Chapter 558: 洞玄 Reflection, Earth Treasury Divine Ox, The Convinced Zi Zhao

Arrogant Agrarian Officials from the Heavenly Timing Faction were common, but arrogant ones from the Earthly Advantage Faction were rare.

Environment shapes character, and nourishment transforms the body. Agrarian Officials of the Earthly Advantage Faction, dwelling year-round in blessed lands and spiritual mountains, typically possessed a gentle demeanor and a mild temperament.

However, the man before them radiated baleful energy. In his territory, the flowing energy was dismantled, and most of the emerging energy was of the 'Nine-Yin Baleful Qi' type.

“Let me see what kind of path you walk,” Zhao Xing murmured, glancing at the man. A series of data points immediately appeared.

Name: ZizhaoOccupation: Agrarian OfficialTrue Spirit: Rank SixteenNine-Yin Earthly Baleful Body: Rank SixteenCultivation Technique: Profound Cavern Earthly Baleful Art, Fourth LayerSpells: Shadowless Earth Travel Escape, Return-to-Storage Necromancy Spell, Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array, Myriad Phenomena Sealing Spirit Seal, Nine Grains Earth Palace, Two Forces Earth Refining Technique, Profound Mother Transformation Technique—

“So, his cultivation technique is the Profound Cavern Earthly Baleful Art?” Zhao Xing mused. “I wonder which space-time the Profound Cavern Land it originates from belongs to.”

During the Five Emperors Era, there was a distinction between Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. Profound Cavern Land was one of the Ten Lands, a vast continent in the universe.

The Ten Lands were immense, each equivalent to today's vast star regions.

However, with the end of the Five Emperors Era, the Ten Lands were shattered, transforming into countless Realm Stars and Star Continents.

Zizhao cultivated bamboo. Although it began as common bamboo, through the nourishment of his spells, it had completely transcended its ordinary nature. Beneath the earth, the bamboo's roots bristled with sharp thorns, gleaming golden-red, burrowing towards his territory like venomous snakes.

Layer after layer, Zizhao's bamboo roots intertwined with the soil beneath the surface, carving out tunnels, poised to form a life-sustaining array.

This way, he could prevent Zhao Xing's plants from drawing nutrients from the ground, ensuring all nourishment belonged to him.

Zizhao was unaware that Zhao Xing was probing his true capabilities. Seeing Zhao Xing remain silent and inactive, he merely assumed the opponent recognized his power and had given up resistance. He then withdrew his gaze, planning his next direction of invasion.

But in the next moment, Zizhao felt a violent tremor swiftly piercing through the underground layers, heading directly for his first invading root network.

“As expected, he won't give up,” Zizhao chuckled, immediately casting a spell. “Earthly Baleful Solidification! Swift!”

Golden light swirled around his fingertips before sinking into the earth.

Immediately, Zhao Xing's entire territory hardened. The loose soil ten miles underground completely solidified, becoming like solid rock, and a layer of baleful energy spread beneath the surface.

“A bit interesting,” Zhao Xing mused, sensing this change. If one viewed the up-down direction from a different angle, he was now positioned above, Zizhao below, and the layer of soil solidified by the earthly baleful energy acted as a thick city wall in between.

This 'city wall' not only prevented his bamboo from rooting deeper but also blocked the effects of his spells.

Because Zhao Xing had not rushed to act, Zizhao now held the advantage of terrain, as if two armies had met, and Zizhao had been the first to establish his position.

“Kunyuan Regeneration!”

Zhao Xing had originally intended to shatter the invading roots with brute force, but at this moment, he changed his spell.

Both were Earth Storehouse spells: Earthly Baleful Solidification's effect was to solidify the earth, while Kunyuan Regeneration's effect was diametrically opposed.

A soft rumble began.

The entire soil immediately softened, collapsing layer by layer.

The 'city wall' formed by Earthly Baleful Solidification began to constantly cave in downwards, and the first underground defensive line created by the spell was on the verge of breaking.

“Hmm. A bit interesting,” Zizhao said, casting a more appreciative glance at Zhao Xing.

The Kunyuan Regeneration spell wasn't profound, nor was its power immense, yet its applicability was very broad.

Using Kunyuan Regeneration to break Earthly Baleful Solidification proved that the opponent's spiritual power was extremely pure, and their cultivation technique and foundation were quite superior.

“Nine Bends of the Yin River.”

Venerable Zizhao immediately changed his tactic. With a rushing sound, a layer of water emerged a hundred miles deep underground.

The water continuously rose, and after the first defensive line formed by Earthly Baleful Solidification was breached, it immediately formed an underground river before the second 'city wall' defense line.

“He's drawing Flying Spring Qi upward, transforming it into Nine-Yin River water. My Kunyuan Regeneration spell's effectiveness has diminished,” Zhao Xing thought to himself.

As the saying goes, 'solitary Yin cannot generate life.' Blocked by the Nine-Yin River water, the Kunyuan Regeneration spell had nothing left to create.

Agrarian Officials of the Ancient Mound, when digging tunnels, most feared encountering underground rivers, as this could easily lead to the complete destruction of previous work above.

Seven hundred years ago, Zhao Xing would have had only five methods to solve this. First, by using the Earth Refining Technique to draw Heavenly Qi and forcefully suppress the Flying Spring Qi. This was Divine General Lanchuan's Heaven and Earth Dao-Confirmation Technique, learned in the White Bone Divine Domain.

Second, by employing the 'Qi Vein' and 'Boiling Essence' techniques to re-evaporate the Nine-Yin River water into Qi for his own use.

These were his own creations, later refined by several divine realm experts from the Ancient Mound, becoming the Eight Techniques of Overlapping Mountains.

Third, by utilizing plant soldier species and the Self-Essence Faction's variation technique. Although he only had ten bamboo plants, they could now be mutated to directly absorb the Nine-Yin River water.

However, Zhao Xing's bamboo had not yet matured, and while time was of the essence, this method would be too slow.

Fourth, by casting the Spirit Realm Earth Palace Technique to collect the Nine-Yin River water, simultaneously using the earth palace to press downward, transforming it into a Nine-Yin Earth Palace, much like crafting a battering ram from local materials to besiege a city.

Fifth, by using the Earth Communication Technique to divert the Nine-Yin River water to another territory. However, since he was currently in conflict with Zizhao, it was not appropriate to involve others.

Diverting trouble elsewhere might inadvertently attract another opponent. Although he wasn't afraid, it would be unwise and not a labor-saving method.

However, seven hundred years later, Zhao Xing had thoroughly mastered the Primordial Earth Storehouse Scripture. His proficiency in Earth Storehouse techniques was incomparable to before.

Zhao Xing extended a finger, and golden light plunged into the earth.

A rumbling sound began.

The Nine-Yin River immediately vibrated violently, then its water level rapidly receded, with more than half disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Venerable Zizhao was somewhat perplexed. He looked toward the source where the Nine-Yin River water vanished and saw an etherealized ox head appear at one end of the underground space.

The ox head was greedily drinking the Nine-Yin River water, emitting a black-golden glow.

“Is this the Water Buffalo Technique?” Venerable Zizhao was surprised. He tried to counteract the Water Buffalo Technique, but after consecutively using two spells, he had no success.

“No, this isn't the Water Buffalo Technique! I've been fooled!”

A faint smile appeared on Zhao Xing's lips as he observed Zizhao's surprised expression.

The Water Buffalo Technique was one of the Earth Transformation techniques, but Zhao Xing had cast the Earth Storehouse Divine Ox Technique, which was more advanced. Even in the Ancient Mound, only a Peak Master could learn it.

Its misleading nature was significant. Zizhao, using the wrong method to counter it, naturally found it ineffective.

The underground space condensed into the form of a divine ox, its body infused with Nine-Yin River water and vast amounts of soil, and it charged downward.

Boom!

Earthly Baleful Solidification was completely shattered, exposing the bamboo's root system.

“Moo~”

The Earth Storehouse Divine Ox roared, its horns blazed with red light, and flames spewed from its mouth.

Venerable Zizhao was startled. “The Water Buffalo Technique cannot spit fire! This is definitely not it. But what kind of spell is this? I've never seen it before!”

“Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array, transform!”

Facing the flames spewed by the black-golden ox shadow, Venerable Zizhao immediately cast his ultimate technique, the Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array.

The bamboo's root system beneath the earth had already formed a vast network; these networks were life-sustaining arrays.

At this moment, Venerable Zizhao controlled the plant roots to intertwine and move, swiftly assembling the Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array, completely encircling the ox.

“Whether you are a water buffalo or a black ox, once you enter the Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array, you are a dead ox!”

“Heavenly Severing Baleful Energy!”

“Solitary Yang Baleful Energy!”

“Sky-Lifting Fire Baleful Energy!”

“Heart-Piercing Baleful Energy!”

The territory began to shake. Countless earth veins, like pipes, surged forth along the positions of the root array, and the glow of the Earth Storehouse Divine Ox immediately dimmed.

Heavenly Blade Dao-Severing Technique, Solitary Yang Life-Extinction, Sky-Lifting Fire Body Refinement, Heart-Piercing Spirit Breaker—these were all-encompassing attacks to shatter Zhao Xing's spells.

The most formidable among them was the Earth God Baleful Energy, as if an earth god was enraged, forbidding the Dao of Earthly Advantage. If this baleful energy were unleashed, its power would be comparable to a Divine Domain.

“The Five Baleful Secluded Boundary Array is one of the Profound Cavern Earth Sect's ultimate techniques. Bowen once mentioned it in a lecture; it has almost no weaknesses. It seems I can only resort to a direct assault,” Zhao Xing mused.

Ultimate techniques are perfect, but their wielders are not.

Zhao Xing had not intended to expend much effort against Zizhao, but now he had no choice. With the blessing of his Rank Eighteen True Spirit, the Mustard Seed Dharma Domain descended underground, and the previously dispirited Earth Storehouse Divine Ox immediately regained its might.

It charged through the strangulation of the four baleful arrays, its Dharma Form blazing with layers of illusory images, rampaging through the root space, directly shattering the root network into disarray.

The sudden surge in the spell's power caught Zizhao off guard; he almost thought he was being attacked by a god.

Now, the Earth Storehouse Divine Ox resembled a rampaging beast.

By the time Zizhao reacted, eighty percent of his underground roots had already withered and died!

Forget invasion; with the roots dead, the bamboo wouldn't even be able to survive.

“How is this possible? Have I encountered a Demigod from the Blazing Epoch Genius List?” Zizhao's expression was one of utter astonishment.

“I am already a Rank Sixteen Demigod, and to overwhelmingly suppress me in terms of spiritual power, even a Rank Seventeen would be unlikely. Could he be Rank Eighteen?”

For Demigods undergoing tribulation, each step upward was incredibly difficult. Everyone knew that a higher-ranked Demigod would be more powerful after becoming a true god, but no one dared to endure tribulations indefinitely at the Demigod stage.

Rank Fifteen was a threshold; in the endless space-time, those who could pass fifteen tribulations were considered geniuses.

Possessing the talent to pass sixteen tribulations, it wouldn't be difficult to become a disciple of a Liberated Divine General.

Beyond that, one would be a figure on the Blazing Epoch Genius List.

All of them were super-geniuses who illuminated an entire era.

“I've met a tough opponent!”

Venerable Zizhao immediately realized that his opponent was not to be trifled with.

“How unlucky! There's actually such a powerhouse next to me.”

Venerable Zizhao had no desire to continue the confrontation. He immediately retreated, focusing on consolidating his own territory.

Zhao Xing did not pursue. Venerable Zizhao had managed his territory very well, with layer upon layer of earth palaces. Now was not the time to deal with him.

“He didn't pursue. Thankfully, his bamboo hasn't matured yet, so he probably doesn't want to seize my territory for now,” Venerable Zizhao breathed a sigh of relief.

“However, 'not for now' doesn't mean 'not ever.' I need to use this time to quickly invade and swallow up others' territories to complete the trial set by Divine General Penglai. Otherwise, with such a powerful enemy nearby, I'll be finished sooner or later.”

Venerable Zizhao had lost his former arrogance; his invasions and plundering of nutrients from others' territories became somewhat cautious.

“This person is incredibly strong! The silver-haired one invaded his territory and returned utterly defeated?” Zhao Xing's other neighbor, Venerable Pingyao, also observed this battle and couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart.

Pingyao was merely a Rank Fifteen Agrarian Official. After witnessing the power of Zizhao and Zhao Xing, he immediately felt his own insignificance.

“I originally thought I could be considered upper-middle among the geniuses of countless space-times. Now it seems I'm still too weak.”

The confrontation between Zizhao and Zhao Xing directly woke Pingyao up.

“In that case, there's no need for me to participate in this trial,” Pingyao murmured to himself. “This opportunity is not meant for me.”

He was quite decisive, destroying all his saplings with a flip of his hand.

Without the saplings, he lost the qualification to participate in the inheritance trial and was instantly teleported out.

The battle between Zhao Xing and Zizhao directly caused five nearby Agrarian Officials to give up on the trial.

As the saying goes, 'opportunities cannot be forced.' If one's strength is insufficient and they insist on participating, it won't lead to good things, but rather bad ones.

Zhao Xing's surroundings immediately became spacious. Within his sight, there was no one else but Zizhao.

“They are all sensible people,” Zhao Xing thought.

Zhao Xing leisurely cultivated his bamboo saplings.

“This is good too. I can now cast my spells with peace of mind and cultivate the bamboo.”

Shifting his focus to cultivation, Zhao Xing quickly began his first step of planning.

“My ten bamboo saplings are all common varieties, not even having names. If I want them to reach a height of one hundred thousand levels, I must constantly help them advance.”

“What kind of bamboo must this ordinary bamboo evolve into to reach such a height?”

“Ten opportunities seem like a lot, but in reality, it becomes very difficult to mutate the bamboo once it matures.”

“Therefore, the first step should be to confirm the direction of development.”

With a thought, Zhao Xing pointed at one of the bamboo shoots. “Transform!”

Golden light flickered, altering the ordinary bamboo's life essence. It burst from the soil, instantly transforming into a 'Five Elements Bamboo'.

This was using the Self-Essence Faction's variation technique. The Five Elements Bamboo was a type of bamboo whose life essence was the easiest to alter.

Whether it was from the Heavenly Timing, Earthly Advantage, or Self-Essence Factions, spells from all three could effectively work on it.

After the Five Elements Bamboo grew to half a level, it was clearly lacking nutrients. Zhao Xing then shifted his attention underground.

“To grow tall, the roots must penetrate deep.”

Zhao Xing continued to cast Self-Essence Faction spells to lay the foundation.

“Among the root techniques, I know a divine technique called 'Primordial Divine Foundation.' This is precisely a divine technique for strengthening roots.”

Although the Dao of Self-Essence was somewhat weaker in the Water Bamboo Grotto-Heaven, Zhao Xing's Primordial Divine Foundation still caused a tremendous stir.

The Five Elements Bamboo's height ceased to change, but its roots broke through layers of underground obstacles, drilling downward like an earth dragon.

Soon, the underground roots penetrated half a level deep, and at this point, the Five Elements Bamboo's roots began to spread into other territories.

The Agrarian Officials who had voluntarily left earlier had vacated five territories, four of which were now occupied by Zhao Xing.

Including his own territory, the roots spread over an area of five Realm Units, penetrating one level deep underground.

“Life Earth Palace, appear!”

Zhao Xing pointed a finger, and eight Life Earth Palaces appeared underground. These palaces were used to balance the fierce nature of the deep earth veins.

Flowing Qi, Earth Qi, and Flying Spring Qi could not be directly absorbed. Some were toxic to plants; absorbing too much could kill them, or at least inhibit their growth.

“Earth Storehouse Divine Ox, appear!”

A Dharma Form of an Earth Storehouse Divine Ox appeared at a depth of one underground level, beginning to assist in regulating the earth veins.

“Qi Marsh Earth Communication Technique!”

“Kunyuan Regeneration!”

Zhao Xing continued casting spells, and eight main roots burrowed into the eight Life Earth Palaces.

Gurgling sounds emerged as the roots began to greedily absorb nutrients, like a person drinking water.

The divine ox Dharma Form underground continuously plowed out tunnels.

Half a year later, the roots of the first Five Elements Bamboo Zhao Xing planted had already penetrated three thousand levels deep underground.

Yet, the bamboo above ground remained at only half a level in height.

In contrast, it resembled an iceberg, with only its tip visible.

“For every level deeper, the resistance increases, and the three types of Qi become more solidified and difficult to shake. These nutrients are accumulated deep underground, making their extraction considerably difficult.”

“If I don't want to expend so much effort, I can only expand my territory,” Zhao Xing mused.

“However, I want to see where my limits lie. For now, I won't consider expansion.”

“Well-Shaping Technique! Appear!”

Zhao Xing spread his right hand. A yellow light in his palm expanded, eventually forming a square light frame.

As the light frame touched the ground, the soil immediately vanished, pulverized, becoming part of the light circle.

It continuously expanded deeper downward.

Zhao Xing created a spiritual power clone and jumped into the well.

The Well-Shaping Technique was a commonly used auxiliary method for Earthly Advantage Faction Agrarian Officials. It could open a stable spatial tunnel underground, allowing the official to personally inspect the subterranean conditions.

This differed from escape techniques, which did not create underground spaces.

Furthermore, the Well-Shaping Technique could also function as a 'Drilling Technique,' capable of focusing on a single point to penetrate deep underground, opening an aperture for roots to smoothly burrow down.

The Well-Shaping Technique could also act as a 'skylight' to expel earth qi that was detrimental to growth.

This was more flexible than the Earth Palace Technique; using the Earth Palace Technique to create a 'skylight' for ventilation would be inconvenient due to the palace's large volume.

Relying on the Well-Shaping Technique, Zhao Xing expanded the underground depth to five thousand levels three years later.

Poof!

At this point, the Well-Shaping Technique suddenly dispersed, and an unparalleled gravitational force crushed Zhao Xing's spiritual power clone.

“Hmm?” The main body, standing on the surface, couldn't help but frown.

Because at a depth of five thousand levels, a 'dead vein' had appeared.

“Dead veins often appear during underground excavation. Earth veins constantly overlap and collapse, squeezing everything out, leaving neither Yin nor Yang.”

“The existence of a dead vein is like a 'Gravity Earth Palace,' its power extremely terrifying. And this dead vein belt set up by Divine General Penglai is even more terrifying.”

“Spells, Dao, and matter are difficult to form there; everything is reduced to a state of chaos.”

Kunyuan Regeneration from the Primordial Earth Storehouse Scripture could activate dead veins and restore vitality, but that depended on the specific situation.

Zhao Xing couldn't possibly activate this dead vein given Divine General Penglai's arrangements.

“The Divine General's methods are indeed terrifying. Under current circumstances, five thousand underground levels is the limit for cultivatable depth.”

“It's impossible to extract nutrients from a deeper range.”

“I can only find a way to expand horizontally.”

Zhao Xing looked up, controlling the underground roots to grow horizontally, officially beginning his first expansion.

“He's coming.”

The moment Zhao Xing moved, Zizhao detected it.

Because the opponent was heading straight for him.

After three and a half years, Venerable Zizhao had by now plundered eighty-nine territories!

He had concentrated the nutrients from eighty-nine plundered territories onto his own.

Zhao Xing looked up and saw that the largest bamboo plant in Venerable Zizhao's territory had already exceeded seventy thousand levels in height.

“Impressive indeed, fellow Daoist, a masterful technique,” Zhao Xing complimented.

Zhao Xing stepped to the border of the territory, praising Venerable Zizhao's achievements.

“You flatter me,” Zizhao replied.

Venerable Zizhao, no longer as arrogant as three and a half years prior, jumped down from his bamboo and appeared at the border.

He cupped his hands in a polite bow. “Fellow Daoist, my earlier actions were improper. I am willing to cede some space for your passage.”

“Furthermore, beneath my feet, I have reserved a Nine-Quadrant Earth Palace, entirely filled with Ninth-Tier spiritual soil.”

“Consider this fertile spiritual soil as my apology for my earlier offense.”

Zhao Xing smiled and waved his hand. “Not at all, it was a minor matter; I've already put it behind me.”

Zizhao felt a weight lift from his heart. It seemed this person was reasonable after all.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zhao Xing said, “It's just that I want everything in your territory. Please yield it all to me, fellow Daoist.”

“What?” Venerable Zizhao was stunned.

Zhao Xing had uttered the most ruthless words in the gentlest tone, leaving Zizhao momentarily speechless.

“With your current abilities, it's impossible to complete this inheritance trial.”

“Reaching seventy thousand levels is your limit.”

Venerable Zizhao naturally didn't believe him, but just as he was about to retort, Zhao Xing confidently pointed to the monstrous, strangely shaped bamboo in the center of the territory:

“Earlier, when you contended with me, one of your bamboo seeds died.”

“Afterward, you planned the remaining nine bamboo plants. First, using the Myriad Phenomena Sealing Spirit Seal, Nine Grains Earth Palace, Two Forces Earth Refining Technique, and Profound Mother Transformation Technique, you cultivated a Giant Spirit Bamboo for extreme growth.”

“But when it reached thirty thousand levels, it hit its limit.”

“Then you adopted the Eight-in-One Supreme Mother Tree Flow method, cutting off the Giant Spirit Bamboo's crown and using its base to graft the eight spirit bamboos onto it one by one.”

“This enabled the current Giant Spirit Bamboo to grow to a height of nearly seventy thousand levels.”

Zizhao immediately calmed down, staring at Zhao Xing with shock.

He hadn't expected Zhao Xing to expose everything he had done over the past three and a half years, merely by looking.

What kind of monstrous talent was this person, to possess such an astounding insight?

“May I ask, fellow Daoist, who you are? I am Zizhao, a disciple of the Profound Cavern Earth God Sect from the Feathered Emperor Era.”

“My name is Han Bing, a subordinate of the Immeasurable True God.” Zhao Xing preferred to reason rather than waste energy fighting, so he revealed his identity as well.

“So you are a subordinate of that True God.” Zizhao immediately cupped his hands in a bow, then genuinely asked, “May I ask, fellow Daoist, why do you assert that my method can only cultivate up to seventy thousand levels?”

“The Earth Storehouse and Earth Palace techniques you used have accumulated too much detrimental build-up,” Zhao Xing said, pointing at the Giant Spirit Bamboo's eight nodes.

“Although you forcibly continued its growth using the Mother Tree Flow, the damage was not expelled; it still lurks within. This caused a conflict between six and four principles, leading to severe deviations in the life Dao of all eight nodes.”

“You once tried to alleviate it by segment-breaking, but that merely treated the symptoms, not the root cause.”

“Then, fellow Daoist, do you believe there is a solution?”

“Unfortunately, there isn't,” Zhao Xing shook his head. “You only had ten bamboo plants, and you've used them all. Moreover, after multiple alterations, the accumulated issues are too severe to reverse.”

Venerable Zizhao pondered for a moment, then still shook his head. “I admit everything you say is correct, but I still have one technique that might offer a chance. I am unwilling to give up just yet.”

Zhao Xing shook his head. “You must be referring to the Profound Cavern Resurgence Technique, right? It won't work.”

“You know that too?” Venerable Zizhao was stunned. He hadn't mentioned this spell to Zhao Xing just now, had he?

He hadn't mentioned it, but it was written on the panel; of course, Zhao Xing knew.

The Profound Cavern Resurgence Technique is a powerful Earth Storehouse technique that allows a divine tree to burn its last life force, achieving growth that breaks its limits.

It's like a person's last surge of energy before death, suddenly becoming vibrant and even more energetic than usual.

The Profound Cavern Resurgence Technique utilizes the power of earth veins, starting from the roots and transmitting it throughout the plant for a grand rejuvenation.

“Why do you say my spell is useless?” Zizhao asked, unwilling to accept it. This was his ultimate technique, and he was quite confident in it.

“It's simple. Because the Profound Cavern Resurgence Technique starts from the roots, but you first used the Mother Tree Flow method for growth. This Giant Spirit Bamboo's roots have already changed.”

“The first Giant Spirit Bamboo has become the new root foundation.”

“Unless you can consecutively cast the Profound Cavern Resurgence Technique nine times, with each interval not exceeding one hundred thousand Immeasurable Time Units. Otherwise, by the time your first bamboo completes its resurgence and withers, the second section of bamboo will not have even begun, thus failing to achieve the goal and only causing the entire mother tree to collapse.”

“Even if you could achieve this, it would still depend on luck. Each attempt only has a fifty percent chance of success. To succeed nine times consecutively, you would barely be able to make this secret art succeed overall.”

Venerable Zizhao was somewhat lost in thought. Setting aside whether he could do it, even if he could, the probability of flipping a coin nine times consecutively and having it land on heads each time was extremely small.

After a careful calculation, Venerable Zizhao realized that he truly had little chance of success. The reason he hadn't used this method earlier was precisely because he lacked confidence.

“Fellow Daoist, your insight is profound; I am convinced,” Venerable Zizhao said after a long period of contemplation, finally bowing with cupped hands towards Zhao Xing. “Thanks to your guidance, I now understand my shortcomings and realize my flaws in this trial.”

“I can surrender all my resources to you. I only ask that you do not kill my bamboo yet.”

“I have no other intentions,” Venerable Zizhao said with fervent, sincere eyes. “I merely wish to see if fellow Daoist can truly reach one hundred thousand levels into the sky!”