Chapter 443: What? Hongshan Guy Was Also Rescued by Him?

After Emperor Beihui received Zhao Xing's initial treatise, he divided it into two copies: one for Lord Jishan and the other for Emperor Wudu and Zuo Qiyu of the Primordial Realm.

The treatise, "The Origin of the Triassic Boundary Mountains in the Mesozoic Era," detailed the Eight Solutions for Telluric Changes of the Telluric Era, specifically the Boundary Mountain chapter.

For Lord Jishan and Lord Lushan, this revelation was nothing short of a thunderclap, immediately drawing their serious attention.

However, for Emperor Wudu and Zuo Qiyu, it made little impact.

Zuo Qiyu knew about telluric changes but not what "Telluric Era telluric changes" truly entailed. Emperor Wudu, while having dabbled in all three factions, found the theory of telluric changes too obscure and niche. Zhao Xing's initial draft was also quite general, so Wudu did not grasp its true value.

The treatise presented by Lord Lushan, however, had been refined and supplemented by high-ranking officials from Taigu Mound.

As a result, everyone immediately understood its significance! Even Emperor Tianwu grasped the importance of this treatise, with explanations provided by his own Minister of Agriculture.

"That shameless old scoundrel! To claim Zhao Xing is a disciple of Taigu Mound! I shouldn't have agreed to let Old Man Hongshan introduce Zhao Xing!" Emperor Wudu's nose twisted in anger. But he couldn't erupt further because Zuo Qiyu held him back. Zuo Qiyu's sole purpose at the meeting was to keep Emperor Wudu in check and prevent him from causing too much trouble.

The Primordial Realm did not wish to suppress Taigu Mound excessively. Since Lord Lushan had presented something, regardless of who wrote it or where it came from, the priority was to ensure the cooperation proceeded smoothly.

Wudu fell silent, but then someone else suddenly became excited.

"Lord Lushan, may I have a look?" Scholar Bowie of the Seven Realms rose to his feet. The Grand Elder of the Academy City, Zhixin, was in seclusion and not present, making Bowie the second-in-command.

"Of course," Lord Lushan nodded.

Bowie immediately took the Daoist text in hand and began to examine it meticulously. Multiple illusory figures appeared behind him, as if countless Bowies were analyzing and reviewing the text. Layer upon layer of these phantoms resembled a vast world of knowledge, emanating shimmering, dazzling light.

"Bowie's strength has grown again. With such a phenomenon, he seems close to becoming an Eight-Realm Scholar," praised King Tianyou.

"The next Grand Elder of the Academy City, and the youngest Grand Elder in ten epochs," Emperor Tianwu added, also watching Bowie.

Scholars hold a crucial position within the human race. Spells, martial arts, musical arts, numerology, medicine, and mechanical formations—there was nothing a scholar didn't know or couldn't master. The core of scholars, the Myriad Dao Tree, truly encompasses countless paths. They guide the development of humanity; historically, most technological and skill innovations were driven by scholars. Were it not for cosmic limitations, scholars could be considered omniscient and omnipotent.

A moment later, the phenomena behind Bowie vanished.

"Elder Bowie, what do you think?" Emperor Tianwu inquired. Although his own Minister of Agriculture had confirmed its value, he still wanted the Academy City elder's authentication for peace of mind.

Bowie praised, "Although the treatise is not yet fully mature, its framework is complete and it can be compiled into a separate Daoist text."

"Lord Lushan, could you entrust me with the initial draft of this treatise? I wish to take it back to the Academy City and preserve it in the Nine Classics Pavilion."

With these words, the entire hall seemed to hit a mute button, falling into collective silence. Everyone, except Lord Lushan, showed expressions of surprise. Emperor Wudu's jaw dropped. How could a single treatise by Zhao Xing be deemed worthy of the Academy City's Nine Classics Pavilion?

"Yes," Lord Lushan nodded with a smile.

This exchange immediately sent ripples of shock through the hearts of many powerful figures.

"Brother Yushu, is this treatise really that extraordinary?" Emperor Tianwu asked, looking at a Reincarnation Realm Minister of Agriculture beside him.

"Not at all," the Minister of Agriculture from the Primal Heaven Palace remarked with emotion. "The problem of the Boundary Mountains has troubled geomancy-faction Ministers of Agriculture for countless years. Especially since the beginning of the Desolate Domain Era, in combating the expansion of the Desolate Domain, the Boundary Mountains have always been a colossal burden on the minds of geomancy-faction Ministers of Agriculture."

"The preparatory work for the seven ancient star paths jointly developed by the Red Star Empire and Taigu Mound consumed immense financial and human resources. Let alone moving mountains, even driving a single ground pile incurs enormous costs."

Emperor Tianwu didn't understand. "But haven't they already successfully managed a few mountains?"

"It's different," Emperor Yushu shook his head. "Completely different! Brother Tianwu, if you held a divine artifact from the Primal Heaven Palace, you could also carve a passage through a Boundary Mountain, or even move a small one. However, this brute-force method cannot be applied universally. How many divine artifacts exist in this world? And how many Emperor-level cultivators? The development and exploration of the Desolate Domain simply cannot be achieved by individual power. Moreover, some mountains cannot be moved even by Divine Realm cultivators. But with this treatise, perhaps even a group of Dao Domain cultivators could conquer the Boundary Mountains."

After Emperor Yushu's explanation, Emperor Tianwu fully understood.

"Du Yun, who created his own great divine ability, never entered the Profound Spirit Daoist Treasury. This Zhao Xing is truly remarkable."

Minister Yushu immediately chuckled, "Emperor, please don't jest. How can Du Yun's self-created 'Yellow Sand Crossing' compare to this treatise? It would be comparable if he had created a new Void Ancestor Golden Body method from the middle three chapters."

The leaders of other factions, Emperor Yuanding and Emperor Mangya, were also inquiring among their own people.

"It's truly hard to believe that such a treatise originated from a mere Primal Realm cultivator. Entering the Nine Classics Pavilion is still modest; it should occupy a page in the Profound Spirit Daoist Treasury, or even be inscribed upon the Myriad Dao Tree, to be passed down for eternity! Emperor, don't think I'm exaggerating. It would be one thing if Zhao Xing had only written the 'Origin of the Boundary Mountains,' but he supplemented it with eight solutions for Telluric Era telluric changes. This means it possesses both theoretical and practical components, offering both theory and practical application. Currently, the expansion into desolate domains is a major trend. His treatise could very well drive another round of innovation in geomancy-faction spells! Including it in the Profound Spirit Daoist Treasury is not excessive! Emperor, I now understand why Lord Lushan remained silent and didn't retort. Taigu Mound must be determined to confirm Zhao Xing as their disciple! If the Boundary Mountain problem can be solved, then perhaps many forbidden zones could be accessed in the future!"

Authorship in Daoist texts, passed down through eternity—this is the potential height Zhao Xing's created treatise could reach! Of course, this is merely the initial version of the treatise, currently only eligible for the Academy City's Nine Classics Pavilion. However, this is already an incredibly distinguished honor. Let alone a Primal Realm cultivator, even among Reincarnation Realm cultivators, very few self-created secret arts manage to enter the Academy City's Nine Classics Pavilion. For a single secret art to enter the Academy City's Nine Classics Pavilion, it would need to be of the caliber of the "Profound Spirit Seed Borrowing Method" or an expanded chapter of the Void Ancestor Golden Body, and it would still need to be at the level of the middle three chapters.

People like Emperor Tianwu might not feel much about such honors; they only focus on practical applications, effects, and benefits. But in the eyes of Emperor Yushu, Lord Lushan, Bowie, Wudu, and others, it was nothing short of a monumental change.

The latter half of the Primordial Conference concluded after Lord Lushan presented the treatise. The original development plan remained unchanged, and Taigu Mound temporarily gained a century of respite, no longer being challenged by various factions.

Afterwards, Emperor Wudu immediately picked up his star mirror to contact Emperor Beihui. His first words upon connection were: "Old Bei, you idiot! Has farming rotted your brain?"

Faced with this torrent of abuse, Emperor Beihui was somewhat stunned. "What now? Is something wrong with Zhao Xing? He reported a few days ago, everything's fine."

Emperor Wudu roared, "That treatise Zhao Xing gave you, why did you give it to Lord Jishan first? Are you brain-dead?"

Emperor Beihui was baffled, "Your disciple told me to let the geomancy-faction Ministers of Agriculture take a look—"

"Whatever he tells you to do, you do it? Why don't you just become his assistant then!! You idiot, couldn't you have let the Primordial Realm's geomancy-faction Ministers of Agriculture see it first? Why give it to someone from Taigu Mound, damn it—"

After being berated for a while, Emperor Beihui finally understood what had happened.

"Damn, if I had known, I should have—sigh, Wudu, you're right to scold me, this is my mistake—"

Before he could finish, Wudu hung up. Emperor Beihui was immensely vexed. He truly suffered from his lack of scholarly knowledge! In the future, when people ask who recommended Zhao Xing's treatise, the Academy City would certainly not credit him. At most, it would only record Lord Lushan or Lord Jishan. The immense honor of being immortalized in history, had been given to Taigu Mound?!

"Jishan has probably reached the Taoyang Base by now, and Lord Lushan has completed his presentation. Shameless, absolutely shameless—" Emperor Beihui picked up Zhao Xing's treatise again, his hands trembling. "Hahahahaha, so that's it! So that's it! Junior Brother Zhao, you truly are a marvel of this age!"

Outside Taoyang Base, in the starry sky, Lord Jishan was manipulating a Boundary Mountain peak in his hands, while Zhao Xing sat on another peak.

"After these days of adjustment, I can feel that the Boundary Mountain's influence on me has weakened to less than twenty percent. Previously, when I approached the Boundary Mountain, I couldn't even exert half my strength!" Lord Jishan smiled widely.

After his last meeting with Lord Lushan, he received orders to come to Taoyang Base to meet Zhao Xing. Lord Lushan presented at the Primordial Conference, while Lord Jishan came to Zhao Xing to put it into practice. Now, it was Lord Lushan who recommended the treatise to the Academy City and made it known to the world! And it was Lord Jishan who was the first to grasp the Eight Methods of Telluric Change! Furthermore, Zhao Xing was a Cultivator of the Extreme Lands introduced by Emperor Hongshan. Who would dare say Zhao Xing wasn't a disciple of Taigu Mound? Thus, the Boundary Mountain incident would not tarnish Taigu Mound's reputation; it would only enhance it!

Look, Taigu Mound solved the age-old problem of the Boundary Mountains! What? You say Zhao Xing is a Primordial Realm Minister of the Self?! Absurd! He bought the first level of Extreme Lands cultivation method right after his ascension! The Primordial Realm only came later! Therefore, Lord Lushan had instructed Jishan to address Zhao Xing as "Junior Brother" upon his arrival, to establish Zhao Xing's seniority first.

Zhao Xing was completely unaware that Lord Jishan's joy had other reasons, assuming he was merely happy about overcoming the Boundary Mountain obstacle.

"My Eight Methods of Telluric Change are still quite crude. It's all because Senior Brother Ji is so capable, he even helped me perfect a lot of it—listen, Senior Brother, why are you recording this with a star mirror?"

"Hahaha, it's nothing, I just have this habit when I practice. It's convenient for reviewing later, hahaha." Lord Jishan laughed heartily as he put away his star mirror. He had no such habit; he simply wanted to record that particular sentence Zhao Xing had just uttered! Listen to what Zhao Xing said: "It's all because Senior Brother Ji is so capable, he helped me perfect a lot of it." Lord Jishan swore it was the most beautiful compliment he had heard in an entire epoch!

As the two were practicing, a meteorite flew by, and upon approaching the Boundary Mountain, it suddenly emitted fluctuations, then twisted into a human figure, neutralizing the forces of aggregation. Zhao Xing and Jishan looked over; the newcomer was Qiao Zishan.

"Uncle Zhao, Uncle Jishan, all divisions of the Star Continent are ready. When can we depart?" Qiao Zishan asked respectfully.

"Ask your Uncle Zhao," Lord Jishan said with a smile. "I'm not the Maritime Commissioner; everything is up to him." If Wudu were here, he would probably point at Jishan's nose and curse him. A dignified Elite Reincarnator, flattering his disciple like that? Utterly shameless!

"Alright, Senior Brother Ji, let's depart," Zhao Xing said with a wave of his hand. "To the Seventh Boundary Mountain for rescue!"

***

**Boundary Mountain Rescue Mission (1)**

**Description:** The collapse of the Seventh, Fifth, and Fourth Boundary Mountains has trapped a total of 154,323 personnel within them. Boundary Mountains possess regenerative and aggregative properties, and they weaken spells and martial arts. According to the calculations of the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon, the current survival rate within the Seventh Boundary Mountain is 74%, the Fifth Boundary Mountain is 52%, and the Fourth Boundary Mountain is 100%.

**Mission Reward:** 100 million Merit Points starting (specific allocation determined by the final number of survivors).

**Warning:** Boundary Mountain rescue missions are extremely dangerous; please accept with caution.

***

"Accept." Zhao Xing did not hesitate, accepting this mission designated for the entire Taoyang Star Continent. Before this, both the Empire and other factions were still discussing rescue strategies. There had been several small-scale operations, but they yielded minimal results and instead trapped more people. The reason was simple: Taigu Mound was already the faction that understood the Boundary Mountains best. If even Emperor Hongshan was trapped, then there was no better solution in the entire Profound Spirit Star Domain. Not only along the Maritime Ancient Path, but trapped personnel on other ancient paths also remained in a "waiting for rescue" state.

As for the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon's survival rate calculations, they were assessed based on existing facilities and personnel strength within the Boundary Mountains at various locations. For example, Emperor Hongshan, trapped in the Fourth Boundary Mountain, had a 100% survival rate. This was the result given by the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon, based on Emperor Hongshan's strength. However, although Emperor Hongshan was alive, he still hadn't exited the Fourth Boundary Mountain. The situation inside the Boundary Mountain was very complex, making it difficult to discern directions. Even if Emperor Hongshan could survive, he couldn't get out immediately.

On the other numbered Boundary Mountains, although the trapped personnel were weaker, they still had higher survival rates, primarily because when the mountains were initially breached, some defensive structures had already been built, creating habitable spaces within the mountain bodies. The differing survival rates also reflected the varying strengths of these structures. Taigu Mound couldn't drive ground piles, but this was only relevant to the telluric changes of the Telluric Era; not all areas of the Boundary Mountains experienced "anomalous events." Of course, if someone happened to be trapped in a telluric change zone when the incident occurred, their survival chance was virtually zero.

Zhao Xing observed the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon's markings for the Boundary Mountains; they were very clear. The regeneration of the Boundary Mountain bodies indicated that the areas were fluid, meaning telluric changes of the Telluric Era could occur anywhere, and trapped personnel could appear anywhere. Yet the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon still updated the trapped areas in real-time, likely due to the support of Destiny Masters behind the scenes.

"After the treatise came out, its impact was far-reaching. Once Destiny Masters understood my treatise, they could eliminate many uncertainties, making causal predictions more accurate," Zhao Xing mused. "Previously, without understanding Telluric Era telluric changes, treating them as aberrant events for divination would have made calculations impossible, and accuracy would have been very low."

The principle of Destiny Masters' deductions was: the more known conditions, the more accurate the prediction! Conversely, the vaguer the result! Zhao Xing could imagine countless eyes from the outside world watching the Taoyang Star Continent. If his approach worked here, it meant it could work in all regions! At the same time, this rescue operation was a practical validation of his treatise!

"It must succeed," Zhao Xing thought to himself, "otherwise, the treatise will be questioned, and the Maritime Ancient Path might still have to be rerouted." Jishan could come, but the Empire did not send more Reincarnation Realm cultivators to openly support it. The breaching of the Siyue Desolate Domain was a large-scale operation that did not hinge on individual will or personal connections, only on cost-effectiveness. The Grand Evolution Divine Weapon was crafted by Emperor Chixing, God of Mechanisms. If Zhao Xing failed the rescue, it would unhesitatingly order the abandonment of all those trapped along this ancient path and recalculate the ancient path's development route.

The rescue team set off in a grand procession from the Taoyang Base, located between the Sixth and Seventh Boundary Mountains. Zhao Xing mobilized all personnel from the Taoyang Base, totaling 210,000 Dao Domain cultivators. Most were Five Elements and Yin-Yang Dao Domain cultivators, with over 10,000 Life-Death Dao Domain cultivators. As for Reincarnation Realm cultivators, there was only Jishan, who was essentially working for free. The Department of World Fortune, Department of Earthly Paths, Department of Profound Mechanisms, Department of Martial Arts, and Department of Medicine were all dispatched.

In the void expanse, a long serpentine procession flew towards the Seventh Boundary Mountain ahead. The formation of the team had the Department of Earthly Paths leading, followed by the Department of Profound Mechanisms, with the Department of Martial Arts providing support, and each world-boat was equipped with physicians.

"Senior Brother, I feel a bit dizzy," Gong Xiaoyuan said, standing by the viewport and rubbing her fingers.

"Junior Sister, don't be afraid. We've already learned the Eight Methods of Telluric Change; we can do this," Qiao Zishan said, holding his junior sister's hand. In truth, he was terrified. The Boundary Mountains were a natural source of fear for Ministers of Agriculture, and after experiencing a collapse event, the psychological pressure was immense.

In just over a year, Zhao Xing had ordered all departments to clear out the space around the Taoyang Star Continent. As a result, now they could see the Seventh Boundary Mountain with a single glance—a mountain body that stretched across heaven and earth, front and back, left and right. Being in such a dense cosmic space felt like a mortal being confined in a cramped restroom, causing a suffocating feeling in their hearts. The key was that this wall was also mobile, not an ordinary mountain, and coupled with the constantly possible telluric changes of the Telluric Era, it gave a sense of imminent danger, as if death could strike at any moment. Not only Qiao Zishan and Gong Xiaoyuan, but even Jishan felt this way. Even as an elite-level (Lord) Reincarnation Realm cultivator, dying here would prevent him from using reincarnation secret arts to be reborn. Because the Maritime Ancient Path was a desolate domain! Dying in a desolate domain meant reincarnation was very likely to fail, and even resurrections from the Reincarnation Temple might not be possible!

"Nephew Qiao, Niece Gong, let me test you. Are there any mountains in the wild of the Profound Spirit Star Domain that are larger and older than the Boundary Mountains?" Zhao Xing initiated a topic. He wanted to alleviate some pressure, but also not let the team relax too much, as moderate pressure was beneficial.

"Larger and older mountains?" Gong Xiaoyuan withdrew her gaze, tilting her head in thought. "The twelve holy mountains of Taigu Mound's Primordial Realm, Primal Realm, and Dao Manifestation Realm should be the largest and oldest."

"Junior Sister, Uncle said 'in the wild,' so that naturally excludes our Taigu Mound's Three Realms and Twelve Mountains," Qiao Zishan corrected.

"Oh, right." With that question and correction, Gong Xiaoyuan stopped thinking about danger and began to think seriously. "Then it should be the Ten Directions Mountain, which is the largest and oldest. The Chronicle of the Five Emperors once recorded that the Ten Directions Mountain existed even before the Era of the Five Emperors, and every Five Emperor performed sacrificial ceremonies on the Ten Directions Mountain. I heard that the Ten Directions Mountain back then wasn't as elusive as it is now; it existed at the center of the star domain. The First Hexagram of the Ten Directions didn't require such difficult acquisition as it does now; the First Destiny Official under the Five Emperors could reliably obtain this hexagram."

Zhao Xing smiled and nodded. "According to the Chronicle of the Five Emperors, the Ten Directions Mountain might be the oldest mountain, but it isn't considered the largest."

"Please enlighten us, Uncle."

"The largest mountain in the wilderness should be Mount Nether Primeval in the Black Sky Desolate Domain," Zhao Xing said. "Its appearance in historical records is around the same time as the Ten Directions Mountain, perhaps even slightly earlier."

"Then why does Uncle say it's the largest?"

"There's a rumor that Mount Nether Primeval blocked the existence of the Polaris, and its shadow cast across the cosmic expanse, thus forming the Black Sky Desolate Domain," Zhao Xing casually recounted the unofficial history.

"Such a rumor is too absurd," Gong Xiaoyuan said, somewhat disbelieving.

Zhao Xing stood with his hands behind his back. "Not entirely. Among all the desolate domains in the Profound Spirit Star Domain, for others, we Ministers of Agriculture can transform small areas into spiritual domains to prevent their expansion. Only the Black Sky Desolate Domain's boundaries cannot be shaken in the slightest; for several epochs, it has remained unchanged. Since the rumor has been passed down, perhaps it holds some truth."

Qiao Zishan sighed, "The great mountains in the cosmos are truly both terrifying and alluring."

The team advanced slowly, taking a month and a half to reach the Seventh Boundary Mountain. By this time, the vanguard members of the Department of Earthly Paths had begun adjusting their cultivation methods according to the Eight Methods of Zhao's Theory of Telluric Changes. Ninety percent of the Department of Earthly Paths members on the Taoyang Star Continent were from Taigu Mound; some had studied "Extreme Land Mustard Mountain," while others cultivated "Extreme Land Giant Peak."

Zhao Xing, for the Extreme Land cultivation methods, had summarized a new set of methods for dealing with the Boundary Mountains. Essentially, this involved high-frequency changes to the earth vein fluctuations within the body to adapt to the Boundary Mountains' characteristics. Before Jishan arrived, the Eight Methods could only be used by Extreme Land cultivators. However, after Emperor Beihui sent earth veins from various eras for study, the Eight Methods of Telluric Change were further improved, significantly expanding their adaptability. Even geomancy-faction Ministers of Agriculture who did not cultivate the Extreme Land methods could adjust themselves using the Eight Methods of Telluric Change.

Zhao Xing used his panel to scan all members of the Department of Earthly Paths, taking in everyone's data at a glance. "The Eight Methods of Telluric Change can be considered a supplementary method for Extreme Land cultivation. After practicing it, the influence of the Boundary Mountains has been significantly weakened. Qiao Zishan previously couldn't even exert half his strength in the Boundary Mountains; now he should be able to consistently perform at eighty percent. As for Jishan, he is a Reincarnation Realm cultivator and experiences greater suppression. Even after practicing the Eight Methods of Telluric Change, he can currently only exert seventy percent of his strength."

The deeper one's Extreme Land cultivation, the greater the influence experienced. The Eight Methods of Telluric Change can currently only be compared to great divine abilities, and are not considered secret arts of the Reincarnation level. To perfect this broad category of spells, Zhao Xing still needed to conduct further research. In his vision, "The Origin of the Mesozoic Era" and the "Eight Methods of Telluric Changes for the Boundary Mountains of the Telluric Era" would all be integrated into "The Theory of Telluric Changes in the Dao Manifestation Epoch." For the sutra and spell repositories to be considered complete and a true culmination, they would need to broadly encompass various categories such as the Earth Palace Method, Earth Splitting Method, Earth Treasury, Profound Earth, and Earth Comprehension. Only then could Zhao Xing be called the founding patriarch who established a new school of thought.

"There's still a long way to go." Zhao Xing gathered his thoughts, ordered the team to halt, and then began deploying divisions.

Time flowed by; five years had passed since Zhao Xing led his people into the mountain. Most of the personnel had entered the mountain, with only a small portion of world-boat teams remaining stationed in front of the Seventh Boundary Mountain for reception. Zhao Xing entrusted external communications to Ji Si—who had also been formally inducted by Old Master Zhao, with the title of temporary Level 5 Maritime Commissioner and a low-ranking Destiny Official of the Taoyang Destiny Department. The position was low, but no one dared to underestimate those close to Zhao Xing.

"Lord Ji, a message from Jia Chen Fourteen Pass," someone said, approaching Ji Si from behind. "Who sent it?"

"There are five letters, from Emperor Wudu of the Primordial Realm, Lord Lushan of Taigu Mound, Emperor Tianwu of the Primal Heaven Palace, Grand Duke Carlos of the Empire's Northwest Military Department, and Lord Bowie of the Academy City. All are inquiries."

"Place them aside; I'll look at them shortly."

"Yes, sir."

After the person left, Ji Si stopped observing the movements of the Seventh Boundary Mountain and concluded his deductions. He returned to the inbox, disregarded Grand Duke Carlos's letter, and only replied to the other major figures. The general message was that the rescue was still ongoing, the Seventh Boundary Mountain had not collapsed, but no one had emerged yet. Even the anomalous events that typically occurred had only happened once, and were cleared by the martial arts department personnel who remained behind.

Time passed; the rescue plan entered its ninth year. Ji Si finally ended his anxious wait, as people had at last begun to emerge from the Seventh Boundary Mountain.

"A world-boat! It's a world-boat from the Huangwu Department of the Fourth Frontier Army! Look, they've been rescued!"

"The Maritime Commissioner is awesome! They really rescued them, hahahaha!"

"Incredible, truly incredible. Zhao Chen'an is set to shake the Profound Spirit Star Domain with his fame," muttered True Master Miaosong.

"Senior Brother, we've conquered a Boundary Mountain!"

"Hahaha, who dares to say Taigu Mound is incompetent now?!"

"You good-for-nothing martial artists, speak up!"

Listening to the fervent discussions, Ji Si swiftly flew out of the world-boat to greet the emerging team. He scanned the group and noticed some unfamiliar vessels among them, belonging to the previously trapped individuals. Gu Ming's Department of Profound Mechanisms had emerged, as had Qiao Zishan's Department of Earthly Paths. But after searching around, he didn't see Zhao Xing's Lynx-class world-boat.

"Gu Ming!" Ji Si rushed to Gu Ming, "Where's Zhao Xing? Why isn't Zhao Xing out yet?"

Gu Ming looked at the anxious Ji Si and immediately comforted him, "Brother Ji, don't worry, Lord Zhao is fine. He and Lord Jishan took people to the Fourth Boundary Mountain."

"The Fourth Boundary Mountain?" Ji Si was stunned. "You mean..."

"Yes," Gu Ming smiled. "Not only did we rescue people, but we also cleared a path through the entire Sixth Boundary Mountain. It's just that communication is impossible inside the Boundary Mountain, so we couldn't inform the outside world."

"Why did this happen?! Why didn't you stop them!" Ji Si remained tense. The Fourth Boundary Mountain was completely different from the Seventh. The Seventh Boundary Mountain was more familiar and of a lower classification, but the Fourth Boundary Mountain could even trap Emperor Hongshan!

"Lord Zhao and the others discovered four years ago that a part of the Seventh Boundary Mountain intersected with the Fourth Boundary Mountain at the third layer of the Dao Manifestation Plane. At that time, Lord Zhao told my mechanical puppet that he had found markings left by Emperor Hongshan. So, at that time, they drilled from the Seventh Boundary Mountain's range into the Fourth Boundary Mountain. If all went well, he might have already met Emperor Hongshan and the others."

Ji Si's expression did not soften; instead, his face turned grim. "If?"

"Gu Ming! As a deputy, you failed to dissuade your superior from taking risks. If anything goes wrong, you will be held fully accountable!"

"Ji Si, you don't know the situation inside, so don't make baseless accusations," Gu Ming frowned. "We returned victorious; why speak such disheartening words?!"

"Hmph, let's hope so!" Ji Si flicked his sleeve and ignored Gu Ming. Gu Ming also said nothing further. He respected Zhao Xing, but he didn't need to curry favor with Ji Si; being able to speak civilly was already enough. The two parted unhappily.

News of the rescue of the trapped personnel in the Sixth Boundary Mountain quickly reached Jia Chen Fourteen Pass. This should have been good news, but the information that Zhao Xing and Jishan had gone to the Fourth Boundary Mountain to rescue Emperor Hongshan diluted the joy. So, Emperor Beihui withheld this news, refraining from publicizing it for now, and only shared it with a limited few, including Wudu and Zuo Qiyu. If Zhao Xing died, this victory would be greatly diminished, and Emperor Beihui wouldn't celebrate prematurely.

The rescue plan was in its fifteenth year. Within a certain mountain space in the Fourth Boundary Mountain, Emperor Hongshan and Tao Yangzi were cultivating cross-legged in an underground palace, while Zhao Xing and Lord Jishan guarded the palace entrance.

"In the eighth year after the rescue operation began, Jishan and I followed the geomancy markings left by Emperor Hongshan and successfully met him. Afterward, I taught the Eight Methods of Telluric Change to Emperor Hongshan and Tao Yangzi, though I'm unsure if they can break through the twelve layers of Boundary Mountain barriers within the Fourth Boundary Mountain."

Emperor Hongshan and his group were not trapped within mountain bodies of the Phenomenon Manifestation Layer, but rather in the void mountain bodies of the Dao Manifestation Layer. This location was at the twelfth layer of the Void Dao Manifestation Plane! Under normal void conditions, even wearing the Golden Cicada Dharma Robe, Zhao Xing could only briefly stay at the tenth layer at most. Let alone at the twelfth layer beneath the Boundary Mountain. Zhao Xing and Jishan had indeed taken a risk, because currently, Zhao Xing and Jishan alone could not exit the Fourth Boundary Mountain! If, after jumping down, they hadn't found Emperor Hongshan, or if it had only been Emperor Hongshan's corpse, they would have been trapped and died there, forced to await subsequent rescue. Fortunately, everything went relatively smoothly. Emperor Hongshan was indeed safe and sound, just as the Grand Evolution Divine Weapon had predicted, but at that time, he also couldn't get out.

"Getting out depends on Emperor Hongshan now." Zhao Xing's心态 was quite calm. Taking a risk to save Emperor Hongshan, gaining a portion of karma, was well worth it!

Suddenly, the surface of the underground palace experienced violent fluctuations.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing and Jishan simultaneously turned their heads.

The Demonic God's underground palace suddenly expanded, and Old Man Hongshan, covered in muscles like an ancient demonic god, walked out from within the hall onto the steps outside.

"Uncle Hongshan, has your spell broken through?" Jishan asked, full of anticipation.

"Yes," Emperor Hongshan replied. He was now starkly different from his usual benevolent self. His aura was thick, oppressive, and imbued with dense malevolence. With the change in his demeanor, his appearance also became ferocious. No wonder Wudu liked to call him "Old Man Hongshan"; this appearance completely subverted Zhao Xing's previous perception of him.

"Zhao Xing, thank you for saving my life," Emperor Hongshan said, revealing a set of gleaming white teeth. "Now, we can leave."

In the sixteenth year after the rescue mission began, Emperor Hongshan broke through the seventh layer of the Void Dao Manifestation Plane mountain body, following the guidance of the treatise, and escaped from the Fourth Boundary Mountain. Emperor Hongshan collected all 120,000 people, including Tao Yangzi, into his world ring and brought them out together. Afterward, they returned to the First Base, repaired its communication array, and transmitted the news back sequentially.

Upon receiving the news, Emperor Beihui immediately reported it to the Primordial Realm.

"What? He even rescued Old Man Hongshan?" Emperor Wudu asked, shocked upon hearing the news. "Is this true?"

"It couldn't be more true," Emperor Beihui said. "Taigu Mound has also confirmed it. I'm just waiting for your authorization to release the news."

"Announce it," Wudu said, waving his hand listlessly. "Sigh, this time we truly lost big." He could already imagine the immense impact and widespread fame this Boundary Mountain incident would generate. What a pity that, due to Old Bei's foolishness, the biggest beneficiary of this event was not him, the direct master, but others. The rescue operation concluded successfully after Emperor Hongshan and Zhao Xing returned.

The news immediately spread throughout the seven ancient paths and across the Empire. The Academy City also released Zhao Xing's treatise at the first opportunity, helping to clear away the negative impacts previously caused by the Boundary Mountains. After the news was announced, it swiftly swept through the entire Empire and beyond. The entire Profound Spirit Star Domain was stirred by this event!