Chapter 479: The Stir Caused by the Dharma Assembly, Mysterious Starry Sky Slate

After Zhu Haichao completed his inquiry, he departed by stepping on the tide. Zhao Xing was completely unsurprised by his recent actions. Back then, Liu Tianning had managed to subdue Pang Xianyun, causing him to defect to the Myriad Self sect and even change his name. Zhao Xing felt that his own method of holding a Dharma assembly and spiritually conquering a Lord-level Si Nong through doctrine was far more sophisticated than Old Liu's approach.

"The Mirage Sea Alliance's territory is in the southern part of the Xuanling Starfield. This branch of the Celestial Timing faction specializes in handling transmutation issues caused by void turbulence. They could be of great use, the only drawback being their considerable distance, making travel to the Annihilation Star Corridor inconvenient," Zhao Xing mused.

Zhu Haichao returned to Jiang Tiansu, Baili Yang, and Lord Xiye and immediately began contacting his own forces. At this moment, the three Lords were both shocked and curious.

"Brother Zhu, how, how could you be so..." Lord Xiye was extremely perplexed. He almost blurted out, "Zhu Haichao, how could you be so pathetic!"

Zhu Haichao glanced at him, ignored him, and continued contacting the people of Mirage Sea Tower.

In the southern cosmic space of the Xuanling Starfield, there exists an ocean floating in the starry sky. This unique region, influenced by the turbulent river epoch of the new generation, is also the main territory of Mirage Sea Tower. The ocean there is stratified. The Manifestation Layer is real liquid water, abundant with spiritual energy. The Dao Manifestation Layer consists of void currents, the source of the southern void rivers in the Spirit Realm. The Dao Ancient Layer also contains 'seawater,' reputed to be the closest place to the primordial ocean! Like the Layered Mountain, it traverses the true material world and two abstract Dao realms. The Primordial Ocean Secret Realm in the Primal Realm was created based on the Turbulent River Sea in the southern ocean of the Xuanling Starfield, and the theory of the primordial ocean was derived from it.

Affected by the Turbulent River Sea in the south, the earth veins do not condense into planetary forms, but rather into star-continents and celestial islands floating on the sea. Transmutations are frequent there, making it one of the eight wonders of Xuanling. Mirage Sea Tower primarily sustains itself by cultivating void sea beasts.

The predecessor of the Mirage Sea Alliance was the Divine River Sect and the Sacred Sea Sect during the Five Emperors Era. The Divine River Sect controlled the real and void rivers of both the Manifestation and Dao Manifestation sects, while the Sacred Sea Sect controlled the deepest Dao Ancient Layer ocean. The two sects coexisted, vying with each other. With the end of the Five Emperors Era, the two major sects collapsed into tens of thousands of factions of varying sizes. After entering the Ancient Kingdom Era, influenced by the six major human super-forces, these tens of thousands of factions formed the current Mirage Sea Alliance.

Zhu Haichao held a high position within the Mirage Sea Alliance; his faction could almost dictate half of the alliance's affairs. Any force within the Xuanling Starfield inevitably faced the problem of Wilderness Realm erosion. Zhu Haichao's immediate prostration wasn't purely out of overwhelming admiration for Zhao Xing; he was also seeking a way out for the Mirage Sea Alliance. The acceleration of Wilderness Realm transformation was particularly evident to Si Nongs. The drying up of the southern ocean in the Xuanling Starfield could almost be dated. Where would they establish themselves in the future?

Zhao Xing's ability to construct a new Yin-Yang Boundary Star model in an extreme place like the Annihilation Star Corridor was tantamount to creating new territories for survival. To Zhu Haichao, such a method of transforming decay into wonder was nothing short of miraculous. Before the inquiry, the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory was worthless in Zhu Haichao's eyes. After the inquiry, the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory instantly became a divine theory in Zhu Haichao's mind! Zhao Xing was currently only in the Life-Death Dao Domain realm. If not now, when would be the time to cling to his coattails?

"You don't understand," Zhu Haichao said calmly. "None of you truly comprehend the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory."

Lord Xiye was filled with doubt.

Jiang Tiansu asked, "Brother Zhu, could you elaborate a little?"

"No," Zhu Haichao shook his head. "But I suggest the three of you don't go and humiliate yourselves."

"Zhu Haichao, have you gone mad?!" Lord Xiye couldn't help but scold. "You're a strong cultivator in your own right; how can you so easily surrender to a junior!"

Zhu Haichao chuckled, then turned his head away, ignoring Lord Xiye, that blockhead. He simply didn't know how great Si Nong Zhao was! It's better if they don't understand. That way, I can be the only one to cling to him!

Seeing Zhu Haichao like this, Lord Xiye, Jiang Tiansu, and Baili Yang also dared not rashly step forward. The three fell into deep contemplation. From the debate alone, he could tell Zhao Xing was extraordinary, but not to the extent of transforming Zhu Haichao like this. The crucial point must be the demonstration of Dao principles within the Enlightenment Realm. However, they couldn't fathom what kind of Dao principle could bewilder Zhu Haichao to such an extent.

Could Zhao Xing be a Demonic Si Nong? Had he enticed Zhu Haichao with heretical doctrines from outside sects? It wasn't impossible.

Ancient records described a Demonic Si Nong during the Feather Emperor era who held a Dharma assembly on the border of the Black Sky Wilderness, seducing nearly half of the Si Nongs in the northern territory. That Demonic Si Nong founded the Spirit Seed Method school, integrating the Earth Palace Method, Parasitic Method, and Dietary Supplement Method within its framework. Using the physical body as a foundation and the soul as nourishment, he successively enticed the Earth Palace school Si Nongs of the Primordial Hill and the Mother Tree Extreme Dao school Si Nongs of the Primal Realm. He also used the concept of the Celestial Timing faction's dietary supplement method to entice numerous Celestial Timing faction Si Nongs. His methods knew no taboos and spared nothing. He believed that consuming other cultivators to nourish oneself was essentially no different from a scholar's enlightenment. That Black Sky Dharma assembly caused a large number of Si Nongs to betray their sects and follow him to the Black Sky Wilderness, after which they were never heard from again. The Spirit Seed Method was also classified as a demonic Dao flow.

Dharma assemblies involved both clashes of cultivation philosophies and confrontations of magical systems. The three believed that Zhu Haichao had very likely been seduced.

"I will expose his true nature!" Motivated by the desire to rescue his friend from distress, Lord Xiye left the meteorite platform and rushed towards the Dao field.

"Don't be impulsive!" Baili Yang and Jiang Tiansu had no time to stop him. They could only watch as Lord Xiye, stepping on fire clouds, rushed in to become the second debater.

Zhao Xing saw a burly, red-haired man approaching on a fiery rainbow, full of imposing aura, and couldn't help but be a little surprised. The security of the Annihilation Star Dharma assembly wouldn't allow anyone to act so brazenly. Did he intend to attack Zhao Xing?

"Elder Xiyezi of the Crimson Harvest Calamity Fire Sect, dares to address the master of this Dharma assembly!" Lord Xiye's Dharma robe bore the sect emblem: a burning millet spike pattern, with a landmass and a sun-star beneath it.

Although the Crimson Harvest Calamity Fire Sect was currently only a top-tier force, its ancestors had once been powerful. It was said that during the Five Emperors Era, they had many divine-level practitioners. However, with the changing times, their strongest members were now only Emperor-level Si Nongs. Their last demigod dated back fifteen epochs before the Wilderness Realm. Zhao Xing remembered that this sect had no obvious sectarian biases; they cultivated Celestial Timing, Terrestrial Advantage, and Myriad Self, but there was nothing particularly outstanding about them. Lord Xiye himself had decent combat power, but few of his doctrinal treatises were noteworthy, much like his sect's overall foundation.

"Please ask," Zhao Xing calmly extended his hand, both inviting the question and signaling to the Five Poisons Emperor not to strike down Lord Xiye for his rudeness. Lord Xiye naturally noticed the gesture. Upon seeing the Five Poisons Emperor sharpening his blade, he sobered up considerably.

"You claim that the Annihilation Star phenomenon is due to the disorder of the Six Qi, leading to an imbalance of Yin and Yang. Why, then, in the Blue Ice Star transformation, did we only observe fire disasters?"

When Lord Xiye posed his question, Jiang Tiansu and Baili Yang both glanced at Zhu Haichao. This question was originally thought up by him, but he hadn't had the chance to ask it. This question had empirical evidence: the Blue Ice Yang clan, one of the four great families, had once relocated a star to the Annihilation Star Corridor and created a series of life-sustaining star rings called "Blue Ice." During the Annihilation Star anomaly of collapse and engulfment, a portion of Blue Ice Star Ring No. 12 was discovered and salvaged in time.

Zhu Haichao had intended to use this example to refute Zhao Xing's Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory. Because the actual situation it presented did not align with Zhao Xing's doctrinal description, Zhao Xing had previously said that Zhu Haichao had indeed found a valid point. Lord Xiye's presence was still a continuation of Zhu Haichao's effort, as he knew his own debating prowess was inferior to his three friends, and he couldn't defeat Zhao Xing on his own. He also wanted to use this opportunity to bring Zhu Haichao back to his senses.

However, Lord Xiye was destined to be disappointed. Zhu Haichao didn't even spare a glance, his expression unmoved. Because after emerging from the Enlightenment Realm, he already knew the answer to this question, which in fact still fell within the scope of Si Nong Zhao's doctrine! Lord Xiye was purely humiliating himself!

After listening, Zhao Xing summoned a star mirror. Since the question stemmed from a specific example, any explanation could not deviate from it. Thus, the star mirror replayed the scene of the Blue Ice life-sustaining star ring's destruction. First, a normal demonstration was shown. Then, a second, slow-motion replay.

As the slow-motion began, Zhao Xing's voice gently echoed: "During the Blue Ice Star transformation, the moonlight soared directly upwards. Although the physical form of the Lunar Star did not change, its moonlight power had sharply decreased by 70%. The lunar sundials on Blue Ice's seven stars and eight continents, which progressively pointed from seventy marks to forty-nine to thirty-two marks, serve as clear evidence."

At this time, far away within the Imperial Pass, Yang Bochang, the patriarch of the Blue Ice Yang clan, one of the four great families, was watching the Dharma assembly. His brother, Yang Shuchang, was beside him. Patriarch Yang Bochang was a Mechanical Lord, and his younger brother, Yang Shuchang, was a Si Nong Lord. The Blue Ice life-sustaining star ring in the Annihilation Star Corridor was built by Yang Shuchang. When the Blue Ice transformation occurred, Yang Shuchang was present on site. It was precisely because of this powerful Lord's presence that a portion of property was salvaged from the disaster, preserving many of the Yang clan's personnel.

"Shuchang, is what Zhao Xing saying correct?"

"Not a single bit off!" Yang Shuchang recalled, "When the Annihilation Star transformation occurred, both the armillary sphere and the sundials simultaneously went into chaos. It was precisely for this reason that I acted early to save people, relocating three stars and two continents out of the seven stars and eight continents. At that time, while on the Blue Ice Star, I suddenly saw the Lunar Star dim and rise, the Solar Star glow intensely and sink, and the void collapse. I didn't know why, I just witnessed this phenomenon."

Within the Dharma assembly hall, Zhao Xing continued: "As Yin waned, Yang flourished, immediately leading to the Yang Star's blazing wheel. Those within the Blue Ice star ring could see the Lunar Star dimming and rising, while the Solar Star glowed intensely and sank. The Boundary-Stabilizing Formation first collapsed in the east, the Golden Continent was destroyed first, followed by the valiant emergence of the Void River, freezing the Water Continent. After 108,000 immeasurable units of time, the miasma rose, making it impossible for Si Nongs to project. At 54,000 immeasurable units of time, the dusk qi transformed into a giant sun, destroying the Seven Treasures Tree. At 27,000 immeasurable units of time, the Yin-Yang Dual Track Instrument shattered, and the Blue Ice Star transformation occurred."

Yang Shuchang listened carefully, unwilling to miss a single detail. The more he listened, the more agitated he became. Firstly, the slow-motion replay made him feel as if he had returned to the disaster, reliving the excitement. Secondly, Zhao Xing's analysis gave him a sudden sense of enlightenment, as if he finally understood where he had erred.

"Each of the Six Qi manifests elemental properties. For Jueyin Wind-Wood, the power of Taiyin was drawn away by the void wind, which is why it soared upwards, dim and lusterless. The flourishing Yang caused dry metal. The Celestial Timing formations on the Golden Continent failed because I moved the Solar Star's orbit at that time. The Water Continent was a life-saving passage, allowing escape via the Void River, and the orbital formations could have teleported, but they were interfered with by the Yang orbit. The Xuan soil immediately became saturated, how could one escape through the void? I understand now, it was all due to my misjudgment, which turned the Water Continent into an Ice Continent and interrupted the orbital teleportation. These two survival passages completely failed, causing heavy casualties among my Yang clan descendants... Wuwuwu, I harmed them." By the end, Yang Shuchang's voice was choked with sobs.

He had originally believed he had preserved a portion of the Yang clan's descendants during the disaster, but now, upon reflection, he realized he had been terribly mistaken. Yang Bochang watched his brother's grief, at a loss for how to console him. No matter how strong one's cultivation, they still possessed emotions and cared for others. Yang Shuchang's three favorite children had perished in that disaster. After a long time, Yang Shuchang looked up: "Brother, I... I want to go to the Annihilation Star Corridor!"

At the Annihilation Star Dharma assembly, before the inquiry platform, Lord Xiye's fire clouds beneath his feet constantly shifted as he deduced, finally realizing that what Zhao Xing said did not deviate from the scope of the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory. Following Zhao Xing's live reconstruction of the Blue Ice Star transformation, he also discovered many previously unnoticed details. By assuming the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory to view this disaster, many hidden truths could be revealed.

Why did the moonlight soar upwards? *Fuyao* (soaring) refers to the void wind. Because this occurred within an extremely brief 108,000 immeasurable units of time, this scene was impossible to observe and could only be deduced. Before this, no theory could fully explain it. Why did the sun blaze intensely, incinerating the Golden Continent? It was still due to the drastic changes in the Six Qi. The blazing wheel was a tornado-like storm, which could have been observed, but was also obscured by the sun's overwhelming power. Just as "method within method" is common in magical duels, this complex disaster was "disaster within disaster."

Lord Xiye's tone changed: "May I ask, fellow Daoist, was there a solution to this disaster at the time?"

Zhao Xing shook his head: "There was a solution, yet no solution. 108,000 immeasurable units of time exceeded the reaction limit of a Lord-level cultivator." Theoretically, there was a solution, of course: either not construct the life-sustaining star ring in that manner or significantly increase investment costs. However, a medium-sized base could not possibly have an Emperor-level Si Nong present, nor could it afford overly expensive Dao soldiers and formations. Cost and consequences determined that the Blue Ice Star transformation was practically insoluble. Unless the life-sustaining star ring was never built in that location to begin with. From Zhao Xing's perspective, at 27,000 immeasurable units of time during the Blue Ice Star transformation, the methods of the Celestial Timing, Terrestrial Advantage, and Myriad Self factions all became useless. The time was too short; Lord Yang Shuchang had no need to blame himself excessively, as this kind of disaster was beyond his capabilities.

Lord Xiye was actually convinced by Zhao Xing, but he still held onto a last shred of stubbornness, requesting Zhao Xing to allow him to enter the Enlightenment Realm. Bowie was rendered speechless. Normally, in a Dharma assembly, it was rare for scholars to need to appear, let alone personally activate the Enlightenment Realm. However, Zhao Xing's Annihilation Star Dharma assembly simply made this a regular condition. The scholars directly became his laborers, and couldn't refuse, as such an event was rare to begin with.

"Feng Chen, you go," Bowie said, unwilling to work for Zhao Xing himself, he could only send other scholars from the Six Realms.

"Yes."

When Lord Xiye emerged from the Enlightenment Realm, Baili Yang and Jiang Tiansu knew trouble was coming. Because Lord Xiye was murmuring "So that's how it is." And then, just like Zhu Haichao, he prostrated himself respectfully before Zhao Xing, addressing him as Si Nong Zhao. The Crimson Harvest Calamity Fire Sect already cultivated all three factions. It was even more impossible for him to escape Zhao Xing's 'demonic clutches' after entering the Enlightenment Realm. Since the Enlightenment Realm also served a confidentiality purpose, Lord Xiye remained silent after emerging. In reality, he had not yet fully recovered from Zhao Xing's demonstration.

"Brother Xiye, have you forgotten what you went to do just now?" Baili Yang cautiously asked.

Xiye's red hair was standing on end, and his soul was greatly agitated. If not for the presence of a physician nearby, Baili Yang would truly have thought the other person had gone berserk.

Lord Xiye shook his head, "My earlier failure to understand Si Nong Zhao's Dao was due to my own superficiality. If you don't go and inquire, you won't understand."

Baili Yang's mouth twitched. "Damn it, that phrase again! Zhu Haichao became like this earlier, and now Lord Xiye too. You all understand everything, damn it!"

Seeing that he couldn't get any clear answers, Baili Yang decided to try it himself. He bid farewell to Jiang Tiansu with a hint of resolve: "Brother Jiang, if I come out like this later, just give me a good beating. I won't blame you."

Jiang Tiansu shook his head with a bitter smile: "Brother Baili, since you've already said so, your Dao heart has probably already wavered."

"Aren't you wavering?" Baili Yang pointed at the two "fools" nearby. "I've never seen them behave like this before. This time, I won't inquire about the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory. I'll only ask about my Moon-Gazing Valley's 'Lunar Farmer Prophecy.' I refuse to believe even that can be manipulated."

Baili Yang muttered to himself, solidified his Dao heart, and then elegantly entered the Dao field, becoming the third inquirer.

With two previous examples, Baili Yang's attitude was much better. He addressed Zhao Xing as "fellow Daoist," maintaining etiquette. No matter what, even if Zhao Xing was manipulating, he possessed genuine skill.

Zhao Xing was also very interested in Baili Yang. Because the Moon-Gazing Valley Si Nong force was quite unique. It was a combination of Fate Official and Si Nong. Baili Yang cultivated both the Dao of Si Nong and the Dao of Fate Official. Of course, their primary focus was still Si Nong, but they would use Fate Official methods to predict natural disasters, find suitable fertile lands for planting, and also address star relocation issues. Their sect's most famous doctrine was the 'Lunar Farmer Prophecy.' The main purpose of the 'Lunar Farmer Prophecy' was to guide planting locations and timing, predict natural disasters, create life-sustaining star sectors, and combat the Wilderness Realm, all based on lunar phase changes. For example, before planting a tree, they would first filter out 'ill-fated' saplings. For instance, choosing auspicious geomantic locations for planting. Geomancy theory could also be considered an overlap between geomancers and Si Nongs. Within the theoretical framework of Fate Officials, every star in the universe possessed 'star destiny.' They emitted a light of destiny that could not be perceived by ordinary means. Based on this theoretical foundation, Fate Officials categorized stars as 'auspicious stars' and 'inauspicious stars.' Moon-Gazing Valley, combining the theories of Fate Officials, believed that observing the moon's soul, moon's wheel, and moon's phases of the Lunar Star made it easier to detect natural disasters. They could also move the moon and change its phases to create an area with abundant destiny suitable for plant growth.

"The Moon Soul governs germination, growth, and storage. Planting grain and sowing seedlings are guided by the new and full moons: sow during the waxing crescent, let fields lie fallow during the waning crescent. The Moon Soul gives rise to the Moon Wheel, and the Moon Wheel manifests phases; destiny is born from phases, and planting is done in response to destiny."

"The Moon-Gazing Valley's 'Lunar Farmer Prophecy' is a timeless classic authored by Dao Tree. I can't claim to teach; I only have some superficial insights."

Zhao Xing then invited Baili Yang to enter the Enlightenment Realm. Feng Chen, helpless, had to once again support the Enlightenment Realm.

A long time later, Baili Yang emerged with a look of profound shock. "The dominant qi describes constancy, the guest qi describes change. The five qi are successively added, and when guest and host qi overlap, this is the fusion of the Six Qi. I never imagined that the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory also contains a model for predicting celestial timing. It can reduce variables without disturbing the greater celestial timing."

Baili Yang finally understood why the previous two had behaved that way. In the predictions of the Lunar Farmer Prophecy, the greatest variable was the transmutation of celestial timing. The 'transmutation' in 'transmutation of celestial timing' was also the 'variable' that fate masters often referred to in their sect. The 'Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory' did not refute the Lunar Farmer Prophecy; instead, it offered a slight supplement. Even a tiny supplement was incredibly significant. Dao Tree's writings, whose doctrines have remained unchanged for millennia, not a single word added or removed, that is their value. How could Baili Yang not be convinced if Zhao Xing could supplement a section of such a doctrine?

After careful consideration, he also performed a grand bow to Zhao Xing, making the same gesture as the previous two. After returning, Baili Yang couldn't help but smile at Jiang Tiansu's frightened expression. Although he was convinced, he wasn't like the previous two who were still savoring the doctrine, which occupied a large portion of their minds. Baili Yang processed it quickly, so his expression and demeanor did not change much.

"Brother Jiang, the pressure is on you now. I wonder if you can withstand it," Baili Yang teased.

Hearing him say this, Jiang Tiansu felt a sense of relief. At least Baili Yang hadn't undergone such significant external changes like Zhu Haichao and Lord Xiye.

"What's there for me to withstand?" Jiang Tiansu shook his head. "His Yin-Yang Heavenly Cycle Theory has many overlaps with my Zi Wu Celestial Timing Hall's Zi Wu Heavenly Cycle Theory, which will benefit us."

After the inquiries of the previous three, Jiang Tiansu re-examined Zhao Xing's doctrine. He was already deeply touched even before entering.

"You still need to experience it yourself," Baili Yang said. "The Six Qi Theory will have the greatest impact on your Zi Wu Celestial Timing Hall."

"Mmm," Jiang Tiansu nodded. "I'll consider it."

The first Dharma assembly lasted a total of seven years. During the first half of the Annihilation Star Dharma assembly, Zhao Xing expounded his Dao. During the middle half, he accepted inquiries. Aside from Baili Yang, Xiyezi, and Zhu Haichao, whose inquiries were argumentative, forces like the Primordial Hill, Primal Realm, and Four Seasons Palace engaged in very gentle exchanges. The last inquirer was Jiang Tiansu, and after his inquiry was completed, the first Dharma assembly concluded.

After the assembly concluded, it quickly caused a sensation.

"I told you investing this sum was not a mistake," said Yang Baihe of Xinghuo, lying on a beach on the Rainbow Moon Star Continent, observing the intelligence reports within a star mirror. "Never mind what happens in the future, the current situation in the Annihilation Star Corridor is much better than during the time of the four great families. Given my current share, will I really be able to marry an Emperor-level cultivator as a Dao partner in the future?"

"Holy crap, is this real? Four Lord-level cultivators surrounded Zhao Xing, and after the Dharma assembly, they became Zhao Xing's believers?" Wu Yanlin was dumbfounded. What was happening? What had he missed? Those four were all Lord-level powerhouses proficient in doctrine!

"Confused, aren't you? I'm confused too," Daoist Miaosong laughed. "But all I know is that investing in the Annihilation Star Ancient Path this time was the right decision."

"Exactly! Not only will we profit, but we'll profit immensely!" Xu Youling slapped the table. "Although we don't know the exact effects of the magic spells yet, the before-and-after changes in Jiang Tiansu, Baili Yang, Xiyezi, and Zhu Haichao are too obvious! For the first 135 years, they were all critical. But seven years after the Dharma assembly began, they all turned against their previous stances and vehemently supported Zhao Xing. It's safe to assume that after this, the development of Great Zhou will enter a stage of rapid growth!"

"Putting aside making money for a moment, I'm quite curious about what exactly happened within the Enlightenment Realm," Tuosen pondered. This was a gathering of their group of partners. They hadn't attended in person but had been closely following developments.

"Do you think Zhao Xing is a Demonic Si Nong? His doctrine isn't particularly formidable; he just manipulated those three?" said Pu Tianrui.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing? Don't badmouth my junior brother!" Wei Lan and Ai Miaomiao simultaneously expressed dissatisfaction. "What 'Demonic Si Nong'? It's one thing for outsiders to spread rumors, but how awful does it sound when you say it?"

"Exactly, Junior Brother's is a legitimate doctrine, certified by the demigod scholar Bowie!"

Wei Lan and Ai Miaomiao were disciples of the Five Poisons Emperor. They had already arrived at the Annihilation Star Corridor. These two joined Xinghuo and took up the task of monitoring everywhere. This order came from the Five Poisons Emperor, with one objective: whoever secretly slandered their junior brother or deliberately smeared him, they were to be dealt with!

"Hahaha, of course it's legitimate! How could it be anything else? It wouldn't even be operational then."

"Hahahaha."

Although Jiang Tiansu, Baili Yang, Xiyezi, and Zhu Haichao held Zhao Xing in high regard, they absolutely refused to mention the specific methods, as they needed to be kept secret. Zhao Xing had scheduled thirty-four Annihilation Star Dharma assemblies. How could he possibly reveal everything in the first one? Within the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory, the most important and crucial magic spells and solutions were not fully disclosed. The Dharma assembly was fundamentally intended to serve the development of the Annihilation Star Ancient Path; this was the core of his plan. Consequently, after the first Dharma assembly, many people came to inquire when the next assembly would begin and when the spells from the Yin-Yang and Earth Transformation chapters of the Annihilation Star Six Qi Theory would be released.

Zhao Xing's reply was: "The spells will be secretly practiced by the Great Zhou Si Nong Directorate in the Annihilation Star Corridor and will only be gradually announced during the last ten sessions of the Dharma assembly."

Time indefinite? Gradually announced? This answer was maddening! However, news quickly spread. If you want to know the spells in advance, then join Great Zhou, participate in the practice, and work with them!

Consequently, within ten years of the Dharma assembly's conclusion, the population of the Annihilation Star Corridor not only did not decrease but continued to grow. The power of Great Zhou also experienced explosive growth. Ji Che entered the Lord realm in just ten years! Too many experts came to join Great Zhou! Especially the Si Nong Directorate department. Both in terms of quantity and quality of strong cultivators, it far surpassed the other four departments. This was because the Mirage Sea Alliance, where Zhu Haichao was from, the Zi Wu Celestial Timing Hall, where Jiang Tiansu was from, the Crimson Harvest Calamity Fire Sect of Lord Xiye, and Baili Yang's Moon-Gazing Valley all dispatched large numbers of personnel to become honored guests of Great Zhou.

"Originally, our Great Zhou only possessed the minimum qualifications to undertake the Annihilation Star Ancient Path; now, we directly have the strength to develop it! Assuming Grand Si Nong's methods and principles are truly genuine, then the speed of developing the Annihilation Star Ancient Path will far exceed that of the four great families! Your Majesty... we are going to prosper!" Tong Wensheng reported excitedly.

He was excited, but Ji Che remained calm. "Great Zhou's power is rapidly expanding, but for now, it's merely a castle in the air. Honored guests can come and go as they please. Ultimately, it still depends on the development of our own people within Great Zhou."

"Chancellor Tong, draft an imperial decree: all departments of Great Zhou are to raise the threshold for recruiting honored guests and tighten the issuance of Great Zhou citizenship..." Ji Che issued a series of political decrees. He made many adjustments, especially in crucial positions like the Martial Affairs Department and the Heavenly Crafts Department. Those not fully committed to Great Zhou would not be given important roles. However, he significantly relaxed restrictions on business and trade.

Great Zhou flourished, and good news continuously arrived. In the forty-eighth year after the Annihilation Star Dharma assembly commenced, Liu Tianning broke through his seclusion, becoming the second Samsara Realm cultivator after Ji Che. If the Martial Emperor's destiny bonus was not considered, Liu Tianning would be Great Zhou's first Samsara Realm cultivator. In the eightieth year, the Martial Emperor converted the expanding national power, refining a large number of destiny elixirs, and began rapidly enhancing the strength of Great Zhou's native officials. Grand Chief Engineer Lu Ying broke through to the Samsara Realm, Grand Commandant Rahu broke through to the Samsara Realm. Grand Medical Officer Cui Chengzhi broke through to the Samsara Realm!

In the 160th year, Zhao Xing's thirteenth Annihilation Star Dharma assembly concluded. In the same year, Ye Yukong, Long Xiao, and Xia Jing broke through to the Samsara Realm. In the 252nd year, Liu Tianning advanced further, becoming a veteran-level cultivator, while the Martial Emperor had completely established himself at the Lord level. The number of native Samsara Realm cultivators had reached an astonishing thirty-four!

Time flowed on; three hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Annihilation Star Corridor, a certain star sector in the north.

Zhao Xing flew swiftly. After passing through a tunnel in a Layered Mountain, over a hundred realm ships were already waiting ahead. Zhu Haichao waited on the foremost ship, which appeared to be cast from white jade. Upon seeing Zhao Xing approach, he quickly stepped forward.

"Greetings, Grand Si Nong."

"Dispense with the formalities," Zhao Xing said, gazing forward. "Tell me, what have you discovered?"

"Grand Si Nong, please see." Zhu Haichao waved his hand. Over a hundred realm ships began to move backward, and Zhao Xing felt as if the fragmented star belt ahead was being pulled. When a large amount of debris was cleared, regular and neatly arranged azure stone slabs surprisingly appeared in the starry sky.

"Hmm?" He zoomed in with his star mirror to observe. He then discovered that the length, width, and height of these azure stone slabs were all 0.1 astronomical units. Approximately three thousand smooth, flat azure stone slabs appeared. They seemed to have been covered in dust for a long time in the starry sky. Once the stellar debris was cleared away, they emitted a soft azure glow.

"This is..." Zhao Xing gazed at the colossal azure stone slabs in the starry sky. The light fluctuations on them subtly formed patterns resembling lotus flowers, with additional designs on the lotuses that were difficult to discern clearly. But one thing was certain: these were not naturally formed; they were artificial traces!

"Have you sent anyone to investigate?" Zhao Xing asked Zhu Haichao.

"Yes," Zhu Haichao reported. "But as soon as anyone approached those azure stone slabs, they suddenly vanished. We dared not send anyone else and could only invite Grand Si Nong."

"Vanished?" Zhao Xing feigned confusion, but his heart pounded. Recalling numerous characteristics, he realized that after three hundred years, he had finally unearthed something significant on this ancient path!

"Immediately seal off all news and prohibit anyone from investigating further!" Zhao Xing ordered. "Not even clones."

"Yes," Zhu Haichao immediately flew away.

At this moment, Baili Yang walked over and quietly asked, "Si Nong Zhao, should we..."

Looking at Baili Yang's eyes, Zhao Xing couldn't help but shake his head. Baili Yang was good in all aspects, except for a bad habit: he actually suggested killing people for secrecy. Did he really think of Zhao Xing as a Demonic Si Nong? Or was he testing Zhao Xing's character?

"Baili Yang, don't give me such suggestions again," Zhao Xing said, shaking his head. "These are all people of my Great Zhou. No matter where they were before, once they join Great Zhou, they are our own. I will not kill our own people for wealth."

Baili Yang nodded, saying no more. However, soon another person flew over from the Layered Mountain tunnel behind them. It was Yang Baihe.

"Captain, why are you here?"

Zhao Xing was not very pleased to see Yang Baihe, because Yang Baihe's personal presence indicated that other members of Xinghuo had also arrived. Being targeted by Xinghuo was not a good thing.

"Someone reported Great Zhou for violating the Imperial Development Law," Yang Baihe went straight to the point. "Xinghuo has been ordered to investigate."