Chapter 386: Great Scholar Zuo En, Mastery of Will Power, Zhao Xing's Intimidation

"An Illusion Curse?" Jing Yan's expression changed upon hearing this. "My friend has been here the whole time; he hasn't gone out. How could he be afflicted by an Illusion Curse?"

Envoy Cang Yu's face darkened. Though he was merely a spirit artifact skilled in information processing, not a powerful "war spirit," the fact that Zhao Xing was afflicted by an Illusion Curse while within his Yuanhai Palace reflected poorly on the palace's reputation.

Du Yun's expression also turned grim. He had only stepped out to meet someone, and unexpectedly, Zhao Xing had encountered a problem. Zhao Xing was under his protection, and at this moment, Du Yun felt a loss of face.

"Can it be lifted?" Du Yun asked.

"Difficult," the Grand Scholar said, pointing to his head. "The path of curses is inherently hard to master, and for an outsider to lift one is even harder, especially when it's cast by a mind cursemancer."

"How could this happen? Is his condition incurable?" Jing Yan panicked.

"I'm not sick," Zhao Xing said, frowning. "I just—"

Du Yun waved his hand, immediately sealing Zhao Xing's entire body, turning him into a statue.

"He's not wrong," the Grand Scholar said, glancing at Zhao Xing. "The influence on one's mind and will isn't a visible injury."

"When one's mind and will are affected, it can lead to personality changes and inflated desires. This isn't considered a disease, at least not in the conventional sense."

"Some emperors were wise and valiant in their early years but became tyrannical and cruel in their later years, often making actions that outsiders found incomprehensible."

"It's not a form of damage, merely an influence. That's why it could bypass the Starfall Fortress's defense system."

"This mind illusionist's skill is very high. I believe he intended to capture Zhao Xing alive, otherwise, Zhao Xing would already be dead. Every profession has its specialties. Just as you, Du Yun, are unparalleled among your peers in the Great Divine Ability Realm, even capable of slaying those in the Dao Domain Realm, this mind illusionist's methods are almost unbreakable by those of the same level."

It was all very complex. Du Yun, Cang Yu, and Jing Yan found it difficult to grasp the concept of a mind cursemancer.

Du Yun grasped the key point: "Difficult doesn't mean impossible, Master Zhuo. Do you have a way to solve this problem?"

Zhuo En nodded. "Yes, the simplest way is isolation and observation."

"Illusion Curses are temporary; their effect is only for a time. Like someone who has experienced a major upheaval, they may be momentarily affected, but as long as they are separated from the source of the stimulus, they will gradually recover and clear their minds over time."

Du Yun thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, that won't do. Is there another way?"

Zhao Xing had just completed a transaction with him and then fell victim to an Illusion Curse. If Du Yun didn't heal Zhao Xing, he would lose face in the cultivation world.

Zhuo En nodded. "Then hand him over to me. I can restore him, but I'll need your cooperation."

"How can I cooperate?" Du Yun asked.

Zhuo En pointed to the starry sky. "Besides requiring a medium, the control of distance is also crucial for an Illusion Curse. Based on the defense system of Tiger Head Star Continent, this Dao Domain Realm cursemancer should be hidden within a 0.5 star-sector radius."

"Killing him or driving him away will both help me."

"Afterward, I will expend 500,000 years of my cultivation to transfer the curse affecting his Dao physique onto you, for you to share the burden."

"The Illusion Curse has a great impact on him but will be ineffective against you."

"However, the prerequisite for this spell is that you either drive him away or kill him."

Du Yun's killing intent flared. "Good, that's what we'll do!"

The spirit artifact, Cang Yu, immediately pledged. "I will fully cooperate with the Prefect and keep everything strictly confidential."

Du Yun nodded slightly, then disappeared from the location with Cang Yu.

"I'll go out too," Jing Yan said, sensing the need to leave.

"No, you stay," Zhuo En said. "Assist me. I might need you to attack him."

"Understood," Jing Yan replied, remaining.

The room was quiet. Zhuo En wasted no time. He waved his hand, and immediately, a grandfather clock, as tall as a person, appeared before Zhao Xing.

It displayed the twelve traditional Chinese hours: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai. The large dial also had markings for the four seasons and the five elements.

A chaotic aura flowed on the dial, eventually converging into a single pointer. The aura emanating from the pointer gradually synchronized with Zhao Xing's aura.

Jing Yan was astonished to discover that in his perception, there now appeared to be two Zhao Xings. If he didn't use his eyes, the grandfather clock seemed like another living Zhao Xing.

Zhuo En glanced at Jing Yan, who looked as if he wanted to speak, and smiled slightly. "You're very capable. Where are you from in the Red Star Empire?"

"Beiye Galaxy, sir," Jing Yan respectfully answered.

"I once visited your home planet's capital," Zhuo En recalled. "A very pleasant place."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Ask anything you want to know," Zhuo En said, pulling up a stool and sitting down.

"Sir, what is this for?" Jing Yan asked, pointing to the grandfather clock.

"The Inner Cosmos Clock," Zhuo En replied. "He's been affected by an Illusion Curse, and his Dao physique also has some issues."

"With his mind and will influenced, he is constantly in a state of excitement and tension. His Dao physique, acupoints, spiritual energy, and essence qi are all in a boiling, combat-ready state."

"It's fine for a short period, but prolonged exposure will affect his cultivation."

Jing Yan silently cursed a long string of expletives.

Zhuo En chuckled quietly, for Jing Yan's curses were quite vulgar.

Outside Tiger Head Star Continent, in the starry cosmos, on a meteor.

Jiu looked at the large group of patrolling star generals and mechanical puppets appearing before him.

"I've been discovered."

Such a large-scale operation on Tiger Head Star Continent naturally couldn't escape Jiu's notice. He also sensed Du Yun gathering several Dao Domain Realm cultivators to clear the area.

It was clear they intended to force him to leave.

"I acted so covertly, yet I was still found." Jiu wasn't disappointed; the universe was full of unexpected events.

He had taken on this mission because he thought it was simple and low-risk. As a mind cursemancer, he could cast spells from a distance. If it succeeded, fine; if not, it would be difficult for others to discover him. Their profession's casting methods were inherently very discreet.

"I'll just have to find another opportunity."

Jiu immediately activated his realm-boat to warp away, leaving the cleared zone. However, Jiu also knew that with the other party already alerted, finding another opportunity would be quite difficult in the short term.

"Compared to fighting Du Yun, losing a bit of the deposit is nothing." Jiu was clear-headed; he wouldn't risk a head-on confrontation with Du Yun for 150 billion Red Star Coins.

"The area within 0.5 star-sectors has been swept," Cang Yu reported to Du Yun. "Prefect, do we need to check again?"

"No need," Du Yun shook his head. A professional cursemancer who failed to land a hit would immediately flee. Without preparation, it would be difficult to catch a Dao Domain Realm cursemancer in the public star sea area, unless he had already "seen" them.

If Du Yun had seen them, a Five Elements Dao Domain Realm expert would find it very difficult to escape. Since he couldn't even see the person, there was no way to catch them.

"Du Yun, I feel the power of the Illusion Curse weakening," Zhuo En's voice resonated in his ear. "That person should have left."

"To prevent him from returning, I'll patrol the starry sky." Du Yun said to Cang Yu, "The rest of you can return. Don't delay the important matters of the ancient kingdom."

"Marquis Lin, Brother Hai, thank you," Du Yun said, cupping his hands to the other two Dao Domain Realm cultivators.

"Prefect, you're too kind," the other two Dao Domain Realm cultivators responded, cupping their hands. Although they were one realm higher than Du Yun, their combat strength was far inferior to his.

Not everyone could master Great Divine Abilities. They had merely passed the Small Divine Ability stage and then found ways to establish their Dao Domain, reaching the Dao Domain Realm, which was less difficult.

The distinction between Small and Great Divine Abilities within the Third Realm was entirely used to differentiate between geniuses and ordinary cultivators.

*Swoosh~*

Du Yun transformed into a streak of light, rapidly disappearing from everyone's sight.

"He's gone," Marquis Lin said. In the blink of an eye, he couldn't track Du Yun's whereabouts.

"At the Essence Realm stage, a normal speed, without special treasures, is 110 times the speed of light. Du Yun, however, exceeded eighty times the speed of light," another Dao Domain Realm cultivator said enviously. "Speed becomes harder to increase the further you go. Du Yun is truly worthy of being a genius chosen by the Essence Heaven Palace."

"Let's go, Brother Lin."

The two no longer lingered; they couldn't track Du Yun's movements at all.

*Click-clack,* the pointer began to tick.

Zhuo En placed the sleeping Zhao Xing in mid-air. Zhao Xing's body was now stiff and straight, like a pointer itself, rotating with tiny movements in the air.

With each rotation, Zhao Xing's breathing slowed, his heart rate and spiritual energy circulation decreased, and the essence light emanating from his Violet Yin and Violet Yang star acupoints was no longer dazzling.

*Humm~*

A thousand days later, Zhao Xing's Dao domain underwent a powerful release. Afterward, his aura completely calmed down, and his breathing became regular.

"Wake up!"

Zhuo En's voice entered Zhao Xing's mind.

A moment later, Zhao Xing slowly opened his eyes. He saw Du Yun beside him, as well as Jing Yan and Zhuo En, and the strangely shaped grandfather clock.

"How are you feeling?" Du Yun asked.

By this time, Zhuo En had completed both processes: conditioning the Dao physique and transferring the curse.

"I feel like I had a dream," Zhao Xing said, somewhat bewildered.

"What did you dream of?" Zhuo En asked.

"I dreamed I found a supreme treasure outside and became a Dao Domain Realm expert... but the dream was very tense, giving me a sense of pressure, like winning a huge lottery and suffering from insomnia, both scared and excited—but now I feel relieved." Zhao Xing stretched his body. "My mind feels very relaxed."

Listening to Zhao Xing's description, Du Yun looked at Zhuo En. "Is he cured?"

"I'm not sure what kind of person he was originally, or if his personality has changed," Zhuo En said. "However, at least he won't act recklessly because of the illusions manifested by the curse. He has, for all intents and purposes, returned to normal."

Jing Yan walked up to Zhao Xing. "Do you remember me?"

Zhao Xing thought back. "I remember. You were in that dream, and you even stabbed me twice—thank you."

"Damn, you scared me senseless," Jing Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, don't let him think about that now," Zhuo En said, waving his hand to pull Jing Yan away.

"Zhao Xing, this wasn't a dream, but for now, just consider it a nightmare, let it pass, and don't dwell on it." Zhuo En looked at Zhao Xing. "Do you know how to seal memories? If not, I can teach you."

"I do," Zhao Xing nodded. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and the segment of memory related to the 'opportunity sensation' gradually faded.

"Thank you, Prefect. Thank you, Mr. Zhuo," Zhao Xing bowed deeply. Although he still didn't fully understand what had happened, he knew he had overcome a great tribulation.

"You don't need to thank me," Du Yun said. "Forget it, now isn't the time to discuss those things with you. Stay here and study with Mr. Zhuo."

"When you've completed your studies, come find me."

"Yes."

"Jing Yan, you should leave too," Du Yun said, looking at Jing Yan.

"Zhao Xing, send me a message when you're done here," Jing Yan said.

"Okay."

Soon, only Zhuo En and Zhao Xing remained in the room.

"Du Yun invited me to provide you with an enlightening impartation of knowledge from a Preaching Scholar," Zhuo En said. "My impartation is a one-time opportunity for everyone, unless I can advance two more stages and reach the Reincarnation Realm."

Zhao Xing nodded slightly. Through the system panel, he saw Zhuo En's name, profession, and his cultivation realm as a Yin-Yang Dao Domain expert.

"You cultivate both core essences, and your techniques are Violet Yin and Violet Yang?"

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. One must be honest about their cultivation methods with a Preaching Scholar.

"You can demonstrate the path you have walked for me."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and immediately, the two essences of Violet Yin and Violet Yang began to intertwine in the air. The Grand Dao of Essence was about the utilization of spiritual energy, almost always simulated and integrated based on the essences of Solar Spiritual Energy and Lunar Spiritual Energy. Despite variations, all cultivation techniques were fundamentally rooted in these two essences.

Zhuo En nodded. "To think of using the Intrinsic Self cultivation method from the Yuanhai Realm to balance the Yin-Yang essences, allowing your Dao physique to achieve perfect equilibrium—your aptitude and comprehension are quite good."

Zhao Xing was not unintelligent, which was good news for Zhuo En. At least he could save some effort and time. If it were a foolish person, he would have to expend great effort.

"Setting aside the Dao Domain Realm for now, even without a Preaching Master, you could cultivate to the Third Realm within a few thousand years," Zhuo En commented.

"However, using the *Yuanhai Realm* to balance your Heavenly Time cultivation also has drawbacks."

Zhao Xing's eyes narrowed. "Please enlighten me, sir."

"That is, your Heavenly Time cultivation will always be constrained by the Intrinsic Self cultivation method." Zhuo En pointed to a symbol resembling a Taiji diagram.

"The Violet Yin and Violet Yang techniques were created to help people better comprehend the two top source stars of the Violet God Galaxy."

"By using the Inner Cosmos of the Intrinsic Self school to balance Violet Yin and Violet Yang, you are essentially taking a shortcut."

"In the short term, you can indeed achieve rapid improvement through this shortcut, but in reality, your understanding of the Dao of Heavenly Time is not profound."

"Your Dao physique will eventually encounter a greater bottleneck in the future."

"Furthermore, the Yuanhai Realm cultivation method was created by a royal family member of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom and can only be cultivated up to the Third Realm."

"Intrinsic Self cultivation methods are hard to find. Even if you manage to acquire more advanced techniques later, you may not be able to continue improving by simply following suit."

"You haven't truly cultivated both paths simultaneously. You have merely specialized in the Dao of Intrinsic Self. The improvement of your Heavenly Time cultivation is merely a secondary effect of improving your Intrinsic Self Dao. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhao Xing pondered Zhuo En's words, falling into deep thought.

"I understand, sir."

"There are no shortcuts on the Grand Dao," Zhuo En said slowly. "Those who take shortcuts are all walking a deviant path, risking cultivation deviation."

"Of course, if you can break through it, then disregard what I've said."

Zhao Xing smiled at this. If he could break through it, he would be an innovator, creating a new cultivation method. Zhuo En was not discussing right or wrong with him now, only advantages and disadvantages.

"You may retain your own understanding," Zhuo En waved his hand. "My Enlightenment Realm can help you purely comprehend the Dao of Heavenly Time, allowing your Dao to reach the Third Realm level."

Zhao Xing understood Zhuo En's meaning: to break through without taking shortcuts, meaning not relying on the *Yuanhai Realm* to achieve balance. This wouldn't hinder his current path; he could continue such balance later if he wished. This way, the Dao of Heavenly Time would become a truly independent and powerful path for Zhao Xing, not merely an appendage to the Dao of Intrinsic Self.

Zhuo En waved his hand, and a glowing portal appeared before Zhao Xing. It was half dark purple and half bright purple. A star floated on each side.

"This is the Enlightenment Realm I'm providing for you."

"It is estimated that within fifty years, your Heavenly Time cultivation will reach the Third Realm."

"After that, we will proceed with the impartation of 'methods'."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and asked, "Sir, could you impart the first layer of *Ultimate Land* to me, so I can complete my breakthrough?"

Zhuo En countered, "What do you think?"

Zhao Xing felt a bit awkward. He cupped his hands to Zhuo En, then stepped into the glowing portal. A cultivation method like *Ultimate Land* could not be imparted by a Preaching Scholar. Even if Zhuo En knew it, he wouldn't dare to do so. It was a method used by others to screen geniuses, akin to an assessment system foundational to their rule. Who would dare to sabotage it?

The Preaching Scholar's Enlightenment Realm was known as the 'Gate of Myriad Wonders'. This was because it was incredibly profound and highly efficient. Each Preaching Scholar's Enlightenment Realm was unique.

Upon entering, Zhao Xing saw another version of himself. He stood between heaven and earth, his Dao physique tens of thousands of kilometers tall. Two auras, like chaotic currents, flowed around his body, which was perfectly formed. As Zhao Xing observed, every muscle, bloodline, and acupoint was vividly presented. Spiritual energy and the body intertwined, and 840 million stars seemed to exist as truly solid entities.

The entire Dao physique appeared like a profound cultivation method diagram, displayed before him from different angles.

"Is this me in the Third Realm?"

Zhao Xing quickly understood Zhuo En's capability.

"I can fully feel how perfectly aligned these Daos are with me. The Dao rhyme in every movement originates from me, yet is stronger than me."

With a stronger version of himself as a reference, Zhao Xing only needed to cultivate according to the sample. What was meant by "pointing the clear path"? This was it. No matter how foolish a person was, they couldn't possibly be unfamiliar with their own cultivation path. A Preaching Scholar was essentially spoon-feeding them.

"Fifty years? It won't take that long at all." Zhao Xing immediately sat down to meditate and comprehend. Spiritual energy was extremely abundant here. If spiritual energy was compared to building materials, there was absolutely no need to worry about materials now.

Before the Preaching Scholar, there was a fear of making mistakes when building. Now, there was no possibility of error whatsoever. Because there was a 'first self' in front of him, he could just do whatever that self did.

"This is truly 'idiot-proof' teaching."

Zhao Xing felt his cultivation soaring rapidly and couldn't help but sigh. Within the Enlightenment Realm, his cultivation was almost constantly changing. The progress of Violet Yin and Violet Yang instantly went from 62% to 63%.

Spiritual energy entered his body, transforming into his own power. This proved that his enlightenment was on the right path; qi and body had merged, becoming a usable power, which was the 'essence of spiritual energy,' or the Essence Realm.

Zhao Xing followed the path of magic arts. At this stage, he didn't need to merge with his soul like martial artists, so his progress was remarkably fast. It took him only seven years to reach 90% progress. In the ninth year, he reached 99%. Then, without any hindrance, he reached 100%.

He broke through directly!

*Boom~*

The 840 million stars within his Dao physique simultaneously lit up. The spiritual energy vortex in Zhao Xing's Dantian transformed from a gray mass into a brilliant nebula. The 840 million essence stars became fully solidified, no longer appearing illusory as before.

Zhao Xing felt his comprehension of the Five Elements Dao, Yin-Yang Dao, Life Dao, and all other Grand Daos in the universe becoming clearer.

"My Dao physique has transformed, making spellcasting easier because the range of my Dao domain has expanded," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "My current Dao domain can now encompass a medium-sized realm star."

"With a single thought, the realm barrier of a medium-sized realm star and a small world would be repelled by my Dao domain."

"I am no longer suppressed by the world rules of small worlds. Instead, my Dao domain can replace the world rules."

What did this concept mean? It meant he had become the 'Heavenly Dao controller' of that world. The path of martial artists, on the other hand, could shatter the Dao of a small world, essentially proving their Dao through force. Both paths had advantages. In terms of control, the magic arts path had the edge, as martial artists could only shatter, not control with a single thought.

However, when martial artists entered the Third Realm, their Golden Body unlocked physical treasures, allowing them to manifest innate divine abilities. The magic arts path, without soul integration, could not. Without the spiritual fusion of the soul, the Dao physique remained a mortal body.

Name: Zhao XingProfession: Minister of AgricultureRealm: Third Realm (Small Divine Ability Realm)Dao Domain: Medium Realm Star Tier 1Age: 2031Remaining Lifespan: 1.9 Epochs

"I can live for two epochs now. The maximum lifespan for the Third Realm can reach 3 epochs," Zhao Xing mused.

*Buzz*

Sensing Zhao Xing's breakthrough, Zhuo En quickly retracted the Enlightenment Realm.

"Excellent, faster than I expected," Zhuo En said, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He was very pleased with Zhao Xing's performance. The breakthrough was anticipated in fifty years, yet it happened in less than ten.

"Thank you, sir, for your impartation," Zhao Xing bowed again. He had progressed from the late stage of the Second Realm to its perfection, and then broke through a major realm without any bottlenecks, a natural progression. If he had to cultivate by himself, he didn't know how long it would have taken.

"No need for formalities," Zhuo En said. "That was just the appetizer; the real impartation begins now."

Zhao Xing felt a surge of excitement. Indeed, for cultivators on the magic arts path, an enlightening impartation from a Preaching Scholar was certainly more than just allowing the Dao physique to break through.

The magic arts path emphasized 'art' or 'technique'! This meant Zhuo En needed to teach him a Divine Ability for it to be considered a complete impartation.

Zhuo En explained, "I know roughly half of all Divine Abilities that can be imparted by the Barren Region Ancient Kingdom Alliance. Of course, I know fewer of the overly obscure and rare ones."

"You can choose a specific one yourself, or select one from those I possess."

Zhao Xing perked up. This was like drawing skills from an NPC in a game! However, the limit was the Small Divine Ability tier; Great Divine Abilities could not be attained through impartation.

"You can take some time to think about it."

Zhao Xing currently possessed four Divine Ability techniques: first, the *Three Divine Fate Palaces*, which was a Great Divine Ability called *Reincarnation* from the Reincarnation Divine Palace. Second, the *Soul Eye of the Sky*, a theoretical Divine Ability technique created by Su Wan'er, and a detection-type Divine Ability derived from the *Three Divine Fate Palaces*, which Zhao Xing had learned. Third, *Violet Light Eight Eras*, a Small Divine Ability from Qing Yuzi. Fourth, *Essence Extraction Divine Ability*.

He also had the method for *Great Sun Grass Man Method*, but it hadn't yet reached the Divine Ability tier, only the Void Art stage. The *Great Sun Grass Man Method* was relatively obscure, and Zhao Xing guessed Zhuo En probably wouldn't know it. Even if he did, Zhao Xing wouldn't choose to enhance that one. It would be too much of a waste of this opportunity; a new, better one was preferable.

"If you don't know how to choose, I have a Divine Ability I can recommend to you," Zhuo En offered.

"Please guide me, sir," Zhao Xing said respectfully.

"A mind and will-type Divine Ability. Your mind and will have not been trained at all," Zhuo En stated. "In my opinion, they are quite weak."

"You are right, sir." After this tribulation, Zhao Xing also understood that this was a weakness for him. Because in this cosmic version, he had leveled up too quickly and had never undergone such training.

The soul Divine Ability, *Three Divine Fate Palaces*, could not be categorized as a mind and will-type. Soul referred to the life soul, heaven soul, and earth soul. While related, they should not be confused. A strong soul provided advantages in calculation and deduction, and in direct clashes with soul attacks. However, a strong soul did not mean a firm will or a strong mind.

Disciples from prominent families should have received such training at the Essence Realm stage. For instance, Jing Yan, when exploring the tomb, despite being corroded by the Miluo flower, remained calm and unfazed. It was precisely because of his firm mind and will that he endured the pain of corrosion without a single groan, still able to resist and control his own power to unleash Divine Abilities amidst intense suffering. Later, when Wang Yun suddenly appeared, Jing Yan dared to stand in front, ready to counter-attack at any moment against a powerful opponent, which was a clear manifestation of his mind and will.

Jing Yan had undergone special training and learned such methods, but Zhao Xing had not. Zhao Xing should not have neglected this aspect of training, but from entering this cosmic version until now, he truly hadn't had the time to cultivate such methods. The cultivation methods and arts from the three schools of the Minister of Agriculture were already plentiful enough, and cultivating mind and will-type abilities took a long time; it was itself a method of arduous cultivation. Zhao Xing had limited energy and truly couldn't manage everything.

"If you wish to learn this, I have three Divine Abilities for you to choose from," Zhuo En said. "You can listen to them first before deciding."

"Thank you, sir," Zhao Xing bowed.

"The first is *Foundation of Spirit Rhyme*. This Divine Ability focuses on cultivating one's own mind. It has three layers, and upon reaching the final stage, your will becomes like a millstone, grinding any illusion or curse to dust. However, this method can be somewhat painful; during and after my impartation, you will endure a period of suffering."

"The second is *Slaughter Intent Blade*. This Divine Ability cultivates the will to slaughter. Your spirit and intent are infected by killing intent, making your mind like a sharp blade, cutting through all illusions. It is an external cultivation method; you will need to engage in many killings, immersing yourself in and absorbing killing intent to temper your mind."

"The third is *Yin-Yang Spirit Heart Curse*. This Divine Ability has the highest potential; it has subsequent stages, leading to the renowned *Mysterious Spirit Divine Curse*, which is said to have been created by 'Xuanzhuo', the God of Souls."

Zhuo En paused, then added, "My research in this area is quite good. Any of these three Divine Abilities imparted to you will immediately reach at least Tier 3."

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised; Zhuo En was indeed quite powerful. Typically, Preaching Scholars would enable someone to learn a Divine Ability only to Tier 1, which was the beginner stage. Zhuo En, however, could lead a person to the minor completion stage. Magic arts Divine Abilities were harder to acquire than martial arts Divine Abilities, and imparting them was even more difficult. It truly was a case of 'you get what you pay for.'

Zhao Xing immediately began to ponder. The *Mysterious Spirit Divine Curse*, he definitely wouldn't touch. He had never even heard of any 'God of Souls.' He strictly avoided learning anything related to gods he didn't know, no matter how powerful. Therefore, among the three, Zhao Xing chose not to select the seemingly strongest *Yin-Yang Spirit Heart Curse*.

He wanted both *Spirit Rhyme* and *Slaughter Intent Blade*. However, *Foundation of Spirit Rhyme* would affect his actions in the short term, so Zhao Xing ultimately disregarded it.

"I choose *Slaughter Intent Blade*."

Killing could temper his will? This was the most convenient and quickest method. Zhao Xing could find cultivators or wild beasts to kill. The range of options for practice was very wide.

Hearing Zhao Xing's choice, Zhuo En was somewhat surprised. However, he didn't care to know Zhao Xing's reasoning. After all, he was only there to complete a transaction.

"Have you made up your mind?" Zhuo En still asked.

"I confirm."

Zhuo En's aura suddenly became incredibly terrifying. In Zhao Xing's eyes, the gentle scholar Zhuo En suddenly transformed into a half-human, half-beast figure. He possessed a massive body and strong muscles, clad in a red battle robe, wielding various fierce weapons. He had multiple arms, holding battle-axes, spears, or greatswords.

At this moment, Zhuo En's face was ferocious, his eyes revealing an endless desire for slaughter.

"This is a Divine Ability of the Asura race," Zhuo En's voice was cold. "It was condensed from the Dao rhymes of 178 Asura warriors whose bodies I copied from an Asura ruin."

"Every one of them was in the Dao Domain Realm or Great Divine Ability Realm, having slaughtered countless lives."

As Zhuo En described, Zhao Xing seemed to see a realm of Asuras. Chaos, destruction! Before his eyes, raging fires seemed to burn, collapsing mountains and shattered lands were permeated with the aura of death and fear. Mountains of corpses and seas of blood piled up countless planets, blood-red planets magnified before him, a hellish scene assaulting his mind.

*Humm~*

A blood-red aura enveloped Zhao Xing. Blood qi, dense to its extreme, wrapped around Zhao Xing layer by layer, forming a blood cocoon.

A trace of paleness also appeared on Zhuo En's face. Imparting knowledge as a Preaching Scholar was also a burden on him.

"Whether it reaches Divine Ability Tier 3 or Tier 6 depends on your own fortune," Zhuo En thought silently.

His other two Divine Abilities were self-cultivated, but this one, requiring slaughter, he simply couldn't cultivate himself. This Divine Ability was also a power he obtained from an Asura ruin, a Divine Ability imprinted and absorbed into his being by having his soul carry the Dao rhyme. This was one of the innate abilities of a scholar.

In terms of cultivation level, among the three methods, Zhuo En's strongest was actually this one, having reached the stage of Divine Ability Perfection. Acting as a transit point, by imparting it to Zhao Xing now, the final tier reached would be higher than for the other two Divine Abilities. Zhao Xing had unintentionally made a choice that maximized his gains.

Three years later, the blood cocoon gradually became transparent and eventually vanished. Zhao Xing opened his eyes, and a blood-red blade flashed within them. The heavens and earth within the cultivation space vibrated and warped. With just his mind and will, he influenced the stability of space!

This, was Divine Ability!

"Divine Ability Tier 5."

Zhao Xing felt that everything was different. Although his realm and spiritual energy hadn't changed at all, he had indeed become stronger. His mind and will now interfered with reality, and his Dao domain would inherently carry the characteristics of the Slaughter Divine Ability.

"This transaction was a huge gain."

"If I had tried to learn it myself, I might not have succeeded even in ten thousand years."

Training one's mind and will was a painstaking process; only with a Preaching Scholar's assistance could countless hours be saved.

"The transaction is complete, and our karmic ties are settled," Zhuo En said, looking at Zhao Xing.

"The transaction is complete, and our karmic ties are settled," Zhao Xing repeated.

This was the standard procedure after such an impartation. However, Zhao Xing still bowed and thanked Zhuo En again.

Zhuo En said nothing more, nodded, and then vanished from the spot.

"Du Yun." Zhuo En appeared inside the Yellow Sand Manor.

"Mr. Zhuo, is it over?" Du Yun asked.

"Yes," Zhuo En nodded.

"What did he choose?" Du Yun inquired.

"A mind and will-type Divine Ability," Zhuo En replied.

"That's good too."

Du Yun didn't press further, as it was Zhao Xing's privacy after all.

"Du Yun, I must leave here," Zhuo En stated. "I'm returning to the Essence Heaven Palace."

"Mr. Zhuo, are you in such a hurry?" Du Yun was surprised.

"The Barren Region Ancient Kingdom Alliance will soon hold its third Spirit Domain Assembly," Zhuo En explained. "The venue will most likely be one of three places: Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, Yan Yue Ancient Kingdom, or Purple Wing Ancient Kingdom. I need to return as soon as possible and strive to secure Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom as the host."

The purpose of the Spirit Domain Assembly held by the Alliance was singular: to innovate and develop new magic arts, artifacts, cultivation methods, and arrays to combat the phenomenon of barrenization.

"I'll escort you back, sir," Du Yun offered.

"No need," Zhuo En said. "It's earlier than expected, so I can return with King Tianji's merchant caravan."

"In that case, I won't detain you," Du Yun said, cupping his hands.

Zhuo En thought for a moment, then addressed Du Yun: "Du Yun, I still owe you a favor. There are some words I don't know if I should say, or if saying them would be good or bad for you."

Du Yun mused, "Mr. Zhuo, what do you think is the proportion of good to bad if you say them?"

Zhuo En moved his fingers, performing a divination. "When I arrived, I performed a partial divination for you and saw nothing. Now I can complete it. It's a 60/40 split between good and bad, so I believe I can tell you."

Du Yun said, "Please speak, sir."

Zhuo En stated, "Zhao Xing, for you, represents both great trouble and great benefit."

Du Yun was slightly taken aback, not expecting Zhuo En's divination for him to involve Zhao Xing.

"The trouble involves life and death, and the benefit also involves life and death."

Zhuo En continued, "What exactly it is, I cannot see clearly. In short, my advice is: you either completely distance yourself from him, or you absolutely protect him. Do not waver, otherwise—"

"Otherwise what?"

"Life and death will be unpredictable."

Du Yun's expression became incredibly solemn. He hadn't expected Zhuo En to give such an answer. But thinking about it, since both trouble and benefit involved life and death, if he wavered, then life and death would indeed be unpredictable.

"Thank you for your guidance, sir," Du Yun said, cupping his hands. "Our karmic ties are settled."

Zhuo En nodded, then disappeared from the manor.

After mastering the *Slaughter Intent Blade*, Zhao Xing immediately recalled the events that had transpired.

"Zhuo En said I was afflicted by an Illusion Curse, and I had sensed being plotted against when I was in Nanluo."

"Then this recent incident must also be orchestrated by Marquis Heyin of the Dongyan Ancient Clan."

"If I had stepped out of Tiger Head Star Continent at that time, it would have been like Tang Monk stepping outside the protective circle drawn by Sun Wukong."

"This is truly going too far!"

Zhao Xing's eyes turned cold.

He and that Marquis Heyin of the Dongyan Ancient Clan, whom he hadn't even met, had already suffered two assassination attempts in a thousand years since he arrived in the cosmos. This time, he had come terrifyingly close to death!

Now that Zhao Xing had truly come to his senses, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. Once captured, he would undoubtedly die. Marquis Heyin would surely force all his secrets out of him, then kill all his relatives, friends, and everyone from Da Zhou, erasing all traces.

Zhao Xing immediately sought out Jing Yan.

"Jing Yan."

"Zhao Xing, you're out of seclusion?" Jing Yan was delighted. "Heh, Third Realm, impressive! Looks like I need to break through soon too."

"Jing Yan, since you are of royal lineage and a mechanical master, you should have access to the empire's exclusive encrypted mechanical Dao soldiers, right?"

"Yes, they're called 'Red Star Discs'. The empire has its own encrypted cluster mechanical arrays in various ancient kingdoms," Jing Yan replied.

"Does the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom have a spy department?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Don't put it so harshly," Jing Yan said. "It's an intelligence, an intelligence department!"

"Isn't it all the same?"

"Fine, intelligence department."

"What do you need this for?"

"I'll give you an encoding, and you help me arrange an encrypted communication with him," Zhao Xing said. "And then investigate some matters—"

"Hmm, no problem. What kind of effect do you want to achieve?" Jing Yan asked.

"A very unexpected one," Zhao Xing replied.

"No problem," Jing Yan said. "Give me half a month to prepare, but you'll have to provide some funds."

"Just name your price," Zhao Xing said, domineeringly. "I can afford it."

"Alright, then I'll make some extra cash for my brothers in the intelligence department," Jing Yan grinned, immediately contacting his people.

The encoding Zhao Xing gave Jing Yan was precisely that of 'Marquis Yin,' one of the two people who had contacted Zi Gu earlier. He was certain that this person was part of Marquis Heyin's faction.

Now, Zhao Xing wanted to talk with Marquis Heyin. He couldn't remain passive any longer; otherwise, he didn't know if he would be so lucky next time.

On Zhiluo Realm Star, at Marquis Heyin's manor.

At this moment, Marquis Heyin was also feeling annoyed. The 300-year mission deadline was approaching, yet there had been no good news from the Dark Palace. He had paid the money; could it still not be accomplished?

"Master."

Suddenly, a maid appeared beside Marquis Heyin.

"What is it?" Marquis Heyin asked.

"I previously contacted one of the targets as Marquis Yin. Now, someone has suddenly forcibly broken into my star-realm, contacted me, and specifically asked to speak with Master," the maid reported.

"What?" Marquis Heyin was startled. "Didn't I tell you to destroy that—wait, are you saying that after a thousand years, someone contacted you through that communication from a thousand years ago?"

"Yes," the maid nodded.

Marquis Heyin fell silent. Who possessed such immense power?

"Connect me."

Whether it was fortune or misfortune, he couldn't escape it. He decided to speak with the mysterious person.

Soon after, Marquis Heyin's phantom appeared before Zhao Xing.

The moment Marquis Heyin saw Zhao Xing, he was stunned. He had seen Zhao Xing's appearance before, so he naturally recognized him. However, he had never imagined that Zhao Xing would contact him in such a way.

Similarly, he hadn't expected Zhao Xing's opening words to be: "Marquis Heyin, I'm giving you an opportunity."

"Giving me an opportunity?"

Zhao Xing said calmly, "Report to your ancient clan's supreme elder council right now, sever all karmic ties with me, and withdraw the assassination mission from the Shadow Temple."

"Then, you immediately commit suicide."

"I will leave the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, and our karmic ties with your Dongyan Ancient Clan will be settled."