Shennong Dao Master

"Clang!"

A yellow bell appeared in Emperor Qian Yin’s hands, gently struck.

The sound waves visible to the naked eye spread out, and Zhao Xing saw the floating musical notes in the sky ahead being dispersed.

A passageway was cleared by the bell’s sound, and soon a magnificent palace appeared in the sky, suspended by four threads like harp strings, with one end connected to the palace’s base and the other disappearing into the void.

The palace seemed to hang on a spider web, yet it was rotating.

Snowflakes fell, winds swirled around, moonlight shone down, and Zhao Xing saw a large tree on the east side of the palace, its spiral-patterned leaves swaying in the wind, producing countless sounds.

To the south, a vine was planted, with its tendrils dancing in the air.

To the west, four flowers with black edges and red centers grew, though three of them were withered and shriveled, and the remaining one was closed.

To the north stood a bare golden bamboo pole, as if its branches and leaves were removed, with charred marks as if struck by lightning.

Zhao Xing’s focus was on the plants, but the other three were on the palace itself.

Feng Chen recited a couplet written on the palace gate:

"In the wind and snow, a thousand strings tell of parting sorrow, The moon hides, flowers wither, five melodies bury the fading sound."

"The ultimate sound of Gong and Shang."

"Elder Feng, this couplet sounds quite ominous." Emperor Fu Zhi squinted his eyes.

Zhao Xing noticed his hand slipping under his sleeve and then emerging again, a habitual action of a Fate Master.

It seemed Emperor Fu Zhi was silently calculating something.

"Elder Feng, can you discern the origins of this palace?" Emperor Qian Yin did not act rashly.

"Can’t say for sure." Feng Chen shook his head, "I can only deduce that it’s from the era of either Emperor Rui or Emperor Luo."

Just then, on the steps outside the palace gate, several musical notes suddenly merged into one, forming a long-haired fairy in flowing white robes.

Her gaze fell upon the four people at the foot of the stairs, first skipping over Zhao Xing and Feng Chen, then she spoke to Emperor Qian Yin and Emperor Fu Zhi. However, Zhao Xing could not hear.

"Fu Zhi, what’s she saying?" Feng Chen also didn’t hear and couldn’t help but ask.

"She said this palace is called Lingluo Palace, its owner is Spirit Luo Venerable, and she is the Artifact Spirit of Lingluo Palace." Emperor Fu Zhi replied.

"Spirit Luo Venerable left an inheritance trial, but only allows me and Emperor Qian Yin to undertake it."

A trace of surprise flickered in Emperor Qian Yin’s eyes. If only the corresponding profession were permitted to undergo the trial, she should be the only qualified one. Why was Emperor Fu Zhi, a Sword Cultivator, allowed?

However, there was no time to ponder, as Feng Chen nodded, and Emperor Fu Zhi had already entered the palace gate.

Emperor Qian Yin hastily followed, as Spirit Luo Venerable, being addressed as Venerable, was undoubtedly of demigod level, so she couldn’t miss this opportunity.

"Elder Feng, what do we do? Just wait here?" Zhao Xing looked at the four types of plants surrounding the palace, itching to get involved.

The treasures inside the palace were off-limits to other professions, but that’s just it.

However, these four plants were all treasures!

In Zhao Xing’s observation panel, except for the already dead bamboo pole, the other three were Emperor-level plants, and they were still alive!

Most importantly, these were rare ’derivatives,’ possessing the skills of a musician and dancer after being cultivated by Spirit Luo Venerable’s musical teachings.

Emperor-level plants proficient in the Great Dao of Music? It’s exceedingly rare! Zhao Xing, having just opened his Inner World, was in need of such soldiers.

The Black Heaven Moon Tree was an auxiliary, the Spirit-devouring Grass was still in training, and only one Seven Realms True Spirit Bamboo was functional. How could that be considered a Bursting Soldier Stream?

"You want to tame those plants?" Feng Chen guessed Zhao Xing’s intention.

"Yes." Zhao Xing quickly nodded, "Since I’m not allowed into the palace, perhaps there’s room for negotiation regarding the things outside the palace? It would be a great help if you could ask."

Feng Chen could understand the couplet on the gate, while Zhao Xing couldn’t, so perhaps this Six Realms Scholar could communicate with the Artifact Spirit.

The scholar’s General Knowledge Skill comprehends the world’s laws! What’s more, merely grasping language and writing, entering any historical instance, is indispensable without a scholar as a translator. Sometimes, even translating a bit wrongly could bring about catastrophic results.

"I’ll give it a try." Feng Chen stepped forward, a burst of golden light emanated from his mouth, speaking in an unknown language toward the Artifact Spirit on the steps.

Zhao Xing waited expectantly, and to his surprise, the Artifact Spirit responded. He watched both of their expressions closely, but couldn’t discern whether they had reached an agreement.

After a while, the Artifact Spirit suddenly hummed in displeasure, its face turning sour.

Feng Chen had to silence himself and returned.

"Mr. Feng, what did she say?"

Feng Chen shook his head: "The Artifact Spirit is called Xuan Yue, and when I spoke to her, she was quite polite at first."

In any era, scholars are respected; only a scholar communicating would not cause resentment.

"I told her that in this era, a genius Minister of Agriculture can cultivate Dao Trees. The plant lives here will eventually wither and die, so why not hand them over to you?"

"What did she say?" Zhao Xing asked with anticipation.

"She said you’re too weak to sustain these plants." Feng Chen replied.

Looking down on my weakness? Mr. Zhao wasn’t pleased.

What a short-sighted Artifact Spirit!

"I said, weak or not, you should at least give it a try." Feng Chen said.

"After persuasion, she allowed you to collect the plants but set very stringent conditions. She said you need to pass three tests under her guidance, each requiring Emperor-level strength to have a chance at success."

"I negotiated, but she wasn’t happy, so it ended in a stalemate."

"Elder, could you please tell her I’d like to try?" Zhao Xing pleaded.

At least he met the Emperor-level standard with his Inner World, and considering that in historical eras, the cultivation systems weren’t as refined, the Artifact Spirit’s perceived Emperor-level standard might be slightly lower now?

He also possessed Qinghua Magical Power and Red Lotus Magical Power, with a plethora of Magic Artifacts. Not trying wasn’t an option.

"Are you serious?" Feng Chen was somewhat taken aback, as he didn’t have a clear understanding of Zhao Xing’s strength, "Didn’t I make myself clear earlier? It’s Emperor-level, not Lord-level."

"Elder, I can do it." Zhao Xing asserted himself, with a wave of his hand, taking Feng Chen into his Inner World, then releasing him in an instant.

"Your Inner World..." Feng Chen, upon emerging, was somewhat surprised, "Why is it so vast?"

Even with just a quick glance inside, the Boundless Continent, Primordial Ocean, Primordial Cloud Qi, Yin Yang Nine Star System... all seemed out of place for someone just breaking into the Reincarnation Realm.

"No, it’s still too risky." Feng Chen, a kind person, expressed concern: "Since I brought you here, I’m responsible for you. If something happens, it’s on me."

Zhao Xing was also anxious, hoping Feng Chen could see his desire to progress.

"Elder, let me try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll retreat immediately, no overreaching!"

"Alright." Feng Chen reluctantly nodded, "If so, I’ll go ask again and find out what the three trials are."

He hadn’t asked in detail earlier, hearing the Emperor-level standard led to negotiating, then being interrupted and retreating. Now, he must inquire thoroughly.

Soon, Feng Chen returned.

"Got the details. The first trial is a test of will." Feng Chen pointed to the eastern stairs, "You need only ascend and pass through the Five Sounds Illusion Realm, reaching that tree to succeed."