Chapter 446: Opening the Boundary Mountain, a New Origin Realm Emerges

Earth's Core Rupture, Demon God's Lair, Profound Earth Star Shift, Ancient Earth Repository, Shimmering Earth Conduit, and Triple Mountain Fold.

These are the six great geomancy divine abilities Zhao Xing cultivated within 352 years!

Among them, Triple Mountain Fold is a self-created mountain technique. Building upon the foundation of 'opening barriers,' he created two great divine abilities: Triple Wall Opening and Mustard Seed Mountain Sealing.

These two divine abilities, one for opening mountains and the other for sealing mountains, further refined the Mountain Technique within Zhao's Eight Techniques.

Triple Mountain Fold can both cleave mountains and shatter barriers, as well as seal mountains and establish boundaries.

Profound Earth Star Shift, an evasion technique within the Profound Earth Law, allows travel from one celestial body or planet to another. It is a long-distance transit method.

It resembles the Ego School's Grass Man Leap that Zhao Xing once learned, except the magical foundation has shifted to the ubiquitous planets and celestial bodies throughout the cosmos.

Earth's Core Rupture is a cracking technique, but it shatters the core of a ley line, destroying a planet or celestial body from within.

By using Profound Earth Star Shift to escape to another planet and immediately casting Earth's Core Rupture, one can prevent pursuit.

Shimmering Earth Conduit, a communication technique, is a long-distance communication method that utilizes the light emitted by boundary stars and celestial bodies to construct and broadcast various messages.

Demon God's Lair is a trapping and killing technique that can refine golden bodies and even world-boats, primarily targeting highly durable and resilient defensive measures.

Ancient Earth Repository is an auxiliary technique that artificially triggers 'earth changes,' activating dormant ley lines, and even promoting their advancement, thereby revitalizing dead life-bearing boundary stars and celestial bodies!

Whoosh~Whoosh~

After Zhao Xing burst forth from the ground, golden light spread around him with a unique rhythm.

Behind him, illusory ley line projections appeared, some fiercely fiery, others like ten-thousand-year-old ice, or as heavy as mountains.

However, the golden light and phenomena quickly receded, revealing Zhao Xing's figure.

"Zhao Xing, out of two hundred Origin Gold Pills, how many did you consume?" Emperor Lushan asked curiously.

The Origin Gold Pills, prepared by the Origin Heavenly Palace for the Grand Divine Ability Realm, are not something one can consume at will.

Their consumption threshold involves the gap between one's Laws and Dao; the medicinal power of the Gold Pills must be assimilated by one's own cultivated knowledge before it can be absorbed.

This threshold ensures that mediocre talents gain no further advancement from consuming Origin Gold Pills, but for geniuses, they are like adding wings to a tiger.

"187 pills," Zhao Xing replied.

"187 pills." A hint of shock flashed in Emperor Lushan's eyes. He had consumed eighty-nine pills back then, which was already a contemporary record.

He hadn't expected Zhao Xing to be able to assimilate 187 Origin Gold Pills!

"If you break through to the Dao Domain Realm, your magic power will be unimaginably vast," Emperor Lushan said with great anticipation.

Upon advancing from the Origin Realm to the Dao Domain Realm, a Diviner's spells combine with spiritual energy, transforming into a higher level of magic power.

The strength of one's magic power directly determines the ultimate effect of spellcasting. Those with abundant magic power can unleash world-shattering might, even with the most basic paper crane technique.

"This disciple owes his current achievements entirely to Martial Uncle's diligent guidance," Zhao Xing bowed to Lord Lushan.

The Primordial Hill showed great sincerity, and Lord Lushan genuinely put his heart into teaching.

"Hahaha." Whether flattery sounds pleasing depends on who is speaking it.

Lord Lushan knew Zhao Xing's words were merely polite formalities, but he was still very happy.

While his main body was conversing with Emperor Lushan at Jia-Chen Pass 14, on Taoyang Star Continent of the Haitong Ancient Path...

...an official emerged from the soil and appeared outside the Huailiu Courtyard, where Zhao Xing's clone resided.

"Reporting to the Haitong Envoy, the Emperor has summoned officials from various departments and special envoys to Hongshan Hall to discuss important matters."

"Understood."

Inside Huailiu Courtyard, Zhao Xing's clone went online and opened its eyes.

Outside, someone was holding a confidential letter.

With a casual wave, the confidential letter appeared in his hand.

After a quick scan of its contents, Zhao Xing's clone flew towards the Starry Ring Continent, preparing to teleport to the First Base.

At the same time, his main body at Jia-Chen Pass 14 also concluded its cultivation and set off for the Haitong Ancient Path.

"After 352 years, the Haitong Ancient Path has finally broken through the first phase of the Triple Mountain Fold range's obstruction."

"After breaching the mountain barrier, the cosmic void is no longer a thick layer of earth."

"Spiritual energy rain filled the sky."

"The spiritual energy index soared, reaching over 100. At this level, it can be called a Spirit Domain, essentially a fertile territory where one can survive without establishing a base."

"Emperor Hongshan said this is likely the 'New Spirit Domain' region mentioned in the Imperial Diviner's prophecy," Zhao Xing recalled the contents of the confidential letter.

However, he knew that the Haitong Ancient Path was far from fully opened; it had only just passed through the Triple Mountain Fold region.

"The desolate domain isn't entirely a desolate, lifeless expanse. Even deserts have oases. The Pioneer Army has, at most, discovered a small-scale spiritual energy star region."

"I just don't know exactly where they dug to." Zhao Xing reached into the Star Mirror and began expanding and marking the star map according to his memory.

As this was classified information, there was a risk of leakage if transmitted via the Star Mirror. For safety, Emperor Hongshan had not provided a specific star map or detailed descriptions.

When Zhao Xing's clone arrived at Hongshan Hall in the First Base via teleportation, he found that all attendees were from Primordial Hill, with only a few members from the Empire.

For example, Yuan Qiusheng, Emperor Bihui, and himself, a First-Class Haitong Envoy.

Zhao Xing glanced at the list and immediately understood its implications.

"Multi-party cooperation in exploring unknown territories leads to close ties during times of shared hardship. However, when it comes to sharing profits and prosperity, differing ideas are inevitable."

"Emperor Hongshan believed he had discovered the prophesied spiritual energy domain, so he immediately guarded the mountain pass, intending to send his own people to investigate first."

Officials like Gu Ming, head of the Esoteric Bureau on Taoyang Star Continent, and Zhou Ze, Bi Gang, and others from the Martial Bureau, had received no notification at all.

This was because they were personnel dispatched by the Origin Heavenly Palace and the Ancient Kingdoms Alliance.

"Everyone, just the day before yesterday, the Earth Tunnel Bureau broke through the last boundary mountain."

"Ahead, a spiritual energy domain has appeared. Abundant spiritual energy rain fills the void, covering a vast area, and the further one goes, the higher the spiritual energy index becomes."

As the meeting began, Emperor Hongshan went straight to the point.

"Unknown territories are fraught with infinite dangers. Therefore, the passage through the First Boundary Mountain will be temporarily sealed, and news of it must be strictly confidential."

"I plan to form an advance team to conduct a small-scale exploration of this star region. Once we have a thorough understanding, we will make it public."

Emperor Hongshan's words were faultless, yet everyone knew that this arrangement was designed for his own people to reap the first benefits.

"Zhao Xing, what are your thoughts?" Emperor Hongshan asked, seeing Zhao Xing continuously looking down at the star map.

He proactively posed the question, intending to subtly assign Zhao Xing an exploration objective.

It was known that according to the Imperial Diviner's prophecy, once the ancient path was opened, there would be many benefits.

Undeveloped star regions would yield numerous rare treasures, some even unique in existence!

"Emperor, I have no particular thoughts; I will follow all arrangements," Zhao Xing looked up.

This answer somewhat surprised Emperor Hongshan. He didn't believe Zhao Xing misunderstood his words.

Such a reply implied a lack of interest in the exploration.

Indeed, that was the case.

After Zhao Xing arrived at Hongshan Hall and received the full intelligence, he confirmed that the Haitong Ancient Path had advanced to the vicinity of the Spirit Void Realm!

As for benefits, there certainly were, because the Spirit Void Realm was an Origin Realm!

But the dangers were not small either.

For instance, the ongoing spiritual energy rain was far from simple.

To smoothly enter the Spirit Void Realm, many obstacles still needed to be overcome. Being in the Origin Realm himself, going there now posed significant risks.

Even if he only sent out his Grand Void clone, its demise wouldn't harm his main body. However, he only had one ultimate-form Grand Void clone. If it perished, gathering materials for a second one would be extremely difficult.

Zhao Xing was reluctant to sacrifice it, so he decided to wait for the first wave of people to clear the obstacles before proceeding.

The 'sharing of spoils' meeting quickly concluded. A total of eight Reincarnation Realm experts, including Tao Yangzi, Emperor Bihui, and Lord Jishan, were assigned exploration missions.

Zhao Xing intended to leave, but Emperor Hongshan didn't let him go easily.

After the meeting, he called Zhao Xing to a private space.

"Emperor Tianning, this is inside the core of a high-grade desolate star."

"Our conversation will not be known by anyone."

"Now that the New Spirit Domain has appeared, are you certain you don't wish to explore the 'Grain Rain Star Region'?"

The Grain Rain Star Region was Emperor Hongshan's designation for a part of the New Spirit Domain, not far from the First Triple Mountain Fold.

"I do, but not now," Zhao Xing replied frankly. "My strength is still very weak."

"Even if I were to act alongside Reincarnation Realm experts..."

"...exploring amidst this spiritual energy rain would be very dangerous."

"Oh?" Emperor Hongshan hadn't sensed anything amiss with the rain, but Zhao Xing's words compelled him to take it seriously. "Please enlighten me, Emperor Tianning."

Zhao Xing pondered for a moment, then cast out his Star Mirror.

Light projected from the mirror, and the scene around them instantly shifted, revealing the First Boundary Mountain and the Grain Rain Star Region.

Whoosh!

In the void ahead, raindrops fell, a torrential downpour, and wisps of mist arose. The two stood on the Triple Mountain Fold, observing the real-time broadcast of the spiritual energy rain.

"The cosmos undergoes great seasonal changes; this is the foundation of the Cosmic Almanac theory," Zhao Xing began. "This star region is experiencing a spiritual energy rain. If a Diviner of the Cosmic Almanac School were here, sensing different star regions with a Calendar Decree, they would determine through the rainwater that..."

"...it originates from all four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—not just Grain Rain."

"Does Emperor Hongshan know what it means when a star region does not follow the regular alternation of seasons?"

Emperor Hongshan subconsciously blurted out, "Cosmic Almanac Anomaly?"

Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes, these are precisely the signs of an anomaly, and the likelihood of it occurring is very high."

Emperor Hongshan frowned. "Just now in the meeting, to your left was Lord Wenping, a Diviner of the Cosmic Almanac School who cultivates the Calendar Decree."

"Lord Wenping judged this star region to be in the 'Great Grain Rain' solar term, and that it would last for a long time."

Zhao Xing pointed to a specific area and zoomed in. "The region he went to is indeed experiencing Grain Rain. It's not that his judgment was wrong, just not comprehensive enough."

"I believe he likely didn't observe the solar star of that star region, but merely relied on his internal Calendar Decree for his conclusion."

Emperor Hongshan retorted, "You haven't even been there, so how do you know?"

Zhao Xing replied calmly, "It's simple: my cultivation method is more powerful than his."

"When the First Boundary Mountain was breached and the mountain barrier no longer isolated it, I sensed it immediately. And your sealing of the passage was somewhat late; some celestial qi had already drifted through the mountain pass."

A trace of shock flashed in Emperor Hongshan's heart. 'The First Base is so far from the passage; how could he sense it so comprehensively?'

Despite his shock, Emperor Hongshan did not question it.

Because in his memory, Emperor Tianning's origins were indeed with the Cosmic Almanac School.

Otherwise, how could he be involved with Qingyuzi? It's known that Qingyuzi condensed a storm divine pattern on the altar at that time, making his sect affiliation easy to discern.

However, forging a path through the desolate domain was incredibly difficult!

The Triple Mountain Fold had just been breached, and now they encountered a large-scale Cosmic Almanac Anomaly.

Fortunately, this wasn't a problem for his Geomancy School. Emperor Hongshan was already considering which Diviners from the Cosmic Almanac School to summon to deal with the issue.

Zhao Xing did not interrupt Emperor Hongshan's thoughts further and quietly withdrew.

The anomaly triggered by the 'Disorderly Season' Grain Rain was Emperor Hongshan's problem, not his to worry about.

Voicing the problem was also a way of repaying kindness, preventing Primordial Hill from incurring further losses in this exploration.

Zhao Xing had also heard about the contents of the Primordial Council. Lord Lushan of Primordial Hill had just finished facing multi-party accountability. If it happened again, Primordial Hill's situation would become extremely difficult, which was not something Zhao Xing wished to see.

Accessing permissions, verifying permissions...

Confirmed as Coral Rank Nine member!

The Starfire Intelligence Database is now open. You can browse encrypted files without leaving a trace.

The Star Mirror displayed a spark, reflected in Zhao Xing's eyes. After identity confirmation, the spark blossomed, forming a world of flames.

Zhao Xing's consciousness also appeared within the world of flames.

At this moment, burning books continuously drifted from within the world of flames. This was the encrypted archive of the Starfire Department.

Non-public intelligence is updated in real-time here.

"Check the development progress of the Annihilation Star Corridor star path, as well as the participating forces and their main members," Zhao Xing's consciousness emitted waves.

Poof! The flames suddenly surged to two people's height, and a large pile of documents appeared before Zhao Xing.

"The development of the Annihilation Star Corridor star path is merely a small project, with progress virtually at zero, having only expanded 7 astronomical units into the desolate domain."

"Participating forces include the foreign vassal dynasty 'Rainbow Moon,' with key personnel being scholar Xi Hebo, Lord Fu Wei, and celestial historian Bians."

"Domestic forces involved are mainly controlled by a branch of the Carlos family."

Zhao Xing also held an official position for the Annihilation Star Ancient Path, so his interest was natural. If the Annihilation Star Ancient Path were opened, the benefits would be even greater than those from the Haitong Ancient Path.

Firstly, the route was shorter, with heavy traffic, and later became the most prosperous cosmic ancient path, possessing immense commercial value.

Secondly, the number of treasured lands discovered during its opening also surpassed those found along the Haitong Ancient Path.

'Once the other seven top-tier ancient paths are opened, I might at most gain some personal profit, and after that, they will have little to do with me.'

'However, I can still get involved with the Annihilation Star Ancient Path,' Zhao Xing thought to himself.

When the major superpowers established their cooperation, they had already allocated all potential profits from the seven top-tier ancient paths. This was not something an individual could participate in.

However, there were ultimately nine top-tier ancient paths. On the remaining two, Zhao Xing had a good chance of acquiring valuable operating rights or territorial rights.

'I wonder how Great Zhou is developing. Managing territories by myself would require too much energy.'

Zhao Xing contacted Ji Che via the Star Mirror.

"Elder Brother," Ji Che said, his face flushed. The background shown in the mirror appeared to be a banquet.

"Fifth Brother, where are you?"

"Elder Brother, I'm a guest at the Black Dragon Lord's residence in Jia-Chen Pass 11," Ji Che replied.

"How did you end up there?"

Ji Che excused himself to those nearby, then flew to a secluded garden and burrowed underground.

"Elder Brother, have you forgotten? You once gave me a list of people to befriend," Ji Che explained. "I'm not here for leisure."

Zhao Xing realized, having almost forgotten about it.

For Ji Che's Fortune Dynasty system to develop, it also needed people, money (ancient fortune coins), and territory, and the more, the better.

Great Zhou had acquired a fortune treasure from the Five Emperors Era, following the development path of a unified dynasty from that era.

Zhao Xing had given Ji Che a list of future rising talents he knew, instructing him to befriend them.

"Liu Tianning and Luo are still developing in the Wangliang Star Region of the Langping Ancient Path, while I am socializing within the pass."

"Thanks to Elder Brother's prestige, in these past few centuries, I've even managed to recruit two Reincarnation Realm experts to serve in the court."

"However, their strength is mediocre; their true spirits haven't even passed the danger period, and they're nearing their lifespans' end," Ji Che recounted. "As for the fated official Yuan Xin and the historian Li Qinghou whom Elder Brother recommended, I visited them several times. But they didn't think highly of me; after meeting me once and hearing my invitation to join, they refused to meet again."

Ji Che felt some regret. If he could have attracted Reincarnation Realm experts like Yuan Xin and Li Qinghou, who were in their prime, to serve in the court and bind themselves to Great Zhou's chariot of fortune, it would have been a qualitative leap.

Alas, they paid no heed to him, Ji Che.

Although Great Zhou had Zhao Xing, its overall strength was too weak. Even National Lord Ji Che was only in the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm. How could he compel such powerful individuals to serve him?

Even for a slight affiliation, they refused, because it would involve karmic ties. They might not gain any benefits, but instead be implicated by Great Zhou's fortune fluctuations.

"Fifth Brother, don't rush; take your time," Zhao Xing comforted him. "Great Zhou's development over the past few centuries has already been very rapid."

It was indeed rapid. Following the Beihe Legion in their expansion into the Wangliang Star Region of Langping Path, while the Beihe Legion reaped the main benefits, Great Zhou also got its share.

Its overall strength was growing rapidly. Zhao Xing could sense, through the connection of karma and fortune, that Great Zhou's national destiny was flourishing.

"Hahaha, it is indeed fast, Elder Brother. I can now condense another Fortune Gold Pill. I've specifically saved it for you..."

"...you can come collect it when you have time."

"Oh? Another one in less than four hundred years?" Zhao Xing was genuinely intrigued.

The Gold Pills condensed by Great Zhou with the help of fortune treasures could increase fortune by three ranks or allow entry into the next realm.

This was even more valuable than a single Five Emperors Coin.

The last one was given to Liu Tianning, who subsequently broke through to the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm.

And now, another one had been produced.

"Very well. My main body just departed from Jia-Chen Pass 14; I'll make a detour to your place," Zhao Xing said.

Name: Zhao XingRealm: Grand Divine Ability RealmOccupation: DivinerDao Field: Solar Rank NineSoul: Yin-Yang Dao Domain RealmFortune: Derivation Thirteen (Five Emperors Coin bonus: Rank Two)Age: 6814Remaining Lifespan: 2.9 Epochs

Three months later, his main body, accompanied by the Grand Void Grass Man, retrieved the Fortune Gold Pill and arrived at the Haitong Ancient Land.

Zhao Xing did not immediately consume the Fortune Gold Pill. This was because the Grand Dao of Fortune had a rule: a distinct 'auspicious omen' would appear shortly after one's fortune began to ascend in rank.

He had no plans to leave the base for exploration right now, so there was no need to use it immediately.

The wrong setting might weaken the 'auspicious omen's' effect. Staying at the First Base wouldn't simply make opportunities fall from the sky.

'My current direction for improvement is, firstly, learning the Cosmic Almanac School's Origin Dao and techniques, and secondly, enhancing my soul level,' Zhao Xing mused.

'The Cosmic Almanac School does not possess treasures like the Origin Gold Pill. Throughout the Xuanling Star Region, there are no superpowers within the Cosmic Almanac School, only five major top-tier forces, making them a tier weaker.'

In the cosmic era, both the Geomancy School and the Ego School had superpowers, but the Cosmic Almanac School was noticeably weaker.

Qingyuzi was considered a Diviner of the Cosmic Almanac School, but he was also a member of the Samsara Divine Palace, which could not be regarded as a purely Cosmic Almanac School force and possessed no special treasured lands.

Old Qing had already become a god, so learning Cosmic Almanac School secret techniques from him wasn't impossible. However, learning secret techniques was a minor matter, and besides, he had already given Zhao Xing a divine palace secret technique, the 'Samsara.' It wasn't appropriate to trouble him further.

'I'll find an opportunity to contact the five major top-tier Cosmic Almanac forces another day. For now, I should secretly practice 'Samsara' until mastery,' Zhao Xing thought to himself.

He had to practice it discreetly, as this soul secret technique was given to him privately by Qingyuzi.

It wasn't publicly bestowed by the Samsara Divine Palace. According to the Divine Palace's rules, only high-ranking members could learn the 'Samsara' secret technique.

"Venerable Divine Lord Qingyu above, this disciple is about to begin practicing the soul technique. I implore your divine protection." Zhao Xing found a secret room, set up a magic array, then brought out Qingyuzi's statue and lit incense.

Although the path of sacrifice had declined, Zhao Xing was directly connected to a divine realm, so such prayers could receive direct feedback.

Soon, a blue mist appeared in the room, swirling around him, forming a unique azure space.

Seeing his prayer answered, Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile. "I suppose I'm a Saint Diviner now, and the kind who grants every wish."

Saint Diviner is a specialized branch profession, such as Mech Warriors and Soul Mechanists under the Mechanist branch.

Saint Diviners typically base themselves on the Cosmic Almanac School's Diviners, with supplementary cultivation in the path of sacrifice.

Their primary focus is borrowing divine power to enforce justice on behalf of heaven.

The Geomancy School doesn't engage in this practice, and the Ego School simply has no gods from whom to borrow power.

The saying, 'South of the River Styx, borrow the east wind; the east wind turns to rain, ending myriad evils,' refers to the story during the Feather Emperor's era of the Five Emperors, when a Saint Diviner borrowed divine power of the Cosmic Almanac and single-handedly destroyed a million demon kings.

However, with the end of the Five Emperors Era, the path of sacrifice gradually declined. Divine miracles no longer appeared, and thus, this path naturally waned.

In the Post-Five Emperors Era, although the objects of sacrificial prayers were still certain deities, the answers came from the power of acquired divine artifacts.

By the time of the Desolate Domain Era, the power of treasures once used by divine realms had largely been depleted. Therefore, even without the Ancient Yuanchang Kingdom incident, the priest profession was destined to become marginalized.

Seeing his prayer answered, Zhao Xing then began cultivating the soul secret technique, 'Samsara.'

'An advanced method for the Three Divine Fate Palaces, requiring the fusion of the Heaven, Earth, and Human souls into one.'

'The fusion of the Life Soul and Earth Soul is easy; the difficulty lies with the Heaven Soul.'

The Life Soul is also called the Karma Soul, and the Heaven Soul is referred to as the Rebirth Soul.

Cultivating the Heaven Soul involves the mysteries of true spirit reincarnation.

Mastering the 'Samsara' secret technique outside the Reincarnation Realm is incredibly difficult.

'As long as the Human and Earth souls merge, it reaches the Grand Divine Ability level, and the soul will inevitably enter the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm.'

'I'll start by mastering the first half,' Zhao Xing set a small goal.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, the Life Soul and Karma Soul began to pull apart, then violently collided.

The first attempt at fusion had begun.

As time passed, the news that the First Boundary Mountain of the Haitong Ancient Path had been breached was made public fifty years later.

The discovery of the Grain Rain Star Region greatly invigorated all members involved in the exploration of the desolate domain.

The large-scale spiritual energy rain, in particular, was believed to be nurturing some kind of rare natural treasure.

And within these fifty years of exploration, the first few advance teams had indeed gained considerable harvests.

Rumors constantly emerged:

"Someone discovered a life-bearing boundary star where the indigenous life forms had peculiar bloodlines with extremely strong medicinal value. It's said to have sold for 25 Five Emperors Coins! And garnered 300 million merit points!"

"Grain Rain Stone, precious Grain Rain Stone! The Empire's buyback price is actually a million per stone? My heavens, what does this stuff do? Why can't I see its effects?"

"My friend, you're just a common member, merely in the Five Elements Dao Domain Realm. How could you see the treasury's secrets? Grain Rain Stone can enhance a Diviner's inner world, with effects a hundred times better than Five Elements Stones and Yin-Yang Stones!"

"It's said to be a type of World Stone, and a newly cataloged variety at that. Rarity dictates value, so naturally its price is high! However, private trading is prohibited."

"I have a friend in the Pioneer Army of the Haitong Ancient Path who also participated in the exploration. It's said he received a primary material for forging a low-grade Origin Divine Weapon without doing anything!"

"What? Such a good thing exists? You must be kidding!"

"It's true!"

The continuous influx of rumors ignited the enthusiasm of the exploring forces.

The progress of opening other ancient paths significantly accelerated.

After Primordial Hill breached the Triple Mountain Fold and discovered its first profits, leading the development progress of other ancient paths, it finally turned the tide, gaining significantly more confidence in its dealings with other superpowers.

"Emperor Hongshan, why did you wait fifty years before reporting this—"

"In exploring the desolate domain, the primary goal is to eliminate dangers, then discuss benefits. National Lord Tianyou, I am in charge of the Haitong Ancient Path. I believe this was the correct approach. Do you have any objections?"

"No, no, you are absolutely correct." National Lord Tianyou dared not ask further. Emperor Hongshan had now achieved a great feat and was immensely powerful, not to mention he had full control over the personnel arrangements of the Haitong Ancient Path.

If Emperor Hongshan were to push the Ancient Kingdoms Alliance's exploration team back a bit, his people would only be left with scraps. "Emperor Hongshan, what exactly has been discovered in these fifty years of exploration?" Emperor Tianwu asked.

"An Origin Realm," Emperor Hongshan replied. "I call it the Spirit Void Origin Realm."

At the Primordial Council, silence immediately fell upon the assembly.

A new Origin Realm!

Its value was immeasurable. They had dug for so long, invested vast resources, and now, finally, saw some hope of recouping their costs!

According to the original agreement, if an Origin Realm appeared along any ancient path, all parties could send personnel to explore, with only the number of people differing.

"Lord Hongshan, how ancient is the Spirit Void Origin Realm?" Emperor Yuanding asked with concern.

"Combining the conclusions of celestial historians and my Primordial Hill's judgment on the Ley Line Era, the Spirit Void Origin Realm has only existed for 1.1 to 1.5 billion years."

So young?!

A hint of surprise flashed in everyone's eyes.

The younger an Origin Realm, the better!

According to the Ego School's theory, the four stages of the universe—Primordial, Origin, Myriad Forms, and Annihilation—each possess unique characteristics.

Among them, Primordial is merely a legendary period. Myriad Forms is the most common current stage and lasts the longest. The Annihilation stage lasts longer than the Primordial stage, but shorter than the Myriad Forms and Origin stages.

A younger Origin Realm implies abundant spirituality and numerous treasures. It is closest to the primordial stage when heaven and earth first opened, and the treasures born within it are sufficiently powerful.

Typically, an Origin Realm transitions to the Myriad Forms stage after exceeding 5 billion years. At that point, while life forms may proliferate in countless varieties, their overall quality declines, and it can no longer nurture exceptionally powerful individuals.

The Spirit Void Origin Realm, having only existed for 1.1 to 1.5 billion years, is certainly considered young!

"Pity it's not within 1 billion years," Zuo Qiyu said with some regret.

An Origin Realm within 1 billion years has a small chance of giving birth to divine-grade materials.

Beyond this period, the probability of divine artifacts emerging becomes very low. Their origin will dissipate over time, feeding back into the world as an impetus for evolution in the Myriad Forms stage.

"1.1 billion years is still very close," Emperor Wudu said. "Maybe old Hongshan made a mistake in his judgment. It wouldn't be his first time; he was trapped in the mountains last time."

Emperor Hongshan: "..."

Only Wudu dared to expose Emperor Hongshan's shortcomings like that. If it were anyone else, Emperor Hongshan would surely have had a confrontation with them.

"Brother Wuxing, let's not dwell on the past," Emperor Yuanding interjected to smooth things over. "Let's quickly finalize the number of explorers."

Emperor Wudu nodded. "According to the intelligence gathered by old Hongshan, the Empire has decided that the total number of explorers for the Spirit Void Origin Realm will be capped at one million, and none shall exceed the Dao Domain Realm."

"Agreed," Emperor Tianwu nodded.

The others had no objections, as an Origin Realm around 1.1 billion years old is relatively fragile, with all its energy dedicated to nurturing life and matter.

The small world's own resistance is poor. If powerful external beings were to enter, they would cause severe interference to the world's origin, potentially leading to its collapse.

The Primordial Realm and the Origin Heavenly Palace have significant authority in research concerning the various stages of worlds, and the computational power of the Grand Derivation Divine Weapon is unparalleled.

Therefore, Wudu's decision to cap the number at one million people, none exceeding the Dao Domain Realm, was absolutely the correct choice.

"According to the previously agreed-upon division ratios, the Empire will send 500,000 people, Primordial Hill 250,000, the Origin Heavenly Palace 120,000, the Ancient Kingdoms Alliance 80,000, and the Academy 30,000. The remaining spots will be distributed among other allies."

Besides the superpowers, some weaker top-tier forces also participated. This group had the largest number of forces but the fewest spots, with only 10,000 spots to be distributed among them.

Once the allocation meeting concluded, each faction promptly began mobilizing Dao Domain Realm personnel.

Even with limited spots, if one could get in, a single person's gains might be equivalent to tens of thousands of others.

For instance, for the Origin Heavenly Palace, Du Yun was the top choice.

His competitiveness within the Spirit Void Origin Realm was such that one person could equal ten thousand!

Two and a half years later.

The personnel to be dispatched by all forces had been finalized.

Zhao Xing also received notification, requested by the Primordial Realm to proceed to the Spirit Void Origin Realm.

"The Grain Rain Anomaly has been resolved?"

"That was fast."

Zhao Xing once again activated his Star Mirror to observe the cosmos beyond the First Boundary Mountain.

The ubiquitous rain had ceased. Only a few 'water stars' and spiritual energy mists formed in the cosmos remained, proving the spiritual energy rain had indeed occurred.

"Zhao Xing, please look after Qiusheng." Before their departure, someone came calling: Emperor Bihui and Yuan Qiusheng.

"Even if Your Majesty didn't say so, I would still take good care of Brother Qiusheng," Zhao Xing replied with a smile.

The personnel dispatched by the Empire were not all combatants; the proportion of support personnel was quite significant.

As Emperor Bihui put it: "If we send only martial artists in, they might bring back a pile of junk, as the true treasures would have been shattered by those fools."

Therefore, auxiliary Diviners of the Ego School like Yuan Qiusheng were essential participants.

In the skill of discerning native species, Yuan Qiusheng was unparalleled.

Additionally, among the dispatched members, Zhao Xing saw Ai Miaomiao, Wei Lan, Xu Youling, Tuo Sen, and others.

Among the Mechanists were Yu Tianqing and Jing Yan.

'Hmm? Jing Yan is here too? This spot is very precious; how did he manage to get one?'

'Oh, Jing Yan came through the royal channel, not by direct assignment from the Primordial Realm—a clear case of leverage through connections.'

Zhao Xing sent Jing Yan a message, intending to team up with him, but received no response.

'There are dozens of routes into the Spirit Void Origin Realm. It seems my path doesn't align with Jing Yan and Yu Tianqing's.'

'Never mind.'

Three days later, Zhao Xing had assembled his full team and departed aboard the Ancient Rain Ship dispatched by the Primordial Realm.

There were a total of fifty people on the world-boat, the vast majority of whom were in the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm.

It encompassed almost every profession; even a priest, considered a 'sewer' profession, was brought along.

The recruited priest, Ji Yuan, almost wept, as he was merely on the military's alternate list—the kind who could go if someone wanted them, but not otherwise.

Zhao Xing knew that the Spirit Void Realm had developed its own racial civilization, and the priest profession could indeed be useful, so he included Ji Yuan in his team.

"All of you are elites of the Empire. I won't say much more, only that I hope everyone maintains a sense of reverence and takes responsibility for their own lives and the lives of others."

"As your team leader, I will not make excessive demands of you. I only ask that you abide by the Empire's exploration regulations."

"Brother Gu Ming, please brief the brothers transferred from the military on the intelligence regarding the Spirit Void Origin Realm." Zhao Xing looked at Gu Ming, who had not gone with the Origin Heavenly Palace personnel but had remained with Zhao Xing's team.

"Yes," Gu Ming immediately stepped forward. "According to the Diviners' predictions, the Spirit Void Origin Realm's internal world-barrier has nine layers, divided into nine distinct internal territories."

"Although it has twenty-six entrances, upon our arrival, we will all appear in the lowest layer, the 'Clear River Realm.'"

"The Clear River Realm's name is not without reason; eighty percent of it is water."

"Because the Grain Rain Anomaly outside the realm has only just passed, the Clear River layer, having been infused by the Grain Rain, is likely still undergoing an anomaly..."

Forty-eight days later, a pale blue world-barrier appeared before them. It twisted in the void like a jellyfish.

Emitting a faint halo, it formed a narrow external passage.

Zhao Xing waved his hand, ordering the world-boat to enter through the passage.

Upon receiving the command, Gu Ming immediately began piloting the world-boat for descent.

Boom~

Violent crashing sounds came from outside the world-boat, lasting for seven full days before dissipating.

Thump!

With the final thud, Zhao Xing and the others collectively felt that the Grand Dao outside the realm had changed, and a sense of unease appeared in their minds.

"Gu Ming, receive external audio and open the world-boat's viewport."

"Yes."

Gu Ming manipulated the magic array, and the world-boat's outer wall suddenly turned transparent. The moment it opened, they saw black seawater surging towards them.

The sky was hazy and gray, as if covered by an impenetrable, dense ink.

"Boom"—a muffled thunder rumbled in the sky, and a small mountain in the distance seemed to be moving.

The next moment, a desolate roar suddenly emanated from the black mountain.

Roar~

Simultaneously, thunder boomed down.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing squinted, "What a coincidence. We've actually encountered a life form undergoing tribulation?"