Chapter 497

Clearly, the Primordial Envoy understood that this change was brought about by Zhao Xing.

But since it was of no great consequence, the Primordial Envoy did not intervene.

…………

When Zhao Xing entered the ninth stage.

It was already the third month since the City of Sovereigns had opened.

And it had been three and a half years since the initial folding space opened.

As for entering the Beihe Origin Realm, it was the seventh year.

"It's exactly 15 days shy of eight years since I graduated from the Primordial Realm."

"Without realizing it, I'm already 32."

In the ninth stage, Zhao Xing was correcting his 'biological clock' while simultaneously sensing the flow of the body's time rules within, accurately determining his physiological age.

It was precise down to the minute and second!

"Time-space rules are generally only pondered upon reaching the Sunlight Grade."

"And to formally begin comprehending the 'time rules' within time-space rules, one usually must reach the Void Grade."

"However, merely sensing the 'biological clock' within a living body doesn't count as 'comprehending' time rules."

"It doesn't even count as scratching the surface; it can only be called the 'molecular' level."

Zhao Xing finished correcting the side effects brought about by the 'time illusion.'

His mind then continued to enter his inner world to comprehend.

At the same time, he pondered the trial of the ninth stage.

"The ninth stage, the fifth layer of the Soul-Slaughtering Art."

"The World of Souls."

"It is even more formidable than a domain."

"If soul rules are also considered a type of rule, then this fifth layer is already at the Sunlight Grade level."

"Its function is similar to a rule I once comprehended, the 'Power of the Boundary,' but it is far stronger than that."

Zhao Xing waved his hand, and immediately, soul power spread throughout his inner world.

It was different from a world projection.

A world projection is the rules of the inner world manifesting in the Great Thousand World.

The World of Souls, however, uses soul power to construct a world.

In this world, soul power is the supreme rule!

All other rules become ineffective; aside from a pure contest of souls, any other means are useless.

"Under the World of Souls, soul power becomes the supreme rule."

"The Five Elements, wind, thunder, light, darkness, and even time-space rules are completely influenced by soul power."

"Judging everything, dominating everything, taking and granting at will!"

Zhao Xing's soul power spread through his inner world.

Soul power intertwined with various rules.

Soul threads passed through that scorching sun, the silver moon, and reached up to the stars filling the sky.

"With a single thought, one can render rules ineffective, directly destroying the target's comprehension of rules and turning them into a complete cripple."

"The World of Souls is full of aggression and exclusivity."

"The Soul-Slaughtering Domain destroys the opponent's soul power, while the World of Souls can destroy everything."

As time passed, Zhao Xing, while comprehending this secret technique, also felt immense admiration for the 'Soul Emperor,' the founder on the Spark Continent, and 'Yuan,' who carried it forward.

According to Yuan, the Five Emperors were all Void Grade, but they specialized in different paths.

The Soul Emperor studied the path of the soul.

Of course, none of them were as strong as Yuan, nor had they reached Yuan's level.

After Yuan broke through to the Venerable Grade, he finally perfected the secret techniques and treasures of the Five Emperors.

He took these secret techniques and treasures a step further.

Among them, the Soul Tower and the Soul-Slaughtering Art were what Yuan studied most in his later years.

Because during his second expedition beyond the heavens, his soul was severely wounded by the Empire.

He had attempted to repair his injuries and realized that his weakness was his soul spark.

He studied painstakingly and finally succeeded in breaking through.

However, the injuries were too severe; even with the soul breakthrough, it only compensated for his shortcomings to reach the Venerable Grade.

But the value of this secret technique should absolutely not be underestimated.

"World of Souls, condense!"

Zhao Xing, in his inner world, wished to unleash the move 'World of Souls.'

But the Soul-Slaughtering Domain could not be transformed into the 'World of Souls' no matter what.

Time and again it condensed, time and again it collapsed.

He had already been comprehending in his inner world for 10 years.

Yet he was still a little distance away from 'condensing' it.

"Hit a bottleneck."

Zhao Xing thought to himself.

He did not force it and soon exited his inner world.

Subsequently, his mental power entered the virtual world again.

He requested to enter Master Guluohe's private space.

After receiving permission.

Zhao Xing discovered that not only was Master Xing Tong there.

But Senior Brother Wu Feng, Senior Sister Su Ya, and several military generals like Yun Fei were all present.

"Master, why is it so lively today?" Zhao Xing asked.

"It's about some matters on the Myriad Races Battlefield," Guluohe said. "Recently, several of the Empire's old rivals, the Insectoid Alliance, have suddenly gone mad, launching suicide attacks on several bases of the Southern Legion."

"Suicide attacks?" Zhao Xing was stunned. "Why would they do that?"

Su Ya said: "Perhaps they are attempting to draw out some of the Empire's powerhouses through this method."

"Because the opponent's intentions are unknown, Commander Xipujin has not let the main legion pursue them too far."

General Yun Fei said: "The Empire judges that the Insectoids are trying to cover something up."

"I heard the Mechanical Race is also restless," Wu Feng participated in the discussion at this time. "Is it possible that the Insectoids will open a high-dimensional channel to attack the Empire's homeland?"

"The probability is low," Xing Tong said. "The Empire's first-tier star systems all have Void Grade bases; as soon as high-dimensional energy reactions appear, they will be immediately detected."

"Don't forget, the Great Emperor is a Mechanical Lord; trying to sneak into the Great Emperor's home is purely looking for death."

"What if the sneak attack isn't on a first-tier star system?" a general asked.

"That would also be a loss that outweighs the gain. If the numbers are small and the experts are few, the entire force will be wiped out, and aside from angering the Empire, there is no other benefit."

"Alright, let's stop here for today." Guluohe looked at the bewildered Zhao Xing beside him and considerately sent the others away.

In the end, only his own disciple and Xing Tong remained.

"Zhao Xing, have you encountered a difficult problem?" Guluohe asked.

"Master's eyes are like torches," Zhao Xing said with some admiration. "I have indeed encountered a bottleneck in my trials and wish to seek guidance from an expert on the path of the soul."

Guluohe had previously said he could invite a high-level expert to guide him.

Zhao Xing had never used this opportunity before, and now was the perfect time.

"What are your requirements?" Guluohe asked.

"Walking the path of the soul, preferably a Lord who specializes in soul slaughter," Zhao Xing said.

"Fine," Guluohe nodded. "Your Master Xing Tong will handle this for you."

"Leave it to me," Xing Tong smiled. He didn't have much else, but his interpersonal connections were quite broad; after all, he had a Venerable father.

"We can't invite them for free," Guluohe said. "The Beihe Military Department left behind a sum of money earlier; I'll add some more, and we'll just pay the market rate."

"Hmm." Xing Tong disappeared from the private space with a 'whoosh'; he was clearly a swift person and acted immediately.

That day.

The Beihe Star System, the Life Research Institute represented by Xing Tong, and Master Guluohe all contributed money, effort, and connections.

That evening, Zhao Xing received a message from Guluohe.