effigy requires unifying the five straw effigy techniques to comprehend."

"No wonder Mother told me to follow him..."

"It's not a bad idea, after all."

Murong Xue changed her mind again.

Although Ji Zixuan seemed irritating, Zhao Xing was undeniably capable.

Murong Xue couldn't help but glance at Zhao Xing, who was currently activating the Swordfish Flying Boat.

"Why does Murong Xue keep looking at me... Her thoughts are really strange, wanting to leave one moment, then not wanting to the next."

Although Zhao Xing was busy with his back to her, he could still sense Murong Xue's gaze.

Moreover, his Bright Eye technique was now high-level.

The high-level Bright Eye technique could see through the thoughts of those with lower cultivation realms and grasp their psychological fluctuations.

However, the prerequisite was that the other party had low vigilance and no magic or divine artifacts to block it.

"Murong Qing is from Yuanhe Commandery, but Murong Xue claims to be from Taihe Commandery," Zhao Xing pondered.

"Old Liu is from Taihe Commandery, so is she really Old Liu's daughter?"

"But she uses her mother's surname?"

"Her mother, Murong Qing, married Jiang Minghe, a Grand Ritualist."

"By rights, she should be called Jiang Xue. Is there some hidden secret?"

Zhao Xing's thoughts drifted. He couldn't figure it out, but he couldn't shake the feeling that the Grand Ritualist was being cuckolded.

However, he was only interested in gossip and had no particular thoughts about the two women themselves.

In Old Master Zhao's eyes, focused only on seeking longevity, women were simply burdens.

Because he used his Qi-Gazing technique to observe their destinies.

Their Qi was slightly reddish with a hint of grayish-white, indicating a destiny level of only Derivation Tier 2 to Tier 3.

It was true that Ji Zixuan was a royal daughter, but the royal family's destiny was so diluted that little of it fell upon her.

Unless it was someone as favored as Princess Youruo, whose destiny pillar shone with a bluish-purple hue, encircled by a coiled dragon, her fortune soared like a dragon in the sky!

Princess Youruo's destiny level was at least Derivation Tier 7.

This was because she was not only Emperor Jing's beloved daughter but also a core successor of the Azure Water Academy, a direct descendant of Primordial Lord Bixia.

If one were to marry someone like Princess Youruo, after marriage, her status wouldn't detract from one's fortune when promoted; instead, it would bring prosperity to her husband.

However, she was Old Liu's sweetheart. Although Zhao Xing sought longevity, he wasn't some psychologically twisted pervert.

"The Old Demoness and Half-Mad Liu, truly a mutually beneficial illness."

"If there's an opportunity in this life, I could help them fulfill their destinies," Zhao Xing chuckled.

"Senior Brother, why are you laughing?" Ji Zixuan seized the opportunity, not missing a chance to strike up a conversation.

"I thought of something happy."

"What happy thing?"

"What did I just say?"

"You thought of something happy."

"Oh, I thought of something happy."

Ji Zixuan watched eagerly but heard nothing further, realizing Zhao Xing had "lost connection" again.

It was enough to drive someone with OCD crazy... Ji Zixuan didn't have much energy left for chatting.

Because talking to Zhao Xing was exhausting.

At the Spiritual Hot Springs, Zhao Xing's main body put on his clothes.

"Having drained nine hot springs, my fire fortune has reached its limit. That's enough."

"Once I gather all five fortunes, my destiny level can rise again!"

Zhao Xing revealed a satisfied smile.

His destiny had only recently reached Derivation Tier 4. Normally, he would only break through again upon reaching the Fourth Rank.

Yet now, at only the Sixth Rank, he saw hope for an upgrade.

"With the Qi Cultivation technique and all five fortunes gathered, advancing to Derivation Tier 5 will bring endless benefits," Zhao Xing said. "Where else are there auspicious destiny spots?"

Zhao Xing closed his eyes in thought, recalling information about the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven.

"To the north, the Sea of Eternal Night; to the east, the Inverted Peaks Mountain Range; to the west, Pengli Marsh; and to the south, Scarlet Lake. All four of these locations have auspicious destiny spots to collect."

"I remember there are several more auspicious spots in the Inverted Peaks Mountain Range," Zhao Xing said, walking over to the cloud disk map on the Qilin Flying Boat.

The cloud disk map needed calibration, requiring input of ley lines and celestial timing as parameters.

Although military sand tables were crafted by artisans, they usually required military Sishongs to calibrate them for accuracy.

In complex terrain, only a military Sishong knew how to use them.

Now that the Grotto-Heaven had upgraded, the terrain had drastically changed, rendering the old maps useless.

Of Zhao Xing's four straw effigy clones, one remained at the Eighteen Scholar Trees Courtyard and was currently leading Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan on a leisurely detour towards the Inverted Peaks Mountain Range.

It wasn't entirely aimless wandering; first, it served to buy time, and second, it allowed him to work with the other three straw effigy clones to map different locations and survey the situation.

"The reference points have changed too much. Places I noted yesterday have shifted again today."

Zhao Xing made adjustments and drew on the cloud disk map.

As more detailed parameters were entered, a scene in the southern part of the Inverted Peaks Mountain Range on the cloud disk map caught Zhao Xing's attention.

"Hmm? This place..."

Thirty-six miniature mountain peaks appeared on the sand table, intermittently appearing and disappearing in the sky's sea of clouds, their trajectories seemingly containing the mysteries of heaven and earth.

"Excellent! Cloud Sea Qimen Peaks! I actually discovered this place first, haha." Zhao Xing couldn't help but laugh aloud.

In his previous life, this treasure trove had been discovered by a Sishong named Liang Ruohai.

The Cloud Sea Qimen Peaks contained the auspicious energy of myriad laws!

And its quality was very high!

How high, exactly?

Ordinary Myriad Law Auspicious Energy, though said to enhance all laws, actually had limitations.

For example, spells of destiny-related professions couldn't break through using "Myriad Law Auspicious Energy."

Furthermore, cross-profession spells were also not possible.

For instance, a Sishong couldn't use Myriad Law Auspicious Energy to break through certain spells of a Priest.

However, the Cloud Sea Qimen Peaks had no such restriction!

"The Grotto-Heaven upgrades, blessing all beings. Those who seek the Dao shall obtain it; those who seek longevity shall gain it."

"Such an opportunity might not come once in a thousand years. Liang Ruohai, in this life, I'll take it for you first," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Liang Ruohai was no unknown figure either.

Zhao Xing clearly remembered that this person was a Fifth-Rank Sishong, and once an official reached the Fifth Rank, they were easy to look up in the Earth Mirror.

He currently served in the Nine Heavens Responding Yuan Palace, a member of King Liang's faction.

His status was unusual; he had taught several princes and noble sons. Among the royal mansion's retainers, Liang Ruohai held a high position.

Liang Ruohai was also a diviner; it was rumored that he oversaw the selection of war pets for King Liang's Black Dragon Imperial Guard.

"I must hurry. Liang Ruohai has already reached Yang City." While searching in the Earth Mirror, Zhao Xing also found Liang Ruohai's name listed as part of a top-tier exploration team.

Zhao Xing had already memorized the operational routes of the Cloud Sea Qimen Peaks.

He dismissed the cloud disk and walked outside, shouting, "Long Xiao, are you ready? Hurry up!"

Currently, only Long Xiao was still absorbing the fire fortune.

Ji Ziyun, Xia Jing, and Old Chen had long since reached their absorption limits.

"I feel like I could keep going if I just held on. Why the rush?" Long Xiao asked.

"Then you can continue here. We'll go on ahead," Zhao Xing said. "Coincidentally, my straw effigy clones will be coming soon, so you can escort us then."

"Old Chen, Xia Jing, Brother Ji, let's go."

In a manor in Yang City.

"My Lord, the exploration team has been assembled. We can depart now," a middle-aged man in a straw cloak, holding a jade bamboo staff, spoke.

"Teacher, have you divined where my opportunity lies?" a young man in black dragon armor by his side asked in a low voice.

Liang Ruohai pondered, "My Lord, as a member of the royal family, purple qi comes from the east, so your opportunity must be in the east."

Ji Dan nodded, "Then please lead the way, Teacher."

Prince Dan was King Liang's youngest son.

Though called his youngest son, he was already seventy or eighty years old.

Youngest sons were typically favored, and Ji Dan was no exception.

When he came to the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven this time, King Liang arranged for him to join a top-tier exploration team and assigned him a Fifth-Rank Sishong like Liang Ruohai, who was skilled in divination.

Four other individuals, all Fifth-Rank experts, followed Ji Dan.

This top-tier exploration team also included other princely sons, making Ji Dan's faction relatively powerful.

No sooner had Prince Dan's group departed than Zhao Xing piloted the Qilin Flying Boat into a sea of clouds.

"Cousin, what is he looking for? We've been hovering in these clouds for almost an hour," Xia Jing asked, puzzled.

At present, only Ji Ziyun understood geomancy and destiny here.

"Don't ask me, I don't know either," Ji Ziyun shook his head. "I can't make heads or tails of it."

"Cousin, isn't our uncle an official of destiny? Didn't he teach you a trick or two?" Xia Jing asked. His uncle was a member of the imperial clan and served in the Hall of Heavenly Secrets. Though his uncle's official rank wasn't high, he was the most mysterious official of destiny.

"What are you talking about, Qilin-child?" Ji Ziyun said. "Are the secret arts of the Hall of Heavenly Secrets something I can be taught? My father still wants to live for two more years."

"I only have a superficial understanding, just some minor spells I picked up from the academy."

"Oh, I thought you knew," Xia Jing said. "Zhao Xing also only knows superficial techniques."

"..." Ji Ziyun was speechless.

"Perhaps he's a military Sishong, more sensitive to changes in heaven and earth. Coupled with divination techniques, his accuracy would be higher," Chen Shijie offered, timely saving the Prince's face.

These past few days, spending time with Zhao Xing, they had found treasures everywhere.

Both Ji Ziyun and Zhao Xing used divination and prognostication to find treasures.

But Zhao Xing's accuracy and the quality of the treasure spots were much higher.

The only thing was that none of them had a system interface, so they couldn't see the increase in their lifespan or destiny.

Otherwise, they would have been greatly astonished.

Without these two things, Zhao Xing's actions weren't particularly shocking, as the Ten Suns Grotto-Heaven's upgrade meant treasures were everywhere.

"Old Chen, stop the boat!"

As they chatted, a voice suddenly came from Zhao Xing at the front of the deck.

"What did you find?" Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun immediately rushed to the bow of the boat.

"Look twenty li to the east, at a hundred meters altitude," Zhao Xing pointed with his hand.

"Hmm?" Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun looked over, only to find nothing there but some rolling mist.

"There's nothing there," they said.

"There's a gate there," Zhao Xing said, his emotions somewhat stirred. "Brother Ji, what time is it now?"

Ji Ziyun took out his almanac. The almanac no longer needed calibration, as there was only one sun left.

"Third quarter of寅时 (3:45 AM). Why?"

Zhao Xing said, "By the seventh quarter of 卯时 (6:45 AM), we will be able to see that gate."

"I observed for a long time. Those thirty-six mountain peaks are operating in this sea of clouds, mutually influencing each other, and they will form a Heavenly Gate in the direction I just pointed."

"I divined that at a specific hour, by leaping through that gate, we will gain immense benefits!"

"How immense?" Xia Jing asked eagerly.

"This immense!" Zhao Xing spread his arms wide.

"Alright, alright!" Xia Jing's eyes crinkled in a smile. "I knew following you would bring good fortune."

Xia Jing rarely saw Zhao Xing in such high spirits.

With things like the Tier 6 Giant Spirit Tree and the Spiritual Hot Springs, Zhao Xing's expression had always been calm.

But now he was somewhat excited; clearly, they had truly found a good place!

"Zhao Xing, how did you do it?" Ji Ziyun couldn't help but ask. "Is your divination technique truly that powerful?"

Zhao Xing smiled. "Brother Ji, it's not entirely due to divination."

"I, Xia Jing, Old Chen, and Long Xiao, have all just been promoted, receiving the baptism of the national destiny. Our fortunes are currently at their peak."

"Brother Ji, your destiny isn't low either. With all of us together, good luck accumulates, and we can find treasures just by casually walking around."

Ji Ziyun suddenly understood. "That's right. My father once said that a person's fortune isn't necessarily strong just because of good background; it also depends on timing and specific circumstances. You've just been promoted, some even ennobled. No wonder... I'm benefiting from your good fortune."

"Exactly," Zhao Xing nodded.

His ability to find the place so quickly wasn't solely due to his past life's experience.

No matter how low a person's destiny, they would have one or two peak periods of luck in their lifetime.

Xia Jing, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao had all just received promotions and titles, undergoing the baptism of the national destiny.

According to the theory of destiny, these individuals were all in their peak fortune periods.

Even those with Derivation Tier 5 or Tier 6 destinies, if they were in a slump and not in a propitious period during this event, might not gain as much as those with lower destiny levels.

Of course, it also depended on whether they could seize this window of surging destiny.

The time was short. Without Zhao Xing, the foreteller, even if Xia Jing and the others passed by this place, they might not seize the grand treasure, perhaps only finding a few small ones.

"So, 6:45 AM, right? I'll be waiting then," Xia Jing said, looking eagerly to the east.

Meanwhile, Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue were also brought to the Spiritual Hot Springs.

Since Zhao Xing and the others had left the Spiritual Hot Springs, having reached their absorption limits, only Long Xiao and Ao Tianmiao remained, soaking in the springs.

Given this, it wouldn't hurt to give these two some benefits.

Otherwise, things would be easy with Old Liu, but it would be difficult to explain to Princess Youruo.

For the sake of the Tier 6 Dragon Soul Jade, Zhao Xing brought the two women to the Spiritual Hot Springs.

"Junior Sister, Miss Murong."

"In the valley below, there are several spiritual hot springs," Zhao Xing pointed downwards and said. "The water-fire within will actively penetrate your bodies. Soaking in it will enhance your Five Elements Fire Fortune."

"In the years, months, and days of Wu and Gui, the fire fortune prevails. Your increased fire fortune will bring you good luck during these periods."

Zhao Xing feared these two young women wouldn't understand, so he specifically explained it.

However, he clearly underestimated them; both Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue had some understanding of the Dao of Destiny and grasped it immediately.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Ji Zixuan was overjoyed. This time, her smile was genuinely heartfelt.

"Thank you, Lord Zhao," Murong Xue's voice remained cool, but her emotions showed a slight fluctuation.

Although Ji Zixuan was of royal birth, she truly hadn't seen much of the world.

Murong Xue, on the other hand, had seen much of the world, but even she had never witnessed such a scene.

The spiritual energy here was so dense, it could even be used for bathing!

"The penetrating water-fire will cause you to experience illusory desires. You should set up your own formations and isolation methods beside the hot springs."

"My friends are in the two hot springs to the southeast of the valley, but rest assured, I will block all detection."

After choosing a hot spring, Ji Zixuan smiled brightly at Zhao Xing. "Thank you, Senior Brother. If Senior Brother can't find another hot spring, you're welcome to join me here for a bath."

"Shameless!" Murong Xue cursed inwardly.

"As expected of the Old Demoness's disciple..." Zhao Xing said expressionlessly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Junior Sister, but I've already finished bathing."

Then he led Murong Xue to another spot. "Miss Murong, you can use this place."

"Thank you," Murong Xue bowed.

Zhao Xing nodded, then flew into the sky and sat in meditation on a cliff in the valley.

*Splash*

Not long after, sounds came from both hot springs, clearly indicating that the two women had entered the water.

For the next two quarters of an hour, there was no more movement from Murong Xue's side.

But from Ji Zixuan's side, faint, almost imperceptible humming sounds could be heard.

Zhao Xing shook his head and directly blocked his hearing.

Ji Zixuan was truly bold, not even setting up any defenses, not even a sound-isolating formation.

However, Ji Zixuan's behavior reminded Zhao Xing of a few things:

"In my previous life, I never heard of the Old Demoness having any disciples, but she did have a group of assassins under her. Could this Ji Zixuan be that Phantom Assassin?"

Speaking of which, Zhao Xing had even been killed by this Phantom Assassin before.

Because he had accepted a mission from the Old Demoness but failed to assassinate Liu Tianning's capable general.

So the Old Demoness sent 'Phantom' again, killing all the players who had taken on those missions.

No wonder it was said that these two had the same "illness."

The Old Demoness also loved to chop people down at the slightest provocation.

"Never mind, I won't dwell on past life matters," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "The Old Demoness had a pretty miserable life in her previous incarnation too."

In her previous life, Princess Youruo didn't marry Liu Tianning. During the Dazhi era, she married into the Southern Barbarians.

Emperor Jing's campaign against the barbarians was defeated, and a peace treaty was signed. The Yan Guang Royal Court proposed marrying a princess to symbolize good relations between the two nations.

Princess Youruo then married into the Yan Guang Royal Court, specifically the Barbot tribe, which controlled sand worms.

"Emperor Jing originally just planned to pick an unranked princess to appease them, but unexpectedly, Princess Youruo volunteered to marry," Zhao Xing pondered. "Could it be out of spite towards Old Liu?"

He thought it was highly likely.

At the time, Zhao Xing found Emperor Jing marrying off Princess Youruo quite perplexing.

Because even if Emperor Jing lost the war, he only lost half of Yingyuan Prefecture; the Great Zhou was still powerful and had no reason to send his beloved daughter for a marriage alliance.

"Heartbroken by Old Liu, so she decided to marry far away to the Southern Barbarians?"

"Her marriage led to me fighting a bitter war in the Yan Guang Royal Court for nine years," Zhao Xing lamented.

Why did Old Master Zhao lament so? Because Emperor Wu's youth was largely spent under the care of Princess Youruo.

Including the later imperial prince trials, Princess Youruo was of great help to Emperor Wu.

Later, this relative, who was like a mother and sister to him, was married off to the Southern Barbarians. Princess Youruo frequently wrote letters to Emperor Wu, complaining about her plight.

Even before ascending the throne, Emperor Wu swore to crush the Yan Guang Royal Court and bring his sister back.

Thus, Emperor Wu's first objective in pacifying the barbarians was to destroy the Yan Guang Royal Court.

In his previous life, Old Master Zhao was assigned to the Yan Guang Royal Court and fought for nine years with tears in his eyes, all to bring the Old Demoness back.

"Ah, so it was your ill-fated romance that made the players suffer so much," Zhao Xing finally understood.

Time flowed by. An hour later.

In the Spiritual Hot Springs, Ji Zixuan parted the mist and looked up in a certain direction.

She saw Zhao Xing sitting on the hill, his back to her.

"What an upright gentleman," Ji Zixuan said, her face flushed. She licked her lips. "He didn't even sneak a peek for so long."

Ji Zixuan stepped out of the hot spring. She looked at her reflection in the water; the beauty's skin was like congealed fat, her figure perfect, appearing extremely alluring amidst the spring's mist.

Ji Zixuan caressed her face. "Teacher told me to get close to him, but he wasn't moved in the slightest."

Ji Zixuan had no resistance to Princess Youruo's arrangements. Despite being born into the royal family, Ji Zixuan's status was low, her maternal clan wasn't powerful, and she had to strive hard to earn her spot in the academy.

Living in the royal mansion, she would also not escape the fate of a political marriage in the future.

After reviewing Zhao Xing's credentials, she felt he was a suitable match.

However... Ji Zixuan was skilled at reading people and could tell that Zhao Xing was currently not interested in her.

"Temporarily uninterested doesn't mean always uninterested." Ji Zixuan smiled subtly and quickly pulled out a set of clothes from a nearby box.

She changed into a simple and elegant outfit, unlike her previous vibrant one.

Then she circulated her cultivation technique, and her demeanor greatly changed, losing all flirtatiousness and gaining a touch of heroic spirit.

After a quick tidy-up, Ji Zixuan flew towards Zhao Xing. "Thank you for watching over me, Senior Brother. I've absorbed the spiritual spring water here to its limit."

"Mm," Zhao Xing replied without lifting his head.

This time, he wasn't pretending to "lose connection"; he genuinely couldn't spare the energy.

Because it was 卯时 (5-7 AM), and his thoughts were entirely on the Thirty-Six Qimen Peaks in the Sea of Clouds.

They found the spot at the third quarter of 寅时 (3:45 AM), and then Zhao Xing, Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun waited until the seventh quarter of 卯时 (6:45 AM).

*Rumble*

At this moment, thirty-six mountain peaks suddenly emerged in the vast, white sea of clouds.

The verdant peaks, like the foundations of a natural formation, moved in the sea of clouds following a certain trajectory.

*Whoosh*

The sea of clouds churned, and streaks of radiant light emanated from the peaks. Refracted by the clouds, they formed a golden gateway in the sky.

Secret patterns appeared on the golden gateway, emitting a hazy, ethereal aura.

By the time the gateway fully stabilized, another fifteen minutes had passed.

Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun witnessed all of this unfold, and they couldn't help but stare in dumbfounded awe.

"A Heavenly Gate actually appeared."

"Heavens, my heart is practically pounding out of my chest!"

Ji Ziyun clutched his chest.

This was due to the overwhelming sensation of the heaven and earth's spiritual energy and their close proximity.

It was beyond a mere impulse; all four of them were trembling all over.

"Z-Z-Z... Damn!" Xia Jing circulated his cultivation technique, finally regaining control of his body and stopping the trembling.

"What do we do now?"

Zhao Xing was equally excited. He chuckled, "Have you ever heard the story of the fish leaping over the dragon gate?"

"Heard it!" Xia Jing said. "Legend says that on the shores of the East Sea, there once existed an ancient Dragon Court. The Dragon Court possessed a magical artifact, and every so often, it would open a gateway to attract dragon offspring."

"Those who could leap over the Dragon Gate, whether small fish, large fish, shrimp soldiers, or crab generals, could transform into dragons in a single day!"

"Precisely," Zhao Xing said, pointing at the Heavenly Gate. "What we need to do now is leap through that Heavenly Gate!"

"This Grand Dao Gate, naturally formed by the Grotto-Heaven, contains all the myriad laws of heaven and earth. If you and I leap through it, our comprehension of the Dao will soar."

"Huh?" Xia Jing was stunned. "I heard the word 'fish' and didn't even react?!"

"Hahaha!" Zhao Xing and Chen Shijie couldn't help but laugh together.

Faced with such an immense opportunity, Xia Jing, a man who inherently disliked eating fish, didn't even feel nauseous.

"My three brothers, charge with me! Across the Heavenly Gate!"

Zhao Xing was the first to rise on a cloud, charging towards the giant gateway in the sky.

Above the primeval forest, a Black Dragon Battleship flew from north to east.

Liang Ruohai, Ji Dan, Xie Kuiguang, and others were discussing on the battleship.

"Although we've joined a top-tier exploration team, the advancement missions in the Military World are also very demanding. Every few days, we need to submit a certain quantity of treasures," Ji Dan mused.

"Xie Kuiguang, go downstairs and find Lord Ding. Once we reach Inverted Peaks Mountain, follow Mr. Liang's guidance and go to these areas to collect treasures."

"Yes, My Lord," the martial general Xie Kuiguang immediately complied and went downstairs.

After giving orders to his subordinates, Ji Dan walked to the viewing platform.

At this moment, Liang Ruohai was holding an ancient black and white disk and placing several crystalline jade-like bones on it.

"Teacher, are there any results?" Ji Dan walked over, staring at the black and white disk.

Liang Ruohai gazed at the cracked jade bones, deep in thought.

Seeing him silent, Ji Dan didn't disturb him, just waited quietly.

A moment later, Liang Ruohai looked up:

"The jade bone's cracks are one inch long, two inches shorter than the previous divination. The fortune bone is inverted, showing signs of collapse."

"What does that mean, Teacher?"

"For some reason, your Lordship's opportunity has abruptly ceased," Liang Ruohai said, staring at the bones on the black and white disk. "It's as if someone interrupted it."

Ji Dan frowned, his voice low. "Interrupted by someone? Teacher, do you mean someone is scheming against me?"

Liang Ruohai mused, "Not necessarily targeting Your Lordship, but the divination result indeed suggests someone seized an opportunity that should have belonged to you."

"Perhaps it's a coincidence."

Ji Dan's eyebrows shot up, and a hint of ferocity flashed in his eyes. "Teacher, how can there be so many coincidences in this world?"

"Someone must be plotting against me!"

Liang Ruohai remained silent.

Ji Dan said, "Teacher, both Nineteenth Brother and Fifteenth Brother have entered Yang City. Do you think that's a coincidence?"

"Please assist me, Teacher!"

Liang Ruohai nodded. "Please fetch the Black Dragon Essence Blood and Dragon Blood Marrow, my Lord."

"I will divine who exactly stole your opportunity."

Ji Dan gritted his teeth. "Alright. If you divine the result, please do not conceal it and tell me immediately! No matter who it is, I will make sure they suffer!"

The Heavenly Gate was a Grand Dao gateway naturally formed by the Grotto-Heaven, containing profound truths revealed during the world's upgrade and evolution.

If comprehending the Dao in the outside world was like drawing water with a thin reed, then leaping through the Heavenly Gate was akin to pouring the water directly into one's stomach.

However, the process of ascending the Heavenly Gate was not easy.

The gateway formed by the thirty-six wondrous peaks inherently carried the might of heaven and earth.

Although it was clearly only a hundred meters high, when Zhao Xing flew towards it, he felt as if he had flown a hundred thousand meters.

The feeling was similar to when he encountered the Dao of True Monarch Li Huo.

Had Zhao Xing not reached the Tiangang Realm, he likely wouldn't have been able to pass through this Heavenly Gate.

*Hum*

Finally, Zhao Xing flew before the Heavenly Gate.

With one step forward, the heavens spun and the earth reeled.

Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun, who were behind him, had already become indistinct.

A distorted, multi-colored starry sky appeared around him.

Countless insights flickered before Zhao Xing.

Some flickering lights even gave Zhao Xing the illusion that by touching them, he could instantly become an immortal and attain longevity through the Dao.

Other Daos emanated incredibly powerful light, as if learning them would grant the power to destroy heavens and earth.

But Zhao Xing knew that most of these 'Daos' were false.

They were illusions.

"Beyond the Heavenly Gate, of all the Daos seen, only one's own is real."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and sat cross-legged.

He didn't pursue Daos he hadn't learned but began to practice the Dao techniques he already knew.

"Crossing the Heavenly Gate won't allow a Sixth-Rank cultivator to master top-tier spells. I must resist the temptation."

"Among the high-level spells I've learned, the ones most worth breaking through are undoubtedly the Great Derivation Scripture, Divination Lord Technique, Tortoise Coin Divination, and Five-Finger Fate Reading."

Other methods could find ways to assist in improvement.

However, breakthrough in destiny-related spells was extremely difficult during the Great Zhou era.

Without this opportunity,