Chapter 467: I Killed Myself?

Zhao Xing, still in his wheelchair, spun hundreds of times before finally coming to a halt. He felt incredibly dizzy, as if he were thoroughly drunk.

His unusual spectacle quickly drew curious glances from the crowd.

"Oh, who's that? What a peculiar way to fly."

"Isn't that Sinong Zhao, the one who wrote about the Earth Age and Earth Transformation?"

"This is a sacred place of the academy! What kind of behavior is this?"

"Get lost, you old pedant! What business is it of yours how our Sinong Zhao flies?"

"Old senior, you should leave quickly. These are the Sinongs of the Primordial Hill gathering around. If you say anything bad about their Saint Son again, you'll be beaten to a pulp." Zhao Xing remained in the center of the cloud for a while before fully regaining his composure.

"Uncle Zhao, are you alright?"

"Sinong Zhao, do you need a physician? I'll call for someone immediately."

Soon, several Sinongs wearing the attire of the Primordial Hill approached to inquire about his well-being.

Zhao Xing had been poisoned, and rumors circulated among outsiders that he was crippled. Even if he were cured, he would merely survive, unable to regain his cultivation.

However, among the Sinongs of the Primordial Hill, Zhao Xing's esteemed position remained unshaken.

In fact, thanks to Lord Lushan's promotion, his standing had grown even more exalted.

Lord Lushan once declared: Even when there was no hope for a cure, Zhao Xing still poured his heart and soul into his work, perfecting the Earth Transformation method.

What noble sentiments! What a magnificent character!

Some even regarded Zhao Xing as their teacher, as his eight spells and the associated magical principles had brought endless benefits to the disciples of the Primordial Hill. Anyone from the Primordial Hill could reap the rewards of his spells and their underlying theories.

"No, I'm fine. Please disperse for now, everyone." Seeing more and more people gathering around, Zhao Xing immediately waved his hand, signaling them to scatter.

He didn't recognize any of them, but they were predominantly members of the Primordial Hill.

"Everyone, disperse! Don't disturb Master Zhao."

Someone shouted, and the crowd immediately parted, as four ordinary cultivators of the Reincarnation Realm spontaneously escorted Zhao Xing to the entrance of the cloud path.

"Junior Brother Zhao, are you certain you're alright?"

"I'm fine, thank you all." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks, then quickly maneuvered his Floral Wheelchair into the exclusive passage.

The cloud closed, and Zhao Xing's figure vanished.

As soon as he was clear of the crowd, he immediately checked his personal panel.

Although he felt personally fine, the peculiar series of incidents that had just occurred left him uneasy.

Name: Zhao XingProfession: SinongLuck: Tier 16 (Five Emperor Coins provide an additional Tier 2)Realm: Life and Death Dao Domain Realm (Perfected)Dao Domain: Life and Death Dao Domain (Perfected)Magic Power: 10 WorldsAge: 9243Remaining Lifespan (Abnormal): 3120 years (True Spirit Heavenly Poison corrosion status)Heavenly Arts: Cloud Art, Polar Star Thunder Dragon, Wind Devour, World Fire, Rain Immortal, Myriad Spirit Marquis Transformation MethodEarthly Arts: Earth Core Cracking, Demon God Earth Palace, Dark Earth Star Escape, Primeval Earth Treasury, Shaking Light Earth Connection, Threefold World Mountains.Self Arts: Stem Combat Divine Ability (Four-element variant art), Life Revival, Heart Field Art (Great Dream Marsh), World Art (Yin-Yang Division), Grand Void Scarecrow, Source Absorption and Transformation Art.Cultivation Techniques: Extreme Land, Primal Chaos World, Bud ArtSoul Secret Art: Reincarnation (Life and Earth Double Soul Fusion Stage)Divine Secret Art: Seven Orifices Heart Sealing Art - Magic Power ChapterBlue Flower Magic Power: Five strandsTroops: Seven Domains True Spirit Bamboo, Black Sky Moon Tree, Thousand Illusion TreeTreasures: Ancient Dao Golden Cicada (Supreme-grade Primal Divine Weapon)

"Hmm? There's nothing wrong."

Zhao Xing felt a surge of confusion.

He was already aware that the True Spirit Heavenly Poison had not been purged, leaving him with only about three thousand years of lifespan.

Beyond that, there were no other anomalies.

"It's too strange. Why was I expelled from the Transmission Tower?" Zhao Xing was utterly bewildered.

After being teleported back by the World Jade, he should have waited in the main hall on the sixth floor of the Transmission Tower, as there was one final process to complete: the exchange.

Only by completing the exchange in the Transmission Tower's main hall upon return could he bring items back.

Yet now, he had been ejected before completing the exchange.

"Primal Projection, activate!"

Zhao Xing's main body laboriously opened his primal space. He then inspected the primal soil, finding neither the 'Spirit-Devouring Grass' seedling nor the Nine-Revolving Soul Pill. As for the Mo Yuan Pen, Yang Baihe had already taken possession of it.

"Damn it, where's my grass?"

"What the hell is going on?!"

Zhao Xing was instantly furious.

He had taken a considerable risk and spent a significant amount of money. Had it all been for naught?

"Damn it, Bovi, give me my money back!"

Zhao Xing cursed inwardly, intending to demand an explanation from Bovi.

However, before he could seek Bovi out, Bovi came to him instead.

Accompanying Bovi was a Primal avatar of Zuo Qiyu, which had always been stationed at the Academy City.

"What happened?" Bovi inquired.

Zhao Xing was puzzled; why was the situation reversed?

You're the one who opened the Transmission Tower, and I haven't even questioned you!

However, he only thought that. Bovi was a demigod, after all, and he had no right to question him.

"Grand Elder, I don't know," Zhao Xing confessed honestly. "After I initiated the emergency teleport, before I even had a chance to complete the exchange, I was flung out of the Transmission Tower by some force."

"Why would this happen?" Zuo Qiyu asked, frowning at Bovi.

Bovi, too, was utterly perplexed.

"Come with me."

Bovi led Zhao Xing, reopening a secret cloud path that led to the sixth floor of the Transmission Tower.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Transmission Tower, a peculiar scene unfolded.

A faint red light shimmered before Zhao Xing, forming a thin, barrier-like layer that blocked him from entering.

Bovi could enter, and so could Zuo Qiyu.

Zhao Xing's Floral Wheelchair was practically smoking from the effort, yet he couldn't get in.

"Hmm?" Zuo Qiyu also realized something was amiss. He stepped back outside the door and stood beside Zhao Xing.

Bovi's brow furrowed slightly: "Envoy Zuo, please try to bring Zhao Xing inside."

Zuo Qiyu grasped the Floral Wheelchair and pushed it forward with force.

The Floral Wheelchair remained motionless.

He then lifted Zhao Xing, intending to carry him inside, but while Zuo Qiyu's body could pass through, Zhao Xing was left outside.

Zuo Qiyu found this strange; no matter how much force he exerted, Zhao Xing simply couldn't enter.

He attempted to exert more power.

"Crack, crack, crack!"

Zhao Xing's shoulder blade felt like it was about to shatter, and his face twisted in pain.

"Se-Senior Zuo!"

The pain was excruciating; Zuo Qiyu's Primal avatar was practically crushing him.

If this struggle continued, he'd be reduced to a pulp before ever making it inside.

Zuo Qiyu released his grip and stepped back outside the doorway.

He then cast a spell, engulfing Zhao Xing whole, and attempted to cross the doorway using his Grand Void Scarecrow technique.

A miraculous scene unfolded: Zuo Qiyu's Primal avatar passed through, but Zhao Xing was inexplicably expelled from within him. "Hmm?" Zuo Qiyu was also stunned.

He hadn't even realized when Zhao Xing had been expelled from his Primal avatar.

The red barrier at the entrance was like a thunderous pool, utterly insurmountable. No matter what spells Zuo Qiyu cast, he couldn't bring Zhao Xing inside.

What's happening?

Zuo Qiyu looked at Bovi.

"Divine power obstruction," Bovi stated, observing the situation. "For some unknown reason, the Transmission Tower's divine power is repelling Zhao Xing."

Zuo Qiyu was already an Emperor Lord, and from the extraordinary nature of his Primal avatar alone, it was unlikely that even a demigod could possess such capabilities.

Given that he still couldn't enter, the only explanation for the red light barrier had to be divine power.

"Why?" Zuo Qiyu was naturally unsatisfied with Bovi's response.

Unknown reason?

You're the Grand Elder; you set the treatment plan!

Zuo Qiyu was now asking on behalf of the Primal Realm.

Bovi would have to provide an explanation.

"Envoy Zuo, please don't be anxious. I will clarify this matter as soon as possible."

Bovi was merely a demigod scholar; he hadn't fully mastered the Transmission Tower, a divine artifact of exceptionally high caliber, and could only unleash about 10% of its power at most.

"Envoy Zuo, I need to ask Zhao Xing a few questions privately."

Zuo Qiyu did not immediately agree, instead glancing at Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing, of course, also wanted answers.

"My lord, I've spent all my money, I had already acquired the treasures and the medication for my treatment. Now this strange situation has arisen, and of course, I must understand why."

Zhao Xing didn't believe that Bovi would be trying any tricks on him now; a demigod scholar wouldn't be that foolish.

He also believed Bovi was unaware, as it was impossible for Bovi to fully control such a self-activating divine artifact as the Transmission Tower.

In other words, it was very likely a problem caused by the Transmission Tower itself.

*Swoosh*

Zuo Qiyu's Primal avatar vanished, leaving Bovi and Zhao Xing alone to converse.

"Zhao Xing, tell me about your experience during your final escape," Bovi said, staring intently at him. "Do not conceal anything."

At the moment the three realms merged and the anomaly occurred, Bovi also lost his observation of the three Transmission Worlds, so he could only question Zhao Xing.

"Yes, Grand Elder," Zhao Xing replied, beginning to recount the moment he teleported away. "When we arrived in the territory of the Ancient Tianyou Kingdom, 17 World-Star Years had already passed."

"During those 17 World-Star Years, Yang Baihe, Ji Si, and I encountered a formidable void beast resembling a catfish."

"It was quickly infected by my True Spirit Heavenly Poison and died."

"We thought we were safe, but then a colossal bone, emitting gray mist, suddenly appeared. It looked somewhat like a rib – I couldn't be sure, as only a portion of it was visible."

"The moment it surged out of the void turbulence, I also saw people fighting on the bone."

"There was Emperor Lord Tianwu of the Primal Heavenly Palace, Du Yun, and several figures who appeared to be from the demon race..."

"Oh, and Prince Liang Rui of the Ancient Tianyou Kingdom, along with his Fate Master, Tang Menghe."

"A cluster of plants emerged with the bone, including a Spirit-Devouring Grass, which I managed to retrieve."

"Realizing the danger, I immediately crushed the World Jade to teleport out. In the moment just before I departed, I also saw..."

Bovi listened silently. When Zhao Xing offered no further words, he couldn't help but be taken aback. "Saw what?" he prompted.

Zhao Xing, a little surprised, asked, "Grand Elder, I've already said it for the third time. Can't you hear me?"

Bovi's expression shifted. "Are you saying you uttered another sentence afterward, but I didn't hear it?"

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded, worried.

Bovi took a deep breath, then stated to Zhao Xing, "There's a problem, a serious problem."

"What do you mean, Grand Elder?"

Bovi extended his hand, and two figures appeared before Zhao Xing. "Repeat my question from just now," he instructed them.

The two figures who appeared were Ji Si and Yang Baihe. They both glanced at Zhao Xing.

Yang Baihe then honestly recounted, "After we dealt with that catfish, Liang Rui and his group appeared in the void turbulence, and Zhao Xing immediately crushed the World Jades for the three of us."

Zhao Xing's pupils dilated slightly. "Captain, didn't you see anything else? Like a huge bone, for instance?"

"...and some Emperor-level figures?"

"No," Yang Baihe replied, looking strangely at Zhao Xing. "Did you see anything else besides Liang Rui and his party?"

"Of course!" Zhao Xing exclaimed, agitated. "How could I possibly crush the World Jade just because Liang Rui and his group suddenly appeared?"

"Liang Rui and his party had said they would leave immediately. Their sudden appearance in the Li River Nebula would indicate a form of void history, wouldn't it?" Yang Baihe had assumed Zhao Xing crushed the World Jade based on this assessment and was now quite shocked.

"Lord Ji!" Zhao Xing ignored Yang Baihe and turned to Ji Si. "What did you see?"

"I saw the bone," Ji Si said after a moment, recounting her observation. "I also saw you, Grand Sinong, reaching forward to retrieve a plant."

"Were there people on the bone?"

"No," Ji Si replied, shaking her head.

Hearing the replies from Ji Si and Yang Baihe, Zhao Xing fell silent.

Yang Baihe, meanwhile, was filled with doubt and astonishment. What exactly was happening?

"Yang Baihe, Ji Si, please wait outside for now," Bovi instructed.

"Yes."

After Ji Si and Yang Baihe departed.

Zhao Xing looked at Bovi. "Grand Elder, do you have any insights for me?"

Bovi tilted his head back, his gaze fixed on the depths of the Transmission Tower. With his hands clasped behind his back, his fingers subtly twitched beneath his sleeves. "Zhao Xing," he said, "what I can confirm is that Du Yun and Emperor Lord Tianwu have never entered the Transmission Tower."

These words made Zhao Xing's body tremble again. Du Yun and Emperor Lord Tianwu hadn't been there?

Didn't that also mean Zuo Qiyu and Emperor Lord Five Poisons hadn't entered either?

So what exactly had he seen?

"I cannot yet determine the reason you were expelled by the Transmission Tower. Only you can find that answer," Bovi said, stopping his hand movements and looking down at Zhao Xing.

"Carefully consider the discrepancies between your account and those of Yang Baihe and Ji Si. Then, think about the sentence you couldn't make me hear. I believe the key lies there."

Bovi instructed Zhao Xing to find the answer for re-entering the Transmission Tower himself. After uttering those two sentences, he sent Zhao Xing out. Upon rejoining Yang Baihe and Ji Si, the two immediately approached him.

"Zhao Xing, what exactly happened?" Yang Baihe asked.

"Captain, please don't ask. If I knew what was happening, would I still be in this predicament?"

"Bovi didn't provide an answer?" Yang Baihe asked seriously.

"No. He told me to find it myself."

"Alright, I understand." Yang Baihe hastily took his leave.

Zhao Xing understood perfectly well why he was leaving.

Bovi's opening of the Transmission Tower, which attracted numerous powerful individuals, was predicated on his having some control over this divine artifact.

Now that such a bizarre event had occurred, and even Bovi was clueless, the Spark division would have to report it immediately.

Entering the Transmission Tower came at a cost; one World Spirit point was even more valuable than the merit points assigned to developing the empire's western region.

To mitigate the risk of both human and material losses, the empire would need to re-evaluate the Transmission Tower's hazard level and revise participation guidelines. It might even collaborate with other powers to forcibly shut it down!

"I recall that the Transmission Tower was eventually forcibly shut down. This isn't happening now, is it? What exactly is the reason?" Zhao Xing wasn't sure. He remembered that in his previous life, the Transmission Tower had indeed been shut down, but the reason was never publicly announced.

"Grand Sinong, may I inform the Heavenly Master about today's events?" Ji Si asked.

"Mm," Zhao Xing nodded. It would become known anyway. Bovi telling him to find the answer meant that this matter would inevitably reach the ears of the super-power leadership.

Zuo Qiyu's Primal avatar quickly reappeared behind Zhao Xing.

"What are your thoughts now?"

"Senior Zuo, please send me back to the Primal Realm. I have something to report," Zhao Xing said, deciding to return to the Primal Realm first.

Without a word, Zuo Qiyu swallowed both Zhao Xing and Ji Si.

Within Zuo Qiyu's inner world, Zhao Xing began to ponder, mentally cataloging the bizarre occurrences.

"First, Du Yun and Emperor Lord Tianwu did not enter the Transmission Realm."

"Second, Yang Baihe only saw Liang Rui and Tang Menghe, while Ji Si saw the bone and the Spirit-Devouring Grass."

"Third, the Transmission Tower repelled me, denying entry."

"Fourth, Bovi also informed me that the Medicine King Realm, the Li River Nebula Transformation, and the Demon Emperor's Birth — these three Transmission Realms had merged. And the most crucial fifth point: at the very end of the teleportation, beneath the bone, I saw Emperor Lord Five Poisons, Zuo Qiyu