Zhao Xing, having been expelled twice in a row, quickly realized that he had encountered a "Expulsion Order" checkpoint.
What was the Expulsion Order? It was a spell designed to exclude outsiders.
Originally, it was developed by Scholar Preachers as a means to identify non-human races, especially the Demon Race.
For example, there were techniques like the Demon Execution Order and True Spirit Reflection, all of which were categorized under the Dao of Recognition.
Scholars distinguished humans from other races by observing the Great Dao of Life and the Great Dao of Souls.
No matter how well other races disguised themselves with magic, their life essence and soul essence were inherently different.
However, as time passed, relations between humans and demons softened. Some human ancient kingdoms even began domesticating the Demon Race, incorporating them into society, or appointing them as officials.
In one era, humans might massacre demons, while in the next, they might regret it and start accepting them again.
To keep up with the times, Dao techniques evolved accordingly—no longer applying a one-size-fits-all approach but adapting to different situations.
Later on, internal conflicts between human nations led to the development of the Expulsion Order.
The Expulsion Order spell continued to be refined and categorized over time.
In some cases, even humans were prevented from entering certain areas. In others, people of the same country but different statuses could be denied entry.
However, racial discrimination in the Xuanling Star Domain remained deeply ingrained.
Some Scholar Preachers believed that the spirit of the Demon Race was inherently chaotic and evil—that even if they were temporarily educated, they would eventually revert to their destructive nature.
Such scholars only guided humanity forward, completely barring demons from accessing Dao Inheritance Tombs.
On the other hand, some Scholar Preachers were more tolerant, allowing any race, human or ghost, to enter.
"Moonfall Ancient Kingdom was extremely hostile toward demons back in the day. If a demon attempted to enter this Dao Inheritance Tomb, they probably wouldn't just face an Expulsion Order—they'd be hit with an Execution Order instead," Zhao Xing thought.
"The Shangluo Dao Academy checkpoint must be more refined, likely banning non-Moonfall Kingdom citizens from entering."
The message had been very clear:
"Moonfall illuminates all directions, the Great Dao has its bounds. If you are not of my kind, depart swiftly, do not wander lost."
"That means… only Moonfall Kingdom citizens can enter this Dao Inheritance Tomb?"
"Wait, that's not right—Du Yun was able to enter."
Zhao Xing frowned.
"Either Du Yun was powerful enough to resist the Scholar's spell and force his way in, or the Expulsion Order has a more specific restriction, allowing only certain people into Shangluo Dao Academy but not the entire Dao Inheritance Tomb."
"Using a Five Emperor Coin versus using a Bozhu Ancient Coin… clearly, there's a difference."
In his previous life, this place didn't have such rules—no money was needed for offerings at all.
By the time the Illusory God Star System had been turned into a tourist attraction, all of these rules had been removed.
Since visitors had to pay for tickets, there was no need for all these restrictions—they had simply been cleared away.
"Well, there's only one way to find out."
"Let's ask Du Wen."
Zhao Xing soared out of the frozen pond and approached Du Wen.
"Zhao Xing, why are you back so quickly? Did you run into a problem?"
"Yes, sir," Zhao Xing cupped his hands. "I encountered the Expulsion Order cast by a Scholar Preacher."
"Would you be willing to lend me a "Plea Against Expulsion Order"?"
The Expulsion Order was considered a classic spell for a reason—it had a direct counter and was frequently used in territorial disputes.
Scholar Preachers did not use this technique for combat themselves, but others certainly did.
Whenever multiple factions competed for territory but wanted to avoid direct bloodshed, someone would slam down an Expulsion Order, sealing off an area for their own people only.
Once activated, the Expulsion Order repelled all outsiders based on the Great Dao of Life and Souls.
If anyone wanted to bypass it, they had to counter it with a Plea Against Expulsion Order.
It was basically like two kids yelling insults at each other:
"Get lost, idiot!"
"No, you get lost!"
"I reflect your expulsion!"
"I reflect your reflection!"
In the end, the winner was usually whoever had the stronger Scholar Preacher supporting them.
Of course, someone truly powerful could resist the spell directly.
However, Scholar Preachers were considered invincible among their peers, often capable of fighting those above their level.
If one wanted to break an Expulsion Order, the easiest way was to find another Scholar Preacher to counter it.
"Oh? That explains it…" Du Wen suddenly understood. "Let me check it out."
"I appreciate it, sir."
Du Wen was in the Great Divine Ability Realm, the same level as Hong Qi, who assisted Lu Yuehan.
When Zhao Xing scanned him through his interface, it was as overwhelming as reading an entire book—the information was so dense that it required flipping through countless pages.
Since the Expulsion Order was a standard Scholar spell, Du Wen had definitely studied it.
The real question was—how strong was this checkpoint?
The tomb's owner was a Scholar Preacher at the Yin-Yang Dao Domain Realm—far stronger than Du Wen.
What mattered was whether the restriction was absolute or if it was merely a test.
Would the tomb outright refuse entry, or was this just an entry challenge?
With a loud splash, the frozen pond split apart.
Du Wen descended gracefully, stepping on a cloud of light, his entire figure glowing faintly.
He held a Bozhu Ancient Coin, bowed, and allowed himself to be absorbed into the small world.
Not even a full second later, he stumbled back out, appearing in the outside world.
"My Plea Against Expulsion Order is not strong enough to counter the tomb's owner," Du Wen shook his head as he flew back up.
"This checkpoint is extremely powerful."
Zhao Xing nodded.
Dao Inheritance Tombs were like that—whoever owned them decided who could inherit their legacy.
A Scholar Preacher's Dao Inheritance was not something that could be easily forced open.
If a Scholar Preacher at the Yin-Yang Dao Domain Realm chose to fight without restraint, even those at the Life-and-Death Dao Domain Realm would struggle.
"That means we'll have to play by the rules."
"Indeed," Du Wen chuckled. "If non-Moonfall Kingdom citizens aren't allowed in, then we just need to find a way to become Moonfall citizens."
Zhao Xing deliberately asked, "Sir, the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom no longer exists. How exactly does one become a citizen of a nation that has vanished?"
Du Wen leisurely replied, "It's actually quite simple. There are five approaches: clothing, food, residence, language, and cultivation methods."
"Clothing refers to wearing the traditional robes of Moonfall Ancient Kingdom. This is the simplest method—if you wear their robes, you blend in. The aura of that era can help mask your identity, possibly allowing you to pass the test."
"However, given that the tomb owner set up this checkpoint, it's unlikely that just wearing a robe will be enough."
"Food refers to the Food Supplement Method. Although the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom is gone, the land of the Moonfall Burial Grounds still nourishes the same plants and beasts that existed back then."
"The Expulsion Order isn't an Execution Order—it's not that extreme. Since we are all from the Xuanling Human Race, adapting to the local ways by consuming their food can be a way to bypass the restriction."
"Residence means staying in palaces or dwellings that originated from the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom. The principle is similar to the Food Supplement Method."
"The idea is that one's habitat shapes their aura, and their diet shapes their body. The environment and the nourishment one receives can change a person's energy signature, and this is something we scholars take into account when applying Expulsion Orders."
"For example, as the guest official of the Yellow Sand Mansion, I am responsible for arranging the diets and living quarters of certain individuals. If we ever need to use an Expulsion Order, I can distinguish between friend and foe based on their food intake and dwelling habits."
Zhao Xing nodded thoughtfully, pretending to absorb the information.
"Of course," Du Wen continued, "the first three are relatively easy to fake, which is why the last two—language and cultivation methods—are the most crucial."
"Language isn't just about speaking the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom's dialect; it also includes their profound incantations and spells."
"Cultivation methods refer to practicing techniques that were native to the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom."
"These five elements form the foundation for bypassing an Expulsion Order."
"If it were an Execution Order, things would be different. In that case, the restrictions would consider bloodline, life essence, and soul essence, making it nearly impossible to find a loophole—you'd have no choice but to force your way in."
Zhao Xing clasped his hands respectfully. "Sir, your knowledge is truly vast and enlightening." He then hesitated slightly, adopting an embarrassed expression. "I wonder… would you be willing to teach me?"
He wasn't planning to go out of his way to purchase cultivation methods when Du Wen was already an established scholar—clearly, he had plenty of experience in such matters.
If he could get some free knowledge, why not?
After all, it only required swallowing his pride and offering a few polite words. If Du Wen refused, he could still find another way.
"Of course," Du Wen smiled. "I have several official cultivation methods from the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom. I also have robes and food, though the residence aspect might require some arrangements from the Yellow Sand Mansion."
Palatial artifacts were usually fixed once chosen and were not easily replaced, let alone exchanged for ancient-era buildings.
This meant that Du Wen only lacked the 'Residence' factor, also known as the Dwelling Spirit Method.
"Much appreciated, sir," Zhao Xing bowed sincerely.
"No need to be so formal," Du Wen chuckled. "You are a Shennong, which makes you an ideal candidate for cultivating the Food Supplement Method and the Dwelling Spirit Method."
In any case, the Yellow Sand Mansion needed someone to test this approach. Everyone here had their own assigned tasks, so Zhao Xing was a perfect choice to experiment first.
With that, Zhao Xing and Du Wen sat down opposite each other, beginning the knowledge transmission.
As soon as the lesson started, Zhao Xing realized that Du Wen had been too modest.
He didn't just have a few Moonfall cultivation methods—he had several entire categories!
And the corresponding food varieties? There was an abundance of them!
"The Moonfall Ancient Kingdom's historical records mention the Food Supplement Method multiple times. The three most commonly discovered techniques are Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen, Six Qi Military Gates, and Sun-Moon Dual Diet."
"For Dwelling Spirit Methods, we have Mountain Palace, Sea Pavilion, and Water-Origin Abode."
"As for robes, let's not overcomplicate things. I have two sets of Shennong official robes. I'm not entirely sure of their exact rank, but their intrinsic level is quite high—you may borrow them for now."
"As for food, there's plenty—both meat and vegetarian options. You may need to eat quite a lot."
"For language, you only need to study the Common Knowledge Spell. If even that doesn't work, then we may have no choice but to give up on entry."
Listening to Du Wen's explanations, Zhao Xing felt another surge of realization—this was why it was essential to have powerful backers.
If he hadn't partnered with Du Yun and shared the benefits, he would have spent decades just preparing for the boundary-setting process.
Then, he would have needed even more time for setting up formations to conceal the star-continent, purchasing Bozhu Ancient Coins, learning spells, and buying Moonfall food.
Even in a hundred years, he might not have been able to complete the entire process!
Meanwhile, Du Yun had an entire team of guest officials, eliminating the need for personal involvement in every detail—which saved enormous amounts of time.
With a soft hum, a Gate of Light appeared before Zhao Xing.
Du Wen activated the Teaching Realm, creating a controlled environment for knowledge transmission.
Since this was just a trial, Du Wen wasn't using much of his power.
Instead, he simply invited Zhao Xing into his Dao Field, providing him with an ideal training atmosphere.
After all, Zhao Xing was here to leech knowledge, so he wasn't going to ask for too much.
Upon entering, Zhao Xing saw several Dao Fruits floating before him.
These weren't ordinary fruits—each one was as large as an asteroid!
They contained the Dao Runes of the listed techniques, acting as repositories of cultivation methods.
When Zhao Xing looked into the distance, he saw endless stars stretching infinitely, their numbers seemingly limitless.
"How many techniques has Du Wen mastered?"
His interface displayed that Du Wen had lived for 1.5 Eras—approximately 1.8 million years.
Given his vast lifespan and resources, at least 80% of his existence must have been dedicated to study.
Zhao Xing calmed his thoughts, clearing his mind of distractions.
He began by learning the first Food Supplement Method—Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen.
The acupoints of the Dao Body resembled stars, and the Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen technique focused its power in the stomach region.
Of course, Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen did not only focus on the stomach; it was also connected to the five internal organs—heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—because of the correspondence between the Five Elements and the human body.
The Food Supplement Method was not a passive practice—it required active consumption.
As soon as Zhao Xing began cultivating, food ingredients continuously appeared within Du Wen's Dao Field.
"Humans consume the essence of all things, which first enters the Heavenly Kitchen Department."
"If there is no specialized cultivation method, then out of every ten portions consumed, only five portions are absorbed, three portions turn into toxins, and two portions return to nature."
This explained the natural efficiency of directly consuming spiritual food without any refining process.
The Food Supplement Method was divided into Fast Consumption and Refined Consumption.
Fast Consumption referred to combat situations where the goal was simply to restore energy as quickly as possible. The resulting toxins and waste buildup were secondary concerns—survival came first.
Many cultivators accumulated hidden internal injuries due to excessive reliance on Fast Consumption.
The appearance and physical condition of cultivators were also affected by dietary imbalance.
In Lu Yuehan's team, there were healers, and she herself was skilled in medical techniques. They had access to specialized medicinal chefs to help with recovery and conditioning.
However, most people did not have such luxury.
Refined Consumption, on the other hand, was what Zhao Xing was practicing now.
After consuming food, it would first be filtered within the Heavenly Kitchen Department, where it was carefully selected and processed to extract pure energy while discarding the impurities.
Only then would the refined Qi essence be distributed to the appropriate body parts.
The Purple Yin Purple Yang Cultivation Method Zhao Xing practiced promoted balanced development across all body regions. He had never specifically trained the Heavenly Kitchen Department, as it was only a minor aspect of his cultivation.
Although the Yuanhai Realm had similar cultivation techniques, they were not as refined, as they were merely supporting techniques rather than dedicated methods.
As soon as Zhao Xing entered the Dao Field, he immediately opened his status panel to increase his proficiency.
And just like that, he became a ruthless eating machine.
The Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen did not have a fixed ranking system—its effectiveness depended entirely on the quality of food consumed.
In the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom, it was considered a balanced technique.
There were no risks involved, and its core principle was harmony.
"I eat!"
Zhao Xing expanded his body, opened his massive mouth, and swallowed half a cabbage-like plant, which was as large as a palace.
As soon as it entered his stomach, a cool sensation spread throughout his abdomen.
The stomach's internal star lit up, its glow enveloping the food, as if countless chefs wielding knives had materialized from the stomach lining, slicing it apart.
"I spit!"
Zhao Xing expelled a clump of green residue, filled with chaotic spiritual energy.
The moment he finished processing one batch, Du Wen immediately threw another batch in.
These ingredients emitted a fragrant aroma, though their scent did not spread too far.
Zhao Xing glanced over and saw that it was a Moon Spirit Fish, roasted with Lihuo Flames.
"If Xia Jing were here, he'd love this," Zhao Xing thought mischievously.
When eating and drinking became a cultivation method, it ceased to be a pleasure—instead, it became a form of torment.
Three years passed… then another three.
By the sixth year, Du Wen stopped supplying ingredients.
Because by then, he had noticed subtle changes in Zhao Xing's aura.
His Dao Body emitted a soft radiance, and although his cultivation realm had not advanced, the frequency of his life essence's fluctuations had become slightly different from before.
Since the goal was only to pass the checkpoint, Zhao Xing did not need to perfect the method—just reaching the threshold was enough.
Of course, if the Five Elements Heavenly Kitchen failed, he would have to train another technique, such as Six Qi Military Gates or Sun-Moon Dual Diet.
The former was still relatively normal, involving regular food.
The latter, however, required consuming minerals, stones, and metals, making it a specialized food supplement method for certain martial officials.
It was a method that treated cultivators as non-human beings.
"Your cultivation speed is impressive," Du Wen remarked.
But that was all—he had seen far greater geniuses before.
He didn't even need to look far—Du Yun was a living example.
"I can sense that your life essence fluctuations have changed. They are now similar to those of the ancient corpses. You're ready for the next step."
How did Du Wen make this comparison?
Simple—he had unearthed multiple corpses from the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom, many of which were perfectly preserved.
He had spent a great deal of time extracting their bone marrow and conducting research.
"The Shennong Cultivation Methods of the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom included certain transformation techniques that significantly altered one's Qi signature."
"The most notable among them was the Hou Transformation Method. It is based on the Dao of Transformation and will not affect your current cultivation path."
As Du Wen finished speaking, a corpse appeared in the Dao Field.
It had a human torso, but its back was covered in a turtle shell, its body thick with muscle, its skin dark red, and flame patterns covering its abdomen.
"What is this?" Zhao Xing was taken aback.
"It looks like a fusion of a Fire Turtle and a human."
"The Divine Fire Turtle Transformation Method," Du Wen explained.
"This was a minor divine ability unearthed from the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom."
"This corpse is a template of someone who failed to revert back to human form."
"It is extremely valuable—I only have one specimen, so don't destroy it."
"Divine Fire Turtle Transformation?" Zhao Xing chuckled helplessly.
He had slaughtered countless Fire Turtles, and now he was supposed to cultivate a turtle-based transformation method?
"Is there a problem?" Du Wen noticed Zhao Xing's expression.
"This method is somewhat complex, and its life structure is unique…"
"No problem at all, sir." Zhao Xing shook his head with a smile.
"I'm actually quite familiar with the life structure of the Turtle Race."
How could he not be?
He had killed over a million Fire Turtles.
The Divine Fire Turtle was simply the third-tier evolution of the species—it shared the same lineage.
The Moonfall Ancient Kingdom had a tradition of raising turtles, and in the Transcendence World, Zhao Xing had seen statues of the Divine Fire Turtle.
Even if it wasn't a national treasure, it was at least considered a sacred beast.
Three more years passed.
Because of his deep understanding of the Turtle Race, Zhao Xing mastered the first stage of the Divine Fire Turtle Transformation by the ninth year.
"Nine years? You've already mastered it?"
Even Du Wen was slightly impressed.
"You really do have some insight into the Turtle Race's bloodline."
Even for a minor divine ability, this speed was unusually fast.
No matter how simple a divine ability was, it was never easy to master.
"All thanks to the guidance of the teacher." Zhao Xing now carried a turtle shell on his back, his body muscular and robust, skin flushed deep red, emanating fiery energy.
"Alright, now all that's left is to master the Universal Tongue Technique." Du Wen remarked. The Hearth Spirit Technique was not something Zhao Xing needed to learn personally—it was arranged by others. He only had to stay in the designated residence for some time for it to take effect.
"Yes."
Before Zhao Xing's eyes, a planet-sized star rapidly expanded, and chants of an ancient incantation echoed in his mind.
The Universal Tongue Technique of the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom had an incredibly unique pronunciation—the entire upper body trembled while reciting it, resonating with the Dao of Sound and Rhythm.
Zhao Xing couldn't help but wonder what kind of person invented this language. Just imagining the imperial court gatherings of the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom made him cringe—it looked as if everyone was shaking uncontrollably, like they had a vibrating rod stuck in them.
It was absurd.
It only took one year for Zhao Xing to fully master the Universal Tongue Technique.
After all, it was merely a slightly advanced encrypted language.
Thus, after sixteen years, Zhao Xing completed his training.
He had acquired a minor divine ability, a food supplement method, and a language of the Moonfall Ancient Kingdom, all without spending a single resource.
"Many thanks to the teacher for the bestowed techniques."
"No need to be so polite." Du Wen pointed to the side. "You can go down with You Yitian and Fan Yu. It will be good to have some company."
When Zhao Xing looked around, he realized that after sixteen years, the Star Land had become much busier. Many new people had arrived, mostly at the Second Realm and Minor Divine Ability Realm.
It was obvious that Yellow Sand Mansion had dispatched a new exploration team.
Around Du Wen, nine luminous gates stood tall. Within them, figures could be seen meditating, comprehending the Dao.
Some of them had already met the requirements and didn't need to learn new techniques before proceeding.
"You Yitian and Fan Yu are both renowned battle-hardened guest officials under the Mansion Lord's command. They are both at the Great Divine Ability Realm, while the rest are at the Minor Divine Ability Realm. This time, the team consists of fifty-four people. With you, that makes it fifty-five."
"The conditions have been confirmed. As long as one meets the requirements of technique, language, and food, entry is possible."
"You can enter with them—it's safer that way." Du Wen explained.
"Understood."
Zhao Xing did not refuse.
After all, he had called Du Yun here to avoid unnecessary risks.
Since he had already given up a major share of the benefits, there was no point in going alone.
The Expulsion Order had been unexpectedly tricky, and there was no guarantee that other hidden dangers did not remain.
Zhao Xing wasn't reckless—he would take the safer path whenever possible.
With at least a 10% guaranteed gain, it was worth the risk.
"Brother Zhao!"
You Yitian, a Qi Sect Martial Artist, immediately waved cheerfully when Zhao Xing emerged.
"We've been waiting for you!"
"You've been waiting for me?" Zhao Xing was surprised. There were fifty-four people here—were they all waiting just for him?
This was a testament to what kind of leader Du Yun was.
A leader's character shaped their subordinates.
Du Yun was righteous, magnanimous, and carried himself with integrity.
Naturally, his guest officials were also similarly honorable.
Since Zhao Xing had provided the key intelligence and was given specific orders by Du Wen, both You Yitian and Fan Yu treated him with respect.
You Yitian, in particular, was exceptionally warm.
"I must trouble Daoist Brother You and Fairy Fan with my presence." Zhao Xing cupped his hands.
"Haha, Brother Zhao, there's no need for such formality!" You Yitian laughed heartily.
"Thanks to you, we all have a chance to get rich together!"
Fan Yu remained silent but nodded with a polite smile.
Du Yun held great respect for Zhao Xing, and Du Wen was fully aware of this.
During these sixteen years, Du Yun had come out once, specifically to remind Du Wen to take care of Zhao Xing.
And so, Du Wen had ordered everyone to wait for Zhao Xing.
No further explanation was needed.
The fact that fifty-four people had been instructed to wait for him spoke volumes.
Although it wasn't to the extreme where they were all here to protect him, one thing was clear—Zhao Xing was a priority.
Since the two leaders had already accepted him, the rest of the team had no objections.
Zhao Xing, having divine abilities related to soul and willpower, could sense the emotions of the people around him.
He detected curiosity, assessment, and admiration.
However, there was no hostility or jealousy.
"Brother Zhao, are you ready?" You Yitian asked.
"Ready. I'll follow your lead." Zhao Xing nodded.
"Then let's go!"
You Yitian shook his body, leading the group as he leapt into the frigid lake.
The lake had already been cleared of water following the Boundary Stabilization process.
Its edges had also been expanded dozens of times.
The fifty-five people performed a ceremonial prayer before being pulled inside by an unknown force.
This time, Zhao Xing was not rejected.
Clearly, Du Wen's method had worked.
Crack!
Zhao Xing's feet landed on solid ground, stepping on a broken branch.
He surveyed his surroundings.
None of the fifty-five people were missing—they had all arrived safely.
They stood beneath a gigantic withered tree.
Its trunk stretched into the sky, its roots dug deep into the earth, and its branches intertwined with the celestial canopy, as if merging with the heavens.
However, there were no leaves—only skeletal branches remained.
"This is a Myriad Dao Tree. I wonder how many years it has lived… Unfortunately, it has withered."
Cultivators who studied the Dao loved to plant Myriad Dao Trees.
Zhao Xing instantly recognized it.
"This one… its size exceeds one billion kilometers. It must have been at least King-tier before it died."
"I wonder what cultivation techniques were once sealed within it."
They hadn't been inside for long when You Yitian called out to gather the group.
Qi Sect Martial Artists typically led expeditions in the cosmic realm.
However, the Yellow Sand Mansion's team had its own unique methods.
Upon entering, two scholars, two priests, two historians, and two fate masters were immediately swallowed into the leader's stomach.
These eight individuals, despite being at the Minor Divine Ability Realm, were non-combat personnel.
They were safely stored inside, only to be released when needed.
Meanwhile, four medical practitioners took position.
Two of them stood on the right shoulder, specializing in toxicology and combat healing.
The remaining two were also swallowed, as they specialized in healing and support.
Zhao Xing, along with sixteen others, huddled inside the right ear.
Fan Yu stood alone on the left shoulder—she was a Divine Soul Grandmaster.
The pairing of Fan Yu and You Yitian was not as strong as other known duos like Chen Xuan and Yue Nu.
However, their formation was well-balanced.
Fan Yu specialized in mental illusion techniques, while Qi Sect Martial Artists were weak to mind attacks.
As long as You Yitian was unaffected by illusions, his weaknesses were completely covered.
"There are nine Shennong, but only one follows the Self School. His name is Huangfu Yun."
"There are also nine mechanists, covering various branches such as forging, formation, Dao soldiers, and giant constructs… There are even some odd professions like musicians, dancers, and beast tamers… Clearly, they're trying to increase their chances of earning rewards by including a variety of specialists." Zhao Xing mused internally.
The Transmit Dao Scholars were known for their broad range of knowledge, and their trials within the Dao Repository could take many different forms. Gathering a diverse group would boost their chances of acquiring a legacy.
"Seems like this time, I'll be able to reap some benefits without much effort." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
You Yitian and Fan Yu hadn't even asked what skills he had! Their attitude was clear:
"You don't have to do anything. Our team is complete—just sit back and relax, little brother."
"Little Du is really looking out for me. A favor for a favor... When I leave here, I'll definitely warn him to get out of Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom before it's too late."
The team soon left the direction of the withered tree, heading eastward.
You Yitian and Fan Yu didn't pick their direction randomly. Instead, they analyzed the spiritual energy density, determining that the east had a rising concentration of spiritual energy.
If any trials or treasures were present, they would most likely be in that direction.
West of the withered Myriad Dao Tree, the spiritual energy index had dropped to below ten, meaning it was impossible for any valuable treasures or formation trials to exist there.
Because this was an exploration mission, their pace wasn't fast. It took them nearly half a year to cover a distance of one billion kilometers.
After advancing five billion li to the east, grass began to sprout, rivers appeared, and life force slowly started to return to the land.
Finally, the exploration team encountered their second trial.
Zhao Xing scanned ahead and spotted figures roaming across the plains. These beings wore gray scholar robes, each carrying a book chest on their backs.
"They're Inquiry Book Puppets."
A voice came from inside You Yitian's stomach, and Zhao Xing quickly identified the speaker—a scholar at the Minor Divine Ability Realm named Du Qing. Judging by his name, he was probably a relative of Du Yun.
"Du Qing, what are Inquiry Book Puppets?" You Yitian asked.
"Inquiry Book Puppets are tools used by Transmit Dao Scholars to teach students the principles of the Dao," Du Qing explained.
"True Dao transmission—where knowledge is directly imparted to the soul—is not free. The number of times a scholar can perform it in a lifetime is limited. It's not something done casually."
"Is there anything special about them?"
As You Yitian spoke, two scholars flew out from within his body.
"There's no real danger. The Inquiry Book Puppets are just a gentle screening method—they test whether a seeker of the Dao aligns with the teachings of Shangluo Dao Academy."
"As the saying goes, 'The Dao that differs cannot be pursued together.' If you answer incorrectly, you might be denied entry."
"My guess is that we are on the path to Shangluo Dao Academy, and the Inquiry Book Puppets serve as the second selection trial." Du Qing analyzed.
"Can we just force our way through?" You Yitian asked. Thinking through problems was troublesome—he preferred using his fists.
"I doubt it." Another black-robed scholar spoke up. "The laws of Dao Domain Realm scholars are not easily broken."
"Can you scholars answer on our behalf?" Fan Yu inquired.
"We can try," Du Qing replied.
Next, You Yitian expelled everyone from his body, including those who had been inside his ears.
Then, he and Du Qing stepped forward.
The moment they stepped onto the grasslands, one of the Inquiry Book Puppets suddenly expanded, growing to the same size as You Yitian.
Then, it posed a question directly to him.
"A Venomous Wyrm holds the Lunar Yin Star in its jaws. Its body stretches one hundred eight thousand segments, and its poison sac changes from black to dark gold. What is its Dao level?"
You Yitian was completely baffled. What kind of question was this?!
Zhao Xing nearly burst out laughing. Clearly, the tomb's owner had some bias against Qi Sect Martial Artists, as he had intentionally asked a simple question that catered to scholars but was difficult for martial artists.
In simple terms, the Inquiry Book Puppet was asking:
A Venomous Wyrm is capable of holding an entire Lunar Yin Star in its mouth, its body has grown to one hundred eight thousand segments, and its poison sac has transformed from black to gold. What is its cultivation level?
To Zhao Xing, this was an easy question, practically a free pass.
But to You Yitian, it was completely foreign.
He was a guest official ranked thirty-ninth in Yellow Sand Mansion—why would he ever hunt low-level Venomous Wyrms for money?
Let alone care about what cultivation level they reached when they grew up.
Since this was only a test, Du Qing didn't assist him.
You Yitian carefully answered in Moonfall Ancient Kingdom's language, "If it can hold the Lunar Yin Star, it should be at Dao Domain Realm?"
His response was vague.
Yet, it was still accepted as correct.
The Inquiry Book Puppet nodded, then reached into its book chest and threw a pill toward You Yitian.
You Yitian was just about to celebrate.
But before he could, the Inquiry Book Puppet shrunk slightly, then floated to his abdomen, staring directly at Du Qing inside.
Du Qing immediately realized that he couldn't avoid it and sighed as he flew out.
The Inquiry Book Puppet then asked the next question:
"A Venomous Wyrm, having attained the Dao, transforms into human form. Is it a human Dao, or a demonic Dao?"
Du Qing was speechless.
You Yitian's question had been absurdly easy. But when it came to him, the scholar, the question suddenly became deeply philosophical.
Zhao Xing found it amusing as well.
The Inquiry Book Puppet's question had a profound philosophical meaning—it was essentially asking:
A Venomous Wyrm has cultivated to enlightenment and taken human form. Does its Dao belong to humanity, or does it remain part of the demon race?
There was a hidden trap in the question—one couldn't simply answer that the Venomous Wyrm was either human or demon. The Inquiry Book Puppet had asked about its Dao, not its species.
"There's no absolute correct answer," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "It all depends on the tomb owner's ideology and the political stance of Moonfall Ancient Kingdom at the time. If they hated the demon race, then even if a demon transformed into human form, it still wouldn't be considered a cultivator of the human Dao. If they were more open-minded, then it might be recognized."
"If one's philosophy didn't align with Shangluo Dao Academy, they would be denied entry."
"And given that the tomb owner set up the Edict of Expulsion, there's a high chance they detested the demon race. It's impossible they would recognize a demon's Dao attainment as part of the human Dao. At most, they might acknowledge that it could serve the human race as a subordinate."
"If a scholar's reasoning is off, it could lead an entire generation astray. Du Qing likely only has one chance to answer."
Du Qing pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and responded, "The myriad races of the universe walk different paths, never converging. A Venomous Wyrm that attains Dao and takes human form is nothing but an illusion—its essence remains that of a demon. It can never belong to the human Dao!"
Du Qing had answered from the perspective of the essence of life, aligning completely with human Dao orthodoxy.
There was no neutrality or ambiguity in his response—he clearly understood that the tomb owner despised demons.
The Inquiry Book Puppet nodded, acknowledging his answer. It bestowed a gift upon Du Qing, though Zhao Xing couldn't see what it was.
Then, the Inquiry Book Puppet returned to its normal size and resumed wandering aimlessly. The other Inquiry Book Puppets also stopped blocking the two.
Du Qing and You Yitian returned, sharing their observations. "I noticed that while facing You Yitian, the Dao aura within the Inquiry Book Puppet surged three times."
"This means that martial artists have two chances to make mistakes. If they get the first question wrong, they still have two more opportunities. As long as they get one answer right, they pass."
"But scholars only get one chance, and the difficulty is much higher. As for other professions, they likely require further testing."
You Yitian, who had been grinning earlier, suddenly stopped smiling.
He felt deeply insulted and nearly threw the pill he was holding. "Damn it! Do you scholars take us martial artists for clowns?! This pill better not be some kind of intelligence booster!"
One of the physicians took it, sniffed it, and his expression turned strange. "It actually is a pill that enhances wisdom and spiritual perception."
All the martial artists: "…"
Zhao Xing nearly burst out laughing. This was probably the tomb owner's idea of a cruel joke.
"Alright, don't get mad," Fan Yu said gently. "Everyone has stereotypes. We all know you're not stupid, so let's focus on the task at hand."
You Yitian grumbled as he walked away.
As expected, just like Du Qing predicted, martial artists had three attempts, and the Inquiry Book Puppets posed relatively simple questions to them.
Scholars, however, faced the hardest questions, mostly philosophical or logical arguments.
One of the other scholars finished answering his question, but he was sweating profusely—he hadn't received a gift from the Inquiry Book Puppet, which meant his answer was barely acceptable.
Other professions had two chances to answer correctly.
Uncommon professions, such as musicians and dancers, were given easier questions. This was likely because Transmit Dao Scholars themselves struggled with these niche paths, so they weren't too strict in testing them.
Then came the turn of the Shennong profession, and a small complication arose.
Two Heavenly Timing Shennong practitioners were eliminated.
One of them failed both attempts.
The other was disqualified for trying to help his teammate—he was kicked out of the small world on the spot.
The team was suddenly reduced from fifty-five to fifty-three members.
Zhao Xing was placed at the very end.
Since watching more people attempt the trial could increase his chances of passing, this was Fan Yu and You Yitian's way of looking out for him.
"Zhao Xing, no one can help you on this trial. Be careful," Fan Yu reminded him.
"Fan Fairy, You brother, if my understanding of the Dao isn't strong enough, then I can't blame anyone but myself," Zhao Xing said with a smile.
He stepped onto the grasslands.
Immediately, an Inquiry Book Puppet appeared before him.
"Explain the Seventy-Two Seasonal Qi Dietary Techniques."
Upon hearing the question, Du Qing's brows furrowed deeply.
Even he couldn't answer that.
The nine Shennong present exchanged strange glances.
Huangfu Yun, the Self School Shennong, had a subtle change in his expression.
He was supposed to be tested after Zhao Xing, but seeing that the question difficulty had suddenly increased, he couldn't help but wonder—would his own question be just as difficult?
Zhao Xing himself was stunned.
"Are you serious? Even if it had asked me to explain the Twenty-Four Seasonal Qi Dietary Techniques, it wouldn't be considered excessive. But you're actually asking about the Seventy-Two Seasonal Qi Dietary Techniques?" Zhao Xing raged internally.
It felt like his luck had run out—this Inquiry Book Puppet had given him an impossible question.
"I'm screwed."
You Yitian saw everyone's grim expressions and couldn't help but sigh.
Du Qing secretly transmitted a message to him. "Even we scholars can't answer that question."
Wasn't Zhao Xing completely doomed then?
He had waited sixteen years for this, and now he was about to fail at the second trial? What a shame.
"Zhao Xing, your time is almost up," the black-robed scholar reminded him.
He could see through the Inquiry Book Puppet's structure, spotting a countdown mechanism inside.
"Well… I guess I have no choice but to try." Zhao Xing sighed and took a step forward.
"During the Start of Spring, three dietary supplements are recommended: in the first pentad, 'Spring Sun Roll' can be eaten; in the second pentad, 'Cloud Carp'; and in the third pentad, 'Shangyang Mustard.' 'Chuan She' removes cold, while 'Shang Cheng' cleanses impurities."
Zhao Xing listed three dietary supplements used in Moonfall Ancient Kingdom during this season. The terms 'Chuan She' and 'Shang Cheng' referred to specific cultivation star regions corresponding to different aspects of a Dao body.
Removing the cold from the Chuan She region and purifying the Shang Cheng acupoint clusters aligned with the cultivation philosophy of the time.
The underlying logic was simple—during the cosmic winter, the people of Moonfall Ancient Kingdom were mostly inactive, relying on solar essence to counteract the harsh radiance of the Lunar Stars.
It was all thanks to Du Wen's teachings that Zhao Xing knew this—his lessons covered topics like Five Elements Heavenly Chef, Six Qi Military Methods, and Sun-Moon Dual Diets. Though Zhao Xing had only skimmed through the latter two, he had absorbed enough knowledge to answer.
"During Rain Water, three dietary supplements are recommended: in the first pentad, 'Dragon Beard Cake'; in the second pentad, 'Bitter Throat Gall'; and in the third pentad, 'White Nourishing Cress.' Spirit emerges from 'Xizhong,' and divinity awakens in 'Tianchuang.'"
This dietary cycle, set against the backdrop of cosmic winter, focused on the Rain Water solar term. Consuming these three supplements boosted the outpouring of spiritual energy and accelerated cultivation progress. The phrase "divinity awakens in Tianchuang" signified that one's mind and spirit were emerging from the long winter slumber.
"During Awakening of Insects, three dietary supplements are recommended: in the first pentad, 'Thunder Sprout Bamboo'; in the second pentad, 'Five Cluster Fruit'; and in the third pentad, 'Whirling Star Pear.' Many heirs are born, and disasters are kept away."
These supplements weren't necessarily tied to cultivation, but they enhanced fertility, which was why one of the medicinal plants was called Five Cluster Fruit—symbolizing abundance of offspring.
As for Whirling Star Pear, it was merely a wishful blessing—"disasters are kept away" implied a bountiful harvest. Even Moonfall Ancient Kingdom had a fondness for wordplay and homophones.
"During the Spring Equinox, three dietary supplements…"
"During Pure Brightness, three dietary supplements…"
"…"
As Zhao Xing spoke faster and faster, the audience's mouths gradually widened in shock.
Most of the group was surprised, but the nine Shennong and two scholars were completely stunned.
If someone didn't know better, they would assume Zhao Xing was a scholar.
How could anyone possibly know such an obscure subject?
This wasn't just a Shennong-related question—it was a historical test on an ancient kingdom's customs!
People with real knowledge were respected anywhere they went.
Especially the remaining seven Shennong in the group, who now looked at Zhao Xing with admiration—he practically glowed in their eyes.
"During Minor Snow, three dietary supplements are recommended: in the first pentad, 'Fire Turtle Gall'; in the second pentad, 'Redroot Radish'; and in the third pentad, 'Mixed Water Chestnut Wine.' Does the slumber last for three years? Awakening marks the arrival of spring."
The "three years" mentioned was a figurative term, not a literal measurement of time.
Once Zhao Xing finished his response, the Inquiry Book Puppet actually smiled slightly, seemingly very pleased.
It tossed him a reward, gestured for him to pass through, and then resumed wandering aimlessly.
When Zhao Xing turned around, he saw that everyone's faces were filled with astonishment.
You Yitian, excited, rushed forward and punched Zhao Xing in the shoulder. "Brother, you're amazing! Du Qing just told us that out of all the Shennong here, your question was the hardest—even he couldn't answer it!"
Even Fan Qing was surprised, her bright eyes fixated on Zhao Xing with curiosity.
Zhao Xing cupped his hands modestly. "It was just luck. Fortunately, Sir Du Wen once taught me about dietary cultivation, and this was mentioned in his lessons."
This wasn't false modesty—it really was Du Wen who taught him.
"That explains it."
Du Qing suddenly understood.
As a Small Divine Ability Realm scholar, he knew that Du Wen, by seniority, was considered his great-uncle.
For scholars, each realm advancement led to an exponential increase in knowledge. It wasn't surprising that someone who followed Du Yun closely would be well-read.
"Huangfu Yun, you're the last one left." You Yitian grinned. "Be confident. You've got this."
Huangfu Yun hesitated.
He glanced around nervously—he was the only one left.
And after Zhao Xing's ridiculous question, the pressure on him skyrocketed.
Stepping onto the grassland, an Inquiry Book Puppet immediately emerged, blocking his path.
It posed a rather difficult question.
Huangfu Yun failed to answer before the time limit ran out.
First attempt—failed!
Zhao Xing was puzzled. Why had his and Huangfu Yun's questions been so difficult?
"The common factor between me and Huangfu Yun is that we both follow the Self School."
"Every trial has a purpose. Could there be an undiscovered plant-related inheritance waiting for someone to claim it?"
A possibility suddenly flashed through Zhao Xing's mind.
At this moment, he didn't want Huangfu Yun to fail his second attempt, because if he was eliminated, there would be no one left for comparison.
Fortunately, on his second attempt, Huangfu Yun succeeded.
Although he didn't receive a reward, at least he wasn't eliminated—he passed the trial.
"Not bad, not bad." You Yitian patted Huangfu Yun on the shoulder approvingly.
Huangfu Yun let out a long sigh of relief.
"From fifty-five participants, we're down to fifty-three. That's still a high success rate." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
The scholars hadn't given any direct hints, but they had figured out a pattern.
Whenever multiple people from the same profession were being tested, after the first person answered, the two scholars would immediately start predicting possible questions—and they got a lot of them right.
"Du Yun's subordinates really are talented."
For clearing the second trial, Zhao Xing received a pill of unknown origin.
After the physicians analyzed it, they guessed it was a Soul-Nourishing Yuanluo Pill, valued at around fifty billion Yuanhai Coins—one of the higher-tier rewards.
Zhao Xing didn't consume it immediately, simply storing it away for later use.
Meanwhile, You Yitian resumed his bizarre method of travel—swallowing some people into his stomach, stuffing others into his ears, and then speeding across the grasslands.
After approximately two and a half months, they finally arrived at the third trial.