Chapter 259: Great Dream Academy's Shennong Hall

Upon entering the first level, the surrounding mist dissipated, revealing a hundred-meter-tall mountain peak.

On the mountain peak stood a tall figure, and as Zhao Xing entered, her gaze turned to him.

A cold female voice echoed in Zhao Xing's ear: "I am the Gold Spirit Celestial Maiden."

"Huh? Are the Celestial Maidens a series?" Zhao Xing wondered.

Zhao Xing had not cleared this stage before, after all, this was the Grand Dream Academy, not the 'Cloud Dream Academy' he was familiar with. However, recalling what the automaton beast Xiezhi had said about the highest rewards, it seemed there was more than one type of reward on each level.

Zhao Xing carefully scrutinized the automaton named 'Gold Spirit'. She wore dazzling silver armor that shimmered brilliantly, its intricate patterns imbued with mysterious power. Her hair was purple, and she wore a cloak. In her hand, she held a two-zhang long silver spear, its tip gleaming with a chilling, fearsome killing intent. Her features were delicate, yet her demeanor was sharp and formidable.

"The aesthetics are quite good; this automaton is rather beautiful..." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Mechanists rarely cared about aesthetics, and humanoid automatons were uncommon. Most were large beast-like automatons, as mechanists generally adhered to one principle: bigger is better, and more is good! Only a few specialized departments, such as assassination units, would create smaller ones. As for humanoid automatons, even if they existed, beauty was not a priority.

Zhao Xing had seen lists of automatons for sale in the military realm, and most humanoid automatons shared a single appearance: bald men.

"Why no bald women?"

Zhao Xing had once brought up this question while chatting with the mechanist Gao Ming. Gao Ming's reply was: "Because large breasts would impede the automaton's flight speed." Zhao Xing retorted playfully, "Perhaps they're all modeled after male mechanists." In short, realistic female figures like this rarely appeared on a mechanist's production list.

While Zhao Xing observed, the automaton 'Gold Spirit' continued: "The first level has a total of seven Celestial Maidens like myself, plus one Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden. Our clearance requirement is singular: in a duel, knock us off the peak, disarm us, or inflict damage upon our automaton bodies. Defeating any one of the seven Celestial Maidens will allow you to proceed to the second level."

Zhao Xing nodded. When the guardian Xiezhi had mentioned it, it always referred to the highest reward. To become a candidate for Grand Overseer, one must clear the trials via the highest reward path. However, if one isn't aiming for candidacy, there are also lower reward tiers.

Gold Spirit continued to explain the rules: "My automaton body is crafted from Tier 6 low-grade materials. It possesses a Tier 6 low-grade combat soul. If you are ready, ascend the peak."

Zhao Xing pondered the several important metrics she had mentioned. "A Tier 6 low-grade automaton corresponds to the combat power of a Fourth-Rank Origin Soul realm practitioner. This means that at least one, or several, of this automaton's attributes have reached the early Fourth-Rank level. Its defense has definitely reached that level. The secret patterns on her body flow with the Way of Geng Metal. Her use of a spear indicates she has been trained in at least one high-tier martial skill. If it exceeds seven revolutions, then her attack power has also reached that level."

The standard for Fourth-Rank attack power is typically a high-tier spell at seventh revolution, or a high-tier martial skill at seventh revolution. Third-Rank practitioners master 'top-tier spells' and 'top-tier martial skills.' Their understanding of the Way is also more profound. For example, the 'Dream Travel' level of the Grand Dream Spring and Autumn is a 'top-tier spell,' capable of killing in dreams. Or the Myriad Arts Straw Man, which can manifest tens of thousands of clones, also belongs to 'top-tier spells.' Yang An's sword strike that slew the Celestial Witch also entered the top-tier level. From Third-Rank to First-Rank, the Way, skills, and spells all progress along the path of top-tier mastery. Some powerful practitioners, like Liu Tianning in his prime, could create a million clones, achieving an ultimate level with the Straw Man technique. Of course, only this one aspect of his power reached the 'ultimate' level; one could say his 'spell' reached the super-tier. A comprehensive super-tier realm means not only spells (or martial skills) but also the physical body, soul, and Way must fully surpass previous levels.

In the middle three ranks, practitioners explore high-tier levels of spells and skills. If the skill and spell levels are similar, the distinction between a Fifth-Rank and a Fourth-Rank practitioner lies only in their soul, the seven physical souls, and their mastery of the Way. (This includes their respective professional cultivation manuals, such as the Minister of Agriculture's Way of Heavenly Timing, Way of Earthly Advantage, and Way of Self, or a martial artist's Way of Sword Cultivation and Way of Saber Cultivation).

"She possesses a typical Tier 6 low-grade 'combat soul,' demonstrating Tier 6 'combat instincts' acquired through countless combat simulations before 'deployment'," Zhao Xing mused.

An automaton's combat soul cannot be considered true 'sentience,' as it lacks emotions and the ability for independent thought. However, a 'combat soul' represents the cumulative wisdom of one or even many mechanists. A Tier 6 combat automaton, upon creation, requires extensive training to develop a 'combat soul.' This process often takes decades, or even several decades. The level of the combat soul is what determines an automaton's value. Without a combat soul, the automaton is merely an empty shell, unable to move, fit only for salvage or for cultivating a new combat soul. In true combat, battle experience is crucial. The mastery of spell combinations and timing often leads experienced practitioners to victory.

"Statistically, I completely overwhelm this automaton, regardless of the environment." Zhao Xing scanned the arena on the mountain peak.

On the peak, there was a circular platform, roughly the size of a football field. Gold Spirit was clearly a melee automaton, comparable to a melee martial artist. In this small area, Zhao Xing was clearly at a disadvantage. In an arena duel, if escape isn't a concern, greater distance favors magic users, while closer proximity favors martial artists. With ample distance and preparation time, Fifth-Rank magic-users, Ministers of Agriculture, or Priests – as long as their skills aren't vastly inferior – have a high probability of defeating a Fourth-Rank opponent. Conversely, at close range, a Fifth-Rank martial artist has a high probability of defeating a Fourth-Rank magic-user.

Just as now, after Zhao Xing entered the dome on the mountain peak, he immediately activated 'Divine Movement Protection.' "Buzz." The Octagonal Earth Palace submerged underground. The Celestial Maiden guardian 'Gold Spirit' immediately charged forward. She stomped her foot fiercely, shaking the ground, and simultaneously thrust her spear diagonally into the earth. Both the spear tip and her feet emitted bursts of earthy yellow light. Both moves were attempts to disrupt Zhao Xing's earth-burrowing technique. The ley lines were indeed disturbed to some extent. However, Zhao Xing's Divine Movement Protection was already at high-tier perfection, directly ignoring this interference and swiftly disappearing into the ground. The Celestial Maiden could only stand there, staring blankly.

"Boundless Domain!"

After burrowing underground, Zhao Xing calmly cast his Earth Palace spell. "Boom!" The ground collapsed by fifteen meters, as if flattened and crushed by an immense force. The Celestial Maiden guardian Gold Spirit's braced spear even bent! Her steps became extremely heavy. Moving became incredibly difficult.

"Buzz!" A mist emerged from underground. "Mist Concealment activated!" Zhao Xing silently appeared at the other end. He and the Celestial Maiden were still at their initial long distance, only their positions had swapped. And once he resurfaced, the Heavenly Timing spell could also be cast.

"Cloud Devouring Domain!"

"Boom-crack!" A bolt of heavenly lightning struck towards the Celestial Maiden guardian. She tried desperately to dodge, but under the dual enhancement of the Cloud Devouring Domain and the Earth Palace Domain, her body became incredibly clumsy. She could only passively endure the assault, unable to escape. "Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!" Lightning enveloped her, and sparks erupted from her body.

Just after this bolt of lightning, an ethereal voice came from above. "Cleared!" A mighty force dispelled all spells. Zhao Xing looked ahead and saw that Celestial Maiden Gold Spirit's spear had fallen from her grasp.

At this moment, the phantom of the automaton beast Xiezhi emerged from the surrounding mist: "Zhao Xing, you have defeated Gold Spirit. You may now choose to collect your reward immediately and proceed to the second level, or you may continue to strive for the first level's highest reward."

"Guardian, I choose to continue forward," Zhao Xing replied, cupping his hands. His ability to defeat this automaton didn't mean the Celestial Maiden guardian was weak. Aside from his nine strongest Myriad Arts clones, the Celestial Maidens were at least stronger than his other Myriad Arts clones. At worst, they could fetch a good price if sold. He was here to clear out the goods; how could Zhao Xing give up?

"Very well. She will not accompany you through the trials. You may collect your reward once you have completed them."

"Understood." Zhao Xing flew towards the second mountain peak.

"I am Fire Spirit. My automaton body is crafted from Tier 6 mid-grade materials. It possesses a Tier 6 mid-grade combat soul. If you are ready, ascend the peak."

The second Celestial Maiden guardian wore deep red magical robes, her hair also red, and held a ruby staff in her hand. Zhao Xing recognized at a glance that this automaton was modeled after a Fire Element spellcaster. He then flew up this higher peak.

As before, Zhao Xing still burrowed into the ground, casting his Boundless Earth Palace spell. First, to weaken the opponent's mobility. However, unlike Gold Spirit, who was a martial artist template, when he resurfaced, the entire circular arena was ablaze. The Fire Spirit automaton stood in the very center of the arena, spewing roaring flames from her staff, filling the entire platform. However, the Earth Palace spell also suppressed the height of the flames. Initially, the sea of fire was fifty meters high, but after the Earth Palace spell unleashed its power, it was reduced to only three meters.

"I don't even need to extinguish the flames," Zhao Xing smiled slightly, pointing a finger. The Thunderous Delusion-Breaking Finger left a charred mark on Fire Spirit's body. Although it was quickly repaired, a mark had, after all, been left.

"Cleared!"

Xiezhi's figure reappeared. He looked at Zhao Xing, his bell-like eyes glimmering with appreciation: "In a few years, your strength has greatly improved. Even heavenly fire cannot stop you now." During the fourth trial, Zhao Xing had been stuck at the fire stage among the earth, fire, wind, and lightning trials. But now, these flames couldn't harm Zhao Xing at all.

"I am Water Spirit..."

The third mountain, Water Spirit Celestial Maiden. She was of the same rank and attire as the previous Fire Spirit, but the Way inscribed within her was different, making her demeanor appear gentler.

Zhao Xing repeated his old trick, still burrowing into the ground immediately. This time, however, Water Spirit's spell affected Zhao Xing, who had already burrowed underground. Water seeped into the earth, eroding the ley lines, and froze layer by layer, compressing Zhao Xing's earth-burrowing range. Even the creation of the Boundless Earth Palace became much slower.

"Water can flood earth, but at this moment, her water element spell created a blocking effect. My Earth Palace spell was weakened by thirty percent," Zhao Xing mused. "This freezing spell must have reached the high-tier eighth revolution level." Zhao Xing also knew high-tier freezing spells. When he consumed the 'Spirit Essence' in the Sea of Eternal Night, he had comprehended high-tier Cloud Devouring Domain, Earth Palace Domain, Freezing, and Heavenly Fire. The ley lines seemed to be frozen stiff, and the Octagonal Earth Cage slowed down. Furthermore, due to the thick layer of frozen earth acting as a barrier, the Boundless Earth Palace's restraining power was only seventy percent.

However, when Zhao Xing resurfaced, the battle still ended quickly. Even at seventy percent power, it still greatly weakened the opponent's mobility. Zhao Xing then unleashed his high-tier perfected Dripping Water Domain, using water against water. Because Water Spirit had cast a water element spell, it inadvertently provided a spell bonus to Zhao Xing.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!" Layers of ice walls appeared around Water Spirit. These ice walls bore petal imprints, containing the mysteries of the Way of Water, blocking the incoming water droplets. "Clang, clang, clang... snap!" By the nineteenth droplet of rain, the ice wall was pierced. Once her defense was breached, a continuous deluge of raindrops completely engulfed her, directly knocking her off the peak and down the mountain.

The fourth mountain peak featured the Wood Spirit automaton. Its defense was at the Tier 6 mid-grade level, and it possessed four high-tier seventh-revolution spells: Thorn Cage, Wood Spirit Clone, Azure Yuan Barrier, and Qi Extraction. The Wood Spirit automaton's body had extreme extensibility. Like a tree, it rooted itself to the ground, also causing trouble for Zhao Xing after his earth-burrowing. Its roots, both underground and above ground, wove thorny cages, attempting to trap Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing's Earth Palace spell seemed to have no effect on it, as the Wood Spirit automaton had no intention of moving. Only later did he learn that the Earth Palace spell had nullified its Wood Spirit Clone high-tier secret spell. The Azure Yuan Shield and Life Drain functioned as offense and defense; the latter, a wood element spell domain, could absorb vital energy. The Azure Yuan Barrier formed a widely encompassing defensive barrier. However, for Zhao Xing, this merely meant casting one more spell. His high-tier perfected Heavenly Fire Blight destroyed the Azure Yuan Barrier, breached the Wood Spirit's spell defense, and left a mark on its main body.

Fifth trial: Earth Spirit Celestial Maiden guardian. The tables had turned. This time, as soon as Zhao Xing ascended, the opponent burrowed underground.

"I hadn't even burrowed, and you went first," Zhao Xing smiled faintly. He didn't burrow down to play hide-and-seek with the Earth Spirit Celestial Maiden. Following the Water Spirit Celestial Maiden's actions, he cast a freezing spell.

"Water come!" Zhao Xing manipulated the clouds, and a great river poured forth from them, like a milky way waterfall. As the water eroded the ground, Zhao Xing switched to casting his high-tier perfected freezing spell. "Buzz!" Zhao Xing felt his body sink. The Earth Spirit Celestial Maiden began casting an earth element spell underground, which was very similar to the effect of the Earth Palace spell. However, the Earth Spirit Celestial Maiden's control range was not as extensive, and it focused more on individual restraint, whereas the Boundless Earth Palace had a larger range and exerted uniform binding force.

"Puff," "puff," "puff." Spikes of earth burst forth, but only ten meters away from Zhao Xing, because the ground beneath Zhao Xing's feet had completely turned into frozen earth, which she couldn't break through. The freezing spell created a barrier, and while eroding the earth element domain, it also formed a safe zone for him. The high-tier perfected freezing spell eroded the high-tier eighth-revolution earth element domain very quickly. A quarter of an hour later, the Earth Spirit Celestial Maiden was forced into a corner, able to resist only within a five-meter-radius rock layer. Sensing her predicament, Zhao Xing immediately activated Divine Movement Protection and burrowed down. "Boom!" The Octagonal Earth Palace immediately knocked her out of the circular arena.

"Lightning Spirit Celestial Maiden, right? Okay, I understand. You don't need to repeat the rules." Zhao Xing flew up the sixth mountain peak and immediately cast a spell. The Lightning Spirit Celestial Maiden only knew lightning spells, and her combat domain was in the air. Zhao Xing used only Heavenly Fire spell to force her out of the arena.

The seventh mountain peak: Wind Spirit Celestial Maiden. She specialized in wind spells and was extremely fast, but Zhao Xing's Nine Heavens Astral Wind was even faster. She was defeated in just three rounds.

At this point, on the first level, only the highest reward and most difficult challenge remained: the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden.

When Zhao Xing arrived at the eighth mountain peak, a rainbow-colored figure appeared on its summit. The Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden had a slender and graceful figure, like a standing green lotus, otherworldly and refined. Her brows were like distant mountains, hinting at heroism; her eyes, like deep lakes, were clear and mysterious, and her blue pupils, like the purest gems, shone brilliantly, seemingly imbued with endless wisdom. Her nose bridge was straight and elegant, like carved jade. Her lips were like delicate petals, naturally crimson without adornment. A waterfall of black hair cascaded casually behind her, gently swaying with the breeze, a few strands brushing her fair cheeks, adding a touch of allure. She wore magnificent magical robes, embroidered with mysterious runes and patterns that shimmered with multicolored light. Above her head, a radiant sun disc hung high, its brilliant light like a golden veil, enveloping her and causing her entire being to exude an ethereal aura.

"To make a humanoid automaton like this, the mechanists of Great Li must have gone bald from the effort. I wonder if it's practical," Zhao Xing observed. In his opinion, making it look good was less useful than designing it as a cluster of explosive units.

However, once the battle began, Zhao Xing's thoughts changed. The materials used to create the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden were all Tier 6 supreme-grade! Furthermore, she mastered all five elements, wind, and lightning! She possessed all the spells the previous seven Celestial Maidens knew, and hers were even more powerful. Her combat soul was also of a higher level, and her application and combination of spells were on an entirely different plane compared to the previous ones.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!" Raging flames, surging waves, trembling earth, deafening thunder, and lightning tearing through the sky—it was as if the entire world was under her command. Crucially, she was proficient in both close-quarters and long-range combat, leaving no discernible weaknesses.

"Seven domains! The Way formations inscribed within the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden encompassed all five elements, wind, and lightning. Although she still knew fewer spells than I did, her strength was very close to mine. My advantage is that my five-element, wind, and lightning spells are all perfected, while hers are not; they are merely at the ninth-tier. Furthermore, I possess several spells she doesn't, such as the Transformation spell and Cloud spell. Her advantage lies in her strong bodily defense, crafted from Tier 6 supreme-grade materials. This is comparable to the defense of a Fourth-Rank perfected martial artist, making it extremely difficult to breach. I can only force her out of the arena."

In a flash, Zhao Xing determined his strategy for victory. He engaged the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden in a spell-for-spell exchange and gained the upper hand. However, the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden also wielded a sword and was capable of close-quarters combat. During their spell exchange, she repeatedly attempted melee attacks, which indeed caused Zhao Xing considerable trouble. With no usable materials nearby, Zhao Xing couldn't cast the Myriad Arts Straw Man. Moreover, the automaton's combat soul was unaffected by the Sleep Worms. It wasn't until the third quarter of an hour that a victor emerged.

"Boom!" During a dodge, the Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden was struck by Zhao Xing's rolling ground thunder, and one foot left the circular arena.

Looking at the motionless Sun-Radiant Celestial Maiden, Zhao Xing let out a long breath. "After all, this isn't my true body. In the real world, I would have already condensed Pure Origin Soil, had Myriad Arts clones following me, and possessed high-end weapons. Defeating her wouldn't require this much effort," Zhao Xing mused. The vital energy body simulated within the Grand Dream Academy was merely a standard Fifth-Rank Pure Origin Realm practitioner. There was no Pure Origin Space, no Great Golden Bone achievement, no armor or weapons, and the Myriad Arts Straw Man was out of the question. This meant that most of the billions of resources that Lord Zhao had invested previously were ineffective here.

"I can only rely on pure Daoist spell techniques to pass," Zhao Xing realized, feeling the stringent conditions for obtaining the highest reward. But on second thought, it made sense. The Hall of Heavenly Craft was originally meant for formation masters and mechanists. For other martial artists and spellcasters, the difficulty would naturally increase.

"Disciple Zhao Xing, you have obtained the highest reward for the first level," the automaton beast Xiezhi's figure reappeared. "Do you wish to challenge the second level?"

"Yes, Guardian, I would like to try," Zhao Xing replied.

"Very well. Please fly towards the entrance ahead," the automaton beast Xiezhi said, wiggling its whiskers. An entrance to the second level immediately appeared in front of him.

Zhao Xing flew to the second level. The surroundings spun, and the scenery shifted. He appeared in the center of a bluestone plaza. Four sword-tower-like structures stood around the plaza.

"Buzz." Inside the western sword tower, a dark red figure, two and a half meters tall, appeared. Its appearance slowly shifted, surprisingly taking on Zhao Xing's likeness, though with a distinctly cold demeanor. "I am the Myriad-Transforming Dao Soldier. The materials used to create me are Tier 7 low-grade. I possess a high-tier combat soul. You will pass if you can force me out of the plaza or leave a mark on my body. You may make the first move."

Without a word, Zhao Xing used Divine Movement Protection to burrow into the ground. He cast his Boundless Earth Palace spell, but at that moment, the Myriad-Transforming Dao Soldier on the surface stomped its foot fiercely. "Rumble," "rumble!" A terrifying force instantly disrupted the ley lines, precisely shattering the Boundless Earth Palace Zhao Xing had just constructed. The ley lines instantly reached a Level 7 frenzy, and surging underground flames impacted Zhao Xing's Octagonal Cage Protection.

"I can't beat this, it's too strong." Zhao Xing shook his head. Although he could still remain underground, the situation was completely different from the first level. "This is an absolute realm gap. A Tier 7 Dao Soldier with a high-tier combat soul already matches the strength of a Third-Rank human practitioner."

Zhao Xing shook his head and, still underground, directly called out the word "Guardian." "Buzz!" A tremendous force pulled Zhao Xing back. The next moment, he reappeared outside the Hall of Heavenly Craft. "Rumble." The walls closed, gray mist permeated, and the Hall of Heavenly Craft, the fifth trial, also disappeared.

The automaton beast Xiezhi stood beside eight Celestial Maidens.

"Thank you, Guardian," Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully.

"These eight Celestial Maidens are now yours," Xiezhi said. "Do you wish to store them here first, or take them back with you immediately?"

"Store them here first," Zhao Xing replied. He still planned to try his luck elsewhere. Now that he had broken through to the Fifth-Rank realm, there were more places he could challenge.

"Very well. You may come find me when you leave," Xiezhi said, spitting out a token. "This Celestial Maiden Token is the crucial item for controlling these automatons. After you leave, infuse a trace of vital energy into it, and they will only obey your commands. Should the token be seized and your vital energy erased from it, the Celestial Maidens will change masters. You must guard it carefully."

"Understood."

Zhao Xing looked at the token, pondering what the conditions were for controlling the automaton beast Xiezhi. An automaton like Xiezhi, capable of fluent conversation and independent thought, definitely surpassed the ninth-tier level. Of course, Xiezhi's independent thought still adhered to its creator's limitations. For example: it wouldn't ponder why no one had challenged the vast Grand Dream Academy for so many years, or why Zhao Xing had suddenly arrived to undertake the trials. It wouldn't consider such questions because it was limited to a specific theme of thought. Zhao Xing speculated that the mechanist who created Xiezhi had sacrificed their own blood to transform into an 'artifact spirit.'

Naturally, this method also had flaws. In the Era of Vital Energy, the automaton blood sacrifice method, where a soul was transformed into an 'artifact spirit,' resulted in the loss of the core true spirit. This process was irreversible; once transformed into an artifact spirit, it could not revert to a 'soul,' nor could it return to a physical body. Emotions and desires would gradually fade, leaving only memory of the initially set task or instruction: for example, to find a new master, or to pass on a legacy.

However, in the Era of Spiritual Energy, artifact spirits and souls could convert between each other, without the aforementioned limitations. Mechanists also saw the rise of new methods, with blood sacrifice and soul artifact techniques becoming widespread. They sought to abandon their bodies, having their souls reside within divine artifact automatons, extending their lifespan, or even achieving immortality, by continuously replacing parts. Learn spells? Nonsense. With replacement component arrays, one could cast them in a second. Why bother learning? The flesh was weak; mechanical ascension became the prevailing ideology. However, this was doomed to fail, as natural lifespan didn't refer solely to the physical body but also included the soul. Both the physical body and the soul would decay together. Moreover, with too many replacements, the soul would also suffer 'wear and tear,' even though certain spiritual energy materials could nourish it. But this life extension had certain limits and ultimately could not achieve true immortality.

Of course, while automatons of the Era of Vital Energy didn't possess true sentience, in some aspects, those with 'artifact spirits' were even smarter than humans. This was because an artifact spirit's thoughts were unaffected by emotions and desires, being entirely rational. They could efficiently execute combat-related instructions. With one like Xiezhi, Zhao Xing could even chat and confide.

"Esteemed Guardian, do you know if there is a Hall of Ministers of Agriculture within the Grand Dream Academy?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Hall of Ministers of Agriculture? No," Xiezhi shook its head.

Zhao Xing felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn't seen the Hall of Ministers of Agriculture in his previous life either and had assumed Emperor Wu had moved it. But now, it seemed Great Li itself might not have had such a palace. However, Xiezhi then added: "There is no Hall of Ministers of Agriculture, but there is a Hall of Shennong."

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up: "May I ask, Guardian, do you know its entry requirements? Why haven't I seen it appear even after reaching Fifth-Rank?"

A thoughtful look appeared in the automaton beast Xiezhi's eyes: "That shouldn't be the case. A Fifth-Rank Pure Origin Realm practitioner should have been able to enter and challenge it long ago. Go check outside again."

Zhao Xing was also somewhat perplexed. He hadn't seen the Hall of Shennong when he entered. Otherwise, he would have directly challenged the Hall of Shennong instead of the Hall of Heavenly Craft. Nevertheless, since Xiezhi said so, he ran out of the Hall of Heavenly Craft and returned to Cloud Gate Plaza.

"Buzz." Numerous palaces floated amidst the clouds. Zhao Xing saw the Hall of Reincarnation, the Heart-Questioning Platform, the Martial God Tower, the Arcane Arts Repository, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, the Holy Beast Palace, the Palace of Fate, and the Hall of Heavenly Craft. But he still didn't see the Hall of Shennong.

Zhao Xing ran back into the Hall of Heavenly Craft, finding the automaton beast Xiezhi: "Guardian, I truly did not see the Hall of Shennong."

The automaton beast Xiezhi was also very puzzled: "How is that possible? Our Great Li's Hall of Shennong is of utmost importance; how could it be missing?"

"Can you take me there?" Zhao Xing asked.

Xiezhi shook its head: "I cannot leave the confines of the Hall of Heavenly Craft."

Zhao Xing was completely baffled. He hadn't seen it in his previous life either and had thought it was due to his profession being a niche class. After all, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets had been removed then, and the Fate Master profession had no trial points, nor did the Priest profession. But Xiezhi insisted it existed and was of utmost importance, implying he should have seen it long ago. Yet now it was invisible. What exactly was going on?

"Go ask the guardian of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets; perhaps he knows more," the automaton beast Xiezhi said. "He is the second guardian of the entire Grand Dream Academy."

The guardian of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets? That Heavenly Fate Blackbird? Zhao Xing recalled seeing the Heavenly Fate Blackbird once when he first entered the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets to obtain the Great Divination Qi-Gazing Art, Five-Finger Heavenly Fate, and Turtle Coin Divination Method. However, that Heavenly Fate Blackbird was very peculiar. It seemed to dislike being disturbed, only explaining the rules briefly before immersing itself in reading.

Zhao Xing, still perplexed, left the Hall of Heavenly Craft and flew towards the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. The scene upon entering was identical to his last visit. As soon as he entered, a small bird stood on a cabinet, singing: "To deduce and expound, to fathom the origins of creation; to divine fates and interpret signs, to seize the vicissitudes of heavenly secrets." It held a scroll in its beak, swaying its head.

"Disciple Zhao Xing pays his respects to the Heavenly Fate Guardian," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands.

The Heavenly Fate Blackbird, interrupted from its reading, replied impatiently: "Haven't I told you the rules already? If you want to read something, go find it yourself."

Zhao Xing carefully said: "I have a question I'd like to ask the Heavenly Fate Guardian. I wonder if you can answer it." After waiting two seconds and hearing no response, Zhao Xing looked up. He saw the Heavenly Fate Blackbird look at him askance and say: "Well, ask already!"

This vexing bird has quite a temper!

Zhao Xing asked: "To the Heavenly Fate Guardian, I learned from the Hall of Heavenly Craft guardian that the Hall of Shennong exists within the academy, and I should have been able to enter it long ago, but I cannot see where it is. The Hall of Heavenly Craft guardian told me to inquire with you."

The Heavenly Fate Blackbird swallowed the scroll into its belly and said faintly: "He was indeed correct. Normally, you should indeed be able to see the Hall of Shennong. However, that was on the premise that Great Li had not yet fallen."