Chapter 215: The Mystery of Two Lifetimes, Solved! A Sixth-Tier Dragon Soul Jade!

Inside the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace, things were still much the same as before—straw figures of every description were practicing dharma techniques everywhere.

Only the level of the spells was considerably higher.

When he had first been invited to lecture, what was demonstrated had all been shallow methods; now, looking again, he discovered there was real substance within.

For instance, the two squads of straw figures patrolling at the foot of the mountain—Zhao Xing had originally assumed they were arranged at random, but now, taking a closer look, he realized these straw figures were walking according to the routes of the "Eight Gates Four Images Formation."

"Injury, Stop, Scene, Death, Fear, Open, Rest, Life—these eight gates form a mobile version of a formation. Wherever the straw figures go, the formation goes; it can also shift its layout in response to an enemy's movement within the formation."

Flying to the mountainside, Zhao Xing again noticed nine straw figures he had never paid attention to before; they appeared to be wandering aimlessly, but in fact there was real substance to it.

"Soul-Capturing straw figures woven from Time Grass, the straw figures hide divine spirits—Jiazi, Jiaxu, Jiashen, Jiawu, Jiachen, Jiayin… is this the Six Jia Yin Spirits?"

"Using the Six Jia Yin Spirits to lay down a mountain-sealing dharma?" Zhao Xing still remembered the mountain-sealing dharma of East Lake Mountain; its incantation contained a passage: "By three commands the True Lords of the Eight Directions guard the Dao; the path may be crossed, the grass and trees shall not be harmed."

Liu Tianning's Ten Thousand Dharma Palace was built upon a mountain, and naturally this mountain had no Yin Spirits of its own.

But Liu Tianning himself used Soul-Capturing straw figures to create Six Jia Yin Spirits, substituting them for the "True Lords of the Eight Directions" in the incantation, causing the mountain-sealing dharma to take effect all the same.

Beyond the Great Zhou, mountains and rivers had no formally invested True Lords; Liu Tianning's Six Jia Yin Spirit method was, in effect, self-investing "Yin Spirits" to replace the incantation.

"Old Liu has really taken the straw-figure dharma and played it to perfection." Zhao Xing gazed at the straw-figure dharma on the mountain and inwardly marveled.

Because in his previous life he had never fully learned the straw-figure dharma, many things today were ones Zhao Xing had never seen.

What he could recognize was only a small portion, and even that relied on inference from hearsay.

Liu Tianning's straw-figure dharma was reputed to stand unrivaled under heaven—and that was no empty boast; even a first-rank Grand Minister of Agriculture might not necessarily surpass him in the straw-figure dharma.

Flying straight to the gate of the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace and landing, Zhao Xing walked toward the palace gate.

Liu Tianning's true body had already returned from the Soul Sacrifice Pass; he had originally gone to help out, and since he was not a member of the Divine Might Army, the Mystic Armor Army, or the Sea-Calming Army, he had absolutely no obligation to confront the enemy.

Why say it was the true body back then? Because at the time Liu Tianning had performed "Pure Yuan Projection," releasing the seventh-tier plant troops from his Origin Dantian.

Ten Thousand Dharma straw figures could not form Pure Yuan soil, nor could they truly perform Pure Yuan Projection.

Therefore, for a Minister of Agriculture above fifth rank, if one wishes to judge whether it is the true body, one need only see whether he can perform Pure Yuan Projection.

However, forcing out a Pure Yuan Projection was no simple matter either.

In the Ten Thousand Dharma Hall within the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace, Zhao Xing met Liu Tianning.

"Teacher." Zhao Xing bowed in salute.

"Make straw figures." Liu Tianning wasted no words; he came right over to test Zhao Xing's cultivation results.

"Yes." Before Zhao Xing could even get to the main business, he first performed the dharma.

Liu's straw-figure dharma naturally would not be any mid-tier straw-figure technique.

Zhao Xing walked outside the hall, took a deep breath, then pointed with Jin Guang: "Wind, come!"

Gang Wind rose on all sides, slicing two stalks of "Dragon Bamboo" from the east of the plaza; as the bamboo flew over, it was broken down by the Gang Wind into portions of bamboo-strip material.

From the west of the plaza a bundle of Five Pagoda Wood was swept up; by the time it flew over, it had been split into four portions.

Then from the south and north of the plaza, materials such as Soul-Returning Willow, Mulberry Flowers, Resurrection Selaginella branches, and Heavenly Heart Grass were swept up in turn.

"Rise!"

When these materials gathered before him, Zhao Xing once more gave a low shout.

Four straw figures took shape, then shook themselves and transformed into Zhao Xing's appearance—this was because the "Illusory-Form Straw Figure" had been fused in.

Then the four straw figures and the true self together walked back into the hall, cupping their hands toward Liu Tianning: "Please, Teacher, give your guidance."

"Not bad, your straw-figure dharma has already achieved some small success," Liu Tianning said. "At this point you need only continue to study along the path of your True-Self Five Elements; when you reach the Seventh Cycle and hit a bottleneck, then we can talk about instruction."

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.

His True-Self Straw Figure had only just passed the Fourth Cycle, and indeed there was nothing requiring instruction; before the Seventh Cycle, the path was very clear—Zhao Xing only needed practice to gain skill, and would not encounter any bottleneck.

Liu Tianning's test was simply to see whether he had grown slack, whether he had truly taken the straw-figure dharma to heart.

Although Liu Tianning was strict, he would not be strict for the sake of strictness.

If the work was good, it was good; he would not deliberately disparage his disciple just to spur him on.

"What matter do you need me to step in for?" Liu Tianning asked. "If it is an unlawful matter, then don't bother opening your mouth."

Zhao Xing hurriedly said, "This disciple would not dare."

"It's only that this disciple has now withdrawn from the battlefield and has nothing to do, so I wished to explore the various places of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven."

Zhao Xing weighed his words carefully: "According to the regulations of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, exploring the various strange and dangerous places of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven requires the corresponding 'Explorer' qualifications."

Land-Surveying, Sky-Patrol, Mountain-Searching, Sea-Inspecting—each location required the appropriate credentials to go there.

It was the equivalent of needing a "qualification certificate."

In the grotto-heaven's dangerous lands, some places were very fragile, such as the Earthfire Plains.

Back then, Zhao Xing, a mere ninth rank, had employed a gambler's battle method and somehow triggered a Level-Five Earthfire Rampage.

That place was one thing—let it rampage if it would—but in some places, one could not allow people to act recklessly; the appropriate credentials were required to enter.

Later, the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven also used this regulation to bar outsiders from entering.

By that time, obtaining even a "Junior Explorer" quota would be harder than ascending to heaven.

Liu Tianning said, "With your strength, passing an Intermediate Explorer exam is not difficult; there is no need to discuss it with me."

⊙￠o

It was not difficult, but now it was already the first of March; if he took the exam himself and passed to Intermediate, the procedure would already be too late on the timeline.

In early March, the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven would erupt with Heaven and Earth's Spiritual Splendor; Yang City's response was swift, and at that time the qualifications would be tightened.

Once it was confirmed as a "Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land Upgrade" phenomenon, then it would be harder than ascending to heaven.

There was no time.

Moreover, merely an Intermediate Explorer was not at all what Zhao Xing wanted.

It had to be a Senior Explorer or a Top Explorer, and across all categories at that.

He certainly could not arrange it himself, but Liu Tianning definitely could.

And as long as he remained in Liu Tianning's group, he could act with ease.

Zhao Xing said, "Disciple wishes to go to many places, but certain places are inconvenient to visit. I wish to ask Master to accept a top-tier cave exploration mission from the Soldier Realm and establish a research group."

Liu Tianning frowned.

To be honest, Zhao Xing's request was not unreasonable; for instance, Fan Zhaoli had once accepted a top-tier cave exploration mission, established a research group, and the final result was obtaining one billion merit points.

But he, Liu Tianning, had never done this before and had no intention of researching caves.

Zhao Xing felt a rather strange sense of "hoping his master would become a dragon."

"Will a Senior Explorer suffice?" Liu Tianning asked. If it were a Senior Explorer, Liu Tianning could obtain it immediately, without even taking an exam.

The application would be approved instantly!

Why?

What was Old Liu famous for? The Straw Man Technique!

If we speak of exploration, he was the most suitable.

Hearing Liu Tianning's reply, Zhao Xing showed a look of hesitation.

If Old Liu were a Senior Explorer, then as a student, he would only be a Mid-level one; there would be no real difference, and there would be regional restrictions.

Only a Top-tier Explorer covers all categories; wearing that title, one can go anywhere.

Even if policies tightened later, this title would still work.

Liu Tianning saw it at a glance and understood Zhao Xing's attitude.

"Very well, then Top-tier Explorer."

"Exploring cave worlds is indeed beneficial for you."

The Yin Yang Original Self Sutra studies the inner Five Elements Heaven and Earth.

Cave worlds are another kind of small Five Elements Heaven and Earth.

Liu Tianning was quite good to his disciples; as long as they did not violate his principles, he basically granted every request.

"Thank you, Master!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed. "Please create several extra slots when establishing the group."

"Hmm." Liu Tianning nodded; having already agreed, adding a few extra slots was no big deal.

"You..." Liu Tianning was just about to say something when he suddenly frowned. "Go back first; take the side gate."

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised, not knowing what had happened, but he did not ask further.

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave."

After Zhao Xing exited the Palace of Ten Thousand Methods, Liu Tianning sighed: "Here they come again; they've even reached the Ten Yang Cave, yet they still pursue..."

Zhao Xing exited the Palace of Ten Thousand Methods and headed for the side gate; not long after stepping out, he noticed a thick fog rising within the Palace of Ten Thousand Methods.

The mist enveloped the entire mountain; he did not know what Liu Tianning was doing.

Exiting the side gate of the Palace of Ten Thousand Methods, Zhao Xing intended to fly down the mountain.

However, not long after he flew out,

Suddenly—

"Whoosh~"

A streak of seven-colored light suddenly burst from the clouds and then rushed straight toward Zhao Xing.

"Who goes there!"

Zhao Xing was startled and immediately commanded the Gales of Heaven to dodge.

He truly did not expect that someone would attack him here.

But what kind of person was Master Zhao? A Military Agricultural Commissioner with his alertness maxed out.

The Nine Heavens Gales descended like nine green dragons, immediately lunging at that streak of seven-colored light.

The Mist Concealment Technique was cast as if by instinct, and the entire person vanished into the mist.

"Boom!"

Unexpectedly, the nine Gale Green Dragons were actually shattered by the streak of seven-colored light!

The light emitted seven-colored radiance and even broke his Five Elements Mist Concealment, causing his form to be revealed.

However, the seven-colored light was also hindered, and its speed slowed down.

Only then did Zhao Xing see clearly that this was actually a seven-colored silk ribbon.

"Eh? No wonder he is his disciple; there is some skill here." A woman's voice came from the sky ahead.

"Seven-Colored Cloud Brocade, embroidered with dragons and phoenixes; is this a Grade Six Divine Weapon?" Zhao Xing stared at this ribbon, stunned.

The Seven-Colored Dragon-Phoenix Cloud Brocade was dyed with dragon blood and phoenix blood; this was not something ordinary people could use, but was exclusively for the royal family!

"I do not know which my lord blocks my descent. This official is Zhao Xing, a Grade Six Protective Commandant of the Divine Might Army. I wonder how I offended my lord." Zhao Xing shouted toward the surroundings.

"Whoosh~"

The Seven-Colored Dragon-Phoenix Cloud Brocade suddenly curved and circled; at the point where it curved, a magnificent figure was revealed.

Zhao Xing had only glanced once when his heart was startled, and the words "Great Zhou: Regulations on Clothing and Carriages: 'Golden dragon head holding a jade bead, coiled dragon hairpin comb with tassels'" instantly floated into his mind.

"Nine trees of floral ornaments, small flowers equal to the number of large flowers, and two broad side-buns as well."

"The clan robe is woven from green silk, the pattern is the form of a dancing pheasant, with a plain silk undergarment, a fǔ collar, and silk gauze cuffs and hem; both cuffs and hem are in vermilion. The knee-cover follows the skirt color, using dark purple for the collar edge, with the dancing pheasant as the emblem."

"Floating colored immortal ribbons in seven colors; if not a Princess, then a Consort." Looking at this noble lady's attire, Zhao Xing was utterly shocked.

It was not that he was awed by her attire, but that she was also an acquaintance.

He immediately knelt on one knee upon the Cloud-Soaring Steed, clasped his hands, and bowed: "Subject Zhao Xing pays homage to Princess Youruo."

"Oh? Rise quickly!" The noble lady immediately showed a joyful smile.

"Thank you, Princess." Zhao Xing rose.

"Did Liu Tianning mention me to you?" Princess Youruo suddenly spoke in a gentle, soft voice.

"I have only recently taken a master." Zhao Xing paused, then added, "I was once fortunate enough to see the Princess's portrait."

Both of these statements were true.

Zhao Xing had indeed recently taken a master, and he had also seen Princess Youruo's portrait.

Only this could explain why, among so many princesses and county princesses in the world, he could identify her status solely by her ceremonial robe.

But the two had not a penny's worth of connection; it was purely Master Zhao's quick thinking in a moment of crisis.

Yet, to Princess Youruo's ears, it sounded as though Zhao Xing, not long after taking a master, had seen her portrait within the Palace of Ten Thousand Dharma.

"He... he still keeps my portrait..." Princess Youruo's eyes clearly brightened.

Zhao Xing, however, could not help but glance toward Princess Youruo's waist.

Princess Youruo possessed a famous magical artifact named the 'Earth Soul Bell'.

This was an eighth-rank soul-type divine weapon!

Soul-type divine weapons of the eighth rank are comparable to ninth-rank ones, ranking as the second tier of weapons in the world!

Who was she?

She was the daughter born to Emperor Jing in the final days of the Dingxin era; now, she is only in her seventies.

Emperors have many daughters; whether they are favored depends entirely on the power of their maternal clans.

Princess Youruo's maternal clan is one of the seventy-two Dao Academies, the 'Bishui Dao Academy'.

In other words, Princess Youruo's mother was once the Sect Master of the Bishui Sect.

Tracing further back, her great-great-grandmother was that 'Your Majesty Yuanjun'.

Why could Zhao Xing recognize her at a glance?

Mainly because Princess Youruo was one of his employers in his past life.

Princess Youruo was also the one who pursued Liu Tianning most relentlessly during the Wu Di era; she could be called his number one enemy!

Only this sister of Wu Di would dare to assassinate a retired First-Rank Grand Minister of Agriculture time and time again.

Zhao Xing had accepted several missions from her, but he never understood why this old witch kept fixating on Liu Tianning.

Now, the case was solved... Good heavens, just looking at the situation, it was clearly a debt of love.

It was just that during this period, Princess Youruo was not yet as perverted as she would become in her later years, and her appearance was that of a young girl.

"Princess, if there is nothing else, this subject will take his leave." Zhao Xing did not want to provoke this old witch.

"Wait, what are you rushing for! This Palace... am I that terrifying?" Princess Youruo's eyebrows shot up, about to explode in anger, but remembering Zhao Xing was Liu Tianning's disciple, her tone softened: "Do not blame me; it was just a misunderstanding earlier. Your master and I are old acquaintances."

Zhao Xing was speechless; you tied someone up with a Seven-Colored Dragon-Phoenix Immortal Belt the moment you arrived; anyone would panic!

"This subject dares not."

"Zhao Xing, since you are his disciple, I shall give you a gift upon meeting." Princess Youruo smiled.

Zhao Xing bitterly complained inwardly; should he accept it or not?

Old Liu was clearly avoiding her.

But Princess Youruo gave Zhao Xing no chance to refuse. She flicked her finger, and a streak of light flew toward Zhao Xing.

A jade pendant emitting purple qi landed before Zhao Xing.

Upon seeing this jade pendant, Zhao Xing almost immediately acknowledged her as his master's wife.

For this was a sixth-rank, lower-grade Dragon Soul Jade!

He originally did not want to accept it, but Princess Youruo had given too much!

"Since an elder bestows it, this student thanks you for the gift." Zhao Xing respectfully accepted the jade pendant, abandoning official protocol to instead perform the rites of a disciple.

"Good, good, good." Princess Youruo was overjoyed. "Lead me inside to see him."

"Yes." Zhao Xing immediately sold out Old Liu; this cheap master's wife had given too much.

Soaring on clouds to the mountain's midsection, they saw clouds and mist rolling, blocking their descent.

"Princess, please return." Liu Tianning's voice came from the mountain.

"Liu Lang, why do you refuse to see me?" Princess Youruo said. "A true man, do you not even have the courage to see me?"

Liu Tianning remained silent.

Seeing things were about to go wrong, Zhao Xing immediately thought of slipping away.

But Princess Youruo reached out and grabbed; the Immortal Belt flew out again, dragging Zhao Xing back.

This damn person was a Fourth-Rank Sorcerer; Master Zhao had no power to resist and was immediately captured beside Youruo.

"Liu Lang, do you truly refuse to see me?!" Princess Youruo's voice gradually turned cold.

The air around Zhao Xing was sucked dry; a powerful negative pressure squeezed his body, causing him to immediately breathe rapidly.

Damn it, does this old witch have a dog's face, flipping so quickly? Master Zhao was on the verge of tears. Liu Tianning, come out and see her quickly! Damn it!

"Stop!" Liu Tianning's figure quickly emerged from the clouds and mist.

Zhao Xing was the successor he had sought for a long time; if he were destroyed in Youruo's hands, he truly did not know when he might encounter a second one.

"Our private matters have nothing to do with outsiders," Liu Tianning said. "Let him go."

Youruo smiled brightly and released Zhao Xing: "Liu Lang, how could I bear to hurt your disciple? It was just a joke. Zhao Xing, isn't that right?"

"Yes. The Princess did not intend to harm me." Zhao Xing nodded; he had felt just now that Princess Youruo held no killing intent.

If there truly had been, Master Zhao would not have offered zero resistance at the moment she struck.

"Youruo, come in." Liu Tianning then said to Zhao Xing: "You may withdraw first."

"Yes, this disciple takes his leave." Zhao Xing cupped his hands and bowed to Liu Tianning, then bowed once more to Princess Youruo.

Afterward, he left promptly.

Watching both Liu Tianning and Princess Youruo enter the clouds and mist.

Zhao Xing finally breathed a sigh of relief; his gossiping heart burned with the intensity of Xiong Xiong.

"The mystery of two lifetimes has finally been solved today."

"If this happened in a past life and was posted on a forum, it would surely spark a thread of thousands of floors."

"I thought Liu Tianning had offended the Long Princess's interest group, but I never expected the old witch to be Liu Tianning's lover!"

"There's a story here. No, there's an affair!"

Zhao Xing's heart itched; he wished he could split off a straw man to sneak over and eavesdrop.

But he could only think it; Liu Tianning was a fifth-rank official with fourth-rank combat power, while Princess Youruo was directly fourth-rank and possessed numerous magical artifacts.

He could only wait to hear the gossip about these two later.

"I never thought Liu Tianning, such a cold and ruthless madman, had a love debt in his youth, and with a princess at that. Tsk tsk."

Liu Tianning had promised him an exploration team, and today he had heard gossip; Zhao Xing felt this trip was not in vain.

Zhao Xing was just about to fly away when a flying boat appeared in the sky, blocking his path.

"Hmm? A Magnolia Flying Boat?" Zhao Xing looked at the vessel, which was adorned with beautiful flowers and plants, and even had a verdant bamboo growing on it.

"Young friend, please wait." A gentle female voice drifted down from the flying boat on the wind.

The breeze blew, spreading the sound; Zhao Xing stopped because the wind was directed at him, yet it was not offensive and seemed very polite.

"What instructions does your lordship have?" Zhao Xing halted his form; at this moment, the Magnolia Flying Boat was positioned sideways to him.

A beaded curtain rose from the window, yet a veil still separated them, allowing only a vague silhouette of a woman to be seen inside.

She also had many ornaments on her head, but separated by a layer, Zhao Xing could not determine her background.

Judging solely by this flying boat, the visitor's identity was clearly no simple matter.

"I dare not; I only wish to ask the young friend: Is Lord Liu Tianning at the mountain ahead?" the female voice asked gently.

No way... here to find Old Liu again?

Zhao Xing replied, "I am Zhao Xing. You are looking for my master. May I ask your name, my lord?"

"Murong Qing from Yuanhe Commandery in Daoyuanzhou. So you are Lord Liu's high disciple. May I request you announce my arrival, saying an old friend has come to visit?"

Hearing this name, Zhao Xing was utterly stunned in his heart.

Who would have thought you, Liu Tianning, with your thick eyebrows and bright eyes, had so many love debts?

A princess just passed, and now another one arrives?

Just as he was dazed, a light, agile voice came from inside the cabin: "Mother, right ahead is the location of the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace; let us go directly there..."

"Hush! How can you be so rude?"

Hearing this voice, Zhao Xing paused; she brought a daughter?

"My master is currently receiving a guest, but I can announce your arrival. Please wait here for a moment."

"Thank you."

Zhao Xing took out the Earth Mirror and quickly sent a message to Liu Tianning.

But Old Liu did not reply; Zhao Xing did not know if he had seen the message.

Zhao Xing could only say, "Lady, my master is currently meeting with a guest and is temporarily unavailable to receive visitors. Please return."

He could not let a real fight break out on Old Liu's side, or he might not have time to do work for him.

Hearing this, the mistress of the Magnolia Flying Boat seemed disappointed.

However, her cultivation was far better than Princess Youruo's.

"Since it is inconvenient, I shall visit another day. Please inform the young friend that I will return in three days."

"Lady, take care. I will certainly inform him." Zhao Xing clasped his hands.

The Magnolia Flying Boat turned its bow and quickly vanished into the horizon.

Watching the flying boat leave, Zhao Xing did not know what to say.

"Given Princess Youruo's nature, if they met, it would truly be a battlefield of demons," Zhao Xing said. "A mistress's battlefield of demons; what a strange setting."

Zhao Xing told Liu Tianning about Murong Qing's arrival and the arrangement to visit in three days.

He then waited a moment; seeing no one else arrive within the territory of the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace, he finally left.

Returning to the Eighteen Locusts Courtyard, Zhao Xing suddenly realized something.

"The news of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven erupting with the spiritual beauty of heaven and earth has likely already been foreseen by many nobles."

"The sudden appearance of so many nobles from different places is proof enough."

"Princess Youruo and Murong Qing might not have come specifically to find Liu Tianning; otherwise, why not seek him earlier or later, but precisely now?"

Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes slightly.

Daoyuanzhou; how could that be anything less than a hundred thousand miles away?

They have already smelled it out and come!

"No, this matter must be settled as soon as possible. I must also tell Xia Jing to get them a slot as quickly as possible and ensure they make full preparations! If it's too late, it will be too late!"