Chapter 228: Breakthrough, Spell Domain, Crushing the Sixth Rank! (8K)

Number Ninety-Eight, Night Fortress.

Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship.

"Whoosh~"

A Blood Shadow Flying Boat slowly landed a hundred meters away from the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship.

Ji Zixuan glanced back and said softly, "Senior Brother, we have arrived."

Zhao Xing's Ten Thousand Dharma avatar opened his eyes: "Land directly; the Master already knows."

"Yes."

Ji Zixuan immediately commanded the Blood Shadow Flying Boat to land.

On the twenty-seventh day of the third month, at Xu hour, Zhao Xing's nine Ten Thousand Dharma avatars, along with Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan, arrived at Number Ninety-Eight Night Fortress in the Eternal Night Sea.

The deck was empty; the entire Tower Ship was desolate.

Both Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue felt quite uncomfortable.

When they went to the Ten Thousand Dharma Palace, there were countless straw men; it was as if they had fallen into a nest of straw men, and all those straw men looked like Liu Tianning, which felt quite eerie.

Yet now, with no straw men on the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower Ship, they were equally uncomfortable.

Liu Tianning's first impression on them had already been set.

Walking on the deck now, Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue could not help but look around.

Fearing that a Liu Tianning might suddenly dart out from some corner.

Zhao Xing had long since adapted, after all, he himself had cultivated the Self-Straw Man.

"The Master is currently on Pei Pei Yuanchang's ship; you need not overthink it," Zhao Xing comforted.

After walking for a while, a voice was heard.

"Xuan'er." On the Tower Ship's viewing platform, Princess Youruo appeared before the railing.

"Master." Ji Zixuan immediately bowed deeply, then obediently flew to Princess Youruo's side.

"Princess." Zhao Xing approached and paid his respects.

"Princess." Murong Xue hesitated slightly.

"No need for excessive courtesy." Princess Youruo smiled.

However, when her gaze fell upon Murong Xue behind Zhao Xing, it suddenly turned sharp.

"Hmph!"

A fierce aura pressed down upon Murong Xue.

"You, a mere commoner, dare not bow when seeing this Palace? Did your mother not teach you manners? Kneel!"

Murong Xue's face turned pale, her body swaying as if about to collapse.

Zhao Xing felt helpless in his heart; the old witch's temper was truly unpredictable.

He stepped in front of Murong Xue: "Princess, please calm your anger."

"You wish to protect her?" Princess Youruo's eyebrows shot up.

Zhao Xing immediately transmitted a voice: "Master's Wife, it is not that I am protecting her; her cultivation is too low to withstand Master's Lei Ting wrath. If she were injured, it would inevitably affect Master's reputation if it got out."

Princess Youruo's expression softened slightly, and she withdrew the oppressive pressure.

"Master's Wife," Zhao Xing said, "she has met the Master once; I have completed my task. I will send her off the ship immediately, ensuring this ignorant one does not obstruct your view."

Princess Youruo had come to be unreasonable, but Zhao Xing's repeated "Master's Wife" here and "Master's Wife" there had simply made her heart bloom with joy.

Zhao Xing's status in Liu Tianning's heart was not low; persuaded by him as he was, Princess Youruo indeed let Murong Xue go.

"Enough. In his favor, I spare you this once." Princess Youruo flicked her sleeve and entered the room.

Ji Zixuan looked at Zhao Xing in surprise; she knew the Master's temper well. When had he ever reasoned? When had he ever listened to persuasion? Especially when facing Murong Xue.

Yet Zhao Xing had actually persuaded her.

"Senior Brother, see you later."

Ji Zixuan bowed, then followed Princess Youruo into the room.

Zhao Xing sighed in relief and led Murong Xue to a room at the stern: "You will wait here; do not go out unless necessary."

"If you need anything, call me; I will leave an avatar outside the door."

"Thank you." Murong Xue's voice was low.

Zhao Xing said nothing more and exited the room.

A short while later, faint sobbing sounds came from inside the room.

Zhao Xing shook his head and commanded the remaining avatars to move away.

Who knows if this Murong Xue is truly Old Liu's daughter; if she is, then she is truly pitiable.

Coming to see her father once, yet having to be scolded by her father's woman.

However, even an upright official cannot settle family matters; Zhao Xing would not interfere even slightly; completing Old Liu's task was enough.

The remaining avatars walked toward the Ten Thousand Dharma Hall, waiting for Liu Tianning's return.

…………

A quarter-hour later, Liu Tianning had returned from Pei Pei Yuanchang's ship.

"Master, this disciple has delivered Murong Xue and Ji Zixuan to the ship."

"Hmm." Liu Tianning nodded. "Was your journey along the coast of Ice-Fire Island smooth?"

"Smooth," Zhao Xing said. "Although people obstructed us before, upon hearing the Master's name, they all made way."

Liu Tianning said, "Many fear me and respect me, but there are also many enemies."

"Wealth stirs the heart; disputes in the Eternal Night Sea will continue to intensify; surely someone will plot against you."

Zhao Xing listened silently. He had already prepared himself in his heart.

Liu Tianning was not a god; even in his past life when he held the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture, many had attempted to assassinate him.

The current smoothness was merely because the interests touched were not significant enough.

Liu Tianning said, "I have already spread the word: if anyone of the same rank attacks you, I will not care how many there are, because you are my disciple, Liu Tianning's disciple; you must keep this in mind."

"Disciple understands." He had long known Liu Tianning was a pressure monster; this could be seen from the Soul Sacrifice Pass incident.

Liu Tianning's words meant he was demanding Zhao Xing to become invincible at the Sixth Rank!

And invincible regardless of how many of the same rank came!

Having learned the Ten Thousand Methods Straw Man, if one could still be surrounded and attacked, unable even to escape, then death would be no one else's fault, but one's own fault for poor skill!

"Above the Sixth Rank, if anyone dares to attack you," Liu Tianning said calmly, "no matter how many come, I will kill them all."

"The distance from here to the Ice and Fire Island, I can reach in an instant."

"Yes." Zhao Xing nodded.

"As for the items on the Ten Thousand Methods Tower Ship, if you have any needs, you may take them."

"Thank you, Teacher." Zhao Xing cupped his hands: "Teacher, I have made some small gains in the Eternal Night Sea; does Teacher have any instructions?"

Liu Tianning pondered, "If you have any surplus, you may send some back for Ji Zixuan and Murong Xue to use; the rest you may dispose of yourself. The spiritual elegance of this world is useless once outside the range of the Eternal Night Sea."

Liu Tianning did not care about these things at all; if he had cared, how could he have remained at the Fifth Rank for nearly a hundred years?

"Teacher, this disciple has another request."

"Speak."

"I have cultivated a technique; may I use you as the target to practice it?"

"Yes." Liu Tianning nodded.

Zhao Xing then took the opportunity to use the Great Expansion Qi-Gazing Art to observe Liu Tianning's fortune pillar.

"Boom~"

Zhao Xing's vision was instantly completely filled by a shade of purple!

The fortune pillar was so vast it even enveloped himself.

"Purple Qi of Great Fortune, affecting even me, this disciple?" Zhao Xing was stunned.

Although he had been mentally prepared, he still found it hard to believe.

Liu Tianning was truly blessed with heavenly fortune!

"Do not waste your thoughts on this path." Liu Tianning frowned, looking at Zhao Xing, "Wait until you cultivate to the Third Rank before speaking of it."

"Yes."

After seeing Liu Tianning's true form, Zhao Xing's Ten Thousand Methods projection withdrew from the palace.

Not long after, the sounds of an argument between Princess Youruo and Liu Tianning could be faintly heard.

"... The Ten Thousand Methods Tower Ship is not worthy to be your vessel."

"... Liu Tianning, what did you say?!"

"Princess has great authority; why not strike and kill me as well?"

"You actually scolded me for that woman..."

"..."

Zhao Xing quickly left the Tower Ship.

He guessed Old Liu had gone to visit Murong Xue and learned of the previous matter.

"Truly, it cannot be cut off nor straightened out."

As soon as Zhao Xing descended the Tower Ship and arrived at the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, he saw Ji Zixuan flying over quickly as well.

Clearly, she too had heard the argument and wanted to stay away; for such matters, it was best for the juniors to run.

"Senior Brother, where are you going?" Ji Zixuan asked.

"Ice and Fire Island."

"May I go with Senior Brother?" Ji Zixuan asked with full expectation; she had always wanted to meet Zhao Xing's true form.

"No." Zhao Xing refused.

Ji Zixuan was too weak; going would only be a burden.

Ji Zixuan was not disappointed either; she simply smiled and watched Zhao Xing board the boat: "May Senior Brother have a safe journey."

Zhao Xing boarded the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, then entered the cabin and took out the Earth Mirror.

"Vroom~"

Tian Shan's phantom appeared before him.

"Teacher."

"Zhao Xing." Tian Shan showed a slight smile, "I heard you went to the Eternal Night Sea; how were your gains?"

"I gained a little." Zhao Xing said, "This student caught many spiritual fish and specially prepared a gift for Teacher."

"I originally intended to deliver it personally to Yang City, but the Eternal Night Sea is special; once leaving that area, the spiritual elegance dissipates. I do not know if Teacher has time to personally come to the Eternal Night Sea."

"Hahaha." Tian Shan laughed, "Your having this intention is enough. Teacher is old and no longer has the heart to strive for advancement; I have considerable wealth, and there are few treasures in the world I have not consumed."

This answer matched what Zhao Xing had originally guessed; if Tian Shan had an ambitious heart, he would not have been content to be merely a teacher at the Geography Academy.

"Does Teacher have relatives or friends? I could deliver the gift for Teacher as well." Zhao Xing said.

"Haha. It seems your gains were considerable." Tian Shan was very happy; Liu Tianning's fame was far greater than his, yet Zhao Xing still remembered him.

"Indeed, some have sought me out. I also sent out several Intermediate Investigation Envoy slots, but they are not suitable for the Eternal Night Sea."

Zhao Xing said, "If Teacher needs anything later, just instruct this student."

"Good." Tian Shan smiled, "You must also be extremely careful in the Eternal Night Sea."

"Yes."

At the same time, another clone contacted Lu Bang of the Taicang Court.

"Oh? You still intend to give me a gift?" Lu Bang was somewhat surprised.

"I, Zhao Xing, will forever remember the grace of Master Lu's guidance."

The reason he was able to learn 【Instantaneous Primordial】 back then was precisely because of Lu Bang's guidance; Lu Bang had even personally painted a teaching artwork titled "The Growth of All Things." Although it was Tian Shan who made the request, Lu Bang still had to be willing, let alone that Lu Bang had offered a few words of guidance himself.

"Then tell me, what does this gift consist of?" Lu Bang asked with keen interest.

"It includes Pure Yuan Lingxiu, Five Elements Spell Lingxiu, and Lifespan Lingxiu; I have prepared five thousand jin."

"Hmm? Five thousand jin?" Lu Bang was truly somewhat surprised; the Lingxiu Fish of the Eternal Night Sea were treasures, and many Fifth-Rank cultivators would fight to get them.

However, Lu Bang was also Fifth-Rank, and as the Director of the Taicang Court, he truly lacked nothing in terms of such nourishing items.

Having lived for over two hundred years, and being a member of the Benwo Sect, Lu Bang's food and drink were never inferior.

After indicating he did not need them, Zhao Xing added, "If Master Lu has friends or family in need, this student can also deliver gifts on their behalf."

Lu Bang pondered, "I actually have two candidates; these two you also know, namely Feng Qi and Cai Jin. Since your heart is sincere, I shall send these two on a journey."

April 2nd.

Ice-Fire Island, outer sea area, dark stone coral reefs.

This was already the seventh day since arriving in the Ice-Fire Island region.

"Splash~"

A figure shot up into the sky, followed by black and white light behind him.

"Caught four more; the efficiency of the Earth-Repelling Straw Man is not bad."

On the sea surface, Zhao Xing watched this scene with a smile.

The Yin-Yang Fish were small in size, moved with great speed, and constantly darted into the coral reefs.

Ordinary fishing methods were hard to be effective, and they were very sensitive to spell fluctuations; if something was slightly off, they would vanish without a trace.

"Fortunately, there are Fish-Eating Grass Seeds and Water Immortals," Zhao Xing thought silently. "Otherwise, catching them would be difficult for me too."

These two Sixth-Rank plants both originated from the research institutions of 【Shangluo Academy】 in the Soldier Realm.

Although the Yin-Yang Fish were somewhat unique, they could still be influenced by these two plants.

Zhao Xing dispatched straw men to lie in wait, so the harvest was naturally fast.

"I wonder how the others are doing."

The Blood Shadow Flying Boat had transported many supplies from the Ten Thousand Dharma Tower ship, and furthermore, near Ice-Fire Island, the ice layers were melting and thawing.

There was soil, the temperature was suitable, making sowing even better.

Fish-Eating Grass Seeds were not lacking, so Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Chen Shijie, and Ji Ji Ziyun had all separated to act, making the fishing efficiency even higher.

Few Yin-Yang Fish were caught, but other fish were scooped up by the handful.

Thus, Zhao Xing had enough surplus to use for cultivating relationships.

For many fish, he had already eaten enough to reach the maximum effect!

For instance, fish that increased Five Elements Water Luck; eating them further had no effect on Zhao Xing.

As for fish that increased lifespan, ordinary Fifth-Rank Spirit Fish no longer provided any increase.

However, for Vitality Lingxiu and Spell Lingxiu, Fifth-Rank Spirit Fish still had some effect, allowing for gradual accumulation.

But the amount caught was enough for him to eat. After all, Zhao Xing possessed straw man clones, and his fishing efficiency far exceeded that of Xia Jing and the others.

"I eat~"

Zhao Xing tossed four Yin-Yang Fish into his mouth.

This was already the hundredth Yin-Yang Fish he had eaten; the size of these fish was roughly the same, and as soon as the hundredth Yin-Yang Fish went down.

Zhao Xing immediately felt a change.

"The Fate Soul has reached the peak of Sixth-Rank from the mid-stage of Sixth-Rank!"

In just seven or eight days, the Fate Soul reached the peak of Sixth-Rank from the mid-stage of Sixth-Rank!

It was only because he encountered the promotion of the Cave Heaven and seized the opportunity; otherwise, such a rapid ascent speed would be impossible.

"With the Fate Soul reaching the peak of Sixth-Rank, the Heaven Eye Art and the Sleepy Worm have also reached the High-Stage Seventh-Turn level."

"Not only that, other spells also show signs of breakthrough."

Zhao Xing's true body arrived on the Blood Shadow Flying Boat, while Chen Shijie had taken the Sea Wave Flying Boat.

Many fish caught in the ice layer region were kept in the cabin, and Zhao Xing had some realizations at this moment.

"Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh~"

All twelve clones here returned to the cabin and remained motionless.

"Fish come~"

With a wave of Zhao Xing's hand, a fish with a silver-white back and a pale blue belly flew out of the water in the fish pond inside the cabin.

The violent wind, like a surgical knife, deboned and gutted the fish in mid-air before it flew into Zhao Xing's mouth.

After continuously eating seven such fish, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged on the deck.

As his Origin Dantian circulated, a mass of dark clouds gathered in the sky.

The Cloud Art within the Heaven-Timing Art was finally about to break through.

"The sea of clouds swallows ten thousand li; the Cloud-Swallowing Art has reached the High-Stage, becoming the Cloud-Swallowing Domain!"

Zhao Xing opened his eyes and pointed toward the sky.

The dark clouds rapidly expanded, instantly covering an area of ten li in all directions.

Dots of starlight floated from the sea surface, quickly merging into the sea of clouds.

"Within the Cloud Qi Domain, all Vitality is at my disposal!"

"Enemies cannot receive any replenishment, and as long as the Domain is not broken, my Vitality can be replenished at all times, almost endlessly."

"And the Cloud-Swallowing Domain is even more domineering; for any life weaker than me, the Yuan Qi within their bodies will be drained and sucked dry by me."

The Cloud-Swallowing Art has long failed to break through because the high-grade version is too domineering and extremely difficult to cultivate.

Yet once broken through, its power is boundless.

"Geniuses like Xia Jing and Long Xiao, I cannot drain their Yuan Qi, but they shall not gain any replenishment either."

"If the fight continues, they will grow weaker and I will grow stronger."

"Only with the Cloud Qi Domain can one truly be considered a master of the Heavenly Timing Sect," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Why is the Heavenly Timing Sect the mainstream? Because the Cloud Qi Domain can expand the casting range of the Grand Steward's spells many times over.

Previously, most of Zhao Xing's offensive spells had a maximum effective distance of three thousand meters; normally, the range for maximum power is within one thousand meters.

King Di Zang's Return to Origin and the Boundless Earth Palace have large ranges, but they are not offensive spells; the Mist-Hiding Art also has a large range, but its supportive nature outweighs its offensive nature.

As for the Gale Art, the Weather-Change Art, the Thunder Art, and so on, their ranges are even shorter.

The Cloud-Swallowing Domain, however, allowed Zhao Xing's Heavenly Timing Sect spells to reach over twenty thousand meters!

This is still only a First-Rank Domain; if it continues to improve, the range will only become more exaggerated.

"Through the Cloud-Swallowing Domain, the casting range of Heavenly Timing Sect spells increases drastically."

"During the Taizu era, the Grand Steward Wu Chen cast the Pig-Transformation Art, turning an entire city's population into pigs; this was because the Cloud Art Domain's range was large enough."

The Weather-Change Art is naturally classified among Heavenly Timing Sect spells, because the Twenty-Four Solar Terms and Seventy-Two Pentads are the supreme secret canon of the Heavenly Timing Sect.

"From Taizu to Emperor Jing, there were seven Grand Stewards in total; five of them were leaders of the Heavenly Timing Sect."

"Two were leaders of the Dili Sect."

"It was not until the Wu Di era that Liu Tianning, a Grand Steward of the Benwo Sect, appeared."

"After him, Mi Fu, although he created the 'Mysterious Yellow Analysis of Origin Art', was not of the Benwo Sect but of the Dili Sect. Moreover, his strength was actually not that great; he served as a temporary Grand Steward for only a few months before being replaced by Wu Di."

The position Mi Fu truly secured and held steady was merely that of a Third-Rank Steward Minister.

"Fish, come~"

Zhao Xing's Fate Soul had reached the peak of the Sixth Rank, and he continued to devour fish containing 'Spell Spiritual Elegance'.

In just one double-hour, the Cloud-Swallowing Domain reached the Fourth Turn.

"If I push the Cloud to its limit, I can completely cover nearly half of the Ice-Fire Island; if I were in the Great Zhou interior, covering most of a commandery would be no problem, because the Heavenly Timing in the interior is more stable and Cloud Arts are easier to cast."

However, Zhao Xing did not do so; there were many people around the Ice-Fire Island now, and making a grand display of expanding the Cloud would likely provoke hostility.

Zhao Xing's principle was: no fight without profit; if one can keep a low profile and slack off, then keep a low profile and slack off.

"Fish, come~"

Zhao Xing continued to eat fish.

After devouring several large yellow croakers in succession, Zhao Xing leaped from the flying boat and sank into the seabed.

The shallow sea area was only a few dozen meters deep.

Zhao Xing quickly plunged into the ground.

"Boundless Earth Palace!"

The second technique to break through was the 【Boundless Earth Palace】 Art.

Zhao Xing found a terrestrial vein, stood above it, and pointed lightly with one finger.

The terrestrial vein produced a branch, as if a river had been diverted into a fork.

This flowing terrestrial vein branch slowly took shape, constructing a bright yellow palace.

"Splash~" "Boom~"

The seabed terrain changed accordingly.

The construction of the 【Boundless Earth Palace】 continuously improved until Zhao Xing felt there was no further progress to be made, at which point he stopped.

He glanced at the panel.

【Boundless Domain: High-Grade Sixth Turn】

【Using the terrestrial vein as a foundation, cast the Boundless Earth Palace, releasing a powerful domain's drawing force】

"Boom~"

When the palace construction was complete, the seawater within a five-li radius suddenly collapsed thirty meters, creating a drop compared to the surroundings.

"Vroom~" The Blood Shadow Flying Boat, originally hovering in the sky, trembled continuously.

After resisting for three breaths, it began to fall.

"Withdraw!"

Zhao Xing immediately canceled the spell effect of the Earth Palace.

The clone on the Blood Shadow Flying Boat immediately took control, restoring the flying boat to a horizontal orientation.

"Although the range of the Boundless Earth Palace is not as great as the Cloud-Swallowing Domain, it is still large enough."

The high-grade Boundless Earth Palace is essentially still the Earth Palace Art; it is merely called the Boundless Domain because the constriction force it applies is stronger and its range is larger.

"Heaven and Earth, two domains."

"Yuan Qi cannot be used; spells cannot escape."

"Between the Heaven and Earth domains, I am the master."

If the Cloud-Swallowing Domain counters martial artists, then the Earth Palace Domain counters spellcasters; escape arts are ineffective within the Earth Palace area.

"In the future, when advanced to the Demon God Earth Palace, one can directly plant people into the ground to provide nutrients."

The current high-grade Earth Palace Domain can also crush many Sixth-Rank cultivators, but it cannot provide nutrients.

After finishing cultivation, Zhao Xing surfaced and returned to the Blood Shadow Flying Boat.

"With this practice, the fish have all run away."

Zhao Xing could feel that in the area where he had just cultivated, the fish had scattered in all directions.

Fortunately, it did not affect Zhao Xing and the others, as they were quite far away.

"We must change location."

Zhao Xing took out the sea chart, selected a direction, then sent his current maritime coordinates to his teammates, not just Xia Jing.

This included the people Pei Pei Yuanchang sent later, such as Wu Jiang, and the two Fifth-Rank cultivators Xia Jing and Ji Ji Ziyun had found.

…………

The Blood Shadow Flying Boat flew thirty nautical miles northwest.

This area still belonged to the Dark Stone Coral Reef region.

Zhao Xing scattered Fish-Eating Grass seeds here.

Half an hour later, he caught more than ten Yin-Yang Fish.

"Not bad, not bad. Keep eating; perhaps my Life Soul can break through to the Fifth Rank first." Zhao Xing revealed a faint smile.

Suddenly—

"Whoosh, whoosh~"

Two Silver Shuttle Flying Boats dove from the sky, flying toward Zhao Xing.

"Halt! This area has been claimed by the Liu Tianning Exploration Team!"

Zhao Xing raised the wind to transmit his voice.

The two Silver Shuttle Flying Boats slowed down and stopped in place, yet they did not depart.

Moments later, a Sixth-Rank Sorcerer appeared on one of the Silver Shuttle Flying Boats.

He stared at Zhao Xing for a while, then shouted loudly, "So it is Liu Tianning's high disciple."

"However, making us retreat will not be that simple."

"I shall not speak of reason." This sorcerer, wearing a jade-blue magical robe, clasped his hands and said, "I am Cen Haibo, a native of Laiyang Commandery. I request instruction from the Liu family's high disciple!"

"How do you wish to seek instruction?"

After a pause, Cen Haibo licked his lips: "We shall decide both superiority and life or death!"

"How straightforward." Zhao Xing sneered, "Very well, bring it on!"

"Please!"

Cen Haibo flew off the Silver Shuttle Warship, while the two warships retreated a hundred meters and fired a firework.

These scions of noble families are quite polite.

Before fighting, they even fire a salute; this is a wartime etiquette from the Taizu era.

"Rise!"

Cen Haibo waved his hand, and the seawater below surged up into waves ten zhang high.

Waves surged from three sides, leaving Zhao Xing only an escape route to the east.

Standing atop the waves, Cen Haibo quickly unleashed his second technique.

"Emerald Wave Spirit-Locking Bridge!"

The waves on three sides suddenly extended into arch bridges forged from spray.

The arch bridges moved faster than the waves, constantly extending forward.

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of wave arch bridges crisscrossed the sky.

"He has some skill." Zhao Xing glanced over; this was a High-Grade Technique, and this person's water-control methods were excellent. The Emerald Wave Spirit-Locking Bridge was equivalent to forming a semi-finished Domain.

It locked the sky's primal energy, rendering the Ministry of Agriculture's Heavenly Timing Technique unusable.

And the Heavenly Timing Technique has always been mainstream.

"Although Liu Tianning belongs to the Benwo Sect, his disciple has not yet reached the Fifth Rank; at this moment, he must possess few Benwo Sect combat techniques." Cen Haibo stood on the waves, staring down at Zhao Xing.

"Kill you, and I will surely become famous throughout Ping Haizhou!"

Killing Liu Tianning's direct disciple and becoming famous under heaven was a tremendous temptation!

On the Silver Shuttle Warships, two Sixth-Rank and eight Seventh-Rank cultivators watched this scene intently.

"Brother Cen's High-Grade Emerald Wave Technique is nearly a Domain; I wonder if this Zhao Xing can withstand it?" The Sixth-Rank Martial Artist Zheng Ying stared ahead.

"Liu Tianning's direct disciple must have some weight; he should not be so incompetent." The Sixth-Rank Sorcerer Ye Heming, with Jin Guang radiating from his eyes, scanned the battlefield.

"Let us see how he copes."

The group felt somewhat nervous and excited.

…………

"A semi-finished spell Domain, and you dare trample me to make a name?" Zhao Xing snorted coldly.

Jin Guang surfaced in his eyes, piercing through the layers of waves, instantly locking onto Cen Haibo's position.

Then, he pointed with his finger, golden light flickering at his fingertip.

"Voom~"

The next second, the formless momentum of heaven and earth condensed into a single point of Jin Guang, appearing on Cen Haibo's chest.

Cen Haibo felt a dull pain in his chest and instinctively raised his hand to cover it.

But after raising his hand, he discovered his arm was covered in snake scales!

"What? Is this the Molt Transformation Technique?"

He covered his chest with his left hand and frantically urged his primal energy.

"Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell!"

Cen Haibo's arm suddenly shrank, becoming a size smaller; his palm withdrew from its original position, leaving a layer of flesh and skin behind.

The blurred, bloody arm still shimmered with a second Jin Guang, continuing to grow scales.

"Molt again!"

Cen Haibo decisively cast his second spell, and his right arm was reduced to bone.

Yet Jin Guang still flickered, like a parasite clinging to the bone!

"What…?"

Cen Haibo slashed his left hand toward his right arm.

But his hand dropped halfway, powerless.

The light in his eyes rapidly dimmed.

At that moment, Jin Guang flashed for the fourth, fifth, and sixth times on his chest.

His five viscera, including his heart, had completely exploded.

Sixfold Tengshe Transformation!

"Splash~"

The waves, along with Cen Haibo's death, collapsed together.

The arched bridge in the sky lost control and crashed hard onto the sea surface, splashing heavy spray.

? ￠O

"Splash~" "Splash~"

The sea surface quickly calmed.

Cen Haibo's corpse drifted with the current.

"What?"

The people on the Silver Shuttle Airship froze.

Cen Haibo had just been overwhelming, his spell nearly a domain—but in an instant, he fell from the crest of the waves, his life force vanishing rapidly.

"How… how did he die?" asked Zheng Ying, a Sixth-Rank Martialist, staring in horror at the corpse below.

"How should I know? My strength is even less than Brother Cen's…" muttered Ye Heming, a Sixth-Rank Spellcaster beside him, sweat dripping from his brow.

"Are you gentlemen also seeking to test your skills?" At that moment, a voice drifted into the Silver Shuttle Airship, as if someone had spoken directly into their ears.

"We dare not," Ye Heming replied with a spell: "Yuanrang Marquis's spells are astonishing—we yield humbly."

"Yuanrang Marquis, may we collect Brother Cen's body?" asked Zheng Ying.

"Yes," Zhao Xing said coolly, "but remember: thirty nautical miles north is my territory. If you dare step in again, pay with your life. Do not say I did not warn you."

"We shall spread Yuanrang Marquis's words to all corners," Zheng Ying bowed. Seeing Zhao Xing say no more,

he swiftly wrapped Cen Haibo's corpse and piloted the Silver Shuttle Airship away.

Zheng Ying and Ye Heming quickly returned to the Joint Exploration Team's main camp.

Their return with Cen Haibo's corpse immediately sparked great uproar.

"Cen Haibo was a complete Heaven's Gang Realm cultivator—he came from a prominent clan, his strength was no small thing, yet he died?"

"Who killed him?"

"Yuanrang Marquis Zhao Xing, Liu Tianning's direct disciple."

"Him? He only rose to Sixth Rank in March—how could he defeat Cen Hou's son?"

"Ask Zheng Ying and Ye Heming."

"They don't know either—only that Cen Haibo had just unleashed his attack when he died."

"Huh, even they couldn't see what happened? This Yuanrang Marquis… not to be trifled with…"

"…"

The Joint Exploration Team's murmurs had not yet settled.

Another piece of news arrived immediately:

"The Heaven's Gang Realm complete general 'Huang Zhe' died fighting Zhao Xing over territory!"

"The Heaven's Gang Realm late-stage brothers Ma Wuguang and Ma Wuyang challenged Zhao Xing together—could not withstand ten breaths."

"A six-man squad, all at Heaven's Gang Realm mid-stage, used a combined battle array—and were still cut down in the sea."

"…"

For seven straight days, reports of Zhao Xing's battles spread among the Seven Top Exploration Teams.

Some were over territory, over the Yin-Yang Fish.

Others simply wanted to make a name for themselves by stepping on Zhao Xing.

In seven days, nine battles occurred.

One even involved six men attacking Zhao Xing together!

Yet without exception, they all failed!

Zhao Xing's reputation spread rapidly among the Seven Exploration Teams.

Not only because he was Liu Tianning's direct disciple, but because of his own strength.

Many believed that among Sixth Rank cultivators, this newly emerged Yuanrang Marquis already had an invincible aura!

"The competition is growing fiercer," said Zhao Xing, surfacing from the water in the northwestern sea of Icefire Island.

"I catch fish more efficiently—I don't stay long in one place, yet still nine battles occurred in seven days."

As time passed, the Frozen Night Sea thawed faster, the Spirit Showers grew larger, the stakes rose—and even Liu Tianning's name could no longer deter them.

"More and more people are coming, yet the Spirit Showers remain concentrated around Night Fortress No. 98 and this stretch of sea near Icefire Island."

"Not just me—Xia Jing, Long Xiao—they've all fought several times too. If you won't leave, you must grow stronger to handle any sudden situation."

"As long as I don't face a Fifth Rank group, crushing Sixth Ranks isn't a problem."

He certainly wouldn't leave now—the Yin-Yang Fish's effect hadn't weakened, and the Dragon Whale still lurked in the deep sea.

"Keep searching for fish!"

Zhao Xing swallowed the Yin-Yang Fish he had scooped up, then moved to a different spot and scattered Fish-Biting Grass seeds.

Related to the work: I've compiled a collection of the cultivation system and official-rank settings for any interested readers to peruse.