Li Fire Dao Academy, Traveling on Borrowed Dao

"Are you getting impatient?" As soon as Long Xiao saw Zhao Xing, he knew why the other party had come.

"If we don't leave soon, my family will get tired of us," Zhao Xing said. "Who can be reluctant to part for more than a month?"

I had several farewell meals with the Old Sima Nong.

Zhao Xing was tired of saying goodbye to his family.

Whether it's feasible or not, we need to give a clear answer. Waiting too long for the selection process is not a good thing.

If something goes wrong with the Divine Might Army and they can't transfer him there, then Zhao Xing will have to prepare for the Military Sima Nong assessment.

There is a fixed assessment period every year, mostly concentrated in the spring. If you miss it, you have to wait another year.

Given Zhao Xing's situation, he felt that if he took the exam now, he might pass; he just needed an opportunity.

After all, his understanding of magic was already comparable to many Eighth Grade Agricultural Official. His understanding of the Four Seasonal Arts and the Earthly Advantage Spells was mostly at the eighth or ninth level, and even the Seventh-Turn was rare.

He even created his own magic!

Compared to a true Eighth Grade, Zhao Xing is only lacking the ranks of Essence Gathering and Fate Soul.

Long Xiao said, "Going through procedures across regions is slower, and it involves transferring you across the civil and military systems, but don't worry, I guarantee it with my life, it will definitely work."

Having said that, Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief. As long as things could be accomplished, he didn't mind waiting a few more days.

"Whoosh~" Just then, a gust of wind blew past the door.

Chen Shijie appeared in the lobby.

"There's no need to wait."

"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."

Long Xiao looked up and asked, "Any news?"

Chen Shijie nodded. "Yes, I just received the letter. The Marquis wants us to arrive in Xier County on March 2nd."

Long Xiao said, "Time is a bit tight, so we can only get there via the altar of the Li Fire Dao Academy."

Chen Shijie said, "I have already contacted the branch of Dayuan Prefecture. The Li Fire Divine Altar will be activated the day after tomorrow. We will take the route to Xier County."

Long Xiao pointed at Zhao Xing: "What about his matter?"

Chen Shijie took out a document from his pocket and said, "I just picked up your transfer order from the County Office. You have been transferred to the Divine Might Army, but according to the procedure, you still have to complete your training in the Military Realm before you can take up your post."

Zhao Xing took the document and glanced at it; it was a transfer order issued by the military, "Which Grotto-Heaven will I be going to?"

Chen Shijie said, "The Divine Might Army's Grotto-Heaven base has been changed to another location, and there are eight other armies within this Grotto-Heaven."

In the last Military Realm Legion Grand Military Exercise, the Divine Might Army ranked 587th. It did not have its own independent Grotto-Heaven and had to share it with the other garrisons.

Only eight armies? That's considered a small number.

In some places, hundreds of troops share a Grotto-Heaven; just imagining it makes you feel cramped.

But there's nothing we can do; there are too many wolves and not enough meat.

To enjoy this Grotto-Heaven, one must rank among the top 300 in the Military Realm Legion Grand Military Exercise.

Because the Grotto-Heaven is not only a training ground, but also has many other benefits, troops stationed there will naturally be the first to enjoy these benefits.

"It's no longer in Golden Court and Cinnabar Glow. What's the name of the new Grotto-Heaven? What's special about it, and what benefits can it offer?" Long Xiao asked.

Chen Shijie said, "I don't know the specifics of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven. The Marquis didn't explain in detail in his letter either. Anyway, it will arrive in early March, and we'll know when we see it."

Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven?

Zhao Xing's heart stirred.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao were unaware of the situation at Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, but he was.

"The Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven was discovered in the Jingxin Tenth Year. Now it is the Jingxin Sixteenth Year, which means it has only been discovered for a little over five years. It is in the early stages of development, and a large area has not yet been explored."

"The Divine Might Army's presence at Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is probably more than just a training ground; they also have exploration missions to undertake. I do know the locations of many treasures..."

Zhao Xing controlled his emotions very well this time, and only thought about it for a moment before regaining control.

Since mastering the [Discern Minute Details] technique, he has paid special attention to these details. You must know that when a high-level expert uses this technique, it is extremely terrifying. Not only can it detect lies, but it can even grasp the psychological activities of those at a lower level.

It's one thing if you know a little about other things, but if you know everything about a newly developed Grotto-Heaven like the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, then that's hard to explain.

"Then I'll go back and prepare." After expressing his curiosity about the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, Zhao Xing left the Chen Residence and returned home to make preparations.

Kangping Ward, Zhao Family.

"The selection order has been issued. I will depart with Chen Shijie the day after tomorrow to go to Xier County," Zhao Xing told his family during lunch.

"Xier County..." Zhao Ruide pondered for a moment, "Is tens of thousands of miles away from home."

Zhao Xing said, "Yes, it's still in Pinghai Province, but it's on the upper reaches of the Canglan River, more than 40,000 li round trip."

At that time, Long Xiao traveled by using the fire escape technique of the altar of the Li Fire Dao Academy, a straight-line distance of 20,000 li.

If it's by land or water, then it's even further.

Now that the location of the Divine Might Army's garrison has changed, the distance is probably even greater.

"Be careful in everything. If you have time, come back and visit often." Zhao Ruide simply gave this advice, after all, he had said it many times over the past month.

Everyone's emotions have calmed down now.

Zhao Zheng, this little brother, went from being reluctant to let me go at the beginning, saying, "Brother, don't go, I'll definitely practice martial arts hard." Now, he's become disdainful, saying, "Brother, why aren't you leaving yet? Don't worry about my martial arts practice."

"Brother, I'll miss you!" Zhao Zheng said. "But Father said a man's ambition lies in all corners of the world, and I will definitely miss you!"

"Stop pretending, your grin is practically reaching your heels." Zhao Xing pinched his little brother's cheek. "Don't think you can slack off on martial arts just because I'm leaving."

"Godfather, I've hired someone from Zong Shichang. From now on, Zheng'er will go there to practice martial arts every day, so you don't need to worry about him."

Zhao Ruide nodded, Madam Cai opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Although she was reluctant to let her son suffer, seeing Zhao Xing's success over the past month, she gradually changed her mind.

Who wouldn't want their son to succeed?

Only Zhao Zheng disagreed with this. "No, Brother Wa, how could you do this to me? I object!"

"Opposition overruled, time to eat!"

"Well..."

February 25th.

Chen Shijie stepped down, and Xue Wenzhong temporarily took over as the head of the Agricultural Supervisorate.

Chen Shijie left his mansion and all his other properties in Gucheng to Gui Niang, including the Heaven Yuan Pear.

It was only then that everyone discovered that Chen Shijie had a lover in Gucheng.

But no one dared to mess with Heaven Yuan Pear.

It wasn't just because of the strict laws, but also because Chen Shijie had accumulated a great reputation in Gucheng over the past five years.

In addition, Chen Shijie also had connections in the county, so although he was quite wealthy, no one dared to harbor any ill intentions.

Of course, most importantly, Chen Shijie also kept the Dharma Protector Straw Figure that had been used to protect Zhao Xing.

February 26th, 5:00 AM.

Zhao Xing carried the Wen Bamboo Box on his back and left his home in Kangping Ward.

Upon arriving at the Chen Residence, a Flowing Cloud Flying Boat was already waiting at the drill ground.

Chen Shijie maneuvered the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat around Gucheng three times in the darkness before heading straight for Dayuan Prefecture.

Dayuan Prefecture, located in the southern part of Pinghai Province, was also the superior institution of Nanyang County, and its prefect was Third Grade official.

The Li Fire Dao Academy established a branch in the eastern part of the prefectural city.

As one of the Seventy-Two Dao Academies of the Great Zhou, the Li Fire Dao Academy only has a branch in the prefectural city.

Even so, its branches are spread across the Nineteen Provinces, and its influence can be said to radiate throughout the entire Great Zhou.

Traveling by the Flowing Cloud Flying Boat, it only took Heavenly Timing to get from Gucheng to Fucheng.

After entering the city, the three headed straight for the Li Fire Dao Academy branch.

"The predecessor of the Li Fire Dao Academy was Li Fire Sect. Our ancestors were once very wealthy and ranked ninth among the Divine Sect."

"After the old sect system was broken, the Li Fire Sect submitted to the Great Zhou, no longer identified itself as a sect, and changed its name to the Li Fire Dao Academy."

"The Grand Ancestor was appointed as the honorary abbot of all the Dao Academy, and subsequently his descendants were appointed to important positions in various Dao Academy."

"The current vice dean of the Li Fire Dao Academy is Ji Changkong, a member of the royal family. He is the Son of Heaven's cousin and was enfeoffed as the Liyang King five hundred years ago."

"The head of this branch of the Dayuan Prefecture, Ji Qingshan, is also a member of the royal family, but he is still very young, only 201 years old, and is the Son of Heaven -nephew."

"Two hundred years old is still considered young?" Zhao Xing asked, feigning surprise.

" At the Third-Rank Realm, two hundred years old is indeed young," Chen Shijie explained. "With the lifespan extension and one's own Essence Gathering level, Third Grade can live to be five or six hundred years old."

"We've only lived a third of our lives, aren't we still young?"

"That's true."

The Li Fire Dao Academy covers an area of more than 5,000 acres, and there are even Spirit Mountain and Spirit Lake within the Dao Academy.

The Seventy-Two Dao Academies of the Great Zhou had a very unique enrollment mechanism. Most of them had Dao Child Academy, which only admitted children under the age of 10.

Moreover, there will be dedicated personnel patrolling various regions to identify promising talents with excellent potential.

It is divided into inner and outer courtyards, and both inner and outer courtyards are further divided into upper and lower sections.

Students who excelled in their studies at local academies and schools could take entrance exams to study at different levels.

In order to bring the sects under his control, Grand Ancestor established the Daoist Official Selection System. Graduates of the Seventy-Two Dao Academies could go directly to various places to serve as officials. In other words, they were guaranteed job assignments upon graduation.

In the ancient sectarian system, the relationship between master and disciple was very deep, even surpassing blood ties. The saying "son and disciple" refers to how a master treats his disciple as if he were his son.

Disciples are forbidden from betraying their master and joining another school for life.

However, although Dao Academy still emphasize respect for teachers and the Tao, the titles have changed, and there are only teachers and students.

Teachers are not responsible for their students' futures; they are only responsible for completing the teaching tasks assigned by the imperial court. Students are not required to learn from only one teacher, and there is no question of betraying their teacher's school.

Of course, some Dao Academy still retain some ancient customs, such as the practice of taking on apprentices and master-disciple relationships.

But as long as there's no "cleansing of the household" or killing students for disobedience, and everything is done according to the laws of the Great Zhou Law, the court doesn't care about your personal relationships.

The gate of the Li Fire Dao Academy is very tall and grand, and also very old.

Since entry and exit required credentials, Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie, Long Xiao were both waiting at the entrance for someone to pick them up.

"The teachers in the Dao Academy are divided into five levels: Hundred Arts Dharma Master, Teaching Dharma Master, Classics Scholar, Vice Dean, and Dean."

"The Marquis knows a Classics Scholar at the Dayuan Prefecture branch, and he will send someone to pick us up," Long Xiao explained.

The relationship between the Divine Might Army and the Li Fire Dao Academy seemed to be quite good. Before long, a young man in Yellow Robe flew out and landed in front of the three of them.

He held half a jade pendant in his hand, which was the same half that Chen Shijie held.

"Are you two Lord Long Xiao Chen Shijie?" the young man in the Yellow Robe asked.

"Exactly."

"Our teacher ordered me to fetch you to the Li Fire Divine Altar." The boy in the Yellow Robe glanced at Zhao Xing: "Hmm? Why is there an extra person? And a cat too?"

"He is also one of my Divine Might Army members."

"Can it withstand the Dao of a True Lord?" The Yellow Robe youth looked at the Mountain Cat with some doubt. He was just a student in the lower academy, and his eyesight was average; he couldn't tell the Mountain Cat's rank.

"This is Strange Beast Mountain Cat, Eighth Grade beast," Chen Shijie explained simply. "Don't worry about it."

The young man in the Yellow Robe nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

"Please follow me, all three of you."

The Li Fire Divine Altar is located in a valley surrounded by five small, fiery red hills.

There were several Fire Pond in the low-lying area.

When Zhao Xing arrived near the altar, he felt a wave of heat.

He was familiar with this place.

The Li Fire Divine Altar is a Gao Ming Teleportation Array that also incorporates escape techniques.

During the era of the Dynasty of Fate, the long-distance teleportation from the Li Fire Divine Altar, with its low side effects, was a unique existence.

Other Dao Academy also have similar methods, but the side effects are ridiculously large. In an era before the revival of spiritual energy, the costs involved are too high, either extremely expensive or requiring a high level of expertise for users, or they come with strong side effects.

In comparison, the conditions for using the Li Fire Divine Altar are much lower.

If you travel by borrowed route, you will travel twice as far as the message can travel.

Once you arrive at your destination, you can easily "Returning the Dao" by simply counting your steps – it couldn't be more accessible.

"We've arrived." The Yellow Robe monk pointed to a spot ahead. "The No. 9 Fire Pond will be turned on in a quarter of an hour."

"Once it opens, just walk right in. I see this guy has a cat with him; looks like it's his first time here?"

Zhao Xing nodded. "Yes."

The young man in the Yellow Robe said enthusiastically, "Then let me remind you a few more things. When you are using this route, do not move around carelessly, and do not try to comprehend the Dao of Fire. After you leave, Returning the Dao as soon as possible, preferably within a month, otherwise there will be some negative consequences."

"Thank you," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands in thanks.

"Guest Qi." The Yellow Robe monk said a few words and then fell silent, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Zhao Xing looked around and saw several Fire Pond burning with red flames. People would come out of the flames from time to time, and some would go in. However, each time someone went in or out, the flames in the Fire Pond would shrink considerably.

The shrunken flames were drawn as lines that wrapped around the user's body.

While I was waiting quietly, someone suddenly approached, and I could hear several people's voices at the same time.

"Lord Helian, we've arrived. This is the No. 9 Fire Pond... Wait, why is someone here?"

Zhao Xing turned his head and saw another young man in Yellow Robe leading five people to the waiting area of No. 9 Fire Pond.

Of the five, two appeared to be in their early forties, dressed in armor and military boots. The other three were younger, two men and one woman, and were only of the Ninth Grade.

Chen Shijie and Long Xiao also noticed this scene. They exchanged a glance and frowned slightly.

"Friend, what's wrong with you? There are already people at the No. 9 Fire Pond. Why are you bringing them here?" The boy next to Zhao Xing couldn't help but ask.

"There's no reason for that," the tall, thin boy opposite said, puzzled. "I checked the fire register just two quarters of an hour ago, and the No. 9 Fire Pond heading towards Datong Prefecture is vacant at 4:40 AM."

"Have you registered yet?"

"I... I should have registered..." The Yellow Robe youth opposite him changed his expression.

"Impossible. If you registered in the Fire Register, I wouldn't have been able to register a quarter of an hour ago," said the Yellow Robe youth on their side. "Friend, you're too careless. Quickly take your distinguished guest to find the next suitable time."

"I'm sorry, Lord Helian, Lord Lei, it was my mistake." The tall, thin boy in the Yellow Robe quickly apologized.

Helian Lie's voice was deep. "Besides number nine, what other fire Fire Pond are available to accommodate five people going to Datong Prefecture?"

"It seems... it seems..." The tall, thin boy in the Yellow Robe stammered, clearly not very bright.

The man in Yellow Robe next to Zhao Xing couldn't stand it any longer and answered for him, "There are also fire pits number fourteen, No. 26, and No. 49 Fire Pond that can provide enough space for five people to travel to Datong Prefecture."

Helian Lie looked over. "When will it open?"

The boy thought for a moment and said, "The No. 14 Fire Pond is tomorrow at dawn, the No. 26 is tomorrow at noon, and the No. 49 Fire Pond will be the day after tomorrow."

"It's too late." The Thunder Surname Man next to Helian Lie shook his head and said, "After arriving in Datong Prefecture, it will take another six hours to reach the entrance of the Grotto-Heaven, which will make us late for the army."

Helian Lie looked at the Yellow Robe beside him. "Is there any other way? Can we temporarily create another passage?"

The Tall Thin Youth was almost in tears. "Sir, this... this doesn't seem to work..."

Helian Lie immediately turned his gaze to Long Xiao and took out a jade pendant from his pocket. "My name is Helian Lie, Valiant Commandant of the Blazing Sun Army. We have military orders to carry out and must rush to Datong Prefecture. Please allow the five of us to pass first. This Dragon Crystal Jade Pendant is compensation for the three of you."

The Blazing Sun Army? Long Xiao and Chen Shijie exchanged a glance.

The Blazing Sun Army is another garrison force in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, and it ranks even higher than the Divine Might Army.

In terms of rank, Helian Lie, the Valiant Commandant, was one rank higher than them.

This is hardly a coincidence, because the military issued assembly orders for all nine garrisons within the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven on the same date.

To avoid trouble, Chen Shijie introduced himself, "I am Chen Shijie, the Nine Sections Military Sima Nong Army of the Divine Might Army, and this gentleman next to me is Long Xiao, the Yiwei Commandant."

"I'm sorry, we also have military orders to follow and need to get to Datong Prefecture as soon as possible."

"Heh, so it's an order from the Boping County Marquis." The Thunder Surname Middle-aged suddenly chuckled. "Is an order from a third-rank county marquis more powerful than an order from the Marquis of Martial Marquis? Does the Divine Might Army rank higher than our Blazing Sun Army in the Military Realm Legion Military Drill? I think we should go ahead first! Our orders are more important!"

"Bullshit! Aren't my military orders military orders?"

A flash of anger appeared in Long Xiao's eyes, and the scabbard behind him trembled incessantly.

Insulting him is acceptable, but insulting the Marquis and the Divine Might Army is not.

At that moment, he desperately wanted to draw his sword and fight this man to the death!

Chen Shijie pressed Long Xiao down, shook his head slightly, and then said, "You two should find another way. Don't waste your breath, or you'll only waste your own time."

I've been writing all night, and I still haven't finished the third chapter. My head is a bit foggy. I'll just post these two chapters of 11,000 words for now. I can't help it; I'll have to finish the third chapter when I wake up.