Chapter 85: The Sixth-Grade Soul Armor and the Great Dream of Spring and Autumn

As soon as Zhao Xing entered the mechanism labyrinth, the two walls behind him closed, leaving no way out.

Pointing a finger towards the sky, the Golden Light shot upwards, but after reaching a height of four meters, it vanished without a trace.

"As expected, the Cloud Walk can't sustain such a high altitude," Zhao Xing muttered, attempting to jump again, only to find that no matter how high he leaped, he couldn't surpass the height of the surrounding walls.

Of course, this didn't mean he couldn't use Magic Arts. It just meant he could only use them within the labyrinth. Trying to rely on Cloud Walk to survey the entire area from the sky was impossible.

"Let's see if there's anything useful," Zhao Xing said, casually choosing a path and walking down it.

The mechanism labyrinth tested strength, intelligence, willpower, and even interpersonal relationships, making it a comprehensive challenge. Great Li used it to cultivate elites, emphasizing a well-rounded approach. Therefore, just having strength wasn't enough to pass through this labyrinth. Unless one reached the Fourth Grade, which could break through all obstacles and directly conquer the labyrinth to claim the reward.

"Ah~" Zhao Xing turned a corner, only to find a dead end ahead. Under the wall, a creature resembling a mountain goat with red fur stared at him. The goat's eyes were also red, and the moment their gazes met, Zhao Xing shivered, falling into a strange state.

"Baa~" The mountain goat lightly jumped and disappeared at the end.

"Such bad luck, encountering a 'Topsy-Turvy Goat' right away?" Zhao Xing chuckled bitterly.

The Topsy-Turvy Goat was an illusionary mechanism beast. Once caught in its illusion, a person would enter a state of 'reverse action.' Clearly wanting to move forward, the brain would think so, but the hands and feet would retreat instead. Wanting to use Rising Wind Magic Arts, but ending up casting Thunder instead. Aiming to attack the right side, but hitting the left instead.

"Ouch!" Zhao Xing tried to turn back, but accidentally changed direction, hitting the wall. The impact was just right, not enough to cause a concussion.

"That hurts," Zhao Xing said, intending to rub his forehead but ending up touching his lower body. This feeling of reverse action was indescribably frustrating.

However, there was a silver lining: the familiar taste of the past returned! It was as if he had found the feeling of clearing a dungeon in his previous life.

"With the Topsy-Turvy Goat here, very well, the sixth-grade treasure is within my grasp!" Zhao Xing began to adjust his state, quickly becoming familiar with the post-illusion condition, and continued onward.

"Clack, clack, clack~" After a few turns, the sound of gears turning suddenly reached his ears. Zhao Xing looked down to find he had stepped into a trap.

The stone slab underfoot sank, and on the wall ahead, a Thunder Needle embedded with a blue gem was aimed at him, ready to fire.

"Hmph, petty tricks," Zhao Xing scoffed, crouching down and tapping on several surrounding slabs. He then pulled out a uniquely shaped component from a loose slab and wedged it under his foot.

Lifting his foot, the Thunder Needle remained unresponsive. Zhao Xing leisurely walked past.

In the next moment, Zhao Xing encountered various mechanisms, from fire-spitting to falling rocks, shooting arrows, and even illusionary mechanism beasts. The labyrinth was entirely composed of interconnected mechanisms. All mechanisms followed one principle: to harass, obstruct, and mislead the challenger, delaying their time.

"It's said that the mechanism labyrinth was created by the geniuses of the Great Li Heavenly Craft Institute, constantly adding new elements to contribute fresh creativity to the labyrinth," Zhao Xing mused.

"But anyone whose design is accepted by the institute receives a reward," he continued. "This leads countless geniuses to exhaust their brains to add mechanisms here, wishing they could place a hundred Rolling Thunders on a single brick."

"How to make things difficult for others... truly ingenious," Zhao Xing muttered, rubbing his hands and noticing a red mark, sighing.

Though he was considered 'experienced,' he still fell for quite a few tricks along the way.

His vision blurred, and the surroundings darkened. Just moments ago, to avoid a series of six linked mechanisms, he had accidentally leaned against the wall.

It turned out this sneaky place had a seventh mechanism, releasing a layer of blinding powder.

"But the more mechanisms there are, the closer I am to what I seek. Once I find the tool on this level, the rest will be much easier," Zhao Xing thought, descending a flight of stairs, noticing the surrounding walls becoming shorter.

Though his eyes were blinded, it didn't hinder his movement. Using Rising Wind Magic Arts, he sensed everything around him clearly through the feedback of the wind.

"Found it!" Zhao Xing smiled slightly, then retreated two steps, hiding in a corner.

Whoosh~ The Rising Wind Magic Arts blew towards a table ahead, lifting a piece of yellow paper on top.

"Oh no!" The table seemed to come alive, screeching continuously, its four legs dancing wildly.

"Table monster, don't run!" Zhao Xing shouted, and the table-like mechanism beast charged towards him.

As it approached, it transformed, sprouting spikes on its surface and legs.

"Ouch!" The fast-moving table mechanism beast crashed into the wall.

Since Zhao Xing was hiding in the corner between the platform and the wall, the table mechanism beast got stuck. The spikes were just half a finger's width away from Zhao Xing.

"Hmph, such a small mechanism, laughable," Zhao Xing said, reaching out to tear off the yellow paper stuck on the table.

"Clatter~" The table immediately fell apart into a pile of components.

"A hybrid talisman mechanism beast, whoever made this is truly a genius," Zhao Xing thought, rummaging through the pile of debris.

Soon, he found a silver-white pearl among the components.

[Illusion Pearl: Special Item]

[Can transform one of the last ten people touched into an illusion.]

[Illusion Limit: Spirit Bridge Full]

"It's you," Zhao Xing smiled slightly, then crushed the pearl.

As the pearl shattered, a series of light shadows appeared before Zhao Xing.

Xue Wen, Chen Shijie, Zhao Rui De, Zhao Zheng, Madam Cai... Wait, not Madam Cai!

Zhao Xing was startled when the light shadow paused on Madam Cai, quickly thinking of Chen Shijie's appearance.

Fortunately, the light shadow moved on, settling on Chen Shijie.

"Ah~" The light shadow condensed into form, and Chen Shijie appeared before him.

"Phew~" Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

The special tool, the Illusion Pearl, would transform into a person based entirely on the user's mental image of their relationships. This meant the person's strength, personality, and relationship with the user would be restored.

What if the last ten people touched were all enemies? Then the person transformed would not be a helper but an obstacle, even attacking the user.

Among the ten people Zhao Xing had recently touched, Old Chen was the only suitable choice.

Next, he needed a certain level of combat power to navigate through the mechanism-laden labyrinth.

If it had really given him Madam Cai, he could have declared the challenge a failure.

"How did you end up in such a strange place? And why are your eyes blind?" Chen Shijie asked curiously as soon as he appeared.

"Don't ask, Old Chen, just help me out," Zhao Xing replied.

This was, of course, not the real Chen Shijie, but an illusion based on Zhao Xing's impression of him.

"What did you call me?" Chen Shijie raised an eyebrow.

"Great Chen," Zhao Xing quickly corrected himself. "Please, Great Chen, lend me a hand."

"Hmph, that's more like it," Chen Shijie said, turning to lead the way for Zhao Xing.

Chen Shijie displayed the strength of a genuine Eighth Grade, and with his help, the speed of passing through the mechanisms increased significantly. He also knew many mid-level full-grade Magic Arts.

Whether it was reaction, intelligence, or adaptability, he was excellent.

As for whether the real Chen Shijie was this formidable, Zhao Xing didn't know, but he guessed Old Chen was indeed this strong, perhaps even stronger than he imagined.

Deep down, Zhao Xing truly believed Chen Shijie was at least a genuine Eighth Grade in strength.

Just from chatting with him, those insights were not something a genuine Ninth Grade could possess.

Although Chen Shijie claimed to be an Earthly Advantage Sect Sinoong, he also had insights into other Magic Arts, being a more comprehensive military Sinoong, and Old Chen was a master among them.

"If the real Old Chen is this strong, why would he come to Nanyang County to be such a small official?" Zhao Xing wondered, watching Old Chen's back, then crouched down.

Ahead, Chen Shijie was caught in a triggered seventh mechanism, a series of wheels exploding.

"Cough, cough... What a lousy place, why are there so many mechanisms?" Chen Shijie emerged from the smoke, his hair disheveled, coughing continuously.

Zhao Xing looked ahead, patting Chen Shijie's shoulder as he passed by: "Thanks, Old Chen."

"You brat, are you itching for a beating? Calling me..." Chen Shijie bristled, but before he could finish, he turned into a light shadow and dissipated.

Zhao Xing walked into a circular room ahead.

The light around him dimmed, and doors flashed before him.

"Five Elements Positioning, enter Qian, exit Kun," Zhao Xing observed for a moment, entering through the Qian Gate and emerging from the Kun Position, returning to the room.

One door disappeared, but soon another appeared, with different changes.

Some doors flashed with thunder, lightning like claws extending into the room. Some had Golden Swords slowly piercing out, forcing Zhao Xing's position.

Zhao Xing glanced at the door spewing fire.

"Taking chestnuts from the fire, a chance for survival," he thought, then boldly charged into the flame door.

The next moment, he returned to the room.

This time, the light doors rotated again, with beastly roars coming from behind them.

Zhao Xing carefully discerned for a moment.

Smiling, he looked at one of the doors: "The roar of the qilin, auspicious beast at the door."

Then he stepped into the light door.

The next moment, Zhao Xing appeared in the room again.

This time, only four doors remained.

They continued to rotate, but the aura became much gentler.

"Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, the Four Seasons' Doors."

"The final challenge."

"Enter Spring, exit Autumn."

"One thought of Spring and Autumn, like a dream."

Zhao Xing stepped into a green light, then emerged from a golden-yellow door.

"Ah~" The anomalies around him vanished, the mist rolled away, and when Zhao Xing looked up again, he was already in front of the Xiezhi.

"Student Zhao Xing, passing through the mechanism labyrinth in less than an hour, rewarded with the sixth-grade 'Soul Armor' divine weapon."

The Beast of Law, Xiezhi, then spat out a dark armor.

The armor emitted a glow, flying over to Zhao Xing, who reached out to catch it. The armor smoothly covered his body like flowing water.

"The sixth-grade Soul Armor is a sub-body of the peerless divine weapon 'Sun Shines on the Vast Sky.' Although only sixth-grade, its soul protection effect is not weaker than seventh-grade, and it is absolutely indestructible. Attacks of Fourth Grade power will also be reduced by ninety percent."

"Below Fourth Grade, it has a rebound effect on soul-type Magic Arts and attack techniques," Xiezhi explained.

"Thank you for the protection," Zhao Xing acknowledged, feeling the unique nature of the Soul Armor. At this moment, he felt warm all over, a comfort and security from his soul.

"The sixth-grade Soul Armor comes with the first chapter of the national secret method, you must not reveal it," Xiezhi continued.

"If someone notices the Soul Armor's existence, it will be exposed."

"Rest assured, unless you die, no one will know about the Soul Armor," Xiezhi said calmly. "If you die, the Imperial Court will avenge you, reclaim the Soul Armor, and eliminate those who know."

Zhao Xing nodded silently. Although this Xiezhi mechanism beast had intelligence and could communicate, it was limited to the Heavenly Work Hall, unaware that Great Li had already perished.

"The sky is about to brighten, your soul is too weak, leave now," Xiezhi said, gently blowing Zhao Xing out of the Heavenly Work Hall, returning him to the entrance of the Great Dream Academy.

Opening his eyes, the familiar mosquito net came into view.

Zhao Xing felt around, finding a pair of pendants and three pills.

Among them, two were Fourth Grade pills, the Five Viscera Protection Pill and the Giant Whale Pill, and the Third Tier Elixir was the Earth Protection Pill.

As for the sixth-grade treasure, the Soul Armor, it had merged into his body, directly guarding his consciousness.

The sixth-grade treasure was still a worldly treasure, though unique, it couldn't be called a divine weapon, nor did it have such miraculous effects of merging into the body.

But as a sub-body of the peerless treasure 'Sun Shines on the Vast Sky,' it possessed effects similar to a seventh-grade 'divine weapon,' directly stored within the body.

"Sun Shines on the Vast Sky... I wonder if this divine weapon is within the Great Dream Academy," Zhao Xing pondered silently, thinking of the era of Qi Yun Wang Chao, with several peerless treasures surpassing the era.

They were passed down from ancient times, losing most of their power due to the decline of spiritual energy, only regaining their brilliance in the revival era.

If given the chance, Zhao Xing certainly wanted to obtain the mother body of the Soul Armor.

"Xiezhi said the end of the Heavenly Work Hall's challenge is a rare treasure, it shouldn't be the mother body of the Soul Armor. I wonder where it is," Zhao Xing thought.

This time, the greatest gain from the challenge was undoubtedly the sixth-grade Soul Armor, as well as the Great Dream Sect's ultimate study, 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn.'

Of course, the Giant Whale Pill, Earth Protection Pill, and Five Viscera Protection Pill were also excellent, providing immediate effects when consumed.

Every time he entered the academy, there were immense gains, making Zhao Xing feel a bit emotional: "It's truly a treasure mountain. If I make good use of this wealth, enduring until the revival era might not be impossible."

After the Autumn Division Mountain Opening, the students had two days off.

Zhao Xing didn't need to go to work, staying home to digest the benefits.

The Earth Protection Pill was temporarily unused, as it required a specific method to maximize its effect, the same with the Five Viscera Protection Pill.

As for the Giant Whale Pill, it took him a whole day to fully digest.

"After taking this pill, I feel like I've eaten a whole whale," Zhao Xing said, exercising back and forth in the courtyard, his face flushed.

Zhao Zheng watched his big brother, finding it miraculous that he could run and jump all day without needing to eat, thinking his big brother was truly amazing!

Zhao Rui De, on the other hand, was puzzled, feeling that Zhao Xing had changed significantly in just one day.

Mainly judging from his aura.

In the morning, Zhao Xing's breathing and Gathering Essence were normal. But by evening, his breathing became extremely long, and the speed of Gathering Essence into his body noticeably increased.

"I've seen many martial artists with such vigor, but it's the first time I've seen a Sinoong with such vigor. I wonder what he experienced on the mountain," Zhao Rui De thought, assuming his son had some fortuitous encounter on the mountain.

Now, saying Zhao Xing was as strong as a bull was inaccurate; he was as strong as a great elephant.

"If he practices martial arts, he might even enter the ranks," Zhao Rui De mused, feeling a bit emotional. In contrast, Zhao Zheng was almost eight years old, showing no signs of martial talent and being quite lazy, causing a headache.

By evening, Zhao Xing lay on his bed, beginning to cultivate 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn.'

"The Great Dream Sect is a Great Li national sect, and 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn' is a classic ultimate study," Zhao Xing recalled deeply, as it made excellent use of 'dreams.'

Although sect studies from the era were not at their peak now, 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn' was an exception.

Things like 'killing in dreams' and 'one dream of heaven and earth' were still powerful even in this era, belonging to a subtle version of transcendental power.

"Humans have three souls: Heavenly Soul, Earthly Soul, and Life Soul."

"The Heavenly and Earthly Souls often wander outside, only the Life Soul resides within the body."

"The Life Soul resides behind the fetus, its potential distributed throughout the flesh, forming the seven souls of a person."

"The Heavenly Soul is the soul of past lives, the Earthly Soul is the soul of cause and effect."

"The Heavenly and Earthly Souls wander outside, interacting with the Life Soul, forming 'dream realms.'"

"Thus, people dream of places they've never been, feel certain places are familiar, and even have miraculous responses."

"For example, dreaming of a distant relative's passing before the news arrives."

"Or recalling conversations with childhood playmates in dreams."

Zhao Xing studied the Entering Dreams chapter of 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn,' finding several interesting methods.

"The introductory chapter of 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn' has two stages: dream interpretation and Entering Dreams."

"If one can Enter Dreams at will and control others to Enter Dreams, that's considered truly entering the path."

"After entering the path, the second chapter is 'Dream Walk.'"

"At that point, one can walk in others' dream realms, using the opportunity of the three souls' interaction to take away their three souls."

"Once the three souls are extinguished, the seven souls of the flesh lose their guidance, becoming walking corpses, not far from death."

Zhao Xing browsed the Entering Dreams chapter of 'Great Dream of Spring and Autumn.'

Suddenly, several Magic Arts in the Entering Dreams chapter caught his attention.

(End of Chapter)