Chapter 538: Proof of the Way, Breaking the Way, Protecting the Way

Zhao Xing, the Wushen (Martial God) of the Yan Ao Empire, naturally came to request his presence in his capacity as an imperial official, not as the leader of the Ancient Hills.

"Why have you come to seek me?"

"I ask you, Wushen, to be my Protector of the Way."

"There are countless Great Ways; which moral path do you uphold?"

"To cultivate oneself and uphold virtue, to save the world and aid its people."

"Is your resolve firm?"

"Where my will directs, I shall proceed unadorned; where the Way leads, I will go, even if it means facing a thousand, or ten thousand, people."

"Good!" Yan Ao nodded in approval. The next moment, he was no longer aloof, but appeared before Zhao Xing like an ordinary person.

"Yan Ao is willing to become your first Protector of the Way. Please do not forget your words today: uphold the righteous path and cultivate good practices."

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and bowed once more.

The next moment, he noticed Yan Ao's divine body emitting faint golden light, forming a golden thread that entered his own body. As the first official Protector-God General, Yan Ao extended this line, which was not merely a karmic thread but also a thread of destiny.

When Yan Ao's action was complete, Zhao Xing felt a corresponding sensation. Any karmic spells or curses of fate would first be borne by the protector, consuming their divine power, thus preventing Zhao Xing from being harmed. Zhao Xing had not expected Yan Ao's protection to be like this. The current Wushen Yan Ao had become his second health bar. Any damage taken would first deplete Yan Ao's health.

"Only a Qi Sect Wushen could provide such a form of protection," Zhao Xing mused. A Sword Sect Wushen, while powerful, would never offer such comprehensive protection. General Hua Li was secretly dispatched by Gu Luohe, but Yan Ao, as expected of the first Protector-God General sent by the human leadership, completely maximized Zhao Xing's sense of security. As an official Protector-God General, Yan Ao naturally wouldn't hide within Zhao Xing's inner world like General Hua Li. He would openly accompany him. Anyone attempting to attack Zhao Xing would first have to contend with Yan Ao. From this point on, the cost of killing Zhao Xing escalated to that of killing a God General, and a Qi Sect Wushen with a very long health bar at that.

After the ceremony, Yan Ao resided alone in one of the divine ships accompanying the retinue. Normally, no one would disturb him, he wouldn't accept requests for guidance, nor would he interfere with Zhao Xing's training. Although he had officially entered the world, less interaction with the outside world would reduce karmic ties and delay the arrival of divine tribulation.

"Wushen Yan Ao truly became the Grand Minister of Agriculture's first Protector-God General," Ji Si said, smiling as she looked at the divine ship where Yan Ao resided. In fact, Ji Si had long calculated that Zhao Xing's first God General would be Yan Ao. This was because she had seen her master and Yan Ao flying towards the Ancient Hills and entering the Three Ancient Realms. Now that her prediction had come true, Ji Si's cultivation had also advanced to a higher level.

After securing Wushen Yan Ao's protection, Zhao Xing remained in the Yan God Star System for a few more days. Here, he had an acquaintance, Meng Wu, who was now also a Venerable. He sought out Meng Wu to reminisce and inquire about Wu Tian's origins.

"General Meng, is there any news of Wu Tian?" Zhao Xing asked.

"No, he hasn't contacted me since his release," Meng Wu shook his head.

"What exactly is Wu Tian's background?" Zhao Xing pressed.

"I'm not sure. Wu Tian's earliest trace was in the Black Sky Desolate Domain; he appeared from there," Meng Wu shook his head again.

"What is Wu Tian's cultivation level?"

"When I first met him, he was an Emperor-Lord level, but he seemed to be gravely injured. Is there something wrong with Wu Tian?"

"No, just asking casually."

Emperor-Lord level? Zhao Xing thought Wu Tian was certainly more than that, but if Meng Wu said so, it seemed he didn't know Wu Tian's true background either.

After securing Yan Ao's assistance, Zhao Xing set off for his next destination: the Primeval Heavenly Palace, to invite God General Lu Ya.

At this time, in a remote corner of the Profound Spirit Starfield, there was a power called the Shiluo Dynasty. Their emperor, Shiluo, a Lord-level priest, now hastily made his way to the underground of the imperial palace. Deep underground, there was a vast space containing an octagonal palace bathed in a pool of black lightning. Inside the lightning-bathed octagonal palace stood a statue of a female deity.

After Lord Shiluo entered the palace, his disguise automatically fell away. His body seemed forged from star iron, his skin a deep purplish-black, covered with strange lightning patterns. His wild black hair also turned purple, cascading over his head like lightning. His aura continuously climbed from the Lord level, eventually revealing faint traces of divine power. Although Lord Shiluo's true body was at the Free Divine Weapon level, this was currently just a clone. Despite possessing a trace of divine power, its overall strength remained that of a demigod.

"Greetings, Heaven Empress Yuanjun, Thunder God-Official, Five-Abyss Thunder God General!"

The statue emitted a twisted golden light, and a voice quickly responded.

"Shiluo, what is it?"

"Zhao Xing has invited Wushen Yan Ao to become his Protector-God," Shiluo reported, relaying the intelligence. "Most of our methods are now practically ineffective against this Minister of Agriculture."

Heavenly Empress Leimu fell silent. With Wushen Yan Ao having been invited to enter the world, any attempt to move against Zhao Xing, no matter the action, would now involve God General-level difficulty. Moreover, there should be more than one God General protecting him. Judging by Zhao Xing's performance, he would likely have at least three protectors: two overt and one covert.

"Is there any useful intelligence?"

Shiluo mused, "Your subordinate has discovered something, but it cannot be confirmed. Zhao Xing seems to be able to receive true spirit incense offerings."

"Oh? Are you certain?"

Shiluo nodded: "After the Era Worm incident, we have people in the Divine Dao Office of the Yan God Star System. When he previously passed through the Yan God Star System, my subordinate reported some unusual circumstances to me. However, my subordinate's rank and cultivation are not high, making it difficult to confirm if Zhao Xing absorbed the true spirit incense, nor could they pinpoint the specific individuals making offerings to Zhao Xing."

"How could they not find them?" Heavenly Empress Leimu asked.

"Because too many people are making offerings to Zhao Xing," Shiluo said with some helplessness. "Beyond the Yan God Star System, throughout the entire Empire, and even the entire Profound Spirit Starfield, there are vast numbers of people worshipping Zhao Xing. I am unsure if this is a trap. Therefore, I did not act."

Heavenly Empress Leimu nodded: "You did well. This could very well be a trap. However, it is still worth a try. If he can truly receive true spirit incense offerings... Perhaps we can use this method to influence him."

Shiluo nodded; this was precisely what he was thinking as well. Wushen Yan Ao is a Qi Sect master. Although he is a God General and his protective abilities are strong, he also has limitations. A Qi Sect's protective mechanism cannot possibly completely block the protected target's path of advancement. Worshipping Zhao Xing cannot be considered a form of harm; in fact, it could even boost Zhao Xing's cultivation and combat power. Therefore, as long as Zhao Xing can receive true spirit incense offerings, there is a possibility of influencing him.

At this moment, no evil god, from any faction, ever considered that killing Zhao Xing through force would disrupt the overall evangelization strategy. For the evil god faction, indiscriminate killing would also negatively affect 'evangelization and assimilation'. If a genius Minister of Agriculture like Zhao Xing were killed by an evil god, it could potentially cause many people to become disillusioned with the evil god faction and awaken directly. Using methods such as the 'Heavenly Latitude Beast,' Era Worms, History Book Worms, and opening spacetime barriers was intended to disrupt spacetime and create memory deviations. This would cause chaos in the current era's structure, and amidst that chaos, these gods would have an opportunity to evangelize. And evangelization was for the purpose of influence/conversion. The ultimate goal of influence was to take people and objects back to past spacetime territories. Simply killing people or gods from the Desolate Era meant that their essence, after dispersing, still remained in the current era, which held little significance. Of course, there were also plans for forced abduction and enslavement, but these were not to be initiated at the current stage. Moreover, Zhao Xing was not suitable for enslavement. If the final outcome was merely enslaving Zhao Xing, it would be equivalent to wasting his potential. Without this potential, Zhao Xing would just be a demigod. Spending a huge price to take a demigod back? That would be a definite loss.

"You are to immediately investigate and confirm whether Zhao Xing can receive true spirit incense offerings. I want a clear answer before he arrives at Lu Ya Palace."

"Yes."

The divine statue lost its radiance, and the statue of Heavenly Empress Leimu quickly collapsed, turning into dust and vanishing. Only after seeing the area turn to ash did Shiluo leave with peace of mind.

After Shiluo left.

In the underground space, a faint glimmer of light suddenly appeared. The light, like tiny insects, slowly began to crawl throughout the entire subterranean area. It concluded with an almost inaudible ticking sound, and the light-insects completely disappeared.

Departing from the Empire for the Primeval Heavenly Palace, the journey was once again filled with celebratory fanfare and grand ceremonial displays. However, this time the distance was much greater, and they would pass through several regions, including the Holy Wing Ancient Kingdom, Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom, and Mystic Fire Ancient Kingdom, along the way.

Zhao Xing wasn't idle either, continuing to ponder the five divine laws of the Id Sect.

"'Cangwu World Law': uses the projection of the inner world combined with the 'Cangwu Life Dao Diagram,' alongside the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda, to condense the 'Divine Tree Cangwu Illusion'. This is considered the Id Sect's divine domain. There are three directions for improvement. First, enhancing the specifications of the inner world: collecting large amounts of treasures to raise the level of the World Core. For me, apart from treasures like Boundary-Breaking Divine Stones which can provide rapid improvement, other methods are very slow. Yin-Yang Stones, Five-Element Stones, Hearts of the World – various treasures can also accumulate world origin, but the required quantity is too immense. Even transporting the Yin-Yang Stones from an entire star system wouldn't be enough for the World Core's evolution. Second, the degree of control over the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda. This divine artifact given to me by the Great Emperor has been operating automatically since it first entered my inner world. Only in recent years, guided by God General Hua Li, did I begin to attempt to control it. Of the eighteen layers of the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda, I only control the first. And of the Cangwu Life Dao Diagram, I've only comprehended the Root Law of the first layer."

Within his inner world, Zhao Xing's mind entered the first layer of the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda. For the first layer of the Primal Chaos Array Diagram, a Fourteenth-tier True Spirit is the threshold for mastery. For the second layer of the Primal Chaos Array Diagram, a Fifteenth-tier True Spirit is the threshold for mastery. Zhao Xing had been meditating in the Tree Palace before, attempting multitasking, which made comprehending the second layer extremely difficult. A Fifteenth-tier True Spirit is merely a threshold; it doesn't mean one can master it immediately upon reaching that level.

"The Great Emperor's Magnum Opus of Dao Proclamation has a comprehension difficulty far exceeding that of ordinary divine artifact control methods. Currently, it takes me twelve days to gain one point of proficiency, and the second layer of the Primal Chaos Array Diagram requires ten thousand points for full proficiency. Based on my current proficiency acquisition rate, it would only take 328 realm-star years to fully master the second layer of the Primal Chaos Array Diagram."

Zhao Xing also knew that comprehending a divine artifact of Heavenly Dao Proclamation with a demigod true spirit was extremely difficult. Gaining one proficiency point in twelve days? That was already divine speed! After 328 years, the 'divine power' he could borrow from the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda would be far more abundant than it was now. All five divine arts require divine power to sustain them, but with only the first layer mastered, he only had 100 points of divine power, enough to release each of the five divine arts once at most. This was only theoretical; in practice, improving the proficiency of the Mutation Method, Parasitic Method, Seeding Method, Divine Essence Method, and Divine Foundation Method still required practical research on plant soldier types.

"If Fan Qianrou's seven-colored magic power could be unified, I would gain mastery of another type of divine power. I wonder how my wandering avatar is doing now." Zhao Xing's main body couldn't research everything; the Id Sect's divine arts had already pushed his true spirit to its operational limit. If he could integrate the cultivation memories of his wandering avatar, he would likely ascend to another level.

After his cultivation, Zhao Xing glanced at his progress.

Name: Zhao XingProfession: Minister of AgricultureTrue Spirit: Fifteenth-tier (200x secret art amplification)Heaven and Earth Primal Chaos Holy Body: Fifteenth-tierId Law (Divine-tier):One-World Divine Essence: Divine Essence Method; Gathers all origin and vitality from the inner world to strengthen plant soldiers once.Void Divine Seed: Mutation Method; Selects a void seed for mutation, temporarily advancing it to a divine-tier soldier.Cangwu World Law: World Method; Forms the Cangwu Divine Domain, which can repair injuries of plant soldiers.Id Divine Sacrifice: Parasitic Method; Parasitizes a target's body, a prerequisite for the Seeding Method.Primal Chaos Divine Foundation: Root Method; Strengthens plant foundations, giving plants a chance to become gods, and aids in comprehending the 'Root Laws' of all life Dao diagrams.Primal Chaos Array Diagram First Layer: Primal Chaos Divine Power 100/10000

Terrestrial Advantage Law: Five Extremes Spirit Pearl Earth Palace Method, Stacked Realm Mountain Method, Spacetime Earth Communication Method, Spirit Domain Earth Palace, Life Demon God Earth Palace, Realm-Splitting Method, Divine Treasury Method. Stacked Realm Mountain Third Layer, a method of Heavenly Dao Proclamation.

Heavenly Timing Law: Nine Origins Divine Thunder Method (fragment), has learned 'Heavy Water Divine Thunder'. Nine Swamps Divine Transformation (Fourth Layer).

The Id Sect's divine laws, supported by divine power, are worthy of their name. The Terrestrial Advantage Sect has the most divine laws. Since becoming Mountain Leader, Zhao Xing has acquired a divine law for almost every category. However, without divine power support, these spells only possess demigod power. As for the Heavenly Timing Law, apart from the Nine Swamps Divine Marquis Transformation, which holds hope for transforming into the innate divine being Nine Swamps God during the demigod stage, the Thunder Law is only a fragment, acquired through Yun Tiandao by 'fleecing' Heavenly Empress Leimu, and there is no hope of unleashing its divine power.

Extreme Land Fourth Layer: 8520/10000Primal Chaos Realm Third Layer: 7445/10000Great Sun Boundless Sea Second Layer: 2465/10000

Although the cultivation methods of the three sects are balanced, there are still differences in progress. The progress of Extreme Land is undoubtedly the fastest. Even Gu Luohe at the time said that Zhao Xing's fastest path to becoming a Free God was the Terrestrial Advantage Sect's path. The progress of over three thousand points indicates that the accumulation towards becoming a god via origin has entered its later stages. This trip to invite protector-god generals and journey through various lands is precisely to observe mountains and seas, comprehend the Extreme Land, and complete the accumulation of 'Realm Theory.' As for the third layer of the Primal Chaos Realm, it has also entered the later stages. Providing one or two more divine items for nourishing the realm would allow him to push directly to the fourth layer. However, one must choose a good location for becoming a god when breaking through. Neither the Id Sect nor the Terrestrial Advantage Sect are suitable for pushing the final progress in this spacetime. As for the Heavenly Timing Sect, the accumulation is far from enough. The main reason is the scarcity of Polaris origin. Collecting Polaris light is also one of the main goals of this journey.

Terrestrial Advantage Divine Artifacts: Primordial Era Mountain, Vajra Bangle, Earth Store Divine Needle.Id Divine Artifact: Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda.Heavenly Timing Divine Artifacts: Spacetime Valley Rain Robe, Heavenly Transformation Divine Needle.Sky-Mending Law Dao Proclamation Divine Artifacts: Three-Beam Crown, Star-Net Imperial Physician Robe, Lapis Emperor Jade Belt, Myriad Manifestations Spirit Healer Cauldron, Spiritual Charm Revival Needle, Black Cloud Boots, Sky-Mending Seal.Universal Dao Refining Divine Artifacts: Azure Water Golden God Gourd, Servant Wheel, White Jade Five Tumulus Orb.Power Divine Artifacts: Nine pieces.Unassigned Divine Items: Primordial Straw Man Body (unactivated).Seven-Star Dipper Cabinet: Unactivated.

Although there are many divine artifacts, the most useful ones are still the Dao Refining divine artifacts of his own profession. Among them, Zhao Xing believes the most potent are the Primal Chaos Dao Pagoda, which can convert divine power, and the Heavenly Transformation Divine Needle, which has the potential to transform him into a divine realm being. As for the three refining divine artifacts of the Terrestrial Advantage Sect, they are stronger in terms of quality because they are the sect's foundational treasures. However, in terms of practicality, they are currently a step weaker than the other two, mainly because Zhao Xing, being a demigod, cannot yet fully unleash their power. The universal divine artifacts are a step weaker in quality, but the two unassigned divine items—the straw man body is a semi-finished product crafted from divine materials Zhao Xing obtained, and its magical flaws still need to be remedied. The Seven-Star Dipper Cabinet requires Fan Qianrou's divine power to be refined before it can be opened. However, Zhao Xing had no intention of opening it anyway. The 'Desolate God Poison' hidden inside could even kill a Physician God General like Fan Qianrou, and Zhao Xing had no confidence in controlling it.

Ending his cultivation, Zhao Xing came to the cabin of the Ten Lands Divine Ship.

"Peak Master Mo, where has the team arrived?"

"Replying to Mountain Leader, we will leave the Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom in three months. The next stop is the territory of the Primeval Heavenly Palace."

"Three months..." Zhao Xing pondered, looking at the map. "The team is in the Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom, not far from the Black Sky Desolate Domain. Should I meet with True God Wuliang?"

He didn't intend to personally enter the Black Sky Desolate Domain; that was not permitted. But since the team was passing by, very close to the Black Sky Desolate Domain, he could take out the White Jade Five Tumulus Orb and let the True God Wuliang Temple on the ship sense True God Wuliang's location.

"It's time for a resolution. I'll make the summoning here. If True God Wuliang considers my mission a failure, then this evil god undercover mission will end. Now that I have Yan Ao by my side, if True God Wuliang intends to harm me, I can just destroy his statue and wrap things up directly." Knowing the outcome was better than leaving it unresolved.

Zhao Xing immediately invited Yan Ao to a small boat, explaining that he needed to make a trip to the Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom's administrative district. Yan Ao didn't ask for details and simply boarded the boat. He only guaranteed Zhao Xing's path to enlightenment. The experiences during this process were Zhao Xing's own, and he would not interfere. Unless Zhao Xing was trying to court death by running into the Desolate Domain, then he would intervene. But simply being in the Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom's territory was not considered particularly dangerous.

Purple Profound Ancient Kingdom, a dim star sea outpost. An ancient warship emerged from the void river. Zhao Xing parked the White Jade Five Tumulus Orb in an uninhabited area, then opened multiple barriers, allowing the temple of True God Wuliang to be exposed to the outside. Zhao Xing walked into the divine temple. As soon as he stepped in, the statue of True God Wuliang within the temple automatically came to life. He hadn't even offered incense yet; was True God Wuliang in such a hurry? A sense of caution arose in Zhao Xing's heart, but remembering Wushen Yan Ao was on the boat, he immediately relaxed. With a Wushen by his side, there was no reason he couldn't defeat a mere statue of True God Wuliang.

"Zhao Xing greets True God."

"Your subordinate is ashamed. Although I became the Mountain Leader, I failed to complete the mission to kill Kuang Chuan. I ask for True God's punishment." Zhao Xing still feigned respect during his greeting.

"You needn't be ashamed," True God Wuliang said, comforting him in turn. "He was, after all, able to create the Ancient Underworld Mountain Scripture; the mission's difficulty was entirely different from usual. Your inability to kill Kuang Chuan is understandable. What I'm concerned about is your safety."

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected True God Wuliang to have such flexible principles. A leader like True God Wuliang was indeed quite good; not only did he not punish or blame for uncompleted missions, but he worried about his subordinate's safety instead.

"Please rest assured, True God, your subordinate is very safe now," Zhao Xing said. "Wushen Yan Ao is standing outside the hall, isn't he?" True God Wuliang's gaze turned outward. Although outside was a sea of clouds, he instantly saw through to Yan Ao's presence.

"Yes," Zhao Xing, seeing he couldn't hide it, readily admitted, "Wushen Yan Ao has agreed to become my protector."

"Hmm, he's not bad," True God Wuliang nodded.

Zhao Xing was somewhat surprised. Aren't righteous factions usually insulting towards martial artists? Why did True God Wuliang have a better attitude towards Wushen Yan Ao? He didn't even refer to him as an 'evil god'.

"However, even with a Wushen protecting you, you are not absolutely safe," True God Wuliang said. "You created the Ten Directions Mountain Scripture, and many evil gods are looking for you, thinking of you. Attacks from the shadows are always hard to guard against. Don't think that having Yan Ao's protection means everything will be fine. If they truly want to kill you, even ten more Yan Aos would be useless!"

To emphasize his own importance, True God Wuliang also started some bluffing tactics. There was no other way. Zhao Xing now had a God General for protection. If he didn't bluff a little, he wouldn't be able to increase his influence.

"Please instruct me, True God."

"Have you cultivated some form of sacrificial method and received true spirit incense offerings?"

"How does True God know?" Zhao Xing's heart leaped in surprise. He was indeed somewhat bluffed by True God Wuliang.

"Hmph, my divine powers are vast and refined; how could I not know such a small matter of yours? You received true spirit incense offerings in the Yan God Star System. Although it was just a brief taste, you were noticed by the Divine Dao Office."

Zhao Xing was filled with doubt and surprise. Seeing that his bluff had mostly worked, True God Wuliang's tone softened considerably: "But rest assured, I have already acted in advance and am watching them. Heavenly Empress Leimu and the Immortal Underworld God's plans, their every move, are under my watchful eye. Among God Generals, those who proclaim their Dao to Heaven and Earth are stronger. What's more, I am a True God of Spacetime Arrays!"

After the bluff, it was time to display strength and emphasize his own importance. Zhao Xing, as expected, played along, immediately bowing and saying, "Your subordinate was ignorant and almost made a grave mistake. Thank you, True God, for your protection!" True God Wuliang was very pleased, and so he revealed Heavenly Empress Leimu's plan.

"Heavenly Empress Leimu has bewitched one of your good friends, Yun Tiandao." Zhao Xing was well aware of this, but Old Yun's situation was still within controllable bounds. "At the same time, she also plans to 'evangelize' you through sacrifices, and in turn, 'corrupt' your essence. The way of sacrifice is the means, and spiritual corruption is the method, to make you psychologically identify with those crooked and evil paths. Their plan will not harm you; on the contrary, you will gain benefits during this stage. Yan Ao's Wushen protection, passed down through life, can bear damage for you, but will not interfere with your cultivation path. If you're not careful, you could easily fall into their trap."

Zhao Xing instantly felt a cold sweat breaking out. He had just learned the "Id Divine Sacrifice" and understood its intricacies, and now there were evil gods who had mastered these very intricacies, starting to target him. Roaming the heavens and cultivating origin, this process was about seeking gains. Not to mention those deeply disguised connections, just speaking of believer sacrifices, he had planned to try them out more to unlock his 'Feng Chan' progress. He never expected such an old schemer to target him so quickly!

"Please instruct me, True God!"

True God Wuliang smiled inwardly: "Don't panic. Since I have already acted in advance, I will protect you from harm. I know you cannot leave the spirit domain now, so send a clone quietly to the Black Sky Desolate Domain. I will send you a few items. Afterward, you can confidently roam and cultivate; I will filter out the incense offerings from those evil gods for you."

"Thank you, True God!" Zhao Xing was overjoyed. With True God Wuliang's help, wouldn't he effectively have an additional Protector-God General? And from the evil god faction at that, which was far more covert than General Hua Li.

However, Zhao Xing still had some concerns: "True God, if they find this method ineffective against me, what else will they do?"

"If it's eventually discovered that you are unaffected, they will likely implement the 'Dao Breaker Plan' against you."

"'Dao Breaker Plan'?" Zhao Xing questioned.

"Where there are protectors, there are naturally Dao breakers," True God Wuliang said solemnly. "This is specifically executed against gods who proclaim their Dao to Heaven and Earth. Seize their Dao-proclamation artifacts, destroy their Dao-proclamation grounds, corrupt their principles, and shatter their Dao heart. That is the Dao Breaker Plan."

Zhao Xing was deep in thought.

True God Wuliang murmured, "You, who proclaim your Dao to Heaven and Earth, are bound to bear the hopes of all beings. The high-level divine realm temporary authorities of the Desolate Domain sent you God Generals for protection; how much karma is this? You preferentially obtained vast amounts of resources and influenced the destinies of many people? When the Heavenly Dao Proclamation you diligently researched is destroyed, not to mention the state of your Dao heart, you simply won't be able to withstand the karmic and destiny backlash. Most people cannot withstand it even when the Dao Breakers seize their Dao-proclamation artifacts and destroy their Dao-proclamation grounds. If it reaches the stage of 'corrupting their principles,' they will be unable to transcend forever, and all traces of them across endless spacetime will be erased."

Zhao Xing tried to imagine such a scene and found it terrifying. Before Yan Ao was invited by him to enter the world, he had asked Zhao Xing why he followed the path. Zhao Xing replied: to save the world and aid its people, to cultivate oneself and uphold virtue. So Yan Ao, from a semi-reclusive state, fully entered the world to protect Zhao Xing's Dao. This was immense karma. After he became the Mountain Leader of the Ancient Hills, he claimed seventy percent of the Ancient Underworld Mountain's ley lines and soil brought by Kuang Chuan, while the other gods only shared thirty percent! Imperceptibly, he had already shouldered too much of other people's karma and destiny. When the backlash appeared, it would definitely be unbearable. Because selfish individuals cannot walk the path of Heavenly Dao Proclamation.

"Assuming it reaches this stage," True God Wuliang said solemnly, "I hope you leave this spacetime as soon as possible. You should first become a Free God, slowly clear your karma, and reach a 'semi-divine seclusion' state. Then, even if your Dao-proclamation artifacts are seized and your Dao-proclamation grounds are destroyed, there will still be hope for salvation. If it truly reaches the stage where the 'Dao Breakers' launch their major offensive, I won't be able to help you either."

Zhao Xing nodded. Yes, he had utilized so many human resources, many of which were practically given to him for free. First becoming a Free God and contributing to humanity, returning some resources, would lessen his karmic burden. The potential backlash would also be less severe. Of course, he was still very far from this stage; his Dao-proclamation grounds weren't even a concept yet, and his theories were still incomplete. Thinking about this, it was no wonder the Three Eras Division Theory couldn't be pushed to the Cold Warm Era. The Lord of Cold Food would never tolerate someone destroying his Dao— Zhao Xing mused inwardly. And further back, Wei Tianchen would rather die than give up his Dao-proclamation method, because he knew that surrendering it would lead to the same eternal damnation.

True God Wuliang comforted him, "You needn't worry too much. You are still very far from that step. When you come to our faction, mighty beings will naturally assist you. Before then, if evil gods try to bewitch you, delay them as much as you can. When there's nothing else to do, you can make some outlandish statements, or go listen to certain dharma assemblies and pretend to be influenced. However, absolutely do not attend the Cold Food Dharma Assembly. That one's assembly can bewitch even gods; I'm afraid you won't be able to resist."

"Yes, your subordinate will remember," Zhao Xing bowed again.

Emerging from True God Wuliang's temple, Zhao Xing's heart felt heavy. Yan Ao stood on the deck, hands behind his back. When Zhao Xing emerged, he spoke.

"How do you feel after hearing that?"

Zhao Xing looked up. He wasn't surprised that Yan Ao could hear the conversation; after all, True God Wuliang could see Yan Ao outside the temple.

"Somewhat shaken."

Yan Ao nodded slightly: "Although True God Wuliang has his flaws, his description of the Heavenly Dao Proclamation was not biased. In the struggle for the Great Dao, killing the physical body is merely the crudest method, and the war with the lowest intensity. The true life-and-death struggle is one of moral principles and legal tenets. True Gods from both our faction and the enemy's, who proclaim their Dao to Heaven and Earth, often fall because they cannot pass the 'Dao Breaker' challenge. I have seen countless individuals of exceptional talent and profound fortune. Some even crossed from the Origin Realm to the Samsara Realm in a single day. But ultimately, the vast majority of them could not pass this stage. The mildest outcome after failure was complete madness, becoming like living dead. Of course, their backers also paid a far heavier price. As the saying goes, 'When one attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.' But if one fails to attain the Dao, it's utter chaos for everyone involved. Do you understand the meaning of my questions to you now?"

Zhao Xing took a deep breath: "This junior understands."

"I hope you truly understand," Yan Ao said, not elaborating on the tragic examples, but simply walking forward. "The path is chosen by oneself. Perhaps no one asked us to bear anything from the start. But as we walk, more people follow behind us: life-and-death Dao companions, close friends and allies, and all living beings— Is this path ultimately one of life, or one of ruin—"