Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1299 - 8: Incomplete Dojo, Bizarre Rules (4)

Of course, in reality, he still retained responsibility for guarding Yu Yang Heaven and Gourd Heaven, and the military under his command did not decrease.

"General Qin, please rise." Zhao Xing said, "Thank you for waiting, General. Please lead us into Gourd Heaven."

"Not at all, Grand Minister of Agriculture, please." Beichen King maintained his decorum well.

Since the incident last time, he had come to understand many things, gaining clarity about himself and the situation.

What is the point of breaking through the Rule Realm? Don't forget, when we besieged Sith Country, Dius still ended up defeated in the northwest. He dared not harbor any arrogance.

"General Qin, please introduce us to the situation in Gourd Heaven." Zhao Xing invited Qin Feng onto his ship, and Qin Feng's son led the way ahead. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"As the name suggests, Gourd Heaven's grotto heaven takes the shape of a gourd," Qin Feng quickly explained: "Divided at the waist bottleneck, both our court and the Sect Alliance occupy half."

"This is mainly because the bottleneck is narrow—it's easy to defend, hard to attack, and only half corresponds to an exit in Lingyuan State. So, the court doesn't intend to take it."

Zhao Xing nodded; capturing Gourd Heaven wouldn't be useful because its entrances are numerous and widespread, making it hard to defend.

Moreover, the corresponding area on the other side is no longer part of the Nineteen States, making it an isolated territory even if captured.

One, it's hard to capture; two, it's hard to defend; three, resource output isn't particularly significant, turning Gourd Heaven into a shared territory between the court and the Sect Alliance.

Yet, as time progresses, Gourd Heaven will soon become a bustling place.

On its other end lies a place known as 'Jibei Dao.'

A site of magnificent opportunities will emerge there.

There's an immense opportunity that can allow one to breakthrough the Rule Realm.

"Does the Beichen Army have any intelligence on Jixi Road?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes." Beichen King's military acumen was solid.

"Southern Gourd Heaven, controlled by the court, has only four entrances, whereas Northern Gourd Heaven has thirty-six entrances, five of which lead to Jixi Road."

"Jixi Road is named for its narrow and long terrain."

"Jixi Road encompasses about the land of four counties, mostly wild mountains and forests, allocated to both the Corpse Puppet Sect and Four Extremes Sect for shared use."

Beichen King swiftly commanded a detailed map to be brought forth.

Cui Chengzhi looked at the map and couldn't help but comment: "Looks like a grotto heaven mutation, growing a fire boil."

"Does it have any unique qualities?"

Qin Feng shook his head: "Its value isn't high; Jixi Road has consistently been regarded as a regular breeding ground by the two sects, visited rarely. If there's anything special about it, it's that its terrain varies between large and small."

"In the early years of Yuan Shou, Jixi Road encompassed only two counties; by Fifty Years of Yuan Shou, it reached eight counties, yet recently it has shrunk back to four counties."

"Do you know why?" Ye Yuxong puzzled, "How can a place vary in size?"

"I do not know," Beichen King shook his head.

"The world is full of wonders, and human understanding of Pocket World is less than one ten-thousandth," Ji Yun interjected, "Certain mysterious phenomena cannot be explained."

After hearing this, Zhao Xing slightly nodded.

From Beichen King's description, Zhao Xing knew he was in the right place.

"The changes in Jixi Road are due to past modifications," Zhao Xing began, "It was once a meditation site for a mighty figure during the Ancient Times."

"What? Do you imply it's a dojo?" Ji Yun exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, but this dojo is incomplete," Zhao Xing reflected, "For certain reasons, it was destroyed, becoming an incomplete dojo. The essence is not evident, and many traces left by that powerful figure have vanished."

"Pocket World's expansion and contraction align with the Primordial Qi Tide, and Jixi Road's terrain fluctuates accordingly."

"That place is our destination for this visit," Zhao Xing declared.

Beichen King found it curious; how could Zhao Xing know so much?

Has Qing Yu Zi explored even this and documented it in the heritage?

He was indeed diligent.

...

After entering Southern Gourd Heaven, Zhao Xing, Ye Yuxong, King Shenluo, Ji Yun, and Cui Chengzhi rested near Northern Gourd Heaven at a military base named Beichen Triangle.

Zhao Xing was also briefing the group.

"Jixi Road is quite an odd place."

"Once the dojo manifests, due to its incompleteness, the original path set by that powerful figure has transformed."

"What do you mean?" Ye Yuxong immediately raised his hand.

"Do you all recall the Grand Ancestor's aspiration of establishing the path?"

"Those with domains may not enter without permission; non-citizens of our court may not cultivate within the Great Zhou," Ji Yun instinctively recited, true to her royal lineage.

"Indeed, and also things like Master Li Fire's principle of borrowing fire with intent, reciprocating doubly," Zhao Xing continued: "Since the dojo is incomplete, certain rules within are also incomplete."

"Imagine if the Grand Ancestor's aspiration morphed due to incompleteness into 'a married man may not enter,' what kind of scene would that be?"

Ji Yun: "..."

King Shenluo: "Cough, cough."

Ye Yuxong realized: "So that's how it transforms."

Cui Chengzhi considered Zhao Xing's described scene, then expressed interest: "Wouldn't that mean only unmarried people can enter a certain place?"

"Indeed." Zhao Xing nodded, "I'm just giving an example. In reality, the incomplete dojo might have many outrageous transformations."

"Moreover, the nameless dojo's owner established numerous lifestyle rules."

"For instance, from midnight, noise is prohibited, and sleep is mandatory until Mao Hour when everyone must wake and start cleaning."