Chapter 257: Comprehending the Supreme Earth Palace Method, the Recruitment of the Kunyuan Academy!

"Whoosh~"

Zhao Xing kicked over a crate filled with yuan crystals, then distributed them for thirty Myriad Arts Avatars to absorb.

Maintaining the Dharma Body also requires yuan qi; just now, after eliminating Li Tao and the other three's Twelve Beasts, the True Body had consumed little, but the yuan qi within the Myriad Arts Avatars had all declined.

In short, since he had obtained plenty of supplies now, he naturally restored all the avatars to their peak state.

During this time, that sense of being watched persisted, until a quarter-hour later—

"The feeling of being watched has vanished."

Zhao Xing looked up at the sky, lost in thought.

"It seems the intimidation worked."

Old Master Zhao's move was purely a misunderstanding; Ming Dan was not a contestant, but a referee.

However, Ming Dan had indeed been shocked by Zhao Xing.

"Thirty Dharma Bodies, all possessing the strength of late Fifth Rank, and all capable of casting high-tier spells; the level is extremely high."

"And not just one high-tier spell; he is absolutely not a Beast Tamer."

As if a Beast Tamer who was this strong would still bother taming beasts!

Those who walk the Beast Taming path are mostly those with no talent in other paths, so they turn to beast taming.

"Ling Zhu, compare it against the database in the Earth Mirror and confirm what spell this is, especially regarding his avatars; what profession's technique do they belong to?"

The puppet assistant replied quickly: "Confirmed. Zhao Xing, the Supervisor of the Twin Dragon Horse Pavilion, registered identity is Beast Tamer; in reality, he is an Agricultural Official."

"The spells just cast included a high-tier spell exclusive to Agricultural Officials—the Seasonal Change Method."

Spell professions are diverse; depending on the secret scriptures cultivated, subtle differences arise, and the higher the strength, the greater these differences become.

The difference between common Five Elements Wind and Thunder Mages and Agricultural Officials lies in the three secret scriptures cultivated by Agricultural Officials.

Among them, only Agricultural Officials who have cultivated the Solar Term Order know the Seasonal Change Method.

It was precisely based on this point that the puppet assistant immediately judged Zhao Xing to actually be an Agricultural Official.

"An Agricultural Official?" Ming Dan was stunned. "Then what about the avatars? Could it be the Straw Man Method?"

"That doesn't make sense; how could the Straw Man Method be this strong?"

He had encountered Agricultural Officials before and had seen those who knew the Straw Man Method.

But the Straw Man Methods he had seen were only at the mid-tier level, and the straw men did not possess 'Life Soul Power' within them.

Yet just now, he felt the presence of a 'Soul'.

In Ming Dan's understanding, among such avatar-type spells, only the 'Battle Soul' of mechanical puppets could make one feel the presence of a 'Soul'.

The rest, such as Talisman Dharma Bodies or Five Elements Illusion Bodies, could not possibly be this agile, nor could they exist for long periods.

How could it be like Zhao Xing? Ming Dan even saw his avatars absorbing yuan crystals!

"After comparing with the database in the Earth Mirror, this is the Benwo Sect's Myriad Arts Straw Man of the Agricultural Official, also known as the Benwo Straw Man. It has already been cultivated to high-tier, also called the Myriad Arts Avatar. This is a supreme technique, with distinctions between Hundred Avatars, Thousand Avatars, and Myriad Avatars."

Hearing the assistant speak thus, Ming Dan's eyes became clear.

He was Fourth Rank after all; what hadn't he seen?

But he had truly never seen an Agricultural Official of the Benwo Sect who cultivated the Myriad Arts Avatar.

Not only had he not seen one, he had never even heard of it!

Because the Straw Man Method was not particularly famous among Agricultural Official spells.

The famous one was Liu Tianning, but at this stage, Liu Tianning had not yet reached the point of being known throughout the world; only people in the upper circles knew of him.

Only after he succeeded as the Grand Agricultural Official would the Straw Man Method be promoted to a state of universal knowledge.

Ming Dan did not understand, but was greatly shocked.

"I have stayed on the island for over thirty years, yet I did not know the outside world had changed so much; Agricultural Officials have actually become this strong," Ming Dan murmured to himself.

Moments later, Ming Dan remembered he had come to check whether Zhao Xing had violated any rules.

The question arose: Does an Agricultural Official of the Benwo Sect who knows the Myriad Arts Avatar count as violating rules by participating in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition?

Ming Dan was unsure, and the puppet assistant could not provide an answer either.

Because the historical records in the Earth Mirror contained no such documentation.

If unsure, then report it.

Thus, Ming Dan did not reveal himself but quietly returned to the warship in the sky, presenting the recorded battle footage and the puppet assistant's analysis to the Inspector Lin Zhengfeng.

After Lin Zhengfeng finished reading, he too found himself in a dilemma.

He was a Third Rank martial artist; he had heard of the existence of the Myriad Arts Avatar, but that was all.

Thus, he did not make an immediate decision but sought out Superior Officer Hong Hong Yuanba.

"General, the guards at the 'Cangzhu Lake' of the Grand Arena have reported an abnormal situation."

"Subordinate is unclear whether this counts as a violation; please, General, make the ruling."

Hong Hong Yuanba opened his eyes and quickly scanned the surveillance footage submitted by Lin Zhengfeng.

"Since he is an Agricultural Official, submit it to the my lord of the Junior Agricultural Office for a final decision."

"Yes."

Outside the Canghai Grotto-Heaven, within the layer of violent wind.

Two warships floated in the ten-thousand-meter violent wind, unmoving.

One was the Wind-Respite Cloud Ship, with nine Third Rank Tian Shi Sect Agricultural Officials on board.

The other was the Genchuan Fubo Ship, with fifteen Third Rank Dili Sect Agricultural Officials on board.

The reason for so many was mainly that various checkpoints within the Canghai Grotto-Heaven required Agricultural Officials to alter the environment.

For instance, the 'Yuan-Draining Earth Palace' of the first checkpoint was cast jointly by Dili Sect Agricultural Officials, with the spell's range radiating over the entire continent.

The poison mist wall spanning heaven and earth, constantly shrinking, was cast by Tian Shi Sect Agricultural Officials.

As for the Benwo Sect? Just provide them with delicious food from behind.

Shao Nong Ling Wang Tianzhi was not on the Fengxi Cloudship but on the Golden Dragon Warship, invited by Princess Youruo to attend a banquet aboard with his subordinates, including Ji Ji Shuchang and Bai Yunwu.

As for why Hong Hong Yuanba did not go, it was mainly because he still had to maintain order—not only within and outside the Canghai Cavern Heaven, but also on the seas beyond the islands.

Such a grand event must not be disrupted by external forces; Hong Hong Yuanba, the Second Rank Grand General of the Eastern Sea, must personally oversee it.

The disturbances in the Eastern Sea in recent years had not affected Hong Hong Yuanba's position, as the level was still not high enough, and the aftermath was swiftly quelled.

But if this grand event were attacked, Hong Hong Yuanba would have no choice but to resign in disgrace.

The news reached the Fengxi Cloudship, where only three Shao Fu subordinates remained on duty.

"Is it a violation for a Benwo Sect Si Nong who can perform Wan Fa Fen Shen to participate in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition?" Geng Shouchang observed the report with interest.

"Participating is not a violation, but using Wan Fa Fen Shen is," said another Si Nong with a white beard. "Wan Fa Fen Shen is no different from a divine weapon or sharp blade. We must immediately rule Zhao Xing in violation and strip him of his competition eligibility."

"Brother Yunhai, such a ruling is unfair," said another Third Rank Si Nong, Heng Yuan. "Wan Fa Fen Shen relies on technique—how can it be called a divine weapon or blade? The rules do not prohibit it."

"But they also do not permit it!" Sima Yunhai exclaimed. "Moreover, how is this method different from demonic arts? Capturing and devouring souls are its foundational principles—I recommend a thorough investigation of this man!"

Heng Yuan fell silent; he knew arguing with Sima Yunhai was useless, for Sima Yunhai deeply hated those who practiced Wan Fa Fen Shen.

Two years ago, his junior brother Pang Xianyun fought a battle with Liu Tianning in a Daochang in Daoyuanzhou.

Liu Tianning set goals for his disciples—and he himself had to meet them; to become Deputy Dean of Shangluo, he needed an undeniable combat record.

So Liu Tianning challenged a high-ranking Si Nong from the Tian Shi Sect—the one named Pang Xianyun.

Pang was Third Rank; Liu Tianning was Fourth Rank. Liu let Pang go first, unleashing all his techniques, then Liu struck him down with a single move.

Originally, few knew of this incident, but after being defeated, Pang Xianyun was utterly convinced by Liu Tianning.

He directly switched from the Tian Shi Sect to the Benwo Sect!

He abandoned his high official post and, during this year's administrative reshuffle, became a Zhi Jing Doctor at the Shangluo Academy.

He praised Liu Tianning lavishly, publicly declaring: "Wan Fa reaches its ultimate form—Master Liu may be my true Dharma teacher."

Now, what was once unknown spread quickly through the Si Nong circles of Daoyuanzhou.

When Sima Yunhai heard, he nearly exploded with rage!

His own junior brother, Third Rank, lost to a Fourth Rank Liu Tianning—and then defected to another sect?

Shame! Utter disgrace!

Sima Yunhai went to persuade him, only to find his junior brother had changed his name.

He was once Pang Xianyun; now he was called 'Pang Yuanzhen'.

When Sima Yunhai arrived, Pang Yuanzhen instead urged Sima Yunhai to abandon the Tian Shidao and study the Benwo Dao.

Sima Yunhai pleaded with Pang Yuanzhen for three days and three nights; Pang dragged him along for three days and three nights, explaining the Cao Ren Fa.

It left Sima Yunhai's heart cold.

Since then, he and his junior brother parted ways, despised the Benwo Sect, and regarded Wan Fa Cao Ren as a demonic art—especially denouncing the "Devouring Soul Cao Ren Fa."

Now, seeing Zhao Xing, who cultivated Wan Fa Cao Ren, Sima Yunhai naturally became agitated.

Geng Shouchang said: "Brother Yunhai, calm down. Let my lord decide this matter."

"This is demonic art… this is demonic art…" Sima Yunhai muttered to himself.

Geng Shouchang and Heng Yuan exchanged glances, quietly left, and then informed Wang Tianzhi of the matter.

Wang Tianzhi, as a candidate leader of the Tian Shi Sect, still had considerable perspective; he quickly replied to his subordinates: "Not a violation—at least not in this edition."

"Not a violation this time, but next time?" Heng Yuan and Geng Shouchang exchanged glances upon receiving the news.

They then forwarded their recommendation to Hong Hong Yuanba.

Hong Hong Yuanba passed the decision to Lin Zhengfeng.

Lin Zhengfeng notified all guards within the Canghai Cavern Heaven: "Do not report anomalies if you encounter this Si Nong driver named Zhao Xing, or similar cases—Si Nong's Wan Fa Fen Shen is not a violation."

The guards were baffled, nodded half-understandingly, then returned to study Si Nong-related knowledge.

But they all remembered Zhao Xing's name, knowing one Si Nong driver had entered the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition.

…………

Zhao Xing did not know his Wan Fa Fen Shen had been discussed by so many high-ranking figures on the first day.

He was now in Palace No. 42, checking the rankings.

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Stage: Grand Arena (Day One)】

【Points: 78000】

【Rank: 23818】

"Seventy-eight thousand points—looks like they haven't encountered anyone else. No extra points on them."

"Of course; it's still not intense yet. The highest rank hasn't even reached two or three hundred thousand points."

On the first day, everyone was gathering supplies to ensure their mobility; competition was still mild.

Even those who failed to secure supplies wouldn't starve within two or three days.

"Two months—competition will likely intensify only after the first month."

Zhao Xing closed the ground mirror rankings.

The current rankings held little reference value.

"In half a day, I've looted forty-one of the forty-six supply points near Cangzhu Lake."

"Five of them were empty—clearly already taken."

"The supplies from forty-one points, without combat, are enough for me and my battle pet to last four or five months. If combat occurs, it's uncertain—but sustaining several major battles is still feasible."

Zhao Xing leapt onto the palace roof and gazed into the distance.

"Ten thousand meters of toxic mist still spread slowly; no rush to head toward the center."

The later it gets, the more points those eliminated receive.

"With supplies plentiful and no rush to act, let's first study the top-tier technique: 'Ji Yuan Di Gong.'"

Zhao Xing led Shan Mao, Cang Ni, and Ling Huan Shan Yang out of the supply palace and into a valley.

"Even mastering just the surface of a top-tier technique brings immense benefits. If I can slow down the absorption speed of Ji Yuan Di Gong, it becomes an advantage for me."

"Ao Tian, Xiao Tian, Huan Tian, take turns on guard duty."

After finding the valley, Zhao Xing retracted all his Ten Thousand Techniques clones.

He needed to focus entirely on studying the Di Gong technique; keeping the Ten Thousand Techniques clones outside would yield little effect.

Having the battle beasts stand guard would be far more effective.

"Xiao Tian, if you're hungry, feed them."

"Don't call me unless it's urgent."

Zhao Xing pulled out several crates.

"Wo!" Xiao Tian barked, spitting a stream of flame that neatly stacked the crates.

"Eat sparingly, understood?"

Xiao Tian shook his nose.

Leave it to me, Master—go rest assured!

Zhao Xing immediately activated Divine Step Protection and plunged underground.

The moment he used the technique to descend, he felt the wonder of Ji Yuan Di Gong.

"Top-tier techniques truly are miraculous. Within Ji Yuan Di Gong's range, I used Xuan Tu Fa and Di Gong Fa—and neither was affected at all?"

Divine Step Protection is an advanced technique created by the master of Wan Xing Di Gong, combining Xuan Tu Fa and Di Gong Fa.

It fuses the mysteries of Divine Step Di Gong and Xuan Tu Protection.

Normally, if a di gong already exists in a location, a second one cannot form.

The earth vein has already been utilized by 'Ji Yuan Di Gong,' becoming its foundational technique—no one else can tap into it.

For example, if Zhao Xing used Wu Yin Di Gong, and then Chen Shijie tried to use Huo Yu Di Gong.

There would be only one outcome: either Wu Yin Di Gong collapses, or Huo Yu Di Gong collapses.

But Xuan Tu Fa would not be rejected.

Two di gong techniques can coexist, unless their tiers differ too greatly.

For instance, if a mid-tier 'Han Bing Di Gong' appeared above Zhao Xing's Wu Yin Di Gong, that could be viable.

Of course, both di gong techniques would be affected.

Where Han Bing Di Gong obscured Wu Yin Di Gong, the latter's confinement effect vanished.

And Han Bing Di Gong, since it wasn't directly built upon the earth vein, would suffer a drastic reduction in power.

The Divine Step Protection Zhao Xing now used also contained di gong elements.

Yet its effect remained unaffected.

Similarly, Ji Yuan Di Gong's effect was also unaffected.

Because Zhao Xing felt no slowdown in the rate of Qi loss.

"Harmonizing all, truly worthy of a top-tier di gong technique," Zhao Xing thought. "This Ji Yuan Di Gong—no matter how high I fly or how deep I dive, its absorption efficiency remains constant."

Zhao Xing's Qi reserves, thanks to the Pure Yuan Space, lasted longer than a fourth-rank cultivator's—six days total.

But no matter how deep he dove or how high he flew, the rate of Qi depletion stabilized at the six-day limit—that was what made it terrifying.

Zhao Xing kept descending, not knowing how long he'd gone, yet he found Ji Yuan Di Gong remained just as distant as ever.

"The earth vein's potential gradient is constantly shifting. Unless I master a top-tier di gong technique, I can't disrupt this di gong," Zhao Xing halted his descent and began observing the massive di gong below.

It resembled a square box, yet bristled with countless corridors, like a labyrinth.

Its structure alternated between transparent and radiating seven-colored light.

Zhao Xing felt this di gong was utterly perfect.

Top-tier techniques are rarely seen, their learning paths scarce, and guarded by numerous barriers.

Because top-tier techniques are state secrets—they cannot be learned by just anyone.

If they could be learned freely, spies would easily steal them.

To learn a top-tier technique, you must become an official in some government agency or department—not just have money.

Zhao Xing's mastery of his three secret scriptures and his understanding of the Dao had already reached the threshold to learn a top-tier technique. Now, seeing this perfect technique di gong, he became utterly absorbed.

"The perfect Ji Yuan Di Gong—its utilization of the earth vein is truly brilliant," Zhao Xing marveled.

He even voluntarily lifted his Qi Gathering Seal, allowing Ji Yuan Di Gong to draw in his Qi freely.

His Qi, which had previously lasted six days, now lasted only three—he felt the difference clearly.

…………

Immersed in the contemplation of the top-tier technique, the sensation was exquisite; Zhao Xing lost all sense of time.

When hungry or tired, he unfolded a Pure Yuan projection in the underground cavern and retrieved supplies to recover.

After who knew how long, Zhao Xing suddenly heard a dog's bark in his mind.

"Wo!"

Zhao Xing instantly snapped out of his contemplation.

It wasn't Xiao Tian's voice—it was Ao Tian's. That idiot cat had learned to bark like a dog.

"Ao Tian, why are you barking?"

"What? Hungry? Didn't I give you six days' worth of food?"

"Miao!!"

"What did you say? It's already the seventh day? This... my apologies."

Zhao Xing immediately cast a spell to rise.

At this moment, the Cang Ni Dog, Xiaotian, still stood guard atop the hill.

As for the Spirit Illusion Goat and the mountain cat, they lay listlessly beside three empty crates.

"Come, let's eat. Xiaotian, you come eat too."

Seeing Zhao Xing say he would release food, the mountain cat and the Spirit Illusion Goat immediately perked up, wagging their tails and opening their mouths.

Meanwhile, Xiaotian walked down from the hill with elegant steps.

Zhao Xing cast Pure Yuan Projection, and three supply crates materialized.

"Eat."

The Cat Master impatiently swiped his claws to unlock them, and then the three battle beasts began to feast heartily.

Zhao Xing was not hungry yet, so he took out the Earth Mirror to check the developments of these past few days.

First, the top-tier Wu Ji 'Poisonous Mist Miasma' cast by the Tian Shi Sect had shrunk to near the Cangzhu Lake.

Seven supply palaces had already been swallowed; Zhao Xing looked back, and they were only about three kilometers away from him.

Since it was now the seventh day, the speed of the poison mist had increased significantly; in one day, the mist would shrink from three kilometers away to his current location.

Next was the matter of points.

Zhao Xing's points had reached 148,000.

His ranking had dropped from 23,000 to 33,000, falling by 10,000 places.

The point total did not match, which caught Zhao Xing's attention.

"Logically, since the seventh day has not yet passed, I should only have 60,000 survival points and 78,000 points from eliminating others, totaling 138,000. Why is it 148,000?"

Zhao Xing examined it carefully and finally found the clue in the Earth Mirror notification.

There was a reminder sent at noon two days ago.

【Beast Tamer 'Liu Zhong', unable to obtain supplies and on the verge of death, triggered the protection of the Cang Hai Token and has been eliminated.】

【Liu Zhong and his battle beasts were eliminated, generating points as well, which were distributed equally among the personnel in Liu Zhong's area.】

【You have received 10,000 points.】

"Hmm? So that's how it is." Zhao Xing suddenly understood.

Every contestant carried a Cang Hai Token; once inside, they could not voluntarily leave unless they were near death and triggered the protection mechanism to depart.

Eliminations like this, where one starved to death without entering combat, also generated points to be distributed to others.

The main theme of the Grand Arena is survival, because the Long Ting Ancient Land is a treacherous environment.

If one knows how to survive, even without participating in a single battle, it is possible to gain benefits within the secret realm.

"This Liu Zhong was quite unlucky; with no supplies, his Yuan Qi kept draining, and he was only eliminated when he was nearly starving to death. That must have been terribly painful."

Zhao Xing put away the Earth Mirror, looked at the poison mist in the distance, and then glanced at the Yuan Qi Suction Underground Palace beneath his feet.

"In such an environment, if one is unlucky and fails to seize supplies, one probably cannot display one's true strength."

When Yuan Qi drops below fifty percent, the power of spells and Wu Ji is affected. The logic is simple: fighting on an empty stomach naturally reduces combat effectiveness.

When Yuan Qi drops below thirty percent, the power of spells, Wu Ji, and other abilities is less than half of the original.

When Yuan Qi drops below twenty percent, one enters a critical injury state from weakness.

Below ten percent, there is a life-threatening danger.

"The Si Nong created this extreme environment with top-tier Wu Ji; not a trace of Yuan Qi can be absorbed, and instead, one is drained."

"This is already a constraint on the power of the spells. If their full power were displayed, it would be a terrifying natural disaster; without high-grade cultivation, no one could survive."

Thinking of this, Zhao Xing's desire to master a top-tier Wu Ji grew even stronger.

He must master at least one top-tier Wu Ji before Liang Wang rebels, because by then, Haizhou and the East Sea will be filled with natural disasters.

Although Li Boqian stabilized relatively quickly, this 'relatively quickly' is only relative.

According to history books, Liang Wang's rebellion was quelled in two and a half years; viewed in the long river of history, it was indeed brief.

Two and a half years is indeed short for high officials who often live for hundreds of years.

However, for common people, even a single day of such a disaster feels long.

"Liang Wang's rebellion involved many high-grade military Si Nong under his command; if one is caught in the crossfire, it is a disaster."

After sighing, Zhao Xing decided to move to another location to continue his comprehension.

The three battle beasts had finished eating and were licking their paws.

"It's fine for the dog to lick, but what are you licking for?" Zhao Xing walked over and picked up the Spirit Illusion Goat.

"Baa~" The Spirit Illusion Goat squinted its eyes; Zhao Xing could even see flattery on its face.

"Alright, let's go." Such a small habit was harmless, and Zhao Xing was too lazy to correct it.

In any case, the three battle beasts could now obey orders without fail; regarding other aspects, he no longer demanded perfection.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

One human and three beasts flew rapidly toward the central area.

They soon left the Cangzhu Lake area.

Two hours later, Zhao Xing stopped and landed on a barren rocky mountain.

"Shiyan Mountain Range. If we stay here, it will take at least twenty days for the poison circle to shrink over." Zhao Xing opened the map and estimated.

He planned to act only after a month, when the poison circle shrank faster; seeking out people to eliminate for points now was inefficient and might easily lead to a stumble.

Zhao Xing considered himself invincible at his own realm, but he was not so arrogant as to claim invincibility at the Fourth Grade.

Without mastering a top-tier Wu Ji, who dares claim invincibility at the Fourth Grade? Only a Fourth Grade cultivator like Liu Tianning could claim such invincibility.

An unparalleled genius like him had cultivated for over a hundred years at the Fifth Grade; his foundation was profound and unimaginable.

Just the seven supreme Dharma bodies alone have already placed Old Liu in an invincible position!

"Ao Tian, Xiao Tian, dig a cave here."

"Huan Tian, do not act; how can you use your illusion arts to headbutt?"

"Wang!"

The mountain cat and the Cang Ni dog, one using fire to burn, the other using lightning to strike, quickly blasted a cave into the stone mountain.

Zhao Xing had been vigilantly watching the surroundings; seeing that no one appeared despite such a huge commotion, he estimated that there truly was no one nearby.

Thus, he let the three war beasts rest inside, while he himself continued to sink into the ground to observe the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace.

"Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace."

After diving into the ground, Zhao Xing could not help but be attracted by the phantom image of the palace.

Although he had already studied it seriously for more than six days, every time he looked, he had a different feeling.

The perfect construction of the underground palace was built upon the earth veins, circulating and flowing.

Every single brick and tile, upon close inspection, seemed like flowing water, circulating and repeating; every brick and tile was like a vortex in a stream of water.

However, this vortex existed for an extremely short time, flashing and vanishing instantly.

As if it did not exist, it became extremely flat again.

Then it would emerge from somewhere else.

"Compared to the Boundless Underground Palace, it has no sense of constraint or oppression."

"Yet it seems to tug at my Origin Dantian, causing my primal energy to naturally dissipate in this direction."

"Even with the Primal Energy Gathering Method tightly locking it down, I can only delay the dissipation by double the time, but cannot completely stop it, because its pull on the primal energy is too mysterious."

Zhao Xing pointed a finger; above this Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace, he cast the Boundless Underground Palace Method.

"Voom~"

The Boundless Underground Palace was established on the earth veins, while the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace seemed to be inside the earth veins.

If the earth veins are viewed as a river, the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace is beneath the river, while the Boundless Underground Palace is on the river's surface.

The two utilize the earth veins on different levels.

"The Boundless Underground Palace is vast and heavy, while the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace has lost the concept of size, seeming to be everywhere."

"The constraining power of the Boundless Underground Palace can clearly show the fluctuations of the earth veins and is also affected by the environment; in places where the earth veins are strong, the Boundless Underground Palace's power is greater, and where the earth veins are weak, its power is weaker."

"In terms of distance, when I cast my Boundless Underground Palace, its influence on enemies in the sky a thousand meters high becomes extremely weak. Below a thousand meters, the constraining power is stronger the closer one is to the ground."

"The Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace, whether on the ground or against enemies ten thousand meters in the sky, has a constant and powerful effect of absorbing primal energy, just like the supreme truth of heaven and earth."

Zhao Xing wanted to comprehend this Underground Palace Method; he did not expect to learn the 'Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace'.

Because the current Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace was not displayed for people to learn or cultivate spells with.

It is impossible to learn a supreme Underground Palace Method just by watching how others use it.

Zhao Xing used the Boundless Underground Palace Method he had learned himself as a reference, attempting to improve it.

The supreme spell Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace and the Boundless Underground Palace have similarities; after Zhao Xing cultivated the Boundless Underground Palace domain, he could also prevent others from absorbing even a trace of primal energy, but he could not absorb others' primal energy.

The Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace has no oppressive force, yet it can absorb primal energy.

At this moment, there is no method to practice; one can only observe externally and cannot cultivate the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace, but Zhao Xing can come to improve his own Boundless Underground Palace Method.

Just as Feng Qiu back then practiced the Wind Method to the 'Intermediate Stage, Eleventh Turn'; although it was not a high-grade method, it possessed certain powers of a high-grade method.

Like the old Minister of Agriculture, Xue Wenzhong, who was merely a Ninth-Rank Minister of Agriculture, yet could summon three-foot heavenly thunder and walk clouds in his palm; his Dao had no essential breakthrough, but his 'skill' had achieved a higher manifestation.

"Change!"

Zhao Xing pointed a finger; the bricks and tiles of the Boundless Underground Palace began to collapse again, the earth veins became flowing once more, and the palace was dismantled.

Subsequently, Zhao Xing began to imitate the realizations from these days, reconstructing the fundamental structure of the Boundless Underground Palace from a deep level.

"Voom~"

Quickly, a new Boundless Underground Palace appeared, its volume one-tenth smaller than before.

Zhao Xing felt it; the current Boundless Underground Palace had only seventy percent of its original power; this modification of his actually lowered the limit of this spell.

"Split!"

Zhao Xing caused the Underground Palace spell to disintegrate again and tried once more; in the fundamental structure of his tiles and beams, he imitated the vortex structure of the Yuan-Siphoning Underground Palace.

Time and again he tried; sometimes the Boundless Underground Palace Method failed to hold, sometimes the power of the Boundless Underground Palace became smaller, and sometimes, although the constraining power weakened, it produced a new effect, spewing out a burst of earth fire.

"Boom~"

In the cave, the Cang Ni, the mountain cat, and the Spirit Illusion Goat were buried by falling stones and sand dust.

"Wang Wang!"

The Cang Ni dug itself out of the sand, while the mountain cat shook the sand off its body.

"Mia!" The goat looked pitiful; a patch of fur on its body had been burned off by the suddenly emerging earth fire, and then it was struck on the head by a large stone.

"Wang Wang!" The Cang Ni dog walked over to it, signaling it to lie down beneath its belly.

As for the mountain cat, it rolled up the boxes, protecting the food supplies.

…………

Time passed, and it quickly arrived at the twenty-seventh day of the Grand Arena.

"Hiss hiss hiss~"

The poisonous mist and miasma had already reached the Rocky Mountain Range.

Wherever the poisonous mist went, even the stones were corroded, turning into a gravel state.

Its advancing speed was also much faster than on the first day.

"Awooo~~"

Looking at the cave beginning to disintegrate, Xiao Tian Dog let out a long howl; it was calling for Zhao Xing to report the danger.

The poison mist and miasma were already less than ten meters from them; if they didn't leave now, they would have to endure it head-on.

Instinct told Cang Ni that being enveloped by the poison mist and miasma would be a very dangerous thing.

"It's coming! Head east!"

Zhao Xing's figure emerged from the ground.

One person and three beasts immediately flew out of the cave, heading east.

"This circle is shrinking much faster than before." Zhao Xing glanced back.

The original gray mist had developed a hint of pale purple.

"Top-tier Law poison mist and miasma; if I entered it, I estimate I wouldn't last even a minute."

Because the difference between Top-tier Law and High-tier Law was huge.

According to Zhao Xing's calculations based on player damage values from his past life, if a High-tier Law master at perfection could deal 100 damage points, then a Top-tier Law master at the first transformation exceeded 10,000.

"Better just run the circles honestly." Zhao Xing actually wanted to experience this Top-tier Law himself.

But thinking of the consequences, he gave up; observing this thing up close, once one became obsessed, a moment of carelessness could lead to being hit, and if one accidentally inhaled a breath, one would likely suffer severe injuries.

"Wang Wang!" Xiao Tian Quan barked twice toward a certain direction while running, then turned to look at Zhao Xing.

It wasn't just Zhao Xing running the circles; many drivers and battle beasts hiding in the Rocky Mountain Range were now all coming out.

"We've been inside for twenty-eight days; it's time to take action and earn points."

Zhao Xing looked at the dozen or so figures to his front-left.

"Xiao Tian, Ao Tian, Huan Tian, kill them!"

As soon as the words fell, the one person and three beasts immediately changed direction.

Rushing toward the two beast tamers running to the front-left were eight battle beasts.

"Shiu!"

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and a flash of Jin Guang shot skyward.

The Swallowing Cloud Domain appeared, spreading rapidly to envelop the enemies.

The Cang Hai Ling in his arms trembled slightly, resonating with the Cang Hai Lings in the chests of the two opponents.

This signified that both sides had entered a 'Combat State'; from now on, even if these people were suddenly swallowed by the poison miasma, they would count as eliminated by Zhao Xing.

"Brother Qu, someone is chasing us!"

"Hmm? Only three battle beasts, and they are merely Fifth Grade?"

"Are they crazy? Brother Qu is Fourth Grade, and although I am a Fifth Grade beast tamer, I also have two Fourth Grade mid-stage battle beasts; on what basis does he dare?"

Qu Feng and Gao Lan completely failed to understand why Zhao Xing was doing this.

Could it be that he couldn't endure it anymore and had lost his mind?

No matter how one looked at it, Zhao Xing had no advantage, so the two immediately decided to fight back.

However, immediately after, Qu Feng and Gao Lan understood why.

They saw Zhao Xing, as if copying and pasting, release a full fifty Myriad Law Clones.

Afterwards, he even cast Pure Origin Projection; a full hundred Lightning Bamboos grew out from the ground.

In an instant, Qu Feng and his four battle beasts were completely surrounded by Zhao Xing.

"Holy crap, what is this?!"

"Pure Origin Projection, this is Pure Origin Projection; we've encountered a Benwo Sect Agronomist!"

"Damn, is this the legendary Myriad Law Clone?"

"Cheating, arena guards, I'm reporting it, someone is cheating!" Qu Feng roared.

"Zzzzz~"

But before he could utter a second sentence, he was submerged by a sea of thunder, transformed into a beam of blue light, and expelled from the Grotto-Heaven.

And the remaining Gao Lan was eliminated by the Mountain Cat, Cang Ni, and Spirit Illusion Goat working together.

Nine years ago, when the Mountain Cat was at the early stage of Fifth Grade, it could already trample a Fourth Grade Imperial Crocodile with Divine Bloodline.

Now, the Mountain Cat is already at the late stage of Fifth Grade.

Currently, Gao Lan only has two Fourth Grade mid-stage battle beasts; the other two are Fifth Grade, but they are merely of the Name Grade Ninth Tier bloodline, not enough for the Mountain Cat to even fight alone.

With the cooperation of Cang Ni and the Spirit Illusion Goat, he was instantly wiped out.

He didn't even have time to make a sound of doubt.

"Meow~~"

The Mountain Cat let out a cry; it noticed that after Gao Lan was teleported away, a lot of food was left behind on the spot.

"You eat; prioritize eating the others, keep the Yuan Crystals."

Zhao Xing ordered.

Then he waved his hand, shadows covered the area, and immediately collected all the Yuan Crystals dropped by Qu Feng and Gao Lan.

Those that couldn't be stored were packed into boxes for the three battle beasts to carry on their backs.

"Vmm~" The Earth Mirror sent a reminder.

【You have eliminated Gao Lan, Qu Feng, and their battle beasts, gaining 41,000 base points, plus 8,000 points representing half of the driver's score, totaling 49,000 points.】

Zhao Xing opened the Earth Mirror and glanced at his ranking.

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Stage: Grand Arena (Day Twenty-Eight)】

【Points: 412,000】

【Rank: 25,180】

"The points for eliminating people have increased." Zhao Xing licked his lips. "The further along we get, the more points one earns by eliminating others."

Because of the survival points, even if he encounters a weakling, he currently has at least 280,000 points.

In the final ten days, anyone still in the arena has at least 500,000 points!

Eliminating one person adds at least an extra 250,000 points.

Not to mention that eliminating a war beast also counts as points.

So, Zhao Xing is not in the least bit anxious.

The first stage has no requirement for numbers; when the time is up, the Second Heaven opens. As long as one is not eliminated, they can proceed to the next stage to gather points.

Anyone whose final points rank within the top five hundred will receive a reward.

"Food supplies are very sufficient; let's keep hiding for a bit. I feel a breakthrough is near," Zhao Xing thought silently.

In one month, by comprehending the Yuan-Siphoning Palace and reflecting upon his own Boundless Palace, he has reached a critical threshold, with an opportunity at any moment to realize the "Eleventh Turn," raising the upper limit of the Boundless Palace.

Soon, Zhao Xing arrived at a place called "Crescent Moon Mountain" and settled down to comprehend.

…………

On the thirty-fifth day since the Grand Arena opened, deep beneath Crescent Moon Mountain.

"Vmm~"

A palace radiating Jin Guang emerged; its roof was fan-shaped, and every single brick and tile shimmered with brilliant starlight marks.

When the new Boundless Palace formed, Zhao Xing could not help but smile.

"Finally, it is done."

"Go!"

Zhao Xing pointed with his hand, and the Boundless Palace immediately pressed downward, embedding itself into the earth veins from above them.

Although the foundation only pressed down one chi, the effect was very significant.

Zhao Xing could feel that the rate of Yuan energy loss within his body had greatly decreased.

"Originally, at full strength, I could last at most six days; now I can last sixty days!"

"The Yuan-siphoning effect of the Yuan-Siphoning Palace has been neutralized by ninety percent!"

"The move that breaks the original power limit of the Boundless Palace shall be called 'Boundless Starlight'."

Theoretically, the Boundless Palace remains a High-Grade Art, but having been improved and fused with his own realization, it has exceeded the original limit of the spell.

If the full power of a High-Grade Art is one hundred, and the power of a single turn of a Top-Grade Art is ten thousand, then the 'Boundless Starlight' Zhao Xing has now researched has reached one thousand.

This variation can be called a 'High-Grade Eleven Turns', yet it does not qualify as a Top-Grade Art.

The new variation possesses the effect of blocking the Yuan-Siphoning Palace; it was created specifically to counter the Yuan-Siphoning Palace.

Being able to interfere with the effect of the Yuan-Siphoning Palace is already very good, and it will also greatly help Zhao Xing in learning true Top-Grade Arts in the future.

"Blocking ninety percent of the effect was beyond my expectations; this should be because no one is actively controlling the Yuan-Siphoning Palace," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Outside the Canghai Grotto-Heaven, on the Genchuan Fubo Ship aligned with the Fengxi Ship, fifteen Dili Sect Agricultural Officials were handling official duties.

A large earth mirror hung high above the main hall.

Suddenly, a spot on the earth mirror lit up with red light.

"Buzzing—"

Third Rank Pingchuan Agricultural Official 'Meng Kun' looked up.

"A Yuan-Siphoning Palace in one location appears to have been damaged."

"The location is Crescent Moon Mountain... which official is responsible for casting the Yuan-Siphoning Palace at Crescent Moon Mountain?"

Upon Meng Kun's question, a Third Rank Agricultural Official immediately looked up: "My Lord Meng, it is I."

"Changqing, your spell palace has a problem; do you not know?"

Gu Changqing shook his head and said, "I know, but My Lord Meng, my palace spell has not gone wrong; it has merely been blocked within a small area. I can restore it at any time, but I fear harming that person."

"Hmm? What do you mean?" Meng Kun asked.

Gu Changqing waved his hand, then used the surveillance footage from the guard warships in the sky to display Zhao Xing's figure.

"I cannot detect images underground; I can only show you the situation on the surface."

"My Lord Meng, please look. This person is named Zhao Xing. He is registered in the roster as a Fifth Rank Beast Tamer, but in reality, he is a Dili Sect Agricultural Official."

"Oh?" Meng Kun gestured for him to continue.

"The Rock Mountain Ranges, Cangzhu Lake, and up to this area are all Yuan-Siphoning Palaces I have set up. He began comprehending the palace a month ago."

"He himself also possesses a High-Grade, fully mastered palace spell named the Boundless Palace."

"After thirty-five days, his original palace spell achieved a breakthrough, possessing the power to block ninety percent of the minimum efficiency of the Yuan-Siphoning Palace."

"Hmm?" Meng Kun was quite surprised.

Although a Top-Grade Palace Spell is ownerless and self-activating, and operates at minimum efficiency, it cannot be broken by a High-Grade Art.

Blocking ninety percent of the minimum efficiency is quite extraordinary; for a Fifth Rank Agricultural Official to achieve this is already rare.

That Zhao Xing, in merely thirty-five days, created a targeted counter-spell and realized the Eleventh Turn is even more precious.

"How old is he?"

"Official records state thirty-four; he is currently the Left Director of the Dragon-Horse Bureau on Twin Island."

"Only thirty-four? A Dili Sect Agricultural Official genius has emerged in the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition?" Meng Kun was shocked.

"Looking across Pinghaizhou, this is an extraordinary genius! Leaving such a person to raise horses at the Dragon-Horse Bureau is a waste of talent!"

"Someone!"

"Here!" Immediately, one of Meng Kun's subordinate officials ran in.

"Within three quarters of an hour, I want this person's detailed background information!" Meng Kun pointed at Zhao Xing's image on the earth mirror.

"Yes." The subordinate official immediately ran out.

"My Lord Meng, do you intend to recruit this person into the Kunyuan Academy?" Gu Changqing asked.

Kunyuan Academy is the sacred agricultural site of the Dili Sect.

"Of course," Meng Kun stated as if it were obvious. "How could we let a bright pearl gather dust and be lost in the countryside? Though we are not from Pinghaizhou, we can arrange for him to enter first through the academy's channels."