Chapter 465: Bowei Gives Zhao Xing a Cheat

Assuming Zhao Xing and his companions return normally to the Great Qian Ancient Kingdom, retracing their steps from the temporal anchor point where they entered history would only cost 500 Realm Spirit Points. For an emergency return via a non-anchored path, an additional 50,000 Realm Spirit Points of divine power from the Realm-Traversing Tower are required. After a historical nullification event is triggered, the cost for an emergency return increases further: the Six-Pillar Jade Zhao Xing purchased would now cost 300,000 Realm Spirit Points, while Ji Si and Yang Baihe would require 500,000 each. (These figures are for reference only.)

When Lord Sanyu's attempt to infiltrate the Medicine King Feast failed, triggering a historical nullification event, Zhao Xing and Yang Baihe immediately decided to escape. At this moment, although the realm transport channels of the Medicine King Realm Star were sealed by an array, individuals still had a chance to escape. Yang Baihe believed that martial law could not be enforced instantaneously. Since all Emperor-level cultivators were attending the Medicine King Feast, the highest-ranking members of the Law Enforcement Guard in Xialing Blessed Land were only at the Lord level. Lord Sanyu was the one who triggered the nullification event; if he could escape, there was no reason why the three of them couldn't.

Consequently, Yang Baihe immediately told Zhao Xing to abandon his disguise, leave behind Zhao Changling's Heavenly Wind Palace and its accompanying maids, and not use the regular realm transport channels, but instead flee independently. When it came to making a quick escape, no one understood it better than Zhao Xing. He instantly sprang from the flower-adorned chair, stored his true body in his World Ring, and manifested his Grand Void clone. The switch between his true body and clone was completed in an instant. With a 'whoosh,' Yang Baihe and Ji Si were scooped up by the Grand Void clone. Yang Baihe's face was full of questions. This historical nullification event was too terrifying; Zhao Xing even got up from his wheelchair! "Captain, don't panic, this is my clone." The Grand Void clone was healthy and possessed Azurebloom spiritual power, a fact Zhao Xing had not revealed to Yang Baihe, only unveiling this trump card in their dire moment of need. "It's good that you're alright; I thought you were—" Yang Baihe didn't finish his sentence. When historical nullification occurs, it can lead to various changes. The Great Dao of Karma vibrates, and his casual remark might just become a definitive statement or prophecy. In short, unless absolutely necessary, now was the time to keep quiet and focus on escaping.

"Buzz~" The Grand Void clone instantly plunged into the ninth level of the Void Manifest Layer. The Medicine King Realm Star disappeared, along with the exploding scene of Xialing Blessed Land, its buildings, and crowds. All that remained was pure void. "Hmm. Ninth level, is it still empty?" Normally, the Manifest Layer is filled with void rivers, which are a natural phenomenon of the cosmos. These rivers carry 'ferocity' as they circulate within the void layer. Spiritual energy domains typically have stable void rivers, not turbulent currents. However, a vital location like the Medicine King Realm Star was completely different. Zhao Xing descended in one breath to the thirteenth level of the Manifest Layer, yet it was still completely empty. "No, not entirely empty." Zhao Xing looked up towards the shallow void. A cyan gourd resided at the center of the Medicine King Realm Star, emitting chaotic mist. "All the void rivers have been absorbed by this cyan gourd. The Medicine King Realm uses this method to control the circulation of 'natural essence' in its core region," Zhao Xing instantly realized. It was similar to the leased cultivation spaces often seen in the Empire, where some spaces have extremely high spiritual energy indices due to controlled energy concentration. However, in a place like the Medicine King Realm Star, the control extended over a wider range and was closer to natural methods. At the same time, this also prevented anyone from infiltrating such a crucial place as the Medicine King Realm Star through the void layer.

"If the Manifest Layer offers no escape, then we must enter the Ancient Dao Layer." The Grand Void clone distorted the void once more, instantly traversing thirty levels to reach the third level of the Ancient Dao Layer. "Bang!" Immediately upon entry, the Grand Void clone was flung away by an immense force. "Crack, crack, crack, crack!" The terrifying force caused multiple cracks to appear on Zhao Xing's body. As he was thrown, Zhao Xing saw a second wave approaching. "Such terrifying void turbulence." Zhao Xing immediately had the Grand Void Strawman put on the Golden Cicada Dharma Robe. With the Strawman's unique properties, he finally stabilized his form. "The Ancient Dao Golden Cicada, combined with the Grand Void Strawman, can operate within the first nine levels of the Ancient Dao Layer, but in a critical location like the Medicine King Realm Star, even moving in the third level is extremely difficult." "Azurebloom spiritual power, Grain Mixing Heaven Art!" The void turbulence was chaotic; without the protection of a realm ship, even the Grand Void Strawman would struggle to survive here. However, when Zhao Xing activated his Azurebloom spiritual power, things instantly changed. "Swish!" The void turbulence was pushed aside, and the Grand Void Strawman transformed into a speck of light, penetrating through a wave in one direction. Traversing the Ancient Dao Layer, the vision was completely blurred, filled with ethereal colors and lines, making it impossible to discern direction. However, the waves in the Ancient Dao Layer encompassed countless spaces; taking a small step in the Ancient Dao Layer could mean traversing an entire galaxy in the Manifest Layer of the real world. Thus, Zhao Xing stopped after breaking through just one wave. "Passing through just one wave consumed a wisp of my Azurebloom spiritual power. Traversing the Ancient Dao Layer is truly arduous," Zhao Xing mused. Normally, he wouldn't struggle this much, but the gourd treasure of the Medicine King Realm also suppressed the entire Ancient Dao Layer. Even Emperor-level cultivators would find it extremely difficult to enter, let alone Zhao Xing.

"Buzz~" Zhao Xing immediately began to ascend, appearing in the third level of the Manifest Layer. He completed the switch between his clone and true body, intending to let Yang Baihe and Ji Si lead the way next. However, before he could bring out Ji Si and Yang Baihe, a blue light also appeared in the third level. Zhao Xing looked over, and the other party immediately looked back. It was Lord Sanyu! "Zhao Xing?" Lord Sanyu was also stunned for a moment. "I didn't expect you to escape as well, ha ha ha, what a coincidence!" Lord Sanyu burst into laughter and immediately launched a soul attack, charging towards Zhao Xing. "This lunatic." Zhao Xing's expression changed, and layers of illusions appeared in his eyes. Before he could even activate his clone, the opponent's soul power burrowed into his true body's Sea of Consciousness. "Hmm?" Lord Sanyu's soul power transmitted through the void, but instead of touching Zhao Xing's soul, it encountered an expanse of black. "What the hell is that?" Lord Sanyu shivered, instantly regaining his composure. He felt a threat to his life! The invading soul power, carrying a wisp of black mist, retreated. Lord Sanyu screamed, clutching his head in pain as he writhed in the void. "Huh? What's going on?" Zhao Xing was also bewildered. But he quickly understood why. "Is it the True Spirit Heavenly Poison?" Lord Sanyu was a soul master; all his attack methods were based on the soul. However, his true body's soul was currently enveloped by the True Spirit Heavenly Poison. For Lord Sanyu to kill him, he would first have to penetrate the barrier of the True Spirit Heavenly Poison. Yes, the True Spirit Heavenly Poison had rendered his true body useless. But for souls, it also served as an alternative barrier! It protected Zhao Xing from being corrupted by a soul master like Lord Sanyu. "Hilarious." Zhao Xing was about to retaliate, but then decided against it. Lord Sanyu had triggered the historical nullification event; at this moment, he was nothing but trouble, and it was better to stay far away. "You, you weren't actually cured?" Lord Sanyu panted, barely recovering his senses. He had thought Zhao Xing was cured by Bov. That last wave nearly scared him to death. True Spirit Heavenly Poison? Who wouldn't be afraid of that thing?! He nearly fell victim to it! "Hmph, I'll spare your life this time!" Lord Sanyu no longer bothered with Zhao Xing and left on his own.

At this point, the void rivers began to stabilize. The blurred, ethereal colors and lines gradually organized into a stable scene. This meant they were about to reach the Manifest Layer, where true matter exists. "Captain, we should have escaped by now, right?" Zhao Xing released Yang Baihe and Ji Si. Yang Baihe looked at the void turbulence ahead, his expression not relaxed at all, but rather solemn. "No, this is not a stable void river!" "What do you mean?" Zhao Xing looked around. The river flowed slowly, and apart from a sense of density, it didn't feel problematic to him. "If it's not a void river, then what is it?" "Lord Yang, could this be the countercurrent phenomenon described in the 'Bronze Mirror Manifestation Method'?" Ji Si's expression changed. Yang Baihe nodded heavily, "Yes." "What does that mean?" Zhao Xing looked bewildered; this truly touched upon a blind spot in his knowledge. "Do you remember our previous experience in the Luoling Pond?" "I remember." "Before we entered the heroic pool of that realm-traversing tower, we encountered a protective heroic river," Yang Baihe explained. "That was the Bronze Mirror Manifestation Method set up by the tower's master, designed to reverse the flow of time." "The tower's master hid historical figures within the protective heroic river. If anyone looked down, they would see the appearances of these historical figures." "The Dao bodies and golden bodies of those powerful figures would unconsciously induce imitation, causing one to adjust their cultivation path. The ultimate outcome would either be assimilation into a book puppet or the collapse and death of their Dharma body and golden body." Zhao Xing recalled, "That's different from the current situation, isn't it?" "It is different," Yang Baihe said with difficulty. "The reversal of time is a man-made spell with limited power." "But what we have now is a naturally occurring unique phenomenon of historical spacetime, so its power is naturally countless times stronger." Historical records documented major historical events related to temporal spells, while the 'Bronze Mirror Manifestation Method' described unique phenomena born from temporal distortions caused by the long river of history. "It's like the Earthly Epochal Transformations triggered by the Three-Fold Realm, for example," Ji Si added, making it easier for Zhao Xing, as a Superintendent of Agriculture, to understand.

Seeing their expressions, Zhao Xing reassured them, "Issues with realm overlapping always have solutions; there's no need to be so surprised. Captain, do we have a way to resolve this situation now?" Yang Baihe didn't answer. Instead, he looked at the swelling river surface all around them. "Don't move. Slowly shift, and run in the opposite direction from Lord Sanyu."

Zhao Xing glanced over and saw a green-armored general emerge from the void river in the direction Lord Sanyu was fleeing. He held a long spear and rode a gray Qiniu ox. Behind him were approximately twenty-seven black-armored riders. One person behind them carried a large banner embroidered with an ancient character. However, their state was peculiar; they appeared to have endured a great battle. Except for the leading general, who was intact, everyone else's armor and weapons were damaged. Their bodies were also mutilated, with eight missing limbs, and three even headless. Yet, they were still alive and quickly surrounded Lord Sanyu.

"Captain, who is this?" The Mo Yuan pen next to Yang Baihe began scribbling. Because of the historical nullification they encountered, the characters written by the Realm Cultivation Pen were chaotic and illegible at this moment. Zhao Xing couldn't understand them at all; only Yang Baihe could make sense of them. "One of the founding generals of the Heavenly Frost Dynasty, Marquis Lei Wu." "Heavenly Frost Dynasty?" Zhao Xing slowly shifted, careful not to cause any ripples, while silently communicating via soul, "Is that the last country Emperor Yu extinguished when he unified the Xuanling Star Domain?" "Yes," Yang Baihe nodded. "The Heavenly Frost Emperor had eight martial generals under his command, who were stationed to guard the eight great barren domains." "Marquis Lei Wu was the foremost among the Eight Barren Martial Supremes." "The fact that Marquis Lei Wu only has twenty-seven riders remaining proves that the current bronze mirror countercurrent phenomenon reflects Marquis Lei Wu's final battle." "Why are they suddenly attacking Lord Sanyu?" Zhao Xing asked. "Have you forgotten what I said before? After triggering a historical nullification event, the entire world will target us." "This is exactly what's happening now." Zhao Xing finally understood. Normally, they wouldn't encounter historical figures from Emperor Yu's era in the Barren Domain 22 millennia before the current era. However, the current historical nullification event caused figures from Emperor Yu's era to appear here. It was as if a bizarre historical segment had been forcibly inserted into the historical narrative of the Medicine King's Realm-Traversing Tower. And it was specifically aimed at them. "Captain, these shouldn't be real people, right?" "No," Yang Baihe shook his head. "The historical figures projected by the Bronze Mirror Manifestation Method are similar to our annals clones, realm clones, or book puppets." "So they aren't as strong?" "More than enough to kill Lord Sanyu." Ji Si's eyes trembled constantly. "I saw his death." "What about us?" Ji Si remained silent, only losing hair continuously. Zhao Xing immediately felt a headache coming on. Because he glanced in Lord Sanyu's direction. The soul master had already let out a scream. So close to them, how could the three of them fare any better?

"Roar!!" Suddenly, in the direction Zhao Xing was moving, a roar came from a void surge. Then a Xuanji Wooden Dragon emerged from the surge. "Thump!" Three thousand Mechanical Kites, carrying thunder-fire bombs, sealed off the upper regions of the Void Manifest Layer. "Click, click, click" Three hundred and sixty profound iron dragon scales rattled, and a red-haired female general emerged from inside the dragon's head. "Captain, who is this now?" Zhao Xing froze, afraid of disturbing the newcomer. "Marquis Lei Wu's Dao companion, Princess Qianji, a Mechanical Emperor—what are you doing?" Yang Baihe was sighing, but then he saw Ji Si pull out a book of historical records and point it at Princess Qianji's body. "I'm studying; perhaps these can serve as realm clones," Ji Si said without lifting his head. "Lord Ji, at a time like this, you still have the presence of mind to study? I'm impressed." Yang Baihe was truly astonished. "What kind of monsters are these from Great Zhou?" However, he immediately thought of something. "Lord Ji, can we survive?" Ji Si remained silent, merely continuing to study. Yang Baihe immediately fell silent and began frantically researching as well. If one disregarded their current perilous situation, witnessing a historical spacetime distortion was a tremendous opportunity for historians like them.

"Rumble?" "Roar!!" Zhao Xing was dodging with all his might, while Ji Si and Yang Baihe stood on his left and right shoulders, frantically writing something. Zhao Xing stole a glance. Ten Thousand Machine Casket, Obsidian Warrior, Flowing Fire Kite Array, Heavenly River Star-Shattering Crossbow, Four Symbols Mechanical Hero—On Ji Si and Yang Baihe's papers, the scenes of these historical figures appearing seemed to be reflected. "No one told me what to do, so I guess I'll have to improvise," Zhao Xing slowly pushed the flower-adorned chair. The True Spirit Heavenly Poison had now become a barrier. His soul aura was completely contained. This allowed him to pass through Princess Qianji's massive army completely unnoticed. "Bov is awesome!" Zhao Xing couldn't help but admire the demigod scholar in his heart. After the first phase of Bov's treatment, the True Spirit Heavenly Poison had surprisingly been 'trained' into a 'True Soul Armor.' "Since that's the case, should I run faster? Otherwise, if Lord Sanyu follows—" Zhao Xing couldn't help but glance back, then slapped himself. Speak of the devil. After being attacked by the historically projected Marquis Lei Wu, Lord Sanyu immediately pursued Zhao Xing. Because he discovered that Zhao Xing was completely unaffected! "Zhao Xing, don't run, let's talk." Lord Sanyu broke through the encirclement of twenty-seven riders and shouted towards Zhao Xing. "Only a fool wouldn't run!" Zhao Xing frantically shook the flower-adorned chair, disappearing in a flash. Lord Sanyu grew desperate. Why was he being inexplicably hunted, while Zhao Xing remained unaffected? "Why don't you go kill him!" "Over there, there's another enemy over there, are you blind?!" Lord Sanyu roared relentlessly, several holes having been pierced through his body. Watching helplessly as Zhao Xing went against the flow through Princess Qianji's battle formation, completely unharmed, he instantly crumbled. Unfortunately, Lord Sanyu couldn't speak the language of Emperor Yu's era. Even if he could, communication would be impossible. Once the nullification event was triggered, even if he were extraordinarily eloquent and spoke until the heavens broke, he couldn't avoid combat. This was precisely the drawback of lacking a Fate Master and historian teammates while stubbornly remaining in the Realm-Traversing Tower.

Meanwhile, on the seventh floor of the Realm-Traversing Tower. This was a newly opened area. Within the entire Realm-Traversing Tower, only the Great Elder of Scholarly Heroes, Bov, was present. In front of him were rows of display cases, each holding suspended orbs of light. The hazy orbs of light changed colors, occasionally flashing with scenes of spacetime. Bov quietly observed countless historical spacetimes. Three historical nullification events were triggered in the spacetime of the Barren Domain 22 millennia before the current era. Locations: Medicine King Realm, Tianyou Ancient Kingdom, Ten Thousand Demon Mother Star. Events: Heart of the World, Lixing River Surge, Demon Emperor's Bone Extraction. "Hmm?" Bov's gaze fell upon one of the light orbs; it was precisely the location of the event Zhao Xing had gone to. "He was affected by the historical nullification. Lord Sanyu detonated a World Heart, intending to control a historical figure who was also at the Lord level." Bov, having reached the seventh floor, could already be considered half-owner of the Realm-Traversing Tower. With just a glance, he immediately knew what had transpired. "Foolish." Bov snorted coldly, clearly dissatisfied with Lord Sanyu. Analyzing Lord Sanyu's motives and actions, he found the man utterly idiotic. Lord Sanyu was practically stepping on mines with every move, each action pushing him closer to an abyss of no return. "Bov, this is his first time entering the Realm-Traversing Tower, and he immediately encountered a historical nullification event. Don't you think there's something amiss?" Behind Bov, within a scrying mirror, Elder Zhixin's face appeared. At this moment, Elder Zhixin had completely sided with Bov. He also knew that Bov had listed Zhao Xing as one of the core members of his plan. Given this, Bov naturally didn't want Zhao Xing to die. The True Spirit Heavenly Poison was originally distributed chaotically on the outer layer of the soul, but Bov had forcibly changed its distribution, allowing Zhao Xing to enter the Realm-Traversing Tower without fearing the vast majority of accidents caused by historical nullification events. If the various realms were like games, Bov was now the administrator of the Realm-Traversing Tower, providing Zhao Xing with a life-saving cheat. However, he had no intention of letting Zhao Xing know. "Master, this historical nullification event wasn't triggered by him," Bov said calmly. "It's purely because Lord Sanyu, that fool, overestimated himself." "Regardless, it's his first time entering the Realm-Traversing Tower, and he immediately encountered a historical nullification event," Zhixin didn't argue further. "Was this within your expectations?" "Master is right." Bov lowered his head, pondering seriously. "I did not anticipate some things." "Zhao Xing's Grand Void Strawman was actually able to jump into the Void Ancient Dao Layer for refuge." "The Medicine King Realm Star's 'Purple-Green Gourd' is a divine artifact; it possesses the effect of suppressing the void. Even with the Golden Cicada Dharma Robe, Zhao Xing shouldn't have been able to enter the third level of the Ancient Dao Layer." Bov had thought that after Zhao Xing was invaded by the True Spirit Heavenly Poison, he wouldn't be able to exert any power. But now, Zhao Xing had condensed a Grand Void clone and demonstrated astonishing escape abilities. "His soul is enveloped by the True Spirit Heavenly Poison, yet his clone can still exert such powerful combat strength?" This was beyond Bov's comprehension. The Grand Void clone combined with the Ancient Dao Golden Cicada Dharma Robe should not possess such immense capabilities. "He is very unique," Zhixin said. "Perhaps, designating him as a core member wasn't a good choice." "Master, that's just speculation," Bov shook his head. "I only look at facts." "Then what facts did you see?" "A super genius," Bov said with some excitement. "I barely need to deliberately sculpt him; this unpolished jade will naturally become a masterpiece." Bov didn't know that this Grand Void clone existed before Zhao Xing was poisoned, rather than being condensed after the poisoning. Nor did he know about the existence of Azurebloom spiritual power. Just looking at Zhao Xing's performance, "His value is several floors higher than Du Yun's." A flicker of excitement flashed in Bov's eyes. "I hope you are right," Zhixin nodded slightly. Bov bowed towards the mirror. "What Master says is not impossible. I hope Master will remind me often in the future."

One, two, three.— Zhao Xing pierced through three void surges, and a wisp of Azurebloom spiritual power was completely consumed. The vision was no longer blurred, ethereal colors and lines, but clear, concrete scenes. This meant he had arrived at the Manifest Layer. The Manifest Layer has only one layer, which is the real material world where all living beings exist. "Where did this bring me?" Zhao Xing scanned his surroundings. Traversing three surges in the third level of the Ancient Dao Layer, those three void surges actually contained endless space, merely folded. It was very possible that one surge contained a sub-domain of a galaxy. Zhao Xing still had three wisps of Azurebloom spiritual power within him. He couldn't afford to pass through too many void surges, otherwise he might easily run out of the Medicine King Realm-Traversing Tower's boundaries. That would trigger yet another historical nullification event. But there were no signs of life around. Zhao Xing scanned an area covering more than half a galaxy, yet still saw no living beings. Let alone people. "Surely I didn't get transported to the Barren Domain, did I? And what's with these chaotic void rivers? Have I not escaped the void layer yet?" When traversing the void layer, he had no choice in such circumstances; merely escaping with his life was good enough. Zhao Xing was genuinely worried that he had ended up in the Barren Domain. So he immediately opened his panel to check his coordinates.

"You have entered the Tianyou Ancient Kingdom (Barren Domain 22 millennia before the current era, Year 87), Lixing River Region. No ascertainable coordinates in this region."

"Traversing three steps in the void layer, I've actually arrived in the Tianyou Ancient Kingdom?" Zhao Xing was startled. He touched his realm jade, which showed that the Realm Spirit Points for emergency teleportation had decreased to 250,000. Although it was slightly better than when they were at the Medicine King Realm Star, it wasn't much of an improvement. "Hmm? Where have we ended up?" Yang Baihe and Ji Si, after being released, also looked completely bewildered. "Are we in the Barren Domain?" Yang Baihe exclaimed in shock. Because there were no reference points around to determine their coordinates; neither the Grand Void Star nor the Sun Star were visible. Instead, there were many barren stars and desolate star-continents floating in a river. It truly resembled the Barren Domain. "Emergency teleportation cost 450,000 points? Did we just escape the wolf's den only to enter the tiger's lair?" Yang Baihe's face turned green. "I said I was just here for a vacation, damn heavens, do you have to play like this?" Ji Si, however, was calm. It wasn't that he had predicted something, but rather that he saw Zhao Xing was not as flustered. 'In other words, although the Superintendent of Agriculture also found the situation difficult, he at least knew where they were,' Ji Si thought to himself. Therefore, he was no longer so flustered and quietly waited for the Superintendent of Agriculture to speak.

"Captain, this is not the Barren Domain," Zhao Xing said. "Such a chaotic region, if not the Barren Domain, then what is it?" Yang Baihe slammed his pen onto the ground. "Damn it, what a piece of junk this Mo Yuan pen is!" Zhao Xing quietly waited for Yang Baihe to vent. Having narrowly escaped death and experiencing such ups and downs, anyone's emotions would be agitated. "Captain, this truly isn't the Barren Domain," Zhao Xing said firmly. "We've arrived in the Lixing River Sub-domain of the Tianyou Ancient Kingdom, likely in the southern part of the ancient kingdom. As for which specific river or star, I don't know." "Tianyou Ancient Kingdom, Lixing River?" Yang Baihe calmed down and carefully surveyed his surroundings. "How are you so certain?" There was nothing here, and he couldn't understand how Zhao Xing had determined their location. "My master, Gu Luoh, has a secret technique called the Void Positioning Method."

"Pfft~" Ji Si couldn't help but chuckle. "What are you laughing at?" Yang Baihe looked at Ji Si strangely. "Nothing, I just remembered something happy," Ji Si shook his head. "What happy thing?" "Captain, you're going to have children in Great Zhou." "Pffft!" Zhao Xing completely lost his composure too. "What the hell are *you* laughing at?!" Yang Baihe was quite flustered. Zhao Xing's true body still wore a smiling face, and a wisp of poison gas emerged from within him. "Because I—Ji Si and I are both poisoned," it was the clone who spoke. "The Six Energies here are chaotic, and the Lixing River transformation has released a large amount of poison gas. Captain, quickly use your Healer clone to save Ji Si and me!"