Chapter 503: The Great Path Test

Wei Tianchen once said that the day the Red Jade Thumb Ring was unsealed would be the day he perished. Zhao Xing took out the bone body that preserved Wei Tianchen's fire seed and saw that his true spirit fire seed had indeed extinguished. The flames in Bamboo Sword Venerable's eye sockets contracted like pupils, and he immediately realized something: "I didn't expect him to fall here..."

Zhao Xing also fell silent. Wei Tianchen was dead, but he felt no joy. Honestly, he didn't hate Wei Tianchen. In this life, he had been the one to first provoke Wei Tianchen. At the Dharma Assembly in the Ancient Yuan Sea Kingdom, it was he who had first planted the cause. This led to Wei Tianchen later seeking him out. On the contrary, he admired Wei Tianchen's courage to live by his ideals and his unwavering determination to achieve enlightenment. He had also learned a great deal from Wei Tianchen. Even his current cultivation as an Eight-Tribulation Emperor was inseparable from Wei Tianchen's help.

A rumble echoed. Zhao Xing performed the Earth-Rending technique, tearing open the green grassland. He then took out a finely crafted coffin from the Red Jade Thumb Ring, inlaid with many Seven-Star Coins, and placed Wei Tianchen's remaining bone body inside.

"Old Imperial Physician, I don't know where your hometown is, or perhaps you no longer have one," Zhao Xing murmured. "But someone like you probably doesn't care about returning to one's roots. I'll bury you here."

Zhao Xing wanted to erect a tombstone for Wei Tianchen, but he didn't know much about Wei Tianchen's past. Before capturing him, Wei Tianchen was a renowned ancient physician in the Xuanhuang Star Domain, known for his compassionate medical practices, even respected by demigods from the Primordial Hills. After capturing him, he became a pariah, hunted and pursued as a wanted criminal throughout the Xuanling Star Domain. Zhao Xing truly didn't know how to write his epitaph.

"He wouldn't care," Bamboo Sword Venerable said from beside him. "Let's go."

"Okay." Zhao Xing nodded, flew up, and then closed the earth.

Wei Tianchen had left behind a rich legacy! In addition to the Divination Master's divine artifact, the Eight-Directional Divine Mirror, there were also barrier-type divine artifacts like the Azure Water Golden Divine Gourd, the concealment divine artifact Yuan Wheel, the historical divine artifact White Jade Five Tombs Ship, and many others. Based on his spiritual perception, Zhao Xing roughly estimated that there were a total of twenty-one divine artifacts within the Red Jade Thumb Ring. Some of these divine artifacts were ones Wei Tianchen himself wouldn't use and were stored separately. For instance, the Seven-Star Fiery Divine Sword he once possessed had been used as a bounty. Among them, there were five divine artifacts that could be activated unconditionally, requiring no corresponding professional core or power threshold. Undoubtedly, the most precious was the White Jade Five Tombs Ship. It was a divine artifact itself and also contained a massive collection of valuable ancient texts. Knowledge was the most valuable treasure.

Zhao Xing felt little excitement upon acquiring these divine artifacts; instead, he felt a sense of crisis. Wei Tianchen's death confirmed that Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God, was indeed problematic. He might use methods to obtain Wei Tianchen's memories. He might even discover the existence of the Seven-Star Divination Cabinet and the medical divine artifacts Wei Tianchen had prepared, all of which were now in Zhao Xing's possession. Even though he had spent the last few years having Bai Lanjun and others set up multiple misleading routes, and had arranged for Bamboo Sword Venerable and another king to fake their deaths and escape, Zhao Xing would not underestimate the abilities of a divine realm expert. Since Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God, had set his sights on Wei Tianchen's path, he would certainly not let Zhao Xing go once he understood the situation.

Bamboo Sword Venerable also realized this, and he said with some helplessness, "Zhao Xing, I'm starting to regret taking on your commission." For the journey to Ten Directions Mountain, he had promised to escort Zhao Xing safely back to the Red Star Empire. He hadn't expected things to escalate to this extent. Before even glimpsing the path to godhood, he had already offended a Self-Sufficient God. He could not go against his Heart Sword, so he had no choice but to face it.

"Brother Bamboo Sword," Zhao Xing said, "I can terminate our agreement. If I proactively resolve this, it shouldn't count as violating your Heart Sword, or going against the righteousness of your Sword Dao, right?"

Swordsmen like Bamboo Sword Venerable were truly rare, even if one searched with a lantern. Over the years, Zhao Xing had ascended from a One-Tribulation True Spirit to an Eight-Tribulation True Spirit. Bamboo Sword Venerable deserved credit, or at least recognition for his efforts, and Zhao Xing didn't want to owe him any more favors. Against a being of Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God's caliber, one more or one less Bamboo Sword Venerable would make no difference. Zhao Xing was not the type to resent someone else's good fortune or insist on tying Bamboo Sword Venerable to his side.

"Are you serious?" Bamboo Sword Venerable asked gravely. "I was merely jesting earlier, I didn't truly mean it."

"I am serious," Zhao Xing replied. "You've made good progress these past few years. Now that we're in a relatively safe area, with your talent and aptitude, Brother Daoist, you'll surely forge a new path for yourself. There's no need for you to be involved in this. To put it bluntly, I also believe you can't offer much help in our current situation. Before that Self-Sufficient God, you're no different from a skeleton soldier."

Bamboo Sword Venerable let out a wry chuckle. "That is quite blunt."

"Therefore, I've decided. Your protection of me until now fulfills our agreement. You are free to leave now." Bamboo Sword Venerable was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Live on. I'll wait for you to take me to Ten Directions Mountain."

"It's a deal." With that, Bamboo Sword Venerable transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished into the horizon.

After seeing Bamboo Sword Venerable off, Zhao Xing withdrew his gaze with a touch of emotion. Simple swordsmen like Bamboo Sword Venerable were rare throughout the Xuanling Star Domain. Would they ever meet again? "I hope he survives."

"Sir, why did Senior Bamboo Sword leave?" Bai Lanjun asked, a little confused.

"Yes, he's gone," Zhao Xing replied without further explanation. Bai Lanjun, understanding the hint, wisely asked no more.

After Bamboo Sword Venerable left, Zhao Xing continued his journey with Fu Mengzhen, Bai Lanjun, Hu Qing, and Yan Jun. Many of Wei Tianchen's treasures required cultivation of the medical path to be used, so Zhao Xing temporarily set them aside. Now was not the time. Who knew if using them would make it easier for Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God, to find him? Besides, he hadn't even fully grasped the Way of Agriculture yet; what was the point of practicing medicine?

"Fu Mengzhen, have you ever been to Yumo State?"

"Your Majesty, I have been once," Fu Mengzhen replied somewhat mechanically. "My fire seed ring was obtained in Yumo State, not Yue Shen State. The Fire Source Divine Palace has set up various trials of the Great Dao in both states. Those who pass the trials will receive benefits, possibly even attaining the 'Dao'." Fu Mengzhen explained, "Fifty-one years ago, I passed the Way of Music trial and obtained a first-tier fire seed ring. This brought me two conveniences. First, I can ignore the numerous mists of the Southern Continent. The mists that trouble others are as if they don't exist to me."

Bai Lanjun was surprised. "Such a thing exists? Are the mists not physical, but some kind of 'Dao barrier'?"

"I don't know what it is," Fu Mengzhen said, "but once you possess a first-tier fire seed ring, you can see clearly."

Zhao Xing pondered. Those who pass the trials are granted permission by the Fire Source Divine Palace to explore the Bone Realm. The Fire Source Divine Palace's trials are open to all professions, but the difficulty is not low. Even Fu Mengzhen, a dual expert in dance and music, only managed to pass one stage of the trial. Assuming the true controller of the Fire Source Divine Palace is Yuan, then would the Daos demonstrated by the participants during these trials complete the world Yuan created?

"Fu Mengzhen, how many years ago did you enter?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Your Majesty, it was 175 years ago."

"How would you compare the environment of the Southern Continent then to now? Do you notice any differences?"

"Environment?" Fu Mengzhen tilted her head, as if she hadn't considered the question, or perhaps still affected by Wei Tianchen's medication. Her thoughts were somewhat sluggish. "Perhaps there was no Yuhuang State before, and not as many mountains and rivers. The power of my spells also isn't as strong as before."

"Have you noticed more vitality, for example, more flora and fauna in the places you've seen, and of higher quality?" Zhao Xing asked again.

"It seems so, and yet it doesn't," Fu Mengzhen replied. "I haven't paid much attention."

From Fu Mengzhen's description, it seemed that as more cultivators appeared, and more advanced Daos were manifested, the Calamity-Free Bone God Domain became stronger and more complete. However, Fu Mengzhen's words indicated little perception of environmental change. Did this mean that the Way of Agriculture in the Bone God Domain hadn't seen much growth over the years? Considering Emperor Yu's establishment of his Dao as shown on the system panel, and assuming Yuan also allowed other powerful beings to create and establish Daos in this world, then were there any Agricultural Gods here? Could Zhao Xing establish his Dao here?

"Continue," Zhao Xing said, glancing at the highly curious Bai Lanjun. He wasn't stingy about sharing this information with his capable subordinates. "Tell them as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Fu Mengzhen replied. "In the 175 years since I arrived, I've heard of two trials. The first was 45 years before my arrival, in Yue Shen State. I'm not entirely clear on the details, but I heard that all Fourth-tier Bone Beings could participate. The second was in Yumo State, but the requirements were much higher; most trials demanded at least Seventh-tier Bone Beings to participate. After obtaining a first-tier fire seed ring, the first convenience is being able to see through the mists. The second is being able to accept tasks from the Fire Source Divine Palace, exchange for treasures, and meet other fire seed members."

"What are the higher rewards?" Bai Lanjun asked.

"I don't know, Your Majesty, it's not public," Fu Mengzhen shook her head. "However, after that Great Dao trial, Emperor Yu emerged, took control of Yumo State, and established a grotto-heaven."

"Are you saying someone achieved godhood by passing the trial?"

"I don't know, that's just a guess. Perhaps Emperor Yu Moyuan was already a divine realm expert," Bai Lanjun said.

"Xiaobai, Hu Qing, Yan Jun, have any of you heard of Emperor Yu's title in the mortal realm?" Zhao Xing asked.

"No," the three shook their heads in unison. "Perhaps he exists, but our memories are incomplete and cannot serve as a reference for you, Sir."

It seemed he would have to experience it for himself, Zhao Xing thought. From the timeline, Yuan had now been seizing heavenly secrets for 382 years. When he first arrived, the system panel showed 'Bone God Yuan seizing heavenly secrets for 342 years'. He had spent over 40 years in Fugun City. The Great Dao trials of the Fire Source Divine Palace had no clear time pattern, as Fu Mengzhen said there had only been two in total. The first occurred 220 years ago, and the second 55 years ago. After the second Great Dao trial, Yumo State appeared. As for whether the appearance of Yue Shen State was related to the first Great Dao trial, Fu Mengzhen was unsure, and the known information was too scarce. With only two trials, there was no discernable pattern to estimate.

"Regardless, this kind of permission is very valuable," Zhao Xing mused. "A first-tier fire seed ring allows one to see through the misty Dao barriers of the Bone Realm and also exchange for treasures and cultivation methods. Higher-tier rewards might even lead to the divine realm."

One point, perhaps, could be considered a pattern: the Great Dao trials would become increasingly difficult. The first time, the minimum participation threshold was merely Fourth-tier Bone Power, or a Four-Tribulation True Spirit. The second time, it escalated to Seventh-tier! Combining the information from the system panel and his discussions with Wei Tianchen, Zhao Xing inferred that Bone God Yuan was completing his divine domain. Therefore, as time passed, his demands would become higher, as the Dao was continuously being perfected. Those who entered earlier would likely benefit more, while the difficulty would increase for those who came later.

"The Divine Fire Sect only sent an 'expired' elder like Bai Lanjun to descend, proving that in the early stages of the Bone Realm's formation, powerful divine realm experts were extremely cautious, with very few personally participating. The further along, if the temptation is great enough and the threshold becomes higher and higher, even divine realm experts might participate." The more Zhao Xing thought about it, the more he felt this was a high-stakes game. Assuming this was a temporal dungeon, then Yuan must not have succeeded. If he hadn't succeeded, what would be the ultimate fate of the Bone God Domain? And what would happen to the lives within it?

"Even if I participate, I must abandon temptation and not get too deeply involved. Escaping as quickly as possible is paramount," Zhao Xing took a deep breath. "My gains are already substantial; I must not be greedy." If Zhao Xing were given a chance to leave and escape right now, he would undoubtedly do so without hesitation. Unfortunately, such an opportunity didn't exist at the moment. He could only first establish himself in Yumo State, evade Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God's pursuit, and then search for a way to leave the Bone God Domain.

"Fu Mengzhen, to gain Emperor Yu's blessing, is there a way to—"

"Yes, but... ah la la la!" As Fu Mengzhen spoke, she suddenly began to dance, her bone body twitching, and her flesh trembling incessantly. However, her fire seed then became vibrant again, turning clear from its previous turbidity.

"Sir, what's wrong with her?" Bai Lanjun and Hu Qing were both confused. Their lord's newly subdued subordinate seemed a bit abnormal.

"It's nothing, she's just having an episode. It's time for her medicine," Zhao Xing said, pulling out a medicine box from the Red Jade Thumb Ring and sprinkling a pinch of green powder onto Fu Mengzhen's head.

Fu Mengzhen's true spirit fire seed immediately turned into an eerie light green. "Woof woof! Master, what just happened?" Fu Mengzhen asked, looking bewildered. Her true spirit fire seed had transformed into the shape of a puppy. In Fu Mengzhen's self-perception, she was now a dog, and Zhao Xing was her master. Her previous transformation had been different; Fu Mengzhen's self-perception then was that of a concubine, and Zhao Xing was her emperor.

"Nothing."

"Oh," Fu Mengzhen nestled against Zhao Xing's bone body, rubbing herself against him, then bounced around in circles.

"Old Wei's medicine is truly astonishing," Zhao Xing murmured, looking at Fu Mengzhen, rendered speechless. No wonder Dan Ye, the Self-Sufficient God, had been attracted. "Sometimes, being too exceptional can be a sin."

After traveling for about half a month, some mountain peaks finally appeared on the endless green grasslands. The environment was no longer uniform; more elements and life forms appeared: tall mountains, forests, flowing water, and even some ordinary flesh-and-blood creatures!

"Woof!" Fu Mengzhen suddenly let out a low growl towards the front, issuing a warning. Immediately afterward, Zhao Xing saw a massive wave of bone power, approaching from a distance, emerging from the misty mountain peaks.

"Hmm? Dragon horns?"