Chapter 554: Huge Harvest and Scapegoat

After the first fortuitous event concluded, Zhao Xing had acquired a total of 9,734 units of Earth God Crystals, a low-tier divine artifact legacy for martial artists, one Sky-Ready Divine Blade, and one Beast God Tibu’s 'Divine Vein Skiff'.

"The Sky-Ready Divine Blade is probably worth around 300 million contribution points, and the Divine Vein Skiff is estimated at 1 billion contribution points," Zhao Xing mused.

As the resale value of divine artifacts was unstable, he could only estimate that these two items would fetch approximately 1.3 billion contribution points.

However, Earth God Crystals had a precise resale price at the Xuanling Treasure Pavilion. One hundred units of Earth God Crystals were valued at 100 million contribution points. If Zhao Xing were to sell all 9,734 units he possessed to the Xuanling Treasure Pavilion instead of using them himself, he would gain 9.7 billion contribution points!

Earth God Crystals were a pure divine origin, embodying the essence of the earth, which embraces all things. Not only could they be used by Farmers of Divinities, but other professions also sought them as a source of divine power. This made their price exceptionally high.

"Wow, is it Harvest Festival today?" asked Hua Li, the Divine General within Zhao Xing’s inner world, surprised to see so many Earth God Crystals appear.

"Zhao Xing, you haven't been on the Ark of the Cosmos for long, yet you've managed to acquire so many Earth God Crystals."

"Just lucky," Zhao Xing replied modestly.

Indeed, it was good fortune. Had there not been so many Descendants present this time, Zhao Xing would have had to rely solely on himself.

The karmic burden of 9,734 units of Earth God Crystals was immense. Even with his Golden Cicada True Form's Second Manifestation, he could never have resolved it within a mere twelve-year window. Half of the karmic burden from those 9,734 units was shared by the other Descendants.

"Zhao Xing, if you were to use all 9,734 units of Earth God Crystals now, you would more than suffice to become a Self-Sovereign Deity of the Terrestrial Advantage Faction."

"However, I doubt you would choose to make that breakthrough now, would you?" Hua Li asked.

"No," Zhao Xing nodded. "If I were to break through on the Ark of the Cosmos, my identity would change."

"The Xuanling Historical Rubbings are hugely beneficial to me as a Demigod, but their protective effect is not as strong for a Self-Sovereign Deity."

If he simply wanted to become a deity of the Terrestrial Advantage Faction, he could ascend now, and his divine position would be very stable on the Ark of the Cosmos.

However, if he did so, his cultivation of the True Self Faction and the Temporal Faction would be wasted due to the imbalance.

In his previous life, Zhao Xing would certainly have been delighted, but his perspective had changed now.

What was the point of achieving only one-third of his potential? If he was to become a deity, he would cultivate all three factions and ascend simultaneously!

Hua Li, of course, knew Zhao Xing’s foundation and understood that he wouldn't simply aim to become a Farmer of Divinities from just one faction.

For anyone else, Hua Li, as a Divine General of the True Self Faction, would have long urged them to abandon multi-faction cultivation, as the Path of the True Self was undoubtedly paramount!

Yet, in the Path of Terrestrial Advantage, Zhao Xing had developed the Eightfold Method of Layered Mountain Realms, the Theory of Three Epochal Divisions, and the Ten Directions Mountain Scripture.

Even though Hua Li believed the True Self Faction to be the foremost path for Farmers of Divinities, she couldn't bring herself to tell Zhao Xing to abandon cultivating the Terrestrial Advantage Faction.

Even in the Temporal Faction, Zhao Xing possessed the Divine Work, *Treatise on the Six Vapors of Annihilation Stars*, which could alter the temporal conditions of the Barren Realm.

"With 9,734 units of Earth God Crystals, plus the contribution points from two divine artifacts, you have enough not just to become a Self-Sovereign Deity of the Terrestrial Advantage Faction, but even of the True Self Faction."

"However, if you also wish to become a deity of the Temporal Faction, this amount of gain is still insufficient," Hua Li said.

"You should know that safely sending a Demigod to the last solar year of the Luo Emperor Era requires 100 billion contribution points."

Zhao Xing nodded. Indeed, if it was just about sending them there regardless of their survival, it wouldn't require so much money.

But guaranteeing their safety made it extremely difficult.

Divine beings, however, were different. They could achieve a certain degree of divine concealment themselves, so they didn't need to spend as much.

"For a Temporal Faction Farmer of Divinities to ascend, they must travel to specific limited spacetimes within the Five Emperors Era. The cost is immense; even 100 billion contribution points might not be enough," Hua Li sighed.

"The two major camps, the Righteous Gods and the Evil Gods, each possess advantageous resources. We have no advantage in this regard."

What Gu Luohe’s father did was akin to collecting the Temporal Faction’s taxes from after the Barren Realm Epoch.

This resulted in few Temporal Faction Farmers of Divinities from the Barren Realm faction even becoming Demigods.

It was a clear monopoly on cultivation resources.

However, Zhao Xing was not discouraged. He smiled and said, "Paths are forged by people; with effort, there is always hope for success."

"If one doesn't even try to become a Self-Sovereign Deity, how can one speak of attaining heavenly and earthly enlightenment?"

"My current gains already exceed 10 billion contribution points. Perhaps on the Ark of the Cosmos, I can even find a ticket to the Grand Path of Temporality."

Hua Li, seeing Zhao Xing’s spirited demeanor, couldn't help but smile slightly. "Indeed, you are absolutely right. I have high hopes for you. There are a total of three fortuitous events during the Divine Mountain Transformation.

The first occurred in Year 325, the second in Year 452, and the third in Year 574. These were fixed event timings on the Ark of the Cosmos.

The first fortuitous event had passed, and it was now Year 338, leaving 114 years of preparation time until the next.

Zhao Xing’s next plan was to diligently cultivate the *Golden Cicada True Form: Second Manifestation*, resolve his karmic burden, and prepare for the upcoming fortuitous events.

Occasionally, he would also pester Bo Wei in his inner world for lessons:

"Regardless of how many cycles of reincarnation pass, the characteristics of the Ark of the Cosmos ensure that its fortuitous event timings remain unaffected."

"However, as the number of reincarnation cycles increases, the total amount of material on the Ark of the Cosmos will continuously decrease."

"For instance, when you first arrived, and the first fortuitous event concluded, you obtained 9,734 units of Earth God Crystals, the Sky-Ready Divine Blade, and the Divine Vein Skiff.

"If you were to come a second time, the Sky-Ready Divine Blade and the Divine Vein Skiff would definitely be gone. Even if all other processes and experiences remained unchanged—for example, you still encountered Lei Hong, Chu Ji, and Liu Qingci—the amount of Earth God Crystals you ultimately obtained would not be as much as before, unless someone intentionally added material origins to the Ark of the Cosmos."

"This is the Theory of Origin Constancy from the *Treatise on Space-Time*."

"You cannot acquire the same divine artifact twice in the same space-time. Even if you did, you should question whether you've obtained a Void Historical Artifact."

In his inner world, Zhao Xing curiously flipped through the *Treatise on Space-Time*. "Elder, why is this book unsigned? Did you write it, or was it a reclusive Divine Lord?"

"Not me. I don't know who wrote it," Bo Wei shook his head. "My time using the Transmission World Tower to traverse historical space-times was too short. I only know it's a classic work of the 'True History Faction'."

"'True History Faction'?" Zhao Xing paused. "What kind of power is that?"

"Where there's a Void History Faction, there's a True History Faction," Bo Wei shook his head, saying, "I shouldn't say too much. In short, if you ever encounter a deity from this faction, run as far and as fast as you can."

"Oh, okay." Zhao Xing closed the *Treatise on Space-Time* and continued to ask, "Elder, what's the next step in cultivating the Golden Cicada True Form's Third Manifestation?"

"You cannot advance any further for now," Bo Wei said calmly. "The Golden Cicada True Form is fundamentally different from clone techniques or straw figure methods."

"Without a Dao, nothing stands. Without a method, nothing exists."

"Almost all clone techniques cannot create a manifestation stronger than the main body; they are merely temporary existences, like rootless trees or water without a source. The reason I say 'almost' is because divine power incarnations are an exception."

"Divine-level divine power incarnations, due to their integration with the Grand Path of Space-Time itself, can sometimes result in an elder main body being weaker than its younger divine power incarnation. Such rare cases won't be discussed in detail."

"Straw figure methods, however, can potentially be stronger than the main body, such as your Primeval Straw Figure Method, because it possesses both a Dao and a method, along with origin support."

Zhao Xing nodded, recalling that at one point, his itinerant cultivation clone in the Primordial Hills and his clone in the Black Sky Barren Realm had both surpassed his main body in strength.

This was the advantage of straw figure methods.

"As for the Golden Cicada True Form, the purpose of its Second Manifestation is to sever the self, used to cut away karma, bear the side effects, and then discard the severed portion."

"Subsequent manifestations—Third, Fourth, and even Myriad Manifestations—are all fundamentally the same."

Zhao Xing thoughtfully asked, "Elder, what would happen if I used it as a clone technique?"

Bo Wei took a square piece of white paper from his robe and drew a dividing line down the middle, then a dot on the left side of the line. "Assume this represents your inner world, representing your Grand Path of the True Self."

"Tear!"

With a gentle slice of his hand, Bo Wei split the paper in two, holding half in each hand.

"At this point, your inner world would either reside within your Second Manifestation or within your main body."

"If it appeared in the Second Manifestation, your main body would cease to exist."

"If it remained with your main body, the Second Manifestation would still be a blank slate, just a lump of dead flesh."

Zhao Xing suddenly understood. The essence of the Golden Cicada True Form was severance, meaning it couldn't simply split into two out of thin air.

Although the technique's name seemed similar to a clone technique, it truly had nothing to do with it.

The concept behind this method, "golden cicada shedding its shell, severing its tail to escape," was established from the very beginning.

"Elder, if the Second Manifestation can sever karma, to what extent can it go in the future?"

"Alright, stop bothering me. That's enough for today's lesson." Bo Wei closed the door and retreated into the Transmission World, leaving the outside world blurry. Zhao Xing then had no choice but to leave his inner world.

In the Barren Realm's pre-341st Epoch, the first solar year quickly reached its 400th year. At this point, only 52 years remained until the second fortuitous event.

Zhao Xing continued cultivating the Golden Cicada True Form's Second Manifestation. By now, his karmic burden was completely gone, and his karmic value fluctuated around 5,059 points.

This was considered normal fluctuation in his daily life.

For him, a Demigod Chief Mountain Patrol Envoy, nothing particularly good or bad occurred.

Zhao Xing had no intention of actively seeking additional fortuitous opportunities. For Descendants to proactively trigger events usually resulted in more harm than good; out of ten such attempts, seven might yield unfavorable outcomes.

Even with thirty-tier inherent luck, Zhao Xing wasn't planning to be so greedy. He only occasionally observed if there were other Descendants in different departments and monitored their movements.

In Year 401, deep beneath the sea, lay the Arena City, a common training and sparring ground for Mountain Patrol Envoys.

Xu Huai and Zhao Xing stood on the peaks of two separate mountains, facing each other from a distance.

"Xu Huai, you've finally decided to issue a challenge! I thought you wouldn't dare," Zhao Xing said with a laugh.

"I wouldn't dare? I merely took some time to resolve my karmic burden, Han Bing. Do you think I'm afraid of you? Ridiculous."

Xu Huai chuckled, then waved his hand. "Today, I'll take back everything that belongs to me!"

"Venerable Yüsheng, please act as a witness."

With a whoosh, Venerable Yüsheng immediately flew to stand between the two.

Since Xu Huai and the other Descendants came from past space-times, the challenge followed ancient rites, officiated by a priest.

Furthermore, Liu Qingci, being skilled in the Path of Mind, could establish a sufficiently powerful psychic battleground.

This also helped avoid unforeseen incidents. If Zhao Xing and Xu Huai displayed strength, talent, and comprehension beyond that of a Mountain Patrol Envoy—abilities that defied natural order—it could trigger additional events, leading to an increased karmic burden or even a change in their identities.

"Fellow Daoist Han Bing, Fellow Daoist Xu Huai, I am honored that you have chosen me to officiate this challenge." Liu Qingci cupped her hands towards them. "However, I must state this beforehand."

"On the Yuanzang Divine Sea Vessel, there are Divine General-level beings. My psychic battleground may not be able to conceal everything. Should either of you display extraordinary power and be noticed by powerful entities during the event, it could still trigger uncontrollable incidents."

"Such as identity exposure or identity changes."

Normal promotions and daily life also existed on the Ark of the Cosmos. Descendants like Zhao Xing were chosen from billions, but the identities they assumed—Chief and Deputy Mountain Patrol Envoys—were not supposed to possess such formidable power.

Identity exposure and changes referred to uncontrollable incidents triggered by the Descendants' irrational actions. Whether these outcomes would be good or bad was difficult to predict.

They might advance further, or they might be deemed spies and killed, or even expelled from the Ark of the Cosmos.

Zhao Xing nodded. "Venerable Yüsheng, please rest assured. We are both protected by treasures, so this possibility is extremely small. Should such an incident occur by chance, we will not blame you."

Xu Huai also said, "Let's begin quickly. It won't take long to finish anyway."

Liu Qingci said no more. The spiritual channel of her mind revolved within her, then pulled Zhao Xing and Xu Huai into the psychic battleground.

Chu Ji, Lei Hong, and the other Deputy Envoys also appeared in the spectator stands.

"Xu Huai is truly arrogant when he speaks," Chu Ji snorted. "Venerable Han should have forced him off the Ark of the Cosmos back then."

Lei Hong glanced at Chu Ji, his eyes complex.

This junior had completely become Han Bing’s sycophant.

But it was no wonder; Chu Ji had made a fortune by following Han Bing in the previous wave of fortuitous events.

If Chu Ji had been on his own? How could he have obtained 2,000 units of Earth God Crystals?

What's more, half of those Earth God Crystals were "legitimized" with Han Bing's help!

"Xu Huai is indeed being a bit ignorant," Lei Hong thought. Although he wasn't as obsequious as Chu Ji, these past few decades had been peaceful. Zhao Xing had indeed managed to protect them and reduce their karmic burdens.

During the Divine Mountain Transformation event, only three Descendants from the Mountain Patrol Divine Office were exposed.

However, a group of individuals from the Divine Martial Office, the Sea Beast Priests, and various tribal leaders were executed.

It was clear that those departments had Descendants who implicated each other, which led to so many being purged afterward.

In contrast, the post-event purge in the Mountain Patrol Divine Office was remarkably mild because Zhao Xing had integrated the office.

Collecting protection fees meant losing some revenue, but if it allowed them to safely experience several more fortuitous events, the long-term benefits far outweighed the drawbacks.

"I hope Venerable Han Bing wins," the others silently prayed.

Within the psychic battleground, Xu Huai and Zhao Xing appeared on a desolate wilderness.

"One move," Xu Huai said, extending a finger from which a karmic thread stretched. "Han Bing, if you can withstand just one move from me, this decisive battle is yours!"

"One move to decide the victor? Agreed," Zhao Xing nodded.

In a psychic duel, divine artifacts and treasures were forbidden; it was a pure confrontation of the strongest techniques mastered by each participant.

Moreover, the duel method was unique: each would draw out a karmic thread containing the scene of their usual technique deployment.

Transmitted through the psychic battleground, divine manifestations, natural phenomena, and other phenomena cultivated at that time could be imposed upon the opponent's mind!

Who was stronger became immediately apparent.

For such a duel, one move was indeed sufficient!

"Watch closely. This move is called 'Azure Transformation'!"

The karmic thread on Xu Huai's finger coiled into a point of light, whistling towards Zhao Xing.

"Moo!"

A desolate roar echoed, and Zhao Xing felt as if he were on an ancient primordial continent, surrounded by towering trees that pierced the clouds. As a human, he appeared incredibly tiny.

"Boom!" Just then, a massive mountain shimmering with grayish-black light descended from the sky.

"Hiss!" Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel his mind tremble, for Xu Huai's move had transformed him into the divine beast 'Cang'.

The grayish-black mountain was not a mountain at all, but one of Cang's horned hooves!

Beneath the hoof, a black current of air, imbued with the aura of destruction, obliterated everything. Before it even landed, the ground was crushed, towering trees toppled, and mountains were pulverized.

As a Temporal Faction Farmer of Divinities, Xu Huai's strongest technique was also the Hou Transformation Method.

"Transform!"

Zhao Xing, though reacting later, arrived first. He likewise burned a karmic thread in his hand into a ball and threw it towards Xu Huai.

Xu Huai found himself on a small star-continent, with a brilliant starry sky overhead.

"Yuu!"

A humanoid head with a single demonic horn appeared, vaguely resembling Zhao Xing's face, but its features were flattened. Xu Huai only remembered its fiery red eyes, purple hair, and the demonic horn.

"Splash!" The void river trembled, and a nebula seemed to rush out from within it, pressing down with immense force.

Xu Huai looked closely and realized it was a giant hand!

"Heavens, what kind of monster is this?"

Xu Huai's mind also trembled uncontrollably.

Even before the two karmic threads collided, divine phenomena had already begun to exert pressure on each other's minds.

When they finally collided, the scene transformed once more.

On the primordial, ancient continent, the night sky was brilliant.

A Di Cang roared heavenward, rearing its hooves, trampling the earth, and spewing forth an azure torrent from its mouth.

In the starry sky, the Nine Marshes God's palm-held nebula vortex covered the heavens, pressing down with a thundering force.

The Nine Marshes God versus Di Cang!

A clash of two great Temporal Divine Techniques!

Each represented Zhao Xing's and Xu Huai's mastery in cultivating the Hou Transformation Method.

"Ah!""Ah!""Damn it!"

Zhao Xing and Xu Huai both cried out simultaneously, exited the psychic battleground, and fell from the mountaintops.

Liu Qingci, meanwhile, couldn't help but curse out loud.

Their decisive battle had shattered her psychic battleground, causing her to be affected.

However, Liu Qingci was only indirectly affected and suffered no serious harm.

Just as Zhao Xing's body was about to hit the ground, he shed a layer of his physical shell and landed safely.

Xu Huai, on the other hand, crashed straight onto the ground. He struggled twice but couldn't get up, eventually giving up in resignation and lying on the ground, panting.

"Fairy Yüsheng is truly a woman of passion," Zhao Xing said with a chuckle, his aura quickly stabilizing, as he teased Liu Qingci.

"Venerable Han, impressive skills," Liu Qingci said, glancing at Zhao Xing, then at Xu Huai, feeling a surge of admiration.

From the dynamics of the psychic battleground, it was clear that both Zhao Xing's and Xu Huai's Hou Transformation Methods, once deployed, had reached the divine level.

Both Cang and the Nine Marshes God were among the naturally born deities, and it was hard to say which one was superior.

The reason for such a clear disparity lay in the different individuals cultivating the Hou Transformation Method.

When Zhao Xing transformed using the Nine Marshes God Hou Transformation Method, his true form resembled himself more!

Xu Huai, however, was completely enveloped by Di Cang's manifestation.

The difference between them was whether, after transforming, the human controlled the divine body more, or if the deity's true form influenced the human more.

"Whoosh~" Zhao Xing flipped his hand, pulled out a bottle from his inner world, and poured a drop of green origin fluid from it, covering Xu Huai.

"Agh!" Black smoke began to rise from Xu Huai's body, and he convulsed continuously.

However, after two or three spasms, he regained his strength and was able to stand up on his own.

"Xu Huai, you've lost," Liu Qingci announced the result.

"My skills are inferior; I have nothing to say!" Xu Huai snorted. "I will hand over all the Earth God Crystals to you."

"That's not for you to decide," Zhao Xing said calmly. "You already paid 70% previously. My rules are my rules; you don't need to give me extra."

"Who cares about your petty gains?"

"You..." Xu Huai gritted his teeth in frustration.

Several decades had passed since the last fortuitous event, and he had indeed consumed many Earth God Crystals to condense divine patterns, so not much was left.

Zhao Xing had defeated him yet refused his Earth God Crystals. While it was a good thing for Xu Huai, he still felt a pang of discomfort.

"I will abide by your rules, but I will definitely win it back!" Xu Huai declared fiercely, then transformed into a bolt of lightning and departed from the Arena City.

In the spectator stands, Chu Ji, Lei Hong, and the other Deputy Envoys were astonished by Zhao Xing's power.

"The psychic battleground formed by Venerable Yüsheng's spiritual channel concealed heavenly secrets; only a divine-level being could break it."

A hint of fear flashed in Lei Hong's eyes. "This is a psychic battleground, with no divine artifacts providing aid. Does this mean Han Bing and Xu Huai both possess divine-level combat power without relying on external objects?"

Chu Ji, meanwhile, felt admiration. "Xu Huai was at a disadvantage. If he only had early-stage Divine Soldier combat power, then Venerable Han definitely possesses mid-stage Divine Soldier combat power."

"Indeed, geniuses from major regions are different."

"Truly worthy of being a True God's disciple."

News of the duel between Xu Huai and Zhao Xing quickly spread among the Deputy Envoys.

From then on, no Descendant dared to harbor any other intentions.

To be able to wield divine-level combat power solely through one's own abilities, without relying on divine artifacts, made them an absolutely unique existence.

Coupled with Zhao Xing's Second Manifestation's ability to quickly resolve karmic burdens and his inherently higher status, the Descendants no longer harbored any thoughts of resisting the payment of protection fees.

Time flowed by, and soon the second fortuitous event arrived.

It was the Great Cold season of Year 452 of the First Solar Year.

Inside Zhao Xing's cave-dwelling, all Descendant Deputy Envoys were present.

"Everyone, the fortuitous event is about to begin."

"This time, during the Divine Mountain Transformation, acquiring Earth God Crystals won't be as easy as before."

"Even Self-Sovereign Deity Biluo, or higher-ranked Divine Generals, might suspect that someone internally has been stealing Earth God Crystals."

Zhao Xing shared his views within the psychic temple constructed by Liu Qingci.

"Therefore, during this second fortuitous event, no matter how many Earth God Crystals you find, do not immediately take them. Instead, you must strive to keep your karmic value positive."

"Even if it's negative, it must not drop below -30, to avoid the karmic mirror revealing your identity."

"My plan is not to act in a unified manner, but to uniformly plan the karmic burden and distribute the gains."

"I will preside in the center. Should anyone's burden exceed the warning line, notify me immediately."

"I've finished speaking. Does anyone have any objections?"

Chu Ji immediately spoke up: "Your subordinate seconds the motion."

"Seconded.""Seconded."

Seeing everyone's agreement, Zhao Xing immediately nodded. "Good, then let's set off. To your positions."

The second fortuitous event began in Year 452 and concluded in Year 461.

Under Zhao Xing's leadership, the Descendants from the Mountain Patrol Divine Office formed a temporary small group.

Thanks to proper planning and Zhao Xing's bug-level existence, not a single person encountered an accident during the second fortuitous event.

Self-Sovereign Deity Biluo used the karmic mirror to scan for a long time, but stubbornly found nothing amiss.

After it concluded, they tallied their gains.

Zhao Xing, as the leader, was the biggest winner, acquiring 15,748 units of Earth God Crystals!

Even the person with the least gain in the team, Yi Kun, received over 2,000 units.

Such enormous gains fostered a sense of cohesion within this temporary small group.

The third fortuitous event was in Year 574, also the final Divine Mountain Transformation.

After this, the powerful beings on the Yuanzang Divine Sea Vessel would completely stabilize the divine mountain, and the Ark of the Cosmos fleet would also have passed through the "turbulent zone" during its cosmic voyage.

This meant there would be no more similar fortuitous events thereafter.

It was early Year 570, three years before the third fortuitous event.

Zhao Xing convened another meeting.

"As the saying goes, the path of luck can bring rising fortunes once or twice, but not thrice. The first two times were smooth, but the third will be fraught with danger."

"Anyone who wishes to leave or work independently may state their intention now."

No one spoke. Everyone had now tasted the benefits, and even Liu Qingci was willing to follow Zhao Xing.

"No one is withdrawing?" Zhao Xing smiled faintly. "Then I'll explain the plan.

"I recently read a Daoist scripture called *Treatise on Space-Time*, which mentions a theory that primordial matter is constant."

"Venerable Han, what does that mean?" Lei Hong asked, somewhat puzzled.

"See, you're rushing again," Chu Ji said. "Don't interrupt Venerable Han."

"..." Lei Hong was speechless. This fellow had truly become completely devoted to Han Bing.

He was probably not even this close to his own father.

Zhao Xing chuckled and waved his hand. "Alright, then I'll put it simply.

"Simply put, the Ashen Sea Region has already experienced two Divine Mountain Transformations. Afterward, when reconciling accounts, it's always found that the leaked divine crystals cannot be recovered."

"So, the higher-ups have changed the rules. They've directly created a real-number ledger for the amount of Earth God Crystals in various parts of the divine mountain."

"This way, responsibilities and ownership are clearly assigned."

"No matter how well we, the Mountain Patrol Divine Office, disguise ourselves, we won't escape scrutiny."

"Therefore, for this third time, not only must we keep our karmic value positive, but we also need to find scapegoats!"

"Hm?" Liu Qingci immediately reacted. "You mean, frame the Descendants from other departments?"

"Yes, find a person, or rather, a group of people. Force them off the Ark of the Cosmos. That way, the accounts can be balanced."

"But which department or group should we choose as scapegoats? And how do we know who the Descendants are?"

Zhao Xing smiled faintly. "I think the Divine Martial Office is a good choice. As for who the Descendants are, I've already investigated thoroughly."