Chapter 291: Jingxin Year 36, Liang Wang Dies! (15,000 votes for monthly tickets)

"I have only heard of the Luck Coin before, but never truly seen it," Ye Yukong sighed. "I never expected it to be so miraculous. To receive the fortune of Heaven, how wonderful it is."

Zhao Xing weighed the Luck Coin in his hand and smiled. "It is not something just anyone can use, Brother Ye. You happen to have both the timing and the terrain perfectly aligned."

Unlike the Purple-Gold Ancient Coin, which had its own unique uses, the Luck Coin had only two effects.

First, it temporarily increased luck; as long as one carried a single coin, it was equivalent to possessing luck ranging from Derivation Four to Derivation Six.

The exact amount depended on the conditions at the time the Luck Coin was manufactured.

Second, it gathered the fortune of Heaven and Earth.

The holder could absorb the power within the Luck Coin, triggering a resonance with Heaven and Earth to receive the fortune of Heaven.

The most direct manifestation was its ability to help one break through to the Second Rank Heavenly Fortune Realm.

This function was powerful, but the restrictions were also great.

It had requirements for the user and requirements for the environment of Heaven and Earth.

For instance, Zhao Xing currently could not absorb it; only a powerhouse on the verge of Second Rank or already at Second Rank could absorb it.

Secondly, there was the environment of Heaven and Earth.

In the past, the national fortune of Great Zhou was a solid iron plate, locking the fortune of Ping Haizhou so it could not flow out.

Let alone a single Luck Coin, even if piled into a mountain, it could not be absorbed.

Now, it was because Liang Wang used a divine artifact to tear open a hole in the system of the Fortune Dynasty, creating a split, that the fortune of Ping Haizhou became visible.

That was why Zhao Xing said Ye Yukong had both the timing and the terrain perfectly aligned.

"We must also add human harmony," Ye Yukong smiled. "If it were not for you, younger brother, how could I have received the fortune of Heaven?"

"I have recorded this debt of gratitude."

"If it were not for you, I alone would have absolutely no chance of killing the cunning and cautious Wu Hou, or seizing his treasure. Wu Hou hid in General Dong Ze Commandery and would not come out; as long as he was with the three thousand Elite Guards, even the current Ye Yukong could not kill him."

Was the power of battle formations a joke? If one could easily take an enemy's head from amidst ten thousand soldiers, there would be no need to cultivate groups at all.

A single powerhouse constantly waging guerrilla warfare could bring down a nation.

It was precisely because of the existence of battle formations, formation arrays, the Divine Artifacts of the Artificer School, and the surveillance of Yin Spirits that absolutely supreme individual martial power dared not act recklessly.

Under normal circumstances of combat, as soon as Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing entered the boundary marker of General Dong Ze Commandery, Wu Hou would discover them.

In reality, this was indeed the case; however, Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong were constantly moving. The area was too vast, and they were far from the commandery city, making it difficult to surround them. If the situation turned bad, they could retreat.

However, if the two of them faced Wu Hou in direct combat and encountered a large army, it would be very difficult to escape.

The reason Ye Yukong said Zhao Xing contributed greatly was because Zhao Xing possessed the Inch-From-A-Thousand-Miles technique and the Ten Thousand Dharma Clones.

The movements of the large army were detected by the clones, and the Inch-From-A-Thousand-Miles technique was a top-tier escape method, making it difficult to be surrounded.

Including during the battle, the reason Ye Yukong could instantly approach Wu Hou and complete a one-hit kill was thanks to the Inch-From-A-Thousand-Miles technique and the Midnight Sealing Talisman.

"Brother Ye, you flatter me. I merely did some insignificant things; the one who truly completed the kill was your Bright Moon Sword Art, Brother," Zhao Xing said.

His top-tier dharma body had done many things, but it could not kill Wu Hou.

"In just half an incense stick of time, if not for Brother Ye, by the time Wu Hou's reinforcements arrived, all one hundred clones would have died."

"Ultimately, my top-tier dharma is only at the Third Transformation level; when the clones are deployed, they are currently only at the Second Transformation level."

Zhao Xing's foundation was still too shallow; if his original body mastered a top-tier perfect dharma, the top-tier dharma body would inevitably be able to exert the power of a top-tier Seventh Transformation.

When the number of dharma bodies reached tens of thousands, and the clones were properly forged, that would be the truly terrifying moment!

"It is already impressive. You have just cultivated the top-tier dharma body, yet you can control so many top-tier dharma bodies, and even breach the defenses of Wu Hou, who leads two hundred Elite Guards, causing him minor injuries."

"If it were a one-on-one duel on a stage, even if Wu Hou were at the peak of Third Rank, he would be played to death by you."

Ye Yukong smiled. "If you went to the Dao Arena to contend for the Great Dao with others, you would be a god-like existence within the arena!"

A god of the Dao Arena! Ye Yukong's evaluation was very high!

This was not without precedent; Liu Tianning's battle record stood right there.

After praising each other for a while, the two finally turned the topic back to the Luck Coin.

"Brother Ye, there is only one Luck Coin. How shall we divide it between us?"

"Give it to you. I have already broken through; its effect on me is not very great anymore."

"The sword in my hand is luck; it is the rule," Ye Yukong said proudly.

"Younger brother, you do not know this; I am currently terrifyingly strong and can completely take you with me—wait, no!"

Ye Yukong's expression suddenly changed. "Younger brother, run quickly!"

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xing was stunned. He felt no danger at all; his clones had been sent out to patrol over thirty li.

"Leave Huangze Commandery quickly!" Ye Yukong's tone was somewhat anxious. "The Intelligence Bureau just issued a warning. Because Wu Hou, who guarded the General Dong Ze passage, suddenly died, Phantom You King has ordered the Artificer Qi Jun to conduct indiscriminate bombing of Huangze Commandery!"

"We must evacuate immediately!"

Qi Jun was the Chief Artificer under Phantom You King; this person was at the peak of Third Rank and commanded a powerful army of artifices.

Zhao Xing was startled.

"How much time do we have to evacuate?"

Ye Yukong took out the Earth Mirror and projected a map.

A red light point flashed on it, showing the approximate location of Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing.

"Fifteen large armies have mobilized from the Tunnel Bureau and the Tower Ship Bureau of General Dong Ze Commandery and Pang Yuan Ming Commandery!"

"The bombing has already begun!"

"Retreat from the direction of Pang Yuan Ming Commandery!" Zhao Xing pointed at the map, and two clones grabbed Ye Yukong's shoulders, one on the left and one on the right.

The Inch-From-A-Thousand-Miles technique activated, and they immediately began to flee with Ye Yukong!

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~"

Clouds and mist exploded and scattered in the low sky.

It had been only half a quarter-hour since they left.

Zhao Xing found he couldn't fly very high.

From all directions of the Wilderness Marsh, columns of light flared up, quickly bending and spreading like waves.

They sealed off the Wilderness Marsh Commandery in an instant.

'!'

Zhao Xing activated Chi Tianya, but slammed headfirst into the barrier.

'The sky has been sealed by the Boundary Stele Array.'

'Break Break Break!' Ye Ye Yukong drew his longsword and stabbed a hundred times in an instant.

But this barrier wouldn't break!

'Targeting me!' Ye Ye Yukong cursed, 'This is the Stop-War Sealing Array formed by ninth-rank Boundary Steles!'

'Warrior secret techniques will lose eighty percent of their power.'

Damn it!

Zhao Xing's face darkened as he saw the pale blue array.

It wasn't just because Ye Ye Yukong's power was reduced by eighty percent.

'This Boundary Stele Stop-War Array allows entry but not exit—it's preparing for the bombardment ahead.'

'Go down!'

Zhao Xing grabbed Ye Ye Yukong, and all his clones rapidly descended.

'Boom!'

At that moment, the forest they had just left exploded, sending up a massive mushroom cloud.

The forest had become a sea of fire; enormous flame shockwaves spread outward.

The sky itself was lit up!

One of Zhao Xing's clones, lagging behind, was instantly shattered.

'Fuck, a ninth-rank Fire Source Divine Cannon?'

Ye Ye Yukong cursed violently.

'That bastard Phantom King is insane!'

Though the Wilderness Marsh Commandery had few residents left, there were still some.

Bombarding it with Fire Source Divine Cannons was sheer madness!

'Even at cost price, one Fire Source Divine Crystal is worth 800 million—would killing one Changwu Hou really be worth it?'

Of course it was. Ye Ye Yukong had broken through to Second Rank, and Zhao Xing had nearly two hundred Dharma Bodies here.

The Soldier Realm Passage is a military strategic point—it's not about money at all, it's about holding it at any cost!

Shhh~

Zhao Xing also poured all his strength into fleeing.

Now they could only run.

Because the Fire Source Divine Cannon is a long-range mechanical weapon, Qi Jun, the mechanist, might have fired it from a thousand li away—they could never find and kill him.

'Boom!'

A moment later, another crimson streak rapidly plummeted to the earth.

'Boom—'

The second Fire Source Divine Cannon fired!

True artillery carpet bombing!

Every profession has its monstrous aspects, and now Zhao Xing and Ye Ye Yukong were facing absolute suppression from a mechanist!

'Dive underground!'

Zhao Xing's clones immediately sank into the earth, leaving only two on the surface to guide direction and observe.

He carried Ye Ye Yukong through the underground, traveling for half an hour, when the earth suddenly shook.

The earth veins suddenly grew extremely weak; Zhao Xing's speed dropped sharply.

'What's wrong?' Ye Ye Yukong asked.

'We have to come up,' Zhao Xing said grimly.

'Prayer Mechanism Needles have been driven down from the sky.'

Upon hearing this, Ye Ye Yukong shook his head: 'They really think highly of me.'

The reason they're called Prayer Mechanism Needles is because, among large Gongjia weapons, they're relatively small.

In reality, each one is a hundred meters tall and ten meters in diameter!

At this moment, Zhao Xing, observing from the surface, could see eighteen Prayer Mechanism Needles descending from the sky.

'Puff—'

The needles pierced the soil as if it were tofu.

'Crack crack crack crack crack—'

After sinking one-third of the way, the black cylinders emitted thick yellow mist.

Yellow light flowed through the secret patterns on their surfaces, vibrating at a unique frequency.

'The ninth-rank Mechanism Needles forged by mechanists can suppress earth veins, burying them deep, while causing the earth veins to vibrate in a unique rhythm, rendering all earth-dodging techniques useless.'

'They're like the Sea-Stabilizing Needle, except the Mechanism Needle stabilizes the earth!'

Even if Ye Ye Yukong possessed artifacts capable of earth-dodging, they would all fail now.

If one was already underground, there was no other possibility but to be crushed by the earth.

Both men came from the military and understood these large weapons intimately.

The boundary stele's "Stop War" Great Array locked down the area, the Fire-Source Divine Cannons bombarded, and the Prayer-Machine Divine Needles forbade earth-shifting.

Truly, no road to heaven, no door to the earth.

The point is, those trapped inside cannot even fight to the death if they want to.

The Artificers aren't even here; how can they fight?

There is no fear of destruction, for whether the boundary stele or the Divine Needles, all are forged from Ninth-Rank materials.

With Ye Ye Yukong restricted to eighty percent of his strength, he simply could not break through!

It's just—————·They seem to have overlooked my existence? Zhao Xing couldn't help but think.

Boom-boom-boom~

The bombardment continued.

Ye Ye Yukong gradually tasted despair.

It felt much like when Jixi faced the Ten Thousand Mountains of the Kunyuan Academy back then.

Unable to flee, unable to resist!

"They really think highly of me," Ye Ye Yukong said with a smile, shaking his head. "Pity, after I entered the Second Grade, I haven't yet slain an enemy." Ye Ye Yukong believed he could no longer escape.

Fortunately, Zhao Xing had only sent a projection; even if it was lost, it would only cost two ancient coins.

"Big Brother, don't give up; there's always a way!" Zhao Xing encouraged. "Can they keep bombarding forever?"

"But my strength is restricted," Ye Ye Yukong shook his head and said. "It is hard for me to withstand the bombardment unless I dodge the core area every time and only block the aftershocks."

"To cleanse an entire commandery with saturation strikes, nine is the limit," Zhao Xing said.

"I can still lead you to flee in the Huangze Commandery for a long time! Enough to hold out until reinforcements arrive."

"Fine, you try; at worst, we die," Ye Ye Yukong laughed. On a battlefield of this level,

reinforcements would take at least an hour to arrive, so he was quite open-minded about it.

Misfortune is what fortune leans upon; fortune is what misfortune hides within.

He had broken through to the Heavenly Fate Realm, yet he also welcomed an intense siege; perhaps this was fate in the dark, and he, Ye Ye Yukong, was destined to have this tribulation.

"The Divine Luo King is already on the way; only an Artificer can break an Artificer's work, but he needs to deal with Qi Jun first, which will take at least an hour at the fastest."

"Follow me." Zhao Xing stuffed the Hongyun Coin, including the other Shanhai Coin, into Ye Ye Yukong's chest.

He then led him to continue dodging around the Huangze Commandery.

"Boom~"

The third one fell!

The landing points of the Fire-Source Divine Cannons were very particular.

In Zhao Xing's estimation, nine Fire-Source Divine Cannons would be enough to turn the entire Huangze Commandery into a human hell.

Actually, nine were not needed at all.

By the fourth one, Zhao Xing's "Foot of the World" technique could no longer be used!

Because the Fire-Element Primordial Qi had become chaotic to the extreme.

At this moment, just the crimson shockwaves and the raging subterranean fires were enough to burn a Second Grade cultivator to death!

It was only because "Foot of the World" was a teleportation-like divine technique that, after four Fire-Source Divine Cannons fell, the two of them were still alive!

"Found it!"

Zhao Xing quickly brought Ye Ye Yukong to the side of a Prayer-Machine Divine Needle.

This Spring-Machine Divine Needle was pure Earth-Element; at this moment, it was emitting thick Earth-Attribute Primordial Qi.

"Although the Earth Vein Five Elements are suppressed, it only prevents the use of earth-shifting arts; other Dili Sect spells are not hindered."

"Beside this Earth-Attribute Prayer-Machine Divine Needle, my spells can be greatly enhanced————"

"Earth Spirit Guardian!"

Just before the shockwaves arrived, Zhao Xing's remaining thirty-eight projections simultaneously cast the top-tier King Di Zang Art!

【Earth Spirit Guardian】 was a move from the Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Art, derived from the Ultimate Art "Mysterious Yellow Earth-Breaking".

"Yu~"

The yellow mist emitting beside the Prayer-Machine Divine Needle instantly blazed with light.

King Di Zang Art can be stacked; thirty-eight projections immediately held up an Earth Spirit barrier.

"Boom-boom-boom~"

When the crimson shockwaves reached the side of the Divine Needle, their power had already weakened significantly.

By the time they reached the Earth Spirit barrier, they had weakened another layer.

"The only lifeline inside the entire killing array; we must hold!" Zhao Xing stared fiercely ahead.

As the saying goes, slow to speak but fast to act; the moment the Earth Spirit barrier was raised, the shockwaves had already arrived.

"Bang-bang-bang-bang-bang-bang!"

The Earth Spirit barrier kept shattering, but here, the Earth Spirit barrier had a full thirty-eight layers!

The Earth Spirit barrier beside the Prayer-Machine Divine Needle kept shattering.

Layer by layer shattering; seeing that the thirty-eight layers were about to completely break, Zhao Xing's casting speed could no longer keep up with the shattering speed————··.

Suddenly, the surging impact force, due to interference from multiple Fire-Source Divine Cannons, suffered a massive weakening at this Divine Needle!

This was a completely random event!

Even the Artificer himself could not judge where a weak layer would appear.

And it just happened!

Good fortune descended!

"Boom-boom~"

The Earth Spirit Barrier stood like a boulder in a roaring river, unmoved no matter how fiercely the flame currents struck.

The flame current was split in two; thanks to the Earth Vein Power continuously supplied by the Prayer Machine Needles, Zhao Xing had pushed the power of this King Di Zang technique to its absolute limit!

"Awesome!" Ye Yukong watched and shouted "Awesome!" himself.

"Hahaha, the Mandate of Heaven is with me! Those damn dogs can't pierce my final layer of defense!" Zhao Xing also shouted excitedly.

Moments later, the shockwave dissipated.

The ground was now completely flat.

After multiple rounds of bombardment, the entire Huangze Commandery was utterly devoid of life, nothing but scorched earth!

The original towns had basically vanished, leaving only eighteen Prayer Machine Needles standing tall.

Yet there was no chance to catch a breath.

"Crack crack crack~"

The upper half of the Prayer Machine Needles, smooth cylinders, suddenly cracked open, revealing ten mechanical puppets.

"Hmm?" Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong immediately looked up.

"Eighth-Rank Mechanical Puppets, Great Sun Vajras!"

These mechanical puppets all took the form of bald, burly men, their bodies entirely dark gold.

Dark gold spikes adorned their shoulders, and a pair of eyes emitted flames, capable of spewing True Sun Fire.

"They actually didn't die?" Qi Jun's confused voice came through, "Is this the King Di Zang technique? What good luck—Ye Yukong actually still possesses a treasure capable of sustaining the Earth Spirit Barrier."

"Ye Yukong!"

The ten mechanical puppets spoke in unison, a hoarse voice emerging from them; it was precisely the voice of the Mechanic Qi Jun.

"Surrender."

"It would be truly a pity if you died right here."

"If you are willing to serve my King, you will not only survive but also have the chance to become a First-Rank powerhouse."

Qi Jun's voice transmitted through the mechanical puppets; he could not see inside the barrier and could only observe from the outside.

Continuously analyzing how much longer this treasure of Ye Yukong's could hold out.

At this moment, he had no idea Zhao Xing was here; this was because Zhao Xing's true body was in the Star Palace and had not appeared in the divination at all.

He assumed Ye Yukong had activated it by carrying a treasure.

"Qi Jun, why are you attacking me? Haven't I already surrendered to Liang Wang?"

Qi Jun could not see inside, but Ye Yukong, within the Earth Spirit Barrier, could see the outside.

Hearing these words, Qi Jun froze:

"What do you mean?"

"You surrendered to my King?"

Ye Yukong said, "Why do you think I appeared here?"

Qi Jun froze, then sneered coldly:

"Enough! Stop stalling for time; how could I fall for your trick."

"If you swear allegiance with your Life Soul immediately, I will withdraw the great formation and let you live. You have only ten breaths."

"Think about it!"

Seeing that Ye Yukong could not stall much longer, Zhao Xing could not help but speak: "Qi Jun, you are truly a waste. Who told you to launch troops without authorization? You have completely ruined my King's grand plan!"

"Hmm? Another expert?" Qi Jun was greatly startled; he had thought no one remained inside. Recalling Ye Yukong's earlier words and hearing Zhao Xing refer to himself thus, Qi Jun asked suspiciously, "Who are you, sir?"

"You fool, Ye Yukong has sincerely submitted! My King asks you: who ordered you to launch troops?!" Zhao Xing immediately seized the initiative.

"Naturally, it was the Phantom Nether King—Sir, who exactly are you!" Qi Jun roared: "Do not play with ghosts and spirits! Ye Yukong killed the Changwu Hou; I launched troops by the Phantom Nether King's personal order! What is wrong with that?"

"Who exactly are you? If what you say is true, inform me immediately; otherwise, I will attack at once!"

"Qi Jun, you have quite an ego. When my King and Liang Wang were brothers, you didn't even know where you were hammering rivets. Is this how you recruit talent for him?"

"My identity is top secret, and this operation is also top secret."

"You really want to know? Hmph, how many heads do you have that are worth cutting off?"

"You should have heard of Ye Yukong's fame. If he wanted to break through to the Second Rank, he could simply tell the imperial court; it would be a piece of cake. Why would he come here to break through?"

"Use your brain! What is the reason for this!"

Ye Yukong looked at Zhao Xing and could not help but freeze.

Little brother, you are truly good at acting.

To be honest, Qi Jun was actually stumped; ten breaths had passed, yet he still did not move.

Mainly because Zhao Xing and Ye Yukong's on-the-spot coordination was too perfect.

Ye Yukong appearing here to break through to the Second Rank was already very suspicious.

The General Dong Ze Commandery is a military realm gateway and a strategic location.

Why would he come here for no reason?

And how could he suddenly kill the Changwu Hou—and who is this mysterious expert, capable of keeping Ye Yukong alive in such a great formation?

A thousand li away, Qi Jun could not help but touch his bald head, his eyes clouded with confusion.

Could this truly be some secret operation?

A level so high that even he could not know of it?

No, if I don't know, I can just ask the Phantom Nether King, right?

He can't possibly not know either, can he?

Zhao Xing pressed his advantage, his tone softening: "Qi Jun, you almost ruined my King's grand plan, but there is still a chance to make amends. I will give you a string of secret codes; quickly report them to the Phantom Nether King."

"Even if you don't recognize him, he certainly will."

"But—"

"Stop wasting words, record quickly!" Zhao Xing shouted.

"Yes, yes."

On Zhao Xing's Earth Spirit Barrier, the power of Earth Element emitted waves of fluctuation, slowly flashing a series of symbols and patterns.

"Did you remember?" Zhao Xing asked indifferently.

"Yes, I have already remembered." Qi Jun's tone unconsciously became respectful.

"Report quickly to the Phantom Nether King!"

"Yes."

In Pang Yuan Ming Commandery, inside an underground mechanical city, Qi Jun immediately found a water basin.

A dark face immediately appeared in the water basin.

"Qi Jun, is the target dead?" the Phantom Nether King asked.

"Your Highness, the situation has changed," Qi Jun said. "Ye Yukong is suspected to have already defected to us, and a mysterious expert is following him."

"Oh?" the Phantom Nether King asked in confusion. "A mysterious expert?"

"Yes, he said his identity is top secret, his mission is also top secret, and he even said he is on a first-name basis with the King."

"Fake!" the Phantom Nether King sneered. "I have never heard of this mission."

"You quickly destroy Ye Yukong and return to Seven Souls Pass; the imperial court's reinforcements are arriving soon, they are just stalling for time!"

"Your Highness, he seems to truly be one of our side; that mysterious person gave me a string of secret codes, he said if you, my lord, take a look, you will know."

Qi Jun then projected his Qi outward, perfectly replicating what Zhao Xing had displayed.

The Phantom Nether King did not believe it at first, but as he watched, he fell silent.

Because the secret code Zhao Xing provided was not fake!

Zhao Xing had mixed in the Liang Wang camp in his past life; later, when Liang Wang was defeated, many years later Zhao Xing also unlocked those secret files.

Naturally, he knew some of the secret activities the Liang Wang camp had conducted.

After the Phantom Nether King finished reading, he was inevitably shocked in his heart.

Because this was exactly the opening code of the highest secret mission "Stealing Heaven Plan".

This plan was a defection plan, sending certain powerful figures into the imperial court camp as inside agents.

The Phantom Nether King himself was a beneficiary of this plan!

And now this string of messages, except for the executor and the target being different, the rest of the secret codes have great similarities!

Of course, there are also many places that do not match.

The other party used some secret codes that had already been invalidated.

But the problem is, the Phantom Nether King does not know if these have been reactivated.

Because he also did not have the qualification to access and know the full content; this was planned by the Xuantian Sect experts around the King.

The Phantom Nether King fell silent for a moment and said: "You just do as follows—"

After Qi Jun listened, he was startled in his heart, then clasped his hands and said: "Yes."

Inside the Earth Spirit Barrier, Ye Yukong saw that there was no movement above, and his heartbeat also accelerated somewhat.

He did not expect that a play improvised with Zhao Xing actually worked.

After a moment, Qi Jun's voice rang out again.

"You rascal, you actually dared to deceive me!"

Ye Yukong shook his head slightly; indeed, such tricks could only stall for a while.

But being able to stall for a while was already a miracle.

Normally speaking, the other party should have acted long ago.

Zhao Xing thought the same, because he was also unsure if this would work, because he also did not remember the exact time point clearly; those secret codes and symbols were all just randomly pieced together by him.

Whether it works depends entirely on luck.

Just as he was about to give up, Qi Jun above had no further words.

After a moment of silence, Qi Jun's voice transmitted to the Earth Spirit Barrier: "My lord, please give your orders; how should I cooperate to make amends?"

Ye Yukong's eyeballs almost popped out!

Zhao Xing was also somewhat surprised; this works too?

"Qi Jun, now the imperial court's reinforcements are about to arrive; if you directly let us leave, there will be problems."

"You continue to throw a few Fire Source Divine Cannons, throw them to the south," Zhao Xing said. "When the imperial court people are almost here, you then retreat."

Zhao Xing's current position is in the north; throwing the Fire Source Divine Cannons to the south, by the time the power reaches here, it will be greatly weakened.

"As for what to do when leaving, I suppose I don't need to say more, my lord."

"Yes, your subordinate understands," Qi Jun said respectfully. "I will find Li Xiu to cast the Oblivion Method on me; I will not remember your voice, nor will I remember the matter of Lord Ye joining."

"Hmm, go," Zhao Xing nodded.

"Yes."

After a while, an explosion sound came from above.

Ten mechanical puppets completed self-destruction.

Inside the Earth Spirit Barrier, Ye Yukong was simply stunned.

"This works too? Young brother—do you really know the secrets of Liang Wang and the others?"

Zhao Xing shook his head and said: "It was just a lucky shot; I and King Tianyan once raided an important stronghold of the Xuantian Sect, which recorded some of that sect's secret communication methods."

"I suspect the Phantom Nether King also only knows a little about this."

This statement was half true and half false; originally, when raiding Blood Spirit Venerable's stronghold at sea, Zhao Xing was the first to discover it, and there were indeed some communication secrets inside.

But what Zhao Xing gave out was relatively truthful.

Zhao Xing never expected it to work.

Because there were too many loopholes—if Huan You Wang knew everything or knew nothing at all, it would have no effect.

As it happened, Huan You Wang was precisely someone who knew only part of it.

Then why didn't Huan You Wang report or inquire?

First, he couldn't ask—just as when King Tianyan ordered Lord Luo to mobilize troops, Lord Luo asked King Tianyan what was going on, and King Tianyan never told him.

For Huan You Wang, this secret was so deep he didn't even know who to ask.

Liang Wang was no longer in Haizhou, and the one overseeing this operation was most likely the Fangwaizong Sect; Huan You Wang didn't want trouble.

Because although Liang Wang's three major armies obeyed him, they couldn't get along with the other two overseas armies.

Give him more time, and Huan You Wang might have figured it out—but there wasn't enough time; the imperial court's reinforcements were already on the way.

Killing Ye Ye Yukong might not bring great merit, but ruining a secret operation would surely bring trouble.

His mission was simply to hold the troop boundary passage; better to avoid unnecessary complications.

Thus, this flawed response actually allowed Zhao Xing to slip through undetected.

"Fortune smiles upon me!" Ye Ye Yukong sighed in amazement. "How did we manage to fool them like that?"

"It wasn't all luck," Zhao Xing shook his head. "The forces under Liang Wang are riddled with conflicts—he's only recently subdued them, and he can't possibly achieve the unity seen in the Great Zhou."

"The Southern Barbarians, the sects, and the rebel feudal lords of the Great Zhou—these three forces could never coexist peacefully."

"Now that Liang Wang is leaving Haizhou, even a minor setback would throw his internal ranks into chaos and cause self-collapse."

Ye Ye Yukong nodded: "Correct. This is Liang Wang's final desperate gamble."

He had commanded troops before; he knew how discordant the factions under a demon lord could be.

"!"

At that moment, a Fire Source Divine Cannon descended.

Since the bombardment occurred in the south, Zhao Xing and Ye Ye Yukong found it easier to defend.

They barely exerted themselves to endure for an hour.

After an hour, reinforcements arrived.

Shen Luo Wang, also a Mechanist, arrived with a hundred warships in Huangze County.

The Breakthrough Ships easily passed through the Boundary Stone Zhi Ge Array, while scattering numerous glistening blue markers across the land.

These markers were cast to all corners of Huangze County.

"The Zhen Yuan is coming," Ye Ye Yukong watched the fleet in the sky. "The qi turbulence has lessened—"

"We made it."

Zhao Xing also exhaled in relief; this time the cost had been enormous—he'd nearly lost Mingyue and his money.

But the final outcome was good: he gained one Hongyun Coin.

"Ye Brother, you're late," Shen Luo Wang descended from the sky atop a bamboo steed. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Ye Ye Yukong's voice came from the Earth Spirit Barrier.

"Hm?" Shen Luo Wang stared at the dozens of figures slowly emerging from the barrier. "Zhao Xing is here too?"

"This Earth Spirit Barrier—you cast it?"

"Greetings, Shen Luo Wang," Zhao Xing bowed. "Yes, I did."

Shen Luo Wang examined the Daoji Divine Needle, then glanced at Zhao Xing, unable to suppress a flicker of admiration: "Impressive. Using the Earth-Element Mechanist Needle to activate King Di Zang's Law—no wonder you held out so long."

"Zhao Xing, you've already reached the Supreme Body Form, haven't you?"

"Yes," Zhao Xing didn't hide it.

"Remarkable," Shen Luo Wang praised. "Without you, Yu Kong would have gone to the Nether Realm."

Ye Ye Yukong said: "Shen Luo, let's talk aboard the ship."

"Alright," Shen Luo Wang nodded. "Let's go."

After summoning Ye Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing aboard, Shen Luo Wang's body erupted with a dozen dark-golden mystical chains.

They coiled tightly around the Daoji Divine Needle.

Each chain had barbs piercing into the needle's patterns.

"Rise!"

Boom—

The Daoji Divine Needle was pulled out.

Since the Mechanist Needle was fired from afar, it couldn't be retrieved so quickly without battlefield control.

Of the eighteen Daoji Divine Needles, Qi Jun had retrieved only fifteen; three remained in Huangze County.

Those three Daoji Divine Needles were now seized by Shen Luo Wang.

"Swoosh—swoosh—swoosh—"

After clearing the battlefield, Shen Luo Wang led his men away, returning to his garrison—Shen Luo County.

This was Shen Luo Wang's fiefdom, and also his defensive zone.

Back in the city, Ye Ye Yukong and Shen Luo Wang recounted the events.

"What? Ye Brother, you broke through?" Shen Luo Wang exclaimed.

"Yes," Ye Ye Yukong nodded. "By chance, Zhao's younger brother discovered a Hongyun Coin—he gave it to me, and I broke through to the Tianyun Realm."

"Chen An actually knew how to use a Hongyun Coin?" Shen Luo Wang's gaze toward Zhao Xing changed, as if seeing a treasure. Zhao Xing couldn't bear the intensity of Shen Luo Wang's burning stare.

Shen Luo Wang was bald and immensely muscular; such a hulking man staring at you with fiery eyes—who could endure it?

"Big Brother Ye is being modest," Zhao Xing said. "Actually, this Hongyun Coin was already unsealed. It wasn't because I knew any secret method."

"Whose ownership does the Hongyun Coin belong to?"

"His." Ye Yukong pointed at Zhao Xing.

"Brother Zhao." The Shenluo Wang immediately looked at Zhao Xing, "I have an unreasonable request."

"Please speak, Shenluo Wang."

"Could you let me use it as well?" the Shenluo Wang said.

Those who can break through to the Heavenly Fate Realm on their own are unwilling to be promoted by the imperial court, after all, that would mean being controlled by the imperial court.

A single imperial edict could take it back.

"This is somewhat taboo—" Zhao Xing felt somewhat difficult.

Ye Yukong and he had discovered it by chance; obtaining a chance encounter was one thing.

If one actively seizes the fortune of Haizhou, that would be equivalent to swallowing the fortune oneself.

The fortune of Haizhou belongs to the imperial court; how can it be seized at will? What difference would that make from Liang Wang?

The imperial court can grant it to you, but if they do not give it, you cannot snatch it!

Unless this fortune did not originally belong to Great Zhou.

The Shenluo Wang naturally knew this point; he immediately smiled and said, "Chen'an, rest assured about this."

"What I intend to take is not the fortune of the nineteen provinces."

"If it does not belong to Great Zhou, then naturally it is not taboo."

"Oh?" Zhao Xing vaguely guessed something.

The Shenluo Wang said, "Now Liang Wang has completely gone mad, attempting an act against heaven; he has invited wolves into the house, allowing numerous southern barbarians and foreign demons to enter Haizhou."

"These experts carry fortune that does not belong to Great Zhou."

Zhao Xing listened silently.

"As long as I kill these people," the Shenluo Wang said, "with the Hongyun Coin nearby, I can absorb the fortune attached to them."

"I am seizing not the original fortune of Great Zhou; in this way, no one can say anything."

Zhao Xing already knew the Shenluo Wang would say this; actually, his earlier look of difficulty was just putting on an act.

He already knew this routine, but if he agreed too easily, how would others remember the favor?

Moreover, he also feared the Shenluo Wang would act recklessly; absorbing fortune through the Hongyun Coin, whether it absorbed Great Zhou's or non-Great Zhou's, was hard to distinguish clearly in this current period.

The Shenluo Wang seemed to see Zhao Xing's worry and immediately said, "If Chen'an is not at ease, the Hongyun Coin can be held by you, controlled by you."

"You are King Tianyan's person; regarding this matter, you can also clarify it directly to King Tianyan; I think he will not oppose it."

"Very well, please allow me to inquire." Zhao Xing nodded.

In the Star Palace, Zhao Xing's true body immediately contacted King Tianyan.

"You obtained a Hongyun Coin? And it is in an unsealed state?" King Tianyan was stunned, "Your luck is quite good, you young man."

"It is not just my luck; there is also the Master of the Bright Moon Mansion."

"However, now the Shenluo Wang has made a request to me; I have not agreed, and I wanted to ask Your Highness."

King Tianyan smiled and said, "As long as you truly kill foreign demons or southern barbarian experts, this matter is no problem."

"Of course, you must report the action."

"Really no problem?" Zhao Xing confirmed once more.

"Of course," King Tianyan said, "Actually, Haizhou currently already has a large number of demons and southern barbarian experts; even without the Hongyun Coin, killing them would still transfer some fortune."

"Experts of the imperial court also belong to Great Zhou; their fortune growth equals the growth of the nation's fortune."

"Actually, the imperial court is about to issue this policy order as a welfare benefit for experts."

Emperor Jing really spends not a penny of his own money; he can even call this a welfare benefit.

Zhao Xing did not know what to say, he just nodded: "I understand."

After receiving confirmation from King Tianyan, this high official, Zhao Xing agreed to the Shenluo Wang's request.

The Shenluo Wang, this Third Rank artificer, although not a peerless genius, is also a second-tier expert.

The key point is the Shenluo Wang is still young; he is only over three hundred years old and has several hundred years left to live.

Gaining his favor is completely worth it.

It is just that the target must be chosen well.

Unexpectedly, the Shenluo Wang already had a target.

"Under Liang Wang, there are the Four Demon Envoys of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud, all of whom are foreign demons."

"Wait, you don't mean First Rank, do you?" Zhao Xing could not help but be stunned.

Are artificers this bold? Dare to aim at First Rank.

"Of course I do not intend to kill a First Rank," the Shenluo Wang smiled, "I do not have that ability either, unless I find an excellent opportunity, like Phantom Nether King and Qi Jun, who can set up a great formation; but where is such an opportunity?"

"What I speak of are the twelve Flag Bearers of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud."

"Besides this, the princes of the four Wang Ting of the southern barbarians are also my first priority targets."

"They are all those bearing great fortune!"

"If I normally wanted to kill them, it would be impossible," the Shenluo Wang said, "Those bearing great fortune are necessarily protected by heaven; they are hard to kill."

"However, with the Hongyun Coin, it is different."

"Fortune collision means no strange and bizarre things will make them escape," the Shenluo Wang said, "As long as I can kill any one of this level, I can achieve a breakthrough."

"The second tier consists of the southern barbarian generals, and the guardians and elder-level figures among the foreign demons."

"They similarly bear the fortune of a sect or the fortune of an army."

"However, within this group, the Second Rank and Third Rank numbers are split fifty-fifty; a single individual might not be enough for my breakthrough."

Ye Yukong looked at this list and intelligence and could not help but smile: "Good for you, Shenluo Wang; you have been watching for a long time; which heads are good to chop and which are not, you have figured it all out."

Shenluo Wang said, "Brother Ye, you know my situation. If I cannot break through this time, who knows what year or month it will be before I can break through to the Second Rank. In the current era, advancement depends on deeds, and it is not that easy to rise."

Shenluo Wang was speaking of Emperor Jing, and everyone knew well the temper of this emperor.

He was completely different from Emperor Wen. Emperor Jing's Two New Reforms mainly accomplished two things: first, weakening the power of the feudal kings and taking away their rights; second, cutting into the flesh of the noble families, lowering the treatment of merit ranks and titles again and again.

Of course, it was Liang Wang who cut down the brothers and sisters, and it was Prime Minister Liu Si who implemented the policies.

What does this have to do with the wise and divine Emperor Jing?

Now Liang Wang has rebelled, and Liu Si is dead.

Everyone is even more awestruck by Emperor Jing.

They have little confidence in serving as officials under him.

It is not that one cannot serve, but if one does, one must be mentally prepared to be used until death.

Zhao Xing could very well understand Shenluo Wang!

He knew that after the Jingxin Era ended, it would be very difficult to be promoted or granted a title.

Emperor Jing was solely focused on bearing children; during the Two Governance periods, very few high-ranking officials were promoted.

"Since Shenluo Wang has arrangements, I will not speak further. Whenever you need something, just give the order," Zhao Xing said.

"Good, straightforward!" Shenluo Wang clapped his hands and said, "Brother Zhao, I see you do not need any money or treasures."

"In the future, if you have needs, as long as they do not violate the laws of the imperial court, I can help you with three things."

"A word is a word," Zhao Xing said, clasping his hands in a bow.

In just a few words, a karmic cause had already been created.

A powerful figure like Shenluo Wang would, in the future, think of ways to repay this favor to Zhao Xing; there was no need for any contract to bind him.

In the thirty-sixth year of the Jingxin Era, early July, Zhao Xing, carrying the avatar of the Hongyun Coin, stayed in Shenluo Commandery waiting for Shenluo Wang's orders.

Meanwhile, his other avatars continued to carry out two tasks.

Ransacking families and saving people.

However, the Pinghaizhou region was now in chaotic turmoil; even with the luck of Yan Six, Zhao Xing could not find anything good anymore.

High-rankers walked everywhere; they also possessed considerable luck. Without the main body appearing and without using the other two ancient coins, Zhao Xing found it very difficult to gain any more serendipitous encounters.

In July of the thirty-sixth year of the Jingxin Era, Zhao Xing had no serendipitous encounters; his focus shifted towards saving people.

On the fifteenth day of July, the war at Anping Prefecture intensified, and even the prefectural city was threatened.

Zhao Xing's avatar stationed in Anping Prefecture immediately escorted the future prime minister, currently only of the Fifth Rank, 'Wei Xuancheng', and his brother to safety.

On the twenty-sixth day of July, in Jingfeng Prefecture, the Zhi Dao Academy was ambushed by the Fangwaizong Sect's Corpse Ghost Sect.

Zhao Xing's avatar stationed in Jingfeng Prefecture saved the Weaver Official 'Xia Caiwei' and transferred her to a safe location.

In the forty-five prefectures of Pinghaizhou, basically every prefecture had an avatar of Zhao Xing present.

The network of connections organized by the People-Saving Plan also provided Zhao Xing with great convenience.

Even if he could not rescue someone in time himself, he could still shove them into the first batch of evacuation teams.

A person of a low level slipped into an evacuation team was hardly noticeable.

On the third day of August, in Tianyuan Prefecture.

The Seventh-Rank physician Wang Zhongjing, through a friend, found the person in charge of Shelter Number Forty-Five and requested the allocation of a batch of emergency medical supplies, but the person in charge refused.

Upon learning this, Zhao Xing severely scolded the person in charge and personally delivered the supplies into Wang Zhongjing's hands.

On the fourteenth day of August in the thirty-sixth year of the Jingxin Era, the wandering shaman 'Xun' was saved.

On the same day, the Five Elements shaman Mo Xifa was saved.

On the third day of September, Shenluo Wang and the Lord of Mingyue Commandery joined forces to target the young prince Yanda of the Jin Yu Wang Ting.

This person was only of the Fourth Rank, but his luck level reached as high as Yan Seven, occasionally even Yan Eight.

However, there were many experts around young prince Yanda, including even a Second-Rank protector.

Shenluo Wang had not found a suitable opportunity for a long time; he waited until mid-October before finally finding a good chance.

Because on October nineteenth, Liang Wang led his troops out of Pinghaizhou and appeared in his hometown, Lvliangzhou.

The four demon envoys of Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Cloud joined forces to create a prefecture-level typhoon across the two prefectures as cover.

On the same day, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Li Boqian, appeared in Tianyuan Prefecture.

Twelve Solar Term Orders rose from the east, west, south, and north parts of Pinghaizhou.

Twelve Junior Agriculture Commanders, including Wang Tianzhi, appeared in Lvliangzhou.

The twenty-four Solar Term Orders forged by the Great Zhou were all revealed on this day.

The super-mega whirlwind disappeared without a trace in less than half a day.

October twentieth.

The Kunyuan Academy dug open the thirteen ancient underground tunnels connecting Pinghaizhou to the other prefectures.

The leader of the Dili Sect and the Agriculture Minister, Xuanyuan Qingtian, appeared in the center of Pinghaizhou carrying a Spirit Mountain on his back.

Holding one of the Divine Artifacts of the Earth, the 'Shanhe Tu', he activated 'Shanhe Yonggu', a spell whose range covered the entire Pinghaizhou!

The destructive power of high-rank experts against heaven and earth was reduced by ninety-nine percent.

On the same day, the First-Rank Evil God 'Xue Kui Tianzun' unleashed the large-scale spell 'Xue Kui Tianmu'.

In Pinghaizhou and Lvliangzhou, vast amounts of blood water surged through the sky, attempting to defile the temples.

The 'Ten Thousand Bones Revival' cast by Wugu Tianzun caused the dry bones buried in the nineteen prefectures to crawl out from underground and from the water; the white bones reorganized to form 'White Bone Divine Generals', wreaking havoc on the commanderies and prefectures.

Shangu Tianzun summoned the ancient mountain ghosts of the two prefectures; terrifying ghostly wailing sounds emanated from countless mountain peaks.

On the same day, the Grand Priest Bu Guangheng entered Pinghaizhou.

The six priests of the Six Gods Hall: Siming, Yisuan, Wangsheng, Du'e, Yanshou, and Silu, appeared in Lvliangzhou.

Wugu, Shangu, and Xue Kui, the three Great Tianzuns, fled at the first sign of danger.

Dawn broke.

The three elite guards of Emperor Jing—Shen Su, Jin Wu, and Luan Yi—mobilized their armies.

Joining them were the seven army commanders originally belonging to Tong You, Jiu Xiao, Huang Quan, Xuan Ming, Tian Cang, Tai Xu, and Wu Yao.

Half of the three major legions controlled by Liang Wang originated from these seven legions.

With the Grand Priest's cooperation, half of the soldiers who had been coerced into rebellion and forcibly accepted the imperial edict were stripped of the Black Dragon's fortune and restored to normalcy.

The seven army commanders reclaimed partial control of their troops.

The situation in Haizhou seemed to reverse within a single day.

It was against this backdrop that Shen Luo Wang finally found his opportunity.

The young prince Yanda, originally sent as a hostage to Liang Wang, sensed the shifting tides and noticed Liang Wang's guard over him had loosened; thus, on the nineteenth day of the tenth month, he led his powerful escorts southward, attempting to cross the Canglan River and return to Jin Yu Wang Ting in the Southern Wasteland.

The flaw emerged during the river crossing.

The Canglan River had long been a crucial weapon used by the Southern Barbarians to strike against the Great Zhou.

After Liang Wang departed to pacify Haizhou, a super-large-scale riot erupted on the Canglan River, with over a hundred Heavenly Witches joining forces to trigger a surge in the water veins.

The Great River surged like a water dragon soaring into the sky, lunging toward Haizhou.

However, the situation reversed so swiftly that it terrified these hundred-plus Heavenly Witches into fleeing.

Their flight caused the once-boiling Canglan River to become a natural blockade.

The numerous generals from the Southern Wasteland who sought to escape across the river were instead halted by this Great River.

Half of the young prince Yanda's powerful escorts were scattered; only one Second Rank and two Third Rank guards remained, escorting him eastward in an attempt to take a detour toward the East Sea.

They aimed to return to the Southern Wasteland by traversing the territories of the Hong Yuan Shou and Hong Yuanba brothers.

Yet by this time, the Hong Yuan Shou and Hong Yuanba brothers were already dead!

Bai Yun Wu, cooperating with the other two great families and the Luan Yi Guard that had appeared in the East Sea, launched a pincer attack by land and sea against Hong Yuan Shou and Hong Yuanba.

The rebellious East Sea Legion, having had the Black Dragon's fortune dispelled from most of its ranks by the Grand Priest, saw many who no longer wished to follow the Hong brothers in rebellion.

Thus, they defected one by one, stabbing the Hong brothers in the back.

Hong Yuan Shou was swallowed in one bite by Bai Yun Wu, who had transformed into a giant dragon; Hong Yuanba and the heir apparent Ji Chen vanished without a trace.

In Haizhou, in the southeast, lay a place called Cuihe County.

Shen Luo Wang, Ye Yukong, and Zhao Xing finally caught up with the young prince Yanda.

"Run! Run some more!" Shen Luo Wang's voice exploded above Cuihe County.

At this moment, a light barrier also manifested over Cuihe County.

The Boundary Stele Formation!

Within Cuihe County, five Divine Mechanism Needles were driven into the ground.

Since Cuihe County had long been an abandoned wasteland, Shen Luo Wang did not hesitate to unleash his entire treasury.

The young prince Yanda's predicament was now identical to the one Ye Yukong and Zhao Xing had once faced.

Only the situation had reversed.

"Hah, truly satisfying," Zhao Xing said, seated inside a colossal mechanical giant named 【Shen Luo · Pang Yuan】.

This was a Ninth-Rank Divine Weapon; the Shen Luo Mechanical Giants formed a series.

Shen Luo Wang earned this title due to his profound research into this series.

"Chasing people while piloting a Gao Da; Shen Luo Wang's treasury is indeed vast," Zhao Xing remarked with a smile, looking down.

"What is a Gao Da?" Ye Yukong asked from inside the mechanical giant.

"Rumor has it it's a series from Shen Luo, but it has already been lost," Zhao Xing casually fabricated.

"Oh," Ye Yukong nodded; he wasn't clear either, so if Zhao Xing said so, then it was so.

"Brother Ye, won't you come down and join the fight?" Zhao Xing asked.

"How can I go down?" Ye Yukong's face turned green. "Shen Luo Wang is already preparing to fire the Fire Source Divine Cannon."

"Hahaha."

Ever since being blasted by the Fire Source Divine Cannon, Old Ye had developed some psychological trauma.

"Brother Ye, you'll likely need to act soon," Shen Luo Wang said. "This fellow possesses many fine treasures; I've fired three Fire Source Divine Cannons, yet failed to completely kill them."

"Understood. I'll take that Second Rank Five Elements Sorcerer," Ye Yukong replied.

Within the formation now, only the young prince Yanda and his Second Rank escort remained.

The other two Third Rank guards had already been blown to death.

Had Xuanyuan Qingtian not activated 【Mountain and River Eternal Stability】, those three Fire Source Divine Cannons would likely have killed even the Second Rank.

But after activating Mountain and River Eternal Stability, the earth's veins were stabilized, greatly weakening the Fire Source Divine Cannons' power and preventing them from triggering a surge in the earth veins.

"That's enough; I'm activating the Boundary Wall Formation."

"Here it comes."

Ye Yukong opened the hatch, and with a "whoosh," he shot out.

Zhao Xing also leaped out to watch the battle.

"Your Highness, run first!"

The Second Rank escort erupted with a blue light; water flows, like silk cloth, wrapped around Yanda.

Amidst the surging waves, he was pushed dozens of li away.

"The power to distort rules," Zhao Xing observed at the scene. "The Heavenly Fortune Realm already carries a hint of acting on Heaven's behalf."

"Nine Yang Separating Fire!" After sending Yanda away, the Second Rank Sorcerer summoned nine fire dragons from his body.

The dragon scales shimmered, and even their eyes appeared so real that Zhao Xing could detect no flaw.

"Brother, be careful," Zhao Xing couldn't help but warn, for he noticed the fortune pillar above Ye Yukong's head dim slightly.

That is to say, fighting this Second-Rank Artisan still carries some danger.

Ye Yukong heard this and immediately refused to hold back.

Damn it, when I broke through in the Desolate Marsh Commandery earlier, I acted like a big shot in front of the little brother, claiming I was invincible.

As a result, Qi Jun later left me covered in ash and dirt, which simply damaged my image.

This time, I must fight with style!

"I won't hold back! Sun and Moon Shine Together! Die for me!"

Ye Yukong, driven by a surge of pride, unleashed his ultimate move immediately upon engaging.

At this moment, Ye Yukong's figure could no longer be seen in the sky.

He seemed to be just like his name, having vanished into the air.

The sword was gone too.

But the realm of the Second-Rank Artisan was half in night and half in day.

Black and white were imprinted on his body, evenly distributed.

In the next instant, black and white intersected!

Amidst the opponent's shock, his body was split in two along with the intersecting black and white.

"You@————·"

The Second-Rank Artisan cursed in a Southern Barbarian dialect.

Zhao Xing understood; it meant "reckless brute."

"Whoosh~"

Ye Yukong's chest heaved slightly as he reappeared in the sky; he flicked his wrist to spin a sword flourish, then stood with his hands behind his back, striking a cool pose.

"Brother Ye is awesome!!"

Only after hearing the voice from behind did Ye Yukong contentedly drop his stance.

"Just so-so. I only used twenty percent of my strength, and he fell. It's boring."

Zhao Xing:

Shenluo Wang:

If not for the need to chase the Little Prince Yanda right now, Shenluo Wang would have asked Ye Yukong whether he couldn't distinguish between "two" and "Don't kill me, don't kill me!" The Little Prince Yanda was still caught up.

"I have treasures! I'll hand them all over! Don't kill me!"

He rummaged through his body, constantly tossing out treasures.

Shenluo Wang would not listen.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"

Eight strangling ropes, like silver snakes, erupted from behind, instantly spanning a distance of three thousand meters to bind the Little Prince Yanda.

"Brother Zhao!" Shenluo Wang's voice was somewhat excited.

"Here it comes!" Zhao Xing immediately activated the Inch-From-A-Thousand-Miles technique, tossed the Luck Coin to Shenluo Wang, and simultaneously activated the Mirage Pearl to record the event.

"Pfft!" The moment the Luck Coin was in hand, the Little Prince Yanda's life ended.

Whether Shenluo Wang was too excited and failed to control his strength, he actually strangled Yanda into minced meat.

"Ahhh~~~"

Holding the Luck Coin, Shenluo Wang began to growl lowly.

"?" Zhao Xing's gaze fell downward.

After the Little Prince Yanda was crushed, two items exploded from within his body.

One of them, resembling a transparent crystal sphere, immediately caught Zhao Xing's attention.

"Is this————the Heavenly Spirit Pearl?"

Zhao Xing immediately rushed over and scooped up both items.

Things capable of merging into the body are basically treasures.

"It really is the Heavenly Spirit Pearl!" After scooping it up, Zhao Xing's eyes lit up.

This was a Spiritual Qi item!

"It contains all Five Elements of Spiritual Qi!" Zhao Xing glanced at it and immediately couldn't look away.

Inside, five thick streams of Spiritual Qi spun continuously, emitting a seven-colored light.

"What good thing is this?" Ye Yukong asked.

"The Heavenly Spirit Pearl," Zhao Xing said. "A rare object capable of ensuring one's life force never ceases."

"You want it very much?" Ye Yukong saw Zhao Xing's desire.

"Yes, it is extremely important to me."

"Then I won't split it," Ye Yukong said. "You just handle Shenluo Wang."

"What thing won't be split?" Shenluo Wang flew over.

He had already completed his breakthrough.

"This one," Ye Yukong pointed at the Heavenly Spirit Pearl. "It is a treasure very important to Brother Zhao."

"Shenluo Wang, it has great effect. I am willing to consume one opportunity to exclusively claim this treasure; I wonder if Shenluo Wang agrees."

"Agreed," Shenluo Wang grinned. "Agreed, agreed!"

A favor was repaid in this manner; how could he possibly disagree?

Zhao Xing also smiled; the Heavenly Spirit Pearl was completely worth it.

"Everyone is happy," Ye Yukong laughed. "Shenluo has broken through to the Second Rank, and you obtained a rare object. We should return now; Liang Wang's momentum is gone, the imperial court has issued a bounty, and accumulating merit now is very easy."

"Let's go!"

Starting in the tenth month, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

Intelligence reports drifted like snowflakes into Zhao Xing's Earth Mirror.

In just one month, the various rebel kings were successively annihilated.

Zhao Xing's clone also reached its busiest period.

Gaining fame, confiscating estates, and saving people; in this final stage, he began to do these things as well.

Jingxin Year 36, the 15th day of the tenth month.

Most of the rebel kings and external forces in Haizhou were thoroughly purged, leaving only small groups fleeing amidst them; the recovery of the Eastern Sea was the slowest, as the numerous islands required too many personnel.

Jingxin Year 36, the 25th day of the eleventh month.

Zhao Xing received a message.

Liang Wang was besieged in the Zhenxun Wang Cheng of Lvliang Prefecture.

Grand Minister of Works Nie Xiongying had deployed the Ten Directions Hunyuan Heavenly Net Soul-Refining Great Array outside the Zhenxun Wang Cheng.

Just the ninth-rank warships carrying the array foundations numbered a staggering thirty-five thousand, completely surrounding the Wang Cheng from sky to earth.

The divine artifact Ten Directions Heavenly Net served as the array core.

The strongest formation of the age had reappeared after two thousand five hundred years.

On the 5th day of the twelfth month, the divine artifact Wei Shen Luo was suppressed by the formation, and the Heavenly Fortune Gold List was likewise suppressed by the Creation Compass; not a single Yin Spirit remained obedient to Liang Wang.

Because Liang Wang had practiced the Xie Sect's methods, his bloodline was no longer of the Ji family.

Deprived of the blessings of the divine artifact and fortune, Liang Wang fell from Super First Rank to the First Rank Realm.

That same year, on the 8th day of the twelfth month, Liang Wang Ji Mingxian died in the Zhenxun Wang Cheng.

Thus, the Liang Wang rebellion was declared quelled.

This major event brought extremely adverse effects to the Great Zhou; it fractured the fortune, exposed the fragility of the Yin Spirit system, and influenced and altered the destinies of countless people.

It also weakened the brilliance of the Great Zhou's invincibility in the world.

Meanwhile, within the Star Palace.

"It's only the twelfth month, and Liang Wang has already fallen?" Zhao Xing looked at this message. "It's half a year earlier than in the previous life,

before Jingxin Year 37 has even arrived."

"He didn't even leave Lvliang Prefecture; he never achieved the intent of roaming the world as a bandit."

"Why do I always feel I have miscalculated something?" Zhao Xing couldn't help but frown.

"Why does every major event seem to be happening earlier?"

"The eruption of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven was so, the Mid-Grade Great War was so, and now the Liang Wang incident is so."

"Could it be that—spiritual energy revival will also happen earlier?"

A thought suddenly surged in Zhao Xing's heart.