Chapter 428: One Hundred Thousand Miles in One Breath, Promotion to Coral Level

Coral City, Eastern District, Tianrui Estate.

In a sea of flowers, plants and trees were growing at an astonishing speed around a silver-haired young man at the center.

The earth resembled a Taijitu, with two distinct forces continuously merging and separating.

Suddenly, the entire flower sea became still. Pu Tianrui looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression, a faint golden silhouette reflected in his eyes.

"Hmm? Why have all my straw figures disintegrated?""And who is that figure?"

Pu Tianrui immediately sent an inquiry to his teacher.

In a vast primeval forest in Coral City, Fairy Youling stared at her exploded straw figures, an expression of shock on her face.

"My goodness, did Mushroom King actually master Zuo Qiyu's technique?"She was quite familiar with Zhao Xing; after more than a thousand years of acquaintance, she recognized him even from a silhouette, especially with his Golden Cicada Robe.

"I should have swapped places earlier and gone to see..." Fairy Youling immediately flew towards Algae City.

Algae City, over a vast expanse of fields.

Thousands of "Yuan Qiusheng" figures, dressed in straw cloaks and wearing bamboo hats, were working when they suddenly lost control and exploded.

"What's happening?"Yuan Qiusheng's main body quickly arrived at the spell experimental field, his eyes filled with shock and distress.

The exploding straw figures had ruined many of his saplings.

"Is that Brother Zhao's silhouette?" Yuan Qiusheng looked up at the sky, Zhao Xing's silhouette also reflected in his eyes.

"Brother Zhao, what spell have you mastered? All these straw figures of mine are at the Five Elements Dao Realm..." Yuan Qiusheng murmured to himself.

Coral City, on a Boundary Star Arena.

Han Qianye and True Master Miaosong were engaged in a straw figure battle.

The planet was divided into two distinct alignments: one hemisphere was intensely hot, controlled by Han Qianye's Giant Cauldron and Heavenly Sun straw figures. The other hemisphere was cold and dark, belonging to True Master Miaosong's Antarctic straw figures and Sky Fiend straw figures.

"Brother Han, in ten days, you'll surely lose. This battle is mine," True Master Miaosong said with a smile to Han Qianye on a floating platform outside the Boundary Star.

"Hmph, the outcome isn't decided until the very end." Han Qianye continued his micro-management, but his territory was clearly shrinking.

"Hahaha, Brother Han, no matter how much you manipulate them, your army of straw figures will just become my resources. Do you really want to fight until the last one falls before admitting defeat? How uninteresting.""Surrender now, and I'll count it as only half a loss," True Master Miaosong chuckled.

"In Han Qianye's dictionary, there is no such word as surr—huh?"

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!

Suddenly, violent explosions erupted on the Boundary Star Arena. Instantly, spiritual energy and dust filled the arena, and the void trembled. All the straw figures exploded.

"What?!" True Master Miaosong and Han Qianye were both startled.

They both tried to stop their straw figures immediately, but everything happened too fast; the explosions were instantaneous. Moreover, just as they attempted to control them, a towering silhouette wearing a dark gold robe suddenly appeared before their eyes.

The silhouette seemed like an embodiment of the Dao, completely severing their control over the straw figures.

"Oh my, this suppressive power... is it Zuo Qiyu's Grand Void Straw Figures?" True Master Miaosong exclaimed.

"Why would Zuo Qiyu attack us? This is clearly Zhao Xing's doing!" Han Qianye was both shocked and excited. "Are the rumors true? Can the Grand Void Straw Figures really suppress an entire domain?"

They exchanged glances, then spoke in unison, "Let's go, let's find him in Algae City!"

Coral City, in a dense primeval forest.

A cold-faced, black-haired young man sat under a large tree. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and a withered leaf mark appeared on his brow.

"What an overbearing spell."

Tuo Sen's eyes gleamed.

Although he did not cultivate straw figure techniques, at that moment, he also sensed the presence of the Grand Void Straw Figures.

The commotion quickly spread. Many throughout the Primal Realm recognized the Grand Void Straw Figures. Many Dao Realm and Reincarnation Realm cultivators immediately realized that a new person had mastered the Grand Void Straw Figures. This was because Zuo Qiyu would not have taken action; if he had, even the Reincarnation Realm cultivators' straw figures would not have held up. Judging by the power, only a new Agricultural Officer could have perfected the Grand Void Straw Figures!

"Who could it be?""Doesn't Zuo Qiyu refuse to take disciples or pass on his techniques?""Let's ask the Enforcement Hall.""Heh heh, another master-killer has emerged. How interesting."

Algae City, Huailiu Courtyard.

After mastering the Grand Void Straw Figures, Zhao Xing sensed the commotion he had caused and immediately withdrew his divine ability.

"Goodness, so many Agricultural Officers were using straw figures for work. I truly stirred up a hornet's nest of straw figures."

Although Zhao Xing withdrew his divine ability in just an instant, he still sensed quadrillions of straw figures in that moment. This only included the high-grade ones, like Han Qianye's Giant Cauldron and Primordial Yang straw figures, and True Master Miaosong's Sky Fiend and Antarctic straw figures. Zhao Xing couldn't even count the lesser ones.

"Straw figures come in many types and are widely used. Agricultural Officers in the Primal Realm, whether from the Celestial Timing, Terrestrial Advantage, or Ego factions, almost all know one or two straw figure spells. Even support-type Agricultural Officers use straw figures for work.""Now that I've caused such a stir, I won't be punished by the Primal Realm, will I?"

Zhao Xing felt a little self-conscious; he hadn't intended to show off deliberately. At the moment of mastery, the spell was newly learned, and he couldn't quite control its full power. That was why he had even worn the Golden Cicada Robe, precisely to enhance his control over the straw figures.

"Although they only saw my silhouette, so many powerful figures in the Primal Realm should know it was me.""Confession is the best policy."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment, then immediately sent messages to Zuo Qiyu, Gu Luohe, and the Five Poisons Emperor. He then flew out of his cultivation room in Huailiu Courtyard and waited above the barrier.

As expected, two square formations were already waiting above his Huailiu Courtyard. They were dressed in black robes and armor, looking majestic, numbering about a thousand people.

"Is that Gong Fa from the Primal Enforcement Hall? Oh, right, he's still in the Enforcement Hall at this time." Zhao Xing looked at the person leading them. Gong Fa was a senior Reincarnation Realm Agricultural Officer.

Old Master Zhao remembered him vividly because in his previous life, he had sought advice from Gong Fa. However, before he could say more than a few words, Gong Fa had erupted in curses: "Your talent is truly inferior, a low-grade primitive, unworthy of cultivating this technique."

Gong Fa remained silent after his appearance. Beside him, a handsome young man with golden hair and blue eyes, holding a jade scepter, stepped forward. He looked at Zhao Xing below with a strange expression: "Algae-level member Zhao Xing, was he the one who caused the anomaly just now? Sir, could there be a mistake?"

Zhao Xing also glanced at the young man beside Gong Fa. This person was named Carlos Yang, the same Carlos who ranked in the top ten of the Ego Faction's combat division at the Primal Grand Assembly. In the galaxy where the Carlos family resided, it was customary for names to be very long; Carlos Yang was already a simplified version.

By the year 1775 of the Primal Realm, dozens of the former Algae-level members had already become Coral-level members. Carlos Yang was one of them, having joined the Primal Enforcement Hall.

Carlos Yang had a deep impression of Zhao Xing, not only because of his title as Gu Luohe's disciple but also because Zhao Xing's perseverance in the Taichu City trials for over a thousand years was widely known. However, Carlos Yang was completely unaware of the Great Zhou's affairs in the Annihilation Star Corridor.

Receiving a sudden deployment order today, Carlos had thought it was to resolve disputes among military generals, not realizing it involved Zhao Xing.

"No mistake." Gong Fa glanced down.

"What exactly did he do that warrants your personal deployment, and with so many people?" Carlos asked curiously. "Even to cause trouble, one needs capability. An ordinary Agricultural Officer blowing up a lab or something is a minor incident; no one would bother with it."

Gong Fa did not answer Carlos Yang's question, instead looking up in a certain direction. The Five Poisons Emperor and Zuo Qiyu appeared one after another.

"Gong Fa, Zhao Xing was taught by me, and the fluctuations caused by his spell are my responsibility," Zuo Qiyu transmitted. "As for any losses everyone sustained, he will compensate them."The Five Poisons Emperor said with a look of reluctance, "You take full responsibility, and I pay? What kind of ridiculous logic is that?"Zuo Qiyu replied, "It's settled then."

Without a word, Gong Fa cupped his hands and transmitted to the formation behind him, "Withdraw." The enforcement team arrived quickly, which was part of their duty; they always had to be swift in their response. Their delay in immediately apprehending someone was because they were waiting for someone, as Gong Fa also recognized the Grand Void Straw Figures. How could he dare to simply arrest the person? Clearly, the person they were waiting for had arrived, so they could naturally leave. After all, this incident was not a major affair.

Carlos, however, was utterly confused."Why are they withdrawing again?""What exactly happened?"

Carlos Yang arrived inexplicably and departed just as inexplicably. He couldn't help but glance back at Zhao Xing below before flying away with the main force.

After the enforcement team left, only Zuo Qiyu and the Five Poisons Emperor remained arguing above Huailiu Courtyard. Gu Luohe's appearance ended their daily bickering.

"Senior.""Mm." Gu Luohe nodded slightly, then looked at Zhao Xing below, a rare smile appearing on his face. "Not bad."

"Greetings, Master Gu, Senior Zuo, Master. This student just now—"After paying his respects, Zhao Xing was about to explain.

Gu Luohe interrupted, "You've just begun, and you're not yet proficient. It's excusable; there's no need to worry."

"Is that so? Then blame those mechanism masters in the Primal Realm; their spell formations and barriers aren't reliable enough!" the Five Poisons Emperor immediately said.

"Qiyu, you handle the negotiations; Wuxing, you pay for the damages." Gu Luohe said, then departed.

The Five Poisons Emperor froze, then slapped his own mouth. "My mouth is truly foul. I almost forgot that Senior Gu handled most of the spell formations and barriers."

Zuo Qiyu opened his mouth with a disdainful look, silently uttering a curse."Old beast, curse again!"The Five Poisons Emperor lunged forward, but Zuo Qiyu vanished from his spot."Useless, always hiding."

The Five Poisons Emperor grumbled as he flew down, still feeling indignant. He looked at Zhao Xing and said:"Disciple, you curse him too."

"Master, your disciple dares not," Zhao Xing replied honestly.

"What are you afraid of?" the Five Poisons Emperor said with a stern face. "You'll have to fight him sooner or later. If you don't even dare to curse him, you're useless too."

Zhao Xing was speechless. 'You can curse because you have the power; if I cursed, wouldn't I be asking for trouble?'

But that was the Five Poisons Emperor's temperament; when his temper flared, he'd even curse himself. What more could be said?

Seeing Zhao Xing remain silent, the Five Poisons Emperor ranted furiously for another half an hour.

His targets quickly expanded from Zhao Xing and Zuo Qiyu to the entire Agricultural Officer profession.

"...Those people from the Ancient Hills are a bunch of good-for-nothings. It's been over three thousand years, and the Haitong Ancient Path still isn't open.""They've been messing around with a Three-Fold Boundary Mountain for 325 years. What a waste of the Empire's money! If it were me, I would have carved it through long ago. And they call him Emperor Hongshan's eldest disciple? More like a huge good-for-nothing—"

Zhao Xing quietly listened to the Five Poisons Emperor's rant, extracting some important information.

"—After such a long delay, now it's great, the money shared between two parties is about to be split among several.""If you ask me, they shouldn't have been brought into the partnership in the first place."

His words came out so fast that Zhao Xing couldn't get a word in.

After a while, the Five Poisons Emperor finally slowed down.

Only then did Zhao Xing seize the opportunity, carefully asking, "Master, do you mean the Empire's cooperation with the Ancient Hills to develop the Empire's northwestern desolate regions isn't going well? Is Emperor Hongshan also coming?"

The Five Poisons Emperor stopped and gave Zhao Xing a warning look: "You're not yet qualified to hear such confidential information.""Become a Coral-level member as soon as possible. You don't have much time left."

With that, the Five Poisons Emperor, having vented his frustration, gracefully departed. Zhao Xing was left bewildered in the wind.

"I don't know what happened. How did the exploration of the Siyue Desolate Region involve so many factions?"

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then quickly returned to his room and opened his Star Mirror to check the Empire's latest map. He then searched for events that had occurred in the Xuanling Starfield over the past two millennia. A few days later, an expression of realization dawned on Zhao Xing's face: "So that's it."

"After the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom's Dharma Assembly incident, the map of ancient kingdoms in the Shenluo Desolate Region changed drastically.""The desolate zone expanded further; compared to my previous life, its expansion has accelerated more than threefold.""The expansion of the desolate zone means a reduction in habitable spiritual energy territories.""Conflicts between humans and demons have become much more frequent over the past two millennia," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

The Dharma Assembly of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom had far-reaching consequences. Simply modifying memories would not make everything return to normal.

"During that Dharma Assembly in the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, only tens of thousands of Reincarnation Realm cultivators died, but Dao Realm cultivators were countless.""To support the resurrection of Old Qing and Ancient God Dongyan, the number of sacrificed Dao Realm cultivators probably exceeded that of my previous life."Zhao Xing speculated.

"And the Dao Realm cultivators are actually the backbone of resistance against the desolate expansion."Reincarnation Realm cultivators are considered high-level, but how many of them actually do the work? Most of the tasks involving personally defending the desolate regions are handled by Dao Realm cultivators. With many Dao Realm cultivators gone, the expansion of the desolate zone naturally accelerated.

"Although the Empire's territory is far from the Shenluo Desolate Region, it has also been affected after more than two thousand years.""The demon race wants to contend with humans for territory, and the Empire's border pressure has also increased." Zhao Xing observed the intelligence reports.

"In my previous life, the Empire distanced itself from other forces, collaborating only with the Ancient Hills for exploration. Now, the situation has changed, and even the Primeval Celestial Palace, the Alliance of Ancient Kingdoms, and even the Reincarnation Temple are getting involved?"Zhao Xing felt that his analysis was very likely correct.

"I really must hurry."The situation was becoming complicated, and Zhao Xing felt uncertain about the future. Only by rapidly growing stronger could he face all variables. Closing his Star Mirror, Zhao Xing opened his Scoreboard.

Name: Zhao XingLevel: Algae Rank Seven (19.25 million/25.5 million)Available Points: 850,000Bonus Points: 19.25 million

"Considering only Agricultural Officers this session, there are already hundreds of Coral-level members.""Including all professions, Coral-level members exceed five thousand.""However, among the Ego faction's Agricultural Officers, there are only about eighty-something."

Over 1775 years, Zhao Xing had indeed not intentionally accumulated bonus points, remaining at Algae Rank Seven.

"Algae Rank Nine requires 51.1 million points.""To ascend to Coral Rank One, 102.2 million points are needed."

"After 1775 years of focused cultivation, it's time to reap the benefits of the Primal Realm."Zhao Xing closed his Star Mirror and immediately flew out of Huailiu Courtyard.

"The first stop is the Primal Ocean."

Primal Ocean, West Coast.

"Poof~"

Zhao Xing was instantly spat out by the Instantaneous Flower.

At this moment, the West Coast was still teeming with people.

"Brother Zhao!""Zhao Xing, are the rumors true?""Mushroom King, do you dare to fight me?"

The moment Zhao Xing appeared, he immediately caused a sensation. Legends of the Grand Void Straw Figures had already spread, and now not only Agricultural Officers but also people from other professions had heard about Zhao Xing.

"Seriously, who has time to play with you all?"Zhao Xing paid them no mind and simply vanished from the shore.

Primal Ocean, 101,000 nautical miles out.

"Whoosh~"

The surging ocean formed a continuous line, sweeping forward like a moving city wall.

"Go!"

The Grand Void Straw Figure was immediately released by Zhao Xing. As soon as the two-meter-tall straw figure appeared, it opened its mouth, and the already chaotic Primal Ocean unexpectedly formed a stable void rift. It then swallowed its seven-foot-tall main body with a reverse hand motion.

"Rumble~"

The tidal wave quickly rushed forward. The Grand Void Straw Figure opened its mouth again, and an even larger rift appeared horizontally before it.

"Whoosh!"All the waves flowed along the rift, moving behind it. The Grand Void Straw Figure seemed to carve a channel in front of itself, allowing the waves to bypass it directly.

"A mere trick," the Grand Void Straw Figure said with a slight smile.

It then flew over the wave crest, which was only about ten meters high. Leaping, continuously leaping, Zhao Xing's Grand Void Straw Figure completely ignored the impact of the Primal Ocean.

In merely the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, it traveled from the 100,000-mile area to 900,000 nautical miles. It was completely unobstructed!

"The Grand Void Straw Figure is truly amazing."The main body, residing inside the straw figure's belly, couldn't help but smile.

"The impact of the Primal Ocean is first weakened by 99% by the Grand Void Straw Figure. Invisible impacts, such as mental and willpower attacks, also cannot penetrate the Grand Void Straw Figure to reach the main body inside."

The Grand Void Straw Figure contained a vast internal space. This was because advancing from the Grand Yang Straw Figure to the Grand Void Straw Figure, to some extent, involved comprehending the cultivation of the Void Dao. Zhao Xing had only taken one step, yet it was a qualitative leap! In terms of the Grand Void Straw Figure technique, the amplification was even more terrifying. The exquisite combination of technique and Dao allowed the Grand Void Straw Figure's power to reach an exaggerated level.

How exaggerated? Zhao Xing's current breakthrough was also a test for the Grand Void Straw Figure.

"Mental attacks, soul attacks—these immaterial attacks, when transmitted into the Grand Void Straw Figure, are further negated by the vast spatial distance."Zhao Xing's main body lay relaxed.

"The void is folded countless times, as if someone launched a mental attack on me from ten thousand light-years away; the attack would dissipate halfway.""It's too far; everything is futile."

When he was assassinated by Jiu, the Mental Caster from the Shadow Temple, the opponent also needed to infiltrate within a certain range for their spell to reach maximum power. If the distance was too great, the spell would be obstructed and nullified by the various Great Daos operating in the cosmic void.

Now, with Zhao Xing's main body inside the Grand Void Straw Figure, he easily reached 990,000 miles.

At the one-million-mile mark of the Primal Ocean, there were islands along the line, each with courtyards. Every island had an "Ocean Guardian."

At the one-million-mile mark of the Primal Ocean, the power was already terrifying, and challengers could easily be injured if the teleportation array didn't activate in time. Therefore, the Ocean Guardians' duty was to prevent accidents.

On Guardian Island No. 188, Lance, who was meditating, suddenly opened his eyes.

"Someone has reached the one-million-mile mark.""I wonder who it is."

Lance extended his palm, which suddenly transformed into a mirror, displaying the situation in the sea area he was responsible for. He was a Mech Warrior at the Life-Death Dao Realm.

"No one?"Lance was a little surprised; he only saw roaring waves but no challenger.

"No, there's someone, and they've even reached 990,000 miles." It was only after Lance performed a second, deeper search that he discovered Zhao Xing's presence. The Grand Void Straw Figure was only two meters tall, and its method of progression was very peculiar, almost causing him to overlook it.

"A two-meter tall figure, what kind of spell is this?"

Lance immediately checked the challenger's information."Algae Rank Seven member, Agricultural Officer Zhao Xing.""Entered from the West Coast two days ago and reached 990,000 miles in one go?" A hint of surprise flashed in Lance's eyes."An Algae Rank Seven member can reach here in one go?"

A pair of mechanical wings unfolded behind Lance, and the void rippled like water with fine vibrations. The next moment, Lance appeared high above the million-mile warning line. He looked down at Zhao Xing, who was now very close.

"What a profound spell, applying the Void Dao to such an extent?""A mere straw figure, made from materials not considered extraordinary, at most low-grade Lunar Dao Soldier materials, yet it could reach this point."

Lance watched with anticipation.

Soon, Zhao Xing crossed the million-mile demarcation line.

"Boom!"

Crossing the million-mile demarcation line marked the watershed in combat power between the Yin-Yang Dao Realm and the Life-Death Dao Realm. One needed to meet the Life-Death Dao Realm standard in at least one aspect to stand firm at the million-mile mark for ten breaths.

"Can he withstand ten breaths?" Lance stared intently, ready to act at any moment.

The waves suddenly surged, almost forming a world of water; water boundaries instantly formed above and below. Here, the Primal Ocean surprisingly emitted no sound; everything seemed to move in slow motion. It was as if a world had reached its end, collapsing inward and imploding, engulfing Zhao Xing.

"Ten, nine, eight—"Lance silently counted down.

Void rifts appeared around the Grand Void Straw Figure; the rifts acted like a cage, isolating it from the outside. However, the seawater still slowly flowed through the void rifts, forming a pincer movement and pressing against the Grand Void Straw Figure.

"The pressure from the Water Dao is too great; the Grand Void Straw Figure can't hold on much longer." Zhao Xing's main body was no longer relaxed; he stood up seriously.

"Although the Void Dao holds an advantage, the Dao level of this ocean realm is higher. I've only taken one step, yet the attacks I face are like those launched by a cultivator who has taken seven or eight steps."The flowing seawater acted like an adhesive, filling the void rifts. The Grand Void Straw Figure desperately cast spells but was still surrounded by omnipresent ocean currents.

"Pop~"A tremendous crushing force arrived, and Zhao Xing's main body immediately felt extreme discomfort, as if facing the terror of death. The might of heaven was unfathomable!

"The power of nature truly possesses supernatural craftsmanship!" Zhao Xing could no longer hold on and was directly knocked unconscious.

The unconsciousness didn't last long. Zhao Xing soon woke up on a soft bed. Opening his eyes, he saw a man standing by the bed. The man had mechanical wings, wore a hat, and his clothes were adorned with patterns of the ocean and islands.

"You're awake," Lance said, turning around with a gentle smile.

"Who are you, sir?" Zhao Xing got up and bowed.

"I am Lance, Ocean Guardian No. 188.""Congratulations, Agricultural Officer Zhao. You endured for ten breaths at the one-million-mile mark of the Primal Ocean." Lance returned the bow, then pulled out his Star Mirror. "According to the Primal Realm's regulations, this process will be certified by me, and after certification, you will be a Coral-level member."

Zhao Xing handed over his Star Mirror. Lance's Star Mirror touched his, and then they separated. Both Star Mirrors emitted a burst of red light. On the back of Zhao Xing's Star Mirror, the algae symbol twisted and transformed into a red coral emblem.

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Lance."Zhao Xing accepted his Star Mirror with a touch of emotion.

"Crossing hundreds of thousands of miles of ocean in two days, enduring the overwhelming elements for ten breaths—this is the strongest straw figure technique I have ever seen." Lance placed his fedora over his chest and bowed slightly, saying, "It is my honor to witness the rise of a genius."