Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1421 - 2: Realms of Cultivation in the Universe, the Xia Dynasty’s Painful Ordeal! (Da Zhang)

"Afterwards came a prolonged period of mixed battles. Over these two hundred thousand years, the Xia Dynasty has come and gone, hid and concealed."

"Emperor Xia and Ni Feng Fairy have returned once again to the Second Origin Realm, and gradually, more people have appeared in the First Realm."

"Eventually, the Xia Dynasty decided to undertake another grand migration — a migration across star systems, to completely leave this tumultuous region, as there was no hope of seeing an end to the wars while remaining here."

"The Xia Dynasty planned to smuggle themselves into the [Red Star Empire]. It was an adventurous move," Zhao Xing reminisced, "because it required passing through chaotic battlefields, areas hostile to the Human Clan, and the Desolate Domain."

"And it was precisely this adventure that led the Xia Dynasty into grave peril."

"When the Xia Dynasty passed through the territory of the Cangyue Demon Country, their Boundary Boat was captured by a Third Realm powerhouse of the Demon Race."

"Since then, the Xia Dynasty has been captivity within the Cangyue Demon Country."

"Cultivators of the Human Clan can accomplish things that Demon Race cultivators cannot, such as farming, and nurturing fortune."

"Demon Race cultivators pride themselves on capturing slaves from the Human Clan; the more slaves one has, the higher one's status, almost like how the Human Clan raises demon pets." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"The Xia Dynasty has been kept captive for nearly six hundred thousand years now."

"The Third Realm powerhouse of the Demon Race back then has already ascended to the Tao Domain Realm."

"The Xia Dynasty has completely become a slave nation to the Demon Race."

"During this period, several high-ranking officials of the Xia Dynasty have been sold off, having completely forgotten their identities."

Cloud Sky Dao's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing also becoming rapid: "You mean, Emperor Xia and my wife, have completely forgotten me, and have become part of the Alien Race?"

"No," Zhao Xing shook his head and said, "Emperor Xia and Ni Feng Fairy have both reached the Third Realm, they have not been turned into demons, after all, maintaining the orthodox image of the Human Clan is the only way those Demon Race powerhouses can boast about them."

"However, under the continuous brainwashing of the Demon Race powerhouse, they have indeed forgotten everything from the past and believe themselves to be part of the Cangyue Demon Country now."

What Zhao Xing spoke of was all learned in a previous life during the Cloud Sky Dao mission. The narrative told today is largely unchanged, outlining the general trajectory of the Xia Dynasty's million-year history.

Cloud Sky Dao listened and fell completely silent.

The enemy of the Tao Domain Realm, still within the hostile territory of the Human Clan, the plight of the Xia Dynasty is truly despairing.

Zhao Xing said, "Brother Yun, I have brought you out early because soon, the Cangyue Demon Country will wage war with the Taoxuan Ancient Country. If you had gone over two thousand years later, that great demon would die in the war, and so would Emperor Xia and Ni Feng Fairy."

"But now that you've arrived more than two thousand years earlier, there is still time!"

Cloud Sky Dao sneered grimly, "Two thousand years, Tao Domain Realm, even if I, Cloud Sky Dao, hold myself in high regard, I cannot have such confidence. Moreover, reaching the Tao Domain Realm, would it really be enough for me to rescue them from the Demon Country?"

"It most certainly can!" Zhao Xing grasped Cloud Sky Dao's hand tightly, "You must trust me."

"Leave me be for a while," Cloud Sky Dao withdrew his hand and vanished from Heavenly Altar Square.

Looking at the disappearing figure of Cloud Sky Dao, Zhao Xing did not know what else to say either. He had kept his promise to tell Cloud Sky Dao everything, but whether it would change Cloud Sky Dao's trajectory, he did not know.

"Cloud Sky Dao should not fall into despair and be demoralized, right?"

"Uncertain if it's right or wrong," Zhao Xing shook his head and also returned to his residence.

...

A month passed before Zhao Xing saw Cloud Sky Dao again.

At this time, Zhao Xing was inside the hall conducting knowledge dissemination.

The dissemination had been ongoing for many days, but this was the first time seeing Cloud Sky Dao attending the meeting.

He appeared as if he had returned to his usual demeanor, as though nothing had transpired.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, I have a question!"

Suddenly, a query from someone drew Zhao Xing's attention back.

"General Ye, what is your query?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Grand Minister of Agriculture, you just mentioned that on the Martial Artist path, breaking through the Origin Realm requires compressing the dojo back into the body." Ye Yuxong scratched his head, "But, Martial Artists have the distinction of Qi Sword; for the Qi Sect, perhaps, but the Sword Sect's dojo aims to expand outward, right? Does it also need to be compressed back and integrated? Wouldn't that mean, for breakthrough of Martial Arts in the universe, there's only the Qi Sect route?"

Ye Yuxong's question sparked discussion among many Sword Sect Warriors; his confusion reflected theirs too.

For instance, Long Xiao is also of the Sword Sect school; his Sword Control Technique is always about flying far, and after achieving the Establishing Tao Realm, his dojo is expanded as much as possible, enabling faster and more lethal sword control.

If they must pull back, doesn't this contradict the current cultivation direction?

Does this imply that in the cosmic context, the Sword Sect is declining?

Zhao Xing said, "Indeed, in the universe, the Martial Artists' path is dominated by the Qi Sect's method."

"However, this is not because the Qi Sect is weak, but because this path is too formidable. The top forces strictly control access to secret techniques, only distributing some ineffective magic techniques."

"To my knowledge, the Sword Sect does not need to compress the dojo back into the body but instead into the Lifebound Divine Weapon."

"Of course, what I'm explaining is just the essence of it; I haven't elaborated on the specific cultivation approaches, so you should not practice blindly... Long Xiao, hold your hand!"

"Eh, pardon me, Grand Minister of Agriculture." Long Xiao awkwardly cupped his hands, as already upon Zhao Xing's words, he began trying it out, only to be instantly seen through.

"Within the Boundary Boat, your comprehension of the Tao is incomplete; the Tao in the Desolate Domain is obscure and fragmented. You can only refine Martial Techniques and Spells at most; seeking the Tao is impossible," Zhao Xing warned. "You may not practice arbitrarily, or you may easily succumb to internal deviance."

In the Boundary Boat's inner world, naturally, it cannot supply the cultivation needs of strong individuals; otherwise, why would the Xia Dynasty be hiding and roaming for so many years, seeking to live within a spiritual energy territory? It's because the Desolate Domain doesn't allow further cultivation advancements.

Only those who reach the Establishing Tao Realm should leave the Desolate Domain in search of a spiritual energy territory for further progression, otherwise, they can only be like Cloud Sky Dao, continuously advancing spells but stagnating in the Tao's realm.

"Did everyone hear the Grand Minister's words?!" Ji Che shouted, "Remember, this is a ban."

"Yes," everyone responded affirmatively, indicating they understood.

After the lecture concluded, Zhao Xing held a small meeting with Ji Che and the Six Department Heads.

"Your Majesty, now within the Xuanhuang Realm Boat, there's no need for too many strong individuals to remain awakened. I believe we can allow part of the people to enter the Realm of Slumber, to pass this long cosmic journey," Zhao Xing proposed.

"What the Grand Minister of Agriculture says is right," Ji Che nodded, since the Tao could not advance. Then many strong individuals awake would only waste spiritual energy, merely refining spells, whereas five hundred years might not bring much progress.

"Everyone draft a scheme, with one hundred years as an interval, Six Department Heads and officials, to take turns to awaken and sleep," Ji Che said.

"Yes."

The efficiency of the Six Departments was swift; within seven days, they had a specific implementation plan.

It was announced at the court session, though this was primarily targeted at the top-ranking ministers; the other officials were not restricted, as their consumption was comparatively minimal.

After the session concluded and the scheme announced, Zhao Xing cupped his hands to the crowd.

"Everyone, we shall meet again in five hundred years."