The Dao Sovereign of Shennong

"I had only ever heard of Fortune Coins before but had never actually seen one," Ye Yukong remarked with amazement. "Who would have thought they were so miraculous? The blessings of the heavens—truly extraordinary."

Zhao Xing weighed the Fortune Coin in his hand and chuckled, "Not everyone can use it. Big Brother Ye, you're lucky to have all the right conditions come together for you."

Unlike the ancient Purple-Gold Coins with their unique uses, the Fortune Coin had only two primary effects.

The first was to temporarily increase one's fortune. Simply carrying one could provide a fortune level equivalent to Derivation Four through Derivation Six. The exact level depended on the conditions under which the Fortune Coin was created.

The second was to gather the fortune of heaven and earth.

By holding it, the user could absorb its power to resonate with heaven and earth, thus obtaining heavenly fortune.

The most direct benefit of this was aiding breakthroughs to the Second-Rank Heavenly Luck Realm.

While powerful, this function came with significant restrictions.

It required certain conditions for the user and the surrounding environment.

For example, Zhao Xing currently couldn't absorb it. Only those close to reaching or already at the Second Rank could utilize its power.

Additionally, the environment mattered greatly.

In the past, with the ironclad fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty firmly locking down Pinghai Prefecture's fortune, even a mountain of Fortune Coins would have been useless.

It was only now, with King Liang using an artifact to tear a hole in the fortune system of the imperial dynasty, causing it to fragment, that Pinghai Prefecture's fortune began to surface.

This was why Zhao Xing said Ye Yukong had all the conditions lined up perfectly.

"And we should add the 'human factor' to that list," Ye Yukong joked. "If it weren't for you, little brother, how could I have gained such heavenly fortune? I owe you a great debt for this favor."

"If it weren't for you, I could never have killed the cunning and cautious Marquis of Changwu and seized his treasures."

The Marquis of Changwu had been hiding within Dongze County, never venturing out and always staying close to his three-thousand-strong elite guard unit. Even Ye Yukong, with his current strength, could not have killed him alone.

The strength of formations and battle arrays was no joke. If it were easy to take an enemy's head amidst thousands of troops, there'd be no need for armies at all.

A single strong warrior could simply launch guerilla attacks and dismantle a nation.

But due to the existence of battle formations, spell arrays, the divine weapons of Mechanists, and the surveillance of Yin Gods, even the strongest individual combatants dared not act recklessly.

Under normal circumstances, as soon as Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing entered Dongze County, the Marquis of Changwu would have detected them.

And that was indeed the case. However, Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong kept moving, never staying in one place, making it difficult to pin them down. Given the vast territory and the distance between county cities, it was easy for them to retreat if things looked grim.

However, if they had directly confronted the Marquis of Changwu and his troops, escape would have been far more challenging.

Ye Yukong credited Zhao Xing's great contribution to their success because of two specific techniques: A Step to Infinity and Myriad Law Manifestation.

Zhao Xing's clones allowed him to detect the movements of large armies, and A Step to Infinity was a top-tier escape technique, making it nearly impossible for them to be surrounded.

Even during their confrontation with the Marquis of Changwu, Ye Yukong had been able to instantly close the distance and execute a decisive strike, thanks to A Step to Infinity and the Zishi Sealing Talisman.

"Big Brother Ye, you're too kind. I only did a little. The real killing blow came from your Bright Moon Sword Art," Zhao Xing replied modestly.

His top-tier dharma body had done much of the heavy lifting, but it was ultimately unable to kill the Marquis of Changwu.

"If we had delayed even half an incense stick's time, and the Marquis's reinforcements had arrived, all one hundred of my clones would have been wiped out."

"The fact remains that my top-tier dharma body is only at the Third Transformation stage. Even when used with my clones, it's still limited to the Second Transformation stage."

Zhao Xing's foundation was still shallow. If his main body had mastered a complete top-tier technique, his top-tier dharma body could have reached the Seventh Transformation stage.

With thousands of dharma bodies at his disposal, properly forged and equipped, that would be truly terrifying!

"You're already incredible. You've just mastered a top-tier dharma body and can already control so many of them, even managing to breach the defenses of the Marquis of Changwu and inflict injuries, despite his elite guard of two hundred men."

"If this were a one-on-one duel, even a Third-Rank Marquis of Changwu would have been toyed to death by you," Ye Yukong laughed.

"If you went to the Dao Field for a contest of great daos, you'd be a god-like figure there. A god of the Dao Field!"

Such high praise from Ye Yukong was not unwarranted.

After all, there was precedent—Liu Tianning's battle records were a testament to that.

After exchanging a few more compliments, the conversation naturally returned to the Fortune Coin.

"Big Brother Ye, there's only one Fortune Coin. How should we divide it?" Zhao Xing asked.

"You take it. I've already broken through, so it's not of much use to me," Ye Yukong replied.

"My sword itself is my fortune, my rule," Ye Yukong declared confidently.

"You may not know this, little brother, but my current strength is terrifying. I could easily take you—oh no!"

Ye Yukong's expression suddenly changed. "Little brother, run!"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xing asked, startled. He hadn't sensed any immediate danger, and his clones were patrolling up to thirty li away.

"Leave Huangze County immediately!" Ye Yukong urged, his tone filled with urgency. "The Intelligence Division just issued a warning. Because the Marquis of Changwu, who guarded the Dongze passage, has suddenly died, Illusory Nether King has ordered Mechanist Qi Jun to carry out indiscriminate bombardment of Huangze County!"

"We need to evacuate immediately!"

Qi Jun, the chief Mechanist under the Illusory Nether King, was a Third-Rank expert commanding an elite Mechanist army.

Zhao Xing's heart skipped a beat. "How much time do we have to evacuate?"

Ye Yukong quickly pulled out a ground mirror, projecting a map.

A red dot flashed on the map, marking the approximate location of Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing.

"There are fifteen armies moving out from Dongze County and Yuanming County's Tunnel Division and Tower Ship Division!"

"The bombardment has already begun!"

"Retreat toward Yuanming County!" Zhao Xing instructed, pointing at the map. His two clones grabbed Ye Yukong's shoulders, and A Step to Infinity activated, instantly whisking them away to safety.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Clouds and mist erupted in the low sky.

They had barely left for half a quarter of an hour when Zhao Xing realized their flight was hindered.

Huangze County was suddenly illuminated by beams of light stretching in all directions. These beams soon curved and spread like ripples.

In mere moments, the entire county was sealed.

"Damn!" Zhao Xing attempted to use A Step to Infinity but slammed into an invisible barrier.

"The sky is sealed by a Boundary Stele Formation," Ye Yukong said grimly.

"Break it! Break it!" Ye Yukong drew his longsword, unleashing hundreds of strikes in an instant.

But the barrier remained unbroken.

"They're targeting us!" Ye Yukong cursed. "This is a Ninth-Rank Boundary Stele's Stop-War Formation!"

"Martial techniques are weakened by eighty percent of their power."

This was disastrous.

Zhao Xing's expression darkened as he stared at the pale blue formation.

The problem wasn't just Ye Yukong's reduced power.

"A Stop-War Formation of the Boundary Stele that allows entry but forbids exit… This is preparation for the bombardment."

"Descend!" Zhao Xing ordered, pulling Ye Yukong downward as all his clones rapidly descended.

"Boom!"

The forest they had been in earlier suddenly exploded, giving rise to a massive mushroom cloud.

The forest turned into a sea of flames, with enormous shockwaves of fire spreading outward in all directions.

The sky was illuminated as though it were day!

One of Zhao Xing's clones, which had been positioned farther behind, was instantly obliterated.

"Are you kidding me? A Ninth-Rank Fire Origin Divine Cannon?" Ye Yukong cursed furiously.

"That Illusory Nether King is insane! Completely deranged!"

Although Huangze County wasn't densely populated, there were still people living there. Using a Fire Origin Divine Cannon for bombardment was pure madness!

"Do you even know how much a single Fire Origin Divine Crystal costs? Even at base price, it's eight billion! Is killing one Marquis of Changwu worth it?"

Of course, it was worth it. Ye Yukong had recently broken through to the Second Rank, and Zhao Xing still had nearly two hundred dharma bodies active in the area.

The Military Realm Passage was a critical strategic location. It wasn't a matter of cost but of ensuring its defense at any price!

With no choice left, Zhao Xing gritted his teeth and prepared to flee with all his might.

Right now, the only viable option was escape.

The Fire Origin Divine Cannon was an ultra-long-range mechanist weapon. Mechanist Qi Jun, who operated it, could very well be firing it from a thousand li away, making it impossible to locate or kill him.

"Boom!"

Just a moment later, another fiery streak plummeted to the ground.

"Boom—"

The second Fire Origin Divine Cannon detonated.

It was genuine saturation bombardment!

Each profession had its own terrifying capabilities, and Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong were now facing the absolute suppression of a master mechanist.

"Let's escape underground!"

At Zhao Xing's command, his dharma bodies immediately dove into the earth, leaving only two at the surface to act as guides and observers.

He dragged Ye Yukong with him, tunneling underground. For half an hour, they moved through the earth until suddenly, the ground trembled.

The earth's veins grew weak, causing Zhao Xing's speed to decrease significantly.

"What's going on?" Ye Yukong asked.

"We need to surface," Zhao Xing replied gravely. "They've deployed Mechanist Prayer Spikes."

Upon hearing this, Ye Yukong shook his head in frustration. "They really think highly of me, don't they?"

The so-called Mechanist Prayer Spikes, despite being described as relatively small, were still massive when used in large mechanist constructs.

Each one stood over a hundred meters tall and had a diameter of ten meters!

Zhao Xing, observing from the surface through one of his clones, could see eighteen Mechanist Prayer Spikes descending from the sky.

"Whoosh—"

The spikes pierced the ground effortlessly, as though slicing through tofu.

"Clack! Clack! Clack!"

As they sank a third of the way into the ground, the black cylindrical objects began emitting a dense yellow mist.

Yellow light coursed along the inscriptions on their surfaces, vibrating at a unique frequency.

"These are Ninth-Rank Mechanist Prayer Spikes. They suppress the earth's veins, forcing them to sink deep below. The vibration of the veins renders all earth-based escape techniques ineffective," Zhao Xing explained.

"They're similar to the Divine Sea Stabilizing Spikes, except that these target the ground."

Even with treasures capable of earth escape, Ye Yukong's abilities were completely neutralized. Anyone already tunneling underground would either be crushed to death or suffocated.

Both Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong had military backgrounds and were well-acquainted with these large-scale mechanist constructs.

The situation was dire: a Boundary Stele's Stop-War Formation sealed the area, Fire Origin Divine Cannons rained destruction, and Mechanist Prayer Spikes nullified earth escape.

There was no way out, no path forward or back.

The worst part was that those trapped inside couldn't even fight back. The mechanists controlling these weapons weren't on the battlefield, making direct confrontation impossible.

Moreover, there was no fear of damage to the formation. Both the Boundary Stele and the Mechanist Prayer Spikes were crafted from Ninth-Rank materials.

Under the suppression of the formation, Ye Yukong, with his power reduced by eighty percent, stood no chance of breaking through!

Yet Zhao Xing couldn't help but think to himself, Have they forgotten about me?

The bombardment continued relentlessly.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Ye Yukong began to feel despair creeping in.

This situation reminded him of Ji Xi's plight against the Kunyuan Academy's Myriad Layers Mountain formation.

There was no way to flee, no way to resist.

"They really think highly of me," Ye Yukong muttered with a bitter smile. "Too bad I haven't had the chance to test my strength after breaking through to the Second Rank."

In Ye Yukong's mind, escape was no longer an option. At best, Zhao Xing might lose a few of his dharma bodies and some treasures.

"Big Brother, don't give up! There's always a way!" Zhao Xing encouraged. "Can they keep bombing forever?"

"My strength is severely limited," Ye Yukong replied with a shake of his head. "At best, I can avoid the core impact zones and resist the shockwaves."

"A full-scale bombardment to scour an entire county won't take more than nine cannon shots," Zhao Xing calculated. "I can still keep you moving through Huangze County for a long time—long enough for reinforcements to arrive."

"Alright, give it a shot. At worst, I'll die here," Ye Yukong replied with a resigned smile. On battlefields of this magnitude, reinforcements would take at least an hour to arrive. He had already accepted his fate.

Disaster brings opportunity, and opportunity breeds disaster.

Breaking through to the Heavenly Luck Realm had brought him immense power, but it also came with overwhelming challenges. Perhaps this calamity was his destined trial.

"Lord Shenluo is already on his way. Only another mechanist can counter a mechanist, but even so, it will take him at least an hour to deal with Qi Jun."

"Follow me," Zhao Xing said, shoving both the Fortune Coin and another Mountain-Sea Coin into Ye Yukong's hands.

Then, he led him through Huangze County, dodging and weaving to avoid the bombardment.

"Boom!"

The third cannon struck.

The Fire Origin Divine Cannons were fired with precise calculations.

According to Zhao Xing's estimates, just nine cannon shots would be enough to turn all of Huangze County into a hellscape.

In reality, nine weren't even necessary.

By the fourth shot, Zhao Xing found himself unable to use A Step to Infinity anymore.

The fire elemental energy had grown so chaotic that it became impossible to stabilize.

At this point, the fiery shockwaves and the raging earthfire alone were enough to incinerate a Second-Rank cultivator.

Fortunately, A Step to Infinity, being akin to instantaneous teleportation, had allowed them to survive the first four shots.

"There!" Zhao Xing exclaimed, dragging Ye Yukong to the base of one of the Mechanist Prayer Spikes.

This particular spike emanated pure earth-elemental energy, saturating its surroundings with rich earth-elemental vitality.

"The earth's veins and the Five Elements are suppressed, making escape impossible. However, other earth-based techniques can still work just fine here."

"Near this earth-element Mechanist Prayer Spike, my spells can even gain a significant boost—"

"Earth Spirit Guard!"

At the very moment the shockwave was about to hit, the thirty-eight remaining dharma bodies of Zhao Xing simultaneously activated the advanced technique from the Earth Spirit Repository, Earth Spirit Guard.

This move, derived from the ultimate method Xuanhuang Earth-Sealing Technique, emitted a golden brilliance as it leveraged the dense earth-element energy surrounding the Mechanist Prayer Spikes.

A mist of yellow light, radiating from the area near the spikes, brightened significantly.

The Earth Spirit Repository techniques could stack in power, and with thirty-eight dharma bodies channeling the ability simultaneously, an Earth Spirit Barrier materialized.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

By the time the fiery shockwave reached the vicinity of the spike, its power had already waned. As it struck the barrier, its strength diminished further.

"This is the only safe haven within this deadly formation—we must hold the line!" Zhao Xing fixed his intense gaze forward.

Just as he spoke, the shockwave crashed against the freshly raised barrier.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The Earth Spirit Barrier began to crack, layer by layer, but there were thirty-eight overlapping barriers. As the waves of fiery force slammed into them, they crumbled one after another.

Yet, just as the barrier's final layer was about to collapse and Zhao Xing could no longer keep up with the breaking speed, something extraordinary occurred.

The immense shockwave weakened unexpectedly—likely due to interference from the Fire Origin Divine Cannons disrupting each other. Such anomalies were unpredictable and beyond the control of even the mechanist Qi Jun. It was sheer, blind luck.

"Boom!"

The Earth Spirit Barrier, reinforced by the earth-element energy continuously supplied by the Mechanist Prayer Spike, now stood firm like an unyielding boulder in the roaring river of flames. The fiery torrent split in two, unable to breach the last defense.

"Brilliant!" Ye Yukong couldn't help but shout in admiration.

"Hahaha! Fortune favors me today!" Zhao Xing laughed, elated. "They can't pierce through my final layer of defense!"

Moments later, the shockwave receded. The ground surrounding them was laid bare, scorched to a stark plain.

After multiple waves of bombardment, the entirety of Huangze County was left lifeless—scorched earth as far as the eye could see. Towns and cities were reduced to ash, leaving only the eighteen towering Mechanist Prayer Spikes standing as ominous sentinels.

However, the reprieve was short-lived.

"Clack, clack, clack—"

The upper portions of the Mechanist Prayer Spikes, smooth and cylindrical, began to split open. Emerging from the fissures were ten mechanized puppets.

"What the…?" Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong immediately turned their gaze upward.

"Eighth-Rank Mechanized Puppets—Great Sun Vajras!"

Each puppet had the appearance of a towering, bald, muscular man, its body gleaming with a dark golden luster. Their shoulders were adorned with dark gold spikes, and their eyes emitted flames capable of unleashing True Solar Fire.

"You're still alive?" A voice, tinged with surprise, came from the puppets—it was Qi Jun, the mechanist controlling them. "Earth Spirit Repository techniques? What luck… And Ye Yukong, of all people, still has treasures capable of raising an Earth Spirit Barrier."

"Ye Yukong!"

The ten mechanized puppets spoke in unison, their raspy voices echoing with Qi Jun's tone.

"Submit peacefully."

"It would be a pity for you to die here."

"If you are willing to serve my lord, not only will your life be spared, but you'll have a chance to ascend to the First Rank."

Qi Jun's voice carried through the puppets, though he couldn't see inside the barrier. He could only observe from the outside and speculate on how much longer Ye Yukong's treasure could hold.

What Qi Jun didn't know was that Zhao Xing's true body was located far away in the Star Palace, making him undetectable through any simulation or deduction techniques. Qi Jun mistakenly assumed that the Earth Spirit Barrier was merely one of Ye Yukong's personal treasures.

"Qi Jun, why are you attacking me?" Ye Yukong's voice emerged from within the barrier. "Didn't I already pledge my allegiance to King Liang?"

Qi Jun paused, startled by the unexpected question.

"What are you implying?" Qi Jun asked, his tone tinged with suspicion. "You pledged allegiance to my lord?"

Ye Yukong responded, "Why do you think I'm here in the first place?"

Qi Jun was momentarily stunned, but then he let out a cold laugh. "Enough! Don't try to stall for time. Do you take me for a fool?"

"Swear allegiance with your life soul now, and I will withdraw the formation and spare your life. You have ten breaths to decide."

Realizing the situation was growing dire, Zhao Xing suddenly spoke, his voice commanding. "Qi Jun, you idiot! Who authorized you to act independently? You've completely ruined the grand plans of our king!"

"Huh? Another expert?" Qi Jun's alarm was palpable. He had assumed there was no one else in the barrier. Zhao Xing's authoritative tone and his previous exchange with Ye Yukong sowed doubt in Qi Jun's mind.

"Who are you?" Qi Jun demanded, his voice betraying his unease.

"You fool! Ye Yukong has truly pledged his loyalty. Tell me, who ordered you to mobilize troops?!" Zhao Xing rebuked sharply, shifting into an aggressive stance.

"Of course, it was the Illusory Nether King," Qi Jun retorted. "Who are you, really? And what nonsense are you spouting? Ye Yukong killed the Marquis of Changwu, and my actions were under the Illusory Nether King's direct orders. What's wrong with that?"

"Who am I? If you really want to know, you'll regret asking!" Zhao Xing continued, his tone dripping with scorn. "When King Liang and I were sworn brothers, you were still hammering nails somewhere! Is this how you recruit talent for him?"

"My identity is classified, as is this entire operation. Do you truly want to know who I am? Hmph, do you have enough heads to spare if you're wrong?"

"You've heard of Ye Yukong's reputation, haven't you? If he wanted to break through to the Second Rank, he could've simply informed the court and had every resource handed to him. Why would he come to this battlefield instead?"

"Use your brain! Think about it! Why do you think he's here?"

Ye Yukong was momentarily taken aback, staring at Zhao Xing in astonishment.

Brother, you're a master at this.

Surprisingly, Qi Jun hesitated. The ten breaths had long passed, yet he had not resumed his assault. Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong's seamless cooperation had been too convincing.

Ye Yukong's decision to break through to the Second Rank here in Huangze County, a vital Military Realm passage, was indeed suspicious. It wasn't an ideal location, and the murder of the Marquis of Changwu only deepened the mystery.

And who was this mysterious individual who could navigate such an overwhelming formation while protecting Ye Yukong?

Far away, Qi Jun rubbed his bald head, his expression clouded with doubt.

Could this really be some kind of classified operation, so secret that even I wasn't informed?

But no—surely the Illusory Nether King would know. If not, then no one would.

Qi Jun hesitated further, uncertainty growing in his mind. His instincts told him that something wasn't adding up. If this truly was a secret operation of the highest level, then acting rashly could cost him dearly.

No, this doesn't make sense. If I'm unaware, I should just ask the Illusory Nether King—he must know.

Zhao Xing seized the moment and softened his tone, saying, "Qi Jun, you almost ruined my master plan, but there's still a chance to fix this. I will give you a confidential code sequence—quickly report it to the Illusory Nether King."

"You might not recognize it, but he will."

"But—"

"Enough nonsense. Memorize it!" Zhao Xing's voice sharpened, brooking no argument.

"Yes, yes," Qi Jun stammered, hurriedly complying.

The Earth Spirit Barrier around Zhao Xing emanated a rhythmic pulse of earth-element energy, its surface shimmering with a sequence of symbols and diagrams.

"Did you get it?" Zhao Xing asked nonchalantly.

"Yes, I've memorized it," Qi Jun replied, his tone unknowingly adopting a respectful edge.

"Then report it to the Illusory Nether King immediately!"

"Yes!" Qi Jun responded, retreating to act upon the order.

In Yuanming Commandery, deep within an underground mechanized fortress, Qi Jun quickly located a water basin imbued with a communication array. The basin's surface rippled before revealing a shadowy, stern face—the Illusory Nether King.

"Qi Jun, is the target eliminated?" the Illusory Nether King's icy tone demanded.

"Your Highness, there's been a development," Qi Jun began cautiously. "Ye Yukong seems to have defected to our side, and a mysterious expert is accompanying him."

"Oh?" The Illusory Nether King's voice carried a tinge of curiosity. "A mysterious expert?"

"Yes, someone who claims their identity and mission are classified. He also stated that he shares a sworn brotherhood with King Liang."

"Impossible!" The Illusory Nether King scoffed. "I've never heard of such an operation."

"Your Highness, the mysterious figure provided me with a confidential code sequence. He said you would recognize it."

Qi Jun extended his energy outward, replicating the exact sequence Zhao Xing had shown earlier. The Illusory Nether King initially dismissed it with disdain, but as he scrutinized the sequence, his expression gradually shifted to one of shock.

The sequence wasn't entirely fabricated. In his previous life, Zhao Xing had been part of King Liang's faction during its heyday. After King Liang's eventual defeat, Zhao Xing had, over the years, unlocked many classified files. This knowledge allowed him to reproduce parts of confidential codes from pivotal operations.

The Illusory Nether King's mind raced as he processed the information. The code sequence closely matched the opening protocols for Operation Sky Stealer, a highly classified initiative involving the placement of double agents within the imperial court.

The Illusory Nether King himself had been a direct beneficiary of this operation.

While the code wasn't entirely accurate—some parts were outdated—there were enough valid components to create doubt. Furthermore, the Illusory Nether King wasn't privy to the full scope of these operations; those details were tightly controlled by the sect elders supporting King Liang.

After a long silence, the Illusory Nether King finally spoke. "Here's what you'll do—"

Inside the Earth Spirit Barrier, Ye Yukong noticed the lull in activity and felt his pulse quicken. He couldn't believe their improvised ruse was actually working.

Moments later, Qi Jun's voice returned, this time furious. "You scoundrels! How dare you deceive me?"

Ye Yukong shook his head with a wry smile. Of course, such a ploy could only buy a little time. The fact that they hadn't been immediately attacked was already miraculous.

Normally, Qi Jun should have acted decisively by now. But Zhao Xing's intervention had successfully delayed him, even if only for a moment. Zhao Xing himself hadn't been entirely certain it would work; the sequence he'd provided was a patchwork of legitimate and improvised codes.

"Pure luck," Zhao Xing thought to himself. Just as he prepared for the possibility of an inevitable clash, Qi Jun surprised him again by falling silent.

After a tense pause, Qi Jun's voice echoed across the barrier, laced with deference. "My lord, please instruct me on how to cooperate and salvage this situation."

Ye Yukong's eyes widened in disbelief. Zhao Xing, too, was momentarily stunned. This worked?

Zhao Xing quickly regained his composure and responded, "Qi Jun, the imperial reinforcements are on their way. If you let us leave directly, it will raise suspicion."

"Fire a few more Fire Origin Divine Cannons, but aim them southward," Zhao Xing instructed. "By the time their effect reaches us in the north, their power will be significantly weakened."

"And as for your retreat," Zhao Xing added with an air of authority, "I trust you know what to do."

"Yes, my lord. I understand," Qi Jun replied, his tone brimming with respect. "I will also have Li Xiu cast the Forgetting Woes Spell on me. This way, I won't remember your voice, nor will I recall Ye Yukong's defection."

"Good. Proceed," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Yes."

Moments later, a series of distant explosions broke the silence as Qi Jun launched Fire Origin Divine Cannons toward the southern expanse. The intense fiery blasts dissipated significantly before they reached Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong's position.

Above them, the ten mechanized puppets self-destructed in unison, signaling Qi Jun's withdrawal.

Inside the barrier, Ye Yukong stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded. "Is this real? Little brother—do you actually know King Liang's classified operations?"

Zhao Xing shook his head and chuckled. "It was a lucky guess. Back when I worked with King Tianyan, we raided an important stronghold of the Xuantian Sect. Some communication protocols were recorded there."

"I figured the Illusory Nether King wouldn't have the full picture either."

This explanation was partially true. Years ago, during a raid on the Blood Spirit Sovereign's hideout, Zhao Xing had indeed uncovered fragments of confidential information. However, the codes he provided were an amalgamation of truth and conjecture.

Zhao Xing had little confidence in the success of his gambit. If the Illusory Nether King were either fully informed or completely unaware, their ploy would have failed.

But as fate would have it, the Illusory Nether King knew just enough to be uncertain. This uncertainty, combined with the imminent arrival of the imperial reinforcements, compelled him to err on the side of caution.

After all, killing Ye Yukong offered limited benefits, whereas disrupting a potentially classified operation carried significant risks.

"Fortune truly favors us today," Ye Yukong sighed in awe. "To think we could bluff our way out of this."

"It's not entirely luck," Zhao Xing replied, his expression calm. "King Liang's forces are riddled with internal conflicts. They've only been united under his banner for a few years—it's impossible for them to operate as cohesively as the Great Zhou Dynasty."

"Between the southern barbarians, rogue sects, and rebellious lords, their alliance is inherently fragile. They're bound by mutual interests, not genuine unity."

Ye Yukong nodded, a newfound respect for Zhao Xing's sharp insight evident in his eyes.

Zhao Xing's tone turned calm as he explained, "King Liang is about to leave Pinghai Province. The moment he suffers even a small setback, internal chaos will ensue, and his forces will collapse on their own."

Ye Yukong nodded in agreement. "Indeed, this is the final madness of King Liang's faction."

As a seasoned commander himself, Ye Yukong understood all too well the impact of the disunity that plagued King Liang's various factions.

Suddenly, a Fire Origin Divine Cannon projectile landed in the vicinity.

Thankfully, because it was aimed at the southern area, Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong found defending against it much easier this time. With minimal effort, they managed to hold their ground for a full hour.

Exactly one hour later, reinforcements arrived.

King Shenluo, a fellow Mechanist, led a fleet of a hundred warships into the barren territory of Huangze Commandery. His Boundary-Breaking Ships effortlessly pierced through the Jiebei Peacekeeping Grand Array, and from the ships, countless shimmering blue markers were scattered across various regions of Huangze Commandery.

"The Zhenyuan flagship is here," Ye Yukong said, looking up at the fleet hovering in the sky. "The rampant elemental energy has subsided. We made it through."

Zhao Xing exhaled deeply in relief. This ordeal had come at a steep price—almost costing them everything—but at least the outcome was favorable. More importantly, he now held a Fortune Coin in his possession.

"Brother Ye, I'm late," King Shenluo called out as he descended from the sky on a bamboo horse-like mount. His voice was filled with concern. "Are you unharmed?"

"I'm fine," Ye Yukong replied, his voice transmitting from within the Earth Spirit Barrier.

"Hmm?" King Shenluo's sharp gaze landed on the barrier, noticing dozens of silhouettes slowly emerging within. His eyes fell on Zhao Xing. "Zhao Xing is here as well? This Earth Spirit Barrier, was it your doing?"

Zhao Xing stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, King Shenluo. Yes, I'm the one who set up this barrier."

King Shenluo's eyes swept over the configuration of the barrier and the Mechanist Prayer Spike at its core. A trace of admiration flickered in his gaze. "Impressive. Using a Mechanist Prayer Spike to execute the Earth Repository Technique—no wonder you managed to hold out for so long."

He added with genuine praise, "Zhao Xing, your mastery has clearly reached the pinnacle of technique."

Zhao Xing gave a modest nod. "That's correct."

"Remarkable." King Shenluo couldn't help but commend him. "Without you, Ye Yukong would've been sent to the Underworld by now."

Ye Yukong, however, interjected, "Shenluo, let's continue this conversation aboard the ship."

"Of course," King Shenluo agreed, gesturing for both Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing to board.

Once aboard, King Shenluo summoned a series of dark-golden chains engraved with intricate secret patterns. These chains coiled tightly around the Mechanist Prayer Spike, their spiked tips embedding themselves into its grooves with precision.

"Lift!"

With a resounding boom, the needle was extracted.

The Mechanist Prayer Spike had been fired remotely into enemy territory. Without gaining control of the battlefield, retrieving it would've been nearly impossible. Of the eighteen needles originally launched, Qi Jun had managed to retrieve fifteen, leaving three behind in Huangze Commandery. These three needles now fell into King Shenluo's hands.

As the battlefield was cleared, King Shenluo led the group back to his domain—Shenluo Commandery, his personal fief and the center of his defense operations.

Upon returning to the city, Ye Yukong and King Shenluo began recounting the events that had transpired.

"What? Brother Ye, you broke through?" King Shenluo exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes," Ye Yukong confirmed with a nod. "By a stroke of fortune, Zhao Xing discovered a Fortune Coin. He let me use it, and I successfully broke through to the Heavenly Luck Stage."

"Chen'an knows how to use a Fortune Coin?" King Shenluo's gaze toward Zhao Xing instantly shifted, filled with a newfound appreciation—as though he were looking at a priceless treasure. The intensity of his stare made Zhao Xing visibly uncomfortable.

King Shenluo was a towering and bald figure, his imposing build only adding to the awkwardness of his fiery gaze. "This burly guy staring like this—who could stand it?" Zhao Xing thought to himself, suppressing a shiver.

"Big Brother Ye is being humble," Zhao Xing finally said, breaking the tension. "The Fortune Coin was already in an unsealed state. It's not that I possess some secret art."

King Shenluo's curiosity deepened. "Who holds ownership of this Fortune Coin?"

"It belongs to him," Ye Yukong replied, pointing to Zhao Xing.

"Brother Zhao," King Shenluo said, turning back to Zhao Xing with a more serious tone. "I have a rather presumptuous request."

"Please, speak freely, King Shenluo."

"Would you let me use it as well?" King Shenluo asked directly.

Breaking through to the Heavenly Luck Stage independently was a rare opportunity. By doing so without relying on the imperial court, one could maintain autonomy. Otherwise, any promotion bestowed by the court came with strings attached; a single decree could revoke it at will.

"That might be crossing a line…" Zhao Xing hesitated, his expression conflicted.

Unlike their serendipitous discovery, deliberately pursuing the fortune of Pinghai Province's spiritual energy would constitute an outright theft. Such actions would be indistinguishable from the deeds of King Liang. After all, the fortune of Pinghai Province rightfully belonged to the imperial court—it wasn't something to be seized lightly.

The court could bestow fortune, but without permission, no one had the right to take it by force.

Unless, of course, the fortune in question didn't originally belong to the Great Zhou Dynasty.

King Shenluo, perceptive as ever, immediately sought to reassure him. "Chen'an, rest easy. I seek no fortune tied to the Nineteen Provinces."

"If it doesn't belong to the Great Zhou Dynasty, then naturally it won't violate any taboos."

"Oh?" Zhao Xing began to piece together what King Shenluo was implying.

King Shenluo continued, "King Liang has gone completely mad. His actions now defy the heavens themselves. He's invited wolves into his den, allowing numerous Southern Barbarians and rogue sect cultivators into Pinghai Province."

"These so-called experts carry fortune that isn't tied to the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Zhao Xing remained silent, listening intently.

"All I need to do is kill these people," King Shenluo explained, "and with the Fortune Coin nearby, I can absorb the fortune attached to their beings."

"This way, I'm not taking anything that belongs to the Great Zhou Dynasty. No one can object to that."

Though Zhao Xing had anticipated this line of reasoning, he deliberately displayed hesitation earlier—it was a tactical move. If he agreed too readily, it would diminish the weight of the favor King Shenluo owed him. Moreover, Zhao Xing genuinely harbored concerns about King Shenluo's approach. Distinguishing between the fortune of the Great Zhou Dynasty and external sources during such tumultuous times was no easy task.

Sensing Zhao Xing's hesitation, King Shenluo offered a compromise. "Chen'an, if you're uneasy, the Fortune Coin can remain in your hands. You can retain full control over its use."

"As someone aligned with King Tianyan, you can also report this matter directly to him. I doubt he'd object."

"Very well. Allow me to consult with King Tianyan," Zhao Xing agreed.

In the Star Palace, Zhao Xing contacted King Tianyan through his primary body.

"You obtained a Fortune Coin? And it's in an unsealed state?" King Tianyan was momentarily stunned. "You're one lucky fellow."

"It's not just my fortune; the Lord of Bright Moon Manor shares in this as well," Zhao Xing clarified.

"However, King Shenluo has made a request regarding the coin. I didn't give him an answer immediately and wanted to consult with you first."

King Tianyan smiled knowingly. "If he's truly targeting rogue cultivators or Southern Barbarian experts, there's no issue. Just make sure to report your actions in advance."

"You're certain this won't cause any complications?" Zhao Xing asked for confirmation.

King Tianyan's response carried the weight of certainty: "It won't."

"Of course," King Tianyan affirmed. "Currently, Pinghai Province is already overrun with rogue cultivators and Southern Barbarian experts. Even without the Fortune Coin, eliminating them would still transfer some of their fortune."

"The fortune of imperial court officials belongs to the Great Zhou Dynasty. Their growth in fortune equates to the dynasty's growth as a whole."

"In fact, the court is about to issue a decree on this very matter, framing it as a benefit for the strong."

Emperor Jing truly knew how to economize without spending his own resources, packaging even this as a perk for his subordinates.

Zhao Xing nodded, unable to find anything to say. "Understood."

With King Tianyan's confirmation, Zhao Xing agreed to King Shenluo's request.

Although King Shenluo, a third-rank Mechanist, wasn't an unparalleled genius, he was a formidable second-tier powerhouse. More importantly, he was still young—barely over three hundred years old—with centuries of potential ahead. Securing his favor was undoubtedly worthwhile, as long as the targets were carefully chosen.

Unexpectedly, King Shenluo already had specific targets in mind.

"Under King Liang's command are four rogue cultivators—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud emissaries—all of whom are rogue practitioners from beyond our borders."

"Wait, you're not talking about first-rank experts, are you?" Zhao Xing asked, stunned.

Mechanists had such daring ambitions? To target first-rank experts?

"Of course not." King Shenluo chuckled. "I don't have the ability to kill first-rank cultivators, unless a rare opportunity arises, like setting up a grand formation similar to what the Illusory Nether King and Qi Jun once accomplished. But such opportunities are exceedingly rare."

"I'm referring to the twelve banner commanders under Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud emissaries."

"In addition, the princes of the four major royal courts of the Southern Barbarians are my primary targets."

"These individuals are all imbued with immense fortune!"

"Ordinarily, killing them would be nearly impossible," King Shenluo explained. "Those with great fortune are naturally protected by the heavens, making them extremely difficult to eliminate."

"However, with the Fortune Coin, things are different."

"By offsetting their fortune with the coin, strange or miraculous circumstances preventing their demise won't occur. As long as I kill any one of these individuals, I will achieve my breakthrough."

"The second tier of targets includes Southern Barbarian generals and high-ranking members of rogue sects—protectors and elders."

"These individuals also carry significant fortune, either as leaders of their sects or commanders of their armies."

"But among this group, the distribution of second-rank and third-rank cultivators is fifty-fifty. A single one of them may not be enough to push me to breakthrough."

Ye Yukong glanced at the list and the detailed intelligence, then laughed. "King Shenluo, you've been scheming for a while. You've figured out whose head is easier to claim and whose is harder, haven't you?"

King Shenluo sighed. "Brother Ye, you know my situation. If I don't break through this time, who knows when I'll have another chance to reach second rank? In today's era, relying solely on accomplishments to advance is nearly impossible."

His words referred to Emperor Jing, whose personality and governing style were well known.

Unlike Emperor Wen, Emperor Jing's reforms had focused on two primary objectives: weakening the powers of regional kings and stripping them of authority, and cutting into the privileges of aristocratic families by reducing their noble titles and rewards repeatedly.

Of course, the regional kings were dealt with by Emperor Jing's brother, King Liang, while the reforms were executed by Prime Minister Liu Si.

What did these achievements have to do with Emperor Jing's brilliance and strength?

Now that King Liang had rebelled and Liu Si was dead, everyone held Emperor Jing in even greater awe.

However, confidence in serving under him was dwindling.

It wasn't that working under him was impossible, but one had to prepare to be worked to death in the process.

Zhao Xing understood King Shenluo well. He knew that after the Jingxin Era ended, advancing in rank would become increasingly difficult.

Emperor Jing, with his focus on nurturing heirs, rarely promoted high-ranking officials during the Two Reform Period.

"Since King Shenluo has a plan, I'll say no more. Let me know whenever you need assistance," Zhao Xing said.

"Excellent! Spoken like a true brother!" King Shenluo clapped his hands in approval. "Brother Zhao, I've noticed you don't seem to care much about wealth or treasures. If you ever need assistance in the future, as long as it doesn't violate the laws of the court, I'll handle three tasks for you."

"Deal." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in agreement.

With just a few words exchanged, their fates were intertwined.

For someone like King Shenluo, paying back this favor would become a matter of personal principle, needing no formal contract to enforce it.

In the thirty-sixth year of the Jingxin Era, at the start of July, Zhao Xing stationed one of his avatars in Shenluo Commandery with the Fortune Coin, awaiting King Shenluo's orders.

His other avatars, however, continued their dual missions: raiding estates and rescuing lives.

The chaotic state of Pinghai Province made opportunities increasingly scarce. Despite possessing sixth-tier fortune, Zhao Xing struggled to find anything valuable amidst the turmoil.

With high-ranking experts everywhere, many had considerable fortune of their own. Without deploying his true self or the other two ancient coins, Zhao Xing found it difficult to stumble upon serendipitous encounters.

By July, Zhao Xing's focus shifted entirely toward saving lives. On the fifteenth of July, the fighting in Anping Prefecture intensified, even threatening the prefectural capital.

The avatar Zhao Xing stationed there immediately escorted the future Prime Minister, Wei Xuancheng—then only at the fifth rank—and his elder brother to safety.

On the twenty-sixth of July, the Divine Weaving Academy in Jingfeng Prefecture faced an assault by the rogue sect Corpse Ghost Sect.

Zhao Xing's avatar in Jingfeng Prefecture successfully rescued the academy's official, Xia Caiwei, transferring her to a safe location.

With avatars present in all forty-five prefectures of Pinghai Province, Zhao Xing utilized his extensive network of connections established through his rescue plan. Even if he couldn't personally intervene, he ensured individuals were included in the first waves of evacuation.

Smuggling low-ranking individuals into evacuation teams went largely unnoticed.

On the third of August, in Tianyuan Prefecture, seventh-rank physician Wang Zhongjing sought emergency medical supplies from the administrator of Shelter No. 45 through a friend but was denied.

When Zhao Xing heard of this, he scolded the administrator harshly and personally delivered the supplies to Wang Zhongjing.

On the fourteenth of August, itinerant practitioner Xun was rescued.

That same day, Five Elements practitioner Moxifa was also saved.

By the third of September, King Shenluo and the Lord of Bright Moon Manor had jointly targeted Yanda, a prince of the Golden Feather Court.

Though only a fourth-rank cultivator, Yanda possessed seventh-tier fortune, occasionally reaching eighth-tier.

However, Yanda was heavily guarded, even by second-rank protectors.

King Shenluo waited patiently for the right opportunity, which didn't arrive until mid-October.

On the nineteenth of October, King Liang's army moved from Pinghai Province to Luliang Province.

The four emissaries—Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud—joined forces, unleashing a province-level typhoon that wreaked havoc across the region, serving as their cover.

That same day, Grand Shennong Li Boqian appeared in Tianyuan Prefecture.

Twelve Seasonal Qi Commands were activated simultaneously in the eastern, southern, western, and northern regions of Pinghai Province.

Twelve Minor Shennong officials, including Wang Tianzhi, emerged in Luliang Province.

The Great Zhou Dynasty revealed all twenty-four Seasonal Qi Commands in one grand display.

The massive typhoon vanished without a trace in less than half a day.

On the twentieth of October, Kunyuan Academy completed the excavation of thirteen ancient underground passages connecting Pinghai Province to neighboring regions.

Xuanyuan Qingtian, the leader of the Earth School, appeared in the heart of Pinghai Province, carrying a spiritual mountain on his back.

With one of the divine artifacts, the Mountain and River Diagram, he activated the Mountain and River Everlasting Spell, enveloping the entirety of Pinghai Province.

The destructive impact of high-ranking cultivators on the environment was reduced by ninety-nine percent.

On the same day, the first-ranked evil god, Blood Spirit Sovereign, unleashed a large-scale spell called Blood Spirit Veil.

In Pinghai Province and Luliang Province, torrents of blood rained from the sky, threatening to desecrate the divine temples.

Meanwhile, Bone Sovereign cast Resurrection of Myriad Bones, causing the buried skeletons across the nineteen provinces to crawl out of the ground and water. These reassembled skeletons transformed into terrifying Bone Generals, wreaking havoc upon counties and prefectures.

Simultaneously, Mountain Ghost Sovereign summoned ancient mountain ghosts from the two provinces, causing dreadful wails to echo from countless mountain peaks.

On the same day, Grand Priest Bu Guangheng entered Pinghai Province.

Six divine priests—Siming, Yisuan, Wangsheng, Duer, Yanshou, and Silu—arrived in Luliang Province, forcing the three Sovereigns, Bone, Mountain Ghost, and Blood Spirit, to flee in terror.

By the next day.

Emperor Jing's elite guards, the Shensu, Jinwu, and Luanyi armies, were mobilized. Along with them came the seven army commanders formerly associated with the Tongyou, Jiuxiao, Huangquan, Xuanming, Tiancang, Taixu, and Wuyao forces.

Half of the three corps controlled by King Liang originated from these seven elite troops.

With the assistance of the Grand Priest, half of these troops were forced to revolt against King Liang. The soldiers, who had been bound to King Liang through coercive dark fortune seals, were liberated from the Black Dragon Fortune, regaining their autonomy.

The seven commanders regained partial control of their troops.

The chaotic situation in Pinghai Province seemed to reverse within a single day.

It was under these circumstances that King Shenluo finally saw an opportunity.

Prince Yanda, originally a hostage under King Liang, saw the tides turning and realized that King Liang's vigilance over him had relaxed. Seizing the chance, on the nineteenth of October, he led a group of powerful guards southward, attempting to cross the Canglan River and return to the Southern Desolation's Golden Feather Court.

The flaw in their escape plan emerged during the river crossing.

The Canglan River had long been used by the Southern Barbarians as a strategic weapon against the Great Zhou Dynasty.

After King Liang left Pinghai Province, the Canglan River erupted into a massive water disturbance, orchestrated by over a hundred Southern Barbarian shamans working together to manipulate the water veins into a violent uprising.

The river surged like a dragon ascending to the heavens, threatening to engulf Pinghai Province.

However, the rapid reversal of the broader situation scared off the hundred shamans, who fled in panic.

Their retreat turned the once-raging Canglan River into a natural barrier.

Many Southern Barbarian generals, instead of crossing the river, were now blocked by it.

Half of Prince Yanda's powerful guards were scattered by the raging waters, leaving him with only one second-ranked and two third-ranked protectors. They fled eastward, attempting to detour through the Eastern Sea.

They planned to use the domains controlled by the Hong brothers, Hong Yuanshou and Hong Yuanba, as a pathway back to the Southern Desolation.

Yet by this time, the Hong brothers were already dead!

Bai Yunwu, working with two other prominent families and the Luanyi Guards stationed at the Eastern Sea, launched a coordinated land and sea attack against the Hong brothers.

The rebellious Eastern Sea Army, many of whom had been freed from the influence of the Black Dragon Fortune by the Grand Priest, no longer had any desire to support the Hong brothers' insurrection.

In a mass betrayal, they turned on the Hong brothers and struck them down.

Hong Yuanshou was devoured in one bite by Bai Yunwu, who had transformed into a giant dragon. The whereabouts of Hong Yuanba and his heir, Ji Chen, remained unknown.

In the southeastern part of Pinghai Province, in a place called Cuihe County, King Shenluo, Ye Yukong, and Zhao Xing finally caught up to Prince Yanda.

"Run! Go ahead and keep running!" King Shenluo's voice boomed across the skies above Cuihe County.

At this moment, a glowing barrier materialized over Cuihe County.

The Boundary Stele Formation!

Within Cuihe County, five Mechanist Prayer Spike were embedded into the ground.

Cuihe County had long been abandoned, allowing King Shenluo to spare no expense and deploy his resources liberally.

Prince Yanda's predicament mirrored the one Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing had faced earlier, but the tables had turned.

"This is exhilarating," Zhao Xing remarked, seated inside the massive mechanized giant, Shenluo Pangyuan.

This was a ninth-ranked divine weapon and part of the Shenluo Mechanized Giant series, which earned King Shenluo his title due to his deep research into the series.

"Chasing people down in a giant robot—King Shenluo's wealth really runs deep," Zhao Xing quipped, looking down from above with a grin.

"What's a 'giant robot'?" Ye Yukong asked from within the giant.

"It's said to be a lost creation of the Shenluo series," Zhao Xing replied offhandedly, making up an explanation.

"Oh." Ye Yukong nodded, accepting the explanation without further inquiry.

"Brother Ye, are you going to jump down?" Zhao Xing asked.

"How am I supposed to go down?" Ye Yukong's face turned slightly pale. "King Shenluo is already preparing the Fire Origin Divine Cannon!"

"Hahaha!"

Ever since being blasted by the Fire Origin Divine Cannon once before, Ye Yukong had developed a psychological scar.

"Brother Ye, you might still need to take action later," King Shenluo said. "This guy's got plenty of treasures. I've fired three rounds from the Fire Origin Divine Cannon and still haven't completely taken them down."

"No problem. Leave the second-ranked Five Elements practitioner to me," Ye Yukong replied.

Within the formation, only Prince Yanda and his second-ranked protector remained.

The two third-ranked protectors had already been blasted to pieces.

If not for Xuanyuan Qingtian activating Mountain and River Everlasting, the three rounds from the Fire Origin Divine Cannon might have killed even the second-rank cultivator.

The stabilization of the earth's veins by the Mountain and River Everlasting spell had significantly weakened the cannon's destructive force, preventing it from triggering a catastrophic chain reaction.

"It's about time. I'll activate the Boundary Stele Formation now," King Shenluo said.

"Here it comes."

Ye Yukong opened the skylight and shot out in a blur.

Zhao Xing jumped out as well, observing the battle from a safe distance.

"Your Highness, run!"

The second-ranked protector erupted with a surge of blue light, creating waves of water that wrapped around Prince Yanda like silk.

In an instant, the waves carried the prince dozens of miles away.

"This is the power to bend the rules," Zhao Xing noted. "At the Heavenly Luck Realm, one can already act on behalf of the heavens."

"Nine Solar Fire Dragons!" The second-ranked practitioner, having sent Prince Yanda away, summoned nine flaming dragons.

The dragon scales shimmered with brilliance, and their eyes seemed lifelike. Zhao Xing couldn't discern any flaws in the illusion.

"Be careful, Brother Ye," Zhao Xing called out, noticing that Ye Yukong's pillar of fortune dimmed slightly.

This signified some degree of danger in confronting the second-ranked practitioner.

Ye Yukong paused at this, then decided to give it his all.

To maintain his image, especially after boasting of his invincibility during his breakthrough in Huangze County, only to be humiliated by Qi Jun later, he had to recover his reputation.

"I'll finish this! Sun and Moon Radiance! Die, you bastard!"

Ye Yukong launched his ultimate move, fueled by sheer determination.

At this moment, Ye Yukong's figure was no longer visible in the sky.

He seemed to have vanished, living up to his name, Night Sky Void.

Even his sword had disappeared.

The second-ranked practitioner stood within a realm where half the world was shrouded in darkness while the other half bathed in daylight.

The stark contrast of black and white reflected evenly on his body.

In the next instant, black and white interwove in a dazzling collision!

In the face of the black-and-white interweaving, the second-ranked practitioner's body was sliced cleanly in half.

"You—@#$%!"

The second-ranked practitioner cursed in a Southern Barbarian tongue.

Zhao Xing understood the curse—it meant "reckless fool."

"Whoosh—"

Ye Yukong reappeared in the sky, his chest heaving slightly. With a flick of his hand, he twirled his sword in an elegant flourish before resting it behind him, striking a dramatic pose.

"Brother Ye, you're incredible!" Zhao Xing shouted from below.

Only then did Ye Yukong retract his stance with satisfaction.

"It's nothing," he said dismissively. "I only used twenty percent of my strength. He wasn't worth much effort."

Zhao Xing: "..."

King Shenluo: "..."

If they weren't busy chasing Prince Yanda, King Shenluo would have definitely questioned Ye Yukong's grasp of the difference between "twenty percent" and "reckless overkill."

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" Prince Yanda, now caught, desperately shouted as he was pursued.

"I have treasures! I'll give them all to you, just spare my life!" He rummaged through his belongings, tossing out artifacts one after another in his panic.

But King Shenluo paid him no mind.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—"

Eight silver tendrils shot out from behind King Shenluo, resembling serpentine threads of silver light. In an instant, they stretched over a distance of three thousand meters and wrapped tightly around Prince Yanda.

"Brother Zhao!" King Shenluo's voice carried a hint of exhilaration.

"I'm on it!" Zhao Xing immediately activated A Step to Infinity, tossing a Fortune Coin to King Shenluo while simultaneously activating the Mirage Pearl to record the moment.

"Pfft!" In the instant the Fortune Coin reached King Shenluo's hand, Prince Yanda's life came to an abrupt end.

Perhaps King Shenluo had been too excited—he had underestimated his own strength and accidentally crushed Yanda into a bloody pulp.

"Aargh—!" King Shenluo's roar echoed as he clenched the Fortune Coin tightly, a surge of energy rippling through him.

"...?" Zhao Xing's gaze shifted to the ground below.

Amidst the mangled remains of Prince Yanda, two objects burst forth from his body.

One of them—a transparent crystalline sphere—immediately caught Zhao Xing's attention.

"This is... a Heavenly Spirit Pearl?" Zhao Xing dashed forward, quickly scooping up the two items.

Anything capable of integrating into one's body was bound to be a treasure.

"It really is a Heavenly Spirit Pearl!" Zhao Xing's eyes lit up as he held the shimmering orb.

This was an artifact brimming with spiritual energy!

"All five elements of spiritual energy are present!" Zhao Xing exclaimed, unable to take his eyes off the pearl's vibrant, rotating streams of multicolored light.

"What kind of treasure is that?" Ye Yukong asked, curious.

"A Heavenly Spirit Pearl," Zhao Xing replied. "It's a rare artifact that ensures one's vitality never runs dry."

"You really want it, don't you?" Ye Yukong, noting the eagerness in Zhao Xing's expression, asked with a grin.

"Yes, it's extremely important to me," Zhao Xing admitted earnestly.

"Then I won't take a share," Ye Yukong declared with a wave of his hand. "Just deal with King Shenluo for it."

"What's this about not sharing?" King Shenluo, having completed his breakthrough, flew over to join them.

"It's this," Ye Yukong pointed at the Heavenly Spirit Pearl. "It's a treasure that's crucial for Brother Zhao."

"King Shenluo, this pearl is incredibly valuable to me," Zhao Xing said sincerely. "I'm willing to forgo future opportunities to claim this one treasure alone. Would you agree?"

"Agreed!" King Shenluo grinned widely. "Agreed, agreed!"

For him, this was a chance to settle a favor owed to Zhao Xing. How could he refuse?

Zhao Xing also smiled. To him, the Heavenly Spirit Pearl was worth any price.

"A happy ending for all," Ye Yukong chuckled. "King Shenluo has broken through to the second rank, Brother Zhao has his treasure, and we've completed our mission. Now, we should return. King Liang's defeat is imminent, and the court has issued a kill order. It's the perfect time to earn some merits."

"Let's go!"

By October, the situation had shifted dramatically.

Reports flooded into Zhao Xing's Earth Mirror like snowflakes, detailing the fall of rebel forces across various regions.

In just a month, one rebel king after another was eradicated.

Zhao Xing's doppelgangers were busier than ever, managing tasks like garnering fame, confiscating properties, and rescuing prisoners. As the final stage approached, Zhao Xing personally joined in.

Year 36 of the Jingxin Calendar, October 15th.

Most of the rebel kings and foreign forces in Pinghai Province were completely wiped out, leaving only scattered remnants. The recovery of the Eastern Sea was the slowest, as the numerous islands required significant manpower to secure.

Year 36 of the Jingxin Calendar, November 25th.

Zhao Xing received urgent news.

King Liang was besieged in Zhenxun King City in Luliang Province.

Grand Craftsman Nie Xiongying, stationed outside the city, had deployed the Tenfold Hunyuan Celestial Net Formation, a fearsome array that utilized 35,000 ninth-rank warships as its foundation. The formation completely encased the skies and ground surrounding the city.

The Tenfold Celestial Net, a legendary artifact, served as the formation's core.

This formation, the strongest of its kind in the current era, had not been seen in over 2,500 years.

December 5th.

King Liang's artifact, Celestial Dimensions Net, was suppressed by the formation, as was his Hidden Dragon Fortune Ranking, leaving not a single yin deity willing to obey him.

Because King Liang had practiced a heretical sect's techniques, his bloodline was no longer that of the Ji family. Without the support of artifacts or fortune, King Liang fell from the transcendent first rank to the ordinary first rank.

December 8th.

King Liang, Ji Mingxian, died in Zhenxun King City.

Thus, the Liang King's rebellion was declared officially over.

This monumental event dealt a severe blow to the Great Zhou Dynasty. It fractured the nation's fortune, exposed the vulnerabilities of the yin deity system, and reshaped countless lives. The once-unstoppable radiance of the Great Zhou was dimmed.

At the same time, in the Star Palace—

"What? It's only December, and King Liang has already fallen?" Zhao Xing read the message with a frown. "This is half a year earlier than in my previous life. It didn't even reach the year 37 of the Jingxin Calendar."

"He didn't even manage to leave Luliang Province, let alone achieve his goal of spreading chaos across the land."

"Why do I feel like I've overlooked something?" Zhao Xing muttered to himself, furrowing his brow.

"Why does every major event seem to happen earlier than expected?"

"The eruption of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven was like this. The middle-grade battle was like this. And now, the Liang King's incident is the same."

"Could it be... that the revival of spiritual energy is also ahead of schedule?"

A sudden realization surged in Zhao Xing's mind.