Chapter 478: A Unique Stellar Annihilation Ceremony, Immediate Recruitment On Site

After emerging from seclusion, Ji Si immediately handed over a list.

Zhao Xing glanced at it casually and couldn't help but smile. "Quite a few factions are showing their support."

Undeniably, the Starfall Corridor was a remote and desolate place, unsuitable for holding a dharma assembly.

However, the organizer mattered. Zhao Xing had a considerable reputation among the Agricultural Officials, and with Bovay even sending a clone to lend his support, a large number of people still attended the assembly despite the long journey and harsh environment.

"Many are showing support," Ji Si continued. "Emperor Bixui and Emperor Wudu from the Primal Realm, Emperor Yushu from the Origin Celestial Palace, Emperor Lushan from the Primordial Mound, Lord Jishan, and Emperor Hongshan have all sent representatives."

"Bovay also sent a clone, accompanied by seven Six-Realm Scholars well-versed in the principles of agricultural governance."

"But there are also many challengers," Ji Si said, changing her tone and pointing to the list. "The Grand Agricultural Official's reputation is immense, and the first session of the Starfall Dharma Assembly is open to all. Even before it began, there has been a lot of negative commentary."

"Oh? What are they saying about me?" Zhao Xing asked with interest.

"Jiang Tiansu, the Qianshi Envoy from the Ziwei Celestial Star Palace, claims you're just grandstanding, that your great reputation is undeserved, and that you chose the Starfall Corridor merely for personal gain."

The Ziwei Celestial Star Palace was a top Chronomancy faction in the Xuanling Star Domain. A Qianshi Envoy was akin to a sect elder, and Jiang Tiansu himself was a Lord-level powerhouse, skilled in both magical arts and theoretical principles.

This individual was capable in combat and adept at debate. His treatise, "Treatise on the Ziwei Circulatory Cycle," was housed in the Scholarly City's Pavilion of Nine Classics.

"He's not wrong," Zhao Xing chuckled, unconcerned. "I did choose the Starfall Corridor for personal gain. But to say I'm grandstanding is too much. The old man is taking advantage of my shallow foundation."

"Elder Zhu Haichao of the Mirage Sea Alliance criticizes the Grand Agricultural Official's 'Six Energies of Starfall Treatise: Yin-Yang Chapter' for having serious flaws and completely contradicting a certain truth within the 'Treatise on Hydrospheric Phenomena'."

"The Mirage Sea Alliance? I've heard of them. They're a Chronomancy faction composed of maritime agricultural officials, primarily cultivating the Houbian Method and raising arcane spirits. They're active in the Southern Sea Islands of the Xuanling Star Domain. They've come all this way just to criticize me?"

Zhao Xing smiled as he read through the intelligence. "The 'Treatise on Hydrospheric Phenomena' is a Houbian classic. He's using another extreme case to refute the 'Six Energies of Starfall Treatise'. It seems Zhu Haichao has found his angle."

"The Grand Agricultural Official isn't worried at all. You must be fully prepared?" Ji Si asked.

"Before preparing for the assembly, I released some initial theories for promotional purposes. At that time, they were just preliminary ideas, so it's natural for them to find flaws," Zhao Xing nodded. "If there were no flaws, they wouldn't even come."

"This is an open assembly, meaning anyone can debate with me. It's a great opportunity for them. Gaining fame by challenging me is also a motivation for them to attend."

"Why are you praising them for what they're saying?" Ji Si asked, puzzled.

"These individuals have real substance, and their criticisms are based on genuine evidence. All of it can be used to refine my theories, so of course, what they say is good."

"Your perspective is truly extraordinary, Grand Agricultural Official!" Ji Si exclaimed, full of admiration.

In reality, all these situations were within Zhao Xing's expectations.

Any new theory, upon its debut, inevitably faces scrutiny. It is precisely through this questioning and collision with different schools of thought that it becomes further refined.

When the Primordial Mound previously hosted an assembly with Zhao Xing, similar situations arose, though to a lesser extent, as the Theory of Telluric Transformation had already been validated by the Primordial Mound.

The current situation was different because the Starfall Corridor involved many more aspects than just a single Geomancy theory. Consequently, there would be more clashes and challenges, which was why thirty-four assemblies were planned.

"Which other factions are there? Continue," Zhao Xing said, chatting with Ji Si as they walked.

"Baili Yang from Moon-Gazing Valley, Lord Xiye from the Red Fire Catastrophe Sect…" Ji Si kept relaying reports.

She might not clearly remember who spoke well of the Grand Agricultural Official.

But she remembered perfectly those who spoke ill of him.

He and his senior sister, Jingyue, had been assigned to protect Zhao Xing, and this was simply his duty, not driven by personal feelings.

"Hmm, very good. Baili Yang's refutation cites the 'Lunar Farmer's Prophecy' and the 'New Moon Scripture'. I hadn't considered that angle."

"Lord Xiye from the Red Fire Catastrophe Sect wrote a rather mediocre refutation, but the two bronze plowing beasts he raised are quite impressive."

"Haha, and allies! The Palace Master of the Myriad Spirits Palace from the Four Seasons Palace has spoken up for me…"

"Oh, the Three Treasures Dao Sect is here too. Was that 'Chronicle of Star Time' written by Fairy Youling?"

"There really are a lot of people…"

Even before the dharma assembly officially began, the theoretical debates had already commenced.

Zhao Xing's proposed three major challenges of the Starfall Corridor and his preliminary treatises had sparked significant reactions among agricultural officials.

Numerous agricultural factions, including the Four Seasons Palace, the Three Treasures Dao Sect, the Ziwei Chronomancy Palace, the Mirage Sea Alliance, the Red Fire Catastrophe Sect, the Xuan Frost Millet Valley, and the Moon-Gazing Valley, had all joined this 'theoretical battle'.

The environmental issues in the Starfall Corridor were complex, with phenomena involving many principles from all three factions. Each faction could argue from its own perspective.

Moreover, activist groups had already arrived at the Starfall Corridor to personally test and challenge the three major problems proposed by Zhao Xing.

At this time, the major bases in the Starfall Corridor were bustling with activity.

Three days later, Zhao Xing and Ji Si teleported from Jiachen Pass Crystal Island to Hongyue Starland via a magic array.

The teleportation plaza was packed with people constantly emerging from the light gates.

Zhao Xing and Ji Si, disguised, quickly passed through a private channel to the inner hall of the Great Zhou World Transport Office on Hongyue Starland.

"Greetings, Grand Agricultural Official!"

Left Prime Minister Tong Wensheng, Junior Agricultural Official Chen Yu, and others were waiting there.

"Prime Minister Tong, there's no need for such formality," Zhao Xing said, waving his hand with a smile. "Seeing so many people on Hongyue Starland, yet you manage everything so orderly, is truly commendable."

"Thanks to the Grand Agricultural Official, people have been continuously arriving on Hongyue Starland for the past century. We've had to temporarily deploy several mobile residential areas to meet the demand," Tong Wensheng said, beaming with joy. After more than a hundred years, he looked much more energetic.

A large number of talented individuals had gathered on Hongyue Starland, which was controlled by the Great Zhou Dynasty. To operate there, one first needed to obtain exploration qualifications from Great Zhou or join the dynasty.

Tong Wensheng was only at the Five Elements Dao Domain realm, yet many ordinary Samsara Realm cultivators had to follow his arrangements, which greatly satisfied him.

Where there were people, there was money to be made. The surging population on Hongyue Starland had significantly replenished the Great Zhou's national treasury.

Basic necessities were not easily met in the desolate regions, especially in extreme environments like the Starfall Corridor.

Those who could come were wealthy individuals, most of whom chose to reside in Great Zhou's territory, with very few opting to camp in the wilderness.

The 135-year warm-up period for the assembly had allowed Great Zhou to profit significantly.

"Just by servicing the attendees, Great Zhou earned a net profit of over 120,000 Five Imperial Coins in 135 years!"

"The World Transport Office, the Frontier Expansion Army, the Imperial Medical Bureau, the Agricultural Bureau, and the Heavenly Works Department have all recruited many powerful individuals… His Majesty mentions you every day, and his smile hasn't faded."

Seeing Tong Wensheng's excitement, Zhao Xing also smiled.

Even before the development fully began, Great Zhou had already reaped the benefits of the assembly.

To someone of Zhao Xing's caliber, 120,000 Five Imperial Coins wasn't a large sum; after all, he possessed two divine artifacts, and this amount was merely a drop in the bucket compared to the crowd-funded resources.

However, for Tong Wensheng, who primarily dealt with Red Star Coins, that amount translated into an astronomical figure.

"Elder Brother!" Upon entering the inner hall for the audience, Zhao Xing was about to bow when a figure immediately rushed over and steadied his arms. It was Ji Che.

"Fifth Brother," Zhao Xing said with a smile, no longer insisting on bowing.

"Elder Brother, do you know how much Great Zhou has changed in the past century!" Ji Che exclaimed, pulling Zhao Xing to sit on the throne and speaking animatedly. "…We now have over 170 Samsara Realm guest cultivators, and even I've broken through to the Samsara Realm!"

"Even many Lord-level cultivators address me with honorifics now, hahaha."

Zhao Xing, of course, noticed that Ji Che's cultivation had reached the veteran Samsara Realm level!

The Great Zhou's system of destiny originally had flaws; if Ji Che didn't cultivate on his own, he would at most be at the same level as the strongest minister.

However, after the destiny system of the Five Emperors era was completed, Ji Che could grow in power alongside the nation's strength, without any bottlenecks, allowing him to surpass the realms of his ministers.

Yet, Zhao Xing sensed that Ji Che's power fluctuated, sometimes high, sometimes low, and wasn't particularly stable.

"Che, don't get too agitated."

"These 170-plus guest cultivators, they aren't deeply bound to Great Zhou, are they?"

Ji Che nodded. "Elder Brother, your insight is sharp. Many of them are indeed not deeply bound to Great Zhou. They are willing to contribute their strength but can leave at any time."

"I also know they're here out of respect for you, Elder Brother. Rest assured, I understand that clearly."

Ji Che's power had come quickly and could also leave quickly.

To Zhao Xing, his current realm seemed inflated.

But seeing that Ji Che wasn't getting carried away and remained clear-headed, Zhao Xing felt relieved.

"Whether Great Zhou's flourishing prosperity can be maintained depends on the outcome of your first assembly, Elder Brother," Ji Che said, looking intently at Zhao Xing.

"I've heard many negative comments. Many are cursing in the Scholarly City's Dream Cognition Palace, some saying very unpleasant things… Are you confident, Elder Brother?"

"Don't worry," Zhao Xing said calmly. "Everything is within expectations."

"Your Majesty, the assembly is imminent, and the Grand Agricultural Official has just emerged from seclusion and still needs to meet some guests…" Ji Si reminded him.

"Elder Brother, please rest well," Ji Che said. "I will await your good news in the Central Ultimate Palace."

After leaving the Central Ultimate Hall, Zhao Xing split into several clones and began meeting the important guests for the assembly.

"Junior Zhao Xing pays respects to the Grand Elder."

"Greetings, Elder Feng Chen, Elder Maya…"

Zhao Xing first paid his respects to Bovay, the demigod, and then bowed to the other seven Six-Realm Scholars.

Scholars, being an advanced profession of ritual cultivators, greatly valued etiquette.

He performed the junior's bow, deliberately adopting a humble posture.

He was particularly enthusiastic towards Bovay, to the point where Bovay found it somewhat overwhelming.

To outsiders, however, this seemed perfectly normal, given the life-saving grace.

Unbeknownst to them, Zhao Xing also harbored the intention of irking Bovay. The old man had harbored ill intentions during his treatment, brainwashing him for a full three hundred years. If Zhao Xing didn't annoy Bovay a bit, he felt he wouldn't be doing justice to the three centuries of suffering he endured.

"Zhao Xing, you are the host of this assembly; there's no need for such excessive courtesy." Although Bovay was irked by Zhao Xing's behavior, he had no idea what Zhao Xing was thinking.

Bovay was unaware that Zhao Xing knew about the 'brainwashing', nor did he believe Zhao Xing intentionally consumed his world spirit quota.

Therefore, although Bovay felt somewhat annoyed, he did not blame Zhao Xing. He was still very principled.

"Courtesy extended to others often implies a request," Six-Realm Scholar Feng Chen said, looking at Zhao Xing with a faint smile. "Is Agricultural Official Zhao performing such a grand bow because you wish us to show you favoritism during the assembly?"

"I wouldn't dare. I merely respect all the seniors present," Zhao Xing replied, cupping his hands.

"No matter what you think, the Scholarly City will not favor anyone," another Six-Realm Scholar with a resolute face, Zhou Weiqing, stated calmly. "In theoretical battles and assessments of victory and defeat, we will each have our own impartial scales."

"Since you chose an open assembly, you should be mentally prepared for this."

"It should be so," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Chen An, holding this Starfall Dharma Assembly as an open event is a bit risky."

"Many agricultural factions have come together, full of aggressive intent. They are not affiliated with the Empire, so they won't give face to your master, me, or the Primal Realm."

Emperor Bixui fiddled with a star mirror, his expression somewhat grave. "The scale of this event is quite grand. There's a risk your previously established reputation might take a hit this time."

An 'open assembly' meant anyone could ask questions, unlike previous ones where debate participants were predetermined and wouldn't deliberately be challenged.

Naturally, holding this type of assembly implied that the theories were relatively mature, with few points of criticism. The host didn't need intense confrontations to refine their path.

"Old Bixui, what nonsense are you spouting!" Emperor Wudu walked in from outside, his face full of displeasure. "The assembly hasn't even begun, and you're already boosting others' morale while diminishing your own prestige. Are you an undercover agent sent by another country?"

"With your judgment, which allowed the 'Theory of Telluric Transformation' to leak to Lord Jishan, can you even comprehend this? Go somewhere cool and stay there!"

Emperor Bixui was quickly rendered speechless by Emperor Wudu's relentless barrage.

There was nothing he could do. Last time, when Zhao Xing first completed his theory, he handed it to Emperor Bixui, who then leaked it to Lord Jishan. This black mark was seized upon by Emperor Wudu, and Emperor Bixui would never be able to live it down, leaving him no choice but to retreat shamefully.

Emperor Wudu snorted coldly, then looked at Zhao Xing. "Disciple, proceed boldly and without any concerns."

"If anyone dares to make things difficult for you at the assembly, I, your master, will go and ambush them after it concludes!"

Zhao Xing was startled and quickly urged, "Master, absolutely not!"

If a debate was lost, would it be met with magical destruction? This was truly something Emperor Wudu was capable of.

But if that happened, his own reputation would be ruined.

How could such a principle exist?

"Master, I can handle it. There's no need to trouble you."

Emperor Wudu said, "You've been in seclusion for over a century and are unaware of external disputes. Many of these individuals are coming with ill intentions and will surely try to make things difficult for you."

"Like Zhu Haichao and Jiang Tiansu…"

"If you can't win the argument with reason, I, your master, can help you make your point."

"Thank you, Master, but for now, there's really no need…"

After much persuasion, Zhao Xing finally managed to dissuade Emperor Wudu.

Twenty-seven days later, the first session of the Starfall Dharma Assembly officially commenced.

Zhao Xing did not host the assembly on Hongyue Starland but instead cleared an area in a nearby shattered star belt.

The venue was quite rudimentary.

Furthermore, Zhao Xing altered the assembly's procedure, allowing anyone to step forward and ask questions, even interrupting his discourse to enter the 'quest for truth' stage.

At the same time, the theories he addressed were presented at the very locations where actual problems arose in the Starfall Corridor.

Those below the Life-Death Dao Domain realm would find it difficult to gain a foothold here, naturally establishing a threshold.

It was a privately hosted assembly; the Primordial Mound and the Primal Realm did not officially make an appearance.

However, Emperor Wudu, Emperor Lushan, and Emperor Hongshan still attended in their private capacities.

Moreover, Emperor Hongshan and Emperor Wudu also flexed their power, acting as peacekeepers for the assembly and deterring troublemakers.

The Celestial Master's Mansion and the Yan God Military Department also sent powerful individuals.

Covertly, Spark members led by Yang Baihe patrolled the area.

This ensured that the first half of the Starfall Dharma Assembly proceeded very smoothly.

The unique assembly also prompted many who couldn't attend in person to flock to the Star Mirror to watch the live broadcast. The revenue from these paid viewings belonged to Great Zhou, allowing the dynasty to collect another substantial fee.

"The collapse of the Yin and Yang Twin Stars in the Starfall Corridor has two causes: externally, the Six Energies are in disarray; internally, the Earth Veins are shifting and collapsing, preventing the Sun Star and Moon Star from maintaining their form and substance."

"When a world star's land shifts, it must pass through four layers of obstruction—metal, wood, water, and earth—before fire veins emerge on the surface. Similarly, for earth-splitting techniques, one must first break the balance of the pre-Five Elements earth veins to witness the eruption of fire springs."

"However, the Sun Star is different. Its domain is saturated with fire veins, with only a faint fire-attributed energy remaining as a barrier. Once the Earth Veins shift, the void layer is immediately disturbed."

"With the fall of the twin stars, the manifest void layer also collapses, causing space-time to indent and bulge, resulting in chaotic phenomena."

"When the void layer becomes a net, and the twin stars fall into one corner, due to the inherent nature of the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, other parts of the void will be compressed, leading to space-time distortions. As Yin and Yang interact, these distortions consistently appear in the regions corresponding to the Sun and Moon Twin Stars, causing a chain reaction that ultimately spreads like wildfire…"

Zhao Xing stood on the cosmic platform and finished broadly explaining his theory. No disruptive individuals or deliberate interruptions occurred during his discourse.

However, as the first session of the assembly entered its 'quest for truth' segment in the latter half, the atmosphere changed.

A whoosh sounded.

The moment Zhao Xing's voice faded, a figure immediately approached the cosmic debate platform, treading on blue mist, accompanied by seven alternating waves that surged forward.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Eight star mirrors focused on the approaching figure, revealing his face.

Zhao Xing's eyebrow twitched. This person was Zhu Haichao, an Elder of the Mirage Sea Alliance.

"Zhu Haichao of the Mirage Sea Alliance, I query the host of this dharma assembly." Zhu Haichao stood atop a tidal wave, his gaze sharp.

It was clear at first glance that he had come with ill intentions.

Generally, in the 'quest for truth' segment, if one wished to express closeness, they might address the other as Agricultural Official Zhao.

If remaining neutral, one might use the term 'Fellow Daoist'.

"Host of the Dharma Assembly" was a very formal and distant address, usually indicating not a friendly inquiry but a direct challenge.

It meant he intended to question, and even attack, Zhao Xing's Dao!

Both inside and outside the venue, everyone's spirits immediately lifted.

Zhu Haichao was also an agricultural official whose treatises were included in the Pavilion of Nine Classics. He himself was a peak Lord-level cultivator, widely traveled and experienced.

Zhao Xing was young, only at the Life-Death Dao Domain realm. Could he handle this?

"Please speak, Fellow Daoist," Zhao Xing said, neither humble nor arrogant, gesturing for the other to proceed.

Zhu Haichao said coldly, "You claim the shifting of stars is due to the chaos of the Six Energies, leading to the collapse of Yin and Yang. You also falsely assert that the fate of the Yin and Yang Twin Stars is predetermined. May I ask, Host of the Assembly, by what method do you determine the changes in the Six Energies? And how do you explain the differences between spiritual and desolate regions?"

Zhu Haichao's tone was hostile, and his questions were sharp.

This was mainly because, in Zhao Xing's "Six Energies of Starfall Treatise," while many meteorological phenomena were mentioned, his examples and arguments leaned either towards the Geomancy faction or the Ego faction.

Yes, the Chronomancy faction did not have any super-factions, but that didn't mean Zhao Xing could look down on them.

Therefore, Zhu Haichao came with a strong offensive, immediately targeting the core issues.

"Since you claim the star-shifting problem in the Starfall Corridor is caused by changes in the Six Energies, then tell us, what method do you use to explain this phenomenon? And how do you use the changes in the Six Energies to elucidate the transformations in spiritual and desolate territories?"

Zhao Xing's expression was calm. He knew Zhu Haichao's two questions were crucial, and if he answered even slightly carelessly, his opponent would immediately seize on his weaknesses and attack.

After a moment of thought, Zhao Xing unhurriedly cupped his hands and said, "I will first answer your second question, Fellow Daoist."

"The Six Energies of the universe cycle, operating according to the Great Four Seasons and Five Elements. When energy is weak, desolation arises; Yin and Yang are not manifest, and the Five Elements are not born. When energy gathers, spiritual vitality emerges; Yin and Yang harmonize, and the Five Elements spontaneously arise."

Zhao Xing first preemptively fortified his upcoming answer, as speaking solely outside the Cosmic Great Four Seasons theory and the Five Elements Dao would easily create loopholes.

"In spiritual domains, the Twin Stars derive the Five Elements. When energy gathers, the Five Elements World Stars of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth are born!"

"Once the innate Five Elements stars are formed, if there is surplus energy, the circumpolar stars will emerge."

"The heavens operate with regularity. The circumpolar stars, with the Yin and Yang Twin Stars as their axis, define the four seasons and eight solar terms. As terrestrial energies rise and fall and celestial phenomena revolve, the Yin and Yang energies must conform to the stellar orbits to ensure continuous vitality."

Zhao Xing was stating that the Yin and Yang Twin Star system in spiritual domains was stable, requiring at minimum the companionship of five World Stars of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

If the Yin and Yang energies were abundant, more circumpolar stars would be born, but they would not usurp the orbits of the Five Elements World Stars.

Zhu Haichao's eyes flickered.

Zhao Xing used the Chronomancy faction's Dao of Yin-Yang and Five Elements to explain the formation and operation of celestial bodies.

This aligned with the Chronomancy faction's concept of Yin and Yang determining the Five Elements.

Any stable, habitable spiritual star domain would inevitably follow this principle; being too weak or too strong would not qualify as a habitable and stable spiritual star domain.

While he was still pondering, Zhao Xing continued his explanation.

"Six thousand world star years constitute one solar year, six solar years form one cycle, three hundred sixty years make a major fortune, and three thousand six hundred years complete a grand circumpolar cycle."

"Matching the solar year to the four seasons and five planetary fortunes is called the 'Great Chronomancy Seasonal Star Fortune'. The annual chronomancy proceeds in five seasonal steps, starting from the Wood Star season, concluding with the Fire Star, Earth Star, Metal Star, and Water Star seasons."

"The Great Four Seasons and the Five Planets revolve in mutual generation around Yin and Yang, with each step lasting seventy-three world star years and five months."

"This cycle repeats endlessly, until the Yang Star's pulse dries up, at which point the Six Energies with their isolated Yin cannot sustain themselves and collapse, signifying that the star's fortune is predetermined!"

"In desolate regions, where energy is weak, changes in the Five Planets are inevitable. The Water Star season is the first to wane, and the Five Elements gradually reverse, returning to Yin and Yang, which also constitutes an alteration of the original energy fate."

Listening to Zhao Xing's voice, a flicker of surprise appeared in Zhu Haichao's eyes.

This was because Zhao Xing's theory had been further supplemented and had significantly changed from 135 years ago.

His mental power continuously calculated, and he quickly concluded: assuming Zhao Xing's explanation, if the standard model of the Yin-Yang Five Elements Seven Stars were moved, it was indeed the Water Star that would fall first towards the Sun Star.

Even if the order was artificially disrupted, and the Water Star's original position was deliberately shifted, as long as the Yin-Yang Five Elements star model wasn't violently destroyed, it would eventually return to its original position after some time.

The extreme environment of the Starfall Corridor also conformed to this theory.

"How could someone make such tremendous progress?" A thought arose in Zhu Haichao's mind. One hundred thirty-five years ago, Zhao Xing had released his initial theory and then entered seclusion; it was very rudimentary back then.

Zhu Haichao could have easily refuted Zhao Xing's absurd claims, but now he felt pressure.

He vaguely sensed that this assembly might not be as simple as he had anticipated.

Even more surprised than Zhu Haichao was Jiang Tiansu, who was on a meteorite outside the debate platform.

This was because Zhao Xing's theory had adapted his "Treatise on the Ziwei Circulatory Cycle"!

"The heavens operate with regularity. The circumpolar stars, with the Ziwei as their axis, define the four seasons and eight solar terms. As terrestrial energies rise and fall with celestial phenomena, the Yin and Yang energies must conform to the stellar orbits to ensure continuous vitality."

This was the original text of the "Treatise on the Ziwei Circulatory Cycle."

Zhao Xing, however, had altered two characters: Ziwei became Yin and Yang.

Changing these two characters altered the meaning entirely.

Jiang Tiansu also believed that the circumpolar star orbits were fixed, with a constant law defining line influencing the movement of celestial stars.

His theory emphasized that the laws of celestial body movement could not be defied; using the "Treatise on the Ziwei Circulatory Cycle" to explain the Starfall Corridor phenomenon was an insoluble problem.

However, Zhao Xing's 'Great Chronomancy Seasonal Star Fortune' emphasized the Yin and Yang Twin Stars, making it more flexible than his own theory. Jiang Tiansu could easily deduce that the Starfall Corridor phenomenon very likely had a solution!

The 'quest for truth' segment of the assembly involved nothing more than challenging, dismantling, and explaining theories.

When answering Zhu Haichao's challenge, Zhao Xing also dismantled his theory and then provided his own explanation.

Furthermore, Zhao Xing also affirmed the circumpolar Five Planets' orbits. While seemingly using his own theory to counter Zhu Haichao, the actual meaning was completely different.

If Zhu Haichao didn't think carefully, he might be led astray, inadvertently refuting the very theories of his own Ziwei Chronomancy Palace.

Not only did Zhao Xing dismantle his theory, but he also incidentally neutralized the combined attack from him and Zhu Haichao!

It was simply killing three birds with one stone!

"What a Zhao Chen An!" Jiang Tiansu's eyes immediately lit up with excitement.

The Geomancy faction elder from the Red Fire Catastrophe Sect next to him suddenly realized that his old friend, even before taking the stage, had already begun mobilizing all his soul power for deduction.

Zhao Xing looked at the pondering Zhu Haichao, his eyes full of confidence.

What he had just described was an advanced version of the "Treatise on the Three Yin and Three Yang, Six Energies Circulatory Cycle" from the Xuanhuang Realm era, now incorporated into the "Six Energies of Starfall Treatise: Yin-Yang Chapter."

Zhu Haichao and Jiang Tiansu, among others, had completely underestimated him. In his previous life, he had reached the demigod realm and cultivated all three factions, having experienced countless dharma assemblies.

Defeating the two of them? It was merely child's play!

At this moment, Zhu Haichao still felt he had the strength to fight.

He waved his hand, and immediately, miniature stars appeared from the void.

"Zhu Haichao of the Mirage Sea Alliance, I dare to question you, Fellow Daoist!"

Zhao Xing remained impassive. "Please ask, Fellow Daoist."

Zhu Haichao did not speak immediately but instead placed miniature Yin and Yang Twin Stars and the Five Elements World Stars in the void.

He was indeed well-prepared. These were not actual celestial bodies but Dao Soldier models, tools often used by Chronomancy agricultural officials during the challenging phase of debates.

"Every theory must have its method. Please, Fellow Daoist, do not hesitate to enlighten me on how to resolve the changes in Starfall." Zhu Haichao stared intently at Zhao Xing.

No matter how much was said, the Starfall Corridor problem ultimately required practical magical techniques to solve!

Zhu Haichao couldn't confirm if Zhao Xing's theory was effective, but continuing to argue theoretically was pointless.

Just as there were eight magical techniques to deal with Mount Diejie, he wanted to know if Zhao Xing possessed a technique to solve this problem.

Zhao Xing glanced at his opponent and couldn't help but smile.

Just one question had forced Zhu Haichao to reveal his true intentions.

In reality, this request was quite unreasonable, as a live demonstration of a technique would transform the debate into a magical battle.

This stage should have been chosen by Zhao Xing, who would decide when to reveal it.

Secret techniques, by their very nature, were not to be easily disseminated.

A hum resonated.

At that moment, a figure appeared above their heads. It was Scholar Bovay.

He cast a faint glance at the seven stars. "Zhu Haichao, you have overstepped."

"If you have no further questions, withdraw immediately."

Zhu Haichao suddenly sobered up and immediately cupped his hands to Zhao Xing in apology. "I was rude. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist."

With that, he turned, his expression downcast, intending to retreat.

In front of countless people, he had failed to stump Zhao Xing and had instead acted disrespectfully. This was indeed quite embarrassing.

"Elder Zhu, wait!" Zhao Xing suddenly called out to him. "I can give you a demonstration, but you will not receive the secret transmission."

"Elder Bovay, please activate the Enlightenment Realm to bear witness."

Zhu Haichao was somewhat startled, but his eyes quickly shifted to excitement, looking at Bovay with great anticipation.

Bovay was also speechless internally.

He was merely supposed to make an appearance and go through the motions, never expecting to end up working for Zhao Xing.

This young man probably anticipated this scene long ago, which was why he insisted on inviting the scholars.

He had truly been orchestrated perfectly.

"Enter," Bovay said expressionlessly, waving his hand as the Enlightenment Realm appeared.

Zhao Xing and Zhu Haichao then stepped in together.

Inside and outside the venue, discussions immediately erupted.

How did the theoretical battle turn into a magical battle so soon after the 'quest for truth' segment began? Was it this exciting?

"It's thrilling! Even though I don't understand what they're saying, it sounds very profound."

"Zhu Haichao only asked one question; how did it escalate to a magical battle? Could he not find any flaws?"

"Hiss, could it be that Agricultural Official Zhao is about to solve another major problem? Quickly, invite more people to watch!"

Instantly, the number of people paying to watch the assembly surged.

Chen Yu, the Junior Agricultural Official of Great Zhou, grinned widely.

Inside the Enlightenment Realm.

Zhao Xing pointed a finger and began a simulated practical demonstration.

Under Zhao Xing's spell, the Yin and Yang Twin Stars transformed into one large and one small.

With movement and rotation, the twin-star configuration became a peak-level Sun Star and a high-level Moon Star.

With Yang dominant and Yin recessive, the five major world stars immediately showed signs of decaying life and dissipating spiritual energy.

Zhu Haichao didn't understand the specifics but felt that these two techniques involved both the Geomancy faction and the Chronomancy faction.

This was because stripping the Six Energies was clearly a Cloud Energy technique, and stripping Earth Veins was undoubtedly within the scope of Geomancy techniques.

"Grand Elder, please accelerate time," Zhao Xing said, looking skyward.

Inside the Enlightenment Realm, a time-accelerated scene was immediately simulated.

Soon, Zhu Haichao noticed that the original Yin-Yang Five Star system had undergone a significant transformation.

As Zhao Xing had stripped away the Six Energies and Earth Veins, there was now an additional Life World Star, besides the Yin and Yang Twin Stars and the Five Elements World Stars.

It possessed all Five Elements and was positioned between the Metal and Fire Planets.

Additionally, much material had been stripped from the Sun Star and Moon Star, forming three more desolate world stars further away.

The Moon Star had also been repositioned and significantly scaled down, placed beside this new world star.

"The original Yin-Yang Five Elements model has become a Greater Yang, a Lesser Yin, and now there's an additional Life World Star and three desolate giant stars… What is this?" Zhu Haichao didn't understand but was greatly shocked.

Because, according to his understanding, celestial movement should have completely collapsed once it deviated from the standard Yin-Yang Five Elements model, but it hadn't.

"Elder Bovay, please continue to accelerate time to one thousand years in the future and see if any Starfall changes occur." Zhao Xing offered no explanation, merely giving Bovay an instruction.

Bovay, now somewhat curious, adjusted the conditions within the Enlightenment Realm with interest.

Time accelerated and only stopped a millennium later.

Zhu Haichao stared intently at the new Yin-Yang Nine Star structure.

After the stars shifted in the Starfall Corridor, most would collapse within a millennium.

From his perspective as a Chronomancy agricultural official, this was because the Yin-Yang Five Elements of the spiritual desolate regions could not stabilize in the desolate lands. This should be a natural law of the universe, an unbreakable rule!

Unless it was something like an artificial base, which would require immense cost to solve this problem.

But that wouldn't be a relevant point for discussion here; it would be a matter for artificers and mechanists.

The anticipated collapse did not occur, but the Enlightenment Realm, being structured based on the conditions of the Starfall Corridor, did exhibit some unusual phenomena.

A crash sounded.

Suddenly, a wave appeared from the void, beginning to impact the new Yin-Yang Nine Star structure.

A peculiar scene unfolded: the rotating new star system began to deflect the direction of the wave.

A large number of void waves were diverted by the Great Dao of Yin and Yang and the Earth Veins of the two outermost desolate giant stars.

The Yin-Yang Nine Star structure remained intact, and the Life World Star located between the Metal and Fire elements still existed!

Moreover, because the void waves carried the Six Energies, new spiritual energy substances were generated and condensed. This disaster not only failed to destroy it but instead revitalized the entire star system!

Heavens… why is this happening?!!!

Zhu Haichao cried out in his heart!

Zhao Xing turned around, looking at the stunned person beside him. "Elder Zhu, should we ask Scholar Bovay to continue advancing time?"

Zhu Haichao snapped out of his daze, his eyes shifting from shock to excitement, his voice hoarse from emotion. "Agricultural Official Zhao… why is this happening…"

"The ebb and flow of tides are the respirations of Yin and Yang. To secure a region, one must use tidal methods to guide stagnant energy," Zhao Xing slowly recited a passage.

"Is not the turmoil caused by void currents another form of hydrospheric phenomenon?"

"Those two giant stars, one named Uranus and the other Neptune, are precisely where the channeling techniques manifest."

Zhu Haichao's body trembled because Zhao Xing had quoted a passage from the "Hydrospheric Phenomena Scripture."

This meant that Zhao Xing not only possessed a profound understanding of their faction's classics but also used them as the basis for the magical techniques he created.

If the Treatise on Hydrospheric Phenomena was indeed applied in this way, then Zhao Xing wasn't just refuting their Chronomancy faction; he was, in fact, greatly advancing the entire Chronomancy discipline!

On the high platform, Bovay quietly watched the Yin-Yang Nine Star system slowly revolve, and he, too, couldn't help but fall into shock.

Because Zhao Xing's actions were equivalent to creating a stably operating "Yin-Yang World Star System" under the extreme conditions of a desolate region.

If it could be applied to the extreme Starfall Corridor, then it could almost certainly be applied to all desolate regions!

"The Great Dao of Yin and Yang mirrors the twin stars, and the Yin and Yang twin stars mirror the Five Elements. Has he inadvertently deconstructed the Great Dao of Yin and Yang and the Great Dao of Life, or…?" Bovay murmured to himself.

If Zhao Xing had no past life, then his talent was simply terrifying—a monstrous genius capable of achieving godhood.

If he were a reincarnator, Bovay dared not think further.

A deep wariness flashed in his eyes, and he no longer entertained any thoughts of plotting against Zhao Xing.

He withdrew the Enlightenment Realm.

When Zhao Xing and Zhu Haichao reappeared before the crowd and under the reflection of the star mirrors.

Zhu Haichao bowed deeply to Zhao Xing. "Zhu Haichao thanks Agricultural Official Zhao for clarifying my doubts. From now on, if Agricultural Official Zhao has a command, the Mirage Sea Alliance is willing to follow your lead!"

At these words, the assembly hall immediately fell silent.

Jiang Tiansu, Baili Yang, and Lord Xiye, who had been waiting for the outcome, were instantly dumbfounded.

They were supposed to team up and challenge Zhao Xing, weren't they?

How did Zhu Haichao just surrender outright?

No, this couldn't even be called surrendering. Zhu Haichao was a leader of the Mirage Sea Alliance; for him to say such a thing was tantamount to being directly absorbed by Zhao Xing on the spot!

"What exactly did Zhu Haichao experience inside the Enlightenment Realm…?" Jiang Tiansu murmured to himself.