Chapter 307: Four Divine Artifacts The Fate of Long Xiao Unknown? (15,000)

"Miscalculated?" Ji Si hesitated. "Are you saying it was a mistake from the very beginning?" another fate official asked.

"Yes," Ji Si nodded.

Being mistaken from the very beginning meant that Great Zhou had not actually obtained two artifacts.

"Then how do we interpret the divination results?" King Tianyan asked.

"It's possible Zhao Xing merely passed by the artifact's location, very closely," someone offered a reasonable explanation. "Historically, similar situations have occurred. Someone would pass by an artifact's location, and the fate officials at the time would perform divinations with the Heaven's Mystery Pillar, receiving similar readings. Yet, afterward, it was discovered that the person had not acquired the artifact. It was only when the next group re-entered the area that the artifact was found."

King Tianyan also nodded. While he was inwardly willing to accept that Zhao Xing had obtained the artifacts, logic told him it was impossible. The Dragon Court Ancient Land is perilous; artifacts aren't simply picked up. They are either in forbidden areas or guarded by powerful mechanisms or life forms. Anything that could be found by chance would have long been taken. After all, which second-rank Heavenly Fortune Realm cultivator doesn't possess advanced luck?

In fact, the fate officials weren't wrong in their thinking; the artifacts Zhao Xing obtained were indeed guarded by Dragon Kings. He didn't just pick them up; he exchanged for them.

"Even if we take a step back, this is still good news," Ji Si smiled. "At least two artifacts are linked to Zhao Xing. By simply asking about the places he visited, we have a very high chance of acquiring these two artifacts."

"Indeed," the other two fate officials agreed.

"Should we activate the backup plan?" someone asked.

The backup plan involved immediately sending a first-rank expert into the Dragon Court to find Zhao Xing and the artifacts. At this stage, entry into the Dragon Court was permitted, but exit was not, and quotas were limited. However, Great Zhou hadn't deployed all its forces from the outset; the backup plan had reserved a few spots, not many, primarily to handle unforeseen circumstances. This situation was classified as 'unforeseen.'

King Tianyan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Then send one person."

One person entering would be sufficient to coordinate Great Zhou's experts inside. A fate official was undoubtedly the most suitable choice. The reason fate officials weren't sent in initially was primarily because they were needed outside to perform divinations using the Creation Disk and the Heaven's Mystery Hall. A lone fate official inside, without an artifact, wouldn't be effective enough. Their own non-official personnel couldn't perform calculations, and external help was unreliable. What if they brought an artifact? That would be too risky. If a destiny-type artifact were lost within the Dragon Court, the loss would be too immense.

"Since two artifacts are involved, let me go," Ji Si said. "Tianyan, you still need to preside over the Heaven's Mystery Hall."

"Very well," King Tianyan nodded. "Follow me."

The other two fate officials returned to their positions, while Ji Si followed King Tianyan to another secret chamber. There was nothing else; the main purpose was to explain Zhao Xing's importance.

"What? He actually—"

After reading the confidential file, Ji Si was instantly startled. "I never imagined that in just twenty years of my seclusion, our dynasty would produce such a genius! This truly is a blessing from Heaven and a fortune for Great Zhou!"

"Si, be careful when you go in. Remember, protecting Zhao Xing is the top priority. Artifacts can be abandoned, but Zhao Xing must not die," King Tianyan cautioned.

"I understand," Ji Si nodded.

Treasure-grade artifacts were also man-made, and many of Great Zhou's super-giant ninth-rank divine weapons were no weaker than treasure-grade artifacts. Rare treasures, though uncommon, were not nonexistent. Peerless wonders, however, could not be created in the current era and were irreplaceable. Of course, in terms of value, Zhao Xing could also be compared to a peerless wonder.

Throughout history, Zhao Xing was the only one who had elevated the Divine Derivation Art to a new height. If Zhao Xing could comprehend the Divine Derivation Stele, it would be equivalent to recreating an ultimate soul-type technique! A technique that could be passed down to billions for tens of thousands of generations!

Ji Si finished reading the file, which bore Emperor Jing's personal seal and approval, making Zhao Xing absolutely comparable to a humanoid wonder.

"Brother, I'm off," Ji Si said solemnly.

"Mhm," King Tianyan replied, "Be extremely careful."

Originally, they shouldn't have activated the backup slots so early, but with the appearance of two artifacts and Zhao Xing's involvement, it was a situation that warranted their use.

***

At the Dragon Gate of Heaven and Earth, on the vast sea, a first-rank monstrous serpent coiled, its enormous shadow enveloping the warships below. Within a serpent-shaped palace formed by numerous conjoined warships, a middle-aged man in luxurious robes, with slanted eyes and a pointed head, sat on the throne, listening to a fate official's report. The Great Serpent Kingdom, like the Southern Barbarians, had also adopted Great Zhou's practice of calling officials responsible for divination and calculation 'fate officials'.

"Lord Xiucheng, two artifacts have appeared in the Dragon Court Ancient Land," the fate official reported to the monarch.

Lord Xiucheng was the younger brother of the Great Serpent Kingdom's monarch, Emperor Taixiu. His status in the Great Serpent Kingdom was akin to that of King Liang in Great Zhou in earlier years. He was also the first-rank expert leading this expedition, carrying a treasure-grade artifact and the national treasure serpent.

"Are there more precise