Chapter 435: Life and Death Domain (End of this Volume)

Du Yun was getting fed up with his acquaintance constantly showing off in front of him. He immediately decided to end the fight and send Zhao Xing on his way.

"Void Rend!"

Amidst the vast, churning ocean and roaring waves, Du Yun's arms were wrapped in dark, swirling patterns. His fingers, like hooks, tore open the sky. Behind him, nine layers of void rivers appeared, their turbulent currents dark red, as if formed from Du Yun's own essence.

"Zhao Xing!" Du Yun's throat resonated with a metallic clash as his right palm suddenly transformed into a transparent crystal blade. "It's over!"

Before his words finished, a million-mile stretch of the sea was cleaved in two. This was no ordinary spatial rift; even spiritual energy particles were severed. The immediate spiritual energy storm created an even more violent void current.

The Taixu straw doll beneath Zhao Xing instinctively reacted, instantly unfolding three thousand six hundred layers of void barriers. But the moment they touched the crystal blade—*snap!* The barriers shattered like falling glass chalices, each layer producing a distinct, substantial sound as it broke apart. Du Yun's Void Rend made it impossible for any opponent to stand firm in the void, its power comparable to that of the million-mile region of the primordial ocean!

"What a Void Rend!" Zhao Xing's pupils contracted. Even with Zuo Qiyu now controlling the Taixu straw doll, he felt a sense of uncertainty about winning. However, Zuo Qiyu quickly showed Zhao Xing the true capabilities of a Primordial Emissary.

*Bang!* The Taixu straw doll's legs slammed into the sea surface. Zhao Xing's great divine ability, Yin-Yang Divide, became incredibly profound in Zuo Qiyu's hands. As the World Law unfolded, the severed void trajectories twisted and regenerated like living things, forcibly mending the rift caused by "Void Rend."

Du Yun flipped his wrist, activating Void Rend to its extreme. Its power suddenly intensified, expanding its destructive range terrifyingly, attempting to force Zhao Xing out of the dojo space. Above the sea, dense black cracks appeared, making the seemingly stable dojo space look like paper. Yet, no matter how Du Yun tore at it, the void rifts were quickly mended. The raging void currents were diverted the moment they reached the Taixu straw doll. Like water poured onto the ground, they quickly seeped underground along specific paths and vanished. Du Yun's full-power divine ability, 'Void Rend,' was thus neutralized.

"Senior Zuo is incredible!" The World Law's Yin-Yang Divide, in Zuo Qiyu's hands, had reached perfection, far surpassing Zhao Xing's own execution. The essence of the void seemed to be effortlessly manipulated by Zuo Qiyu, as if he had advanced dozens of steps on the path of spatial manipulation to achieve such ease.

"What?" Du Yun was momentarily stunned when he saw his divine ability had no effect. "Zhao Xing actually withstood it completely." Zhao Xing had indeed surprised Du Yun greatly today, but Du Yun still didn't believe Zhao Xing could surpass him. Now, however, Du Yun faintly felt he had still underestimated Zhao Xing. "How many years have I cultivated? How long has he cultivated? Could he be an even greater genius than me?"

In a battle between masters, a single move is often enough to reveal many clues. At this moment, Du Yun immediately elevated Zhao Xing to a status equal to his own, completely abandoning his disdain.

"Zhao Xing, it seems I underestimated you." Du Yun lowered his hands, his expression serious. "You are stronger than You Beixuan."

"What? Stronger than You Beixuan?" The countless spectators watching the duel were stunned when they heard Du Yun's words. They were all dumbfounded.

"How is that possible? Brother Zhao has surpassed us by so much?" Han Qiye was dumbfounded.

"Is Du Yun putting on a show?" True Master Miaosong even suspected that Du Yun was intentionally boosting Zhao Xing's reputation.

"This is too important for a show!" Jing Yan from the spectator area howled excitedly. "Brother Zhao, you're going to make a name for yourself across the Profound Spirit Star Domain this time!"

"Is this real or fake—" The agriculturalist geniuses of the Primordial World, such as Tuo Sen, Yuan Qiusheng, and Fairy Youling, found it utterly unbelievable. Had Zhao Xing unknowingly surpassed them by so much?

"Hahahaha! Well done!" The Five Poisons Emperor couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Stronger than You Beixuan? Of course he's stronger than You Beixuan! A specially crafted Taixu straw doll, with Zuo Qiyu possessing it—if that's not stronger than You Beixuan, he might as well just reincarnate!

"Du Yun, it's my turn now!" The Taixu straw doll's fingers brushed across its brow, and the mustard-seed vortex formed by the Millet Chaos Art erupted. Zuo Qiyu used Zhao Xing's second great divine ability—the Millet Chaos Art! At the center of the mustard-seed vortex, a large mountain from the Scholarwood Willow Courtyard was vaguely visible. Zuo Qiyu activated all the skills Zhao Xing knew. Even the second layer of the Extreme Land, Mustard Mountain, was unleashed. One reason was to make the fight seem more realistic. The second was that to defeat Du Yun, he truly had to use all his abilities. Because Zuo Qiyu was possessing the doll, he could only use Zhao Xing's techniques, not his own.

"Millet Devours Heaven!" The void rifts carved by Du Yun were all swallowed by the vortex, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea. Even more astonishingly, a second vortex appeared on the Taixu straw doll's chest. The swallowed "Void Rend" dao essence was refined through a corridor, feeding back pure void origin!

The Taixu straw doll let out a long howl, its aura rising steadily. Behind it, yin and yang split apart. Zhao Xing stood on the dividing line, his left hand spread wide, and a nether palace emerging from his right: the great divine abilities: Five-Finger Mountain and Demonic God's Nether Palace!

Zuo Qiyu had never learned Five-Finger Mountain or Demonic God's Nether Palace; he had simply comprehended them on the spot. During Zhao Xing and Du Yun's previous skirmish, Zuo Qiyu had actually already been inside the Taixu straw doll. Now, unleashing these, Du Yun was instantly under immense pressure. His Samsara Golden Body erupted, and he manifested his third-stage transformation, simultaneously performing his self-created great divine ability—Thousand-Mile Yellow Sands Crossing. His black Golden Body stood upon a river of yellow sand, the chaotic surroundings seemingly irrelevant to Du Yun. His steps seemed to tread on another dimension as he clenched his fist and charged towards Zhao Xing.

*Boom!* The Five-Finger Mountain descended first, collapsing the Yellow Sands Crossing behind Du Yun, breaking it inch by inch. Du Yun paid no heed, his eyes fixed only on the Taixu straw doll as he continued to charge forward.

*Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!* The Five-Finger Mountain continuously descended, and the Thousand-Mile Yellow Sands Crossing was soon crushed for five hundred miles. Each palm strike landed just behind Du Yun, narrowly missing him. Seeing Du Yun closing in step by step, Zhao Xing's true body grew anxious. "What's wrong with Senior Zuo? Why can't he land a hit? Could Du Yun's Thousand-Mile Yellow Sands Crossing be that strong?"

*Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump!* One after another, Five-Finger Mountains appeared behind Du Yun, crushing the path he had come from. When only a third of the distance remained, a scene that shocked both Zhao Xing's true body and Du Yun unfolded. The fifteen mountains inexplicably shifted, suddenly appearing in front of Du Yun. At the same time, the Demonic God's Nether Palace descended. Du Yun was trapped within it.

*Hiss~* Zhao Xing gasped sharply. In such a short time, Zuo Qiyu had actually combined the Five-Finger Mountain and the Demonic God's Nether Palace. The two great divine abilities merged, forming a Five-Finger Demonic God's Nether Palace! The Demonic God's Nether Palace, after the fusion of the two techniques, possessed a completely different aura from when Zhao Xing himself performed it. Each of the five mountain pillars, viewed from a distance, resembled a demonic god. A unique breathing resonated between the mountains, and immense demonic flames scattered and absorbed Du Yun's Samsara Golden Body aura. Ultimately, they grew taller and taller!

"Impossible!" Dark blood flames seeped from Du Yun's seven orifices, and his face showed extreme shock. "How is this possible? What kind of divine ability is this?!"

As the last mountain descended, the Yellow Sands Crossing beneath Du Yun's feet completely collapsed. The Five-Finger Demonic God's Nether Palace formed and began refining Du Yun's aura. At ten-breath intervals, a portion of his Golden Body power was drawn from Du Yun and absorbed into the mountains, causing Du Yun's stature to shrink with each extraction.

"Break, break, break, break, break, break!!!" Du Yun roared and attacked the Five-Finger Mountain. It was better not to attack; with every strike, his aura dissipated even faster!

"Incredible!" At this point, Zhao Xing had no other words of flattery for Zuo Qiyu, only "incredible."

"What?!" Emperor Tianwu abruptly stood up, his eyes wide with disbelief as he stared at the battle zone. "Xingtian Demonic God's Nether Palace, and another spell that, through void folding, not only broke Du Yun's Yellow Sands Crossing but also locked him down?!"

"What a prodigy!" Lord Tianyou was also full of shock. "Two great divine abilities merging with each other—it's terrifying beyond imagination! Where did this Zhao Xing come from? I've never heard of him before!"

"His Daoist techniques are divine; he came prepared," Emperor Yuanding of the Samsara Divine Palace also praised endlessly. "Wu Tian's great divine ability, Five-Finger Mountain, is inherently a suppression technique. When combined with the Xingtian Demonic God's Nether Palace from Taigu Hill, the ingenious combination elevates it to another level—this is a completely different Samsara-level ultimate technique."

"No matter how much Qi a Qi Sect martial artist has, it wouldn't be enough to refine." Emperor Yuanding judged that Zhao Xing's recent wave of attacks had reached the threshold of Samsara Realm combat power.

"A Source Realm cultivator can unleash a move comparable to the Samsara Realm? Du Yun truly lost without injustice against such a genius." Emperor Mangya exclaimed. "We haven't seen such a genius in several eras."

"No wonder Gu Luohe took him as a disciple." "Du Yun's Golden Body at the 996th extreme is already a prodigy." "Who would have thought Zhao Xing's talent and comprehension would be even greater!"

"Take him, take him! He's all mine!" Scholar Bowie shouted in his heart.

"Concede!" Emperor Tianwu transmitted a message to the Five Poisons Emperor: "Let Du Yun out!"

At this point, Du Yun had been half-refined and was less than half his original height. But he was indeed very strong, which meant the Taixu straw doll couldn't voluntarily retract the Five-Finger Demonic God's Nether Palace, or it would suffer a backlash. Without external intervention, Du Yun would be refined to death, and even the Taixu straw doll wouldn't be able to reverse it. The stronger the combatants, the harder it was to control the destructive power. That's why this decisive battle was restricted to below the Samsara Realm.

"Alright." The Five Poisons Emperor and Zuo Qiyu's true body immediately took action. Of course, they couldn't let Du Yun be refined, so they quickly entered the arena and separated Zhao Xing and Du Yun. The moment they made contact, Zuo Qiyu smoothly withdrew from the Taixu straw doll, and everything returned to its original state.

*Whoosh!* Du Yun and Zhao Xing were both teleported to the floating island. Even after the battle ended, Du Yun still couldn't understand how he had lost. He looked at Zhao Xing with a changed expression.

"Three millennia unseen, I never thought you would have grown to this extent."

"I yield," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands somewhat guiltily. But at this moment, he couldn't say anything to Du Yun. The act had to be complete. He also believed that Du Yun's Dao heart wouldn't shatter just from one defeat. If he were that fragile, he wouldn't have such a great reputation. What kind of genius would be disheartened by a single loss?

*Whoosh, whoosh!* Emperor Tianwu, Emperor Mangya, Scholar Bowie, Emperor Yuanding, Lord Tianyou—one after another, Samsara Realm figures appeared on the floating island. Everyone simultaneously looked at Zhao Xing and the Taixu straw doll. Zhao Xing felt his Taixu straw doll being scanned countless times in an instant, its every detail laid bare. However, the emperors present were perceptive enough not to scan Zhao Xing's true body. Because the Five Poisons Emperor had already started stamping his foot: "What are you doing, what are you doing? What are you staring at? Can't you accept a loss?!"

The Five Poisons Emperor's timing was perfect, giving the powerful individuals from all sides just enough time for a quick glance, but nothing more.

"Five Elements Emperor, don't be angry," Emperor Mangya smiled. "We have no other intention, just a desire to behold a peerless genius."

While Emperor Mangya spoke soothingly, Emperor Tianwu was less polite: "Hmph, Five Poisons, why are you being so secretive?"

The Five Poisons Emperor, with an even worse temper, pointed at Du Yun: "How about I strip Du Yun naked and let everyone see him too?"

Du Yun's face showed helplessness; the sleeves of the clothes he had just put on were instantly shredded by the Five Poisons Emperor. Judging by his appearance, if Emperor Tianwu continued to pester him, he might genuinely be stripped bare. Although cultivators typically didn't care about such things, the Five Poisons Emperor truly had a terrible temper.

"You! Vulgar!" Emperor Tianwu flicked his sleeve and ignored him. He felt that arguing further with the Five Poisons Emperor would be beneath him.

"Let's not hurt our feelings," Emperor Mangya intervened to smooth things over. "Since you're protecting him so much, Five Poisons, we won't look."

"Oh, no, that won't do." The Five Poisons Emperor wasn't done yet. He grabbed Zhao Xing and the Taixu straw doll and pulled them closer: "Look, stare all you want, so no one can say my Primordial World is faking anything. However, you are all renowned powerhouses; if you want to see my disciple, it won't be for free."

Now it was Zhao Xing's turn to feel helpless. What was happening? Was this a zoo selling tickets? And there truly were some who wanted to examine him closely.

From the group of scholars, a friendly-looking blonde man immediately stepped forward. "Zhao Xing, my name is Bowie, a Seven-Realm Scholar of the Scholarly City." "This item is called the Void-Returning Expulsion Token. It's a small trinket I spent a hundred thousand years crafting, consider it my welcoming gift." "I've seen many types of straw doll techniques, but never the Taixu straw doll. Would you grant my wish and let me go inside for a look?"

Zhao Xing saw the man, a flicker of understanding in his eyes, but he quickly averted his gaze to the Five Poisons Emperor and Zuo Qiyu.

"Why are you looking at me? I'm upright and honest. If he gives it to you, just accept it!" said the Five Poisons Emperor. Hearing this, Zhao Xing almost couldn't maintain his composure. You really are something. Even deceiving himself! Seeing Zuo Qiyu also nod, Zhao Xing had no choice but to release the Taixu straw doll's restrictions. In truth, he was very reluctant to interact with this scholar, because this fellow was a central figure in the Scholar's Divine Advent version, the dark scholar who single-handedly orchestrated the God-Making Movement, Demigod Bowie!

Of course, the current Bowie was not yet a demigod; the leader of Scholarly City was still another Seven-Realm Scholar, 'Zhixin'. What is a Seven-Realm Scholar? It is rumored to be an internal ranking among scholars. Scholarly City possesses a secret inheritance ground called the Law Realm. Each realm contains countless secret techniques, filling its entire space. A scholar who has thoroughly mastered the secret techniques of one realm is called a 'Law Realm Scholar.' For each additional realm mastered, the title changes to Dual-Realm Scholar, Triple-Realm Scholar, and so on. It is rumored that Scholarly City has nine realm spaces. However, Seven-Realm Scholar is currently the highest internal rank. No scholar has been able to enter the eighth realm, and it is unknown whether the ninth realm truly exists; it is only mentioned in ancient texts.

"Esteemed Seven-Realm Scholar, please." Although reluctant, Zhao Xing allowed Bowie to enter the Taixu straw doll.

*Whoosh!* Bowie entered the inner space of the Taixu straw doll. In less than three breaths, Bowie emerged from the Taixu straw doll. "It is indeed extremely profound, making one marvel at the greatness of Senior Gu Tianyang," Scholar Bowie praised. "I found no abnormalities whatsoever." This latter sentence served as a public verification. It publicly endorsed the Primordial World, affirming that no deception had occurred. Hearing this, Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Zuo Qiyu was indeed formidable; no one of his rank could oversee him. In the domain of straw doll techniques, only a divine being could spot any irregularities.

"Truly a genius!" Emperor Yuanding also spoke. With the scholar's public verification and everyone witnessing it firsthand, there was naturally no further doubt. If they were to question it further, for example, by asking Zhao Xing to perform the technique again, where would the Primordial World save face? Ultimately, this cooperation relied on the Scarlet Star Empire leading them to prosperity, so making things too rigid was not a good idea.

Hearing this, Du Yun felt even more incredulous. Zhao Xing had actually defeated him through his own strength!

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!* Figures swiftly departed one after another.

The battle between Zhao Xing and Du Yun quickly caused a sensation in the Primordial World. "The Taixu straw doll actually defeated Du Yun? It's unbelievable!" "The Qi Sect and Sword Sect competed for first place, only to be defeated by an Agriculturalist in the end! How comical! Hahahaha!" "See that? This is our Primordial World's Saint Son! From now on, you martial artists, be more humble when you see an Agriculturalist!" "Where are those who doubted him just now? Come out and say something!" "Ah, martial artists, they're nothing special!" "Agriculturalist Zhao is incredible!"

Not only in the Primordial World, but this battle quickly spread across various star systems. The birth of a genius, the Agriculturalist Saint Son, the greatest agriculturalist genius in ten eras—all sorts of lavish praises were showered upon Zhao Xing.

Upon seeing the move where Five-Finger Mountain and Demonic God's Nether Palace merged, Emperor Hongshan found Zhao Xing even more mysterious. "Five-Finger Mountain was created by Wu Tian; he actually obtained this true inheritance." "Five-Finger Mountain combined with Demonic God's Nether Palace? What a coincidence, Wu Tian went to that nether palace back then—"

No one had any doubts! Everyone cheered for the new genius. Except Zhao Xing himself.

"Master, did we overdo it this time?" Zhao Xing sighed. "Now everyone thinks I'm a heaven-defying genius, and some even praise me as the greatest agriculturalist genius of the millennium, saying I can become a god—your disciple is under immense pressure."

It felt great to show off, and it was satisfying to thoroughly defeat Du Yun. After Zuo Qiyu's possession, it also brought Zhao Xing many benefits, because this kind of control, for Zhao Xing, was like experiencing the path he would take in the future. For instance, the fused divine ability Zuo Qiyu performed, the Five-Finger Demonic God's Nether Palace, Zhao Xing would undoubtedly learn in the future. Due to the Taixu straw doll's characteristics, Zuo Qiyu was actually very suitable for teaching disciples through possession-controlled combat, which greatly benefited a disciple's future cultivation.

But now, there was a problem: what if his deception was exposed? Bearing too many expectations and being praised to the heavens, the fall would surely be devastating.

The Five Poisons Emperor's reply was blunt: "What are you afraid of? If you're not the greatest genius, then cultivate hard to become the greatest genius!" "This time you won against Du Yun with Little Zuo's help; next time, win on your own!" "What were the Emperor-grade saplings and Ancient Dao Golden Cicadas given to you for?" "As long as you diligently cultivate under my guidance, you'll sooner or later live up to these titles!" "From today onwards, you will stay in Five Elements City and cultivate Sprout Cultivation. How can you always fight using techniques from other sects?" "Ai Miaomiao and Wei Lan have been practicing for a long time; you can consult them." "I, your master, will periodically check on your cultivation progress." "And now, I, your master, am going to find you a good place!"

With that, the Five Poisons Emperor vanished with a whoosh, leaving Zhao Xing standing there, utterly bewildered.

Not long after the Five Poisons Emperor left, Wei Lan and Ai Miaomiao entered from outside the hall. Ai Miaomiao carried a green teapot containing murky 'vine juice,' while Wei Lan, with sprouts on his head, held a bag of seeds.

"Junior Brother, it's time to drink the vine juice," Ai Miaomiao said gently, her oval face brimming with smiles.

"Sprout Cultivation is very easy to practice," Wei Lan also said with a smile.

Looking at his senior brother and sister, Zhao Xing couldn't help but swallow.

***

Scarlet Star Empire, Meridian Pass.

Within the Imperial Military Department, in a small base named 'Cloud Sea'. Yun Tiandao opened his door and looked up at the Sun Star in the sky.

"Congratulations, my lord, on emerging from seclusion and entering the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm!" A subordinate with antlers respectfully knelt beside him.

Yun Tiandao showed no joy on his face, merely nodding lightly, then looked towards the end of the line where a physician stood, holding a medicine box. Yun Tiandao dismissed everyone and approached the physician.

"How is she?"

"Madam's condition has slightly improved. She can now recall bits and pieces of Marquis Yun and her past." "But your other friend remains the same."

Yun Tiandao accompanied the physician into the sky. Below them, two tranquil courtyards were visible. In the left one, a middle-aged woman in a white dress was watering flowers, her smile serene, portraying a picture of peaceful days. In the right one, a man with disheveled hair sat in the dirt, staring blankly at a mural.

"Alas—" Yun Tiandao sighed. Three thousand years ago, Yun Tiandao had already reached the Dao Domain Realm! At that time, Zhao Xing had not yet returned. Afterward, Yun Tiandao joined the Imperial Military Department, arriving at Meridian Pass, where he cultivated and accumulated merits through continuous battles. Two millennia ago, he also rescued Emperor Xia and his own Dao Companion during an operation. Currently, Yun Tiandao was a Marquis of the Empire, and the Cloud Sea base was named after him.

"Now that Marquis Yun has broken through to the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm, perhaps you could return to the homeland once, visit the Primordial World's treasury, and see if there are any secret remedies for treatment." "After all, conditions abroad are simple, and my medical skills are quite crude."

Yun Tiandao looked at the old physician and waved his hand, saying, "Sir, you have already done very well."

"I am ashamed," the old physician shook his head.

"No," Yun Tiandao smiled, "a friend once told me that my Dao Companion and friend originally had a different, tragic fate." "To be safe and sound now, I am already very content."

"Is your friend a Fatesmith?" the old physician casually asked.

"Something like that," Yun Tiandao mused.

***

Xuanhuang Realm, House of Eras.

In the attic, a Daoist wearing a simple robe with a purple jade hairpin in his topknot was writing:

Xuanhuang Annals - Forty-Five

It has now been 4500 years since His Majesty and the Grand Agriculturalist departed. The agreed upon three-thousand-year period has been exceeded by over 1500 years. I gradually understood Yun Tiandao's feeling of long waiting and futility, but what filled my heart more was worry. His Majesty and the Grand Agriculturalist must have encountered extremely serious problems to be unable to return, and in the last thousand years, I've become even more certain of this. Because the Xuanhuang Realm has undergone earth-shattering changes in a short period. Since the Witch was resurrected over two millennia ago, she has grown increasingly powerful, even surpassing her previous cultivation realm. The development of the Sect World has also been unstoppable, with not only the emergence of the 'Profound Heaven Divine Sect' but also the mysterious 'Ancient God Sect.'

After Ji Hong ascended the throne, the Book of Heavenly Mandate, the Human Emperor Sword, and the Kunyuan Hoe successively appeared. Furthermore, they surpassed their former power. Ji Hong himself lived past his millennium lifespan and remains the third Human Emperor! Too many absurd things have happened; even I have become a Life-Death Dao Domain Realm cultivator. I very much want to participate in external affairs, but the Grand Agriculturalist once instructed me not to interfere with external developments. But now that everything the Grand Agriculturalist mentioned has changed, should I still adhere to my duty as a sentinel?

Nine years ago, Ji Hong came to me again, wanting to invite me to ascend with him to a wider world. The Xuanhuang Realm now seems to possess the conditions for ascension, but I always feel that the deep sea of the universe is filled with great terror. I refused Ji Hong once again. He no longer insisted and ascended five years ago. Ascension has become a simple matter in the current Nineteen Provinces; it no longer requires defeating the Southern Barbarians or a lack of spiritual energy.

Calculating the time, Ji Hong should have flown past the dark side of the Xuanhuang Lunar Star. Thinking this, Wang Tianzhi put down his paper and brush and went to the window to gaze out at the cosmos. Immediately, a look of dread appeared on his face. He saw a realm-boat, adorned with the Great Zhou banner, suddenly overtaken by something as it passed the dark side of the Xuanhuang Lunar Star. The realm-boat then silently disintegrated, like a blooming fireworks display. Wang Tianzhi watched with wide eyes, instinctively wanting to reach out and grasp something, but then suddenly stopped. Because he finally saw clearly: what pierced through the realm-boat of Ji Hong, the third Human Emperor of Later Zhou, was merely a single raindrop, followed by a second, then a third—

*Splash!* Black rain suddenly fell in the cosmos, swallowing all traces. Wang Tianzhi felt the starry sky become even darker.