"What?" Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming felt their hearts skip a beat.
Danger!
Extreme danger!
When ninety-seven Heavenly Thunder Fingers blasted toward them, it felt as if the entire sky had darkened.
The black vortexes formed by the thunder sealed every direction.
There was no escape!
Their only option was to withstand the attack!
"Thunder World Destruction Body!"
"Limitless Wind Curse!"
The two of them immediately deployed their strongest techniques.
Lei Guangming used his mastery over lightning to counter Zhao Xing's lightning, while Zhou Huai relied on his expertise in wind techniques.
Both techniques were top-tier arts, each having reached the Fourth Transformation, Minor Completion stage.
"Boom—"
A brilliant thunder barrier engulfed Lei Guangming, forming a humanoid protective field that covered him completely.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Lei Guangming withstood nineteen consecutive strikes of the Heavenly Thunder Finger.
The opposing forces of yang thunder collided, mutually annihilating each other.
But when the twentieth strike landed, his Thunder World Destruction Body finally faltered.
"Crack!"
The previously flawless barrier was breached, leaving a gaping black hole.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
After the initial breach, forty-five more Heavenly Thunder Fingers blasted through, directly striking Lei Guangming's body.
His flesh and bones turned into a sieve of light as dozens of lightning streaks pierced through him.
The next instant—
Lei Guangming's entire body erupted into plasma, disintegrating into nothingness!
As for Zhou Huai—
His Limitless Wind Curse, designed primarily for offense, lacked defensive power and was far inferior to Lei Guangming's barriers. By the sixth strike, the Heavenly Thunder Finger had already breached his defenses.
The Heavenly Thunder Finger was inherently a highly penetrative technique derived from ultimate arts.
Zhou Huai's Limitless Wind Curse managed to deflect the first six strikes slightly, but it couldn't withstand any further.
"Crack!"
Zhou Huai shattered even faster than Lei Guangming.
The plasma from their obliterated bodies spread outward in all directions.
The Fourth-Rank Shennong Officers spectating the battle outside the Transfer Office were frozen in terror.
They instinctively retreated further. Despite having already maintained what they thought was a safe distance during Zhang Ping's earlier battle with Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming, they realized Zhao Xing's attack was on an entirely different level.
"Ahhh!"
"My Dao Body!"
Two spirit forms emerged from the plasma near where the bodies exploded.
By the Third Rank, practitioners' Life Souls could exist independently of their physical forms for a limited period.
However, as soon as their Life Souls emerged, they began disintegrating.
The Heavenly Thunder Finger was a yang lightning technique of the highest order!
As a pure yang spell, it possessed a destructive effect on yin-based entities.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Both souls tried to flee toward the Netherworld as soon as they appeared.
Zhou Huai, moving faster, managed to push half his head into the void of the Netherworld.
This was the ability of a Third Rank Life Soul—to traverse the Netherworld.
Yet, before Zhou Huai could fully enter, his soul disintegrated entirely.
Lei Guangming fared even worse. His soul was instantly crushed into fragments by the raging plasma vortex surrounding the area.
"You... you—!" Zhang Ping stared at Zhao Xing, utterly dumbfounded.
What truly terrified Zhang Ping wasn't just the level of power Zhao Xing displayed, but the efficiency and control he exhibited. Ninety-seven perfectly synchronized Heavenly Thunder Fingers, a technique designed for single-target annihilation, were repurposed into a devastating area attack.
"Anyone who accepts King Liang's fraudulent decree shall die!" Zhao Xing declared, his voice unwavering.
Without pausing, his sharp gaze swept over the remaining thirty-six officials nearby.
Among them, five were Fourth-Rank officials, while the rest were Fifth-Rank.
Sensing impending doom, half of them turned to flee, while the other half dropped to their knees, begging for mercy.
"Clang! Clang!"
Zhao Xing ignored their pleas entirely. His Life Soul manifested, holding aloft a golden bell composed of pure soul power, which began to resonate.
The Soul-Crushing Bell activated!
"Thud—"
"Thud—"
Those attempting to flee were immediately forced back to the ground, their bodies crashing heavily.
Though their physical forms remained intact, their souls had been obliterated, leaving behind only lifeless shells.
As for those attempting to burrow underground, their bodies became trapped in the earth. The immense pressure from the prefecture's natural leyline energy crushed their remains into fragments, leaving nothing retrievable.
"Don't move!" Zhang Ping snapped back to his senses, quickly warning the remaining officials to stay absolutely still.
He couldn't fathom how Zhao Xing discerned friend from foe, but one thing was clear: this man wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone he deemed a traitor.
Zhang Ping shuddered as he observed Zhao Xing's relentless actions.
"People always said Liu Tianning was remarkable, but I never had the chance to see him in action. Today, witnessing his disciple, Zhao Xing, I realize the reputation is no exaggeration," Zhang Ping thought silently.
If a disciple could achieve such feats, how terrifying must Liu Tianning himself—master of countless avatars—be?
Meanwhile, Lu Tingzhi, who had fled earlier, was still reeling from shock.
From his perspective, the day's events had spiraled completely out of control.
First, two Third-Rank deputies blatantly violated imperial law by turning against Zhang Ping, their superior.
Next, colleagues and superiors alike began purging dissenters within their ranks.
Finally, a mere Fifth-Rank officer, Zhao Xing, single-handedly annihilated two Third-Rank Shennong Officials, reducing them to nothingness.
"What has this world come to?" Lu Tingzhi thought despairingly. "I only slept for one night, yet it feels as though I've awakened decades later to an entirely different reality!"
"You weren't marked by the decree?" Zhao Xing's gaze landed on Lu Tingzhi, his tone laced with curiosity.
Using the Great Derivation Qi Observation Technique, Zhao Xing scrutinized Lu Tingzhi and discovered no signs of betrayal.
"Let me check," Zhao Xing said, grabbing Lu Tingzhi's hand firmly. His eyes lit up with the brilliance of seven stars.
"Look into my eyes!"
Instinctively, Lu Tingzhi complied, meeting Zhao Xing's gaze.
The starry light rotated like grinding millstones, and Lu Tingzhi's expression contorted in pain.
At that moment, his experience mirrored a failed cultivation attempt within the Starry Palace—a state of excruciating pain and endless hallucinations.
"What did you do last night?" Zhao Xing demanded.
"I... I..." Lu Tingzhi stammered, before blurting out, "I was enjoying myself with my concubines—Lady Zhen, Lady Cai, Lady Mingzhi, and Madam Ya Mei. We played drinking games and... stripped—"
Zhang Ping: "..."
Other officials: "..."
"And between midnight and dawn?" Zhao Xing pressed on.
"Afterward, I got drunk on Thousand-Year Brew and fell asleep. I only woke up at the seventh mark past noon," Lu Tingzhi confessed, his voice dull and monotone.
Zhao Xing glanced at Zhang Ping, who nodded in confirmation. Lu Tingzhi had indeed arrived at the Transfer Office at noon.
Realization dawned on Zhao Xing, his expression growing more incredulous.
Lu Tingzhi, through sheer coincidence, had missed the decree due to being drunk and exhausted from his indulgences. This unintended act of negligence spared him from becoming marked.
"Have you ever committed corruption or taken bribes?" Zhao Xing asked again.
"I... once did, during the 26th year of the Jingxin Calendar, but Lord Liu discovered it and punished me," Lu Tingzhi admitted. "Since then, I've abandoned such practices and devoted myself solely to worldly pleasures."
Zhang Ping: "..."
Other officials: "..."
The revelation left everyone stunned.
Lu Tingzhi, notorious for his corrupt ways, had turned over a new leaf, focusing entirely on indulgence rather than rebellion.
Was it possible that you had no choice in your past life either? And now you want to be a good person?
Zhao Xing (Chen'an) pondered for a moment before loosening his grip on Lu Tingzhi's collar.
"Huh?" Lu Tingzhi snapped back to consciousness. As he recalled what he had just said, a cold sweat broke out across his back.
Yet, as someone who had climbed to his current position, his face was thick enough to rival a city wall's protective formations. The concept of social embarrassment seemed entirely alien to him.
Lu Tingzhi could only feel fortunate to have dodged a disaster. Although he still didn't quite understand what catastrophe he had narrowly avoided, he wasn't about to question it.
"Lord Zhao?" Lu Tingzhi adjusted his robes and asked cautiously, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"
"Stand aside and await orders," Zhao Xing replied, casting a regretful glance at Lu Tingzhi's head.
Such a fine head! It's truly a pity I can't cut it off.
"Lord Zhang," Zhao Xing turned to Zhang Ping with a respectful bow, "the Tianhe Prefecture has descended into chaos. Do you have a plan in place?"
Zhao Xing's rank within the Transfer Office was only Fifth Rank, meaning his position was technically far inferior to Zhang Ping's. To issue directives to someone of Third Rank would be overstepping his authority—a breach of protocol sure to invite criticism.
Although Zhao Xing's other identity as an Inspector gave him oversight over both civil and military officials, that oversight extended only to those below Third Rank.
Eliminating Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming was justified as an emergency measure due to their crimes. However, managing the eastern provinces of Pinghai Prefecture, including coordinating transfer routes and distributing treasury resources, fell squarely under Zhang Ping's jurisdiction.
Had Zhang Ping been corrupt or a rebel, it would've been a simpler matter. But he wasn't. That meant Zhao Xing had to adhere strictly to imperial protocols.
In extraordinary times like these, following the laws of the court was more important than ever. Any retrospective examination of their actions would need to withstand scrutiny.
Zhang Ping finally snapped out of his stunned state. "The Tianhe Prefecture must remain stable. The three critical institutions—the City Defense Mechanism Division, the Temple, and the Prefecture Treasury—must be secured without delay."
"As long as the prefectural capital remains orderly, the eleven stationed military units under Tianhe Prefecture's command will not dare to act recklessly."
The Transfer Office was the largest Shennong institution in Tianhe Prefecture, overseeing various subordinate departments such as the Jitian Office, the Pinghuai Office, the Zhisui Office, the Internal Storage Office, the Taicang Office, the Fengchen Treasury, the Zhihou Treasury, and the Yuanfeng Treasury.
In essence, Zhang Ping was the Shennong Monitor of Tianhe Prefecture, holding the highest Shennong title in the region. With him in charge, chaos was unlikely to spread. The three major Transfer Storehouses and the associated warehouse directives would also remain secure.
The only remaining concern lay with the Pinghuai Office, given its extensive waterways connecting multiple prefectures. If neighboring prefectures experienced flooding, Tianhe Prefecture wouldn't remain unscathed.
But for now, the top priority was stabilizing the City Defense Mechanism Division and the Temple.
"What about the Inspectorate Division and the Prefectural Criminal Guards under the Prefectural Lord's command?" Zhang Ping inquired. "And the Censorate, the Ceremony Hall, and the scholars from the various academies?"
"The ceremonial scholars pose no small threat," Zhang Ping explained. "They excel at sowing confusion and influencing public sentiment."
"The local martial practitioners who form the prefecture's security forces are few in number and not particularly strong. The truly capable forces are stationed outside the city," Zhang Ping continued. "Conflicts between ceremonial scholars often drag on without a clear winner."
"However, the Land Official, Lord Wang Situ, has already used the Yellow Almanac to safeguard the city's lands. For the next two days, we won't need to worry about the ceremonial scholars' spells causing havoc."
"Tianhe Prefecture has few academies or ceremonial halls, and they lack powerful ceremonial scholars. I believe Lord Wang Situ can handle the situation," Zhang Ping concluded.
Hearing this, Zhao Xing nodded. It was clear Zhang Ping was competent. Liu Tianning had placed him in this position for good reason.
Had Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming not grown significantly stronger after receiving their seals, they wouldn't have been able to stir up much trouble at all.
"Zhao Xing, what do you suggest?" Zhang Ping asked.
"I have no additional suggestions," Zhao Xing replied. "Let's proceed with your plan to stabilize the Heavenly timing and secure the City Defense Mechanism Division."
Zhang Ping immediately shouted, "Zou Yong! Ouyang Zhen!"
"Present!" Two Shennong officers stepped forward.
Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen were Zhang Ping's subordinates, both ranked at Primary Fourth Rank.
"Gather all Fifth-Rank Shennong officers and follow me into the sky immediately to restore Heavenly order above the prefectural capital. Use this as a foundation to stabilize the entire Tianhe Prefecture."
"Yes, sir!"
"All five County Transport Envoys are to issue orders to their respective county capitals. Follow the directives in the Wu Ji Heavenly Timing Theory: Volume Four Surrounding Prefectures to restore Heavenly harmony, maintaining alignment with the prefectural capital."
"Understood!" Another group of Shennong officers departed.
"Thirty-six Fourth-Rank Shennong officers from the Fengchen Treasury, the Zhihou Treasury, and the Yuanfeng Treasury will guard the three major storehouses."
"Yes, sir!"
"All Waterway Supervisors, take your water vein instruments and monitor the sixteen waterways of the Tianhe Prefecture around the clock. Report any anomalies immediately."
"Understood!"
Zhang Ping's commands were flawless, and soon the Shennong officers throughout the prefecture sprang into action.
As Zhao Xing awaited further orders from Zhang Ping, something unexpected happened.
"Pfft—"
Zhang Ping, who had risen into mid-air, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Zhao Xing's main body and avatars immediately surrounded him, ensuring no one else noticed the incident.
"Lord Zhang," Zhao Xing said urgently, supporting the older man and channeling some of his vitality to him.
"I'm fine," Zhang Ping said, shaking his head.
"Lord Zhang, you've sustained serious injuries," Zhao Xing replied, grasping Zhang Ping's wrist and sensing the chaotic movement of Five Elements energy within his body.
Threads of vitality, sharp as steel wires, had infiltrated Zhang Ping's bones, meridians, and flesh, tearing apart multiple meridians and fracturing several bones.
Before this, Zhang Ping had expended a significant amount of energy invoking the Seasonal Qi Command to ascend and stabilize the Heavenly timing. The strain had taken a heavy toll.
"Lord Zhang, if you don't address these injuries, they'll only worsen. Your internal realm is already in disarray, and an extreme elemental storm is raging within your body. If you cast any more spells, you risk a Qi deviation and self-destruction," Zhao Xing warned.
"I'm fine," Zhang Ping insisted with a faint smile. "I won't die just yet."
With that, he prepared to issue another command.
"Let me handle it," Zhao Xing interrupted, pressing down on Zhang Ping's hand. "Allow me to use the Seasonal Qi Command to stabilize the Heavenly timing."
Zhang Ping looked at Zhao Xing intently. "Chen'an, how far have you cultivated the Seasonal Qi Command? Managing the Heavenly timing of the prefectural capital is no trivial task."
"It is currently early February, and the Heavenly timing naturally aligns with the Lichun (Start of Spring) phase. My Lichun Seasonal Qi Command has reached the stage of Minor Achievement," Zhao Xing replied confidently.
Seeing that Zhang Ping was about to object, Zhao Xing quickly added, "With so many supporting forces, let me give it a try. If I fail, you can intervene."
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Ping finally nodded. "Very well."
Zhao Xing's true body ascended another ten meters, surpassing the other Shennong officers.
Among the officers below, Zou Yong couldn't help whispering his doubts. "Restoring Heavenly harmony isn't as simple as casting powerful spells."
"Balancing the Heavenly timing requires years of immersion in the Seasonal Qi Command and an understanding of multiple theoretical frameworks from the Heaven School," he added with skepticism. "Can Zhao Xing really handle this? Did something happen to Lord Zhang?"
"Restoring Heavenly harmony and balancing Yin and Yang is indeed a complex task," Ouyang Zhen said, though his tone carried a hint of optimism. "However, Zhao Xing has already demonstrated his ability to use top-tier lightning techniques with countless avatars. What's impossible for him?"
"Let's wait and see," he added with anticipation.
Zou Yong hesitated but eventually nodded, silently observing Zhao Xing's next move.
Once in position, Zhao Xing activated the twenty-four Seasonal Qi Commands within his dantian, which began spinning rapidly. Among them, the faint green Lichun Command lit up brightly.
"Heavenly timing and Seasonal Qi, heed my command!"
"Lichun!"
Zhao Xing extended a finger, and the spell took shape. The Lichun Seasonal Qi Command ascended into the sky, radiating a gentle green light.
At that moment, Zhao Xing's cultivation, originally at the Sixth Transformation of the Stabilization Realm, surged to achieve Stabilization Realm Perfection, bolstered by the Seasonal Qi Command's power.
The Seasonal Qi Command is divided into three stages: Knowledge, Stabilization, and Modification. Achieving Stabilization Perfection is typically the upper limit for Third-Rank Shennong officers.
Even among the higher ranks, Second-Rank officers rarely reached the Modification stage, which allowed for direct alteration of Heavenly timing. That level was usually exclusive to First-Rank officers or higher.
A First-Rank Shennong officer would fully enter the Modification stage, aided by specialized treasures, achieving complete mastery of all Seasonal Qi Commands.
As Zhao Xing unleashed the Lichun Seasonal Qi Command, the world seemed to quiet. Vitality surged from the earth, and the thunderclouds in the sky dissipated, replaced by a serene spring atmosphere.
"What? His Seasonal Qi Command has already reached Stabilization Perfection?" Zou Yong was stunned.
"Indeed, each generation has its prodigies," Ouyang Zhen said, clenching his fists in excitement. "Our Heaven School has produced another unparalleled genius!"
Although Zhao Xing held a Fifth-Rank position, his cultivation was already at the level of a Fourth-Rank Perfection cultivator. With his mastery of Heavenly techniques and the ability to strike down Third-Rank opponents, his future potential seemed boundless.
"This young man's prospects are immeasurable," Zhang Ping muttered, glancing skyward before refocusing on healing his injuries.
Zhao Xing's voice echoed across the prefecture. "The Heavenly order will be restored by Wei Hour's First Mark."
"The Yang of the Sun Flame, rotating in sixteen cycles and four marks."
"The Eastern Minor Yang progresses in nine cycles and eight marks; the Western Lesser Yin stabilizes at eight cycles and four marks."
Zhao Xing had studied the Wu Ji Heavenly Timing Theory: Volume Four Surrounding Prefectures extensively. Written by Wu Cheng, the founding Grand Shennong, it was a comprehensive analysis of Heavenly timing in the Xuanhuang Realm, distilled from a thousand years of observation.
Wu Cheng's theory emphasized the correlation between Heavenly Stems and Branches with the four seasons, deemphasizing the influence of the Five Elements.
According to Wu Cheng, as long as the balance between Heavenly Stems, Branches, and the seasons was maintained, the Five Elements Qi of Heaven and Earth would naturally realign, restoring harmony.
The varying environments of different provinces often resulted in chaotic Five Elements Qi, where the interference of Yin energy within the earth veins and the elemental forces caused continuous disruptions.
Thus, weakening the operation of the Five Elements Qi and emphasizing the compatibility of Heavenly Stems, Earthly Branches, and the four seasons provided a universally applicable method across the Xuanhuang Realm.
This broad-based theory of Heavenly timing, devised by Grand Shennong Wu Cheng, has been adopted and passed down by the Shennong officers of the Great Zhou Dynasty to this day.
"It's not even the Mao Hour yet, and the sky is already bright," Zhao Xing thought, reflecting on the turmoil. "This disturbance is due to King Liang's rebellion. Using divine artifacts to split the fortunes of two provinces has thrown the Heavenly order into chaos."
"Because of this disruption, all almanacs are now inaccurate. Shennong officers attempting to realign the Heavenly timing are prone to errors," Zhao Xing considered. "Even though there may be inaccuracies in my correction efforts, at least they won't stray too far from the norm."
"My internal Five Elements Heavenly Order has always been stable. Using inner harmony to guide the external environment prevents any time discrepancies. This effect is thanks to the auxiliary benefits of the Yin-Yang Self Sutra."
"However, deviations still exist because the strength of the Heavenly changes caused by King Liang is immense."
Suspended between heaven and earth, Zhao Xing's understanding and perceptions conformed to the rules of the surrounding world. Achieving complete correction would require someone like Li Boqian, whose mastery had reached the Perfection of the Modification Stage.
His corrections aligned entirely with the natural principles of heaven and earth, embodying their ultimate truths. Only someone of such a realm could achieve flawless rectification.
Still, Zhao Xing's efforts were more than sufficient for the current crisis.
"The Six Qi have returned to levels present before the rebellion. At least, that's how it feels to me—it's perfectly aligned," Zhao Xing mused.
He surveyed the surroundings of Tianhe Prefecture. With the Heavenly timing corrected, the Five Elements Qi in this area was no longer volatile, nor was it heading toward further deterioration.
The impact was comprehensive—earth vein fluctuations in the region would gradually stabilize over time.
"This is what it means to govern fundamentally. Casting spells to address specific areas is merely superficial."
For the first time, Zhao Xing was deploying large-scale Seasonal Qi Commands to regulate the Heavenly timing of a prefectural-level area. With the assistance of multiple Fourth and Fifth-Rank officers, the experience deepened his grasp of his Eighth-Rank Superior Lichun Seasonal Qi Command Token.
"Through practical application, my control over the Eighth-Rank Superior Lichun Seasonal Qi Command Token has increased by half a grade."
Zhao Xing's gaze shifted to a mountain outside the city, where faint red light glimmered from a volcanic crater.
"The confrontation between Zhou Huai, Lei Guangming, and Zhang Ping caused a volcano to form outside the city."
"If left unchecked, the frequency of its fire vein's fluctuations indicates an eruption in seven days."
With a thought, Zhao Xing summoned a cloud.
"Go!"
A dense black cloud immediately flew toward the volcanic crater, covering it entirely.
"Whoosh—"
The abundant water vapor began to condense, but it was absorbed through a small aperture at the top of the cloud, gradually pooling within.
"Heavenly techniques can also govern terrain—it all depends on how they are used," Zhao Xing remarked as he commanded the cloud to continue shrouding the volcano.
He carefully scanned the prefectural surroundings for any abnormal changes in natural phenomena.
"There are ninety-six anomalies in the observed phenology."
At this point, Zhao Xing refrained from personally addressing each one. With so many Fourth and Fifth-Rank Shennong officers present, there was no need to take on all the tasks himself.
"Lord Zhang, there are ninety-six phenological anomalies around the prefectural capital. Please assign officers skilled in this area to address them."
"Understood," Zhang Ping responded and immediately began delegating tasks.
Several Shennong officers proficient in Heavenly Timing and phenomena were among those present.
As the Heavenly order was restored, the sky dimmed slightly. This was due to the reversal of the previously disrupted Heavenly Timing, restoring the hours to their proper state, which momentarily darkened the atmosphere.
"Boom—"
Suddenly, the prefectural capital trembled slightly below.
"What?" Zhao Xing looked down sharply.
The Tianhe Prefecture Administration had erupted in a burst of white light. Countless characters floated into the air, forming a seal around the administration building.
Intricate, three-dimensional characters hovered in the low sky, intertwining with each other. Each character was as black as ink, resembling independent soldiers locked in fierce battle.
"Paper formed from void, words as soldiers—who is Lord He confronting?" Zhao Xing muttered.
He dispatched fifteen avatars to investigate further.
The usually solemn and austere prefectural administration was now eerily quiet, with light snow falling around it.
However, this snow wasn't real. It was an illusion created by a ritualist's spell.
Zhao Xing felt a slight chill.
"Illusions affecting reality—this is the power of 'Words Followed by Action.'"
"However, this power largely originates from the dynasty's institutional framework," Zhao Xing murmured. With a slight shake of his body, the chill dissipated.
With a Third-Rank Soul Command cultivation level, Zhao Xing had unparalleled resistance and willpower compared to those in the early stages of the same rank.
In the Third Rank, the cultivation of the Soul Projection trait enabled the soul to leave the body. The process involved integrating the soul into the heaven and earth's elemental forces and harnessing the power of the Five Elements. This stage also required significant bodily transformation.
For the soul to leave its physical "house" of seven spirits intact without damaging it was a complex feat.
Though Zhao Xing had yet to achieve the Soul Projection ability, he possessed most of the capabilities of a Third-Rank Soul Realm cultivator. It was akin to a character in a game, reaching a high level without unlocking a signature skill but still excelling in other aspects.
As he advanced closer to the administration building, the ringing sound of the Soul-Crushing Bell dispersed the black characters in his path.
He stopped at the entrance, where the scene inside became visible.
"—The ruler must act without sentiment; those who command must execute ruthlessly!"
"Hence, a minister's greatest crime is regicide!"
"Betrayal of virtue, rebellion against the throne—what kind of justice is this?"
A middle-aged man in white robes stood in the center of the plaza, holding a scroll. Golden light emanated from his body, and black characters swirled around him, forming torrents that surged toward the surrounding ritualists.
"This is Lord He Zhengchen. He's refuting King Liang's manifesto," Zhao Xing observed silently.
Among the opposing ritualists, one named Wang Chengsi shouted, "Liu Si overhauled the laws, dismantled the ancient system, and forced reforms that oppressed the royal clans. By alienating the feudal lords, he disrupted unity and harmony among kin. Such wickedness is unforgivable—a crime deserving countless deaths!"
Another, Yu Tianhai, interjected, "Liu Si's policies led to distrust between ruler and subject, eroded ritual propriety, and caused over two hundred and thirty-six years of devastation. Families were broken, lives lost—does he bear no guilt?"
He Zhengchen sneered. "You hypocrites, receiving secret rewards from the prince, dare to prattle about law and propriety?"
Ignoring He Zhengchen's retort, Yu Tianhai continued, "National traitors harm the people, undermine the ruler, and dishonor their ancestors. Countless spirits have become wandering ghosts—doesn't this foster endless resentment and evil?"
"Absurd!" He Zhengchen roared. Two golden characters emerged from his mouth, shattering Yu Tianhai's words.
The weaker ritualists around them began to feel dizzy, collapsing one by one.
He Zhengchen methodically dismantled each argument presented, his counterpoints sharp and unyielding.
Witnessing this, Zhao Xing couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
"Ritualist debates are truly bloodless battles—they've already claimed the lives of hundreds of officials in such a short time."
As the debate continued, Zhao Xing left two avatars to monitor its outcome and turned toward the temple.
The temple grounds were shrouded in a massive black vortex. Drawing upon his experience in studying ancestral rituals, Zhao Xing immediately recognized the phenomenon.
The black vortex was devoid of any living beings, filled only with wailing Yin souls.
"Of the eighty-nine halls in the temple, eighty percent have been vacated. Most of the statues have stepped down from their pedestals," Zhao Xing observed through his Heavenly Eye Technique.
"Only the ancient legendary statues and First-Rank True Deities remain immovable, preserving their forms as sculptures."
"I wonder how our Shennong deity is faring," Zhao Xing muttered, directing his gaze toward a specific section of the temple.
Since the founding of the dynasty, there had been seven generations of Grand Shennong.
Among them, six had ascended as First-Rank deities, enshrined in various halls.
Li Boqian, still alive, would also be venerated upon his passing.
In prefecture-level temples, it was customary to enshrine these six Grand Shennong deities.
Among the six Shennong deities, four had their own dedicated halls of worship.
The other two, leaders from the Earth School, had their halls positioned as secondary to the Earth Deity. The Earth Deity statues, known for their numerous variations, currently appeared in a particularly fierce and menacing form. Statues dedicated to the Self School's Shennong Deity were also present, alongside others such as the Deity of Agricultural Merit.
Wu Cheng's statue was prominently placed in the easternmost hall, the largest and most central of the six. The arrangement of the six halls adhered to a precise order of significance.
As Zhao Xing surveyed the area, he noticed that the eyes of Wu Cheng's statue suddenly opened.
Startled, Zhao Xing thought to himself, I didn't summon you! Please don't descend—I still value my life.
Seemingly aware of Zhao Xing's thoughts, the statue's eyes revealed a flicker of amusement before closing again. It appeared as though the earlier movement had been a mere illusion.
Relieved, Zhao Xing shifted his gaze away, only to notice another statue in the northeastern hall suddenly spring to life.
"Hold it," a voice called out, echoing in Zhao Xing's ear.
He froze, then turned back reluctantly.
By this time, the statue within the northeastern hall had vanished. Instead, an elderly figure holding an ink-black jade staff stood outside the hall. The man's presence exuded an overwhelming aura.
This individual was none other than Fu Tianyang, mentor to both Li Boqian and Wang Tianzhi.
"Greetings, True Lord Tianyang," Zhao Xing bowed respectfully.
"Don't call me True Lord. Call me Shizuzu (Grandmaster)," Fu Tianyang said.
Zhao Xing blinked in confusion.
"You've cultivated the A Step to Infinity under Li Boqian. That makes you my disciple's disciple, doesn't it? Shouldn't you address me as Grandmaster?" Fu Tianyang's tone brooked no argument.
"Yes, Grandmaster," Zhao Xing replied, bowing once more. "May I know what you require of me, Grandmaster?"
"Move my golden statue out of here at once!" Fu Tianyang scolded, his expression filled with irritation. "The Tianhe Temple has become a cesspool, swarming with those who harbor ill intentions. They've been buzzing around incessantly, asking me to join their schemes to 'cleanse the court.' I can't stand it any longer!"
What?! Is it even possible to get dragged into a temple dispute just by taking a look? Zhao Xing thought bitterly. He had planned to observe from a safe distance, avoiding involvement until the temple's factions resolved their own struggles.
The influence of King Liang was concentrated in the southern and northern divisions of the province, while the eastern and western divisions remained under imperialist control. Zhao Xing's plan was to let the temple's priests battle it out and then decide his next steps.
But now? He'd triggered a quest just by looking!
"Grandmaster, isn't your golden statue just a fragment of your soul? Losing it shouldn't matter much," Zhao Xing reasoned internally. Or could this be another setup from Li Boqian?
While Zhao Xing mulled over the situation, Fu Tianyang spoke again. "What are you dithering about, boy? Will you help or not?"
"If you save my golden statue and invite me to possess it, I'll only require incense offerings afterward. It won't shorten your lifespan," Fu Tianyang added. "Hurry up and decide! My patience isn't endless."
"I'll help!" Zhao Xing agreed quickly. "Please wait here, Grandmaster."
"I'll be waiting for your rescue, then!" Fu Tianyang chuckled, disappearing from view.
Shaking his head, Zhao Xing glanced around, realizing the area was devoid of any visible presence. It was as though the earlier encounter had been an illusion.
Inside Tianhe Temple, the statue of Tianyang True Lord remained unmoving. However, Zhao Xing couldn't dismiss the possibility that this "mission" might be related to the sudden rise in his fortune, now at Derivation Six.
"My fortune has surged to Derivation Six, but I haven't seen any tangible benefits yet," Zhao Xing thought, scanning his spiritual panel. "If that's the case, why not tackle the Tianhe Temple? It seems like things are heating up much faster than expected."
With the decision made, Zhao Xing prepared for action.
He extended a hand and summoned Cloud Gate. A brilliant golden cloud instantly materialized above Tianhe Temple. The auspicious cloud rapidly expanded, connecting to form a massive gateway in the sky.
The gate descended quickly, its edges almost grazing the temple roof.
"Whoosh—"
The black vortexes within the temple began to shrink visibly. The Cloud Gate's stabilizing properties narrowed the channels connecting the Yin Realm and the material world, making it harder for new Yin energy to seep through.
Within the temple, Wu Xuanying, one of the main priests, raised his head abruptly.
"A top-tier cloud law? Is someone launching an assault on the temple?"
"Could the city have already fallen?" Wu Xuanying's expression darkened, his mind racing through various worst-case scenarios.
His first instinct wasn't to suspect allies—after all, the Shennong Division was best suited to maintaining their own roles in such times, rather than meddling in others' affairs. Moreover, Zhang Ping lacked the proficiency in cloud law, which meant the caster had to be a high-ranking Shennong officer unfamiliar to him.
"We need to deal with Zhu Qingyou quickly!" Gritting his teeth, Wu Xuanying spat a mouthful of blood onto a talisman, then affixed it to his forehead.
Carrying the immense statue of a deity on his back, he strode out of the hall.
Meanwhile, in another part of the temple, Zhu Qingyou, a rival priest, gazed skyward. His expression mirrored Wu Xuanying's.
"Where did this Military Shennong come from?" Zhu Qingyou muttered. "Zhang Ping couldn't possibly know such high-level techniques. Could it be that reinforcements have arrived to assist the temple?"
Clenching his fists, Zhu Qingyou struck himself in the chest, spitting blood as he accelerated the absorption of divine power.
"Everyone, absorb as much divine power as you can! Don't fear overusing it—any loss can be restored later!"
"Understood," came the responses from several priests.
Unbeknownst to Zhao Xing, his actions had intensified the confrontation between the two factions within the temple, pushing them toward an explosive climax.
After deploying the Cloud Gate, Zhao Xing still wasn't satisfied. He rummaged through his storage box, pulling out talismans and charms. Some he affixed to his body, others he sent into the air to float in formation.
He muttered to himself, "The Yuan Yin Codex is something only my main body can use. My clones aren't strong enough to activate a Ninth-Rank treasure without severe strain. Better to leave it be; otherwise, if my clone carries it and someone snatches it, that would be a disaster."
Golden beams of light flared in the sky as his talismans activated, forming defensive wards around him. His myriad avatars quickly returned to his side, creating a protective formation.
"Let's see what the Thunder Finger can do against these priests," Zhao Xing mused. Thunder Finger, a yang-aligned thunder technique, was potent enough to challenge even powerful spiritual entities.
In the meantime, Zhao Xing summoned an Underground Palace Technique beneath the temple grounds. He didn't choose the Boundless Sea Palace or Mysterious Water Palace this time, as their water-based powers were unsuitable for the location. Flooding the Tianhe Prefecture wouldn't exactly help the situation—it might even label him a traitor.
"This should be enough preparation," Zhao Xing said, conjuring a gust of yin wind to shroud his group. Without further delay, he stepped into the temple.
"Whoosh!"
The howling wind created an eerie atmosphere. The entire temple complex grew cold and oppressive. Shadows flickered across the halls, giving the area a sinister feel.
"Who goes there?!" a sharp voice rang out.
A priest appeared ahead of Zhao Xing. His appearance was bizarre—his ceremonial robes were torn, and he now had eight arms protruding from his torso. Two horns sprouted from his head, and he carried a trident in one of his hands.
"An Eight-Armed Yaksha? Isn't that a demonic deity?" Zhao Xing murmured, puzzled. "How can a temple have a statue of this thing?"
"Hmph, ignorant brat!" the figure retorted. "I am a Rakshasa deity sealed by the Great Ancestor himself! Known as the Moonlit Night King, I fought alongside the Great Ancestor and achieved countless victories in the Eastern States' Sixteen-Nation Campaign!"
It was clear the voice wasn't coming from the priest but from the Rakshasa spirit bound to him. Zhao Xing furrowed his brow. He vaguely recalled hearing about such a deity in historical texts—a minor god associated with the Rakshasa clan, not widely worshipped and rather obscure.
"Oh, so there's some legitimacy to your claims. Well, that's good enough for me," Zhao Xing replied nonchalantly.
"Good enough? You dare dismiss me, the Moonlit Night King? Such arrogance!" The Rakshasa spirit's tone grew hostile.
"Alright then, mighty Moonlit Night King, would you mind stepping aside so I can pass?" Zhao Xing asked, maintaining his calm demeanor.
The Rakshasa spirit sneered. "Are you here to rebel or to quell the rebellion?"
"To quell it, of course. I'm here to summon the Shennong Deity," Zhao Xing replied honestly.
"Excellent," the spirit said, stepping aside. "I'll escort you."
"No need. Just clear the way," Zhao Xing insisted.
"Fine. Proceed," the spirit said begrudgingly, stepping aside.
Zhao Xing sent one of his clones ahead as a precaution. As he passed the Rakshasa, he felt the air tense.
"Boom!" A sudden burst of force erupted.
The trident slashed through the air, aimed at Zhao Xing's clone, while sixteen black lightning bolts shot toward the Rakshasa spirit. The simultaneous attacks resulted in chaos.
"Bang! Bang!"
The clone lost an arm, while the Rakshasa spirit's eight arms were reduced to four, dripping black blood.
"Insolent!" both Zhao Xing and the Rakshasa spirit shouted at the same time.
Neither had trusted the other from the beginning.
"You deceitful creature! Everyone knows the Rakshasa King's reputation for trickery. Did you think I'd fall for your games?" Zhao Xing mocked. "You're nothing but a glorified doorman, granted favor only because you surrendered early."
The Rakshasa spirit howled with rage, his severed limbs rapidly regenerating. "You insolent human! The royal family of Zhou is utterly heartless! They promised my clan eternal offerings, yet since the Cheng'an era, we've been sealed away! Only recently has King Liang freed us!"
His voice dripped with resentment as he continued, "Even after achieving great merit, we were cast aside! You humans are all the same—arrogant and ungrateful! Die!"
The Rakshasa spirit launched a barrage of dark punches, enveloping the area in shadow. Yet instead of following through with a fight, he turned and bolted.
"Coward!" Zhao Xing snorted, having anticipated the move. He immediately summoned eight avatars, surrounding the fleeing spirit.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Thunder Finger struck repeatedly, reducing the Rakshasa spirit to shattered fragments. Only its horned head remained intact.
"Trying to deceive me while stalling for time? I invented those tricks, fool," Zhao Xing sneered. In truth, he had been stalling as well, sealing the Rakshasa's escape routes.
Despite the struggle, the encounter yielded valuable information. "King Liang unsealed the Yin God Palaces this early? If so, he may have already opened the Yin Realm prisons. Who knows how many vengeful spirits are locked there," Zhao Xing thought grimly. "The 'rewards' for this mission might be more trouble than they're worth. Grandmaster, why couldn't you handle this yourself?"
Shaking off his musings, Zhao Xing instructed his clones to carry the severed head of the Rakshasa spirit-priest combination as they ventured deeper into the temple.