Chapter 331: Four Treasures, The Pressure Faced by Great Zhou

The Yu Dynasty was established in the fifth century after we arrived in this world.

At that time, my two friends, Puta and Fairy Su, and I believed we had fully understood the ascension rules of this world.

Although we had all fallen to the Ascension Realm, we considered ourselves invincible in this world.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but show a trace of sympathy.

How terrible! Simply terrible!

Invincible? How could they be? Were the guardians of the Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain and the Land of Gui Xu just a joke? In the Xuanhuang Realm, even a dragon had to coil!

Moreover, Qing Yuzi went on to establish a dynasty, which was even more fatal!

"The absence of spiritual energy doesn't matter. My path is that of Shennong, and it's still possible for me to conjure a spiritual energy rain in this world, creating a brief window for ascension."

Zhao Xing listened quietly; he had already discerned that Qing Yuzi was a cultivator of the agricultural path.

With his exceptional foresight, Qing Yuzi had made the same choice as Zhao Xing: to manually restore spiritual energy, forcing the world's inherent rules to become suitable for ascension.

Zhao Xing was very interested in this, as what Qing Yuzi had done was exactly what he intended to do. He wanted to hear how Qing Yuzi had failed, to learn from his experience.

Of course, their situations were not entirely the same.

For Qing Yuzi to accomplish this feat, the difficulty was hellish!

At that time, the Xia Dynasty had just ascended, taking away most of the spiritual energy. The Xuanhuang Realm had irreversibly entered a period of decline, and even vital energy would become scarce, let alone spiritual energy.

"We quickly ended the chaotic situation in the Central Plains and established a Dynasty of Destiny."

"It wasn't until then that I discovered this damned world had three unbreakable rules."

"First, the Land of Gui Xu. This place constantly absorbed spiritual energy, inexplicably devouring the remaining spiritual energy after the Xia Dynasty's ascension."

"Second, the great divine ability of the Southern Barbarian lands. Heavens, I never imagined that such a place would possess a divine ability like 'Severing Heaven and Earth.' After my army crossed a place called Yin You Mountain, almost all of them became mortals!"

"I'm not adept at commanding armies in battle, so I handed over the chief command to Puta."

"But we lost."

Qing Yuzi gave a wry smile. "Don't laugh, fellow Daoist. I, Qing Yuzi, am the dignified master of a Realm Star and hold a certain position in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom. Yet, I stumbled in this tiny Xuanhuang Realm."

"My friend, Puta, is also an elite disciple of a major power in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom, following the path of the Divine Craftsman."

"As for Fairy Su, she walks the path of the Soul. The three of us, surprisingly, couldn't handle the natives of the Southern Barbarian lands."

Zhao Xing was also filled with emotion. Qing Yuzi, Fairy Su, and Puta were all Origin Realm experts capable of adventuring across the cosmos, yet they were utterly defeated in the Xuanhuang Realm.

"In the Southern Barbarian lands, although ninety-nine percent of the people also became mortals, dozens of them could still wield spiritual energy!"

"Spiritual energy!" Qing Yuzi seemed agitated as he spoke. "We all became mortals, yet some of them could still use spiritual energy? This was an insurmountable gap!"

"Our mechanical beasts turned into scrap metal upon entering there, and our martial arts experts began falling ill..."

"After five centuries of fighting, we realized that under those circumstances, the Southern Barbarian lands were simply impenetrable!"

"And at this point, the second unbreakable rule emerged," Qing Yuzi sighed.

Zhao Xing also sighed.

He had guessed it. Qing Yuzi had encountered the Xuanhuang Realm's second unbreakable rule: the emperor of a Dynasty of Destiny could not live beyond a thousand years.

"The lifespan of a Dynasty of Destiny emperor in this world astonishingly could not exceed a thousand years."

"Although I founded the Yu Dynasty, it was my friend Puta who became emperor."

"Although Puta was severely injured, he could have endured for tens of thousands of years before becoming emperor. Yet, after taking the throne, he only lasted five hundred years before his lifespan ended."

"Fellow Daoist! If you also find yourself in the Xuanhuang Realm for some reason, facing the dilemma of ascension, never become the emperor of this world!"

"Never!"

Zhao Xing watched Qing Yuzi's solemn warning with a wry smile. 'Brother, you've stepped into every pit in the Xuanhuang Realm,' he thought. But cosmic adventures were precisely like this.

What seemed like an ordinary place could very well become the burial ground for a powerful adventurer.

"The third unbreakable rule was 'information blockade.' No message could be transmitted out."

Qing Yuzi sighed. "After Puta's death, Fairy Su and I realized this approach wouldn't work, so we sent messages outside this world."

"The power I belong to in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom is called the Purple God Manor, and it has a profound foundation within the kingdom."

"If they knew I was trapped, my sect mates and friends would surely come to my rescue."

Anyone beyond the Origin Realm could easily come to the Xuanhuang Realm to rescue me. This world was too dangerous; we even vaguely sensed certain perils. So, we found refuge on the Western Extremity Continent and erased all traces of ourselves.

"On the Western Extremity Continent, we created a small pocket dimension to sustain our lives while continuously transmitting messages outwards."

"However..."

"None of the messages we sent received any reply."

"Two hundred thousand years passed, Fairy Su also died, and I basically lost all hope."

"Because I could live for at most another fifty thousand years, and that was only because I cultivated the Shennong path, which grants abundant vitality, and had consumed many life-extending treasures."

"After another fifty thousand years, I was also close to death..."

"It was then that I confirmed information could not be transmitted out, establishing it as the Xuanhuang Realm's third unbreakable fundamental rule."

Listening to Qing Yuzi's account, Zhao Xing didn't know what to say.

He could only conclude that this tribulation was destined for the three of them!

If they had arrived a few hundred years earlier, they would have encountered the ascending Xia Dynasty!

Not only could they have quickly healed their injuries, but they could also have ascended with the Xia Dynasty. They might even have been revered as guides for the Xia Dynasty.

Unfortunately, they arrived precisely after the Xia Dynasty's ascension from the Xuanhuang Realm.

Spiritual energy was depleted, and even vital energy was scarce, making ascension impossible.

This was because the Xuanhuang Realm had entered a period of self-restoration and accumulation, during which the world's rules preventing ascension would operate with even greater force.

At such a time, the only choice was to comply with the world's rules, find a way to enter hibernation, and await the next ascension window—the resurgence of spiritual energy.

"Regrettably, Qing Yuzi and his companions didn't do this; instead, they chose to defy the heavens."

"This was normal, however. They surely possessed hibernation techniques, but hibernation also consumes lifespan. Who knew they would have to wait so long? They were on a mission and had fled here after being ambushed by enemies; how could they simply sleep here?"

"Truly, fate played its hand. Even powerful Origin Realm experts, with one wrong step, might still find a way out, but continuous mistakes led to them being trapped and dying here," Zhao Xing lamented.

Qing Yuzi and his two friends even established a dynasty here, reigning as kings and supreme rulers.

In their eyes, the Xuanhuang Realm was truly nothing more than an ordinary place. Yet, this very place had, step by step, trapped and killed three elites from the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom.

"With the absorption of the essence of three Origin Realm powerhouses, perhaps the Xuanhuang Realm will recover even faster?"

"Wait, Qing Yuzi also sensed other threats? Does this mean they weren't an isolated case?" Many thoughts flashed through Zhao Xing's mind.

"It seems this 'starter village' still has many undeveloped areas. And naturally, players ascend and leave; who would return to uncover secrets here? At most, they might use fate-type spells to review existing faction experiences and solve some mysteries."

Qing Yuzi recounted a great deal to Zhao Xing, his "fellow countryman." After explaining the whole story, he revealed his purpose.

"Since this fellow Daoist belongs to the Ceres faction, and if you are in a similar situation to mine, then we share the same misfortune."

"What I just told you is some advice from an unfortunate soul within our allied faction," Qing Yuzi self-deprecatingly said. "I hope it proves helpful to you, fellow Daoist."

Zhao Xing blinked. "Helpful? I already knew all this. Is there any other benefit?" he thought.

Qing Yuzi cupped his hands and said, "If your strength surpasses mine, Senior, please, for the sake of our allied factions, take my remains back to the Purple God Manor in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom. The minor items I've left behind are certainly beneath your notice."

"However, my teacher, the 'Manor Lord Ziyue,' will surely reward you, Senior."

"My relics are on the staff beside my body."

Zhao Xing glanced over and saw a bag hanging on the staff propped by the desk after Qing Yuzi finished speaking. "A Qiankun storage bag."

But he wasn't in a hurry to act.

Because he hadn't seen it when he first entered.

Evidently, Qing Yuzi had set up a rule here: one could only see these items after listening to his entire account.

After a brief pause, Qing Yuzi continued, "If your strength is not even at the Ascension Realm, it proves your injuries are more severe than mine."

"I have also left a gift for you, fellow Daoist, to help you recover from your injuries."

"What I've left can help you cultivate back to the peak of the Ascension Realm and give you enough time to await the next spiritual energy resurgence."

"At that time, please take my relics back. As I said before, once you reach the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom and find the 'Manor Lord Ziyue' of the Purple God Manor, you will receive a generous reward."

Zhao Xing looked and found another Qiankun storage bag had appeared on Qing Yuzi's desk. "This one is of a much lower grade," he noted.

Elder Zhao immediately discerned its quality.

He still didn't move, waiting to see if Qing Yuzi had any further last words.

"Puta, Fairy Su, and I have all left our inheritances within this ruin."

"If, upon your arrival, you find anyone who has inherited our three legacies, please take them with you as well, fellow Daoist."

"Qing Yuzi, on behalf of his two other friends, offers his gratitude."

With that, Qing Yuzi's Dharmakaya of Dao Establishment bowed deeply, then dissipated.

"What a tragic fate, alas."

Zhao Xing sighed, then walked forward.

He easily retrieved the Qiankun storage bag from the desk.

He then approached Qing Yuzi's remains to grasp the higher-grade Qiankun bag, but found his hand grasping at empty air.

"Rule protection," Zhao Xing mused.

This meant Qing Yuzi assumed that if a "senior" entered, one whose cultivation surpassed his own, they could naturally take the "relics." If one lacked that strength, then the items were not meant for them.

"It seems this bag can only be taken by someone at the Dao Establishment Realm," Zhao Xing thought. Qing Yuzi had clearly anticipated various scenarios during his lifetime.

But his ultimate goal was singular: to have his relics returned to the Purple God Manor in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom, part of the Ancient Wildlands Alliance, and delivered to Manor Lord Ziyue.

"'Manor Lord' sounds like a high position; it seems Qing Yuzi truly was an elite. However, I've never heard of this place."

"I don't know where it is within the Ancient Wildlands Alliance," Zhao Xing mused. The Ancient Wildlands Alliance was vast, so it was normal for him not to know every kingdom. "First, let's see what's in the storage bag."

Unable to retrieve the larger one, he decided to examine the smaller bag first.

According to Qing Yuzi, this was a treasure that could help him "re-cultivate" to the peak of the Ascension Realm and increase his chances of surviving until the next spiritual energy resurgence.

"Buzz."

Zhao Xing's soul energy poured into it. As it was an ownerless Qiankun storage bag, it was easily refined.

"As expected of an elite disciple; even this small storage bag has considerable space."

The bag's opening quickly expanded, transforming into a five-meter-high, three-meter-wide gateway. The opening could enlarge further, its ultimate size depending on the internal storage space.

In short, it had to be large enough to put things in and take them out.

If the internal space were as vast as a manor, ten thousand meters high, then its opening could expand to that size.

"Divide!"

Zhao Xing's soul energy transformed into a phantom and entered the bag. Qiankun storage bags and Pure Essence spaces were opposites.

Qiankun storage bags could not hold living beings, while Pure Essence spaces could only hold living organisms and pure energy bodies.

"Tsk, tsk, truly an elite. Even his spare storage bag is so large, and it even contains a palace."

At first, Zhao Xing thought it was designed to help the user categorize and organize items.

Of course, if one didn't like the elaborate design, the "Bright Palace" could be dismantled to free up more space. However, that wasn't necessary.

Because the internal space was already substantial.

"The space is five kilometers long, a hundred meters wide, and a hundred meters high. The Bright Palace is at the very end, facing the opening of the bag."

"Flashy but impractical, designed in this format," Zhao Xing, a true pragmatist, thought. If it were a spherical space, it could hold much more. This narrow, cubic space, with a palace occupying part of it, significantly reduced storage capacity.

"Hmm? It's not just decoration."

"The Sun-Moon Palace itself is a palace-type treasure. It can be taken out to crush people or trap enemies. Is its most outstanding feature defense?"

"According to the Xuanhuang Realm's classification, it is a peerless rare treasure."

"According to the cosmic version's classification, it belongs to the Star-level Dao Soldier category." After refining it, the first treasure Zhao Xing sensed was the Sun-Moon Palace.

Star-level Dao Soldiers also had different tiers. Realm Stars were stars, as were the Grand Yin Star and the Grand Yang Star.

"This Sun-Moon Palace is just an ordinary Star-level Dao Soldier. If it were a Grand Yin Dao Soldier, a Grand Yang Dao Soldier, or a Realm Star Dao Soldier, then it would be truly valuable." This classification was primarily based on the Dao Soldier's power and range.

If it could influence an ordinary star and its range could cover an entire star, then it was a Star-level Dao Soldier. In the Xuanhuang Realm, that was considered a rare treasure.

A Realm Star Dao Soldier, on the other hand, could break world rules. If Qing Yuzi had possessed such a thing, he would have escaped long ago.

Grand Yin Dao Soldiers and Grand Yang Dao Soldiers, found in every star domain, were generally stronger than Realm Star Dao Soldiers, though this could vary. Some Realm Star Dao Soldiers were formed by refining incredibly powerful Realm Stars, possessing unimaginable might.

"This Star-level Dao Soldier might have been forged using materials from the Grand Yin Star and Grand Yang Star, making it a high-grade item," Zhao Xing mused.

If he landed on a barren planet and took out the Sun-Moon Palace, he wouldn't have to endure the planet's leyline forces or rough it in the open. "Compared to the Mohist Palace, which has great teleportation capabilities and strong offensive power, the Sun-Moon Palace focuses primarily on defense and trapping enemies."

"I wonder which is stronger, this spear or this shield," Zhao Xing pondered. He wasn't a mechanist, and these large artifacts had many functions that required further study to fully understand. His soul energy avatar entered the Sun-Moon Palace for a quick inspection.

Soon, he discovered three more treasures.

"A complete Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact! This is a treasure for auxiliary cultivation. Could it have been used by Qing Yuzi, Puta, or Fairy Su?" Entering the hall, Zhao Xing saw a seven-colored orb displayed in a cabinet.

"Tianqi, for Qing Yuzi, must have been a renowned forging master."

"Visually, it matches the appearance of a complete soul artifact. Back then, only a thumb-sized rhomboid fragment existed in Wu Yuan's soul, but this small orb is perfectly intact."

"From my perception, its power of rules is also more complete, with Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements all present. It's even more advanced than the one Dius possessed," Zhao Xing mused.

After Dius and his servants died, only Dius dropped a Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact; the rest vanished into the world. Dao comprehension soul artifacts were intentionally made fragile, and some even had usage limits.

"This orb, named the Ascension Soul Artifact, was once used by Qing Yuzi." As Zhao Xing approached, its function was displayed: it was a cultivation accelerator, capable of helping one comprehend the Dao to the peak of the Ascension Realm.

"Unlimited uses, easy to unbind and refine—this can be a family heirloom," Zhao Xing thought. Those with limited uses and that couldn't be unbound were less expensive.

Because they could only be used by one person.

The Ascension Soul Artifact could also only allow one person to cultivate to the Ascension Realm.

Those with restrictions were generally prepared by powerful individuals for descendants born on Realm Stars and in small worlds, enabling them to quickly escape their original rule constraints. Unlimited ones, however, could serve as family heirlooms; with a single Ascension Soul Artifact, a family could prosper!

"From countless Ascension Realm cultivators, an Origin Realm expert will eventually emerge."

"This might not fully function in the Xuanhuang Realm, but in the cosmic version, it's a huge treasure," Zhao Xing rejoiced.

In the future cosmic version, there would be few ways to earn money and develop. Cruelty and chaos would be the main theme, unlike the Great Zhou, which had a safe and stable order. With the Ascension Soul Artifact, if he needed money, he could sell it for a large sum, which could entirely serve as startup capital for his development.

"The second treasure."

Zhao Xing looked at another display cabinet.

Floating above it was a hemisphere, containing flowers, trees, mountains, rivers, and celestial bodies imprinted on its surface. The energy of the Five Elements flowed within the hemisphere, like a microcosm of the world.

"The Grand Phenomenon of Solar Terms?" Zhao Xing's spirits immediately lifted.

Inside, the celestial phenomena and solar terms were being cyclically demonstrated.

The cultivators of the agricultural path in the cosmic version were also divided into three factions, and this was a celestial phenomenon treasure!

"Let's see how many solar terms it has; the more solar terms, the more valuable it is," Zhao Xing thought. It was normal for Qing Yuzi, as an agricultural cultivator, to carry such a treasure.

Due to the unique nature of the Celestial Phenomenon faction, even other professions would benefit greatly from possessing such a treasure.

"Start of Spring, Spring Equinox, Start of Summer, Summer Solstice, Start of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Start of Winter, Winter Solstice. This is the Grand Phenomenon of Four Seasons and Eight Solar Terms!"

"Jackpot, an absolute jackpot!"

Zhao Xing was so delighted he practically danced with joy.

If it were another type, it wouldn't be as valuable, but possessing the evolution of eight important solar terms across four seasons made it immensely precious. Of course, the most valuable would be a full cycle of all solar terms, but Qing Yuzi didn't have such an item either.

Perhaps he did, but it wouldn't be placed here.

"The Grand Phenomenon of Four Seasons and Eight Solar Terms has three effects."

"First, self-healing: it deeply restores injuries, especially those caused by poison, from the Five Elements Inner World. Most poison-induced injuries would lead to death by winter. Any Insect Witch would have to kneel and sing praises before this treasure."

"Second, restoring celestial phenomena: on a barren planet, it can create a temporary ecosystem suitable for habitation."

"The Celestial Phenomenon faction in the cosmic version is highly influential, and this treasure is a classic example of its capabilities."

"Third, comprehension: because Celestial Phenomenon faction treasures evolve fundamental rules, even practitioners of other professions can comprehend the mysteries of the four seasons and devise techniques."

"The Ascension Soul Artifact is for comprehending the Dao."

"The Grand Phenomenon of Four Seasons and Eight Solar Terms is for comprehending techniques."

The third item was an ice coffin.

"The Grand Cold Ice Coffin."

"Hmm? This even incorporates methods from the Xuantian Sect?" Zhao Xing carefully examined the third item. It was a transparent crystal coffin, ten meters wide, twenty meters long, and five meters thick.

Many patterns and secret runes on its surface gave Zhao Xing a sense of familiarity.

"It seems Qing Yuzi also learned local specialties after coming to the Xuanhuang Realm. Oh, no, he's an agricultural cultivator; this thing must have been crafted by his friend Puta," Zhao Xing mused.

After repeated setbacks in the Xuanhuang Realm, Qing Yuzi and his two companions finally set aside their pride and humbly began to learn the local culture and cultivation methods of the Xuanhuang Realm. Given their strength, it wouldn't have been difficult to find several Xuantian Sect strongholds.

They then crafted this Grand Cold Ice Coffin. "Its function is hibernation."

"The Xuantian Sect's ice coffins have many drawbacks, but this particular one has reached the Star-level Dao Soldier tier."

"According to the description left on it, this coffin ensures no problems within ten thousand years of slumber, and lifespan consumption will be extremely slow."

"Beyond ten thousand years, within a hundred thousand years, the rate increases, and side effects may appear. But if I were an outsider, with this ice coffin, I could live even longer," Zhao Xing mused. If he had this, even if he hadn't successfully ascended during Emperor Wu's era, he could have waited for that spiritual energy resurgence.

He surveyed his surroundings again and found various bottles and jars displayed, though most were empty. "Only over three hundred bottles aren't empty, including spiritual liquid and various elixirs, all precious consumable items."

"Qing Yuzi was indeed right; he truly can help someone quickly recover to the Ascension Realm." The startup capital was very generous!

Zhao Xing tallied the items, then his soul energy avatar exited the storage bag space. Putting away the storage bag, Zhao Xing bowed towards Qing Yuzi's corpse.

"Fellow Daoist, since I've taken your possessions, I will certainly carry out your wishes."

"If I succeed in this ascension, I will go to the Purple God Manor in the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom to inform your master."

Before Qing Yuzi's desk lay four skeletons, clearly disciples Qing Yuzi had once taken, who had chosen to pass away here with their teacher. Seeing no further movement within the water mansion, Zhao Xing retreated through the light portal.

"Buzz."

The walls sealed shut, becoming perfectly seamless once more, as if nothing had happened. Simultaneously, the echoing sounds in the corridor vanished.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Xing continued forward.

"Qing Yuzi's arrangements for a 'fellow countryman' were one thing, but he hadn't placed all his hopes on an unknown 'fellow countryman.'"

He definitely still intended to cultivate local natives as disciples to reach the Ascension Realm.

"This approach is more reliable."

"But he once erased his traces; what was he guarding against? Did Qing Yuzi perhaps have disciples who established forces outside and continued to this day?"

"Are there other instances of experiences like Qing Yuzi's in the Xuanhuang Realm?"

"If the Southern Barbarian forces had previously obtained similar inheritances, would the difficulty of my attack on the Southern Barbarians increase? And does that entity from the Land of Gui Xu truly still exist?"

For a moment, Zhao Xing's mind raced, and unknowingly, he had reached the end. At the end stood three enormous stone tablets.

One of the stone tablets made Zhao Xing pause. "The Divination Stele?"

Indeed, the middle stone tablet Zhao Xing saw was the Divination Stele!

"The Divination Stele is originally an item from the cosmic version, so it's normal for Qing Yuzi to possess it."

"In comparison, the Divination Stele obtained by the Great Zhou was much smaller and incomplete. Zhao Xing had seen the Great Zhou's stele; the accompanying great power was very vague, but here, it was much clearer."

"So, the source was incomplete, which naturally created obstacles in cultivation," Zhao Xing understood. "Using the Divination Stele as a trial is indeed a common screening method." As for the murals carved on the other two stone tablets, he didn't know what they depicted.

They were likely inheritances from the Ancient Yuanhai Kingdom.

After a while, a Dharmakaya of Dao Establishment, precisely Qing Yuzi, condensed beside the three stone tablets.

However, Qing Yuzi's demeanor was different this time; his expression was cold, and his aura was overwhelming, completely unlike his appearance in the 'last words' version.

Well, a teacher should be more serious.

Zhao Xing waited for Qing Yuzi to speak.

"Please comprehend the three murals before you and create your own secret techniques."

"If the secret technique you create can penetrate the murals, you may proceed to the next trial."

"The murals on the three stone tablets are: 'Divination Art,' 'Purple Moon Origin,' and 'Wind of the Void.'"

"Each comprehension attempt has a time limit. The specific requirements vary by individual. You will have five years for comprehension."

"If you fail to pass the first trial within five years, you will forget this ruin, but your self-created secret technique will be retained."

The rules were simple: create a secret technique, break through the mural, and you could enter the next stage.

"Back when Li Boqian created his ultimate technique, its power was at the ultimate first transformation even as he just comprehended it, yet he still didn't pass."

"Qing Yuzi's requirements are truly high. But then again, anyone who can reach the Ascension Realm is an astonishing talent."

"However, Qing Yuzi still seeks a genius among Ascension Realm cultivators; otherwise, his wishes will be difficult to achieve."

"It seems he still has quite a few treasures."

Zhao Xing thought.

The item casually given to his "fellow countryman" for conveying a message was a Star-level Dao Soldier. How could he give less to his own successor?

"Five years. I wonder if I can pass."

"I can't start comprehending now. I don't know the situation outside, and my external clones have lost their effectiveness. Five years is too long; I need to go out and inform them."

"And I can also use the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact while I'm out."

Zhao Xing pondered, then returned the way he came, emerging from the divine hall.

"Huh? How did he come out from here?" Chen Ju and King Shen Luo both looked up, somewhat surprised.

When several experts dispatched by the Great Zhou explored this ruin, if they didn't possess a Purple Light Divine Token, they would reappear outside the divine hall and remember nothing.

So far, nine people had tried, without exception.

But Zhao Xing went in and reappeared here, and he didn't have a Purple Light Divine Token. How did he do it?

"Lord Zhao."

"Zhao Xing."

Chen Ju and King Shen Luo immediately went to meet him.

"How are you all doing? Any discoveries?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Not much progress. Currently, there's no hope of fully enclosing or moving the entire ruin."

"Have you made any discoveries, Lord Zhao?"

Chen Ju's eyes gleamed.

"A few discoveries," Zhao Xing smiled faintly.

The items Qing Yuzi left behind were indeed treasures: a complete Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact, a miniature Grand Phenomenon, the Grand Cold Ice Coffin, the Sun-Moon Palace, and over three hundred bottles of spirit pills and spiritual liquid, all precious consumable items.

From Zhao Xing's perspective, the treasures left by Qing Yuzi, an agricultural cultivator, were even better than those in the Ancient Dragon Court. Of course, there was no need to tell Chen Ju this; he would discuss it with Emperor Wu later.

"Can Lord Zhao escape the influence of the rules?" This was what Chen Ju was focused on.

"Not exactly escaping them," Zhao Xing shook his head.

As a member of Qing Yuzi's cosmic allied faction, he was a fellow countryman. Naturally, he wouldn't be affected by the rules and forget these matters.

Undergoing the inheritance trial, however, was a different matter.

Regarding the inheritance portion, if Zhao Xing didn't pass the trial, he would forget it as well.

One thing at a time: providing items for recovery was Qing Yuzi's way of sending a message back. To learn the inheritance, one had to follow the rules of the Purple God Manor.

"There is indeed a screening mechanism inside; the comprehension time limit varies from person to person."

"The stronger one's talent and aptitude, the more generous the time given."

"Conversely, if there's little hope of passing, a quick test reveals it, and there's no need to waste time, so they are quickly teleported out," Zhao Xing explained.

"Talent? Aptitude?" Chen Ju was somewhat stunned. "Were the nine people who entered the divine hall before not strong enough in aptitude?"

Zhao Xing nodded.

Though disheartening, the reality was that harsh!

"I'm leaving first."

"You can continue exploring at your own pace."

Zhao Xing wasn't in the mood to say more to them.

Now that he could confirm the Purple Light Divine Ruin was safe, he should go up and adjust the Great Zhou's strategy.

At the same time, he had gained much information from Qing Yuzi's last words, and his own future plans would need adjustment.

Zhao Xing activated his "Heaven's Reach in a Step" technique and flew towards the entrance.

Ascension Realm cultivators who have endured countless hardships are nothing in the vast cosmos. In my previous life, many players like us who ventured into the cosmos ended up mining, serving food, or doing odd jobs. The luckier ones became minor soldiers.

"Most agricultural cultivators were miserable farmers, often unpaid."

"And that was considered a good situation—still alive, still hopeful. Isn't that fortunate?"

"In the cosmic version, coldness, chaos, and cruelty are the main themes!"

"I need to accumulate more wealth and foundation in the Xuanhuang Realm, and bring more money when I ascend. Only with startup capital can I proceed," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"From Qing Yuzi's experience, there are likely other 'outsiders' like him. I just don't know how long they stayed, or if some ascended with the divine dynasties. Many legendary artifacts from my previous life are now untraceable; this possibility is quite high."

"Also, I need to figure out if places like the Land of Gui Xu and the Southern Barbarian Sacred Mountain have been strengthened." Although Zhao Xing now carried Qing Yuzi's gifts, he still lacked confidence in his ascension plan. "The more I know, the more I ponder. Sometimes, ignorance is bliss."

"However, the items left by Qing Yuzi, Puta, and Fairy Su must be firmly in my grasp."

"Otherwise, it would simply increase the difficulty for no reason."

Zhao Xing knew very well that after Dius revealed the ruin, many factions would come to contend for it.

The mere mention of the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact by Dius was enough to cause a sensation.

Outside the barrier.

Zhao Xing immediately activated a rule-based leap, appearing on Liu Tianning's ship.

"How did you get out?"

Liu Tianning sensed Zhao Xing's presence and immediately came out to check.

"There's some intelligence I had to come out and report first," Zhao Xing said. "Please take me to the Mohist Palace immediately, Teacher, to inform His Majesty and convene a meeting of the Six Ministries."

"Very well." Liu Tianning didn't hesitate, immediately taking Zhao Xing upward.

"Splash~"

The deep-sea ship surfaced. Zhao Xing looked up and saw that a fortified city had already appeared on the thick glacier above.

City walls stretched for over three hundred li, with formations flowing along them and thunderclouds blanketing the sky. Zhao Xing even saw soil here. Compared to a few days ago, the place had been completely transformed, looking entirely different.

"Even the Kunyuan Divine Hoe has been put to use."

Zhao Xing observed the thick soil and the distant mountain ranges. "The court's response is swift enough."

"All the mountains were excavated from the Seven Grotto-Heavens and Two Blessed Lands in Xiji Province, and most military supplies are also being transported from there," Liu Tianning explained.

As Liu Tianning and Zhao Xing headed to the Mohist Palace, he explained, "The news has now spread completely. A battle is inevitable here sooner or later."

"You must be under a lot of pressure, Teacher," Zhao Xing said. Fighting Xisi Kingdom was entirely different from engaging the Southern Barbarian forces, sectarian powers, and Eastern Ocean factions. The Great Zhou could destroy Xisi Kingdom with a flick of the wrist, but battling these forces was no simple matter.

"The pressure is immense, and not just for me. King Rahu, Wei Hong, Lu Ying... even His Majesty feels a lot of pressure upon receiving the news," Liu Tianning said. "The four great Southern Barbarian royal courts have all mobilized, and the ten great divine sects and thirty-six top sects have also joined in. The Eastern Ocean, the Northern Sea, the aboriginals of the Western Extremity Continent... none of them are peaceful."

This exaggerated mobilization gave Zhao Xing the feeling that a world war involving the entire Xuanhuang Realm was imminent.

As for the Great Zhou's allies, they were only some vassal states and aquatic chieftains of mediocre strength.

When Zhao Xing arrived at the Mohist Palace and saw the complete intelligence report, he realized just how severe the situation was.

"Fighting here, we don't have an advantage. The court's management of Xiji Province is far less intensive than that of Pinghai Province," King Rahu said.

Zhao Xing nodded. Emperor Jing, when fighting the Southern Barbarians during the Jingxin period, had also spent two hundred and seventy-eight years preparing in Pinghai Province beforehand.

Military preparations, various material mobilizations, including the proper placement of powerful individuals, and the divinations of the Creation Disk... these were all incomparable to what Xiji Province could offer.

Who would have thought of making such a grand play on the Western Extremity Continent?

"Of course, the hostile forces are also unprepared, so everyone is back at the same starting point. It just depends on the extent of our resolve," King Rahu said.

"What are His Majesty's thoughts?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Fight and talk, buy time," King Rahu said. "We'll quickly excavate the treasures. Even if only leftovers remain for others to take, it won't matter."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly. For a newly enthroned emperor, making such a decision was not easy.

Fighting a national war on a glacier on the Western Extremity Continent, far from Xiji Province, would be difficult for people to understand. The resources expended and the powerful individuals lost would certainly exceed those of Emperor Jing's era. How long had it been since Emperor Jing's campaign against the barbarians? If another, even grander war were to occur, the Great Zhou would face immense pressure.

"Zhao Xing, did you find anything down there? Quickly tell us," King Rahu looked at Zhao Xing expectantly. He was indeed a warmonger, but he also needed to assess if a fight was worthwhile and if there were significant benefits. The few items Dius possessed were not enough for him to justify.

If there were substantial gains, even anticipated ones, it would be much easier for him to deploy troops and coordinate all parties.

"A major discovery," Zhao Xing nodded. "The Purple Light Divine Ruin below was left by an outsider. I've already obtained some treasures."

Zhao Xing took out the Qiankun storage bag, gave it a pat, and then over three hundred bottles and jars flew out.

He then presented the Sun-Moon Palace, the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact, and the Grand Phenomenon to King Rahu, Liu Tianning, Lu Ying, and Wei Hong for their inspection.

"Aside from these precious materials, the Sun-Moon Palace, the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact, the Grand Phenomenon, and even this storage bag itself are all treasures."

"Let me introduce them to you..."

When Zhao Xing brought out these items, the Mohist Palace fell silent, save for a few heavy gasps.

Rare treasures: the Sun-Moon Palace, the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact, the Grand Phenomenon, and the Qiankun storage bag—all were considered peerless rare treasures in the Xuanhuang Realm!

Chen Ju, who had followed him up and was a proponent of peace, now had reddened eyes and quickened breathing.

Chen Ju now had but one thought: 'What "peace faction"? That was yesterday's news! Whoever tries to steal this will face my wrath!'

Chen Ju completely ignored Lu Ying's gaze, staring intently at the miniature palace, the spherical Grand Phenomenon, and the Heavenly Qi Soul Artifact floating in mid-air. Zhao Xing had said this was merely the tip of the iceberg of the ruin's treasures. Who could possibly resist that?

"I think it's enough," Wei Hong immediately declared. "Me too," Liu Tianning smiled.

King Rahu listened quietly to Zhao Xing's entire explanation, then couldn't help but take a deep breath. "Report to His Majesty immediately! This is a heaven-sent treasure that we must acquire!"

"My intention is to command the armies of the nineteen provinces, three hundred and sixty-seven grotto-heavens, and eighty-two blessed lands, mobilizing the full power of the nation to protect the treasures of the Western Extremity Glacier!"