Chapter 423: Century of Seclusion, Zuo Qiyu's Trial

It was the 157th year since entering the Primal Realm.

Inside the duel arena at Huailiu Academy.

Loud thuds echoed.

Barger, a martial artist in the Yin-Yang Dao Domain realm, fought against three bronze-skinned giants, extending four arms and wielding various weapons. The giants were unarmed, bare-chested, and wore only grass skirts woven from green leaves. Barger, wielding three different weapons, constantly dodged the giants' attacks. He was incredibly agile, making it nearly impossible for the giants to land a hit. However, Barger remained cautious, never unleashing his full power.

He knew that facing three Great Sun Grass Golems – especially ones capable of manifesting the Five-Finger Mountain Grand Divine Ability and the Treasure Mountain Divine Ability – he would only get one chance to strike.

After sparring for thousands of moves, Barger finally couldn't hold back. His physique swelled, and four more arms erupted from his body, transforming him into a beast-like figure as he charged instantly towards the Great Sun Grass Golems. At that moment, the three Great Sun Grass Golems vanished, shrinking to the size of a grain of rice.

"What? The Void Ancestor Divine Ability, Grain-Size Chaos Art!" Barger froze, then suddenly felt tiny stinging sensations in his abdomen, knees, and palms.

"Thud!"

Though still instantly defeated by his Eight-Armed Divine Ability, Barger's body seemed to buckle, and a streak of blood appeared on him.

The battle ended. The Great Sun Grass Golems disintegrated, turning into ash.

"Master, when did you learn the Grain-Size Chaos Art? Isn't that something only martial artists can master?" Barger asked.

"Just now." A wisp of consciousness coalesced from the grass golem's ashes, swirling like wind before drifting away. "Barger, you've worked hard. That's enough sparring for today."

"Yes, Master." Barger could only stop asking questions.

"That's unbelievable," said Xinda, greeting Barger as he stepped off the arena. "The Master merely sent out three clones, and he forced you to use your Eight-Armed Divine Ability."

The Eight-Armed Divine Ability is a body-cultivation divine ability for martial artists. Each additional arm grants a new divine ability, and their power stacks. The first two layers of the Eight-Armed Divine Ability are considered minor divine abilities; only when all eight arms manifest does it become a grand divine ability. Typically, martial artists can only manifest up to their fourth arm, unable to progress further. However, after reaching the Yin-Yang Dao Domain realm, Barger had unearthed the full potential of his physical body, manifesting all eight arms. It was precisely this divine ability that allowed Barger to enter the Primal Realm as a sparring partner.

Although Barger defeated Zhao Xing's Great Sun clone, Barger was a genuine martial artist, while Zhao Xing was a Mystic Cultivator. And his grass golems were capable of using the Five-Finger Mountain Grand Divine Ability and the Grain-Size Chaos Art, which was utterly astonishing.

"Xinda, I've cultivated for so many years, yet I had no idea that a Mystic Cultivator's grass golem technique could utilize a martial artist's grand divine abilities! What does that make me?" Barger muttered, feeling a sense of self-doubt.

Xinda hesitated, then offered, "Uhm... worthless?"

"Thanks, you didn't have to answer that."

"Heh."

In the Hundred-Ren Void, Zhao Xing withdrew his grass golem's soul-sense, simultaneously absorbing the 'combat experience' from today.

"Barger and Xinda still have limited understanding. They've seen grass golem techniques, but they haven't seen my Void Ancestor Grass Golem technique."

The Great Sun Grass Golem technique belongs to the Void Ancestor Grass Golem series. Ordinary grass golem techniques can usually only integrate with spells, not with secret divine abilities from the martial artist path. However, the Void Ancestor series of grass golem techniques is different; they can be comprehensive and compatible.

After the establishment of the Great Zhou, Zhao Xing had plunged into intense cultivation. Nearly a century had passed since then. The greatest achievement during this time was that his Great Sun Grass Golem technique had reached the Minor Divine Ability perfection stage, and he had begun integrating spells and divine abilities.

"At its core, the Great Sun Grass Golem is a spell. Using materials from the Void Ancestor star system, it has integrated two grand divine abilities. Besides the Mountain Law Grand Divine Ability, the other is the Grain-Size Chaos Art."

He was very familiar with the Mountain Law Grand Divine Ability, having practiced it for a long time. As for the Grain-Size Chaos Art, it is itself one of the Void Ancestor divine abilities. During his exploration of scholarly Daoist scriptures, You Yitian, a Grand Divine Ability realm Qi-cultivator under Du Yunmo, had once displayed it.

"The Great Sun Grass Golem technique, having reached the pinnacle of divine ability, can undergo Dao Integration. However, integrating two grand divine abilities is already its limit."

"It's not that my talent or comprehension is lacking; rather, the Great Sun Grass Golem technique itself is no longer suitable as a foundation for Dao Integration," Zhao Xing mused inwardly. If the Great Sun Grass Golem technique is considered the foundation, and Dao Integration is building a house, then the first floor is the Mountain Law Grand Divine Ability, and the second floor is the Grain-Size Chaos Art. The weight of these two grand divine abilities has already reached the Great Sun Grass Golem technique's limit. Attempting to integrate more would undoubtedly collapse the foundation. The Great Sun Grass Golem technique itself would cease to exist.

"This series of grass golem techniques must be replaced. And among this series, only Zuo Qiyu can teach it."

"Primal Emissary Zuo Qiyu, how can I learn his methods?" Zhao Xing pondered. "Personal ultimate skills don't appear on the treasure vault exchange list."

The Red Star Empire doesn't force anyone to selflessly contribute their secret techniques. Those willing to do so naturally receive benefits, but those unwilling are not coerced. Learning many ultimate skills often requires serendipity. For example, Wu Tian's grand divine abilities: he sold the Treasure Mountain Divine Ability, but never the Five-Finger Mountain. Zuo Qiyu's Grand Beginning Grass Golem technique is one of these unpassed ultimate skills. He might only consider teaching it when he's close to his True Spirit lifespan limit.

"As for Zuo Qiyu's clone technique, the Grand Beginning Clone, I won't even hope for that for now. Even if I learned it, I wouldn't have the Grand Beginning series materials; those are non-renewable resources, as rare as top-tier Samsara Dao Soldiers."

"However, I must find a way to extract one of his advanced-tier grass golem techniques: the Grand Void, Primal, or Nirvana series. Otherwise, my Great Sun clone won't be able to advance, forever stuck in the Minor Divine Ability realm."

"Gaining access to Zuo Qiyu, that's difficult," Zhao Xing sighed. "It's been almost a century, and I haven't even seen him."

In Zhao Xing's past life memories, Zuo Qiyu originally didn't take disciples. His sudden appearance this generation, wanting to take Zhao Xing as a disciple, was unexpected. And after Gu Luohe's intervention, Zuo Qiyu ultimately didn't take any disciples; instead, the Five Poisons Emperor took two.

"The reason Zuo Qiyu doesn't take disciples is because he was once betrayed by one. What if I aim lower? Not become his disciple, but merely learn his art?"

In the Three Thousand Dao Seed region, another of Zhao Xing's clones was meditating on the 'Sun Treasure Tree.'

"The Stem-Fighting Divine Ability has reached its perfection. Now, this four-branch variant technique only lacks a complete understanding of the 'Large Tree' category's primary life structure diagrams."

The four-branch variant techniques – Mushroom, Vine, Tree, and Bamboo – each have three 'primary life structure diagrams.' Though named 'primary,' once fully comprehended, they grant mastery over the 'rudimentary form of the Dao of Life,' allowing the Stem-Fighting Divine Ability to evolve into the Grand Stem-Fighting Divine Ability realm.

"The clone's comprehension has hit a bottleneck. It now depends on whether the main body can transmit some new insights."

The clone closed its eyes once more. Different clones cultivate and comprehend in different locations, and their insights are transmitted at a certain point in time.

Inside Gu Luohe's inner world, Zhao Xing sat quietly before an Emperor-grade tough vine. Near Zhao Xing were also two tough vines, but they were merely ordinary seedlings. One grew vigorously, sprawling across the grassland, completely rooted to the earth. The other, much weaker, nevertheless struggled to extend itself, standing resiliently. The surrounding grassland on the left withered, while the right flourished. Then, at a certain moment, the states of both sides suddenly reversed. The right side withered, and the left side flourished.

Zhao Xing, however, paid no attention to this scene, his eyes fixed solely on the Emperor-grade vine.

"For 100 years, I've stayed here every day, observing this Emperor-grade tough vine."

"Gu Luohe prepared twelve cultivation sites for me, all centered on the Dao of Life. The first cultivation site involves comprehending this tough vine."

"In essence, it's to let me observe the operation and flow of the Dao of Life within the tough vine."

Zhao Xing stared at the Emperor-grade vine. Its dull roots disappeared, and its leaves seemed to become transparent.

"The Dao of Life is full of infinite possibilities. The growth limit of this tough vine doesn't even reach the Source Realm. Which cosmic rule obstructs its growth?"

"How did Gu Luohe enable this tough vine to break through its growth rule limitations?"

Gradually, in Zhao Xing's eyes, the entire Emperor-grade vine completely vanished—leaves, branches, and roots, all disappeared! Only the manifestation of the rules of Gu Luohe's inner world remained. Innumerable rules intertwined, seemingly chaotic, yet vaguely following a mysterious pattern. Gradually, this chaotic network of rules converged into a perfect carving knife. A carving knife formed upon the foundation of the Dao of Life. It was precisely this carving knife that altered the tough vine's life essence, breaking its original growth rule limitations.

Zhao Xing felt a sudden realization. The surrounding grassland ceased its transformations, and he began to act upon the Emperor-grade tough vine.

Gu Luohe, who was meditating in the Ancient Dao Layer of the Hundred-Ren Void, sensed a slight anomaly within his inner world and opened his eyes.

"He has taken the first step on his Dao of Life."

There are many Great Daos in the universe: the Five Elements Dao, the Yin-Yang Dao. But the one most revered by the Self-Transcendent Sect is, of course, the Dao of Life. Zhao Xing had not yet shown potential in other areas that would make Gu Luohe pay him extra attention. However, his comprehension of the Dao of Life, 157 years after entering the Primal Realm, made Gu Luohe take notice. Because on this day, for the first time, Zhao Xing used a spell to shake the internal vitality of the tough vine. Though it was merely like chipping a single grain of sand from a great mountain, it was a disturbance nonetheless.

Consequently, Gu Luohe appeared before Zhao Xing for the first time of his own accord.

"Teacher."

Zhao Xing stood up.

Gu Luohe did not acknowledge him as a student, but Zhao Xing consistently addressed him as 'Teacher.' Although Gu Luohe had never responded even once, Zhao Xing never lacked such persistence. He figured, why not keep calling him? Perhaps one day Gu Luohe would finally respond.

"Your clones cultivate techniques while your main body comprehends the Dao, practicing in an almost self-abusive manner like an ascetic. This is not a good thing," Gu Luohe stated, immediately addressing the issue. "Overusing the grass golem technique without a matching soul spell, relying solely on willpower to suppress it, will eventually lead to problems."

Zhao Xing listened quietly. As expected of a demigod, Gu Luohe instantly spotted the hidden dangers in his cultivation. Just as during the Xuanhuang Realm era, the grass golem technique had its flaws, and the same held true in the cosmic version. The grass golem technique always requires a powerful soul spell and a willpower divine ability to match it. And the Three Divine Fate Palaces, a minor divine ability, was no longer sufficient for Zhao Xing's needs. After all, the Great Sun Grass Golem technique alone had reached divine ability perfection, and Zhao Xing was continuously unearthing his potential, even using grass golem techniques to cultivate grand divine abilities. His ability to persist in this manner was solely due to his solid foundation and astonishing comprehension and potential.

"Teacher is right," Zhao Xing respectfully said. "I would like to ask for your guidance."

Gu Luohe shook his head. "In terms of mastery of grass golem techniques, no one surpasses Zuo Qiyu. You should ask him."

Zhao Xing was about to seize the opportunity to inquire further but was interrupted by Gu Luohe. "Since Zuo Qiyu's various grass golem techniques aren't on the treasure vault list, it proves that these methods are not easily obtainable. Neither for public nor private reasons will I make him come out to teach you."

Gu Luohe reiterated that he would not use his personal connections to compel Zuo Qiyu to teach him. This was as expected, so Zhao Xing wasn't overly disappointed.

However, Gu Luohe then added: "You can try to venture into his Grand Era City. In this era, Zuo Qiyu, to refuse the harassment of numerous seekers of his methods, left a challenge at Grand Era City, stating that whoever could pass it might choose one of his grass golem techniques to learn."

"Yes, this student will go and try."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands, asked a few more questions about cultivation, and then exited the inner world.

Those unfamiliar with Zuo Qiyu rarely remembered this rule. Firstly, it was too demanding; practically no one could pass the test. At best, one might learn spells of a similar caliber already available in the treasure vault for points, making the ordeal unnecessary. Moreover, it was too ancient and had gradually been forgotten. Over time, it simply faded from memory. Each time the Primal World Assembly convened, this rule would be briefly recalled, only to be forgotten again.

However, this generation, the situation had changed drastically. Due to the sheer number of reincarnated individuals and the abundance of peerless prodigies, everyone considered themselves extraordinary, one in a billion. Consequently, Zuo Qiyu's rule was quickly unearthed.

By the time Zhao Xing arrived at Grand Era City via the Thousand Star Vine, many people were already lingering at the city gate.

"Mushroom King has arrived!"

"Elder Gu's student?"

"Yes, Zhao Xing, the one from the Mysterious Northern River Galaxy."

Thanks to Gu Luohe's presence, Zhao Xing was very famous. Among the Mystic Cultivators of this generation, he was virtually known by all. However, Zhao Xing was a cultivation fanatic and rarely socialized, so the prodigies mostly observed him from afar, few proactively greeting him.

"Brother Zhao, over here." Han Chuchen waved from a pavilion outside the city.

"Whoosh!" Zhao Xing immediately descended there.

"Brother Han."

Upon entering the pavilion, he found four more people behind the curtains: Fairy Youling, Yuan Qiusheng, Daoist Miaosong, and Han Qianye.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists."

Unlike Zhao Xing, who immersed himself in arduous cultivation, Han Chuchen, in his previous life, was adept at social maneuvering. And since this life was his tribulation, he naturally sought to make friends everywhere. The four people seated in the pavilion included Yuan Qiusheng, the top-ranked support-type Mystic Cultivator, and three of the top ten combat-type Mystic Cultivators. His social skills were indeed impressive.

"Brother Zhao." The other four politely returned the greeting.

Fairy Youling playfully asked, "Mushroom King, you've been in secluded cultivation for over a century. Any new gains, I wonder? When will you spar with me again?"

Zhao Xing smiled faintly. "My strength is insufficient; I don't dare challenge the Fairy just yet. Let me cultivate for a few more centuries, then I'll come to seek your guidance, Fairy."

He wasn't merely being polite. In terms of Dao Field, Zhao Xing still possessed the Grand Yin Dao Field. Fairy Youling, however, already had a fifth-tier Grand Sun Dao Field. Zhao Xing felt that in other aspects, their gap wasn't significant. But in a spar between Self-Transcendent Sect disciples, a large difference in Dao Fields meant an immediate judgment of superiority, as it involved World Laws. His spars with Fairy Youling were not about winning or losing, but solely about progress. Using techniques from other factions would defeat the original purpose.

"Just a few more centuries of cultivation will be enough?" Fairy Youling's eyes lit up, and she raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll be waiting."

Seeing them conclude their chat, Han Chuchen immediately invited Zhao Xing and the others to sit, then opened the topic. "Brother Zhao, you've also come to challenge Grand Era City, haven't you?"

"Indeed, I just emerged from seclusion and came to see what it's about," Zhao Xing replied. "I wonder if there are any specific rules here?"

"Brother Zhao, you might not know this, but Primal Emissary Zuo Qiyu actually possesses the legendary Void Ancestor Grass Golem technique!" Han Chuchen exclaimed. "And he has the Grand Beginning Clone!"

"The Grand Era's profound secrets were originally exclusive to the martial artist path. To probe the Void Ancestor mysteries with a grass golem technique is even more rare. This is the first time I've heard of the Void Ancestor Grass Golem technique."

"As for the trials within Grand Era City, I don't know much, as I haven't even entered the city gate. However, Qiusheng and Qianye both passed the city gate's checkpoint. If you want to know more, you should ask them."

As Han Chuchen spoke, he praised Yuan Qiusheng and Han Qianye. Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised. Han Qianye passing was understandable, as he was among the top ten combat-type Mystic Cultivators, so passing the first checkpoint was quite normal. But Yuan Qiusheng was merely a support-type Mystic Cultivator. How could he also enter the first checkpoint?

"Fellow Daoists, your techniques are profound. Would you mind offering some guidance?"