Chapter 532: Divine Domain Trial and the Great Discussion of Tenfang Mountain

On the first day of the Meishan Discourse, Zhao Xing presented his "Three Epoch Boundary Theory." He lectured for three days, then paused.

After a half-month break, the number of people attending the discourse not only did not decrease but surged dramatically.

Not long after the second session began, people continuously achieved breakthroughs both within and outside the Dharma Realm.

Some comprehended the Dao by observing mountains, others by observing the sea. Some even refined top-tier Samsara artifacts as a result.

Zhao Xing had more experience when he unfolded the Dharma Realm for the second time.

To accommodate those attending the discourse and observing, his Dharma Realm would guide people of the same profession or similar paths to stand in one area, making it easier for them to observe.

Some comprehended the Dao by observing mountains, others achieved breakthroughs by observing the sea, and some individuals' inner worlds burst forth with powerful vitality. For Zhao Xing himself, this was also a significant advancement.

The Great Sun Sea allowed him to observe Yang Stars. By illuminating Yin Stars with Yang Stars, he could perceive Yin and Yang, with an extremely wide reach.

Practicing the Extreme Land cultivation method, he could also sense the mountain star cores.

This way, he could also sense the inner worlds of those attending the discourse and observing, specifically their core elements like the Extreme Land's Colossal Divine Peaks and Sumeru Mountains.

"My cultivation of three paths simultaneously allows me to perceive the inner heavens and earths cultivated by others. These Dao Domain realm experts, Emperors, and Demigods perhaps had fortuitous encounters.

"At certain moments, they captured the essence of mountains, gathered great medicines from clouds, absorbed Lunar Essence from the moon and Solar Essence from the sun. Traces of the Dao remained within their bodies.

"All sorts of inner world templates are now 'seen' by me.

"When discussing the Dao of a realm, the manifested Dharma forms brought them enlightenment. And have I not also gained enlightenment from them?"

Zhao Xing's gaze fell upon Venerable Five Poisons. At this moment, he could clearly sense the inner world of Master Five Poisons: how many types of plant soldiers existed, their respective realms, and the Five Element, Wind, and Thunder origins they had absorbed.

He could also see the primordial ocean within Venerable Bisu, the Myriad Manifestation Heavenly Stars, and the realm laws born from them.

"This is probably a combination of the right time, place, and people," Zhao Xing thought. "The Dharma Realm's deduction of the Great Realm Theory possesses the effect of gathering Dao.

"Perhaps in the future, this could also become a way to prove the Dao of Heaven and Earth."

Currently, it only affects Demigods; in the future, it will be able to influence Divine Realm experts.

"The Four Epoch Boundary Theory." Zhao Xing suppressed the impulse in his heart.

He knew this was not the time to continue deducing the Four Epoch Boundary Theory.

Because the Lord of Cold Food had blocked certain moments in the Cold-Warm Epoch, treating the Cold-Warm Epoch's spacetime as his territory, not allowing intrusion.

"At the very least, I need to find a safe place, a spacetime node that the Lord of Cold Food cannot sense at all, before I can do this."

Zhao Xing began to shift his focus to deducing specific events within the Three Epochs and Twelve Periods.

He realized that his realm theory deductions had such unusual phenomena and were inseparable from his use of that Time Particle and wearing the Spacetime Grain Rain Dharma Robe.

Because both of these drew spacetime origin into the Dharma Realm, and the past faction's attack on the present faction using the River of Time also provided him with such an opportunity.

Shaking the origin of time in the Third Era of the Barren Realm was much easier than in other periods, which in turn facilitated his Dharma Realm deductions.

"Time-related treasures are indeed supreme."

As Zhao Xing refined his realm theory, the beneficiaries were soon no longer limited to the agriculturalist profession.

Martial artists, physicians, musicians, dancers, and mechanists—all gained some understanding in his Dharma Realm, more or less.

The arrival of Gu Luohe pushed the first stage of the Meishan Dharma Assembly to its climax.

In the third year since the Meishan Dharma Assembly began, Gu Luohe sent a divine power clone to the Hill of Primordial Antiquity, and it entered Zhao Xing's Dharma Realm.

"This is what you call prestige! This is true prestige!"

"Even the legendary Senior Gu has come to hear our Agriculturalist Zhao lecture!"

"Agriculturalist Zhao is originally a Primal Holy Emissary; what's strange about Senior Gu coming to support him?"

"Ridiculous! There are at least thirty Primal Emissaries, why don't we see Senior Gu supporting their events?"

"This is incredibly impressive!"

"The first new god of the Third Era of the Barren Realm must be Agriculturalist Zhao!"

Although Gu Luohe only sent a divine power clone, such an honor was unprecedented.

In Meishan's history, during the stage of selecting the Mountain Head, there had never been a Divine Realm expert from another faction attending a discourse.

Much less the renowned Divine General Gu Luohe! One of the founders of the Primal Realm.

Zhao Xing was also somewhat surprised to see Gu Luohe arrive.

He was certain that Gu Luohe had not come because of the Four Epoch Boundary Theory, as Divine General Lanchuan had said that no one else should know about it.

Therefore, Gu Luohe was purely attracted by the Three Epoch Boundary Theory.

However, he could not see Gu Luohe's inner world.

He entered the Dharma Realm and sat down. If one didn't look with their naked eyes, that spot seemed empty.

"Gu Luohe must have also written a realm theory, because his 'Eternal Realm' is higher than the discussion of a single realm; it discusses a universe."

When he cultivated within Gu Luohe's inner world, his comprehension of the Great Dao of Life greatly improved, even allowing him to comprehend life resurgence, causing the straw man to be reborn.

His own inner world had not yet reached a level that could bring others enlightenment, because the laws within his inner world were not yet perfect. It still needed to draw upon the primordial power of the Great Thousand Universe to achieve the effect of enlightening others.

Not long after Gu Luohe sat down, he began to communicate telepathically with Zhao Xing, conversing privately.

"Zhao Xing, when I was in the Demigod realm, my Dharma Realm and inner world had already merged into one.

"Cultivating the origin to become a Self-Sovereign God, the key to achieving godhood for our True Self faction, lies in the integration of the inner world and the Dharma Realm."

Zhao Xing listened attentively. Gu Luohe was imparting his experience to him.

"I will leave you the Dao-proving method of 'Eternal Realm' for your reference.

"However, you should not fully emulate me.

"Because you have not only cultivated the Dao of the True Self, but also the Great Dao of Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage.

"Your Sacred Body is newly formed, and your Dharma Realm is also very special, possessing the ability to gather Dao. Perhaps this itself is a path to proving the Dao of Heaven and Earth."

Zhao Xing's whole body trembled. As expected of Gu Luohe, the man whom even Great Emperors fully supported.

Others who possess methods of proving the Dao of Heaven and Earth hide them away, fearing others might learn of them. But Gu Luohe did not mind sharing them with others.

Zhao Xing discovered a bright star left in his Dharma Realm, visible only to him.

He seemed to have gained some enlightenment. When he regained his senses, he found that Gu Luohe had already floated away, and he hadn't even had time to say thank you.

"Thank you, Senior Gu, for your guidance." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in the direction Gu Luohe had left.

The first phase of the Meishan Discourse concluded in the 84th Boundary Star Year of the 3rd Era.

Next was the Divine Realm Trial.

Everyone was still eager for more, even including the seventy-two Peak Masters of Meishan.

"The Three Epoch Boundary Theory is truly wonderful beyond words," Venerable Taihao exclaimed. "Agriculturalist Zhao truly lives up to his name.

"With him participating in this Mountain Head competition, it truly lives up to its name.

"We didn't secure a single investment, but we fully engrossed ourselves in observing. And it was completely worth it!"

Peak Masters Chuchuan and Pingyou also sighed with emotion.

If before there had been a slight hint of jealousy in their hearts regarding Zhao Xing's grandiosity and talent,

now there was only awe and admiration!

"In the Divine Realm Trial, we can support Agriculturalist Zhao. Perhaps in the future, we will be remembered together in history."

"Haha, Taihao, Chuchuan, you must perform well. Later, we'll jointly initiate the Mountain Master Challenge," Venerable Pingyou said with a smile. "Whether the three of us can also be recorded in the Xuanling historical records depends on you."

"Initiate the Mountain Master Challenge? That's a good idea. Just make sure you don't hold back."

"Bah, you want to passively get into the Xuanling historical records? So do I!"

The internal competition within Meishan, after the discourse, was the Divine Realm Trial.

Among the 183 candidates, not a single one gave up.

Even knowing they couldn't win, there was no reason to give up.

Divine General Lanchuan had prepared only one trial stage for the Divine Realm Trial.

Zhao Xing was very familiar with it; it was precisely the "Extreme Vertical Movement of Profound Earth" that he had attempted in Moyuan City back then.

With a time limit of three years, rankings would be determined by the distance of vertical movement.

The first place winner would become the Meishan Mountain Master, and would then compete with the Mountain Masters of eleven other mountains, including Hongshan, Lushan, Mengchuan Mountain, and Taiqiu Mountain, for the ultimate position of Mountain Head.

"Last time, I only moved vertically for 800 li. After coming out, I still had some regrets about not being able to experience it again.

"I didn't expect to see it again this time."

Zhao Xing looked at the miniature continent floating in Divine General Lanchuan's hand.

A divine realm in the palm, a miniature Extreme Land.

All 183 people jumped inside. After rushing towards Divine General Lanchuan's hand, their bodies rapidly shrunk.

The miniature land continuously expanded in Zhao Xing's eyes, quickly transforming into a vast expanse of land.

"The Divine Realm Trial begins!"

At Divine General Lanchuan's command, the 183 people displayed their various divine abilities and began this trial.

Three Boundary Star Years later, Zhao Xing ranked first with a vertical movement distance of 8,540 li!

Ranking first in the Divine Realm Trial meant becoming the Meishan Mountain Master.

After emerging, Zhao Xing heard thunderous congratulations, like mountains calling and seas roaring.

"Congratulations, Agriculturalist Zhao!"

"Congratulations, Agriculturalist Zhao!"

"Congratulations, Agriculturalist Zhao!"

Zhao Xing had initially thought he would be safe and sound, and that no one would challenge him in the final stage.

However, to his surprise, all 182 remaining people initiated challenges against him.

"Mountain Master, I am Youyang, Peak Master of Taihao Peak. I request your guidance!" Venerable Taihao was the first to leap onto the stage.

After he finished speaking, he didn't attack Zhao Xing, but instead performed on his own.

He unleashed all his ultimate moves, creating a spectacle of wondrous phenomena, truly world-shaking.

Yet, not a single move touched Zhao Xing.

After finishing, he simply descended.

Before Zhao Xing could fully react, the second challenger entered the stage.

"Mountain Master, I am Zhuang Hua, Peak Master of Pingyou Peak. I request your guidance!"

Zhuang Hua's actions were exactly like Venerable Taihao's.

Zhao Xing understood now: these two regarded the third stage of the challenge as an exhibition match, simply wanting to show off what they had learned and achieved over the years.

Because Zhao Xing had stolen too much of the limelight in the first stage, the efforts to attract investment, which should have been completed during the discourse phase, were ineffective. Thus, they had to move them to this stage.

Zhao Xing was caught between laughter and tears, and could only cooperate with the various Peak Masters.

"Mountain Master, I am Mo Yufeng, Peak Master of Yu Peak. This is the Ten Earths Divine Shuttle, an artifact refined by the Ksitigarbha Department of Yu Peak."

Zhao Xing smiled and extended a hand, signaling Mo Yufeng to demonstrate.

This fellow piloted an earthy-yellow flying boat, shuttling back and forth across the Divine Realm arena, and only stopped after traversing eighty-one wondrous land boundaries.

Zhao Xing said, "As the ancients said, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths were the most perilous wonders of the Five Emperors Era. The Ten Earths Divine Shuttle refined by Yu Peak truly lives up to its reputation."

Mo Yufeng's old face broke into a wide smile: "Thank you for your appraisal, Mountain Master."

As soon as Mo Yufeng stepped down, another person immediately jumped onto the stage.

His eager expression seemed to say, "It's my turn, it's my turn!"

"Mountain Master, please behold! This is the Cross-Domain Ring Continent created by my Chenguang. It possesses the ability to reverse stars and traverse the Barren Realm.

"If I enter from here, in less than eighty-one days, I can retrieve a star from the Tianze Star Domain."

Zhao Xing smiled and said, "In that case, may I accompany Peak Master Gui on a trip?"

Venerable Gui was overjoyed: "I couldn't ask for more!"

All 182 people took turns, directly transforming the third stage of the Mountain Master Challenge into an exhibition.

There were also those who genuinely wanted to spar with Zhao Xing, but whether it was the Earth Penetration Method, Ksitigarbha Method, Earth Palace Method, Profound Earth Method, or Earth Splitting Method, Zhao Xing always managed to win by just a slight margin over the challenger.

"His discourse is world-shaking, he ranked first in the trial, and now in actual combat, he's virtually omnipotent.

"Our junior brother's position as Meishan's Master is as solid as it gets." Wei Zizhan stood before the palace gate, his heart filled with satisfaction.

When the final stage concluded, the 182 Peak Masters crowded around Zhao Xing as he approached.

Wei Zizhan also cupped his hands towards Zhao Xing: "Greetings, Mountain Master."

The internal selection of the Twelve Mountains concluded in the 91st Boundary Star Year of the 3rd Era of the Barren Realm.

Afterward, there were seven years of ceremonies, exhibitions, and banquets, primarily to entertain invited guests and lead them on tours of the Hill of Primordial Antiquity.

"The new Mountain Masters of the Twelve Mountains have been announced. Venerable Kuangchuan undoubtedly became the new Mountain Master of Mengchuan Mountain." While resting, Zhao Xing also observed Kuangchuan's ascent to the top.

Kuangchuan's "Nether Ancient Mountain Vein Theory" was also very brilliant.

Among all Twelve Mountains, currently only his new theory and Zhao Xing's new theory had been collected by Elder Feng Chen of the Academy City and recorded on the Myriad Dao Tree.

Most of the others only reached the level of the Nine Classics Pavilion, and three individuals didn't even achieve that.

It was unclear whether they were hiding their abilities or truly were not adept at theoretical discourses.

"The competition for Mountain Head is much stricter than the internal selection. Looking back at previous Mountain Head competitions, a few deaths are always inevitable," Zhao Xing mused inwardly.

If someone died, the second-ranked individual in the internal selection would take over.

"Kuangchuan," Zhao Xing murmured. Currently, the greatest threat to his bid for Mountain Head was Venerable Kuangchuan.

"The Boundless True God's mission, the primary objective is to secure the Mountain Head position, followed by killing Kuangchuan.

"If he truly couldn't kill him, he could only plan for later. Zhao Xing believed that as long as he became Mountain Head, the mission would be half-complete, and he wouldn't be punished by the Boundless True God."

"Kuangchuan brought back the earth veins of the Nether Ancient Mountain, proving and discovering its existence. In my opinion, this is the most valuable contribution of the Third Era of the Barren Realm."

"If I want to achieve absolute victory, relying solely on the Three Epoch Boundary Theory won't give me an advantage," Zhao Xing mused.

If the Four Epoch Boundary Theory could be successfully unveiled, that would certainly be enough. The problem was it couldn't; he couldn't even tell one more person about it.

Zhao Xing thought for a moment, then returned to his study, sat down, spread out paper, and picked up his brush, preparing to write down the new theory he had already conceived.

However, just as Zhao Xing raised his brush, someone suddenly arrived at the door.

Zhao Xing sensed briefly and realized it was Ji Si.

Swoosh~

Zhao Xing put away the blank Dao Book, and invited Ji Si to enter and take a seat.

"Great Agriculturalist, congratulations! You have already obtained one-twelfth of the authority over the Hill of Primordial Antiquity."

After Ji Si entered, she first congratulated Zhao Xing on successfully becoming the Meishan Mountain Master.

"Only one-twelfth? What's there to congratulate me for? It won't be too late to congratulate me when I become the Mountain Head," Zhao Xing said with a smile.

"Ji Si, you didn't just come to congratulate me, did you?"

Ji Si nodded, took out the Eight Directions Divine Mirror, and pulled Zhao Xing into it for a private conversation.

"Great Agriculturalist, I fear you might be too preoccupied, so there are three important matters you need to know immediately to discern their implications."

"Go ahead."

"The first is the change in the Chaotic Sea." Ji Si waved her hand, displaying the region of the Chaotic Sea in the southern Xuanling Star Domain.

"Some anomalies have appeared in the frozen Chaotic Sea. Three previously extinguished Yang Star regions have undergone a degraded unsealing."

"Oh?" Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised. "How long has it been, and the freezing has already degraded? When did this happen?"

"Coincidentally, it was on the very day the Great Agriculturalist lectured on the 'Three Epoch Boundary Theory'."

"Nothing else besides the ice unsealing?"

"No. Some people have already gone to investigate, but found no further anomalies."

"What's the second matter?" Zhao Xing asked.

"The Moon God Palace Master is about to activate the Xuanling Historical Records to solidify the history of the Second Era of the Barren Realm," Ji Si said. "The solidification will be completed in the 100th Boundary Star Year of the Third Era of the Barren Realm."

"So, there are only nine years left."

"Yes. The Origin Heavenly Palace and the Samsara Divine Hall have currently released a small number of revival slots, allowing for the resurrection of friends and relatives who died in the Second Era of the Barren Realm.

"The Moon God Palace Master activating the Xuanling Historical Records to solidify the history of the Second Era of the Barren Realm is standard procedure."

This operation is performed almost every epoch.

Zhao Xing nodded. How does the Barren Realm Epoch Faction ensure its spacetime territory is not invaded, and how does it ensure the safety of its subordinates?

It is through the "Historical Fixation" function of the Xuanling Historical Records.

Once this operation is completed, historical spacetime will no longer change, forming a spacetime defensive barrier.

History that has already occurred in the Second Era of the Barren Realm will not change again.

The solidification of historical fixation is done by recording individual "historical events," both large and small, through the Eight Books and Ten Tables of the Xuanling Historical Records.

To give the simplest example: Zhao Xing participated in the Primal Grand Assembly and joined the Primal Realm in the Second Era of the Barren Realm; the Empire once developed the Siyue Barren Region, the Yue Luo Star System appeared, numerous Dharma Assemblies were held—and other such events, once recorded, will not change again.

Even if someone travels through spacetime to the Second Era of the Barren Realm to try and kill Zhao Xing, it would be impossible.

Unless someone obtains the complete Xuanling Historical Records of the Third Era of the Barren Realm and amends them.

However, this is even more difficult than single-handedly killing Great Emperor Chixing.

Because the complete Xuanling Historical Records are not only in the hands of human Divine Kings but also partly in the hands of demon Divine Kings.

Back then, Bowie only managed to collect half, and had not unlocked this function.

If someone could gather all the Xuanling Historical Records, it would practically herald the complete demise of the Barren Realm Epoch Faction.

"Before historical fixation, it is still possible to revive people, and the cost is very small. After that, it becomes very difficult; such a thing has almost never happened," Ji Si said.

Theoretically, it's still possible to revive people even after solidification, but it also depends on whether the various powers possessing the Xuanling Historical Records agree.

To gather all of them, it requires not only the agreement of humanity's super-powers but also that of the demon race, making it almost impossible.

"Ji Si, how do you know so much about this?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Great Agriculturalist, the Ten Tables and Eight Books of the Xuanling Historical Records document the entire Xuanling Star Domain; it's a massive project," Ji Si said. "I was chosen as a historiographer, responsible for a certain ancient kingdom."

Zhao Xing suddenly understood. Every profession has its specialists. If one isn't a historiographer, even a Divine Realm expert might not be as effective as an Emperor-level historiographer in such matters.

Ji Si was a Demigod who cultivated both fate and history, so it was perfectly normal for him to be assigned such a task.

"Since I'm a historiographer, certain adjustments can be made," Ji Si said with a smile. "If the Great Agriculturalist wishes to revive someone, or rectify certain regrets, it's possible before the 100th Boundary Star Year, and the contribution cost is very small."

Zhao Xing thought carefully: "If possible, try to revive Zigong."

Venerable Zigong, who had ascended together with him from the Xuanhuang Realm, was ultimately destroyed in the disaster of the Yuanhai Ancient Kingdom.

Zhao Xing thought about it; a character with such low cultivation as Zigong probably wouldn't cause any impact, so it wouldn't hurt to revive Zigong.

"Alright, I'll arrange it," Ji Si nodded.

Zhao Xing's heart suddenly stirred: "Ji Si, if I were to revive Wei Tianchen and Venerable Zhujian, could I bring them back to the Third Era?"

"This—" Ji Si said with difficulty, "the cost would probably be a bit too high."

Zhao Xing didn't genuinely intend to do this; it was just a passing thought.

Reviving Wei Tianchen might help with the 'Heaven-Mending Method,' but it's uncertain if that fellow can even be revived.

Venerable Zhujian's fate is unknown, and it's unclear if he can be brought back. However, since Ji Si said so, he abandoned the idea.

"What's the third important matter?"

"The Samsara Divine Hall intends to release Bowie," Ji Si said.

"What?!" Zhao Xing's brow twitched. "Release Bowie? What are the higher-ups thinking?"

"I don't know, it's just a rumor," Ji Si shook her head. "Perhaps they're still negotiating terms, or maybe it's just a baseless rumor, but if Bowie is released, he will certainly be transformed and greatly restricted."

Zhao Xing thought for a moment. If Bowie were released, he would probably come looking for him; that fellow was very interested in the Sealing and Zenith Land. He prayed that Bowie would not be released.

After discussing the three matters, Ji Si intended to leave, allowing Zhao Xing to focus on preparing for the Mountain Head competition.

However, Zhao Xing kept him for a little longer, mainly because he wanted to talk with the Diviner in Linen Robe.

However, after talking with Ji Si for a long time about the rumors of the Ten Directions Mountain, the Diviner in Linen Robe did not appear, so he had to give up.

After exiting the Divine Mirror, Zhao Xing continued with what he was doing before.

He opened the blank Dao Book, and with his brush, wrote five large characters on the cover:

*The Great Theory of the Ten Directions Mountain*

"Among the Unknowable Mountains, the importance of the Ten Directions Mountain definitely surpasses that of the Nether Ancient Mountain, whose function is unknown.

"If my theoretical discourse can guide people to ascend the Ten Directions Mountain, even if it only offers a slightly higher success rate than existing methods, it would be enough to utterly defeat Kuangchuan."

Zhao Xing pondered, then put his brush to paper.

When the five characters "The Great Theory of the Ten Directions Mountain" were inscribed on the cover, the extremely high-quality Dao Book trembled violently and emitted white light. The divine light only subsided after a long while.