After pondering in the dream for a while, Zhao Xing came up with an initial plan.
"If I were to directly report the Tenth Gate myself, I wouldn't be able to bear such a significant karmic consequence."
"Inside the Heavenly Gate, I have based myself within a cave-heaven and utilized the Heavenly Fate Concealment technique to remove myself from the chessboard. Reporting it directly would mean stepping back into the game."
"A mere ant appeared on the chessboard, altering the game's trajectory. This would certainly attract attention."
"For me, this isn't a blessing; it's a disaster."
"However, if I leverage Old Liu and the power backing him, they may be able to withstand it. If things go well, he'll surely be credited, his official career will progress smoothly, and he might even become the Grand Shennong earlier in this life."
Currently, Liu Tianning served as his support. A strong backer meant strength for him as well, and therein lay the benefit of executing this plan.
The downside was that it could attract the attention of three powerful forces: the sects, the Southern Barbarians, and the court.
After a long period of contemplation, Zhao Xing finally resolved to act on this plan. Three main motives drove him forward:
"First, the Heavenly Fate Concealment, which I base on the cave-heaven, doesn't just work in isolated instances; it's effective throughout the entire event. It's as if I don't exist and have been removed from the board."
"Second, the information I genuinely know is limited to that mysterious palace alone. Everything else, including the intentions of the Xuantian Sect and the plans of King Liang, are mere conjectures, not precise predictions."
"Reporting it, therefore, would confine the karma to the 'mysterious palace' alone. Whatever conclusions are drawn afterward will be matters for King Luohou and his people to bear."
"Third, this is the Primordial Qi Era, not the later Spirit Qi Era. Causal deduction methods aren't as sophisticated. Even the Creation Disk occasionally makes errors; it incorrectly predicted the outcome of the Pacification Campaign."
Just over two months ago, Zhao Xing had achieved an advancement with the Five-Finger Heavenly Fate technique and hadn't fully grasped fate-related spells. However, after consuming various spirit essences, particularly the 'Dragon Whale Spirit Essence,' he had gained deeper insights.
After deliberate consideration, Zhao Xing decided to cautiously stir the waters from outside the chessboard.
"The location of the mysterious palace is in the southern region, near Crimson Lake. Now, how can I make Liu Tianning discover it by accident?"
After waking from his dream, Zhao Xing felt slightly dazed. Just moments ago, he'd exited the dream realm, yet the lingering aftereffects continued to prompt him to visit Liu's Palace of Myriad Techniques.
"It's likely a decision I made while exploring the Memory Palace," Zhao Xing mused to himself.
After a moment's thought, he set off for the Palace of Myriad Techniques, intending to follow Liu Tianning to study straw puppet techniques.
Upon arriving, Zhao Xing observed that the palace remained much the same as always, with numerous incarnations each engaged in their own tasks. He could sense that Liu Tianning's soul force was dispersed into countless threads, busily engaged with multiple matters at once.
"Senior Brother," greeted Ji Zixuan as she stood at the entrance.
"Hmm," Zhao Xing acknowledged her briefly and proceeded directly inside.
"Senior Brother, Lord Liu and our teacher are in the garden. They might not want to be disturbed," Ji Zixuan commented, believing that Zhao Xing intended to seek an audience with Liu Tianning directly.
"It's fine. I'm just here to cultivate," Zhao Xing replied smoothly.
"Would Senior Brother like to stay in the room next to mine?" Ji Zixuan asked with a smile. "Whenever I go outside, it feels as if Lord Liu is everywhere… If you're staying next door, I'd feel much more at ease."
Zhao Xing chuckled softly, "You're not used to it yet?"
Ji Zixuan shook her head, visibly uneasy.
With a mischievous grin, Zhao Xing contorted his face in a sinister expression and whispered in a low voice, "Kekeke… And how do you know that I'm not just one of his straw puppet incarnations right now?"
"Ah—!" Ji Zixuan was startled by Zhao Xing's ferocious look, instinctively taking two steps back, her heart racing.
Satisfied that his prank had worked, Zhao Xing returned to normal and walked away casually, thinking to himself, Scaring the future shadow assassin like this… back in my past life, this would have definitely been worth bragging about.
Following this, Zhao Xing settled into his room within the Palace of Myriad Techniques and immediately prepared to go to sleep.
Once he was in the dream realm, Zhao Xing quickly realized his purpose.
"It turns out I didn't come here just to rest. I need to make Old Liu dream about that location."
"This should be easy enough."
At his current level, having reached the fifth rank in his soul cultivation, Zhao Xing had cultivated the "Great Dream Spring and Autumn." Although this technique didn't allow him to 'travel within dreams' to assassinate others, it granted him the ability to induce specific dreams in other people.
Seeking out Liu Tianning directly would have been challenging, but with so many of Liu's incarnations active, there were bound to be some whose soul strength was comparatively weak.
Bundling a sequence of images together, Zhao Xing cast them toward the first of Liu's incarnations.
On the first day, Zhao Xing simply caused one of Liu's incarnations to dream about the southern Crimson Lake region.
On the second day, he added another image, this time showing a barren mountain a hundred miles away from Crimson Lake.
On the third day, the dream became even clearer, depicting abnormal fluctuations in the earth veins and revealing an ancient underground palace.
Zhao Xing repeated this for five days in succession.
Eventually, Liu Tianning's primary incarnation came to the courtyard beside Zhao Xing's.
He gazed at a scholarly-looking incarnation, who seemed lost in contemplation.
"Collect!"
With a swift gesture, Liu Tianning dissolved the incarnation, the soul power returning to his original body.
Afterward, he entered Zhao Xing's courtyard, checked his disciple's cultivation, and then departed, as if he hadn't noticed anything unusual.
"No reaction? Has Old Liu been subtly influenced by some spell, to the point that he ignores sudden 'insights'?"
"Then again, there are several thousand people exploring the Crimson Lake region. Coincidentally, that area even has a Forgetting Monument in place."
"The court's meticulous planning over the years is truly remarkable," Zhao Xing mused in his dream.
Anyone with low cultivation might overlook the Tenth Gate entirely.
Furthermore, even if someone were to pass by, it was easy to overlook the area due to the monument's effects.
The court had even set up a Forgetting Monument there, meaning that if anyone did spot anything unusual, they'd be promptly blocked by the court's own methods.
High-ranking cultivators weren't likely to visit either, as the military realm had imposed entry restrictions on the area.
"Seems like interfering in this matter is quite challenging," Zhao Xing thought. "Too much influence will cause issues; too little won't have any effect."
"Do my best, and let fate decide," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "Within my capabilities, I've done all I can. I'll have Old Liu dream a few more days."
Deep in the distant Southern Wilderness, a convoy of chariots moved across the flat wasteland.
The sky was a striking blue, while fierce astral winds swirled overhead. Thick layers of astral wind formed a terrifying bluish-gray blanket, hovering just a hundred meters above the ground.
"Neigh~!" Several dozen skeletal beasts with golden hooves were pulling a convoy of obsidian steel prison carriages, moving swiftly over the wasteland.
Two squads of golden-winged guards, each with silver hair, watched their surroundings warily.
They were escorting prisoners from Great Zhou, forming a vanguard of the Golden Feather Royal Court.
Suddenly—
Whiz~
A small group appeared at the front of the convoy, blocking their path.
"Who goes there?!"
The leader of the Golden Feather guards roared, spreading his wings in preparation for combat.
However, before he could assume a fighting stance, a force enveloped him, and he fell unconscious immediately.
The entire convoy, including the skeletal beasts pulling the carriages, all collapsed into an unconscious slumber.
Creak~
The long prison carriage doors opened, and a blood-red figure slipped inside.
Inside one of the individual cells, a Sixth-Rank Great Zhou military general sat with his shoulder blades impaled by iron hooks, his hands and feet bound by iron chains.
Clang~ The cell door was forced open, and the blood-red figure stepped into the cell.
The Great Zhou general, with a stubbled face and disheveled hair, showed no reaction. His head hung low, appearing as lifeless as a corpse.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign waved his hand, releasing a beam of red light that pierced into the general's body.
The general's muscles began to twitch as if struggling against an invisible force, and a faint human face formed on his stomach.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign gave a respectful bow. "Greetings, my lord."
"Blood Spirit Child," the face murmured, slightly contorting, "I am present now. It's time for you to show your sincerity."
"Rest assured, my lord," the Blood Spirit Child said with a slight smile. "I will take this soul remnant back to our sanctuary and safeguard the essence flame for you."
"My question," the face continued in a detached tone, "concerns your true intentions regarding the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven."
"Everything is proceeding as planned," the Blood Spirit Child replied smoothly. "If things succeed, my lord will need to interfere to disrupt the operations of the Creation Disk."
"The Creation Disk is under the control of the official diviners of the imperial clan. How are you so certain that I have the capability?"
The Blood Spirit Child smiled. "The grand opening of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture was credited to you, my lord. Though we suffered a setback, we know it was you, my lord, who wielded the Creation Disk."
Seeing King Liang remain silent, the Blood Spirit Child continued, "In the third year of the Reformation Era, your elder brother covertly appointed you as an official diviner."
"In the fifteenth year of the Reformation Era, my lord integrated your Fate Palace into the Creation Disk, successfully refining it."
"Afterward, my lord bore the artifact's hundred-year burden, endured ceaseless torment, and ultimately assumed full command of the military and administrative powers of Yingyuan Prefecture. Only through this was the court able to achieve unparalleled success with the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture."
The Blood Spirit Child's tone grew insidious. "But when the crafty hare is dead, the hound is boiled; when the birds are gone, the bow is put away."
"Pressuring the noble families, reforming the military, weakening the feudal and Yin god systems… All these responsibilities were thrust upon you, my lord, only for the blade to eventually fall upon your head."
"In the late Reformation Era, the Creation Disk was forcibly removed from your Fate Palace and placed under the control of the eighty-one diviners of the Celestial Pavilion. It was like forcing you to endure another century of torment."
"You are the epitome of loyalty, my lord, yet your elder brother's cold-heartedness knows no bounds."
"Enough!" the face in the abdomen snapped. "Our transaction does not grant you the right to meddle in my family affairs!"
Realizing that King Liang had not fully made up his mind, the Blood Spirit Child quickly bowed and apologized, "Please calm yourself, my lord. I overstepped my bounds. I shall now take you back to the sanctuary to complete our arrangement."
With a grand gesture, the Blood Spirit Child shattered the chains that bound the general's limbs.
Swoosh~
A gust of eerie wind swept through the convoy, causing every soul, human and beast alike, to dissolve into dust, as though they had never existed.
On July 10th, Zhao Xing had already made up his mind to withdraw from any further involvement in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven affair.
It seemed that Liu Tianning had been ignoring the "dream revelations" entirely.
He decided to leave the Palace of Myriad Techniques to observe Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, Xia Jing, and others.
While Zhao Xing had taken a break, these individuals were still out exploring.
Particularly Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun, who, due to their prominent backgrounds, were motivated to seek additional benefits for their family factions.
After resting, Zhao Xing noticed Liu Tianning himself standing outside his courtyard.
He didn't think much of it, as Liu Tianning occasionally inspected his cultivation.
Yet recently, there seemed to be a slight difference in Liu Tianning's behavior.
"Have you been dreaming lately?" Liu Tianning asked directly.
"Why do you ask, Teacher?" Zhao Xing replied, slightly taken aback.
"After consuming the Heart of the Dragon Whale, I've been having consecutive dreams," Liu Tianning explained. "It feels as if some revelation about the world is being granted to me, hinting that something significant is about to happen."
"What sort of revelation did you see, Teacher?"
"Crimson Lake," Liu Tianning pondered aloud. "And some other, vague impressions."
"Disciple has occasionally dreamt of the Extreme Night Sea," Zhao Xing responded. "But I didn't sense anything specific in the way of a revelation. Perhaps the Dragon Whale's blessing only favored you, Teacher. Or perhaps it's due to my relatively lower realm and less sensitive soul."
Liu Tianning nodded thoughtfully. "I plan to journey to Crimson Lake. There may be a grand opportunity there. Would you care to join me?"
Zhao Xing almost agreed but was stopped by a triggered seal in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Disciple has been advancing too swiftly and merely wishes to consolidate his realm."
"If allowed, I can send an incarnation to accompany you and observe, Teacher. However, my primary self will not attend."
"Very well," Liu Tianning replied. "I'll make my preparations and plan to depart in seven days at three quarters past the Xu hour. If you wish to come along, don't be late."
"Yes, Teacher," Zhao Xing replied.
Watching Liu Tianning leave, Zhao Xing closed his eyes.
"Old Liu has finally decided to go. I wonder what fate awaits him on this journey. His strength should suffice for many challenges; even if he encounters a scenario as perilous as Ten Suns Rising, it shouldn't harm him."
While Ten Suns Rising could prove fatal for most at the Fifth Rank, Liu Tianning was no ordinary Fifth Rank cultivator.
With his Floating Vine Armor as protection, even in the extreme heat of Ten Suns Rising, he would be able to move freely outside Yang City's boundaries.
Still, Zhao Xing couldn't help but worry that Liu Tianning might plunge too deeply into danger.
If he chose to explore the mysterious palace rather than report directly to King Luohou, who knew what traps might be lurking within its walls?
Thus, Zhao Xing resolved to send an incarnation to accompany Liu Tianning, unwilling to let him face such peril alone.
"Old Liu, don't be rash. If you find anything unusual, report it immediately," Zhao Xing whispered to himself, then opened his eyes.
Returning to the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing sat on the steps, chatting with Chen Shijie and Long Xiao.
"Meow~" At that moment, his mountain cat dashed past the courtyard, gleefully chasing a Green-Eyed Dragon Lion.
"Have you heard? Rumor has it that the court plans to drill the army again," Chen Shijie remarked.
"When did you hear this?" Zhao Xing feigned surprise, though he was already aware of the plan.
"Early July, but it's not confirmed yet," Chen Shijie replied. "It was the Marquis who mentioned it, saying it's a possibility."
"What are your thoughts on the matter?" Zhao Xing inquired.
"Of course, it's a chance to earn military merits on the battlefield!" Long Xiao declared with excitement, pumping his fist. "My strength has surged recently. If I return to battle, I might reach the Fifth Rank next year and, perhaps later, earn a Marquis title for martial service!"
"This isn't a matter of choice," Chen Shijie countered. "Our current power level is at the peak of the Sixth Rank, and with official Sixth Rank titles, we'll undoubtedly be deployed to the front lines if war breaks out."
"True," Zhao Xing sighed. "Military service doesn't allow one to come and go freely."
"What are you sighing about?" Long Xiao said with a grin. "Isn't this good news? We'll have another opportunity to gain merit."
"Have you considered that the Southern Barbarians have never been fully subdued throughout history?" Zhao Xing noted. "The further we push, the less likely it becomes that we'll face easy victories."
Long Xiao chuckled. "What's there to worry about? You're the Marquis of Yuanrang; you won't be on the front lines."
"We'll discuss it when the time comes," Zhao Xing replied noncommittally.
"Meow~" The mountain cat cried out as it ran, pursued by the two Green-Eyed Dragon Lions.
"Aotian, why are you running? Fight them!" Long Xiao cheered on the mountain cat.
"Meow~" Aotian meowed defiantly.
I'm worried I might injure my master's mounts.
"Don't worry, go ahead and fight," Zhao Xing encouraged with a smile.
Emboldened, the mountain cat spun around and faced the Green-Eyed Dragon Lions.
Boom! Boom!
With a powerful toss, the two four-meter-tall Green-Eyed Dragon Lions crashed into the ground, legs pointing upward, completely subdued.
"Oh, impressive!" Long Xiao burst into laughter.
The lions struggled to their feet, only to have the mountain cat leap onto the back of one and let out a triumphant meow.
The lion underfoot obediently obeyed, chasing after the other lion in an endless game.
Watching the spectacle, Zhao Xing clapped his hands and said to Chen Shijie and Long Xiao, "You two, don't go out these coming days. Stay here and spar with me. It's been a while since I've engaged in real combat, and I'm starting to forget the ways of the Military Shennong."
"If you want to spar, you could always visit the Nine-Section Battlefield," Long Xiao suggested. "Plenty of opponents there."
"How many among the Sixth Rank could match me?" Zhao Xing grinned. "I'd rather not waste my time with lower-ranked challengers."
"Then we'll do it," Long Xiao said, grinning. "No need to hold back our spots. You could even sell them off."
As the vice-captain of the exploration group, Zhao Xing held the authority to revoke other members' Advanced Exploration Officer titles, thereby freeing up positions to be offered to others.
"Fair enough," Chen Shijie agreed. "Since the spirit essence erupted in the Extreme Night Sea, more and more people are clamoring to join. A spot for a mid-tier Exploration Officer is going for a sky-high price of five million points!"
"And even at that price, without connections, it's still nearly impossible to secure one," Long Xiao laughed. "It's truly absurd."
"It is indeed," Zhao Xing nodded.
With his current merits level at the Sixth Rank, combined with his official Sixth Rank stipend, he had an annual income of around 350,000 points.
In Great Zhou, basic stipends were minimal; out of those 350,000 points, his base salary contributed less than 50,000, while the remainder came from his merit-based rewards.
A mid-tier Exploration Officer position fetching five million points equated to over a decade's worth of Zhao Xing's income—an exorbitant figure!
As for Advanced Exploration Officer titles, they were priceless, and it was unheard of for anyone to exchange them for money.
Those who held such titles were certainly not lacking in wealth.
"Although, we're actually running low on funds ourselves," Zhao Xing laughed. "Our preparations have completely drained us. Too bad Teacher doesn't allow me to sell my spots; otherwise, selling a single Advanced Exploration Officer title could easily fetch billions."
"Which is why, if the court does continue training the army, it'll be a good thing," Long Xiao resumed, pulling the conversation back. "Increasing our merit ranks isn't easy under normal circumstances, but this time, we have a chance to gain several advancements. If we keep going, we might reach a level like Lord Tian's ancestor, earning an annual income of twelve million points without lifting a finger."
"Dream on," Chen Shijie laughed, shaking his head. "Lord Tian's forefather attained the Forty-Fifth Merit Rank. We're only at the Sixth Rank. If you want to advance that far, you'll need to become a Duke."
"Even Dukes rarely reach such heights. Times aren't as generous as they were in the founding era," Zhao Xing added.
Emperor Jing was notoriously stingy; achieving a Forty-Fifth Merit Rank was nearly impossible in this era.
Even Dukes rarely attained the rank Lord Tian's ancestor held.
The Forty-Fifth Merit Rank was just four levels below the maximum Forty-Ninth.
Lord Tian's ancestor had prudently withdrawn after establishing the kingdom, avoiding political power and abandoning numerous fiefs, choosing instead to live as a wealthy landowner.
Due to this, the monetary rewards for each rank increased over time as the kingdom's strength grew.
"Too bad merits can't be inherited," Long Xiao lamented.
"If they could be passed down, Great Zhou wouldn't be able to bear the financial burden," Zhao Xing replied. "Merit ranks are designed to reward those who serve the longest, providing greater benefits with age. However, as officials climb to higher ranks, adding new ranks is typically reserved for those in more leisurely posts rather than powerful officials."
"Having too much money and holding an official title often doesn't mix," Chen Shijie agreed, nodding. "That's the way of things."
On July 17th, Liu Tianning's Myriad Techniques Tower Boat set off.
Zhao Xing sent one of his incarnations onto the boat while his primary self stayed behind in the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard to spar with Long Xiao and Chen Shijie.
To secure their safety, Zhao Xing revoked their Advanced Exploration Officer titles, exchanging those spots for political favors. He gained twelve favors in his name, while Liu Tianning allocated the remaining ones.
The exploration group's thirty slots were still fully occupied, though Chen Shijie and Long Xiao were no longer counted among them.
As for Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun, they continued to occupy their slots as they operated outside the city. Zhao Xing couldn't persuade these two to settle down.
This was because the slots weren't given freely; they were exchanged through agreements with the family factions backing Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun.
Requesting that they relinquish these positions would essentially mean breaking their agreements, which would be seen as breach of trust.
"I'll only have a chance to convince them once the competition intensifies and the stakes rise even higher," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"Ha! Got you! You dare lose focus when Chen and I are teaming up on you?" Long Xiao suddenly appeared before Zhao Xing, delivering a powerful punch to his chest.
Zhao Xing's body shimmered with golden light as he staggered backward, absorbing the blow without injury before disappearing into the mist.
"Damn, this guy's gone invisible again!" Long Xiao shook his fist in amazement. "His body's grown ridiculously strong!"
Meanwhile, on the Myriad Techniques Tower Boat, Zhao Xing's straw puppet incarnation stood silently beside Liu Tianning.
Within half a day, they arrived at Crimson Lake in the south.
The only passengers on board were the two of them, with no other escorts present.
Zhao Xing remained silent, awaiting Liu Tianning's lead.
On July 18th, the Myriad Techniques Tower Boat reached the Lake Heart Island region of Crimson Lake.
On July 21st, after three days of unsuccessful searching, Liu Tianning guided the boat away, steering it toward the Pine Smoke Bay on the lake's outskirts.
On July 22nd, they changed locations once more.
During this period, Liu Tianning also passed by the surface area above the mysterious palace, known as the Red Wood Forest.
However, with the Forgetting Monument in place, he didn't enter; he simply passed by.
Zhao Xing observed Liu Tianning's aimless wanderings without any hint of action.
He had already resolved to fulfill his task to this extent and leave the rest to fate.
As the days passed, on July 28th, Liu Tianning, still unable to locate anything, stood on the deck of the Myriad Techniques Tower Boat, frowning.
His soul was now in the late Fourth Rank, just a step away from the Third Rank, Primordial Soul Realm.
With the effects of numerous soul-enhancing treasures, he was carrying an array of soul-grade spirit weapons, including several at the Seventh Rank.
If the cave-heaven held any genuine revelations for him, and he had arrived at the locations he'd seen in his dreams, he should have found something by now.
Why was he coming up empty?
Liu Tianning pulled out his Earth Mirror.
Inside the Hundred Weapons Tower:
"Buzz~"
Liu Tianning's projection appeared within Luohou Palace.
"Greetings, King Luohou."
"What brings you here, Tianning?" King Luohou asked, looking at him.
Liu Tianning rarely observed formalities, and King Luohou wasn't one for pleasantries either. They only communicated when necessary.
"I request temporary deactivation of the Forgetting Arrays and Sealing Arrays in sixteen areas, including Red Wood Forest, Seven Split Valley, Windless Island, and Yao Light Island," Liu Tianning stated.
"Why is that?" King Luohou inquired.
"After consuming the Spirit of the Dragon Whale, I've experienced some revelations. It feels as if something monumental is about to unfold," Liu Tianning replied. "I want to conduct a detailed investigation of these regions."
King Luohou considered this for a moment. "Please wait a moment."
"Yes, my lord."
King Luohou closed his eyes briefly before heading to the uppermost floor of the Hundred Weapons Tower to consult with King Tianyan.
"The Dragon Whale Spirit is indeed remarkable," King Tianyan remarked. "The Dragon Whale channels the power of creation itself. By consuming its spirit, and given Liu Tianning's strong soul, his Earth Soul may connect with the heavens, generating traces of causational insights."
"However, Zhao Xing also consumed the spirit. Has he sensed anything similar?" King Luohou asked.
"Liu Tianning didn't mention it, so likely not," King Tianyan replied. "Zhao Xing's cultivation level is probably too low. His soul isn't as potent as Liu Tianning's and hasn't cultivated the Derivation of Divine Intellect."
The Derivation of Divine Intellect was an advanced secret art.
The last to achieve it had been King Tianyan.
King Tianyan reached the second layer at the Third Rank, while Liu Tianning had achieved the first layer at the Fifth Rank.
In terms of innate talent, Liu Tianning held an edge over even King Tianyan.
For this reason, King Tianyan held Liu Tianning's opinion in high regard. Though his affection didn't match King Luohou's, he was among Liu Tianning's most influential backers.
"Proceed as he requests. Temporarily suspend the Forgetting and Sealing Arrays," King Tianyan decided. "However, don't leave them down for too long, or it may cause unrest."
July 28th, in the Southern Wilderness.
Inside a temple, the statue of the Blood Spirit Sovereign stirred once more.
This time, however, its aura appeared faint.
"Why is this proving more difficult than anticipated? And why are unexpected complications arising? The cost to activate the Profound Heaven Boundary Array has increased."
In the depths of the Ten Sun Palace lay an ancient deity's statue.
Long ago, even before the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven fell into Great Zhou's hands, the Blood Spirit Sovereign had placed an incarnation there in a dormant state.
Now, he needed to activate the Profound Heaven Boundary Array, break through the realm barrier, and reawaken his avatar to initiate the plan.
However, the difficulty level had unexpectedly risen.
Checking the area, he could glean no specific details.
"Is it the difficulty of opening the portal?"
This theory was plausible. As the cave-heaven evolved, the boundary wall fluctuated, sometimes becoming sturdier or more fragile.
Breaking through wasn't an easy feat.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign had initially planned to act in early September when it would be easier to enter, reducing the price his sect would have to pay.
"Right before implementation, an unexpected obstacle appears," he pondered. "I'll have to prepare in advance to increase the chances of success."
The temple stood atop a mountain, while below, hundreds of thousands of worshippers chanted scriptures, sending shimmering golden light up toward the Blood Spirit Sovereign's statue.
"Daoist Longyang," the Blood Spirit Sovereign summoned.
"Yes, my lord." Daoist Longyang immediately hurried forward and knelt reverently.
"Request five thousand young boys and girls from the royal court, to be sent to the blood pool. They must be no older than nine."
"Additionally, request ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Yin souls who passed away under Yin year and month conditions."
"Make sure these souls have attained the Eighth Rank of the Yin Soul Realm," the Blood Spirit Sovereign added coldly.
Daoist Longyang looked up. "My lord, I fear the Holy Light Royal Court may refuse."
"Just make the request," the Blood Spirit Sovereign commanded icily. "Screen them thoroughly and act quickly."
"If there's a mistake, I'll make your life a living nightmare."
Daoist Longyang trembled and hurriedly responded, "Yes, my lord."
Absorbing another wave of golden light, the Blood Spirit Sovereign's statue once again fell silent.
On July 29th, several regions surrounding Crimson Lake experienced sudden rule changes.
"How strange, how could the array settings be modified so suddenly? The Forgetting Array's effect is gone?"
On Lake Heart Island, Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun examined the latest reports from their Earth Mirrors.
The report came from the Martial Realm.
It included a list of sixteen areas, among them Yao Light Island and Red Wood Forest, where the Forgetting Array's influence had been disabled.
"I was just planning to explore these areas, confident that I wouldn't have to worry about grudges once inside," Xia Jing mused, frowning slightly.
Recently, Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun had amassed considerable influence.
As part of Liu Tianning's group, over the last three months, they had recruited new members, acquired additional slots, and formed alliances.
The power at Xia Jing's disposal now included over sixty-five cultivators at the Fifth Rank.
And this didn't even account for the powerful "mechanical puppets" many wealthy factions had as bodyguards.
For instance, Ji Ye, in the Extreme Night Sea, had brought only a few people with him but possessed around two to three hundred mechanical puppets with Fifth Rank power.
Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun, having gained momentum, now wielded comparable influence.
Their heavy responsibilities and numerous followers prevented them from leaving now.
If they abruptly abandoned their position, they would risk breaking the ties that benefitted both the Xia and Pingyang Prefectural Prince's families.
"Cousin," Ji Ziyun said as she entered Xia Jing's tent. "Did you see the news?"
"I saw it," Xia Jing replied. "What could have caused this sudden change?"
"I heard that Liu Tianning's Myriad Techniques Tower Boat arrived at Crimson Lake and hasn't left since. Could it be another opportunity as significant as the one in the Extreme Night Sea?" Ji Ziyun speculated. "Perhaps another grand fortune awaits?"
"If that's the case, Zhao Xing should have informed me by now," Xia Jing murmured in confusion.
He had faith in his friendship with Zhao Xing.
If they couldn't share the fortune, Zhao Xing would at least give him a heads-up about any sudden shifts.
As he pondered, his Earth Mirror and Ji Ziyun's simultaneously buzzed.
"It's Zhao Xing."
"Just thinking of him, and he sends a message," Xia Jing chuckled.
"Cousin, you answer it," Ji Ziyun said.
"Brother Xia, Brother Ji," Zhao Xing's image materialized in the tent. "Have you both received the news from the Martial Realm?"
"Yes, we've seen it," Xia Jing nodded. "Is it related to Lord Liu?"
"Yes," Zhao Xing confirmed. "I only just found out myself; my teacher didn't disclose the reason."
Zhao Xing wasn't privy to Liu Tianning's exchange with King Luohou.
Liu Tianning wouldn't share everything with him.
Zhao Xing could only guess that Liu Tianning was responsible, as only he could influence the three kings to change the array settings.
"Is there a substantial opportunity here? Hopefully, it doesn't involve more fish," Xia Jing quipped, knowing there were indeed fish in Crimson Lake.
"I'm only following in my teacher's footsteps as an incarnation," Zhao Xing replied. "I don't know the exact details."
"However, it doesn't appear that he's searching for treasures, nor did he summon me in person. I advise you both to consider leaving Crimson Lake if you're close to your goals."
Since Liu Tianning's actions aligned with Zhao Xing's hopes, he took the chance to encourage Xia Jing and Ji Ziyun to retreat.
Ji Ziyun hesitated. "Leaving now would mean surrendering the territory we've worked so hard to establish."
"Moreover, my cousin and I have only just assembled this team…"
Xia Jing also felt reluctant.
He had heard that the Great Peace Era's military training phase would soon begin.
The power they had gathered now would be valuable in the future.
After a moment's hesitation, Xia Jing said, "In that case, we'll send someone back to assess the situation first."
Ji Ziyun suggested, "Cousin, why don't you return while I stay here to hold down the fort?"
"That works." Xia Jing glanced at Zhao Xing, trying to read his expression but found nothing unusual. "Brother Zhao, where is your primary self staying in Yang City?"
"I'm at the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard," Zhao Xing replied. "Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and I are sparring here. You can come find me when you return to share any updates on the situation."
Zhao Xing hoped to delay Xia Jing's departure to keep him safe.
"All right." Xia Jing laughed, "I've had some interesting adventures at Crimson Lake. It'll be nice to catch up and tell you all about my grand exploits!"
"Haha, we look forward to it," Zhao Xing replied with a grin.
From July 30th to August 1st, Liu Tianning continued his relentless search.
Initially, he dispatched around three thousand avatars, but by the end, he had amassed more than nine thousand!
Throughout the Crimson Lake area, Liu Tianning's presence was nearly everywhere, leaving countless exploration officers to flock to the lake, eager to witness what he might uncover.
Liu Tianning ignored them, focused solely on his task.
Then, on August 2nd, he recalled all his avatars.
He had found the location.
"Conceal~"
Liu Tianning descended into the earth, arriving at the Red Wood Forest, where other people were also searching. However, no one dared approach the area where the Myriad Techniques Tower Boat was docked, as the Red Wood Forest was vast enough for everyone to explore in their own corners.
Meanwhile, on August 2nd in the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing felt a sudden, unsettling jolt.
"Crack~" While descending a staircase, his legs buckled, and he accidentally slammed into a stone pillar, his forehead faintly bruised from the impact.
"What's with you? How do you manage to trip just walking down the stairs?" Long Xiao, fresh from his sparring match with Chen Shijie, couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"I'm fine. Just a little exhausted from training," Zhao Xing replied, brushing it off as he headed to his room.
Once inside, however, his bed shook, its frame snapping as spikes from broken boards jabbed into his back.
Zhao Xing looked down at the splintered wood embedded in his skin with a silent grimace.
He was beginning to understand the severity of his newfound bad luck.
Opening his personal panel, he saw what he had feared.
[Fortune: Derivation Three (Temporary)]
"My fortune level just dropped from Derivation Five to Derivation Three," Zhao Xing murmured with a sigh. "No matter how cautious I am or how covertly I act, it seems I couldn't avoid the consequences."
The drop in fortune level confirmed his success in altering others' fates. Likely, it meant that people like Chen Shijie, Long Xiao, or even Xia Jing and Liu Tianning might benefit from his actions…
Zhao Xing pondered, "In the grand scheme of fortune, ten suns ascending to the sky may not have originated with the Xuantian Sect. Perhaps the sect simply set events into motion."
"My bad fortune is not caused by the Xuantian Sect or Great Zhou—it's the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven itself."
"The phenomenon of ten suns rising likely had its destined casualties, and by interfering with that outcome, I've gone against the natural will of the cave-heaven… Now, it's retaliating."
The understanding dawned on him.
The following period would likely be plagued by misfortune!
"The Heavenly Luck Realm and Destiny Palace Realm cultivators can similarly foresee their own futures and alter others' fates, but they rarely do so precisely because of these costs."
"Even Great Zhou is cautious about promoting officials with thin fortune. When officials reach the Fourth Rank and above, they're often observed by specialized Fate Officers."
"If one's fortune is weak, artificially advancing them is like going against the heavens."
"Balancing the scales of fortune means refraining from defying fate on a grand scale; small interferences may go unnoticed, but extensive or high-ranking promotions demand extreme caution."
"That's why so many who accomplish great deeds throughout history often struggle to achieve a lasting legacy."
Reflecting on his Five-Finger Fate Technique and the time he had briefly merged with the cave-heaven's spirit, Zhao Xing now had a deeper grasp of the intricacies of fortune and causational prediction.
"If I'm experiencing such bad fortune, it suggests that Chen Shijie will indeed make it out of this alive."
"Old Chen, this is quite the investment you've made. Back in Gucheng, I ate your pears, and now I'm here bearing your fortune's burden." Zhao Xing sighed.
In the following days, Zhao Xing's bad luck steadily worsened.
Choking while eating, stubbing his toe on rocks, and tripping on flat ground were the least of his troubles.
A more serious consequence was the growing obscurity he felt in perceiving the world around him, as if looking through fogged glass.
"I've been afflicted with a [Perception Obstruction], hindering any progress in my cultivation. Even the power of my techniques is reduced."
"If a fight breaks out now, I'll be helpless."
Zhao Xing let out a frustrated sigh.
At the same time, his myriad straw puppet incarnation had disintegrated.
There was no apparent reason; the technique simply malfunctioned, causing the puppet to collapse.
The avatar aboard the Myriad Techniques Tower Boat automatically dissolved.
Fortunately, Zhao Xing had sensed the collapse of the first puppet and managed to reclaim his soul fragment before the rest disintegrated.
The soul loss was minimal.
That night, Zhao Xing entered the dream state again, choosing to rest without any cultivation activity.
He didn't even absorb the surrounding energy, fearing it might lead to further complications.
However, as his final soul fragment returned, his mind began attempting a body breakthrough.
It seemed to be pushing him toward the Pure Essence Realm without his conscious intention.
"Oh, come on…" Zhao Xing muttered.
This was neither the time nor the place for a breakthrough—an effort likely triggered by his bad fortune.
In the meantime, Liu Tianning was drawing closer to the mysterious palace, his fortune also temporarily dropping to Derivation One.
"Cursed fate…" Zhao Xing groaned.
As expected, the breakthrough failed.
Thanks to his Soul Armor and the protective Dragon Soul Jade gifted by Princess You Ruo, he suffered only minor consequences, similar to what Long Xiao had experienced earlier when his physique swelled into that of a stocky figure.
"Please don't let my fortune drop any lower…" Zhao Xing muttered, "If it falls any further, I'll be in deep trouble."
If it went into negative values, a true calamity would ensue.
One might face a bizarre incident where heavenly fire descends from the skies.
By August 5th, Zhao Xing maintained a temporary Derivation One fortune level.
His misfortune was apparent to others, like Xia Jing, Chen Shijie, and Long Xiao, who began noticing his odd streak of unlucky incidents.
Yet this minor bad luck didn't attract suspicion.
Many of Yang City's residents, particularly those in exploration, experienced fortune fluctuations.
Zhao Xing's bad luck was not particularly unusual.
Explorers in the Martial Realm sometimes perished, even those with a Derivation Three fortune.
If the fortune continued to waver, as long as no catastrophic incident targeted Zhao Xing directly, it would not draw too much attention.
Still, if such an incident did occur—like a heavenly fire inexplicably striking Zhao Xing in Yang City—it would certainly become public knowledge.
"Zhao Xing," Gao Ming sent a message one day. "The Azure Mystic Pearls I helped you stockpile have dropped in price. Should we sell now?"
"Sell them," Zhao Xing replied instantly.
Losing money was trivial compared to the threat his fortune currently posed.
If he could alleviate his misfortune with money, he'd do so gladly.
"Understood, I'll handle it for you. It's a pity—I invested in those myself, and now it's a total loss."
"It turns out the Clear Serenity Lake recently yielded a massive amount of pearls, prompting widespread sell-offs. We're losing at least forty percent, and the Martial Realm isn't regulating it at all… Half a year's work down the drain."
Gao Ming vented his frustration. His job transporting goods wasn't easy.
Zhao Xing felt guilty, sensing his misfortune may have dragged Gao Ming down as well.
Yet there was nothing he could do except make up for it later.
As Gao Ming finished his report, Chen Shijie's voice echoed from outside.
"Zhao Xing, the seedlings of Water Immortal Lotus, Azure Sea Cloud Vine, and Fish-Devouring Grass we left behind are all dead—not a single sprout survived."
These seedlings were rare Six Rank species they had brought back from the Extreme Night Sea, intending to cultivate them carefully.
After two months, they had suddenly withered and died.
"If they're dead, so be it," Zhao Xing replied nonchalantly. "Those species are delicate by nature."
"Also, keep the Mountain Cat away from me."
"Oh, alright… Bam!"
Chen Shijie's voice abruptly ceased.
He had also stumbled.
Zhao Xing refused to investigate further and, each time he fell asleep, was plagued by nightmares.
His soul entered a state of constant alert, each dream becoming a twisted horror.
"Why did you kill me and my descendants? Why are you so merciless?"
In his dreams, an army of ghostly turtles crawled toward Zhao Xing's bed, their bloodthirsty faces contorted grotesquely.
"This is my fate…" Zhao Xing mused in his dreams.
Summoning a large blade, Zhao Xing showed no hesitation.
The army of spectral turtles paused.
"I've killed so many of your kind, no wonder my soul carries the weight of turtle spirits' resentment."
"A perfect time to cleanse this lingering guilt."
No ordinary nightmare could sway Zhao Xing's will. With a swift swing of his blade, he resumed his spectral turtle massacre.
On August 13th, Liu Tianning finally located the tenth gateway within Ten Sun Cave-Heaven.
Deep underground, he spotted the faint outline of the hidden palace.
Simultaneously, a statue within the palace began to stir.
In the distant Southern Wilderness, the Blood Spirit Sovereign sensed this change.
"What?! Who discovered the formation of the Grand Profound Heaven Array?"
"Even if someone found it, they shouldn't be able to recall it. The Martial Realm's Forgetting Formation originated from our sect. Who could this be?!"
Attempting a divination, the Blood Spirit Sovereign's finger abruptly shattered, and he witnessed Liu Tianning in the cave.
Enraged, the Blood Spirit Sovereign memorized Liu Tianning's features and pinpointed his location.
At the same moment, the palace statue came to life and charged at Liu Tianning.
He had to eliminate Liu Tianning quickly, lest he be forced to trigger the Ten Suns Ascension.
"Whoosh~"
A blood-red needle shot from the palace, aiming for Liu Tianning.
The blood needle sped through the soil as if nothing could stand in its way, piercing the earth and racing toward Liu Tianning.
If it embedded itself into his body, the Blood Spirit Sovereign could control Liu Tianning, buying himself precious time.
Killing Liu Tianning outright wasn't ideal. As an official of Great Zhou, his spirit would immediately be summoned by the Yin Realm for questioning if he died without cause, possibly alerting the realm's watchful guardians.
Control was the Blood Spirit Sovereign's only option.
"Thud~"
The needle made contact—but it struck Liu Tianning's floating armor, not his flesh.
"Seventh-Rank Floating Armor…" The Blood Spirit Sovereign's hopes sank as he realized that Liu Tianning's defensive artifact had absorbed the blow.
Watching his chance slip away, the Blood Spirit Sovereign shook his head in resignation.
A grand scheme set in motion during the Dingxin Era, spanning centuries and involving countless forces, had hinged on Ten Sun Cave-Heaven falling into Great Zhou's hands. Yet, now, Liu Tianning's unforeseen discovery was about to disrupt everything.
"A change in fate is beyond anyone's control," the Blood Spirit Sovereign murmured.
As the realization settled, he re-entered the depths of the Grand Profound Palace within the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, a mixture of bitterness and resignation coloring his gaze.
At Crimson Lake's Red Wood Forest, Liu Tianning shot upward from the underground depths, his armor slightly scorched where the blood needle had struck.
Without delay, he shattered a token in his hand, releasing a powerful energy that signaled an emergency.
As the reverberations pulsed through the Martial Realm, the commanders at the Fortress of Ten Thousand Weapons—King Luohou, King Tianyan, and King Lingde—felt an immediate and palpable shift.
The aura of a Level-One Threat had been triggered.
For a Fifth-Rank official, Liu Tianning held rare privileges to issue such a warning, suggesting the presence of a threat beyond ordinary measures. This authority was rarely used; in fact, he was one of the few at his level granted this status.
Within moments, the three kings were on high alert, their senses attuned to the potential enemy within the Martial Realm.
"An enemy of the highest rank? This has never happened before!" King Lingde's voice betrayed a mix of shock and unease.
While breaches in the Martial Realm were not unheard of, an intrusion of this level—one meriting the highest alert—was almost beyond belief.
"If this is true, then whoever infiltrated must be at the highest ranks of cultivation. How could they have entered undetected?" King Luohou asked, his tone grave.
If an enemy of this level had indeed breached their defenses, the Martial Realm's guardianship over Ten Sun Cave-Heaven would be called into question.
"Lingde, you are to issue an evacuation order for all personnel in the Crimson Lake area," King Luohou commanded.
In the blink of an eye, King Luohou vanished from the Fortress of Ten Thousand Weapons.
Meanwhile, King Tianyan ascended to a higher plane within the fortress, approaching the Martial Realm's Divine Array.
On a platform shrouded in the Martial Realm's concentrated power, eight silent elders sat cross-legged, guarding a gleaming apparatus filled with intertwining golden threads—Great Zhou's Fate-Divining Array.
"An enemy incursion has been reported in Crimson Lake. I need immediate confirmation and identification of their intent!" King Tianyan demanded.
The eight elders opened their eyes simultaneously, showing no outward emotion, not even a flicker of surprise at the dire report. The array's guardians were trained for composure, not reaction, as they worked to divine the identity and motive of any potential threat.
At King Tianyan's command, each elder extended a hand over the Fate-Divining Array.
Golden threads wove intricate patterns, forming a holographic map of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, each thread symbolizing a destiny connected to the realm.
Yet each time the threads attempted to reveal a conclusion, they snapped, as if an unseen force were severing them.
Far to the south, beneath a secluded shrine, a massive blood pool abruptly began to drain.
At the center of this vast chamber, a statue of the Blood Spirit Sovereign cast a dark and foreboding aura over the flickering candlelight.
Surrounding it were forty-nine elderly monks, some of whom had maintained their vigil for centuries.
"Glug... Glug..."
The blood in the pool drained faster, an eerie silence settling over the room as the statue began to pulse with life.
A somber expression crossed the Blood Spirit Sovereign's face as he intoned, "Infinite Profound Darkness, Reverse Yin and Yang! Ten Suns Rise to the Heavens!"
At his words, the blood pool dried up entirely, leaving only dark stains along its edges, while the forty-nine elders crumbled to dust.
In that moment, the Blood Spirit Sovereign felt a surge of dark energy as his statue in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven palace sprang to life, but a second surge pulled his consciousness toward a much larger ritual—a web of connections strung across hundreds of years, coalescing into an impending calamity.
August 13th, evening.
Every exploration officer at Crimson Lake received an emergency alert to retreat from the area immediately, with urgency seldom seen in the Martial Realm.
Upon arriving, King Luohou noticed Liu Tianning's numerous avatars driving away exploration officers.
Hovering above Crimson Lake, he asked in a thunderous voice, "Where is the intruder?"
"Directly beneath the Red Wood Forest, approximately fifteen thousand feet below," Liu Tianning replied, still focused on driving out exploration officers.
"Return to Yang City," King Luohou ordered with a stern tone.
Without further exchange, King Luohou descended into the earth, his presence rippling through the layers of stone like an unstoppable force.
At the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing watched his fortune indicator jump between Derivation One, zero, and occasionally dip into negative values. It oscillated so wildly that he couldn't help but feel the gravity of the event unfolding in the distance.
"Please, heaven and earth gods, do not send calamity my way… I swear, I'll never defy fate again," Zhao Xing muttered, half-praying as he gazed up at the sky through his broken roof.
As time passed, Zhao Xing anxiously monitored the heavens above Yang City, watching for any sign of an impending disaster. His residence was now practically in ruins, and his mind was on edge.
Meanwhile, King Luohou approached the vast golden palace deep underground, a grand structure radiating an aura of ancient power.
"Boom!"
With one mighty arrow, King Luohou unleashed his power upon the palace barrier, sending tremors throughout the cavern.
"Ah... King Luohou. How long I've awaited this moment," came a mocking voice from within the palace.
"Blood Spirit Sovereign. It's you!" King Luohou scowled, recognizing the enemy's tone as he readied another strike.
"Your attacks are futile," the Blood Spirit Sovereign taunted. "To shatter this barrier requires 136 arrows."
King Luohou ignored the taunt, raising his bow to continue firing without a word of acknowledgment.
By the 48th arrow, cracks started to form on the barrier.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign stopped smiling.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign had been bluffing, hoping to buy time, but King Luohou was too experienced to waste any.
As the Blood Spirit Sovereign raised his arms, seven dark suns appeared behind him.
The Blood Spirit Sovereign needed time to gather energy and fully initiate the Ten Suns Ascend the Sky ritual. Each arrow from King Luohou forced him closer to failure.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Arrow after arrow shattered the palace barrier. On the 81st strike, the barrier gave way, and the 82nd arrow pierced through the Blood Spirit Sovereign, leaving a gaping wound.
"Alas…" The Blood Spirit Sovereign muttered as he saw the injury.
Looking at the ornate sun-shaped crown on his head, his gaze grew cold, knowing this ritual was no longer his to control.
In his final breath, the Blood Spirit Sovereign unleashed his power, merging into the crown as the room filled with a blinding light.
As King Luohou tried to seize the crown, it disintegrated, sending a column of light racing toward the surface.
"Blasted demonic schemes!" King Luohou roared.
As the palace trembled and crumbled, he felt a massive surge of power beneath the earth.
The following moments felt like hours as every corner of the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven lit up.
When Zhao Xing looked up, he saw a star in the sky brighten into a searing sun.
Then another.
And another.
One by one, nine stars ignited, filling the night sky with blazing heat.
In the Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing watched with dread as his fortune indicator briefly stabilized at Derivation Five. Then it plunged to Derivation One, its readings yo-yoing as the sky transformed from twilight to blinding daylight.
"One… two… three… Nine suns… nine suns in the sky," Zhao Xing whispered in astonishment, counting each fiery orb.
It felt like a countdown to disaster.
On August 13th, Year 18 of the Jingxin Era, the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven entered perpetual daylight as nine stars became radiant suns, transforming the night into an eternal day.
Only an hour later, at the turn of the next celestial phase, the tenth star ignited, breaking into daylight.
The world entered the fabled Ten Suns Ascend the Sky.