Zhao Xing was thrown into Erliang Slope, the prison under Meng Wu's control, and it felt as if he had been stuffed into a giant spinning machine. His body was spinning wildly, while at the same time, he was plummeting at an insane speed.
His body underwent some kind of distortion, making it impossible for him to focus his spiritual power to stabilize himself.
For an Emperor-tier Reincarnation Realm cultivator, this was just a casual move, but for Zhao Xing, it was an overwhelming force he could not resist.
His body, spirit energy, and every inch of his flesh were violently shaken. 840 million acupoints resonated all at once.
Even his consciousness became blurry, as if his mind had been shattered like an egg yolk being stirred furiously.
The world spun. Sky flipped, earth reversed. He had no idea how long it lasted.
Finally, he hit the ground.
The abrupt transition from extreme speed to absolute stillness was jarring—it felt as though an invisible hand had caught him in place, forcing him to stand perfectly straight.
But his vision was still spinning uncontrollably.
He couldn't keep his balance at all.
"Urgh—!"
Zhao Xing's face turned red, and he finally doubled over, hands on his knees, and vomited uncontrollably.
"Urgh—!"
Boom!
As he vomited, large amounts of black residue and a faint gray mist spilled out from his mouth.
His entire body shook violently, and his pores even exuded blackened blood.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xing's consciousness gradually cleared up. He knelt on the ground, placing both hands over his head, and bowed respectfully toward the sky.
"Th-Thank you, General Meng…"
Meng Wu may have been taking revenge, but at the same time, he had helped shake off the toxins and hidden injuries left from the medicinal bath's 'metamorphosis' process.
There was no response from above, but in the outside world, Meng Wu snorted coldly.
"Hmph, at least you know your place."
"But… thanking me?" He chuckled darkly. "Let's see if you still feel like thanking me after you've experienced the full treatment."
———
Erliang Slope, Prison World.
After vomiting his guts out, Zhao Xing finally had the strength to stand properly.
He instinctively tried to summon wind and rain to wash himself clean, only to realize he couldn't use any techniques.
He had no choice but to stay in his current filthy state.
"Sigh, this really is karma at work." Zhao Xing sighed helplessly.
He had called for reinforcements, dragging Meng Wu into the mess.
Now, Meng Wu was returning the favor with his own version of 'reinforcements.'
Zhao Xing had never spun this much in his entire life.
Using his sleeve to wipe the dirt off his face, his vision finally stabilized.
As soon as he got a clear look at his surroundings, a figure appeared before him.
The man wore a mask with a blue face and fanged grin and held a massive steel trident in his hand.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist. I am—"
BANG!
Before he could finish speaking, the steel trident slammed into the back of his head.
His vision went black, and he collapsed onto the ground.
As he drifted into unconsciousness, he vaguely heard the masked figure speaking:
"Tie him up. Take him to the execution ground. Remember, don't talk to him. The Warden said this guy has a silver tongue and is a habitual con artist…"
"I'M BEING FRAMED—"
Zhao Xing lost consciousness completely.
———
Time passed.
When Zhao Xing opened his eyes again, he found himself soaking in a massive vat.
"Fizz… gurgle…"
Boiling oil bubbled and hissed around him.
A man stood above the vat, holding a steel trident, looking down at him.
A frying vat?
Zhao Xing froze in shock. "What the hell are you doing?"
The masked executioner said nothing. He simply jabbed Zhao Xing with the trident.
"Ah—!"
With that one stab, Zhao Xing's nerves instantly reawakened.
"AHHHH—!!"
Zhao Xing tried to leap out of the vat on instinct, but the moment he floated upward, a trident slammed him back down.
"Wait, hold on—!"
Zhao Xing reached out to grab the trident, but the heat was unbearable. He immediately let go, falling back into the boiling oil.
"Mmfff—!"
His words were cut off instantly.
A suffocating burning pain engulfed his entire body.
Zhao Xing was completely speechless.
Summoning all his strength, he forced himself back to the surface and shouted:
"I have never heard of an empire that treats prisoners like this—glub, glub—!"
Third time surfacing:
"Prisoners should have human rights—hiss—!"
Fourth time surfacing:
"General! I was wrong—!"
CLANG!
———
No one knew how many times he had been beaten down.
Eventually, Zhao Xing lost the strength to resist.
His mind and body were completely overwhelmed by the scorching pain and suffocation.
Yet his injuries healed quickly, and black blood seeped from his pores—just like when he had vomited before.
This time, however, the purging process was even more refined.
Zhao Xing didn't even notice that his body was being purified through deep oil frying.
———
"Splash—!"
At long last, Zhao Xing was fished out of the oil vat.
For a moment, he felt like he had been reborn.
"Sir, am I being taken to my cell now?" Zhao Xing asked dully.
"Cell?" The masked executioner responded blankly. "You're not done yet."
"Then where are we going?"
"Beheading."
"WHAT—"
Before he could react, a heavy boot slammed into his back.
A tremendous force sent him hurtling forward.
Zhao Xing skidded across the ground, coming to a stop at what looked like an execution ground.
His head was locked into a guillotine slot, while his body remained kneeling behind it.
He struggled to turn his head, just in time to see a massive, dark golden guillotine blade descending rapidly.
"FUCK!"
THUNK!
Zhao Xing's head rolled onto the ground.
The masked executioner kicked the severed head, then picked it up and handed it to another official.
"Reattach him. Make him drink the Mind Fog Soup, then execute him 1.5 billion more times."
"Understood."
———
"Where are we going?"
"Beheading."
"WHAT—"
Zhao Xing was completely stunned. Beheading?!
He had just been deep-fried in oil, and now they were going to execute him?
———
His mind faded in and out of focus.
Zhao Xing felt like he was trapped in an endless nightmare.
It was as if he had been thrown into the oil vat thousands of times, his body fried to a crisp.
Then, he would be dragged out and taken to the guillotine.
The dark golden blade would fall, separating his head from his body.
Afterward, he would be suspended in chains, his hands and feet stretched taut by crackling thunder chains.
Lightning struck continuously.
There were also punishments where people were nailed to Iron Pillar Mountain, bleeding to death, or tied to bronze columns and burned alive.
Their tongues were ripped out, their bodies were sliced into pieces, then stitched back together, only to be forced to crawl up a mountain of knives or thrown into an ice abyss to endure endless freezing pain.
They were then trampled to death by countless monstrous creatures resembling wild bulls.
Boom!
Zhao Xing's body lay spread-eagle on the ground as a mountain dropped from the sky, crushing him completely.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Chains pulled the massive mountain up, and the masked executioner looked at Zhao Xing, who had been flattened into a sheet, rolled him up like a rug, and casually tossed him to a subordinate.
"How many times has it been?"
"One billion times, my lord."
"That should be enough. Let him soak for a while, then deliver him to Lord Wu Tian."
"Yes, sir."
Zhao Xing: "..."
———
This nightmare seemed to last for hundreds of years, as if he had been dragged through the eighteen levels of hell.
"Ah—!"
Zhao Xing screamed, suddenly sitting upright.
He patted his body frantically and, realizing he was completely intact, let out a long sigh of relief.
"You're awake," a calm voice sounded beside him.
Hearing it, Zhao Xing instantly tensed up before finally surveying his surroundings.
The room was dimly lit, with only a single oil lamp flickering softly.
Beneath the light sat a bald man, wearing a striped robe resembling a cassock, cross-legged on a cushion, smiling gently at him.
"Who are you?"
"Wu Tian."
The bald man introduced himself. He had a refined aura, and his presence gave off a feeling of bathing in the spring breeze.
"Wu Tian?!"
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. His groggy mind immediately snapped into focus upon hearing this name.
Wu Tian—the founder of Treasure Mountain Arts!
Zhao Xing had heard Jing Yan mention him before. Wu Tian had been jailed in Erliang Slope by the Red Star Empire for deception, fraud, and bewitching people's minds.
But who would have thought he'd actually meet him here?!
"Rumor has it Wu Tian possesses the divine ability Five Finger Mountain… I wonder if there's a chance to learn it?" Zhao Xing thought to himself.
In his past life, he never took this quest, but some player friends had mentioned it, sharing details on how it was completed.
However, the situation now seemed completely different from what he had heard. This was also his first time seeing Wu Tian in person.
At that moment, Wu Tian's expression subtly changed. His eyes flickered as he observed Zhao Xing closely.
Zhao Xing also examined Wu Tian carefully.
[Name: Wu Tian]
"Huh?" Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned.
Even when he used his interface detection on Emperor-tier Reincarnation Realm cultivators, he could still see their names and cultivation levels.
Yet now, when he tried it on Wu Tian, all he could see was his name—but nothing else?
"Could he be at the Godhood Realm? No… impossible. If he were, I wouldn't be able to see even his name."
Zhao Xing had previously witnessed five Godhood Realm figures from a distance through Qing Yuzi's divine vision, but no information had shown up at all.
When the difference in cultivation level was too vast, his interface detection would fail entirely.
"No, something's off. Wu Tian isn't a Godhood Realm cultivator, but he's also not just at the Reincarnation Realm… What's going on?"
Zhao Xing's interface suddenly trembled, and his detection frame forcibly shut itself down.
From that moment onward, he couldn't see any more details at all!
"Hiss…" Zhao Xing felt a cold chill run through his heart.
"Why do you remain silent, young friend?" Wu Tian smiled faintly.
"Forgive me, senior," Zhao Xing adjusted his posture, sitting up on the bed before cupping his hands respectfully. "I just had a nightmare, and I haven't fully recovered from it."
"All things are but manifestations of the mind." Wu Tian spoke softly. "Everything in the world is shaped by perception. Even dreams are mere fabrications of the mind, illusions born from unconscious thoughts."
Zhao Xing's eyebrows twitched. Why did this Wu Tian sound so cryptic?
"All laws are like a dream, an illusion, a shadow, an echo… ephemeral and unreal." Wu Tian continued, "Young friend, you have recently endured a great calamity, which has disturbed your heart, giving rise to these endless nightmares."
Zhao Xing immediately straightened his posture in respect.
Because Wu Tian was absolutely right—he had just gone through a great tribulation.
"Senior's words are as enlightening as a divine revelation."
Wu Tian chuckled softly, then suddenly changed the topic, saying something that left Zhao Xing utterly confused:
"Your eyes are filled with Desire for Malicious Dharma."
"Senior, what is 'Desire for Malicious Dharma'?"
"The longing for power without impurity is called 'Desire for Benevolent Dharma.'" Wu Tian's voice was calm yet hypnotic, carrying an inexplicable force behind it.
"Within one's heart, there exist both Desire for Benevolent Dharma and Desire for Malicious Dharma."
"If one seeks power out of selfish greed, that is Desire for Malicious Dharma—which often leads one to practice heretical arts and eventually descend into madness."
"But if one seeks strength out of righteousness, cultivating the True Path and accumulating virtue, that is Desire for Benevolent Dharma."
"Both are desires that arise naturally in cultivation, lurking deep within one's consciousness."
Zhao Xing pondered for a moment before asking, "Then why does senior say I have Desire for Malicious Dharma?"
"Your killing intent is too strong."
Wu Tian's eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if he could see through Zhao Xing's very soul.
"You have a divine ability that thrives on slaughter—am I wrong?"
Zhao Xing shuddered in shock.
This Wu Tian… how could he tell just by looking at me?!
He had indeed cultivated the Killing Mind Blade divine ability—yet Wu Tian had seen through it instantly with just a few words!
"Yes, senior. I have indeed practiced such a technique," Zhao Xing admitted. "And I have committed many killings, feeling deeply burdened by my sins."
"Would senior be willing to guide me towards cultivating Desire for Benevolent Dharma?"
He played along with Wu Tian's words, since he knew following along was key to completing this quest.
Wu Tian smiled without answering, simply gazing at Zhao Xing in silence.
Zhao Xing started to feel a bit uneasy under his stare.
He had no clue how to proceed with this quest.
His foreknowledge was completely useless here—the timing, the location, everything was off.
But the silence did not last long.
Wu Tian suddenly moved.
He gently raised his palm, and the oil lamp beside him wavered.
Zhao Xing didn't notice any changes, but Wu Tian spoke with certainty, "Young friend, you have come for my divine ability, Five Finger Mountain."
Zhao Xing's heart trembled. Wu Tian was too mysterious!
What level of powerhouse was he? Standing before him, Zhao Xing felt as if even his innermost secrets were being laid bare.
For a moment, he didn't know how to respond, but Wu Tian continued, "How you came to know about my Five Finger Mountain, I will not ask. Fate has brought us together."
"Our paths are similar, yet different."
"You wouldn't be able to learn any of my other techniques… But this Five Finger Mountain… Heh, I am willing to form a bond of goodwill with you and pass it down to you."
What?! Just like that?
No trials? No tests? No arduous quests? He was just giving it away?
Zhao Xing was shocked again, but he quickly suppressed his emotions and respectfully cupped his hands. "Many thanks, senior."
Wu Tian smiled. "Don't be too quick to thank me. This is merely the first token of goodwill."
There's more?!
Zhao Xing was stunned.
Wu Tian raised a hand, and the oil lamp flickered, suddenly splitting off a small flame. "I grant you a Heart Flame. As for its use, you will understand in time."
Zhao Xing nodded instinctively. What else could he do?
Whoosh!
The flame shot into his chest, merging with his heart.
Zhao Xing checked within himself and saw a lotus-like flame nestled in his heart.
At the same time, his spiritual sea became noticeably brighter.
Zhao Xing felt an unusual calm and clarity washing over him.
"Though I do not yet understand senior's intentions, I owe you a great debt for imparting this technique," Zhao Xing bowed deeply. "Should you ever have need of me, I will come without hesitation."
The Heart Flame had fused into him, and knowledge of a complete divine ability appeared in his mind—his first true divine ability.
It was not just a recorded technique but one filled with Wu Tian's personal insights and profound Dao essence.
The method, the principles, everything had been preserved in its full depth. It wouldn't vanish after a few uses.
In other words, as long as Zhao Xing wasn't an idiot, he was guaranteed to master it sooner or later.
Wu Tian had essentially gifted him a divine ability that he was bound to learn successfully!
Wu Tian's smile grew satisfied. "A virtuous deed indeed."
Seeing Wu Tian pleased, Zhao Xing hesitated before asking, "Senior, General Meng seems intent on tempering me… How will you handle his orders?"
He phrased it tactfully, turning Meng Wu's torment into mere 'training'.
Zhao Xing was curious—was Wu Tian acting on Meng Wu's instructions?
"You want to know how Meng Wu originally instructed me?"
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.
"He asked me to grind down your temperament," Wu Tian said mildly.
Zhao Xing understood immediately.
Meng Wu had indeed been venting his frustration on him, punishing him. But there was value in this suffering.
After his recent tribulations, Zhao Xing felt a deeper transformation within himself.
Since there were real benefits, he didn't want to miss out on them.
Even if the process was painful.
Wu Tian seemed to see through Zhao Xing's thoughts and smiled. "You will remain here for a while longer. Since that is the case, we might as well let you experience the full process."
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.
Then, suddenly—
The roof split open.
He looked up—
A massive Five Finger Mountain came crashing down!
Boom—!
Zhao Xing was instantly smashed deep into the ground.
Wu Tian watched as Zhao Xing disappeared beneath the mountain. Then, with a casual stretch, his previously solemn expression vanished.
He pulled his robe open, revealing his bare chest, and sprawled lazily on the floor.
The oil lamp flickered.
Within the flame, a shadow of purple and black emerged, growling in fury.
"Wu Tian, are you insane?! You can't even save yourself, and yet you gave away the power of the Divine Lamp to a stranger?!"
"You understand nothing," Wu Tian sneered.
"That brat will face a great calamity in the future. Without the Heart Flame, he has little chance of surviving it."
"And what about you? You can't even save yourself, and yet you want to save others?"
"Shut up! I am the master of this Divine Lamp!"
"..."
———
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, five hundred years had gone by.
Outside, Meng Wu was seated on the Solar Star, cultivating.
Suddenly—
A majestic voice echoed directly into his mind.
"Meng Wu."
Meng Wu's eyes snapped open, and he immediately stood up, bowing toward the voice's source. "Teacher."
"Where is Zhao Xing?"
"He remains within Erliang Slope, undergoing tempering," Meng Wu replied respectfully.
"Can the aftereffects of his condition be repaired?" the voice asked. "Qing Yuzi has begun digesting the divine power. It is time to give Zhao Xing an answer."
"Understood," Meng Wu said. Yet, there was a trace of reluctance in his tone.
"Still holding onto your anger?"
"Teacher, of course not." Meng Wu shook his head.
His anger had long since faded, especially since the Empire had gained substantial benefits from Qing Yuzi.
But…
He had grown accustomed to hearing Zhao Xing's screams. The sudden silence felt almost unnatural.
"Let him reunite with his family," the voice commanded.
"Yes."
———
Red Star Empire, Beihe Star System, Fengdu Realm Star.
Whoosh—
Meng Wu waved his hand, and Zhao Xing's figure appeared in the void.
"Greetings, General Meng." Zhao Xing cupped his hands.
"Zhao Xing, the karma between us is settled," Meng Wu locked eyes with him. "This is the location of your homeland's royal court."
"Many thanks, General Meng."
"Remember—aside from you, no one knows about that calamity. Do not speak of it, or you will bring trouble upon yourself," Meng Wu warned.
"I understand." Zhao Xing nodded.
With a final whoosh, Meng Wu vanished.
Zhao Xing exhaled deeply.
"Five hundred years… I've finally left Erliang Slope."
That place was truly unique. Trapped there, he was constantly under oppressive trials. While it had been a form of cultivation, it had been excruciatingly difficult.
At last, he was free.
Zhao Xing took a deep breath, greedily inhaling the fresh air around him. "Finally out of that place… I hope I never have to go back."
Unlike some people who treated prison as a talent recruitment ground, Zhao Xing had no interest in staying any longer. He recalled Wu Tian—the mysterious Wu Tian. "What exactly is his origin? Even though I haven't advanced in cultivation over these past five hundred years, I feel like I've been completely reborn."
Looking back on everything he had endured, Zhao Xing felt like he had lived another lifetime.
Right now, he was like a raw jade, waiting for the right polish to shine brilliantly.
"In my past life, it was around this time that the cosmic version of events started. This time, my starting point is far higher than before."
Shaking off his thoughts, he turned toward the massive realm star before him.
"Has Great Zhou Dynasty actually gained a high-grade realm star?"
"I wonder how everyone is doing now…"
Great Zhou had migrated here long ago—by his estimates, it had been nearly a thousand years.
Whoosh—
With a single thought, Zhao Xing shot toward Great Zhou's realm star port.
———
"You're saying your name is Zhao Xing, and you're Great Zhou's Grand Shennong?"
"And… you want our emperor to come see you?"
Inside the reception hall at the port, a young Essence Gathering Stage official scrutinized Zhao Xing, his tone serious. "Sir, please do not joke about such things."
Suppressing his irritation, the official continued, "If you are here for business, go to the left commercial hall. If you are here for tourism, proceed through the right passage."
Zhao Xing remained calm and sincere. "I truly am Zhao Xing. If you don't believe me, find someone who knows me."
He didn't say more.
After all, history had been altered.
Aside from a select few, no one remembered the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom anymore.
Even the entire Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom had vanished.
So how much of Great Zhou's memory of him had been altered?
How had they been "corrected"?
Zhao Xing wasn't about to explain all of that to a low-ranking official.
"Very well, sir, please wait here." The official's expression darkened as he turned and left.
In a nearby side chamber, he immediately reported to a mechanical puppet, his voice low.
"Alert the Star Patrol Guard's General Long, a third-stage cultivator is causing trouble at the port."
"Understood," the puppet's eyes flickered red. "The Star Patrol Guard will arrive shortly."
———
Zhao Xing, meanwhile, calmly observed his surroundings.
"Jiachen-class formation, starry sky ring defense…"
"So Great Zhou has all these things now?"
"Just from the checkpoint security alone, their financial strength must be on par with the old Great Ye Dynasty."
"But I wonder… how many true experts do they have now? Hmm? Star Patrol Guard?"
Just as he was examining things, a squad of guards stormed into the hall.
The leader carried a massive sword, his aura clearly at the third cultivation stage.
"A sword sect master at the Minor Divine Ability Realm… Long Xiao?"
Zhao Xing recognized him immediately.
Beside Long Xiao stood another burly officer, also at the third stage—Yin Xiu!
"Who? Who's causing trouble?"
After getting the report, Long Xiao scowled and looked around.
Following the official's direction, his eyes landed on Zhao Xing.
His expression froze.
"Holy sh*t!"
The next moment, Long Xiao rushed forward.
"You… you you…"
Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "Long Xiao, why are you stuttering? Don't tell me you've forgotten me?"
Long Xiao's eyes widened.
"Zhao Xing?! You're finally back!"
He lunged forward and hugged Zhao Xing.
"Alright, alright, stop embarrassing yourself in public." Zhao Xing pushed him off, annoyed.
"Hahaha! You're alive!" Long Xiao laughed, patting Zhao Xing's shoulder.
"You say that like I was supposed to be dead?"
"Well, there's been no news of you for a long time…" Long Xiao scratched his head. "It's been about a thousand years since anyone last heard from you."
Zhao Xing sighed.
"Let's find somewhere private to talk. This isn't the place for a reunion."
"Good idea!" Long Xiao turned to Yin Xiu. "General Yin, handle the formalities."
"No problem." Yin Xiu nodded firmly, then placed a hand over his heart in a salute. In Eastern Dragon language, he spoke:
"Welcome back, Dragon Emperor."
Zhao Xing chuckled.
"Yin Xiu, no need for such formalities."
It had been so many years, yet Yin Xiu still followed dragon clan etiquette when greeting him.
"Come on, let's go!" Long Xiao grabbed Zhao Xing's arm.
"We'll head inside the realm star. Old Chen and Xia Jing are still in Fengdu—they'll be thrilled to know you're alive."
———
Passing through the fortress checkpoint, they entered the inner realm.
Before long, Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Xia Jing were reunited aboard a realm vessel.
With old friends gathered, there was no shortage of drinking and celebration.
"Zhao Xing, you're finally back!"
Xia Jing raised his cup. "How could you vanish for a thousand years without a word?"
"We almost thought you got trapped in Moonfall Mausoleum."
Zhao Xing lifted his own cup of wine.
"I really was trapped somewhere for a long time… But enough about me."
"Do any of you have Great Zhou's history records? I need to check something."
"Don't look at me," Long Xiao shrugged. "Why would I carry something like that?"
"Same here." Xia Jing shook his head.
"I have one," Chen Shijie said, taking out a copy of Great Zhou's New Chronicle from his storage ring.
Without hesitation, Zhao Xing grabbed it and began reading.
———
"Year 80 of the Yuan Ding Era, Great Zhou ascends to the stars."
"Year 895 of the Yuan Ding Era, Great Zhou arrives in the Phantom God Star System, coinciding with the opening of Moonfall Mausoleum."
"Year 1 of the Beginning of Renewal Era, Grand Shennong Zhao Xing reaches Origin Stage and befriends Jing Yan of the Red Star Empire…"
———
The Great Zhou Chronicle mostly recorded major events after the dynasty's ascension.
And—more than half of it was about Zhao Xing and Yun Tiandao.
It didn't take long for Zhao Xing to find his answer.
"So history was altered right at the point where we left the Barren Domain."
"Originally, we only traveled within the Barren Domain for about five hundred years."
"But now, it says we were there for almost nine hundred years."
"In other words, the entire history of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom has been erased."
"No one remembers it anymore."
"And just as Great Zhou left the Shenluo Barren Domain, it conveniently ran into the Phantom God Star System's emergence."
Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes as he continued flipping through Great Zhou's New Chronicle.
"So the reason Great Zhou managed to rise to power was because I dug up so many treasures here," he thought to himself.
"It seems like their memories have undergone a large-scale correction as well."
Borrowing Chen Shijie's Star Mirror, Zhao Xing began browsing Great Zhou's Imperial Library.
"The Twelve Divine Sacrifices technique I purchased for Priest Wei Hong has now been changed to Seven Gods Ritual?"
"The Wheel of Destiny, which I gave to Ji Si, still exists and retains its original name."
Zhao Xing's mind spun as he linked to the Red Star Empire's data archives and conducted a deeper search.
"Not only was Twelve Divine Sacrifices changed to Seven Gods Ritual, but it only reaches the Five Elements Dao Domain Realm now."
"And Wheel of Destiny only has six layers remaining, with no techniques beyond the Reincarnation Realm."
"History, Fate, and Ritual."
"The available techniques for priests have been reduced by ninety percent compared to what I originally found in the Yuanhai Imperial Library."
"Historians are down by seventy percent, and Fate Officers by fifty percent."
Zhao Xing couldn't help but shake his head.
"This is absurd. In one move, they've cut down the paths of these three disciplines, turning them into nothing but narrow alleys."
And this was the Red Star Empire—a powerhouse with far superior collections compared to ancient kingdoms.
If even the empire was this lacking, the ancient kingdom factions must have it even worse—let alone small dynasties or wandering cultivators.
"The requirements have also become stricter."
"Now, any technique related to these three paths, even at the Dao Domain Realm, requires joining a recognized faction to learn. Private study is outright illegal!"
"At this rate, things are looking exactly like my previous life…"
Zhao Xing knew the implications—pursuing these three paths would be extremely difficult moving forward.
Unless someone was under the protection of a major faction, their chances of reaching Reincarnation Realm in these disciplines were virtually nonexistent.
"You keep shaking your head and sighing. What's wrong?" Xia Jing asked curiously.
"Nothing," Zhao Xing's expression relaxed. "Actually, this is good news."
"Good news?"
"Yeah." Zhao Xing nodded. From this moment forward, he was finally back in the version of history he was familiar with.
The paths of History, Fate, and Ritual had been cut off—but what did that have to do with Shennong?
As long as his own path remained intact, everything was fine.
After all, food would always be a necessity.
And besides the Self School, there weren't any major taboos against Shennong cultivation.
"By the way, are Yun Tiandao and Ji Si still on Fengdu Realm Star?" Zhao Xing asked.
While chatting earlier, he noticed that many people weren't on Fengdu Realm Star—or even in the Beihe Star System.
Even Emperor Ji Che had gone on an expedition, leaving only a clone behind.
It seemed like his attention was preoccupied elsewhere.
Ji Che's journey wasn't a small one either—he had taken Ye Yukong, King Luohou, Wei Hong, and Mechanist Lu Ying along with him.
"His Majesty led an expedition outside the empire for an assessment," Chen Shijie explained.
"Assessment?" Zhao Xing was puzzled. "Assessing what?"
"Figuring out which minor dynasties to conquer next," Chen Shijie replied.
"They headed west, didn't they?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Eh? How did you know?" Long Xiao nodded. "The first stop was indeed Jiachen Fourteen Pass in the Empire's western sector."
Zhao Xing, of course, knew.
The Red Star Empire was actively expanding unknown territories.
Long ago, the Empire had established numerous outposts in the west.
Now, the Empire was on the verge of breaching the "Siyue Barren Zone" in the Xuanling Star Domain's northwest.
Shennong cultivators from the Primordial Realm had successfully created a stable passage of life energy there.
The Empire was about to discover a whole new cosmic territory—one that was rich in Spirit Qi and filled with countless rare, non-renewable resources.
It was the dawn of a new expansion era.
Players from his past life called this update "Star River Myriad Realms."
Zhao Xing remembered it clearly—this new territory was nearly one-tenth the size of the entire Xuanling Star Domain!
Players from all over the cosmos had rushed toward the Red Star Empire back then, willing to die just to respawn within the Empire and get a share of the expansion's benefits.
"He's at it again," Xia Jing nudged Chen Shijie, smirking.
"Old Chen, I bet he's just discovered some new opportunity—the kind that'll let him make a massive fortune!"
Zhao Xing looked up, caught off guard.
"Zhao Xing, don't say anything yet," Xia Jing held up a hand.
"Xia Jing, what are you betting?" Long Xiao jumped in, intrigued.
"If I lose, I'll eat nothing but fish for thirty years," Xia Jing declared.
"If you lose, you have to guard my door for thirty years—dare to bet?"
"Isn't that a bit much?" Zhao Xing pretended to object. "We're all brothers here. I think twenty years is enough."
"Bet's on!" Long Xiao slammed the table. "Zhao Xing, spill it! Did Xia Jing guess right?"
Zhao Xing covered his face.
"Long Xiao, go start your new job as a gatekeeper."
"WHAT?!" Long Xiao's eyes bulged in disbelief. "He was actually right?!"
"Yep." Zhao Xing nodded.
"Hahaha!" Xia Jing burst into arrogant laughter.
"Long Xiao, you're my personal guard dog now! Get up and pour me some wine! Fill my cup to the top!"
"Damn it!"
———
After finishing their drinks, Zhao Xing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Xia Jing descended upon Fengdu City.
A large group came out to greet them.
Since Ji Che wasn't around, many familiar faces were missing.
But Liu Tianning and Ji Si were both present.
And so was Zhao Xing's family—they had all gathered together.
Seeing this, Zhao Xing split his consciousness, sending one clone to board his family's ship, and another to board the court's official ship.
That way, he wouldn't neglect either side.
Zhao Xing had left behind plenty of resources, so naturally, his family was thriving.
The current status of the Zhao Family's members and their cultivation levels:
Zhao Ruide & Madam Cai – First Stage Origin Realm
Second Brother Zhao Zheng – Second Stage Origin Realm (Martial Artist)
Second Sister Zhao Yuhuan – First Stage Origin Realm (Spellcaster)
Third Sister Zhao Yuling – First Stage Origin Realm (Weaver)
Third Brother Zhao Chuanzong – First Stage Origin Realm (Martial Artist)
The number of nephews and nieces had already reached 14,560.
When Zhao Xing saw the family records, he couldn't help but gape in shock.
"Brother, are you sure about this? Out of these 14,560 nephews and nieces, you fathered 12,000 of them?"
Zhao Chuanzong looked a bit embarrassed and muttered, "Brother, I follow the Dual Cultivation Dao…"
Zhao Xing was left speechless.
So all your Origin Energy went into this, huh?
Impressive!
"Third Brother, your name really wasn't given in vain," Zhao Xing teased.
"More children, more fortune," Madam Cai laughed.
"That's right. Since you weren't around, we could only rely on them to expand our family line," Zhao Ruide said.
"You have a point," Zhao Xing nodded.
Zhao Chuanzong had once pursued serious cultivation, but after transitioning into the cosmic version, he had become obsessed with the Dual Cultivation Dao, clearly choosing the easy path again.
But it wasn't necessarily a bad choice—it was still a personal decision.
On the other hand, Zhao Zheng was doing quite well. Despite being only at the Second Stage of the Origin Realm, he had already mastered three Martial Dao Minor Divine Abilities.
"Zheng'er, you're advancing boldly and diligently," Zhao Xing praised.
"You flatter me, Brother," Zhao Zheng replied humbly. "It's all thanks to the resources you left behind."
"Alright, enough standing around. Let's eat first."
———
On the other side, Zhao Xing also sat at a table with Liu Tianning and Ji Si.
"With His Majesty away, all major affairs are handled by the Six Ministries through collective discussions," Liu Tianning said. "Since arriving in the Red Star Empire, we've developed rapidly. Now, His Majesty can already issue decrees at the First Stage of the Origin Realm."
"However, doing so still consumes a great deal of Fortune, so we must expand territory, increase population, and enhance military strength."
Ji Che and Great Zhou were still following the Fortune Dynasty Path—his personal strength was directly tied to the nation's power.
"Fortune cultivation, huh…?" Zhao Xing's eyes flickered. "I wonder if Ji Che can actually make it work."
In his past life, he had seen very few Fortune Dynasties—the common belief was that they couldn't sustain themselves long-term.
But now, Zhao Xing had a different perspective.
Especially after witnessing Qing Yuzi steal the divine power of the Dongyan Ancient Clan to ascend as a god, he could no longer dismiss certain cultivation paths as mere 'minor ways'.
"Maybe Ji Che really can succeed. Becoming a god through Fortune? Back in my past life, no one had ever considered that approach when breaking into the Godhood Realm."
Zhao Xing pondered.
"…That's the general situation domestically," Liu Tianning continued. "Jing Yan has been a great help. After Bai Yang escorted us home, he placed us in the Beihe Star System, right next to the Beiye Star System."
"Most of our trade and commerce opportunities were practically handed to us by Jing Yan."
"As for Yun Tiandao, he has already reached the Dao Domain Realm. He left us five hundred years ago to join the military. I believe he's stationed at Nanyuan Demon-Suppressing Pass."
"Zhao Xing, now that you're back, you should properly thank him."
"Both Yun Tiandao and Jing Yan have done a lot for us," Liu Tianning reminded.
"Teacher is right," Zhao Xing nodded. "I'll make sure to repay them."
Liu Tianning nodded. "Good, I won't say much more. I'll take my leave for now."
Before leaving, Liu Tianning sent a private voice transmission to Zhao Xing.
"Something is off about Ji Si."
Zhao Xing frowned.
"I noticed that Ji Si seems to want to talk to you alone. Over the years, he's become more and more… withdrawn."
What does that mean? Zhao Xing was stunned.
After Liu Tianning left, only Ji Si remained in the small hall.
Suddenly, Ji Si's expression turned tense. "Grand Shennong, I… I think something is wrong with me."
Zhao Xing's brows furrowed. "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
Ji Si clutched his head, his face twisting in pain. "Everything is wrong."
"I don't even know if I'm the one who's wrong, or if the entire world is wrong…"
Ji Si hesitated before pulling out a history book—Great Zhou's New Chronicle.
"Grand Shennong, the history in this book… a lot of it is wrong."
"Don't you remember? We only spent five hundred years getting out of the Barren Domain! And we passed by Star—"
Zhao Xing's pupils shrank. He immediately cut Ji Si off.
"Ji Si, stop talking!"
Ji Si shuddered, nearly collapsing to the floor.
He stared at Zhao Xing. Zhao Xing stared back.
In that moment, they both understood something from each other's gaze.
Zhao Xing's expression turned serious as he spoke slowly, "Ji Si, explain carefully."
"If anything is too painful to say, you can skip it or use a different word to refer to it."
"…Understood."
Upon hearing those words, Ji Si's eyes regained a glimmer of hope.
"Grand Shennong… Once upon a time, there was a dynasty called Xia. It took them five hundred years to ascend into the cosmos."
"But the universe was dark and cold. The newborn Xia Dynasty had to face its first trial—a checkpoint set up by a certain kingdom called Mil—"
Zhao Xing's mind shook violently.
He knew exactly what "Mil" referred to—it meant Millet Pass, an area where Spirit Qi was as scarce as grains of rice.
Ji Si… still remembered?
"Grand Shennong, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Zhao Xing was at a loss for words. He nodded slowly. "You don't need to say any more."
"I knew it. I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew you would remember too…"
Ji Si took a deep swig of wine.
He had been alone in this madness for five hundred years.
For five hundred years, he had buried the truth deep within his heart, constantly wondering if he was insane.
But today, finally, someone else understood him.
Ji Si wasn't crazy.
But Zhao Xing was starting to feel like he was going insane.
Based on this conversation, Ji Si clearly remembered the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.
He even remembered everything that had happened!
But why?
Why did he still remember, when the Reincarnation Divine Palace's divine power erased history and altered memories?
How could Ji Si alone have escaped the fate of memory alteration?
"Ji Si, you shouldn't know about the Xia Dynasty's story."
Zhao Xing took a deep breath. "Now, tell me—using my earlier method—what else do you think is wrong with the world?"