Chapter 438: Ling Zong Fa Cheng, the Northern River Lord's Request

"A talent market? How can a prison be a talent market?" Ai Miaomiao's wide eyes were filled with confusion.

Zhao Xing didn't answer. He slowly entered Ice Star Prison, following the boundary passage.

The vast majority of criminals imprisoned in the Primal Realm's Ice Star Prison were once members of the Primal Realm. They had either gone mad and accidentally killed many people, gotten carried away during research and caused immense losses to the Crimson Star Empire, or inflicted significant casualties while commanding wars. In short, they were a group of extraordinary prisoners. All of them had once enjoyed privileges, but their actions had exceeded the scope of pardons, yet their crimes were not punishable by death. They couldn't be released or executed, but their sentences were extremely long, with many being indefinitely confined.

After passing through the boundary passage, a pure white cube appeared before them. As Zhao Xing and Ai Miaomiao emerged, a smiling pattern appeared on the side facing them.

"Greetings, Emperor Zifang," Zhao Xing and Ai Miaomiao saluted the cube in unison.

The pure white cube was another differentiated form of the Great Evolution Divine Weapon. Like Chen Jiu, its name was related to time, as the Dao Soldier Souls of the Midnight series specialized in containment. Emperor Zifang usually manifested as a pure white cube.

"Please present your decree," a gentle female voice emanated from the pure white cube.

"Senior Sister," Zhao Xing looked at Ai Miaomiao. Their decree had been specially approved by the Five Poisons Emperor.

"Oh no, I forgot to bring it! It's on my other clone!" Ai Miaomiao's expression changed.

"Without a decree, you are trespassing and will face five thousand years of imprisonment." The pure white cube immediately turned red, and its smiling face transformed into an angry expression.

"What the heck, Senior Sister, what are you doing?" Zhao Xing was stunned. How could she forget something like this? She was incredibly unreliable! "Quickly, have your clone send it over!" "But that clone has already left the Primal Realm and is on its way to the west." "You're truly unbelievable—"

Just then, a mischievous grin suddenly appeared on Ai Miaomiao's flustered face, and she quickly pulled out a small purplish-black cube from her pocket: "Ta-da! I didn't forget!" "I fooled you, Junior Brother! Hahaha!"

Zhao Xing: "..." "Are you crazy?! What the hell!" Master Zhao desperately wanted to curse, because he genuinely believed Ai Miaomiao was the kind of person who could forget her decree. Remembering Ai Miaomiao and Wei Lan's long-standing connection through sending medicine, Zhao Xing suppressed the urge to punch her. "Senior Sister, you win. You really scared me just now. If you truly hadn't brought it, my main body would have been imprisoned for five thousand years..."

Ai Miaomiao pressed the small cube into the pure white cube, which promptly spit it back out. "Verification failed."

Ai Miaomiao looked troubled. "Oh dear, it seems I picked up the wrong one."

Zhao Xing: "???" "Are you playing with me?" "Senior Sister, stop messing around, quickly get it out—"

Ai Miaomiao suddenly resumed her smiling face. "Just kidding, I brought it!" With that, she pulled out another cube and pressed it in. "Verification successful." The cube changed from red to white, then back to a smiling face, and ejected the decree.

Zhao Xing finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid Ai Miaomiao would pull another prank and snatch the decree first. "Senior Sister, I think I'll hold onto it."

Ai Miaomiao smiled. "Junior Brother, you're quite timid." "Heh heh," Zhao Xing chuckled in return.

The pure white cube split off a sphere, which followed beside them as a guide.

"You are seeing Ice Star Prison No. 391, which holds prisoners of the Life-Death Dao Domain realm." "The western hemisphere is exclusively for criminals who have signed the Life-Death Law Contract, voluntarily accepting any high-risk spell experiments." "According to the decree, you may select ten individuals for cultivation, but only within the realm star; you cannot take them out." "Remember, the risk is mutual; you could be harmed by the criminals."

Zhao Xing nodded, indicating he understood the rules. The Self-Serving Sect was already quite unhinged, but the criminals confined in the Primal Realm's Ice Star Prison were truly the maddest of the mad. Some criminals, during their brief moments of lucidity, signed the Life-Death Law Contract, voluntarily becoming spell "consumables" for the Empire to atone for their sins and give themselves a chance. Once they broke through to the Reincarnation realm, they would generally regain full lucidity. They could then be released to atone for their crimes and make amends in other ways. However, their periods of lucidity were fleeting; most of the time, they were insane. If, in their madness, they killed Zhao Xing or Ai Miaomiao, their deaths would be in vain, as these criminals had already reached the maximum punishment and could not be further penalized.

"Oh, more living people have arrived." The two, accompanied by the sphere, had just flown into the western hemisphere of the realm star when they saw seven ice mountains below. On each blue ice mountain stood a green giant with eight arms, all picking their toes. "What is this?" Ai Miaomiao was bewildered, as the seven giants below were extremely grotesque, disgusting both physically and energetically. They had many pus-filled sores on their backs, oozing green fluid. Then, two of the giant's back hands would pop the sores, slurp the pus into its mouth, and then suck on its fingers—the same fingers that had just picked its toes.

Zhao Xing looked at the sphere, which projected light to form text: "Prisoner No. 9462, Name (Hidden). Formerly a Coral Seventh-tier member of the Primal Realm. Went insane from studying the Scarecrow Method, completely tearing his soul apart, making him unable to distinguish himself. Crime: Secretly killed other cultivators after going mad, discovered after secretly killing 53 trillion people, including 130 million Imperial citizens. The death list included his Dao companion and family. Indefinite confinement. Has signed the Life-Death Law Contract and voluntarily accepts any experiments."

"That's terrifying," Ai Miaomiao remarked, aghast at the number 53 trillion. "He killed so many people before being discovered, and even slaughtered his own family. Why wasn't he executed?" "As a lesson from the past, and a guide for the future," Zhao Xing explained. "This person was a Coral-level member who committed crimes because he went mad from cultivation. He wasn't lucid. If he had been lucid, he would have been executed long ago." "He's kept for spell research, to understand why such things happen, and to provide experience for those who practice similar spells in the future." "How pitiable," Ai Miaomiao said. "Even if he breaks through to the Reincarnation realm and retains lucidity, seeing his family and Dao companion dead by his own hand would likely drive him mad again."

Zhao Xing didn't dwell on the matter and instead asked Emperor Zifang, "Emperor, where is Prisoner No. 9462's true body?" The sphere's light flickered, bringing up more detailed files: "Indistinguishable, or rather, every clone of No. 9462 is a true body. The Life-Death Law Contract was signed when one of his clones briefly regained lucidity; the other six did not agree." "So that's it. Even the Primal Realm can't distinguish between his clones and his true body," Zhao Xing said, surprised. To cultivate to this extent in the Life-Death Dao Domain realm was truly unique. This person must not have been an unknown figure before; however, after going mad, all his information must have been erased. "Get away from me!" The seven giants below began fighting over a piece of foot skin. The seven giants shattered into more small clones, resembling liquid. Zhao Xing watched with a hint of sorrow, shook his head, and walked away. Although he also had the hidden danger of clones, Qing Yuzi had given him the Soul Secret Art of the Divine Temple, so he didn't need to worry for now. His main purpose on this trip was to cultivate the "Need-Seed Method"; he wouldn't be studying the Scarecrow Clone Method for the time being. "Let's go."

Stopping and going along the way, Zhao Xing saw various types of prisoners. Some were in a state of madness, while others remained lucid. Without exception, all were in the Life-Death Dao Domain realm and had once been Coral-level members. Finally, Zhao Xing stopped before a towering mountain that pierced the clouds. The reason for stopping was simple: a man was constantly pushing a spherical boulder uphill. The mountain was rugged, and after he pushed the boulder to the top, it would roll back down. He would then run back to the base of the mountain and continue pushing the sphere uphill.

"Prisoner No. 5241. Profession: Mechanism Array Master. Formerly a Coral Eighth-tier member of the Primal Realm. While on a mission at the Aogu Frontier, he secretly merged with a forbidden object without approval and set up an unknown array. The array failed and backfired, resulting in the deaths of 127 teammates in the Life-Death Dao Domain realm. Indefinite confinement. Has signed the Life-Death Law Contract and voluntarily accepts any experiments."

"The Aogu Frontier, it seems to be him," Zhao Xing mused. After observing for a few days, he spoke to the pure white sphere beside him: "Emperor, I wish to select him as the subject for my cultivation of the 'Need-Seed Method'." "You may. He is lucid, so you can go down directly." The sphere shot a laser, opening the boundary encompassing the mountain.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing descended directly. As for Ai Miaomiao, she had already chosen a prisoner for her own cultivation. "5241, I am Zhao Xing, a Coral-level member of the Primal Realm. I would like you to cooperate with me in cultivating a spell."

With a rumble, the giant boulder rolled away, revealing the man on the mountaintop. His upper body was bare, showing off bronzed skin. His head was hairless, but bore several strange and incomplete magical runes. His fingers, however, were slender, pale, and even delicate. "Oh, proceed," the man replied calmly, without much reaction.

Zhao Xing nodded, then began casting his spell. The Need-Seed Method, also known as the Demonic Seed Method, was considered a forbidden art in other nations. Cultivating it required numerous living subjects for practice, and the higher their intelligence, the better. The prisoners confined here were difficult to kill; even if they stood still and allowed someone of the same realm to attack them, they might not die, making them ideal experimental subjects.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish." Five thorny vines emerged from Zhao Xing's body, piercing the opponent at five points: Baihui, Zhongji, Qihai, Guanyuan, Tianzong, and Bingfeng. The vines penetrated through his shoulder blade, into his skull and abdomen. The opponent didn't utter a sound, appearing as if dead. "This might hurt a little," Zhao Xing warned. The opponent remained unresponsive, either not caring or looking down on Zhao Xing's cultivation realm. Judging by his aura, Zhao Xing was only in the third stage of the Origin Realm. By common reasoning, a Life-Death Dao Domain realm cultivator, even if standing still and allowing an Origin Realm cultivator to attack, would be extremely difficult to kill.

"Absorption and Transformation Art!" With a thought from Zhao Xing, the thorny vines within the man's body immediately split, dividing into 1,000 tiny thorns, then multiplying into 10,000. By the third day, nearly ninety percent of the man's body was under Zhao Xing's control. He could make him move however he wished.

"Whoosh~" The Origin Projection unfolded, and a seedling appeared beside the man. It was precisely the Imperial-grade seedling gifted to Zhao Xing by the Five Poisons Emperor—the Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo.

"Rumble!" The rocks exploded, creating a deep pit beneath the man's feet. He was then buried by the rubble, with only his head, inscribed with magic runes, exposed. "Yin-Yang Boundary, rise!" Zhao Xing formed a hemispherical barrier, enclosing the rocks, 5241, and the Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo within it. This created a space devoid of spiritual energy. The Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo immediately withered. Although it was an Imperial-grade species, cutting off its spiritual energy supply easily affected the delicate seedling.

"Absorption and Transformation of Needs!" At this moment, the thorny vines inside 5241's body suddenly vibrated. A vast amount of spiritual energy was drawn from his body, nourishing the Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo. Three days later, under the abundant spiritual energy, the surrounding rocks transformed into fertile black soil. "You have cultivated the Absorption and Transformation of Needs, gaining 1 proficiency point." "You have cultivated the Absorption and Transformation of Needs, gaining 1 proficiency point."

Six months later, the vegetation on the mountain became abundant, with various flowers, grasses, and trees, transforming the barren hillside into a pastoral landscape. "Wrong," Zhao Xing thought, seeing no change on his interface, and stopped his actions. "I still can't extract the 'need' from his body; instead, I'm drawing out the magic power he cultivated." Spiritual energy transformed into magic power, making 5241 equivalent to a massive reservoir of spiritual energy. This was enough to nourish the growth of many seedlings, but this wasn't the effect Zhao Xing wanted. "The reason the Need-Seed Method is also called the Demonic Seed Method is because it extracts the 'need' of the target, which is inherent to life, not spiritual energy cultivated, nor magic power." "This method is intended for extreme environments. Assuming there's no spiritual energy around, even capturing a group of low-level mortals could generate a large amount of spiritual energy to support plant life." "After plant life transforms, flowers, and bears fruit, I can absorb spiritual energy for cultivation by eating the fruits." The definitions of 'need' and 'spirit' in Qi Theory differed, and Zhao Xing found that his cultivation quickly hit a bottleneck. The main difficulty was capturing the 'need' within a life form, and it was easy to mistakenly believe he had succeeded. If it weren't for the panel confirming his progress, Zhao Xing might not have even gotten started yet.

"I'll have to drain 5241's spiritual energy first to eliminate the interference." Doing so would undoubtedly be painful, but Zhao Xing glanced at the man, who remained unresponsive. After his initial single sentence, there had been no further communication.

"It will take at least 50 years to drain his magic power; this person's foundation is too profound," Zhao Xing mused to himself. In the Dao Domain realm, magic power was boundless, let alone for someone of genius caliber. Even if he wasn't on par with Du Yun, he was certainly among the top ten at the Primal Assembly.

"5241, please release your magic power from your body. Don't worry, I won't harm your life," Zhao Xing said. The man still didn't respond, but he quickly cooperated, and a large number of magic runes floated out. They resembled three-dimensional characters, with many flowing lines, like an array in operation. Each magic rune, if cast into a low-grade realm star with a spiritual energy index of around 10, could instantly raise the index above 100. Given enough time, it could even transform that low-grade realm star into a mid-grade one. The foundation of a genius-level Life-Death Dao Domain realm cultivator was truly this terrifying. If placed in the original Xuanhuang Realm, this man's corpse alone could sustain dozens of ascending dynasties. "108 runes, a total of 108 magic runes. Truly powerful, it really is him," Zhao Xing mused. If he were to crush these 108 magic runes now, the man's cultivation realm would plummet. He might even fall to the Origin Realm, or even the Ascension Realm.

"Aren't you worried about becoming crippled?" Zhao Xing couldn't help but ask. "It doesn't matter, even if I die, it doesn't matter," the bald man spoke for the first time. "An Origin Realm cultivator can shake my life essence; you must be a formidable genius from the Primal Realm." "If it can help your cultivation, let alone being crippled, even dying by your hand would be a form of atonement."

Hearing his words, Zhao Xing couldn't help but recall the man's file. "He accidentally killed over a hundred teammates, surely including some close friends." "He's been pushing that rock, doing this useless work, probably as a way to punish himself," Zhao Xing thought. "5241 was the first place winner in the Mechanism Array Master division at the Primal Assembly two epochs ago, named Fan Daoyou." "After his mistake, the Empire's punishment wasn't originally this severe; he insisted on entering Ice Star Prison to be punished." "His master still visits him occasionally, so I really can't let him die."

Zhao Xing remembered that Fan Daoyou would soon break through to the Reincarnation Realm and be released, then assigned to development in the desolate regions. This man's talent in array formations was unparalleled, especially his skill in deciphering arrays from the Mesozoic Era of Baiwei. He would quickly become renowned throughout the world. Of course, for now, he was merely a criminal who had caused the deaths of his teammates due to his arrogance, with no thought of being released.

Time flowed, and Zhao Xing's cultivation in Ice Star Prison reached its ninth year. "Rumble!" Zhao Xing retracted his Five Finger Mountain, revealing Fan Daoyou, who had been pinned beneath it. At this moment, he was on the verge of death, completely devoid of spiritual energy, his life force flickering like a candle in the wind, as if he could pass away at any moment. "Go!" Zhao Xing pushed the 108 magic runes from the sky into Fan Daoyou's body. The man's aura quickly grew robust. "Whoosh!" Zhao Xing landed at the bottom of the pit and helped Fan Daoyou up. "Fellow Daoist, my cultivation has temporarily concluded. Thank you for your cooperation."

"I'm merely a lowly life; you don't need to feel guilty," Fan Daoyou said. Nowadays, he would occasionally answer Zhao Xing's questions and exchange a few words. "No, I must be clear with you, fellow Daoist," Zhao Xing said. "The method I cultivate is the Demonic Seed Method. While it appears to have caused no harm to you, it actually damages life essence. Your lifespan has been significantly depleted over these ten years." "I know," Fan Daoyou chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I caused the deaths of so many people by researching forbidden spells; how could I not know the Minister of Agriculture's Need-Seed Method?" "No spiritual energy was consumed, yet your Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo grew. So, what was consumed must have been this sinner's innate 'need'." Fan Daoyou twiddled his fingers. "But I don't mind, and you don't need to worry that my master will make trouble for you." "You are one of the rare ones who treats me as a person. Everyone else who comes in looks at me, Fan Daoyou, as if I were an object." "Some even deliberately torment me, doing things completely unrelated to cultivation." "You are different; you have been respectful to me from beginning to end."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands, no longer pursuing the topic, and instead asked, "Fellow Daoist, you have been here for two epochs. The outside world has changed greatly. Why not go out and see it?" "With your ability, overcoming the life-death barrier should be as easy as flipping a hand." "Your master, Emperor Jinjue, and many others, must be eagerly awaiting your release." Fan Daoyou didn't reply. Zhao Xing knew that his ten-year bond with Fan Daoyou could only go so far. Saying more would be overstepping. "Fellow Daoist, I spoke too much," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands. "Please don't take it to heart." "My ten years of cultivation have been greatly beneficial. I hope to have the chance to drink and converse with you in the future. Take care." With a final bow, Zhao Xing flew into the sky, leaving the barrier. Watching Zhao Xing's departing back, Fan Daoyou murmured, "My heart is unsettled; how dare I be free—"

After leaving Ice Star Prison, Zhao Xing quietly returned to Coral City. Ai Miaomiao had already gone back, having gained nothing from her time in Ice Star Prison. She hadn't even entered the threshold of the Need-Seed Method, showing that this spell was not easily learned by ordinary people.

"The Need-Seed Method is complete, and my Primal Chaos Realm has now reached 5 realm-epoch units, accommodating three thousand sets of troops. My preparations are almost done." There were still twenty years until the deadline, but Zhao Xing had decided to set off immediately. Until his true body arrived outside the passes, many matters couldn't proceed as planned. For instance, if Great Zhou wanted to expand beyond the passes, as the Sea Envoy, his authority wouldn't take effect until he reached the destination, making it impossible to facilitate anything for Great Zhou. "It's time to depart." "My true body is expected to arrive at Jia-Chen Pass Fourteen in three years and five months."

In the vast starry sky, a realm boat sped through a void river. "Your Majesty has left the Primal Realm? Congratulations, Your Majesty, you are one step closer to returning to your peak." The speaker was the Thousand Illusions Tree, who had transformed into a tender young boy.

Zhao Xing said, "Qianhuan, we agreed that I would set you free after you guarded my path for 500,000 years. Now I wish to release you early. What are your thoughts?"

The Thousand Illusions Tree grew anxious. "Your Majesty, how can this be? We agreed on 500,000 years, and I've only been with you for 4,000. Why are you letting me go now?"

Zhao Xing said, "You said your lifespan was limited back then. I thought about it, and releasing you early would allow you to pursue the Reincarnation realm."

The Thousand Illusions Tree's leaves trembled as if shaking its head. "Your Majesty, I have a long life! I can live for another seven epochs!"

Seeing the Thousand Illusions Tree clinging to him, Zhao Xing smiled. "Alright then, you can continue to follow me." "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

When he first arrived in the Primal Realm, he had nothing. The most valuable thing he possessed was a Thousand Illusions Tree in the Life-Death Dao Domain realm. Now, with the Thousand Illusions Tree begging to follow him, Zhao Xing granted its wish.

Retrieving the Thousand Illusions Tree, Zhao Xing picked up his Star Mirror and glanced at it, sighing, "Trees seek people, and people seek people too." "My true body had just left the Primal Realm, and immediately many people contacted me." Others were easy to refuse, but the first communication request Zhao Xing saw was from Lord Beihe.

"Zhao Xing, congratulations on becoming the Sea Envoy." The first thing Lord Beihe's apparition said was to congratulate Zhao Xing. "Thank you, Lord," Zhao Xing bowed slightly. "My achievements today are inseparable from your guidance." A smile appeared on Lord Beihe's face upon hearing this. Honestly, with Zhao Xing's current widespread fame, he had been worried that Zhao Xing wouldn't show him deference. If that were the case, Lord Beihe would be helpless. However, Zhao Xing's current attitude put him slightly at ease. "Zhao Xing, your success today is entirely due to your own abilities," Lord Beihe said. "I didn't want to disturb you, but the Beihe Army is currently facing some trouble, and I can't leave. I'd like to ask you, as the Sea Envoy, for your assistance."