Chapter 461: Let You Freely Perform, Not Exceed Expectations

Exploring the Interdimensional Pagoda, Fate Officers and Historian Officers are indispensable. Historian Officers can quickly pinpoint the historical time and space corresponding to a boundary traversal and confirm whether any 'void events' have occurred. They manage the mission from a macroscopic perspective, safeguarding the team.

Fate Officers, on the other hand, specialize in the Grand Dao of Karma and are better suited to handling specific minor incidents. Together with Historian Officers, they can significantly reduce risks.

Given that Zhao Xing holds the Six-Pillared Jade, theoretically, he shouldn't face any danger in the first six layers of the Interdimensional Pagoda. However, this only accounts for dangers inherent to the Interdimensional Pagoda itself. Competitors like Lord Sang Yu, Lord Feng Yang, and Madam Ren Qiu are not included in this calculation.

Yang Baihe's brief clash with Lord Feng Yang ended quickly because both feared that a collision between Historian Officers could trigger a macroscopic 'historical void event', potentially causing plotlines originally unrelated to the Medicine King's Realm to suddenly intrude, leading to uncontrollable variables. However, a Fate Officer's intervention has fewer such concerns. After Lord Sang Yu made his promise, Madam Ren Qiu immediately launched an attack on Zhao Xing's team.

"It's done?" Lord Sang Yu watched Madam Ren Qiu with interest; she had ceased her spellcasting.

"Yes," Madam Ren Qiu nodded faintly. "A Fate Officer's idle chatter is like cosmic noise; laypeople hear it and dismiss it. But in our eyes, the idle chatter emitted by another Fate Officer is like a silkworm spinning its first thread. The threads of karma he scattered were captured by me and elevated into 'Words' through the Grand Dao of Karma. These 'Words' refer to events that are certain to occur; it's the highest level of predictive divination among Fate Officers."

Lord Sang Yu suddenly understood. "At this point, as long as the Fate Officer in the third team isn't foolish, they will definitely realize someone is attacking them. This way, the other two teams will turn hostile towards each other."

Madam Ren Qiu nodded.

Lord Sang Yu said, "Using a borrowed knife to kill, diverting misfortune to others – is it truly this simple? Can they not see through it?"

Madam Ren Qiu remained silent. Lord Feng Yang answered him, "Of course they can see through it, but this isn't a scheme; it's a magical attack from a Fate Officer. Cause creates effect. Even if they want to reconcile or retaliate against us, it will have to be afterwards. As for how long, that depends on the abilities of the Fate Officers in the other two teams."

Lord Sang Yu realized, "The Fate Officer's Karma art is truly wondrous. Madam Ren Qiu, you needn't speak, lest the enemy seize an opportunity to counterattack."

Zhao Xing's world ring flashed, and his Grand Void clone jumped out. This was the world ring given to him by Five Poisons. Due to the Heavenly Poison of True Spirit, Zhao Xing's Grand Void clone was not hidden in his original space but rather in the world ring, allowing it to appear more quickly.

He circulated his Azure Flower mana, activating Soul's Heavenly Sight. Ji Si's figure shifted between illusion and reality, and numerous threads emerged from her light body. The Azure Flower mana allowed Zhao Xing to see partial manifestations of the Grand Dao of Karma, but he wasn't sure which technique Ji Si was employing. Judging solely by the fluctuations of the Grand Dao of Karma, it seemed to involve a confrontation at the Samsara Realm level.

The Grand Void Straw Effigy stepped forward, giving Ji Si a look, implying whether she needed help. Seeing Ji Si shake her head, it then stood beside Yang Baihe.

A Fate Officer's karmic battle is a war without smoke. Typically, others cannot intervene. But Zhao Xing could transfer the Azure Flower mana within his clone to Ji Si. Azure Flower mana originated from a Divine Realm technique and encompassed all Grand Daos. Zhao Xing was certain that Ji Si would be able to borrow his Azure Flower mana. However, since she shook her head, Zhao Xing did nothing, as he trusted Ji Si. Just as he himself could rival Samsara Realm combat power, he believed Ji Si's strength was not as simple as merely being at the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm.

"An unpolished gem becomes a vessel through carving; a pearl shines when dust is removed. After three hundred years of cultivation at the Celestial Master's Residence, Ji Si is no longer the Ji Si of the past." Zhao Xing watched Ji Si's calm handling of the situation, feeling a sense of relief. "To be able to contend with a Samsara Realm Fate Officer for so long, years of investment have finally paid off."

Among the resources Zhao Xing provided to the Great Zhou, Ji Si consumed the most, without exception. As early as the Profound Yellow Realm era, Zhao Xing had already recognized Ji Si's strong Fate Officer talent. In the Phantasm God Galaxy, Ji Si also received his strong support. Upon arriving in the Scarlet Star Empire, he even helped her enter the Celestial Master's Residence, a sacred land for Fate Officers, for training. 30 billion merit points! If that were exchanged for treasures, Zhao Xing could acquire three low-grade Samsara Dao artifacts!

Soon after, the fluctuations around Ji Si weakened, and she lowered her hands.

"How was it?" Seeing her spellcasting conclude, Yang Baihe immediately transmitted a question.

"Chief Minister, Master Yang, it's done," Ji Si transmitted.

"How did you manage that?" Yang Baihe was somewhat surprised.

"Since the 'Word' couldn't be retracted, I simply followed that karmic thread and fought a battle with the Fate Officer from the other team, solidifying it," Ji Si explained her solution. "The opponent recognized the difficulty and retreated, accepting the fate I arranged for them, no longer contending with me. Only the instigator remains, a female Fate Officer from the other team who calls herself Madam Ren Qiu. She might still launch a counterattack against us, but currently, she's unaware of the situation."

Yang Baihe looked at Ji Si, scrutinizing her up and down, as if he had seen a ghost. "Zhao Xing, your Great Zhou Dynasty is truly a land of good fortune! Not only did it produce a farming genius like you, but now also a Fate Officer genius. If I'm not mistaken, Master Ji should still only be at the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm, right?"

"Hahaha, Master Ji is indeed only at the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm." Seeing Yang Baihe's expression, Zhao Xing couldn't help but burst into laughter. Yang Baihe himself could be considered a genius, yet he still called Ji Si a genius, which showed just how much Ji Si had progressed! This future Celestial Master was cultivated by him personally, so he was naturally delighted!

"Someday, I must go to your Great Zhou territory and have a child," Yang Baihe said. "Let my child grow up in the Great Zhou."

"Master Yang, are you serious?" Ji Si was taken aback.

"Of course I'm serious," Yang Baihe said. "I have fifteen children, none of whom have achieved much; their aptitudes are all just average."

Ji Si was stunned. "Master Yang doesn't seem to have a Dao companion, does he?"

"No Dao companion," Yang Baihe said casually. "Those in Starfire who handle intelligence rarely seek Dao companions before reaching the Samsara Realm, lest their weaknesses be exploited. Legally speaking, my previous fifteen children aren't truly mine, and I rarely see them."

Zhao Xing then explained, "The captain's previous fifteen children were all born with noble widows, and the children do not bear the captain's surname."

Ji Si hadn't expected Yang Baihe to have such a past, but on second thought, it made sense. The Scarlet Star Empire was constantly at war with the demon race, so noble widows were common. Those noble widows only desired the convenience of Yang Baihe's Starfire identity but didn't want to become his Dao companion. There was little emotional connection between Yang Baihe and his first fifteen children.

"Now that I've broken through to the Samsara Realm and my true spirit has strengthened, I also plan to find a Dao companion and raise a child of my own," Yang Baihe said. "I think your Great Zhou is a good place."

Zhao Xing said, "If the captain wants to come to Great Zhou to have a child, we couldn't be more delighted."

Yang Baihe laughed, "Then it's settled. Once I find a Dao companion, I'll definitely come."

After a brief chat, the three resumed discussing official matters.

Yang Baihe said, "The Medicine King's Realm was once a top-tier medical force in the Profound Spirit Starfield. As I said before, while the Interdimensional Pagoda connects to historical time and space, fundamentally, we've entered a Biographic Realm. This means a major historical event is currently unfolding. In the 94th solar year of the 22nd era of the Desolate Domain, 'Ju', the Realm Lord of the Medicine King's Realm, sought a breakthrough and convened a small 'Exotic Treasures Convention'. He widely issued invitations, hoping to exchange precious elixirs from the Medicine King's Realm for exotic treasures from others.

"First-tier guests were Emperor-level figures from various super forces. According to historical records, the Primordial Realm, Primordial Hills, and Origin Heavenly Palace each sent an Emperor-level expert. Only the Samsara Divine Palace ignored the invitation. Second-tier guests invited were the royal families of major ancient kingdoms and lord-level wealthy families. Although the Great Qian Kingdom Lord did not attend in person, he sent you, the Thirteenth Prince, with a congratulatory letter and treasures to seek elixirs. Third-tier guests were common visitors, mostly rogue cultivators with weaker cultivation. Many came uninvited, offering generous gifts, perhaps only able to observe from a distance, without necessarily having the chance to enter the Medicine King's Realm. There were quite a few of these guests, typically entertained with banquets on the ring-continent outside the realm."

Zhao Xing nodded. He had also observed that the Profound Spirit Starfield had not yet entered the Desolate Domain Era at this time. The super-force "Desolate Domain Ancient Kingdom Alliance" had not yet formed. The Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, as one of the top ten ancient kingdoms, was considered quite powerful.

"Were there any serious incidents at the Exotic Treasures Convention?" Zhao Xing asked.

"No, why do you ask?" Yang Baihe was somewhat puzzled. Old Master Zhao was traumatized by the convention in the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom, and now he had a negative impression of all types of conventions. In reality, there were many conventions in the Profound Spirit Starfield every era, with various names. The only one that truly resulted in a major incident was the one in the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom. Under normal circumstances, conventions were relatively safe. After all, if there was no order, the organizing force would be ruining its own reputation.

"I suppose the Medicine King's Boundary Traversal was recorded because this convention held significant importance," Zhao Xing found an excuse.

"It certainly was significant," Yang Baihe said. "The Medicine King's Realm began to decline after this generation's Realm Lord, 'Ju'. This Exotic Treasures Convention was also the most grand one; subsequent ones were progressively less successful."

"What caused that?" Zhao Xing asked.

"'Ju' died in the early part of the 21st era before the Desolate Domain," Yang Baihe recalled.

"So after this convention, Realm Lord 'Ju' failed in his attempt to break through?"

"Precisely," Yang Baihe nodded. "Most historical records from various nations state this. 'Ju' was originally at the Half-God Realm. Historical records say he failed in his attempt to reach the Divine Realm. It is said that at the Half-God Realm, one begins to integrate their true spirit with their own Dao, condensing divine patterns. Once one reaches this stage, there's no turning back: either success or failure. One cannot even reincarnate or be resurrected. After 'Ju' failed, the Medicine King's Realm also began to decline, eventually disintegrating in the 12th era before the Desolate Domain."

"What a pity," Ji Si sighed faintly.

"'Failing to break through to the Divine Realm means no reincarnation or resurrection?'" Zhao Xing pondered. "'But what about my situation? It seems Yang Baihe's knowledge still has some deficiencies.'"

Yang Baihe returned to the main topic. "I just checked, your Skywind Palace contains quite a bit of 'virtual wealth', likely prepared for you by the Great Qian Kingdom Lord. This allows you to smoothly enter the core of the Medicine King's Realm for exchanges."

Zhao Xing nodded. The Skywind Palace indeed contained many treasures, but these treasures did not belong to Zhao Xing himself, but rather to the historical Thirteenth Prince, Zhao Changling. Of course, he could spend Boundary Spirit quota to exchange these virtual treasures through the Interdimensional Pagoda and bring them back to the 2nd era of the Desolate Domain. However, the listed items did not include what Zhao Xing desired.

"What should I do?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Play your role as the Thirteenth Prince well. You must avoid any actions that deviate too much, lest you create a void historical event," Yang Baihe warned gravely. "Remember, if a void historical event occurs, we must not hesitate; we must retreat immediately, because such an anomaly is terrifying. The Interdimensional Pagoda operates under laws. If we get too deeply entangled, we might not be able to return, or even be 'actively corrected' by the Pagoda's boundary modification methods."

Zhao Xing recalled when he first entered the Boundary-Traversing City of the Moonfall Mausoleum; there was a scholar named Tao Hong who, having left the protection of the Grand Historian's Crown, became a book puppet. He was 'corrected'.

"I'll listen to your instructions," Zhao Xing immediately stated, indicating he would leave professional matters to professionals. If both Yang Baihe and Ji Si decided it was time to leave, he would not hesitate to activate the boundary jade in his hand and exit the traversal.

The Skywind Palace set off from the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom and smoothly arrived at the Medicine King Star System. Since it was so smooth, Ji Si must have gained an advantage in her confrontation with the other Fate Officer. Because his 'Word' had been magically solidified by Madam Ren Qiu, and then Ji Si performed a second solidification. It becomes increasingly difficult for karmic arts to affect the same 'Word'. It's like a doctrine passed down for centuries; adding or removing even a single word becomes exceedingly difficult.

Madam Ren Qiu had carelessly assumed her karmic arts surpassed Ji Si's. She had used Ji Si's 'idle chatter' as a basis, intending to stir up trouble and steer the situation in her favor. Unexpectedly, Ji Si first subdued the other Fate Officer, then solidified the 'Word'. By the time Madam Ren Qiu wanted to reverse it, it was too late. Arriving at the Medicine King's Realm would definitely be smooth sailing, saving half the time. The two teams that *do* belong to this era will move slower, taking more time. —Ji Si.

In Madam Ren Qiu's eyes, the Grand Dao of Karma appeared, and a phantom river surged before her, displaying this passage of text.

"Ji Si? What a Ji Si." Madam Ren Qiu understood that nothing more could be done. She and Ji Si had jointly participated in the "creation of the cause," and Ji Si had completed the "establishment of the effect." In this round of travel, the opponent won. To try and reverse the Grand Dao of Karma now would incur an astonishingly high cost, equivalent to a combined attack from Ji Si and Madam Ren Qiu.

"I borrowed the cause to determine the effect; she stole the effect to fix the outcome. This person must be from the Celestial Master's Residence in the Scarlet Star Empire," Madam Ren Qiu explained. "I was careless in this round. I didn't anticipate that 'Tang Rumeng' would be so timid, not daring to engage Ji Si in a karmic battle."

Lord Sang Yu frowned. "Is the impact significant?"

Madam Ren Qiu snorted, "It's just foreplay. There's no problem letting them lead for now. They only entered the Medicine King's Realm half a month ahead of us."

Zhao Xing's journey, originally planned for three months, was filled with overwhelming good fortune due to the clash between Ji Si and Madam Ren Qiu. All checkpoints on their path gave them a green light, saving them half a month of travel time. Madam Ren Qiu, Lord Sang Yu, and Lord Feng Yang, on the other hand, arrived at the Medicine King's Realm half a month later. As for Tang Rumeng's team, they would arrive late due to various "accidents," at least half a year behind before entering the Medicine King's Realm. The battles between Fate Officers, though bloodless and fought seemingly in the void, could create real effects in the future.

"Madam Ren Qiu, I hope there are no more surprises," Lord Sang Yu said, somewhat dissatisfied. "If you fail again, my promised remuneration will be voided, and you'll have to compensate me for my losses."

"Don't worry," Madam Ren Qiu said, her ample flesh jiggling. "While the Celestial Master's Residence of the Scarlet Star Empire is indeed powerful, I am no pushover. Lord Sang Yu, just enter the Medicine King's Realm and play your role according to the normal procedures. Next, you'll find that things will proceed exceptionally smoothly."

Lord Sang Yu took a deep breath, then controlled his realm-boat to pilot into the Medicine King's Realm.

At this time, Zhao Xing, Ji Si, and Yang Baihe had already been in the Medicine King's Realm for half a month.

"Boom!" The Skywind Palace landed, its main doors opening. Zhao Xing's princely retinue emerged from within the Skywind Palace. Drums and music sounded, court ladies scattered flowers, and guards carried star-lanterns—a grand spectacle.

Zhao Xing glanced around. His current location was the "Cloudfall Mausoleum" blessed land within the Medicine King's Realm. Below was a white jade plaza, where people from the Medicine King's Realm were already waiting.

"The Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, Thirteenth Prince, arrives!"

As the palace guards announced his arrival, Zhao Xing's flower-adorned chair floated down along a floral path. The welcoming team of healers consisted of over thirty people, all uniformly dressed in Moonstar robes and brush-feather jade belts. This was different from the ancient medical lineage of Wei Tianchen, whose disciples wore robes primarily black and gold with glazed jade belts. This was because the Medicine King's Realm primarily inherited the medical path of the Feather Emperor era, while the ancient physician Wei Tianchen inherited the medical path of the Glazed Emperor era. In the Feather Emperor era, people were mostly cured with elixirs, emphasizing not harming the patient's body; one pill could cure ten thousand illnesses. Physicians of the Glazed Emperor era, however, advocated entering the patient's body to examine the lesions and believed in pursuing the optimal treatment plan. Under this premise, they could disregard the patient's feelings and had fewer qualms about using scalpels and medication.

"Wang Shuning of Cloudfall Mausoleum pays respects to the Thirteenth Prince." The leading physician slightly bowed to Zhao Xing. "For Your Highness to attend our Medicine King's Realm's Exotic Treasures Convention truly brings honor to Cloudfall Mausoleum."

"Apothecary Wang is too kind," Zhao Xing said, bending slightly from his flower-adorned chair. "Please forgive me, as I am ill and unable to perform a full bow."

"Your Highness, there's no need to be so formal. You've come a long way and are weary from travel. Please come into Fukuling Palace to rest."

Wang Shuning extended his hand to lead the way, and a large retinue of guards and palace maids followed Zhao Xing along the cloud path.

"Zhao Xing, relax a little," Yang Baihe suddenly reminded him. "Don't be so tense. History isn't recorded in such detail. As for what the Thirteenth Prince's actions and words should be, you can improvise as long as you don't go too far," Yang Baihe secretly transmitted. "I'm watching. For example, you can now talk to this Wang Shuning about your illness and inquire about the list of items."

"Understood," Zhao Xing nodded.

Looking at Wang Shuning, he quickly recalled the historical records he had read before and indeed remembered the name Wang Shuning. So he tried to converse with Wang Shuning.

The Thirteenth Prince, Zhao Changling, suffered from a condition called "Brittle Bone Wither Sickness." This disease meant he was destined never to become a martial artist, because the Golden Body cultivation first involved cultivating the golden bones, and with Zhao Changling's condition, his bones would continuously atrophy, making successful cultivation impossible. Zhao Xing began his conversation with Wang Shuning by discussing the Brittle Bone Wither Sickness.

"Apothecary Wang, I have come from millions of miles away precisely to seek a good medicine from the Medicine King's Realm to cure my congenital strange illness. With Senior Ju having emerged from seclusion, and the Medicine King's Realm producing many talents over the years, is there perhaps a new elixir formula for treating Brittle Bone Wither Sickness?"

Zhao Changling was not visiting the Medicine King's Realm for the first time. Shortly after his birth, he was brought here to seek medical advice, but at that time, Ju had not emerged from seclusion.

"Your Highness, your illness is one of the congenital incurable diseases; it's easy to live, but difficult to cure completely. My ancestor would likely find it hard to cure you completely, though I haven't seen him in three hundred years. Perhaps he has made some new discovery, but I cannot be certain. Once my ancestor hosts a banquet at the Medicine King's Residence, you will surely get an answer."

This was the rule of the Medicine King's Realm: conventions were held in batches and according to different tiers. Third-tier guests couldn't even meet the Medicine King Ju, and even second-tier guests like Zhao Xing could only be received by Wang Shuning. Whether one could attend the Medicine King's Residence banquet depended on how many treasures Zhao Xing brought and if he could be selected. Only if selected would one be qualified to attend the Medicine King's Banquet. From Wang Shuning's words, it meant they still had to wait.

However, how could the head start that Ji Si had so painstakingly gained be wasted?

Zhao Xing's mind raced, and he sighed, "Sir, I am now over eight thousand years old. With the help of my royal father, I've barely reached the Life-Death Dao Domain Realm, but it's merely clinging to life. I have never truly fought a battle to my heart's content, nor have I ever experienced the joy of cultivation; there has only been torment. I'm afraid you'll laugh at me, sir, but after nurturing this illness for eight thousand years, my body might still be fine, but I'm close to developing an inner demon."

Wang Shuning, possessing a benevolent heart, felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing Zhao Xing's words. However, while he sympathized, he made no other overt statements, merely offering the usual comforting words: "Your Highness, do not be overly saddened. Perhaps the opportunity for a complete cure will soon arrive."

Zhao Xing looked up, his eyes slightly moist. "Sir, I heard from my royal father that when I was still in my infancy, it was you who diagnosed me, and you even held me."

Wang Shuning was startled. Was that true? He had seen too many patients in his life and, having lived so long, would regularly clear out unimportant memories. He truly couldn't recall. But as Zhao Xing spoke, he seemed to gain some impression.

Before he could think further, Zhao Xing continued, "Sir, my royal father once said that you are the most benevolent pharmacist in the Medicine King's Realm. It was your 'Three Spirits Consultation Method' from back then that prolonged my life for many years. You could say you are my foster father!"

Wang Shuning's memory was once again solidified by Zhao Xing. The Three Spirits Consultation Method was indeed a medical doctrine he had proposed, though it was relatively obscure. If the Thirteenth Prince was merely being polite, how could he know these details? It was important to note that Wang Shuning's assignment to receive the Thirteenth Prince had not been confirmed beforehand. Could it be that he really had cared for this child? Did he truly have a karmic connection with him, but forgotten because he expected the child to die?

Zhao Xing struck while the iron was hot, saying somewhat despairingly, "Foster father! Over these years, I've squandered so much wealth that I've incurred the displeasure of all the court officials. Even my royal mother and brothers now see me as a burden... *sob, sob, sob*."

Ji Si, listening from behind, was dumbfounded, and Yang Baihe was also somewhat bewildered. "Brother, we said you could improvise, not overdo it!"

Just as he was about to remind Zhao Xing not to overplay his role, Wang Shuning suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Your Highness, before my ancestor emerged from seclusion, I heard him mention a few rare categories of precious treasures. The quantity needed is limited. If Your Highness possesses these kinds, perhaps it could—"

After that, Yang Baihe couldn't hear anything. Clearly, Zhao Xing had aroused Wang Shuning's compassion, and the other party was genuinely leaking some inside information to him.

"Is your Chief Minister always this shameless?" Yang Baihe transmitted to Ji Si, his voice tinged with disbelief. "First, it was Apothecary Wang, then Master Wang, and now 'foster father' has been added! The main point is, it seems this kid actually managed to talk his way into some leads."

"You don't understand, Master Yang. The Chief Minister knows when to pick up and when to put down," Ji Si said with some admiration.

Yang Baihe: "..."