"Fuwei Xuanqiong, manifest your signs, Earth's power connects to the hidden."
"Flowing steam clouds obscure the sun, pouring rain fills the universe."
"Yuxian holds the jade tablet, ruling over the Nine Realms, weaving triple-layered cloud sigils."
"She commands the thunder rites of the Nine Fields, bringing divine grace, spreading life-giving rain for generations."
"Now, offering the blue jade tablet and the Four Suns, returning to the land with sacrificial wine and meat."
"Reverently burn the Dao of Mystery, gather star marrow to make fine nectar."
"Open Heaven's timing and daily order, again teach the sweet rain to bless the parched."
The chanting flowed into their souls. Zhao Xing, Yang Baihe, and the others were nodding along when Ji Yuan suddenly stopped reciting.
"That 'Scripture of Yuxian Sacrifice' sounds quite nice in the sacred tongue of the Turtle Clan, why'd you stop?" Shi Yue asked.
"I can't keep reciting," Ji Yuan shook his head. "The sacrificial spirit has responded, if I continue, we'll enter the sacrificial phase."
"The lord hasn't given the order yet, I can't mess this up."
"You've learned it all?" Yang Baihe asked.
"Of course," Ji Yuan puffed out his chest. "I might not be much help elsewhere, but when it comes to sacrificial rites, I know my stuff."
"Impressive," Yang Baihe praised, sending the thought directly to him.
Right now, they were in the sacrificial area of Yuxian, located on a star land at the junction of Yunxian Realm and Yuxian Realm.
This small star land was basically a "Sacrificial Continent."
Although blessed with abundant spiritual rain and fertile earth, apart from the many altars, there were few traces of civilization.
This was because it was the place where "Yuxian" descended. The Lingxu Sacred Temple of the Upper Three Realms believed that Yuxian was the embodiment of the Dao of Nature, so this place had to remain natural and untouched.
After arriving here, the Demon Ape Prince's attendants began preparing for the ritual.
Even though they hadn't developed the path of Star Historians, sacrificial rites were still quite developed here, though not as much as in the Xuanling Star Domain.
Ji Yuan had only listened once and read the sacrificial text once, but he already fully understood the key process—the prayer to the divine.
Yang Baihe wasn't just being polite when he called him impressive.
"In the Xuanling Star Domain, even low-tier professions can dominate here. No matter how weak the sacrificial system is, even if it's suppressed, it's still stronger than Lingxu Realm's," Zhao Xing thought.
The Xuanling Star Domain used to have many gods, so the system was complete, while the Lingxu Source Realm had none.
Divine items, the Xuanling Star Domain had plenty, but here they were considered non-existent.
"Ji Yuan, what else do you need?" Zhao Xing asked.
"Lord, if we kill the Demon Ape Prince, we won't need anything. They've already prepared everything. All ready-made."
"But if we don't kill him, besides the Rain Stones, we need to prepare a lot more," Ji Yuan said. "Although many parts are useless steps they made up themselves to show respect to Yuxian, there's still a lot needed."
"For example, the Sun-Star Rotation Platform and Moon-Star Rotation Platform—those are essential for adjusting the positions of the two realms' sun and moon stars."
"Then there's seventeen kinds of Source-less Water, thirty-two jars of Dao Bone Feed, and in total, over seventeen thousand different items."
Over seventeen thousand kinds? Zhao Xing shook his head.
Yuxian wasn't even a real "god," just something the Lingxu Source Realm's strong ones imagined.
At its core, it was a cosmic phenomenon, a mix of Lingxu Source Realm and the outer wild domains' "Seasonal Changes in Heavenly Timing."
There were plenty of such unique environmental wonders—like the Overlapping Boundary Mountain.
Put simply, it could be considered a world-class spiritual wonder.
Unlike the mountain spirits of the Xuanhuang Realm, this was a realm-level spirit, and it could be actively triggered, though the steps to do so were a bit much.
As for why Ji Yuan felt a response, Zhao Xing guessed that there must be some divine-level object in the Lingxu Source Realm. After being worshipped for so long, it started giving off a "divine feedback" type of response.
What exactly this divine object was, and where it was, Zhao Xing didn't know.
But it wasn't a "life form," and not a god from any cultivation system.
Right now, the Demon Ape Royal Court, along with a group of Sacred Temple sacrificial guards, was building the altar. Among the guards were members of the Turtle Clan and some who looked like wolves from other races.
Since altars had to be built on-site, it was a big job.
And because this wasn't a large-scale, regular "Yuxian Festival" period, the Sacred Temple's sacrificial guards had to help set things up.
Yuxian Festivals had large and small ceremonies. What the Demon Ape Prince was doing now, a personal ritual to receive blessings, was called a Small Yuxian Sacrifice.
It was exclusive to the royal families of hegemonic races, specifically used to break through to the Reincarnation Realm.
"If they need over seventeen thousand items, then that Demon Ape Prince has to die," Zhao Xing thought.
"But his breakthrough will definitely draw attention. If I act here, I'll surely attract strong ones from the Lingxu Sacred Temple."
Don't think that Old Zhao could just kill any ordinary Reincarnation Realm expert. Sure, with the Dao Ancient Cicada robe and the Swift Straw Puppet, he could even escape from seasoned Reincarnation Realm opponents. But if he ran into a Lord-level, he'd be done for.
Back then, facing the Tian Gui Lord, fifty people teamed up, all top-tier geniuses, and they still needed the terrain advantage of the Realm Volcano to heavily wound the Tian Gui Lord.
And when the Tian Gui Lord finally died, it wasn't even Zhao Xing's doing.
The Lingxu Sacred Temple had Emperor-level existences!
Just not many. In his past life, Zhao Xing read that only the Temple Master had reached Emperor level.
"This Yuxian Festival ritual—can't miss it. After the Empire took over this place, the Yuxian Festival ritual vanished, only recorded in history."
"Maybe because the Sacrificial Continent got destroyed, or someone took the 'divine item.'"
"If I wait too long, I might miss the chance to perfect my Dao of Heavenly Timing."
Lots of risks. After thinking it through, Zhao Xing decided to ask Yang Baihe first.
"Captain, got a new problem."
"Go ahead."
"I want to use the Demon Ape Prince's altar," Zhao Xing said, laying out his new plan. "But this might attract attention from the Lingxu Sacred Temple. They could send Lord-level, maybe even Emperor-level, to investigate."
"Can you think of a way?"
Yang Baihe was silent for a moment. "This is tricky."
"The Lingxu Source Realm isn't familiar with the Way of Historians."
"I can break through to the Reincarnation Realm and use the Realm Correction Brush to perform the Substitute the Plum for the Peach and Reverse the Flow techniques. I've got an eighty to ninety percent chance to block out the Lord-level here."
"That high?" Ji Yuan was surprised.
"The histories inside and outside the realm aren't the same," Yang Baihe said. "The historian system in Lingxu Realm is way behind, it's basically a wild land. I can mess with it however I want."
"Our realm transitions are usually done in these masterless small worlds, easier to alter and rebuild."
"But the Xuanling Star Domain is different. If it were a Human Lord from an ancient kingdom, someone slightly skilled, success wouldn't go over thirty percent. If it's from our Red Star Empire, success drops below ten percent."
Zhao Xing sighed. "The depth of Xuanling's historical records is like a beacon on the path of cultivation. Even if we don't know where we're headed, at least we know where we come from."
Yang Baihe nodded. "Exactly. The older the history of a nation or race, the stronger the Way of History."
"And the cultivators among them are less likely to lose their way."
"Like during the era of the Five Emperors, people often went astray in cultivation. But now, it rarely happens across professions."
"Of course, except for you Self School Shennong."
Zhao Xing smiled. "Quite bold of you."
"Back to the point," Qi Tian reminded. "What if an Emperor-level comes?"
"If it's an Emperor, they'll see through it instantly. I'll definitely fail to block them, not to mention altering anything," Yang Baihe said. "An Emperor's true spirit has soaked in the Dao for years, no normal trick can fool them. At least, not at my level."
Zhao Xing nodded. That was exactly the problem—they could, at best, block the Lord-levels of Lingxu Realm. That Turtle Clan Emperor was beyond reach.
"Captain, Zhao Shennong, I have an idea," Shi Yue suddenly spoke up.
"Go ahead."
"Actually, we just need to focus on one thing: making sure Zhao Shennong finishes the ritual safely," Shi Yue offered his plan. "To do that, we don't necessarily need to face that Turtle Clan Emperor head-on."
"But won't the Sacred Temple's Emperor and Lords come anyway if they see it? This Yuxian Festival is really important to them," Ji Yuan asked.
"True, but what if something even more urgent happens at the same time?"
Ji Yuan's eyes lit up. "You mean… cause chaos?"
Shi Yue nodded heavily. "Look, we've got twenty-five members in the Reincarnation Group, all confident about breaking through."
"Just the time they stay after breaking through will vary."
"Our original mission was to cause trouble in Lingxu Realm and figure out how to stay here after breaking through."
"If we break through and immediately attack the passage to the Four Suns Realm…"
"Would the Sacred Temple focus on a Dao Domain-level Ape Prince, or rush to deal with the mess at the passage?"
Ji Yuan blurted out, "Of course they'll guard the Four Suns Realm entrance first!"
"Exactly." Shi Yue's threads of karma trembled, as if laughing. "We finish our mission, Zhao Shennong completes his too, perfect for both sides!"
But Zhao Xing didn't laugh. He had already thought of this plan—it was just a typical lure-the-tiger-away tactic.
Only it wouldn't be as easy as Shi Yue made it sound. The Reincarnation Group might lose people. Zhao Xing couldn't bring himself to suggest it.
Even with a top-level mission, deep down, this one carried a lot of personal motives.
To chase his own goals and send old friends like Bai Yang to risk their lives, Zhao Xing just couldn't say it.
"This plan's too idealistic. Captain, Shi Yue, this would put your lives at serious risk," Zhao Xing said. "I don't have to complete this now. I could wait, gather all the materials, and come back when the time's right."
Yang Baihe spoke firmly. "I think it's doable."
"We've been undercover here for a long time. Took decades to find this chance. Waiting for the next one? Too many unknowns. Better to act now."
Zhao Xing wanted to speak again, but Yang Baihe cut him off. "Whether the Reincarnation Group acts or not is my call."
"You just tell me how much time you need and whether I need to help you retreat."
Zhao Xing was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'm not sure, but according to the records, a Small Yuxian Sacrifice lasts at least three days and nights."
"As for retreat, you don't need to worry. I should bear that risk myself."
Even if they broke through, it might not draw all the strong ones away.
One or two Lord-levels might still come to check things out.
No plan was flawless. Stealth missions were always risky.
"Alright, then I'll leave this part to you," Yang Baihe nodded.
Next came hammering out the details of the plan.
Three days later, Yang Baihe used a spell to influence the Demon Ape Prince, gradually pulling the twenty-five Reincarnation Group members away.
About a month later, Yang Baihe sent a message to Zhao Xing through the Karmic Connection, saying the Reincarnation Group was ready, just waiting for Zhao Xing's order.
Two and a half months later, the altar built by the Demon Ape Prince was complete.
Zhao Xing's life soul issued a command.
At the same time, he and Ji Yuan canceled their Marquis Transformation Technique.
Right in front of the Demon Ape Prince, Chi, and six ordinary Reincarnation Realm apes.
"Hmm? You—"
The Demon Ape Prince noticed Zhao Xing's change right away.
The red fur faded, turtle patterns vanished, replaced by wheat-colored skin and black hair, with a robe embroidered with a golden cicada.
As for Ji Yuan, he was fully armed, holding a sacrificial ruler, wearing a Sun-Moon Three-Star Crown on his head, his barrier belt activated, and top-grade Source Divine Weapon Eight-Sided Shields orbiting him.
"So you're outer-realm demons?" The Demon Ape Prince flew into a rage. "Kill them!"
"Roar!" With a low growl, white flames burst from his body as he grabbed an iron rod and charged forward. "Kill!"
At this point, the Demon Ape Prince still hadn't realized how serious the situation was.
Only Chi and a few Blood Demon Guards moved to attack.
The eight ordinary Reincarnation Realm apes just stood by, watching.
Swinging the massive rod, he cursed loudly, furious that Zhao Xing, whom he had thought highly of, turned out to be an outer-realm demon!
"You've got some nerve, to think you—"
But before he could finish, a black rift appeared in his path.
"Whoosh—"
He was swallowed by the black rift.
All the Blood Demon Guards charging with him vanished as well.
It was as if they had willingly rushed into the black rift.
"Huh? They disappeared!"
The Demon Ape Prince immediately sensed something was wrong. After Zhao Xing undid the Marquis Transformation Technique, he seemed weaker.
Yet, this seemingly frail outer-realm demon had used a strange move to take Chi and dozens of Blood Demon Guards in one strike.
He could no longer sense Chi's aura, nor those of the other eight Reincarnation Realm apes!
A true Taixu Straw Puppet never shows itself, hiding deep within layers of void, just like the trap Zuo Qiyu had set in Taichu City.
Any challenger who entered would be swallowed.
The casting speed was beyond extreme, with no sign beforehand—the spatial rift just appeared!
Even the Reincarnation Realm apes couldn't catch any hint of the spell, only seeing a flash of black.
It was so fast that by the time Zhao Xing had finished off Chi and the Blood Demon Guards, his teammate Ji Yuan was only just driving a double-string staff into the ground.
"Sealing Moon Divine Needle?" The Demon Ape Prince wasn't alarmed when he saw it, but sneered instead. "Using our clan's sacred artifact against us?"
"Hmph, the royal clan isn't affected by the Sealing Moon Divine Needle!"
"Babu, grab them alive for me!"
A golden-furred ape instantly erupted with golden flames. His breath was fiery, and his body began to grow.
"Clang!"
Ji Yuan suddenly struck the Sealing Moon Divine Needle.
As the sound spread, Babu's golden flames weakened at once, and he dropped to one knee, as if kicked by an invisible force.
"Who said this was your invention?" Ji Yuan laughed, "Stupid monkey."
The Demon Ape Clan's skills were decent, but only just that—decent.
The mechanists in the Reincarnation Group had cracked the Sealing Moon Divine Needle over the decades, turning it into a version specifically targeting the royal clan.
Now, all the Demon Apes were suppressed, while the Sacred Temple's ritual guards remained unaffected.
"Prince, retreat with the ritual guards!"
Realizing the danger, an older Demon Ape grabbed the prince and hurled him toward the leader of the ritual guards.
But in the next instant, the Demon Ape Prince vanished.
Swallowed by a spatial rift.
"Roar!!"
The eight Reincarnation Realm Demon Apes went berserk. They had no idea how Zhao Xing was casting spells—these outer-realm demon arts were beyond their comprehension.
Boom—
The Five-Finger Demon God Earth Palace appeared, slowing the eight Reincarnation Realm apes even more.
"~" The Taixu Straw Puppet opened its mouth in the void layer.
Eight spinning spatial rifts quietly emerged, instantly swallowing four of them.
Four apes reacted quickly enough to avoid being swallowed.
"They haven't even mastered Reincarnation Secret Techniques. Once they die, they're gone for good. These Reincarnation Realm apes are far inferior to the Human Race of the Xuanling Star Domain," Zhao Xing thought.
After swallowing four Reincarnation Realm apes, the Taixu Straw Puppet's inner void layers cut them to pieces instantly.
Without mastering Reincarnation Secret Techniques, these Demon Apes had no chance of reincarnation. Death was true death.
"The fully-formed Taixu Straw Puppet was crafted from materials equivalent to those of a high-grade Realm Star. Once swallowed, they couldn't withstand the spatial cutting."
Not everyone had Reincarnation Dao Weapons. Even the ordinary Reincarnation Realm Human Race in Xuanling mostly used Source Divine Weapons.
These Demon Apes did have Source Divine Weapon-level materials, but their craftsmanship was inferior to the master craftsmen of the Human Race. Few of their weapons reached 'high-grade,' let alone supreme grade.
Every part of Zhao Xing's Taixu Straw Puppet, even a single finger, was stronger than their Source Divine Weapons.
"Die!"
The black vortex reappeared as Zhao Xing's true body unleashed the Five-Finger Demon God Earth Palace, while the Taixu Straw Puppet devoured with spatial rifts.
Soon, the remaining eight Reincarnation Realm Demon Apes vanished too.
"Boom~~~!"
The Sacred Temple's ritual guards, mere Dao Domain-level fighters, were crushed under Zhao Xing's hand.
"After dual Source Perfection, and with Lord Lushan's careful training, my spells have reached great-divine-power levels, combining multiple techniques into one."
"Now, I'm probably at the combat level of Zuo Qiyu when he was possessed," Zhao Xing thought. "If I fought Du Yun again, I could suppress him on my own."
Of course, Du Yun had been in the Dao Domain for many years. How strong he was now, Zhao Xing didn't know and couldn't compare.
Still, Du Yun could likely crush ordinary Reincarnation Realms with ease.
"Lord, shall we begin now?"
Zhao Xing didn't respond. Instead, he looked into the distance at a figure—Yan Lingjun.
Earlier, he hadn't fled, nor had he made a move.
That was why Zhao Xing hadn't acted against him before.
"Who exactly are you? If you don't reveal your identity now, don't blame me for being rude."
Yan Lingjun didn't seem surprised that Zhao Xing had seen through his cover. He shifted and reverted to his human form.
But his eyes were lifeless, like a walking corpse.
Zhao Xing glanced at him, heart skipping a beat.
[Name: Wei Tianchen]
[Realm: Reincarnation Realm (Abnormal)]
[Body: Taiyi Poison Body]
[Remaining Lifespan: 145 years]
"Why don't you guess who I am?" 'Yan Lingjun' spoke.
Guess my ass?
Zhao Xing snorted coldly, "It's been a while, Old Imperial Physician."
Wei Tianchen—that was the true name of the Ancient Physician. Rumor had it he'd served as the Imperial Physician during the Five Emperors Era, shrouded in mystery.
"Hahaha, worthy of being Emperor Tianning," Wei Tianchen laughed. "You saw through me in an instant."
At this moment, Ji Yuan was completely dumbfounded.
Emperor Tianning? Old Imperial Physician? What the hell did that mean?
The ritual was about to begin, and now they were chatting?
Zhao Xing didn't want to waste time either, but he didn't dare move.
Because right now, Wei Tianchen gave him a dangerous feeling. Even without seeing Zuo Qiyu's secret techniques, just the Taiyi Poison Body alone was enough to make Zhao Xing wary.
"Old Imperial Physician, you're not bad yourself. You must have known it was me long ago," Zhao Xing stared at Wei Tianchen.
"Not that long," Wei Tianchen smiled. "The first time we boarded that Demon Ape's ship, you looked at me, and I recognized you too."
"You followed me?" Zhao Xing narrowed his eyes.
"What are you saying, Emperor Tianning?" Wei Tianchen replied strangely, "The first time we met at the Dharma Assembly, you called me. The second time, in Suyue Wasteland, I came at your invitation."
"I came, but couldn't meet you, so I had to look for you myself."
Wei Tianchen's smile gradually faded. "It's really not easy to find Emperor Tianning."
"I paid quite a price to glimpse the will of Heaven and found out you would seek fortune in the North Galaxy."
"And now I finally know, Emperor Tianning was looking for the Rain Immortal Festival's sacrificial site."
Zhao Xing suddenly remembered what the Five Venom Emperor once said. The Imperial Fate Officer had told him his destiny was a complete mess. So, it turns out there was this old bastard scheming over him.
How the hell did he manage this? To meet him here in the Lingxu Realm, Wei Tianchen really had put in some serious effort!
"Old Imperial Physician, why go to such lengths? I wasn't avoiding you. It just wasn't time yet."
Wei Tianchen said calmly, "I think the time has come."
Zhao Xing heard the threat in his words.
If he didn't agree to Wei Tianchen's conditions, forget the threat of the Lingxu Sacred Temple—he wouldn't even get past this old man!
The Ancient Physician picked the perfect place. He figured that if this were the Xuanling Star Domain, even if Zhao Xing died, resurrection or reincarnation wouldn't be that hard.
After all, the Time Page was still in Qing Yuzi's hands.
But now they were in the Wasteland Territory!
And he had encountered Zhao Xing's true body. That made the threat very real!
"Alright, whatever you want, I'll do as you say," Zhao Xing accepted the reality without hesitation and had no choice but to bow his head.
"Where is the Taiyi Heavenly Poison Source Body?" Wei Tianchen asked.
"Dig about 2000 realm units forward along Haitong Ancient Path, and you'll find a small world. The Taiyi Heavenly Poison Source Body is inside," Zhao Xing replied. "You should know whether I'm telling the truth."
Wei Tianchen frowned slightly. "You're not lying, but I don't want to wait that long."
It would take who knows how many years for Haitong Ancient Path to be fully excavated.
He didn't come all this way just to hear empty promises from Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing thought for a moment. "You can also go through the Blue Butterfly Ancient Path, but it's more dangerous. I'm only at the Source Realm; I probably can't make it."
The Blue Butterfly Ancient Path was a time-space passage that only Reincarnation Realm cultivators could traverse—like the Lord of Northern River did.
"You can go," Wei Tianchen looked around. "Complete the Rain Immortal Sacrifice, perfect your three Sources, and you'll break through to the Life-Death Dao Domain."
Zhao Xing wanted to play weak, but it wasn't going to work.
Indeed, if he completed the sacrifice and perfected his three Sources, he could break through.
And once he did, he would reach the Life-Death Dao Domain, just like Du Yun did in a single day.
With such a solid Source foundation, once Zhao Xing converted his spirit energy to mana, his combat power would rival that of seasoned Reincarnation Realms. Entering the Blue Butterfly Ancient Path wouldn't be an issue at all.
"So, Old Imperial Physician, you mean—"
"You complete the sacrifice and take your fortune," Wei Tianchen pointed at the altar. "Then come with me and help me get what's mine."
"Once it's done, we're even."
Zhao Xing understood.
Once he broke through, Wei Tianchen would protect him as they left the Lingxu Origin Realm and go straight to the Taiyi Heavenly Poison Source Body.
There would be no chance for Zhao Xing to return to the Empire base. No more delays.
In other words, he was being kidnapped by the Ancient Physician.
"What goes around comes around, huh? Heaven spares no one. At the Yuanhai Dharma Assembly, I used the Time Page to kidnap the Nine Great Emperors and made them obey me. Now it's my turn to be kidnapped by Wei Tianchen."
Zhao Xing knew clearly, he had no choice now.
Even if he called for Master Qing Yuzi, it'd be too late.
If they were in the Spirit Qi Domain, Old Qing could come quickly. Even if he couldn't, he could reverse time with the Time Page and revive Zhao Xing in some roundabout way.
But this was the Wasteland Territory. Old Qing once said, "The Wasteland is a grave for Godhood Realms!" That meant Old Qing wouldn't step into the Wasteland easily, and his power couldn't reach here.
Also, even if he did come, the Lingxu Origin Realm wasn't something you could just rewind at will. This place was tied to many top-tier forces, with countless complex ties.
Running into someone else's turf and reversing time at will? It wasn't like Qing Yuzi was the only Godhood Realm in existence!
So, Wei Tianchen had chosen the perfect timing. Who knew how much effort he spent to get it right?
"Fine, everything will be as Old Imperial Physician says," Zhao Xing gave in again—he had no other way.
Refuse, and he'd die. Agree, and at least he had a shot at living.
"Let's begin."
Wei Tianchen waved his hand, and Ji Yuan was pulled onto the altar without resistance.
Only now did Zhao Xing notice, at some point, a black needle had been stuck into Ji Yuan's head.
"Old Imperial Physician!" Zhao Xing suddenly spoke, "Our deal has nothing to do with others. After the sacrifice, let him go. Just erase his memories."
If he didn't say this, Ji Yuan would probably die.
Wei Tianchen had intended to kill Ji Yuan to save trouble, but Zhao Xing had been cooperative so far, and this was his first extra request.
He didn't want to stir up more trouble and waste time, especially since the threat from the Lingxu Sacred Temple wasn't resolved yet.
So, he nodded. "Fine, I'll let him live."