Chapter 474: The Secret of the Ancient Luo River, Zhao Xing's Shock

"No need for formalities," Emperor Chixing said gently, a golden light lifting Zhao Xing. "Have you gained anything from the Ancestral Bone of Metamorphosis?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao Xing replied. "I believe I copied a secret technique from the Ancestral Bone of Metamorphosis, though I don't know the exact nature of the method."

"The problem is, it's a bit difficult to retrieve it right now."

Zhao Xing recounted, in detail, the strange occurrences during his return. Although these events happened in the Transmission Realm Tower, and Emperor Chixing was not the God of Destiny, the Celestial Master's Bureau might still be aware. Given the War of Karma, the Celestial Master's Bureau had access to a great deal of information, making concealment a foolish choice. His presence in the Empire was thanks to Qing Yuzi, a fact known to both Gu Luoguo and certainly Emperor Chixing, so there was no need to hide anything.

After listening to Zhao Xing, Emperor Chixing fell silent for a moment. Even Gu Luoguo was surprised by the Emperor's prolonged thought, as it was a rare sight. Finally, Emperor Chixing spoke, "A mere wisp of divine power is all that's needed to temporarily stabilize your Origin Space, and then the divine effigy can be safely retrieved."

"Given your meritorious service, I will also bestow upon you a 'Primordial Dao Pagoda'."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed.

A basic Boundary Stabilization Pagoda was standard equipment for cultivating the Primordial Realm. The Primordial Dao Pagoda, however, was the ultimate tool for cultivating the Primordial Realm technique. It could display the four transitional stages of a world while also maintaining its stability. This artifact was originally created by Emperor Chixing and solved the problem of slow and unstable internal world evolution for the Farmers of the Primal Realm. It was rumored that the Primordial Dao Pagoda was one of the products of the Emperor's divine ascension, created the very moment Emperor Chixing achieved godhood! This was undoubtedly a divine artifact.

"You currently cannot open your Origin Space, so I will have Gu Luoguo assist you. Do not resist."

"Yes."

Zhao Xing stood still obediently.

Gu Luoguo flew over, and a wisp of shadow entered Zhao Xing's dantian, effortlessly prying open the previously impossibly heavy Origin Space. "As expected of the strongest demigod, Gu Luoguo," Zhao Xing thought, filled with admiration. "Two Emperor-tier plants and a divine effigy bearing the power of a god maintained a delicate balance within my fragile Origin Space, yet he could open it with such ease." It was no wonder Zuo Qiyu and the Five Poisons Emperor respected Gu Luoguo.

*Buzz.*

In an instant, Zhao Xing felt the oppressive shadow within his inner world vanish. Qing Yuzi's divine effigy transformed into a golden light and flew towards Emperor Chixing. In its place, a nine-story pagoda, shimmering with starlight, appeared. It had eighty-one windows and exuded chaotic energy, stabilizing both the Origin Space and the Black Sky Moon Tree and Soul-Devouring Grass.

At this moment, Zhao Xing clearly felt the difference between Old Qing's method and Emperor Chixing's. Qing Yuzi's divine effigy had suppressed both Emperor-tier plant species while also suppressing the Origin Space itself, causing Zhao Xing to lose control over the core of his true-self-faction farmer cultivation. He could see it but not access it. However, with Emperor Chixing's Primordial Dao Pagoda, the two plant species were no longer tense; they began to grow freely, enveloped by the chaotic energy released from the pagoda, forming independent living spaces. Zhao Xing could now open his Origin Space without any hindrance. One was a forceful suppression, the other a gentle stabilization. Clearly, the Emperor's method was superior.

"The secret technique on the Ancestral Bone of Metamorphosis is called the 'Calamity Devouring Art'," Emperor Chixing declared immediately upon receiving the divine effigy, revealing its origin. "This incomplete scroll needs to be assessed and improved before it can be released for cultivation."

"Zhao Xing, since you brought this method back, you may also cultivate it once you reach the Reincarnation Realm," Emperor Chixing promised.

"Thank you again, Your Majesty!" Zhao Xing bowed once more.

The Calamity Devouring Art? It sounded incredibly powerful! He realized that not choosing to cultivate it in the Transmission Realm was the correct decision, as even the Emperor stated that this incomplete method required assessment and refinement.

As the era progressed, most top-tier secret techniques now came with protective measures. Cultivating without such safeguards could easily lead to qi deviation or even bodily disintegration. Emperor Chixing, the God of Mechanisms, excelled in this field. It could be said that before the new generation, he had eliminated most of the side effects caused by cultivation methods. Perfecting the Primordial Realm with the Primordial Dao Pagoda was merely one of the Emperor's many achievements.

After acquiring the Ancestral Bone technique and the divine effigy, Emperor Chixing's golden figure dissipated. It had merely been a divine power avatar; the one responsible for escorting Zhao Xing back would still be Gu Luoguo, whose true form was present. Gu Luoguo absorbed Zhao Xing and his ship into his inner world. In just over a dozen breaths, they had traveled from the center of the Xuanling Star Domain back to the eastern imperial territory. A few more breaths, and they had returned to the Primal Realm.

*Whoosh.*

Zhao Xing was released, finding himself in a small city located on the topmost leaves of the Primal Divine Tree.

"Teacher," Zhao Xing began.

Gu Luoguo shook his head. "Don't call me Teacher anymore. Just call me Senior Gu, like everyone else."

Zhao Xing was perplexed. Previously, Gu Luoguo had allowed him to use that title. Why was he refusing so seriously this time?

"Senior... Senior Gu, are you about to have a breakthrough?"

Gu Luoguo was already a demigod. In seeking to break through to the divine realm, he naturally wouldn't want to be entangled in karma, to avoid interference during his ascension. Qing Yuzi, a divine entity heavily burdened by karma with Zhao Xing, was a prime example of what to avoid. After becoming a god, Qing Yuzi had worried endlessly for Zhao Xing: sending him to the Empire, arranging for Gu Luoguo to teach him on his behalf, making an exception to bestow the Temple's Reincarnation secret technique, finding a World-Splitting Divine Stone, and helping in the War of Karma... Ultimately, he even destroyed a space-time avatar.

"I'm merely pursuing a minor breakthrough," Gu Luoguo said calmly. "Whether I succeed or not is still unknown."

Zhao Xing nodded, deciding not to press further. If Gu Luoguo preferred to be called Senior Gu, then so be it. However, to his surprise, Gu Luoguo's tone shifted. "To settle the karma between us, I will tell you a few things."

"Karma between us?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. Besides Old Qing's arrangement for Gu Luoguo to teach him, what other connections did they have?

"Your arrival here after the Yuanhai Dharma Assembly incident, including my decision to accept you as a disciple, was all arranged by Qing Yuzi," Gu Luoguo explained. "He not only ensured you would enter the Primal Realm and be taught by me, but he also prepared a World-Splitting Divine Stone for you long ago."

"As long as you can break through to the Reincarnation Realm and open your inner world, your current problem will be easily resolved."

As he spoke, Gu Luoguo pinched his fingers, and a faint blue speck of light appeared at his fingertip. It was no bigger than a grain of rice, yet it seemed to contain an entire world. Zhao Xing was irresistibly drawn to it, unable to tear his eyes away. A World-Splitting Divine Stone! Its amplification effect when opening an inner world was second only to the legendary Primal Divine Stone! Of course, one could force open an inner world without an amplifying treasure, but the danger was extremely high. In ancient times, the Farmers of the True Self Faction were not strong precisely because the chance of dying from bodily disintegration at this step was as high as ninety percent.

"The Emperor's Primordial Pagoda merely provides stability. Although you can now open your Origin Space, you still cannot control the two Emperor-tier plant species."

"Ultimately, you must open your own inner world to fully resolve this issue."

Zhao Xing understood that Emperor Chixing's method was only a temporary solution. After all, the Primordial Dao Pagoda was designed to strengthen an *inner world*, but currently, Zhao Xing only had an *Origin Space*, so its full potential couldn't be realized. External objects were only aids. Ultimately, Zhao Xing's Origin Space needed to evolve into an inner world, expanding in capacity and quality, to truly accommodate the plant species and allow him to control them.

"With the Emperor's Primordial Dao Pagoda assisting you, you will quickly accumulate enough power. When the time is right, you can use this stone to open your inner world."

"The World-Splitting Divine Stone is now yours. With this, I have fulfilled Qing Yuzi's request, and our karma is settled."

Zhao Xing put the World-Splitting Divine Stone into his pocket, not placing it in his Origin Space. The World-Splitting Divine Stone had a catalytic effect; once placed in the Origin Space, the transformation would be irreversible, and it wasn't the right time yet.

"Next, regarding you," Gu Luoguo said, looking at Zhao Xing. "I imagine you're also wondering why I need to clear the karma between us."

Zhao Xing nodded. Indeed, logically, Gu Luoguo's karma should only be with Qing Yuzi. All previous arrangements, including his teaching and accepting Zhao Xing as a disciple, were based on the transaction between Gu Luoguo and Qing Yuzi. One matter shouldn't require two masters; Qing Yuzi's karma should have been sufficient to cover all people and events under their agreement, preventing any additional karmic ties. This was also something the Samsara Divine Palace excelled at, so they certainly wouldn't allow Gu Luoguo to have extra entanglements with Zhao Xing.

"Because you resolved the problem of Layered Realm Mountain, accelerated the development of the Siyue Desolate Domain, and provided information about the Rain Immortal Festival sacrifices in the Spiritual Void Origin Realm – all of which were completely preserved by the Primal Realm."

"This is very important to me," Gu Luoguo stated. "And it has thus aided my cultivation. I am about to achieve a minor breakthrough."

"Forgive my ignorance, Senior, but I don't understand how this helps you," Zhao Xing still didn't fully grasp it.

"That is precisely what I am going to explain," Gu Luoguo said, waving his hand. The setting of the hall instantly transformed into a void. "I will tell you about my path to godhood as my way of repaying you."

"As is widely known, in the True Self Faction's theory, a world has four stages."

"Primal, Origin, Myriad Forms, and Annihilation."

"When a small world reaches the Annihilation stage, all things perish, and the universe is no different."

"The emergence of desolate domains signifies that our universe is transitioning from the Myriad Forms stage to the Annihilation stage."

"You should know that the Xuanling Star Domain is part of the Guhe Realm."

Zhao Xing nodded, watching as Gu Luoguo drew a map of the universe.

"The spiritual energy surged forth from the Void River, giving rise to brilliant cultivator civilizations, with spiritual energy territories emerging around this great river."

"During the Five Emperors era, the Xuanling Star Domain was far larger than it is now. In fact, when we speak of the Five Emperors uniting the human territories, it encompassed the entire Guhe Realm, not just the Xuanling Star Domain."

Zhao Xing's pupils contracted. The map Gu Luoguo drew was tens of thousands of times larger than what he knew. Could his understanding from his previous life be flawed? In his comprehension, the Xuanling Star Domain was merely one territory, and the Guhe Realm should contain many other cultivator civilizations and powers similar to it.

"Senior, are you saying that the Guhe Realm..."

"Yes," Gu Luoguo's voice wavered for the first time, tinged with sorrow. "The Guhe Realm has also fallen into decay as the universe progressed."

"Since the end of the Five Emperors era, many desolate zones suddenly appeared in the Guhe Realm, segmenting it into numerous territories of varying sizes."

"In the propaganda of various nations and superpowers, the universe is depicted as having vast territories and abundant spiritual energy."

"In reality, this is impossible. If the universe is about to enter the Annihilation stage, then such a theory cannot hold."

"Therefore, the Xuanling Star Domain is already the largest, most spiritually rich, and most populated territory within the Guhe Realm."

"Our current development into the Siyue Desolate Domain is merely an attempt to extract resources and spiritual energy from other lost territories within the Guhe Realm, to replenish the Xuanling Star Domain and delay its demise."

Zhao Xing's expression changed dramatically; this was entirely different from what he had imagined. He had always believed the world and the universe were vast, but what Gu Luoguo was saying now amounted to a "doomsday theory." And he couldn't refute it. Indeed, if the formation of desolate domains was a harbinger of the Annihilation period, then annihilation would occur no matter where one went. Zhao Xing looked at the map Gu Luoguo had drawn, feeling a sense of disorientation. Numerous miniature territories, separated by desolate zones, looked like sections of riverbed exposed in an "ocean of the universe," dividing the territories into ponds of varying sizes. The Xuanling Star Domain was the largest of these spiritual ponds, and opening up the Siyue Desolate Domain was akin to drawing water from another pond to delay death.

This theory had too many supporting arguments, such as why the Grand Dao was not manifest and spiritual energy was weak in desolate domains. Or why the Black Sky Desolate Domain completely lacked even the Dao Manifestation Layer and Dao Ancient Layer. Or why it was increasingly difficult to break through to the Reincarnation Realm, and why the divine realm had vanished from history. This pessimistic theory of universal apocalypse would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to cultivators. Of course, those in the Dao Realm and lower, with limited lifespans, might not feel much concern. After all, they could only live so long anyway, so why worry about the world's destruction 100 epochs later (or perhaps sooner or later)? Would it affect his mining at the ore factory? But for those of higher cultivation, this might be an immediate concern. The reason Gu Luoguo's theory was not publicly proclaimed was likely to avoid causing panic.

Zhao Xing pondered. Indeed, since the 3rd epoch of the desolate domains, the environment had steadily worsened, with later versions even featuring an Ice Age. His failure to break through to the divine realm might not have been due to problems with his cultivation, but rather because new divine beings were no longer permitted to appear at that time. "No, that's not right. In later versions, divine beings appeared more and more frequently, and grew increasingly powerful. This contradicts Gu Luoguo's theory…" Zhao Xing suddenly frowned. "No, perhaps it's because channels opened, and divine beings still exist in other spiritual energy territories, driven by the competition for spiritual resources? This doesn't necessarily mean Gu Luoguo's theory is wrong."

Gu Luoguo silently waited for Zhao Xing to process everything. Only when he sensed Zhao Xing's emotions had stabilized did he continue, "Did you, just now, feel that cultivation and effort were meaningless?"

To his surprise, Zhao Xing shook his head. "That is too far removed from me; I may never see that day. Even so, I don't believe it's meaningless. The pursuit of the Grand Dao's end is itself a form of meaning."

Gu Luoguo looked at Zhao Xing approvingly. "To possess such a mindset, discussing the Dao with you does not dishonor my own path."

Zhao Xing understood that Gu Luoguo was about to formally explain his cultivation path, and he might hear some secrets he had never encountered before.

"After the True Self Faction's theory of worlds was established, the ancient sages deduced that the world would eventually be destroyed. Some became pessimistic, resigned to their fate, or even drastically changed their personalities, acting recklessly and slaughtering entire star domains."

"Others, however, held firm to their beliefs, attempting to find a way out for all beings," Gu Luoguo said with a firm tone. "My Gu family has existed since the Five Emperors era, and from that time, we have been searching along this very path."

"With me, we have finally found a path that shows a glimmer of hope."

"Namely, that besides the Primal, Origin, Myriad Forms, and Annihilation stages, there should be a fifth state for a world."

"That is the legendary Eternal Realm!"

The Eternal Realm? Zhao Xing's entire body trembled, and some seals deep within his memory seemed to loosen.

"After the Five Emperors era, with the Emperor's help, I embarked on a True Self method that no one had ever cultivated: the 'Eternal Realm' technique."

"I cannot control the aging of the universe, but I can control my inner world."

"When the inner world I cultivate can encompass all the embryonic Grand Daos of the cosmic territories, my inner world might become powerful enough to exist eternally, completing a second genesis!"

Gu Luoguo appeared to glow at this moment, and Zhao Xing also recalled his experiences within Gu Luoguo's inner world. Indeed, every plant life within Gu Luoguo's inner world defied conventional understanding. He had carved his name into the life origin partition, causing ordinary tenacious vines to grow to Emperor-tier, and his Grand Dao of Life allowed Zhao Xing to comprehend the revival of straw figures. Everything indicated that Gu Luoguo's Dao was vastly different from others.

At this moment, Zhao Xing finally understood why Gu Luoguo was known as the strongest demigod. Because once he achieved godhood, theoretically, his inner world could transform into an "Eternal Realm," creating a world that would exist forever. Without a period of decline, free from the possibility of annihilation, and capable of maintaining the world in any stage, Gu Luoguo would similarly become an immortal and indestructible being! When the Xuanling Star Domain reached the 100th epoch of desolate domains, all life would be hard-pressed to escape death. But if Gu Luoguo could possess an Eternal Realm, he could gather all the Xuanling humans into his inner world, evading the catastrophe of cosmic collapse. Gu Luoguo would essentially become his own universe! No, his intention was to create a new universe and become a creation god!

"The Extreme Star theory of the Heavenly Time Faction and the Extreme Land theory of the Earthly Advantage Faction are nothing compared to the 'Eternal Realm theory' of the True Self Faction; it's truly audacious," Zhao Xing couldn't help but exclaim.

Emperor Chixing brought Gu Luoguo everywhere, even treating him as an equal. Gu Luoguo could also make deals with divine beings like Qing Yuzi. All of this underscored Gu Luoguo's unique status. He was indeed special, for Gu Luoguo was a potential "savior"! He was treading a path unprecedented throughout history.

"So, the development of the Siyue Desolate Domain wasn't just for the Empire's progress, but also to provide reference for you, Senior Gu." Zhao Xing finally understood why Gu Luoguo said there was karma between them. The emergence of the Layered Realm Mountain theory accelerated the development of the Siyue Desolate Domain, and the discovery of the Spiritual Void Origin Realm allowed Gu Luoguo to gain a new Grand Dao model of an Origin Realm. In other words, his treatise not only helped Primordial Hill but also indirectly assisted Gu Luoguo. For figures at Gu Luoguo's level, time was crucial!

"Gu Luoguo is from the same era as the Emperor. The Emperor achieved godhood and is stronger than Old Qing, yet Gu Luoguo hasn't. He created the Primal Realm. Logically, such a figure should have reached the divine realm long ago, but he hasn't. It's not that he couldn't, but that he had grander ambitions."

"But can he truly succeed?" A question mark formed in Zhao Xing's mind. If Gu Luoguo's vision came to fruition and he became a god, he would likely surpass all existing divine beings. However, in his previous life's understanding, the True Self Faction had divine-tier plants but no divine-realm farmers. In the Time Divine Tree version, there were even rumors that Gu Luoguo had died. Of course, Zhao Xing wasn't entirely disbelieving. After all, his highest achievement in his previous life was merely being on the path to the divine realm; perhaps Gu Luoguo truly was the savior after all.

After the discussion on the Dao concluded, Gu Luoguo reverted to his original calm demeanor, appearing indifferent to everything, his emotions perfectly stable. He then brought up a matter of more immediate concern to Zhao Xing: "Since you've learned the Primordial Clone technique, you must have sensed Jin Yan's presence."

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. "But I can't pinpoint his exact location."

"Of course, you can't," Gu Luoguo said. "He is in the demon territory, relying on the protection of the Shadow Temple and the demons to survive. Otherwise, his betrayal of the Empire alone would have been enough to kill him many times over."

"If the opportunity arises, you can try to kill Jin Yan."

"As for Zuo Qiyu and you, it will simply depend on who lives longer."

Gu Luoguo forbade Zuo Qiyu and Zhao Xing from fighting each other, offering a single-word solution: "Outlast." If either Zuo Qiyu or Zhao Xing failed to pass their True Spirit Tribulation and naturally perished, the other would naturally absorb all their power, monopolizing the Straw Figure Grand Dao.

Originally, Jin Yan was younger than Zuo Qiyu and also harbored the idea of simply outlasting him. Even with soul-splitting and proxy tribulation passing, as the True Spirit Tribulation grew stronger, Zuo Qiyu would surely die before Jin Yan. Once Zuo Qiyu was gone, Jin Yan would naturally inherit the power. He might even be able to continue his path, perhaps ascending to demigodhood, or even godhood. But now, with the emergence of an even younger Zhao Xing, a new variable had appeared. Zhao Xing's chances of inheritance were, on the contrary, greater.

"Senior Gu, can Jin Yan create another person capable of using the Primordial Clone technique?" Zhao Xing asked. If Jin Yan decided to deliberately make things difficult, flooding this Grand Dao with too many practitioners and diluting the power, then cultivating the Straw Figure method would have been pointless. Gu Tianyang was Gu Luoguo's brother, so he should be familiar with this method.

"Impossible," Gu Luoguo gave a definitive negative answer. "Three individuals walking the same Grand Dao is already the limit."

"Senior Gu, what is the ultimate purpose of the Primordial Clone technique?" Zhao Xing asked his final question.

"To be a True God untainted by calamity in the primordial universe," Gu Luoguo replied. "He likely intended to use the Straw Figure method to survive the cosmic collapse. My brother created this method, which ultimately leads to the same destination as mine. It's a pity he died too soon."

"A True God untainted by calamity in the primordial universe." Even after leaving Gu Luoguo's palace, Zhao Xing kept repeating this phrase in his mind. He recalled the notes he had seen in Wei Tianchen's library. "Gu Tianyang, a genius so monstrous, did he truly die?"

"The Eternal Realm Gu Luoguo spoke of... why does it sound familiar?"

Zhao Xing's memory palace wavered, and he involuntarily found himself in the depths of his memories. There was a large gate, with a dog licking dough, a chicken pecking rice, and a lamp burning a lock. "Still can't push it open…" Zhao Xing murmured to himself in front of the palace gate. "The memory seal I set when I left the Xuanhuang Realm... Is this still the Primal Seal method I established?"