Chapter 236: Breakthrough, Spell Domain, Sweeping Through Sixth Rank

Night Fortress No. 98, The Myriad Laws Ark.

Whoosh.

A Blood Shadow Flying Boat slowly descended, coming to rest a hundred meters away from the Myriad Laws Ark.

Ji Zixuan glanced back and whispered, "Senior Brother, we've arrived."

Zhao Xing's Myriad Laws clone opened its eyes and said, "Land directly. Master already knows."

"Understood."

Ji Zixuan immediately maneuvered the Blood Shadow Flying Boat to descend.

At dusk on March 27th, Zhao Xing's nine Myriad Laws clones, accompanied by Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan, arrived at Night Fortress No. 98 in the Sea of Eternal Night.

The deck was deserted, and the entire ark felt empty.

Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue both found it quite unsettling. When they visited the Myriad Laws Palace, there were countless straw figures, making it feel like they had fallen into a nest of straw figures. And all of them resembled Liu Tianning, which was quite eerie. Now, with no straw figures on the Myriad Laws Ark, they felt equally uneasy.

Liu Tianning had already set their first impression. Walking on the deck now, Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue couldn't help but look around nervously, afraid a Liu Tianning would suddenly pop out from a corner.

Zhao Xing, however, had long since adapted, as he himself had cultivated an Ego Straw Figure.

"Master is currently on Pei Yuanchang's ship, so don't worry about it," Zhao Xing reassured them.

After walking for a while, they heard a voice.

"Xuan'er." Princess Youruo appeared at the railing of the ark's observation deck.

"Master." Ji Zixuan quickly bowed, then obediently flew to Princess Youruo's side.

"Princess." Zhao Xing stepped forward and saluted.

"Princess." Murong Xue hesitated slightly.

"No need for such formality," Princess Youruo said with a smile. However, her gaze sharpened abruptly when it fell upon Murong Xue, who was behind Zhao Xing.

"Hmph!" A sharp aura pressed down on Murong Xue. "You, a commoner, dare not bow before me? Did your mother not teach you manners? Kneel!"

Murong Xue's face turned pale, and her body swayed precariously.

Zhao Xing felt helpless internally, thinking, "This old hag's temper is truly capricious."

He stepped in front of Murong Xue. "Princess, please calm your anger."

"You mean to protect her?" Princess Youruo's eyebrows shot up.

Zhao Xing immediately transmitted his voice: "Mistress, it's not that I'm protecting her. Her strength is low; she cannot withstand your thunderous wrath. If she were injured, it might affect your reputation."

Princess Youruo's expression softened slightly, and she withdrew her oppressive aura.

"Mistress," Zhao Xing said, "She has met Master once, and my task is complete. I will then send her off the ship and ensure this undiscerning person does not offend your sight again."

Princess Youruo had initially intended to be unreasonable, but Zhao Xing's repeated use of "Mistress" truly delighted her. Zhao Xing held a significant position in Liu Tianning's heart, and Princess Youruo, persuaded by him, indeed let Murong Xue go.

"Enough, for his sake, I'll spare you this time." Princess Youruo flicked her sleeve and entered the room.

Ji Zixuan looked at Zhao Xing in surprise. She knew her Master's temper; when had she ever reasoned or listened to persuasion? Especially concerning Murong Xue. Yet, Zhao Xing had somehow managed to persuade her.

"Senior Brother, farewell."

Ji Zixuan bowed, then followed Princess Youruo into the room.

Zhao Xing sighed in relief and led Murong Xue to a room at the stern of the ship. "You can wait here. Don't go out unless necessary. If you need anything, call me. I'll leave a clone outside the door."

"Thank you," Murong Xue said, her voice subdued.

Zhao Xing said nothing more and left the room. A short while later, faint sobs could be heard from inside the room. Zhao Xing shook his head and controlled his other clones to move away. He wondered if Murong Xue was truly Old Liu's daughter. If so, she was quite pitiful. To come all this way just to see her father, only to be reprimanded by his woman.

However, even an honest official finds it hard to mediate family disputes. Zhao Xing wouldn't interfere in the slightest; completing Old Liu's task was enough. The remaining clones headed towards the Myriad Laws Hall, awaiting Liu Tianning's return.

A quarter of an hour later, Liu Tianning returned from Pei Yuanchang's ship.

"Master, your disciple has delivered Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan to the ship."

"Hmm," Liu Tianning nodded. "Was your journey along the coast of Icefire Island smooth?"

"Smooth," Zhao Xing replied. "Although some people tried to stop me initially, they all made way once they heard Master's name."

Liu Tianning said, "Though many fear and respect me, I also have no shortage of enemies. Wealth sways hearts, and disputes in the Sea of Eternal Night will continue to intensify. Someone will surely target you."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. He had already prepared himself for this. Liu Tianning wasn't a god; even in his previous life, when he held the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture, many people tried to assassinate him. The current smoothness was simply because the interests at stake weren't significant enough yet.

Liu Tianning stated, "I have already made it clear: if those of the same rank act against you, I will not intervene, no matter how many there are. Because you are my disciple, Liu Tianning's disciple. You must be aware of this."

"Your disciple understands." He had known Liu Tianning was a 'pressure monster' ever since the Soul Offering Pass incident. Liu Tianning's words meant he was demanding Zhao Xing to be invincible among those of the Sixth Rank! And that no number of opponents of the same rank should be able to defeat him! If, after learning the Myriad Laws Straw Figures, he could still be surrounded and unable to escape, then his death would be his own fault for not mastering his skills!

"Should anyone above the Sixth Rank dare to attack you," Liu Tianning said indifferently, "I will kill as many as come. The distance from here to Icefire Island, I can traverse in an instant."

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.

"If you have any needs, you may take anything from the Myriad Laws Ark."

"Thank you, Master." Zhao Xing cupped his hands. "Master, I've had some small gains in the Sea of Eternal Night. Do you have any instructions?"

Liu Tianning pondered, "If you have any surplus, you can send some back for Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue. You may dispose of the rest as you wish; the spiritual essence of this area is useless once outside the Sea of Eternal Night." Liu Tianning didn't care about these things at all. If he did, how could he have remained at the Fifth Rank for nearly a century?

"Master, your disciple has one more request."

"Speak."

"I have cultivated a technique; may I use Master as a target to demonstrate it?"

"You may," Liu Tianning nodded.

Zhao Xing then seized the opportunity to use the Great Evolution Aura Sight technique to observe Liu Tianning's pillar of luck.

Boom! Zhao Xing's vision was instantly completely filled with a purple hue! The pillar of luck was so vast that it enveloped him as well.

"Violet Qi and Grand Luck, even I, his disciple, am affected?" Zhao Xing was stunned. Although he had been mentally prepared, he still found it somewhat unbelievable. Liu Tianning was simply blessed with immense fortune!

"Don't waste your effort on this path," Liu Tianning said, frowning at Zhao Xing. "Wait until you've cultivated to the Third Rank."

"Understood."

After meeting Liu Tianning's main body, Zhao Xing's Myriad Laws clone withdrew from the palace. A short while later, faint sounds of an argument between Princess Youruo and Liu Tianning could be heard.

"...The Myriad Laws Ark is not worthy of your esteemed presence."

"...Liu Tianning, what did you say?!"

"The Princess is quite imposing. Why don't you just kill me too?"

"You actually scolded me for that woman..."

Zhao Xing quickly left the ark. He guessed that Old Liu had gone to visit Murong Xue and learned of the earlier incident. "It's truly a tangled mess."

As Zhao Xing stepped off the ark and reached the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, he saw Ji Zixuan flying over quickly as well. Clearly, she too had heard the argument and wanted to distance herself. In such matters, it was best for the juniors to escape.

"Senior Brother, where are you going?" Ji Zixuan asked.

"Icefire Island."

"May I accompany Senior Brother?" Ji Zixuan asked, full of anticipation. She had always wanted to meet Zhao Xing's main body.

"No," Zhao Xing refused. Ji Zixuan was too weak; she would only be a burden.

Ji Zixuan wasn't disappointed. She just smiled and watched Zhao Xing board the ship. "Senior Brother, have a safe journey."

Zhao Xing boarded the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, then entered the cabin and took out a terrestrial mirror.

Buzz!

Tian Yan's phantom appeared before him.

"Master."

"Zhao Xing," Tian Yan revealed a faint smile. "I heard you went to the Sea of Eternal Night. What did you gain?"

"A modest gain," Zhao Xing said. "Your student caught quite a few spiritual fish and specially prepared a gift for Master. I originally wanted to deliver it to Yang City myself, but the Sea of Eternal Night is special. Once the spiritual essence leaves this area, it dissipates. I wonder if Master has time to visit the Sea of Eternal Night personally?"

"Hahaha," Tian Yan laughed. "Your thoughtfulness is enough. I'm old now and no longer have the ambition to strive for more. I have quite a fortune, and there are few treasures in this world I haven't consumed."

This answer was exactly as Zhao Xing had initially guessed. If Tian Yan had ambition, he wouldn't be content to merely be a teacher at the Earth Advantage Institute.

"Does Master have any relatives or friends? I can deliver gifts on your behalf too," Zhao Xing offered.

"Haha. It seems your gains were considerable." Tian Yan was very pleased. Liu Tianning's reputation was much greater than his, yet Zhao Xing still remembered him. "Indeed, some people have sought my help. I've also granted a few slots for intermediate exploration envoys, but they aren't suitable for the Sea of Eternal Night."

Zhao Xing said, "If Master has any needs in the future, please don't hesitate to instruct your student."

"Good," Tian Yan smiled. "You must also be extremely careful in the Sea of Eternal Night."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, another clone contacted Lu Bang of the Grand Granary Institute.

"Oh? You plan to give me a gift?" Lu Bang was somewhat surprised.

"Master Lu's guidance, Zhao Xing bears it in mind," Zhao Xing said. He was able to learn 'Instantaneous Origin' precisely because of Lu Bang's guidance. Lu Bang had even personally drawn a 'Myriad Beings Growth Diagram' to impart knowledge. Although it was Tian Yan who requested it, Lu Bang had to be willing, and he even offered a few pointers.

"Do tell, what are these gifts?" Lu Bang asked with interest.

"I have Pure Essence Spiritual Essence, Five Element Spell Spiritual Essence, and Longevity Spiritual Essence, all available. I've prepared five thousand catties."

"Hmm? Five thousand catties?" Lu Bang was truly surprised. The spiritual fish from the Sea of Eternal Night were treasures that many Fifth-Rank cultivators eagerly sought. However, Lu Bang was also a Fifth-Rank cultivator and the Director of the Grand Granary Institute; he truly didn't lack such nourishing items. Having lived for over two hundred years, and being from the Ego School, Lu Bang never lacked for food or drink.

After he indicated he didn't need them, Zhao Xing added, "If Master Lu has relatives or friends who require them, your student can deliver the gifts on your behalf."

Lu Bang pondered, "I do have two candidates, whom you also know: Feng Qi and Cai Jin. Since your intentions are sincere, I will send them both to make the trip."

April 2nd.

Icefire Island, outer waters, Dark Stone Coral Reef. This was the seventh day since arriving in the Icefire Island region.

Splash!

A figure shot into the sky, followed by black and white light.

"Caught four more. The Water-Splitting Straw Figures are quite efficient."

On the surface of the sea, Zhao Xing smiled as he watched this scene. Yin-Yang Fish were small, swam quickly, and constantly burrowed into coral reefs. Ordinary fishing methods were largely ineffective, and they were very sensitive to spell fluctuations. The slightest irregularity, and they would vanish without a trace.

"Fortunately, I have Fish Devouring Grass Seeds and Water Immortals," Zhao Xing mused. "Otherwise, they would be difficult to catch." These two Sixth-Tier plants originated from the research institutions of the Shangluo Academy in the Soldier Realm. Although Yin-Yang Fish were unique, they could still be affected by these two plants. Zhao Xing sent out straw figures to stand guard, so naturally, his harvest was quick.

"I wonder how the others are doing."

The Blood Shadow Flying Boat had transported many supplies from the Myriad Laws Ark, and with the ice near Icefire Island melting, there was soil, and the temperature was suitable, making it better for sowing. Fish Devouring Grass Seeds were plentiful, so Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ziyun had all split up, increasing fishing efficiency. While Yin-Yang Fish were caught in small numbers, other fish were reeled in by the handful. Thus, Zhao Xing had more than enough surplus to give as gifts.

For many fish species, he had already gained the maximum effect! For instance, fish that increased Five Element Water Luck no longer had any effect on Zhao Xing when consumed. Similarly, ordinary Fifth-Tier spiritual fish no longer increased longevity. However, Fifth-Tier spiritual fish still had some effect on elemental and spell spiritual essence, allowing for gradual accumulation. But the amount he caught was also enough for him. After all, Zhao Xing had straw figure clones, so his fishing efficiency far surpassed that of Xia Jing and the others.

"Eat!" Zhao Xing tossed four Yin-Yang Fish into his mouth. This was the hundredth Yin-Yang Fish he had consumed. These fish were all roughly the same size, and as he swallowed the hundredth one, Zhao Xing immediately felt a change.

"My Life Soul has advanced from mid-Sixth Rank to peak Sixth Rank!" In just seven or eight days, his Life Soul had progressed from mid-Sixth Rank to peak Sixth Rank! This was due to encountering the Cavern-Heaven Ascension and seizing the opportunity; otherwise, such rapid advancement would have been impossible.

"With my Life Soul reaching peak Sixth Rank, the Heaven's Eye Art and the Sleepy Worm have also reached the High-Tier Seventh-Stage level. Not only that, but my other spells also show signs of breakthrough."

Zhao Xing's main body boarded the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, while Chen Shijie had taken the Sea Wave Flying Boat. The cabin held many fish caught from the ice-covered region, and Zhao Xing now had an epiphany.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The twelve clones present returned to the cabin and remained still.

"Fish come!"

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and from the fish pond in the cabin, a fish with a silver-white back and a pale blue belly flew out of the water. The fierce wind, like a surgical knife, deboned and gutted the fish in mid-air, sending it flying into Zhao Xing's mouth. After consecutively eating seven such fish, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the deck. As his dantian circulated, a dark cloud gathered in the sky. The Cloud Art, part of the Weather Art, was finally about to break through.

"Swallowing Ten Thousand Miles of Cloud Sea, the Cloud Swallowing Art has reached high-tier, forming the Cloud Swallowing Domain!"

Zhao Xing opened his eyes and pointed at the sky. The dark cloud rapidly expanded, instantly covering an area of ten li. Tiny specks of starlight floated up from the sea surface, quickly merging into the cloud sea.

"Within the Cloud Qi Domain, all elemental energy is mine to command! Enemies receive no replenishment, and as long as the domain is not broken, my elemental energy is constantly replenished, almost endless. Moreover, the Cloud Swallowing Domain is even more overbearing: any life weaker than me will have their internal elemental energy drained and absorbed by me."

The Cloud Swallowing Art had been slow to break through because the high-tier Cloud Swallowing Art was too overbearing and extremely difficult to cultivate. But once it broke through, its power was boundless.

"Even geniuses like Xia Jing and Long Xiao, while I can't drain their elemental energy, they also won't be able to receive any replenishment. As the fight continues, they will grow weaker and weaker, while I will grow stronger and stronger. Only by possessing a Cloud Qi Domain can one be considered a true master of the Weather School," Zhao Xing mused.

Why was the Weather School mainstream? Because the Cloud Qi Domain could expand a Minister of Agriculture's spellcasting range many times over. Most of Zhao Xing's previous offensive spells had a maximum range of three thousand meters, and normally, their most potent casting range was within one thousand meters. While Earth Store Return to Origin and Boundless Earth Palace had large ranges, they weren't offensive spells. The Mist Concealment Art also had a large range, but its supportive nature outweighed its offensive capabilities. As for the Fierce Wind Art, Season Transformation Art, Lightning Art, and so on, their ranges were even shorter.

The Cloud Swallowing Domain, however, allowed Zhao Xing's Weather School spellcasting range to reach beyond twenty thousand meters! This was merely a First-Tier domain. If it continued to improve, its range would only become more exaggerated.

"Through the Cloud Swallowing Domain, the spellcasting range of Weather School techniques dramatically increased. During the time of Emperor Taizu, Grand Minister of Agriculture Wu Cheng cast the Swine Transformation Art, turning an entire city's population into pigs. This was due to the immense range of his Cloud Art domain. The Season Transformation Art naturally falls under Weather School techniques, as the Seventy-Two Season Transformations and the Seasonal Edict are the supreme secret texts of the Weather School. From Emperor Taizu to Emperor Jing, there were a total of seven Grand Ministers of Agriculture, five of whom were leaders of the Weather School. Two were leaders of the Earth Advantage School. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Wu that Liu Tianning, a Grand Minister of Agriculture from the Ego School, emerged. The later Mi Fu, although he created the 'Profound Yellow Elemental Analysis Art,' was not from the Ego School but the Earth Advantage School. Furthermore, his strength was actually not very good; he only served as an interim Grand Minister of Agriculture for a few months before Emperor Wu replaced him."

Mi Fu's truly stable position was merely that of a Third-Rank Minister of Agriculture.

"Fish come!" With his Life Soul reaching peak Sixth Rank, Zhao Xing continued to consume fish containing 'spell spiritual essence.' In just one hour, the Cloud Swallowing Domain reached the Fourth Stage.

"If I were to fully expand the cloud, it could easily cover a small portion of Icefire Island. If I were in the Great Zhou mainland, covering more than half a county would be no problem. This is because the weather in the mainland is more stable, making cloud spells easier to cast."

However, Zhao Xing did not do this. There were many people around Icefire Island currently, and expanding the cloud ostentatiously might draw hostility. Zhao Xing's principle was to avoid conflicts without personal gain. If he could quietly fish, he would do so discreetly.

"Fish come!" Zhao Xing continued to eat fish. After eating several large yellow croakers consecutively, Zhao Xing jumped off the flying boat and submerged into the seabed. It was a shallow sea area, only tens of meters deep. Zhao Xing quickly burrowed into the ground.

"Boundless Earth Palace!" The second technique to break through was the Boundless Earth Palace Art.

Zhao Xing found a telluric vein, stood above it, and gently pointed a finger. The telluric vein then produced a branch, as if a river had been diverted into a fork. And this flowing telluric branch slowly formed into the shape of a bright yellow earth palace.

Splash! Rumble!

The underwater terrain changed accordingly. The construction of the Boundless Earth Palace continuously improved until Zhao Xing felt he could advance no further, at which point he stopped. He checked his status panel.

Boundless Domain: High-tier Sixth StageUsing telluric veins as foundation, cast the Boundless Earth Palace, unleashing a powerful domain constraining force.

Rumble!

When the Earth Palace was completed, the seawater within a five-li radius suddenly collapsed by thirty meters, creating a significant drop compared to the surroundings.

Buzz! The Blood Shadow Flying Boat, which had been hovering in the sky, vibrated continuously. After resisting for three breaths, it began to fall.

"Withdraw!" Zhao Xing immediately dispelled the Earth Palace's spell effect. The clone on the Blood Shadow Flying Boat immediately took control, restoring the flying boat to a horizontal position.

"The range of the Boundless Earth Palace, though not as vast as the Cloud Swallowing Domain, is still considerable. The high-tier Boundless Earth Palace, essentially still an Earth Palace Art, is now called the Boundless Domain because its constraining force is stronger and its range is larger. Heaven and Earth, two domains. Elemental energy cannot be used, and spells cannot be evaded. Between the Heaven and Earth domains, I am the sovereign."

If the Cloud Swallowing Domain countered warriors, then the Earth Palace Domain countered mages. Evasion spells were ineffective within the Earth Palace area.

"In the future, when it advances to the Demonic God Earth Palace, it can even directly plant people in the ground to provide nourishment." The current high-tier Earth Palace Domain could also suppress many Sixth-Rank cultivators, but it couldn't provide nourishment.

After his cultivation, Zhao Xing surfaced and returned to the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

"With this practice, all the fish have vanished." Zhao Xing could sense that in the area where he had just cultivated, the fish had scattered in all directions. Fortunately, it didn't affect Xia Jing and the others, as they were quite far away.

"I need to find another spot." Zhao Xing took out a sea chart, selected a direction, and then sent his maritime coordinates to his teammates, not just Xia Jing, but also the people Pei Yuanchang later dispatched, such as Wu Jiang, and the two Fifth-Rank cultivators Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun had found.

The Blood Shadow Flying Boat flew thirty nautical miles to the northwest. This was still within the Dark Stone Coral Reef area. Zhao Xing scattered Fish Devouring Grass seeds here. Half an hour later, he caught over a dozen Yin-Yang Fish.

"Not bad, not bad. If I keep eating them, perhaps my Life Soul can break through to Fifth Rank first." Zhao Xing revealed a faint smile.

Suddenly—

Whoosh, whoosh!

Two silver shuttle flying boats swooped down from the sky, heading towards Zhao Xing.

"Stop! This area has been demarcated by Liu Tianning's Exploration Team!" Zhao Xing used a wind-based sound transmission.

The two silver shuttle flying boats slowed down and stopped in place, but they did not leave. Soon, a Sixth-Rank mage appeared on one of the silver shuttle flying boats. He stared at Zhao Xing for a moment and then called out loudly, "So it's Liu Tianning's distinguished disciple. However, it's not so simple to make us retreat. I won't bother with courtesies." The mage, clad in a teal-blue robe, cupped his hands and said, "My name is Cen Haibo, from Leiyang County. I request guidance from Liu's distinguished disciple!"

"How do you wish to 'seek guidance'?"

Cen Haibo paused, then licked his lips. "Let's determine not only superiority but also life and death!"

"Quite straightforward," Zhao Xing sneered. "Very well, bring it on!"

"Please!"

Cen Haibo flew away from the silver shuttle warship, while the two warships retreated a hundred meters and fired a flare. These aristocratic scions were quite mannered. Before a battle, they would even fire a ceremonial cannon. This was a wartime courtesy from Emperor Taizu's era.

"Rise!"

Cen Haibo waved his hand, and the seawater beneath surged into ten-zhang high waves. Waves surged from three sides, leaving Zhao Xing only an eastward retreat. Cen Haibo stood on a wave, quickly casting his second technique.

"Azure Wave Spirit-Locking Bridge!"

From the three surging waves, arched bridges made of spray suddenly extended. The arched bridges moved faster than the waves, continuously extending forward. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of sea wave arched bridges crisscrossed in the sky.

"He's got some tricks." Zhao Xing glanced at it. "This was a high-tier technique, and the man's water control was good. The Azure Wave Spirit-Locking Bridge was equivalent to forming a semi-finished domain. By locking down the elemental energy in the sky, a Minister of Agriculture's Weather Art would be unusable. And the Weather Art had always been mainstream."

"Although Liu Tianning is from the Ego School, his disciple hasn't reached the Fifth Rank. At this moment, he surely doesn't possess many Ego School combat techniques," Cen Haibo thought, standing on the waves, staring at Zhao Xing below. "Killing you will surely make me famous throughout Pinghai Prefecture!" Killing Liu Tianning's direct disciple and becoming famous throughout the world was an immense temptation!

On the silver shuttle warships, two Sixth-Rank and eight Seventh-Rank cultivators watched the scene intently.

"Brother Cen's high-tier Azure Wave Art is almost a domain, but I wonder if this Zhao Xing can handle it?" Zheng Ying, a Sixth-Rank martial artist, stared ahead.

"Liu Tianning's direct disciple must have some capability; he wouldn't be so incompetent." Ye Hemin, a Sixth-Rank mage, scanned the battlefield with golden light in his eyes. "Let's see how he handles it." The few of them were all somewhat nervous and excited.

"A semi-finished spell domain, and you dare to challenge me for fame?" Zhao Xing snorted coldly. Golden light appeared in his eyes. Piercing through the layers of waves, he instantly locked onto Cen Haibo's position. Then, he extended a finger, and golden light flickered at its tip.

Buzz!

The next second, the invisible power of heaven and earth condensed into a single golden point, appearing on Cen Haibo's chest. Cen Haibo felt a dull ache in his chest and instinctively raised his hand to cover it. But after raising his hand, he discovered that his arm was covered in snake scales!

"What? Is this the Season Transformation Art?" He covered his chest with his left hand, frantically circulating his elemental energy.

"Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell!" Cen Haibo's arm suddenly withered, shrinking by a circle. His hand pulled out from its original position, leaving behind a layer of bloody skin. On the mangled arm, a second golden light still flickered, continuing to produce scales.

"Shed again!" Cen Haibo decisively cast the spell a second time, and his right arm was reduced to only bone. However, the golden light still flickered, like a maggot attached to bone!

"What..." Cen Haibo's left hand moved to chop off his right hand. But his hand only lifted halfway before weakly falling. The light in his eyes rapidly faded. At this moment, the golden light on his chest flickered for the fourth, fifth, and sixth time. His five internal organs, including his heart, had completely burst.

Sixth-Stage Coiling Serpent Transformation!

Splash!

The waves, along with Cen Haibo's death, all fell. The arched bridges in the sky lost control and crashed heavily onto the sea surface, splashing massive amounts of water.

Splash! Splash!

The sea surface quickly calmed. Cen Haibo's corpse floated with the waves.

"What?!" The people on the silver shuttle flying boats were instantly stunned. Cen Haibo had just been overwhelmingly powerful, his spell almost a domain, yet in the blink of an eye, he fell from the waves, his life force rapidly vanishing.

"H-how did he die?" Zheng Ying, a Sixth-Rank martial artist, stared at the corpse below in horror.

"How would I know? My strength isn't even as good as Brother Cen's..." Ye Hemin, the Sixth-Rank mage next to him, muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Do the few of you also wish for a 'guidance' session?" Just then, a voice drifted into the silver shuttle flying boat, as if someone was speaking directly into their ears.

"We wouldn't dare," Ye Hemin replied using a spell. "Marquis Yuan Rang's spell is astonishing. We concede defeat."

"Marquis Yuan Rang, may we retrieve Brother Cen's body?" Zheng Ying asked.

"You may," Zhao Xing said indifferently. "But remember, thirty nautical miles to the north is my territory. Dare to step in again, and your life will be the price of admission. Consider this your advance warning."

"We will surely warn all sides of Marquis Yuan Rang's words." Zheng Ying cupped his hands. Seeing that Zhao Xing did not speak further, they quickly retrieved Cen Haibo's body and piloted the silver shuttle flying boat away.

Zheng Ying and Ye Hemin quickly returned to the joint exploration team's main camp. Their return with Cen Haibo's body immediately caused quite a stir.

"Cen Haibo was at the peak of the Heavenly Gang Realm, from an aristocratic family, and not weak in strength. He actually died?"

"Killed by whom?"

"Marquis Yuan Rang Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning's direct disciple."

"Him? Didn't he just reach the Sixth Rank in March? How could he defeat Marquis Cen's son?"

"Ask Zheng Ying and Ye Hemin."

"They don't know either; they just said Cen Haibo died as soon as he attacked."

"Hiss, they couldn't even comprehend it? This Marquis Yuan Rang is not someone to provoke..."

The discussions within the joint exploration team had not yet subsided. Soon, more news arrived:

"Huang Zhe,' a martial general at the peak of the Heavenly Gang Realm, died while contending with Zhao Xing for territory!"

"The two brothers, 'Ma Wuguang' and 'Ma Wuyang,' both at the late Heavenly Gang Realm, went to challenge Zhao Xing and fought him together, but couldn't last ten breaths."

"A six-person team, all at the mid-Heavenly Gang Realm, deploying a joint battle formation, was still cut down in the sea area."

For seven consecutive days, news of Zhao Xing's battles began to circulate among the seven major top exploration teams. Some were to contend for territory, acting to seize Yin-Yang Fish. Others simply wanted to gain fame by defeating Zhao Xing. In seven days, nine battles occurred. One of these was even six people ambushing Zhao Xing! However, without exception, they all failed!

Zhao Xing's reputation rapidly spread among the seven exploration teams, not only because he was Liu Tianning's direct disciple, but also because of his own strength. Many believed that, among those of the Sixth Rank, this newly emerged Marquis Yuan Rang already possessed an invincible demeanor!

"The competition is getting more and more intense," Zhao Xing emerged from the water in the northwestern sea area of Icefire Island. "My fishing efficiency is quite high, and I don't stay in one place for too long. Yet, in seven days, nine battles still occurred."

As time passed, the Sea of Eternal Night's thawing speed accelerated, and the scale of spiritual essence eruptions also increased. With greater benefits at stake, even Liu Tianning's formidable reputation would not be enough.

"More and more people arrived, but the spiritual essence eruption areas remained concentrated in the sea region from Night Fortress No. 98 to Icefire Island. It's not just me; Xia Jing, Long Xiao, and the others have also fought several battles. If we don't want to leave, we must become stronger to handle all unexpected situations. As long as I don't encounter Fifth-Rank cultivators surrounding me, sweeping through Sixth-Rank opponents is not an issue."

He certainly wouldn't leave now; the effects of the Yin-Yang Fish hadn't weakened, and the Dragon Whale was still lurking in the deep sea.

"Continue searching for fish!" Zhao Xing swallowed the Yin-Yang Fish he had caught, then moved to a different spot and scattered Fish Devouring Grass seeds.