Divine Might Army, Grotto-Heaven, Military Realm

November 11th, Chen hour (7-9 AM).

The sky was already bright and clear.

Zhao Xing rode in Zong Shichang's carriage and returned to the city with the officials.

"... I fell asleep last night, and when I woke up it was already Yin Hour. At first, I didn't know what was going on, but when I heard my teacher say that the Profound Heaven Sect had appeared last night, I was almost scared to death!"

"Luckily you let me sleep at the entrance, oh no, plant at the entrance. I was discovered by the East Lake Army as soon as I woke up. It is said that no battle took place in that area." Zong Shichang clutched his chest, still feeling lingering fear.

Zhao Xing listened to his story and was speechless. Zong Shichang was possessed by Dreaming of Yin Souls and actually slept until the Yin Hour.

Was it good luck, or was it simply overlooked?

Not all officials were corrupted by the Profound Heaven Sect.

The vast majority of officials in Agricultural Official were corrupted and then fell into a deep sleep, unconscious.

Those who were truly determined to take action were only Zhao Xing, Li Chengfeng, Wen Nanxing, and Xiao Ze, who had consistently Grade A List.

But wasn't Zong Shichang also a long-time Grade A List?

Why did he get the treatment of a noob?

"Young Master Zong, Young Master Zong, I really don't know whether to be happy or sad for you," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Seeing that he kept talking, Zhao Xing interrupted, "Brother Zong, let me rest for a while."

Upon seeing this, Zong Shichang immediately stopped talking. "I understand, I won't ask. Don't worry, I will just silently remember this favor."

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and instantly Entering the Dream.

He recreated the scene over three days and three nights using the Dream Storage Method, leaving no detail untouched.

After reviewing the events, the reason for the reappearance of the Blood Spirit Venerable was roughly determined.

"It's probably because he saw through my work, the Great Dream Spring and Autumn."

In fact, Zhao Xing had considered this possibility the moment the Blood Spirit Venerable appeared.

Because he had nowhere else to attract the other party to show up in person.

At that time, Zhao Xing still wanted to cover it up, and he didn't even use his biggest trump card, the Sleepy Bug.

But now that I think about it, it doesn't matter whether I let go or not.

The other party had no intention of taking action; they were just there to confirm something.

"Then what is he here to confirm? To confirm whether I have truly cultivated the Great Dream Spring and Autumn? Does he think that because I have obtained the Great Dream Spring and Autumn, I am a successor of the Nightmare Sect?"

"That's not right. The Profound Heaven Sect and the Nightmare Sect have no connection. There's no need for them to come specifically to see me... So, is he here for the Great Dream Spring and Autumn technique?"

"Perhaps it's not just a cultivation technique, but also Soul Armor?" Zhao Xing pondered for a moment before emerging from the dream.

"From the Blood Spirit Venerable's perspective, whether I am a successor of the Nightmare Sect or obtained by chance, I am extremely attractive to him. He probably wants to hunt me down and seize my treasure."

After thinking it through, Zhao Xing actually breathed a sigh of relief.

He's not afraid of trouble, he's afraid of not knowing what kind of trouble it is.

Anyway, the Profound Heaven Sect is an opposing faction, and we will inevitably run into them in the future. It doesn't matter whether it's the Blood Spirit Venerable or the Water Spirit Venerable.

Hunting him down, given his considerable knowledge of the Profound Heaven Sect, would be incredibly difficult. He was about to head to the Divine Might Army, a place teeming with powerful figures; there was no way the Blood Spirit Venerable would attempt to kill him for his treasures.

As for what happens next? It's hard to say who will kill whom.

He wasn't worried about the Blood Spirit Venerable; rather, he was worried that there might be powerful figures in the Great Zhou who coveted him.

After all, external enemies are not scary; internal enemies are.

"As I acquire more and more treasures at the Great Dream Academy, I will eventually be exposed."

"However, since I dared to accept this opportunity, I must accept the consequences." Zhao Xing's gaze was firm.

If you're afraid of this and that, what's the point of pursuing immortality? You might as well just die sooner!

Once you become strong enough, you will naturally be fearless in the face of any challenge!

"After this matter is over, it's time to have a talk with Old Chen."

"My appointment as an official is a done deal. Immediately afterward, there will be a selection opportunity. If we don't discuss it beforehand and I'm assigned to another post, that would be troublesome."

"Let's wait for Old Chen to handle this matter first."

On November 11th, a notice was posted at the Gucheng County Office.

On the night of the 10th, the sorcerers of the Profound Heaven Sect plotted a rebellion in Nanyang County.

There were four counties in total, and all of them were plagued by evil spirits.

The various departments of Gucheng County Office, together with the East Lake Army, promptly stopped the evil people from causing trouble in the county and killed a total of 178 people, including evil people and believers of the Profound Heaven Sect.

As for casualties, the notice made no mention of them, only mentioning them briefly.

Zhao Xing later learned the specific battle report at the Chen Residence.

"The situation is basically the same as what the County Office announced," Chen Shijie said. "The purpose of the Profound Heaven Sect's operation was to arrest people, not to kill them, and because it was well controlled, the casualties in Anping Town were very small."

"That night, most of the locals didn't even notice what was happening at the scene."

"However, there were still casualties. During the pursuit, the East Lake Army lost several men and was wounded about ten."

"None of the clerks were injured, but four clerks from the Agricultural Supervisorate went missing, and two from each of the other departments. However, they weren't reported as missing; instead, they were reported as having died heroically in battle."

Zhao Xing nodded. It was clear that those who had gone missing had been kidnapped.

If they are reported as missing persons, the family members will not benefit from it except for constantly worrying about it.

Even if someone dies heroically in battle, they can receive a pension.

According to the Profound Heaven Sect's methods, officials who are captured are never found again. They usually reappear decades later, by which time their families Ketu dead.

So it's normal for the case to close like this.

Zhao Xing glanced at the list of missing persons and saw that Li Chengfeng was indeed on it; he had ultimately failed to be rescued.

The other two were also on the Grade A List, but they were far inferior to Li Chengfeng.

Chen Shijie said, "After the Prince of Nanyang killed that Yin Soul, the Profound Heaven Sect's stronghold in Gucheng was completely exposed. All the cultivators and believers were discovered. Overall, Gucheng performed the best."

"Killing Extraterritorial Demonic Person has always been considered a great achievement, and all the departments involved have made contributions."

At this point, Chen Shijie smiled slightly, "My transfer order was issued first, and this incident happened afterward, so I can directly count it as a military achievement. Civil Official will be rewarded, and Li Wenzheng should be granted a rank of nobility, which will be counted in his 'garrisoning the local area' achievements."

As for the clerks? These merits are enough for the officials to share, and the clerks who participated only received a bonus. Whether the bonus was distributed to each department or not depended entirely on the conscience of the department head.

But at most, it would only be a few dozen taels, and it's impossible for everyone to have that much.

Zhao Xing didn't care that he could eliminate the Profound Heaven Sect stronghold in Nanyang County, allowing him to go to the Divine Might Army without any worries.

With the Blood Fiend Pearl and Blood Spirit Needle, he no longer cares about the imperial reward.

"As for the results of the Beginning of Winter Examination of the Agricultural Supervisorate," Chen Shijie said, "All those who participated passed, and the entire prize money will be distributed among those who took the exam, with each person receiving approximately ten taels."

"Long Xiao and I won't take them."

Chen Shijie didn't mention Zhao Xing either, clearly treating him as one of his own, and he made the decision directly for this small amount of money.

"Then I won't be able to get the Grade A?" Zhao Xing said.

Chen Shijie laughed and said, "Li Wenzheng and I recommended you to take the Temple Examination, and Fan Dongping and Ji Ming from the prefecture have also given their approval. What more evaluation do you need?"

"You don't need to participate in the Winter Assessment; just prepare for the Temple Examination next spring."

The Winter Assessment, also known as the assessment held on the winter solstice, is the last assessment of the year.

However, after hearing what Chen Shijie said, Zhao Xing didn't need to bother with that.

He can be appointed to an official position once the Temple Examination is passed next spring.

The Temple Examination combined practical and theoretical aspects. The imperial court set the questions directly through the temple, and the examination was jointly supervised by the Yin Spirit and designated officials.

The exam is completed on the same day, and the results will be available three days later.

Having already settled things, Zhao Xing thought for a moment and handed the Blood Fiend Pearl and Blood Spirit Needle to Chen Shijie: "These two items are useless to me, please help me exchange them for money."

"Hey? You've got some good stuff, kid." Just then, Long Xiao walked in from the training ground outside. "This is some good stuff, where did you get it?"

"He killed a deputy hall master," Chen Shijie explained. "I didn't even get to use the Dharma Protector Straw Figure you made."

"Not bad, better than Chen Lao Er was back then," Long Xiao praised.

Zhao Xing didn't respond because he saw Chen Shijie's lips twitching.

However, it seems that Long Xiao has made a great contribution this time, because Chen Shijie didn't say anything and let Long Xiao show off.

"I'll take this bead." Long Xiao picked up the Blood Fiend Pearl and stuffed it into his pocket without any Guest Qi. "When you get to the Divine Might Army, I'll give it to you in points of equal value. Just ask me for help with whatever you want to buy then."

"Okay." Zhao Xing nodded. The army does not use gold or silver, but instead uses a points system.

This type of point system was not only popular in the military, but also in the Seventy-Two Dao Academies and schools of the Great Zhou. There were also "three-community point systems" and "three-academy point systems".

It retains the evaluation system of "excellent", "average" and "no", and also incorporates a highly operable digital system.

If you have enough points, you can advance from the outer academy to the inner academy, from the lower society to the upper society, and even become a teacher in the Dao Academy.

The military merit points system allows for promotions to honors, titles, and ranks once certain levels are reached.

"I've taken care of the Blood Spirit Needle for you." Chen Shijie put away the Blood Spirit Needle. "You'll definitely need it when you go to the Military Realm training camp."

Zhao Xing's eyes lit up. "To become the Agricultural Official in the Divine Might Army, I have to go through the Military Realm training first?"

Long Xiao said proudly, "Of course! Do you think just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can join my Divine Might Army?"

"Even if you try to become an official through the process of becoming a clerk, and wait for a thousand years to be selected, you still won't be able to join the Divine Might Army."

Zhao Xing asked curiously, "Where did the Divine Might Army rank in the last Military Realm Legion Military Drill?"

"Five hundred and eighty-seven!"

You're only ranked over 500, what are you so proud of?

Someone who didn't know better might think you were one of the Ten Imperial Guards!

Seeing that Zhao Xing didn't react to the number, Long Xiao became impatient. "Kid, don't think that being ranked over 500 is bad. Do you know how many armies were involved in the last Military Realm Legion Military Drill?"

"How many?"

"There are 8,793 armies!" Long Xiao said. "My Divine Might Army ranks over 500th. Isn't that impressive?"

"Impressive." Zhao Xing nodded in agreement.

More than 8,000 troops were relatively few for the Great Zhou, which possessed a vast population and Nineteen Provinces.

During the reign of Grand Ancestor, the number of troops participating in the Military Realm exercises exceeded 50,000. However, during the reign of Wen Emperor, he did not launch many wars.

The number of the Military Realm exercises reached a historical low, with only a little over 5,000 troops participating.

During the reign of Emperor Jing, the military was improved slightly, and there were many military exercises, with the number of troops exceeding ten thousand.

The most outrageous one was Wu Emperor, who directly broke the record of Grand Ancestor. At the peak of his Military Realm Legion Military Drill of participating armies reached an astonishing 500,000!

Even on average, the number of troops participating in each Military Realm exercise is no less than 100,000.

Wu Emperor loved to wage war and expand his territory. Moreover, he was not just a figurehead. In fact, the Military Realm Legion Military Drill he held were of a high standard. Among all the dynasties of the Great Zhou, the quality of his army was second only to that of Grand Ancestor, and in some periods it even surpassed it.

Military Realm Legion Military Drill have entry requirements.

Local armies like the East Lake Army were not even qualified to participate.

"Does the Divine Might Army have its own Grotto-Heaven?" Zhao Xing asked.

Upon hearing this question, Long Xiao was visibly discouraged, and Chen Shijie's eyes also dimmed.

"So close."

That means there isn't one.

Zhao Xing felt slightly disappointed.

What is the Military Realm?

The Military Realm is where the Great Zhou Dynasty connected the Grotto-Heaven World across its Nineteen Provinces.

As you level up, the power and range of both spells and martial arts will increase exponentially.

The land of Nineteen Provinces simply cannot withstand such destruction.

For example, Zhao Xing is currently at the Ninth Grade rank, and when he uses the Devouring Cloud Art, he can cover a small part of Valley County.

A martial artist's secret techniques may not have a wide range, but their power is considerable.

Taking the Agricultural Official as an example again, the Earthly Advantage Faction magic often requires practicing on the Earth Vein, and the same goes for the Time Law.

With Earth Rift happening all the time, and the weather shifting between winter and summer, how can ordinary people stand it?

Therefore, high-level armies usually train in the Grotto-Heaven World.

The Grotto-Heaven World is full of wonders.

The area is large enough to withstand development, and it also boasts unique and abundant local products.

For example, there is a book in Agricultural Official's collection called "Blessed Land Resources" which describes the wonders of "Guangling Grotto-Heaven".

In spring, Five Fine Grains can be planted. They are planted in spring and ripen in spring. One ear of grain can feed five people.

In summer, one can plant the Hundred Blood Vine, which is planted and harvested in summer. The vine's fruit can replenish all types of blood.

In autumn, it can cultivate Golden Bean. Sow in autumn and harvest in autumn. It takes three days to Essence Gathering and one month to the Ranked Realm. Its price is comparable to gold.

In winter, one can dig up Bone-Connecting Ginseng; bones can be set in ten days, and severed limbs can be regenerated in a hundred days.

Guangling Grotto-Heaven is home to the Guangling Army, one of the top fifty armies of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Guangling Grotto-Heaven is not the largest or most magical of all cave heavens; the largest Grotto-Heaven World is occupied by the Ten Imperial Guards.

The Legion Military Drill of the Military Realm were held in rotation in those ten largest Grotto-Heaven.

"The strong army occupies a Grotto-Heaven on its own, while the Divine Might Army didn't even make it into the top 300, so it can only share a cave with other legions or even multiple legions."

"But what did Long Xiao mean when he said it was almost there?"

Seeing that Long Xiao and Chen Shijie didn't say much, Zhao Xing didn't ask any further questions. He had a vague guess in his mind that this probably involved the core secrets of the Divine Might Army.

"If I were to go to the Military Realm training camp, which Grotto-Heaven would I go to?" Zhao Xing asked.

"It's not clear yet." Chen Shijie shook his head. "I've stayed in Golden Court Grotto-Heaven and Danxia Grotto-Heaven before. Now that the Divine Might Army has been reactivated, there must be some changes in this regard."

"However, we'll be able to confirm it next spring. Long Xiao and I will also wait until then before we set off."

Zhao Xing nodded, then asked about other matters, "Are the Divine Might Army and the Li Fire Dao Academy on good terms?"

Although the Li Fire Divine Altar has conditions for use, it is not something that just anyone can borrow.

In the Nineteen Provinces, there are countless armies of all sizes, but only seventy-two Dao Academy.

If you want to borrow, the other person has to respect you first.

"Marquis has some connection with the Li Fire Dao Academy," Chen Shijie said. "He studied there for a period of time in his early Dao Academy."

"May I know your name and title, Marquis?"

"Of course," Long Xiao said. "The Marquis's surname is Yang, and his given name is An. Boping Marquis in the first year of New Splendor Era."

Not called Divine Might Marquis? Boping... could he be a county marquis?

Zhao Xing was puzzled. He noticed that Chen Shijie and Long Xiao spoke highly of that Marquis, but he was only a county marquis, which was quite strange.

The title of "Marquis" can reveal a lot.

First-class marquis, usually with the words "powerful" and "heroic", are selected by the emperor personally, and are awarded titles based on special deeds or personal characteristics, or expressing expectations and grand visions, and are also counted as first-class.

The title of Second-Class Marquis was conferred based on the five virtues of a soldier. "Strictness, bravery, martial prowess, wisdom, and trustworthiness."

The third-rank marquis was usually named after the fiefdom he held.

The fourth-rank marquis, not among the Marquis of Martial Marquis, had a wide variety of names. They basically didn't have fiefdoms, only estates. That is, you could only collect taxes from that land, while a fiefdom could not only collect taxes, but also recruit soldiers, develop mineral veins, and so on.

Boping Marquis was clearly only a third-class marquis, yet he was named Divine Might Army.

"I wonder what the story is behind this. The Divine Might Marquis and his Divine Might Army, who would later become famous throughout the land, are now merely the Boping County Marquis. Is Emperor Jing just too stingy?"

Zhao Xing then asked about the Divine Might Army, such as its size, number of soldiers, and battle record. He now had a general understanding of the place he was going to.

Overall, Divine Might Army is quite in line with his next steps plan.

With fewer soldiers but stronger generals, there are many opportunities to earn merit. This can be seen from the personal qualities of Long Xiao and Chen Shijie.

Moreover, the Divine Might Army will become famous throughout the world in the future, and there is great potential for advancement if you follow the Divine Might Army.

The only potential problem is that it was eventually removed from the list for reasons unknown.

"But this is not unchangeable," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "My appearance will inevitably bring about a butterfly effect. For example, without me, Old Chen would not have been alerted to the Profound Heaven Sect's actions in Nanyang County and would not have invited Long Xiao and notified the Prince of Nanyang."

"True strength lies in never complaining about circumstances; no matter how much the future changes, it cannot alter my resolve to live a long and prosperous life!"

At the Chen Residence, after watching Zhao Xing leave, Long Xiao couldn't help but stroke his chin. "This kid is no simpleton. He has a firm will. It seems that becoming the Military Sima Nong wasn't something you persuaded him to do, but rather a direction he had already decided on."

"He was brave and resourceful in the Profound Heaven Sect incident, able to deduce things with you, and even dared to take action against a hall master at a crucial moment."

"But during the inspection of Anping Town, even though there were Dharma Protector Straw Figure with him, he didn't try to take credit for it."

"When I chatted with him, I only said a few words, but he seemed to have already guessed a lot of things."

"I have a feeling he'll surprise us."

Chen Shijie smiled and said, "How come you're even more optimistic than I am? But let's not be too happy yet. Let's wait until he passes the Temple Examination before making any decisions."