Chapter 460: Within the Medicine King Realm, idle talk becomes prophecy?

The bright moon hung in the sky, stars twinkled, and clouds rotated clockwise. Within the swirling vortex, a black and white pavilion slowly ascended.

“The Realm Tower, is this the Realm Tower?”

“It vanished countless ages ago; I can't believe it's reappeared today.”

“A historical divine artifact! Its ranking is second only to the complete Profound Spirit Historical Records.”

“The Realm Tower's black and white colors—does this imply that the Grand Dao of History secretly aligns with the Grand Dao of Yin and Yang?”

“This tower doesn't look all that miraculous.”

“Where did this warrior come from? Don't speak if you don't understand!”

Above the clouds, numerous figures stood.

Ji Che, Yun Tiandao, and Liu Tianning stood together with the crowd.

Ji Si, pushing a flower-adorned chair, waited at a quiet cloud path entrance.

“Lord Ji, how many people have arrived here?”

“The academy city opened slots for the Realm Tower, and the first batch exceeded 300 million people, with over 50,000 in the Samsara Realm,” Ji Si replied.

“So many in the Samsara Realm?” Zhao Xing was startled.

“The benefits are enormous,” Ji Si said. “Exploring the desolate regions might not yield immediate advantages, but the benefits of the Realm Tower are very certain.”

“Many in the Samsara Realm aren't interested in developing desolate regions, but everyone is tempted by the Realm Tower.”

Zhao Xing nodded. “Yes, everyone is clever; they'll only rush for benefits they can clearly see.”

If debating the appeal of developing desolate regions versus entering the Realm Tower, the latter is certainly more attractive!

After all, the development of desolate regions has only yielded one Spirit Void Origin Realm so far, but the investment costs far exceed its value.

Furthermore, the development of the Siyue Desolate Region has been jointly monopolized by the super-factions of the Profound Spirit Starfield, leaving many lone cultivators with no chance to gain advantages.

The Realm Tower is different; the academy city is a shared treasure of humanity, and anyone can purchase tickets from Bowie to enter it.

“Grand Minister of Agriculture, look, Bowie has opened the entrances to the lower three levels.”

Suddenly, Ji Si pointed forward, where a white-robed figure appeared beside the tower.

Bowie's appearance and demeanor were originally somewhat stern, with a black three-leaf clover on his forehead. However, since becoming an Eight-Realm Scholar, his temperament had changed significantly, becoming much gentler, and a golden ancient character appeared on his forehead. It roughly meant "One Realm."

As Bowie was now activating the Realm Tower, this treasure could only be operated by three professions: scholars, priests, and cosmic historians.

As Bowie began to cast spells, eight gateways appeared on the black and white tower. Scenes flowed within them, like mirages.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

A large number of figures rushed into the gateways.

The Realm Tower has nine levels. The lower three levels are only accessible to those in the Origin Realm.

Levels four to six correspond to the Dao Domain Realm and Samsara Realm, with the highest permissible level being Samsara Emperor.

Levels seven to nine are not yet open.

Zhao Xing and Ji Si continued to wait, first for the middle three levels to open, and second, for someone.

Before long, a third person appeared on the cloud path—Yang Baihe.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhao Xing struggled to stand, but Yang Baihe quickly stepped forward, pressed a hand on Zhao Xing's shoulder, and said with a slight smile, “You're injured; there's no need to bow to me.”

Zhao Xing replied, somewhat bewildered, “Captain, what are you talking about? I was just shifting my weight after sitting for a long time.”

Yang Baihe was speechless.

Fortunately, Ji Si bowed to Yang Baihe at this moment, saying, “Greetings, Lord Yang. This journey will trouble you greatly.”

“You're too kind, Lord Ji,” Yang Baihe nodded slightly. “Zhao Xing and I are already on our third collaboration, and this mission should be the easiest.”

Yang Baihe and Ji Si were the two bodyguards assigned to Zhao Xing by the Red Star Empire.

Although Ji Si cultivated both Destiny and History, her expertise in the Dao of Destiny was stronger.

Therefore, a reliable historian was still needed to accompany them.

In the Spirit Void Origin Realm, Yang Baihe had broken through to the Samsara Realm. Leading the Samsara team from Xinghuo, he seized and breached the passages to the Four-Sun Realm and Ancestral Star Realm, earning great merit.

Over the next three hundred years, he monetized his merits into numerous treasures, ushering in a burst of breakthroughs.

Zhao Xing glanced at Yang Baihe's status panel. His true spirit was now at the veteran level, and his comprehensive evaluation within Xinghuo indicated lord-level combat strength.

However, a Monarch-level protector couldn't always be assigned for healing missions. Considering Yang Baihe's multiple collaborations with Zhao Xing, the higher-ups favored him.

After consulting both parties, Yang Baihe was dispatched to guard Zhao Xing.

“With the captain here, I feel much more at ease,” Zhao Xing chuckled.

In a place like the Realm Tower, Yang Baihe was far more effective than a lord-level warrior.

Yang Baihe said, “Don't praise me so much. I'm treating this mission as a vacation.”

“The different levels of the Realm Tower primarily vary in their 'replacement' limits and their positioning within historical timelines.”

“With your name on the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet, I doubt you'll even need my help much.”

The so-called positioning within historical timelines is equivalent to 'character cards' and 'plot cards.'

In the first to third levels of the Realm Tower, those in the Origin Realm who enter are almost unable to participate in major historical events, nor can they even meet historical figures.

When Zhao Xing and the Xinghuo members entered the realm within the Moon Luo Mausoleum, everyone else, apart from Xinghuo members, were merely 'supporting characters.'

Only Yang Baihe immediately became a 'Grand Tutor.'

The Six-Pillar Jade Tablet would grant Zhao Xing high-level authority upon entering the realm, for instance, making him the heir to an ancient kingdom right away.

This would allow him great freedom to quickly collect certain treasures and easily travel to specific locations.

The slots for the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet are limited, with only over ten thousand people registerable at a time.

Unlike the clandestine realm in Moon Luo Mausoleum, Zhao Xing possessing Six-Pillar Jade Tablet authority meant he had the highest survival rate in the first six levels of the Realm Tower. Both Yang Baihe and Ji Si were only on the Five-Pillar Jade Tablet.

A portion of the medical expenses paid by Zuo Qiyu, Emperor Wudu, and Emperor Hongshan was used to purchase the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet slots. The remaining funds were for the replacement quota, which dictates the number of treasures that can be brought back from within the Realm Tower.

Yang Baihe treated the mission of guarding Zhao Xing as a vacation, clearly finding it quite relaxed.

“Rumble!”

As they spoke, the fourth level of the Realm Tower also opened. The cloud vortex spun faster, and spacetime seemed to be affected, as many illusory scenes flashed past behind the gateways.

Yang Baihe glanced at it and asked without turning his head:

“Zhao Xing, the middle three levels have opened.”

“I didn't ask for the specific mission details before I came.”

“So, what's our first destination?”

As Zhao Xing found it inconvenient to speak, Ji Si answered on his behalf: “Realm Tower, sixth level, 22nd era before the Desolate Region. Our goal is to find the Medicine King Realm.”

A misty drizzle fell, and a cool breeze stirred. The view before them transitioned from blurry to real in an instant.

Zhao Xing found himself inside a magnificent, opulent hall. Outside lay boundless clouds, with celestial maidens gathering clouds in baskets and heavenly officials galloping on steeds.

Mountains rose from the clouds, waterfalls cascaded down, and spirit rivers encircled small islands, filling the air with fragrant flowers. Cranes bowed their heads, preening their feathers on the islands.

While time seemed still and beautiful outside the hall, inside it was extraordinarily lively.

Zhao Xing withdrew his gaze. Inside the hall, brilliant light shimmered, and ambrosia gleamed in jade goblets, reflecting off the intricately carved jade walls around them.

Exquisite delicacies filled the long tables, emitting enticing aromas. Lingering incense smoke was invigorating, making Zhao Xing take a deep breath.

A crisp “Zheng!” sound of music rang out, making Zhao Xing feel his thoughts flow much more smoothly.

He looked into the hall and saw a group of beautiful dancers floating into the center of the banquet hall.

The leading celestial maiden wore a seven-colored rainbow-feathered dharma robe, each step shimmering with colorful light.

Her sleeves fluttered lightly, like a long rainbow resting on waves. As her colorful ribbons danced, even the clouds outside the hall stirred.

Zhao Xing's gaze returned to his own table, where aromatic dishes were laid out. They moved continuously from both ends of the table, with fresh courses and fine wines appearing and disappearing. The dishes would stop when a guest picked up their chopsticks and resume rotating otherwise.

Zhao Xing recognized a few dishes: Chilling Crystal Phoenix Breast, Five Immortals Spirit Soup, Ganoderma Ambrosia Braised Immortal Ginseng… Many more were unfamiliar, but all were high-grade, top-tier ingredients!

Looking at himself, although still seated in the flower-adorned chair, he had changed into a luxurious dharma robe.

Beside him, three palace maids nestled close: one feeding him wine, another food, and a third lay in his arms, her chest exposed, clad in black silk as thin as cicada wings, ready for Zhao Xing to amuse himself with at any moment.

Zhao Xing was speechless.

Such a lavish scene made Zhao Xing curious about his own identity.

“Zhao Xing, stop looking. You are currently a prince of the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, and this is your temporary palace.”

A voice transmission sounded in his ear. Zhao Xing followed the sound and looked down to the first seat on the left side of the hall, where a middle-aged man in a dark green dharma robe held a wine cup.

It was Yang Baihe; Zhao Xing recognized his aura, though his appearance had changed significantly.

“Captain, what's your identity now?”

“I am your brother-in-law, the 'King of Taoshan' of the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom.”

“The third person standing to your right is Ji Si. Her identity should be a minor official from the Imperial Household Department, one of the imperial princes' lecturers.”

“Currently, this appears to be a banquet you are hosting in your temporary palace.”

Yang Baihe was indeed a top talent of Xinghuo, clarifying the situation here in minutes.

Ji Si was a half-beat slower in her reaction, but then corroborated Yang Baihe's words.

“Grand Minister of Agriculture, that is indeed correct.”

“To facilitate our conversation, please dismiss everyone else first, Grand Minister.”

Zhao Xing complied, dismissing everyone except Ji Si and Yang Baihe.

The hall quickly grew quiet.

Ji Si and Yang Baihe cast spells separately.

The former opened the vertical eye on her forehead to look above Zhao Xing's head, while the latter swiftly pulled out a Grand Historian's Crown, unleashing a torrent of characters that plunged into spacetime.

In less than an instant, Ji Si and Yang Baihe exchanged their conclusions.

“94 solar years before the 22nd era of the Desolate Region. The time is correct.”

“The thirteenth imperial prince born to the eighth monarch of the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, Zhao Changling. His background also matches the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet's level.”

“Have any historical void events occurred?”

“I don't sense any,” Ji Si shook her head. “Please advise, Lord Yang.”

“I haven't sensed anything either. It seems this traversal is normal,” Yang Baihe nodded. “However, I've sensed two other historians appearing in this timeline. I don't know if they are allies or enemies.”

“Never mind, let's first figure out the purpose of the Heavenly Wind Temporary Palace,” Yang Baihe said.

“I've already found out that Zhao Changling was historically a sickly person, and he is currently on his way to the Medicine King Realm,” Ji Si stated.

Yang Baihe looked at Ji Si in surprise. “Isn't Lord Ji a high-ranking disciple of the Heavenly Master's Residence?”

He was surprised by Ji Si's understanding of the Grand Dao of History, noting that she could keep pace with his Samsara Realm level.

As for Zhao Xing, he was somewhat bewildered.

Regarding the Realm Tower's spacetime traversal, he was completely an amateur; without a historian as a teammate, he would be utterly confused.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Lord Ji can explain. I'll sense the situation of the other two teams,” Yang Baihe said. He closed his eyes, his body swaying, and the surrounding spacetime seemed to twist. Suddenly, eight Chronicle Avatars appeared.

The eight avatars, holding realm-cultivating pens, wrote something, and a large volume of characters poured forth, vanishing into the air.

Ji Si walked over to Zhao Xing to enlighten him.

“Grand Minister of Agriculture, we are now in the Medicine King Realm. Our landing point—yours, mine, and Yang Baihe's—is in the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, located in the eastern part of the Profound Spirit Starfield.”

“The Six-Pillar Jade Tablet has granted you the identity of Prince Zhao Changling of the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom within the Medicine King Realm.”

“Historically, Zhao Changling was a prince afflicted with a congenital illness, and he is currently on his way to the Medicine King Realm to seek treatment.”

“The Medicine King Realm was the top medical force of this era, annihilated in the 12th era before the Desolate Region.”

“Is there anything else you don't understand?”

Zhao Xing shook his head. “No, that's all.”

He had entered the Realm Tower in his previous life as well and was not unfamiliar with this instance, though he wasn't as quick to react as Ji Si and Yang Baihe.

Now that Ji Si had explained, he understood.

Because the second stage of his treatment was already highly targeted, his current identity, status, and the specific time and location were all perfect.

Zhao Xing touched the jade pendant in his hand. This was the Boundary Jade granted by the academy city. With it, he could end this journey through the realms at any time. However, once he exited, he would not be able to re-enter the Medicine King Realm for a short period.

“According to Lord Yang's detection, no 'historical void events' have occurred, but he did discover two other teams in the same timeline as us,” Ji Si said.

Many people had entered the Realm Tower, and those starting in the same timeline were competitors.

This was because the Realm Tower's replacement rules were quite clear: certain treasures within the same timeline could not be replaced a second time.

For example, Zhao Xing could now see some information from the Boundary Jade.

Name: Zhao XingReplacement Quota: 1 million Realm SpiritsItems Redeemable in Current Timeline (list attached)

The variety of 'redeemable' items stipulated by the Realm Tower's artifact spirit was extensive.

One of the treasures Zhao Xing needed to find in the Medicine King Realm was called 'Nine-Turn Soul Melting Pill'.

It appeared as follows in the Boundary Jade.

Required for Redemption: 30,000 Realm SpiritsRedeemable Quantity: 8

“To balance the past and future, the quantity of many precious treasures allowed for redemption in each starting timeline is limited.”

“These 1 million Realm Spirits are equivalent to currency, paid by Zuo Qiyu, Emperor Wudu, and Emperor Hongshan.”

“It's a poisonous pill; surely no one will compete with me for it?”

According to the academy city's physicians, it was a poisonous pill, its toxicity second only to True Spirit Heavenly Poison.

After consumption, it could counter poison with poison, clearing a portion of the True Spirit Heavenly Poison from Zhao Xing's soul.

However, the materials for its creation no longer existed in the Desolate Region's 2nd era, though the medicinal formula did.

So, if Zhao Xing couldn't redeem it, he could still opt for the backup plan of finding its manufacturing materials in the Medicine King Realm.

“Ji Si, you've been looking at me for a long time. Are you divining? Will my journey be smooth?”

Lord Zhao had been persecuted too often, feeling that danger could lurk anywhere.

“Smoothly,” Ji Si replied. “Grand Minister of Agriculture, you should be able to redeem the Nine-Turn Soul Melting Pill just by arriving at the Medicine King Realm.”

“It's that simple?” Zhao Xing still had some doubts.

“You spent a great deal of money to be on the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet, so how could there still be complications?” Ji Si said. “It just depends on whether you want any extra gains here.”

Wudu and the others had prepared thoroughly for Zhao Xing. The 1 million Realm Spirit quota was more than sufficient even if everything on the list was redeemed.

Acquiring more was purely for backup, in case Zhao Xing's optimal path failed the first time, allowing him to try a secondary path for a second redemption.

“Extra gains?”

The speaker meant nothing, but the listener took note. Zhao Xing realized that they were currently at the end of the 22nd era before the Desolate Region, meaning that historically, the Li River Starfield Transformation in the Tianyou Ancient Kingdom had already occurred.

“Is it possible to find Spirit-Devouring Grass in the Li River?” Zhao Xing recalled *The Tianyou Pinghuai Book* he had read.

“Spirit-Devouring Grass, confirmed as a plant life comparable to a human demigod, was discovered in the 21st era before the Desolate Region, already deceased.”

“It's a demigod-level item; I definitely can't replace it, and my quota isn't enough.”

“What if I only took a portion of its living root system? The cost should be much lower, right?”

Zhao Xing was very tempted; who wouldn't want a legendary plant soldier?

Bringing back just a portion of its living root system made it highly possible to cultivate it as a seedling!

“Never mind, let's complete the main mission first,” Zhao Xing quickly dismissed the thought.

In the void layer, on an ancient-looking realm boat.

“Brother Sang, there are two other groups in this timeline.” A man wearing a Grand Historian's Crown, with a fire phoenix embroidered on his dharma robe, and holding a realm-cultivating pen, opened his eyes.

“One of the groups actively probed us.”

Lord Sang Yu, dressed in a black dharma robe with a green armored beetle embroidered on his back, sat on a throne. Upon hearing Historian Lord Feng Yang's words, he immediately frowned. “What is their strength, Brother Feng Yang, do you know?”

Lord Feng Yang shook his head. “I only know that the opposing historian's strength is not weak, probably similar to mine. Both he and I saw each other's appearances using the Bronze History method, but it was merely a preliminary probe.”

“However, both their objective and ours is the Medicine King Realm.”

Lord Sang Yu then looked at another person inside the realm boat's cabin. She had fair skin, empty eyes, high cheekbones, and a somewhat plump body that stretched her loose Heavenly Secret dharma robe into a tight-fitting garment.

“Empress Qiu Jun, can you calculate the strength of the other two groups?”

Empress Qiu Jun said hoarsely, “I am already calculating, but Lord Sang Yu, I must warn you, the other party possesses a Six-Pillar Jade Tablet, which grants them very high authority.”

“Should I continue calculating?”

“Six-Pillar Jade Tablet?” Lord Sang Yu frowned deeply. Slots for the Realm Tower were expensive, and the Six-Pillar Jade Tablet was even more so.

Usually, only extremely powerful lord-level cultivators, or even Monarchs, had the capital to purchase a Six-Pillar Jade Tablet; otherwise, a trip to the Realm Tower wouldn't even cover the cost. Lord Sang Yu also possessed a Six-Pillar Jade Tablet.

“Calculate!” Lord Sang Yu quickly decided.

“This era is my tribulation era. If I overcome it, I can use it to ascend to the Monarch level. If not, I will be reduced to dust and ashes.”

“No matter their origins, nothing can stop me!”

“I must be the first to enter the Medicine King Realm. Lord Feng Yang, Empress Qiu Jun, you two only need to help me remove obstacles; I will handle the fighting myself and ensure you are not put in a difficult position. After this is done, there will be treasures for you.”

Lord Feng Yang and Empress Qiu Jun exchanged glances and said, “Alright.”

Inside the Heavenly Wind Temporary Palace, Yang Baihe opened his eyes, a flicker of thought crossing them.

Zhao Xing noticed the unusual expression on Yang Baihe's face and immediately asked, “Captain, is something wrong?”

Yang Baihe pondered. “Nothing major. I just had a slight encounter with the historian from another team.”

“I was using my realm-cultivating pen to clear obstacles for our journey, and he was doing the same.”

“However, both of us stopped after a brief probe, maintaining composure.”

Yang Baihe used his realm-cultivating pen to make Zhao Xing's path, as the 'protagonist,' smoother towards the Medicine King Realm.

Realm-cultivating spells have an exclusive nature. If another person also targets the Medicine King Realm, then if Zhao Xing proceeds smoothly, the other person will encounter difficulties.

Zhao Xing said, “The Medicine King Realm is vast, and there are many things that can be exchanged. What we want might not be the same as what others want, so perhaps we can coexist peacefully.”

Yang Baihe nodded. “That's what I thought too, which is why I didn't take further action.”

“Lord Ji, how much longer until we reach the Medicine King Realm?”

Ji Si cupped her hands and replied, “At the speed of the Heavenly Wind Temporary Palace, we should reach the Medicine King Realm in about half a year, assuming a smooth journey.”

Yang Baihe said, “The way to avoid conflict is for us to arrive first. Lord Ji, can you speed things up?”

Zhao Xing wondered, “How can he speed us up?”

Yang Baihe explained, “Zhao Xing, do you remember our experience in the realm within the Moon Luo Mausoleum? Although the Realm Tower directly connects to historical timelines, it still possesses the nature of a realm portal.”

“Therefore, as 'guests' who do not belong to this timeline, we will still experience some repulsion. The Realm Tower has filtered out most of it, but a small number of unexpected factors will still exist.”

“Lord Ji is a Fate Master; he can use the 'Prophetic Edict Method' to clear away these anomalies.”

Ji Si nodded. “Yes, for example, I could issue a prophetic edict for you, Grand Minister of Agriculture: 'This journey will be smooth sailing, saving half the time.'”

“Or I could say, 'Let the other team's speed be slower, making them spend more time.'”

“Right now, these two sentences are just casual remarks. But if I use the 'Prophetic Edict' method from the Law of Cause and Effect, I can make them truly come to pass. We will speed up. Others will encounter various coincidences that slow them down.”

Zhao Xing looked at Yang Baihe with some bewilderment. “Captain, is this really necessary?”

Before Yang Baihe could speak, Ji Si's expression turned serious.

“What's wrong?” Yang Baihe and Zhao Xing looked at her simultaneously.

Ji Si's fingers rapidly twitched, seemingly casting a spell. “Someone is attacking me with the Law of Cause and Effect, turning the latter half of my casual remark just now into a prophetic edict.”

Yang Baihe's expression subtly changed. “Doesn't that mean…”

“Yes,” Ji Si nodded. “A Fate Master is sowing discord, using my casual remark to attack another team.”