Chapter 393: Scholar's Mausoleum, Expelling All Visitors (13,000)

The Colossal Yang avatar discreetly tucked the Mysterious Spirit Chronicle - Time Page into its body. On the Hurui Star Continent, Zhao Xing's main body showed a myriad of emotions.

"So the Inter-realm Tomb-Boat capsized because of this thing. Its power disrupted time and space. Does that mean the fragmented page of the Mysterious Spirit Chronicle was located in the reversed river formed by the 'Copper History Law'?"

"My Colossal Yang avatar grabbed it, triggering its effect."

After Zhao Xing absorbed the Time Page, his soul carefully observed it. It was a thin white paper, seemingly without thickness, only half a meter in length and width. It had fine lines on it. When Zhao Xing's soul examined it, the lines magnified, as if countless rivers appeared. The rivers flowed off the paper and merged into the void.

"Time reversal is limited to within the Transmitted Realm," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "My main body is outside, where time is normal. It's still Eocene 1158."

In 1146, the main body and avatar began to act separately; twelve years had passed since then. Now, changes had occurred within the Transmitted Realm, but the outside remained unchanged.

"It only affects a branch of the Grand Dao of Time," Zhao Xing quickly understood. "Although I don't know exactly how to use it, I obtained it, so I'm unaffected and remember everything, while others don't."

At this moment, Zhao Xing couldn't study it closely; after all, it was just an avatar, and the environment didn't allow him to take it out for a detailed look. So, he had to suppress his curiosity for now.

"Everyone, we have entered the ancient tomb."

"This is a 'Transmitted Realm'."

"The three Great Divine Ability cultivators from Starlight have all entered the Transmitted Realm..."

The words of Bai Yang echoed in his ears again. Zhao Xing glanced around and saw that Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing were both nearby. However, Yu Tianqing was frowning, seemingly in the process of awakening his talent. Zhao Xing remained silent, only conversing with Jing Yan. After speaking, Bai Yang took out a star compass and began to navigate.

Zhao Xing subtly transmitted a message: "Jing Yan, I see other outsourced members in groups of three to five, but there are only two of us. It seems a bit disadvantageous..."

"Brother, aren't you counting Little Yu as a person?" Jing Yan was taken aback. "Even though Little Yu doesn't talk much and has replaced all his bones, he's still a person. Why wouldn't you count him?"

"I was just joking."

Zhao Xing didn't say much more. He noticed that Jing Yan still remembered Yu Tianqing. "It seems Yu Tianqing was forgotten either when crossing the river or when entering the city." Zhao Xing counted again and found that the team indeed consisted of thirty people. However, apart from Lan Hai and Fairy Hong Tao, he had no particular impression of the others.

"Counting the time, we should find the correct location in a few days," Zhao Xing mused. "This time, should I warn Bai Yang and save him?"

Bai Yang was a Great Divine Ability cultivator of the Historian lineage. If he were alive, he could use the World-Repairing Brush, Grand Historian's Crown, and Preaching Scroll, exerting some of their power. Then the three of them wouldn't have to endure several years of fighting and fleeing for their lives. Who would willingly fight to the death if they could simply rest?

"Although Yue Nu and Chen Xuan are also powerful, they are not as specialized as Bai Yang. It's unknown whether the Inter-realm Tomb-Boat collapsed due to the Time Page, or if those two even used the right items."

"If Bai Yang lived, Yu Tianqing and I wouldn't have to work so hard. Especially, the risk of exposing Old Yu's innate Great Divine Ability would be reduced."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment and decided to warn Bai Yang to a limited extent. If Bai Yang didn't listen, then so be it.

"Lord Bai Yang."

"Zhao Xing, do you have a question?" Bai Yang quickly responded; Zhao Xing had left a good impression on him. The Star Shifting Array would cause slight soul tremors, but Zhao Xing, Hong Tao, and Lan Hai were the quickest to react. Among them, Zhao Xing made an effort to protect his teammates, while the other two did not.

"Lord Bai Yang..."

"Just call me Bai Yang, or Captain Bai Yang."

"Yes, Captain Bai Yang." Zhao Xing carefully chose his words: "I noticed that what Captain Bai Yang is holding seems to be the Historian's 'Timing Dial'?"

"Oh? You noticed?" Bai Yang was somewhat surprised. What he outwardly carried was a directional compass for locating stars and ley lines, but in reality, it was used for timing. Because he possessed the Great Divine Ability of Time Tracing, he could see past events. In fact, Bai Yang's current vision was completely different from everyone else's. Zhao Xing and the others saw a desolate wilderness with thunderclouds overhead, but in Bai Yang's eyes, it was sunny and vibrant, with pedestrians and flying boats constantly passing by. By seeing various past scenes, he could quickly pinpoint the location of the royal city through passersby and road signs.

However, such a Great Divine Ability was not without danger. Especially after entering the Transmitted Realm, Bai Yang had a certain possibility of confusing past and present. The function of the Timing Dial was an anchor point, reminding him that he was living in the second epoch of the Desolate Domain Era, not any other time.

"My teacher, Qingyuzi, is a Sinong of the Heavenly Timing Sect, but he has considerable research into history. I once accompanied him to a historian's residence and saw a Timing Dial."

Zhao Xing habitually used Qingyuzi as an excuse. Don't ask; just say Teacher Qingyuzi taught it!

"I see. Sinongs of the Heavenly Timing Sect are very sensitive to time... but it's surprising you went the way of the Self-Sect. That's quite fresh." Bai Yang was still quite amicable.

Yue Nu was cold, Chen Xuan was irritable, but Bai Yang, the historian, was full of wisdom; after all, this path also evolved from ritual cultivation.

"Captain Bai Yang, so you are actually a historian?" Zhao Xing asked, feigning surprise.

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you; your reaction is quick." Bai Yang openly admitted, "I wasn't deliberately hiding it from you, but rather preparing for the Transmitted Realm."

"Are you perhaps going to play a martial artist within the Transmitted Realm?" Zhao Xing suddenly thought that Grand Tutor Ruan Chang must have been a powerful martial artist. When he died at the execution ground, his aura soared to the sky, his golden body was immense, and he seemed to have cultivated transformation divine abilities. There was no doubt he was a martial artist.

"Your teacher is truly knowledgeable; you guessed it so quickly," Bai Yang praised. "Indeed, Starlight has been preparing for this trip for a long time. I specifically learned some martial artist divine abilities and imitated their behavior and speech, all to integrate into the role faster upon entry."

"To get a character's script in the Transmitted Realm, one usually needs thorough preparation."

"If I am the closest to the character's archetype among those who enter, and no one competes with me, then the character's label will quickly fall upon me."

"I see." Zhao Xing looked enlightened.

It was clear that Starlight's recruitment was very particular; there was no second historian in any of the three teams. At the same time, only Bai Yang knew the history of the Moonluo Ancient Kingdom best, so the position of 'protagonist' naturally belonged to him.

It was when Bai Yang spoke that Zhao Xing suddenly realized something. He silently sealed his memories of Ruan Chang, to be unsealed only after the 'label' was confirmed. This was because during his last adventure, he had seen too much from the World-Repairing Brush, and in between, he had also obtained many secret historical materials from Du Yun to read. So he now knew too much, and combined with his martial artist identity, he was very suitable for the 'protagonist' position.

"If I don't seal Ruan Chang's memories, his heroic spirit might possess me, and then I'd be screwed."

Zhao Xing quickly handled this, then continued his conversation with Bai Yang.

"Captain, so you'll become the protagonist within this Transmitted Realm soon?" Zhao Xing asked. "Are we here to serve as your memory anchor points?"

"Yes." Bai Yang wasn't afraid to discuss these things with others. So Bai Yang was actively inviting possession... Zhao Xing also understood why Bai Yang came out of the imperial palace shortly after entering and didn't attack them.

"Since it's a figure from a historical biography, the heroic spirit that appears must be very powerful. And Captain, you said this is a Dao Realm tomb. Will there be any danger?" Zhao Xing asked. "Like a heroic spirit from the Life-and-Death Dao Realm."

"I can't rule out that possibility," Bai Yang said, "However, I'm confident I can handle it."

What confidence do you have? You were killed last time, for crying out loud!

However, Zhao Xing also understood that such persuasion wouldn't work. A genius like Bai Yang, who had prepared for thousands of years, was undoubtedly very confident. How many highly skilled and talented individuals, constantly praised by those around them, don't get carried away? Those who can always maintain reverence for the universe and possess a humble heart are too few. Most only wake up after being severely beaten a few times. Without a doubt, Bai Yang had committed a huge taboo this time.

Zhao Xing didn't know how to persuade him anymore, so he just asked some sporadic questions. Bai Yang was quite patient and told him many things. It was mainly because Zhao Xing understood the subject that Bai Yang was willing to chat.

"Your venerable teacher is truly learned and talented, to know so much."

"You even know the 'Plum-Tree Substitution' method combined with acting against the natural order, which can replace the protagonist's position." Bai Yang couldn't help but exclaim. "This method is quite obscure and has been lost for a long time."

"My teacher always held reverence for all paths and professions in the universe."

"So he would learn a little bit of everything. He was cautious his entire life, with the motto 'seek victory through stability'."

"Unfortunately, his last act of hubris cost him his life," Zhao Xing said.

"So your venerable teacher has passed away? What a pity..." Bai Yang looked thoughtful after hearing this.

The two did not speak further. Soon, Bai Yang found the City of History. Upon reaching the moat, Yu Tianqing frowned, and his body suddenly trembled. The next moment, he vanished before Zhao Xing's eyes, becoming transparent. Neither Jing Yan nor Bai Yang noticed this anomaly. Only Zhao Xing retained his memories, because nothing surpassed the priority of the Mysterious Spirit Chronicle. If he could retain memories even after time reversal, what was a mere Transmitted Realm?

Only after Yu Tianqing awakened his innate Great Divine Ability and gradually familiarized himself with it would the power of the Historian's Four Divine Abilities imposed on him weaken. Last time, it was because Zhao Xing spent a year killing a million fire turtles, and Yu Tianqing had been working hard, that they were finally seen by Zhao Xing and Bai Yang. However, at that time, Bai Yang had no time to spare.

"Don't look at the river; stare at the ribbon on my head."

Everyone arrived at the river of historical reflections, influenced by the Copper History Law. What happened next was almost identical. Lan Hai sighed, Fairy Hong Tao touched her belly, Yu Tianqing looked somewhat bewildered...

But after crossing the river, some changes occurred. Perhaps inspired by Qingyuzi's story, Bai Yang was moved. After crossing the river and before entering the city, he did something.

"Chronicle Summoning Art!"

A heavy ancient book appeared in Bai Yang's hand. Then, a small figure jumped out of the book, none other than Yang Baihe, dressed in a dragon robe and with an imperial canopy above his head. Everyone else was looking at the ribbon, only Zhao Xing and Yu Tianqing noticed this scene.

Bai Yang only explained to Zhao Xing: "This is my avatar technique, capable of accepting heroic spirits for possession."

"Previously, I conquered a dynasty in a medium-sized minor world, then unified the whole world, ascended to the throne as emperor, and wrote myself into history."

"Thus, this 'Chronicle Avatar' came into being."

"Captain is amazing," Zhao Xing praised. This method was indeed incredible; summoning oneself, and still at the Great Divine Ability Realm! However, Bai Yang must have put in a lot of effort; after all, the history of an ordinary minor world couldn't provide such power. The minor world Bai Yang conquered would also be his core secret; its location could not be exposed or it must exist in an absolutely safe place. Because if that world perished and its history was completely erased, then the Chronicle Avatar, closely linked to it, would suffer a significant drop in power, or even completely collapse.

"Zhao Xing, give me a ride," Bai Yang said.

"Okay." Zhao Xing instantly understood and enlarged his body slightly. He originally intended to scoop Bai Yang into his hand, but unexpectedly, Bai Yang jumped into his ear. Seeing Zhao Xing somewhat astonished, Bai Yang chuckled and explained, "People from Starlight have a habit: when riding with Qi-sect martial artists, the seat is inside the ear."

"It's convenient for talking, easy to get out, and if swallowed into the stomach, it's not very convenient to exit or observe."

"Good habit," Zhao Xing nodded.

The subsequent path into the city was exactly the same as before, except Bai Yang's main body was in his ear, while his Chronicle Avatar led the way. Throughout the entire process, only Yu Tianqing noticed, and he looked very confused, but he didn't ask any questions, because Zhao Xing subtly gave him a hand signal.

After entering the city, they left ancient coins and crowns for the team members in sequence, while Bai Yang's Chronicle Avatar entered the imperial palace. Yu Tianqing, having received Zhao Xing's telepathic message, dutifully stayed with Jing Yan. This was because Zhao Xing had told him about his innate Great Divine Ability and instructed him to cultivate next to Jing Yan, pondering the great divine ability. Zhao Xing gave him a year to familiarize himself with the Eye of Truth-Shattering. Once he completely broke through the power of the divine ability, Bai Yang would naturally remember him. As long as he didn't overly expose his uniqueness or interfere with the plot, any excuse would suffice at that time. Starlight wouldn't keep probing into others' trump cards and privacy.

Waiting. This wait was longer than the last time. Zhao Xing waited outside the imperial palace for Bai Yang's Chronicle Avatar for three full years. Last time, Bai Yang was instantly killed in at most three months.

"Hiss," Bai Yang's main body slumped in Zhao Xing's ear.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Zhao Xing asked, feigning surprise. "Don't scare me."

"That son of a bitch is actually from the Life-and-Death Dao Realm! And a brain-damaged Grand Tutor!" Bai Yang fumed, completely losing his previous inflated confidence. "My Chronicle Avatar only lasted three years in the Ultimate Dao Hall before Ruan Chang's heroic spirit completely took control. I had placed five Grand Yin Dao Weapons on my Chronicle Avatar! The avatar is now stronger than my main body, yet it couldn't withstand the erosion."

"What?" Zhao Xing feigned shock: "Captain, what do we do now?"

Bai Yang said, still shaken, "Zhao Xing, I owe my life to our previous conversation."

"It's fine for now, my main body is unharmed, so there's still room... Spirit Burial Ancient Coins, rise!"

Bai Yang cast a spell, and the three ancient coins around Zhao Xing automatically flew up. Afterward, Bai Yang immediately took Zhao Xing and hid in a wall not far from the imperial palace. Zhao Xing was surprised to find that Bai Yang had somehow brought him into a corner space between book pages.

"Indeed, specialists excel in their fields. I don't even know how we got in here." Zhao Xing marveled at the white paper-like space around them. The corner space had three sides: white on the left and right, and transparent in front, allowing them to observe the outside and see the palace gates. Immediately after, Zhao Xing saw Bai Yang's Chronicle Avatar appear, while Bai Yang's main body sat cross-legged, seemingly casting a spell. This time, Yu Tianqing didn't appear, and the Chronicle Avatar controlled by Ruan Chang left directly, just like last time.

"What a scoundrel," Bai Yang opened his eyes at this moment.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Ruan Chang's heroic spirit actually went to order his subordinates not to resist," Bai Yang sighed. "He willingly submitted to slaughter, and he also wanted his subordinates to give up resistance. Those who didn't obey were killed by him on the spot."

"What kind of pathetic Grand Tutor is that?"

"Indeed, somewhat perverse," Zhao Xing shook his head. "What do we do now?"

"Go to the imperial palace and retrieve the World-Repairing Brush, Grand Historian's Crown, and Preaching Scroll. These three treasures are also the purpose of this trip," Bai Yang said. "Once we have them, we can leave."

Immediately after, Bai Yang seemed to be conversing with the others: "Yue Nu, have Chen Xuan distract the imperial guards and create chaos, giving me an opportunity."

"No problem." Yue Nu on the other side nodded, then tapped Chen Xuan's eardrum: "Time to work, big guy."

After waiting for about half a month, a large army of book-puppets suddenly flew out of the imperial palace, heading in one direction.

"Zhao Xing, come with me into the imperial palace."

Zhao Xing actually didn't really want to go, "Captain, can I go?"

"You're safest staying by my side. This book corner space won't be usable once I leave."

"Inside the palace, you just need to block sneak attacks for me. If we encounter an important supporting character, I'll cast a spell."

"Alright."

So Zhao Xing followed Bai Yang into the imperial palace. Bai Yang cast a divine ability on Zhao Xing that allowed him to be unseen and unheard. They passed through without obstruction until they encountered Jun Yichen.

"Who dares trespass into the imperial palace!"

*Pfft.*

Zhao Xing's shoulder was once again grazed by a fire-tipped spear.

"I'm so done, having to suffer again."

But luckily, he didn't need to put on a show here. Bai Yang knew the history of the Moonluo Ancient Kingdom better. After he appeared, he threw a letter to Jun Yichen, who, without even asking, led his men to storm the palace and offer a death-defying remonstrance. It was that simple, without even moving his lips.

"That way."

Bai Yang pointed the way, and Zhao Xing flew, leading them. The World-Repairing Brush checkpoint was even easier for Bai Yang than for Yu Tianqing. Bai Yang summoned the 'Book of History', then turned a page and extended his hand: "Brush, come!" Immediately, the World-Repairing Brush flew out automatically and landed in his hand.

"Captain, that was too easy, wasn't it?" Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised.

"Only through countless trials and meticulous preparation can it appear this easy," Bai Yang chuckled. "Starlight helped me collect forty-nine fragmented pages of the Moonluo Ancient Kingdom's history, each page worth the price of a Grand Yin Dao Weapon."

"However, only seven pages are useful; combined with my spells, they're barely enough."

"Captain, you're being modest," Zhao Xing said.

Not long after, the Grand Historian's Crown and Preaching Scroll were also taken. When the Preaching Scroll was displaced, the power of the book-puppets greatly diminished. At the same time, the riot plot and cleansing plot also began.

A whirlwind of events followed... The tyrant and the demon empress purged those who knew too much. Countless died and were injured inside and outside the imperial palace, but Yang Baihe and Zhao Xing escaped unharmed, found their companions, and successfully rendezvoused with Chen Xuan and Yue Nu.

Bai Yang held the World-Repairing Brush and wrote in the void