"Yes, I've only divided my soul into six parts," Zhao Xing nodded, explaining, "The main soul and six secondary soul fragments are each anchored to a Fate Star."
Upon hearing this, Lord Tianyan frowned deeply. "How did such a situation arise?"
He himself practiced the Derivation of the Divine Spirit technique, and so did many others, including Liu Tianning. For all practitioners, their seven Fate Stars were always consolidated within the main soul.
The primary soul, often referred to as the Divine Soul, served as the core. The Divine Soul's ability to derive and split fragments theoretically allowed for an infinite number. Of course, while the theory suggested infinity, in practice, there was always a limit—this limit varied based on an individual's innate talent and cultivation.
For instance, Lord Tianyan's first layer of cultivation allowed him to split 8,100 fragments. Meanwhile, Liu Tianning surpassed 10,000.
Such differences were rooted in the innate strength of their life souls. Yet despite these variations, the core principle of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit remained consistent: the seven Fate Stars resided solely within the Divine Soul, the main soul.
Never before had someone like Zhao Xing emerged, whose seven Fate Stars were completely separate, distributed across multiple souls.
"You're not…?" Lord Tianyan hesitated, concerned Zhao Xing might have encountered a deviation or demonic possession during his cultivation. After all, such a situation was unprecedented.
"Please rest assured, my lord. I've not encountered any cultivation mishap," Zhao Xing reassured him calmly.
"Let me take a closer look." With that, Lord Tianyan remained motionless as a faint, translucent shadow emerged from his body.
The shadow was shapeless and intangible, invisible to the naked eye. Only those with techniques like Heavenly Sight or similar clairvoyant abilities could perceive it.
This was the manifestation of his Fate Soul, a hallmark of achieving perfection in the Third Rank Primordial Soul Stage.
"I'm going to enter your Sea of Consciousness now. Don't resist, or it could cause injury to me," Lord Tianyan instructed.
This was less a concern for Zhao Xing's safety and more a precaution for himself. For an average Fourth Rank cultivator, Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul could easily infiltrate their Sea of Consciousness and annihilate their life soul.
However, Zhao Xing was no ordinary Fourth Rank practitioner. As the fastest cultivator of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit's first layer in history, enhanced by consuming rare treasures such as the Primordial Spirit Fruit and Soul-Origin Liquid, his Sea of Consciousness was a fortress. For Lord Tianyan, entering Zhao Xing's mental domain was akin to stepping into enemy territory.
Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness wasn't just protected by his seven physical essences—it was bolstered by a perfect synchronization of body and soul. Any hostile intrusion would trigger an automatic counterattack, supplying him with an endless flow of energy.
Despite the inherent risk, Lord Tianyan's concern compelled him to inspect Zhao Xing's cultivation closely.
"Fine," Zhao Xing relented, albeit reluctantly.
"Buzz—"
As Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul overlapped with Zhao Xing's physical body, a golden aura of blood energy erupted from Zhao Xing's body. This was the innate protective reaction of his seven physical essences.
Zhao Xing quickly suppressed this golden radiance, voluntarily deactivating his body's "firewall." Despite this, Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul grew noticeably weaker as it entered Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness.
Within the Sea of Consciousness, the starry brilliance of countless constellations lit up the vast mental expanse. At Zhao Xing's will, the mental landscape transformed into a simple yet spacious hall.
Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul projection stepped into this hall, its ethereal form illuminated by the surrounding starlight.
"Huh?" Lord Tianyan's gaze lifted, and he froze.
Seven towering figures stood before him, each resembling Zhao Xing but larger in scale.
"Why are they…so tall?" Lord Tianyan was momentarily dumbfounded. His own Fate Soul, perfected at the Second Rank, stood at an impressive 1.8 meters in his mental domain. Yet, within Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness, the seven projections of Zhao Xing loomed at a staggering 2.8 meters each.
The height of a Fate Soul in a mental domain often reflected its strength. Even though Lord Tianyan had deliberately suppressed his soul's power before entering and had faced one layer of attenuation, the disparity was still shocking.
"Is this innate soul strength, or a result of cultivation?" Lord Tianyan asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
"I'm not sure," Zhao Xing's seven towering projections responded in unison. "Perhaps it's a bit of both."
Intrigued, Lord Tianyan speculated aloud, "I've seen naturally strong Fate Souls before, but yours is truly extraordinary. Perhaps it's because you're the most talented practitioner of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit to date."
The speed of cultivating the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit determined one's aptitude in soul-based techniques. Liu Tianning, for instance, had completed the first layer rapidly and was expected to excel even further in the second. His subsequent achievements included a staggering 12-fold increase in derived fragments, reaching over 120,000.
By comparison, Lord Tianyan had achieved only an 8-fold increase, deriving 81,000 fragments. The gap in power was evident.
"Your seven souls seem to have no hierarchy," Lord Tianyan noted after careful observation. "I see no apparent flaws."
"I'll step out and discuss this further," he added, leaping upward to exit the mental domain.
"Bang!" Unexpectedly, Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul struck an invisible ceiling and tumbled back, momentarily dazed.
"Apologies," Zhao Xing said, somewhat embarrassed. "I'm still adjusting after my breakthrough."
As the seven towering figures dispersed, the mental hall dissipated into starlight. Lord Tianyan's Fate Soul projection finally emerged from Zhao Xing's body and returned to his own.
"Phew—" Lord Tianyan shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Your case is truly unique. I'll need to document this in detail."
"Zhao Xing, share your insights with me," he requested. "Your experience might provide invaluable guidance to future practitioners."
As the record-breaking pioneer, Zhao Xing's comprehension of the technique might indeed represent a more refined understanding of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit. After all, his strength far exceeded the conventional wisdom of the method.
"No problem," Zhao Xing agreed as he accompanied Lord Tianyan to the archival chamber of the Heavenly Star Palace.
There, Zhao Xing immersed himself in the records of past practitioners, comparing their insights with his own.
The archival chamber housed countless scrolls and texts, their ancient bindings exuding an air of profound knowledge. Lord Tianyan pulled out several documents, handing them to Zhao Xing. "These are records from practitioners of the current dynasty. The authors' names have been obscured to maintain confidentiality. However, you'll also find accounts from previous dynasties, which are left unaltered."
Zhao Xing nodded, taking the stack of scrolls with care. "Thank you. I'll study them thoroughly."
For the next quarter of an hour, Zhao Xing flipped through the documents at a pace that defied ordinary comprehension. Each scroll contained intricate details about the practitioners' methods, challenges, and breakthroughs. As Zhao Xing's eyes scanned the final scroll, his expression grew contemplative, and his spiritual energy fluctuated subtly, signaling deep thought.
Lord Tianyan observed quietly, sensing the waves of Zhao Xing's consciousness. The room fell into a profound silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of paper. Half an hour later, Zhao Xing opened his eyes, clarity shining within them. He nodded to Lord Tianyan, ready to share his conclusions.
Lord Tianyan picked up his brush and parchment, poised to record. "Let's start. What do you see as the fundamental difference between consolidating all seven Fate Stars in the Divine Soul versus dispersing them across seven distinct soul entities?"
Zhao Xing began, his tone steady. "When the seven Fate Stars are entirely contained within the Divine Soul, the soul's defenses are immensely strong. However, if the Divine Soul is destroyed, the practitioner perishes entirely—no recovery is possible."
"On the other hand, dispersing the seven Fate Stars across seven separate soul entities introduces a different dynamic. Even if six soul entities are destroyed, as long as one remains, it can regenerate the others and restore the full seven. This method offers unparalleled resilience."
Lord Tianyan's brush paused briefly before continuing to record. "And what are the practical strengths and weaknesses of these two approaches?"
"Theoretically," Zhao Xing said, "the consolidated Divine Soul has superior defense, while the dispersed souls are weaker individually. However…"
"However?" Lord Tianyan raised an eyebrow.
"In practice," Zhao Xing continued, "I've discovered that the seven soul entities can be merged into a single entity at will, forming what I call the Seven-Star Soul Entity. When combined, it retains the defensive strength of the traditional Divine Soul while preserving the regenerative properties of the dispersed model."
Lord Tianyan froze, his brush hovering mid-air. His expression shifted from disbelief to astonishment. "Are you suggesting… the Seven-Star Soul Entity might be the correct path of cultivation for the Derivation of the Divine Spirit?"
Zhao Xing nodded confidently. "It seems to align with my findings."
Lord Tianyan leaned back, visibly shaken. This revelation called into question centuries of established practice. If Zhao Xing's discovery held true, it could mean that all prior practitioners, even geniuses like Liu Tianning, had followed an inherently flawed path.
After a moment of silence, Lord Tianyan regained his composure. "If your Seven-Star Soul Entity is the ideal form, how many fragments can it derive?"
Here, he referred to the derivative fragments created from splitting the soul, fragments that lacked a core but could function as extensions of the practitioner's will. These fragments were expendable, and their destruction caused no lasting harm, provided too many weren't lost at once.
"I've not tested its limits yet," Zhao Xing admitted. "But I can give it a try now."
"Please do," Lord Tianyan encouraged, his anticipation palpable.
Within Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness, the seven towering soul entities merged into one. The stars corresponding to his Fate Stars lit up across its form—on the forehead, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back, and feet. The fusion created a resplendent figure radiating immense power.
With a single thought, Zhao Xing activated the soul derivation process. Starry glimmers flared to life, rapidly multiplying as soul fragments emerged. One thousand, two thousand, five thousand… the numbers surged upward.
Lord Tianyan watched closely, his spiritual senses capturing every detail. When the count surpassed 10,000, his astonishment turned into awe. Zhao Xing continued to push, his determination unwavering. Eventually, the Fate Stars began to tremble, signaling the upper limit of his capacity.
Moments later, Zhao Xing opened his eyes and spoke. "I can derive 49,999 fragments."
"How many?" Lord Tianyan's brush fell from his hand, clattering onto the desk.
"Forty-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine," Zhao Xing repeated, his voice calm but firm.
Lord Tianyan's disbelief was evident. "For comparison, the previous record-holder managed 15,642 fragments."
The disparity was staggering. Zhao Xing's potential shattered all prior limits, raising profound questions about the technique itself.
"Could this simply be a result of your unique experiences?" Lord Tianyan speculated, his tone tinged with uncertainty.
"It's possible," Zhao Xing admitted. "But I believe the greater factor is that the Seven-Star Soul Entity represents the true path of cultivation for this technique."
Lord Tianyan fell silent, his mind racing. Zhao Xing's breakthrough suggested an entirely new understanding of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit. If validated, this discovery would rewrite the foundations of the method and potentially explain why no one had successfully reached the technique's third layer in millennia.
"This… this is monumental," Lord Tianyan whispered, his lips trembling. "This discovery will be remembered for ages. It's destined to leave your name in the annals of history."
Zhao Xing was not particularly excited. After all, when he first came across the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, it was considered standard practice to train the first layer this way—nothing extraordinary.
In the Spiritual Qi Era of his previous life, when everyone trained the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, the number of derivative soul fragments from the first layer typically ranged from twenty to thirty thousand.
That Zhao Xing could reach 49,999 fragments likely stemmed from his inherently high "innate soul power."
Back in the game world of his past life, players would have such innate values displayed on their character panels upon creation. However, in this life, Zhao Xing had not seen such numerical indications.
At the time, he didn't pay much attention to this technique, as the Derivation of the Divine Spirit was commonplace by the ascension patch of the game. As one of the first elite players, Zhao Xing had quickly gained access to even stronger methods after his ascension, leaving the Derivation of the Divine Spirit behind.
Now, having reviewed numerous scrolls and historical records, Zhao Xing had a revelation: from 35,346 years ago until now, it seemed practitioners of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit had been following a flawed path.
At least, the first layer was fundamentally incorrect.
Initially, Zhao Xing had thought the technique allowed for multiple developmental routes. However, upon seeing the data, he realized this was not the case.
As Lord Tianyan remained in shock, Zhao Xing closed his eyes and swiftly sank into contemplation:
"If that's the case, then Liu Tianning's madness was likely caused by multiple factors. The Primordial Straw Puppet Method had inherent flaws that a single Soul Fruit couldn't compensate for.
"But I wonder what the second layer will be like. The cultivation insights of my previous life differ greatly from this life. I'll have to wait and see."
Zhao Xing's moment of deep thought was brief. When he reopened his eyes, Lord Tianyan was still in disbelief.
"If we conclude that the fusion and separation of the seven-star Divine Soul represent the correct path," Zhao Xing began, "then past and present practitioners will all need to retrain."
He then asked, "Lord Tianyan, you've cultivated the second layer. What is its current state?"
Lord Tianyan responded, "The second layer expands the number of Fate Stars and allows for the derivation of more soul fragments. However, the Fate Stars remain within the Divine Soul, unable to exist in the derivative fragments like yours."
"As for the third layer," Lord Tianyan added solemnly, "no one has successfully cultivated it since records began."
Zhao Xing nodded, confirming the differences were not far from what he already knew. The primary distinction lay in whether the Fate Stars could be separated.
Lord Tianyan, now deeply serious, said, "Zhao Xing, I need you to compile a detailed summary of your cultivation insights over these past two years.
"Even better, if possible, translate your understanding into a transmissible technique form so others may experience your path firsthand."
"I will immediately halt the cultivation of the first layer among those currently practicing in the Great Zhou Dynasty while awaiting your findings."
"For those who've already completed the first or even the second layer, we'll need to observe the effects of your discoveries before making a decision."
While Lord Tianyan had the authority to halt first-layer practitioners, those who had advanced to the second layer would require Emperor Jing's approval to take further action.
This would take time, and since there were no apparent defects in second-layer cultivation, only a lack of maximum potential, there would be resistance. Furthermore, given the ongoing war, any plans that disrupted the cultivation of high-level warriors would face considerable obstacles.
However, Zhao Xing's discovery would undoubtedly shape the next generation of practitioners.
"If it's proven your method is correct," Lord Tianyan said, his tone heavy with significance, "you will become the pioneer of this path. All who cultivate the Derivation of the Divine Spirit will owe you a debt of gratitude. Such contributions are a monumental achievement."
"Given the gravity of this matter, I implore you to prioritize it above all else. On behalf of all practitioners, thank you." With that, Lord Tianyan bowed deeply to Zhao Xing.
Those qualified to practice the Derivation of the Divine Spirit were either top-tier geniuses or high-level cultivators. The potential impact of Zhao Xing's work was monumental. Even if only a fraction succeeded, it would resonate across generations within the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Zhao Xing quickly moved to help Lord Tianyan up. "Please, Lord Tianyan, there's no need for such ceremony. I will dedicate my full effort to this matter."
"Good, good," Lord Tianyan said, clasping Zhao Xing's hand with visible relief. "If I can assist you in accomplishing this in my remaining years, I will have no regrets even in death."
Seeing the pressure Lord Tianyan placed on himself, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility growing heavier.
Unsure if his discoveries could bring the Derivation of the Divine Spirit to unprecedented heights, Zhao Xing offered a word of caution. "Lord Tianyan, we must remain mindful of other factors. At this stage, we can only consider this a possibility, not a certainty."
Lord Tianyan composed himself and nodded gravely. "Rest assured, I will treat this as the utmost secret until we have concrete results. Only you and I know of this for now. You need not feel undue pressure."
"Thank you for your understanding, my lord," Zhao Xing said, bowing respectfully.
Having completed the first layer of cultivation, Zhao Xing was granted a short, one-month reprieve. Meanwhile, Lord Tianyan shifted his attention to halting the cultivation of the first layer among the thirty-seven current mid-tier practitioners.
This group was relatively simple to manage due to their rank. However, as for the first-layer practitioners among high-tier cultivators, Lord Tianyan refrained from interference for the time being.
With his primary self leaving the Star Palace of the Military Realm, Zhao Xing arrived at the Earth Deity Temple in Chongming Prefecture.
"It's October 20th, Year 32 of the Jingxin Era," Zhao Xing muttered as he gazed into the distance.
Leaving Chongming Prefecture, he made his way to a secluded estate he had purchased in Dongyang County. Once underground, after securing his surroundings, Zhao Xing prepared to enter the Grand Dream Academy.
Upon "logging in," Zhao Xing found himself not outside the clouded gates of the Grand Dream Academy as before but directly within the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, where the Fate Blackbird resided.
The change in location was a result of the Fate Blackbird's previous violation of academy rules.
"Squawk—you're here," the bird greeted him from atop its perch, its feathers still missing in patches.
Zhao Xing suppressed a smile at the peculiar tone, bowing respectfully. "Senior, it's been a while."
"Squawk—you've grown stronger," the bird said, clearly pleased. "Not bad, not bad."
"All thanks to your guidance, senior," Zhao Xing replied, glancing at the Blackbird. Though it hadn't fully recovered, it seemed to be in much better condition than during their last encounter three years prior.
"How have you been recovering?" Zhao Xing inquired with genuine concern.
The Fate Blackbird preened its feathers with its beak. "Quite well, though not yet complete."
Encouraged, Zhao Xing ventured, "Would it be possible for you to assist me outside again?"
"Absolutely not!" the Blackbird snapped, interrupting him. "I haven't fully recovered yet. Leaving now would spell disaster!"
Hearing the resolute response, Zhao Xing sighed inwardly. It seemed there was no rushing the Fate Blackbird.
"When do you estimate your full recovery, senior?" Zhao Xing asked.
"At least another year or two, maybe up to five," the bird replied.
Zhao Xing could only hope the Blackbird would regain its strength by Year 35 of the Jingxin Era.
Even so, this visit wasn't fruitless. The Fate Blackbird had once promised him a share of fortune if he broke through to the Fourth Rank within ten years—a goal he had now surpassed.
"Senior, I've fulfilled your challenge. I am now at the Fourth Rank, Complete Primordial Soul Realm."
"I can see that," the Blackbird acknowledged. "Do you want the fortune now? Understand, this would raise your Fortune Level from Derivation Five to Derivation Six."
"But beware," it cautioned. "If you're often around high-level experts, a sudden surge in fortune may attract unwanted attention. It's best to wait for the right moment to claim this gift."
Zhao Xing was momentarily stunned. He had overlooked this potential issue despite possessing artifacts like the Heavenly Secret Garment and advanced fortune-concealing spells.
Lord Tianyan, a top-tier Fate Officer, would surely notice. While he was an ally, it was unwise to take unnecessary risks.
Considering his position within the Star Palace and the time he still needed to refine related combat and defensive techniques, Zhao Xing decided to wait for a more opportune time.
"The rebellion of Prince Liang will cause significant upheaval across Pinghai Prefecture. When the imperial court is in chaos, I'll claim the fortune," Zhao Xing resolved.
"First, it provides a legitimate reason for leaving for an extended period. Second, with Prince Liang's rebellion, the fortune of Pinghai Prefecture will undergo massive fluctuations. As some people fall, others will rise. My transition from Derivation Five to Derivation Six can be justified during such chaos."
Having made up his mind, Zhao Xing said, "Then I'll come to see you again next time, Senior."
With that, he voluntarily exited the Grand Dream Academy.
Awakening from the underground retreat, Zhao Xing checked the time—it had only been a quarter of an hour.
"That silly bird's fortune is something I'll collect later, and I can also ask it to help me find some valuable treasures at the right time."
"In the coming two years or so, I'll have plenty of time to prepare." Zhao Xing reflected.
The first thing was to establish a suitable and reasonable identity.
As a Palace of the Earth Gods Supervisor, going after rebels wasn't practical. The scope of his activities was too narrow, and inter-regional operations would present procedural problems that had to be resolved.
He also intended to visit Dayuan Prefecture, his hometown.
For a Palace of the Earth Gods Supervisor from Chongming Prefecture to travel to Dayuan Prefecture? That would raise suspicion.
"This issue is simple to solve. Both Princess You Ruo and Liu Tianning can help, but it's best to go through Liu Tianning," Zhao Xing mused.
"Otherwise, any achievements or merits I earn would be overshadowed by Princess You Ruo's name. People would think it was all due to her assistance, as if I borrowed her influence."
"Liu Tianning, on the other hand, is different. We have a proper teacher-student relationship. As a military inspector and a two-prefecture logistics officer, he also holds a position in the Shangyu Division."
"If he arranges such an identity for me, it will be much more convenient to act," Zhao Xing concluded.
Next was the matter of lists.
"A kill list and a rescue list."
Zhao Xing browsed through his Memory Palace. "Prince Liang's rebellion involved many individuals, including a good number of Military Shennong officials."
"For instance, certain branches of the Xuantian Academy had personnel who sided with Prince Liang during the rebellion."
"Additionally, the troops in Pinghai Prefecture's Cave-Heaven caused tremendous damage, with many Military Shennong officials contributing to the chaos."
"Eliminating a few key figures would maximize the impact of my efforts."
"For example, Sheng Yuandong, a Fourth Rank Military Shennong from Yuanhua Cave-Heaven, was a staunch supporter of Prince Liang. He is certain to appear on the court's 'rebel list.'"
"Or Qin Fang, a Fourth Rank Military Shennong from Danxia Cave-Heaven."
"And the Director of the Water Surveillance Bureau in Anping Prefecture, a Third Rank Official. During the rebellion, he deliberately disabled the Lanjiang Defense Formation along the nineteen paths of the riverbank, resulting in catastrophic destruction."
Zhao Xing meticulously organized the list. Some names were based on his past life's knowledge, while others came from intelligence he had gathered in this life.
Of course, the list would be updated constantly.
The targets would depend on his strength at the time. If he was powerful enough, he would target high-ranking rebels. If not, he would go after lower-ranking ones.
"Aside from the Military Shennong, the most terrifying rebels are those in the priesthood," Zhao Xing thought. "When priests rebel, even some Third and Fourth Rank Yin Gods join them."
"Prince Liang, being a direct descendant of Emperor Taizu, didn't initially position his proclamation against Emperor Jing or the Great Zhou but framed it as 'cleansing the emperor's court.'"
"While others cannot command Yin Gods on a large scale, Prince Liang, as a First Rank Prince and Taizu's grandson, has a unique advantage. During Emperor Taizu's era, the Yin God system wasn't established solely for the emperor's service but to serve the Ji royal lineage."
"This was because Emperor Taizu, having quelled the chaos of the Warring States era, had witnessed countless tyrannical rulers. He ensured that if a future emperor were incompetent, another Ji descendant could ascend the throne. After all, infighting among Ji clan members still kept everything within the family pot."
"It's only when Prince Liang starts summoning evil gods into Great Zhou territory that he will lose this privilege."
"But in the beginning, a rebellion involving priests is incredibly dangerous. As a profession from the Era of Primordial Qi, priests combine the advantages of all professions, with the only downside being their short lifespan."
"I must prepare methods specifically to counter priests, and they can't involve sectarian forbidden techniques," Zhao Xing calculated.
There weren't many ways to counter priests effectively. Within the Great Zhou's territory, priests could easily draw on divine power, incurring minimal costs.
"Next is the rescue list." Zhao Xing carefully recalled. "Some individuals with strong fortunes wouldn't die even if I didn't intervene. They would either escape with the help of imperial reinforcements or survive by their own means. But if I save them, I can establish goodwill."
"For example, Wei Xuancheng, a priest from Anping Prefecture, is destined to become the future Prime Minister."
"Then there are various non-combatants—physicians, craftsmen, weavers, dancers, musicians... Checking the rankings in the Dao Field would reveal their importance."
Zhao Xing noted these individuals in his list.
With multiple soul clones at his disposal, he wasn't worried about saving as many people as necessary.
"Lastly, there are the major population centers, upper-tier counties, and critical waterways…"
For an entire month, Zhao Xing planned for the upcoming "Prince Liang Rebellion."
The network of relationships he had built in the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven began to bear fruit. The information Zhao Xing sought wasn't too sensitive—mostly about where certain individuals held positions, their reputations, and family backgrounds.
This intelligence gathering would continue for the next two years.
Another significant task was summarizing his insights into the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit, as instructed by Lord Tianyan.
Jingxin Calendar, Year 32, November 20th.
Zhao Xing returned to the Star palace in the Military Realm.
He compiled a detailed record of his cultivation experience with the first layer, including the timing, the consumption of Yuanhun Liquid, the process of healing soul injuries, the emergence of secret star patterns, and other nuances.
The resulting documentation was voluminous enough to fill an entire boat—an exhaustive compilation.
When Lord Tianyan received Zhao Xing's cultivation insights, he treated them like priceless treasures.
"For the next three or four months, I won't have time to supervise your cultivation."
"However, you must not slack off," Lord Tianyan instructed. "The second layer of secret techniques requires reaching the Third Rank. It involves the out-of-body experience of the soul."
"But after comprehending the first layer, you must intensify your practice of soul-based attack and defense techniques to see whether your seven-star soul form truly possesses extraordinary combat potential."
"Understood," Zhao Xing replied. The first layer of Derivation of the Divine Spirit allowed for the division of tens of thousands of soul bodies.
However, it wasn't meant solely for the Straw Puppet of Ten Thousand Methods. The technique came with a host of powerful soul-related techniques—offensive, defensive, and supportive.
Soul-based techniques constituted an entire domain.
For instance, techniques like Clear Eyes or Heavenly Eye could be considered semi-soul-related spells.
"You may study all the secret manuals in the Star palace."
"I will pause other cultivation progressions to gather more evidence. Soon, I'll return to assess your results," Lord Tianyan said.
Although he left the palace, he deployed a mechanical puppet to act as a supervisor.
Zhao Xing couldn't help but admire Lord Tianyan's dedication. Then, he began delving into the many battle techniques paired with the Derivation of the Divine Spirit.
In the Jingxin Calendar, Year 32, on December 5th, within the Star palace.
"Clang~"
A resonating bell sound echoed from within Zhao Xing's Sea of Consciousness. At this moment, in the center of his consciousness, a massive golden bell floated. His spirit held it firmly in one hand.
"With the first layer of the Derivation of the Divine Spirit fully comprehended, I cultivated the Soul-Breaking Bell. It only took me fifteen days to master the first form of this advanced soul-attack technique," Zhao Xing observed the radiant golden bell.
"According to the secret techniques, even at its simplest level, a single toll of this bell can severely injure any Third Rank cultivator without advanced soul cultivation methods."
He exhaled deeply and said to himself, "Time to take a breather." Having mastered the first layer, Zhao Xing left the Star palace.
At the Palace of the Earth Gods administrative office, Chen Shijie was immersed in paperwork, his brush flying across the paper. With the year-end approaching, his workload had become overwhelming.
"Old Chen," Zhao Xing called as he entered the room, pulling Chen Shijie up from his seat. "Take a break and come with me."
"Where to? What's going on?" Chen Shijie asked, bewildered.
"Don't worry about it. I'll cover for you here." Zhao Xing snapped his fingers, and immediately several clones of himself materialized to take over Chen Shijie's tasks.
Zhao Xing then brought Chen Shijie back to their shared residence.
"Here, consider this your year-end bonus." Zhao Xing placed three bottles of Yuanhun Liquid on Chen Shijie's desk.
"A year-end bonus? I didn't know we had this kind of thing," Chen Shijie said suspiciously. "These seem pretty valuable. Where did they come from?"
"Don't worry about where they came from. They're not stolen," Zhao Xing said with a grin. "Let's just call it my personal compensation for your hard work."
"If you say so," Chen Shijie replied without hesitation. "How do I use it?"
"Just drink it directly," Zhao Xing instructed. "Once you do, you'll understand."
Without delay, Chen Shijie uncorked a bottle and downed its contents in one gulp. His eyes widened in shock. "What is this? A treasure that enhances the life soul?"
He stared at Zhao Xing in disbelief. "Tell me honestly—did you rob someone for this?"
Life soul-enhancing treasures were extremely rare. Even in the Military Realm, they weren't readily available for purchase. Chen Shijie could feel his life soul growing significantly stronger—a sensation that left him astounded. The treasure had to be at least Sixth Rank.
Such resources were typically distributed on an allocation basis. Even wealth couldn't guarantee access.
"Where would I even find someone to rob?" Zhao Xing chuckled.
The Yuanhun Liquid was part of the cultivation resources allocated to Zhao Xing by Lord Tianyan. For Zhao Xing, the liquid no longer offered much in terms of cultivation gains but was still useful for recovery. It was mainly intended to aid in practicing soul-related secret techniques.
For Chen Shijie, however, it was a potent tonic, especially for enhancing his life soul. His soul strength, which had been stuck at the Sixth Rank Perfection, leapt to the mid-Fifth Rank after consuming just one bottle.
Zhao Xing estimated that after finishing all three bottles, Chen Shijie's life soul would reach the early Fourth Rank. A stronger life soul would bolster his spells, improve his comprehension speed, and open up higher paths for advancement. Zhao Xing was confident Chen Shijie could progress to the Fourth Rank on his own in due time.
"I'm not as busy these days, so you can take some time to focus on cultivation," Zhao Xing said as he dragged a chest from another room. "Inside are treasures for soul refinement. As before, don't ask where they came from. Just know they're all legitimate."
He added, "Also, I'll leave one of my clones here to demonstrate advanced Earth Palace Techniques. Why are you looking at me like that? I already told you everything's above board."
"I believe you," Chen Shijie replied, though his skeptical expression said otherwise. "I'm just surprised your clone can perform such advanced Earth Palace techniques. I didn't think I'd see the day when you'd become my teacher."
"Hahaha!" Zhao Xing laughed, clapping Chen Shijie on the shoulder. "Little Chen, I've been waiting for this moment for ages!"
"Get lost!" Chen Shijie slapped Zhao Xing's hand away. "You monstrous cultivator!"
Their laughter echoed through the hall as Zhao Xing left.
From that day on, Chen Shijie was confined to their residence, where Zhao Xing's clone acted as his cultivation overseer.
Chen Shijie had always shown talent for Earth Techniques. Though his innate aptitude wasn't exceptional, the spiritual explosion during the Ten Sun Cave-Heaven incident elevated him to a solid genius-level cultivator.
With Prince Liang's rebellion looming, Zhao Xing couldn't let his good brother miss out on the massive opportunities to come.
After setting up Chen Shijie, Zhao Xing headed to Dongyang County.
"Brother Xia, how's your recovery going?" Zhao Xing asked as he greeted Xia Jing.
"I've already removed the mechanical arm," Xia Jing said, raising his right hand. "The left one is nearly fully healed."
"Hey, your hair's grown back quite a bit too. Not bad," Zhao Xing remarked.
Xia Jing had been recuperating here for nearly a year. His recovery was impressive, and he had regained about seventy percent of his peak strength.
"Since you're almost fully recovered, I'll help you with some rehabilitation training," Zhao Xing said.
Xia Jing didn't lack wealth or recovery treasures. His father, Xia Hou, was a first-class Martial Marquis whose strength, status, and resources rivaled those of some titled kings. However, Xia Jing had arrived here alone and was short on suitable sparring partners.
Zhao Xing brought out the Eight Goddesses mechanical puppets he had obtained from the Heavenly Craft Hall.
"Here, these are for you," he said.
"What kind of mechanical puppets are these?" Xia Jing's eyes lit up, his enthusiasm palpable.
Zhao Xing raised an eyebrow. "You like oversized figurines?"
He found Xia Jing's reaction surprising. Back in the army, there hadn't been much opportunity for hobbies like this.
"These are older models. Took some effort to acquire," Zhao Xing explained. "They're strong enough to serve as training partners."
"Training partners?" Xia Jing shook his head vigorously, looking horrified. "You're insane! These intricately crafted puppets aren't for fighting!"
"If not for sparring, what would you do with them? Collect them?" Zhao Xing asked incredulously.
"Of course! I've got an entire room full of mechanical puppets at home," Xia Jing replied. "But in the past twenty or thirty years, mechanists have gotten so unimaginative. It's all bald male designs. Absolutely ridiculous."
Zhao Xing was speechless.
"Brother, get a grip!" Zhao Xing exclaimed. "You're a martial artist! How can you be bogged down by something so childish?"
"You just don't understand," Xia Jing said with a disdainful look.
Zhao Xing wondered if gifting the Eight Goddesses to Xia Jing had been a mistake.
"Fine. If you won't fight them, you can spar with my Straw Puppets," Zhao Xing said, cracking his knuckles with a sinister smile.
He was determined to knock some sense into Xia Jing!
In the Jingxin Calendar, Year 33, February.
"Clang~ Clang~"
Two resonating bell tolls echoed from within the Star palace.
"Soul-Breaking Bell has finally reached the second layer." A faint smile appeared on Zhao Xing's face.
He once again left the Star palace, and the puppet left behind by Lord Tianyan shook its head in resignation.
Zhao Xing left the main city and returned to his family estate in Dongyang County. His periodic excursions served more than one purpose. In addition to refining the Soul-Breaking Bell, he had also made progress with the secret technique Great Dream Spring and Autumn.
"Ever since I mastered the first layer of Derivation of the Divine Spirit and began training in soul-based combat techniques, Great Dream Spring and Autumn has advanced from the foundational Dream Storage Technique to the second layer, Dream Travel."
Closing his eyes, Zhao Xing entered a dreamscape.
Unlike previous dream practices, this time his dream revealed a detailed, expansive image of Dongyang County.
"It's the hour of Zi (midnight), and most of Dongyang County's population is fast asleep," Zhao Xing observed from the sky within his dream, overlooking the county.
From above, countless bubbles of varying colors appeared across the county—each bubble representing an individual's dream.
"I can freely leap into anyone's dream, turn into a nightmare, and destroy their life soul. Such a method is incredibly stealthy, almost impossible to detect. Even cultivators might think it was a case of Qi deviation in their dream. Yin Spirits would dismiss it as a natural death."
"Dream Travel allows me to kill invisibly. This is the ancient technique of the Nightmare Sect." Zhao Xing floated beside a golden bubble.
This bubble represented the dream of a youth, about seventeen or eighteen years old.
Inside the dream, the youth was lying on a pink bed, accompanied by a seductive, middle-aged woman. The canopy over the bed swayed as the youth, short of breath, spoke animatedly.
"Sister-in-law, is your husband less capable than I am? Heh heh..."
"Quite the colorful imagination," Zhao Xing remarked, slightly amused.
With a mere thought, Zhao Xing altered the dreamscape. The seductive woman transformed into a greasy, corpulent, middle-aged man.
"Ahhh!!" The youth leapt out of bed in terror, clutching at his pants and retreating frantically.
Yet, the "shopkeeper," whose expression was now disturbingly flirtatious, crooked a finger at the youth with a sultry demeanor, mimicking the woman's earlier gestures.
"Ahhh!" The youth screamed in horror, wanting desperately to wake up from this nightmare, but no matter how hard he tried, he remained trapped.
From outside the dream bubble, Zhao Xing observed the violent tremors within. He could have easily tormented the youth's life soul until it collapsed entirely.
However, Zhao Xing only gave the bubble a light prod, bursting the dream and allowing the youth to wake up.
"I'll let you off this time, since you haven't done anything particularly heinous. Just some indecent behavior, flirting with another man's wife. Consider this a warning." Zhao Xing waved his hand, dissipating the nightmare.
He continued to wander through Dongyang County.
With his mastery of the first layer of Derivation of the Divine Spirit, his progress in dream-based techniques had become much faster.
"Now I can create tens of thousands of nightmares simultaneously, targeting multiple dreamers at once."
"Even those who aren't dreaming can be induced into dreams, where they can be silently killed."
"It's no wonder they called the Nightmare Sect's methods terrifyingly potent." Zhao Xing muttered, "It's just unfortunate I don't have a strong opponent to practice against."
Dongyang County's highest-ranking officials were only at the Fifth Rank. Zhao Xing had already infiltrated a Fifth Rank official's dream without the Yin Spirit in the temple detecting it.
The technique's stealthiness was a testament to the Nightmare Sect's top-tier methods. If such techniques were easily uncovered, the sect wouldn't have dominated the ancient era for so long.
"Maybe I'll request a batch of death row prisoners from Lord Tianyan, preferably a Third Rank convict for me to practice on."
"I'll just use the excuse of training with the Soul-Breaking Bell as the official reason," Zhao Xing thought as he strolled through the dreamscape of Dongyang County.
As he prepared to end this practice session, Zhao Xing's brows furrowed suddenly.
The next moment, he appeared near a small town close to his family estate. In an ordinary household, a man and a woman were dreaming, their dreams manifesting as a blood-red bubble. Inside, fragmented scenes flickered vividly.
"Lord, over the past three years, we've gathered many items once used by Zhao Xing from Zhaojia Village," a man in the dream reported.
Kneeling before a woman, the man seemed subservient, while the woman's chest was bare, her abdomen displaying a human face.
The dream revealed fragments of their daytime interactions.
"This includes bowls he used during meals, banknotes and silver Zhao Xing distributed to villagers during the New Year celebrations over the years," the man continued.
"Additionally, a pair of couplets he supposedly wrote himself, and a small toy he gifted his sister."
"In total, we've collected 263 items over three years."
"Excellent," the blood-red face said in a hoarse voice. "Your mission is complete. In five days, take the items and head out to sea. The merchant route will transport you to us."
"Understood. Thank you, Lord." The man was overjoyed as the woman covered her chest again.
The dreamscape continued, showing more glimpses of their recent activities.
Zhao Xing's expression darkened.
That face—he knew it all too well.
"Blood Spirit Sovereign!"
"You really are persistent!" Zhao Xing immediately severed the dream.
"Collecting items I've used—they're clearly planning to use them as mediums."
"Was the premonition I felt three years ago in Chongming Prefecture tied to this?"
"Fine. I didn't expect you to come to the Eastern Sea as well." Without delay, Zhao Xing flew to Chongming Prefecture and entered the Star palace through its Military Realm portal.
"Lord, I have urgent matters to report," Zhao Xing said, locating the puppet left behind by Lord Tianyan.
"Hum~" The puppet's eyes emitted a faint glow as Lord Tianyan's voice echoed.
"I discovered Xuantian Sect believers in Dongyang County collecting items I've used as mediums," Zhao Xing reported.
"I've been aware of this," Lord Tianyan replied. "Those believers were deliberately allowed in. They've collected far more than 263 items."
"Many documents you've signed over the years have also been swapped out."
"You knew, Lord?" Zhao Xing asked, surprised.
"Yes. I mentioned before that we'd be executing a bait operation," Lord Tianyan said. "I just didn't know how large the fish behind this would be. Back then, you hadn't mastered your cultivation, and your life soul was still fragile, so we remained in preparation mode."
"Don't alert them," Lord Tianyan instructed. "I'll return the day after tomorrow, and I'll need your cooperation then."
"Understood," Zhao Xing nodded.
"How is your progress with the Soul-Breaking Bell?" Lord Tianyan asked. "If you're going to act as bait, it needs to look convincing, but not so convincing that it risks injuring you."
"Lord, I've already reached the second layer of the Soul-Breaking Bell," Zhao Xing replied. "Will that be sufficient?"